Inspirations & Photography

Well I must admit I am not a harlequin romance novelist, but I do know a thing or two about romances. I know what it’s like to see a boy and feel like you’re going to melt.  Today, we would describe him as “hot!”  As I think back, my first summer love was when we took a vacation with my new family. My mother had just passed away and so I moved in with my father and his new bride,  equipped with 2 younger sisters and 2 brothers, one who is 6 months my senior.  It was quite a change for me since I came from a family where I was the youngest of 3 other siblings and now I was the “older” sister, which I really liked.  That summer we were visiting a friend of my new family and they had a son who was really cute. I was one of those girls who always fell for the “cute” guys!  As I’m sharing this, I remember one time I was with friends at a theme park, not sure of the name, but this guy walked by and I mean girls he was gorgeous! I can remember him so clearly, long blond hair and beautiful blue eyes, I was in such awe that I could not take my eyes off of him as he walked by and it felt as though my jaw dropped to the ground, that’s how stunned I was!  Well, back to “cute” guy on vacation.  We pulled up in the driveway and brought our luggage into the house and there he was. If I remember correctly (this is so many years ago) we were about the same age.  We hung out a lot together with my new little sister who was 2 years younger than me and I remember her getting so upset because I “always” got the cute guys! I’m sure she’d laugh at that now, but at the time she was pretty jealous.

It was your typical young summer romance when girl meets boy and  you go for walks, hold hands and experience that first kiss.  This would be the beginning of many summer romances (before I was married).  As time went by and I grew older the romances became less innocent and more passionate which led to the breaking of my heart multiple times.  I learned quickly about the slyness of boys and their luring lines and I had no one that I could turn to, no one to help me with my raging hormones and how to control them.

It wasn’t until I was much older that I finally met my “First Love”  He showed me what “real” love is and that it had nothing to do with physical attraction. He taught me that I was worth something and to have confidence in myself.  He has also taught me that I could be loved by another without it turning into something physical.  Yes girls, I fell in love alright, but it wasn’t the way you may think.  I met someone who loved me more than I could ever know. And that because he loved me so much he died for me and because of his Fathers love, he was raised to life again.  I remember my family was not at home and I read this little booklet that talked about this man and how much he loved me, even with all the mistakes that I had made. I learned that he was not ashamed of me, no, on the contrary. That night when I prayed I felt his love, it was as if someone put a blanket over me.  I cried, but they were tears of joy not sadness.  I no longer felt empty: I felt more alive than I had ever felt in my entire life. It was that night that I met my first love and his name is Jesus.  The Bible says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

It is my prayer that you come to know “this” love.  A true love that will never leave you or break your heart. Nor will this love take advantage of or abandon you.  It will always be there for you no matter where you are or what you’re doing now.  It is not ashamed of your past mistakes.  Yet His love for you is full of mercy, forgiveness and compassion.  He’s here for you right now.  All you have to do is invite him into your heart and life.  He is a gentleman, he will never force his way or his will upon you. Yet he waits patiently, waiting for you to open your heart. Waiting for you to pray this prayer similar to the one I prayed many years ago, “Jesus, I believe in You.  I want you to be the love of my life. Come into my life and into my heart. Forgive me of all my mistakes. Help me to live a life of making better choices. Show me how to follow you and walk with you. You promise to never leave me or abandon me. Be my Lord and my Savior, and thank you for your amazing Love”

If you said that prayer from your heart, then you are now a Christian, a believer and follower of Jesus.  I encourage you to find a church that teaches that Jesus is your Savior and that teaches his words  about faith and love.  I encourage you to read the book of John in the new testament.  It will give you a good understanding of who Jesus is, how he lived his life and what he teaches his followers.  You can also read my other writings here at ninatidwell.com  that will help you understand more about God’s amazing love and how to live by faith.  You can also follow me on Facebook:  “Pastor Nina Tidwell” or Ponce Church Surfside~Ponce Inlet, FL

“For everyone has sinned, we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty of our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.  People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood…” Romans 3:23-25 NLT

After I awoke this morning I felt the Lord compel me to pray for Casey Anthony, the young mother on trial for the death of her daughter.  As I went about my day all I could think about was the mercy of God and how we all need it.  There is not one human being alive today that is innocent, not one.  After Adam and Eve’s fall sin entered in and the only way any of us could be made right with God was for Jesus, the only sinless human being that ever lived to give his life for us all.

“God so loved the world (all inclusive, all sinners) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16  Jesus blood was spilled out for all mankind, including liars, thieves and yes even those who commit murder.  You may be thinking right now, “then you’re saying it’s OK to commit sin?” My answer is the same as John in the book of 1John 2:1, “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. BUT if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins–and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” You see all sin needs  a sacrifice and Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” 2Corinthians 5:21

If it were not for the Love of God in sending us his Son to take our place on the cross we’d ALL be on trial! We would ALL be found guilty.  What’s amazing to me is the media and the world’s focus is on this young woman’s case and yet we ignore the fact that there are more than 752, 000 innocent unborn lives (less than 9 weeks old)  taken every year, think about that for a moment.

