Nick's Walk

Follower of Christ

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:02:00 +0000

So if our Christianity is not determined by our "religion" what, then is a Christian?

My favorite definition is that a Christian is a Follower of Christ.

I like the term "Follower" for several reasons.

First, we are all following something. We can call it the world or sin or fashion or some one or some thing. When we become a Christian we change direction. We stop following what we have been following and follow Christ. That's where the term "repentance" comes from. We turn away from what we have had our faith in and put our faith in Jesus. Following is an act of faith. We determine that the one we are following knows where we need to go and can take us there.

Following is a full time job. Consider life as a deep forest. If we take our eyes off of Jesus for just a second, before we know it we have lost our way. A Follower of Christ has his eyes on Jesus full time, all the time.

Following is a step by step process. We follow one step at a time. We don't worry about where we are headed or where we have been. We don't worry about where others are. We focus on the step we need to take now, today. Following is a very personal "today" focused thing.

The Great Commission is to tell others to follow Jesus and not to follow us. This is where so many get messed up. They see the benefits of following Christ so they start following someone who is following Him. That can work for a while. But there are problems with this approach. We are all still sinners. Someone following us is going to fall when we fall. He will go astray when we go astray. That's why we focus on telling others to follow Christ.

Further, not everyone starts the journey from the same place. Not every has the same path. Only by following Jesus can each one make sure he is on the right path. The origin of the word "standard" comes from ancient battle. Each portion of the army had a flag which was held high on a pole. Battle can be very confusing. Each soldier followed the standard of his unit. Jesus is our standard. Follow Him, not other followers of him, just Him.

How can we tell who else is following. This is the great thing about being a follower. Since it's a full time job, we don't have time to be wondering who else is following. That's not our job. Now you will hear some say we are not to judge, but we are to be fruit inspectors. To me that's just an excuse for judging in a different form. Sure, if we are following Jesus there will be fruit in our lives. That's how we know WE are on the right track. It's not so important that we know that someone else is.

Be blessed my fellow follower.

Nick

Hating Religion, but Loving Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:36:00 +0000

This video has gone viral. As of yesterday it has 18,765,830 hits. Not everyone loves it. It has 309,971 likes and 47,389 dislikes. I decided it was time to check it out.

I don’t disagree with a word of it. In fact, you can find the lyrics here. I’m not a fan of rap and I think this “white rap” is just silly. But it’s hard to argue with the words. Jesus didn’t come to establish a religion. Religion has started wars. Religion doesn’t equal Christianity. I’m reminded of Keith Green a Christian radical from years ago who once said, “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to MacDonald’s makes you a hamburger.”

So why has this video become so popular and why so controversial? I think it shows the dissatisfaction of much of this generation with religion and with what passes for the church. So for those who have turned away from “church” it provides a justification. For those of us who live in “church” it provides some discomfort.

Now clearly many in the church are really Christian and churches do great works. But too many identify their salvation with their church. They love their church above their Lord. Church folks may have an undeserved reputation as “haters” but the reputation still exists. Too many in church say they hate the sin but love the sinner; yet they still have their favorite sins to hate and ignore the sinfulness of their own “failings.” Jesus hates all sin and calls all sinners to repentance. Those of us with secret sins may feel more comfortable railing against those with public sins; but sin is sin.

Another controversy in the video is that early on it points out that Republican doesn’t equal Christian. That’s a hard message for many. Get over it. Lots of Christians voted for Obama and will vote for him again. You can’t identify a Christian by his politics.

Lots of folks have a vested interest in “Church.” Many make their livings from religion and the whole of their “Christianity” is tied up in a church. This video call us all to be personal about our salvation and recognize that church should be a place where Christians join together to do God’s work and not to be sealed from the world. It should be a sanctuary and hospital for the hurt, but a boot camp for the redeemed. This video didn't make me want to leave the church; but it did call me to re-examine my church.

So watch the video. If it makes you feel uncomfortable, ask yourself why. If you don't like the musical style, I'm with you on that. But if something in the message challenges something more basic in your walk, maybe you need to pray about it. Of even better, maybe you need to do something about it. Or maybe just watch the video again.

Be blessed.

Nick

Happy not to be an Atheist

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:42:00 +0000

In the early morning hours I often sift through the news apps on my IPad looking for inspiration for this blog. This morning it seems I was staring in the face of atheism and it wasn't pretty. There seem to be article after article about atheists or written from an atheist's point of view. It was depressing.

Perhaps I am prejudiced by my first introduction to atheists. While a clerk for Judge Tom Clark on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, we had a case in which Madelyn Murray O'Hare was a party. She showed up with a party of her atheist buddies. They were not an impressive lot. The one word that best described the group was "unhappy." Ms. O'Hare had an engaging enough personality, but she seemed so angry. As did all of her buddies.

Maybe it was that history that worked my mind this morning as I perused the atheist articles. There was one which was topped with a photo of an attractive woman smiling and holding a sign which read "Be happy. There is no hell." To me the smile seemed pretty shallow. Maybe because I realized that if the woman was right and that there were no hell, there would also be no heaven. With the "truth" of no condemnation comes the 'TRUTH" of no hope. No wonder they seem so angry and unhappy. I shouldn't be surprised since some who claim to be Christians also carry around signs proclaiming the nonexistence of hell.

