“old-nick” vs. “new-nick”
| Back in 1982, this was a Hardee’s restaurant on Western Boulevard in Jacksonville, NC. I fled here after being caught shoplifting an Adidas sweatsuit from a Sports Shop a few blocks away. Onslow Police handcuffed and arrested me here on this spot after trying to stash the sweatsuit in the ceiling tiles of the men’s restroom. So embarrassing. Uhg! That old-man can be so painful to remember, but Luke 7:40-47 relates to me deeply! He who has been forgiven much, loves much. This is me! I am so grateful for Christ’s love and forgiveness that His forgiveness compels me to love others with His Word and into His Kingdom. This is why I am so direct and candid and provoking. (Read “Oh, I see. You’re a hypocrite.”) |
| Saints, Sandy and I need your prayers. We were supposed to fly back to Okinawa last week. However, we both tested positive for covid — no symptoms at all — and cannot enter Japan. We’ve quarantined over this last week, and we will retest tomorrow morning ($200.00 each. Yikes!). Please pray now for Negative test results! So, we’ve been in the US just over a month now. We initially landed in Austin, TX to marry up with the Fam. We then flew to Albany, GA to spend time with our Peeps there. Next stop was Jacksonville, NC (Camp Lejeune) to visit Adam and Catherine and Zebulun alumni. Finally, we left NC and flew back to Austin to regroup and prepare to fly back to Okinawa. So, here we are. Please pray. I’d like to share a final thought. Spending a week at Camp Lejeune was intense for me because of so many literal landmarks where I was involved in sinful, godless things. I spent my entire first enlistment there (1980-1984). I was not saved and I was a chief sinner. But God had a plan for my life! As I pointed out the landmarks and events to my wife and daughters, the stark contrast between my old-man and my new-man brought tears to my eyes for several reasons. I did wrestle with the shame and embarrassment of my wretched past, but I was also extremely overjoyed with the salvation of Christ. But God had a plan for my life! From the old-Nick to the today-Nick, the Lord has brought me so far. He has taken away my shame and guilt. He has freed me! Hallelujah! Which is why I’ve chosen to serve Him with everything I have. Real talk, part of me is driven because I feel in debt to the Lord. I feel somewhat haunted by the idea that I have so much to make up for, so much damage to undo in folks I’ve hurt. Here are two passages that I feel deeply: ▪Luke 7:40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. (vs.41) Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. (vs.42) But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” (vs.43) Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. (vs.44) Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. (vs.45) You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. (vs.46) You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. (vs.47) “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” ▪Rom 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. God had a plan for my life! I can honestly and boldly preach that God forgives and He restores. God has been so, so good to me. Christ’s love for me compels me to love others. ▪My YouTube videos addressing a wide range of topics ▪Make a Donation ▪Remember to Share this Newsletter |
“Zebulun Family Reunion!”
Watch “Should Christians be involved in politics?” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCF8gTXjj8Y)
All in the same building!
| 1981. 211-B Western Blvd, I stole a zoom lens. Ten years later, God told me to take that same zoom lens back. I did, and God showed me that He would always meet me at the point of obedience. (Read “The man who stole this is dead.”) 1982. 211-C Western Blvd, I stole two Adidas sweatsuits. Got caught. Got a felony. Got mercy from my Commanding Officer. Got pinned to SSgt by that same Commanding Officer ten years later. (Watch “He ain’t the same guy!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYlb0zeIwdM&t=672s) 1990. 211-A Western Blvd, I brought my first Bible. Got saved on June 10th, 1990. God took my abused, wretched, scarred life and redeemed it. Through His Word, He turned my mess into my message, and He turned my misery into my ministry. (Read “By what authority do you speak?”) We still have that first complimentary book-marker that came with that Bible. (Watch “Tell them about LAPUPP, Pastor Nick,” the six great proofs of the Bible! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kul6IiaXiNs&t=3s) |
| Sandy and I had an opportunity to visit Jensen Ackles’ (Dean from Supernatural) restaurant in Austin. This past month has been a time of refreshing for us. We definitely needed the timeout. It was so good to see all the Fam after so many years. (Watch “What does ‘Will you marry me’ really mean?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-jj6zPMCz4) |
Agree with us in Prayer
| a. For reinstatement of Brig ministries (Wednesday night Bible Study and Friday morning Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) classes. Pray for the dissolution of confusion and that ungodly strongholds be broken over the Brig. It’s been almost one year since all the confusion. When I get back to Okinawa, I plan on following up with the Brig, to see who the current Supervisors are. For over twenty-one years, I’ve had outstanding relationship with every Brig Commanding Officer. My hope is that the crew from last year have finally been reassigned. b. Pray for our leaders who are standing in the gap while Sandy and I take a break. Pray for their strength in the Lord. We are also still praying for mature, qualified families and Permanent Personnel to co-labor with us in this northern-most, remote area of Okinawa. Henoko/Schwab outreach carries a constant rebuilding nature due its high turnover rate and operational tempo. We continue to graduate souls as they finish their time here, so we literally have to labor and rebuild a new congregation every six months. Pray for our strength, wisdom, and resources as we continuously gather more souls. c. Pray for our current schedule, i.e. finances, resources, wisdom, strategies, and strength: ▪ Sun: Share/Report Christians In Action ministries ▪ Mon: Radical & Relevant (R&R) @7pm ▪ Wed: Pray for Reinstatement of Brig Christian Fellowship (BCF) @7pm ▪ Thu: Publish Think On These Things newsletters ▪ Thu: Publish YouTube Videos (Channel: YahwehHasASon) ▪ Fri: Pray for Reinstatement of Sexual Integrity & Restoration (SIR) @9am ▪ Sat: Zebulun Christian Discipleship Center (ZCDC) @6pm ▪Make a Donation ▪My YouTube videos |
In closing…
| Beloved, Sandy and I cannot thank you enough for your prayers, support, and encouragement. Y’all are the best Fam! We’re praying and believing to get back to Japan this week and get back into the saddle. We’re called to make disciples and God has anointed us to accomplish this effectively, directly, and quickly. We push Believers from the milk of the Word into the meat of the Word! In His love and in His power we confront, provoke, expose, and involve folks in the true things of God. We can use your help. Being full-time missionaries in Japan is quite expensive and quite taxing. Compounded with the nature and location of our outreaches (remote and northernmost), and the dynamic of constant rebuilding every six months, it makes for a special calling. We are quite unorthodox, so we tend to go where, do what, and say things that most other ministries can’t. Every week I am amazed at the Kingdom fruit being harvested here. Your monetary gifts and contributions literally enable us to make disciples and keep going. Financial offerings can be made online through Christians In Action. Or, you can mail contributions to the address listed below. I declare that you watch your life and doctrine closely, that you persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers! (1Tim 4:16) <*{{{{>< In His truth! Nick & Sandy, Bond-servants of Christ Contributions can be sent to: Dominic Guerra (Acct# 426) c/o Christians In Action, Missions International 1300 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 135 Fresno, CA 93710-7904 ▪Please ensure Acct #426 is annotated on your contribution so the funds can be allocated correctly. ▪Please share/forward these newsletters at your discretion. ▪Make a Donation |
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