Rick Nier...Woo!

The end of the school year is upon us. It makes me want to reflect back on what kind of school year it has been. On the other hand, summer plans need to be finalized and much could be said about what we have to look forward to. On a third hand, which I do not have, there is something to be said about life on this day. Honestly, with school year schedules going and summer schedules coming (hello sandals, I’ve missed you) it is a little bit crazy for me to try and focus on just one thing right now. Plus I have just finished two books with contrasting styles and opinions on matters of faith. (In case you're wondering, Who Really Goes to Hell and The Naked Gospel.) The books, which both were well written and focused in on the cores of our faith, have been a good exercise for me. While one made me hurt inside, the other gave me fresh insight. But you can’t judge truth by how it makes you feel. Truth is truth, whether we recognize it or not. That’s a little off my point, which is to say...

A kiss is a very personal thing. After all, if you allow someone else that close to your face, you should probably know them. And if you know them, you should probably ask before you just start kissing. Even as a married man I've learned that lesson the hard way. It's not that she has to be asked, but if she doesn't know it's coming, she could mistake my face for an enemy target. She consistently blames 'the war', though I'm pretty sure she's never been in combat. Maybe I'm wrong. Why all this talk about kissing? Because of Proverbs 24:26. "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." I guess an honest answer could be like a kiss on the lips. On the other hand, a blunt response is like an upper cut to the chin. The answers to the following questions are examples; Do you like this outfit? Do you think I'm smart/fat/attractive/fun? As I think about it, anytime we hear a question start with, 'Now tell me the truth...', it's pr...

Some of you may know that I blog for books. It connects me with books and authors I might not otherwise read. In the case of David Rudel's book Who Really Goes to Hell , I received two copies. I passed one on to my good friend Bryon. What follows are his very astute observations. The following is my review of Who Really Goes to Hell? by David Rudel. I’ll say up front that I did enjoy the challenge of a different perspective on this subject. This book definitely made me open my Bible and ponder some serious questions. However, although the underlying question of “Who really goes to hell?” is a good one, and worthy of discussion, I believe Rudel’s reasoning is erroneous and I warn those who desire to read this book to read it with caution. At the core of Rudel’s message is a system of works. He interprets the emphasis of what Jesus did as having an effect in this life only, breaking the shackels of slavery to sin off of the believer by taking away the dominating power of sin. He pres...

Let's suppose you know what grace is. Let's further suppose that you even fall closer to grace than works on that grand debate. If you've ever said "God, I understand your grace. Thanks. What's next?", then I have a must read for you. It's called The Naked Gospel by Andrew Farley. It's subtitle is 'the truth you may never hear in church'. While the subject of grace is certainly heard in church, I suppose Andrew may be correct. The level to which he takes grace could take much longer to preach and teach than most pastors are willing to give to one topic. And that's too bad. This book hits hard and honest on Grace and all of its questions, problems, balancing acts, scripture verses, applications and implications. Drawing largely from the book of Hebrews, Andrew brings to light God's economy of grace and why the blood payment of Jesus issued in the New Covenant. It should change everything and it does change everything. In one chapter he t...

Many people will tell you that Proverbs 22:6 is a great verse when it comes to parenting children. Sure, train a child now and hold your breath later. I believe the truth of this verse, but I think Solomon upped the wisdom 2 chapters earlier when he wrote Proverbs 20:30. The Contemporary English version puts a bit more stank on it; "A severe beating will knock all the evil out of you." I like that so much that I had it put on a stick that I carry around with me. I use it with my children (the Bible verse, not the stick). I even use it with the teens I work with (the stick, not the Bible verse). I know some 'experts' will tell you that a gentle answer turns away wrath (Proverbs 15:1). And sure, Teddy Roosevelt said to walk softly and carry a big stick. Then again, Tony Stark (Iron Man) said that the best weapon is the one you only have to fire once. My daughter's second grade teacher, when getting the attention of her class, would softly say, 'If you can hear m...

Jacie has many great characteristics, none the least of which is having me for a dad. But there is something which she picked up from her mother. Jennifer has this knack for wondering what could go wrong in a situation. In fact, she's working on a book called What to Suspect When You're Suspecting . I'm sure it'll be a best seller for psychiatrists and counselors around the world. Jacie would easily fit in the category of people who watch a report on a measles outbreak and then start to itch. Recently her sister was sick and dehydrated. We had to admit her in a hospital to get her back to form. Involved with that was an IV pumping fluids into her body. Then this conversation; Jacie: What's that in her arm? Mom: It's an IV, giving Jerica fluids to make her better. Jacie: Will I have to have an IV? Mom: Are you sick? Jacie: No, but what if I get sick some day and need an IV. (Tears) I don't want an IV. It's the sinking suspicion that someday, somewhere, so...