There was another article written by a seventeen year old who related her "coming out" as an atheist after a missionary trip. Her "religious" parents had sent her on a mission trip to a third world country where she was confronted with poverty. She could not believe in a God who would allow his children to live in such conditions. Apparently, her mission trip was not accompanied by sound teaching. I couldn't help but wonder if her religious parents were living the kind of life that would make a teenager desirous of following their life trail.

Yet another article was a list of quotes from scripture that "proved" how "bad" God must be. I resisted the temptation to go through each quote and write a response. I know from experience my response would fall on deaf ears.

Yet another article pointed out how the presidential candidates all claim christianity and how, in the writer's view, their lives were very "unchristian." There is no doubt that like Lucy in I Love Lucy, we Christians have a "lot of explaining to do."

My morning made me happy to be a Christian; but unhappy at the poor job we Christians do in illustrating what it means to be one.

Ours is the way of truth, joy and fulfillmernt. We need to do so much better in proving it.

Go out and find an atheist, listen to him and love him and maybe change his life.

Be blessed.

Nick

First They Came for the Catholics

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:22:00 +0000

I have considered myself to be an involved person. After all I do a blog almost every day. Until I read today that writing stuff and sending out emails isn't enough. You know what? It isn't.

Do you know what the Manhattan Declaration is? Are you prepared to disobey the laws of the United States if a law violates your conscience? These are no longer hypothetical questions. In our country today some of our fellow Christians are being told they have to violate their conscience or violate the law. This kind of thing happened in Nazi Germany. It's now happening in America. Let's not make the mistake of thinking it doesn't concern us yet. My good friend, Ron Anson, has been sounding the call for years. I haven't taken him seriously enough. Sorry my brother.

Please watch this video and then go to this web site. Read the Declaration. It isn't short. But it is powerful. Then, if you agree with it, sign it.

This blog is a personal blog produced solely by me. I am solely responsible for it's content. If you're with the government you know where I live.

It's time to get serious.

Be blessed.

Nick

Nothing to Say

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:20:00 +0000

I didn't submit a blog entry today because I had nothing to say. I so wish others would also not say anything when they have nothing to say, like politicians for example, or TV preachers, or guests of The View, or the hosts of the The View for that matter.

My wife thinks I'm fan of The View because sometimes she walks in the living room and I have it on. It's just because I watch Good Morning Acadiana and forget to turn the channel or turn off the television when it's over.

She would probably think I'm a fan of Good Morning America, because that comes on immediately after Good Morning Acadiana and the television stays on. Lucky for me she doesn't get up early enough to see the television on that show. It would break her Fox News watching heart. In fact, I wonder why she hasn't commented about The View being on. I have noticed her shaking her head sometimes.

Well, like I said. I really don't have anything to say today so I've decided to say nothing.

I just wish others would be so wise. Pray I have a good thought to share tomorrow. I really hate keeping my mouth shut like this.

Be blessed.

Nick

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:52:00 +0000

Yesterday I heard a sermon which suggested that men are responsible for the spiritual life of their family and church. This morning I read an article with some practical ways to do that. 11 Practical Ways for Men to Lead a Family.

When the Spirit nudges me twice in 24 hours on the same subject, I try to pay attention. Look around guys. The sad truth is that women are running our families and our churches. Sure most of our churches have male pastors, but women are still in charge. They are in charge, not because they have a title, but because they do most of the work. Look around on Sunday morning and see who is doing what. The women are probably doing most everything other than ushering. Guess what. I can find my own seat. I sit in the same place every week.

Most of our homes are the same way. I would like to believe this is a vast feminine conspiracy, but I suspect this has happened because women have stepped up to fill roles that we men have failed to fill. It's time we do something about this. But let me warn you. It won't be easy. I think the women like being in charge. Watch any TV sitcom. The women are running things and the men are looking foolish. That's going to be a tough status quo to change.

How can we do it.

1. Preach by example. It will do no good to announce, "I am now the spiritual leader." You will sound like an alien. Start with your mouth shut. Just start acting like a leader, model humility, honesty, repentance, service, study, and worship.

2. Count the bibles in your home. Dust them off and start reading one in the presence of your family. Make sure everyone has his or her own copy so he or she can do the same.

3. Make sure there are good bible study aids available. If you live on your smart phone make sure you have some of the great bible study apps that are available. Make sure you use them in the presence of your family.

4. Make appropriate choices for television and movies. Don't just suggest such choices for others. Watch with your family.

5. Eat meals together. Don't just say grace but use the time to pray for real needs and keep track of how God responds for those needs.

6. Pray with and for each member of your family each day. Touch them when you do this. If this is very out of character for you, try a simple touch of the hand and say, "I'm praying for you." Perhaps ask what they need prayer for.

You see being the spiritual leader means leading by example. It's not about control or a title. It's about being and doing.

Try it and be blessed.

Nick

Why on This Morning?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:26:00 +0000

In the Jewish tradition, Passover night is very special. A special meal is held and ceremoniously executed. As part of the ceremony, the youngest child asks a series of questions designed to point out that on this special night, things are different.

