On A Journey

'Tis the Season

2011-12-06T21:12:00.000-05:00

This will be our first Christmas in Florida. The grass is still green; there are leaves on most of the trees, palm trees all around. It was 80 degrees outside today. I think I’m going to like this. Although I might miss the white stuff on Christmas day, I know I won’t miss shoveling it.

I love this time of year. The lights, the cheer, the door buster sales, the crowds. Well maybe not those last two things. As a matter of fact my son and I did go to the local Wal-Mart late Thanksgiving night and the crowd was awful! No I don’t like the sales or the crowds.

But I do enjoy this time of year. And it really doesn’t matter where I am. In the north or in the south; Christmas is not about the weather. It’s about the Christ child. It’s not about the presents. It’s about the greatest present. It’s not about the getting or even the giving really. It’s about the Gift. God’s Gift to all humankind. God gave Himself, as a baby, to show us the way to Himself as the Father. There is no greater gift.

We’re trying this year to help our kids get a grip on Christmas. Not the tight-fisted get all you can get grip. But to get a true hold on what Christmas is really all about. Jesus.

It’s hard. With all the business of the season. With all the hype in the stores and ads on television. But we are determined that this year we are going to keep Christ IN Christmas.

How about you and your family? Will you keep Christ in your Christmas?

It’s all about Jesus, not about me.

Pastor Nick

Got Road Service?

2011-10-04T14:03:00.003-04:00

Road Service?

What a vacation we had this summer! We went to Michigan where family resides. We have an older class “A” motor home that’s in pretty good shape for being 17 years old. Runs great and handles real good. Get’s pretty good gas mileage for the size.

Anyway, we headed out and traveled about 140 miles from home and had a flat tire on the driver side inside duely. Only a mile from a rest area … so we can deal with this. Not the first time we’ve had a flat on a motor home before. Called our insurance company for road service … found out they don’t offer road service for RV’s. Wish they would have told us that earlier. (Oh I should say we had just changed insurance companies when we moved to Florida)

The attendant at the rest area was very helpful and after about 4 hours and a little over $500 later we were back on the road. When we got to Michigan we immediately contacted Good Sam’s camping club and got road service insurance. Good thing we did. On the way home we got about 240 miles from home and had another flat tire on the same side, outside tire this time. Only a mile from a major exit. Called our new road service insurance company and within an hour and only $300 (cost of the tire) we were back on the road.

Got me thinking about life. Do you have road service for your life? There are a lot of bumps and hazards in life and if we aren’t ready for them … they can really throw us a curve and knock us off balance. Jesus is our road service for life’s hazards. Oh the hazards will still happen, but with Jesus road service, you’re covered.

We were surprised the first time we had a flat tire that we didn't have road service. The second time we knew we were covered. Don’t be surprised when this life is over to find out you didn’t have road service. Invite Jesus into your life and be covered.

It’s a really good deal,

Pastor Nick

Locked Out

2011-06-27T08:04:00.001-04:00

Great way to start the day. I left the house this morning and after locking the door realized I didn’t have my house keys. Oops. I didn’t want to wake up my wife and kids, so since I had my coffee, computer and other work related items, just sat on the porch and waited until they got up.

It’s a beautiful day here in west central Florida. It’s probably going to rain again today but that’s okay. We have entered into the rainy season. It will most likely rain almost every afternoon throughout the summer so I’m told. They are usually just spotty showers.

So here I am locked out of the house. And I’m thinking about eternity. There will come a day when it will be time to enter Heaven. I wonder how many people will leave this world and not have the “key” to open the door? I was not really in a hurry this morning that made me forget my house key. I thought I had it in my pocket. I think there are a lot of people who think they have the key in their “pocket” but really don’t.

I’ve met people like that. “Oh I’m a good person.” “God is love. He wouldn’t send me to hell. I’ve never done anything really bad.” “I go to church at least once a month.” And they go on through life thinking they have the key in their pocket. All those keys are the wrong keys. Oh they’re good keys to have; to be a good person, never do anything really bad, go to church (more than once a month). But they are not the key that will open heaven’s door. The key that will open heaven’s door is Jesus. A relationship with Jesus is the only authentic key that will open the door to heaven. If you don’t have that key you will sit outside heaven for all eternity “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” The Bible makes it pretty clear.

So my friends, don’t find yourself without Jesus, the key, and locked out.

I have the key to heaven, do you?

Pastor Nick

FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!

