Nick's Walk

Skeptical Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 14:19:00 +0000

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”John 20

I think Thomas has gotten a bad rap. We all know him as "doubting" but really he just wanted what the other guys had. He wanted to see Jesus. He wasn't going to take someone else's word for it. What's so bad about that?

We talk about Jesus as a personal savior. He made a special appearance for Thomas. He showed him more than the others had seen. But, you say, the Lord said that those who have not seen but believed would be blessed. That's true. Jesus knew that for generations of followers, He would not be seen in the flesh. He would not be physically touched on this earth.

That doesn't mean He won't be made known to us. Jesus "shows" himself to those who ask. Thomas stopped doubting when shown. Pray for those whose doubt is eternal no matter what. Pray for those who run away from Jesus and His miracles.

It's not unexpected to have moments of doubt. Jesus often seems far away. We may at times question what we know about Him. Ask Him. Talk to Him. Listen to Him. He's real and He's there.

Let's be like Thomas. Let's not remember him for his doubt but for his righteous exclamation, "My Lord and My God." Thomas got it totally right, eventually.

Be blessed.

Nick

We All Need Jesus, His Gospel and His Church

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 09 Jan 2014 14:17:00 +0000

Should Churches worship services be designed to encourage and strengthen Christians or to appeal to and win non-Christians? The truth is that our worship services should be geared to sinners in need of God’s rescue—and that includes everyone. We all need the deliverance of the gospel. We in church need to abandon the "us" and "them" mentality.

The gospel isn’t simply a set of truths that non-Christians must believe in order to become saved. It’s a reality that Christians must daily embrace in order to experience being saved. The gospel not only saves us from the penalty of sin (justification), but it also saves us from the power of sin (sanctification) day after day. Or, as John Piper has said, “The cross is not only a past place of objective substitution; it is a present place of subjective execution.” Our daily sin requires God’s daily grace—the grace that comes to us through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

We all need to be in the Word daily. Those who are lost need it's convicting power. Those who are saved need it's encouragement and guidance. As a church, we are not a social club with those who have been ceremoniously initiated sitting up front and those who are new sitting in the back hoping to be accepted. We are not a university with professors, undergraduates, and graduate students. We are all sinners in the same boat relying on the same Jesus who is delivered to us in the same gospel preached from the same pulpit.

We who have been blessed need to get over ourselves and be a blessing to others. Just how inclusive is that?

Be blessed and a blessing.

Nick

Does Anyone Really Want a Miracle?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 13:31:00 +0000

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, 11 for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12

Wouldn't a miracle be great? That sure would convince that hard-hearted relative to believe in Jesus. That would show all those non-believers I have to deal with every day. Wouldn't that be something?

Jesus performed many miracles and many believed because of them. Not everyone had that reaction. Raising Lazarus from the dead was one of his most dramatic miracles. Yet for many of the Jews it was just another reason to kill Jesus AND Lazarus. Folks say they crave a miracle, but do they really?

When I had my knee replacement surgery I prepared myself for a long and painful recovery and rehab. It didn't happen. I had no pain and had only a few rehab visits at home. I had complete range of motion from the day after surgery. Needless to say I was excited and wanted to tell everyone. I was surprised at the response. I was told I just had a high tolerance for pain or that I was in the very small percentage who had a remarkable recovery. Finally I was told to stop "bragging" about it. So thereafter I just shut up and kept it to myself.

I began to realize just how much of what I see and experience is a miracle. My life is so good and path so easy compared to many. That's miraculous. I have seen untimely death turn to blessing. That's miraculous. I have seen lives apparently headed for disaster turn completely around. That's miraculous. I am sitting here watching the sun rise on a bitterly cold but beautiful day. That's miraculous.

But I don't call these things miracles. I don't acknowledge them daily as acts of a powerful and loving God. I just come to accept them as ordinary life. Maybe I, like the Jews, don't really want a miracle. I don't want to accept that God has a hand in every good thing around me. That might be just a little too hard to accept. I don't want to admit that I'm a walking miracle. If I did, I might have to tell someone. I've learned many just don't want to know. Sounds a little like the gospel and the great commission, doesn't it?

