12.14.2010
Anybody Remember This Guy?
His name is Jesus of Nazareth.
He is the Son of God, and His birthday is in 11 days.
This Christmas, may we cherish the gift of hope we receive in Jesus.
12.09.2010
Gungor... One of my favorite moments from Catalyst east 2010
The video doesn't even really do justice to how powerful this was.
11.30.2010
11.03.2010
Wow... He did That For Me???
Ephesians 2
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
I often have trouble understanding how to reconcile two equal yet opposite understandings of my relationship to God. Reverence vs. intimacy.God is the omnipotent master and creator of the entire universe. Everything that ever was or will be is His creation and under His complete and utter control. This includes all laws of the physical universe that we know and do not know. Every single molecule on every world in every solar system in every one of the billions of galaxies in our universe or others was placed there by God. It is why we call Him God!
So this God. This great God. The same one who made our planet a speck of dust in an unspeakably vast cloud of galaxies. This God decided to come to our tiny "pale blue dot" in the form of a microscopic man... just so that we could know Him. Just so that His love could be shown. How can I forget to be reverent toward this God? How can I continue to do things that dishonor Him? What makes me feel as though I am bigger than God sometimes, or that I am somehow so important that He does not deserve my service? It is quite ridiculous, the delusional state I live in sometimes.
What is awesome about God is that He has made us so tiny yet He constantly displays His unending and unexplainable love for these infinitely small creatures known as humans. And that is why I am OK with being unable to easily reconcile these two ideas. It is obvious that God doesn't owe me anything, especially an explanation as to why He loves me.
Godspeed,
Christian
10.11.2010
10.04.2010
Catalyst
So. Catalyst is this week. And guess what? I am totally going! I'm super excited about this conference. Check out the video below to see why.
Catalyst 2009 Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.
I can't wait!
Catalyst 2009 Preview from Catalyst on Vimeo.
I can't wait!
9.15.2010
No More Facebookery
In 2001 I joined facebook. Back then, I felt special being one of the few thousand college students that had become a part of the new social network that was to rival the epic giant of Myspace. I remember people acting like I was stupid for being on facebook. After all we had myspace so why bother. Well, 9 years and over 1,600 friends later, I found myself addicted to checking status updates and feeling compelled to constantly tell the world what I was doing. It all just became a massive waste of time.
I came to the realization that when I opened my news feed, I was totally inundated by tons of useless information about people I really didn't know [or care to know] anything about. Since I didn't really care about the info being shared by others, I was simply feeding a narcissistic need to broadcast my mundane daily activities and opinions, which is really quite pathetic. This generation is developing a nasty habit of typing every idea that comes into our heads. Also, I have made the mistake of "befriending" strangers simply because they are friends with 40 other people I was also friends with, though I didn't even know most of those mutual friends in the first place. This simply makes a person more vulnerable, not to mention quite useless for most of the time he is engaged in facebookery.
So, I have quit the facebook scene cold turkey. If you want to know what I am up to, email me. Check my blog every once in a blue moon. And if you actually want to have a real conversation, you could always use this archaic device known as a telephone and CALL me. I know, I know. Crazy right?
Godspeed,
Christian
I came to the realization that when I opened my news feed, I was totally inundated by tons of useless information about people I really didn't know [or care to know] anything about. Since I didn't really care about the info being shared by others, I was simply feeding a narcissistic need to broadcast my mundane daily activities and opinions, which is really quite pathetic. This generation is developing a nasty habit of typing every idea that comes into our heads. Also, I have made the mistake of "befriending" strangers simply because they are friends with 40 other people I was also friends with, though I didn't even know most of those mutual friends in the first place. This simply makes a person more vulnerable, not to mention quite useless for most of the time he is engaged in facebookery.
So, I have quit the facebook scene cold turkey. If you want to know what I am up to, email me. Check my blog every once in a blue moon. And if you actually want to have a real conversation, you could always use this archaic device known as a telephone and CALL me. I know, I know. Crazy right?