I think we should have a similar tradition in Christianity for Sunday Mornings. Isn't it true in your house that Sunday mornings are different. During the week, the family has a routine which requires everyone to be up and at it by a certain time, breakfast is done, kids are dressed and everyone has to be out the door, on a bus or headed to work. It all works like an army on maneuvers. But on Sunday morning it's chaos. Even though church starts much later. It seems impossible to get everyone up, dressed and out the door on time. Why on this morning are there more arguments, excuses to stay in bed and just generally dragged out feelings than on other mornings? Why do we run into more red lights, long freight trains and every other kind of barrier on Sunday mornings that don't pop up during the week.

I guess we could argue that the routine is a bit different. Maybe we do a bit too much on Saturday night. Maybe we stay up a bit too late. But deep down we all know the reason. The enemy doesn't care if we get to work or school on time. He really doesn't want us in church.

In church we are refreshed and renewed. We worship our God. We should recognize there are others who struggle but who try each day to put Jesus first. What we do on Sunday mornings is important. That's why this morning is unlike any other morning.

Now get up and get at it.

Be blessed.

Nick

New Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 13:32:00 +0000

Tomorrow Pastor Kerry will present his first sermon as Interim Pastor. It will be a significant day in the life of Amana. I don't have a draft of the sermon like the news agencies seem to get in advance of the State of the Union Address. I don't know what Pastor Kerry plans to say; but I do have some advice on listening.

The toughest job in any arena is a job as the "interim" anything. An "interim" has the burden of moving an organization forward, but not forever. An "interim" faces the problem that if he proposes something unpopular, folks will just wait for the "permanent" pastor to show up. An "interim" often has all the responsibility but none of the authority. It's tough to be an "interim."

I always felt bad for the guy who coached the Alabama football team after "Bear" Bryant. I don't even remember his name. I once served in a church that never was quite the same when the founding pastor moved on. Every pastor after the first got compared to the "original." Following a superstar is tough.

Amana has more ex-pastors than any church I've ever been involved in. That's a tremendous resource and potentially a tremendous problem. Each of us who has ever been a pastor has some pretty strong ideas about what it means to be a Pastor. It's tough to pastor a bunch of old pastors.

I always feel a bit sorry for rookies. The first time you do anything is tough. Pastor Kerry has never been a pastor before. It's tough to be a rookie.

Pastor T is still around. I am really happy about that. Pastor T is my friend. But he's not the pastor anymore. He's Pastor Emeritus. He's no longer Pastor T. He's Pastor E T. It's tough to have a job when the guy who used to have the job is still around.

So as you can see. Pastor Kerry has a tough job tomorrow and for the next six months. So here's my advice. Listen carefully to what Pastor Kerry has to say. Pray before. Pray during and Pray after. Whatever he has to say, give it a chance. If you don't like something he says or does, tell him. If you like something he says or does, tell him.

Pastor Kerry is the pastor, not Pastor T, not any of us old pastors, and not you.

Listen for hints about what you should do. That's much more important than what Pastor K will do.

Do everything good you have been doing. Stop doing those things that aren't helpful. Listen for opportunities to do something new. When tempted to talk. . . do.

Let's just pray and see what God will do.

Be blessed Pastor K. Be blessed Amana.

Nick

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:26:00 +0000

My church is going through a leadership transition so focus is on the church . But every church is in need of some help. Yesterday I saw this article: Five Ways You Can Help Your Church My thoughts follow:

If you believe your church could be better, the mirror is a good place to look for improvement. It's easy to criticize leadership, but you're not likely to directly affect that, even if it is the problem. That doesn't matter because the real health of a church is best measured by the condition of those in the pews.

Another potential area of improvement is in "theology." Most of us believe that the church we belong to could sharpen it's "theology." Usually that means my brothers and sisters could and, in fact, should, believe a bit more like me. That's not happening any time soon either, so let's put that aside.

Of course it would be great if we served as a one person admissions committee that could decide who got to attend our church. That's not happening either.

So what are we left with? Basically, what can I do better. These are factors we can change, so the potential for improvement is great.

1) Be Committed.

Some folks like to be "one foot out and one foot in" when it comes to their church. It's like the pseudo-sports fan who says, "We won" in times of victory and, "They lost" when things don't go so well. Get completely on board. Have a little ownership. Call it "my church." Attend. Participate. Pray. If worse comes to worse at least you will have earned the right to complain.

2) Be On Time

People who show up late cause distraction and are subtly putting down the church. It's like showing up late for an appointment or a date. If you don't want to be there for the announcements, re-read number 1 above.

3) Be Honest

In the original article this one reads "Be Positive." I prefer people that are honest. One of the real problems in church is that people aren't real. Everyone believes that a Christian should always be smiling and if there is a struggle in life, it's a sign of failure. That attitude prevents us from really knowing, connecting with and helping each other. Be real. If you're suffering through a crisis, the church should be the first place to cry. Don't come with a mask. But also don't come with a super-critical eye. Come intending to give back to the body with your gifts and talents. Come intending to be fed the Word, but also disciple and encourage others. Come ready to love and forgive and hug and forbear. Come to church ready to forgive small and big slights. Also, be pro-church. Greet guests warmly, advance the church goals and ministries with a smile.

