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Mark Batterson: Breakthrough Starts With You | Praise

November 4, 2025 | 53:55

Mark Batterson: Breakthrough Starts With You | Praise
Hosted by TBN’s own Matt and Laurie Crouch along with other popular personalities, Praise features the best in contemporary Christian music and worship, fresh and impacting ministry voices, engaging interviews from a wide variety of guests, and a fast-moving hour of relevant talk you won’t want to miss!
#Author #Hope #Culture #Lifestyle #Obedience #SeekGod #TrustGod #Faithfulness #Miracles #Patience #WaitingonGod #Perseverance

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Praise | Mark Batterson: Breakthrough Starts With You | Praise | November 4, 2025
  • Coming up tonight on praise...
  • 00:00:02.449 --> 00:00:05.452
  • Everything in the kingdom of god takes longer than we would
  • 00:00:06.619 --> 00:00:11.057
  • Like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:00:11.057 --> 00:00:13.893
  • Then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:00:13.893 --> 00:00:15.628
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:00:15.628 --> 00:00:19.699
  • God is writing a bigger story.
  • 00:00:19.699 --> 00:00:22.836
  • God is writing a better story.
  • 00:00:22.836 --> 00:00:26.806
  • ♪♪
  • 00:00:27.040 --> 00:00:33.813
  • Tonight on praise from dallas, pastor and best selling author
  • 00:00:33.813 --> 00:00:39.886
  • Mark batterson.
  • 00:00:40.253 --> 00:00:44.858
  • And now your hosts, matt and laurie crouch.
  • 00:00:45.758 --> 00:00:49.295
  • It feels like life goes so fast.
  • 00:00:49.929 --> 00:00:53.867
  • It feels like everything moves at the speed of light, at the
  • 00:00:53.867 --> 00:00:57.737
  • Speed of social media.
  • 00:00:57.737 --> 00:00:59.706
  • There are no news cycles anymore.
  • 00:00:59.706 --> 00:01:01.841
  • It's instantaneous.
  • 00:01:01.841 --> 00:01:03.042
  • Everything. and then comes along
  • 00:01:03.042 --> 00:01:05.512
  • Something that will give you some hope,
  • 00:01:05.512 --> 00:01:07.280
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:01:07.280 --> 00:01:11.084
  • Okay. mark batterson might be one of my favorite authors on
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  • Planet earth.
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  • Where do you go with this?
  • 00:01:16.723 --> 00:01:19.759
  • What do you want to do?
  • 00:01:19.759 --> 00:01:20.793
  • What do you want to say?
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  • How do you want to start this conversation?
  • 00:01:22.395 --> 00:01:25.498
  • Well, i maybe should start with the title itself.
  • 00:01:25.498 --> 00:01:29.002
  • How did you go bankrupt?
  • 00:01:29.502 --> 00:01:32.305
  • That's the question that ernest hemingway asked in a novel.
  • 00:01:32.305 --> 00:01:37.243
  • And the infamous answer was two ways,
  • 00:01:37.243 --> 00:01:40.513
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:01:40.513 --> 00:01:43.583
  • Um, but i kind of flipped that script.
  • 00:01:43.583 --> 00:01:46.986
  • And it's not just how you go bankrupt, right?
  • 00:01:46.986 --> 00:01:49.956
  • It's how you get out of debt.
  • 00:01:49.956 --> 00:01:51.524
  • It's how you start a business, write a book, run a marathon,
  • 00:01:51.524 --> 00:01:54.527
  • And do a thousand other things.
  • 00:01:54.527 --> 00:01:56.763
  • And how did those walls of jericho come down?
  • 00:01:56.763 --> 00:02:00.733
  • Gradually then suddenly, you know,
  • 00:02:00.733 --> 00:02:03.436
  • Pentecost, ten days in an upper room.
  • 00:02:03.436 --> 00:02:06.973
  • Almost everything in the kingdom of god takes longer
  • 00:02:06.973 --> 00:02:11.377
  • Than we would like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:02:11.377 --> 00:02:14.948
  • But then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:02:14.948 --> 00:02:18.384
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:02:18.384 --> 00:02:22.188
  • And that that really.
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  • You guys, that's the story of my life.
  • 00:02:24.257 --> 00:02:26.559
  • Took 13 years to write the first book.
  • 00:02:26.559 --> 00:02:30.597
  • Uh, you know, we own and operate a coffee house and in
  • 00:02:30.597 --> 00:02:35.101
  • Washington, d.c. called ebenezer's.
  • 00:02:35.101 --> 00:02:37.870
  • I mean, that was five years of circling in prayer and to
  • 00:02:37.870 --> 00:02:43.009
  • Turn that crackhouse into a coffee house.
  • 00:02:43.009 --> 00:02:45.712
  • Um, nothing happens--
  • 00:02:45.712 --> 00:02:47.780
  • Overnight success is an oxymoron.
  • 00:02:47.780 --> 00:02:50.917
  • And i bet everybody listening right now, there's a dream
  • 00:02:50.917 --> 00:02:55.555
  • But it hasn't happened yet.
  • 00:02:56.155 --> 00:02:57.824
  • There's a goal, but it's still out there in the future.
  • 00:02:57.824 --> 00:03:01.894
  • Uh, there's something that we're hoping for, dreaming for,
  • 00:03:01.894 --> 00:03:05.598
  • Praying for.
  • 00:03:05.598 --> 00:03:07.066
  • And i can almost guarantee i
  • 00:03:07.066 --> 00:03:09.202
  • Know exactly how it's going to happen.
  • 00:03:09.202 --> 00:03:10.637
  • It's going to happen two ways,
  • 00:03:10.637 --> 00:03:12.171
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:03:12.672 --> 00:03:15.575
  • And so we've got to fall in love with the gradually, with
  • 00:03:15.575 --> 00:03:19.912
  • The long obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:03:19.912 --> 00:03:22.849
  • I'm less and less enamored with 15 minutes of fame.
  • 00:03:22.849 --> 00:03:27.020
  • I think god honors a lifetime of faithfulness.
  • 00:03:27.020 --> 00:03:30.323
  • Yep.
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  • And that really is what this book is about.
  • 00:03:31.324 --> 00:03:33.793
  • Matt always says you're a 30-year overnight sensation.
  • 00:03:33.793 --> 00:03:37.297
  • Yeah. yes. and it's true.
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  • I think it was einstein that said you wouldn't call it
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  • Genius if you knew how many hours i had into this.
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  • Um, ebenezer's, crack house to coffee house.
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  • Yes.
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  • Uh, we visited you at that ebenezer's.
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  • We've got a little clip.
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  • Watch this.
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  • ♪♪
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  • Mark, why don't you explain kind of the connection between
  • 00:04:04.290 --> 00:04:07.860
  • Coffee and jesus?
  • 00:04:07.860 --> 00:04:09.562
  • So, you know, jesus didn't just hang out in a synagogue.
  • 00:04:09.562 --> 00:04:13.132
  • Hung out at wells.
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  • Wells were natural gathering places in ancient culture.
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  • Coffee houses, they're postmodern wells.
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  • So instead of water, we serve coffee.
  • 00:04:20.006 --> 00:04:23.676
  • And, uh, and in fact, i have a little formula.
  • 00:04:23.676 --> 00:04:26.579
  • Holy spirit plus caffeine equals awesome.
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  • ♪♪
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  • So this is a ministry.
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  • It is in essence. yeah.
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  • If you're going into the coffeehouse business, uh, if
  • 00:04:38.825 --> 00:04:43.229
  • You can't compete with starbucks, you need to stay out
  • 00:04:43.229 --> 00:04:46.065
  • Of the game.
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  • You got to get it right.
  • 00:04:46.766 --> 00:04:48.368
  • And, uh, and then it turns into a little bit of my, my
  • 00:04:48.368 --> 00:04:52.271
  • Bookstore as well.
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  • Uh.
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  • We are in washington, d.c., behind me, mark batterson.
  • 00:04:54.874 --> 00:04:59.412
  • There's a connection between a modern day well, and kind of
  • 00:04:59.412 --> 00:05:04.484
  • What a coffeehouse is.
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  • Yeah, it's a
  • 00:05:05.918 --> 00:05:07.520
  • Coffee shop here that is really, um, kind of an
  • 00:05:08.454 --> 00:05:12.759
  • Extension of ncc.
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  • Your church here?
  • 00:05:14.627 --> 00:05:15.595
  • Yeah. this is your thing.
  • 00:05:15.595 --> 00:05:17.463
  • The church owns this.
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  • It's a business.
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  • It's operating.
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  • Is it profitable?
  • 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:22.001
  • Uh, it's very profitable.
  • 00:05:22.001 --> 00:05:24.070
  • We're kitty corner from the largest office building
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  • In dc, which doesn't hurt business at all.
  • 00:05:27.440 --> 00:05:31.911
  • And, uh, you know, we went into it knowing that i think you
  • 00:05:31.911 --> 00:05:36.516
  • Ought to do business as mission
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  • And you ought to do it with excellence.
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  • And then we give every penny of profit to kingdom causes.
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  • And it's amazing.
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  • Cheers. yeah. yeah.
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  • Ebenezers right here in washington, dc.
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  • But you're talking about a process.
  • 00:05:50.797 --> 00:05:52.932
  • So that was not an overnight success.
  • 00:05:52.932 --> 00:05:57.036
  • And you're talking about this gradually then suddenly theme.
  • 00:05:57.036 --> 00:06:00.807
  • Yes. matt, everything is created twice.
  • 00:06:00.807 --> 00:06:05.645
  • The first creation, internal. second creation,
  • 00:06:05.645 --> 00:06:09.282
  • External. first creation, in the imagination.
  • 00:06:09.282 --> 00:06:12.919
  • Second creation,
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  • Some blood, sweat and tears.
  • 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:16.422
  • Uh, so i was walking by this crack house one day, and i felt
  • 00:06:16.422 --> 00:06:20.660
  • Like god said this crack house
  • 00:06:20.660 --> 00:06:22.361
  • Would make a great coffee house.
  • 00:06:22.361 --> 00:06:24.397
  • But you have to really white knuckle a dream because we were
  • 00:06:24.397 --> 00:06:29.836
  • Less than 100 people as a church, we didn't have the
  • 00:06:29.836 --> 00:06:32.338
  • Money to buy it.
  • 00:06:32.338 --> 00:06:33.739
  • But we circled it in prayer for five years.
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  • We discovered after four people offered more money for it than
  • 00:06:37.710 --> 00:06:40.580
  • We did two of them real estate developers.
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  • We got it.
  • 00:06:42.782 --> 00:06:44.050
  • And let me let me just kind of stand on the promise of god
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  • Right here.
  • 00:06:47.587 --> 00:06:48.521
  • Um, matthew 18:18.
  • 00:06:48.521 --> 00:06:50.289
  • [reading]
  • 00:06:50.590 --> 00:06:56.162
  • Now, every prayer has to meet a two fold litmus test, has to be
  • 00:06:56.162 --> 00:06:59.465
  • In the will of god and for the glory of god.
  • 00:06:59.465 --> 00:07:01.767
  • And if it's not, it's a nonstarter.
  • 00:07:01.767 --> 00:07:03.636
  • But if it is, come on, game on.
  • 00:07:03.636 --> 00:07:06.706
  • And so i really believe god is preparing good works in advance,
  • 00:07:06.706 --> 00:07:11.911
  • Ephesians 2:10, he who began a good work,
  • 00:07:11.911 --> 00:07:15.314
  • Philippians 1:6, will carry it to completion.
  • 00:07:15.314 --> 00:07:19.018
  • Um, but it's going to happen gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:07:19.018 --> 00:07:24.123
  • Why does the lord put us through that
  • 00:07:24.123 --> 00:07:28.327
  • Grist mill of gradually?
  • 00:07:28.828 --> 00:07:30.830
  • Yeah, well, the obstacle is not the enemy.
