Tag: Growing

My Wife’s Little Dog

SimplyChristian Open To Jesus My Wife's little dog

When our dog (Callie) goes out, she takes her own sweet time. She wanders, leisurely sniffing for other creatures that’ve trespassed.

Our young grandson tried to get Callie back into the house, running and yelling, waving his arms. But his noise and excitement weren’t very effective.

So my wife taught him about attraction—call softly, whistle a little and offer a doggie treat. Much better!

My relationship with Jesus is similar: He doesn’t drive me. He attracts me. He offers hope and salvation. I love Him because He first loved me.

1 John 4:19
Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Love in the Trenches”

On occasions, I’ve become deeply angry when someone lets me down. Sometimes it’s so bad that I call it abandonment or even betrayal.
And sadly, I sometimes find myself wishing for something to “make us even.”

And then I remember Luke 22:31. Jesus prayed for Peter, knowing that Peter would let Him down, publicly denying Him. He prayed that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail, in spite of the public betrayal.

How much like Christ would I be if, like Jesus, I were more concerned for the good of my betrayer than for my own suffering?

Luke 22:31
Dave “Tud” Nance

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“A Spiritual Clipboard”

Last week, I noticed a clipboard abandoned on a table. 
It held things that might be useful, “just in case.” It occurred to me the Bible is like a clipboard.

It’s filled with spiritual “just in case” thoughts.

For instance: “Wisdom that descends from above” is “full of mercy…without partiality…without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17)

I need to hear that. It’s too easy to criticize. It’s not so easy to be merciful, without partiality or hypocrisy. At least for me.

God has written these thoughts, just in case. He knows I need them.

James 3:17
Dave “Tud” Nance

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“Beautiful Cover-up”

Dave Nance OpenToJesus Simply Christian Beautiful Cover-up

In India, women like to stain their feet and hands with a light, reddish-brown color. They call it Mehendi. It’s beautiful.

But there’s a reason for this fashion—the daily grime of living in poverty.

It’s a beautiful cover-up.

Spiritually, I beautifully cover-up my selfishness and pride under the color of the good that I do or the evil I avoid. 

But Jesus prefers that I see myself as He sees me: In the words of the old hymn: “Just as I Am”.

And then, He doesn’t merely cover my sins. He forgives them.

1 John 1:7-10
Dave “Tud” Nance

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“Even Better Than Before”

I had just bought a small birdhouse basket.  At home, I noticed a small natural gap in the wood.

So, I decided to use some carpenter’s glue and a small nail.

After the repair, I realized that the basket was stronger than it was originally.

And isn’t that how it is, in Christ? We’re filled with weaknesses, fears, and sinful habits in our thoughts as well as actions. But the Lamb of God redeems us, guides us in self improvement and repentance. 

He’s making us stronger than we were. Praise Him!

2 Peter 1:5-9
Dave “Tud” Nance

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“Bricks and Blocks”

Dave Nance Bricks and Blocks Simply Christian

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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“Big Windows”

Big Windows OpentoJesus Simply Christian Dave Nance

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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“Buildings and Bushes”

Buildings and Bushes SimplyChristian Dave Nance

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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“A Good Enough Pot”

A Good Enough Pot Dave Nance Simply Christian Jerry Sargent

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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“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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