Nick’s Walk

I remember when Mother Teresa visited Lafayette in 1986. It was a big deal, perhaps she was the most famous person every to visit our city. She was an icon of faith and service to others. I also remember the furor after her death when her published writings revealed that she suffered extended times of doubt and darkness. The surprising thing is that folks were surprised by her experience of darkness. The writings of almost every person of faith reveals struggles and times of doubt and darkness. Thomas the Doubter is beloved not because his doubt is usual but because it’s universal. We all doubt, often. It’s just not acceptable to admit it. That’s a sad thing. Just think about how much we could comfort and encourage each other if we were brave enough to admit that we have doubt. We have more than doubt. Sometimes we wake up in a cold sweat, fearful and afraid. It may be because of a nightmare, but bad dreams are born in the very real concerns and troubles of our waking hours. Life isn’t easy. We should not pretend that it is. The Christian Life is certainly not easy. It’s a sin […]

There isn’t much question that Christianity is in Crisis. The mainline denominations are suffering from dramatic reductions in attendance and with scandals. Independent churches seem to be doing better with attendance, but are often personality driven with questionable teachings. Several “movements” have arisen in response to the crisis. We have seen “seeker friendly” churches and the “emergent” church. These movements seem to have some good ideas about making a better presentation of the gospel, but often raise questions about the biblical purity of their message. Theology seems to have been caught up in concepts of modernism and post-modernism. I am convinced science has seen some dramatic advances, but many have tried to apply these changes to ways of thinking about God and truth. For the ordinary person, trying to be a follower of Jesus or trying to explore whether Christianity holds the answers, it is very difficult. The writings on these new movements tend to be written by theologians for theologians or, perhaps, pastors. I think what is needed is a handbook for Everyman. Something that will explain in understandable terms what Christianity really is and what these new movements offer both in terms of positive and negative ideas. […]

              And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 Our Tuesday night cell group was great this week. The teaching was inspiring. The discussion was meaningful. The prayer time was right on. The fellowship was warm. The food was fabulous. I have been slow to coming to an understanding of how important the food is. The food is essential. A cell group is as close as modern Christianity comes to what the 1st century Christians experienced. Our Sunday services are nothing like the early church. They are spectator events. The early church was very participatory. Sitting in straight row pews, dropping something in the collection play, singing along in a small voice, even giving an occasional “Amen” is not really participating. In a cell group the gathered family of God devotes themselves to teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Now, that’s church. It’s really the food that leads the way on participation. In our cell group everyone participates, sometimes every week. That’s why, like last night, we sometimes have a ridiculous amount of food. The wonder of it […]

He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach. Mark 3:14 I had an interesting dream last night. I was living in a  post-apocalyptic world. Everyone was living in the woods in tents and mini-trailers, scrounging for food and supplies. I don’t think the dream arose from my television watching because I quit The Walking Dead this season. It, might, however, have come from watching the news. It seems every system on earth is failing. The church is ineffective. Governments can’t seem to serve their basic functions. Economies are in chaos. Families are falling apart. It’s easy to see how my dream might have arisen from observing these things. Things are so bad that it’s obvious that there is much to be done. It is not so obvious that we may be overwhelmed by all that needs doing and may end up doing nothing. Jesus was aware of that problem and had a solution. He certainly called His disciples to preach; but first they were called to “be with him.” I think we all need a lot more of being with Jesus. Without that we can lose perspective and hope. Things look pretty […]

One of the main characters on one of the television dramas I watch died unexpectedly in the last episode. It was all extremely sad. It wasn’t so much the death, but the complete inability of those who stay to handle it. The problem is that none of them believe in heaven. If there is nothing after this life, then why are we here? I don’t struggle much with believing in the after life. This world is so beautifully complex that it is easy for me to conceive that it was created. If it was created, this was done by one so wonderful that this world is a dim reflection of all that He is. I find the redemption story truly marvelous, but completely believable. It’s easy to see, if you look at all, that man is sinful. Only one of the characters in the television show believed in heaven and believed that the deceased must be there  because he was a “good” man. The other, older characters knew better. He wasn’t “good” at all. The biggest hurdle for most to a belief in heaven is a just reason for us to end up there. We don’t have to live […]

Today I decided that when I want to write a really ugly tweet back to a bully, I will post a recipe instead. Cooks, prepare your kitchens. Beth Moore I’m not a particular fan of Beth Moore. I am not familiar with her teachings. I know lots of folks think she’s great. All I know is she is right on with today’s quote. If you spend any time on Facebook or Twitter, there are occasions when  you must fight the urge to blast someone. There is so much stupidity. Folks you know who are mean, disruptive and who have actively worked to destroy a church, cry about how mean Christians are. Folks say things online they would never say in “public.” They post videos that should come with an “R” rating. People who complain about hypocrisy in church, probably don’t spend much time online. You have to wonder about the parents who post pictures of their kids every day. Are they overcompensating for their horrible parenting? What about the person who posts poetry about their spouse? They probably spend most of their time in family court. I am convinced that most of the political posters don’t even vote. What […]

My dear Wormwood: I pick up pen again to remind you of the vital nature of your mission and to give you some pointers for the successful completion thereof. The local church is the key to the enemy’s plan and we must work with great fervor to cripple and weaken it. I rejoice with you in the lower numbers attending your target. However, I must remind you what our original enemy did with a mere twelve and one of which was one of ours. Keep them focused on numbers but remember quality above quantity should be our focus. Don’t forget the importance of communicating. Keep them talking about each other and not talking to each other. Keep their talk trivial and dishonest. The last thing we want is for them to discover the power of honest vulnerable dialog. I don’t hear your charges begging enough to be better fed. It is vital that they consider themselves underfed. Heaven forbid they should learn that they have the ability to feed themselves, or worse each other or the greatest problem that they should learn to do instead of just learn. “I wasn’t being fed” is still the favorite song I hear […]

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13 It seems to me that there is way too much judging going on. The most recognizable trait in Christians is “judgmentalism.” That’s just not right. We are supposed to be recognized by the love we show. I understand the concern that sin should not be ignored. It just seems to me that instead of screaming, “You’re a sinner.” or focusing on certain sins. We need to remind folks that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 We need to stop promoting the idea that as Christians we are sinless instead of forgiven. One of our problems is that it is not acceptable in church to admit struggles with sin. Wouldn’t we serve each other much more if we admitted our struggles and shared suggestions about how to overcome them? Worst of all, we need to stop criticizing other churches. We all like to think we have all, or at least most, of the truth. But the truth is that we don’t. We […]