2011-06-16T07:58:00.001-04:00

There was a fire at the neighbor’s house last night. Thankfully no one was injured. I haven’t had the opportunity to survey the damage yet, but I think it was mainly just their out building next to the house.

My wife woke up about 3AM to some hollering and she thought maybe there was a fight. When she looked out the window however there was a large fire. Of course I looked out right away and then called 911. It had already been reported and about five minutes later the fire trucks and police arrived. They had the fire knocked down in a matter of minutes. Then the firemen continued to “rummage” through the debris dumping water on it to ensure it was out.

So I got up this morning thinking about how devastatingly quick some things can happen that will totally change your life and potentially ruin your day. Our neighbors are relatively new. I’ve only met them once when I took a loaf of homemade bread over to welcome them to the neighborhood. So I’m not sure how they will react to this situation in their life.

I wonder how I would feel or react to such a thing in my life. Oh I’ve had some pretty devastating things happen in my life before and you just never know how you will take it until it happens. But this one thing I know, when those terrible things have come my way, if it had not been for Jesus in my life, I just don’t know where I would have turned.

The first thing I did, after calling 911, was to pray for our neighbors. I don’t know if they know Jesus or not, but I pray that if not, somehow God will use this tragedy to open their eyes to His love for them.

If you are reading this, I pray that the next time a tragedy comes your way, you will find strength in Jesus to come through stronger and in a deeper relationship with Him.

Disaster happens, but Jesus can help us become better persons because if them.

Lord, thank you for being there in the midst of the tragedies.

Pastor Nick

Sunshine

2011-05-11T11:02:00.001-04:00

The sunshine is great. I love the sun and the warmth it brings. Recently we moved to Florida. For well over 20+ years my wife and I have longed to live in Florida. Born and raised in Michigan, I’m tired of the snow.

Since we moved to Florida I understand why it is called the “Sunshine State.” We’ve had very little rain. But the days are beautiful and warm and sunny. I‘ve discovered something though. Too much sun and no rain make for very dry and dusty conditions. We need rain once in a while to make things grow and turn green. My lawn right now is very brown and dry. It’s not green and lush.

Sometimes as we go through life we really enjoy the sun don’t we? We don’t like the rain because that usually means there is a storm around. But if there is never any rain, life gets dry and dusty. What I mean is that we need rain in our lives to grow. We need the rain to help us flourish and stay fresh.

God graciously gives us sun in our lives, but he also allows the rain (storm) to come so we can learn to trust in him and grow in our walk with him. The rain helps us to stay fresh in our soul so life doesn’t get dry and dusty.

I think we are going to get rain next week. I’m actually looking forward to it. As I think about my life, I think maybe I will look at the rainy times a little differently. They can be great times for growth.

Enjoy your rainy days. Grow in them,

Pastor Nick

WOW been a long time

2011-04-06T11:06:00.000-04:00

It's been a long time since I wrote last. Much has happened since May of 2010. I have moved from Kentucky to Florida, taken on a new ministry, grown my family by three grandchildren. It's been a whirlwind of a year.

I was looking at a new job in the Florida area and ended up with a different job in Florida. All in God's timing and plan I am sure. I am almost settled in to the new surroundings so hopefully I can begin to get a system going so I will keep this blog up to date.

I'm hoping to write once a week or at minimum every other week. We'll see how that goes.

Anyway we are approaching Easter. One of my favorite holiday's (That's really "holy-day) I'm thinking we should concentrate on Easter and Christ's resurrection more throughout the year that what we do. Seems like Christmas gets a lot of attention and Easter get's very little. Of course without Chirstmas; well Easter wouldn't be. But Easter is looking foward to our eternal future. Let's dwell on that more shall we this year?

I think that would be a good idea. So that's what I'm going to do. Join me?

Pastor Nick

Almost a Wreck

2010-05-13T22:01:00.007-04:00

A few weeks ago myself and thee others went to a conference in Orlando, FL. We drove down from central Kentucky in a 12 passenger van. We stopped in Valdosta GA on the way down and then finished the trip the next day to Orlando. It was a good trip with no real traffic of any kind even through Atlanta!

The conference was three days long then we took an extra day and went to Clearwater Beach for a little relaxation time and debriefing of the conference.

On the way home we had the opportunity to see just how good the brakes were on the van. I was driving on I75, center lane of a three lane highway going 70 MPH. Suddenly a minivan came past me on the left, immediately cut in front of me and slammed on his brakes. I hit my brakes and was thankful no one was close behind me. He then cut to the next lane to the right and over toward the exit we just passed. (He wanted that exit I guess, but he missed it) I found out that my heart beats very good and fast when given a big surprise. If it had not been for the hand of God between our van and the one that cut in front of us there would certainly been a wreck.

