Do you compare yourself?
On social media, in the neighborhood, at church, or the school drop-off lane, do you push yourself to prove that you measure up, then feel ashamed when you don’t? Measuring yourself against others isn’t healthy. And it isn’t God’s plan. In fact, the way of Jesus is completely upside down from this measure-up world. He invites us to follow him and be restored to freedom, confidence, and joy.
Join me as—with humor and straightforward honesty—I share what I’ve discovered about my own measure-up fears and get-ahead pride in this six-week study. Together, we’ll explore the conversations Jesus had and stories he shared with people who—like us—were comparing themselves.
Let’s leave measure-up comparison behind and connect with those around us by choosing Jesus’s me-free way of living: lifting others up and pouring ourselves out!
Releasing May 19, 2020
Beautiful week, enjoying God’s amazing creation at @yosemite_national_park
#FamilyVacation #Yosemite #GodIsAmazing #EnjoyingCreation
My view as I study the “God of creation” today! What a joy. Loving this study!! @adawomenthrive @jenwilkin @yosemite_national_park #yosemitevalley
So much to be grateful for, as we fall into bed after a FULL day in Yosemite, and celebrating Ken’s 55th birthday! Thank you, Lord. #yosemite #family #55thbirthday #grateful
We love you, Lake Tahoe! @laketahoeofficial #EmeraldBay #LakeTahoe #Getaway #TimeWithYou #LoveMyHusband #SunsetsAreMyFavorite
Beautiful Lake Tahoe! I enjoyed the sunrise with my favorite hiking partner. (Thanks for the recommendation Karen!) Any other Lake Tahoe “musts” for this weekend?
#eastshoretrail #laketahoe #sunrise2020
THREE MORE DAYS to register for the Flourish writers conference!!
Do you know a writer who would be blessed by this FREE Christian writers conference? They/you can attend FREE through October 31st.
6 Days -- 34 Speakers -- Dream, Write, Publish!! Last call... Registration ends at midnight on 10/26. Affiliate link below.
PS. Don’t miss the session that my coauthor @katemotaung and I did on collaborating!
https://www.flourishwritersconference.com/2020conference?affiliate_id=2140900
#flourishwriters #christianpublishing #freeconference #onlineconference #writeforhim #writeforthem @jennykochert @mindykiker
What a JOY to meet these lovely women from Vacaville, CA this morning. Our original plan was to have a retreat today (and I still hope that will happen) but this was a pretty special “Plan B”.
Several things to note:
1. I’m so sorry I forgot to take a group photo of everyone!! 😢 Next tome?
2. There is nothing more beautiful to an author than seeing a marked up, well-used book—see photo 2. (I hope God feels this way about my Bible).
3. My husband needs photography lessons—see photo 5. (We told him to raise the camera, but...)
4. Karen is a wonderful cook and has the God-given gift of hospitality. It was such a lovely time.
5. There’s nothing sweeter than getting to share some thoughts on God’s Word with sisters who so obviously love it as much as I do.
6. Ruth is my husband’s new best friend. (Check out my new hiking backpack in photo 6, filled with “sustenance”).
7. Faith Community Church knows how to make you feel loved! We will wear these sweatshirts with great fondness!
#CaliforniaAdventure #NewFriends #SistersInChrist #ChangeOfPlans #PlanBWasLovely
I’m delighted to be part of the Bloom conference with @comingalivejenn ! The theme this year is SHINE!
everything is online and you can either watch along with everyone this weekend or at your leisure. Get your ticket here!
https://comingaliveministries.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1045720?fbclid=IwAR1Hhb88TBsctnPb2nNCg1SQ1FD42c4AzxCsfo_HN6SKPdTyV8JiUBdanrk
"Does publishing success ever seem rather random to you? Honestly, I’ve seen messages that reached millions which I didn’t think were outstanding. And I’ve seen other messages which were unequivocally stellar never make it off the ground—even with marketing gurus in the background giving in their best shot.
