The unwanted but permanent images of the brutal beheadings of faithful Christians by Islamic Extremists have been etched into our minds. In the face of such horror, we hear a repeated question from Christians and non-Christians. “How do they remain faithful to Christ while facing suffering and death? The question is not new. Since…
Several years ago I visited the Greek island of Crete where I saw what is considered the oldest tree on earth—an olive tree. It’s estimated to be 3,000 years old and is still producing olives. Later, Phyllis, my wife, and I visited the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where we saw olive trees believed to…
3 Reasons to be SILENT in the Face of Pain. Minutes after my sweet mother passed away, her pastor called to let me know Mama unexpectedly died from a stroke. I caught the first plane home. A large crowd had gathered in Mama’s living room. As I was about to enter, I remember thinking, “The…
Who Is On Your Mean-the-Most List? Some people picture God as the super-policeman of the universe who keeps his supernatural eye on his human creatures, hoping to catch them doing something wrong. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over thousands of years, the many authors of the Bible observed God’s acts and attitude towards…
Natural Disasters. 8 Things You Should Say. 8 Things You Should Never Say. Natural Disasters are unwanted but regular parts of our lives. They come in many forms such as blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, and floods. When the initial crisis ends, familiar questions always surface. Where was God? Why did this happen? Did we do something…
“Your crisis is only part of the picture.” —Bill Nichols If you met Jack, you might notice he only had four fingers on his left hand. I grew up in a town that was so small practically everybody knew everybody. But some people stood-out. Take Jack. He lost that little finger playing junior high football. He got…
Storm is over. Loss of Loved Ones is Not. What you SHOULD and SHOULD NEVER say to someone who hurts. The massive 2016 NE blizzard is over, but the loss of loved ones is not. It reminds us to always be prepared when you want to say something to someone suffering a devastating loss. It…
Gratitude is not natural. Are you or someone you love going through a frightening, stormy time right now? In such times, at first glance some scriptures just don’t seem right. How are you supposed to “Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20)? Bitterness, self-pity,…
Granddaddy had no running water Granddaddy Jerry Nichols and Mammy lived ten miles off the paved road on a farm in Virginia. They had no running water or electricity and got all their food from the animals they raised and the plants they grew. They used oil lanterns for light and carried buckets of…
No one thought it would happen. But it did. Harrison could have easily prevented his family all the conflict, heartache and tension. Don’t let this happen to you. More importantly, don’t do this to your family. Harrison was only forty-five and was never seriously ill before. His wife brought him into the emergency room at…