4) Be Prayed Up

If Sunday is the only time you think about or talk to God don't expect much to happen. Sunday's not your once-a-week time with God. It's your time with the people of God sharing what God is doing in each of our lives. If we're prayed up during the week we show up overflowing instead of dry and needy. The difference will change our experience of church forever.

5) Be Solution-Oriented

Come to fix not to be fixed. I heard a great piece of advice this week. If you're discouraged, go find someone to encourage. If we will stop looking inward at our problems but instead look outward at other's needs, we will finally learn what church is all about.

Does your church need some help? Isn't it time you did something about that?

Be blessed.

Nick

Earthly Sight - Eternal Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:35:00 +0000

When we consider our life mission statement we are inclined to two mistakes: looking too far and looking too close. It's not just a case of being like Goldilocks and looking "just right."

We look too far because we tend to dream long distance. When we think of life mission, we have thoughts of overseas missionary service in Africa or the Far East. God may give us such a call. But we need to look at what is in front of us.

I had a grandson who was miserable in school. I had never considered myself an elementary school teacher. I much prefer the thought of teaching pretty college girls while donned in a jacket with patches on the elbows in a college with lots of ancient oaks and a decent football team. Sometimes I forget my wife reads this. . . sometimes. Nevertheless I find myself a fourth grade school teacher with a class of one. I am being thoroughly blessed with the experience.

I always enjoyed teaching and preaching to a packed house. In this environment you get instant feedback and can adjust accordingly. Instead, I find myself preparing a daily blog which disappears into the blackness of internet void. I know not where it goes and what effect, if any, it might have.

The point is the mission is often in front of us. We can't make the mistake of looking too far away and miss the work that needs doing that is staring us in the face. But we also need to keep eternal perspective. How does God see where we're at and what we're doing. David Jeremiah this morning referred to Nehemiah's wall building. Each builder could only see the struggle with the few stones and the small area over which he had charge. Only God can see the bigger perspective.

A couple of days ago I searched for "christian" on twitter and was amazed by the number of people who are toiling in that social network to make a difference for God. My blog goes out there and may make only a tiny difference, if any at all. But there are many more being sent forth. Coordinated by our heavenly general, together (not even knowing of each other's existence) we are making a difference.

Don't make the mistake of looking too far or dwelling with a short distance perspective. Deal with the challenges God sets before you and let Him coordinate the big picture.

Be blessed my fellow worker toiling in the fields ready for harvest.

Nick

Encouragement

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:54:00 +0000

Yesterday I was discouraged. The specific reasons are not important. I'm not sure I could identify the reasons for my discouragement. Today, I'm encouraged. That's the important point. The issue? What transferred me from the state of discouragement to the right realm of the encouraged children of God? What changed me from thinking I can't do it anymore to being sure I can?

Two things made the difference: Time with my Lord and time with my friends. I spent some time with God. David Jeremiah's teaching this morning which I listen to each Wednesday morning was about the Giant of Discouragement. Isn't it wonderful how the Lord will provide just the word you need at the times you need them. But Satan tried to keep me from that help. I overslept this morning and was late heading to my Wednesday morning men's meeting. So I missed the teaching. But my friends pointed it out and I listened to it later.

I also spent time with my friends. I can't emphasize enough the important of spending quality time with fellow believers. Not just sitting in a crowd, but sitting around a table, praying and listening and talking. I found out I wasn't the only one dealing with discouragement. That's encouraging. One of the biggest problems with the giants in our lives, is that Satan has us believing that we are the only ones struggling with a particular giant. Just knowing we are now alone or different, is a great encouragement.

I hope these simple facts will be an encouragement to you: I was also discouraged. I found encouragement in the words of my Lord and the words of my brothers.

Be encouraged and be blessed.

Nick

What's Your Life Mission?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:40:00 +0000

I read a quote this morning that noted that nothing can hinder your life mission like a bad relationship. i immediately started reviewing my relationships; but then go to thinking about my life mission. What is my life mission?

What's a mission statement? Organizations have mission statements. It defines their purpose and provides a standard to guide decision making. I found a web site, Missionst atements.com that you might find helpful. It describes personal mission statements: A personal mission statement provides clarity and gives you a sense of purpose. It defines who you are and how you will live.

it's amazing how life just grabs us and pulls us along. We move from day to day doing what seems necessary, but with only vague direction and purpose. Is it any wonder that we feel confused and out of control?

Why not take some time and visit the missionstatements.com site? Review some of the example mission statements. Try to draft one of you own. I will. I'm not sure how long it will take or what I will come up with but i believe it will be a useful exercise. I would love to hear what you come up with.

Then maybe I can examine my relationships and discover if I have any bad relationships.

Time for some thinking.

Be blessed.

Nick

Running the race

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:29:00 +0000

The Christian life is often compared to a race, but it's not exactly like the races with which we, as sport's fans, are familiar. For example, in track and field the most important thing is to get a good start. But in the Christian life, the focus is on the strong finish.

