“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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April 7, 2022

“What ‘Speaks’ to You?”

The other day, a friend told me that his hobby “speaks to me!”
Another friend added, “that’s the way I feel at a NASCAR race!”

And yet, for me, my daily life has only a few moments of passion. It’s filled with every-day normal stuff—the “stuff” of life.
The day-in, day-out, over and over sunrise, sunset, teeth-brushing, traffic-light-waiting, bill paying-type experiences.

But truthfully, God is in even the smallest details. So I don’t need big things to make today a great day.

“Be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

Dave “Tud” Nance
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March 25, 2022

“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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October 14, 2021

“Shingles, Not on a Roof”

A friend tells me his wife now has shingles. The discomfort—unbelievable! And this on top of her chronic muscle pain.

He wasn’t complaining for her. Quite the opposite—he was impressed with her!

She’s always kind, even to cashiers and waiters, usually ending with “…and God bless you.”

I find it easy to focus on my own pain and aggravation. But like her, maybe I can focus less on my issues.

After all: “The sufferings of this present time aren’t even worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed…” (Romans 8.18)

Romans 18:8

Dave “Tud” Nance
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October 7, 2021

“A Back Porch”

My daughter walked onto the back porch one afternoon. It was one of those afternoons when the weather’s warm, the breeze is on and off, but the bugs are truly bothersome.

She commented out loud that “it’s so nice to be able to be in a screened porch where we can experience the weather but we’re protected from the bugs and the hot sun.Then she turned and commented further: “It’s like that in Christ too!”
“For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly to be exalted.”

Psalm 47:9

Dave “Tud” Nance
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August 26, 2021

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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July 22, 2021

“Intentional Beauty?”

OpenToJesusDave'Tud'Nance Jerry Sargent PhotographyDavidNance

I suppose you’ve occasionally noticed the tremendous beauty that exists in the world. A flower. A sunset. The music of a mother’s lullaby!

Of course, it isn’t everywhere. And that’s simply the way it has to be, since if everything were beautiful, then we’d have no way to notice beauty when we see or hear it. After all, beauty is a comparison with something less beautiful.

But, I’ve asked myself why does beauty exist? And why are not all things beautiful?

As Psalm 27:4 suggests “…it is good to behold the beauty of the Lord.”

I’m convinced that beauty exists to draw me closer to God. If I’ll simply take a moment to admire it, I’m naturally led to admire the one who created it.

So beauty, like everyone and everything God creates, has a purpose. A beautiful purpose. So I pray that I pay attention or I’ll miss much of the world’s beauty—and the beauty in you!

Dave ‘Tud’ Nance

July 17, 2018

“Are You Bothering Me?”

The hallway was outside an auditorium at a Christian university near where I live.

A young boy climbed on an empty table and laid down. He was face down, with his head hanging over the edge so he could look under the table.

His father reached over and tickled him. The boy asked with a smile, “Are you bothering me?”

Laughing, Dad said, “Yes I was. I thought you needed bothering.”

And, of course, they both laughed a little more, and the boy got off the table. And I chuckled too.

Virtually every day God provides a little moment of lightness, a glimpse of humor, a small encouragement. But when I’m a bit too serious, or a bit too worried, I don’t notice.

God encouraged Elijah with “a small, still whisper” in 1 Kings 19:12. I thank God that He loves me, and loves me enough to bother me, maybe even hoping to see me smile.

Dave ‘Tud’ Nance

July 10, 2018