The Light of the World

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Todd D. Nystrom

John 8:12 – Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Looking out our front window at the first light of 2014. Morrow, Ohio.

As a new year dawns and we take down the decorations and lights to pack them away in some dark and dusty corner of our house until next Christmas, we need to make sure we don’t pack Christ away into some dark and dusty corner of our life.

As Jesus tells us in today’s verse, he is “the light of the world.” And, if we follow him, he promises that we “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” As his followers we need to resolve daily to let that light shine brightly in our lives. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

God’s blessings for a wonderful New Year!

Yours in Christ,
Todd the Hiker

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Put Off Your Old Self

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

Ephesians 4:20-24 – But that is not the way you learned Christ!–²¹ assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, ²² to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, ²³ and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Looking off our back deck at the final sunset of 2013. Morrow, Ohio.

I have never been one to make New Year’s resolutions and I don’t think I am going to start now. In our Christian walk this should be a daily exercise, not something we resolve to do just once a year as we make the celebrated transition from December 31^st to January 1^st.

Thanks be to God! We have been given the truth in Jesus! It is only through the power of his blood shed on the cross that we are able to put off our old self and “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Be safe, God bless, and have a Happy New Year!

Yours in Christ,
Todd the Hiker

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He Went Up On the Mountain to Pray

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

Mark 6:45-47 – Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. ⁴⁶ And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. ⁴⁷ And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land.

The setting sun highlights the mountains over St. Mary Lake and Wild Goose Island. Glacier National Park, Montana.

This short passage forms a transition between the accounts of two of Jesus’ miracles, feeding the five thousand from only five loaves of bread and two fish, and his walking on water. As such, it is easily overlooked. While these two miracles are often mentioned for their clear demonstration of Christ’s divinity, this transitional passage, highlights the fullness of his humanity.

Despite being the one who created the mountains and the sea, Christ was also a man and he still needed time away from the crowds to rest and go to his Father in prayer. “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.” This simple verse gives such a vivid picture of our Savior’s own need for retreat, and is an example we would all do well to heed.

For me there is no better time than being in the great outdoors (mountains preferred, but optional) away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to reflect on the greatness of our Lord, to seek him in prayer, and to listen for his voice in the peace and quiet of his amazing creation.

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My Grace Is Sufficient

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Todd D. Nystrom

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 – So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

A remote bluff with a scenic view a quarter of a mile off of Rough Trail. Red River Gorge, Slade, Kentucky.

I always carry a well-stocked first aid kit along with quite a bit of survival gear when we hike. Some would probably accuse me of being a little overstocked. I suppose I could trim down what I carry a bit, but leading groups of people on hikes, sometimes in fairly remote places, I would rather err on the side of caution and be ready to handle any emergency that might arise.

There are a number of well known “pastors” out there today who preach a terrible distortion of the Christian message, known as the prosperity gospel. Promises of health, wealth, and happiness abound in their teachings. Following Christ does not mean we will be successful in everything that we do, not even in our ministry efforts, nor does it mean we will be richly rewarded in the form or earthly treasures. Neither does being a follower of Christ mean that we will be free from sickness or injury.

Paul does not tell us specifically what his “thorn…in the flesh” is in today’s passage. We do not know whether this weakness of Paul’s was an illness, injury, or some mental or spiritual challenge he was facing. Regardless of the particular affliction, Paul was obviously bringing it to the Lord in prayer, but apparently to no avail. God’s answer to Paul was simply, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

How many of us can actually say that we would be “content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities?” I can only pray that someday I might be blessed with this kind of faith. I can only pray that someday “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” May we all be blessed to realize, whatever afflictions and weaknesses we experience in life, that God’s grace, won through the blood of Christ, is the only thing we really need.

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