Be blessed.

Nick

Plugging into God's Power

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 12:04:00 +0000

Next Saturday our church will start a 21 day period of prayer and fasting. To prepare for that, our pastor on Sunday discussed prayer and fasting. Like any good sermon, his words got me thinking. I will add a bit to what he had to say.

There are many biblical examples of prayer and fasting to prepare one to take on a task that seems impossible. The Israelites did it before battle. Jesus did it before beginning His ministry. The early church did it before sending out missionaries. Jesus told us that some demons come out only after doing it. Basically, anytime we need power beyond the natural, prayer and fasting is called for.

In the natural we operate on human power. We feed our minds with words from those around us. We draw strength and comfort from eating and drinking. When we need something extra we pray. We listen to God for instruction and encouragement. We set aside food or drink and draw our strength and comfort from Him.

Prayer and fasting isn't a religious exercise. It's not giving up something to get something. It's recognizing there is more to life than the natural. It is acknowledging that He is our source and our strength. Why wouldn't we want to do that.

Pray and fast and be blessed.

Nick

Clean Slates

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 01 Jan 2014 16:54:00 +0000

This is the time of year for review and resolution. I'm not much for resolutions but reviewing is not a bad idea. It seems wise to periodically stop, take a breath and evaluate where we are.

Life is pretty messy. Over the course of a year we can accumulate bad habits (a pattern of sin), resentments, hurts, unforgiveness. We can also rack up some seeming positives, achievements, victories, and advancements.

It's a good idea to look at our lives and see what's on our slate.

Sin - It seems so much easier to gain a bad habit than it is to initiate a good one. We do one "little" thing that we know isn't quite right. The next time it's easier to do. After a few times we become comfortable with our sin. We need to pray for insight, look at our lives, and identify behavior that needs to be changed.

Hurts - We can't live without accumulating hurts. Some cause great damage. Some less so, but still leave visible wounds. Others seem to cause no lasting marks at the time, but damage occurs "beneath the skin" and when least expected rises to the surface. It's good to do some self-examination and inventory the hurts, big and small we have accumulated. It's important because it causes us to identify the persons we hold responsible. We need to forgive before the wounds can heal.

Achievements - It's good it identify what we feel we have accomplished. We tend to blame others for negatives and take full credit for the positives. If we look close at positives, we will realize they were achieved with the help of others especially help from above.

Don't consider this a self-improvement program. It's a grace-improvement program. Without grace, we won't have the courage to look critically at our lives. Without grace, we can not see ourselves clearly. Without grace, we can't change behavior, forgive or give God the glory for the good in our lives.

In the matter of a clean slate, we don't hold the eraser that does the cleaning. Like everything else, that's in the hand of a loving God. Pray, focus on your live and watch God wipe the slate.

Have a blessed New Year.

Nick

Holy Impossibility

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 15:29:00 +0000

Before that night nearly everything seemed impossible. Man, created for relationship with God, found himself in a state of sin which made it impossible to stand in the presence of a Holy God.

Sure, there was a system of sacrifices designed to address individual infractions, great and small, but as soon as one sin was dealt with another arose. It was the sin nature that was the problem and the law did nothing to address that. It was all Holy Impossibility until that night.

On that night, in the form of a tiny babe, the impossible became possible. Man who was unfit to stand in His presence became a candidate for sonship, not just any relationship but ultimate relationship. The law system of sacrifice to be replaced by an ultimate, one-time-for-all sacrifice. It was not all perfected that night. It has not all been perfected even now. But it became possible. Hope was reborn. Into the darkness, there came a great light.

If today you face what seems impossible, this is your remembrance. No hill is too high. No relationship is too broken. The babe brought hope. Him crucified brought salvation. His return will bring completion.

All is now possible. It's Christmas.

Be blessed.

Nick

Mary Did You Know

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 14:10:00 +0000

Several years ago Michael English wrote and recorded Mary Did You Know. It was not released at Christmas nor was it meant to be a Christmas song, but over the years it has become a Christmas favorite. It explores the question of just how much Mary knew about who Jesus was and the enormity of what He would do.

