Chris Jackson > Quotes

“Christlike brokenness can be used by God to powerfully catapult us along the path of our destinies, while woundedness will derail us before we ever begin. There is no brokenness without wounding; however, it is possible to be wounded and never truly become broken.”
― Chris Jackson

“I’ve become weary of church services that inspire me to “press in” and yet leave me with no real power to change.”
― Chris Jackson

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy. -General H. Norman Schwarzkopf”
― Chris Jackson

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character give him power. -Abraham Lincoln”
― Chris Jackson

“Despite His sovereign ability to do whatever He wants in the universe, and despite His ability to work signs, wonders and miracles in any situation, His primary means of answering prayer seems to be through people. If we read the Bible from a big-picture perspective, we will notice that when God answers prayer, far more often than He performs a miracle, He sends a person. People are the most common form of answered prayer.”
― Chris Jackson, Loving God When You Don't Love the Church: Opening the Door to Healing

“Myles Munroe says, “Wherever purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.” The purpose of a pastor is not to try to be God for his or her followers. When that happens, spiritual abuse will soon follow. The role of a pastor is to help lead us into an ever-growing resemblance of the true Pastor.”
― Chris Jackson

“Offender A broken man is able to face the pain of the offense with perspective and humility, realizing that if it weren’t for the grace of God, he himself might be someone else’s offender. A wounded man faces the pain of the offense with a longing for vindication—he doesn’t want revenge in an unhealthy sense; he just wants recognition that he has been wronged. This is a natural desire, but a dangerous one, because this recognition often never comes. If we continue to hold out for the offending party to ask our forgiveness, we might wait in a wounded state for a very long time.”
― Chris Jackson

“All over the world, people wrestle with their spiritual thirst. Some take it to the local pub. Some take it to hedonism and thrill-seeking, while others take it to an endless string of dead-end relationships. I took mine to church—and it worked for a while. A great feeling of personal satisfaction ensues when we are fulfilling the commands of God, and when we practice the principles of Christianity, we will experience positive results. Our relationships will improve if we implement what Jesus said about serving our fellow man. Our businesses will flourish if we practice what the Bible teaches about excellence and stewardship. Our families will be healthier if we follow the biblical principles that govern family dynamics. The principles really do work. The problem with principles, though, is that they are only rules that help us navigate our lives—they aren’t life itself. I love the principles of honor and love and communication that help to keep my marriage to Jessica strong and secure, but I can’t curl up in bed at night with a principle—I need a passionate relationship with a living and breathing person.”
― Chris Jackson

“It’s very easy for us to fall into the trap of religion because it’s easier to manage a religion than it is to live in a relationship. Religion is easier to control than a relationship is—especially when that relationship is with the living God who wants to have a say in every detail of our lives. I think we all want God, but sometimes we want Him on our own terms—and religion allows us to do that.”
― Chris Jackson

“Snakebites hurt. This point is “painfully” obvious, but please bear with me. Before the venom can enter our bloodstream, the snake’s fangs must pierce our skin. Snakebites are extremely painful, and because the hurt is very real, we run the risk of overlooking the fact that any offense we pick up because of the pain becomes sin. Just because we’ve been genuinely hurt doesn’t mean we have the right to hold on to offense or bitterness—it’s poison in our veins, and as long as it flows through our bloodstream, it will prevent us from being healed.”
― Chris Jackson

“Purity is power and the Lord is looking for men so empowered. These are the men whom He can promote.”
― Chris Jackson

“broken man is the sweetest individual to be with—he exudes grace, love, acceptance and the refreshing peace of God. A wounded man will wound other people. He doesn’t mean to, but he will—his unhealed wound leaves him guarded, edgy and protective. It’s not that he doesn’t love other people, but he just needs to experience the love of God for himself in a fresh way.”
― Chris Jackson

“The taste of revealed flesh drives vipers out into the open. Let’s create an atmosphere where the nakedness of our brothers and sisters does not become a water-cooler conversation piece. Let’s practice the love that covers a multitude of sins and see if we can’t minimize the target for our enemy.”
― Chris Jackson

“A good church service pulls the vulnerability out of people. When God’s presence is strong in a corporate worship setting, hopefully people will drop their guard and invite Him in. When a sermon is anointed and passionate, people will open their hearts to the words and the message behind it. People come to church expecting to find answers and help for the tender spots in their lives.”
― Chris Jackson

“If Christians like you and me truly acted like the Church, we would have fewer casualties to account for and we might make more progress at satisfying the thirst of our generation. You’ve noticed how thirsty they are, haven’t you? Despite their particular disposition toward church, they’re thirsting for God. They’re thirsting for a different life, and they expect to find it in church.”
― Chris Jackson