Courage and Vulnerability

Hope, In Real Life

2012-01-30T11:18:00.006-05:00

"Overflowing with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15:13

What a great year verse. Who doesn't want to overflow with hope, specially when it comes from the Holy Spirit! Let's hang it on our wall. Let's print it on our T-shirts. We want it to encourage and even inspire us. There are enough other things to discourage us, so let's be encouraged. We are confident in the message of hope. It is neither wishful thinking nor blind faith. It is the word of God given to us and for us. For the year 2012, it is our banner verse.

However, the reality is that it is often difficult to be hopeful in all areas of our lives. Often there is a disconnect between the declaration of hope, and a genuine embrace of hope in a particular situation or circumstance of our lives. We can hope in general, but not in this particular aspect. We can be hopeful in some areas of our lives, but then there are those difficult situations. In fact, we label them "hopeless."

Let's get real. Real hope...in real life. Let's talk about the "hopeless" situations: when discouragement mounts, or injustice mounts, when we see no answers to our prayers, when things are getting worse not better, when hope seems to deny the reality of our lives.

Beginning this Sunday and over the next two months we will look at Hope, In Real Life. We'll take the declaration of God through his holy Scriptures and apply it to the reality of our lives and our world. We will ask the tough questions and face the answers head on. The difficult situations and circumstances of our lives are real. It would be false to deny that, but the message of Jesus and his Kingdom is always hope. In fact this is why Jesus came: to bring hope to the hopeless and the hopeless situations. A real God and Savior, a real Kingdom, and real hope applied to real life. We invite you to join us this Sunday and for the whole series. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Ending the Saturday at 5 Service

2011-12-21T10:20:00.006-05:00

The Wellspring Lead Team has decided to end the Saturday @ 5 service. The last two Saturday @ 5 services will be this Saturday, Christmas Eve and next Saturday, New Year's Eve. The Saturday @ 5 services will not continue in January. We know a number of you have made Saturday @ 5 your primary worship service and many others of you have served in many capacities, from the bands to childcare to greeters and more. Wellspring has been blessed by your service and the Lead Team personally thanks you. Let us share some of the thinking behind this decision and thoughts about what we see emerging from the change.

A primary reason for starting the service was the need for more room, as our Sunday services, classrooms and parking lot were beginning to overflow. Currently we do not have this concern, and we will be able to accommodate all our ministries on Sunday morning. Saturday @ 5 was a small service, but that fact by itself was not really a concern. A small service can be wonderful. In fact, many Saturday @ 5 services were a blessed time together and with the Lord. The greater consideration was how much a third service was stretching our staff and ministry teams. Some of this stretching was valuable as it served to grow and include others in new areas. However, we witnessed that maintaining the third service required a lot of time, energy and effort. At times it limited our resources that would otherwise be available for other ministries. We had to take a serious look at the overall impact of maintaining a third worship service.

The Lead Team, the staff, and the congregation also have many ideas and desires for developing Wellspring's ministries further, many we feel are the Lord's promptings. We believe that ending the Saturday @ 5 service will actually allow us to advance our ministries. We now have developed teams and individuals who are ready and eager to serve. We have long desired to increasingly extend our ministry beyond our local church. By freeing up staff, a prime evening, and teams such as bands, we can envision ministry teams going out to other locations or hosting different worship events here. Basically, we are making room for opportunities.

Our desire as part of God's Kingdom is to be the best stewards we can of the resources and giftings the Lord has placed within us and our people. We trust that this shift will allow us to both steward well and better serve both this congregation and the Body of Christ at large. May we be an epicenter of the vibrations of the Kingdom.

The Wellspring Lead Team

My Personal Year End Review

2011-12-14T00:00:00.005-05:00

Each December Pam and I review our tithes for the calendar year. It's very easy to miss some giving throughout the year, so we want to make sure we've given at least our full tithe and honor any other commitments we’ve made. As we were doing this again this year, I felt prompted to share our perspective with you. I also recently shared this with our staff and elders as well, as it is important that we lead by putting our faith into action. This is a personal note to share with you something extremely important to me, but it is also foundational to Wellspring.

Giving, and specifically tithing (giving to the Lord a tenth of our income), is much more than a percentage. It is a posture of humility and gratitude. For me, I know God provides all I need. More significantly, this means I truly have no fear or doubt about provision. I am always confident in the Lord and at genuine peace. There is nowhere else I want to be. There's nowhere else I'll choose to live.

I also know without a doubt that tithing (and giving in general) keeps my heart and mind in the proper relationship with God. It keeps an open channel to the flow of God's provision and his love. It allows me to be a steward of God's resources here on earth. There is no end to his resources and there is no better place than in the middle of his care. This is not a matter of how much we have, but how much we trust the Lord to be our provider.

As your pastor, I want the best for you. I want you to enjoy that same confidence of provision and the peace it brings. Pam and I have truly learned to rely on it. The challenge is to hold to this perspective on tithing and not let it slip from consciousness. The principle of tithing is not about being comfortable. It's about honoring God and recognizing he is our ultimate provision and peace. That is why, in a very practical step, Pam and I always use December to check our records for the year. We want to make sure we're staying true to our belief and make sure our giving honors God. Sometimes it stretched our faith, but whenever we stretch our faith, we always find God faithful.

I love the family of Wellspring, and I take seriously the responsibility to shepherd this ministry. We all know there have been financial challenges this past year. We are grateful that with committed giving, necessary adjustments, and most of all God’s faithfulness, we are ending the year covering all our expenses and maintaining all our ministries. For this we praise God and we thank you. We will continue to put our confidence in the Lord and his purposes for Wellspring. May your personal faith and trust in God continue to grow deep roots, so that your life in him will be full and complete.

Radical Fruit

2011-11-15T15:56:00.007-05:00

We have spent the last two months focusing on what it means to be radical believers that God intends for us. We have shifted our focus to understand that a radical life is determined by the core, or root, or essence of that life. It is always God's intention that we would carry his likeness in our innermost being, not simply on the outside. In fact, attempting to be like Christ from the outside will always fall short. So we've looked at what it means to have radical hearts of faith hope and love. We've examined the call to have radical minds aligned with the Lord. We explored what lies below the surface of a life that is surrendered to Christ, a life defined as worship, and a life of holiness in relationship with our holy God.