I don't think Mary had complete knowledge of Jesus. I don't think any of us really understand all the possibilities that a relationship with Him means. Nor do we understand the enormity and life long impact of what we do.

Michael English won numerous Dove awards. Just days after one of the award presentations it was discovered that he fathered a child for a woman to whom He was not married. The scandal seemed to ruin His career. His marriage ended in divorce and he was not heard of for several years. The scandal had enormous impact in the Christian community, shaking the faith of many. After several years of repentance He re-emerged as a force in Christian music, remarried and started his life over.

We don't alway know the impact of the good, and the bad, we do. We need an appreciation of how our lives are like pebbles tossed in a calm lake, creating ripples that move outward endlessly.

Drop some pebbles of blessing this Christmas. Know that as much as you may know Jesus, you don't know the enormity of who He is and what He does. Know, too that you also have a great and long lasting impact on the world in which you live.

Merry Christmas.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

Nick

Moma's Cornbread Dressing

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sun, 22 Dec 2013 22:41:00 +0000

I didn't normally eat very well when I was a kid. If you find that hard to believe, you need to know I was very thin when younger. I was the oldest of nine kids, we were poor and my mom was not a great cook. Let me rephrase that: she wasn't even a good cook. Meals were not normally something I looked forward to. We certainly ate to live and did not live to eat.

Except for the holidays, my mom had inherited a great cornbread dressing recipe from her mom. Best I could tell it was the only thing that she inherited. This wasn't one of those awful chicken broth based dressings, or one of those dry corn bread dressing casseroles. This was "real" corn bread dressing made with ground beef and pork and lots of beef consomme'. It was juicy and delicious. I remember the smell of it cooking. I remember sneaking tastes out of the pot before it was ready. I remember having huge servings during holiday meals. I remember it heated over with other left-overs for days after.

There were many Christmases when we didn't have much. We usually got to pick out one present from the Sears catalogue with a price limit based on how poor we were that year. Some Christmases were better than others but it seems we always were able to have that cornbread dressing. For me, it's what the holidays are all about. It's a treasured memory that still makes me smile and warms my heart.

I don't know if my parents realized they were making memories each year with the dressing. For them it was probably just a precious memory from their own childhoods. I am not sure we can control the memories we are making for our families, children and grandchildren.

I am convinced that we need to provide plenty of material for good memories to be made. We should strive to fill our lives with good and enriching things. A good place to start is our own treasured memories. We won't be able to hide what's special to us and it may become special to those we love.

But like I said, we can't control what becomes a precious memory for others. We need to be prepared that things that are special to us may be special to no one else. Maybe that's not a bad thing. Maybe the personal uniqueness of memory is a big part of what makes it special.

Christmas is a time for memory making and honoring the memories that have become special to us. Enjoy some memories and make some more and

Be blessed.

Nick

Of Phil Robertson, Sexy Sins and Stuff

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 14:41:00 +0000

It seems Christians are lining up to support Phil Robertson, of Duck Dynasty. Phil was asked in an interview about sin and chose to talk about the "sexy" sins, like adultery and homosexual acts. These things are listed as sins in scripture. Phil was right to include them. He chose not to mention much more frequent sins like acts of pride, murder, dishonesty, gluttony, and bearing false witness.

Of course, the supporters of gay rights are in arms because they like to read out certain clear portions of scripture. However, they aren't the only ones who skip certain portions of the word that hit too close to home.

Conservative Christians are taking up Phil's cause in support of "free speech" however, these same folks would like certain others to "just shut up."

Many Christians are proclaiming that it's about time someone talked more about sin.

Well, let's step back for a minute. Jesus didn't talk that much about sin and when He did. it was usually in connection with forgiveness. It's true that some are preaching a watered down gospel that is really no gospel at all. Repentance is clearly a necessary step in the salvation and redemption process. We have to recognize ourselves as sinners and turn away from our sin. However, those who cry that we don't talk about sin enough, aren't too happy when we talk about their sin. It's just the sins of others that rile them.

