Nathan Stevens

When God Says “No”

Nobody enjoys being told “no,” just ask the child who wants to eat dessert right before dinnertime. Regardless of who we are, we all want certain things, or to do certain things, and when we’re told that we can’t, we can get unhappy. For the child at least, they will come to understand the whyContinue reading “When God Says “No””

To the Skeptic and the Encourager

Over the past week, my soul has leapt for joy as I have seen my alma-mater break out in a revival. My social media pages are flooded with dear friends and former classmates taking pilgrimages back to Wilmore to see firsthand what has been going on. The eyewitness accounts are unanimous: the revival is authentic,Continue reading “To the Skeptic and the Encourager”

The Gospel and the City

If you want to change culture, you have to be immersed in culture. If you want to change the city and reach people in the city, you have to be in the city. One of my desires as a follower of Jesus is to see the gospel take root in the communities around me. IContinue reading “The Gospel and the City”

Disciples, Not Consumers

A common question I ask when I think about doing a task, or joining something is, “what can I get out of this?” Signing up for the gym gets me a healthier lifestyle and gets me on the road to a better physique, while accepting “this” or “that” job gets me more experience and exposure.Continue reading “Disciples, Not Consumers”

Motivations

Last week, I read the book The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis. In it, our unnamed narrator leaves Hell (named Grey Town) and enters into Heaven with a few other spirits alongside him. Each spirit is encountered by someone living inside of Heaven, and they attempt to bring their lost friends “into the mountains”Continue reading “Motivations”

The Widow and I

My favorite parable from Jesus is the one about the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. Take thirty seconds (seriously, it’s only eight verses) and read it. In this parable, we see a widow knocking on the door of an unrighteous judge pleading for justice. The judge eventually gives in to what she asks for becauseContinue reading “The Widow and I”

Why Job?

Two or three weeks ago, I began taking my Sunday school class through the book of Job. In a conversation with one of my friends recently about this, he exclaimed, “Geez Nate, why did you pick that book! It’s so depressing.” I thought for a moment, chuckled, ( as previously, I had taught them throughContinue reading “Why Job?”

But If Not

“If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you haveContinue reading “But If Not”

Criticism and Correction

When I was younger, I used to love watching American Idol with my parents. More specifically, I loved watching the first few episodes when it was just the preliminary tryouts. I always found it amusing to watch the people who came in, sung horribly, dressed funny, or said or did something weird, and then leftContinue reading “Criticism and Correction”

Psalm 132: Faithful Promises

A lot can be said in regards to Psalm 132. However, the passage I want us to look at specifically is verses 11-12. They read: The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back:“One of the sons of your body I will set on your throne. If your sons keep my covenant and my testimoniesContinue reading “Psalm 132: Faithful Promises”