Thanks for stopping by my website. I hope you find some insights that are informative, encouraging, and useful for your daily and eternal life. For most of my adult life, I have sensed God’s calling for me to give my life helping people develop a healthy faith by having a close, intimate relationship with God.
I want my faith to have intellectual integrity, inspirational motivation, and practical application for anything I must face. I am attempting to provide you with the main elements that have assisted me in developing and maintaining a healthy faith. Here are some things I desire for my life. See if you have the same desires for the life God has given you.
In short, I desire for you a Healthy Faith that thrives no matter what.
Additional Resources
Besides the information about developing and maintaining your healthy faith, my website is designed to provide you with other practical resources to assist you in equipping yourself and others in handling many of the most difficult life and death issues.
EVER WONDER WHERE GOD WAS? When tragedy strikes, it’s natural to ask, “If God loves us, where was He?” Take that terrible crash in DC between a commuter jet and a Black Hawk helicopter. Sixty-seven lives were lost. Moments like that make us ask questions. But here’s what we need to know most: God’s love…
Greetings, family and friends, My prayer is this newsletter finds you well and safe and managing life productively during these pandemic times. Who would have thought that we would have ever experienced the changes we have seen in the last two years. Phyllis and I have been grateful for the beauty of these Texas Hills…
Ever Wonder Where Was God? Have you ever had one of those nights where your brain just won’t shut off? You lie there troubled, staring at the ceiling, worrying about every worst-case possibility. I know exactly how you feel. But it’s reassuring to know that even Jesus Himself “became deeply troubled and distressed. (Mark 14:33 NLT) But it’s also…
Is the reason my prayers are not answered, I don’t have enough faith? If someone ask you this question, what would you say? When I was asked, here’s what I said. Everyone has faith. But do you have enough faith? Enough to please God, to get you into heaven, to see your prayers answered? If…
My Southern-belle wife, Phyllis, makes the world’s best pecan pie. Are you imagining it? Well then, imagine this: what if she brings the pie to me, places her right hand behind my head and smushes that fabulous pecan pie in my face. How do you suppose I’d like that pie? That’s the way some Christians…
Award-winning writer, Rachael Colby on Audiobook, RETURN OF THE SONG “A delight. Wit and wisdom, A moving romance story set in the gentle south. With her charming southern accent, Phyllis Nichols brings each character to life in an outstanding narration of her book, Return of the Song. She treats listeners to recordings of her beautiful…
Because of rampant violence and media attention, Americans must answer some serious questions about poverty, questions like, Why in rich America are there still the Haves and Have-nots? Are some people poor because others are selfish and do little to eliminate poverty? Doesn’t poverty cause people to become selfish, angry and do evil things? Is…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
Rioting. Looting. Burning. That’s what it takes to make change, according to some. Are there circumstances when resorting to violence is the right thing to do? Our nation is on fire again. In the last several days, violent and peaceful protests are taking place in every state in our country following George Floyd’s shocking death…
I attached my recent painting, “Hill Country Path by a Pond” because it provides a visual illustration of what it means to have a certain vantage point in art. I hope my vantage point in this painting will cause the viewer to wonder, maybe even anticipate what’s at the end of the paint, just over…
Since I was ten, I’ve loved sharing beautiful parts of God’s creation that come to my eyes and out through my brushes. Painting has been my hobby for all these years, and I still love it. So, you can imagine how nervous I was when I discovered I had a congenital eye disease that…
“The Fear of the Coronavirus Is More Dangerous Than the Virus,” was the headline of a recent newspaper. No doubt, fear can be one of the most powerful and dangerous of our emotions. Maybe we need to take another look at that powerful emotion we call fear. Of course, it’s powerful and potentially destructive.…
Well, we certainly find ourselves celebrating Resurrection Sunday like we never have before, that is, from a distance! But are we? Maybe during this COVID-19 pandemic, this Resurrection Sunday has us closer to our Lord and more interested in His story of being raised from the dead than we’ve ever been before. At a time…
I love the view from my comfortable “ole” recliner. I don’t even have to move my head to see the birdfeeder Phyllis’ dad built for us. I merely lift my eyes from my laptop computer and can enjoy an array of our feathered friends: bright red cardinals, gorgeous gold finches, brilliant vermillion flycatchers, tiny hummingbirds,…
“We who were atheists until yesterday, now pray to God for peace” In these challenging times, can you say with the song writer, “It is well with my soul”? When hard times come, we instantly check to see if we can say, “It is well with my finances, my loved ones, my job, my…
Joni Eareckson Tada was only 17 when she lost control of almost everything. She dove into shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay, and her life was totally changed in seconds. The accident left her quadriplegic, paralyzed from her shoulders down. She lost her desire to live and almost committed suicide. For years, she suffered more…
The seriousness of the Coronavirus is understandably raising some obvious questions. “Why? Why is God allowing such a terrible thing to happen? If God is so powerful and loving, why doesn’t He protect innocent children and adults from suffering and dying?” Anytime such horrible and uncontrollable tragedies strike, our desire for help with these…
He turned twenty-one today, and I gave him a priceless family heirloom. Our grandson, Austin, is officially a man today, so I gave him one of my most valued possessions. I’ve been holding it for years just waiting for this special day. I say it’s priceless because it was my daddy’s Illinois 21-jewel, Bunn Special,…
Something happened this week that made me stop and think. It happens every day to hundreds of others, but this time it felt very personal because it happened to a close friend of mine. He was on a volunteer project with some other men when he had a serious heart attack. His friends rushed him…
Dad was a railroad man. When I was little, he was gone a lot. I loved my daddy. We were great buddies. We had secrets and did boy things together. I really missed Daddy when he went off to work on the railroad. But some of my most joyful memories are of Mama’s round little…
