“Bricks and Blocks”

I sat in my friend’s driveway.
So, I noticed the bricks in his house, each absolutely identical.

Then I began to notice that each one was actually quite unique. They’re identical only when I don’t pay attention.

People too—we look, and maybe even act like so many other people.
But God created us as individual. He knows me individually. My hopes, my problems, my needs.

Jesus mentioned that even the very hairs on our head are numbered. Truthfully, I’m not alone in this life! He pays close attention.

And that’s a pleasant thought.

Matthew 10:29-31
Dave “Tud” Nance

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December 10, 2020 0

“Big Windows”

I always enjoy huge windows.

They let me enjoy nature while protecting me from the bugs and weather.

But neither can I experience the joy of God’s world in person. That’s the cost of protecting myself.

I do need to be prudent. I don’t need to be rash. But when I try to avoid pain and loss I also never experience love and growth!

So it’s crucial that I remember the Lord’ promise to never allow me into a situation without also giving me His strength, and a way to escape!

1 Corinthians 10:13
Dave “Tud” Nance

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December 3, 2020 0

“Buildings and Bushes”

It seems that everywhere town planners put beautiful trees and bushes next to their buildings. And we do it to our homes too!

It’s as if we want to enjoy parts of nature, but be protected from the rest of it.

I feel this way about God Himself, sometimes too!

I want Him near me. But some parts of my life I protected from Him. I’d rather He just bless me instead of improving me.

Paul warned about having a form of godliness, but denying His power in my life.

I hope I’m not like that.

2 Timothy 3:5
Dave “Tud” Nance

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November 27, 2020 0

“A Good Enough Pot”

My wife loves flowers of all sorts. And she sees beauty where I see little or nothing.

One day she planted a seedling in a really ugly blue plastic coffee can.

I asked her why that ugly can?

She explained: “When the flower is strong enough, I’ll re-plant it in a place that shows off its real beauty.”

Likewise, Paul suggested that our present sufferings aren’t even worthy to compare to the glory we’ll have in Him. (Romans 8:18)

If my life is ugly today, He’s promised that one day, in Him, it will be worth real beauty.

Romans 8:18
Dave “Tud” Nance

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November 19, 2020 0

“Bingham’s Squirrel”

My neighbor, 7 year old Bingham, wanted to have a squirrel eat out of her hand, but naturally, the squirrel was afraid, so wouldn’t come to her.

So she laid the food by the tree and waited at a distance. Every day. After a month, she waited a bit closer to the food, and moved closer each week.

Eventually, the squirrel (she named it Lucy) learned to trust her.

Likewise, maybe I’m pushing so hard, too hard, for what I want, what I need. I really need to learn to trust Jesus more, and go slowly.

John 16:12
Dave “Tud” Nance

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November 12, 2020 0

“A Twist Tie”

I use twist ties for lots of things–bread bags, computer wires that snake across my office, organizing loose keys, and so forth.

And, unfortunately, I sometimes treat people a bit like twist-ties, looking mostly for what makes them useful.

Yett in my more spiritual moments I remember that people aren’t things. I need to love people, and focus my “using” on things that are, uhh, just things.

Paul said “I will gladly spend and be spent for you” I need to be more like that.

John 13:35
Dave “Tud” Nance

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November 5, 2020 0

“A Disaster”

I’ve experienced disaster. Sometimes it’s impersonal, as with hurricanes, tornados, floods and the election of politicians I believe are corrupt.

Sometimes it’s very personal: Death. Illness. Being fired.

But I absolutely must remember Jesus’s redemption promise!

He not only gives me strength to endure these tests. He gives me the deep-down promise that these aren’t merely tests—they are God’s tools for my redemption and spiritual growth.

Is there any other way to reflect on the cross? A disaster of galactic proportions. God’s tool for goodness and redemption!

Hope to me. To you. To everyone.

Revelation 14:13
Dave “Tud” Nance

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October 29, 2020 0

“A Memorial Highway”

“Isaac Hayes Memorial Highway” was the sign I saw on Interstate 40.

I believe he was a singer some years back, but I don’t remember any of his songs.

And that got me thinking.

Isaiah 35:8 predicted that God would create “a way, a highway. And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness.” Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life.”

The Jesus memorial highway: it’s God’s memorial to His eagerness. Eagerness to forgive me and to heal me, in spite of it all!

Commitment to Jesus! Commitment to holiness! His way!

Isaiah 35:8
Dave “Tud” Nance

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October 22, 2020 0

“Chewy Vitamins”

Everybody needs vitamins. So my doctor says.

But, I don’t like swallowing pills the size of a quarter. So, someone came up with the brilliant idea of children’s chewy vitamins.

The brilliance is noticing something obvious — that un-taken medicine is wasted. So, make it enjoyable!

And as always, God had that good idea, long before any doctor.

The Bible says living for Jesus creates these things: “Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.”

Like I wouldn’t want these?

Especially since life without Jesus ends only in these things: “hostility, fighting, jealousy, anger, rivalry, division.” (Galatians 5:19-23)

Like I wouldn’t want to avoid these?

My sin and selfishness is the disease. Jesus is the cure. And the cure tastes good! Just like the cure should!

Galatians 5:19-23
Dave “Tud” Nance

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October 15, 2020 0

“An Enjoyable Problem?”

Have you ever heard someone say something like: “Life’s an adventure”?

And I suppose I would agree, but I wonder if anyone has noticed that another word for that is “trouble.”

I mean, after all, who would pay to see an “action” movie where the hero didn’t have trouble with anything?

Even Superman has trouble with kryptonite (and, of course, problems with Lois Lane).

So, oddly enough, I sometimes pray for the ability to enjoy at least some of the troubles I have. After all, God has a purpose for my life — adventures and all.

James 1:2
Dave “Tud” Nance

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October 9, 2020 0