Typically, the purpose of the race is to finish first. The Christian goal is to finish well. We are to finish strong, but we are also to know when it's time to pass the baton to the next runner.

For Christians, finishing first isn't the purpose. It's running with love. That's how the great crowd of spectators knows who you are, because of your love. The whole purpose is for others to know who your coach is and to join His team.

Yesterday, we closed a segment of Debbie and Terrell Reed's race. Well done. Terrell loved to talk about his life before Jesus. He didn't start well. He finished strong. He and Debbie knew when it was time to pass the baton. But most importantly they knew the purpose of the race was to run in love.

When my son died suddenly a few years ago, Rose and I were attending a "good" church. The attendance was growing. They had lots of programs for just about everyone. The preacher preached a good sermon. But when Jason died, the Pastor never came or called. He was out of town when it happened, but we never heard from him when he returned. It dawned on us that was not how church was suppose to be. We began the search for another.

In the life of Amana thus far, you couldn't have a splinter removed without the pastor's presence. Yesterday the continuing theme was love. From the board to the kids, everyone expressed the impact of having been the beneficiaries of agape love. That starts at the top.

Nice segment Terrell and Debbie and a good pass of the baton. But I hear running shoes coming up from behind. God's going to hand you a new baton. Be ready to make a clean grab. The race isn't over yet.

God doesn't have enough good runners. He's not about to waste any of his champions.

Be blessed.

Nick

Getting your church healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:22:00 +0000

I can across an article yesterday entitled, "Five Signs you are part of an unhealthy church." Seemed to be to be an unhealthy point of view. We all could be healthier. So I have taken the points from that article and changed them to a more positive approach.

1. A Clear Vision. Proverbs 29:18 states, "Where there is no vision, the people perish." In my history with churches I get a little uncomfortable when "vision" is discussed. Besides, isn't the mission of the church obvious? Well maybe it isn't. Some people see church as a spiritual hospital where the walking wounded come to be made whole. That's certainly a necessary ministry. Others take the great commission literally and think church is there to spread the gospel. Kind of hard to argue with that.

If you go to Amanacf.org in its new form (what a blatant plug. I'm ashamed of myself.) You will find the vision of Amana: Connect up with us as we build relationships with Jesus first and then one another, house to house, city to city, nation to nation.

That's a great vision. Putting it into practice is a great challenge.

If we start with relationship with Jesus and each other and focus outward we will be a healthy hospital for the wounded that also spreads the word. Sounds good to me.

2. Leadership has two ears and one mouth.

Now in the article I read, point two of the unhealthy church was that leadership can never be questioned or challenged. I've turned that around. Good leadership in my view listens twice as much as it talks. We are in a leadership change so we'll have to see how that goes. From what I've seen in the short period of the "new administration" I get a sense that leadership is ready to listen to us, the sheep. That puts a big burden on us to be wise in what we say. Hope we're up to it.

3. You Are never Comfortable and always Convicted

I turned this one around completely. In an unhealthy church, you are very comfortable, but never convicted. I think about this one in this way. In a good hospital, you are cared for as long as you need it, then you are told to get out of bed.

So it is in church. Some of us need a time to heal. for the rest of us it's time to get out of the bed (or pew) and get to work.

4. Congregants Are NOT Content With Being Pew Warmers

For this one I just added the word "not." In a healthy church, the leadership challenges the congregation. But does so in such a way that all present want to get out of the pews (and not just to miss the rest of the sermon.)

When a church's environment is a healthy one, you should never have to inflict guilt upon people in order to get them involved. They will have a heart to serve, not out of guilt but out of desire. So leadership, I don't need a guilt trip. I need a positive motivation.

5. Outreach is Always Planned and Preached

A church that never plans or even preaches outreach is unhealthy. When a church feels no need or desire to not only preach helping those outside of the four walls, but never does anything in its surrounding community, it speaks volumes. Outreach was and is the heart of Jesus. Simply having worship on Sundays is not church; it's simply a meeting. The work that is done in the community to show God's love is church. It is one thing to talk church, but it's another thing to actually BE the church. If the church that you attend never preaches or plans outreach in the community, country or world, you are definitely part of an unhealthy church. Real church takes place by rendering service; usually outside the four walls of a building.

I changed the title of that last one but left the words the same. A healthy church specializes in OUTREACH and not INSIGHT.

How healthy are you and your church?

Be blessed.

Nick

Growth spurts

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 15:08:00 +0000

There is a magnificent evergreen tree on the road to our house. It seems completely out of place in the swamp like terrain of our neighborhood. It towers above the small house near it and stands adjacent to a sugar cane field. I don't know the species, but it looks like it belongs in the Rocky Mountains and not just outside of Broussard. My wife says it has been there for years. She insists it was Christmas tree size many of the twenty plus years we have been passing it by, but in recent years has shot up to its current height.
It's so like we should be. We want our world to be more Christian, but the truth of it is that we are suppose to live in a world where we are dramatically different and stand apart. Folks should be saying "What is that?" When they pass us by.
Our growth should be like the tree as well. We may sit planted for years, but in God's good time, he puts all the elements in place for a dramatic spiritual growth spurt. Maybe suddenly we experience more Son shine. Maybe our life experience suddenly catches up with us and the fertilizer of our lives stops holding us back but now motivates us forward. Maybe we are pruned through tough times and tests.
Is it time to get noticed? Not for anything we do, but for what we are: Christ Bearers. Stand tall. Many need to see that there is a better way.