Now Phil Robertson is a millionaire with an estimated net worth of over five million dollars. Just walk around any Walmart if you don't believe that. Ending a television show that probably has pretty much run it's course anyway isn't going to kill Phil or any of his family. On the other hand there are millions who are being killed because of what they believe. Why aren't Christians up in arms about that?

It's great to see Christians take a stand against sin and for free speech. Let's exercise our free speech rights to talk about Jesus and what He means to us. For that Phil, deserves a hand. Let's just take a stand against all sin, including our personal favorites, not just the ones we personally loath, but the ones we can't seem to stop committing. Let's focus on forgiveness, salvation and redemption like Jesus did. Let's be as worried about those who are willing to lose their lives for Jesus as much as we are for those who are willing to live out their lives on television.

And by the way, Phil, get a haircut.

Be blessed.

Nick

Great Joy

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 18:28:00 +0000

8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11

With a week to go until Christmas, how's your Great Joy meter? This is where the stress level explodes. It's when we realize that we forgot several someones who bought us something and now we need to go back to the Mall. It's when we begin to think that we should add another dessert or vegetable to the Christmas day menu or that our choice for the main dish now sounds weird instead of exotic. It's when Christmas cards start coming in from folks we didn't send cards to, and we have run out of the pretty personalized cards we bought.

Is the joy slipping away? What can we do?

1. Remember everyone else is stressed. It's your chance to be a hero.

2. Remember stress is mostly self-imposed.

3. Forget the illusion of the perfect Christmas. If you do Christmas too well, you'll just make some folks you love jealous.

4. Commit to reducing the stress of as many as you can. Make it a mission.

5. Revel in the many opportunities to forgive: the person who gives you the same gift they gave you last year, the person who gives you the present you gave them last year, the person who believed you when you said you really didn't want anything this year, the person who takes the last special item from the shelf just as you grab for it, the family member who says "hope you are making X this year" when you hate X and did not plan to make it.

6. Consider that lack of joy may be rooted in that sin in your life that you just can't seem to beat.

7. Instead of driving through the richest neighborhoods in town to look at lights, (which always makes me feel lazy and poor) try driving through the poorest sections and pray for those who live there and get a new perspective on how blessed you are.

8. Set your eyes on Jesus; the author and perfecter of your faith. Look again at the manger not as a cute cradle but a feeding trough.

9. Hug someone and wish them a Merry Christmas, tell them you love them and do it loud enough for someone else to hear. You get extra points if that someone really needs a hug and really doesn't deserve one.

I feel the joy returning.

Be blessed.

Nick

How Much Jesus?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 13:45:00 +0000

It seems the world is having more trouble than ever accepting the babe born in a manager over 2000 years ago. It seems the tiny one whose parents could not even get a room in an inn or provide a clean place for his birth scares the hell (yes I said "hell" pun intended) out of most. Maybe it's because like the Magi they recognize this child for all that He is.

They gave Him gold in recognition of his kingship, not just earthly royalty but divine. This little one possesses great power. He is ruler of the universe, a role hidden in a dingy manger and not fully realized until His final return, but ultimate ruler nonetheless.

They gave Him frankincense because they knew Him as priest, not just any priest but the Great High Priest who would advocate for lowly man with the Most High God. He would replace all the rituals and ceremony of religion with the reality of relationship.

They gave Him myrrh because they foresaw Him as murdered sacrifice for sin. They recognized this child in His most mysterious yet most marvelous role of all, the greatest gift ever given by a God whose capacity for love is beyond our meager understanding.

So let us not be too self-righteous when we hear "Happy Holidays" or hear Christmas described as an over-commercialization of a ancient pagan feast. Unless we are prepared to receive Him as Emmanuel, and king and priest and bloody sacrifice for sin, we are no better than those who reject Him as babe in swaddling clothes.

Just how much Jesus are you prepared to accept?

Take Him all and be blessed.