Now the question is, what is the result of radical hearts, minds, and lives? Radical fruit! Fruit is the product of the tree and its roots. We don't find the fruit in the roots or in the trunk, but we define the tree by the fruit it produces. At the same time the essence of what is in the tree and its DNA determines the very fruit it will produce.

What is the fruit that we desire our lives to produce? At Wellspring we have come to desire, and even expect radical fruit from our lives when we walk with the Lord - fruit that we may even define as radical. Healing and wholeness, relationships restored, provision for all we need are expectations we believe in. Yet, if we step back and look, what we believe in is not considered normal to the rest of the world. It's radical. We also believe our lives can have impact for the victory of God's Kingdom come to the earth and the people around us. We believe we can be voices of hope, channels for healing, and beacons of truth. Again, this is radical to an unbelieving world. Yet, this is the very fruit we desire and believe is available to us and through us.

This weekend we'll shift our attention from radical hearts, minds, and lives to Radical Fruit. Jesus said we are to be salt and light to the world. How can we truly season the world as salt? How can we emanate light into the darkness? Are our desires for fruit, even radical fruit, realistic? Do we have the roots necessary, the core essence embodying the DNA necessary to produce radical fruit? I invite you to attend one of our weekend worship services as we continue in our series: Radical.

Pastor Wesley
(photo by Erik Johnson from our trip to Uganda in '08)

Radical Hearts

2011-10-04T10:50:00.004-04:00

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

We are created in the image of God. We know that does not mean we look like God from the outside in our human form. Rather, in some way within our spirit we possess the likeness of God. The life that is within all human beings carries the essence of the God who breathed life into existence. (the original Hebrew language of Genesis makes a clear distinction between this God-breath in humans and the creation of all other living beings.)

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Not only do we carry this essence of God in the breath of life within us, we are to live out of that wellspring. It will be the source of continued life! However, it is also clear that we have a choice. It's not automatic that our source will be pure. Guard your heart, we are instructed, because it is the wellspring of life. What happens if we don't guard our hearts? What life do we find coming forth when the likeness and essence of God deep in our spirit is not watched over and cared for, or guarded?

Are our hearts radical? As we discussed this past week, radical results are determined by the essence or root of something deep within. We all desire the radical results of a heart overflowing with wellsprings of God-breathed life. So what is our core? What are the roots or essence of the heart and spirit within us? Does it still carry the breath of God?

This week we will continue our Radical series by looking at our hearts. Join us for one of the weekend worship services, and bring your heart with you. The breath of God will be there to breathe his essence into our radical hearts.

Radical

2011-09-26T18:10:00.004-04:00

Extreme. Intense. Beyond average. Beyond normal. Drastic. Crazy.
That's how we describe something or someone that we say is radical. We perceive their attitudes, perspectives or actions as not normal. They are "out there" in some way. Whether we like or dislike, agree or disagree with them, we recognize the extra measure of this person. It’s easy to identify: that’s a radical thought, that’s a radical thing to do, that’s a radical response, that’s a radical person. But what causes them to be radical? Are they simply extremists? Wild and crazy? Abnormal people?

What is at the core of a radical person? What inspires or motivates or causes them to think, feel, respond, and move in ways that we perceive as radical? What about the radical believer? The one who gives all she has to help others. The one who leaves his own comforts to comfort others. The one who’s passion is for something greater than and beyond themselves.

This weekend at Wellspring we will begin a new study that explores the core elements of the radical believer. We examine the radical heart. We contemplate the radical mind. We examine core elements of a radical life: surrendering our lives to the Lord, considering others before ourselves, living a life of worship, choosing to set ourselves apart in holiness. It is a radical life God calls us to.

The results are: thoughts that cut against the grain, actions that others observe as not normal, responses that are not self-centered or self-serving. Radical hearts, minds and lives cannot help but produce radical results. Our thoughts, choices, and actions will change us and change the world around us. Our lives and lifestyles will impact others and release God's transforming blessings. Our compassion and commitment will bring God's love and presence everywhere we go.

So let's go get radical!

Another Muwonge!

2011-06-01T11:58:00.002-04:00

Many of you are now quite familiar with our good friend and ministry partner Arnold Muwonge. Through our Uganda Bridge ministry, our extensive involvement with the Kampala Children's Centre, and the Destiny Africa choir we have all come to know and love Pastor Arnold's passion for the Lord and his heart for the children. And, we have been blessed and inspired by his preaching as well.

This coming weekend, we will have the wonderful privilege of experiencing the passionate heart of another Muwonge, Pastor Arnold's beautiful wife Josie. Last September I helped lead a retreat for Pastor Arnold's staff in England. As we explored one another's dreams and God-given gifts, it was very clear that the voice of the Lord stirred inside Josie, waiting for opportunities to be heard.

When I learned that Josie and a few of their children would be joining Pastor Arnold on a trip to the states, I immediately jumped at the chance to invite Josie to be our guest speaker. And, she delightedly accepted! I am confident that the Lord will bring a right-time word for Wellspring through Josie this weekend. I know we will all be blessed, so come expectantly.

Lessons I need to learn from Anne Frank

2011-04-27T18:37:00.004-04:00

I've titled this blog "Courage and Vulnerability", saying To be courageous requires vulnerability and to be vulnerable takes courage. But, what do I know...

Yesterday Pam and I toured the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam. All was pretty nice until it got to the point where they described her capture and being dragged off to the camp. I seem to have forgotten that part of her story. THEN, I learned that she died a month before the end of the war and her opportunity for release and freedom. All of a sudden my whole spirit changed. The secret hiding place I was standing in, the story I was intersecting, my perspective, my emotions all changed in an instant. I'm not sure what I became, but I knew I was no longer a tourist.

Courage and Vulnerability. What do I know about that...

When I get home I'm going to read The Diary of Anne Frank. Maybe I can learn something.

Is Our Faith Futile?

2011-04-11T13:51:00.009-04:00

We've all heard people say, "I think Jesus was a great man. I like his teachings. I just don't believe that he was God. But that's okay, because what he said was still very good." They may also question the story of the cross and the resurrection. It's too hard to believe that a man was raised from the dead. That sounds too much like Greek mythology. But that's okay, because his teachings are still significant.