  • 00:07:30.830 --> 00:07:34.500
  • I think the obstacle is the way.
  • 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:38.304
  • I mean, that's-- god--
  • 00:07:38.304 --> 00:07:41.307
  • You can't spell testimony without the first four letters.
  • 00:07:41.307 --> 00:07:44.143
  • You got to pass the test.
  • 00:07:44.143 --> 00:07:46.112
  • And so, uh, you know, if we were to share some war stories
  • 00:07:46.112 --> 00:07:49.782
  • Or some of the failures that we've been through, even our
  • 00:07:49.782 --> 00:07:52.385
  • First attempt at church planting was a was a failure.
  • 00:07:52.385 --> 00:07:55.454
  • But i look back on it and i'm like, thank you, lord.
  • 00:07:55.454 --> 00:07:58.824
  • Um, because cure for the fear of failure is not success.
  • 00:07:58.824 --> 00:08:02.628
  • It's failure in small enough doses that you build up an
  • 00:08:02.628 --> 00:08:05.064
  • Immunity to it, and you discover that there's a god
  • 00:08:05.064 --> 00:08:07.733
  • That's right there to pick you up, dust you off, and give you
  • 00:08:07.733 --> 00:08:10.469
  • A second chance.
  • 00:08:10.469 --> 00:08:11.671
  • So i think those hard things that we go through, god is
  • 00:08:11.671 --> 00:08:18.277
  • Developing being perseverance and persistence.
  • 00:08:18.277 --> 00:08:21.280
  • And it is--
  • 00:08:21.280 --> 00:08:24.550
  • You need some resistance training.
  • 00:08:24.550 --> 00:08:28.387
  • Yeah, just like the gym.
  • 00:08:28.387 --> 00:08:30.356
  • Uh, spiritually speaking, this is how god prepares us.
  • 00:08:30.356 --> 00:08:36.329
  • And, uh, it's part of the process.
  • 00:08:36.329 --> 00:08:39.999
  • But you started the church.
  • 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:43.102
  • You knew god told you to start the church.
  • 00:08:43.102 --> 00:08:46.038
  • God told you-- yes.
  • 00:08:46.539 --> 00:08:47.873
  • This would be a great coffee shop.
  • 00:08:47.873 --> 00:08:49.742
  • Coffee house. yep.
  • 00:08:49.742 --> 00:08:51.277
  • So, you know you're stepping out in faith.
  • 00:08:51.277 --> 00:08:55.615
  • Yes. and you're still having to stand in your believing god,
  • 00:08:56.782 --> 00:09:02.121
  • Even though sometimes it looks like a failure to man.
  • 00:09:02.121 --> 00:09:05.658
  • Yes. right?
  • 00:09:06.058 --> 00:09:07.560
  • How do we get through those places where, man, i
  • 00:09:07.560 --> 00:09:11.163
  • Wouldn't change-- even if ebenezers had to close his
  • 00:09:11.163 --> 00:09:14.567
  • House or close the doors--
  • 00:09:14.567 --> 00:09:16.535
  • Yep. god told you to do it.
  • 00:09:16.535 --> 00:09:20.139
  • Yeah.
  • 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.140
  • So in man's eyes, it looks like it failed.
  • 00:09:21.140 --> 00:09:23.542
  • But you still did what god told you so obedient.
  • 00:09:23.542 --> 00:09:26.579
  • Failure in enough small doses is like an immunity
  • 00:09:26.579 --> 00:09:30.383
  • Builder so that you'll continue to go forward.
  • 00:09:30.383 --> 00:09:33.986
  • Yeah. good job.
  • 00:09:33.986 --> 00:09:35.154
  • And there you go.
  • 00:09:35.154 --> 00:09:36.455
  • Where'd you get that from?
  • 00:09:36.455 --> 00:09:37.523
  • He just said it just a second ago.
  • 00:09:37.523 --> 00:09:39.225
  • I just repeated, mark.
  • 00:09:39.225 --> 00:09:41.460
  • You, the two of you need to hang out more.
  • 00:09:41.460 --> 00:09:43.462
  • You wouldn't change it for the world, would you?
  • 00:09:43.462 --> 00:09:45.765
  • No, because nine times out of ten, failure is poorly-managed
  • 00:09:45.765 --> 00:09:51.170
  • Success and success is well-managed failure.
  • 00:09:51.170 --> 00:09:54.774
  • So it really is taking a learning posture towards life,
  • 00:09:54.774 --> 00:09:59.612
  • A growth mindset and kind of what have you
  • 00:09:59.612 --> 00:10:02.915
  • Come to teach me?
  • 00:10:02.915 --> 00:10:04.984
  • Um, and, and then you just kind of learn along the way and, and
  • 00:10:04.984 --> 00:10:11.624
  • Count it all joy.
  • 00:10:12.058 --> 00:10:13.259
  • Yeah. um, you know, it really is just--
  • 00:10:13.259 --> 00:10:15.995
  • Well, what did they say?
  • 00:10:16.595 --> 00:10:19.231
  • That a black belt is a white belt
  • 00:10:19.231 --> 00:10:24.704
  • Who never gave up.
  • 00:10:25.137 --> 00:10:26.372
  • Yeah. you know, it's just there's kind of a sanctified,
  • 00:10:26.372 --> 00:10:30.609
  • Stubborn streak that you have to stick with things and not
  • 00:10:30.609 --> 00:10:35.347
  • Not give up on it.
  • 00:10:35.347 --> 00:10:36.315
  • Now, if god has released you,
  • 00:10:36.315 --> 00:10:38.451
  • Then you need to let go and let god.
  • 00:10:38.451 --> 00:10:40.553
  • But if he hasn't released you, i mean, you guys, there are
  • 00:10:40.553 --> 00:10:43.456
  • Miracles, including the healing of my asthma after 40 years
  • 00:10:43.456 --> 00:10:48.027
  • That i just never felt released.
  • 00:10:48.661 --> 00:10:50.629
  • I'm going to keep believing for that promise.
  • 00:10:50.629 --> 00:10:53.399
  • And july 2nd, 2016 i haven't touched an inhaler from that
  • 00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:57.570
  • Day to this day, but it was hundreds of, hundreds of
  • 00:10:57.570 --> 00:11:01.807
  • Prayers over four decades.
  • 00:11:01.807 --> 00:11:04.176
  • But that's where like, i think a lot of this stuff is just
  • 00:11:04.176 --> 00:11:08.948
  • Past our pay grade.
  • 00:11:08.948 --> 00:11:10.382
  • Um, you know, i say to our church all the time, as soon as
  • 00:11:10.382 --> 00:11:13.419
  • I'm omniscient, i'll let you know.
  • 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:14.820
  • But i wouldn't hold your breath.
  • 00:11:14.820 --> 00:11:17.990
  • There are things that are past my pay grade.
  • 00:11:17.990 --> 00:11:20.292
  • In a world obsessed with instant success, mark batterson
  • 00:11:20.292 --> 00:11:23.796
  • Reminds us that god often works gradually,
  • 00:11:23.796 --> 00:11:26.298
  • Then suddenly.
  • 00:11:26.298 --> 00:11:27.566
  • Everything in the kingdom of god takes longer than we would
  • 00:11:27.566 --> 00:11:31.904
  • Like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:11:31.904 --> 00:11:34.707
  • Then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:11:34.707 --> 00:11:36.475
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:11:36.475 --> 00:11:40.379
  • From the author of the circle maker and chase the lion comes
  • 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:43.649
  • A powerful new message about patience, perseverance, and
  • 00:11:43.649 --> 00:11:47.386
  • Faith in the waiting.
  • 00:11:47.386 --> 00:11:48.788
  • We've got to fall in love with the
  • 00:11:48.788 --> 00:11:50.756
  • Gradually, with the long
  • 00:11:50.756 --> 00:11:52.558
  • Obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:11:52.558 --> 00:11:54.660
  • I'm less and less enamored with 15 minutes of fame.
  • 00:11:54.660 --> 00:11:58.731
  • I think god honors a lifetime of faithfulness.
  • 00:11:58.731 --> 00:12:02.568
  • And that really is what this book is about.
  • 00:12:02.568 --> 00:12:05.437
  • Through stories of miracles, setbacks, and second chances,
  • 00:12:05.437 --> 00:12:09.675
  • Mark shows how every delay is divine preparation and that god
  • 00:12:09.675 --> 00:12:14.146
  • Works all things for good to those who love him.
  • 00:12:14.146 --> 00:12:17.283
  • The obstacle is the way.
  • 00:12:17.283 --> 00:12:20.286
  • You can't spell testimony without the first four letters.
  • 00:12:20.286 --> 00:12:22.888
  • You got to pass the test.
  • 00:12:22.888 --> 00:12:24.924
  • The goal isn't what you can achieve from your own will.
  • 00:12:24.924 --> 00:12:28.327
  • It's who you become while trusting in god's timing.
  • 00:12:28.327 --> 00:12:32.031
  • The goal of accomplishing a
  • 00:12:32.031 --> 00:12:33.632
  • Goal is not accomplishing the goal.
  • 00:12:33.632 --> 00:12:36.068
  • It's who you become--
  • 00:12:36.068 --> 00:12:38.270
  • There it is in the process.
  • 00:12:38.270 --> 00:12:39.939
  • Am i becoming more and more like jesus?
  • 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:43.475
  • Gradually then suddenly, the new book by mark batterson.
  • 00:12:43.475 --> 00:12:47.513
  • Available wherever books are sold.
  • 00:12:47.513 --> 00:12:50.683
  • We are talking mark batterson, new york times best selling
  • 00:12:50.683 --> 00:12:54.520
  • Author, his brand new book,
  • 00:12:54.520 --> 00:12:56.922
  • Gradually then suddenly. we're going to get into this.
  • 00:12:56.922 --> 00:13:00.392
  • It's just such a
  • 00:13:00.392 --> 00:13:02.061
  • Important topic right now because everyone's looking for
  • 00:13:03.162 --> 00:13:07.466
  • The suddenly, you know, instantaneous, this immediate
  • 00:13:07.466 --> 00:13:12.071
  • Knowledge at our fingertips now
  • 00:13:12.071 --> 00:13:14.240
  • Through our smartphones. everything--
  • 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:16.842
  • There are no news cycles anymore.
  • 00:13:16.842 --> 00:13:18.544
  • There used to be news cycles.
  • 00:13:18.544 --> 00:13:19.745
  • Now it's just,
  • 00:13:19.745 --> 00:13:20.713
  • I mean, it's just instantaneous knowledge.
  • 00:13:20.713 --> 00:13:23.549
  • Immediate. everything is right now.
  • 00:13:24.350 --> 00:13:27.653
  • And that is counterintuitive to the kingdom
  • 00:13:27.653 --> 00:13:30.689
  • Of god that we live in.
  • 00:13:30.689 --> 00:13:32.524
  • Yes. everything in the kingdom is--
  • 00:13:32.524 --> 00:13:37.296
  • Look, i'm going to say gradually, you know. i mean, it
  • 00:13:37.296 --> 00:13:40.633
  • Just has to-- you have to walk.
  • 00:13:40.633 --> 00:13:43.669
  • There are no shortcuts in the kingdom.
  • 00:13:43.669 --> 00:13:46.505
  • And so everybody-- it's hard for us to crash these two
  • 00:13:46.505 --> 00:13:51.977
  • Things into each other because it feels like the natural world
  • 00:13:51.977 --> 00:13:56.882
  • Works this way, and the spiritual kingdom and world
  • 00:13:56.882 --> 00:14:00.085
  • Works this way.
  • 00:14:00.085 --> 00:14:01.453
  • And we have to navigate that.
  • 00:14:01.453 --> 00:14:03.322
  • And then meanwhile, somebody
  • 00:14:03.322 --> 00:14:06.625
  • Over on the world side is succeeding.
