Year: 2013

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 This week Rose and I attended our grandkids’ end of school award ceremonies. Every kid gets something; even if it’s just a certificate of participation. Our guys are pretty good students and we were proud of their awards.  It got me thinking about heavenly crowns. When it’s all over, I sure would like more than a certificate of participation. Yet I don’t feel like I’m earning crowns. I’ve had an interesting year. Lots of strange things have happened and are happening. I just don’t know if they qualify as “crowning” events.  A couple of nights ago I awoke at 2 a.m. Among the things I did was listen to a sermon from our church website. I just picked one at random. It was called “The New You.” It had been preached back in January. It was about being a new creation, and picking up our cross. Pastor discussed some of the extraordinary things that happened to the […]

I wasn’t the greatest father when my kids were growing up. It’s only by God’s grace that my daughter is the wonderful Christian that she is today. I was too quick to criticize and too slow to encourage. I grew up poor so I was anxious that my kids have the things I didn’t. I wasn’t always there when I should have been.  I think many of us suffer from the imperfect fathering we received. When we are told about our heavenly Father, we suffer from echoes of our earthly fathers. When we hear voices, we can’t tell if it’s God or someone else because the voices sound so much like the father’s voice we remember from childhood. These things I have learned:  Our Father doesn’t focus on the past. He guides us to a brighter future. Our Father doesn’t harp on confessed and forgiven sins. He elevates and multiplies our smallest efforts. Our Father isn’t interested in all we know, but in that we know Him. Our Father didn’t send his Son to fill our heads with learning, but to teach our hearts to love.  I had a rare word from the Lord the other night. He said […]

I attended Prayer Time last night at our church. I was much better after an hour of prayer than when I went in. It made me consider just what happens when we pray. During our hour of prayer we spend a half hour praying alone and a half hour praying together. 1. Physical improvements. It has been demonstrated that our body gets better when we pray. Our blood pressure becomes more normal and our heart beat stabilizes to a better level. 2. Emotional improvements. We become more stable emotionally after just a few moments of praying. Anger and fears subside. A peaceful feeling emerges. 3. Perspective improves. There is something about getting quiet before the Lord. Gradually we begin to see things a bit differently. Maybe we begin to get some of His perspective. As we give thanks we realize every thing we have. As we consider who He is, we begin to see that He’s got this situation. As we remember our previous times of prayer, we remember how He has worked in the past. 4. It’s quiet. Just being in a quiet situation is a good thing. Our world is so noisy these days. Not only does […]

When I was much younger I served in the U. S. Navy for 11 years. I went to Vietnam twice. Others served for fewer years but gave much more than I. We didn’t return to parades or gratitude. We were called baby killers and spit upon. I remember those I knew and those I didn’t for giving all. They gave when their giving wasn’t popular or politically correct. They went because they were called. Thanks guys. Yesterday I exercised one of the rights they died to protect. I gathered with those to whom my Lord has lead me. We hugged and prayed and praised. I taught a little and learned a lot. We had a great crowd for a holiday Sunday. I am thankful for the path He has lead me on. I am not arrogant enough to think that mine is the only or even the best path. It is simply the way Jesus has led me. It is my right to walk this path and to call others to it. I know that others He loves, Jesus has lead on other paths to worship with other groups in slightly other ways.  We who trust and follow Jesus […]

I had a full day yesterday. I spent a lot of time analyzing documents and communicating with clients and friends, offering advice and counsel, the kind of stuff I sometimes get paid for. But I was also trying to keep up with UL Baseball, UL Softball, LSU Baseball, and the NBA. By the time the NBA East Finals were over (Go Pacers), I was ready for bed. When I got to bed, Rosemary was listening to sermons on the internet. I was mildly annoyed. She offered to listen in the headphones, but what she listens to actually usually helps me go to sleep. So I said “no thanks” and just laid there. But I didn’t drift off to sleep. What she was listening to was great. I listen through some really good sermons on learning God’s will for your life and the end times. I heard about working on the sin in your life and salvation and sanctification. It was good deep stuff delivered with humor and skill. It kept me awake for several hours. I recognized something in the accent of the pastor and in certain phrases he used. Rose was listening to sermons from Journey Church in […]

14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 As Christians, we know that we are suppose to be ministering to each other. If the Holy Spirit is in us, we are motivated to do so. However, we are fearful that we just don’t have the “gifts” to be successful in what we want to do. Let’s consider for a moment what we really need to do.  We are not called to fix, just to be there. A brother or sister in need doesn’t really expect us to have all the answers, they just want someone to be present while the questions are pondered. Just to sit quietly with a friend is a tremendous blessing.  Listen.  As we sit we need to really listen. We need to learn to listen not just to the words that are spoken, but those that are not. We need to learn to get a feel for the emotions.  Share.  It is much more helpful to someone hurting to hear that they are not alone in feeling pain. They don’t need easy answers but they can be blessed by a honest sharing of experience. Be careful not to “one up” the person in pain. We don’t need to […]

Your church needs you. I mean both the congregation of which you are a member and “The Church” meaning the entire body of Christ. You have gifts and talents. If you are like me you can’t sing a note, so the worship team might not be for you. You might cringe at the thought of speaking in front of folks, so maybe you are not a teacher.  It’s time we stop thinking in terms of a “Sunday only” establishment. The church is not a place or a time; it is a body of believers, each one uniquely gifted by God to guide, help, challenge, and support the rest. In fact, most service to the Lord doesn’t take place inside the church building. It happens out in the world, where we do all the things that Scripture commands. We all have spheres of influence. Our immediate sphere may not be large, but it interacts with other spheres.  When we act or speak, only those closest to us notice, but a chain reaction ripples outward to affect an entire community.  A gentle rebuke, a listening ear, or a loving deed benefits the church by strengthening one brother or sister, who then supports […]

I went to a local mexican restaurant to pick up supper last night. I was sitting near the door waiting for my food when some folks came in. The warm moist air filled the room and for a brief moment I was reminded of a vacation in Mexico many years ago. It was very pleasant. Rose and I had lunch yesterday with old friends. It was a short but very pleasant time. Guess you get the idea we aren’t cooking a lot lately.  I think sometimes we move in life from “big” event to “big” event and let the small special moments slip by unnoticed.  Sometimes the things we look forward to and plan for just don’t live up to the expanded expectations. That’s what makes these little unexpected blessings so great. These are as much gifts from God as are the “special” times and things. These are His little reminders that He is hanging around and thinking of us. I’m sure glad He is. Be blessed. Nick