Author: Nick

I have noticed than when we get toward the end of life we are divided into two broad categories: the satisfied and the unsatisfied. I have also noticed that these categories do not necessarily match up with things like financial security or worldly success. I think the distiquishing feature is the recognition that the principles by which we lived turned out to be true or not. If we live, for example, for the accumulation of weath, toward the end we begin to realize that did not bring happiness. The principle that it would has turned out not to be true. We end in dissatisfaction. So too if we live for pleasure, it doesn’t take forever to realize that pleasure is not an satisfying end in itself. It is quite common these days for folks to live with the idea that there is no truth, at least no absolute truth. They believe that truth is relative. They live their lives accordingly. As the end approaches, it may become obvious that certain things are true, always and eternally. The life lived in the lie of relative truth ends badly, unsatisfied. It seems, then, to me, that life satisfaction requires, as early […]

Today is Work Day at my church. The guys meet and power wash the building, do a little painting, whatever needs to be done. I’m getting ready to head over there. Since I hurt my knee I’m not particularly helpful or handy with much but I can talk to the guys, encourage them or something. I will try not to get in the way. Having reduced capacity sucks. But it’s not the same as having no capacity. In our spiritual lives, we often operate under the assumption that we don’t really have the capacity to make much of a difference. We can’t preach. We freeze up when we try to talk about Jesus. Our example doesn’t always inspire. The last Kairos weekend I felt kind of that way. I brought a wheel chair, although I don’t normally use one, because it was a long walk from the parking lot to the education building at main. Casey took on the job of wheeling there and back. I almost backed out a couple of times because I felt like more of a burden than a help. It turned out to be the most productive Kairos I’ve ever personally had. The guys […]

My purpose in writing this blog is to get me and you to think each day. Today I am thinking about the greatness of Our God. When things are rough and humanity seems to be so messed up, it’s a good thing to consider the Power of God. When the Church is under fair attack as a failed institution, we need to consider the Holiness of God. When we face a mountain size problem, we need to think less about the problem and more about the Great Goodness and Concern of God. As our lives march on to eventual death, should the Lord tarry, we need to consider that where we are headed is better than where we are. We do that by thinking about the Great Welcoming Arms of God. When our past seems to run after us like a persistent puppy, we need to remember the Great Forgiveness of God. When we are fearful for our lives and the futures of our loved ones, we need to remember the Great Greeting of Our Lord: Fear not. So today no matter what you face today, spend some time and give some comforting thought to the Greatness of Our […]

Matthew 6 Matthew 6:25-33 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you […]

Hebrews 10:19 pTherefore, brothers,

We are called to pour out our lives in ministry and mission. Before we become overwhelmed with how challenging that sounds, let’s consider some practical applications. Every other week Kaydence lives with us. I try to be the one who picks her up from daycare and I bring her to church on Sundays. These are certainly not odious tasks. But I consider that I am pouring my life into hers. I home school Nicholas five days a week. I try to give him more than reading, riting and rithmatic. I try to give him the best stuff I have. More life pouring. Tomorrow I am spending the day at Angola. I have been looking forward to it for weeks. I will try to pass on to those guys the best that I have to pass on. More life pouring. Consider this about life pouring: It’s not optional. In fact, once we become disciples, it becomes our main purpose. We are to pour out the good. It’s not for us to pour out our fears, prejudices and hurts on others. We are to pour out the best that is in us and that comes down to Jesus. It’s fine to […]

Have you noticed that those who are really comfortable being a Christian use the name of “Jesus.” Those on the border talk about “God.” I’m not completely sure why this is so. Jesus is God. That’s what I believe. But it really is all about Jesus. The whole of scripture is about Him. It predicts His coming. Chronicles His life. It predicts His return. All about Jesus. Jesus is a more personal term than God. It separates us from many others. It may be more politically correct to talk about “God” so as not to offend Jews, Muslims, and social Christians. But believing and trusting in Jesus is what makes us different. It’s what insures our future and guides our present. Jesus is more specific. God conjures up vague images of a grandfatherly person way up in heaven with a stern and judgmental attitude. Jesus is a real person. He is someone we can relate to. He got angry, hungry and tired. He got dirty and had human bodily functions. Although our image of him may turn out to be imperfect, we do have an image. We can talk to Jesus. I can imagine talking to “God” but I […]

I think the ugliest condition of man is that of ingratitude. Consider the recipient of something great and undeserved who doesn’t appreciate it. Have you ever been more hurt than when you carefully planned a gift or surprise for a loved-one who seemed totally unmoved by your efforts?  In this country, it seems to me, that we have a plague of ingratitude. Imagine a nation that performs less for a greater reward with less thanksgiving. We are richer than almost any nation. Poverty, real starving poverty, is practically unknown. Most people I know have their own car and smart phone and don’t work more than 40 hours a week. There biggest food problem is eating too much; never not having enough to eat. They go to bed knowing their children are well-fed, sheltered and safe. They think housing, health care and retirement income are rights.  Yet they complain. Their neighbor has more. Their possessions demand maintenance tribute. Like Rodney Dangerfield, they don’t get no respect.  Considering the real struggles of most of the world, our complaints are pathetic.  My parents never owned their home. They didn’t have a car of their own until I was in high school. You can’t understand the […]