We've all heard some version of those comments. Many of us may even have said similar things at times. It sounds good, doesn't it? We believe that Jesus spoke with profound wisdom. We marvel at his faith and his ability to instantly address the root of the matter. His questions confounded his accusers. His expressions of compassion blanketed the humble and provoked the proud at the same time. So it seems like a fair statement that even if someone does not believe that Jesus was God or that he raised from the dead, there is still value in valuing his teachings.

As the apostle Paul begins to conclude his exhortations to the church at Corinth, he makes this bold statement, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile... If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men." 1 Corinthians 15: 17,19.

Really? Does that make sense? There has to be value in the teachings of Jesus, even if he did not raise from the dead, right? This weekend at the Wellspring worship services we will take a look at this passage of scripture. What does it mean? How do we apply it to our lives? Is our faith futile?

Hint: What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ? That is, what is the good news?

I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend...come, let us reason together.

Pastor Wesley

Entitlement

2011-02-23T11:33:00.004-05:00

Entitlement. Sounds good to us. After 10 stamps on our coffee card, we're entitled to one free coffee. Who doesn't want a free coffee. A free anything! AND, we've earned it by buying the 10 previous cups. We deserve it. We're entitled to it!

We live in an entitlement culture. Just listen to our media (which reflects our cultural values). We are entitled to everything from clear skin to a pampered, all inclusive vacation at a Sandels resort in the Caribbean. Of course, those entitlements come at a cost, but that's okay because we deserve it. Entitlement has permeated our language and our perspective on everything from politics (entitlement programs), to the workplace, to our relationships. We are simply entitled.

What about our relationship with God? What about the principles of his Kingdom, his reign and rule in our lives? Does this entitlement mindset influence our perspective on our faith? Do we feel entitled to blessings? To healing? To a good and easy life?

God does say that grace is free, that Jesus came to bring us life and life abundant. He does say ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened. Jesus said he came to set us free. However, Jesus also said the last shall be first, and the one who loves her life will lose it, while the one who hates her life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

Grace, mercy, entitlement and freedom. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. This weekend at the Wellspring Worship Services we'll take a look at our entitlement culture and the true freedom that the Lord makes available to us through his son and in his kingdom. Join us as we continue our look at I Corinthians and bring practical instructions for the culture clash in which we live.

Teaser: Who is the object of entitlement? Who is the object of true freedom?

Let's Get Real

2011-01-26T09:27:00.009-05:00

Our weekend worship services have been quite inspiring so far in 2011. We have embraced a new Year Verse, Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." We are humbled that God's master craftsmanship is depicted in the heart and life of us, the believer. We are challenged to step into the plans and purposes he has for us and through us.

We have expanded our vision and vocabulary: BiHOGG (Don't understand? Click here) Do you have yours yet? Keep seeking your heart and God's voice.

We have been reminded of God's faithfulness, that he will honor his promises to us. Even when all we see is mistakes, disappointments, or even failure. God can reset the playing field and call a do-over.

Wonderful. Marvelous. Amazing. But what do we do now? Sit and wait? Demand of God that he fulfill his promises? Start measuring God to see if he lives up to his word? Let's remember the other message we heard this month, that God will be our God, AND he calls us to be his people.

This Sunday we will launch an in-depth look into what it means to be "his people". Using the book of I Corinthians, we will face the real challenges of living out the kingdom of God in the midst of a fallen world around us. The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth concerning this very matter. Corinth was a prosperous pagan city, and Paul's letter was clear and pointed instruction to the believers who were called to live holy and wholly different than the world around them. In some cases their Christianity was simply a veneer layered over a worldly life. In other cases they were misinterpreting and misusing their new found freedom and faith in ways that were unhealthy to them and others.

So let's get real. Let's use the practical instruction of Corinthians, apply it to our lives and life's circumstances, and truly be "his people".

Cultures Clash at Corinth: Instruction For Living the Kingdom Life in a Corrupt World. (Click here for a preview of this series.)
Teaching begins this weekend in our worship services. LifeGroups will follow along with additional study that correlates to the weekly sermons. In addition, the pastors will facilitate an open discussion time on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30PM for anyone interested in going deeper or asking questions about that week's sermon. We are providing study guides for anyone and everyone who wants them. Pick them up this weekend in the café or Welcome Center.

Masterpieces. BiHOGGs. Do-overs. These are inspiring, and we are desiring. God promises to be our God. Let's give ourselves to be his people. May his highest and best for us bring forth the highest and best in us. May his testimony continue to resound.

Looking for Love

2010-12-02T16:15:00.006-05:00

"Everybody, everybody wants to love. Everybody, everybody wants to be loved." Can anyone argue with that? It's a pretty broad statement yet with profound meaning. It also makes for a catchy song. But Carmax uses it as their jingle for their latest commercial. So, as the viewer I'm supposed to understand that using Carmax will fulfill my deepest desire to love and be loved.

Marketeers seem to know what the world wants. Just look at what they are selling: love, hope, joy. I guess the good news is that it's pretty clear what people desire. The question is, where are you looking for love, hope, and joy? Is your deepest love a Subaru? Is your highest joy a Pepsi? Does Tide detergent satisfied your hope?

Or should I ask, where are you finding love, hope, and joy?

Lovetc, Hopetc, & a side of Mcjoy from Wellspring Church on Vimeo.

Introducing Team Wellspring Weekend, November 20, 21

2010-11-02T15:03:00.004-04:00

The church is not called to make a name for itself. The church exists to build up the people (living stones) to take the Kingdom to the World. This is a preposterous goal if we view the church as an organization or even a collection of well-meaning people. However the Bible describes the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus himself as the head giving direction, wisdom, leadership, and anointing. If our mindset is to "attend church" or even "serve God by serving the church", we cut short God's call for the church to carry his transforming ministry to the world around us. We also choke the life out of the passions that the Lord has put inside of us. We have the opportunity and the God-infused giftings to be the body of Christ, alive and bringing life and hope to the people and needs around us.