Don’t you just hate answering important questions with, “I don’t know”? And when the questioner, who is desperatelyreaching out to you for help, is facing something painful or fearful, the lastthing they want to hear is “I don’t know.” “Why did God let our baby get cancer and die?” I remember that young couple who…
We took our morning Texas Hill Country hike and spotted our favorite feathered friend, the Vermillion Flycatcher. The 4-inch little red fellow streaked across the sky so fast that I was surprised when I got this snapshot of him in flight. He looks so happy and so free darting around in the sky. For some…
We took our morning Texas Hill Country hike and spotted our favorite feathered friend, the Vermillion Flycatcher. The 4-inch little red fellow streaked across the sky so fast that I was surprised when I got this snapshot of him in flight. He looks so happy and so free darting around in the sky. For some…
When I was in kindergarten, my attention span was shorter than most. At least that’s what Mama and Daddy said. But when my daddy wanted to get what he called “my undivided attention,” he knew just how to do it. He would walk right up to me, kneel down so we were face to face,…
Want to join a live Twitter chat but don’t know how? It’s actually very easy. Just follow these 3 simple steps. Try it. You’ll like it. Step 1: Open your Twitter account. Look to the upper right corner of the page. You’ll see a space with the words “Twitter Search.” Type in that space #HealthyFaith…
This week, my dear friend, Lottie Mitchell, went to be with our Lord and with her life-long best friend, husband and sweetheart, Bill. For me and many others in the San Antonio area, it’s been an emotional week filled with ups and downs. It has seemed unusual the last couple of days not to be…
I know I’m in a miniscule minority, but hear me out for just a minute. I believe what happened 500 years ago on this very day was a world-changing event. The truth is, what started that day continues to impact our lives far more than all the other things you’ll see in the news today.…
If we counselors had a dollar for every person who came for counseling but didn’t take our advice, we’d all be rich. Too often people want to overcome some problem or improve some weakness, but they don’t want to take the time or pay price for permanent change. We all want a quick, effortless solution.…
Last week our two daughters, accompanied by our two older grandkids and a few friends, led a small group to South Texas to help some families hit hardest by the recent hurricanes. They shared much-needed supplies they had collected and offered their encouragements. I’m sure those they visited in their homes were blessed. But, from…
Hurricane Harvey has caused great heartache. But it has also generated great gratitude. While I am writing this article, Texas Governor Greg Abbott just announced that already over 30,000 people have been evacuated from their flooded homes and are in shelters. He says the number will continue to grow since literally thousands are still trapped…
Phyllis calls our afternoon, pre-sunset walks in our Hill Country neighborhood our “little adventures.” They’re adventures because we never know what surprises we’re might encounter. Some days, our surprise is a bird we’ve never seen before. Other days it’s a big water moccasin chasing frogs in the swampy tank not far from our home. But…
No matter how hard things get, orphan Annie keeps on singing “the sun will come out tomorrow.”One of the reasons we all know and love those hope-filled words is they speak to our basic need and desire for predictability. We all feel better when the circumstances and people around us are more stable and predictable.…
I love the view from my comfortable “ole” recliner. I don’t even have to move my head to see the birdfeeder Phyllis’ dad built for us. I merely lift my eyes from my laptop computer and can enjoy an array of our feathered friends: bright red cardinals, gorgeous gold finches, brilliant vermillion flycatchers, tiny hummingbirds,…
I love painting portraits. It doesn’t matter if I’m painting a smiling baby, heroic soldier, or famous dignitary; I simply enjoy the artistic process and seeing the smile on the faces of those who receive it. There’s just something magical about starting with a blank canvas and watching it become something of great value. Don’t…
I am so excited. And that doesn’t happen often. Yesterday I got this photo of a male, Vermillion Flycatcher in flight. The new camera Phyllis bought me is amazing. Just before the sun dropped behind the small mountain that shades our home, Phyllis grabbed her binoculars, I strapped on my camera, we jumped in our…
We love living in the Texas Hill Country and getting up before the sun does. While the day is barely breaking and still darkish, we put on our walking shoes and begin our day. Usually we get to enjoy hearing one of God’s tiny friends singing. This morning I took this photo of a happy male…
This past week a young doctor friend, fresh out of medical school and a third-year resident, drove all the way to our home in the Hill Country to tell us about his fascinating vision. If his vision actually works, it will change the lives of millions of America’s poorest citizens. “often visions, even good and…
C.S. Lewis followers. You’re invited. Share your insights. Bill Nichols
This week, patriotic Americans across the country celebrate Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 20. First observed on May 20, 1950 to honor Americans serving in the five U.S. military branches, it’s always on the third Saturday in May as a climax to Armed Forces Week. A few months ago I was commissioned to paint…
Is being patient merely being lazy? Is saying we’re waiting on God no more than an excuse for irresponsible living? Throughout the Bible believers are called to wait patiently on the Lord. But there is a big difference between godly and ungodly patience. Sometime patience is ungodly. How can you tell the difference? Our Lord…
He stepped up to the microphone to deliver his first talk in our sophomore speech class. His body turned to jelly. His eyes closed. He dropped to the floor. He shocked all of us. According to the 2016 study by the National Institute of Mental Health, most Americans fear speaking in front of a crowd…
Pain will certainly make you bitter or better. What’s it doing to you? Don’t waste your pain. Give it purpose. Make your pain, problem, or heartache work for you not against you. In Philip Yancey’s helpful book, Pain: The Gift Nobody Wants, he reminds us that pain and suffering have meaning if viewed properly.…
If practical-minded, caring professionals like pediatric nurse Yudith Cruz are so passionate in their recommendation of Healthy Faith, wouldn’t you like to know why? It doesn’t cost to look inside and see for yourself – HEALTHY FAITH.
