Like most of you, it is my nature to resist change.  I think I resist change because it deals with the unknown.  If you are like me, you grow comfortable with what you can see.  Sight gives a level of comfort.  However, God is not looking for our comfort, He is looking for our trust.  And it is impossible to live by faith if you know exactly what is going to happen.

         I do not know what God has in store for the future of our church… facilities, ministries, staff, missions…   I am not sure what is going to happen next in our congregation, but I know I have a choice… I can embrace the God who works in ways that are not my (current?) ways, or I can try and walk by my own sight and understanding and miss the blessing of God.    I choose to live by faith!

Serving Jesus,

bro. nick

I have to confess there are times when I feel that I can make things work on my own.  Besides, "if you want something done right".... I have always known I need God's help, but there have been times that I have acted like I did not need anyone else. 

In John 15, we are reminded that apart from God we can do nothing.  We are also taught in I Corinthians 12, that as individual believers we are a part of a larger body (the church), and all of the members are dependant upon the other members to function properly.   I believe these and other scriptures remind us of the truth: we all are in desperate need of God and each other.   

Maybe our need for each other reminds us of our need for God.   Maybe God gets enjoyment out of seeing His creation work together.  Maybe God simply wants us to enjoy each other.   Whatever the reason, I know God has designed us for companionship, accountability, and mutual support.  I am grateful for the people God's has placed in my life, and I look forward to the other people that God will bring to help me be what He has created me to be.  Who knows... I may help them a little too!

Last night, I stayed up late to watch the health care debate, and a part of the theater is watching all of the political pundits analyze and critique every word spoken and every decision made.  I also watch to see grown men and women (the best among us supposedly) smirk at one another after they have made their points.  I am always amused at how people can skew (use) facts to make their case.  

One moment in the debate saddened me, however. When one Democratic congressman, who is ProLife, stood to defend why he voted for the health care package, a member of Congress, who was against health care, yelled "baby killer."  I am always against abortion; I believe it is one of the most heinous parts of our society.  Nevertheless, it pains me to watch as our leaders demonize anyone who does not hold his/her position.  I am not here to advocate a position (although if you were to catch me outside of church I would be glad to offer you mine).  Nevertheless, I believe we need to challenge our leaders to act civilly toward one another (no matter how much we believe their policies/positions are in error).   Also, those who are believers must conduct themselves with grace and love regardless of how passioante they are about an issue.  I believe we have seen enough name calling and arm twisting in our leadership.  I pray for the day when our leaders will lead by policy and by example. 

I am trying to teach my girls, and in the process teach myself, to rest their confidence in the fact that we have a God who is in control of all things, and is working all things for good and for His glory.  Therefore, instead of spending every day hoping things get better, go away, calm down, or change I would rather trust in the fact that the God of the universe knows my plight, loves me, and has a plan that will ultimately glorify Himself.  I have to confess I am a slow learner, but with the Lord's help I am learning to trust Him more. 

Isn't that the way the new year always begins? I want to do better, improve.  If you are like me you can get overwhemlmed with your inadequacy.  This pours over into my spiritual life as well.  In my life this is a reccurring theme:  When I do well, I feel God loves me more, and when I do poorly, I feel like God does not want to have anything to do with me.  However, nothing could be further from the truth. 

God's love is not conditional, and it is not dependant upon my performance or upon my feelings.  First, I could never earn the love of God.  All of my righteousness is as filthy rags before the Lord.  Even the good I do now, is only the work of God's Spirit within me.  Second, my feelings should never be the gauge of God's activity.  The human heart is consistently decieving us, and our feelings will continue to lead us astray. 

Therefore I have resolved this year to be the Year of Grace.  A year  in which I pin my hopes not on what I accomplish or do not accomplish, but a year that I learn to accept the fact that I have been given what I do not deserve, and therefore, I was deemed valuable.  I hope this year to accomplish the things listed above and many more; but my value is found in the gift I recieved.

I am confident that this day sparked a desire for service in many lives.   Sometimes God takes small events in our lives and turns the whole course of our lifetime.  It is my prayer that many will use this experience as a springboard to a life devoted to serving  God. 

As I review I couldn't help but think how you must feel.  Trying to work, take care of your family, and find time to serve.  I believe everyone has a place to serve and a roll to fill, but please know YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING!  DON'T TRY!  If you are doing nothing in the church... find a spot.  If you are doing everything... slow down... your busyness will cause you to miss out on the best that God has for you!

As believers we have to constantly be on guard against those "lesser" things.  We need to make sure that we do not let these less important things affect the decisions we make or the way that we treat others.  I guess we would all be better off if we would stop and ask, "Does this decision help me 'love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength?'"  or "Am I 'lovng my neighbor (or kids) as I love myself'  by the way I am behaving?" 

At the end of the day our Christian faith is not found in what we say, it is discovered in the way we act and react.

As I reflected on the day I thought how grateful I am to be a part of a church family that loves to help one another.  You guys truly are family, and I am glad to be a part.  Thanks for your help!

We just finished our first "church meal" in the new building, and the day was great.  However, I have to admit it was a bit bittersweet.   As we were eating one of our loved ones who has been sick quite a while went to be with the Lord.  I am grateful for the rest she now has, but as I went back to the church I thought, "I wish Mrs. Evelyn could have been here tonight.  She would have had a great time."  But then a thought came over me, "I wonder if she is in heaven saying, 'I wish Bro. Nick was here.  He would have such a great time.'"

I am so grateful that we know that Philippians1:21 is true.  To Live is Christ, and to Die is Gain!  Hallelujah! 

How many times in our life are we given opportunities that sound, look, or seem right, only later to realize how wrong they were or could have been?  This is why we must do our homework, pray earnestly, and be diligent to "not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Ephesians 5:17) in every situation.    

But what was really great to me was when our chruch family met together in the sanctuary for prayer time.  We sat in silence, and you could almost feel the emotion of the people who poured their hearts out to God.  I am grateful for our new facility, and pray that God will use it for His glory.