Nick’s Walk

Recently the Christian community has been challenged by young pastors calling us to be more than a fan and more radical in our walks. These challenges have struck a chord especially with younger Christians who are looking for something more life changing in their walk.  It’s important to recognize that these calls are not for a different basis for Christianity but a different level. We recognize that Christianity, unlike any other “religion” is relationship based. We are called into relationship with Jesus. The problem has been that we have become satisfied with shallow relationships, without permanence or commitment. We have lost sight in the truth that joy comes from committed relationships.  It’s common now to judge relationships on “What Do I get out of it?” When we no longer “benefit” from the relationship we toss it out and move on to another. Such a view of relationship can never produce the fullness of joy that’s possible. I enjoy those I love. I am blessed by their attention. I am touched by their affection and motivated by their energy and enthusiasm. But my relationship also includes a deep desire for the best for them. I am blessed not only by […]

I spent the Trick Or Treat hours last night at church watching the Not a Fan movie. It was uncomfortable to watch. Taking Jesus seriously isn’t very comfortable. NOT A FAN is book, a  movie and a 6-part DVD series that challenges people to become sincere “followers” of Jesus Christ, rather than simply “enthusiastic admirers” or “fans.” We were a small group, a handful of people. That’s not surprising. Jesus has lots of fans, but not a lot of followers. Not even a lot who are willing to consider whether “Follower” is what we should be. Not a Fan looks at the tough verses of scripture. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that talk about taking up crosses and dying to self and many are called but few or chosen. The ones that remind us that on that day many will say “Lord, Lord” but He will say He never knew them.  We are a fan oriented society. We gather by the thousands to watch football games. By the millions we watch our favorite television shows or stream to the theater to catch the latest movie. A fan admires. A follower does. A fan is fine with Jesus […]

I tend to be a day dreamer. I will sit in my comfortable chair and consider great and wonderful things. I believe that God gives us visions. He shows us how things could be.  More importantly, however, He tells us what to do next. Success is not achieved by having great vision, but by taking the small steps every day that move us in the direction God wants us to go.  Sometimes we are overwhelmed by the big vision. It seems so different from what we see in front of us. Visions freeze us in place and we end up doing nothing. God has commanded each of us what to do next. We all really know the next step we are to take. But we hesitate.  Listen to these words from your God, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong, courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Forget for the moment the picture God has given you of where He wants  you to be next year, next month or even next week. Focus on what He wants you to do today. It’s time to make […]

Rose and I don’t celebrate Halloween. We haven’t for years. We don’t do it very boldly. We just turn off our lights and leave the house during the hours of trick or treat. We usually have a small bag of candy just in case someone comes early or late. Our neighbors have learned how we are and just ignore our house. We don’t have any kids at home so it’s not that big a deal.  This year we will probably go to church to watch the Not a Fan movie. Maybe our “God Loves You. He Always Has and Always Will” sign will send a message. It hasn’t always been this way. I don’t remember Halloween being a big deal when I was a kid. I had eight brothers and sisters and I guess we would dress up and walk the neighborhood doing trick-or-treat. When our kids were  young, we did Halloween. We even made a big deal out of it a couple of times. When our first grandchild was born, Halloween was becoming a big holiday and we became concerned about the origins of the holiday, the wisdom of scaring kids for fun, and the emphasis on the […]

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” –Matthew 6:33 There are many issues upon which the presidential candidates differ. If we had to  point to one principal difference it would have to be the role of government. The current president believes that Americans should look to the government for most everything. The challenger calls that a “Nanny State.”  As Christians, we have to understand that many look to the government for much because the church has failed to meet the needs of people. I was the oldest of nine children growing up in the 50s. We were poor. I remember many instances of individuals “helping out” when the pantry was low or coming up with a few dollars when the light bill needed to be paid. In similar situations today, we would expect a check from the government.  At the heart of this problem is our failure to believe Jesus when He taught that the real solution to our problems is to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper places. With a proper focus on […]

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” –James 3:16 I have to admit that, at least at times, I’m a news junky. When there is nothing to watch on television or when I have the television on just as background noise while I do something else, I am tuned to the news channel.  I know some people don’t think Fox News is a real news channel, but that’s a good discussion for a different time.  As I am bombarded with the “news” it’s easy to believe that this world is full of problems. But if you listen carefully and prayerfully, you quickly realize that there is really only one problem: Selfish Ambition.  When there is good news, it’s because someone put someone else’s interest about his own and acted accordingly. All the bad news is base on someone, or a group of someones, putting themselves first. Being self-centered instead of Christ centered is the problem. When stated that way it’s obvious that we are talking about a spiritual problem, not a political, social or psychological problem. America needs Jesus and needs him badly! We can’t do much about the self-centered […]

I am watching the unbelievable unfolding story of what occurred during the terrorist attack on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi.  For not the first time in history it appears that the men on the front lines demonstrated incredible courage in the face of cowardice on the part of their leaders.  To act with courage or cowardice is a choice we face in our daily lives a lot more than we care to admit.  We face incredible problems in our nation and most of us in our personal lives. We can no longer wait for the folks “in charge” to “do something.” We must act individually. I must admit that I have become more a spectator than a participant in life. This has to end. We have to be involved. Nothing is going to change unless we do something. God is on His throne; but we are His hands and feet. There are just a handful of days until the election. It’s time to stop watching it unfold on television and get involved. At a minimum, we need to be informed voters. Have you even considered what you will be asked to vote on? Have you encouraged those upon whom you […]

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. I think we can honor our pastors best by being honest about what we should expect from them and what they should be able to expect from us. 1. Don’t expect them to be perfect. They are human, just like us. 2. Don’t expect them to have every spiritual gift. We need to know where our pastors are gifted and be prepared to supplement their gifts with our gifts. Ministry is a shared job. 3. Expect them to have a personal life. It’s unbelievable how intrusive we can be on the lives of our pastors. They know that it’s not a nine to five job; but please give your pastor some room to have a life. 4. Expect them to need encouragement. It’s okay to tell the pastor what’s right as well as what’s wrong. It’s okay to complement him on a good sermon or a special effort. We all need encouragement, even pastors. 5. Don’t expect the pastor’s spouse to be anything but the pastor’s spouse. A church hires a pastor not a dynamic duo. Most pastor’s wives are an extra benefit to their spouse’s congregation; but don’t expect them to do everything […]