I suppose with over 2000 miles and that being the only near mishap, it was a very good trip.

We said a prayer together each time before we headed out for the day and God answered those prayers. What A God We Serve!

Pastor Nick

LENT

2010-02-20T09:21:00.005-05:00

We have entered the Christian season of Lent. It begins with “fat Tuesday” or if you are in New Orleans, Marti Gras. Sometimes I think “fat Tuesday” gets too much attention and the real emphasis of Lent is forgotten. Everyone (well not everyone, but you know what I mean) parties out on “fat Tuesday” then for the next few days try to recover from the hangover.

Fat Tuesday and Marti Gras were originally, to my understanding, Christian events. Their purpose is to lead into a season of repentance and humility before God and men. Lent is a season of 40 days before the crucifixion of Christ on the cross for us to remember why Jesus came and what he did for us. It’s a season to humble ourselves in recognition of our sin and the grace and forgiveness offered to us through Christ. It is a season for self-denial. Denying oneself of some pleasure to focus then of the one true pleasure of salvation in Christ.

Lent was never a big deal when I was growing up. But it has become a sacred and special time of year for me to stop in the midst of the business of life and refocus on who I am and who He is. To humbly remember His suffering and prepare to celebrate His resurrected life!

Pastor Nick

What If . . .

2009-12-16T15:02:00.011-05:00

Have you ever thought about what life would be like without Christmas? Of course this is December and Christmas is just around the corner, so what else would I write about. Whether the majority of people want to admit it or not, the reason we have Christmas is not because of Santa Claus. No, the reason we have Christmas is because of Christ. Think about it though. What if Christ had not been born?

1. There would be no “black” Friday
2. There would be no increase in retail sales for the last two months of the year.
3. There would be no school holiday of two weeks off; it would only be one at most for the New Year.
4. There would be no paid holiday from work where you get the day off without taking vacation.
5. There would be no lights and trees and presents.
6. There would be no smiling children’s faces and excited giggles as they anticipate the mystery and surprise of their gifts.
7. There would be no manger scene, shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph.
8. There would be no baby Jesus.
9. There would be no Savior of the World.
10. There would be no Advent; the waiting and anticipation of the coming of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

To the world, the first six would be the most devastating. But for those of us who are awaiting the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus, the last four would take away all our hope. How devastating life would be without Christmas! I can’t even imagine it really. Oh the gift giving and getting is nice. But the best gift of all and the one that makes Christmas what it is; the gift God gave to all Mankind – Jesus his one and only son. What a gift! Jesus is what makes Christmas, Christmas. All that other stuff gets us all tangled up and oft times causes us to forget why Christmas even exists.

So when you’re sitting around this Christmas with family and watching the excitement in the eyes of your children and grandchildren, don’t forget JESUS. For without Him Christmas wouldn’t even be!

Pastor Nick

A People Watcher

2009-11-11T10:50:00.006-05:00

Have you ever found yourself somewhere that you could just sit and watch people? My Grandpa was a people watcher. Mom would take him to the mall, she and grandma would go shopping and he would sit in the middle of the mall on one of those uncomfortable seats and just watch people. I guess I take after my grandpa. I have discovered the joy of people watching. It’s really quite amazing.

People; all different shapes and sizes; personalities and quirks; hair styles and clothing options; you can even tell a little about their religion. A young Arab girl is wearing the usual head dress but definitely American clothing; slacks and a sweater instead of the long flowing wrap-a-round gown. An Asian man walks in and the only way you can tell he is of Asian descent is his skin color and eyes.

What an amazing invention; people. Sometimes you wonder, “What was God thinking when He created humans?” With all the destructive evil in the world like the Fort Hood massacre. But when you sit and watch people you find there really is a lot of good in the heart of most. Every now and then you still see a man hold a door open for a woman. (You may even see a woman hold the door for a man) I see people helping one another. What an awesome dream God had when He created people!

Of course God’s dream for people should have played out differently that is has. His initial design was for us to be like Him full of love and compassion for each other. Adam and Eve’s poor choice in the garden lead to a fallen world. And there is a lot of hatred in the world because of it, but I think there is still a lot of love to go around. When the family of a brutally murdered victim can look at the murderer and say “I forgive you” that’s one of God’s best traits coming through. A trait He originally put with in people. It’s still there deep down in every person. It just takes His presence living in us to bring it out. That’s a trait of God that without it we people would be in a lot of trouble because when we ask Him, God forgives us unconditionally.