Godspeed,
Christian
9.08.2010
Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross
Jesus, keep me near the cross,
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
There a precious fountain
Free to all, a healing stream
Flows from Calvary’s mountain.
Refrain
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Be my glory ever;
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Refrain
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day,
With its shadows o’er me.
Refrain
Near the cross I’ll watch and wait
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand,
Just beyond the river.
9.01.2010
8.04.2010
Let's Get Serious
Just for a moment, I'd like to get serious. This is quote articulates a foundational theme of my life and faith much more accurately than I am able to:
“Among all the realities of the invisible world, mediated to us by the disclosures and promises of God, and to which our faith responds, there is none that more strongly calls into action this faculty for grasping the unseen than the divine pronouncement through the Gospel, that, though sinners, we are righteous in the judgment of God. That is not only the invisible, it seems the impossible; it is the paradox of all paradoxes; it requires a unique energy of believing; it is the supreme victory of faith over the apparent reality of things; it credits God with calling the things that are not as though they were; it penetrates more deeply into the deity of God than any other act of faith.”
—Geerhardus Vos, Grace and Glory: Sermons Preached in the Chapel of Princeton Theological Seminary (Reformed Press, 1922), 135.
6.08.2010
Old SKOOL Christian Punk & Ska Bands
As many of you may know, I am a huge fan of the obscure musical phenomenon known as Christian Punk/Ska. This genre takes the already non-mainstream style of pop-punk and third wave ska and pigeon holes it even further by only including bands that profess to be Christians and whose lyrical content is usually based on Christian themes.
I would like to revisit just a few of my favs.
Hangnail
1993 - 2003
Slick Shoes
1994-2003 | 2008-Present?
MXPX
1992 - Present
Ace Troubleshooter
1996 - 2005
Relient K
1998 - Present
Ghoti Hook
1991 - 2002
The Dingees
1996 - Present
Squad Five-O
1997-2006
The Insyderz
1996 - 2005 | 2009 - Present?
The O.C. Supertones
1995 - 2005
Five Iron Frenzy
1995 - 2003
So, it looks like many of these guys are still kicking, or kicking again at least. How awesome would it be to see all of these bands play again? Feel free to share your favorites as well!
Godspeed,
Christian
5.02.2010
Laurie Berkner
I am pretty sure that Michaela and I had more fun than Emorie, who was super tired and a bit overwhelmed. By the end of the day, she was completely exhausted and spent the ride home like this...
Still, we had a fantastic day and really enjoyed watching Emorie dance and sing to the Raffi of this newest generation of music lovers. First concert = epic success.
Godspeed,
Christian
4.26.2010
Zune HD [64 Gig]
Doesn't Microsoft understand that if it wants to compete with Apple's overwhelming market share, it must sell dudes like me a Zune HD. Dudes with 2 kids and bills and stuff who just happen to recognize that the Zune HD is an overall better product than the iPod Touch? Dudes who have a lot of music and need at minimum 16,0000 songs with them at all times? It seems they would make a better effort. Maybe if I wait, my wife and kids will get it for me for my father's day / birthday / anniversary / Christmas gift.
Godspeed,
Christian
4.14.2010
Dad
Earl Lane Nuckels
08.20.50 - 04.14.09
One year ago I was sitting on my couch with my daughter and wife when I received a phone call that would change my life forever. My father had died.
The man who had taught me how to shave, how to mow a lawn, how to play guitar, how to install ugly floral wallpaper in the kitchen because your wife likes it and you don't that's just how life is, was gone. The hopes of my daughter and son growing up to hear his corny jokes and see his funny faces - gone. The expectations of being able to come to him for advice on the problems of music ministry and car maintenance and home ownership and all of those important things big and small - all gone. It was the worst moment of the worst day of what would be the worst time in my life so far.
Today marks the one year anniversary of his passing, and while the initial shock and despair have faded, there are still moments when the memories of dad bring tears to my eyes. I could fill up this entire entry with those memories, but the main thing that I remember in all of them was that at heart, he was a good, hard - working man who knew Jesus Christ.
