Nick Parker, Author at 1Africa

ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH?

November 19, 2013

Are you good enough?

This is a question we have all asked ourselves, it is a question that brings up many different emotions and often reveals areas in our lives that we are struggling with. Its a natural human tendency to always want to be better and grow yourself, but i think for a lot of us it goes further and perhaps deeper than that. We generally don’t believe we are good enough.

The reason behind this is often caused by our predisposition to always compare ourselves with others, we are always looking at the people around us thinking “what can I do to be more like them”, instead of accepting who we are. With media being so popular these days we are constantly faced with unrealistic ideas of who we should be or what we should be able to achieve. We are no longer satisfied with just being ourselves and if that isn’t the case then peer pressure has caused us to be embarrassed of who we really are.

But it doesn’t have to be like that.

Jesus has made you an original, so unique that there is no one else like you in the world.

You are wonderfully and fearfully made by the God of the universe, so to answer your question, yes, you are good enough. There is no one that can be better at being you, than you. So don’t allow anyone or anything to make you feel differently, you are 100% perfect the way you are.

No matter where you go or who you surround yourself with, know that Jesus loves you the way you are and that there is no one he would rather you be than yourself.

Live life with passion and joy knowing that who you are is more than good enough, so good that Jesus chose to die for you.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A RECRUIT

Nick Parker

November 12, 2013

Do you have what it takes to be a recruit?

Our latest video THE RECRUITS centers on how we have the choice to become a part of Gods family. It’s a choice that is freely given to us, we don’t have to work for it or try and earn it. But just like any family, its not always going to be easy. We are constantly going through seasons of growth, understanding, heartache and joy. What makes the difference though, is that we done have to go through those times alone. There is a God who loves us and is always with us, as well as a family of believers who can help us along the way. Once we have joined this family there is nothing that can separate us from it, we can take comfort in knowing that we never have to be alone again.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of a family that is always there and loves us no matter what we’ve done? We all long to be part of something, so why not be part of the greatest family there is, the family of God.

So what does it take to be a recruit of this family?

Nothing!

All you need is an open heart and the commitment to follow Jesus. Its as simple as that.

THE WEIGHT OF UNFORGIVENESS

Nick Parker

November 5, 2013

Unforgiveness is something we all struggle with, whether it be as small as someone cutting you off in traffic or as big as having your partner leave you. We deal with it on a daily basis, but does it have to consume us? Does it have to weigh us down and leave us feeling hopeless and bitter?

We often find ourselves saying it’s easy for them to forgive, they don’t know what I’ve been through. But the truth is we’ve all been there, we’ve all struggled with being unable to forgive someone.

Forgiveness is one of those things we think that we should only give once we feel it’s the right time, or that someone has done enough to earn our forgiveness. I however don’t agree with that, I think that if that’s the case, then what if you never feel like forgiving someone. Do you just live the rest of your life with that unforgiveness?

I truly believe that forgiveness isn’t something that needs to be earned or felt, but rather a decision. We choose to forgive someone, not based on how we feel but rather because we know that it’s better to forgive than to live with the weight of unforgiveness constantly holding us back.

Just like in the video, the more offended we get the more weight be carry, until eventually the burden is too heavy for us to move on. We need to realize that to be free from the weight of unforgiveness we need to first give forgiveness.

It says in the Bible that if you forgive those who have wronged you, you yourself will be forgiven. So make a choice today to forgive those who have wronged you. You will find that at the end of it, you will benefit more from the forgiveness than the person you forgave.

Forgiveness isn’t easy, but luckily we have Jesus to help us through it. Learn from His example and decide that it is better to live your life free, rather than to live it burdened with past hurts.

Make a choice today; I guarantee it will be the best decision you ever make.

THE CELEBRATION OF FEAR

Nick Parker

November 1, 2013

So we all get scared. It’s natural. But during certain times of the year, fear becomes the focus of our attention. With Halloween having just passed it dawned on me that promoting “fear” has become something we don’t have a problem with.

I understand that for many, Halloween is fun. You get to dress up, eat sweets and spend time with your family. But what if we looked past the costumes and sugary treats, is it possible that this annual celebration inadvertently affects people more than we know?

Halloween highlights fear, and for some people fear is a constant battle, it is something they can’t hide from and it consumes large parts of their daily lives. In Africa particularly, we have the reality of witchcraft and certain ancestral traditions which cause people to follow rules and belief systems in the fear that if they don’t they could be punished or even killed.

Further more beyond the reality of spiritual fears there are also more practical fears. Will I be able to afford food today? Where will I sleep tonight? Am I safe? These fears are all real and have power over people: fear is something that can cripple even the strongest amongst us.

So why celebrate it? If fear comes in so many forms and affects so many people then why do we find joy in promoting it? I am by no means saying that we shouldn’t have fun or partake in celebrations like Halloween, but rather that we are at least aware of the deeper issues that these celebrations are rooted in.