Why is that? And what role does God play? Does he waive his sovereign wand of blessing over particular messages or messengers, and create certain windfall? If so, does he employ a formula for choosing?
Equally important, how should I respond to these mysteries? Should I keep looking for strategic ways to grow my reach? Should I work on growing my Twitter followers? Should I pay to boost my posts on Facebook? Should I target particular audiences? Or should I ditch all efforts to publicize my work, and swivel my attention-gathering efforts toward God?
When our hearts are either obsessing over tactics and strategies, or chafing against God for not granting us success; when all of our efforts are couched in a desire to go “viral”, there’s a good chance we’ve drifted from our purpose. We’ve once again become fixated on attracting followers for ourselves, not God.
So, am I suggesting that as Christian influencers, we must become strategy-free purists? That we should abandon all campaign-building, goal-setting, and marketing-driven efforts? Not at all. I’m simply suggesting that we should focus on the goals that Jesus commissioned us with, and use strategy the way he taught us to."
Sharing this excerpt from my co-authored book "Influence: Building a Platform That Elevates Jesus, Not Me" as encouragement for my fellow author-friends today. Let's make disciples, sisters! All other goals fall subsequent to that one. @katemotaung #christianinfluencer #christianauthor #christianspeaker #influencebook #makedisiples #greatcommission #lightonahill #pointtoJesus #iamnotthelight #heisthelight #wordsofjohn
Love this group from Victory Family Church in cranberry, Pennsylvania! They win the prize for creativity, don’t you think? Thanks @juliejamesdesign You made my day!
#ComparisonGirl #SmallGroup #BibleStudy #CreativeBibleStudyGirls #PourItOut #LiveLikeJesus @kregelbooks
#KnowTheTruth #ConvictionIsFromGod #ShameIt’sFromTheEnemy #LiveInTheLight
SHAME. That's one of the things this group and I talked about last night. Shame can tie me in knots for days. It can keep me from the good things God wants me to do. It's a distraction (an effective one!) that the enemy uses to bring me to my knees--but not in a good way.
Sometimes I confuse shame with conviction, but there's a difference! When I'm dealing with shame, I can know that it's NOT from God. Conviction is from God. Here are some ways I've learned to tell them apart:
Shame is from the enemy; Conviction is from God.
Shame tempts me to hide my sin and pull away from God and others.
Conviction presses me to expose my sin and draw near to God and others.
I feel shame when the enemy wags his finger in my face. I feel convicted when the Spirit invites me to consider the truth.
Shame makes me want to quit. Conviction makes me want to start.
Shame is the result of condemnation. Conviction is the result of humility.
Friend, whatever you plan to spend your day on - whether writing or caring for kids or presenting at work or going out to lunch with friends - may you be full of conviction and empty of shame!
Thanks to the "She Writes For Him" group for inviting me to come speak last night on "Raising a Shield of Faith Over Your Writing". They were so sweet and welcoming (even though my slides were wonky and it was really, really bothering me, and I'm sure my perfectionism was showing!). I love that these women are grouping up to create a safe place to be vulnerable and connect, as they train for what God has ahead for them with their writing. It was a blessing to me, and I hope to them as well!
#shewritesforhimtribe #shewritesforhim @redemptionpress #shame #shameisfromtheenemy #convictionisfromGod #conviction #shieldoffatih #believingtruth #dontlistentolies #writingministry #targetonyourback #getyourarmoron #wordsmatter #spreadinglight #sharingtruth #thedevilainthappy #godisgreater #writersgroup
What a joy and privilege to share my "God Story" with the women of Ada Bible church on Thursday. (Thanks to @jessicagordonrowland for interviewing me - and to @cortrhoran for sending thus photo of our group watching from home!)
I have the sort of story people want their kids to have. I came to Jesus at a very young age. When I was two, my parents committed their lives to God and started attending church. As they read me my Bible story book, they were encountering the stories for the first time. I grew up in Church and have always loved God's people. But that doesn't mean I was immune to sin.
