"When someone stands up and says, 'I am a person of faith,' they shouldn't get respect for it. They think that's a respect-producing statement: 'I am a person of faith.' In other words, 'I am a person who will believe practically anything on no evidence at all.'" Christopher Hitchens The late Christopher Hitchens was no … Continue reading All Worldviews – not just Christianity – Require Faith
Faith
“Much Afraid” – When Following Jesus is Scary
The late, British, author, Hannah Hurnard's, "Hinds Feet on High Places" (a "hind" is a deer) is written in the genre of John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" - they're both allegories of the adventure of following Christ. Hurnard opens her story with God's promise from the prophet, Habakkuk: "The Sovereign Lord is my source of strength. … Continue reading “Much Afraid” – When Following Jesus is Scary
“God, why do you hate me?”
Me: "God, why have your hurt me?" God: "Trust me." "So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace … Continue reading “God, why do you hate me?”
The Hubris of Some Scientists
The hubris of some Scientists. Notice I did not say “the hubris of science”, but "scientists.” Also, note that I said, "some scientists." Because there are a host of scholars within the scientific disciplines who have professed their faith in Christ. (For one solid resource for finding scientists who have placed their faith in Christ, … Continue reading The Hubris of Some Scientists
The Deconstruction of the Christian Faith
Preface The topic about which I'm writing is actually nothing new, certainly not unique to modern times. Jesus, himself, told his disciples two millennia ago, "I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith." I try to always document and cite quotes. Some quotes used here were gathered almost nine years … Continue reading The Deconstruction of the Christian Faith
Broken? Be encouraged – you’re right where God can use you.
Read through the Bible and you will see a pattern. God tends to use those who are weak and broken. 19th century pastor, J.R. Miller, once wrote, “Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken people. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the whole - in building their kingdoms. But God is … Continue reading Broken? Be encouraged – you’re right where God can use you.
How I Survived the Worst Day of my Life – one more thing…
For brevity, I did not include the following in How I Survived the Worst Day of my Life. But, I believe it bears sharing because it provides greater theological context to how I - and my family - survived. As I was listening to the voice of Jesus that day assuring me of his presence and … Continue reading How I Survived the Worst Day of my Life – one more thing…
How I Survived the Worst Day of My Life
In 2014, a year after my son took his life, a regional magazine asked me if I would consider writing about that experience. The online link to that article is no longer available, so I've included the text below. Of note, a gentleman in a local retail store stopped me and asked, "Are you Nick … Continue reading How I Survived the Worst Day of My Life
I AM. Trust me.
A Brief Biblical Principle from our class on John 6:1-59: In John 6:16-24, we find the familiar passage recounting Jesus walking on the surface of the Sea of Galilee. John doesn’t mince words as he describes the reaction of the tough, weathered fishermen: “they were terrified.” Jesus comforts the disciples by assuring them, “It is … Continue reading I AM. Trust me.
Nothing Is Impossible With God
One principle from our lesson on John 5: Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” – John 5:8 Brief context: Jesus is in Jerusalem and sees a number of people lame, blind and otherwise ill and incapacitated. He walks up to one man who, the scriptures tell us, had been … Continue reading Nothing Is Impossible With God