Life Matters - Other gods...

Hey all,

I know it's been a long time since I've sent out an email. I could use the excuse of having "writer's block" but I know you probably wouldn't buy it. So, no excuses except to say that I'm going to try and get back into the groove of writing more again. Let me just say up front that if you want taken off of this email, just let me know...no hard feelings or questions asked.

The other night at our Small Group meeting we talked about Elijah and those "other gods" we put before the One, True God. We all do it...whether it's money, sports, family, church, working out, jobs, food, material stuff, etc., we all put things that are "temporary" in front of God and many times, in place of God. We had some good discussion amongst the group about the things we struggle with daily and how we as Christians need to encourage each other. (That means during the week and not just on Sunday mornings when we see each other at church).

Also, going along with what God's trying to get through my thick skull (so says Tamra), Catherine Lischke posted something on Facebook that really hit home with me..."Are the things we're living for, worth Christ dying for?". Wow...think about that one for a minute. We get so caught up in our own lives, our own desires, our own busyness, we really don't think about what Christ's desire is for our lives.

On another note...I really would encourage you to get involved in a Small Group @ SHBC. You can connect with other folks who go through the ups and downs of life just like you do. Get involved, it's worth it!

God Bless,

Todd Nince

http://www.shawneeheights.org

Manila - A Dad's Perspective 2

Well, Kev's been "out of communication" range for almost a week now. Another week to go before being able to find out what's going on. I was up late one night a couple of days before he left for the camp. It was nice to get to "IM" with him for awhile just by myself. Usually the whole family is standing around the computer waiting their turn to talk or IM with him.

We "talked" about everything for about an hour...politics, church, Filipino's, food, people...it was good. He was excited about heading to the camp and maybe a little "anxious" too. I can't wait to hear what he's doing and how he's fitting in to what God wants him to do.

My nerves about him being on the other side of the world have been reduced somewhat. You know, we get busy with our lives and fill the void. I've really submerged myself in working on our church website. Yet, I find myself saying all the time, "I wish I could have Kevin look at this," or "geez, I need Kevin to show me how to do this." Can't wait to IM him when he gets back to civilization...:)

Gone to Manila - A dad's perspective

It has been only about a 1 1/2 weeks since Kevin left for the Philippines and for some strange reason it seems longer. Maybe it's because I'm the only guy (again) in a house full of ladies...:)

Back in August when Kevin told his mom & I that he was going on a mission trip with Ben to the Philippines I must say we really didn't want him to go. Mom was really against it, ya know the dangers, leaving the country, leaving school, etc. Of course me being me, I worried more about the cost, why now and not summer, why a full 3 months instead of a summer trip...

It wasn't too long before God started working on my heart...you see Kevin is the absolute opposite of me in many ways. So much so that I'm many times envious of him. He's not afraid to try anything. He makes friends easily. He's outgoing. He's not afraid to fail. He's not afraid to succeed. He doesn't worry.

So my heart and gut softened to the idea. Now the worries about the cost, travel, safety, etc. didn't leave, but I started becoming excited for him. I've never seen him want something so much as to go on this trip.

As I sat down by myself at the airport at KCI on Jan. 6, I watched him from a distance. Here was my boy who I've wrestled with, played ping-pong with, went to soccer games with, taught in Awana with, etc., for 21 years...and here he is doing exactly what God wants him to do...wow, as a dad I really felt good right then.

My eyes welled up a little bit as we watched the plane take off and head off into the early morning sky. I just said a very short prayer..."He's yours Lord. Use him."

More "dad" thoughts to come...

It's about grace...

Hey folks, Sorry about my inconsistent "mid-week" emails lately. I'm trying to get back on schedule so bear with me. We had a really good discussion last Sunday as we went over a few more instances in Mark where Jesus "challenged" the Pharisees and others. I hope through the "Tough Sayings of Jesus" series we've done over the last couple of months you've maybe looked at Jesus in a little different way. I hope those images of Jesus in a white robe (or "cream" colored), or the soft, delicate, Jesus are something that you've kind of reconsidered.

This coming Sunday we're going to discuss a pretty interesting topic based on a book some of us have read...Why Men Hate Going to Church. I think it will spur some interesting comments and discussion, so please plan to be here on Sunday morning. In a few weeks, we'll be starting a new series. Our goal is to have maybe 3 or 4 different Sunday morning Bible studies you can choose from. To accomplish this we're going to need some volunteers to teach them. If you might be interested in teaching a Sunday morning Bible study, please let Pastor John or me know as soon as possible.

On a final note...This week on my way in to work I was listening to a song by Matthew West called "Only Grace". Below is a link to a video on Godtube.com. Check it out. It really hit me.http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=639acb17b035ab8963f1

Also, the same day I got to work and read my daily devotional. It's no accident when God makes a point in more than one way. This day He was making sure I understood His grace. Here's a blurb from my devotional - The New Rebellion... Yes, God is aggressive in grace. He's gone head-to-head with sin and won. And you're the beneficiary! Sin will no longer have bragging rights over you; you're forgiven. But grace is more than forgiveness, more than just the elimination of a debt or threat; grace is the power of God given to you to become the woman or man He designed you to be. Grace restores your destiny and places you in the winner's circle. Now when sin tries to rear its ugly head again--and it will--you have the power to take him down. Grace will always conquer your fears, defeat your pride, and overcome your greed. Through grace, you become a partner with heaven and a world-changer. When life feels threatening and dangerous, find your place in the grace of God and relax. You're the threat now! Have a great rest of the week and hope to see ya on Sunday! Todd Nince

Veteran's Day...thanks

I'm so glad for those who have served our country. A simple "thanks" just doesn't seem to be enough. If you know a person who has served or is serving, I would encourage you to buy a gift card to a restaurant and give it to someone who has served or is serving in the military. What would even be great is to give it to someone in the military you don't know. The encouragement to that person/family would be awesome. Just do it...

Thanks,
Todd Nince...

Financial mess we're in

I found this to be an interesting article...check it out.


'THE PRIVATE SECTOR got us into this mess. The government has to get us out of it."

That's Barney Frank's story, and he's sticking to it. As the Massachusetts Democrat has explained it in recent days, the current financial crisis is the spawn of the free market run amok, with the political class guilty only of failing to rein the capitalists in. The Wall Street meltdown was caused by "bad decisions that were made by people in the private sector," Frank said; the country is in dire straits today "thanks to a conservative philosophy that says the market knows best." And that philosophy goes "back to Ronald Reagan, when at his inauguration he said, 'Government is not the answer to our problems; government is the problem.' "

In fact, that isn't what Reagan said. His actual words were: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." Were he president today, he would be saying much the same thing...(continue)

Life Matters - Tough Sayings

Hey,

I hope you are having a good week whether you're at school, work, home, or wherever.

I was reminded yesterday in my devotional that there is a reward for obedience to God... Watching our nation go through a financial crisis this past week or two should be a reminder to all of us that what we have isn't ours, it's God's.

I talked to Jared (Financial Advisor type) last week about this whole up & down of the stock market. I don't know how he has any hair left going to a job that depends on the financial market...but God put him there for a reason. He told me he just tries to remember it's His to do with what He desires.

Malachi 3:10 NIV says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

Do you believe God can supply every need you have? But do you believe that He will supply? Yes, this verse is talking about tithe but are we trusting God with not only our money, but everything? If we are giving God what is His, (time, money, family, etc.) He says He will throw open the floodgates of blessing.

In our Bible study on Sunday morning, we are going to finish up talking about being desperate and pure, and how those two things can go hand in hand when we seek Jesus.

Have a great week!