Rick Nier...Woo!

Pardon me for having some Christmas jet lag, but this verse hasn't left my thoughts since the holidays. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 Why did a whole company of angels show up to the shepherds? It doesn't say they sang. It says they praised God. Why did this ad hoc praise service get shown to the shepherds? The angels are always praising God. Why did this one instance get revealed? Would the shepherds not have listened to one angel? So many questions. I have only one answer. I think God realizes that when you are God, you do things like only God can. This is a God-sized event, His son coming to Earth. Yeah, in case you've forgotten, that was kind of a big deal.  And I also imagine that, if there are sign-up sheets in Heaven, this event needed a few of them. When one comes to realize just how big God

One night I mentioned to my kids that a song had 'twang'. My son asked what 'twang' was. I decided to introduce him to country music by the decade. (In case you're wondering, country music is not something that's listened to in our house.) To Spotify I went and looked up country music of the 70's and 80's. I figured my children needed to develop a disdain for the genre like I had, only quicker and with less pain. By the time we listened to a few faves by the Oakridge Boys and Alabama, I had almost lost them entirely. Garth Brooks did nothing to bring them back. But as we progressed to more current hits, I almost won them back with Rascall Flatts' hit Life is a Highway  from the movie Cars .  Alas the kids soon lost all interest in my ad hoc country music lesson. But then I started looking for current artists and songs and was floored by the craziness of the song titles. At first it was just an attempt to annoy my wife with more twang, but t

I'm not the type to throw my children under the proverbial bus simply because they make great sermon illustrations.  Wait a minute...yes I am! So here we go again... My children, in some areas, have joined a long list of people who have uttered the words, "But we've always done it that way!" Their specific dilemma was when their mother chose not to sit in the same pew that we often frequent. She thought it was a minor decision, until she heard the great outcry that resembled a great heresy whispered in the Holy of Holies.  People that attend our church may wonder if my family is part of a yearlong experiment in which we measure which pews in our sanctuary are more comfortable. Of course, I'm not saying this would be unnecessary. Think of some of the questions that could be answered by such a study.  Which pew has a better angle for hiding from the pastor when he's looking for you? How far front does one have to sit before there'll

I am part of a blogging for books program at Waterbrook Multnomah. With keen insight, they realize that this time of year is often used for reflecting and planning. So they have offered five excerpts from books that can help with that process. This is part 4 of 5. Enjoy!  This Year: Dream Bigger, Start Smaller by Steven Furtick I’ve met a lot of people who knew what it was to burn plows and set out to live for God but didn’t know what to do next. They prayed, they made a commitment—and they got stuck. As a pastor, I’ve seen it over and over again. As a man trying to live for God, I’ve experienced it over and over again. I’m guessing you’ve made plenty of resolutions about stuff you needed to start doing or stop doing. Maybe you were going to start praying or reading your Bible more. Or maybe you were going to stop smoking or boycott carbohydrates or stop looking at pornography or stop saying mean things about family members behind their backs. Maybe you decided to break away from

If ever there was going to be a perfect blend of blog and book review, today is that day, my friends. It would be like getting just the right amount of fudge on your ice cream, not so much that you're licking fudge off your spoon long after the ice cream is gone. But not so little that you're left eating plain vanilla ice cream at the end of the bowl. That would just be sad.  Louie Giglio, author of I am not but I know I AM  can come pray at my inauguration anytime he would like. I have only heard Louie preach before, but I was pretty stoked to grab a copy of his latest book. In this one book, Giglio does a great job of explaining why it's all about God and how that makes it not about us at us all. Along the way, he also explains why it's okay for us to be uncomfortable with this truth.  If this fact makes you feel a tad bit uncomfortable, you're not alone. Invariably, when I talk about the vastness of God and the cosmos, someone will say, "You

I don't know if you could hear my maniacal laughter. It was just last week....on Thursday, I believe. It was in the evening sometime. It wasn't the deep and throaty laughter, like the archnemesis of Inspector Gadget, Doctor Claw. Although there was a cat nearby. It also wasn't high and crackly, like some sort of evil stereo-typical witch. It was the kind you'd write out like bwa-ha-ha! Can you hear that? Do you want to know why I was laughing? I guess, even if you said no, you can't stop me from answering. AND THAT'S JUST IT! I was laughing at my complete and total control to write whatever nonsense blather I so desire on this blog. Some of you are assuming that's what I've been doing. Perhaps, but I digress. I don't co-write this with anyone, so when it comes to creative decision making, there is a committee of one. If I want to write about ducks, I write about ducks. (You can search, but I don't think I've written about duck