International spiritual leaders like Dr. Jack Robbins recommend Healthy Faith for developing the kind of faith that works in everyday life. You’re invited to see why. Click here HEALTHY FAITH.
A step-by-step plan for a faith that works. In the tradition of C.S. Lewis. From atheist to passionate Christian. It worked for him. Take a look for you – HEALTHY FAITH.
Part of staying healthy is relaxing, playing, doing something you enjoy. The mind, heart and body needs some time away from the grind. One of my favorite ways of balancing work with play is painting. I love to paint hills, birds, ponds, and just about every part of our Father’s amazing creation. But my favorite…
“I can’t get this terrible thing I did out of my head. Can you help me clear my conscience?” While her story was unique, her problem was not. Over the years, it became obvious to me, as a counselor, that people seeking spiritual and/or emotional help often don’t know how to clear their consciences and…
On our last trip to Israel, my wife and I joined a Jewish family for their weekly Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem. I’ll never forget that emotional moment during the Shabbat meal when the father and mother took turns taking each of their children’s faces in their hands. They looked straight into their eyes, and blessed…
Can You Name Jesus’ Seven Last Statements from the Cross? While the butchers who tortured and crucified Jesus were playing games, laughing and mocking him, he gasped for enough air to speak. His lips quivered and everyone wondered what he would say. Who could blame Jesus if he used his last words to curse his…
As I look back on my forty years of counseling, I must admit I didn’t always give the best advice. But I believe Paul Hudson’s counsel for a successful life may be the worst advice I’ve ever heard. “Never depend on anyone but yourself.” Paul Hudson, an American entrepreneur and amateur advisor, writes for the…
My granddad was an angry and bitter man. During the summer as a little boy, I visited him and my grandma on their farm in Virginia. Granddad was a big man. I remember how frightened I was when I saw him slap Mammy, his petite wife, for doing the smallest thing he didn’t like. I’d…
“She was shot in the head for standing up for Jesus,” reported eyewitnesses to Cassie Bernall’s execution. Cassie was seventeen when she was murdered in the Columbine School massacre. Her teenage killers put a gun to her head and asked if she believed in God. She knew full well if she answered yes she would…
Baby Maggie was delivered, but the doctor could not get her to take that all important first breath. During this episode, I learned something I never knew before. Until an infant takes its first breath, its lungs are full of fluid that for nine months nourishes its body. When the time is…
Dear Friend, Please accept a FREE sampling of my 5-Star Amazon 2016 book, Healthy Faith: A Strategic Lifestyle Plan to Transform Your Head, Heart and Hands. I am getting encouraging comments from readers. And I hope you will feel the same when you read just the free sampling I want to send you. Here’s what…
What my Mama said to me the night I overheard her and my Daddy talking about not being able to pay all their bills surprised me. As a small boy, I knew we were poor, but I didn’t know we were that poor. Mama was a Sunday School teacher in our little church. She always…
In his retirement, my Dad had a beautiful vegetable garden. I’m talking about a magazine-picture-perfect kind. It didn’t get that way from merely planting, fertilizing, and watering his cherished plants. Not on your life. Nearly every morning, even before breakfast, my Dad rushed out to his garden and examined every inch for any tiny weed…
When Mondays come around, I feel more grateful than usual. I don’t know about you, but for me Mondays are humbling. They not only remind me of how blessed I’ve been over the past week, but how fortunate I am to have another week to show my I appreciation for all our Father has done…
In elementary school, I had to get up early and walk to school because I didn’t have a bike like the other guys in my neighborhood. Mama and Daddy told me they were sorry they couldn’t afford to buy me one. Although they both had full time jobs, one night I overheard my folks struggling…
I love Mondays. You know why? Mondays are full of hope. But, don’t misunderstand me. I’m not one of those “think positive and everything will be great” manipulators. All that positive-thinking, believe-you-can-do-anything optimism is self-destructive, deceptive, and worst of all, it’s anti-Christian. Foolish optimism doesn’t make me love Mondays. I love Mondays because I’m…
You’re insights are welcome in tonight’s live Twitter chat in 5 minutes. #Mouncechat. We will be discussing Mere Christianity. Bill Nichols, Author, Healthy Faith
On that first Christmas, did the Creator-God of the universe actually become a flesh-and-blood baby? That’s what Christians say. That’s what Jesus claimed. Either Jesus was the great “Immanuel” (God with us) or the greatest imposter of all times. Simply put, the Christmas story is either true or false. It’s not a matter of being…
Are your private, personal choices anyone else’s business? Your first thought might be, “No. What I choose to do privately is no one’s business but mine.” Hold that thought until you hear Daniel’s story. Almost three thousand years ago, Daniel made a private, personal choice that affected more people than he could have imagined. Yet,…
“Parents say strange things.” That’s what I told my older sister, Louise, when Mama passed up all of the good pieces of fried chicken and said, “I prefer the neck.” Years later I realized Mama didn’t really preferred the neck. In those days our family of six was so poor that Mama always took less…
“Let’s Go to Bethlehem” “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the…
Do you know what to say when someone is in serious emotional and spiritual pain? When Jonathan McComb lost his wife, Laura, and their two children in the Texas Hill Country flood, friends wondered what they should say. When a man’s heart and mind are shattered and in shock, sometimes what he needs more than…
4 Simple Steps to Participating in a Live Twitter Chat Want to join a live Twitter chat but don’t know how? It’s actually very easy. I’ve found that many people want to participate in a public Twitter chat but don’t know how to get started. Not long ago I wanted to join a chat so I ask a…
She asked sincerely, “I want to change what I’m doing. Is my willpower powerful enough?” Your willpower is powerful, but it’s not all-powerful. One of our most self-deceptive, self-destructive, and yet widespread beliefs is, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Sometimes, it’s said this way, “If you will it, you can do…
