"After all I've done, Jesus could never save me." In his book, Is God Real?, Lee Strobel shares the following story of the electrifying motorcyclist and entertainer, Evel Kneivel: "The daredevil motorcyclist Evel Knievel, a womanizer and drunkard who once went to prison for beating up a business partner with a baseball bat, was on … Continue reading Evel Kneivel’s journey to Christ
Grace
When our past seems too heavy to bear.
I just finished reading John Pollock’s riveting biography on John Newton, author of the beloved “Amazing Grace.” When Newton writes in his hymn, “that saved a wretch like me,” he was not exaggerating. What he had done in his early life was deplorable. After his coming to faith in Christ, which was a long journey, … Continue reading When our past seems too heavy to bear.
“Jesus is Not Enough”
"Jesus is not enough." That's what we're saying when we buy into the lie that salvation is not "by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone." (cf. Eph. 2:8-9; Romans 10:9; John 3:16; Galatians 3:1-14) Working our way to heaven... what a miserable life. Never knowing if we're "good enough", if we've "done enough." … Continue reading “Jesus is Not Enough”
The Man on the Middle Cross
We can’t earn it. Human effort is futile. Works-based salvation is a back-breaking burden resulting in a lifetime of legalistic bondage. To believe we must "check off the boxes" of being "good enough" to help us get into heaven completely nullifies the work of Christ on the Cross. In other words, if we can earn … Continue reading The Man on the Middle Cross
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
The Privilege of Drawing Near to God (and what it cost)
There are people in important roles whose office I could call today and be told either it will be days or weeks before I can see them, or that I can’t see them at all. Not so with the God. The Old Testament Law was given by God not to make us perfect by "checking … Continue reading The Privilege of Drawing Near to God (and what it cost)
Jesus Was No Socialist
Mankind has never changed. The pharisees tried to make Jesus fit their agenda. The zealots tried to make Jesus fit their agenda. The Jews tried the same thing. And so on, and so on, and so on. So it is no surprise that socialists are trying to form-fit Jesus to their image. To do so … Continue reading Jesus Was No Socialist
Jesus Was Neither White nor European
Rioters are wanting to tear down statues of Jesus because he is “white and European." Now, I understand some of the reasoning: some churches have made Jesus white, republican and American. This, sadly, is true. But, it's the rare exception and certainly not the norm. Rioters, of course, themselves serving as judge and jury, have … Continue reading Jesus Was Neither White nor European
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)