Tag: Love

“I Don’t Have to Worry About It”

Dont Have To Worry About It Simply Christian Open To Jesus

My father-in-law was thinking about buying a new lawnmower.

He said, “Mine is barely enough; I’m always having problems. I need one that’s more than strong enough; then I don’t have to worry about it.” 

His old one had 12 horsepower, but from the beginning he had trouble with belts, gears, bearings, etc. So he spent more to get more.

Similarly, I like to think that my strength is enough. Yet the truth is this: “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves…our sufficiency is from God”

2 Corinthians 3:5
Dave “Tud” Nance
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“Moldy Potato Chips”

moldy chips open to jesus simply christian

Moldy potato chips!?! No kidding. I should’ve eaten them before they bloomed in ugly green spots.
Then my mind turned to thinking of how my love might have that “moldy flavor” too.
When my “love” for Jesus is just love for what He does for me.
When my “love” for my neighbor is actually loving the good feeling in my heart.
When my “love” for truth is, if the truth be told, love for correcting the ignorant. 
But, Jesus calls me to genuine love. Love for Him, for you, and for the truth.

Luke 10:27
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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“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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Tough Love!

I get excited when I’m with people I love, and who love me.

Yet Jesus showed that love involves pain.

Paul felt love’s pain when he wrote: “I will gladly spend and be spent for you, although I know that the more I love you, the less I am loved by you.”

People may misunderstand me…or reject me…or intentionally offend me. Yet godly love leads me to hold the relationship open. 

Sometimes, this is tough. Tough love?

I’m inspired by Paul’s confidence that love’s problems don’t last, but that joy does. . . if I truly love!

Dave ‘Tud’ Nance

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Costly, Yes –Rewarding Yes!

Jerry Sargent Photography / Sunbeams from Heaven

I get excited when I’m with people I love, and who love me.

I’m blessed because, being human, I can experience the joys of love. But Jesus showed that sometimes love involves pain.

Paul felt love’s pain when he wrote: “I will gladly spend and be spent for you, although I know that the more I love you, the less I am loved by you.”

People may misunderstand… or reject… or intentionally offend me. Yet godly love leads me to hold the relationship open.

This is tough. Sometimes really tough.

But I get excited about spending time with the people I love. And I am inspired by Paul who understood that problems don’t last, but that joy does . . . if I love!

Dave ‘Tud’ Nance

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