5 Classic Tests for What Is Moral or Immoral Is it ever right to kill, buy illegal drugs, get a divorce, abort a fetus, or sell your body to make a living? Have you noticed that these and other moral questions get contradictory answers? How do you know if what you’re doing is moral…
No one should have to go through some things alone. But far too often they do. No one should have to die alone. No one should have to be alone when a loved one dies. No one should have to be alone to hear, “You have terminal cancer.” I’m sure you can add other…
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…
During a counseling session, a woman told me that God told her to kill her unfaithful husband. A physician, who had a stable, successful practice, told his wife that God told him to leave his practice and go to India as a medical missionary. His wife did not agree. How can we be sure we…
Did you read the recent news story about that dog that recently swam 6 miles and walked 12 more to reunite with his master and family? After reading about the tenacity of that ordinary animal, I felt ashamed of my lack of perseverance. I don’t know about you, but it’s easier for me to…
The living Christ wants to speak through your voice. Do you believe that?
We live in an activity-addicted culture. We’re so busy that we don’t have time to just sit quietly and talk to one another. Many now spend more time with their phones and computers than with their family members. My dad often worked seven days per week. During the harvest season in South Florida, my dad…
Are you letting your past determine your future? With God’s help you can change that! Learn how in Healthy Faith: A Strategic Lifestyle Plan to Transform Your Head, Heart and Hands. www.HealthyFaith.net
Ever feel separated from God? It’s a common feeling. It’s that estranged, anxious feeling we sense when we let something come between us and God. When I was ten, my dad took me to New York City. We visited popular sites like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, and Circle Line Tour. My most…
How can you “hang in there” when you are continually bombarded by physical, moral, and social attacks? Do you sometimes feel like just throwing in the towel? How can you remain faithful and peaceful no matter what? My wife can speak with her hands. She knows American Sign Language (ASL). She taught me that…
Know what’s more important than the Abortion Debate? The Monday, June 27, 2016, Supreme Court ruling related to abortion clinics, reminds us that there is something at stake that is much bigger than just the abortion issue. We are often faced with important ethical choices that can dramatically affect the rest of our lives. …
Are you in agreement with the recent Supreme Court’s decision? Americans are once again split over abortion. The Monday, June 27, 2016, Supreme Court ruling related to abortion clinics, reopened the longstanding and highly divisive abortion debate. Some are partying. Some are wailing. Few are indifferent about this extremely personal issue. Pro-choice voices…
No Wonder We Have So Much Trouble Understanding Faith Bill Nichols, PhD. Ask ten people, “What exactly is faith?” You’ll probably get ten different answers. If you think about the many ways the word faith is used today, it’s no wonder people have so much trouble understanding what faith is. Mother Teresa’s sacrificial work helping impoverished…
Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Mona Lisa, is valued at one billion dollars, making it by far the world’s most valuable painting. Can you imagine the kind of security system and extreme protective measures the Louvre Museum in Paris uses to guard this matchless piece of art? As valuable as The Mona Lisa is, it…
Are you tired of having such a cluttered life? How can you escape the confusion, frustration, and weight of such a load without shirking your responsibilities? Your Heavenly Father has provided a way. It’s simple but not easy. He is challenging you to stop trying to find some secret hiding place or fantasy land where…
This brief video explains why today is called “Good” Friday. It’s worth a few minutes. Click to view now. http://youtu.be/FzxXvEtf9D0
Microchips are no longer just for laptops and phones. With so many amazing discoveries in medicine these days, I don’t get overly excited about one anymore. Well, that was until one invention made its debut with such a jolting impact that it just may be the beginning of a whole new era in the medical…
All spiritually healthy service is done in the Name of Jesus. When we act in his Name, spiritual fruit is produced. Acting in the Name of Jesus doesn’t mean we are acting as foreign ambassadors or representatives of Jesus or that we are merely following his example. Serving in the Name of Jesus means we…
On our last trip to Israel, my wife and I joined a Jewish family for their weekly Shabbat dinner in Jerusalem. I’ll never forget the emotional moment during the Shabbat meal when the father and mother took turns taking each of their children’s faces in their hands, looking into their eyes, and blessed them with…
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…
Faith and Forgiveness. Confusing Sandy dropped out of church completely and no one knew why. Her friends called and tried to find out what was going on. After three months of hearing a string of vague excuses for her absence, they asked me, her pastor, to check on her. I called her repeatedly, but when…
The moment a newborn cries out a collective sigh of relief echoes through the delivery room. The baby is alive and breathing. Air can be life-giving. On the other hand, air can be life-taking. When air moves at speeds over two hundred miles per hour in a killer-tornado, air becomes a horrific, destructive force. Our…
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…
We artists try to create beauty. We see beauty all around us and work hard to translate what we see onto a canvas so we can share with others what we see and feel. Even the best artists confess that they are fall short of the ultimate beauty created by our Heavenly Creator. As lovely as human art is, our…
Don’t Miss Your Shot. When my son-in-law, Mike, took this photo he calls “Moon Over Tapatio,” he had only a few seconds to get the shot before the clouds moved in and he missed his opportunity. That’s the way it is with many important decisions in our lives. We see a chance to do something…
Have you seen the popular TV commercial about calming vests for dogs with anxiety issues? After seeing this curious spot, my wife and novelist, Phyllis Clark Nichols, shared some laughable and helpful spiritual insights in her brief blog “Troubled or Tranquil? That is the question!” You’ve got to read this one.