This past weekend we launched a new series called Team Wellspring. Our desire is for Wellspring to be a vibrant ministry where everyone is an active participant for the purposes of God. The highlight of this series will be Team Wellspring Weekend, November 20th and 21st. When you attend any of the three Wellspring worship services that weekend you will be met with a transformed church building, offering you an interactive exploration of all the ministries and opportunities available to you. You will want to make sure you attend Wellspring that week, engage with all the displays and ministry workers, explore where you best fit and where your passions can contribute to the ministry of bringing good news to those in need. I believe Team Wellspring Weekend will be fun, informative, and even inspirational to many. I'm excited for all of you who will find where you can be an integral part of Wellspring, within the four walls or in the many ways we extend to the world around us.

Team Wellspring, come join us!

Launching Team Wellspring

2010-10-25T16:27:00.005-04:00

A missionary I met in India in 1999 described American Christians this way: They have huge heads – always seeking and soaking up more and more knowledge about God and the Bible. They have small hearts – despite all the knowledge there is very little love and compassion that reflects the heart of God and motivates them to care. And they have tiny feet – with little motivation to care, there is only a minimal amount of action that brings God’s love and life to the world.

As I heard this description I felt embarrassed. I knew there was plenty of truth in the simple description. However, did this accurately describe our church? Of course not! Here we were in the middle of India, ministering to those in desperate need of the hope of Jesus Christ. I wanted to believe that this description did not apply to us. We were better. We cared more. We walked the walk. But I knew the piercing truth. I am confident Wellspring cares and serves. We put heart and feet to what we believe. But, we are also a product of our culture. So, as the saying goes, if the shoe fits…

A couple years later I launched into a “redefining membership” teaching series by wearing a pair of huge red clown shoes. Wellspring was not going to have tiny feet. We had big shoes to fill and that meant we needed to grow some big feet. The bible refers to the church as the body of Christ, with Jesus being the head. He desires us to bring his hope and his kingdom to the world. If we are his body, not only do we need the feet, but each and every other part as well. Then the body of Christ can be complete, and the hope and ministry of the Lord can be accomplished.

I am excited about the body of Christ at Wellspring. So many are connected and serve in such wonderful ways. Within the church, outside the church, formally, informally, as large ministries, and as individuals the parts of the body are alive and active. At the same time, I recall the illustration of the American Christian and I think, “What parts of the body of Christ are not yet activated, not even identified, and missing the opportunity to be part of the mission of carrying the hope and love of God to others?”

It is very disheartening when I hear someone express that they've been at Wellspring for a year or two but really don’t know where or how to get connected or more involved. There are so many wonderful ministries and involved people. Yet, with about 1000 people who call Wellspring their home church, there are many more who still want to be more connected with the ministry of Wellspring.

This weekend, we will kick off a new series entitled Team Wellspring. Our desire is to lead Wellspring into an environment where each and every one can be an active part of the ministry. God has created all of us for meaning and purpose. We are not created to be an audience, to witness church. We are the church, each one active in his or her part. Remember, Wellspring is not looking for more people to build up the church. Rather, the church’s mission is to build up the people to take the Kingdom to the world around us.

We have a number of exciting things planned for this series. We invite you to join us in redefining the American Christian. Just imagine the impact of a 1000 member team, active and on-mission with the love and life of Christ. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday or Sunday as we launch Team Wellspring.

Catherine Brown, Sunday Sept. 26th

2010-09-20T13:00:00.002-04:00

Mike McKinniss and I were sitting in the back seat of the van, bouncing from side to side as our driver was navigating the boulder-size potholes that define the Ugandan roads. Suddenly, Catherine turned around from the front seat and spoke a word from the Lord to Mike. Bulls eye! A few miles and potholes later, she turned around and zinged me. A third word was for my wife Pam, then another Mike. Each word was divinely accurate and caused Mike and I to sit up and take notice, not only of the words spoken, but also of the one speaking.

It is Wellspring's privilege to have Catherine Brown minister to us this Sunday morning, September 26th. I have known of Catherine for some time, but we first met when we ministered together in Uganda. I immediately felt a genuine connection with her personally and with her ministry. So much so that last summer Pam and I visited her in her home in the picturesque seaside village of West Kilbride, Scotland. What a delight it was to spend a couple days with her and her sweet family. Pastor Rick also had the delight of meeting her on his last trip to Uganda as well. When we had the opportunity to invite her to Wellspring on her trip through Connecticut this fall, we jumped at it. Catherine carries a wonderful blend of the joy of the Lord (often overflowing in contagious laughter!) and the power of the Lord. I personally want to encourage you to attend Wellspring this Sunday and enjoy a fresh time of worship, joy and the presence of the Lord.

To see an interview with Catherine, click here.

Also, here is a excerpt from her website:

Catherine Brown was saved at age fifteen but after only two years of following Christ, she then spent twelve long wilderness years in the world, before returning to God her Father as a prodigal at the age of twenty-nine. Catherine was rescued by Christ from the ravages of domestic violence, addiction, abuse and hopelessness and underwent a profound revival experience just before her thirtieth birthday. Her personal revival was marked by deep repentance and resulted in a transformed lifestyle with a passion for holiness, a desperate longing to see souls won for Christ and an unquenchable desire for the church to fall profoundly in love with Jesus, her Bridegroom.

Catherine operates in an impacting prophetic/apostolic gift, with a strong revival thrust on her preaching. Catherine’s passion for Christ and His kingdom is contagious. Wherever she ministers people are envisioned and mobilised. She has spent several years working with young adults and children. Since the year 2000 Catherine has facilitated several national prayer tours and conferences. Catherine has also ministered throughout the United Kingdom and overseas in churches and conferences and the Lord has graciously blessed her ministry. Catherine has had the privilege of seeing people saved, baptised, healed and delivered in the glorious outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

How Well Are You Grounded?

2010-08-31T16:50:00.009-04:00

We have been experiencing pinhole leaks in our water pipes ever since we moved into our house nine years ago. These are tiny little leaks in the pipes where the copper has corroded all the way through, and a fine spray of water begins to wet our basement or floor or wherever the leak may occur. Recently the frequency of our pipes springing new leaks has increased. After changing pipe after pipe and cleaning up puddle after puddle, we began digging deeper into the source of the corroding pipes. One theory was that electrolysis was causing the pipes to corrode at an accelerated rate. This could possibly happen if the pipes were not properly grounded.