Take a little time to thank God for His love and forgiveness. Stop to gaze at the people God created; and be amazed. People really are most “fearfully and wonderfully made.”

A People Watcher,

Pastor Nick

Waiting

2009-10-23T10:27:00.011-04:00

Today I'm spending the morning in the hospital waiting room. My wife is having a tonsillectomy. They say it's harder on an adult that it is on children. I'm thinking that as we get older we become wimps when it comes to pain. Kids have got to be in just as much pain, they just don't know it's supposed to hurt that much. For those of you who have had your tonsils out as an adult, you know how she is going to feel. And I don't mean to offend anyone with this pain issue. I'm sure it hurts very much. I was about 8 years old when I had mine out. I don't even remember it.

Anyway they say she will be down for 10 days to two weeks. When the doctor came in to see her before they took her back, he told her they would give her some real good pain medicine. I asked what he was going to prescribe for me for the next two weeks. He just laughed and said that was a good question.

In my role as a pastor, I do a lot of waiting in hospital waiting rooms sitting with parishioner families. Today I'm by myself (which is really okay, I prefer it that way). I'm was sitting here thinking and working (I can do that because my job is somewhat portable); I find the waiting the most draining part of my job. I'd rather be doing physical work than just waiting. I started thinking about how much time God spends waiting on us. He longs to visit with us and just hang out in relationship with us. And yet we get so busy that we go about our "business" and God just ... waits. It must be really draining on Him to wait so much of the time for us to come around.

I'm determined not to be that busy. I don't want God to have to wait around for me. I want more than ever to "hang out" with Him in relationship. I know how tiring it gets to wait. I don't' want God to get tired of waiting for me.

Waiting, but no longer asking God to wait on me,

Pastor Nick

Traveling...

2009-10-10T16:41:00.010-04:00

The month of September was one of those months when you wonder what happened and where did the month go! Our son and daughter-on-law had our first grandson. They live in Texas. I know from experience it is 1,014 miles from my driveway to theirs. I also know from experience that it takes 15.75 hours to drive it stopping only for gas and potty breaks.

We left the day he was born; I left my wife there for two weeks, came back home alone (15.75 hour drive) spent two weeks working on a little project for the new "kids" room, then 1,014 miles back to deliver the project and bring my wife home. In between I had other meetings out of town (day trips).

What a month!

I discovered something in all the rush and travel. Even though I know God watches over me, I realized that in my business, I failed to seek His protection and He was there anyway. I know we should always ask Him for His help and protection, but sometimes (too many times) we just go and ...

I'm glad I serve a God that wants me to ask, but wathces out for me even when I get too busy to stop and ask.

What an Awesome God!

Pastor Nick

Good Start

2009-09-25T22:33:00.004-04:00

Just thought I would share this little prayer with my readers. Some time ago one morning when I woke up I had this prayer going through my mind. Every since then, when I wake up in the morning, I sit on the edge of my bed and pray this prayer before I start my day. I find it helps to keep me focused. With this little prayer, I can start my day with my heart right before God.

Lord, thank you for this day. This is your day. Give me wisdom and discernment for this day. Give me ears to hear your voice. Give me lips to speak your truth. Give me eyes to see the opportunities you place before me. May everything I do bring honor and glory to you. Amen.

Feel free to pray this prayer as you start your day. If you pray this from your heart, I believe you will find your day to have more purpose.

God bless,

Pastor Nick

Coffee Up

2009-08-10T09:40:00.010-04:00

I'm sitting in an Atlanta Bread Co. in Lexington this morning drinking a cup of coffee and waiting for the rain to fall. It's supposed to rain today, but the sky right now is blue and sunny. A few clouds here and there, but...

I'm here killing time waiting for my wife to get done with a doctor appointment. It's one of those 3-1/2 hour appointments she has every 6 weeks or so. So I come to the coffee shop and wait it out. I rather enjoy it because there is no real coffee shop in my little town.

Sometimes life is like that. What I mean is, sometimes when you are expecting a storm in life, you brace yourself, close all the doors and windows, shut yourself up and wait for it to hit. Then for whatever reason, the sun comes out, the clouds move away, and there you are all hold up inside yourself. And if you're not careful life will slip by and you'll miss all the excitement around you.

