Portions Taken from P.N blog…
Scripture is so clear–God hates pride! In fact, there are some clear verses where He actually opposes the proud!!! (James 4:6, I Peter 5:5)
Yet EVERY leader I know wrestles with pride! It’s tempting…it’s intoxicating…and it’s sinful. What is P-R-I-D-E?
P = Personalized
When a leader runs every decision through the grid of, “How will this impact me,” rather than, “how will this impact the Kingdom”–pride is often rearing its ugly head.
Pride always whispers to the leader, “It’s all about you…and if this doesn’t suit your personal preferences OR isn’t really convenient for you…then don’t!”
The thought of us “giving in” to another idea or suggestion will prevent us from being the leader we ought to be. We take it very personal if our way of doing it is not the way we it ends up getting done.
R = Reconsideration
Pride will NOT allow us to reconsider a previous bad decision because we fear losing face with the people we lead…not understanding that following through on that bad decision will damage our leadership integrity WAY more than admitting a mistake.
IN FACT, admitting a mistake actually gives us credibility as a leader…more often than not! If there is a bad decision…and you know it–change it…everyone will be thankful!
I = Individual
Pride tells the leader, “YOU make the call…and if no one around you agrees with you…forget them and their ideas!”
I believe in point leadership. I believe that God has called the pastor to lead…to be the decision maker. However…in my opinion, the leader, or Pastor in this case, needs to seek first the counsel of GOD and then that of GODLY men/women around him. However, the counsel of others SHOULD NEVER trump that of what God tells us to do.
For example…yesterday I spoke with one of my staff about something I’ve been praying about and considering for Victory. I called him in and asked him to pick it totally apart. I needed him to tell me every pro and every con he could possibly think of so that I might get his perspective.
I believe, often times, the best leadership resource many of us have are the people around us!
D = Deceptive
Pride is SO easy to see in others…and almost impossible to see in ourselves!
There is a fine line between being prideful and being confident. Some people are confident and are mistaken as prideful…and others are prideful and mistaken as confident. The only people that truly know are the leader and Jesus!!!
We can be confident leaders without being prideful…we KNOW pride is leaking in when we begin to think, “I don’t need these people…I can run this show…if something is going to be done right around here then I am going to have to do it!”
E = Everything
Pride IMPACTS everything! When a leader will not confess and repent of pride…every single area of the church (or the area he/she leads) will be tainted! We can’t maintain a posture of pride and receive the blessings and favor of God at the same time.
One of the most dangerous things God can bless a church or leader with is success! When great things happen we need to simply…
- Remember where He found us!
- Thank Him for His faithfulness
- Understand He doesn’t need us…but because of HIS mercy He uses us anyway!
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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October 02 2008 | General | No Comments »
Taken from Austin Gardner’s blog…
“(Pornography) hollows you out,” says one man. “Anything that has life is stripped from it when it comes in contact with pornography.”
“The reason why pornography is the most addictive thing in the universe,” says another, “is that it allows a man to feel like a man without requiring him to be one.” source
* 60 percent of Christian men and 35 percent of women admit to struggling with pornography. The real statistics are probably much higher.
* Four out of every seven calls to the “Focus on the Family” help line are pornography-related.
* Thirty-seven (37) percent of pastors admit to the addiction. source
There is help and victory in the Lord Jesus Christ. I challenge you to be faithful to the services of Victory Baptist where you will hear truth and God will work in your life through the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. I also invite you to take part in our Addictions program that is here to help you on Friday nights at 7 pm. Call the church office at 770-466-4040 or our Addictions 24 Hour Hotline at 678-294-4769 for more information.
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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October 02 2008 | General | No Comments »
My wife and I are celebrating 14 years of marriage today (Oct. 1) and let me tell you, it’s 14 times sweeter today than it was in ‘94! I can’t even adequately describe how grateful I am for the Lord giving me such a wonderful woman to be my helper and friend.
You know one of the nonspiritual things I really love about her? She makes me feel I’m needed for her security and stability. She relies on me to say “everything is going to be ok” during those tough weeks and “you sure are the greatest mother God could have chosen for our children” on those trying weeks. She really values the warm embraces, gentle kisses and playful pops I give her EVERY day! You may think I’m making stuff up or exaggerating, but all you need to do is ask her. We seriously not only love each other, we are IN love with each other!
