Nikao (verb)/nik-ah'-o/ (Greek) To conquer, triumph, overcome, to be victorious
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always enjoyed writing – journal entries, short stories, poems, etc. For the younger me, it was easy to attach words to the worlds I created in my head because there was no pressure. Now, as I’m working towards a writing career, I’m consistently overthinking and repeatedly riddled…
As I watched Freedom Writers (again) this past weekend, parts of the movie struck me differently this time around. In particular, there is a scene where the students successfully raise enough money to bring Miep Gies to speak to their class – the woman who secretly housed Anne Frank and her family during the holocaust.…
It goes without saying that life experiences shape us. As the world around us changes and uncertainty hangs everywhere, some lessons, some trials, some tribulations we just have to suffer through, and learn along the way. Whether this health pandemic is a season of trial or a season of triumph, what a time to silence…
To love deeply, to love sacrificially, to love with every implication of 1 Corinthians 13 is a heavy responsibility. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom…
Being a Christian does not involve feeling God’s overwhelming presence every moment of our lives. It doesn’t involve dreaming dreams of future events every night. And it certainly doesn’t involve achieving perfection in this present life. Because our Christian journey is not about what we feel or what we see, we must spend time daily…
If you read this blog often enough, you know I’m anxious about, well, a lot. And now add to this list all the implications that come with a coronavirus pandemic. Because my life is dotted by irrational fears, I must combat these anxieties each day. At first, I try to put the brakes on these…
I know it’s silly, but as I read Paul’s timely wisdom in parts of the New Testament, for a few moments, I wonder why he couldn’t just stay on earth for a few hundred more years. He did a tremendous job convincing the inconvincible of the Gospel, strengthening the church, conveying his thoughts with clarity,…
The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1 NIV) Recently, a pastor mentioned that the scripture above should actually read: A fool says in his heart, “No, God.” With this new translation, I was baffled. I’ve always thought fool was reserved for nonbelievers, atheists and agnostics. But, lo and behold, I’ve…
With social media’s influence, it can be easy to put those with droves of followers on pedestals. But attempting to model our lives after influencers, will prove unfulfilling. “…for He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:9 NIV) We cannot turn celebrities, peers, mentors or family members into gods. People…
I’m a firm believer that success is not reserved for the chosen few, the wealthy or the brilliant. As we turn our hearts toward heaven and give God our obedience – success, joy and fulfilment is a sure path for all of us. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working…
The Nikao Collection 