I find that when I sense the storm coming, rather than holding up and shutting myself in, it's better to just grab an umbrella and talk a nice walk. I'm talking about a life storm here; so the umbrella isn't really a "bumper shoot" type of umbrella, but the word of God. I find that if I take my Bible and begin to read it and take a walk through the pages of scripture, I'm actually more prepared for the storm when, or if, it hits. And if it doesn't hit...well I've had a great journey and didn't get stuck in doors.(or inside myself which is a dangerous place to be since it can get pretty lonely by myself)

Here's a suggestion. Next time you feel like a life storm is coming your way, take a walk through the Word of God. Sometimes the storms come to drive us closer to God. Sometimes they come to make us lean on Him more. Maybe, just maybe, the storm could be avoided if we went to Him first. Just a thought.

I think I'm going to go for a walk.

Pastor Nick

Magnolia Tree

2009-08-03T21:37:00.010-04:00

Wow it's been a long time since I've written anything here. I got distracted doing too many things since...April? It's been longer than I thought.

I planted a Magnolia tree in my front yard this spring. I became a fan of magnolia trees when I went to TNU to get my graduate degree. Coming from Michigan it was the first time I had ever really seen one. I really like the big flowers they get and the fact that the leaves stay that shiny green all year long. So for years I have wanted one in my own yard. We live in southern Illinois and never got one there. Moved to east central Kentucky and after 2-1/5 years finally it's planted in the front yard. I had read that you may not get flowers for a couple of years after planting. I had one within the first 2 months. Now I'll probably not get one for a couple of years. It sure is growing though and looking great. New leaves coming on all the time.

I was reading in Genesis chapter one this morning in my personal devotion time. It's all about God's wonderful creation. I was reading from the New Living Translation. The interesting thing was something that I've known all along, but just needed to be reminded in a different sort of way.

It says that when God spoke, it happened. I mean God said let there be light and there was. No questions asked, just... there it was! When reading further into chapter 2 we find that it almost seems as though God slowed down when he came to creating humans. Human beings are mentioned in chapter 1, but chapter 2 takes us into more detail as to how he created us. Everything else God created was done with a word, but humans were created with his touch. God formed the man from the dust of the earth and the woman from the rib of the man. God; actually using his hands to create us!

Think about it. If you make something that you want to be extremely proud of, you take extra time to make it right. God made us as his most prized creation and took extra time to create us with his very hands. That should really change the way we think about ourselves and others. If we are that precious to God, then shouldn't we consider ourselves important enough to take care of? I mean, why do we do things to ourselves that destroy our bodies; our health? Why do we do things that hurt other people who are so precious to God?

Wow, do we ever need to get a different view of who we are. We need to get out of this world view that says people are a commodity to be used by those who are more powerful, into a God view that says all people are important and treasured. We need a God view of his most precious creation.

The next time you look in the mirror, take a closer look. God made you just like you are and he loves you. You are his prized creation. Then when you see that person on the street, or at work, or at the store, or wherever, remember they too are God's creation and he loves them as much as you, no matter who they are or what color their skin.

He didn't just speak you into existence, he formed you with his own hands. Isn't that just amazing?

Have a God filled day,

Pastor Nick

Flood the Altar

2009-04-18T08:21:00.004-04:00

I didn't realize it had been so long since I last blogged. I've been on the road a lot this week so I've listedned to some CD's in the car. One of them has a song I hadn't listened to for quite some time. It's about Elijah and the prophets of Baal. You'll find the story in 1 Kings 17-18.

Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a test. Make a sacrifice and call on your god to light the fire and I'll call on my God. Which ever god answers is the true god. Well obviously Baal couldn't do it. So when it was Elijah's turn, he first had the people pour gallons of water over the altar, wood, sacrifice and even fill a trench he had dug around the altar with water. Just to make sure it was good and wet and that a fire couldn't be started by him. Then he prayed and God sent fire from heaven and burned up the wood, stones, dust, and even the water in the trench!

Make note here that there had been a drought for three years. No rain, dew, or any kind of precipitation. The land was very dry. Water was an extremely scarce commodity. Water was very precious. It was a big deal to pour water on the ground.

The song says, "Sometimes you have to flood the altar before He sends the fire." Sometimes in our prayer life we have to flood the altar with that which is precious to us. Sometimes we have to let go of that which we hold very dear, we have to flood the altar (you might say lay it on the altar) before we'll see the answer to our prayer.

We also have to realize that sometimes the answer to our prayer is different than what we were thinking. In the early church of the book of Acts, the disciples prayed expecting God to answer. The difference between them and many of us is that when they prayed expecting God to answer, they didn't look for the answer to be what they were thinking of. They just expected God to answer, period! We put limitations on God with our expectations of what the answer ought to be and then when God answers differently, we miss the answer and think He didn't answer at all.