Nick

Fun at Church

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Fri, 13 Dec 2013 17:20:00 +0000

I had fun at church last night. I feel slightly naughty just saying it. Don't we believe that Church isn't supposed to be fun? Don't we believe that if it is fun, you must not be having real church? You must be doing it wrong. Don't we think if you have fun at church you must be going to one of those seeker-friendly churches that aren't really churches at all?

Now, I have to admit that last night wasn't a church service, it was a senior group party. We had a pot luck dinner and played a gift exchange game. There was prayer and testimony and fellowship. All that was very nice, but what I really needed was some fun.

Christmas season hasn't really been much fun for me so far and I needed a laugh. Shouldn't church really meet our needs? Well it really did last night. I needed a reminder that having Christ in Christmas doesn't mean taking out all the joy, the fun. It means taking it to a higher level.

Church really needs to be more fun, even at the regular services. We have somehow painted Christianity as an exchange for a fun life now for joy in heaven later. Some people think that the best deal would be to live like hell for most of your life and come to the Lord at the last minute, something like the good thief. We need to begin to demonstrate that although all life involves challenge, some suffering, some hard times, that there is more joy in the Christian life HERE ON EARTH as in any other path.

Sack cloth and ashes are out. Smiles and joy are in. There is joy even in carrying a cross.

Last night church was fun. That's the way it should be.

Have fun and be blessed. It's really okay.

Nick

Eternal Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 07 Dec 2013 16:14:00 +0000

Usually about this time of the year I post an encouragement to Keep Christ in Christmas or something about avoiding Christmas stress. Not going to do that this year. In the past I was usually talking mostly to myself and without much success. It seems a losing battle. In fact, this year I'm suggesting we accept the commercialism and take joy in the stress. These things arise from futile attempts to create something artificially, that is only truly possible for those who are in Christ.

Consider this. The great thing about Christmas is that it celebrates the Incarnation, the fact that Jesus came to earth, Emmanuel, Christ with us. Christmas is a remembrance of that miracle. But now Jesus isn't physically here. He's present spiritually with those who, by faith, are in Him. How can we expect a world that doesn't know Christ to "keep Him" in Christmas? We have to have understanding and pity for those who struggle to create through material means something that is profoundly spiritual. We are unable, on our own, to generate the love and good will that Christmas promises. That is genuine only in a relationship with Jesus. In our keeping of Christmas, in the agape love we show each other, we can only demonstrate the blessing that is knowing Him.

The Christmas experience is a very personal thing. We each have our Christmas memories, our beliefs, our relationship or lack or relationship with God. These things work together to make Christmas for us. The Lord's brief physical presence on this earth and all that he did gave us a deposit of hope, a longing for that time when He returns and, at last, we have Heaven on earth. Until then each Christmas will be a reminder, a glimpse into the wonder He has in store for us when He returns, not as a baby and a sacrifice, but as Lord and King. Then will God be with us for ever in a form we can see and touch and love: Eternal Christmas. What a glorious day that will be.

Until then, keep Christmas as your circumstances and relationship with Him permits and pray for those who must be satisfied with less.

Be blessed.

Nick

If They Only Knew

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 14:01:00 +0000

Most of us live secret lives, at least we think we do. We struggle with the idea of what people would think about us if they really knew us. Most of us are different at home than we are at work or at church. We have thought lives that would shock our friends. We suffer temptations from the darkest parts of hell.

Did you ever wonder how the gospel writers knew about the details of Jesus' temptation in the wilderness or about the struggles he faced the night before his death in the garden while He was all alone? The only answer is that He shared these private moments with his disciples.

If others knew more about us would they think less of us or would our vulnerability make us more human to them and draw us closer together? If others knew more about us, would we end up knowing more about them and would we end up feeling less alone with our secret struggles and temptations? If we didn't believe our pastors and teacher were perfect, would it make their sermons more or less powerful?

If they only knew maybe our witness would be more real. If they only knew maybe our walk would be easier. If they only knew maybe it would be a good thing.

There's only one way to find out. Share and be blessed.