Upon inspection, the electrician said the pipes are not grounded at all. How could this house have passed inspection? How could it have been built this way? He said that without being ground the whole house was "floating". He proceeded to properly ground the pipes, and now we will wait and see if this affects our corrosion problem and our many leaks.

We use the term well-grounded fairly often. We understand the term and its implication. Whether it's being well-grounded physically with a firm foundation, or whether it's well-grounded electrically completing the circuit, we understand it provides stability and safety. The scripture says without a firm foundation we will be tossed back and forth by the waves of the latest teaching or the lies of others (Ephesians 4:14). It was interesting to me that the election used the word "floating", which immediately reminded me of this verse. A portion of the infrastructure of our house lacked a firm foundation, and therefore was floating and vulnerable to whatever current came its way.

We have been living in this house for nine years. We have never felt or noticed there was anything wrong beneath the surface. Yet, the consequences continue to reveal themselves: a pinhole leak here, another one there. Eventually you have to look at the cause. What is not right with our foundation? In this case, our house was not well-grounded.

We can always spend a great amount of time and energy looking for the cause and problem behind every single circumstance or problem we experience. I don't feel this is a very productive or beneficial way to approach life. However, when a pattern persists, and the reason is not obvious, then it is wisdom to start digging deeper. What is not right in our foundation? Where are we not well-grounded? Where are we just floating, allowing ourselves to be vulnerable to the waves of false teachings and lies? A problem is one thing, a pattern of the same problem repeated over and over should cause us to start asking the deeper questions.

Self Control and Freedom

2010-08-23T14:55:00.010-04:00

Freedom. Think of true, genuine freedom. Our mind fills with words like limitless, boundless, ease, or even peace. Now picture an image of true, genuine freedom. What do you see? A child dancing through a field of wildflowers, a set of broken chains and shackles, an eagle soaring on invisible wind?

Self-control. What thoughts and images come to mind? Pushing away a plate of desert, turning your gaze away from what you really want to look at, choking back the words that are trying to squeeze their way out. In many ways, freedom and self-control seemed quite opposite. The very words we use to describe freedom (limitless and boundless) are the exact opposite that we use to describe self-control (limits, bounds). One definition of freedom is "the power to determine action without restraint", while self-control is all about restraint.

Here's the dilemma: The Scripture says it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. That is, upon setting us free Christ desires that we are to remain and live in freedom. The Scriptures also say that one of the fruit (or results) of a life in Christ is self-control. If self-control is restraint, and freedom is the absence of restraint, how do these fit together? Do they even fit together?

this Sunday I will take one more look at our year verse. "Of the increase of his government..." Is that government one of freedom or control? Is the fruit of God's kingdom self-control or liberty? What is the inter-relationship between societal freedom and personal restraint? Can we honestly be called to self-control and expect freedom? Is this religious jargon or can we effect the environments of our lives?

Ponder these questions and other ones that may come to mind, and we'll wrestle with them together on Sunday.

God's peace,

Pastor Wesley

p.s. - Here is another definition of freedom: "exemption from external control, regulation, or interference."

Welcoming the Springman

2010-08-02T13:50:00.000-04:00

It is a delight to announce to you that Wellspring has hired Andrew Springman. He will be a full-time employee wearing two part-time hats. The first hat is Director of Technology and Production where Andrew will oversee all the technical aspects of our operation and activities. This will include the continued development and support of our website, database, and network of computers. For years Andrew has been assisting as a volunteer (most recently building our new website -- check it out) and now we will have the benefit of his full-time focus. This hat is also responsible for the production aspect of our ministries. This includes overseeing sound system, screens, pro-presenter, sound techs, training, and all the rest of what is included for the behind the scenes technical operation of our services and events.

The second hat that Andrew will wear is Director of Worship Life. Here he will be a support to all of our worship bands and musicians. Wellspring has a very large assembly of bands and individuals throughout all our ministries who help lead us in worship. In this role, Andrew will coordinate, oversee schedules, look for opportunities for training and developing leaders, and interface with pastors and ministry leaders to increase our breadth and depth of worship expression.

The reality is Andrew has been assisting in all of these areas since the day he began attending Wellspring with his wife Kimberly and sons Christopher and Ben many years ago. His servants heart and desire to advance the ministry of Wellspring have made him an invaluable resource to me and the whole ministry. The opportunity to have Andrew's dedicated time focused on supporting and further developing these two substantial areas of Wellspring is a great gift. Please welcome Andrew, thank him for his servants heart and years of service, and encourage him as he steps more fully into these areas of ministry.

Andrew, you are the (Spring)man!

Summer Night at Mount Pleasant

2010-07-26T14:48:00.000-04:00

Wednesday evening, July 28 is a milestone event for Wellspring Church. For years we have invested many prayers and significant effort to see the Lord bless the city of New Britain. In recent years he has opened a window of opportunity for us to minister at Mount Pleasant. Each time I have been there with our Big L sidewalk Sunday School, our Celebrate Mount Pleasant activity days, or a number of other engagements, I feel the favor of the Lord resting on our efforts. This housing project with such a negative identity and reputation feels welcoming, even uplifting. The kids are adorable, the people are friendly, and hope hangs in the atmosphere.

You may say to me, "Wesley, you are just saying that because you've invested so much in this outreach, and you desperately desire to see a positive result." Well, of course that's true. But I also believe that what I am seeing is accurate. First, no one desires the transformation of New Britain more than God himself. Second, we are encouraged to see with spiritual eyes. I believe that in some regard, the Lord lets us see Mount Pleasant with a spiritual perspective. As we act in the natural, we are also contending in the heavenly's. What we see and perceive is a growing favor with God and man.

Now on Wednesday the 28th from 7-8PM, we will hold our first worship service outdoors in the middle of Mount Pleasant. We are relocating our Summer Nights program from the sanctuary of our church to the outdoor basketball court in the center of Mount Pleasant. I invite you to join us for what I anticipate will be a wonderful time of worship. I also invite all who come to connect with our new friends at Mount Pleasant. As we continue to develop our relationships there, we will usher in the presence of the Lord and see the transforming work happen all around us.