They say teenagers aren't paying attention to the Bible and the example Jesus left us. I'm not so sure about that. Luke 2 seems to be a story they might be paying attention to. Joe and Mary are making the yearly trek to Jerusalem for Passover. On the way back home, they play a game of I-thought-you-had-Jesus . Retracing their steps back to Jerusalem, they find Jesus at the Temple. Jesus, what's going on? “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. ~Luke 2:49-50 You can almost hear the 'Duh!' coming towards Joseph and Mary. And we see evidence that the teenager seemed to know more than his parents. With teenagers on the way in my own home, I read this with a bit of concern.  What about you? Do you have any examples of teenagers getting the wrong idea from Jesus?

It seems to me that much of what we are fighting against are not lies. Let me rephrase that. We're not fighting against the original lies . We are fighting against the lies that have been created by other lies. Let's back up a step. Some Pharisees came to [Jesus] to test him. They asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except

I am part of a blogging for books program at Waterbrook Multnomah. With keen insight, they realize that this time of year is often used for reflecting and planning. So they have offered five excerpts from books that can help with that process. This is part 3 of 5. Enjoy!  Learning the Art of Self-challenge by Jason Jaggard Through taking healthy risks that make you a better person or the world a better place, you begin to develop a deeper appetite for good. At first it might not be very tasty. Taking even a small risk can be more difficult than it sounds. And that is why we have to practice. We have to develop the skill of challenging ourselves. We want the act of making healthy choices to become a natural and authentic part of who we are. But before something can become a habit, it often is a hassle. Put another way: if we want new habits to become instinctual, then they must first be intentional. And in order for that to happen, we have to practice the sacred art of self-challen

I have begun a new series where I rage against the injustices in life that others simply won't get behind. While they are busy fighting things like world hunger and gun control, I'm going to reveal things that I think we could all agree on. So far, I've tackled the Christmas spirit and the Tooth Fairy. Today, I tackle sporting events. From about November through February is one of my favorite times of year. It's not the snowy weather and lack of sunlight that I enjoy. But as long as I'm going to be stuck inside, I might as well enjoy some sporting events. My preference is turning to the NBA and the NFL. You can have your amateur athletes if you like, but I want my sports heroes to be overpaid babies who have all but forgotten the fundamentals of the game.  But there's something worse than the athletes. It's the commentators. Specifically it's w hen the analysts start voting on the shot (or play) of the game with 8 minutes left in the game. I know it

I use the word significance often here on this blog. Unfortunately auto-correct doesn't catch the may ways I misspell it when I get to typing too fast. Alas, the topic intrigues me. I think it should be fairly clear I have no problem with my own insignificance when compared to the uber and only significant God. That's philosophical. Of course, accepting that in real life is a totally different matter, which is why many stories are told here of my search for insignificance. Having said that, what isn't insignificant is truth. I believe that without truth, we have nothing solid with which to compare...well....anything. Which is why I am not as pleased with recent survey revealing a drop in lying by teenagers. You can view the report right here . Here's just a glimpse of the larger report. LOS ANGELES, CA (November 20, 2012) -- A continual parade of headline-grabbing incidents of dishonest and unethical behavior from political leaders, business executives and promine

Remember when your brother or sister would copy everything thing you said or did. That was annoying. Especially when you had the sister that didn't mind copying you even when you said things like, "I'm a big dork."  But there's no stopping a person from copying you when they are a 6-year old and they are unafraid to say anything and willing to laugh their way through anything you come up with. My daughter  did this to me the other night. It was actually kind of fun. She said she was a silly girl. She said she like smelling her own farts. She may have even picked her nose.  Yeah, I'm a bit extreme in playing with my children. She wanted to copy me. She copied me even when I said, "Stop copying me." So I went for self-deprecation. It didn't work. 6-year olds have no pride.  But God asked to be copied.  Ephesians 5:1 tells us to be imitators of God. He doesn't get annoyed by it. He doesn't ask us to do stuff that is point