Nick

Is that Jesus in the Mirror?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 01:25:00 +0000

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:6

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

These can be discouraging times. There seems to be less evidence of Jesus in the world. The Christmas season is now the holiday season. Love, at least agape love, love without expectation of something in return, is harder to find. The End seems close at hand, and we await it expectantly.

Maybe we are just looking in the wrong places. God doesn't promise a wonderful world, at least not until He returns. Things are prophesized to get worse, so we shouldn't be surprised when they do. Maybe we should be looking in the mirror.

What God does promise is that we will be conformed to the image of His son. He tells us it's a process as we are transformed from glory to glory. It doesn't take a microscope to confirm that we aren't there yet. We may not look much like Jesus at all. If we are living in Him, we should see the work in process. We should be more like Him today than when our journey began. Every day may not show progress, but every year should. God doesn't suffer from our impatience. He's willing to wait. Our part is to rest in Him in faith.

If we don't try to control the process, if we are willing to trust the potter's hand, if we remain in Him, we are being transformed. There is good news, and love, and hope. It's can be no further than a mirror.

Be blessed.

Nick

Behind the Pulpit

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 17:11:00 +0000

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. James 3:1

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to preach at my home church. It's not like I had never done it before. Years ago I pastored a small church and preached every week. Since then I have often done a teaching or even a teaching series.

Nonetheless, I didn't sleep well on Saturday night. I was nervous as Sunday service time approached. When I stepped up to the pulpit the lights seemed particularly bright. I thought it would be a good idea to break the ice and calm down by introducing my family who was sitting together on one row. I couldn't remember my daughter-in-law's first name. Instead of calming me down, I was then afraid I would forget my wife's or one of my grand kid's name. Luckily, I got the rest of the names right and once I got into it my nervousness evaporated and I never even felt either my replaced or still need to be replaced knee during the entire time.

The event was a great reminder of the importance and responsibility of teaching in church. I was able to spend lots of time on my subject and presentation. I had thought about the topic for a couple of years. It made me think about those who step up to the pulpit every week. I understand the pressure of hitting a home run every week.

I will spend more time in the future praying for those who preach for a living. I will pray for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I will pray that the job never become routine or taken for granted. I will pray for wisdom, passion and patience.

For those who warm the pews, I will pray for open ears, patience and understanding. I hope they will understand the pressures and challenges involved. I will hope that church members will not expect their pastors to provide all of their biblical learning. I pray they will understand that we all have responsibility for what we learn and for what we do.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share the word and pray that I would never take that for granted.

Be blessed.

Nick

Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 03:17:00 +0000

Our Pastor will be out of town on Sunday and our Senior Pastor is recovering from knee replacement surgery. I have been asked to bring the message at Amana Christian Fellowship, 310 Milton Road, Maurice. Service begins at 10 a.m.

Please consider joining us for the service especially if you haven't been with us before or having been in a while.

Look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

Be blessed.

Nick

Thanksgiving Eve

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 18:21:00 +0000

Today is one of my favorite days of the year. The day before Thanksgiving is so cool. The house begins to fill with very pleasant aromas. The phone has been very busy as recipes are exchanged.

Anticipation is sometimes the best part of any event. I look forward to spending time with the family. It's a great sports time of the year: Cajun basketball tonight, football tomorrow. Of course, there is also the great food.

It's also good to begin thinking about all the things we are thankful for. If you're not too busy today try doing an internet search for "things I'm thankful for." You will become even more appreciative for all you have been given. You might even want to make your own list.

I am being asked to make yet another trip to the store.

Before I go, I just want to say I'm thankful for those of you who read this blog and even occasionally give me a little feedback. Knowing someone is out there reading makes doing this worthwhile. Sorry I have been so busy and not posting every day. I am trying to get back on schedule. Your prayers are appreciated.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Nick

This Present Darkness

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 04:32:00 +0000

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Something in a conversation I had today reminded me of Frank Peretti's classic written in the 1980s, This Present Darkness. This was the first Christian novel I can remember that depicted the spiritual nature of the struggle described in Ephesians. As Christians, most of us believe in the reality of that struggle but it is incredibly easy to forget. After all, flesh and blood are so in our faces. Most of us would have to admit that our spiritual awareness is not what it should be.

