Author: Nick

The elements of Discipleship are Touch, TIme and Truth. Although may treat touch as a limited commodity that we dole out miserly, time really is limited. We are each given but 24 hours in a day and those are eaten up pretty quickly. Sleeping, eating, taking care of personal needs, work, care for children all eat into those 24 hours. The time we have for ministering, discipleship is limited. But it’s not as limited as we think. Try recording your use of time for a day, or even better, a week. You will be surprised how much time we waste. And if we are recording our time, we are less likely to be wasteful as we are on a non-monitored day. Our allocation of time is a function of our value system. We do what we consider important. We need to sleep and eat so we spend time on these activities. We owe so off to work we go. If we cherish family, we find time to spend with them. But much of our time we flit away staring at a tv screen or computer screen watching meaningless programs or playing mind-numbing video games. It is frightful to consider […]

Yesterday we discussed the elements of discipleship. Today I would like to expand on one of these: touch. I remember years ago a study of newborns which demonstrated the power of touch for these young ones. One set of newborns were touched and held regularly and the other group was not. There was a demonstrated difference in the health of the two groups. The power of touch continues well past the new born stage. One of the most dramatic parts of a Kairos weekend is watching how the residents go from being sullen and withdrawn to smiling at the hugs and touches from those who offer unconditional love. I believe we can judge the status of relationship by the fervor of touch. I greatly look forward for the first day my great grandchild is back with us. I know I will be kissed and hugged enthusiastically. We seem to lose that free spirit of touch as we get older. We need to be careful that we not lose that enthusiasm of touch. Are we willing to reach out and touch those we say we love? We live in a world that greatly needs a “touch” from above; but we […]

And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 2 Timothy 2: 2 We are commissioned to “make disciples.” What does that mean? Well, it’s more than inviting someone to church or to a bible study. In 2 Timothy we are told about the “good deposit” we have been given. Our goal is to transfer that deposit to others. How do we do that? The first requirement is touch. Discipleship is a one-on-one operation. We have to “touch the life of another.” It takes more than prayer from afar or writing letters. It requires a physical presence. The second requirement is Time. We have to spend quality time with the one we are discipling. Quality time is necessary. We need the kind of relationship where two can sit together in silence and there will still be growth occurring. Time is the most valuable commodity we have and giving it is the greatest gift. The third requirement is Truth. We need to deposit truth into the life of others. No matter of touch or time will make a difference if what is transferred is […]

Matthew 7:21-24 English Standard Version (ESV) I Never Knew You 21 says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 never knew you; you workers of lawlessness.’ These have been described as the most frightening words in scripture. I have to say they scare me. Doing the will of the Father? Most of the time I’m not sure what the will of the Father is. Rarely do I feel I am doing it. As D.A. Carson puts it, “It is true, of course, that no man enters the kingdom because of his obedience; but it is equally true that no man enters the kingdom who is not obedient. It is true that men are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ; but it is equally true that God’s grace in a man’s life inevitably results in obedience. Any other view of grace cheapens grace, and turns it into something unrecognizable.” As Lloyd-Jones, comments, “We must realize that what God wants, and what our blessed Lord wants, above all, […]

I spent much time last week considering the end times: the anti-Christ, sign of the beast, and the tribulation. That’s probably behind the strange dream I had last night. For some reason, I was trying to get “off-the-grid.” Gain a new identity. Real super spy stuff. Like most dreams, the “why” was not clear but the “how” was certainly disturbing. It really isn’t very easy to do. Even without implanted circuits in our hands or numbers tattooed to our foreheads. Consider how much we are tied into the world system. Try living for just a day without your SSN, debit card number, or email address. Cut off from these we may already be unable to “buy or sell.” Consider how much who we are is tied into numbers we don’t directly control, like our credit score or our blood sugar or pressure numbers. Is that really who we are? Is our substance convertible to digits and stored in a micro-sized file? I “know” the right answer. That’s not me. I am a blood bought child of the king. But just saying it doesn’t ring completely true. It doesn’t seem to be the focus of my life. I do seem […]

Colton Dixon would rather lose “American Idol” than try to conceal his spirituality. Colton, a devout Christian from Murfreesboro, Tenn., plans to continue using the show and social media to spread his message of faith — despite warnings from producers that it could alienate some viewers and cost him the “Idol” crown. It’s time we recognize that the coming Christian persecution, isn’t coming; it’s here. Those of us who claim Christ as Savior need to realize that there are consequences to being a bold Christian. It doesn’t really matter if the producers of American Idol are genuinely concerned about Colton getting a fair shot on their show, or if they just don’t want any Christian controversy on the program. The affect is the same. Being bold about being a Christian has impact today. In my lifetime, most folks found it advantageous to be considered a “good Christian.” For us the new paradyms are strange. We need to realize that with every move we make things are different. Being a bold Christian can affect our employment and career status. It can impact us socially. It can make life tough for us and our family. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not […]

Today is my sixty-third birthday. I’m afraid that my family is not too thrilled with my birthday mood. I am considered a gloomy Gus on birthdays. I guess I owe them an explanation. First, I take no credit for making it for 63 years. I am responsible in no way for this. Life is the gift of God. It is a gift in conception, in regeneration, in eternity. He determines the number of our years. It seems silly to me to accept congratulations for something for which we have no part. Don’t get me wrong. I am extremely grateful for the years I have been given. Occasionally, I review the obituaries and notice how often the dead have had fewer years, often many fewer years, than I have been granted. I am grateful for every year, every hour, every second. If I am glum at the time of the celebration of my birth it is because I feel I have not taken full advantage of the gift of time I have been given. We can only live today and it is not fruitful to spend much time considering the wasted years. However, I think it is wise occasionally to […]

It is becoming increasing obvious that there is a war against followers of Christ. It is in many ways an undercover war. It will be filled with much intrigue and stealth. The most difficult task in this struggle may be identifying friend and foe. Old definitions of “christian” and “non-christian” or even “anti-christian” will not apply. It will take spiritual help to keep the players straight. We will need discernment like never before. At times we might find ourselves aligned with others on certain issues, with whom with might disagree on other issues. For example, we need to stand with all those whose religious liberty is threatened, even if our specific beliefs are not the same. The enemy will also attempt to confuse things by majoring on the minors. We need to perpetually keep our eyes on Jesus. Other “political” or “social” issues will have to take a back seat. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Ungird ever word and action with prayer. Be alert and diligent. Times are about to get much tougher. Nick