Setting Prisoners Free

Context: This was our message at Titirangi Baptist Church on July 19th: Beth started by telling a story about Denise , reading Luke 8:40-48 and then she gave some thoughts about this lady Jesus healed, who'd been bleeding for 12 years. I concluded by delivering a message about "loving those on the margins" .... Denise: If I was able to introduce you to Denise today, you would see a very petite woman in her late 50’s with bright eyes and a wide, welcoming smile. It was my privilege to get to know her earlier this year while she was living at Naomi House, Cornerstone’s homeless shelter for single women. Denise’s past was filled with a solid and consistent work history. For 30 years she was employed with Illinois Bell, a large phone company. She began in the mail-room and was promoted 12 times. Following Illinois Bell, Denise began working for a moving company, but after 8 years that business relocated to Florida. Denise found herself unemployed and alone. Finding

I sit here writing this in New Zealand and on a couple airplanes. In mid May, I took the wonderful opportunity to fly down to Aotearoa to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of my Uncle Wayne. After living a good long life, he passed away at the age of 90, on May 14th 2013.  I would consider Uncle Wayne one of my heroes! This honor doesn't come easy; there are a few good men of faith I aspire to emulate, and my uncle stands tall among them. Anyone who knew Uncle Wayne, knows it is impossible to think of him without also thinking of his lovely wife, my Aunty Veta; until death separated them last week, they had been inseparable for 65 years of marriage and have both always been marvelous examples to me in so many different ways.... When I consider Uncle Wayne's legacy, I can marvel at his faithful and reliable service as a navigator in World War 2, his long career as he moved up Auckland City Council and all he did for the Church he helped to found; Kaurilands Church

It's become our routine. All be it, an expensive routine! Every 3 years we have the privilege of traveling "down under" to Aotearoa. There is no way we can afford to do this, simply because Beth and I have made decisions to live in an intentional community and work amongst the homeless in Uptown. Years ago, we both decided to try and live out the Kingdom of God; by following the revolutionary footsteps of Jesus, embracing a simple lifestyle and being a voice for the voiceless. By doing this; such travel, by our own means, quickly becomes impossible! Yet, our family is happy to proclaim; the impossible becomes possible mainly through the amazing generosity of our NZ church family. We are grateful. We are blessed. We were given the opportunity to return home! As our lives skip back and forth through the affluence of southern hemisphere summers to the poverty of the northern winters, my life of two lives consumes me. This rotation isn't ever easy. Th

My dad, Mr. John Cyrus Nicholls, just retired from 27 years of being an elder at Titirangi Baptist Church (formerly Kaurilands Church of Christ L&A). He did not retire due to animosity or hostility, but due to some ongoing health issues and felt he could not fulfill his duty to the best of his ability. Last Sunday (June 12th), TBC held a service recognizing dad's faithfulness and dedication all these years. I could not obviously be there, as he lives in New Zealand and I reside in Chicago. This is what I wrote and it was read aloud on Sunday: it was my attempt to convey and recognize a man who poured his heart, soul and mind into the Church he dearly loves!  Sunday is Fathers Day in the US. Fathers Day in NZ is in September. Yet, I feel it is fitting to post this in recognition of my father, who despite living in a society where so many people constantly give in, give up and change their direction when they see or glimpse at a slight obstacle; well, our father has defied that