Enjoy the ride!

- - for more about Wellspring and Mount Pleasant, click here

- - for a look at the last time we visited Mount Pleasant, click here

I Want Peace!

2010-07-21T10:24:00.000-04:00

I heard a friend say recently, "Worrying works! 93% of the things I worried about never happened!"

There is some real truth in that statement. However, it is also true we have many things that concern us, that are a legitimate source of worry. For those concerns we have very clear instructions as well.

The Scriptures say, "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

There are many things we should not worry about. For truly worrisome things though, we should exchange our worry for a peace that comes from the Lord. Notice that the exchange follows a few basic instructions. First pray about it. Don't just spin your worry in your head or talk to others but bring it before the Lord in prayer. Share with him your concerns, even your needs. Make sure that you thank him for all he has done. Remind yourself that he is good and good to you. Make your prayer request based on his goodness and holiness. As we thank him and praise him, we position ourselves with the proper heart attitude to receive his help.

If we have genuinely prayed, thanking the Lord for what he has done and who he is, and bring our concerns before him, we must then allow him to exchange his peace for our worry. If we choose to hang on to our worry, the exchange cannot happen. We don't have to understand the peace. In fact, the Scripture says it is beyond our understanding. We need simply to allow the Lord to make the exchange with us.

Enjoy the peace of the Lord!

Summer Refreshment

2010-07-13T15:45:00.001-04:00

The Wellspring Summer Nights got off to a great start last week. The evening was filled with praise, inspiration, and personal ministry. Thanks to Ben and Julie-Ann Toalston and the whole band for leading us in a wonderful time of contemplative worship.

Summer Nights is a service of extended informal worship and inspiration as the Lord leads. We gather on Wednesday evenings at 7 PM in the sanctuary. A number of others from churches in New Britain join us as well. If you would enjoy a midweek spiritual refresher, I invite you to join us. Each week is a different band and a different focus, but the same wonderful spirit of God. We look forward to seeing you there.

Pastor Wesley

Why do we make this "Christian" thing so difficult?

2010-07-10T17:59:00.000-04:00

Deut. 30
11 “This command I am giving you today is not too difficult for you to understand, and it is not beyond your reach. 12 It is not kept in heaven, so distant that you must ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven and bring it down so we can hear it and obey?’ 13 It is not kept beyond the sea, so far away that you must ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to bring it to us so we can hear it and obey?’ 14 No, the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart so that you can obey it.
15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. 16 For I command you this day to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy.

17 “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, 18 then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy.

19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

For further insight, look up Romans 10 and see how the apostle Paul applies this OT passage.

What is Home?

2010-07-02T08:32:00.000-04:00

Lsst weekend my family and I went "home" to where I grew up. This is still 'home' even though I haven't lived there for 27 years. Then we traveled to Long Beach Island, NJ to our vacation house which is most definitely 'home' even if we only spend a few weeks a year there. After the upcoming 4th of July weekend, I'll head 'home' to Connecticut, while my wife and son stay 'home' in NJ. So what is home anyway?

Brian Cooke just returned home after 3 months in Haiti (so pround of you Brian!), but now he's already talking about returning 'home' to Haiti for a year. Our son Kyle wasn't even moved into his NYU dorm when he refered to 10th and Broadway as his 'home'. Our other son considers the Coast Guard 'home' regardless of what ship or base he is on. Of course, we always enjoy it when our boys come home, whether that's CT or NJ. So what is Home anyway?

2010-06-01T20:55:00.000-04:00

I had the privilege of traveling to Concepcion, Chile a couple weeks ago. I went with Barbara LaChance who has connections with a few churches in Chile. My son Kyle tagged along as well. We went to minister to and encourage the churches there. You may recall that Concepcion was the epicenter of an 8.8 earthquake in February.

The earthquake was very violent. However, comparatively, loss of life was relatively minor and much of the city is getting back to regular life. A couple of nearby villages were not as fortunate. The earthquake actually shifted the entire ground mass 10 feet southeast into the Pacific ocean. The resulting tsunami completely destroyed seaside tourist and fishing villages. Chileans are familiar with earthquakes, so villagers knew to try to flee to the hills before the tsunami hit. Many lives were spared but homes and belongs no longer exist.

One of the churches we connected with in Concepcion has adopted a government provided makeshift "village" in the nearby town of Penco. 50 families are living in 8 by 15 foot one room wood shacks. There are no kitchens and only a common bathhouse like you would find at a campground. In addition, Chile is approaching their winter season, so Chile was getting quite "chilly"!

We decided Wellspring would provide each family with a large bag of charcoal. It would last a couple of weeks for cooking and heating. In so many ways it felt insignificant, but at the same time it was a privilege to distribute the bags of charcoal and pray for and with the families. I also prayed with the government coordinator of the village who was a Christian. I believe the Lord blessed her spirit with encouragement and strength. I will share some more with you this coming Sunday in the services. Thanks to all for your prayers for us and the trip.

The Ultimate Act of Vulnerability

2010-04-02T16:16:00.000-04:00

Years ago the Lord began to stretch me in my understanding of vulnerability. It proved to be a very significant redirect of some core character traits of mine. I came to understand that the very courage that I desired required the vulnerability that I resisted. Courage and vulnerability are two sides of the same coin. The title of this blog articulates that fact.

My willingness to yield to a spirit of vulnerability was due in part to my observation that Christ was not asking anything of me that he had not done himself. A scripture passage that I know well and adore captures this act of ultimate vulnerability.

Philippians 2:5-8 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Not only does this description of the sacrificial act of Jesus represent vulnerability, but it charges all of us who follow him to have the same attitude (v. 5). What greater illustration or motivation do we need? It has served me well as I have pursued a spirit of vulnerability.

This week as I was reflecting on this truth yet again, I felt the Lord awaken me to an even deeper understanding. It was as if the Lord was saying, "My greatest act of vulnerability was not dying on the cross. It was leaving my kingdom to others to see it come forth."

Let's just say, the Lord got my attention. What does this new revelation mean to me as a believer charged with joining the Holy Spirit to see his kingdom come? What does this new revelation mean to me as a pastor charged with equipping and releasing the saints for life and ministry? What does this new revelation mean to me as a father entrusted with two young men ready to take on the world?

