In his award-winning book, “Where Is God When It Hurts?”, Philip Yancey writes, “Novelist Peter De Vries has called the problem/mystery of pain [in this world] ‘the question mark turned like a fishhook in the human heart.’….Many suffering people want to love God, but cannot see past their tears….Sadly, the church often responds with more … Continue reading Suffering: A Fishhook in the Human Heart
New Mercies
Jordan’s Grave Marker
Jordan's grave marker came in about a week ago...my family went to see it today. It was brutal. Surreal. There's no other way to describe it. But knowing that Jordan isn't in that grave gave my family peace and joy. Jordan left his earthly body and is in the presence of God Almighty in Heaven. … Continue reading Jordan’s Grave Marker
Blessing in the Loss
Matthew 5:4 (The Message) “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you."
You Want Me to Go Where??
If you're like me, you've read (and heard read) the 23rd Psalm countless times. Written by David, this "Shepherd's Psalm" is one of the psalms I've quoted over & over since May 13th when my son, Jordan, met the Shepherd face to face. To his seminary students, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (executed by Hitler's SS in 1945), … Continue reading You Want Me to Go Where??
An Emotional Bataan Death March
I haven't posted much these past couple of weeks simply because, well, I haven't had anything really to say. Most often, I find myself staring off into the distance, thinking about life & the life that was Jordan Blake Watts. Yesterday, we pushed through the "first holiday." One week from today, July 12th, Jordan will … Continue reading An Emotional Bataan Death March
“As Soon As You Began to Pray….”
(Initial post) I know that so many people are hurting in this world today. And I hate to continue to ask you to help me with mine, but sometimes the sadness is so heavy that it's suffocating. I would deeply appreciate your prayers today. Nick (A few minutes later) It never fails - never. Moments … Continue reading “As Soon As You Began to Pray….”
From Morocco With Love
A year ago (July, 2012), Jordan & I accompanied my friend (and fellow pastor here at BHBC), Mike Lewis, to Morocco. Mike has been working with these wonderful people for a number of years. Last year, we had an amazing trip getting to know the people, building relationships with them, and praying for them. Jordan, … Continue reading From Morocco With Love
That’s Why They Call It the Present
No doubt, you've heard the saying that goes something like this: "Live neither in the past nor the future. Focus on what you have in the now. The 'now' is a 'gift' - that's why it's called the 'present." A sobering line from the play "Our Town" says, "Few people enjoy life while they're living … Continue reading That’s Why They Call It the Present
Truth vs. Lies
In times of distress and acute pain, our "bent-out-of-the-shape-God-intended" minds seem to gravitate toward lies rather than truth. (At least, mine does.) Like flaming arrows, our minds are battered with the unrelenting assaults of the enemy, filling our minds with all things untrue i.e. “Life is hopeless now,” “I’ll never know joy again,” and, for … Continue reading Truth vs. Lies
Soul Dance
When interpreting Scripture (and most any literature) correctly, “context” helps greatly. Someone once said “a picture says a thousand words.” True - but not always. To this day, five centuries after its creation, da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” still perplexes experts in regard to the context surrounding the painting i.e. “Who is the woman in the … Continue reading Soul Dance