Last year I was travelling to a conference. The whole six hour drive was mostly uneventful. I had audiobooks and an iPod full of music, my cruise control and very little traffic. So I would listen to authors read their book and then rock out to some chick rock for a while. Yeah, I can admit it. About 20 minutes before I arrived at the conference center, the sky opened up and it rained hard. Ironically, I was jamming to Phil Collins. Of all the songs I enjoy by him, the song playing was I Wish It Would Rain Down. I guess I got my wish. It struck me that listening to a song wishing for rain, while driving in the rain, is like continuing to ask for blessings from God while being blessed. It's ironic. I habitually pray for safety, while living in a world behind locked doors. I pray for peace and rest, in my life of leisure. I pray for God to provide, while having seconds of my favorite meal. I ask for more in a world that has everything I need or want everywhere I turn. P

I am part of a blogging for books program at Waterbrook Multnomah. With keen insight, they realize that this time of year is often used for reflecting and planning. So they have offered five excerpts from books that can help with that process. This is the second of five. Enjoy!  Starting the New Year with a Fresh Perspective by Mike Glenn In the story of the prodigal son, Luke uses a curious phrase when the younger son realizes what he has lost and determines to go home. The King James Version translates the phrase, “He came to himself.” That phrase has always fascinated me. How do you come to yourself? Can you set yourself down somewhere and then forget where you left yourself? Actually, it is something like that. We can become so buried under mistakes and failure, stuffed under grief and regret, that we get to the place where we no longer recognize ourselves. But God’s “yes” changes all that. When the Spirit changes our true identity in Christ, we leave behind everything that is

Last week I began a new series, this one focused on the many things wrong with our world. You can read about the first one here . But you won't find me ranting about the government or gun control here. There's plenty of people yelling about that. I'm going to find the causes that no celebrity is taking the time to get behind. This week, it's the tooth fairy! Yeah, you read that right. What is the deal with the tooth fairy? Parents come up with a story of this fairy who hands out quarters for teeth. And some of you reading this are part of a serious problem with inflation, as my kids think we have a tooth fairy giving them the shaft since all their friends are getting $5 per tooth. Are you kidding me? But my real problem isn't with the money. The real problem is where we place the tooth. Where should we put the tooth? Underneath the head of the sleeping child whom you are trying not to wake?!?? Whose idea was this? I fight every night to get these wiggly

I'm a dad. As a dad, I find myself repeating myself many times. Don't hit your sister, don't go near the oven when it's on, don't stick your finger there. All. The. Time.  So I can appreciate a guy like the Apostle John who repeats himself seemingly over and over in his first letter. Love this, love them, love God and don't stick your finger there. John has a message that he wants to get across and he makes sure it is simple and clear.  So it's not totally surprising when he ends his letter with a warning against idols, Billy or otherwise. The letter ends abruptly, but it does sum it up. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols. ~1 John 5:21 It's the last verse of his letter, almost a passing thought. But as if he might not see or write them again, he turns the focus clearly between God and anything else that might take God's place.  This might be the best way to end any encouragement to anyone. Yes, there is a lot to our Christ

Just before Christmas came, I was working hard. I was checking things off my own list and checking it twice. Unlike other years, it was not my shopping list for my wife. Her brand new Snuggie and bottle of lotion for dish pan hands was wrapped safely under the tree. If anyone thinks that is true, they should be wondering how I survived to write this post. Nevertheless, my shopping was done. My list was a to-do list and I was making sure it was complete because I was taking a vacation until the New Year. WooT! As Type-A as I am every week, I am doubly so when about to take some vacation days. The reason is simple; I don't want to leave anything left undone where someone might have the need to contact me. Don't get me wrong. I love the people I work with and I love what I do. But when I'm breaking, I plan to disappear and be invisible. Like a high-tech spy, I am gone and good luck to you finding evidence of my existence. So back to those last days before vacation.