Be blessed.

Nick

The Gift of Unity

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:42:00 +0000

Satan desires disunity in the church. How do we fight that? We use the tools that God has given us.

According to Ephesians 4, he has given each of us a spiritual gift that is given to serve one another. He has given you a gift. He doesn't just pull gifts out of the bag and toss them around.Your gift has been picked specifically for you and for your situation.

Part of mature responsibility is to learn what our gift is. We do that through listening, prayer and acting out the urges from the Holy Spirit. We listen and we do.

But why? The gifts are the glue of the body. They are what holds us together. They provide unity. We have unity when we have a common purpose AND a role to play in bringing that purpose about.

This means that pastors aren't suppose to do everything. It also means that church staff is not suppose to do everything. The pastors are the shepherds, the equippers, the leaders, everyone else is a minister. We are all to minister to one another.

There is a church that is incomplete without you and you are incomplete without that church. You do not have all that you need, all that is necessary for your growth in holiness.

We serve! We just do the work of the ministry, whether that is setting up and cleaning up or visiting people in hospital or making meals or doing one-on-one discipleship, and we allow the Lord to reveal our strengths and open up opportunities. In your church you may find that you have teachers and evangelists, encouragers and discerners and servers and so many others. And that’s perfect because there are people who need to be served and people who lack discernment or people who are desperate for encouragement or people who need to respond to the gospel. The Lord has made it so that each of us has a gift designed to serve the people around us.

Get yourself in place and get to work.

Nick

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:39:00 +0000

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15).

So far four of your brothers and sisters have offered to meet with me to share their story. Thanks to them all. We can look forward to hearing this stories soon. It's never too late to add your name to the list. nsigur@gmail.com

Paul tell us we need to be ready to share our story.

He writes in Romans 10:13–15:

“‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (NIV)

In the original Greek, the word preparation used in Ephesians 6:15 can be defined as “firm-footing; a strong foundation.” We need to have a firm foundation in God’s Word.

This word preparation could also be translated as “readiness.” The idea is to be ready at all times to share the gospel

Sometimes we think that means we need to be ready to give a theological defense of salvation. That would be great. But what it really means is that we need to be ready to tell our story. The plot of our stories is all the same in basic form:

1. My life before Jesus.

2. Jesus.

3. My life after Jesus.

We need a balance when we tell our story. If we spend too much time talking about our life before Jesus we are focusing on sin. That's never a good idea. It's not so important to list all the bad things we did. It is more important to share the emptiness of that sinful life. We should talk about how we felt than what we did.

It's next important to talk about Jesus. Sometimes we want to focus on the person, or church or ministry through which Jesus worked to bring us to Him. That leaves the impression that the tool He used was important. We need to focus on Jesus.

When we talk about our life after Jesus, we need to be particularly honest. If we are honest, we have to say that we still struggle with the temptations of life, that life is not perfect. If we exaggerate the joys of the Christian life, we set up our listener for disappointment when their experience doesn't match ours.

Why not practice on a family member, your child, your parent, or your spouse? Just tell them your story focusing on those three elements. If you are having trouble, maybe you don't have a salvation story.

We need to make sure we have a story, before we try to tell one.

Confirm right now that you've turned away from that old life, that you trust Jesus and intend to follow Him, forever.

Now, ask the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel with someone today!

Nick

What's Your Story?

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:54:00 +0000

Satan is the great enemy of God and his people, and one of his enduring tactics to disrupt the church and to hinder our witness to the world by fostering disunity. He does it by eroding the love between brothers and sisters in Christ.

Satan is actively working in every church right now to drive a wedge between the people there. He will split churches into factions by first making those Christians find reasons not to love one another, not to bear with one another in love.

We need to be aware of Satan’s tactics, but we don’t need to be afraid. People in the local church are bound together. We all chained together in unity through Christ, through what he has done in each of us.

The problem is that we don't recognize the commonality of our experience with the Lord. Most of us know very little about how Christ has worked in the life of the christian who sits next to us in church. I would like to see us do something about that.

I would like to do a series of interview with fellow Christians. I want to hear everyone's story about what Christ has meant in their lives. If you would be willing to sit down with me and discuss Jesus, I would love to do that and record it so I could share the highlights with others who need to hear your story.

Please drop me a note at nsigur@gmail.com so we can get together and record the good news in your life. Sharing our story is Jesus' plan to spread the gospel. Let's get to it.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Be blessed.

Nick

Personal Salvation - CorporateTraining and Service

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:10:00 +0000

I was born and raised a Catholic. I was born and raised VERY Catholic. I went to Catholic School. I served as a Altar Boy. I even went to the seminary for a year and a half. By the time I met my bride I had drifted away from that church, but I was still Catholic. She was a fiery little red-headed cute baptist. She greatly confused my world.

