“I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.” - Isaiah 50:6 “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would … Continue reading Israel 2025 – Torture
Suffering
The problem with “God just wants us to be happy.”
In 2014, on the platform at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, his wife, Victoria, told the crowd, "Do good 'cause God wants you to be happy. When you come to church, when you worship Him, you're not doing it for God, really. You're doing it for yourself because that's what makes God happy." … Continue reading The problem with “God just wants us to be happy.”
“God, why do you hate me?”
Me: "God, why have your hurt me?" God: "Trust me." "So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace … Continue reading “God, why do you hate me?”
When We Hurt, God Hurts
Been beat up? Beat down? Talked about? Exhausted? Powerful biblical truth ahead: “For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] … Continue reading When We Hurt, God Hurts
Broken? Be encouraged – you’re right where God can use you.
Read through the Bible and you will see a pattern. God tends to use those who are weak and broken. 19th century pastor, J.R. Miller, once wrote, “Christ is building His kingdom with earth's broken people. Men want only the strong, the successful, the victorious, the whole - in building their kingdoms. But God is … Continue reading Broken? Be encouraged – you’re right where God can use you.
The Ministry of Presence
Job (rhymes with robe) buried ten children in a single day. He suffered so terribly he wanted to die. His story is found in the Old Testament book bearing his name. It was customary in those days for friends to come and sit in silence with those who were grieving. To weep with them. To … Continue reading The Ministry of Presence
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
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?
Turning the Tables on the Devil
We all have awful days i.e. our car breaks down, the hot water heater goes out, something frustrating happens at work or school, someone hurts us, the list seems endless. Pastor/author, Charles Stanley, writing about Joseph (the one with “the coat of many colors” in the book of Genesis), pointed out, “we are all dealt, … Continue reading Turning the Tables on the Devil