Friends, Below are the "series notes" to my series on Psalm 23. All that's missing are additional comments I included while teaching. However, the "nuts & bolts" are here for your study. Paul wrote, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,..." (Colossians 3:16) May the verse-by-verse study of this simple, yet profound, passage … Continue reading Psalm 23 – “Bible Learning Series” Notes
Heaven
Psalm 23 – “Surely”…..(out of the mouth of babes):)
“The Lord Is My Shepherd” – An In-Depth Study of Psalm 23 (Session 1, Vs 1)
My friends, rather than upload a recording of my talk, I thought I'd simply write out my notes in an easy-to-read format for you. (This way, you also don't have to hear me, over and over again, become emotional as I speak 🙂 .....Christ has used this passage so powerfully in my life since the … Continue reading “The Lord Is My Shepherd” – An In-Depth Study of Psalm 23 (Session 1, Vs 1)
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
Written by my wife, Michelle Watts, wrote these fresh insights (written in parentheses) into Chris Tomlin's chorus he attached to Newton's "Amazing Grace" in light of he death of our 19 year old son this past May. nw "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" Mere words cannot express what I experienced today. I have always … Continue reading Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
“Behold, I Am Coming Soon”
Three times in the last chapter of our Bible Jesus makes the statement, “I am coming soon.” The reason I bring this up is because over the holidays my family went to the movies. During the previews, the following movies were advertised, one right after the other: “Son of God”, “Heaven is for Real,” and … Continue reading “Behold, I Am Coming Soon”
Hope Floats
I love the movie, "Hope Floats." (1998; starring Sandra Bullock & Harry Connick, Jr.) Hope really does change things. Hope can immediately change a gray sky to blue. But, Hollywood didn't discover this truth. This truth is ancient, finding its life-giving power in an "old rugged cross" and an empty tomb. That said, I leave … Continue reading Hope Floats
Massacre, Suicide & A Manger
"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (Job 2:10) This morning I stood before 200+ students at Evans Middle School in Lubbock and said, “The first Bible verse I ever learned was John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that … Continue reading Massacre, Suicide & A Manger
“Nick, How Many Children Do You Have?”
Saw this post today: "A person who loses their marriage partner is called a widow, or widower. A child who loses their parents is called an orphan. But there is no word to describe a parent who loses a child, because the loss is like no other." My dad died of alcoholism in 2000. He … Continue reading “Nick, How Many Children Do You Have?”
“True North”
"The grief following suicide is so raw and real, primal and human, even people of faith must often battle just to ride it out, to render it livable....How one grieves depends on what one believes....The counsel of Scripture secures us with a stabilizing beam of truth - beginning with a single word: hope....Your pain cannot … Continue reading “True North”
Embattled Healing
"But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish." (Isaiah 9:1) Six months ago today my son took his own life. And everything changed. A week ago this past Friday I had a breakdown so severe that Michelle almost had to take me to the hospital. One week ago today, I had … Continue reading Embattled Healing