Have you ever considered how you would respond to an entirely new religion? What if someone (and by someone I mean someone respectable and believable) came along and told us that God had spoke to him and given him the real truth behind life and love and other mysteries? Obviously we can rule out people looking for spaceships behind comets, men wielding guns instead of knowledge and the guy at school who uses 'dude' as an exclamation point. Most of you will read that first paragraph and answer that you believe God has already revealed the answers in the form of Jesus. And I would agree. But what if the traditional interpretations for what Jesus said were incorrect? I don't mean by a mile, although that should be considered as well. If you care to continue with this logic, then you should probably pick up a copy of Who Really Goes to Hell? by David I Rudel. The subtitle, a lengthy one, says it all; The Gospel You've Never Heard, What a Protestant Bible written by Jews s...

Call me jaded or even desensitized. Tell me I've lost my passion. Try to label me as losing my moral compass. You'll be wrong, but go ahead. I'm just no longer surprised. I'm reading a lot of articles and blogs decrying the state of our nation, our role models and even the leaders in our communities. We are shocked and taken aback when people choose to do wrong. We wonder and moan aloud when sin takes a front seat, instead of being placed on the curb where it belongs. I'm not sure why. Don't get me wrong. I am thankful to those who watch and warn. If there is danger ahead, I would like to know where not to step. But I think it's time that we stop pretending that we can live in a bubble of magic and rainbows. Jesus came to this world to redeem it from sin. If that was necessary back then, we can't expect that evil would just give up and crawl back home. Just thinking about our over-sexualized culture (and the newest Disney darlings that join in) gets us a...

The title of this book could almost be read in a voice-over by William Shatner; Boldly pursuing all that matters. But that would probably be cheesy and take away from this great book by Dwayne Roberts. Dwayne offers great big nuggets of truth such as; We are defined by how God feels about us, and God's delight is not defined by our failures or successes. I think the majority of the Church in the Western world is oblivious to what bursts forth from the heart of the living God. Near the end of the book his invitation is to come, fall in love with the greatest Lover the world has ever known. Using stories from the lives of David, Paul, Mary and more, Dwayne gives us a vivid picture of what we mean to God. His hope is that in giving us even a tiny glimpse will move us to pursue God in much the same way. After all, what else is there that satisfies. Authors write about it, church-goers hint at it and street preachers yell about it, but in the end there is God and there is you. What will...

Kids and praying are a funny thing. Jennifer and I have tried, from very young ages, to instill in them an urgency to pray. I have taught them to be confident that God hears their little voices. Yet, despite my confidence that their Heavenly Father turns His ear when they begin to pray, I have noticed some interesting habits in their prayers. For instance, they tend to naturally lay prostrate in church when we pray. They also have a tendency to sound very penitent when praying. And one should be careful when giving them a request to pray about, for they will do so for the next 3 months. But our youngest has taken upon herself to let Jesus know where she's praying and what she's praying about. For instance, if we're sitting down to a meal, she'll pray, 'Jesus, food, thank you for...' and then she'll list all our family members, some of her stuffed animals and Jen twice. If it's bedtime, her prayer begins, 'Jesus, bed, thank you for...' and the res...

So awhile ago my wife, Jennifer, was having some issues. (Disclaimer: I know, she's a girl and they all have issues.) But these issues were causing my wife to have headaches and nasal problems. So after ruling out other possibilities, the doctors sent her to be tested for allergies. If you've never been tested for allergies, I would suggest it. It's a wonderful experience where they treat your arm like a pin cushion. They stick you with row upon row of the usual suspects. So after the tests were done, we waited a week and found out Jen is allergic to... Corn...dust...children...Okay, I made that last one up. But tell me how a girl living in Indiana is allergic to corn? Isn't that like a fish being allergic to water? Or birds being allergic to feathers? Or Chuck Norris being allergic to cool? It just doesn't make sense. (Side note: Did you know that Chuck Norris invented the Cesarean section when he roundhouse-kicked his way out of his mother's womb? How cool is ...