Nick’s Walk

Young kids are great at getting the most out of special times with special people. They seem to enjoy every moment. They squeeze every possible pleasure out of the event. The run and jump and scream. They never seem to tire. When it’s time to separate they beg for extra minutes or weep bitterly at the thought of it all ending. They are seldom satisfied with promises of “‘another time” or “another day.”  They understand the value of each moment with that special person. Isn’t that how we ought to be about prayer? Since the curtain was torn in the temple, the children of God have access to Him. He is available for “play time” anytime. I went to our church’s prayer time last night. I wasn’t particularly excited about the opportunity, but as always it was a great time. It seems I am just beginning to grasp the wonder of time with God. Isn’t it interesting that the disciples didn’t ask Jesus, “Teach us to Teach.” or “Teach us to Preach” or “Teach us to perform miracles.” They asked Him to teach them to pray. There was something about His prayer experience, something about Him after his private […]

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Don’t make the choice to go back to where you came from. God has a much bigger plan for you! Joyce Meyer My wife has an aunt who lives in Henry, south of Abbeville. When her son is working, she is alone so Rose and I try to visit her. Yesterday we spent several hours in her living room. She was in a nostalgic mood. She told stories of growing up on a farm, slaughtering animals, killing chickens, cooking huge family meals. It was great fun and my wife could relate to at least some of the stories. In these times, it’s tempting to look back and, at times, to even want to go back to when times seemed simpler. Our memories are very kind to history. They filter out the tough and the bad and leave us with the simple and the good. Our walk, however, is meant to be a forward one. In the past we were less than what God intends for us to […]

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2 We hear a lot about counterfeit gospels or “watered down” preaching in the church today. Most of the time, […]

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 […]