Tag: Growing

“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 like twist-ties, looking mostly for what makes them useful.

But 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.

2 Cor. 12:15

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“He was Too Honest?”

As I left the theater, some people behind me were talking about a character in the movie, saying that “He was too honest to be trusted.”

My mental reaction to overhearing that was: “You’re kidding. Too honest to be trusted?”

But then I remembered that Jesus’ opponents said something very similar about him: “Teacher, we know that You say and teach rightly, and You do not show personal favoritism, but teach the way of God in truth.” (Luke 20:21)

Yet… they opposed Jesus.
Clearly, they knew better, but somehow didn’t want to do better.
I need to look at myself to make sure I’m not doing the same thing.

Luke 20:21

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“A Boring Drive”

A while back I was driving long distance. My book on tape had finished and there were no radio stations in range.
So, miles and miles of silence.

After a few miles my mind began drifting toward scripture. And I found myself focused on what it said, and what it meant.

When the music came back my thoughts left the scripture.

And then I realized: for me, if not for you, unfilled silence is a powerful way to claim Malachi’s promise: “And the Lord listened and heard them…who meditate on His name.”

Malachi 3:16

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Yellowstone or the Beach?”

“We were given a vacation to Yellowstone, but he preferred go to the beach.”

I overheard this conversation while I was standing in line at the grocery store. She won a drawing for a free vacation prize to Yellowstone National Park, but wasn’t really happy it.
She said “every time we saw something awesome, he brought up the fact that he had wanted to go to the beach.” It was really hard to enjoy at all.

Sometimes I notice myself doing this grumbling too. God has given me an awesome number of blessings, but rather frequently I manage to focus on something that isn’t quite as perfect as I want it to be.

How much more happy would I be if I actually paid attention to the many many blessing Jesus has already given me?
Then it would be a great day!


Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Golf or Tennis”

I noticed when I cut into a tennis ball it’s completely empty. Yet, when I’ve cut golf balls they’re solid to the core.

I’ve also noticed that golf balls outdistance tennis balls every time.

Maybe, when I feel like my life is bouncing and not getting very far, Christ is only on the outer edge of my thoughts and my moment to moment decisions.

I need to allow Jesus to fill my life, fill it to the core. Possibly then I’ll be ready for the long distance, rather like a golf ball.

Psalm 119:11

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Spiritual Training”

Michael Jordan was a great basketball player. Then he decided to play professional baseball. However he never got past the mid-level minor leagues.

How’s it possible? He’s one of the most talented athletes on earth!

Simple: training and discipline. Arguably, one of the hardest tasks in sports is to hit a baseball thrown by a professional pitcher. Those who can, succeed only because in addition to their talent they’ve trained since they were adolescents.

How can I expect to “reach a good standing and great boldness” without practicing spiritual disciplines of prayer, reading, submission, etc.?

1 Timothy 3:13

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Pollen on My Car”

I was wishing for Spring, since the Winter was oh-so-gray. But then I began complaining about the pollen on my car.

It seems as though I’m wishing for Spring without many things that Spring really is. Pollen. Lawn mowing. And so on.


But Jesus reminds me that no gift is without responsibility: “…to whom much is given, much is expected.”
I wonder if I can find a way to enjoy washing my windshield—because I sure do enjoy spring!

Romans 18:8

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“One Up-Manship”

I was listening to mockingbirds yesterday. One would sing. The next would sing louder. Then the first would sing again even louder, but the second wouldn’t even wait for him to finish!

Like the game of One-Upsmanship: “If you think that’s good, let me tell you….!” Or, “That’s not a real problem! Let me tell you about….!”

So many times, I stop listening before you even finish your sentence.

Swift to hear—slow to speak. At least I can wait until you finish before I play one-up against you!

James 1:19

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Sagging Between Poles”

I was on a rural road when I noticed the power lines and poles along the road.

The line went up, then down, up, then down, like a cartoon sea serpent cruising the waves.

Of course, the line was lowest when it was farthest from the poles, and at its highest where it was attached.

And that seems a bit like my spiritual life; ups and downs, over and over.

But my life is lowest when I’m farthest from my spiritual supports: James 4:8–“Come near to God and he will draw near to you.”

James 4:8

Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Disaster!”

Open To Jesus Simply Christian

I saw a young child very happy, holding an ice cream cone. But, he tilted it and the ice cream plopped out.

You know what happened: he wailed as if he had stepped on a rusty nail.

And what about me? In my disappointments, failures and pains, do I become like that boy? Why shouldn’t I? Everything’s a disaster!

But as a spiritual adult, God’s given me a choice.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God!” (Psalm 43:5)
It makes a difference.

Psalm 43:5

Dave “Tud” Nance
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