  • 00:14:06.625 --> 00:14:08.994
  • And you think you're a failure because of that, and you know
  • 00:14:08.994 --> 00:14:11.764
  • It instantly because they have this and you don't.
  • 00:14:11.764 --> 00:14:15.734
  • And man, uh, you talk about a book that's kind of needed,
  • 00:14:15.734 --> 00:14:20.306
  • You're you're really addressing this subject.
  • 00:14:20.306 --> 00:14:23.876
  • And so take your liberty. do a little bit of teaching.
  • 00:14:23.876 --> 00:14:27.246
  • Where do you want to-- you know, i mean, look, one of the
  • 00:14:27.246 --> 00:14:29.715
  • Subtitles here, uh, how to dream bigger, decide bigger,
  • 00:14:29.715 --> 00:14:33.285
  • And leave a lasting legacy.
  • 00:14:33.285 --> 00:14:34.753
  • I love your-- give your definition of legacy.
  • 00:14:34.753 --> 00:14:37.723
  • It's beautiful.
  • 00:14:37.723 --> 00:14:38.724
  • Legacy is not what you accomplish.
  • 00:14:38.724 --> 00:14:41.593
  • Legacy is what others accomplish because of you.
  • 00:14:41.593 --> 00:14:45.197
  • Yeah. and you're living examples of that, aren't you?
  • 00:14:45.197 --> 00:14:48.767
  • We just--
  • 00:14:48.767 --> 00:14:49.768
  • I had the joy of seeing a few old pictures.
  • 00:14:49.768 --> 00:14:52.671
  • Yeah. and those old pictures are tell a story of long
  • 00:14:52.671 --> 00:14:57.509
  • Obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:14:57.509 --> 00:14:59.478
  • We drink from wells we didn't dig.
  • 00:14:59.478 --> 00:15:01.780
  • Yeah, we eat from fields
  • 00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:02.848
  • We didn't plant.
  • 00:15:02.848 --> 00:15:03.682
  • We live in houses we didn't build.
  • 00:15:03.682 --> 00:15:05.150
  • So i think, um,
  • 00:15:05.150 --> 00:15:08.654
  • Yeah, the maybe best example biblically is elijah who--
  • 00:15:08.654 --> 00:15:15.094
  • I mean, come on, challenged 450 prophets of baal and kind
  • 00:15:15.094 --> 00:15:19.031
  • Of wins the superbowl, so to speak.
  • 00:15:19.031 --> 00:15:21.266
  • Yeah. um, 14 recorded miracles, and then he gave his
  • 00:15:21.266 --> 00:15:26.905
  • Mantle to a guy named elisha and elisha, 28 miracles.
  • 00:15:26.905 --> 00:15:34.913
  • And you could say, well, elisha one-upped his spiritual father.
  • 00:15:34.913 --> 00:15:40.119
  • And i would say, no, no, no.
  • 00:15:40.119 --> 00:15:42.321
  • Elijah gets partial credit for each and every miracle.
  • 00:15:42.321 --> 00:15:45.657
  • Yeah. um, i, you know, i love
  • 00:15:45.657 --> 00:15:47.993
  • To tell stories, and i love history.
  • 00:15:47.993 --> 00:15:50.896
  • One of my favorites in the book.
  • 00:15:50.896 --> 00:15:52.698
  • I wonder if i can-- i bet i can do this in 60 seconds.
  • 00:15:52.698 --> 00:15:56.702
  • Um, have you ever heard of norman borlaug?
  • 00:15:56.702 --> 00:16:01.306
  • Like, no, that is not a household name
  • 00:16:01.306 --> 00:16:03.909
  • Because agronomists fly under the radar.
  • 00:16:03.909 --> 00:16:07.613
  • They they aren't, you know, they aren't famous people.
  • 00:16:07.613 --> 00:16:10.949
  • But he won a nobel prize in 1970.
  • 00:16:10.949 --> 00:16:13.385
  • Uh, stick with me.
  • 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:15.154
  • He was, uh, credited with saving a billion lives.
  • 00:16:15.154 --> 00:16:20.192
  • And none of us know his name.
  • 00:16:20.192 --> 00:16:22.594
  • But before you go and give
  • 00:16:23.162 --> 00:16:25.064
  • Norman borlaug all of the credit,
  • 00:16:25.064 --> 00:16:27.199
  • Well, it was henry wallace, a former vice president who had
  • 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:30.869
  • The foresight to create a research station in mexico,
  • 00:16:30.869 --> 00:16:36.842
  • Which is where borlaug developed a hybridized, disease
  • 00:16:36.842 --> 00:16:42.081
  • Resistant wheat that would save those billion lives.
  • 00:16:42.081 --> 00:16:45.884
  • And so i would say henry
  • 00:16:45.884 --> 00:16:47.219
  • Wallace deserves some partial credit.
  • 00:16:47.219 --> 00:16:48.687
  • But wait, i'll throw one more in.
  • 00:16:48.687 --> 00:16:51.056
  • You ever heard of george washington carver?
  • 00:16:51.056 --> 00:16:53.392
  • Man, myth and legend.
  • 00:16:53.392 --> 00:16:54.626
  • One of my favorites.
  • 00:16:54.626 --> 00:16:55.461
  • His pictures right behind my desk.
  • 00:16:55.461 --> 00:16:57.896
  • Uh, the first black student at iowa state, uh, university.
  • 00:16:57.896 --> 00:17:04.670
  • First faculty member there.
  • 00:17:04.670 --> 00:17:06.572
  • Guess what?
  • 00:17:06.572 --> 00:17:07.873
  • He had, a professor named henry wallace senior, and he used to
  • 00:17:07.873 --> 00:17:13.245
  • Take a little henry wallace on botanical expeditions.
  • 00:17:13.245 --> 00:17:17.783
  • He'd hold his little hand, walk him through the woods.
  • 00:17:17.783 --> 00:17:20.986
  • And that's where henry wallace said he fell in love with
  • 00:17:20.986 --> 00:17:25.290
  • God's creation.
  • 00:17:25.290 --> 00:17:27.092
  • And so i would say george
  • 00:17:27.092 --> 00:17:28.794
  • Washington carver gets partial credit.
  • 00:17:28.794 --> 00:17:31.330
  • We could play this game all day long.
  • 00:17:31.330 --> 00:17:33.866
  • And guess what?
  • 00:17:33.866 --> 00:17:34.933
  • I think we will in heaven, right?
  • 00:17:34.933 --> 00:17:37.269
  • I think we'll have an opportunity around that
  • 00:17:37.269 --> 00:17:40.539
  • Marriage supper of the lamb.
  • 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.907
  • It's going to be a big table.
  • 00:17:41.907 --> 00:17:43.976
  • We're going to have an opportunity to thank people
  • 00:17:43.976 --> 00:17:47.279
  • That we won't know on this side of eternity.
  • 00:17:47.279 --> 00:17:50.115
  • But it was their mustard seed of faith that made a difference
  • 00:17:50.115 --> 00:17:54.520
  • In our lives.
  • 00:17:54.520 --> 00:17:55.988
  • Okay.
  • 00:17:56.221 --> 00:17:57.523
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:17:58.023 --> 00:18:00.559
  • Gradually seems counterintuitive because,
  • 00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:03.195
  • You know, the world that i grew up in,
  • 00:18:03.195 --> 00:18:05.898
  • The lord's coming back tomorrow afternoon.
  • 00:18:05.898 --> 00:18:08.367
  • Right. so we've got to hurry up and get souls saved.
  • 00:18:08.367 --> 00:18:11.503
  • We've got to get everything done.
  • 00:18:11.503 --> 00:18:13.238
  • So there's this natural piece of the world we live in that
  • 00:18:13.238 --> 00:18:18.744
  • Wants to see success.
  • 00:18:18.744 --> 00:18:20.479
  • And what is success?
  • 00:18:20.946 --> 00:18:22.814
  • People coming into the kingdom, right?
  • 00:18:22.814 --> 00:18:25.050
  • Or is it?
  • 00:18:25.050 --> 00:18:25.884
  • You know, i mean, so, you know--
  • 00:18:25.884 --> 00:18:27.653
  • Well, i mean, that's part of it.
  • 00:18:27.653 --> 00:18:29.421
  • Certainly, but there was a conversation laurie and i
  • 00:18:29.421 --> 00:18:33.058
  • Were having recently where, you know,
  • 00:18:33.058 --> 00:18:35.827
  • We were wanting to do our part.
  • 00:18:35.827 --> 00:18:38.530
  • We were called and we were in the movie business and but at a
  • 00:18:38.530 --> 00:18:42.434
  • Certain time, we were having to sell a car to make payroll.
  • 00:18:42.434 --> 00:18:45.204
  • And we were doing this and scrambling around, and laurie
  • 00:18:45.204 --> 00:18:49.608
  • Said, just one exasperatedly one time to the lord,
  • 00:18:49.608 --> 00:18:53.445
  • Um, if you wouldn't make us scramble around and let me give
  • 00:18:53.445 --> 00:18:57.316
  • You the definition of scramble around, sell cars to make
  • 00:18:57.316 --> 00:19:00.819
  • Payroll, if you would just solve our problems, just just
  • 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:04.823
  • Fund us, lord.
  • 00:19:04.823 --> 00:19:05.791
  • Yes. look, we just need the funding, okay?
  • 00:19:05.791 --> 00:19:08.126
  • Okay, so just do the funding, and then we'll go do
  • 00:19:08.126 --> 00:19:10.162
  • All this stuff for you.
  • 00:19:10.162 --> 00:19:11.997
  • And the lord said, don't think about it that way.
  • 00:19:11.997 --> 00:19:15.400
  • It's not what you do for me that counts.
  • 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:17.703
  • It's what i do in you. yes.
  • 00:19:17.703 --> 00:19:20.272
  • So there's this weird kind of double edged sword between our
  • 00:19:20.272 --> 00:19:26.044
  • Brains saying, we've got to get ebenezers on, and god's got to
  • 00:19:26.044 --> 00:19:29.982
  • Do something in you. yes.
  • 00:19:29.982 --> 00:19:31.683
  • So there's always these weird, you know, levels of different
  • 00:19:31.683 --> 00:19:35.854
  • Chemicals going on on the inside that's creating this
  • 00:19:35.854 --> 00:19:39.558
  • Brew that only god knows.
  • 00:19:39.558 --> 00:19:41.393
  • Yes. yeah.
  • 00:19:41.393 --> 00:19:42.394
  • So help, help mix that around a little bit.
  • 00:19:42.394 --> 00:19:46.098
  • Help us understand those two different kind of things.
  • 00:19:46.098 --> 00:19:48.867
  • Yeah, well, god generally doesn't do things on my watch.
  • 00:19:48.867 --> 00:19:54.239
  • You know,
  • 00:19:54.239 --> 00:19:55.574
  • I, uh, i've learned to trust his timing in that, but it's
  • 00:19:56.708 --> 00:20:00.045
  • Hard to trust his timing.
  • 00:20:00.045 --> 00:20:01.813
  • That's important.
  • 00:20:01.813 --> 00:20:03.115
  • You can read the story of worry of abraham in 25 minutes, but
  • 00:20:03.115 --> 00:20:06.451
  • It took 25 years for abraham and sarah to then experience
  • 00:20:06.451 --> 00:20:11.056
  • The promise named isaac.
  • 00:20:11.056 --> 00:20:12.758
  • You can read the story of joseph in 13 minutes, but it
  • 00:20:12.758 --> 00:20:16.395
  • Was 13 years from the prison to the palace.
  • 00:20:16.395 --> 00:20:20.832
  • I mean, even the genealogies, i know some people are
  • 00:20:20.832 --> 00:20:24.636
  • Like, just skip right over the genealogies.
  • 00:20:24.636 --> 00:20:27.472
  • I love the genealogies because
  • 00:20:27.472 --> 00:20:30.776
  • There's so many lessons in there.