From my earliest memory, my dad taught me to live by Booker T. Washington’s aphorism, “Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work.” Later in life, I learned that Washington’s old saying sounded true, but it was not. The fact is most successful people in any arena…
Does One Light Really Make Any Difference? I love the Christmas Eve candlelight service in our church. All the lights in sanctuary are slowly turned off until the room is pitch black symbolizing the world’s condition before Jesus was born. About the time our eyes get adjusted to the darkness, our pastor lights the…
Dreams Can Come True. Sometimes we think and act like narcissistic babies. We wish hard. Dream big. And, think “I’ll get God to make my dream come true.” The Bible says, “God can do anything—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 MSG. Notice God’s word…
Can you find the face of Jesus in my painting of the Texas Hill Country? He IS very much present watching over what I like to call “The Misty Morning..” If you don’t see him at first, focus and concentrate. He will suddenly appear. If you don’t see him in a few minutes, I give…
Earth’s Oldest Running Car Teaches Us a Great Lesson. The oldest running car on earth is the 1884 De Dion Bouton et Trepardoux Steam Runabout. Recently, that first-step vehicle sold at an auction for $4.62 million making it the world’s most valuable automobile. Young Comte de Dion and his friends built it in an old…
When I painted this beautiful sunrise in the Texas Hill Country, I thought, “It’s like a healthy faith in so many ways.” How does a sunrise remind you of your faith? Bill
Buried up to her neck and stoned The radical Islamic terrorists dug a hole, buried Monica up to her neck, and stoned her to death. Her father is a Nigerian pastor who was proud of his young daughter’s spiritual courage. He said, “To die for the sake of Christ, that’s the happiest thing for me.…
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…
Surrounded by problems? What to do first? Will you spend most of your day trying to resolve problems? That’s how many single moms and dads spend a great deal of their time. They start each day trying to keep twenty family-plates spinning so that none them fall, break, and cause a whole series of new…
5 GREAT TESTS OF TRUTH Is there any way for you to know whether a person is honest or dishonest, genuine or fake, and truthful or manipulative? When you listen to religious teachers, your marriage partner, your business associates, or your friends, there are five biblical tests for truth that can help you decide it…
Test 1 of 7 Signs of a Healthy Faith “Is your faith EVIDENCE-BASED, or is it based on wishful thinking?” Sarah broke her parents’ heart. When Sarah came home from college and told her parents she could no longer believe in God, she explained, “I wanted to believe but there was just no…
If you had a stroke that left you partially paralyzed, or came home from Afghanistan with no legs and one arm, or learned your newborn baby had a severe disability, where should you go for the best advice? After years of working with people with disabilities and chronic health issues, I learned this indisputable truth—No…
People love the Cardinal more than any other bird. Jesus said your Heavenly Father cares more for you than all the birds. Today, with faith in his love for you, show him your appreciation.
Incredible Art. Seemed Worthless You can’t miss this unusual yet brief video of an incredible work of art. Before you watch it, think about all the significant news happening around us this Christmas season like the San Bernardino massacre, the Stars Wars $238 million debut, the unprecedented landslides in China, and the headlines continue. With…
She no longer believed in God. A college sophomore said, “I had to give up my childhood faith because my studies convinced me that all this talk about faith is no more than emotional, wishful thinking.”After talking with her, I discovered her problem. She needed to give up her childhood faith because it…
Faith is not just what you believe, think, want, feel, and talk about. Faith, genuine faith is becoming, doing, performing what you say you believe. Someone in your circle of family or friends needs you to reach out and be to him or her what you believe in your heart. Will you try this day?
Be careful. Your faith can infect or inspire. Even with the best of intentions, our faith can hurt others. In his Dynamics of Faith, Paul Tillich, the world-renowned, Christian philosopher, psychologist, and theologian, said, “Today the term ‘faith’ is more productive of disease than of health.” Have you noticed the word faith can mean almost…
Genuine faith does not sit back and let God’s people remain in chaos. Will you be a person of faith today by reaching out to someone who needs your peaceful presence?
Not all patience pays off. Some patience is no more than laziness or resignation. Following God’s lead and waiting on Him in faith always pays off.
Having faith in God is more than believing, feeling, and caring about God. Genuine faith is letting God live through you to touch people in love as Jesus did. .
My oil painting of one of God’s most interesting creatures.