Silly us! God answers ALL prayers of the Christ follower. We just need to let Him answer them in His own way. When we do that, I think we will see more of our prayers answered. Not because more of our prayers are being answered, but because we are seeing the answer as God intends the prayer to be answered. Does that make sense? I hope it does.

Flood the altar with that which is precious to you. Watch for God to answer in HIS way, and expect it!

"Sometimes you have to flood the altar before he sends the fire!"

God Bless,

Pastor Nick

A Short Book Review

2009-02-22T21:20:00.002-05:00

Normally I don’t blog about a book I have read and probably won’t do it again. I have provided a book list of books I think are worth reading, but to write about any of them; well I just don’t usually do that.

But I read The Shack by William P. Young recently. What a book! I’m not going to tell you the story line or anything like that. But if you are struggling with your perception of God, this is a book that will give you a very different “look” at God. It may stretch your theological views of God; it may even make you wonder about all that you have ever been taught in regard to what God is like or who He is.

Yes it is a novel. Is there truth within the pages? Possibly, at least to some degree I believe there is. One thing is for sure; after you read this book you will have a different view of tragedies, grace, and God. Pick it up and read with an open mind and open heart as to what God might want you to learn about Him.

Pastor Nick

Get Excited and IN the game

2009-02-02T09:46:00.003-05:00

Well the biggest football game of the year is over. What a game! It seems like every year though as I watch the hype leading up to the super bowl and then the game itself; I notice the enthusiasm of the fans. Talk about excitement. People pay big money to get a ticket. They spend hundreds and maybe even thousands of dollars for hotels, airline tickets, gas, and food; all in the name of the game.

And every year I wonder how come we as Christians don’t get that excited about Jesus? Our salvation is a much bigger deal than any ball game, isn’t it? I know you watch the fans in the stands, or on the sofa in front of the TV, and they get a little rowdy; jumping up and down, screaming and hollering, a little out of control I’d say. And we certainly don’t want that in the church. But could we not be a little more excited about our salvation in Christ?

These football fans are really happy to be at the game; especially if their team wins. Shouldn't we as Christians be just as happy and jubilant to be IN the game; especially since our team HAS won? Where is our enthusiasm?

People are drawn to the football game partially because of the enthusiasm of the other fans. They are excited by and through each other. We in the church sit so somber and quiet, almost with a look of sadness on our faces. No wonder people are not drawn to the church. If you look in the book of Acts you find the apostles and the believers were excited about their salvation in Christ. And they were not quiet about it either. People were drawn by their excitement to see what it was all about.

Maybe, just maybe, if we Christians were a little more enthusiastic about Jesus and the great news we have in Him; maybe, just maybe, if we were to shout and get excited about the game we are IN that we know we have already won; maybe, just maybe more people who don’t know the salvation of Jesus in their lives would be drawn to Him.

I know that it is the Holy Spirit of God that draws all people to Him. But it seems to me that God uses those who have accepted Him as instruments through whom his Spirit moves and works. That’s what was happening in the early church in Acts. God was using his people’s excitement to spread the good news of Christ, and His Holy Spirit through that excitement was drawing others to Him.

I want to live my life like that. Not out of control and scare people away, but with the enthusiasm and excitement of what a life with Christ is like; the enthusiasm and excitement of being IN the game not just a spectator. It’s a lot more fun to be IN the game than it is to be a spectator. I want to be a happy, turned on Christian through whom God’s Holy Spirit can work to draw others to Him. Don’t you?

Think about it and take the challenge. Join me IN the game and show your enthusiasm for Jesus.

Pastor Nick

New Years Resolution?

2009-01-05T11:10:00.003-05:00

How many of you have ever made a New Years Resolution? Come on, be truthful. All of us have at one time or other. Have you made your list of New Years Resolutions yet for this year?

Some years I have done like many people and made this long list of things I was going to do different. You know; a list of 20 or 30 specific things that you are going to change about yourself in the coming year. They’re all good things too. If you actually accomplished every one of them, you would certainly be a better person. But as the year begins to progress, you try to work on every item on the list and before you know it you fall short of the very first item on the list, then the second and so on. Pretty soon, very early in the year as a matter of fact you realize you’re not going to accomplish anything on your long list and so you give up. Your New Years Resolutions become, “I will accomplish everything on my New Years Resolution list NEXT YEAR.” That’s what happens to most people who make the long list of New Years Resolutions.