  • 00:20:30.776 --> 00:20:32.477
  • Number one, god's writing,
  • 00:20:32.477 --> 00:20:34.880
  • Always writing a bigger story. i mean, i'll throw another one.
  • 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:37.716
  • You never know who's in your womb, right?
  • 00:20:37.716 --> 00:20:39.751
  • That you never know the
  • 00:20:39.751 --> 00:20:41.687
  • Story god's writing.
  • 00:20:41.687 --> 00:20:43.021
  • And so even one verse, like the first verse, matthew 1:2,
  • 00:20:43.021 --> 00:20:47.526
  • Abraham, isaac, jacob, that's 502 years of history.
  • 00:20:47.526 --> 00:20:51.129
  • So what we want sometimes is, in two years
  • 00:20:51.129 --> 00:20:55.000
  • What took our parents 20 years.
  • 00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.902
  • Yeah. and i think that's where we have to be careful, because
  • 00:20:56.902 --> 00:21:00.472
  • The goal of accomplishing a
  • 00:21:00.472 --> 00:21:02.007
  • Goal is not accomplishing the goal.
  • 00:21:02.007 --> 00:21:04.576
  • It's who you become--
  • 00:21:04.576 --> 00:21:06.745
  • There it is. --in the process.
  • 00:21:06.745 --> 00:21:08.513
  • Am i becoming more and more like jesus?
  • 00:21:08.513 --> 00:21:11.850
  • And, um, patience is one of those, uh, fruit of the spirit.
  • 00:21:11.850 --> 00:21:17.389
  • Can i tell you a fun story? please.
  • 00:21:17.389 --> 00:21:19.758
  • Eugene peterson, who did the message paraphrase shortly
  • 00:21:19.758 --> 00:21:25.797
  • Before he passed,
  • 00:21:25.797 --> 00:21:27.366
  • So he would have been mid 80s, uh, was in a gathering and
  • 00:21:27.366 --> 00:21:32.037
  • He was kind of sharing stories.
  • 00:21:32.037 --> 00:21:34.272
  • And we were there to honor his life and legacy, 30 years
  • 00:21:34.272 --> 00:21:37.476
  • Pastoring, 30 books.
  • 00:21:37.476 --> 00:21:39.144
  • And he tells a story about being in his, uh, at his
  • 00:21:39.144 --> 00:21:42.347
  • Montana lake cabin, and he's watching a kingfisher fish.
  • 00:21:42.347 --> 00:21:47.185
  • Um, and as the name suggests,
  • 00:21:47.185 --> 00:21:49.388
  • They're the best at catching fish.
  • 00:21:49.388 --> 00:21:51.123
  • It's a bird.
  • 00:21:51.123 --> 00:21:52.190
  • Eugene-- it's a bird. it's a bird.
  • 00:21:52.190 --> 00:21:55.160
  • Um, and eugene says, i counted the number of times,
  • 00:21:55.160 --> 00:22:01.066
  • He said it took 37 tries for the kingfisher to catch a fish.
  • 00:22:01.066 --> 00:22:06.271
  • And he's the kingfisher.
  • 00:22:06.271 --> 00:22:08.206
  • And then he paused, and then he paused and he said, how many
  • 00:22:08.206 --> 00:22:12.544
  • Times have you tried?
  • 00:22:12.544 --> 00:22:14.379
  • Ooh. and it was convicting. wow.
  • 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:17.082
  • And he's not just talking the talk.
  • 00:22:17.082 --> 00:22:19.851
  • Did you know his first book, a long obedience in the same
  • 00:22:19.851 --> 00:22:23.722
  • Direction, was rejected by 17 publishers.
  • 00:22:23.722 --> 00:22:28.326
  • They said-- one of them said it's irrelevant to the
  • 00:22:28.326 --> 00:22:33.398
  • Contemporary north american christian.
  • 00:22:33.398 --> 00:22:35.567
  • And it comes right back to--
  • 00:22:35.567 --> 00:22:37.669
  • That was his point. but go ahead.
  • 00:22:37.669 --> 00:22:39.438
  • We want, you know, we want yesterday what it's going
  • 00:22:39.438 --> 00:22:44.609
  • To take some time.
  • 00:22:44.609 --> 00:22:46.178
  • We plant in water but god gives the increase.
  • 00:22:46.178 --> 00:22:50.182
  • Yeah. the name paul bilheimer, uh, he was an author.
  • 00:22:50.182 --> 00:22:55.654
  • He was a contemporary, uh, um, kind of a kind of
  • 00:22:55.654 --> 00:23:02.227
  • Father figure around here at tbn in the 80s.
  • 00:23:02.227 --> 00:23:05.497
  • So he was many, many years older than my mom and dad.
  • 00:23:05.497 --> 00:23:09.468
  • He wrote a book called destined for the throne, and it was--
  • 00:23:09.468 --> 00:23:14.673
  • The theme there, mark, is many things in life will never,
  • 00:23:14.673 --> 00:23:19.811
  • Ever, ever make sense until you stretch the timeline back
  • 00:23:19.811 --> 00:23:24.683
  • And include eternity. yes.
  • 00:23:24.683 --> 00:23:27.919
  • See? because if it's not what the goal to get the goal done,
  • 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:33.425
  • To get the goal done.
  • 00:23:33.425 --> 00:23:34.593
  • But what happens inside of you?
  • 00:23:34.593 --> 00:23:36.461
  • Because we're the eternal thing.
  • 00:23:36.461 --> 00:23:38.630
  • Yes, we are on--
  • 00:23:38.630 --> 00:23:40.565
  • According to paul bilheimer, we
  • 00:23:40.565 --> 00:23:42.234
  • Are on-the-job training now for eternity.
  • 00:23:42.234 --> 00:23:48.039
  • Yes.
  • 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.241
  • Okay. how else are we going to
  • 00:23:49.241 --> 00:23:50.909
  • Learn this stuff but to have to endure?
  • 00:23:50.909 --> 00:23:54.613
  • How are we going to learn this stuff?
  • 00:23:54.613 --> 00:23:57.048
  • If god was present in our realm--
  • 00:23:57.048 --> 00:24:00.986
  • And i understand he's omnipresent,
  • 00:24:00.986 --> 00:24:04.222
  • So he is. we just can't see it.
  • 00:24:04.222 --> 00:24:05.757
  • We can't sense it or whatever,
  • 00:24:05.757 --> 00:24:07.058
  • However that works,
  • 00:24:07.058 --> 00:24:08.260
  • Then we would never have to use faith again.
  • 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:13.598
  • That's our only advantage.
  • 00:24:13.598 --> 00:24:14.966
  • Think of this. the only new experience god ever has in a
  • 00:24:14.966 --> 00:24:18.904
  • Day is when a person acts by faith.
  • 00:24:18.904 --> 00:24:21.673
  • Wow. that's the only new experience.
  • 00:24:21.673 --> 00:24:23.341
  • Wow. wow.
  • 00:24:23.341 --> 00:24:24.743
  • Okay. yeah.
  • 00:24:24.743 --> 00:24:25.977
  • So when you take this gradual setting and you talk about
  • 00:24:25.977 --> 00:24:30.582
  • Building something deeper and you could play that game back
  • 00:24:30.582 --> 00:24:34.219
  • Behind george washington carver and then back behind him and
  • 00:24:34.219 --> 00:24:37.422
  • Back behind him and back.
  • 00:24:37.422 --> 00:24:38.690
  • Yeah.
  • 00:24:38.690 --> 00:24:39.658
  • Well, it's going to go the other way too
  • 00:24:39.658 --> 00:24:41.326
  • And include eternity.
  • 00:24:41.326 --> 00:24:42.861
  • We're god's creation that are going to be with him forever.
  • 00:24:42.861 --> 00:24:46.298
  • Yeah. and as those who follow jesus and bible is final
  • 00:24:46.298 --> 00:24:54.039
  • Authority in matters of faith and doctrine,
  • 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:56.775
  • Like we, we don't believe in happily ever after.
  • 00:24:56.775 --> 00:25:02.447
  • We believe in something bigger
  • 00:25:02.447 --> 00:25:04.516
  • And better, happily, forever after.
  • 00:25:04.516 --> 00:25:06.952
  • And so the multi-variable calculus that is faith doesn't
  • 00:25:06.952 --> 00:25:12.657
  • Make sense without eternity.
  • 00:25:12.657 --> 00:25:14.793
  • Solomon said, god has set eternity in the heart.
  • 00:25:14.793 --> 00:25:19.397
  • And so really, what we need to do is play the long game.
  • 00:25:19.397 --> 00:25:23.234
  • And at the end of the day, like, what do we want?
  • 00:25:23.234 --> 00:25:27.172
  • We want to hear well done, good and faithful servant.
  • 00:25:27.172 --> 00:25:30.208
  • By the way, can i just while we're on the subject, he's not
  • 00:25:30.208 --> 00:25:33.044
  • Going to say, well said and he's not going to say well
  • 00:25:33.044 --> 00:25:35.814
  • Thought, well planned.
  • 00:25:35.814 --> 00:25:37.315
  • Not not even well posted.
  • 00:25:37.315 --> 00:25:39.985
  • Well done, good and faithful servant.
  • 00:25:39.985 --> 00:25:43.021
  • So i think what we need to do is really have an understanding
  • 00:25:43.021 --> 00:25:48.226
  • The way that god's working.
  • 00:25:48.226 --> 00:25:49.794
  • And what's interesting is we live our lives forward.
  • 00:25:49.794 --> 00:25:53.064
  • God's working backwards.
  • 00:25:53.064 --> 00:25:54.866
  • He's prepared good works in advance.
  • 00:25:54.866 --> 00:25:57.636
  • And so all the days ordained for us were written in
  • 00:25:57.636 --> 00:26:02.073
  • His book before one of them came to be.
  • 00:26:02.073 --> 00:26:04.175
  • And so i just i hope everybody that's listening, watching
  • 00:26:04.175 --> 00:26:07.479
  • Right now, like, come on, let's live with the sense of destiny
  • 00:26:07.479 --> 00:26:11.816
  • That okay, like in my heart, i planned my course.
  • 00:26:11.816 --> 00:26:16.721
  • John chancellor said, if you want to make god laugh,
  • 00:26:16.721 --> 00:26:18.890
  • Tell him your plans.
  • 00:26:18.890 --> 00:26:20.291
  • You know, our plans usually don't work.
  • 00:26:20.291 --> 00:26:22.060
  • But god is ordering our footsteps, and i try--
  • 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:27.165
  • He's really good at getting us, um, in the right place with the
  • 00:26:27.165 --> 00:26:31.469
  • Right people at the right time.
  • 00:26:31.469 --> 00:26:32.937
  • In a world obsessed with instant success, mark batterson
  • 00:26:32.937 --> 00:26:36.374
  • Reminds us that god often works gradually,
  • 00:26:36.374 --> 00:26:38.943
  • Then suddenly.
  • 00:26:38.943 --> 00:26:40.211
  • Everything in the kingdom of god takes longer than we would
  • 00:26:40.211 --> 00:26:44.516
  • Like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:26:44.516 --> 00:26:47.352
  • Then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:26:47.352 --> 00:26:49.120
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:26:49.120 --> 00:26:53.024
  • From the author of the circle maker and chase the lion comes
  • 00:26:53.024 --> 00:26:56.261
  • A powerful new message about patience, perseverance, and
  • 00:26:56.261 --> 00:27:00.065
  • Faith in the waiting.
  • 00:27:00.065 --> 00:27:01.332
  • We've got to fall in love with the gradually, with the long
  • 00:27:01.332 --> 00:27:05.136
  • Obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:27:05.136 --> 00:27:07.205
  • I'm less and less enamored with 15 minutes of fame.
  • 00:27:07.205 --> 00:27:11.309
  • I think god honors a lifetime of faithfulness.