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…
A New Way of Handling Your Daily Battles. Will you spend most of your day trying to resolve problems? That’s how many single moms and dads spend a great deal of their time. They start each day trying to keep twenty family-plates spinning so that none them fall, break, and cause a whole series of…
Are you being DECEIVED? How can you know? Is there any way for you to know whether a person is honest or dishonest, genuine or fake, and truthful or manipulative? When you listen to religious teachers, your marriage partner, your business associates, or your friends, there are five biblical tests for truth that can…
Faith is not what you think. The word “Faith” is not what you think. Most people think it’s about believing or trusting. The Bible-word for FAITH is much than believing and trusting. Take a close look. You may be surprised. If you were trying to teach your child the meaning of faith, what picture would you use? I would…
“Today’s test is tomorrow’s witness.” —Bill Nichols What is the purpose of the test? James 1:3-4 says, “For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.” God hasn’t forgotten…
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…
If she had a Brain injury, could the new BRAIN initiative help her. Researchers anticipate miracle-like results. The new $4.5 billion BRAIN project’s goal is to find new ways to treat, cure, and prevent brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, traumatic brain injuries and many others. NIH Director, Outspoken Christian Dr. Francis Collins is…
Choose just the right words today. Words are very powerful. If I get upset and respond to someone’s comment with, “That’s stupid.” The person to whom I say those words may hear, “YOU are stupid.” Without my even knowing it, that simple word choice could destroy any possibility for me to have a relationship with…
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…
Your Heavenly Father understands and loves you. Are you able to forgive yourself as your God forgives you when you come to him in humility. Dr. Bill
No Surprise to Surprising Faith Research Did you read the recent breaking news about the surprising research on faith? The Aug 31, 2015 edition of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology gave the findings of a recent research project on faith and meaning in life. One of the conclusions to the research project…
God is watching over you today. No matter what you face, pleasant or unpleasant, your Heavenly Father has his eye on your every move. The old hymn “His Eye Is on The Sparrow,” speaks to me. Make it God’s song for you today. Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, Why should…
Some art makes you say Awe! This drawing will. http://tinyurl.com/jf6j5to ENJOY. RETWEET make someone happy. Dr.Bill
God Is Behind Your Scene – Your invisible God: No matter what you face today, remember God’s invisible Spirit is faithfully working behind the visible scene. So, after doing all you can and trusting his helpers to do all they can, your faith will grow healthier as you humbly place the process and the outcome in…
Choose God’s Blessing for You Today Decide to fill your day with blessings not curses. The Bible says that God gave the children of Israel, His children, a choice, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Deuteronomy 11:26 (NIV) All our actions and choices have consequences. And when we make bad…
I’m thankful for something very small, almost insignificant, but it’s very big to me. My Heavenly Father knows what it is. Thank you again, Father. Have I started you thinking about something for which you are thankful yet it seems small? “In all things give thanks.” A healthy faith is a thankful faith, especially for the…
8 Helpful Things to Say When Someone Hurts I talked to hundreds of people in their most painful times. I’ve studied what experienced counselors and ministers recommend we should say in the worst of times. The following list of helpful suggestions is a summary of my experience and what many respected authors recommend we can…
If your life is unstable and insecure, you may not have a Healthy Faith and it needs healing. What can help? One of the most encouraging books you can read on the power of faith and how a Healthy Faith can produce a durable, secure life is The Healing Power of Faith: How Belief and Prayer Can…
So much in common! Can you see the many similarities between MLK and Jesus? There are many obvious ones and it’s not surprising. King was a passionate and wholehearted follower of Jesus. Above all King was like Jesus in this way. King followed the example of his Lord when he said this and lived it, “The…
When Jonathan McComb lost his wife, Laura, and their two children in the Texas Hill Country flood, friends wondered what they should say. What would you say? If a man’s heart and mind are shattered and in shock, sometimes what he needs more than words, is a silent hug, a gentle smile, and a I-love-you-pat on…
Can You Spot Jesus’ Face in this Painting? Can you find the face of Jesus in my painting? He IS very much present watching over what I like to call “The Early Morning Meeting of the Cardinal Couple.” If you don’t see him at first, focus and concentrate. He will suddenly appear. Don’t miss…
There’s plenty of solid evidence for God and His presence in your life. HealthyFaith.net provides articles to help you discover the evidences you want.