She used terms like "personal relationship" and "born again." I thought she was pretty crazy but she was so hot... I ignored that. Okay so I was twenty. I proposed the same month I met her and we were married soon thereafter; but my confusion continued for many years.

I don't think I'm the only one. I grew up looking to the church for all things spiritual: salvation, training, service. We evangelicals look at things differently. In fact, I think most everyone does now. Salvation is a personal thing. We are each responsible (that's the key word) for our salvation. Salvation doesn't come from membership in a church either by being born into it, joining up or getting baptized there.

So what's the function of the church? The church's job is to mature us and train us for the great commission. That sounds pretty simple but we still get confused. Some of us find God after joining a particular church so forever thereafter we associate our spirituality with that church or it's pastor. We are confused.

We say we go to a particular church because there we get fed. That's a good thing. As long as we're not getting fat. Too many of us never get past the getting fed stage. Our spiritual life consists of listening, and reading and learning and never doing. Jesus taught the disciples for three years. He sent them out, two by two, long before that time was up.

We need to avoid church confusion. It's important we know it's function and responsibility and separate it from our personal function and responsibility.

Again to review: We are responsible for our salvation. We have to make a personal decision to abandon sin and follow Jesus. We are responsible to grow in our knowledge of Him (that relationship not seminary education) and to share that with others.

The church is there to help us with that. It trains and provides opportunity to serve.

There is an important side note to all of this. Just because someone serves and is trained in a church different from yours, doesn't mean he isn't a child of God. That's a source of way too much confusion and disunity. It's important whom we follow; not so much where we do it.

Thanks to Rosemary I got that... finally. Hope it doesn't take you as long.

Be blessed.

Nick

We are the Church

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:13:00 +0000

This was a week of many lessons. Perhaps the most important was the reminder that "We are the Church." During a Kairos weekend, one of the most memorable talks is entitled "We are the Church." The purpose of the talk is to remind inmates that the church is not a building, organization or denomination, not a pastor or youth director, worship team. We are the church. This is particularly important to the incarcerated who have often had a bad experience with "church" and have thrown out Christianity with the bad taste they have for a church experience.

It's also an important lesson when you lose your pastor. Many in a good church have had a bad experience with church somewhere else. One of the new elements of the church in which they found Jesus is the pastor. But it's just an element. Jesus is the imnportnt part. The pastor is not the church. For some who have equated the Pastor with the Church, this was a harder week than it needed to be. I pray especially for those.

The rest of us need to remember that lesson, for it is easily forgotten. In the weeks and months ahead we need to remind ourselves, and each other, that We are the Church. We need to act as the Church and as we look for a new Pastor, we need to keep the true nature of the church in mind.

The most important attribute in a pastor is not his preaching ability, organizational skills, or even the love in his heart. A pastor has to convince us that we are the Church and never let us forget that. It's a tough job, but then, that's why he gets the big bucks.

See I've kept my sense of humor. Hope you have as well.

Be blessed.

Nick

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!" Matthew 3:2
Over two thousand years ago, Jesus came to announce the arrival of the Kingdom of God. Sometimes I feel like He got the timing all wrong. Like when I watched the Presidential Debates. Seemed like less than perfect guys who all want to be King. Don't they know the King has come?

And there lies the problem. Jesus brought good news. One day He will come back and his Kingship will be obvious and undeniable. What a day that will be. I can't wait.

But there is more good news. We don't have to wait. We can make Him King now and begin to reap the benefits of living the in the Kingdom of God now. Admittedly its a bit strange to live in the Kingdom when those around you are still fighting about being King themselves. But there are those who see and those who remain blind. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Some of us just realize that it's wise to do it now. It's not just because we want to be some of the first, but because there are advantages to being kingdom people now.

Why not live with the man in charge who has all the power, and the knowledge and the love? Why continue to struggle to be King? Why do we think that being in charge we will make it better. I have years of experience which demonstrates it's not true. We seek to have it all by being King of it all when the answer is in letting Him be Lord.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33. That means we wake up every morning with His business on our minds, his concerns in our hearts, his words in our ears. We know what we are suppose to do, even if it seems odd to those around us, and we do it because it's the wonderful way to live.

It's cloudy and gloomy outside. But rejoice, the kingdom of God is here. Just accept it and start living. Spread the joy and know what real joy is all about.

Be blessed.

Nick

Quietly Sharing Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

People don't meet the Lord in the Church. Not usually anyway. They meet Him out in the world. They don't always know that it's Him. Sometimes they don't figure that out until later, perhaps in Church. They meet Him as they struggle through their lives, not finding happiness, joy eluding them. They live in fear; until they see someone who should be fearful; but lives fearlessly. The temptation becomes too great. Finally, they ask or they just listen closer and discover the reason for the peace, the cause of the absence of fear.

One day last week I noticed a change in a waitress that serves me often. Before she had seem defeated and gloomy. Suddenly she smiled more. She was friendlier. Then one day, out of the blue, she began talking to me about going to church, something she had just started doing. We had a great conversation about the Lord. At one point she said, "You seem to have peace in your life." She had seen something she wanted. Jesus had shown her something in my life without me even knowing it. I don't always feel peaceful. But there was enough there for her to see Jesus. We walked in her restaurant yesterday, me, Rosemary and Nicky. She said, "This must be the beautiful wife." I can't ever forget.. I have a beautiful wife and a beautiful life.