Let’s look at Hatred: The word of God says , “Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life living in him.” 1John 3:15 Wow! Yet another point to think about as well.

There was a woman who was caught in the act of adultery and the people brought her to Jesus and said that the law gives them the right to stone her to death and then they asked Jesus his opinion and this was his reply, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!“  When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No Lord” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I, Go and sin no more.”

Update: Casey Anthony found not guilty today, July 5th  for murder and child abuse.

Thank God for his mercy on us all!

I have been a Christian for over 30 years and  a pastor for nearly a decade and I honestly have to say that I have “NOT” arrived! You see God created us individually as a spirit being with a soul (mind, will & emotions) and we live in a body.  The scriptures say that the flesh is continually at war with the spirit. The Apostle Paul put it this way, “So I say let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” Galatians 5:16,17

As you can see there is a constant battle. In my 30+ years as a Christian a follower of Jesus I have experienced some amazing times in my life. Yet on the other had I have been faced with MANY obstacles (inside and out). Some I’ve conquered, some not. Thank the Lord for His rich mercy. Yes, I know there are some of you that are saying right now, “but I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength” Yes that is true, the word of God is always true, but we have to remember that there are times when (because of the flesh and spirit always at war with each other) that we don’t ALWAYS do the right thing.  As for me, my struggles are no longer with drugs and alcohol as it was when I was quite younger. Today they are much different. Just like Paul said in the verses above, “…And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other…” For me, the most difficult at times is loving others.  I wish I could get up every day and never get hurt, offended or upset with another soul!  Let’s be honest here, we all have some area in our lives that need improving. My advice to you and myself  would be to stay in faith and strive (by his Grace) to improve in these areas.

HOW? One particular way is this truth: The Lord Corrects those He Loves: One thing I never want to let slip, and that is to be able to hear his voice when he is trying to help me in an area.  “For the Lord disciplines (corrects) those he loves…as you endure his divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard of a child who is never disciplined by it’s own father/mother? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! BUT afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:6-11

I may be stubborn in certain areas of my life, but this is ONE area that I do not want to ignore and that is the Lord’s correction. Listen folks, he does not shoot fire from heaven or strike us with lightning when we do something wrong (thank God!) No! His correction is full of Love. For me, It’s his “voice” I hear him in my gut. It’s just a “knowing”. When I’ve stuck my foot in my mouth for the millionth time I KNOW what I must do next and that is face the pain! Admit to myself and others involved that I was “wrong”. Folks this is what I believe the scripture reference above means as being “painful”  Have you ever had to tell someone that you’re sorry, or that you were wrong? Some people refuse to do it. But if you’re a follower of Jesus, a child of the living God then he is going to “require” it of you. This is called humility. Once we yield to his correction, and do what he says, which by the way is ALWAYS love, then and only then will we get back to a life of “peace” the “peaceful harvest” or King James says it this way “the peaceful fruit of righteousness”

The NEXT STEP: Once we’ve done the “right” thing,  we must then FORGIVE ourselves.  When we ask God to forgive us he says that he “will” and that he will no longer remember our sins (wrongs). If he can forgive us and forget then we must learn to forgive ourselves and take Paul’s advice in the scriptures, “…but this one thing I do, forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Jesus Christ, is calling us” Philippians 3:13,14

For thousands of years the story of Jesus death and resurrection have been told in churches, meeting places and homes all over the world.  Jesus himself began to speak of his death even before they laid a hand on him. “Listen” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again” the gospel of Mark chapter 10, verses 33 & 34.

Celebrating Easter is more than the traditional  chocolate bunnies and colored Easter eggs, it’s remembering Jesus laying down his life for all mankind and God raising him from the dead. Why? Jesus Christ the Risen One was sent to us because of God’s amazing love.  Jesus endured the beatings for you and me. He allowed them to hang him on the cross to pay for our sins.

In the old testament Adam and Eve chose to not follow God’s instructions and when they disobeyed what the Father told them sin came into the earth.  Prophets in the old testament spoke of the coming Messiah who would take away the sin of the world.  “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” 2Corinthians 5:21  Because of the wonderful mercy and love of God, he sent his one and only Son to die for you and me, and when God raised Jesus Christ to life again, he made it possible for us to be put back in good standing with God our heavenly Father again.  All God asks of us is to believe. Believe that he sent Jesus to us, that he went to the cross for us, died and believe that God raised him from the dead.