#1 Priority for Americans – “Enjoy life” “Enjoy life to the fullest.” According to the New Year’s GOBankingRates survey that was American’s #1 resolution. I interpret that to mean that above all else American’s want to enjoy this life. Is that your #1 desire? What we desire is what we do. I don’t…
This is important! What was the most significant medical breakthrough in 2015? The year was filled with so many amazing medical innovations that it’s difficult to select one. I suppose what is considered most important depends on whose life is affected. I imagine baby Layla’s parents would vote for the new cancer treatment using…
A Fresh Look at St. Nick. Love him or Not? After nearly 2,000 years of looking at pictures and poems about St. Nicholas, I think it is time to take a fresh look. After Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem, St. Nicholas was born in the little town of Patara, Greece.…
When Your Loved One Dies Young, What can we say? Their first Christmas without him was almost unbearable. When my friends lost their child, they were devastated. Who wouldn’t be, and especially during the season between Thanksgiving and Christmas? It is certainly the most tender time of the year because of our memories of…
Do you know the difference between ordinary and extraordinary gratitude? The Thanksgiving holiday is pleasant but not life-changing. It’s about being grateful for all the good that has come to us, but there’s another kind of gratitude that is transforming. If you have an intimate relationship with God and know what he has done for…
Can you say it in one line? If you can’t say it in one line, maybe you don’t yet have a good handle on it. This week I read Karen Ball’s blog on the importance of first lines in our writing. Karen, a gifted author and literary agent with The Steve Laube Literary Agency, reminded…
Paid for talking about dying. DO YOU THINK IT WILL HELP? Medicare members will soon get free end-of-life counsel. Beginning January 1, 2016, for the first time Medicare will pay doctors and other health professionals to talk to families about issues related to dying. Read this article before you decide Theoretically, if people get…
Disabilities as Advantages We all have disabilities. Some disabilities are more severe and more obvious than others. Whatever our disabilities, we should concentrate on activities that we can do well, and not waste precious time focusing on our limitations. It is possible to turn some of our disabilities into our advantages. That is what…
Do you really believe that your success, strength, future, and hope are all up to you? The Bible teaches that you and I should do all we can then trust our heavenly Father to do those things that only he can. Our best with his best is the best. Let’s be grateful that it is NOT…
“Is your faith EVIDENCE-BASED, or based on wishful thinking?” Sarah says there is no hard evidence for God When Sarah came home from college and told her parents she could no longer believe in God, she explained, “I wanted to believe but there was just no hard evidence for God. It seems to me that Christianity…
TAKE THE TEST – 7 Signs of a Sick Faith Be careful. Faith can poison. Not all faith is healthy. If your faith is sick, it will poison your relationships, kill your joy, and destroy your peace. If it is healthy, it will enrich your relationship with God and others, enhance your inner joy, and…
“Call a friend today. Give encouragement. Your heavenly Father will give you immediate and lasting encouragement.” Try it and let me know how God encourages you. Bill Nichols
How many is six million? We need Holocaust museums. When I visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, I was so deeply moved that I left the building in tears and silence. I walked a short distance from the museum and felt the need to be alone and…
Happy with where you’re headed? Most Americans are not. They don’t like where they are headed. A Gallup poll revealed that 70% of US workers don’t feel they are reaching their potential. Are you headed in the right direction? A worthwhile purpose is more valuable than great success at a meaningless purpose. Albert Einstein…
Be Careful. Some Faith Doesn’t Work Faith is not just thinking, believing, feeling, hoping, or deciding. For faith to make a difference in our lives, it must include what we do. Throughout the Bible, faith without action is considered useless, unhealthy, or dead. James 2:17 CEV. Everyone has some kind of faith, but…
DrBill says, “A healthy faith has a family of faith.” Agree?
Don’t be Stupid about Patience Patience is not always good. We’ve all been told that patience is a virtue and impatience is a vice. Not so. Both patience and impatience can be healthy or unhealthy. Some people are stupid about patience. Don’t be offended by the word stupid. I don’t use…
Don’t be Stupid about Suffering. Don’t like the word stupid? It can be a wake-up word. Remember, being stupid means being in a stupor or daze about the truth. Being stupid is allowing yourself to be in a mental or spiritual fog about subjects that matter—subjects like dealing with suffering. If you’re suffering…
Don’t like the word stupid? The word stupid can be a wake-up word. Remember, being stupid means being in a stupor or daze about the truth. Being stupid is allowing yourself to be in a mental or spiritual fog about subjects that matters like dealing with suffering. If you suffering pain from within or…
Don’t be Stupid. Release Disappointments. The word stupid means to be in a “stupor” or “daze.” So don’t be in such a stupor or daze that you focus so much on your disappointment that you hurt yourself and those you love. That’s the essence of stupid. Have you been disappointed? Of course you have. It…
Mama washed my mouth out. Don’t be offended by the word stupid. It’s actually an excellent word choice for relaying an important concept—the idea of thinking or acting without common sense or good judgment. But, I’m aware that in the old days, the word stupid was highly offensive to many. My Mama was…
Where Are You Poor? We are all rich in some way, and poor in other ways. Poverty is not just about money. Some of us are poor in love, security, peace, family, purpose, self-confidence, friends, or God. Where is your poverty? What do you not have that you wish you did have? We…
Privacy is Primary Privacy is the core of a spiritual life. Contemporary religion makes our public-life the primary test of faith. It may actually be the very thing that’s keeping us from finding genuine faith. Privacy, simplicity, taking time to be alone with his first-love, his loving heavenly Father, is the way Jesus maintained such…
God may be crying out to you! What horrible pictures and sounds! Our news stays full of shocking videos and voices of the persecuted, mistreated, abused, and the victims of atrocious crimes. We feel deeply for the suffering families, friends, children, Christians in countries like Syria and the suffering ethnic groups. Jesus told his disciples…
Hope & Dying – New Research. I’ve talked about my friend Buck’s death and the report of a new research project on hope. I decided to repeat the post for those who missed it and rename it Buck Buckley, Remember. When you are your loved one is dying, where can you find hope? Is there any hope? Today in…
Hope & Dying – New Research. When you’re dying, where can you find hope? Is there any hope? Today in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, new scientific evidence revealed the importance of hope in the face of death. Hospice. Palliative Care. Dying. Hope. A major aim of the research project was to…
If you missed this inspirational minute, don’t miss it this time–read “Almost Martyred for Faith.”
