Comments on: A Few Words Can Change a Life

By: Jayma

Jayma — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:29:22 +0000

You, Craig, in 2003 (Growing to Chapel series, week 3) on a Saturday night when I was sitting in the crowd said, “If you are dating someone you know is not God’s best for you, you need to end it now because it’s not fair to you, it’s not fair to him, and it’s not fair to your future spouse.” I broke up with him asap - I would’ve married someone I had settled for.

Miles Paludan called me up out of the blue last November, right after the Byers had moved and told me that God was leading him to tell me to look into my options overseas, something I’d been feeling led to do but didn’t know if it was really God or just me; this brought confirmation - and now I sit in London (Step 4 - Uncommon clarity).

Those are 2 of the most significant moments in my life when God spoke to me through someone that DRASTICALLY changed my life. There are many more from you, Craig. I give you my most sincere thank you.

By: Barry Worcester

Barry Worcester — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:51:04 +0000

Craig, I just had a similar experience in Mexico City last week. I was listening to a member of the National UNIFAM Ministry Team from during vision casting. Their goal was to reach over 30,000 people to Christ in three years. My vision for church planting is insignificant in comparison. Blown away.

By: Jon Wilke

Jon Wilke — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:26:54 +0000

Craig, as a lost teenager, I didn’t have any goals or dreams; school was torture and rules were for other people.
I skipped class one day and went to an FCA rally. My principal gave a closing word and prayed. He said, “some of you here could do great things if you applied yourselves.”
We were dismissed and as I was headed for the door, the principal cut through the crowd and found me. I thought I was in trouble (he knew I was supposed to be in class), and he said, “you were the one I had in mind when I said those things.” His kind, encouraging words meant he believed in me. That inspired me for years and was a turning point in my self-image, lifting me out of the rut so many kids get stuck in.

By: Bill (cycleguy)

Bill (cycleguy) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 11:03:50 +0000

“I love you dad” and “I love you Bill (from my bride)” mean more to me than anyone else’s words. They remind me what I have and what is at stake.

By: Sam Frederick

Sam Frederick — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:52:37 +0000

One of the guys on your staff, Andrew Statezny, has consistently spoke into my life and his positive words and belief in me is probably one of the main reasons I am in ministry today. I couldn’t think of one single phrase….just consistently challenging me to greatness and seeing something incredible when I saw so little.

By: Jared

Jared — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:21:41 +0000

I wen to a small Christian university and had a professor who also served as pastor of a church in town. In a ministry class, he once said, “Success in ministry is always measured by the names of individuals.” As a young pastor at a small church, I am thankful for that statement. When money is tight and attendance is low, I can look at faces in our congregation and know that our church is successful because lives are being changed.

By: john snyder

john snyder — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:52:21 +0000

from high school on my dad has always told me, as a career, “do something you love”. Right now I am in a spot where I do not love what I do and it is really having an affect on me.

By: Camey

Camey — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:22:24 +0000

My dad used to tell me, “I may be your earthly dad, but you have only One Real Father. And that relationship is the most important.” Cannot begin to count numerous individuals who have told me over the years that once they even started to grasp God as their Father how it truly changed their lives. We can live our lives trying to please man or even woman for that matter. I just shared a link over at MMI.. I hope it’s okay to share it here too.

http://www.serve-others.com/issue19 Look for the story called “A Deal of a Lifetime.”

As always - you, Craig, and any who read and/or comment are continued to be prayed for.

By: Gerald

Gerald — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:53:22 +0000

“Life flows from God, it flows from God”…lyrics from Charlie Hall’s “you are God”. I wanna get as close as possible to God so I can have life. Those simple words have changed the way I see people and ministry. If we get close to God, we get life!

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:39:20 +0000

Ewald, So glad to hear the message made a difference in Cape Town!

Kyle, Awesome to hear! The “round up” has been life changing to our family. Blessings to you in your pursuit of youth ministry.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:34:35 +0000

Being a college student who is studying youth ministry and attending LifeChurch.tv, I have to say that many of the small statements that you’ve said in your messages have been monumental for me. For example in a message where you talked about giving, you once said “round up.” God has used those two little words to help me learn the value of joyful giving. I’m finding that God loves to use small statements to make a big impact.

By: Ewald

Ewald — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:24:00 +0000

Dude, Our church hosted the Willow GLS in Cape Town South Africa this weekend! Your talk about IT was awesome. I was part of the technical team and by the time I could step out to buy the book IT was sold out!!!!!!

I am so inspired by your story and your passion everytime I hear it.

By: Shauna

Shauna — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:23:05 +0000

Even though I’ve always been told that I can do great things, it seems hard to truly live out of that truth. I’ve been blessed to have leaders see God working through me and constantly tell me what they see HIM doing. It takes practice to really HEAR.

By: Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:42:48 +0000

Thanks for the great stories. Very encouraging!

Judy, Yes, both my mom and dad are amazing people.

C. Adrian, You are so welcome. I am thrilled this is a blessing to you.

By: C. Adrian Crawford

C. Adrian Crawford — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:33:06 +0000

Pastor Craig just wanted to say thank you for your blog. It’s been a great blessing in my life. Keep it going.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:28:00 +0000

Taking a biblical stand to protect the integrity of the office of pastor, the words God used came through the senior minister when he said “Why don’t you turn in your resignation.” God used those words to confirm what i had been debating with Him about for several weeks: the need to separate from injustice. I don’t know what God has for me but He’s in charge.

By: Andy Wood

Andy Wood — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:11:37 +0000

After a time of great failure and brokenness, my pastor said something that changed my life and destiny:

“Andy, God knew all this would happened before He saved you. And He saved you anyway. And God knew all this would happen before He called you to preach. And He called you anyway.”

I learned that day that grace works for pastors, too.

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:02:13 +0000

a youth pastor friend of mine once told me, “Anna, you are spirit led…” that has guided me ever since.

I would rather be spirit led than led by anything else…

By: John Atkinson

John Atkinson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:44:59 +0000

You’re so right Craig, words are powerful. I tell my three sons every single day that “I’m proud of them,” and that “I love them.” My most important legacy to this world will be these three young men of God that I hope will live out for the Kingdom of God what I’ve influenced and loved into them. The power that is spoken into their futures with these two simple phrases, “I Love You,” and “I’m Proud of You,” is BEYOND MEASURE.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:13:18 +0000

I have told my kids something that I learned from Elmer Towns. “You can do anything in the world you put your mind too”. My kids are young but I see this starting to take root and I am excited to see what will they will accomplish in life.
The reverse is true and that is what I can identify with in my life. I had a teacher tell me that I would not amount to much and for many years I believed her. Through prayer and encouragment from many I have learned that God had made me and I have gone on to accomplish many things that few thought I would, but that few did tell me I would accomplish things. I thank God for that few!