Credo in Deum

GOD CAME THROUGH #91: #Passion2012 set a goal of 1 million dollars to fight slavery worldwide. Instead, we raised 3 million dollars.

GOD CAME THROUGH #92: Our friend Timothy Morris wrote a book, and he's helping us spread the word about Restored Church and the Wilkes-Barre Church Planting Movement at his book-signing today in Wilkes Barre at Barnes & Noble.

GOD CAME THROUGH #93: Today we officially welcomed Seth Maine to the Wilkes-Barre Church Planting Movement launch team. He'll be moving with us to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania in May!!

GOD CAME THROUGH #94: Preached the gospel from Ephesians 2:1-10 at CCA and heard that I have a new brother in Christ!! #PTL

GOD CAME THROUGH #95: God continues to provide money and teammates for our church-planting movement. We're just shy of 35%!!

GOD CAME THROUGH #86: When the "to-do" list is longer than ever, God gave me a quiet week to pray, read and plan before 2012 hits.

GOD CAME THROUGH #87: 30%

GOD CAME THROUGH #88: "100% of the time, [I] can overcome temptation - not because [I'm] strong, but because God is faithful."

GOD CAME THROUGH #89: "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." (John 1:16)

GOD CAME THROUGH #90: Our launch team retreat exceeded expectations; not surprising considering the God we love and serve.

GOD CAME THROUGH #81: Several guys from Steamtown spent their Friday night pursuing ministry training and spiritual accountability.

GOD CAME THROUGH #82: Even though God owes me nothing, he lets me communicate the gospel for a living.

GOD CAME THROUGH #83: Wow, God really does provide. The 10 Campaign was extremely successful!! Thank you, everyone, for praying and giving to the vision of the Wilkes-Barre Church Planting Movement!!

GOD CAME THROUGH #84: God let us clear 25% committed financial support in less than 3 months!!

GOD CAME THROUGH #85: Goodbye college debt. God provided; you’re toast!!

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” - James 4:14

Death sucks. We all hate it, and frankly – we have good reason to hate it! Death is the result of sin. It’s the result of our rebellion against the God of the universe; it’s the result of our pride and idolatry – filling the void in our lives with anything other than God. It’s a grim reality, and it’s a reality we don’t often consider.

Today I’m taking time to think about death (specifically my death). Scripture tells us this is a good practice. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Usually I’d rather spend my time at parties, but today I’m considering my death and what I would want to communicate to friends, family and teammates I’d leave behind.

God is real. I know firsthand that he exists, and he is everything he claims to be! He is loving. Even though he owes us nothing, he still chooses to communicate to us and most importantly through Jesus Christ. I love Jesus. If I die this year, his Name better show up a million times at my memorial service. Jesus Christ is the center of my life because he is the only one I’ve found who’s worthy of worship. Too often I’ve worshiped other things (sinfully), but he’s my God and my Redeemer. Life is all about Christ’s divine rescue mission to kill death for us, and if I die this year I know that I’ll get to see him face-to-face. Eternity will be awesome for me, but only because I put my faith and trust in Jesus rather than myself.

If I die this year, know that I was a sinful person. God graciously rescued me and made me a new creation, but I was not perfect. I’m super thankful for so many incredible people in my life who demonstrated God’s love to me. Grandma and Grandpa – I can’t imagine life without your love, prayer and support. Dad – you’re my hero. I hope that I was half the man you are. Mom – I can’t imagine a better home because you made it beautiful. Cynthia – I love you so much, and I couldn’t be more proud of you. Tim and John – get your butts down to Wilkes-Barre and give every man, woman and child repeated opportunities to hear and see the gospel just like we planned. Everyone else – know God and love him more than anything else in this life.

In case I die this year,

- Dan Nichols

"This morning I presented at Recast Church in Mattawan and spent some time sharing our ministry with them. Pastor Don had an incredible message with a convicting main point. It was simply this: God doesn’t need you! That was exactly what I needed to hear this morning because at times I’m tempted to think I’m something special. Now I’m sure no one here struggles with pride… but I’m not exempt from that fight.

In fact, I struggle with pride so much that sometimes I believe God owes me something. A year ago I hit rock bottom and walked through the hardest time of my life. I found myself doubting God, demanding from God, and wondering if he really was good. Thankfully though, in the middle of my pain I was driven to the Word.

