Nick’s Walk

It seems the world is having more trouble than ever accepting the babe born in a manager over 2000 years ago. It seems the tiny one whose parents could not even get a room in an inn or provide a clean place for his birth scares the hell (yes I said “hell” pun intended) out of most. Maybe it’s because like the Magi they recognize this child for all that He is.  They gave Him gold in recognition of his kingship, not just earthly royalty but divine. This little one possesses great power. He is ruler of the universe, a role hidden in a dingy manger and not fully realized until His final return, but ultimate ruler nonetheless. They gave Him frankincense because they knew Him as priest, not just any priest but the Great High Priest who would advocate for lowly man with the Most High God. He would replace all the rituals and ceremony of religion with the reality of relationship.   They gave Him myrrh because they foresaw Him as murdered sacrifice for sin. They recognized this child in His most mysterious yet most marvelous role of all, the greatest gift ever given by a God […]

I had fun at church last night. I feel slightly naughty just saying it. Don’t we believe that Church isn’t supposed to be fun? Don’t we believe that if it is fun, you must not be having real church? You must be doing it wrong. Don’t we think if you have fun at church  you must be going to one of those seeker-friendly churches that aren’t really churches at all?  Now, I have to admit that last night wasn’t a church service, it was a senior group party. We had a pot luck dinner and played a gift exchange game. There was prayer and testimony and fellowship. All that was very nice, but what I really needed was some fun.  Christmas season hasn’t really been much fun for me so far and I needed a laugh. Shouldn’t church really meet our needs? Well it really did last night. I needed a reminder that having Christ in Christmas doesn’t mean taking out all the joy, the fun. It means taking it to a higher level. Church really needs to be more fun, even at the regular services. We have somehow painted Christianity as an exchange for a fun life now […]

Usually about this time of the year I post an encouragement to Keep Christ in Christmas or something about avoiding Christmas stress. Not going to do that this year. In the past I was usually talking mostly to myself and without much success. It seems a losing battle. In fact, this year I’m suggesting we accept the commercialism and take joy in the stress. These things arise from futile attempts to create something artificially, that is only truly possible for those who are in Christ. Consider this. The great thing about Christmas is that it celebrates the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus came to earth, Emmanuel, Christ with us. Christmas is a remembrance of that miracle. But now Jesus isn’t physically here. He’s present spiritually with those who, by faith, are in Him. How can we expect a world that doesn’t know Christ to “keep Him” in Christmas? We have to have understanding and pity for those who struggle to create through material means something that is profoundly spiritual. We are unable, on our own, to generate the love and good will that Christmas promises. That is genuine only in a relationship with Jesus. In our keeping of Christmas, […]

Most of us live secret lives, at least we think we do. We struggle with the idea of what people would think about us if they really knew us.  Most of us are different at home than we are at work or at church. We have thought lives that would shock our friends. We suffer temptations from the darkest parts of hell. Did you ever wonder how the gospel writers knew about the details of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness or about the struggles he faced the night before his death in the garden while He was all alone? The only answer is that He shared these private moments with his disciples.  If others knew more about us would they think less of us or would our vulnerability make us more human to them and draw us closer together? If others knew more about us, would we end up knowing more about them and would we end up feeling less alone with our secret struggles and temptations? If we didn’t believe our pastors and teacher were perfect, would it make their sermons more or less powerful? If they only knew maybe our witness would be more real. If they […]

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18 These can be discouraging times. There seems to be less evidence of Jesus in the world. The Christmas season is now the holiday season. Love, at least agape love, love without expectation of something in return, is harder to find. The End seems close at hand, and we await it expectantly.  Maybe we are just looking in the wrong places. God doesn’t promise a wonderful world, at least not until He returns. Things are prophesized to get worse, so we shouldn’t be surprised when they do. Maybe we should be looking in the mirror. What God does promise is that we will be conformed to […]

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. James 3:1 Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at my home church. It’s not like I had never done it before. Years ago I pastored a small church and preached every week. Since then I have often done a teaching or even a teaching series.  Nonetheless, I didn’t sleep well on Saturday night. I was nervous as Sunday service time approached. When I stepped up to the pulpit the lights seemed particularly bright. I thought it would be a good idea to break the ice and calm down by introducing my family who was sitting together on one row. I couldn’t remember my daughter-in-law’s first name. Instead of calming me down, I was then afraid I would forget my wife’s or one of my grand kid’s name. Luckily, I got the rest of the names right and once I got into it my nervousness evaporated and I never even felt either my replaced or still need to be replaced knee during the entire time.  The event was a […]

Our Pastor will be out of town on Sunday and our Senior Pastor is recovering from knee replacement surgery. I have been asked to bring the message at Amana Christian Fellowship, 310 Milton Road, Maurice. Service begins at 10 a.m. Please consider joining us for the service especially if you haven’t been with us before or having been in a while. Look forward to seeing you on Sunday. Be blessed. Nick

Today is one of my favorite days of the year.  The day before Thanksgiving is so cool. The house begins to fill with very pleasant aromas.  The phone has been very busy as recipes are exchanged. Anticipation is sometimes the best part of any event. I look forward to spending time with the family. It’s a great sports time of the year: Cajun basketball tonight, football tomorrow. Of course, there is also the great food.  It’s also good to begin thinking about all the things we are thankful for. If you’re not too busy today try doing an internet search for “things I’m thankful for.” You will become even more appreciative for all  you have been given. You might even want to make your own list. I am being asked to make yet another trip to the store. Before I go, I  just want to say I’m thankful for those of you who read this blog and even occasionally give me a little feedback. Knowing someone is out there reading makes doing this worthwhile. Sorry I have been so busy and not posting every day. I am trying to get back on schedule. Your prayers are appreciated. Have a […]