When small things interfere with out good intentions, it's easy to forget it may be spiritual. Why is it so much harder on Sunday to get everyone dressed and in church by 10 a.m. when we can get the kids to school by 7 and us to work by 9 five days a week? Why can we relate the details of the last episode of The Good Wife a week later, but can't, for the life of us, remember the three points of last week's sermon? Why do we shake our heads in disbelief when "good Christians" suddenly act like the devil?

This world is dark, not just because of the presence of evil, but because of the fog which exists over our spiritual eyesight. We don't have to give in to the darkness. We can walk in the light. When anger and frustration rise over the actions of others, we can pause and consider the spiritual forces at work and pray. We can direct our energy and frustrations at the real enemy not the folks whom Jesus loves as much as He loves us.

When it seems that we can never win the flesh and blood war we see, we can remember the spiritual war we can't see has already been won.

Be blessed.

Nick

Ordinary Days

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 13:19:00 +0000

Most days are ordinary, one foot in front of the other, nothing really special. They pile up mostly forgotten into a heap we call our lives.

Yesterday I sat for a few hours with a special friend. He is recovering from knee replacement surgery. I have had the same surgery and he sat for hours with me and my wife as I recovered. Recovery from knee surgery is no picnic, but he will do just fine.

He has become a remarkably close friend in a relatively short period of time. We sat and talked about family and friends, folks we both love, the church we greatly love. The conversation was pretty strange because he would share a few sentences then the medication would win out and his eyes would close for a while. In those quiet times I would think about the hours he spent sitting like I was at someone's bedside, just to be there. I would think of the hours of sermon preparation and counseling. Hours that were given joyfully, whether appreciated or not.

Friends would drop in and share a gift and a few encouraging words and then head off. Most of the friends are also pastors and people who also love Jesus.

Jesus binds us together in many ways, by sharing people we love, and ministries we serve and by spending quiet moments just sitting and enjoying and remembering.

Most days are ordinary, one foot in front of the other, nothing really special. Yesterday was not like that, not like that at all.

Be blessed.

Nick

Courage

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 18 Nov 2013 12:27:00 +0000

But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

The longer I live, the more I realize that life is really all about courage. Jesus knew that. He constantly encouraged his disciples to "fear not." It's not really the circumstances of our lives that form us, but our ability to act appropriately in the face of those circumstances.

It seems that all of humanity is divided into those who encourage and those who discourage. The encouragers seem to have one thing in common they view the glass as half full. They see the positive in every situation. They believe one person can make a difference. The discouragers, on the other hand, are half empty people. They see something to worry about, or fear in every situation, and seem determine to pass that fear on to you, to dis-courage. They believe nothing you do really matters.

I watched a lot of football this weekend. I observed that the better teams, the winners, were those led by encouragers, positive folks who motivated their teams to greater effort and to victory. The really evil thing about fear is that it keeps us from "doing." Courage is the ability to do something that frightens one. The encouraged are the ones who are doing something; they are living life. The discouraged are frozen in their fear. They do and accomplish nothing, simply waiting for something to happen to them.

We are called by our Savior to encourage. We have opportunities to do so daily. It's not the big fears that get us, but the little ones. We stop trying because we fear failure. We don't cook because we fear we don't cook well. Someone needs to tell us we do. We stop ministering because we fear we aren't making a difference. Someone needs to tell us we are. We need to smile and hug and teach because it makes a difference. We need to tell those who do that it makes a difference so they will continue to do the things that matter.

If life is about courage, then our mission is to encourage and never ever discourage, to do particularly the things that frighten, because those are the things that matter.

Have Courage. Encourage and Be blessed.

Nick

Peace in His Presence

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 16 Nov 2013 00:04:00 +0000

"Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Christ." (Sheila Walsh) Every time Jesus stepped into a scene he either instructed his disciples not to fear or to have peace. He didn't change their circumstances but brought peace by His presence. Injecting peace into every situation is a sign of a truly great leader.

