Author: Nick

The United States launched an attack on Syria, principally because of our outrage at the horrible death of young innocents. We were willing to risk public condemnation and even death of our own because of the injustice we saw. We were not so innocent when the Lord of the Universe allowed his only son to die for us. He didn’t wait until we cleaned up or even took one step toward purity and holiness. That’s a kind of love that’s foreign to our understanding. We marry for life or until our partner no longer meets our needs. We love others as long as they look like us, talk like us, and are unoffensive to us. Our love is completely conditional. Our God loved without condition and before we had any hint of loveableness in us.  We are so pathetic when, even after coming to Christ, we strive to love on our own. The agape love of Jesus is possible only through the accomplished work of Jesus through the ongoing work of His Holy Spirit. We are incapable of it on our own.  I am proud that our country struck back in outrage at the death of innocents splashed before […]

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ Ephesians 3 When we become “in Christ” we become branches in a vine that is rooted in love. That wide, long, high and deep love of Christ is the source of our life and power. It energizes our mission. It replaces our pathetic attempts to live and love without Jesus.  Back in August, our yard was flooded for days. The flood waters killed the roots of dozens of bushes and trees. Some of the plants seemed alive for a while, but not for long. As spring arrived and the time for fruit production arrived, the truth of their death became clear.  We can’t live without roots planted in love. We can exist and portray a form of life, that’s really just dressed up death. Our purpose is not to be the fruits of love but channels of love. It’s like water that must flow to be alive, we must be channels of moving […]

God sacrificing His son on an instrument of Roman torture is pretty hard for the world to grasp. It seems foolish to a world that hasn’t experienced its power. That’s the key. It’s a power that has to be experienced. Only someone who has moved from guilt and despair to freedom and hope can testify to the power. The power is in the blood and the blood is on the cross.  It’s a difficult second step, even for those of us who have experienced the power of the cross of Christ, to appreciate the power of our own crosses.  The foolishness of the power of Christ’s cross is magnified when we consider a cross of our own. There seems no chance of power in self-denial and suffering, yet it’s where all spiritual power resides.  If we shake our heads in doubt at the Cross of Christ, we tremble in fear at the thought of a personal cross. But do not fear, for the cross leads to heaven. In the cross is health, in the cross is life, in the cross is protection from enemies, in the cross is heavenly delight, in the cross is strength of mind, in the […]

I don’t like this verse. I don’t want to think about taking up a cross.  I’m not the only one. “Christians” are talking about their “best life now” and blessings and success and getting stuff, not giving up stuff and taking up crosses.  Mardi Gras is very popular. Lent, not so much.  Jesus has many lovers of his heavenly kingdom but few bearers of his cross. He has many seekers of comfort but few willing to face troubles and trial. He finds many companions at his table but few with him in fasting. Many desire to rejoice with him, but few are willing to undergo adversity for his sake. Many follow Jesus that they may eat of his bread, but few are willing to drink of the cup of his passion. Many are astonished at his miracles, but few follow after the shame of his cross. Many love Jesus so long as no troubles happen to them. Watkins, James (2016-01-12). The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language (Kindle Locations 266-270). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition. Maybe we need to give up on the term “Christian.” It’s come to be associated with status. We want to be King’s Kids […]

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Watkins, James (2016-01-12). The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language (Kindle Locations 237-238). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition. This one sentence, pulled from Romans 12 is packed with truth.  Consider: Copy cats.  We are pathetically unoriginal.  We copy the behavior and customs of this world. We talk like the folks on TV. We wear what the models wear. We buy what’s in. We love what’s trendy.  Mirror minded.  Our attention is riveted on us. “It’s all about me.” We say with a smile, but with all seriousness. Our perceptions go no further than our physical reach. We don’t care enough about others to have any idea what they are going through or need.  We are so self-absorbed that we don’t hear what others are saying, instead looking for an opening to turn the conversation to the most important thing, us.  Sayers not doers. We believe that what we say is more important than what we do. We profess our love but would not submit ourselves to a moment of inconvenience to put a smile […]

Back in the 60s we had “Jesus Freaks.” These were folks who were bananas for Jesus. They weren’t “churchy” people. They were mostly converted hippie types. I don’t know any Jesus Freaks these days. I know some church freaks, some missional freaks, some holiness freaks, and some “grace” freaks, and quite a few just freaks. That’s sad, because I think we are called to be “Jesus Freaks.” “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14: 6). Without my way you cannot go. Without my truth you cannot know. And without my life you cannot grow. I am the way which you must follow, the truth you must believe, and the life for which you must hope. I am the way never changing, the truth never failing, and the life never ending. I am the straight way, the supreme truth and the true, blessed, and uncreated life. “ Watkins, James (2016-01-12). The Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language (Kindle Locations 212-214). Worthy Publishing. Kindle Edition. We mouth agreement that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, but we don’t really think or live that […]

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. Ephesians 5: 1– 2 It seems to me that there are two conflicting myths about Christianity. Some say Christianity is about what you believe. Others insist it’s about what you do. The truth is that neither is correct.  Christianity is about trusting in God’s Grace. Through His grace, we are forgiven, and by His grace, we are empowered to live lives of love.  Children naturally imitate their parents. Boys love to play like they are shaving. Girls love easy bake ovens and tea parties.  When we trust in Jesus, our nature is changed and we become His children. It becomes “natural” to us to want to be like Him, to imitate Him. God, however, is perfect. His ways are an “impossible” standard to live up to. Plus our history of living for ourselves drags us down. Enter Grace. Through God’s grace, our past is forgiven and forgotten. Through grace, we are empowered to change, to become more each day like our Lord Jesus. What is required of us? Taking our eyes off ourselves and on […]

An old friend today gave me a copy, leather-bound no less, of The Imitation of Christ, Classic Devotions in Today’s Language, by Thomas A. Kempis, compiled and edited by James N. Watkins. It’s amazing how excited I am to get a copy of a book I read  fifty-five years ago. The book is a Christian classic. I read a earlier version while a student at Immaculata Seminary in 1962 and 1963.  The devotional classic, second only to the Bible in sales, was written anonymously in Latin in the Netherlands. Thomas Haemmerlein (1380– 1471), better known as Thomas à Kempis, is generally credited as the author/ editor, but purposely avoided claiming its authorship. The hand-copied manuscripts of the book were first circulated as early as 1420, with its first publication in English in 1696. Through the centuries, the book has been recommended by such diverse leaders as John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, and Thomas Merton, the popular twentieth-century author and Catholic monk. The Jesuits, a Catholic order of priests and brothers, honored the book. Their founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, was inspired by The Imitation of Christ to formulate his own Spiritual Exercises. The book has been published as […]