This Blog Has Moved

More information about the Phos Hilaron and other resources for Christian worship can be found at www.tools4worship.com. Please join us there for information about how to begin and maintain individual, family, and corporate worship. Thanks - Jonathan

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

This is an article that I wrote for our church newsletter a few weeks ago. It reflects my heart's desire as we approach the new year. I hope that you find encouragement by reading it.

Last Sunday afternoon during a particularly hectic moment, Todd Arnold turned to me said with a note of irony, "Remember, 'it's the most wonderful time of the year.'" That phrase from a familiar Christmas song pushed my PAUSE button and for a moment the rush stopped. I quickly hit PLAY again and resumed the pace. It was a delightful evening and the service was a meaningful time of worship. However, that experience speaks to the frantic pace in which many of us live.

This time of year can be chaotic for many people as we busily juggle school projects, basketball practices, Christmas parties, rehearsals, etc. We need to remember that God has not called us to more activity. On the contrary He has called us to love Him and to love others. (Mark 12:30-31) We all show love by serving, but you will remember that in Luke 10:38-42, Martha worked while Mary worshipped. Jesus commended Mary for spending time with Him and He will commend us for the same.

I have two sons and I love them dearly. It brings me joy to give them Christmas gifts and to fix up the house for them. However, I know that the one thing that they want most from me is relationship. They want to spend time with me and to have my attention. And frankly, this is what I want most from them. Rather than simply doing and buying and doing some more, I need to simplify my life and give them what they want and need most, my time and affection.

Our Heavenly Father wants our time and affection as well. He wants us to PAUSE and seek Him. He wants us to de-clutter our lives from all the complexity that keeps us from simply sitting at his feet and worshipping Him. Jesus died to set us free. (Galatians 5:1) Like the prophet Isaiah, I want "to proclaim freedom to the captives." (Isaiah 61:1) Freedom from stuff. Freedom from too many commitments. Freedom from meeting the world's expectations. Freedom from sin that entangles us and keeps us from seeking the Lord. For if the Lord has set you free, then you are free indeed. (John 8:36)

These are busy days, but they are beautiful days. Will you covenant with me and the Lord that we will live in faith and trust Him to work even while we rest? Do you have the faith to throw off the yoke of slavery and take up the cross of Jesus Christ? For His burden is easy and His yoke is light. (Matthew 11:30) Do you believe this? If so, then those around you will see it in your attitude and your actions. You will be a witness to the joy of the Lord for that is your strength.

I challenge you to lighten you load and quit carrying the weight of too many commitments and too many deadlines. God has promised to bless believers with abundant life. Why would the world want to be like us if we just live like the world? God has called us to a fuller life and yet simpler life. I pray that God will give us the wisdom and the courage to claim it. For if we do, then this will truly be the most wonderful time of the year!

- Jonathan Nelms

In Whom Do I Trust?

I really don't want to answer the above question. In whom do I trust? Our currency tells me that "we" trust in God. I trust my wife. I trust most of the people I know. I trust my parents, my family, my friends...well, most of my friends. I won't even venture to ask the question "with what am I trusting them?"

Here is a little story...

I've been needing to plan our youth choir summer tour for many months. I always want to know the details and I hadn't even begun to work on them until this week. After weeks and weeks of being tyrannized by urgent matters, I got on the phone last Monday and got to work. By Tuesday evening most of the tour was planned. I was amazed. I thanked God. I thought about how I had been faithful to Him in all of the other projects and now He was opening door after door for this tour. I couldn't believe how one call led to another call and that led to the very person I needed. Time and again the days came together like pieces of a puzzle. Incredible!

Well, on Wednesday I happened to find a certain bike that I have been wanting on eBay. It was brand new, my size, and at a great price. I called the guy who was selling it. Yes, it was the bike for me. I emailed my wife and planned to at least bid on it later. In fact, I was willing to pay the "buy it now" price right then. But, I waited.

After spending the day telling everyone how faithful God is and how He can be trusted, I logged on eBay to check the bidding on this bike. Well, you know what? It was a great deal and someone else had already bought the bike. I couldn't believe it. I didn't get mad, but I sure got down. I pouted. I looked for other bikes. I felt sorry for myself.

I awoke at 4:19 this morning. As I lay in the darkness thinking, my thoughts began to wander and I thought of that bike. Then God rolled me over and kicked my butt. Yes, the Bible says that He disciplines those He loves and He loves me a lot.

I came to the sad realization that I trusted God with my ministry and family but not my stuff. Well, you know what? I'm giving my stuff to Him. He can have it. Unfortunately I have too much stuff and most of it is junk. Sorry, Lord.

At least for now, I choose to trust in Jesus. If he wants me to have a new bike, great. I'll take it. If not, I'll wait until he does. Either way I choose to worship Him with my mouth, my money, my ministry, my family, and my stuff.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

Thanks for reading,

Jonathan

Beginning the Journey

Beginning this blog is a journey of faith for me. Last night professional photographer Ken Duncan reminded me that we are not to walk in our own strength and we don't need to see the end of the journey to begin. In response, I will act on the impetus given me by the Holy Spirit to share insights, reflections, and observations from my Christian journey. I pray that it will be helpful to you and that it will glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you for taking time to join me. I appreciate your time.

Grace and peace,

Jonathan