Daniel Nicewonger

What I learned from my Desktop

May 18, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

This morning I walked into my office a little later than I had planned. I was already behind schedule. My goal was to get in early and straighten things up and get things in order so I could function well for the rest of the week. As I sat down to begin “pushing papers” and uncovering the top of my desk I accidently bumped my mouse and my computer screen came to life revealing my computer’s desktop. I was struck by the way that my computer’s desktop, cluttered with a bunch of “temporary” and “important” files was beginning to look a lot like the desk I was sitting behind. Click, click, click I began to remove some of the clutter on the screen and then pushed a few papers…back to the screen for a few minutes and so the morning went until I got that first phone call.

In the midst of my de-cluttering I was struck by how at times my life can begin to feel this way…there is so much going on. I have filled my days with so many appointments that I simply move from one to the next…I begin to feel rushed, overwhelmed and then tired. Where does this come from? Why is there this sense that the busier I am the more that is getting done? It was not the way of Jesus. Time and time again, when there was much to do, when there were people to feed, heal, teach and simply be with Jesus snuck away for some time of quiet with Abba Father. It was in those moments that God met him in special ways, helped him to see, understand and embrace the call upon his life and filled him with the strength to move into the special role God had invited him into. If Jesus needed those times what makes me think that I will not? What makes me think that I can live among the clutter of this fast paced, overly busy world and not need to stop and be still, inviting Abba Father to speak into my hurried, harried and overwhelmed life?

I stopped the mouse from clicking…put the papers down…sat in silence for just sixty seconds…inviting God to fill me with a Spirit of Grace, Peace, Strength and Joy. A mini retreat in the midst of work day.

Abba Father, thank you for your promise to meet us in the midst of the clutter and chaos of life. Amen

Roatan 2015

May 17, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

A young me on Roatan

Back when I was about 16 years old God spoke to me on the island of Roatan in a very clear way…called me and it totally changed the direction of my life. Ever since that day I was clear that I was to be involved in some form of ministry. Even during the six years in North Carolina when I was not pastoring a church I sought to be actively involved in ministry…to not be would be to somehow deny the person that God has created and called me to be.

Over the past five years I have had the opportunity to return to Roatan, to re-connect with the place, and the people who God has used to guide my life. Over the past three years I have been blessed to be able to share the island and the communities there with Joseph and Rayann. It has been fun to watch God work in their lives through some of the same experiences I had oh so many years ago. In fact, when Rayann and I were talking about the transition to PA one of her big questions was, “does this mean we have to stop going to Roatan?”

Rayann and I will be heading back to Roatan with Live Again Ministries this July 18 – 25. We have raised a lot of our support “on the down low” this year. We have a couple very generous people who believe in us and the work of Live Again who help us each time we decide to travel to Roatan. At this time we are about $800 short of our goal. If you are interested in helping us in this mission effort please get in touch. We are always excited to see how God works to provide everything we need for these trips.

We will be working with some of the clean water projects, will undoubtedly check in on the I Was I Am feeding project but our main focus this trip will be the elderly on the island. So many times people travel to minister to the children and the young families and the elderly are a “forgotten” people group. Our goal is to let them know they are remembered, cared for and to help local churches connect with some of the elderly who are in need of special care and attention. It is a good lesson for all of us here at home to learn…but all the more important for a community where subsistence living is a way of life for so many. Please pray for us as we go that God would open doors, help us to see and sense need and provide a layer of protection upon us. We are excited to be be traveling with Live Again ministries once again, and we are even more excited to be taking two of Rayann’s friends from Kennett Square with us so we can introduce them to Roatan.

Please pray for us. If you would like to support us financially please be in touch. Thank you and God Bless.

Dan & Rayann

A Day in the Sun

May 16, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

We finally found Natalie in the crowd of people

Rayann and I got up early last Friday morning and headed out to see one of our friends compete in the Special Olympics. Natalie is a great friend to Rayann and is one of my “Pastor’s Partners.” The Pastors partners help me after worship services to keep track of things and allow me to focus on having conversations with people rather than trying to keep track of notes, my Bible and such. They are a great help and Natalie is very good at her job.

We got to the track just in time for the running of the torch and just in time for the sun to fully come out on a beautiful day. It was not long before Rayann and I both realized that we were not prepared for the day…no sunscreen, no water bottles…we started to feel the burn after just a few minutes. Thoughts of burning foreheads faded as we saw Natalie across the field. She was full of energy, excited for the day and we were glad to be there to see her participate.

She did an awesome job and we are both glad to be able to call her friend. Way to go Natalie! Thank you for inviting us to join you.

The Lord is My Pace Setter

May 16, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

During my visit with a Spiritual Director at the Jesuit Center he shared this piece. While not scripture, it is based upon the 23rd Psalm. Those of you who (like myself) find yourself falling into the trap of becoming driven and overly task oriented may find it helpful.

It has found its way into a frame and will soon be hanging in my office.

The Lord is my pace-setter. I shall not rush. He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals. He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity. He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind.

His guidance is peace even though I have a great many things to accomplish. I will not fret, for his presence is here. He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activities by anointing me with his oils of tranquility.

My cup of joyous energy overflows. Surely, harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruit of my hours. I shall walk in the peace of the Lord and dwell in his house forever.

-Anonymous

The Thunder of Silence

May 15, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

I got in my truck a full 90 minutes before the appointment. As I pulled away and started my journey toward my meeting I started to wonder, “Do I have time for this?” “Can I really afford to be on the road for three hours today center1 when there is so much to do?” “What am I going to have to give up in order to make this appointment and can I realistically do this on a regular basis?”

