Nick’s Walk

  I have considered myself to be an involved person.  After all I do a blog almost every day. Until I read today that writing stuff and sending out emails isn’t enough. You know what? It isn’t. Do you know what the Manhattan Declaration is? Are you prepared to disobey the laws  of the United States if a law violates your conscience? These are no longer hypothetical questions. In our country today some of our fellow Christians are being told they have to violate their conscience or violate the law. This kind of thing happened in Nazi Germany. It’s now happening in America. Let’s not make the mistake of thinking it doesn’t concern us yet. My good friend, Ron Anson, has been sounding the call for years. I haven’t taken him seriously enough. Sorry my brother.    Please watch this video and then go to this web site.  Read the Declaration. It isn’t short. But it is powerful. Then, if you agree with it, sign it.  This blog is a personal blog produced solely by me. I am solely responsible for it’s content. If you’re with the government you know where I live. It’s time to get serious. Be blessed. […]

I didn’t submit a blog entry today because I had nothing to say. I so wish others would also not say anything when they have nothing to say, like politicians for example, or TV preachers, or guests of The View, or the hosts of the The View for that matter.  My wife thinks I’m  fan of The View because sometimes she walks in the living room and I have it on. It’s just because I watch Good Morning Acadiana and forget to turn the channel or turn off the television when it’s over. She would probably think I’m a fan of Good Morning America, because that comes on immediately after Good Morning Acadiana and the television stays on. Lucky for me she doesn’t get up early enough to see the television on that show. It would break her Fox News watching heart. In fact, I wonder why she hasn’t commented about The View being on. I have noticed her shaking her head sometimes. Well, like I said. I really don’t have anything to say today so I’ve decided to say nothing. I just wish others would be so wise. Pray I have a good thought to share tomorrow. I […]

Yesterday I heard a sermon which suggested that men are responsible for the spiritual life of their family and church. This morning I read an article with some practical ways to do that. 11 Practical Ways for Men to Lead a Family.  When the Spirit nudges me twice in 24 hours on the same subject, I try to pay attention. Look around guys. The sad truth is that women are running our families and our churches. Sure most of our churches have male pastors, but women are still in charge. They are in charge, not because they have a title, but because they do most of the work. Look around on Sunday morning and see who is doing what. The women are probably doing most everything other than ushering. Guess what. I can find my own seat. I sit in the same place every week. Most of our homes are the same way. I would like to believe this is a vast feminine conspiracy, but I suspect this has happened because women have stepped up to fill roles that we men have failed to fill. It’s time we do something about this. But let me warn you. It won’t be […]

In the Jewish tradition, Passover night is very special. A special meal is held and ceremoniously executed. As part of the ceremony, the youngest child asks a series of questions designed to point out that on this special night, things are different. I think we should have a similar tradition in Christianity for Sunday Mornings. Isn’t it true in your house that Sunday mornings are different. During the week, the family has a routine which requires everyone to be up and at it by a certain time, breakfast is done, kids are dressed and everyone has to be out the door, on a bus or headed to work. It all works like an army on maneuvers. But on Sunday morning it’s chaos. Even though church starts much later. It seems impossible to get everyone up, dressed and out the door on time. Why on this morning are there more arguments, excuses to stay in bed and just generally dragged out feelings than on other mornings? Why do we run into more red lights, long freight trains and every other kind of barrier on Sunday mornings that don’t pop up during the week. I guess we could argue that the routine […]

Tomorrow Pastor Kerry will present his first sermon as Interim Pastor. It will be a significant day in the life of Amana. I don’t have a draft of the sermon like the news agencies seem to get in advance of the State of the Union Address. I don’t know what Pastor Kerry plans to say; but I do have some advice on listening. The toughest job  in any arena is a job as the “interim” anything. An “interim” has the burden of moving an organization forward, but not forever. An “interim” faces the problem that if he proposes something unpopular, folks will just wait for the “permanent” pastor to show up. An “interim” often has all the responsibility but none of the authority. It’s tough to be an “interim.” I always felt bad for the guy who coached the Alabama football team after “Bear” Bryant. I don’t even remember his name. I once served in a church that never was quite the same when the founding pastor moved on. Every pastor after the first got compared to the “original.” Following a superstar is tough. Amana has more ex-pastors than any church I’ve ever been involved in. That’s a tremendous […]

My church is going through a leadership transition so focus is on the church . But every church is in need of some help. Yesterday I saw this article: Five Ways You Can Help Your Church My thoughts follow:  If you believe your church could be better, the mirror is a good place to look for improvement. It’s easy to criticize leadership, but you’re not likely to directly affect that, even if it is the problem. That doesn’t matter because the real health of a church is best measured by the condition of those in the pews. Another potential area of improvement is in “theology.” Most of us believe that the church we belong to could sharpen it’s “theology.” Usually that means my brothers and sisters could and, in fact, should, believe a bit more like me. That’s not happening any time soon either, so let’s put that aside. Of course it would be great if we served as a one person admissions committee that could decide who got to attend our church. That’s not happening either. So what are we left with? Basically, what can I do better. These are factors we can change, so the potential for improvement is […]

When we consider our life mission statement we are inclined to two mistakes: looking too far and looking too close. It’s not just a case of being like Goldilocks and looking “just right.” We look too far because we tend to dream long distance. When we think of life mission, we have thoughts of overseas missionary service in Africa or the Far East. God may give us such a call. But we need to look at what is in front of us.  I had a grandson who was miserable in school. I had never considered myself an elementary school teacher.  I much prefer the thought of teaching pretty college girls while donned in a jacket with patches on the elbows in a college with lots of ancient oaks and a decent football team. Sometimes I forget my wife reads this. . . sometimes. Nevertheless I find myself a fourth grade school teacher with a class of one. I am being thoroughly blessed with the experience. I always enjoyed teaching and preaching to a packed house. In this environment you get instant feedback and can adjust accordingly. Instead, I find myself preparing a daily blog which disappears into the blackness […]

Yesterday I was discouraged. The specific reasons are not important.   I’m not sure I could identify the reasons for my discouragement. Today, I’m encouraged. That’s the important point. The issue? What transferred me from the state of discouragement to the right realm of the encouraged children of God? What changed me from thinking I can’t do it anymore to being sure I can? Two things made the difference: Time with my Lord and time with my friends. I spent some time with God. David Jeremiah’s teaching this morning which I listen to each Wednesday morning was about the Giant of Discouragement. Isn’t it wonderful how the Lord will provide just the word you need at the times you need them. But Satan tried to keep me from that help. I overslept this morning and was late heading to my Wednesday morning men’s meeting. So I missed the teaching. But my friends pointed it out and I listened to it later.  I also spent time with my friends. I can’t emphasize enough the important of spending quality time with fellow believers. Not just sitting in a crowd, but sitting around a table, praying and listening and talking. I found out […]