The Bible became my comfort. God’s communication to me through his Word was the only thing that kept me going and eventually lead me back on the path I knew God wanted me to walk – the road to become a pastor. As I’ve thought back, I know why the Bible became my comfort. I know why I went to the Bible during the time I doubted God most.

It’s because God gave me Steve and Becky Nichols.

Tonight I want to honor my parents – not because they’re superman or superwoman. I want to honor my parents because it’s the right thing to do!! My parents love God and they love each other. They trained me to always rely on God and communicate with God no matter what happens. My mom is the most sacrificial person I know. And if I’m half the man my dad is by the time I finish life here, that’ll be a win in my book. Whether it’s taking a walk around the neighborhood with Mom or talking for hours and hours with Dad wondering if we’ll ever be able to understand women…

They’re terrific friends, and I’m very thankful for them. They just celebrated 25 years of marriage this past week, and I’d like to ask you all to help me honor them with some applause. If we can clap for football games all afternoon, surely we can clap tonight for 25 years of faithful marriage!!"

Here's the link to my interview with BBC&S. This gives a little perspective on where I'm at in the whole church-planting process. Feel free to pass this along to any potential partners!! 

http://www.bbc.edu/news.asp?ID=1286

GOD CAME THROUGH #76: God continues to guide me through the difficult balance of “being” and “doing.” It’s important, and it’s not easy. Thankful to serve the living God who’s awesome while I am not.

GOD CAME THROUGH #77: Last night many pastors from NEPA spent time praying for our church-planting movement. Super thankful for prayer.

GOD CAME THROUGH #78: God kept me safe after driving into a dangerous flooding area.

GOD CAME THROUGH #79: My best friend just married a great girl. The wedding was focused on Christ and the picture of his love for the church. It was an honor to be a groomsman.

GOD CAME THROUGH #80: Getting more time for focused prayer these days.

GOD CAME THROUGH #71: The ABWE board approved me as a lead church planter to the city of Wilkes-Barre, PA. Thankful for new partners!

GOD CAME THROUGH #72: Booked my first ABWE speaking engagement for Fall 2011! On my way to Baltimore now...

GOD CAME THROUGH #73: Got to talk to a guy named Keith on the Baltimore MTA. We talked about Jesus, grace, and a restored relationship with God.

GOD CAME THROUGH #74: The date is set. I'll be going before an ordination council in Portage, MI on September 22nd at 1:00 PM. Hope I remember my AWANA verses...

GOD CAME THROUGH #75: Today Tim Walker and I had a terrific lunch with pastors Jordan Stinziano and Jim Murphy in Syracuse. Thankful that they're willing to invest in us and give us realistic mentoring that's honest yet encouraging. Tonight we're back in Wilkes-Barre praying for the city. (Pray with us)!!!

GOD CAME THROUGH #66: Three members of our house church got baptized yesterday. It was so cool to see them step out in faith and obedience!

GOD CAME THROUGH #67: Got to talk to a kid at Creation 2011 about how Jesus came to save him. Never get tired of talking about Jesus.

GOD CAME THROUGH #68: Uncle Brett and Aunt Jess just had their fourth kid. Caylie Grace was born today in Harrisburg!

GOD CAME THROUGH #69: ABWE meetings continue to go well. Love the spiritual encouragement and partnership opportunities for Wilkes-Barre!

GOD CAME THROUGH #70: Working through financial accountability issues. Thankful for parents who modeled high financial integrity for our family.

GOD CAME THROUGH #61: Had a great meeting today with Jordan Stinziano, Jim Murphy, and Dennis D'Augostine. Looking forward to more missional partnerships so that every man, woman and child will have repeated opportunities to hear and see the gospel of Jesus Christ.

GOD CAME THROUGH #62: God graciously allowed me to pass my church-planter assessment after months and months of evaluation and prayer.

GOD CAME THROUGH #63: The healing service inside a $2 box of white rice worked. My iTouch is alive and well!

GOD CAME THROUGH #64: God gave me mentors in Jamie Overholser and Julie McCreary Overholser. I'm extremely thankful.

GOD CAME THROUGH #65: Thankful for guys who build you up through spiritual encouragement. It's rare but extremely valuable.