Our enemy will stop at nothing to steal our potential and kill our joy, especially when we're still figuring out who we are. As I recounted some stories from my teen years (that college story about the dating question !!) I was so moved by how vicious our enemy is and how faithful our God is.
The enemy wants to sneak in the darkness and deliver his destructive messages in the shadows. He doesn't want me to even recognize that I'm being influenced by him. But Jesus wants me to listen carefully to his voice, and tell the difference between the two; to practice discernment and ask, "Is that something Jesus would say to me?"
Thank you Jesus, for never leaving me to wander. Thank you for leading me to green pastures beside still waters. You have been so good.
#kindnessofGod #Godstory #voiceofJesus #goodshepherd #comparisongirl #enemyattack @adabiblewomen @adawomenthrive @adabible
The disdain on my face (which seems to be showing up more in 2020) toward other people who are "getting it wrong" betrays my own heart in two ways.
It tells what I think about them, but also what I think about me: I see myself as elevated.
My disgust is always comparing down.
"But isn't some sin disgusting?" you ask. No, ALL sin is disgusting. Plant any tiny grain of sin--like pride, greed, jealousy, or lust, and give it a hundred years with unrestrained growth in any human heart, and it will turn a person into a disgusting creature.
God knows, I have more than just a "grain" of sin.
That's why he sent Jesus to die--to rescue me from what I have and would become. He loved me that much. But he loved other people that much, too! So who am I to elevate myself (one sinful person) above them (other sinful people)?
Jesus calls me to love sinful people, the way He does. It's true that I might be "getting it right" and some other person might be "getting it wrong". But when I'm disgusted with her, I'm the one who's wrong.
#comparisongirl #comparingdown #conviction2020 #electionyear #rightandwrong #covidchurchlife #loveyourneighbor
That talkative little girl in pony tails is ME at age three. I’ve apparently always liked to talk 🙊 and tomorrow night I get to talk & tell my #godstory .
This online women's event is called "Thrive Night" at @adabiblewomen and it’s tomorrow - THURSDAY EVENING at 7:30 pm.
Can you make it? I would love for you to join us as my personal guest. Please register (link in bio) and plan to join on Zoom! (It’s free but pre-registry required.) 🗓
You can either watch on your own🤓or gather some friends with a laptop and popcorn!🍿+💻
And please pray? 🙏🙏🙏I'd love to do well, and lift Jesus high with my words. 🙌
#onlyGod #comparisongirl @adabiblewomen @adabible #adabiblewomen #adabiblethrive
To empty myself of pride is one thing. But when it's someone else's idea? That's way harder. It just happened recently. I did something, which I thought was kind and sacrificial, for someone else. I considered it a humble act of service.
And what did I receive back? Criticism, not gratitude. I was asked to redo the task that wasn't assigned to me in the first place.
Same with Jesus, but a million times worse. Jesus had no obligation to come save us. He CHOSE to humbly tuck himself into an embryo. And how was his sacrificial act of kindness received? He was criticized, hated, and even murdered. Yet instead of becoming indignant, Jesus emptied himself and served the world by laying down his life. (Phil. 2:5-7)
This is the mindset I'm to have. I'm to think like Jesus and empty myself. Not because we Christians are masochists, but rather because the kingdom of heaven is upside down. In the world, the "great ones" are those who don't have to serve anybody but themselves. They would never receive criticism for a task they didn't have to do in the first place. But in the kingdom of heaven, the great ones are those who empty out their pride and bend down to serve. This is what Jesus did. Considering what Jesus deserved (worship!), his humility was the most extravagent the world has ever known. And as a result, God has given him the name that is above every name (Phil. 2:9).
This humble greatness is the type of life I want to pursue - even when it's someone else's idea.
I invite you to join me in this upside-down kingdom prayer: "Jesus I reject the ways of this measure up world. Today I choose to serve by ______________".
Want to share your fill in the blank? I'd love to pray for you. For a full set of these ComparisonGirl prayers, sign up for the bonus pack. Link in bio.