  • 00:27:11.309 --> 00:27:15.180
  • And that really is what this book is about.
  • 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:18.049
  • Through stories of miracles, setbacks, and second chances,
  • 00:27:18.049 --> 00:27:22.320
  • Mark shows how every delay is divine preparation and that god
  • 00:27:22.320 --> 00:27:26.791
  • Works all things for good to those who love him.
  • 00:27:26.791 --> 00:27:29.828
  • The obstacle is the way.
  • 00:27:29.828 --> 00:27:32.897
  • You can't spell testimony without the first four letters.
  • 00:27:32.897 --> 00:27:35.533
  • You got to pass the test.
  • 00:27:35.533 --> 00:27:37.535
  • The goal isn't what you can achieve from your own will.
  • 00:27:37.535 --> 00:27:40.972
  • It's who you become while trusting in god's timing.
  • 00:27:40.972 --> 00:27:44.642
  • The goal of accomplishing a
  • 00:27:44.642 --> 00:27:46.211
  • Goal is not accomplishing the goal.
  • 00:27:46.211 --> 00:27:48.680
  • It's who you become--
  • 00:27:48.680 --> 00:27:50.849
  • There it is. --in the process.
  • 00:27:50.849 --> 00:27:52.617
  • Am i becoming more and more like jesus?
  • 00:27:52.617 --> 00:27:56.121
  • Gradually then suddenly,
  • 00:27:56.121 --> 00:27:58.256
  • The new book by mark batterson.
  • 00:27:58.256 --> 00:28:00.225
  • Available wherever books are sold.
  • 00:28:00.225 --> 00:28:02.293
  • We are talking to
  • 00:28:02.727 --> 00:28:04.362
  • Mark batterson about gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:28:04.362 --> 00:28:07.232
  • So i want to point out something that the book
  • 00:28:07.232 --> 00:28:12.504
  • And its title, gradually then suddenly,
  • 00:28:12.504 --> 00:28:17.976
  • Suggests to me-- okay, i'm a person and i have an opinion--
  • 00:28:19.144 --> 00:28:24.682
  • It suggests to me that i'm going to go through a process,
  • 00:28:24.682 --> 00:28:30.688
  • Pass a test so that then that will turn into a testimony one
  • 00:28:30.688 --> 00:28:36.261
  • Day, and that suddenly then god's plan reveals through you
  • 00:28:36.261 --> 00:28:42.700
  • Once you've passed some kind of a test.
  • 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:44.736
  • Is that theologically what you're trying to tell us here?
  • 00:28:44.736 --> 00:28:48.940
  • Uh, because if somebody just tuned in-- you know, we have to
  • 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:52.677
  • Think about somebody just tuning in.
  • 00:28:52.677 --> 00:28:54.813
  • Why don't you--
  • 00:28:54.813 --> 00:28:55.947
  • Why don't you give an example
  • 00:28:55.947 --> 00:28:57.882
  • Of maybe why you wrote this book?
  • 00:28:57.882 --> 00:29:01.252
  • What you were thinking about?
  • 00:29:01.252 --> 00:29:03.154
  • What's the concept of it?
  • 00:29:03.154 --> 00:29:05.490
  • Why don't you give us that?
  • 00:29:05.490 --> 00:29:06.791
  • So that we kind of-- you know, we're deep in a conversation.
  • 00:29:06.791 --> 00:29:09.894
  • But why don't you do a little
  • 00:29:09.894 --> 00:29:10.762
  • Reset for somebody just tuned in?
  • 00:29:10.762 --> 00:29:12.530
  • Yes. this really is a life story.
  • 00:29:12.530 --> 00:29:17.368
  • It kind of is a life theme that i would not have written it
  • 00:29:17.368 --> 00:29:21.906
  • 10 or 20 years ago. got it.
  • 00:29:21.906 --> 00:29:23.708
  • Okay. we've had the joy of leading
  • 00:29:23.708 --> 00:29:26.211
  • National community church in d.c.
  • 00:29:26.211 --> 00:29:28.780
  • Started with 19 people.
  • 00:29:28.780 --> 00:29:30.815
  • Our first easter,
  • 00:29:30.815 --> 00:29:32.050
  • 43 people.
  • 00:29:32.050 --> 00:29:33.351
  • We have the joy now of hosting the easter sunrise at the
  • 00:29:33.351 --> 00:29:36.020
  • Lincoln memorial, and a few more than 43 show up.
  • 00:29:36.020 --> 00:29:39.724
  • Yeah, it's tens of thousands. go ahead.
  • 00:29:39.724 --> 00:29:42.026
  • So what i really believe is you've got to,
  • 00:29:42.026 --> 00:29:45.496
  • You've got to lead long.
  • 00:29:45.496 --> 00:29:48.766
  • And a great example is jeremiah 29,
  • 00:29:48.766 --> 00:29:51.903
  • Seek the peace and prosperity of the city.
  • 00:29:51.903 --> 00:29:54.439
  • Plant gardens, build houses.
  • 00:29:54.439 --> 00:29:56.407
  • Jeremiah is saying to them, you've got to do what you do
  • 00:29:56.407 --> 00:29:59.978
  • For the third and fourth generation.
  • 00:29:59.978 --> 00:30:01.613
  • You've got to have a 70 year mindset.
  • 00:30:01.613 --> 00:30:04.582
  • And so much of what we're trying to do there is really
  • 00:30:04.582 --> 00:30:09.020
  • Setting up, should the lord
  • 00:30:09.020 --> 00:30:10.955
  • Tarry that third and fourth generation.
  • 00:30:10.955 --> 00:30:13.791
  • And then this book really is, um, kind of a testament to the
  • 00:30:13.791 --> 00:30:18.263
  • Way that god's even worked in my own life.
  • 00:30:18.263 --> 00:30:20.164
  • Felt called to write at 22, didn't write a book until 35.
  • 00:30:20.164 --> 00:30:24.702
  • And this is a word of encouragement to those who have
  • 00:30:24.702 --> 00:30:27.639
  • A dream that's gathered a little bit of dust that it was,
  • 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:32.543
  • It was frustrating.
  • 00:30:32.543 --> 00:30:33.845
  • I mean, i started to despise my birthday because it was like an
  • 00:30:33.845 --> 00:30:38.716
  • Annual reminder of a dream deferred.
  • 00:30:38.716 --> 00:30:41.185
  • Wow.
  • 00:30:41.185 --> 00:30:42.620
  • And so finally, what i did-- and i write a little bit about
  • 00:30:42.620 --> 00:30:45.657
  • Grand gestures in the book, that sometimes there comes a
  • 00:30:45.657 --> 00:30:49.661
  • Moment where you have to take a step of faith.
  • 00:30:49.661 --> 00:30:51.996
  • Faith is taking the first step
  • 00:30:51.996 --> 00:30:53.264
  • Before god reveals the second step.
  • 00:30:53.264 --> 00:30:55.300
  • You know, you got to--
  • 00:30:55.300 --> 00:30:56.334
  • You got to put a stone in a sling like david.
  • 00:30:56.334 --> 00:30:59.203
  • You've got to-- you have to do something to put your
  • 00:30:59.203 --> 00:31:02.440
  • Faith out there.
  • 00:31:02.440 --> 00:31:03.708
  • Or like the priest, you have to step into the jordan river.
  • 00:31:03.708 --> 00:31:05.944
  • Then god will part the river. right.
  • 00:31:05.944 --> 00:31:08.446
  • Um, so i leveraged my 35th birthday and said, i'm not
  • 00:31:08.446 --> 00:31:12.717
  • Turning 35 without a book to show for it.
  • 00:31:12.717 --> 00:31:15.153
  • That was 40 days before my birthday, and at some point
  • 00:31:15.153 --> 00:31:20.425
  • You, just by faith, have to take that step of faith.
  • 00:31:20.425 --> 00:31:25.029
  • And often those are the days when decades happen.
  • 00:31:25.029 --> 00:31:28.232
  • Those are the the small step, giant leap moments.
  • 00:31:28.232 --> 00:31:33.638
  • And so we want to do amazing things for god.
  • 00:31:33.638 --> 00:31:37.342
  • But i would just remind us that's not our job.
  • 00:31:37.342 --> 00:31:40.011
  • God does amazing things for us.
  • 00:31:40.011 --> 00:31:42.113
  • Joshua 35,
  • 00:31:42.113 --> 00:31:43.348
  • Our job is always to only consecrate ourselves like
  • 00:31:43.348 --> 00:31:47.585
  • Simple obedience, childlike faith, these things that, you
  • 00:31:47.585 --> 00:31:52.824
  • Know, they're not as glamorous or they, you know,
  • 00:31:52.824 --> 00:31:56.694
  • People kind of want the fireworks show.
  • 00:31:56.694 --> 00:31:59.864
  • You know, what i have learned to appreciate?
  • 00:31:59.864 --> 00:32:02.767
  • Just people who keep on keeping on.
  • 00:32:02.767 --> 00:32:07.171
  • And then they enjoy the journey.
  • 00:32:07.171 --> 00:32:10.608
  • And, and at the end of their life, there's still some
  • 00:32:10.608 --> 00:32:13.511
  • Integrity intact.
  • 00:32:13.511 --> 00:32:15.413
  • And they're still walking humbly with the lord.
  • 00:32:15.413 --> 00:32:18.483
  • And that really is my prayer, that it would sort of widen the
  • 00:32:18.483 --> 00:32:23.688
  • Aperture, this book, and help us have long vision,
  • 00:32:23.688 --> 00:32:29.127
  • That long obedience.
  • 00:32:29.127 --> 00:32:31.262
  • And then that's going to net a long legacy, which, again, is
  • 00:32:31.262 --> 00:32:36.601
  • Really what you guys are living right now is
  • 00:32:36.601 --> 00:32:42.206
  • Just this, um, this long legacy
  • 00:32:42.206 --> 00:32:45.510
  • Of look at what the lord has done.
  • 00:32:45.510 --> 00:32:47.712
  • And so we overestimate what we can do in a year or two.
  • 00:32:47.712 --> 00:32:50.648
  • We underestimate what god can do in ten or 20 or 30.
  • 00:32:50.648 --> 00:32:53.451
  • I love what you said about the legacy thing of planting in
  • 00:32:53.451 --> 00:32:56.754
  • Other people's gardens. yeah.
  • 00:32:56.754 --> 00:32:59.090
  • It's just such a beautiful thing.
  • 00:32:59.090 --> 00:33:01.159
  • That's part of my legacy.
  • 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:03.061
  • And we've talked about it already.
  • 00:33:03.061 --> 00:33:04.462
  • But you said that so good.
  • 00:33:04.462 --> 00:33:07.098
  • Just the definition of legacy again.
  • 00:33:07.098 --> 00:33:09.634
  • Yeah. legacy is not what you accomplish.
  • 00:33:09.634 --> 00:33:13.071
  • Legacy is what others accomplish because of you.
  • 00:33:13.071 --> 00:33:17.075
  • Because of you.
  • 00:33:17.075 --> 00:33:18.176
  • And so, you know, there are people that influence
  • 00:33:18.176 --> 00:33:22.046
  • Millions of people.
  • 00:33:22.046 --> 00:33:23.548
  • And, you know, you guys would be in that rare category.
  • 00:33:23.548 --> 00:33:26.651
  • And what an opportunity, what a thing to steward.
  • 00:33:26.651 --> 00:33:29.754
  • But the reality is most people aren't going to influence
  • 00:33:29.754 --> 00:33:32.657
  • A million people.
  • 00:33:32.657 --> 00:33:34.058
  • But you might influence one person that influences
  • 00:33:34.058 --> 00:33:38.162
  • A million people.
  • 00:33:38.162 --> 00:33:39.430
  • In fact, if we go all the way back, maybe you just take a
  • 00:33:39.430 --> 00:33:42.333
  • Little boy named henry wallace by the hand.
