Year: 2013

You, God, are my God,    earnestly I seek you;I thirst for you,

23 By the time Lot reached Zoar, on Sodom and Gomorrah 25 Thus he overthrew those citiesdestroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. and she became a pillar of salt. It’s a great temptation to look back. It’s seldom a good idea. Looking back may be an attempt to relive “glory days” a time when things were better or, at least, we felt better in our world.  Looking back may be an action in regret. Sometimes we just can’t move on from the mistakes we’ve made, long after there is any chance to correct them.  Sometimes we are like Lot’s wife. Looking back as God reigns destruction on the bad things in our past.  Glancing back is sometimes appropriate, but taking long looks back never are. We become, like Lot’s wife, frozen, a pillar of salt, useless in our present situation and unable to appreciate the hope the future holds. We really can get “stuck” in our past.  We need to live fully in our present working on the opportunities of today and excited about the possibilities and hopes of tomorrow.  Eyes forward and be blessed. Nick

14 it will be like a man talents, to another two, to another one, went away. 16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. 18 But he who had received the one talent went and after a long time the master of those servants came and faithful servant. I will set you over much. Enter into a hard man, reaping you have what is yours.’ 26 But his master answered him, ‘You slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? 27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. 29 cast there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 24:14-30 In the middle of Gulf Shores there is a stretch of beach without high rises, t-shirt shops or seafood restaurants.  It’s a state park and, obviously, development is not permitted in this area. It’s the beach “as God intended it.” At least that was my first thought.  But I’m not sure that […]

Some times are memory makers. You don’t always know it when they are happening, but sometimes you do. This extended weekend I spent at Gulf Shores with my wife, my grand daughter and her fiance’. It’s a good thing for young people in love and people who have  been in love for decades to spend some time together. There is a lot to observe and learn. There are memories to be made. It’s the reason that the best churches always have new converts around and they aren’t separated from the herd  but made a part of the body as quickly as possible. Those who have been around awhile need to experience excitement and fun and laughter and hope. Those who are young need to know things won’t always be great and partners won’t always be perfect, but love does last and mature and grow. They need to know when they tell each other they want to grow old together, that that means, that it needs to be true and that it’s a very good thing.  Vacations are important because they remind us of what’s important and what really isn’t. It’s a good thing to rest. When we are busy […]

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12 It seems there are always folks who make you seem small and insignificant. Their accomplishments dwarf your own. It may be their physical strength or mental ability or political power that seems so great. On Monday, Diana Nyad finally conquered the 110-mile passage from Cuba to Florida that had bedeviled her for 35 years. She had made numerous attempts to make the journey but failed each time. She finally made it at age 64. I made the mistake of saying, in front of my grandson, that I could never do that at the same age. Nicky pointed out he wasn’t sure I could swim across a swimming pool. Like I said there are always folks who put you in your place.  Jesus wasn’t like that. He promised greater things. There was only one condition, belief in Him. There was only one reason, because He was going to the Father. It’s great to have cheerleaders, folks who have faith in you and your ability to make a difference. It’s so much better to have Jesus who […]

Our church is having a push to encourage members to join a connect group. It’s a tough sell. That’s a bit hard to understand. Most of us are compulsive connectors. We are very social creatures. There is proof in the number of clubs, gangs, teams, cliques and neighborhood bars. There is evidence in Facebook, and in texting while driving. We were created to connect. It’s even biblical. He’s Our Father not My Father.  Our connections greatly influence us. That’s the reason our moms are so concerned about whom we hand with. It really is greatly all about whom you know. Our connections can lift us up or drag us down. They can inspire or make us comfortable in whatever state we’re in. They influence our world view. They provide us an identity, shape our self image, be a growth medium,  and offer opportunities to serve.  We often choose our connections by the path of least resistance. We tend to group with those who are similar. Walk around any high school and easily id the jocks, the nerds, the in crowd, etc. They hang together between classes and have their own tables in the cafeteria. When we change or grow […]

Labor Day is weird. As a kid it seemed strange to me that a holiday was called “Labor” day. Why call a day you don’t labor, “Labor Day?” It’s been around forever. It goes back to the end of the 1800s. I know that it was meant to honor the “labor” movement. But even that’s weird. Hasn’t there always been labor? Doesn’t everyone labor in some form or other? If not, why don’t we honor those that don’t labor. It seems to me those are the folks that really have it together. I guess at one time “labor” was downtrodden and taken advantage of by “management.” Today it seems the union guys work the least and get paid the most, but maybe I’m just cynical. I know I’m not “management.” I’m not in charge of anything at my house or in my business. That’s sad since I’m a one man operation. I guess I’m all the “labor” there is. As a kid I remember Labor Day as the weekend we would sit in front of the television to watch the Labor Day Telethon. That tells you just how bad television was when I was a kid. We could only […]

8 Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life