Nick’s Walk

Wouldn’t it be great to be able  to periodically go on retreat and spend a week alone evaluating where we are with our lives? Almost none of us have the opportunity or resources to do that. A reasonable alternative is to more frequently run through a quick check list to get a reading of how we are doing, a periodic report card.   Here’s a suggested five question list: 1. Am I stepping out? No, I don’t mean am I a frequent party person? We’ve heard it all. The Christian walk is a matter of one step at a time.  If you’re not moving forward, you’re falling back. What we need to do is frequently check our position. Am I one step further along with my God than I was yesterday, last week or last month? If we aren’t taking one step at a time, years will past and then we will realize that we have “wasted” our lives and become stagnant.  2. Whom do I fear?  Do I spend time concerned about whether my life pleases God? Or do I worry about what someone else thinks? The problem here is that even if that “someone else” is an important person […]

SPOILER ALERT: If any of my readers think I’m a great person (I know, figure the odds) and such a person doesn’t what to be set straight, stop reading. Those of you who know I’m a jerk will enjoy today’s posting so read ion for a change.  During the month of February David Jeremiah has been teaching on Slaying the Giants in Your life. Regretfully, I saw myself often as he marched through such things as fear, guilt, and resentment. I felt right at home as he discussed discouragement, loneliness and failure. It was not a waste of my time when worry and anger were discussed. But on the last day of the month, he was really “reading my mail” as he discussed the green-eyed monster of jealousy and envy. I guess I had never considered myself to be a jealous or envious person. Wrong. I don’t envy those who are wealthier, younger or better looking. (There are just too many such persons out there.) I thought I had finally made it through one “giant” unscathed until “professional jealousy” was mentioned. It turns out I do have a problem with those who have more professional success than I do. […]

I can’t help but feel that Christianity is in a mess. I am ashamed of what is done in the name of Christ. I am embarrassed by many who call themselves Christian. I believe when Jesus considers the situation, He weeps. It’s not our job to determine who the Christians are. It’s not our job to point out who the sinners are. (Since we are all sinners that would be a wasted activity, don’t you think?) We are not commissioned to raise buildings or empires. It isn’t complicated. We are called to tell. I suppose it might be possible to list all the problems; but I’m not sure that would get us any closer to the solution. I think the solution is to simplify and remember, “Just Jesus.” The word “gospel” originally described the word that was spread throughout the Roman empire when a new Emperor ascended to the throne. “Gospel” as used throughout the New Testament,  refers not to a theology or movement, but to a person, now ascended to the throne as King of King and Lord of Lords.  Jesus consistently pointed to Himself.   Paul, Peter, John, they all. preached Jesus. The gospel is the proclamation of Jesus—His Life, Story, […]

“Always buy the most hideous house in the neighborhood, so at least you won’t have to look at it.” – Unknown I guess in this generation we spend way too much time watching television. If you are a tv person you can get the idea that everyone is twenty-something and gorgeous. Trying sitting in the back of church (or looking in a mirror) to get a dose of reality.  I like sitting in the back of church. I do it not just so I can slip out if the sermon is a bit weak or if nature calls (as it seems to do more frequently as I age.) I guess I enjoy seeing all the earthen vessels. The longer I am a member the more I know the stories inside those vessels, and the more I am blessed. Most of us are not twenty-something and our beauty pageant days are way behind us, if they ever existed at all. But that’s all just part of God’s plan. From the day of our birth these earthen vessels are starting to deteriorate. Our society’s frantic attempts to slow or prevent that decay is just more evidence of our of lack of acceptance […]

Galatians 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are against the spirit and the desires of the spirit are against the flesh. For these things are opposed to each other to keep you from what  you want to do. Contrary forces seem to plague most of creation. Consider marriage. Men and women are different; no matter what political correctness may dictate. It’s why marriage is so tough.  Our natures have opposing elements; particularly once our spirit is ignited after we come to Christ. I remember years ago sharing a room with a friend at a men’s retreat. He had just been baptized in the spirit and spoke in his prayer language for hours. I recall him laying in his bed and commenting,”All things are spiritual.” Nice thought but not true. As far as I know he is no longer following Christ. In fact, he is very much in and of the world.  Our nature is like a successful marriage. Success doesn’t come with one partner dominating the other; but with both putting the marriage first. In a successful marriage, the partners adopt and adapt. The union becomes more important than the partners. If we are to be successful in […]

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 The words with which we traditionally end the Lord’s Prayer were likely not uttered by Jesus. They are absent from original manuscripts. They were uttered by David when the people had gather together gifts for the construction of the temple. Nonetheless, the sincere praying of these words identify true followers of Christ who recognize where the kingdom, power and glory reside. They are the ones who take God seriously. Many give Jesus lip service, but those who “follow” Him know that all that counts is part of His Kingdom, that He has been handed all power and that anything worth doing is done for His glory. We turn to Our Lord when our needs float to the service, when they are obvious and grip us. It is good at all times, especially when we feel we’re doing fine without Him, to recite the words He gave us and meditate upon their […]

12 For the rulers, against the authorities, against this present darkness, against in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 Jesus taught us to pray to be delivered from evil. We need to pray that earnestly because most of us can’t even identify evil any more. Satan has three effective tricks that keep us confused. He has some people convinced that if he exists at all, he is a cartoon character with horns and a tail and no real power. He has others believing that He is as powerful, if not more powerful than God. These folks believe that Satan can ultimately win. Finally, and perhaps most prevalent today, he has some believing that he isn’t the real enemy; other men are. The truth is that it’s a real fight. It’s a spiritual fight. Just as Jesus’ reign as king is not yet perfected. Satan’s ultimate defeat is not yet perfected. We need to take Satan seriously as we take God seriously. But notice, Jesus taught us to pray that God deliver us from evil. There is no question in that prayer that God has the power to deliver. The victory has been ultimately determined but the battle is no less real.  Perhaps the biggest danger now […]

At first blush it seems strange to be asking God not to lead us into temptation. Is God the Tempter? Certainly not, but it is important to remember that God is in control, even of the tempter. Like Satan’s harassment of Job, God would only allow him to go so far. God is in control. One look around at our world might lead one to ask, “What control?” It may seem God has lost control. Several years ago Twila Paris had a Christian music hit. I loved the music and the lyrics: God is in controlWe will choose to remember and never be shakenThere is no power above or beside Him, we knowGod is in control History marches onThere is a bottom line drawn across the agesCulture can make its planOh, but the line never changesNo matter how the deception may flyThere is one thing that has always been trueIt will be true forever He has never let you downWhy start to worry now?He is still the Lord of all we seeAnd He is still the loving FatherWatching over you and me  God is in control. He controls even the temptations we may face. And He is still the loving Father, […]