Rich Nelson
  • Home
  • Rich's Books
    • The Powerful Christian Series
    • In His Holy Name
    • Sustainable Spirituality
    • Write Religiously
  • What You Gonna Do? Blog
  • Contact Rich
  • From This Broken Hill

what you gonna do?

"I feel the future trembling,
As the word is passed around.
'If you stand up for what you do believe,
Be prepared to be shot down.'

What you gonna do about me?"
​
--Dino Valenti

The Choice of Knees: Before Christ or Before the World

8/16/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture
“Our eventual home hereafter depends on whether our knees bend before Christ or shake before the world.”

That sentence carries a sobering truth. Every day, with every decision, we reveal who or what we bow to. Some kneel willingly before Jesus, submitting their lives in trust. Others tremble before the pressures of the world, surrendering to fear instead of faith.
The question we all face is this: Where do our knees bend?

The Pressure of This World: 
If you’ve ever felt your knees shake in a moment of decision, you’re not alone. Think of Peter in the courtyard. Just hours after promising Jesus, “I’ll never deny You,” he stood in the cold, trembling before a servant girl’s question. Fear of the world overtook his faith in Christ.
We do the same today.
  • When we stay silent about our beliefs to avoid conflict.
  • When we compromise our integrity for approval.
  • When we give in to temptation because resistance feels too costly.
The world demands conformity. It whispers, “Don’t stand out. Don’t be different. Don’t risk rejection.” And when we listen, our knees start to shake—not out of reverence for God, but out of fear of man.
Jesus warned us about this: “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
The truth is blunt: fear of the world is temporary, but fear of God is eternal.

The Power of Bowing Before Christ:
Now contrast that image with Daniel. He lived in Babylon—a culture that worshiped idols, mocked God, and demanded allegiance to the king above all else. But Daniel bent his knees three times a day in prayer to the Lord, even when he knew it could cost him his life.
And it did. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. But because his knees were bent before God, they did not shake before men. His faith became unshakable, and God’s power was revealed in his rescue.
That’s the power of bowing to Christ:
  • Fear loses its grip.
  • Faith grows stronger.
  • Our witness becomes brighter.
Paul captures this beautifully in Philippians 2:10–11: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Every knee will bow eventually. The only question is whether we bow in loving surrender now—or in regret later.

Practical Ways to Bow Daily:
Sustainable spirituality isn’t just about the big, dramatic tests. It’s about the small, daily bends of the knee that strengthen us for greater trials. Here are three practical applications:
  1. Morning Surrender
    Begin each day on your knees—even if it’s just for a few seconds. Whisper, “Jesus, You are Lord of my life today.” That posture, whether physical or spiritual, sets the tone for everything else.
  2. Courage in Small Choices
    Every time you face pressure—whether to gossip, lie, compromise, or stay silent—ask yourself: “Am I bowing to Christ or to the world right now?” Choose faith, even if it feels small. Faithfulness grows stronger one decision at a time.
  3. Scripture as Your Anchor
    Fill your heart with God’s Word so that when fear comes, truth answers back. Verses like Isaiah 41:10 remind us: “So do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Your Knees, Your Home:
Ultimately, this all comes down to eternity.
Bending our knees before Christ isn’t just about the here and now—it’s about where we’ll be forever. Our eternal home depends on whom we serve, whom we trust, and whom we bow before.
This is why Jesus invites us, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Bowing before Him isn’t slavery—it’s freedom. It’s joy. It’s life everlasting.

A Final Word of Encouragement:
You may feel like your knees have been shaking more often than they’ve been bowing. Maybe fear has won too many battles. But remember Peter? After his denial, Jesus restored him. Peter went on to stand boldly for Christ—even to the point of death.
So take heart: it’s not too late to choose where your knees bend. Every day is a new chance to bow before Christ in faith instead of trembling before the world in fear.
✨ Let your knees bend willingly in worship, not shake in fear. That’s where strength begins. That’s where hope is found. And that’s where your eternal home is secured.

Picture
A Simple Prayer:
​Father in Heaven, I don’t want my knees to shake in fear before this world. I want them to bend in worship before You. Give me courage when I feel weak, strength when I am tempted, and boldness to live for You no matter the cost. Today, I bow my heart, my will, and my life before You. Be my Lord, my strength, and my Savior. Amen.

Unfortunately, it’s easier to tremble under the pressure of people than to stand strong for Jesus. 
Read Sustainable Spirituality
Picture
0 Comments

When God Feels Far Away: Finding His Presence in Everyday Moments

8/1/2025

0 Comments

 
Picture

Imagine standing in a crowded room, surrounded by friends, yet feeling utterly alone. It’s a quiet ache—one that many of us know too well. In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, it’s ironic how distant we can feel from the One who knows us best. That sense of spiritual abandonment can weigh heavily on our hearts, leaving us to wonder if God is truly near.
​
But what if the problem isn’t God’s absence, but our awareness?

When we’re consumed by stress, distraction, or even pain, it becomes difficult to see the subtle ways God whispers, “I’m here.” The blessings He gives may not always arrive with trumpets and fireworks. More often, they show up in quiet mercies—a stranger’s smile, a sudden moment of peace, an unexpected answer to prayer.​
Reconnecting with God doesn’t always require a mountaintop experience. Sometimes, it begins with paying attention. The sacred can be found in ordinary moments: the warmth of sunlight on your skin, a gentle prompting to reach out to someone, the way a scripture verse speaks directly to your soul. These are not coincidences. They are reminders.

God is not absent; He is near. The challenge is not proving His presence, but training our hearts to notice it.
​So when you feel alone—even in a crowded room—pause. Breathe. Look around. Reflect on the moments, however small, where grace has met you. You’ll find that He’s been there all along.
Picture
When you study God’s names, you embark on a transformative journey that brings you closer to the heart of God.  Imagine experiencing peace in chaos, hope in despair, and joy in uncertainty — all through understanding who God is. By embracing His divine attributes, you’ll find the strength to overcome your challenges and the inspiration to navigate your everyday life. Let’s embark on this incredible adventure together! Click to learn more and start your journey towards a deeper relationship with the Creator. Your heart is waiting for this divine encounter!

Discover the power of His Holy names here:
In His Holy Name
Picture
0 Comments
    Picture

    Author: Rich Nelson

    Rich Nelson is the author of numerous published articles on topics such as religious education, family values, health, & politics. 

    His writings have appeared in Christian Education Today, Church Teacher, Parish Teacher, Living with Teenagers, Liberty Magazine, and many others.

    Archives

    November 2025
    August 2025
    February 2025
    September 2024

    Picture
    Cultivate Resilience in Tough Times   
    Sustainable Spirituality offers readers practical tools to foster resilience during life's challenges. Through insightful guidance, this book empowers individuals to maintain their faith and find strength even when faced with adversity. 

    Picture

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Rich's Books
    • The Powerful Christian Series
    • In His Holy Name
    • Sustainable Spirituality
    • Write Religiously
  • What You Gonna Do? Blog
  • Contact Rich
  • From This Broken Hill