Elderly Missionaries and Ticket to Super Bowl

The day before the Super Bowl, Margaret and I had lunch in Canada with an older missionary couple who have served the Lord faithfully and sacrificially for nearly 50 years in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It was shocking to learn that the cheapest ticket to the Super Bowl, in the worst seats, was $8500, but then to 

learn that this is more than this couple have in worldly possessions! They have no home, little in the bank, no plans for the future at all. They want to continue to serve the Lord trusting Him for health and provision! What faith. My wife later asked me, "What are we going to do to help them?"

Leaders, Care for Your People

Margaret and I am presently reading the excellent New York Time's top selling history book, "George Washington's Secret Six (The Spy Ring That Saved the American Revolution)." Lots of lessons for leaders and illustrations as in the book of Proverbs such as: caring for your people, willing to suffer for a cause, listening to others, taking advise, etc. One thing the book brings out is that there did not have to be a revolution. If Britain had been more compassionate, soldiers not so cruel and especially not demanding overwhelming and burdensome taxes! King George especially refused to listen to the colonist in any regard! So the revolution.

As a Christian leader, do you serve your people or do you look upon them as serving you? Are you a servant or a tyrant? As a Christian, and especially a Christian leader, do you serve Christ by serving others to the glory of God?

Getting Old is Dangerous!

Mistakes come with age and they keep adding up as the years. For example: almost missed the train this morning; went down a one way street the wrong way; didn't see a sign and made a left turn in a no turn lane; added wrong on my tax forms (will probable go to prison for 20 years! It use to be that you don't mess with Texas, now it taxes!), preached over an hour on Sunday (glad it wasn't a football Sunday or there would have been no one to speak to the last 30 minutes), parked in a handicap space just thinking I was handicapped or missing something, and on and on.

Someone in the Philippines was walking me to the door and said, "You know Mr. Nichols, you need to be careful as you are old!" Dad Jespersen use to say, "It's hard getting old; but the best is still ahead!" So if you are old, cheer up, it's not as bad as it's going to be; and if you are young then be patient and kind and helpful to the old folk!

Another thought: God is sovereign; each of us is the exact age we are supposed to be! A great verse of promise and encouragement for the elderly and the young, "Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him." (Proverbs 29:5)

Is Evolution Biblically Acceptable? The Question of Genesis 1 - See more at: http://www.reformation21.org/articles/is-evolution-biblically-acceptable-the-question-of-genesis-1.php#sthash.KD2kiTB5.dpuf

by Rick Philipps

Given what World Magazine has called a "major, well-funded push" to promote the acceptance of evolution among evangelical Christians, the case must be persuasively made against the compatibility of evolution and the Bible. In answer to this pro-evolutionary stance, I am one of those Bible teachers who believe that the implications of evolution involve sweeping changes to the Christian faith and life.

While I appreciate the moderate spirit of many who want to find a way to accept evolution alongside the Bible, I find that the more radical voices are here more helpful. For instance, I share the view of Peter Enns in the conclusion to his book The Evolution of Adam, writing that "evolution... cannot simply be grafted onto evangelical Christian faith as an add-on,"[1] but requires a fundamental rethinking of doctrines pertaining to creation, humanity, sin, death, and salvation. But Christian ethics must also be revised. Read more ...

In Prison, and You Came to Me (Matt 25:26).

Had great fellowship recently over early breakfast with missionary friend who (with his wife) is one of the very few (such as Christian Growth Ministries) working among the 25,000 prisoners prisoners of Muntinlupa. Of the 14,000 in maximum prisoners several thousand have professed Christ as Savior and are in one of the 16 or so churches inside this prison city.

The urgent request is for many additional missionaries and local Christian workers to work with prisoners and with their extremely suffering families on the outside. There is a need for those to work inside the prison in regular visits of discipleship and follow up halfway training homes upon leaving prison.

This is a great opportunity for the Gospel and compassionate care! It will be hot, risky, demanding, difficult, and expensive but, oh, so rewarding!

The Boy Who Went to Heaven and Back DIDN'T (he was a no go!)

Recently Christian and secular news services announced that the boy whose story of going to heaven and back, which was written in a book and became a best seller, confessed it was all false! The publisher and bookstores have pulled it from their shelves with written statements of apology. Will we ever learn that special revelations and dreams are not needed by God's people? We have the Word of God. Revelations of going to heaven, seeing God's vault of gold and heaven's wine cellar, and talking to Abraham and Paul are from the evil one whose purpose is to deceive. Let's flee from these falsehoods to the true and infallible Word of God!

What Are the Marks of a Christian?

Recently, at breakfast with a dear friend (who came to Christ as an adult), we discussed the characteristics of a believer. 

We quickly listed several, namely:

1. Are known as a follower of Christ;
2. Obedience to the Word, seeking to grow as a Christian;
3. Love and compassion for others;
3. Humble, not easily offended and forgiving of others;
4; Love for the local church and regular fellowship;
5. Seeks to be salt and light for Christ in a corrupt society;
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

QUESTION: WHAT ARE TEN MARKS YOU FEEL ARE VITAL IN DESCRIBING A TRUE CHRISTIAN?

Please feel free to answer using Facebook or email: nichols.doug@gmail.com . Thank you very much.