#greatestistheservant #upsidedownkingdom #heemptiedhimself #biblestudy #comparisongirl #comparedtoher #lastwillbefirst #greatestistheservant #humility #beautyofthecross #crosseyed
"That neighbor does it wrong. That church does it wrong. That friend does it wrong. I do it right."
I probably wouldn't make statements like these out loud, but my heart makes them plenty. Yet as a Jesus follower, these attitudes have no place in me.
Think about this. Every single person Jesus encountered was doing it wrong in some way. And Jesus was doing it completely right. But did Jesus withdraw in self-elevated condescension and disgust? No, he leaned in rather than out. He taught and shared meals and went to weddings and funerals. And as he interacted with people who had it all wrong, did he nail them to the wall? No, he allowed himself to be nailed to a cross so that they could finally be right before God.
There is one type of person, however, that Jesus “nailed to the wall”: The self-righteous ones who thought they were superior to everyone else. Jesus said they were like sudsy clean-on-the-outside mugs filled with steaming filth and grime. Oh, how this turns my stomach. But will it turn my heart?
I don’t call myself a follower of Jesus because I've done it all right. I'm a follower because I realize that—just like every other person on this planet, I've done plenty wrong. And when I see myself in a different category from that neighbor or friend or spouse who's doing it wrong, or when I see my church as in a different category from some other church that's doing it all wrong, well, then. I prove that I'M the one who is wrong.
People of the (capital C) Church: Jesus never called us to have a superiority complex. He said, "Follow me." As followers, we must live as Jesus did—humbling ourselves and lifting others up.
#ComparisonGirl #ComparingDown #RightAndWrong #FollowerOfJesus #OneCategory #AllSinners #ElectionYear #thegreatmaskdebate #UnitynotUniformity
Should you collaborate on your next writing project? What are the benefits? What are the pitfalls? How should you choose your collaborative partner? What does the process look like?
Listen in as my co-author @katemotaung and I team up with @jennykochert and @mindykiker for a panel discussion on Collaboration at the Flourish Writer's Conference.
Have you heard about Flourish? Writer friend, you won't want to miss this amazing, online Christian writers conference. It's going on NOW through October 23. The conference is FREE with an option to purchase the extended package (see my affiliate link in my bio). https://www.flourishwritersconference.com/2020conference?affiliate_id=2140900
Also, get our free resource, "5 Essentials for Collaboration" by signing up in my bio. https://www.subscribepage.com/kateandshannon
#writers #christianwriters #collaboration #paneldiscussion #flourishwritersconference #dontmissout
I am delighted with the chance to share at my church - @adabible for the Fall Thrive Gathering! This event will be hosted on Zoom next Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
I'll be sharing my God story and the lessons I've been learning in this season.
You can join us from home, and we'd love for you to consider hosting a watch party with friends. (Just use a laptop!)
Are you coming? Are you hosting a group? Drop a message and let me know! 🙂
There's a registration link in my bio to receive the connection details. https://my.adabible.org/default.aspx?page=4418&event=7411
The audiobook is here!! I loved the opportunity to read this book, but my greatest hope is that you’d hear from Jesus. His words are what this book is all about.
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As you listen on the highway, treadmill, or while you’re cooking, I hope this reading will scatter seeds of truth into your life, which eventually bear fruit.
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Thank you so much for listening to this audio book, which is available on Audible, audiobooks.com, hoopla, google play, etc.
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Where do you listen to audio books?
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#ComparisonGirl #AudioVersion #Narrator #WhatAPrivilege #ThanksForListening #oneaudio #rivercitystudios
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Responding to a Rahab With the Heart of God
https://www.reviveourhearts.com/study/women-of-the-bible/rahab/ We could tell the story of Jericho—the one about God’s people circling, trumpets blaring, walls tumbling—in full without one of the characters in chapter two: Rahab, the prostitute who hid the spies. Do...
The Disgust Behind my Mask
“I can’t believe our church isn’t requiring everyone to wear a mask!” “I can’t believe our church is requiring everyone to wear a mask!” “I can’t believe people can’t just trust God with this virus already!” “I can’t believe people won’t just love their neighbor and...
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