During World War II, Roosevelt and Churchill led the free world less by their problem solving but by their dispelling fear and bringing peace. As Roosevelt famously quipped, "all we have to fear is fear itself."

Modern times present just as many, if no more, fear invoking circumstances as at any other time in history. Even as medical science advances, it seems we have greater challenges in illness. As our standards of living increase, our fear of economic collapse multiply. As we develop more powerful weapons for peace, our fear that they will be used for war expand. The circumstances seem overwhelming, but Jesus is as capable of bringing peace in the midst of it all as ever before.

Our mission is not to solve the problems or to correct the circumstances, but to introduce the Peacemaker into the equation. As the end draw near, the circumstances will spiral out of control. Our reaction has to be to hold tighter to the one who promises an end to fear and a life of peace.

Spread Jesus. Spread Peace. Vanquish Fear and

Be blessed.

Nick

Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:51:00 +0000

There is a crisis of leadership in our country and in the church. We need to do more than just shake our heads and moan. We need to identify new leadership, maybe by looking in the mirror. What makes a good leader?

Ability to stand alone – Today leaders seem to focus on polls or what's popular. A good leader needs to stand, sometimes alone, on what's right.

Ability to see what others can’t see - Today's leaders seem to suffer from near sightedness. A real leader can see beyond the confusion of today. He has a "higher" perspective.

Ability to think beyond today – A good leader doesn't ask, "What now?" but "What's next?"

Ability to communicate a vision – True vision comes from God. He choses those who are able to explain that vision to others and make them want it above all else.

Ability to include people in the process – Great leaders are great delegators. They can identify where people best fit into the job at hand and know how to get them to do it. They give credit where credit is due and don't seek all glory for themselves.

Ability to make the first move – Leaders show more than tell. Every journey begins with a first step and leaders are the ones taking them.

Ability to stay when others are leaving – When things get tough most folks bail. Leaders get going. When the dust settles, look around to see who is still standing. There's your leader.

After considering these things, do you realize that you have been following someone who isn't really a leader? Have you considered that perhaps you are called to leadership?

Lead on and be blessed.

Nick

Choices

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 13:31:00 +0000

Our life situation is, in large part, a result of the choices we have made. When you think about it we face hundreds of choices each day: when to get out of bed, whether to go to work, what to eat for lunch, etc. We take the pressure off of having so many choices by forming habits. When faced with many of these choices we simply do what we always do. It takes the pressure off. Instead of thinking about whether we should brush our teeth each morning we just do it. Rather than thinking about whether we should go to work, we remember we have bills to pay and we go. Many of these habits are no big deal. In fact, they are necessary for the success of our lives.

But many of our habits have placed us in danger of failing to get everything from life that God intended. Just for one day give a little more thought to each choice as you are faced with it. Before you do what you always do consider, just for a moment, if there isn't a different choice that could be made, one that might advance the kingdom of God just a bit more than the habit you have fallen into.

If life isn't everything you would like it to be, try make just a few daily choices just a little differently. It could open up a whole new exciting and productive life for you.

Make a deliberate choice and

Be blessed.

Nick

Afterglow

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 16:33:00 +0000

One of my Kairos brothers summarized the weekend this way: Final report from Kairos #56 at Angola State Prison. 32 residents started the retreat on Thursday 28 completed the entire weekend, and every single brother either gave their life to Jesus Christ or made a rededication to HIM. Although I've done so many of these retreats, it still amazes me to see what God does to the hearts of these men from Thursday to Sunday...to God be the glory....

I am still basking in the "afterglow" of my Kairos weekend. When you see God move for an entire weekend, there is an afterglow. There is an afterglow, from just being in God's presence. There is an afterglow from a weekend in which you realize just how blessed you are. You are not incarcerated. You get to see your family on a daily basis. When you get up in the morning, you have many choices on how to spend your day.

When you spend a weekend being used by God and seeing differences in the lives of folks, there is an afterglow. When you spend the weekend with the people of God, there is an afterglow.

Take a moment. Get up on go look in the mirror. Do you see an afterglow? Maybe you need to change the way you spend your time.

Be blessed.

Nick