Was She Afraid to Die? After almost being martyred in Sudan for refusing to renounce her faith in Jesus Christ , Meriam Ibrahim, 27, and her family are grateful to God. “Faith means life. If you don’t have faith, you are not alive,” said Meriam Ibrahim when asked if she was afraid of dying…
Is Suicide Ok? Do you believe 24-year-old Laura should be allowed to take her life by lethal injection even though she’s not terminally ill? Just because Laura says, “Life, that’s not for me,” is it right for her to end her life? Her doctors and government say, “Yes.” This is a highly debated and complicated…
Grass can’t thrive off a few drops of water. Nearly every morning we get up while it’s still dark and go for a sunrise-walk. A few days ago while we were getting ready for our walk, I heard a few drops of water. We hadn’t seen rain in a good while, so I rushed…
Why Would You Refuse Fame and Fortune? Dr. Bill Nichols A top news story of the month, June, 2015, from Forbes spotlighted renowned physician Paul Farmer for his selfless service to the poorest of the poor. As an outstanding specialist in infectious disease, he left the prestigious halls of Harvard Medical School to do…
“Perfection of means and confusion of ends seem to characterize our age.” Albert Einstein, Theoretical Physicist Before it’s too late. How much time do you have before it’s too late with your relationship, your job, your health, or some other area of your life? Is now a good time to stop and take…
Her Kind of Faith Was Destined To Fail When difficult health problems or other painful crises strike, many find their faith ineffective, and sometimes virtually worthless. Why is that? Faith doesn’t work for some because what they think is faith is not faith at all. You Don’t Need More Faith If you…
3 Ways Faith Helps in a Fatal Disease. If physicians say you or your loved one has a fatal disease, how can faith help? Many say their faith made all the difference. I’ve found that faith helps most people in 3 main ways: 1. Your Faith in God reminds you of your PAST. Faith is…
Do you know this American Hero? Barbara Newhouse is the President and CEO. She’s leading a war against a serious enemy. Do you know anyone with ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig Disease? If you do, click “Yes” or “Like. Roughly 30,000 Americans are currently living with the disease. On top of that, the disease…
A hero is someone who demonstrates exceptional bravery and service on behalf of others. Dr. Gretchen Berggren is an AMERICAN HERO in my book because she has bravely and sacrificially served God and his children in the Congo, Haiti and other places where people desperately needed medical and spiritual help. Internationally recognized physician This Harvard…
The new $100 million government supported Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative is raising unprecedented high hopes for people with brain disorders. At the same time, it’s raising questions and even fears from religious, ethics, and human rights leaders. I’ve seen lots of change in the medical field in my lifetime, and as…
Have you ever been through a hurricane? I grew up near the beach in South Florida where we had hurricanes nearly every year. I remember the first one. The weatherman warned those of us who lived near the Atlantic Ocean to get prepared because of all the dangers that accompanied the approaching hurricane. I was terrified.…
I recently slipped and broke my arm. How did I do it? Well, I was foolish. The weatherman reported possible hail at our house. So I tried to pull Phyllis’ potted lemon tree under the porch. My feet slipped. I fell back and broke my arm. I wore a cast-like metal brace until my arm…
Is he watching? What about tests? Don’t assume that everything happening to you is God’s will for you. It’s not. Some things are against his will, his desires for you. Since you are one of his beloved children, he hurts when you hurt. With his help, you can use anything, no matter how bad it…
The media continues to cover the heartbreaking story of the tragic loss of Jonathan McComb’s family. Since his wife and children were swept away in the recent Blanco River flood, many of us in the Texas Hill Country still feel shock and deep sorrow for Jonathan. The Gift of Your Silent Presence When emotionally devastating…
Don’t Do This to Your Family Bill Nichols, Ph.D. 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…
If you don’t have a peaceful life in the midst of no matter what, your faith is not healthy and needs healing. One of my favorite daily devotional voices is Henri Nouwen. He has been a peaceful spirit to people around the world. I especially enjoy his emphasis on the heart. Try him out. Bill
What would you say to a young husband and father who suddenly fears his wife and children are dead? Jonathan McComb and his wife, Laura, and their two children, were at a cabin in Wimberley when flood-waters unexpectedly swept their cabin downstream. Jonathan was the only one found alive. All of us in the Texas…
If your life is not full of love for others, it’s not healthy and needs healing. An excellent resource is my friend Dr. Guy Sayles. Recently he has been wrestling with cancer and has a great blog with insights on faith. I get a great deal from each blog. Dr. Guy Sayles Bill …
America started on faith. Our founders took a big risk—Healthy Faith takes risks. America invested in young people. Like our Lord, Jefferson was only 33 when he helped draft the Declaration of Independence. Healthy Faith cares about all people. America was founded on “self-evident” truth. Healthy Faith has eternal values. America was built on sacrificial…
Big is Not Better How do you picture Jesus? I picture him doing amazing miracles, preaching to the multitude on the Sea of Galilee, dying on the cross for the sins of the whole world and rising from the dead. Such amazing events could lead us to think that Jesus was primarily interested in those…
Harriet Felt Two-faced Harriet felt dishonest. In between sobs and attempts to regain her composure, she confessed her weariness from acting like her faith was fine when it was not. For a while Harriet’s two-faced faith was able to fool her Sunday friends but she could not fool her conscience. Her dishonesty was…
If you don’t have a joyful life when all around you is sad and critical, your faith is not healthy and needs healing. Here’s a helpful source. It’s an outstanding read on joy by Kay Warren. Kay is the wife of Rick Warren, pastor of the Saddleback Church. When everything is falling apart, when God is silent…
If your life is not involved in caring for hurting people, you don’t have a healthy faith and it needs healing. I recommend you read about an almost unbelievable transformation in a man’s life. It may help you become more caring. One of the most powerful books on caring-love is Same Kind of Different As Me…
