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FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“…but he who does the will of God abides forever.” ~ I John 2:17b

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? ~ I love the English language! This sentence has more than one meaning. For instance, someone could ask you about your thoughts and focus at any given moment. However, these days this literal question causes you to try to explain where you hang your clothes, microwave food, and watch TV. Next, you have to explain to the person how to get to your home and what your house looks like. For a simple question, it’s a lot of work!

Last week, I had the privilege of visiting a man’s house which was a little less opulent than many I have stopped at in the past. In fact, his house was an older model trailer. Now, before you correct me and explain that it’s politically correct to either say manufactured home or at least mobile home take a moment to picture his residence. It had a spacious living room with a pool table right in the middle. This abode had great ventilation for those cool summer breezes. The best part was his low monthly mortgage payment. Are you jealous yet?

Paul Harvey would say, “And now, you’re going to hear the rest of the story.” The gentleman I’m referring to is one of the many homeless in America today. His trailer is broken apart with missing walls, no running water, and no electricity. In fact, it’s not his trailer. It’s just an abandoned wreck in the middle of the woods. Not jealous anymore are you? I wasn’t either. There’s no way for me to paint an accurate picture which would reflect the sights, sounds, and smells we encountered.

Cheryl, Ashleigh, and I, spent the week ministering to people who had fallen on tough times and found themselves without a home. Most of them were just like you and me. They weren’t angry. They were merely trying to figure out how to make it day to day.

While talking with one of the leaders at a ministry called THE SANCTUARY, we discussed the fact that once we trust JESUS, then heaven is our real home. Everything and anything we have here on earth is merely temporary. It’s all passing away. The only thing we can look forward to with certainty is our relationship with CHRIST. So, with that in mind… where’s your focus and plan for the future leading you these days? I guess I could simply ask… WHERE DO YOU ABIDE?

Living in the Shadow of the Cross…

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

FRANKLY SPEAKING,

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments…” I John 2:3

FORGIVENESS & FAITHFULNESS! Years ago, I met a man who tried to convince me that aliens were coming to take him away. He was sure that they were coming soon, and he assured me he was ready because he was one of them. I am confident that he believed he was an alien. The way he spoke to me made no sense whatsoever. In fact, he was not rational at all. It seemed to me that his imagination had somehow gotten the better of him. Oh by the way, I was wearing a badge at the time. So, when I began to explain to him that he was in danger of being arrested for criminal trespass and being mentally unstable he quickly changed his tune and left. Truth and consequences have a way of restoring reality very quickly.

Every day I deal with children who get caught doing something wrong, and yet they deny doing the wrong thing while still in the act. I recall a very young child was reaching into other children’s backpacks taking money. I confronted her several times. However, it was not until I walked in on her while she was stealing that her imagined deniability became reality. She cried and begged me not to turn her in. However, I explained that I had no choice. The mother of the child whose backpack was being pilfered had already met with me. It was too late for her because she neglected to do the right thing when confronted.

I find this is true in the church as well. Many of us just keep right on doing whatever we want with no fear or respect of the consequences. We really believe that because we were baptized, we prayed, and we attend church that we can get away with sin. That’s a lie! Sin always has consequences. Here’s one of the sayings I have heard all my life… “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you can ever afford to pay.”

True religion or more accurately true Christianity always leads to a dramatic life change. We cannot walk with Christ and stay the same. We are changed over time just by walking with Him daily reading the Bible. Daily prayer changes us as well. We can’t stay mad at the people for whom we are passionately praying. It just won’t work! When we receive real forgiveness it always leads to faithfulness! If anyone says anything else ~ they are liars! (I John 2:4) Remember, JESUS offers FORGIVENESS for all our sins & His expectation is FAITHFULNESS!

Living in the Shadow of the Cross…

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15

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Bold thoughts from a bruised theologian with a touch of balderdash

Where Do You Live?

Forgiven & Faithful