Christian living – The Nexus

Open Bible on rock with sunlit winding dirt path and mountains in background

Following Jesus without Being a Jerk

May 27, 2026May 27, 2026Leave a comment

“My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people.” (Proverbs 3:1-4 CSB – Read the chapter)

Have you ever been around someone who was really churchy? They constantly spoke in terms and tones that just felt sanctified. You knew they were always going to do what was right in any situation. They were clearly right with God. And nobody really liked them at all because they were so boring and insufferable. Or how about this: Have you ever been around someone who was, for lack of a better word, a scoundrel? They always skirted at the edge of what was right, crossing it whenever it was convenient…or just fun. Everybody seemed to like them. But you were pretty sure they were not on a path that was going to bring them anywhere in the vicinity of God. What if you could have the best of both worlds? Let’s talk about how.

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Person walking on forest trail with sunlight streaming through trees

Wisdom Protects Against Temptation and Chaos

May 21, 2026May 21, 2026Leave a comment

“It will rescue you from a forbidden woman, from a wayward woman with her flattering talk, who abandons the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God; for her house sinks down to death and her ways to the land of the departed spirits. None return who go to her; none reach the paths of life. So follow the way of the good, and keep to the paths of the righteous.” (Proverbs 2:16-20 CSB – Read the chapter)

The other day, I found myself in a conversation with one of my boys about Tiger Woods. He had brought up the fact that Woods had been arrested recently and was telling me all the details of the story. I noted that Woods’ story is a sad one. Not all that long ago he had it all: he was the best and most popular golfer in the world, he was fabulously wealthy, he had a literal supermodel for a wife, he had two beautiful kids. What more could anyone want? And now, while he may still have lots of money, the rest is gone for good. Why? Because he didn’t have wisdom and so he stumbled down this particular path that wisdom helps us avoid.

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When the Going Gets Tough

May 18, 2026May 14, 2026Leave a comment

This past Sunday we recognized and celebrated the hard work of some of our graduates. Given that, we gave some attention to what a graduate might need to hear before heading out into the world. More specifically, we gave some attention what a graduate who happens to be a follower of Jesus might need to hear before plunging into a deeply secular environment. Incidentally, as our culture continues to secularize, this turns out to be some encouragement we all need to hear. Let’s dive in.

When the Going Gets Tough

We do not live in a Chrisitan culture any longer. We haven’t for some time, but it’s getting worse. Well, worse may not be the most charitable word there, but it is nonetheless the case that our culture is moving further and further away from its Chrisitan worldview foundations. Of course, we have never technically been a Christian nation as our Constitution sets out the framework for an explicitly secular government, but it is also true that our Constitution is clearly and intentionally written from the standpoint of the Christian worldview, and it not only does not make sense on another worldview framework, but no other worldview framework could have produced it. Perhaps more significantly, no other worldview framework is capable of sustaining it long term.

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Woman talking to child at trail fork with 'Temptation' and 'Reward' signs

A Choice Between two Paths

May 13, 2026May 13, 2026Leave a comment

“For the apostasy of the inexperienced will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. But whoever listens to me will live securely and be undisturbed by the dread of danger.” (Proverbs 1:32-33 CSB – Read the chapter)

As a parent, it’s sometimes hard to know how to punish bad behavior in your kids. You have to figure out a consequence that is measured to the situation, but also one that will be meaningful to them. If you offer up a punishment that doesn’t register high enough on their inconvenience meter, the odds are unfortunately high that they will do it again because their desire for whatever it is you don’t want them to do is high enough they are willing to endure that particular level of inconvenience in order to do it again. This becomes all the more difficult the older they get. Sometimes, though, you don’t have to do very much because the natural consequences of their choices will be punishment enough. Rejecting wisdom is one of those things whose natural consequences can be their own punishment. Let’s talk about it.

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Mural showing a contrast between justice with a masked figure and scales, and forgiveness with two hands clasped

The Hard Way of the Gospel

May 8, 2026Leave a comment

“Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, ‘Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,’ says the Lord. But ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.'” (Romans 12:19-20 CSB – Read the chapter)

Everybody loves the idea of love. We love the good feelings we associate with it. We love the idea of doing good things for someone we really care about. We love having someone support us and express their concern for us. And that’s a good thing because those are good things. But real love, the love of Christ, is bigger than that. It is harder than that. Being committed to someone else’s good sometimes means doing the hard thing to help them get back on the track of that good even when they have drifted from that path. Sometimes it even means actively taking steps to stop them from doing evil. This requires commitment on the part of the one who is doing the loving; commitment to the point of sacrifice. After all, to express the ultimate love for us, Jesus sacrificed His own life on the cross so that we might live. Marvel’s most recent small screen offering, the second season of Daredevil: Born Again, puts all of this on display in a really powerful way. Let’s talk about it.

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