It's important that we tell the world about Jesus. It's more important that we give them a reason to listen. When we realize how evangelism really works, our time spent in Church becomes less important than our time spent living life in the world.

We are testifying every moment of our lives. We are talking when we are quiet. We are witnessing in every action and reaction. Folks are desperately looking and listening. What's your life saying?

Be blessed.

Nick

The Father Knows Best

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 04:18:00 +0000

Last Saturday was my grand daughter Samantha's birthday. She had gotten a Take A Kid to the Game ticket to the UL basketball game and asked me to take her. I agreed before I realized that the end of the Saints game and almost all of the Bronco's game conflicted with the basketball game. With less than100 percent enthusiasm I left my comfortable chair before my television displaying the beginning of the fourth quarter of the game. I put Sammy's present in the truck and headed out listening to the game on the radio.

When I arrived at her home Sammie ran out of the house all excited and handed me the above card she had made. It was her birthday and she made me a card.

As all NFL fans know, the end of the Saints game was tragic as was all of Tebow and the Broncos. The UL basketball game ended up an exciting overtime win. Sammie and I had a blast.

God is a better event planner than we are. He knows where true joy and excitement can be found. If you find yourself feeling God is dealing you a bad hand. Read my card and remember my story. In lots of things, The Father Knows Best.

Thank you Jesus and Sammie for a wonderful evening.

Be blessed.

Nick

Five Reasons for Church Attendance

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Computers are strange things. Yesterday an old note popped up twice on my iPad. There is no logical reason for it to do so. It is dated September 2010 and is entitled Five Reasons for Church Attendance. Since I just lost my Pastor and I'm suppose to be in a 21 day period of focused listening to God, I'm going to assume that this note is from God and not just the work of random electrons. I don't remember why I took these notes and they are very sketchy so I'm going to have to fill in a bit. I even googled the topic but didn't come up with anything as good as the five words in my little note. So here they are:

Five reasons for church attendance

Membership, Magnification, Maturity, Ministry, Mission

That's all there was to the note. Now my thoughts.

Membership. It's important to belong. We are meant to practice Christianity as part of a body. I like the part of the body I'm in now. Even without the pastor. More importantly, I feel called to be here. Until I get a different call, I ain't leaving.

Magnification. The body is suppose to magnify the Lord. Frankly I think the body I am a part of did a good job of that but almost all if it was done by the pastor. A lot of work is going to have to be done to keep that going. We are all called to be Christ, not just to be in a church where the pastor is doing that.

Maturity. Church is a place where we are suppose to grow as Christians. I'm not sure any growth I've had recently has come from my church. For me frankly it has come mostly from writing this blog and working in Kairos. I think my church could be doing a better job of maturing me. That's not to say it isn't maturing others. We are all at different places and growing up is primarily our own responsibility. Maybe all a church can do is provide a place for growing, an atmosphere for growth.

Ministry. Church is where we should minister. People seem to judge churches by how much they feel fed. But really the important thing is how much we feed. I used to do some teaching at my church, but that hasn't happened in a long time. I guess I do some feeding in this blog, but I could do that anywhere. I minister in Kairos and I get tremendous support for that from my church. I doubt I would get that support anywhere else.

Mission. A church should have a mission and each member should be a part of it. I think this is where the modern church is the weakest. I guess ministry is what we do for each other in the church. Mission is what we do to change our world. I see some in our church with missions. They work in nursing homes for example. Again this is a matter of individual responsibility. Our church supports lots of missions and missionaries and that's great. But I think this category means more than that. We have to learn how to serve and change our world. We could do a much better job at this.

How are you doing with

Membership, Magnification, Maturity, Ministry, Mission. Are you in the best place for living out the five Ms. Are you doing all you can do to live them out. The right fit for a church means both being at the right place and giving 100 percent. It takes both.

Be blessed.

Nick

Forced Fast from the Familiar

noreply@blogger.com (Nick Sigur) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:20:00 +0000

Yesterday we looked at a period of focused listening to God. In place of "fasting" I suggested that we need to identify distractions, things that keep us from focusing on God, and try to remove those from our lives.

Sometimes these distractions are so obvious or so dear to us that God has to remove them. God may have done that for some of us yesterday when he removed Pastor Terrell and Miss Debbie from our lives. We have to be so careful to distinguish God and His gifts. Rose and I belong to a dear church many years ago. Through a variety of circumstances the church changed dramatically and many learned that their spiritual life was more dependent on that church than on Jesus. That can never be.

We have a love affair with the familiar. Especially as we grow older. We don't like change, yet change is a fact of life. It is certainly a fact of the Christian life. God will remove anything that we substitute for him. When he took his children out of Egypt, he led them in circles in the desert until they learned to depend on him. When they become too attached to the land and temple, he led them into exile.

Beginning today we need to forget everything else and focus on Jesus. He is our rock and our source. It is sin to substitute any man or any organization. It can happen so subtly. Has it happened to you?
Focus. Listen to his voice. Be blessed.

Nick