And then there are the short list folks. They make the list that has some possibilities. You might actually accomplish what’s on the short list. The short list would consist of at least 8 and no more than 10 resolutions. But usually the same thing happens. You may get off to a better start, and you might even accomplish an item on the list, but before long, you fail to accomplish an item on the list and the list goes out the window until next year. And again your New Years Resolutions become, “I will accomplish everything on my New Years Resolution list NEXT YEAR.”

Well, I decided to beat the system this year. At least I think I have. I’ve decided to make just one New Years Resolution this year. The problem with the lists is that, well, first there are too many. They are too specific. They are too measurable. They are just too hard!

So I decided my list this year would be just one item. Short and to the point. That one item would be very brief. It would still be measurable, but extremely broad. So broad in fact that it would be almost impossible NOT to accomplish. I’m not saying that it is vague. It is very specific in statement, but just wide open in interpretation. Have I got your curiosity up? Do you want to know what it is?

Okay. Here it is: EXERSISE MORE! That’s it. EXERSISE MORE! Do you see how broad and wide open that is? All I have to do is do one thing ON PURPOSE in the name of EXERSISE that I didn’t do this past year. Isn’t that great? Pretty smart aye?

Well not really. Because even though I may accomplish one single item on a list that I want to do; even though I may get a little warm fuzzy feeling because I met a goal, I’m really not going to be a better person because of it.

There are a lot of people who live their lives this way. They do just enough to get by, to feel good about themselves, at least a little bit. But because they keep their lives so broad they really are not better off than if they did nothing.

With my EXERSISE resolution; if I just walk around the block one time this year in the name of EXERSISE, then I’ve accomplished my goal. But I will be no healthier than I was at the beginning of 2009. I will actually probably be worse off.

The Apostle Paul said in Romans 6:12-14 (NLT)
12 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to its lustful desires.
13 Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.
14 Sin is no longer your master, for you are no longer subject to the law, which enslaves you to sin. Instead, you are free by God's grace.

A New Years Resolution from Romans 6 might read:

This year, by the grace of God, I refuse to let sin control the way I live my life. I will not allow selfish, lustful desires determine the things I do and say, or the way I live. I will use my talents and gifts for the glory of God. By God’s grace I will live as a person set free from vises of sin and live in the New Life He has given me through Christ Jesus my Lord.

Now that’s a New Years Resolution you can keep!

Here's a blessing for you: May your New Year be a year filled with promise. May the Grace of God be with you and help you live the life he has for you. If you have made a New Years resolution to be more committed or a new commitment to God, then by the grace of God I pray you will be successful in your commitment. May His love keep you and nourish you throughout this coming year.

Pastor Nick

My Local Coffee Shop

2008-12-01T13:45:00.004-05:00

It's been a while, but I finally got back to my local coffee shop, Hardee's. Our little town doesn't have a "real" coffee shop, but Hardee's is the local hangout. I go there usually at least once every week just to hang out, read, pray (yeah even at Hardee's you can pray) and meet with some of the locals.

Today was colder and windier outside than usual. Some how that makes the coffee taste better. Of course the coffee is the same every time. (I think they use a premeasured amount) I've been going to Hardee's even through the summer, but the coffee was just coffee then.

Sometimes I think that's the way it is in our Christian life. When the winds of winter blow into our lives we tend to come to the heavenly coffee shop. It's then that the Lord taste better. It's not that he doesn't taste good all the time, it's just that we don't take notice of how good he is during the summer months of our lives.

I learned today that I need to be more aware of Jesus even during the summer months of life. He is good all the time and I need to become more aware of his good taste.

May I encourage you readers to do the same? I think you will find that when winter comes, the Lord's taste will be even better if you taste how good he is durning the summer.

Spending time in the Heavenly Coffee Shop,

Pastor Nick

What does it all mean?

2008-11-05T20:50:00.003-05:00

Well it happened. The 2008 elections are over and history has been made. Of course history was to be made no matter which candidate was elected; true?

So what does it all mean? Can anyone really answer that question? You know some people are elated about the outcome. Some would probably like to go bury their heads in the sand. And then there are those who could care less.

One thing I know for certain; God says we are to pray for those who are in leadership.

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) 1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity.

That means that whether or not you like the outcome, if you are a believer in Jesus, you are to pray for our newly elected President. God knows he needs it. (And I would say that no matter which person was elected)

So what does it all mean? I think it means that we as Christians had better get off our ... and hit our knees in prayer for our nation and leaders. President Elect Obama doesn't take office until next January, but we had better start now to pray for him and all those he may appoint to leadership positions. We need to pray that God will get into his heart and direct him as he makes his appointments.

