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
Faith
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
Availability over Ability
While the world looks at outward appearance and natural skills, God is simply looking for a humble heart, willing to trust him. "...For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” In the mid 19th century, a young man named Hudson Taylor set … Continue reading Availability over Ability
Bitter or Better? (It’s up to You.)
Pain. Disappointment. Betrayal. Suffering. We all experience it. None are immune to it. But, why do some emerge from pain differently than others? Why do some go one to joyfully help others in their pain, while others grow bitter from their pain and die a slow death? “Many of the character traits that run deepest … Continue reading Bitter or Better? (It’s up to You.)
Moving at the Pace of God
It’s an interesting topic - time. The God of the Bible is timeless. Spatio-temporal existence was created for you and me. Even more perplexing is that, although God could speak all events into existence immediately, he chooses to move according to the very laws of nature he, himself, created. For example, Jesus (God made flesh) … Continue reading Moving at the Pace of God
My Least Favorite Book in the Bible
My favorite book in the Bible is the Psalms, with my favorite chapter in the Bible being Luke 15. But, then there’s the book of Judges. The book even begins with bad news: “After that generation died (the generation that followed the godly leadership of Joshua), another generation grew up who did not acknowledge the … Continue reading My Least Favorite Book in the Bible
The Agnosticism of Science
Don't let skeptics confuse you. It's never "Science vs. Faith", rather it's "Science vs. Science." The Christian faith may go beyond science, but it never contradicts it. Note the following quote from former atheist, Alister McGrath; Oxford; Ph.D. in Molecular Biophysics “Science is necessarily agnostic with respect to anything outside of the natural realm. It … Continue reading The Agnosticism of Science
With Friends Like You, Who Needs Enemies?
"What miserable comforters you are!" We'll get back to the above quote in a minute. The Old Testament character, Job, (rhymes with robe) was the subject of what one author describes as a 'cosmic wager' between God and Satan. Job, whom God himself had described as "blameless, a man of integrity", was offered to Satan … Continue reading With Friends Like You, Who Needs Enemies?
Has God Surrendered His Throne? (not even close)
We serve a God who’s not surrendered his throne - regardless of how out of control our world may appear. My friends, if I weren’t a pastor I would be a coach. Exhorting, teaching and encouraging people is what I love to do. It’s who I am. At its heart, a pastor’s objective is, to … Continue reading Has God Surrendered His Throne? (not even close)