As for me, I’d rather celebrate something that gives us all hope and power, that allows us to experience fulfilment and joy each day despite circumstance: the amazing Abundant Life found through relationship with God. God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear but one of power, love and self-discipline. Unlike fear, life in Him has the power to set us free and it is given freely. Now that is worth celebrating!

So are we going to continue with the celebration of fear or rather look to celebrate the life we have been given?

THE ONLY GUARANTEE

Nick Parker

October 30, 2013

Guarantee: a formal promise or assurance that certain conditions will be fulfilled, something that gives certainty of outcome.

People often say that in life there are no guarantees, that nothing is certain besides death. But if that is true, then what is the point of living. If everything we try just leads to failure then why bother? Why have hope at all?

How can it be possible that in the modern day world nothing can be guaranteed?

But what if we are wrong, what if there is a guarantee, one that is 100 percent certain, something or someone that will never let us down. Is it possible that something like that exists?

The answer is yes!

Jesus guarantees us life, and not just an empty unfulfilled life but rather a life that is filled with love and joy, a life that gives us freedom. This life cannot be taken from us, not even by death. We no longer have to worry about being let down or feel like we will never accomplish anything. Jesus has already won the victory, he loved us before we even knew him. All we have to do is just choose to live for him, what could be more simple.

So know that no matter what happens, whether it be disappointment, failure, death or disadvantage that there is one thing that is guaranteed, and that is that Jesus loves you and he will never let you down.

A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Nick Parker

October 22, 2013

How to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a Zombie? Walking around aimlessly with no obvious purpose or direction…trapped in a trance- like state of routine and personal need… dead to the world around you?

TO WATCH THE ZOMBIE SHORT FILM CLICK HERE

To a lesser or greater degree, we are all Zombies. Alive in the world but dead or dying on the inside…so focused on the now-life that we miss true-life…suffering from the dreaded death disease that attacks more than just the body…stuck in a state of hopelessness and quiet desperation.

But we have a choice. We don’t have to accept this zombie-like existence. True life is within our reach, a life of love and joy and freedom. We can all be cured by allowing the Cure to take over. A Cure that isn’t momentary, a Cure that gives life instantly and forever. A Cure that is Jesus.

THE DEAL

Nick Parker

October 15, 2013

Is your life all about the next big deal? Is being successful the most important thing to you? What if there is a deal that is more important than money or possessions; one that could literally save your life.

It’s in our nature to always look for the best deal, to try and find the option that will benefit us the most. We always want to come out the winner, knowing that we have gotten the best out of the situation. But is it possible that there is a deal more important than all of that? A deal that not only has the power to save your life but to give you life. It’s a deal that we don’t deserve, one that is given to us for free, the only thing we have to do is accept it.

The deal that I’m referring to is that Jesus promises to forgive us and love us unconditionally if we just choose to live for him. There is no catch or hidden motive, no clause or termination policy. It’s a deal that is based on love and the knowledge that there is nothing we can do to separate us from the love of Christ. Don’t let life pass you by, constantly trying to find the next big deal, when the biggest deal of our lives is available to us right now.

THERE IS GREATNESS IN YOU

Nick Parker

October 9, 2013

Ever feel like there is something more? Like you could actually be someone really significant? What if I told you we all have that potential for greatness inside of us! Don’t believe me? Watch this video…

As human beings we always have this longing to be something greater, to achieve the unachievable, to go beyond what is seemingly possible. Yet somehow we seem to stop ourselves from ever trying to reach these goals. Does it all point to the fact that we struggle with self belief or a fear that we will fall short? Is greatness only available to an elite few?

The thing we don’t realise is that there is greatness within us all, a strength that is pure and honourable, that has the ability to overcome any obstacle. All we need to do is acknowledge and accept it. You see the secret to greatness isn’t out of our reach; it’s living within us. I believe that secret is Jesus. So it’s not about who you are or what you have done, but it’s about the One that lives in you.

We are all born with a purpose, with a calling to greatness. . Don’t allow your circumstances or people around you to ever stop you from believing you are called to greatness. God will never give up on you, so you shouldn’t either.

You are called to do great things.

Alive

Nick Parker

September 18, 2013

“What does it mean to be ALIVE? Have we become numb to what is happening in the world around us? Has technology and life’s fast pace robbed us of our appreciation of the life we have been given. Stop for a moment, take a breath and realize that we are alive, not just alive on earth, but alive in God.  We only have one life and that life is a gift, the best way to say thank you for this is by living it. Remember Jesus came so that we may have life, and have it to the full”

Alive is a short clip Directed by Nic Manshon for our yesHeis platform. It highlights how in life one can become easily overwhelmed by the business of doing life and be so deeply caught up in the rat race. Sometimes you need to take a step back and evaluate the value of your life and the ones around you. Your life is more valuable than money, fame or popularity; it’s a gift and should be valued above the things of this world. Alive is designed to ask you the question ‘What’s the value of my life?’

To share the video please follow the link below:

http://www.yesheis.com/en-afr/v/alive-youtube-0

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Nick Parker

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