I was doing my daily reading of blogs and ministry stuff and ran across a Rick Warren quote in the Ministry Toolbox on Pastors.com. The quote says:

"Our culture is falling apart. If you’re not preaching repentance in your message, you’re not preaching. No matter what we cover, it has got to come back to changing your mind, because your mind controls your life." - Rick Warren


I have a core conviction that stems directly from the Bible: A change in thinking produces a change in action. Romans 12:2 tells us that in order to be transformed we must renew our minds. What happens then? We will be able to test and approve what God's will is. You want to know what God's will for your life is? Change your mind. You want to hear God's voice? Change your mind. Looking for answers? Change your mind. This transformational truth can be found in several ways, the easiest and best is simply by reading the Word of God. The whole stinkin book is full of truth and the truth sets us free.

Rick hits on one of my other core covictions: Preachers must preach Jesus. Jesus is why we do what we do day in and day out. Preach repentance "for the Kingdom of God is near", but at the end of the day it has to come back to Jesus. You're doing a series on Marriage? Bottom line: Jesus. You're preaching on The Davinci Code? Jesus. You're talking about money? Jesus talked about money, A LOT! You're talking about sin? Jesus mentioned something about sin...oh yeah, He forgives sin, He died for my sin, He wants us to not sin. Bottom line: Everything comes back to Jesus, who he is and what he did and what he wants us to do. Anne Graham Lotz has it right: "Just Give Me Jesus".

You want to know God? Change your mind. Stop thinking about you and start thinking about him.