Derwin L. Gray's Blog, page 10
September 29, 2013
8 Rhythms of Grace That Help Me Grow
I’m often asked, “Pastor Derwin, what do you do to grow as a husband, father, and pastor?”
In this blog, I’d like to share with you, “The 8 Rhythms of Grace that Help Me Grow.”
1. The Rhythm of the Word And Prayer
I immerse myself in the Word of God (Jesus) as I prayerfully read, study, memorize and marinate on Scripture (John 5:39-40). All of Scripture has one goal: to testify to the saving work of Jesus. I want to know Him more.
2. The Rhythm of My Family
My first ministry is to receive the grace of God and give that same grace away to my next highest ministry, my wife and children.
3. The Rhythm of Community
I need other believers speaking into my life and pouring grace into my heart. This happens in in my TC Group [small group], and each week during Transformation Time, where I teach [and am taught by] our staff and the Transformation Church Executive Lead Team.
4. The Rhythm of Mentorship and Mentoring
I need older, more mature men to pour into my life; my mentors Rick Warren, Scot McKnight, Miles McPherson, and Norm Geisler. I need peers in my life to share ideas and experiences, and I need mentees to mentor and pour my life into so the next generation can be strong.
5. The Rhythm of Learning
I read a lot! And I read across disciplines: technology, theology, philosophy, organizational leadership, sociology, psychology, and science.
6. The Rhythm of Mission
I view everyday as opportunity to reach the lost. I love sharing Jesus with people as I build relationships with them.
7. The Rhythm of Financial Generosity
My wife and I are financially generous to the local church (Transformation Church) and God’s work because Jesus was first generous to us. The more we give financially, the more we protect ourselves for the seductive allure of idolizing money.
8. The Rhythm of Relying on The Spirit
The more I grow in Jesus, the more I realize how weak and needy I am, which causes me to depend on the Holy Spirit’s power. I want to be a man that walks with and in the Spirit.
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 22, 2013
Leadership: I Wonder if We Got It Wrong?
Pastors, we talk, preach and make much about leadership and how to be great leaders.
But I wonder if we have it wrong?
I wonder if our view of leadership is more like that of the pagan Romans than that of Jesus.
During the Passover, Jesus’ disciples were talking to Jesus about leading and leadership and asked him who would be the greatest leaders among the disciples. Let’s eavesdrop on the greatest conversation about leadership EVER.
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. Jesus told them, “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” Luke 22:24-26 NLT
According to Jesus, the Eternal Son of God, leadership is about being a servant. And just in case we don’t know what being a servant is, Jesus taught us to be a living example.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.” John 13:4-5; 14 NLT
Pastors, beyond preaching, whose feet are we washing?
Pastors, as Jesus said, “But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.”
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 17, 2013
What Causes Addiction?
Today’s blog is from chapter two of my book Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future.
If you anyone struggling with addiction, please share this blog with them.
Humans have an amazing ability to get addicted to just about anything—food, shopping, people-pleasing, and self-pleasing. The reason for our addictive appetites is that we were created for worship. Worship has a powerful impact on us in that we draw our identity, worth, and purpose from the object of our worship. Identity tells us who we are. Worth gives us our value. Purpose gives us a reason for waking up every morning. While we were created for worship, it was not intended for the many external things we fixate on. God intended that He would be the target of our worship because He created humanity to draw our identity, worth, and purpose from being loved by Him. God says we are His beloved children and that we are valuable because Jesus died for us. God says we have a purpose—to know Him and make Him known through our lives. This is the essence of worship.
If we don’t discover our identity, worth, and purpose in God through Jesus, we will find and worship a substitute god. Substitute gods promise freedom but only succeed in enslaving us. At the root of every addiction is idolatry—the futile effort of going to a substitute god to meet our needs. Instead of going to Jesus to meet our needs, we turn to shopping, sex, drugs, alcohol, food, or work to meet them.
Click here to order my book Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future.
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 15, 2013
The Limitless Life Hip Hop Song!
Are you ready to be blown away?