As I made my way down the PA turnpike I found myself reflecting and thinking on things like I cannot do while sitting at my desks (No, you did not read that wrong…there is a desk in my church office and another in my home study). As traffic whizzed by I found myself praying and reflecting on some of the issues that get only a moments attention before something else becomes the “crisis of the minute.” Maybe this time in the truck would be okay, but a full three hours…I am not sure I can justify that.

About that time my GPS called out to me and told me to turn right onto the tree lined driveway of the Jesuit Center at Wernersville, PA. As I made my way up the driveway there was no doubt that the place has a very different spirit about it. I found myself getting quieter…found myself becoming relaxed, even as I was “right on time” for my appointment and I had to find the office of the man I was about to spend time with.

As David and I spent time together he asked about my life, “my story.” We toured the Jesuit Center and he shared about their ministry and how anyone can take advantage of what they offer. We talked about the opportunity to come center2 and find times of quiet and reflection, whether overnight, or just for one day. As we sat and talked he said, “Why don’t we just sit in silence and when you are ready you can tell me what you are looking for.” So the three of us sat there, David, myself and the Spirit of Abba Father, sitting in silence…patient, enjoying the reality of each others presence. After a few minutes I shared, “I need someone to help me, someone to remind me to sit in silence, to help me continue to seek to grow in my faith….” “I need someone to ask the questions that nobody else is asking and to guide me on the continual journey toward spiritual maturity.” “I need someone to sit with me when I struggle, to celebrate with me when there is victory and to help me listen for Abba’s voice amidst the clutter of this world.”

It all just Thundered out of Silence. We talked about what that would look like…talked about how a relationship could grow and then parted ways for the day. The ride home seemed much quicker…traveling to the Center on a regular basis will not be an issue.

A Place in the Conversation

April 24, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com 1 Comment

Nancy and I got papers from our lawyer today.

In the above-referenced matter, enclosed for your records is a copy of the Articles of Incorporation-Nonprofit that were accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of State on March 30, 2015

It is official… A Place in the Conversation has gone from a dream…to a vision…and is now one step closer to becoming reality. This is a project Nancy and I have, and will continue, to work on together in our “spare time”. It is very much in the infancy stages, we have no idea where or how God will lead it…we just know we are excited to be on the journey together.

I find it hard to believe that I have been living in Kennett Square for a year already (okay, 11 months). I love the challenges, joys, and opportunity to share life with the people of First Baptist Church. It is a privilege to walk with them as we seek to care for each other and the community around us. A Place in the Conversation complements our primary work as pastor and teacher. Please pray God’s direction and blessing will be heard and followed as we move forward. Looking forward to walking together.

Dan & Nancy

Joe

April 11, 2015 By dnicewonger@gmail.com Leave a Comment

Joseph, elementary school

This past summer as our family was making the transition from NC to Kennett Square, PA Joseph, (or Joe as the rest of the world has come to call him) was beginning his journey to NC State. As we pulled away from an empty home and started off on our new adventure we were aware that one of the members of our “tribe” was not going with us. When NC State started a few weeks later Joseph and one of his friends from high school packed up and headed off on their own adventure…glad to be on their own.

Let me share with you a couple of things about “Joe” or Joseph Richard Nicewonger.

He is named after my maternal grandfather, Joseph Entrikin, who was one of the most special and unique men I have known my entire life. Joseph Entrikin knew what a hard days work was. He also knew how to relax and enjoy himself, whether fishing, hunting ducks or simply spending time with those he loved. He understood “who he was and whose he was” and that understanding drove every decision he made in life. The memory of my grandfather which remains burned into my mind is of him sitting in his special chair in the corner of the living room on Delsi drive every morning reading his bible. Both my grandfather’s chair and his Bible have a special place in my living room today, constant reminders of the example that was laid before me of what it meant to live life well.

Joseph Richard Nicewonger also carries my father’s name. Richard Nicewonger (or Dad as I have come to call him these last 46 years) is a man whose life is guided by his faith in God and his belief that through a little hard work (or a lot if you are 10 years old picking rocks out of the garden in upstate NY) you can make any difficult situation better. He worked his way through high school helping to provide for his family. After time in the Navy he worked his way through college and then his masters degree. I think it is fair to say that I have never seen my Dad back down from a challenge, he has worked his way through it…even the most difficult and painful ones. Working side by side with Richard “Dad” I learned what it meant to set a goal, figure out a plan of attack and then work until you accomplished the goal. I also learned that there are priorities…the biggest being all work and projects stop on Sunday. As important as the work and progress are…it is more important to take time to give praise to the One who gives us the “tools and talents” to work. Sabbath rest, time with God and family always took priority above the project…no matter how big or how important.

Nancy and Joseph at NC State – Who is this guy?

At this point you may be thinking, “What are you sharing about your son?” “Dan, you may have slipped the rail here…this has nothing to do with Joseph Richard Nicewonger.” Technically you may be correct…but my son, Joseph Richard Nicewonger, has adopted the best of what each of these two men had to offer him. There came a time when Joseph had a choice to make, he could pick up or cast aside the wisdom and truth these two namesakes had to offer him. As Joe weaves his way through this first year of college he has been confronted with challenges that are new to him. He has responded like his grandfather Richard and figured out how to work harder, smarter and has continued on until difficulty has been overcome and victory achieved. This past week as he spent time with Nancy, touring her around campus, introducing her to everyone I was reminded of his great grandfather Joseph and how he lived life so well.

When Joseph was in his early teens he came and asked to be baptized. Part of our practice is for people to pick a “life verse”, something that has a special meaning for them. He chose Luke 2:52 “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” I remember listening to Joseph talk about his desire to grow and mature in all areas of life. I remember responding by simply praying that God would honor his request.

May God continue the good work he has begun in you, my son!