If faith was easy - it wouldn’t be called faith. Read on... I spent most of my adolescent and young adult life suffering at the hand of my violently abusive alcoholic father. I spent most of my adult life visiting with my younger sister through the thick glass of prison visitation cubicles due to her … Continue reading If Faith Was Easy It Wouldn’t be Called Faith
Grace
Is Anything Too Hard for God?
God can't possibly fix our broken world. I'll confess - there have been moments in my own life that I have descended into such discouragement I, too, have considered that statement to be true. But, when the world around us is turned upside down we must not allow our minds to continue to be poisoned … Continue reading Is Anything Too Hard for God?
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Don’t Be Afraid: answering a great question about the loss of a child During the summer of 2019, I gave my presentation on suicide awareness & intervention at the YWCA here in Lubbock. About 30 teens attended. What a precious group! One girl raised her hand toward the end of the talk and asked, “Can … Continue reading Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
Is He Worthy?
The 20th century pastor and author, A.W. Tozer, once said, "While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a god who hasn't surrendered his authority." Presently, the world is a little scary. Allow the Spirit of Christ to calm your soul with this song by Andrew Peterson. Do you … Continue reading Is He Worthy?
It’s Okay to be Afraid
There’s a reason the Psalms are my favorite book in all the Bible: they help me to know the “heroes of the faith” were no different than I am/we are because what they run the gamut of human emotion. You’ll find both praise of God as well as anger at him. Faith and doubt. Joy … Continue reading It’s Okay to be Afraid
There Was a Man Named David
Have you ever done something you believed was the “last straw” with God? Have you ever felt like you've, finally - once and for all - ruined your life? NOTE: A follow-up to my message a couple of weeks ago about the Cross’s power over shame. Tullian Tchividjian (last name is pronounced “shuh -VIJ-uhn) is … Continue reading There Was a Man Named David
To My Fellow Pastors (and fellow believers)
NOTE: I've read MacDonald's book at least twice. But, presently, I am reading the other two books referenced in this blog. And the collective wisdom - and warning - dictated I share it with you, my friends. If Satan wants to take out the sheep, he'll begin with us - the shepherds, Love to you, … Continue reading To My Fellow Pastors (and fellow believers)
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
I often tell people that, within the context of Christian music, the words of most beloved hymns & carols boil down to this: those lyrics are someone's story put to music. As with the heart-breaking story behind Horatio Spafford's It is Well, we would do well to familiarize ourselves with the drama that gives life … Continue reading I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Tell Me About Your Jesus
I posted on social media recently a question to others who've professed their faith in Christ. If someone said to you, "Tell me about your Jesus," how would you respond? There were some good online dialogue. Then one friend commented, "Nick, how would you respond?" Hopefully, the "nuts & bolts" below will help bring confidence … Continue reading Tell Me About Your Jesus
The Prodigal Son: A Modern-Day Telling
The Return of the Prodigal Son; Rembrandt, 1669 My favorite chapter in all of scripture is Luke 15. In a trilogy of parables, Jesus concludes with the story of the lost sons. Philip Yancey, in his award-winning book, What's So Amazing About Grace, tells the story of the younger lost son in modern context. Yancey's … Continue reading The Prodigal Son: A Modern-Day Telling