Scott Sauls
@scottsauls
Followers
54K
Following
24K
Media
1K
Statuses
29K
Christian, husband, girl dad, pastor, speaker, writer, leader coach, dog enthusiast, work in progress. I roast my own coffee. https://t.co/dpMAQWYKJn.
Nashville, TN
Joined June 2009
“Hell begins with a grumbling mood.” — C.S. Lewis. It’s sobering to think how easily a complaining heart can harden over time. But gratitude softens us. It steadies us. Nurturing thankfulness—even in small ways—can pull us back from places we were never meant to go.
2
46
238
Christian philanthropy accounted for 70% of all American philanthropy in 2022 at $300 billion total. Christians also out-gave the U.S. Government in addressing global poverty. - Barna. Whatever folks might say or think, the church remains a seismic value-add to the world.
121
2K
7K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, then I am not reading the Bible correctly.
18
971
5K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, then I am not reading the Bible correctly.
21
685
5K
Theory on why Mr. Rogers has re-emerged as an icon and Ted Lasso is such a favorite: People are exhausted by outrage, and are starved for kindness.
29
408
4K
When you offer critique,.do so gently. When you offer encouragement,.do so fiercely.
13
769
4K
The most repeated command.in the Bible? "Do not fear.".The reason? "For I am with you.".Now, exhale. .
4
547
3K
I am no expert, so I have a question. What good reason is there for assault weapons to be available for purchase? I can think of exactly zero good reasons, and many very bad ones.
193
162
2K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
123
239
2K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, I am not reading the Bible correctly.
29
351
2K
The average 3-year-old laughs 40 times a day. The average 40-year-old laughs 3 times a day. - Psychology Today. Lord, make us like children again.
9
521
2K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, then I am not reading the Bible correctly.
13
314
2K
People don’t reject the Bible because it contradicts itself; they reject the Bible because it contradicts them.
50
352
2K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, then I am not reading the Bible correctly.
16
298
2K
Christian politics:. • Carefully read the 4 Gospels, Romans, and James. • Pray and dine with people whose politics differ from yours. • Name 1-2 weaknesses of your own party. • Name 1-2 strengths of the other party. • Vote your conscience. • Fight evil. • Advance good.
26
332
2K
Buddha’s dying words were,.“Strive without ceasing.”.Jesus’ were, “It is finished.”. Whereas religion adds burdens, Jesus relieves them.
46
344
2K
A little girl stood up in front of her church to quote 23rd Psalm, saying, “The Lord is my shepherd. That’s all I want.“. Sometimes the misquotes are the truest quotes, especially when they come from children…yes?.
18
153
2K
The average 3-year-old laughs 40 times a day. The average 40-year-old laughs 3 times a day. - Psychology Today.(Lord, make us like children again).
15
361
2K
In a time like now, Christian neighboring looks less like fearful self-preservation and more like servanthood toward the elderly, those with HIV, autoimmune disease, or no healthcare, fatigued and under-resourced healthcare workers, etc. Wash hands, for sure. Then, wash feet.
17
457
2K
Dear Christian,.There is no shame in being ordinary. Who you are is enough. Your worth is limitless to God.with or without accomplishments.
11
270
2K
Jesus is not a metaphor. He is real. This all happened. - Tim Keller. Merry Christmas.
13
136
2K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
26
376
2K
Church health > Church growth.Local ministry > Christian celebrity.Godly character > Mad skills.Personal touch > Mega reach.Pastor’s heart > Ministry brand.Strong souls > Filled seats.Formed disciples > Fickle crowds.Love > “Success”.Kind > Cool.Humble > Awesome.
18
310
2K
HOW TO BECOME GREAT:. • Read the Bible daily for 25 years. • Pick one church and stay there. • Apologize when wrong. • Forgive when wronged. • Have friendships that cost you. • Talk less. • Listen more. • Don’t steal time at work. • Be the same at home as in public.
38
269
2K
Affluence is a breeding ground for anxiety and depression. Why? Because it creates the illusion of being able to purchase comfort and control. Eventually, this deceit is exposed. In a fallen world, not even money can secure for us the world that we long for.
16
359
2K
What would it look like for a woman with a crisis pregnancy to see the local church, not the local clinic, as her trusted source for love, non-judgment, practical support, wise counsel, and much-needed encouragement?.
29
171
2K
I’m a Christian because I find Christianity to be:. 1. Historically grounded. 2. Internally coherent. 3. Intellectually stimulating. 4. Emotionally satisfying. 5. Personally, socially, and vocationally transformative. 6. Morally beautiful. 7. Convincingly true. 9. Always hopeful.
19
311
2K
Advice to young pastors, per 2 Cor 11: If you preach the whole Bible and the whole Christ the whole time, you will get sucker punched regularly from the right and the left, no matter your context. Do it anyway.
12
200
2K
I think I just became a Skillet fan. This is outstanding. And sorely needed.
47
371
2K
Younger generations are suspicious of biblical ethics. Older generations, of biblical justice. Jesus says you must have both if you are going to follow him. Word AND Deed. Grace AND Truth. Love AND Law. Ethics AND Justice. "You must repent" AND "Remember the poor.