Jesus Christ is alive and well today. He sits at God’s right hand in Heaven and because of the power of the resurrection, he lives in his people, his followers, Christians today. How? “The Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” Romans 8:11

As you celebrate Easter this year remember God’s amazing love for you and all of mankind. Realize and accept the truth that we need our sins forgiven. Understand that with our own strength or works we cannot make that happen, forgiveness only comes through believing in Jesus Christ and that he died for us.  Open your heart to Jesus and follow Him. Once you make this decision, your life will have meaning.  “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. As the scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced…Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:8-13

Happy Easter!

Pastor Nina Tidwell
Ponce Church, Ponce Inlet, Florida

Everyone Welcome! We’re Surfside and we’re Casual!
Sundays 10AM
4670 S. Peninsula in Ponce Inlet

Have you ever been engaged in a conversation with someone and have them say something so “off-the-wall” that it leaves you speechless? Well that happened to me during my walk just the other day. While enjoying the beautiful ocean and river view from the jetty a friend was passing on their bike. We both stopped to say hello and chat a bit. During our conversation we got on the subject of family and friends that have struggled with addictions such as drugs and alcohol.  This person began to share how for some reason people who are struggling in these areas are drawn to them.  As they elaborated more about this subject they began to express how they believe God puts the addiction on these people, and basically said that is their lot in life. When I heard this I just about FELL OVER!! Friends, this ridiculous man-made philosophy could not be farther from the TRUTH! (This is a good example of folks not knowing nor understanding the Love, Grace and Power of God)  Please allow me to share why. Firstly the word of God  is truth and HIS TRUTH says that Jesus came to set the “captives” free, Luke 4:18. Do you know what that means? ANYONE and I mean anyone who is imprisoned (in a life-long struggle) by drugs, alcohol, and anything else that keeps one from enjoying life, has been given an opportunity to walk free.  Jesus who holds the key to their freedom came to unlock their prison door and let them out! 1Corinthians 10:13 says that God, has provided a “WAY OUT” of temptation, trials or troubles (including addictions) period!  It’s as if the One who has the key to your freedom (Jesus) comes and opens your cell door and says, “Come on out, you’re FREE!”  The word of God also says that Jesus has “rescued” us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son” Colossians 1:13 nlt
My friend this is GOOD NEWS! Your ticket to freedom comes from a very LOVING God, and He demonstrated His amazing love by sending His Son Jesus to set you free! This is no joke. This is not just a nice story, this is the power of God, and He is ready, willing and able to take you on a new journey to freedom. One, He is asking you to allow Him to help you. If you’re not a Christian yet and you want to be, all you have to do is ask Jesus to be a part of your life. Say this prayer from your heart: “Jesus, I believe in you. I believe God sent you for me, that it is your will for me to be free! Be my Lord and my Savior, show me YOUR way. Show me the way of your peace. Help me to be free from the things that can harm me. I want you now. You are my strength. Because of you I am no longer bound by this addiction. It no longer has power over me. Forgive me Father for my sins and I thank you that you love me and no longer remember my mistakes. Thank you God, and thank you Jesus! Amen.”
YOUR NEW JOURNEY, A FRESH START: Now one of the next steps to take on your journey of recovery is to give your mind NEW thoughts. The Bible says to “renew your mind” with the word of God. Why would He say that? Because God’s word is spirit and Life. When we become a Christian, a follower of Jesus, the Bible says we are a NEW creature in Christ Jesus. We’re forgiven, we now have God’s very Spirit living inside of us, but our minds always need renewing. Our mind continually needs to be nourished with God’s truth. God’s word washes away all of the negative thoughts that have kept us bound.  “And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing, FIX YOUR THOUGHTS on what is True (God’s word), and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. THINK ABOUT things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me–everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the GOD OF PEACE  will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 nlt.
The Lord has put “pastors and teachers” into the body of Christ (Christians) and has given them gifts to teach God’s word. I would encourage you to find a church that teach Jesus Christ as the Son of God and that teaches Faith and Love.  I cannot tell you how when I first became a Christian, how powerful it was for me to “hear” God’s word and be in a church that teaches the truth. You especially want a church that teaches Gods love and that God does NOT put evil on you to teach you a lesson. You want a church that teaches about God’s Grace, Love and Mercy. If you do not know where to start, send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you find a church that offers what I have shared with you today.
Know this: God is NOT mad or angry with you. He is so loving and merciful. The word of God says that it is His love and goodness that leads us to Him. He is with you every hour and every second of the day. You can literally call out to Him and He WILL help you. He is that awesome and so faithful, ready to pour out His Love on you. I know, I met Him over 30 years ago and He has never let me down, ever!

I also encourage you to listen to Pastor Rick’s messages. His newest series “The Great Escape”  is now available to listen for free or download and listen to at any time.  Go to  poncechurch.com