Author Archives: Nick Chellsen

Craig Groeschel wrote that holidays can be a magnifier. Meaning, if things in your life are good, holidays can magnify that goodness. However, if things in your life are hard, holidays can magnify that struggle. Valentine’s Day is a magnifier. For those in a loving relationship, Valentine’s Day can magnify that love. For those experiencingContinue reading “MAGNIFY”

Shortly after Claudia and I got engaged, she shared with me that she wanted our wedding processional song to be “Goodness of God.” During this conversation, I don’t think either of us knew just how hard our engagement season would turn out to be. As our engagement season proved to be harder than either ofContinue reading “GOODNESS OF GOD”

I don’t often find myself rereading many books. I tend to prefer to read something new, something fresh. Yet, even though I’ve read through the books of the Bible a number of times, it doesn’t feel like a rerun. For me, a text that has been rigidly researched and memorized is still a device forContinue reading “DISCOVERY”

One of my favorite games to play growing up was tag. I enjoined the back-and-forth chase; the mutual pursuit.  As I chased the other kids around the playground, I’d run as hard and fast as I could to catch up to them. When I finally did, I’d reach out my hand, swat them on theContinue reading “TAG”

Google defines the word ”preach” as “(to) deliver a religious address to an assembled group of people.” Meaning, a preacher is someone who delivers a religious message to a group of people. Pretty straightforward, right? When I think about preaching the Gospel, Luke 24 immediately comes to mind. The three words “He has Risen!” areContinue reading “PREACH”

One of the ways that God speaks to us is through community. Meaning, God can speak to us through other people. If I hear more than one person say something, I take it as a hint that God is trying to tell me something.  This past month I heard both a classmate and a localContinue reading “OXYGEN MASK”

Communication over text messaging is an interesting thing. Conversations can end just as quickly as they can start. Other conversations may never get off the ground. An example of the latter is when someone is “left of read.” This is when someone sends a message but does not receive a response. While the recipient ofContinue reading “LEFT ON READ”

Some music you grow out of, other music grows up with you. Bleed American is an example of the latter.  — Have you ever heard someone say, “This is my jam!” when a song comes on. Essentially, what they are saying is that the song that just came on is one their favorites.  When itContinue reading “BLEED AMERICAN (18th Anniversary)”

You may be familiar with the age-old adage, “When one door closes, another door opens.” This well-meaning mantra is often uttered during a time of transition. It could be when leaving a job. It could be at the end of a relationship. It is essentially the conclusion of any season. While they say, “When oneContinue reading “THE HALLWAY”

“I’m not sure,” I answered. “This is new for me.” “This is new for me too,” she replied with a smile. “But it’s also exciting. It’s like a present that we get to open together.”  — I wish I would have prepared something to say when I first asked Claudia to be my girlfriend. IContinue reading “PRESENT”