Does God even like you?

I’m assuming I’m not the only one to have ever struggled with this question—does God love me? Is He proud of me?

Or when things don’t go as I would like them to—why does God dislike me so much? If that weren’t the case, things clearly wouldn’t be like this, right??

The more days on this planet that I experience, the more I come to the conclusion that stuff happens, both good and bad, and if I allow that to dictate my view of God (or God’s view of me), I tread some dangerous waters.

But even though I know that intellectually, I still struggle bringing that down to the heart-level.

Faith, The Stuff That MattersNathan WestwickApril 28, 2016How God Sees Us Comment

We Need More Guides, Not More Heroes

I have a small confession to make: I wrote recently that the world is in need of more heroes. And while I still firmly believe that, I also think I’m wrong…

We don’t need heroes nearly as desperately as we need guides.

Think about it—without Yoda, Luke Skywalker is just an angry, misplaced youth trying to find his way. With him, Luke defeats the entire Empire.

The Stuff That Matters, LeadershipNathan WestwickApril 21, 2016Heroes, Guides Comment

3 Qualities of Greatness We Can All Copy

Last night was simply… special.

To watch Kobe Bryant’s last game in a Lakers uniform was a transcendent experience that left me with tears trickling down my face as the final buzzer sounded.

For those of you who missed it, Kobe, in his final game of a distinguished 20-year career, scored 60 points, leading his team to victory after coming back from a 14-point deficit in the final 10 minutes. The crowd was electric, Kobe was exhausted; it was the perfect end to a brilliant career.

3 Things to Build More Margin in Your Life

Do you feel like you’re constantly on the go, rushing from one place to the next? Rushing out the door to make it to work on time; packing up from work so you can take the kids to soccer practice; running home to make a quick dinner so the kids can get to bed at a reasonable hour? Then you collapse on the couch and throw on a show so you can unwind a bit?

My life feels this way far too often.

Find Your Harp

The other morning was a dark one for me.

I didn’t have any particular reason for finding myself in the state of mind I was in, but I noticed it begin to overpower me as I drove in to work; the closer I got, the more I found myself filling up with a dark and dangerous anger.

I’m aware that anger grows from seeds that are real, but it tends to grow in a manner that is completely aggrandizing and often disproportionate to reality.

And that anger, when left unchecked, can lead to some very dark places.

Good vs. EvilNathan WestwickMarch 31, 2016Finding Peace Comment

Bloom in Your Desert

The desert bloom

Stands alone

Beauty and color

In sharp contrast to its surroundings

Inviting life

Defying circumstances

Standing tall against opposition

Noticeable for miles

Drawing attention

Not because it cries for it

But because it is true to its calling.

Life AbundantNathan WestwickMarch 24, 2016Bloom, DesertComment

How To Experience Real Change

I was listening to sports talk radio the other day when one of my favorite sports leaders quickly became the topic of discussion: The ever-quirky, highly intelligent Phil Jackson was quoted as saying something about “transformational leadership vs. transactional leadership”. The sportscasters were discussing the merits of his approach to leading an NBA franchise, and were somewhat lost in articulating the differences between the two styles of leadership.

You don’t coach your teams to 11 NBA titles without knowing a thing or two about leadership, so I was naturally intrigued by what Phil Jackson meant by that comment.

Life Abundant, The JourneyNathan WestwickMarch 17, 2016TransformationComment

The Best Sandwich I’ve Had in Quite a While

I recently found myself out in Orange County for work. As luck would have it, the café I had a meeting with was about 10 minutes from my grandmother’s house.

I gave her a ring the day before, and told her I had two reasons for calling. First, I was calling to say hi. Second, I phoned her to see if I could say hi in person the next day. I could hear her delight as I asked, and noticed her getting choked up as we ended our short conversation.

You see, I’m pretty sure my grandmother isn’t fully human. In fact, if I were to guess, I would put that percentage at less than 50%.

The other part of her is pure angel.

The Stuff That Matters, FamilyNathan WestwickMarch 3, 2016Family, LoveComment

Cutting Life's Safety Nets

Yesterday I put my signature on a paper that officially steers my career in a new direction.

I left teaching high school math a little over two years ago in order to work full-time in my coffee business. I traded stability for adventure. A high-structured job where simple needs like going to the bathroom were dictated by electronic bells buzzing through busy hallways, and exchanged that for the freedom to set my own schedule. I tossed my collared button-down shirts aside in favor of shorts and flip flops.

Business, Faith, Overcoming Fears, The JourneyNathan WestwickFebruary 25, 2016Leap of Faith, Trust Comments

Why I Find Jesus Offensive

Sometimes Jesus can drive me absolutely crazy.

Last week I wrote about my approach to Lent this year, but this week I just want to take a pause and be brutally honest:

The more I dive into the life and teachings of Jesus, the more offended I get.

FaithNathan WestwickFebruary 18, 2016My Own Shortcomings, Finding Freedom Comment

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