  • 00:33:42.333 --> 00:33:45.136
  • You help him fall in love with god's creation.
  • 00:33:45.136 --> 00:33:48.372
  • And then he has the foresight to--
  • 00:33:48.372 --> 00:33:51.275
  • And then the next thing you
  • 00:33:51.275 --> 00:33:52.376
  • Know, a billion lives are saved.
  • 00:33:52.376 --> 00:33:55.012
  • And that's the beautiful thing about the kingdom of god.
  • 00:33:55.012 --> 00:33:58.216
  • It's his chessboard.
  • 00:33:58.216 --> 00:33:59.450
  • We don't call the shots.
  • 00:33:59.450 --> 00:34:01.185
  • Man, i would-- i have a couple of
  • 00:34:01.185 --> 00:34:04.255
  • Rules of life. when things go wrong,
  • 00:34:04.255 --> 00:34:07.692
  • Don't play the victim.
  • 00:34:07.692 --> 00:34:09.193
  • When things go right, don't play god.
  • 00:34:09.193 --> 00:34:11.562
  • Just keep playing the long game.
  • 00:34:12.263 --> 00:34:14.499
  • If you do little things like they're big things, god
  • 00:34:14.499 --> 00:34:18.069
  • Has a way of doing big things
  • 00:34:18.069 --> 00:34:19.537
  • Like they're little things.
  • 00:34:19.537 --> 00:34:20.872
  • That is so cool.
  • 00:34:20.872 --> 00:34:22.140
  • You talk about in the book, um, kind of cathedral thinking.
  • 00:34:22.140 --> 00:34:26.744
  • Yeah, i've been to milan.
  • 00:34:26.744 --> 00:34:29.213
  • We have a tv studio there for our italian channel that's on
  • 00:34:29.213 --> 00:34:33.351
  • The air 24 hours a day in italian.
  • 00:34:33.351 --> 00:34:36.721
  • Hi, chuck.
  • 00:34:37.021 --> 00:34:38.122
  • Um, he runs it, and, um, there's a just a little, a
  • 00:34:38.122 --> 00:34:43.594
  • Little church there called il duomo.
  • 00:34:43.594 --> 00:34:45.763
  • Okay. and my understanding is, you know, you look at that
  • 00:34:45.763 --> 00:34:50.935
  • Thing and it's, you know, it's just-- and i believe--
  • 00:34:50.935 --> 00:34:54.071
  • I think i'm right.
  • 00:34:54.071 --> 00:34:55.339
  • I think it was 400 years or something like that to build.
  • 00:34:55.339 --> 00:34:58.609
  • So think of that.
  • 00:34:58.609 --> 00:34:59.610
  • Isn't that-- how many generations is that?
  • 00:34:59.610 --> 00:35:02.180
  • You know, i mean, just it's tons of generations.
  • 00:35:02.180 --> 00:35:05.116
  • So, you know, your great great great great great great great
  • 00:35:05.116 --> 00:35:09.120
  • Something grandfather might have laid a cornerstone and
  • 00:35:09.120 --> 00:35:12.123
  • You're now chiseling something. they didn't see
  • 00:35:12.123 --> 00:35:15.593
  • Hardly any of it.
  • 00:35:15.593 --> 00:35:17.128
  • And that thing is a marvel.
  • 00:35:17.128 --> 00:35:20.431
  • You talk about cathedral thinking in the book.
  • 00:35:20.431 --> 00:35:23.234
  • Yes. and, you know, we we tend to have such short
  • 00:35:23.234 --> 00:35:28.773
  • Attention spans that we have a hard time thinking even
  • 00:35:28.773 --> 00:35:33.177
  • Beyond our lifespan.
  • 00:35:33.177 --> 00:35:35.046
  • But that's where, uh, i think we've got to really
  • 00:35:35.046 --> 00:35:39.984
  • Set up that third and fourth generation.
  • 00:35:39.984 --> 00:35:41.786
  • I'll maybe share an example.
  • 00:35:41.786 --> 00:35:43.654
  • We you know, we have a city block on capitol hill.
  • 00:35:43.654 --> 00:35:47.258
  • It's a miracle story.
  • 00:35:47.258 --> 00:35:49.160
  • It's on the corner of a
  • 00:35:49.160 --> 00:35:50.928
  • 4.7 mile prayer walk that i did in 1996.
  • 00:35:50.928 --> 00:35:54.565
  • And i mean, it really is.
  • 00:35:54.565 --> 00:35:56.801
  • It was a $29.3 million miracle.
  • 00:35:56.801 --> 00:36:00.238
  • And so we started renovating it
  • 00:36:00.238 --> 00:36:02.240
  • And we had a hard decision to make.
  • 00:36:02.240 --> 00:36:04.175
  • It's an 1891 building, and we decided to dig 109 micropiles,
  • 00:36:04.175 --> 00:36:10.147
  • 40ft deep, so that we could activate an acre and a half of
  • 00:36:10.147 --> 00:36:15.119
  • Roof deck, because in land value on capitol hill, that
  • 00:36:15.119 --> 00:36:18.990
  • Would be worth $25 million.
  • 00:36:18.990 --> 00:36:21.392
  • Here's the catch.
  • 00:36:21.392 --> 00:36:22.760
  • We have no plans on building on the rooftop.
  • 00:36:22.760 --> 00:36:25.162
  • So then the obvious question is why would you spend $1 million
  • 00:36:25.162 --> 00:36:29.400
  • To reinforce those footers?
  • 00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:30.735
  • And the answer is, the next generation might.
  • 00:36:30.735 --> 00:36:34.338
  • And that's our job, to set up the next generation to do
  • 00:36:34.338 --> 00:36:39.010
  • What they do.
  • 00:36:39.010 --> 00:36:40.678
  • In a world obsessed with instant success,
  • 00:36:40.678 --> 00:36:43.381
  • Mark batterson reminds us that god often works gradually,
  • 00:36:43.381 --> 00:36:46.784
  • Then suddenly. everything in the kingdom of god takes longer
  • 00:36:46.784 --> 00:36:51.656
  • Than we would like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:36:51.656 --> 00:36:55.126
  • Then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:36:55.126 --> 00:36:57.028
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:36:57.028 --> 00:37:00.798
  • From the author of the circle maker and chase the lion comes
  • 00:37:00.798 --> 00:37:03.968
  • A powerful new message about patience, perseverance, and
  • 00:37:03.968 --> 00:37:07.738
  • Faith in the waiting.
  • 00:37:07.738 --> 00:37:09.173
  • We've got to fall in love with the gradually, with the long
  • 00:37:09.173 --> 00:37:12.910
  • Obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:37:12.910 --> 00:37:14.979
  • I'm less and less enamored with 15 minutes of fame.
  • 00:37:14.979 --> 00:37:19.083
  • I think god honors a lifetime of faithfulness.
  • 00:37:19.083 --> 00:37:22.987
  • And that really is what this book is about.
  • 00:37:22.987 --> 00:37:25.856
  • Through stories of miracles, setbacks, and second chances,
  • 00:37:25.856 --> 00:37:30.094
  • Mark shows how every delay is divine preparation and that god
  • 00:37:30.094 --> 00:37:34.565
  • Works all things for good to those who love him.
  • 00:37:34.565 --> 00:37:37.635
  • The obstacle is the way.
  • 00:37:37.635 --> 00:37:40.671
  • You can't spell testimony without the first four letters,
  • 00:37:40.671 --> 00:37:43.374
  • You got to pass the test.
  • 00:37:43.374 --> 00:37:45.376
  • The goal isn't what you can achieve from your own will.
  • 00:37:45.376 --> 00:37:48.746
  • It's who you become while trusting in god's timing.
  • 00:37:48.746 --> 00:37:52.416
  • The goal of accomplishing a
  • 00:37:52.416 --> 00:37:53.984
  • Goal is not accomplishing the goal.
  • 00:37:53.984 --> 00:37:56.487
  • It's who you become--
  • 00:37:56.487 --> 00:37:58.689
  • There it is. --in the process.
  • 00:37:58.689 --> 00:38:00.358
  • Am i becoming more and more like jesus?
  • 00:38:00.358 --> 00:38:03.761
  • Gradually then suddenly, the new book by mark batterson.
  • 00:38:03.761 --> 00:38:07.865
  • Available wherever books are sold.
  • 00:38:07.865 --> 00:38:10.768
  • Let's talk about something that you, because you're a nice guy
  • 00:38:10.768 --> 00:38:15.840
  • And you have a really kind of outgoing, fun personality,
  • 00:38:15.840 --> 00:38:21.212
  • You breezed by the word victim.
  • 00:38:21.212 --> 00:38:23.814
  • You breezed by it.
  • 00:38:24.248 --> 00:38:25.950
  • You mentioned it.
  • 00:38:26.384 --> 00:38:27.618
  • It's in your storyline here so far, but you moved by it
  • 00:38:27.618 --> 00:38:30.454
  • Pretty quick in the book.
  • 00:38:30.454 --> 00:38:32.890
  • You say something, i'm quoting you, something like, you know,
  • 00:38:32.890 --> 00:38:36.861
  • You were quoting somebody else,
  • 00:38:36.861 --> 00:38:38.362
  • Um, in the beginning of your life, you look like your mom
  • 00:38:38.362 --> 00:38:41.766
  • And dad at the end of your life, you look like your choices.
  • 00:38:41.766 --> 00:38:44.935
  • Yes. so-- yes.
  • 00:38:44.935 --> 00:38:49.039
  • If you're going to make a choice to be a victim, you're
  • 00:38:49.039 --> 00:38:51.709
  • Going to look like a victim.
  • 00:38:51.709 --> 00:38:53.411
  • And that means you're hobbled over.
  • 00:38:53.411 --> 00:38:57.448
  • You're walking with a limp.
  • 00:38:57.448 --> 00:38:59.517
  • You've got a bad attitude.
  • 00:38:59.517 --> 00:39:01.185
  • Yeah. you know, there's just a tons of things.
  • 00:39:01.185 --> 00:39:03.587
  • Yep.
  • 00:39:03.587 --> 00:39:04.522
  • So you're going to look like
  • 00:39:04.522 --> 00:39:05.756
  • Your choices at the end of your life.
  • 00:39:05.756 --> 00:39:07.625
  • You look like your mom and your daddy at the beginning of life.
  • 00:39:07.625 --> 00:39:10.594
  • Yeah.
  • 00:39:10.594 --> 00:39:11.896
  • Talk about let's not gloss over having to do the right thing.
  • 00:39:11.896 --> 00:39:15.699
  • Yes. so doctor crawford, lauritz is who said that.
  • 00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:20.371
  • And, uh, when you're born, you look like your parents.
  • 00:39:20.371 --> 00:39:23.641
  • When you die, you look like your decisions.
  • 00:39:23.641 --> 00:39:26.177
  • So i think it's taking ownership.
  • 00:39:26.177 --> 00:39:28.612
  • That destiny is not a mystery.
  • 00:39:28.612 --> 00:39:30.848
  • Destiny is decisions.
  • 00:39:30.848 --> 00:39:32.850
  • It's daily decisions.
  • 00:39:32.850 --> 00:39:34.618
  • It's pre decisions.
  • 00:39:34.618 --> 00:39:36.620
  • It's hard decisions.
  • 00:39:37.087 --> 00:39:38.823
  • So it really is making good, good choices.
  • 00:39:38.823 --> 00:39:43.961
  • Like, that's that's what we have to do.
  • 00:39:43.961 --> 00:39:47.731
  • Um, and, you know, the good news is, if you make some
  • 00:39:47.731 --> 00:39:52.069
  • Bad choices, uh, god's grace is sufficient.
  • 00:39:52.069 --> 00:39:55.639
  • And he's a god of second, third, and 17th chances.
