While at the Momentum conference, we got a chance to hear from Dr. Derwin Gray, pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina. Read more about him and his blog, ‘Just Marinating,’ here.

Derwin also played five years in the National Football League for the Colts and the Panthers. Some call him the ‘Evangelism Linebacker.’

Derwin challenged us to think about our greatest passions in life…and to consider…is knowing God and making Him known at the top of that list? Are we a source of encouragement rooted in Christ?

He challenged us to lives of self-giving humility.

He reminded us that the God we serve never runs out of mercy, so are we running to mercy?  Ephesians 2: 1-4 is one example in scripture where we know our God is rich in mercy. Giving compassion or forgiveness when it is within our power to punish or harm.

Derwin challenged us that the only time we should look down on somebody is when we are extending a hand down to LIFT THEM UP!

And what about grace? The free and unmerited favor of God. Derwin asked a direct question: are we more amazed by the grace of Jesus? Or more amazed by us? Wow. Sometimes we can get stuck in what WE’VE done and what WE’VE achieved. Derwin said something that has been stuck in my mind: we have nothing to boast about. It’s ALL HIS, we just said yes!

So think about this today…is your fragrance grace, mercy and kindness? Or something else? Do you see what God sees?

God saw a broken and bloodied world, stepped in as Jesus, and took the breaking and the blood! Praise God for people like Derwin challenging us to a better way.

—

Remember your deadline for getting your dad registered for ‘Take Dad to Dinner’ is tonight at 11:59pm 🙂

Click here to get to the nomination page. The random drawing of four winners is tomorrow on The Morning Thing.

Thanks for listening!

-Joe