So what does it all mean? God is still in control and this election, as with any other election, did not take God by surprise. Hallelujah and Praise the Lord!

So what does it all mean? Hey, just remember, God's got a handle on it.

Pastor Nick

Unfinished Business

2008-10-27T11:37:00.000-04:00

It's been quite some time since I last wrote. The world has not come to an end, yet, but there for a while my world did fall apart.

I had to attend a conference in Indy then immediately after that had my fifth knee surgery (on the same knee). It took a week to get out of that slump. Then my wife's 36 year old nephew passed away suddenly. So we took a flying trip to AZ to be with her brother and sister-in-law and family during their loss and the funeral. We only got back in time to hit the road running again.

So I've been out of the loop for a while. I think it's good to be back.

Here's the thought...

Once again we are reminded that life is uncertain. You just never know when your life on this earth will come to an end.

A couple of years ago I had an uncle who was diagnosed with cancer. He had about two months before he passed into eternity. He had the opportunity to say some things to his estranged son that probably healed their relationship; at least somewhat.

But for my wife's nephew, there was no warning. He went to sleep one night and didn't wake up the next day. I wonder if there was any "unfinished business" either with family or friends? I wonder if there was any "unfinished business" with God? We don't know what his relationship was with Jesus, we can only hope.

As I said earlier, life is so uncertain. But there is one thing that is certain. One day every one of us will enter eternity. Either suddenly or with some advanced notice. But it will definitely happen to all of us.

Have you taken care of the unfinished business in your life? I hope you have, especially where Jesus is concerned.

I wake up every morning and the first prayer I pray is, "Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning."

If you wake up and wish you didn't, then you probably need to consider asking Jesus to lead your life. He will give you a hope that you won't find in this world's treasures. Seek Him today and take care of any unfinished business.

Pastor Nick

Why snakes?

2008-09-28T20:32:00.000-04:00

Well, I started this blog and then got so busy that I didn’t get back to it as I had planned. Our church had its annual all church campout/retreat this weekend and getting ready for it took much of my time. We had a great weekend!

Last Sunday in our Sunday school class we were looking at the passage in Numbers 21 where the people of Israel were being bitten by snakes and dying. God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole and raise it up. Anyone that looked at the snake would be healed.

The question arose, “That sounds like idol worship.” I replied that in my readings of commentaries and scholars on the subject, the bronze snake has been referred to as a symbol of Christ being raised up on the cross. Then someone asked, “Why a snake? Wasn’t the snake the serpent in the garden that tricked Eve into eating of the forbidden fruit? Why a snake?” At this point I sent up a quick 911 prayer. “Lord I need some help here.” After fumbling around a bit, the Lord brought this to my thinking and I responded, “Well the snake was the thing causing the people to die. So God said to raise the thing that was causing the death up on a pole and if the people would look at it, they would be healed and live. When Jesus was placed on the cross (pole), he became sin for us. He took our sin upon himself. It is our sin that causes death in us. Therefore, if we will look to the cross and Jesus who has taken our sin upon himself, we will be healed and given life.

I had never really thought much about this before. I said, “I don’t know if that works for you, but that’s what comes to my mind.” The reply was great. “We like it. It works for us.”

Isn’t God great? I love the way he drops into our minds just the right answers to our questions when we ask.

The snake was a good idea.

Pastor Nick

What do I see today?

2008-09-20T21:07:00.000-04:00

You will find I spend a lot of time at the local Hardee's. I go there quite often, drink coffee and take in the scenery. I also study and read there.

The other day as I looked around the resturaunt, I asked myself "What do I see today?" I noticed some clear windows next to a cloudy window. I also thought about how my cell phone sometimes has a clear signal and sometimes it's filled with static.

You know, sometimes the Lord's voice seems cloudy, filled with static or unclear. Then at other times His voice is crystal clear as a bell. In those static cloudy times; I wonder, is my heart right before God? Or is it one of those times when I'm learning to wait and listen more intently?

I guess that's the question we need to ask ourselves isn't it.

Funny thing. Right after this reflective thought, I received a call on my cell phone (which doesn't always work real well at Hardee's) to take Jenny her glasses so she could see her school work. That seemed to fit into my thought pattern at the time. Sometimes we just need to put our spiritual glasses on so we can see better.

Seeing better now,

Pastor Nick