  • 00:39:55.639 --> 00:39:59.977
  • But i do think, um, it's
  • 00:39:59.977 --> 00:40:02.913
  • Living your life with some intentionality.
  • 00:40:02.913 --> 00:40:06.016
  • What are you aiming at?
  • 00:40:06.016 --> 00:40:07.918
  • You know, you, matt, you
  • 00:40:07.918 --> 00:40:09.220
  • Mentioned in the beginning, uh, success.
  • 00:40:09.220 --> 00:40:11.889
  • And i'll just, i'll push on that a little bit, because for me,
  • 00:40:11.889 --> 00:40:16.327
  • It's not the number of books i sell.
  • 00:40:16.327 --> 00:40:19.930
  • And for me, i don't even think of it in that category.
  • 00:40:19.930 --> 00:40:22.333
  • To me, a book sold as a prayer answered because i have a team
  • 00:40:22.333 --> 00:40:25.536
  • Of people that has prayed since the first book i wrote that it
  • 00:40:25.536 --> 00:40:28.205
  • Would-- that god would put it in
  • 00:40:28.205 --> 00:40:29.573
  • The right hands at the right time.
  • 00:40:29.573 --> 00:40:31.709
  • Um, but it's not books sold.
  • 00:40:31.709 --> 00:40:33.511
  • It's not the number of people i have
  • 00:40:33.511 --> 00:40:35.412
  • The joy of pastoring.
  • 00:40:35.412 --> 00:40:36.747
  • I defined it years ago,
  • 00:40:37.248 --> 00:40:38.649
  • Success is when those who know me best respect me most.
  • 00:40:38.649 --> 00:40:44.989
  • And that's my wife and my kids.
  • 00:40:44.989 --> 00:40:46.624
  • So at the end of the day, i want to be famous in my home,
  • 00:40:46.624 --> 00:40:51.028
  • And it's hard to be famous in your home if you're not home.
  • 00:40:51.028 --> 00:40:54.932
  • And so then you have to make hard decisions about
  • 00:40:54.932 --> 00:40:57.334
  • Priorities, establishing boundaries.
  • 00:40:57.334 --> 00:41:00.371
  • And so, you know, i only do seven overnight
  • 00:41:00.371 --> 00:41:03.274
  • Speaking trips a year.
  • 00:41:03.274 --> 00:41:04.575
  • And part of that is just i had to make a decision to put that
  • 00:41:04.575 --> 00:41:08.212
  • Boundary in place.
  • 00:41:08.212 --> 00:41:09.513
  • And so financial boundaries, we call it a budget. uh, you know,
  • 00:41:09.513 --> 00:41:14.151
  • Health boundaries, we often
  • 00:41:14.151 --> 00:41:15.452
  • Call it a diet or an exercise plan.
  • 00:41:15.452 --> 00:41:19.056
  • So, you know, i think i think we have to exercise the free
  • 00:41:19.056 --> 00:41:23.794
  • Will that god's given us.
  • 00:41:23.794 --> 00:41:25.596
  • And at the end of the day, um, hopefully it's my utmost for
  • 00:41:25.596 --> 00:41:29.500
  • His highest, uh, and, uh, but i think it does go back to i'm
  • 00:41:29.500 --> 00:41:35.205
  • Not going to, i'm not going to play the victim.
  • 00:41:35.205 --> 00:41:37.474
  • I'm not going to play god.
  • 00:41:37.474 --> 00:41:39.343
  • I'm going to have compassion for anybody and everybody
  • 00:41:39.343 --> 00:41:43.080
  • That-- you know,
  • 00:41:43.080 --> 00:41:44.348
  • I realized that life hands each one of us a little different
  • 00:41:44.348 --> 00:41:48.719
  • Hand of cards.
  • 00:41:48.719 --> 00:41:50.154
  • But god comes to us disguised as our lives.
  • 00:41:50.154 --> 00:41:54.959
  • Hello.
  • 00:41:54.959 --> 00:41:55.626
  • And, um, i'll even put out
  • 00:41:55.626 --> 00:41:58.362
  • There that one of the hardest things
  • 00:41:58.362 --> 00:42:00.798
  • But one of the best things my wife laura and i have walked
  • 00:42:00.798 --> 00:42:03.334
  • Through is two bouts with
  • 00:42:03.334 --> 00:42:04.468
  • Cancer over the last seven years.
  • 00:42:04.468 --> 00:42:06.570
  • Would we invite that into our lives?
  • 00:42:06.570 --> 00:42:08.939
  • No. no.
  • 00:42:08.939 --> 00:42:10.574
  • But we're so much closer.
  • 00:42:11.141 --> 00:42:14.411
  • I cherish her more than the day we got married.
  • 00:42:15.346 --> 00:42:19.450
  • Um, and, uh, there was a little poem she read when she got that
  • 00:42:19.450 --> 00:42:24.088
  • Diagnosis that posed the question,
  • 00:42:24.088 --> 00:42:26.490
  • What have you come to teach me?
  • 00:42:26.490 --> 00:42:28.659
  • That's a hard question to ask of cancer.
  • 00:42:29.493 --> 00:42:33.597
  • Yeah. but you have to take that learning posture,
  • 00:42:33.597 --> 00:42:37.334
  • Growth mindset.
  • 00:42:37.334 --> 00:42:38.569
  • And if you do, then then god's going to work through it.
  • 00:42:38.569 --> 00:42:43.240
  • It's like joseph, genesis 50:20 you intended to harm me,
  • 00:42:43.240 --> 00:42:48.245
  • But god, but god intended it for good.
  • 00:42:49.079 --> 00:42:53.884
  • The saving of many lives.
  • 00:42:53.884 --> 00:42:56.720
  • And so just man, tuck this in your heart.
  • 00:42:56.720 --> 00:43:00.591
  • Tuck it in your heart.
  • 00:43:00.591 --> 00:43:01.625
  • God is writing a bigger story.
  • 00:43:01.625 --> 00:43:04.762
  • God is writing a better story.
  • 00:43:04.762 --> 00:43:08.032
  • I absolutely believe that.
  • 00:43:08.032 --> 00:43:10.300
  • And i also believe that the kingdoms of this world are
  • 00:43:10.300 --> 00:43:12.770
  • Becoming the kingdom of our lord and of his christ.
  • 00:43:12.770 --> 00:43:15.572
  • And so don't lose heart, don't lose hope.
  • 00:43:15.572 --> 00:43:18.042
  • Don't lose faith in the end of the story.
  • 00:43:18.042 --> 00:43:21.812
  • Yeah.
  • 00:43:21.812 --> 00:43:22.813
  • Uh, his kingdom is going to come gradually,
  • 00:43:22.813 --> 00:43:26.050
  • Then suddenly. pray for the folks real quick.
  • 00:43:26.050 --> 00:43:28.185
  • Let's just, that this would go-- yes. yes.
  • 00:43:28.185 --> 00:43:32.423
  • And so, father, we pray right now, every single person.
  • 00:43:32.423 --> 00:43:36.794
  • You know them.
  • 00:43:36.794 --> 00:43:37.594
  • You love them.
  • 00:43:37.594 --> 00:43:38.896
  • You know the number of hairs on their head, their name tattooed
  • 00:43:38.896 --> 00:43:41.799
  • On the palm of your hand.
  • 00:43:41.799 --> 00:43:43.701
  • You collect our tears in your bottle.
  • 00:43:43.701 --> 00:43:46.970
  • And so, god, you have plans and purposes and we just pray that
  • 00:43:46.970 --> 00:43:52.142
  • God they would come to pass, your will, your way.
  • 00:43:52.142 --> 00:43:57.281
  • Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
  • 00:43:57.281 --> 00:44:00.117
  • God, those who need encouragement,
  • 00:44:00.117 --> 00:44:02.753
  • I believe this was the divine appointment, that they're in
  • 00:44:02.753 --> 00:44:05.656
  • The gradually phase right now.
  • 00:44:05.656 --> 00:44:08.292
  • But god, i believe that you can bring it to pass, that he who
  • 00:44:08.292 --> 00:44:12.796
  • Began that good work can carry it to completion.
  • 00:44:12.796 --> 00:44:17.234
  • And so, lord, we trust you.
  • 00:44:17.234 --> 00:44:19.503
  • We trust your heart.
  • 00:44:19.970 --> 00:44:21.071
  • We trust your timing.
  • 00:44:21.071 --> 00:44:22.806
  • We trust your plans, your purposes.
  • 00:44:22.806 --> 00:44:25.442
  • And we pray blessing right now
  • 00:44:25.442 --> 00:44:28.212
  • On each and every one in jesus' name, amen and amen.
  • 00:44:29.279 --> 00:44:35.152
  • I want to make sure, you know, gradually, then suddenly.
  • 00:44:35.152 --> 00:44:40.424
  • And let me, let me just tell you something about this book.
  • 00:44:40.424 --> 00:44:44.294
  • Mark, you write about five books in one.
  • 00:44:45.162 --> 00:44:51.702
  • This is one of the densest, thickest, most amazing--
  • 00:44:51.702 --> 00:44:56.106
  • I said something earlier.
  • 00:44:56.106 --> 00:44:58.575
  • This is a like an experience.
  • 00:44:58.575 --> 00:45:01.545
  • Like you're scrolling through your feed,
  • 00:45:01.545 --> 00:45:04.114
  • It is that entertaining.
  • 00:45:04.114 --> 00:45:05.749
  • This is a legit book.
  • 00:45:05.749 --> 00:45:08.919
  • It moves that quickly.
  • 00:45:09.419 --> 00:45:11.522
  • It moves.
  • 00:45:11.522 --> 00:45:12.289
  • It's telling a story.
  • 00:45:12.289 --> 00:45:13.891
  • It's unbelievable.
  • 00:45:13.891 --> 00:45:15.459
  • And i want to make sure that, you know, i would have taken
  • 00:45:15.459 --> 00:45:20.197
  • Probably the first two chapters, or the first two paragraphs
  • 00:45:20.197 --> 00:45:24.501
  • On page nine, and i would have submitted that
  • 00:45:24.501 --> 00:45:28.338
  • As my whole manuscript to a publisher.
  • 00:45:28.338 --> 00:45:30.974
  • This is my book.
  • 00:45:30.974 --> 00:45:32.709
  • It's awesome.
  • 00:45:32.709 --> 00:45:33.710
  • Okay. it's like two paragraphs on page nine.
  • 00:45:33.710 --> 00:45:36.446
  • Okay. i want you to know that this is one of the thickest,
  • 00:45:36.446 --> 00:45:40.017
  • Most dynamic,
  • 00:45:40.017 --> 00:45:41.852
  • And mark, you have 40 pages in the back of notes
  • 00:45:41.852 --> 00:45:46.957
  • And acknowledgments, 40 pages of acknowledgments.
  • 00:45:46.957 --> 00:45:50.727
  • This is one of the most amazing--
  • 00:45:50.727 --> 00:45:53.197
  • It's like a textbook for real.
  • 00:45:53.197 --> 00:45:55.499
  • Now i want to say one other thing real quick.
  • 00:45:55.499 --> 00:45:57.601
  • I want to give you the final word.
  • 00:45:57.601 --> 00:45:59.002
  • And do you have something real quick?
  • 00:45:59.002 --> 00:46:00.470
  • Well, i was going to ask you about the compound effect.
  • 00:46:00.470 --> 00:46:03.874
  • Yes, i would-- talk about that for a minute.
  • 00:46:03.874 --> 00:46:06.443
  • Well, albert einstein said that compound interest is the eighth
  • 00:46:06.443 --> 00:46:11.448
  • Wonder of the world, and we
  • 00:46:11.448 --> 00:46:13.383
  • Only think of it in terms of finances.
  • 00:46:13.383 --> 00:46:16.453
  • Right? but it's not. obedience,
  • 00:46:16.453 --> 00:46:19.489
  • There's a compound interest to obedience.