My friends, hip hop artists, Tommy “Urban D” Kyllonen, Dae-Lee, and Cannon, collaborated to create the explosive, theological rich song, “Limitless Life” in conjunction with the release of my new book, Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future. Click here learn more about my new book: http://limitlesslifebook.com/
When you buy a copy of Limitless Life you get the “Limitless Life” hip hop Song for FREE! Just send a copy of your receipt to LimitlessLifeBook@gmail.com so you can download “You Are Limitless.” And you will also get a bonus worship song entitled, “You Are Limitless.” Click here: http://www.derwinlgray.com/limitless-song-free/
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 10, 2013
What Goliath Has You Afraid?
“When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.” 1 Samuel 17:11 ESV
Leader, what “Goliath” has you dismayed and greatly afraid?
It is essential that we have “Goliath’s” calling our names and challenging us to a backyard brawl.
It is my passionate plea to leaders, lead in such a way that your family, your business, or your church can only be explained by Jesus showing up and defeating your Goliaths.
The prayer below is from chapter 1 of my new book, Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Holds Your Future.
“Father God, though fear surrounds me, I choose to hide and find my strength and courage in Your Son, Jesus. By the Spirit’s power, Jesus is my courage, and in Him I am more than a conqueror. Today, I refuse to let fear keep me from my destiny. I choose courage in Jesus! I’m available for You to do the inconceivable through me, for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Click here to check out Limitless Life
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 8, 2013
Get The You Are Limitless Song For Free
In this whirlwind called LIfe, God out of limitless grace, will call us to do something that ONLY HE COULD accomplish.
I pray you and I both, and all of God’s people will have a life tattooed with only God-kind of-moments.
In this video, you will see how God does an epic work of grace in our lives as we face our fears.
The documentary that you are about see gives insight into how the song, “You Are Limitless”, was written by several members of the Transformation Church Worship Team.
I pray that the song inspires you to face your fears and live in the limitless Life Jesus has for you.
And you can download the song, “You Are Limitless” with the purchase of my new Limitless Life: You Are More Than Your Past When God Has Your Future, for FREE! So preorder the book today and then email your receipt to LimitlessLifeBook@gmail.com so you can download “You Are Limitless.”
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 6, 2013
Last Day to Win an iPad Mini & $150 Gift Card! Limitless Life Giveaways
Thank you for joining me this week during the launch of Limitless Life! Today is the last day to win the launch week daily prizes. Today’s prize is a $150 Target gift card! You can enter to win below. Also don’t forget today is the last day to enter to win the iPad mini.
Thank you so much for your support of this book and its message. I pray that it will transform you and touch your life like never before.
Want more information or to purchase a book? Visit LimitlessLifeBook.com.
Click here to win the $150 Target gift card:
$150 Target gift card giveaway
Click here to win the iPad mini:
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
Limitless Life Giveaways: Win a $150 Visa Gift Card!
My book, Limitless Life released this week. To celebrate that, I have a new prize we’re giving away every day this week. Today’s awesome prize is a $150 Visa gift card! Enter to win below.
Check back tomorrow for the final prize – a $150 Target gift card!
Want more information or to purchase the book? Visit LimitlessLifeBook.com.
Click here to win the Visa gift card:
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 4, 2013
Limitless Life Giveaways: Win a Marshall Faulk Signed Miniature Helmet!
My book, Limitless Life, released this week! To celebrate the launch of the book this week, we have daily giveaways with awesome prizes you can win. Today’s prize is a miniature helmet signed by my friend, Marshall Faulk. You can enter to win this prize below.
Check back tomorrow for Friday’s prize–a $150 Visa gift card!
Want more information or to purchase the book? Visit LimitlessLifeBook.com.
Click here to win the football:
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
September 3, 2013
Limitless Life Giveaways: Win a Carolina Panther’s Signed Football!
Limitless Life Giveaways: Win a Carolina Panther’s Signed Football!
My book, Limitless Life, released yesterday! To celebrate launch week, we have daily giveaways with great prizes. Today’s prize is a Carolina Panthers football signed by the entire team!
Enter to win this prize below. Check back tomorrow for the next daily prize which is a Marshall Faulk signed miniature helmet!
Want more information or to purchase the book? Visit LimitlessLifeBook.com.
Click here to win the football:
Marinate on that,
Pastor Derwin
Derwin L. Gray's Blog
- Derwin L. Gray's profile
- 69 followers