I have been mulling over this insight all week. I believe it is more than interesting or significant. I am logging it in the "Profound" category. I expect it will begin to shape and reshape who I am as a follower of Christ.

What do you think? Does it have relevance to your life? If it is true, does it change the way you think, act, live? What does it mean for the church? the believer? A profound word from God always seems to raise more questions than it answers, at least initially...

2010-03-18T09:18:00.000-04:00

Phil. 2:12,13 says "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."

Here's my questions:

1. What does it mean to 'work out' our salvation? Isn't salvation a result of an act of faith, a once for all decision?

2. What does it mean by 'fear and trembling'? Shouldn't our salvation come with joy and peace?

3. What does it mean that 'it is God who works' when it just stated that we are to work out our salvation?

so there you have it...any thoughts?

Reflections on Value

2010-03-04T13:38:00.000-05:00

Here is an article I recently wrote for our church enewsletter. Thought I'd share it here also...

VALUE – The intrinsic God ordained worth of each and every individual first and foremost, and all of his creation as well.

Isn't it wonderful when you feel you are valued, when it seems to matter that you matter? One of the core principles here at Wellspring is that everyone has value. Whether young or old, whether new to Wellspring or a lifetime attendee, our understanding is that you matter to God and you matter to us. There is a tendency in our nature (and therefore in churches) to place a value on people based on their status or accomplishments. God does not measure us by our status or accomplishments. He calls us to a life of purity and substance, but his value upon us is that we are his creation. We are his sons and daughters.

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Gen 1:26-27).
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matt 6:26).

Our desire is for Wellspring to emanate an ethos of valuing each and every individual. We are all on a journey to draw closer to God. We are on a journey to be the sons and daughters he desires, to become like Christ in his character and his heart. Our value is not a reward for this journey. Rather, it is the undergirding of that journey. Because we are of such value to God, he leads us into a journey to integrity with him and significance of our lives. I trust that you find the principle of value being taught at Wellspring. I trust you find it in the fabric of Wellspring. I invite you not only to receive that value, but to extend that value to others, helping to create the very fabric of Wellspring for all to experience.

You are of great value,

Profound thought of the day

2010-01-26T15:25:00.000-05:00

A simplistic answer is a simple answer with no thought behind it.

A profound answer is a simple answer that has emerged from a complex and extensively pondered thought process.

Profound thought of the Day:

It's not where you are on the continuum, it's which direction you are facing and at what speed you are moving.

Who do you want to be?

2009-12-30T12:27:00.000-05:00

2010. That's a strange year to say, isn't it? Do we say 20 10? 2000 10? or just '10? Anyway...

I was thinking about that old favorite, the new year's resolution. Actually, I've never been a fan. I honestly can't remember any resolutions I've ever made. I suspect there have been some, I just can't remember. I guess they weren't too significant.

Maybe it's because the focus is a little off. Should our greatest resolutions be about what we are able to willpower into reality? Should our goals be summed up in do's and don'ts?

Shouldn't our resolves be about who we are? Our character, our views, our life decisions? If those are our resolves, will they naturally begin to translate into our decisions, our do's and don'ts?

What is your resolve this year?

Holy Smokes

2009-10-21T00:25:00.000-04:00

I visited an elderly man in the hospital last week. He had just had a stroke. He was pretty affected by it. He talked nonsense if you could understand him at all. It didn't seem that he was aware of where he was or what was going on around him. The room was rather quiet so I began to read Psalms to him. This is a man who is not familiar with the Bible at all, but I thought it might be therapeutic anyway. I started with Psalm 139. Shortly into the Psalm, he declared, "incredible." As I continued to read, he started to nod his head. When I finished the Psalm, he sighed and said, "holy smokes." I proceeded to read another Psalm. He proceeded to nod, and when I finished he said with a sigh, "holy smokes." I went ahead and read another Psalm, then another. Every time I did, he would nod along in agreement and then bring his amen of "holy smokes." I figure I read to him at least 15 Psalms, each with the same punctuation from my aging, bed bound, stroke impaired patient.

What was going on? What could he hear/understand? How was his jumbled brain interpreting what he heard? Or was there ministry riding on the words of the Psalms, spirit to spirit ministry? I know what I saw, heard, and felt. However, there was much more happening that I can't fully explain. At the time, and even now, the unexplainable was perfectly fine with me, because what I had the privilege of witnessing was both very genuine and very precious.

Does everything really happen for a reason?

2009-09-30T21:51:00.000-04:00

In all things God works for the good of those who love him.

Everything happens for a reason.

One of these phrases is scripture - a truth longing to be mined and polished so it will shine. The other phrase is more common, possibly more believable and more believed, and yet always leaves me very empty. Why, because it's simply not true!

Seriously, does it satisfy you at all when someone tells you that 'everything happens for a reason'? Does it fill the gaping hole in your mind? your heart? your gut?

Why do we believe it? And why don't we believe the first phrase, the scripture, the truth?

Why do we settle for a false superficial answer and dare not wrestle with the profound Word of God?

This past weekend I had a brief conversation with a lifelong faithful Christian who completely blurred these two phrases. It was sad to see the confusion. It was sad to think of the years and decades of poor teaching and/or understanding. Mostly, it was sad to witness the tainted view of God it had caused, and therefore the missed opportunity for a deeper relationship with the lover of her soul.

Do you understand the difference in these seemingly similar yet polar opposite phrases? Can you articulate the difference to a struggling friend? Give it a shot. Here's a good place to practice.

[ a few helps: 1. ask God for revelation, 2. study the context by looking at the whole Romans 8 chapter, and 3. after 1 & 2, if you want you can listen to my sermon on this topic http://wellspring.net/?q=node/309. Note, the recording begins with a skit]

What The World Needs Now

2009-09-12T15:29:00.000-04:00

I watched the movie The Soloist. Granted it was on a plane, so my viewing quality and personal attention was less than ideal, but this is what I saw. The movie is a true story about a LA Times reporter who befriends a homeless man. The appeal is that the homeless man is an amazing musician, and he's been diagnosed with mental illness. The result is a volatile mix of moving interludes and rash reactions.