Let me tell you something, we enjoy each others company more than one can imagine. This ol’ boy loves coming home! I don’t look for things to keep me away from the house. The crazy thing though, is that she’s looking for me to get home!
What am I saying? Basically, she thinks this out of shape, getting older and grayer guy she’s had six kids with is a stud! And though every one in the world may disagree, it doesn’t matter as long as she’s still blinded and says so! Man, I love her!
I can only pray that my girls become half the mother and wife she is and my boys find a woman like their mom.
I love you, Michelle.
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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October 01 2008 | General | 3 Comments »
Preached the last message in the Get Victory in Your Leadership series today…The Commitment of Spiritual Leadership. I really enjoyed the series this month; I pray it was a blessing and challenge to all.
Felt like I had more enthusiasm and zeal in the first service than in the second one.
Had one profession of faith today (31 yr old) and a child that got saved in our Jr. church also made it public that he got saved two weeks ago. Amen!
Just like last month, following today’s Road to Victory Class (membership class), another person will be joining the Victory family. I’d also like to welcome Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Wascom, who joined last week, to VBC.
Josh Ayers preached the evening service tonight and my does he study and bring a full message? Job well done, Josh. I’m very proud of you.
Looking forward to leaving for Peru in just 8 days!
Will have some exciting news to share with the church next Sunday… Make sure you’re here!
Thank You Lord for a great day!
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 28 2008 | General | No Comments »
Friday was a good day for me and the kids. As many of you know, my wife went to a teacher’s conference in SC, lending for some “daddy time.” I had heard that Houschton, Ga was trying to set a world record with the number of scarecrows they built, so we went to check it out for ourselves.
Upon arriving on the outskirts of town, there was no doubt what we heard was true…there were ALOT of scarecrows. All in all, I think there were 5,441 counted scarecrows.
We had a great time making slime, eating ice cream and creating “sign art”.
Mom made it in around 7:20 and all were glad to see her.
Taken from a familiar cartoon “I love my family!”
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 26 2008 | General | No Comments »
We had a great time today with the Senior Adults on our monthly Day with Pastor outing. I talked a few more into trying some sushi and then forced a couple of the guys that went with us to eat some. (Josh R. and Chris W.) I figured if Chris could eat eel he can eat some guniea pig in Peru in a couple of weeks:). Anyway, thanks to all those who were able to make it.
Next month we’ll be going to the north Georgia mountains for a day trip, so make your plans now to go with us.
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 23 2008 | General | No Comments »
I want to remind the senior adults of our lunch tomorrow at Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse. We’ll leave the church at 11:30 AM or you can meet us there at 11:45. Looking forward to some sushi and a another great time!
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 22 2008 | General | No Comments »
Last night my family and I went up to Vision Baptist in Alpharetta for their Mission Conference and heard some great singing and preaching. Bro. Austin’s son, Chris Gardner preached and did a great job. I praise the Lord for the heart of missions Vision Baptist has.
Bro. Austin is a collector of swords and my girls got a chance in the words of Malia, to “hold a real sword!”
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 20 2008 | General | No Comments »
That’s what I told the men when I took these pics. Of course they didn’t know about Nehemiah and his enemy Sanballat that was trying to get him off the wall, but I’m sure most of the readers do.
Church, that’s one thing we can’t let up on while we’re building. Let’s remember the Who we’re building for as well as the Why we’re building…”to provide a method or a means to minister to every member in our community and world with the Message of the Gospel!”
To make sure that happens, the staff and I have spent many hours already on a very fresh, exciting and new concept we’ll unveil in two weeks! VBC, we have much work to do and we must be about the Father’s business. Please pray for God’s leading in the lives of our people.
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 20 2008 | General | No Comments »
In case anybody is wondering who I choose to be the vice-president of my HOME, it’s this woman pictured here. Her qualifications?
- Mother of five (soon to be six)
- cooker of venison
- football and baseball mom
- actively involved in her church
- wears lipstick and prefers labs over pit-bulls
- wouldn’t mind crossing the “Bridge to Anywhere” (especially on days without naps)
- wishes she had a “barrel full of pork” for those 5 kids
- is definitely about “change”-she’s always “changing clothes, sheets, and again soon, diapers”
- loves her husband, who is also a cool “dude”
Hope you enjoy…I couldn’t resist this after taking a picture of my wife this past Sunday morning as we were getting ready for church. I sure do love her!
Written by Derik Lawrence -
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September 16 2008 | General | 2 Comments »
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