Posts by Sherm Nichols

God’s Big Brotherhood

Tragedy often gives us pause to reflect.  Today, having attended the funeral of local police officer, I want to direct some thought to the good I saw standing around the whole scene… I look out over a sea of blue and black – the dress uniforms of policeman gathered by the hundreds to show solidarity with one who has fallen in the line of duty.  They are from a variety of backgrounds and places, but they have in common that…

Waiting On The Lord

You can take the boy out of Colorado, but you can’t completely take the Colorado out of the boy.  I did much of my growing up around the Rockies, and it wasn’t until I moved away to college that I realized just what a blessing it was to be able to stare at those impressive piles of rock.  Years passed.  Life happened – kids, moves, obligations – and I found myself longing to see the mountains again. So, two times,…

Living In The City

Simpler times often sound desirable.  It used to be easier to get on an airplane, to secure your identity, to make a business deal, to cover medical costs, to use the correct pronoun.  Of course, in simpler times, when you had certain physical issues, you simply died.  You also simply waited until you met up with someone or they received your letter, because you couldn’t reach them otherwise.  In simpler times, you couldn’t get on an airplane, and the worry…

The alarm sounds – and the winner is…

This morning, when the alarm went off, it took a moment for the body parts to decide they were ready to get moving.  They were presenting me with multiple reasons to remain still.  It was an interesting conversation.  But fortunately, I am part of something bigger than just the way my body was feeling when I first awakened. Want a reason to get out of bed in the morning?  Want to be part of something big?  Yes, you do.  Everyone…

Are they taking note?

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  – Acts 4:13 You have been influenced by the people around you.  For good or for bad, you can’t avoid that your life is going to be impacted by others.  This happens in a variety of places.  Arturio Sandoval was a sidekick to and student of Dizzy Gillespie.  So,…

Either Get Real or Take the Ferry

Elisha had been a faithful protégé and mentee to Elijah.  Clearly, the faithful prophet had impacted Elisha deeply.  The thought that his teacher and role model would be taken away was hard to accept.  The account in 2 Kings 2 makes it seem like Elijah is trying to ease the pain of his departure.  “Stay here.  The Lord has sent me to Bethel.”  “Stay here.  The Lord has sent me to Jericho.”  But each time, Elisha just wouldn’t let go…

Disciples Who Make Disciples

Intentionally reaching the next generation and making them into disciples who make disciples.  Is it what God wants His Church to do?  Is it biblical in its origin?  Does it reflect the spirit of Jesus’ work?  Does it allow room for every person to be involved?  Does it point us in a direction that meets the needs of our specific situation?  Can it be measured?  Does it leave room for God to decide just how large He wants to make…

From Sherm – March 1, 2017

Life progresses with breakneck speed.  I don’t need to mention this, do I?  Yet there organizations, businesses, and institutions that struggle with the idea that they need to adapt to their changing environment, market, and constituents.  As I watch the Church begin and progress through its early stages in the book of Acts, I see how it dealt with the necessity of meeting people where they’re at and adapting to the changing circumstances.  The message never changed, but the way…