11
265
1K
People don’t reject the Bible because it contradicts itself; they reject the Bible because it contradicts them. Following Jesus and following Scripture are inseparable endeavors.
16
198
2K
The call of discipleship is NOT to deny your neighbor, take up your comfort, and follow your dreams..
10
304
1K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
17
287
1K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
28
321
1K
Feel guilty falling asleep while praying? How do you feel when a child nods off in your lap? And how much more must your Heavenly Father feel about you when this happens? There. Feel better? You should!.
47
150
1K
Bonhoeffer, you guys. “Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than they love the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community.”.
12
192
1K
Advice to young pastors, per 2 Cor 11: If you preach the whole Bible and the whole Christ the whole time, you will get sucker punched regularly from the right and the left, no matter your context. Do it anyway.
9
242
1K
It is my firm belief that in 2020, the Christian witness will stand or fall based on our collective, public loyalty. If our loyalty is to a political party, we will sink. If our loyalty is to Jesus and neighbor (including enemy) love, our witness can be revived. What will it be?.
27
210
1K
FOR 2021:. GOSPEL CULTURE: "We do not condemn you. Therefore, break free from your sin." (Kindness leading to repentance). CANCEL CULTURE: "We do condemn you. Therefore, live in irrecoverable shame and be dead to us." (Contempt leading to heart assassination). GOSPEL > CANCEL.
17
248
1K
Each one is of infinite worth:. Unborn lives.Black lives.Elderly lives.Disabled lives.Impoverished lives.Marginalized lives. When our politics say "Yeah but. " to any of these, we prefer some at the expense of others. This is Darwinian not Christian. Jesus won't do "Yeah but. ".
18
221
1K
Eugene Peterson .on how to find a church:. “Pick one and stay.”.
29
170
1K
I sometimes do things I wish I hadn't. Yesterday, I made a poorly timed remark about Gov. Cuomo's abortion record. He is fighting around the clock for other lives right now, which deserves appreciation/support, not a badly-timed "gotcha" remark. I regret this and apologize.
48
18
1K
Satan is an S.O.B. I can’t wait until Christ kicks him in the teeth and crushes his head once and for all. I’m glad I get to be there.
193
156
1K
GOSPEL CULTURE: "We do not condemn you. Therefore, break free from your sin." (Kindness leading to repentance). CANCEL CULTURE: "We condemn you totally. Therefore, live in unrecoverable shame and be dead to us." (Contempt leading to heart assassination). GOSPEL > CANCEL.
12
356
1K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
21
192
1K
If our sex and marriage ethic upholds the biblical guardrails of a male/female covenant union, but does not also provide lasting solutions to loneliness among single, divorced, widowed, and same-sex attracted persons, then it falls short of being a fully Christian ethic.
110
75
1K
To say that "The church is in decline" is to speak from a decidedly American, Caucasian, and Mainline grid. A few facts:. 1. Globally, the church is growing faster than ever. 2. U.S. churches that elevate Scripture are growing. 3. U.S. nonwhite churches are growing.
23
165
1K
Taliban having its way again. More genocide in Myanmar. Decimating earthquake in Haiti. Covid resurgence dividing communities and messing up the equilibrium. Now is a time for tears. And redemptive anger. And pleading prayer. Come, Lord Jesus.
14
110
1K
People don’t reject parts of the Bible because it contradicts itself; people reject parts of the Bible because it contradicts them.
19
167
1K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, then I am not reading the Bible correctly.
8
308
1K
If you have an American flag in your church sanctuary, be sure the rest of the world is represented also. Jesus, hailing from the Middle East, is a global Savior.
34
111
1K
If it is easier for people to guess our politics than it is for them to guess our religion, then our politics have become our religion.
18
163
1K
Friends, please pray for Tim Keller as he contends with some serious health complications. Pray also for Kathy, their three sons, and their grandchildren, for the Lord’s comfort and care.
21
78
1K
If reading the Bible causes me to scrutinize others more than I scrutinize myself, than I am not reading the Bible correctly.
6
307
1K
Dear Christian Twitter,. The works of the flesh are *still* enmity, strife, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions. The fruit of the Spirit is *still* love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
14
178
1K
Scripture > Feelings.Scripture > Intuition.Scripture > Majority Values.Scripture > Minority Values.Scripture > Party.Scripture > Culture.Scripture > Race.Scripture > Tribe. The Truth > My Truth.
20
209
1K
After over 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have never met a person who fell in love with Jesus because a Christian scolded them about their ethics or moral choices. Have you? #JesusOutsideTheLines.
16
234
1K
Because Christians have been treated with such kindness, such grace, and such gentleness by Christ, we ought as a result to be the most difficult people in the world to offend.
26
160
1K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
20
353
1K
Moralistic Pharisee:.I disregard you because you aren’t as virtuous, well-behaved, and doctrinaire as I am. Grace Pharisee:.I disregard you because you aren’t as kind, accepting, and inclusive as I am. I’m guilty every day of both. I need Jesus in EVERY way. How about you?.