The man who had taught me how to shave, how to mow a lawn, how to play guitar, how to install ugly floral wallpaper in the kitchen because your wife likes it and you don't that's just how life is, was gone. The hopes of my daughter and son growing up to hear his corny jokes and see his funny faces - gone. The expectations of being able to come to him for advice on the problems of music ministry and car maintenance and home ownership and all of those important things big and small - all gone. It was the worst moment of the worst day of what would be the worst time in my life so far.
Today marks the one year anniversary of his passing, and while the initial shock and despair have faded, there are still moments when the memories of dad bring tears to my eyes. I could fill up this entire entry with those memories, but the main thing that I remember in all of them was that at heart, he was a good, hard - working man who knew Jesus Christ.
Music was always a huge part of dad's life [a legacy that I seem to be perpetuating]. This morning, I've been listening to the song, Finally Home by Mercy Me, which gives a hopeful and refreshing understanding of the reunion that we will someday have with our lost loved ones who know Christ as Lord. Listen to it here.
Dad, I miss you. I love you. Thank you for teaching me so much.
Godspeed,
Nuckels
4.13.2010
4.07.2010
Happy Birthday My Beloved
Today is the 27th birthday of my wife, Michaela.
We met and began dating in August of 2001 at the age of 18. The day that I met Michaela I remember thinking to myself, "now this is a very special girl". What an understatement. I never could have known in that moment that THIS would be the girl that I would fall madly in love with. That THIS would be the one who bares my children, who comforts me in my sorrows and who rejoices with me in my victories. There was no way of knowing just how strong a woman she would become, and just how precious a friend she would prove to be. Yes, in that moment of relaxed passing acquaintance I saw for the first time the girl of my dreams.... I just didn't know it yet.
We were engaged a year later and were married in December of 2004. We have been married for over 5 years now. What an amazing ride we have had so far.
I love you baby. Happy birthday. God willing, I will be here to say that 60 - 80 more times. And possibly even more if in the coming decades scientists unlock the ability for humans to live as cyborgs. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Godspeed,
Christian
We met and began dating in August of 2001 at the age of 18. The day that I met Michaela I remember thinking to myself, "now this is a very special girl". What an understatement. I never could have known in that moment that THIS would be the girl that I would fall madly in love with. That THIS would be the one who bares my children, who comforts me in my sorrows and who rejoices with me in my victories. There was no way of knowing just how strong a woman she would become, and just how precious a friend she would prove to be. Yes, in that moment of relaxed passing acquaintance I saw for the first time the girl of my dreams.... I just didn't know it yet.
We were engaged a year later and were married in December of 2004. We have been married for over 5 years now. What an amazing ride we have had so far.
I love you baby. Happy birthday. God willing, I will be here to say that 60 - 80 more times. And possibly even more if in the coming decades scientists unlock the ability for humans to live as cyborgs. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Godspeed,
Christian
4.06.2010
New Life
Today as I walked out the front door of my town home, my eyes were filled with the beauty of God's creation. I got in my car and began my 3 minute commute to the church. As I drove, windows down and music playing [as always] I saw the trees in bloom and could smell the cherry blossoms in the wind. Pulling into the church I paused in the parking lot for a minute to thank God for this new life, to which He has called my family and me.
This morning in my quiet time, I studied about God's plans versus ours. The simple truth that I see today is that God can do things that we cannot. When we yield to Him, and become servants of Him, and adjust our lives to what He is going to do, great things take place for His kingdom and for His glory.
|It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.| Philippians 2:13
Godspeed,
Christian
This morning in my quiet time, I studied about God's plans versus ours. The simple truth that I see today is that God can do things that we cannot. When we yield to Him, and become servants of Him, and adjust our lives to what He is going to do, great things take place for His kingdom and for His glory.
|It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.| Philippians 2:13
Godspeed,
Christian
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