  • 00:46:19.489 --> 00:46:22.259
  • There's compound interest to faithfulness.
  • 00:46:22.259 --> 00:46:25.028
  • And there's a compound interest to prayer that, uh, um, i think
  • 00:46:25.028 --> 00:46:30.434
  • God has a way of, uh, in fact, what the enemy
  • 00:46:30.434 --> 00:46:35.539
  • Has stolen, right?
  • 00:46:35.539 --> 00:46:38.041
  • That god is going to repay what the locusts have stolen.
  • 00:46:38.041 --> 00:46:41.979
  • And he does it with interest.
  • 00:46:41.979 --> 00:46:44.781
  • There's this beautiful,
  • 00:46:44.781 --> 00:46:46.183
  • I will give you double for trouble.
  • 00:46:46.183 --> 00:46:49.519
  • And so i just--
  • 00:46:49.519 --> 00:46:51.722
  • Those are promises.
  • 00:46:51.722 --> 00:46:52.956
  • Those are promises that as believers, this is a good, good
  • 00:46:52.956 --> 00:46:56.960
  • Father who has good plans for his children, good gifts.
  • 00:46:56.960 --> 00:47:01.932
  • And i think that compound interest is part of it.
  • 00:47:01.932 --> 00:47:05.102
  • We were in a church service one time, and the pastor was
  • 00:47:05.102 --> 00:47:08.639
  • Talking about the double for your trouble.
  • 00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:11.341
  • And finally the guy next to us turns around and goes, are we
  • 00:47:11.341 --> 00:47:13.777
  • Supposed to be asking for the double trouble?
  • 00:47:13.777 --> 00:47:16.246
  • Are we?
  • 00:47:16.246 --> 00:47:16.914
  • Are we asking for trouble?
  • 00:47:16.914 --> 00:47:18.682
  • I think we're going to get it anyway.
  • 00:47:18.682 --> 00:47:20.550
  • Okay. uh, one thing real quick.
  • 00:47:21.184 --> 00:47:22.886
  • Gradually then suddenly, this is available.
  • 00:47:22.886 --> 00:47:25.455
  • There's this little company called amazon.
  • 00:47:25.455 --> 00:47:27.658
  • You can get it.
  • 00:47:27.658 --> 00:47:28.392
  • You might have heard of that.
  • 00:47:28.392 --> 00:47:29.159
  • You can get, uh, the book.
  • 00:47:29.159 --> 00:47:31.228
  • Um, i want to do a lightning round because everyone's going,
  • 00:47:31.228 --> 00:47:33.997
  • Okay, wait a second.
  • 00:47:33.997 --> 00:47:34.932
  • Is that the guy from the circle maker?
  • 00:47:34.932 --> 00:47:36.733
  • That's the circle maker guy. wait a second.
  • 00:47:36.733 --> 00:47:38.835
  • What about the lion
  • 00:47:38.835 --> 00:47:40.604
  • And the pit on a snowy --
  • 00:47:40.604 --> 00:47:42.005
  • Okay. yeah.
  • 00:47:42.005 --> 00:47:42.973
  • One minute or less,
  • 00:47:42.973 --> 00:47:44.074
  • What was circle maker about?
  • 00:47:44.074 --> 00:47:46.043
  • Yeah. uh, a drought, first century israel and, uh,
  • 00:47:46.043 --> 00:47:51.148
  • Threatened to destroy a generation.
  • 00:47:51.148 --> 00:47:53.016
  • One man, honi the circle maker, uh, took his staff, drew a
  • 00:47:53.016 --> 00:47:56.486
  • Circle in the sand, and said, sovereign lord, i swear before
  • 00:47:56.486 --> 00:48:00.023
  • Your great name that i will not leave this circle until you
  • 00:48:00.023 --> 00:48:03.527
  • Have mercy upon your children.
  • 00:48:03.527 --> 00:48:05.729
  • And it was a prayer that saved a generation.
  • 00:48:05.729 --> 00:48:09.566
  • God answered with rain.
  • 00:48:09.566 --> 00:48:12.002
  • And i think it's all about bold prayers
  • 00:48:12.002 --> 00:48:16.006
  • Honor god, and god honors bold prayers.
  • 00:48:16.006 --> 00:48:20.477
  • Uh, a meaty author.
  • 00:48:20.944 --> 00:48:23.280
  • Yeah, very.
  • 00:48:23.280 --> 00:48:24.581
  • You throw so much meat into a book that we can feast on and
  • 00:48:24.581 --> 00:48:27.851
  • Just be changed and fed.
  • 00:48:27.851 --> 00:48:29.586
  • I love it.
  • 00:48:29.586 --> 00:48:30.587
  • On a pit on a snowy day with a lion and--
  • 00:48:30.587 --> 00:48:33.724
  • Yeah, yeah.
  • 00:48:33.724 --> 00:48:34.758
  • One minute or less.
  • 00:48:34.758 --> 00:48:35.859
  • What's that story about?
  • 00:48:35.859 --> 00:48:36.660
  • One minute or less.
  • 00:48:36.660 --> 00:48:38.328
  • When the image of a of a man- eating beast, a 500 pound lion
  • 00:48:38.328 --> 00:48:41.999
  • Passes through the optic nerve into the visual cortex of the
  • 00:48:41.999 --> 00:48:44.768
  • Brain, the brain sends one message to the body,
  • 00:48:44.768 --> 00:48:48.005
  • Run as fast and as far as you can.
  • 00:48:48.772 --> 00:48:52.476
  • But lion chasers are wired a little differently.
  • 00:48:52.476 --> 00:48:56.446
  • They run to the roar.
  • 00:48:56.446 --> 00:48:58.281
  • And so it's a book about beniah who chases a lion.
  • 00:48:58.281 --> 00:49:01.818
  • He becomes king david's bodyguard and eventually
  • 00:49:01.818 --> 00:49:05.522
  • Commander in chief of israel's army.
  • 00:49:05.522 --> 00:49:08.025
  • But it traces back to this moment
  • 00:49:08.025 --> 00:49:09.993
  • Where, are you going
  • 00:49:09.993 --> 00:49:10.961
  • To run away from what you're afraid of?
  • 00:49:10.961 --> 00:49:13.030
  • Or are you going to chase the lion?
  • 00:49:13.030 --> 00:49:14.998
  • Wow. and, uh, it's just, it continues with
  • 00:49:15.832 --> 00:49:21.004
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:49:21.505 --> 00:49:23.407
  • This is an amazing book.
  • 00:49:23.407 --> 00:49:25.308
  • Final thoughts are yours, sir?
  • 00:49:25.308 --> 00:49:27.077
  • Take us out, please.
  • 00:49:27.077 --> 00:49:28.945
  • Yeah. i just think at the end of the day, everything for me
  • 00:49:28.945 --> 00:49:33.950
  • Comes back to our biggest
  • 00:49:33.950 --> 00:49:36.386
  • Problem is our small view of god.
  • 00:49:36.386 --> 00:49:39.256
  • He's so much bigger and better.
  • 00:49:39.256 --> 00:49:42.793
  • And i just want to remind us, he's watching over
  • 00:49:42.793 --> 00:49:46.663
  • His word to perform it.
  • 00:49:46.663 --> 00:49:48.398
  • Jeremiah 1:12,
  • 00:49:48.398 --> 00:49:49.966
  • His word doesn't return void.
  • 00:49:50.600 --> 00:49:53.003
  • Isaiah 55.
  • 00:49:53.003 --> 00:49:54.938
  • My self-confidence is actually probably a
  • 00:49:54.938 --> 00:49:58.608
  • Little below average.
  • 00:49:58.608 --> 00:50:00.243
  • My holy confidence is off the chart, that i've seen god do
  • 00:50:00.243 --> 00:50:04.181
  • Too many miracles not to believe him for the next one.
  • 00:50:04.181 --> 00:50:08.618
  • And you know i have some dreams that they haven't happened yet.
  • 00:50:08.618 --> 00:50:12.489
  • I've got a few movie scripts that they're still floating out
  • 00:50:12.489 --> 00:50:16.193
  • There that haven't happened yet.
  • 00:50:16.193 --> 00:50:19.396
  • Um, but i trust god.
  • 00:50:19.396 --> 00:50:23.433
  • And so last word to those listening,
  • 00:50:23.433 --> 00:50:26.503
  • God has not given up on you.
  • 00:50:26.503 --> 00:50:30.240
  • Don't give up on god.
  • 00:50:30.740 --> 00:50:32.676
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:50:33.176 --> 00:50:34.744
  • 10 million books and counting.
  • 00:50:34.744 --> 00:50:36.813
  • Mark batterson.
  • 00:50:36.813 --> 00:50:37.581
  • Thank you.
  • 00:50:37.581 --> 00:50:38.181
  • We'll see you next time.
  • 00:50:38.181 --> 00:50:38.882
  • Thank you.
  • 00:50:38.882 --> 00:50:39.216
  • Bye bye.
  • 00:50:39.216 --> 00:50:55.465
  • In a world obsessed with instant success, mark batterson
  • 00:50:56.566 --> 00:51:00.103
  • Reminds us that god often works
  • 00:51:00.103 --> 00:51:02.172
  • Gradually then suddenly.
  • 00:51:02.172 --> 00:51:03.673
  • Everything in the kingdom of god takes longer than we would
  • 00:51:03.673 --> 00:51:08.111
  • Like and is harder than we hoped for.
  • 00:51:08.111 --> 00:51:10.947
  • Then the suddenly comes.
  • 00:51:10.947 --> 00:51:12.849
  • Then god shows up and does something special.
  • 00:51:12.849 --> 00:51:16.586
  • From the author of the circle maker and chase the lion comes
  • 00:51:16.586 --> 00:51:19.856
  • A powerful new message about patience, perseverance, and
  • 00:51:19.856 --> 00:51:23.593
  • Faith in the waiting.
  • 00:51:23.593 --> 00:51:25.028
  • We've got to fall in love with the gradually, with the long
  • 00:51:25.028 --> 00:51:28.899
  • Obedience in the same direction.
  • 00:51:28.899 --> 00:51:30.901
  • I'm less and less enamored with 15 minutes of fame.
  • 00:51:30.901 --> 00:51:34.971
  • I think god honors a lifetime of faithfulness.
  • 00:51:34.971 --> 00:51:38.241
  • Yep.
  • 00:51:38.241 --> 00:51:39.242
  • And that really is what this book is about.
  • 00:51:39.242 --> 00:51:41.745
  • Through stories of miracles, setbacks, and second chances,
  • 00:51:41.745 --> 00:51:45.982
  • Mark shows how every delay is divine preparation and that god
  • 00:51:45.982 --> 00:51:50.420
  • Works all things for good to those who love him.
  • 00:51:50.420 --> 00:51:53.523
  • The obstacle is the way.
  • 00:51:53.523 --> 00:51:56.560
  • You can't spell testimony without the first four letters.
  • 00:51:56.560 --> 00:51:59.162
  • You got to pass the test.
  • 00:51:59.162 --> 00:52:01.131
  • The goal isn't what you can achieve from your own will.
  • 00:52:01.131 --> 00:52:04.534
  • It's who you become while trusting in god's timing.
  • 00:52:04.534 --> 00:52:08.205
  • The goal of accomplishing a
  • 00:52:08.205 --> 00:52:09.839
  • Goal is not accomplishing the goal.
  • 00:52:09.839 --> 00:52:12.309
  • It's who you become--
  • 00:52:12.309 --> 00:52:14.477
  • There it is. -- in the process.
  • 00:52:14.477 --> 00:52:16.179
  • Am i becoming more and more like jesus?
  • 00:52:16.179 --> 00:52:19.683
  • Gradually then suddenly, the new book by mark batterson.
  • 00:52:19.683 --> 00:52:23.753
  • Available wherever books are sold.
  • 00:52:23.753 --> 00:52:23.753