19
265
1K
Feel guilty falling asleep while praying? How do you feel when a child nods off in your lap? And how much more must your Heavenly Father feel about you when this happens? There. Feel better? You should!.
23
212
1K
God has not called you to be awesome. He has called you to be humble, faithful, and free. Leave the awesome to Him.
13
129
1K
If it is easier for people to guess what your politics are than it is for them to guess what your religion is, it is quite possible that politics has become your religion.
20
177
1K
If our sex and marriage ethic upholds the biblical guardrails of a male/female covenant union, but does not also provide lasting solutions to loneliness among single, divorced, widowed, and same-sex attracted persons, then it falls short of being a fully Christian ethic.
34
135
1K
"I am too conservative for liberals.and too liberal for conservatives.".- Every Christian following the whole Jesus.
10
197
977
Buddha's dying words were,."Strive without ceasing.".Jesus' were, "It is finished.". Give me Jesus.
7
293
1K
Christians in the West must understand that the relative ease of our experience is unusual. Every time we open our Bibles, it is good to remember that almost every word was written by someone who had been tortured, enslaved, imprisoned, exiled, or some combination thereof.
9
162
1K
Pressure’s off. You are not called to be awesome. Only humble and faithful.
7
143
1K
What if the church were the place where being unmarried was not only accepted, but seen as a high and noble calling as it was for Jesus and Paul?.
25
146
997
Have you ever met a person who says they fell in love with Jesus because a religious person or group of religious people scolded them for their morals, their ethics, and their lifestyle choices? In all my years, I have yet to meet a man, woman, or child with such a story.
72
110
970
People don’t reject the Bible because it contradicts itself; they reject the Bible because it contradicts them. #IrresistibleFaithBook.
5
170
998
God has not called you to be awesome. He has called you to be humble, faithful, and free. Leave the awesome to him.
9
269
982
Dear Christian,.There is no shame in being ordinary. Who you are is enough. Your worth is limitless to God.with or without accomplishments.
7
145
979
Call-out culture is exhausting. What if we spent more time catching people doing good and less time finding fault?.
15
99
979
HOW TO APOLOGIZE.• express sorrow (I’m sorry).• own guilt (I was wrong).• name specific wrongs (I did X) .• name impact (I hurt u).• no IFs (sorry if I).• don’t blameshift/defend (but u).• no passive voice (sorry u were offended).• make amends (what can I do).-@dukekwondc.
9
185
935
Yesterday I received an unexpected, two-page letter from a friend. In it, he detailed 10 things he loves about me. I am one of many whom he did this for.. He could have added 1,000 legitimate criticisms, but didn’t.. In today’s outrage culture, this is true power.
7
63
937
Surreal how many folks out there hunting for things to be offended by. How about we start a "benefit of the doubt" movement? Anyone?.
32
217
942
Membership in a local church means joining your imperfect self to many other imperfect selves to form an imperfect community that, through Jesus, embarks on a journey toward a better future . together.
12
261
930
Y’all ever seen that movie called A Beautiful Mind? Well. Here is a sample of Tim Keller’s sermon notes. Next level genius undergirded by faith and humility is what turns a skilled orator into a world class preacher.
45
47
935
While Martha is busy trying to be like Jesus, Mary spends her energy being with him. And in being with him, Mary becomes like him.
9
153
925
When you offer critique,.do so gently. When you offer encouragement,.do so fiercely.
6
167
921
Great advice from a pastor who is about 15 years ahead of me:. “When you stand up to preach, never forget how many people in the room are overwhelmed, under-encouraged, and fighting hidden battles. When it’s time to convict, only do so with kindness.”.
16
82
910
The call of Jesus is NOT.to deny your neighbor,.take up your comfort,.and follow your dreams.
6
336
878
After over 20 years of pastoral ministry, I have never met a person who fell in love with Jesus because a Christian scolded them about their ethics or moral choices. Have you?.
29
103
871
What if the church were the place where being unmarried was not only accepted, but seen as a high and noble calling as it was for Jesus and Paul?.
13
90
856
If I'm growing in grace, that means I'm becoming more bothered by my offenses than I am by yours.
3
184
863
When you pride yourself on sound doctrine and don’t love people on the basis of that doctrine, you prove your doctrine to be unsound.
7
162
857
Younger generations are suspicious of biblical ethics. Older generations, of biblical justice. Jesus says you must have both if you are going to follow him. Word AND Deed. Grace AND Truth. Love AND Law. Ethics AND Justice. "You must repent" AND "Remember the poor.".
12
216
842
You are a Christian before you are a Democrat or Republican. Do your friends, neighbors, colleagues, and children sense this?.
10
142
852
Gossip is “pornography of the mouth” because it seeks the same thing that a lustful fantasy seeks: a cheap thrill at another person’s expense, while making zero effort to connect with or commit to that person. It dehumanizes, turning them into a thing to be used.
16
174
867
God has not called you to be awesome. He has called you to be humble, faithful, and free. Leave the awesome to him.
5
169
847
Even the greatest heroes of faith were flawed and broken, wrecked, weary, restless, and sometimes tortured sinners--even when they were at their very best. If there's hope for them, there's hope for us. yes?.
22
123
844