I am part of a blogging for books program at Waterbrook Multnomah. With keen insight, they realize that this time of year is often used for reflecting and planning. So they have offered five excerpts from books that can help with that process. I'll be posting one each week right here on my blog. This first one is from a book I just reviewed yesterday. Enjoy!  Putting Your Faith in Action by Nick Vujicic Having faith, beliefs, and convictions is a great thing, but your life is measured by the actions you take based upon them. You can build a great life around those things you believe and have faith in. I’ve built mine around my belief that I can inspire and bring hope to people facing challenges in their lives. That belief is rooted in my faith in God. I have faith that He put me on this earth to love, inspire, and encourage others and especially to help all who are willing to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I believe that I can never earn my way to heaven, and by

If you're into making resolutions, then Unstoppable  by Nick Vujicic is a good book to pick up. He is a Christian motivational speaker and if you can walk away from time spent with him and still feel bad bout your life, then you may indeed have some big problems. You see, Nick was born without arms or legs. But that hasn't stopped him from doing what he wants to do. In his book he shares his own story, both the good and the bad, along with many other people's stories. I don't think reading a book like this will make your problems simply disappear. They are still your problems. However, I think reading Nick's story will help put your problems in perspective and give you hope that your problems can be overcome. And hope is what keeps us looking and moving forward. I received this book for free from my good friends at Waterbrook Multnomah. They give me books. I offer what I think.

Christmas is past. The New Year has begun. If you're into celebrating everything, then Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are also in your rear view mirror. But one holiday I'd like to celebrate all year long here on the blog is Festivus. Any self-respecting Seinfeld fan will remember this made up holiday, in which the Costanzas gave up the trappings of Christmas and put up a Festivus Pole instead of a tree. They also had the airing of grievances , a special time when people told each other what they really thought. It is in that spirit that I introduce a new series to my blog. I will rant, I will rave, I will tell you exactly what I think. Some topics will be serious, the others perhaps not so much. Hopefully you will be able to tell the difference before you post a comment that could leave me weeping bitterly. To get us started, and since we're just now leaving the holidays, let's meet the first topic I'd like to go all rage against the machine on. It's Christmas. S

There is some scuttlebutt around the church office that a ghost inhabits the church building. I'm not sure if you should be more surprised about a ghost in a church or my sick use of the word scuttlebutt . Either way, I speak of what I hear. There are reports of a whistling noise, heard often at night and, predictably, when there's not a crowd. It's not a wind or a train but the mystery remains. I wish I could tell you more, but alas, that's all I know. It does make me wonder if someone is watching me while I work. I detest the thought of someone being over my shoulder, so I guess I could use that as an excuse when I'm distracted. It also makes me second guess when I'm checking my teeth after lunch or my nose for a stray hair. Yeah, this post is going a little crazy...just like some of those nose hairs. I suppose the thought of a ghost watching us shouldn't be all that alarming. We serve a God whom we cannot see. This causes questions and doubts for

Recently I got a new computer. New! That's exciting, but it comes with a cost. I'm not talking about the price tag. I don't know about you, but the process of transferring everything from one computer to another can be tedious.  For starters, you got a new computer most likely because the old one wasn't working well or it was working about the speed of a 1950's secretary who didn't know shorthand. Now that it knows you're replacing it, what makes anyone think it will transfer files with any proficiency at all? When you finally get the new computer on, you suffer from what can only be described as a first-world problem. It seems our good friend Billy Gates has decided the latest operating software was working too well, so he decided to make a new one. In this case, that was Windows 8.  Hooray, change! When it comes to computers, though, I don't fear much change. Just show me where I can find Minesweeper  and I should be okay.  But

Today I bring in a new year and finish my Best Of series. From time to time, I post about my wife. I love her, but sometimes she is Blog-Gold! The bet part is that she doesn't read me regularly, so I can normally post what I want about her. She doesn't know about it until people start commenting,...so thank you for that my faithful readers.  But here's the post (about my wife) that has received the most hits. Ham on a String Even though I saw it happen, I actually could not believe my eyes. There was no ESPN instant replay, but I didn't need it. My wife had just tore her hamstring. She was coming to third base in a church-league softball game when the coach told her to go home. Little did he know he would soon be sending her to a couch in her home. She turned on the speed, rounded third and almost instantly pulled up lame.  If she had been a horse, I would have grabbed my rifle. Did I just compare my wife to a horse? Neigh! Being the competitive woman that she