Family

We’re Not Alone

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

Sometimes encouragement can come from places you never expect. Today it came for me from a song from Phillip Philips. Yes he was the guy that won American Idol last year but I have to say I like this guys music.

Traveling back and forth from “home” can be tough. Today was one of those days. Now I don’t get discouraged easily but I really just missed my family and felt anxious at the moment. I turned on my radio and his song “Home” came on. Here is the chorus….

Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m gonna make this place your home

For me this was good! It was I needed to hear at that very moment. I thanked God right then for the encouragement knowing that God has sent us, He is in control, and I am not alone!

God can speak to you through all sorts of ways. Are we listening? Are we paying attention? Do you realize that you are not alone?

Make it a point this week to be more attentive to hearing from God. We don’t have to be the ones doing all the talking!

J

 

Do what you love.

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

I had the privilege to go to TN this weekend to lead worship and I loved it.

Ben Walker, Josh Walker, Tony Mengacci, Kimberly Lackey and myself joined up with Andrew Gouge to play for their 2 morning services.

I am blessed to be able to sing and play with a team like this.

WHAT I KNOW…

*They are Men and Women of integrity who are willing to go after the presence of God without worrying what anybody even thinks of our “style”.

*Their heart isnt to be a rockstar but see people be touched by God.

*They love what they do so much their willing to sacrifice to be a part of it.

*Its not about them its about you.

HERES THE DEAL

We were doing what we love.

Going after God, being led by the Holy Spirit, and leading people into the presence.

If you dont do what you love then what are you doing?

J

 

People Matter

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

It’s true! People matter. I’m not even coming from the love people because Jesus would side of things either but, that would be a good point!

How we act, what we say or do or don’t do will be remembered. That’s a guarantee.

We should be known to genuinely care for people. To listen to what people have to say and not always give answers.(We don’t know everything)

People can tell if your really listening and paying attention.
Don’t be the guy or girl that can glaze over and nod while someone is talking to you. Look in their eyes and prove you care! Listen to them, allow them to open up to you and be real. That’s what they want, it’s what you and I want.

Bottom line..
People matter so act like it!
Be real. Cut the crap and be real.

J

Put To Shame

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

Last night my kids embarrassed me. Actually they put me to shame. I guess really they put most of you to shame.

We took our kids to a Braves game for Jonah’s Birthday and after the game we were heading to our van and we came across a homeless gentleman.

Now I don’t have a problem giving money to someone on the street so I reached into my pocket and gave him what change I had.

Jonah (who’s 10) asked me for his money and was going through it.

He passed his ones, then his ten and went straight to the twenty-dollar bill. Thats right, he gave the dude TWENTY DOLLARS!! Talk about putting me to shame.

At that same moment I became overwhelmed with how awesome my son is and at the same moment I realized how lame I am.

But It continues…

I took a wrong turn heading out and went into downtown ATL. People were sleeping everywhere. Really, if you haven’t  been out of your small town you have no idea what im talking about.

Next up to the plate….JADA

She looked and looked and asked questions and then just kept saying she couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Here heart was moved with compassion and she just couldn’t understand. She was really worried about them. Brandi’s parents were with us so Pam prayed with Jada and talked to her about it some.

How many of us see those situations and walk by or drive by and judge them or even question what they are going to do with the money we give them?

Jesus said “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Luke 18:17

THE POINT

Forget all your adult mumbo jumbo junk and have a child like heart.

We have complicated almost everything. Really…We have!

Jesus knew that…thats why he told us to have a childlike heart!!

FINALLY  –   Stop analyzing everything and just love.

J

Make a Cluster!

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

Make a cluster?

Im talking small groups today and here’s the deal…

Small groups of close people mean you’re a family.

Family will support, love, encourage and even be willing to risk their lives for you. It can be hard but in the end you will be thankful.

Small groups of close people have a connection.

You can be real, open, honest, share your struggles and your joys. You have people to celebrate the victories with you and comfort in the losses.

Small groups of close people stay connected.

90% of people in a small group don’t lose touch with the church or become wishy-washy with their faith. Iron sharpens Iron and your small group will sharpen you!

Small groups of close people are real.

They are real with each other, others and themselves. You can’t hide from people who know you. No fake it till you make it because they know who you are!

FIND A GROUP, MAKE A GROUP, WHATEVER IT TAKES.

DONT GO THROUGH LIFE ALONE…..ITS BORING AND PAINFUL!! 

“We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history.”    Sonia Johnson

J


Dont Be A HERMIT.

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

I am a lousy Bachelor….

Brandi and the kids went out-of-town to go visit her sister for a total of probably 32 hours this weekend and I found out how boring I really am. Really…

I really spent more time thinking about what to do than actually doing anything.

So where am I headed with this?

We were created for fellowship….Thats right, we are supposed to be with people. Some of you may beg to differ here at this point and say you are a good loner but stop trying to fool yourself. Your NOT a hermit!

In Genises 2:18 God said “It is not good for the man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.” I know that my wife could say that I can’t be alone because I wouldn’t be able to find anything and this is partially true but not where im going with this!!

We are meant to be in community. We are meant to be in people’s lives and for people to be in ours. How can we grow and learn if were never around people? How can we celebrate the joys, learn about conflict, learn to love, be stretched and to help out in times of need if were never with people?

Brandi and I are blessed to be a part of an amazing Life Group that is more than just a group. They are people who know a lot about us and we know a lot about them!

We eat together, hang out, go places, help each other, pray for each other and just do life together.

Heres my point:

#1 Your not a HERMIT!

#2 You were created for fellowship!

If you’re a part of Life Church or any church join a life group or small group or whatever your church calls them. If your church doesn’t have one start one. DON’T go through life alone!

J

You can go to lifechurchfranklin.com to find a list of times and places.

Whats going on with you?

Posted on by Jason Nicholas

We have been having a nightly devotional with the kids each night and a couple of nights ago it had to do with butterflies.

Now we all know that the caterpillar spins itself into a cocoon(Pupa) and comes out a beautiful butterfly but usually we don’t ever think about the process of its transformation.

Did you know that some species are in their cocoon for several months and some transform in just a few days? How crazy is that?

How about you? Are there some things in your life that may take a few days to work a transformation or will it take months?

2 Corinthians  5:17 says that “If anyone belongs to Christ, then he is made new. The old things have gone; everything is made new!”  There will be things in our lives that seem hard and difficult and we can’t understand or explain them but don’t worry and allow God to transform you! The transformation process may (most likely will) be hard but the outcome will be so much greater.

Just think of the caterpillar. He was crawling on the ground looking up but after the transformation that guy can fly!!

God is taking the “regular you”  and transforming you in tho the “new creation you”!

DON’T FORGET!

What you achieve by reaching your destination is not nearly as important as what you become getting there! (Wickwire)

Allow the  process, as good or as bad as you think it is, to let God transform you!

PS: Never judge your future by your past. Every butterfly was born a worm.

J