Nick’s Walk

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV) God is in control. We talked about that yesterday. I argued yesterday that one result of that truth is that we should probably spend less time planning and more time enjoying the ride. Instead of focusing on the futile project of wrestling control back from God, maybe we should consider the impact of His control.  One reason we like to be in control is that we like to know what’s happening. That’s why I like to drive. While driving I focus on the road and each danger and opportunity as it approaches. Somehow I feel I’ll do a better job in handling those situations than anyone else in the car who might want to drive. In other words, I believe I’m the best driver in the car. (Not too humble am I?) But with life, it’s completely different. It’s hard to argue with the truth that God is a better driver. He knows what will happen. He has a clear vision of the road ahead. He has […]

Has your life turned out like you thought it would? Maybe you’re too young to know. But most of us don’t have to get too old before we realize that things don’t always turn out like we planned. In fact, it might be fair to say that things don’t  usually turn out like we plan.  I think the big problem is we plan too much. I’m serious. There’s nothing wrong with planning  but there is so very much we have no control over. Holidays are a great example. We have all witnessed the Christmas that doesn’t live up to expectations or the birthday party that’s a bomb. Maybe we need to live with our hands a little less firmly attached to the steering wheel of life. Face it we really don’t control very much and if we are real honest about it, that’s a very good thing. Just think how messed up things would be if we were in control. But the fact is God is in control. One of my favorite songs of all time is Twila Paris’ God is in Control. Consider the lyrics: This is no time for fear This is a time for faith and […]

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 It’s not fashionable or cool to mourn. You would think with all the death on the news, on television and the movies, it would be quite real to us. The opposite seems to be true. All those “pictures” of death numb us to it’s reality. We hear about thousands dead in Japan and it’s really just numbers. And it isn’t just death. We numb ourselves to any kind of pain or worry. Depression is a disease; but sorrow is part of life. We live in a world where children go to bed hungry. Christians are tormented for their faith. And millions die without Jesus. Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus’ heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men. We live in an increasingly lost world; many are dying without Jesus. That should make us mourn.  The truly sad thing about our reluctance to mourn is that it robs us of true comfort. We can’t really feel comforted, if we haven’t mourned. Joy […]

Is your life on autopilot? You know how it is. We slip into patterns. We wake up at certain times. Go to work. Come home. Camp out in front of the TV. Bed. Then we do it all again. We miss much when we live on autopilot. We are so used to our routine that we can miss the unique things going on around us each day. We can miss the needs of those around us. We can miss the beauty of God’s world. We can miss His involvement in our lives.  We also can stagnate. If we are in a routine we’re probably not growing. Each day we should know a little more about God. We should have a bit more trust in Him. We should be a bit less worldly and a bit more heavenly minded. Instead, if we are on autopilot, we probably have not experience real change in years. Consider. Where is your spiritual life now, compared with a week, month or year ago? Commit to some intentionality in your life starting tomorrow. Spend some time in scripture before you start your day, it that’s not part of your current routine. Listen to Christian music […]

I spent most of the day yesterday at a Kairos State Board meeting in Alexandria. The day was spent in discussions about the new manual we use, software programs that we use to keep up with donors and organizing the Kairos weekends, quality control measures… all our methods to do God’s work. Ministry is always a balance between doing the best job we can based on our shared experience and our willingness to be yielded to God’s Spirit. We clearly have an obligation to do the  best job we can at what God has called us to do; yet we also need constant reminders that no matter how great the method, it’s God who does the work.When ministry becomes tiresome and tedious and doesn’t feel very fruitful, it’s usually time to step back and make sure we’re doing what God has told us to do, in the way He would have us do it. To make sure we are relying more on His spirit and wisdom than on our methods and experience.The Good News is no matter how bad we blow it; he seems to always be there to take up the slack.Praise Him for His movement and His […]

I did some judging this morning. We judge all the time. We go to MacDonalds instead of Burger King, or the other way around, because we “judge” one to be better than the other, or cheaper or closer. We make judgments concern our television watching and with whom we choose to associate. This morning was a little different. It was a little closer to the situation in which Jesus asked “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” I went into the Waffle House with my ear phones in my ears. So a bit oblivious to those around me. Somehow I noticed a woman at the counter. She just had a cup of water in front of her. I picked up pieces of the conversation and figured out she was asking for some food and explaining she had no money. The manager gave her some food. She said she need to get to the closest truck stop to get a ride. The manager told her he couldn’t take her but gave her some cash. She then asked for a phone book and the use of the phone and tried to call a cab. When she went to […]

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 Do you have a loved one who is not only unsaved, but seems about as far from God as you could imagine? Someone who hates the idea of being in church. I hope this story from the last Kairos weekend told by the leader of that weekend will encourage you. Saturday morning, a team member approached me with worry and concern about a resident at his table. The concern was a common one – the resident was not participating and seemed quite angry. This particular team member was a first timer, and I gave him a rather typical answer, “stick with it, we are only half way through and today will be a good day. Keep the faith.” I was curious and wanted to gauge the resident myself, so I approached him during a break and asked, “How are ya…having a good time?” His response was quick and to the point, “I hate it here!” His eyes could have cut through steel. “I don’t want to be here, and I just can’t stand it. This is not for me.” Inside, I was crushed. […]

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 Have you ever said, regarding your children, grands and great grands, I just want them to be happy? I have. But when I think about it I really want more than that. I guess I don’t want  just “happiness” for them, but Joy.  People can be happy as a result of lots of things: great marriage, good kids, even money or friends. But happiness has a temporary quality to it.  Joy, for me, is deeper and longer lasting. It doesn’t depend on circumstances. It is rooted in relationship, specifically relationship with Jesus. Joy of the Lord is our strength.  But joy doesn’t foreclose happiness. Adrian Rogers once said, “Happiness is something you stumble over on your way to serving Jesus. When you are serving the Lord Jesus Christ, happiness is the by-product of righteousness. People who are trying to be happy are focusing their energy at the wrong target. If you will seek after righteousness, then you will be happy.” I guess we could say that happiness is a diet thing: drinking of the Spirit and feeding on the Word. I heard something recently […]