Throughout the movie religion is presented as a cold, uncompassionate, empty form insisted upon by simple-minded people. However, the inspirational hope of redemption that is available for both the homeless man and the reporter is through the saving grace of relationship. It is the channel for both awakening the heart (the reporter) and clearing the mind (the homeless man).

As I watched, I felt sad. Is it true that the world's view of religion stands in direct opposition to life-giving relationship? Is it true of all religion? Have we all failed to reveal the God who so desperately wants to be in relationship with us that he laid down his own life for us? Is there no distinction between empty formality religion and genuine born again transforming Christianity? How does the world see me and what I profess? What I live, what I've become?

As I watched, I also was encouraged. I saw a worldview that clearly grasped the power of relationship. I was challenged by it. How can we bring the greatest relationships, the truly transforming relationship with God and his body the church? How can we bring the eternal relationship to those who are endlessly seeking? How can we introduce a loving life-giving God to a world desperate for that very relationship?

Raising Adults

2009-08-30T00:40:00.000-04:00

Pam and I are off to New York University in the morning to drop off Kyle (our youngest son). How do we "drop off" our 18 year old son in NYC, 10th and Broadway, Manhattan!? How can we protect him? How can we make sure he stays on the right track? How can we see to it that a huge university in a huge city doesn't chew him up and spit him out?

The simple answer is we can't. He won't be under our roof, in our watch, or within our reach. Our confidence can no longer be in our parental nest. We must now rely on him, and what we have instilled in him. It has always been our goal to raise him to be a man of integrity and destiny. Therefore, for 18 years our role has not simply been to protect, and direct. It has been to nurture a Godly character in his own spirit, a spirit that is set on what is right and just. A spirit that comes alive as it is aligned with God and Godly inspiration. A spirit that embraces life as an image-bearer of the divine.

I recall a time when I was dropping off Kyle and his brother at a middle school dance. Before they left the car I said, "Hey, I only have one rule...make good choices!". I could not predict what they might face, but I was engaging their spirits and their wills to rise up and embrace the truths they had been taught. I was calling forth their consciences to the relationships with God that they had professed.

Now, in a few hours when we once again drop off Kyle, we will have but one desire of him...make good choices. As we have had the privilege to watch him over the years, we're fully confident that he will. We can't wait to see the bite he takes out of the Big Apple!

Walking on water

2009-08-13T11:05:00.000-04:00

In Matthew 14 we hear the account of Peter walking on water... or did he? Science would tell us that it is impossible for water to hold up a person. So, in this story do we need to dismiss science? Do we interpret the story to mean that if we have enough faith that we also can walk on water?

I believe that if we think that we can walk on water, we will surely fail.
I believe that if we think we can walk on God's Word, we will surely be victorious.

We don't need to, in fact shouldn't, dismissed science. That is, the genuine scientific approach to understanding-observation leading to truth. A false interpretation is that water held up Peter, so therefore, if I believe hard enough water will hold me up to. However, if we use the science we know then water cannot hold up a person. Therefore what did? It appears that it is the spoken word of God, in this case, Jesus' command to Peter. Note what Peter said: command me or order me to come to you. In essence: declare the word like a foundation for me to come to you, to walk on. This is extremely different than: help me squeeze my faith muscle so I can do the impossible.

From above comes the word, a declaration of God, which is greater than the reality of this world. It is the eternal invading the temporal. It is "your kingdom come".

What are the words of God that you are being invited to stand upon? Not someone else's word (like Peter's) but words for you. These can be specific words or universal words, but they are words for you. Let the greater reality of God's kingdom, his eternal kingdom, invade your world so that the impossible is made possible.

Any thoughts... Please share...

2009-07-29T16:09:00.000-04:00

"One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty."

I came across this verse today in Proverbs 11. What is the connection between generosity and wealth? What is the connection between ownership and poverty? What is the difference between living with a spirit of open hands and living with a spirit of grasping and clinging?

Isn't it true that the more we give away the less we will have? Isn't it true that the more we can hang on to the more we will have? Come on, that's simple understanding, simple math, simply true - or is it...

But what if this verse is true? It seems to be saying the exact opposite. Let's look at the next verse:

"A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." The original Hebrew for generous is blessing, and the word translated man is really soul. Therefore, "a soul of blessing" will prosper. Also, the word refreshes is taken from "to water". If we choose to let water flow from us, out of a soul that desires to bless, then the refreshing water flows to us as well. Jesus said that the one who believes in him, streams of living water will flow from within them.

If you have a stream of water that is literally damned up, the water begins to stagnate and become unhealthy. The way to correct it is to undamn the water, which opens a flow of fresh water to that pool.

These verses describe a flow. A spirit of generosity is a heart that desires to step into the flow. By doing so fresh blessing and refreshing water continues to flow to that same heart. Notice, this has nothing to do with a false teaching of a prosperity gospel. A heart that gives simply to get is not a heart operating out of a spirit of generosity. A soul that desires to bless is what opens the flow, and the purpose of the flow is to continue to bless.

A spirit of poverty clings to what one has and is afraid of losing it. The problem is that the very act of clinging stops up the flow. The word for poverty in Hebrew is derived from the word lack. Therefore, the spirit of poverty inflicts poverty.

Out of a spirit of generosity flows a wellspring of life.

Eternity?

2009-06-28T07:54:00.000-04:00

Eternity
To live is Christ. To die is gain.
How can life compare to eternity?
Eternity is NOT an extension of life or time or existence.
That is only infinity.

Eternity? What is it?
Is life a window into eternity?
Is eternity you, God?
Is the word of God eternity?
Is eternity infinitely big and infinitely small?

Is eternity what Jacob contended for?
Is eternity what Esau was unwilling to contend for?

Eternity is holy, pure
It has to be, because anything impure, unholy, tainted
leads to decay, death

Is Jesus marked by the cross for all eternity?
Is eternity love, or is love eternity?

- I'd love to hear your comments -

Walking Into A Promise

2009-05-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Genesis 17:1-2 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers."

After 24 years of waiting on the promise of the Lord, Abram (Abraham) once again hears the voice of the Lord say..."I will greatly increase your numbers." Really God? I'm 99 and my wife is 89. We have NO children. Even when I tried to make this promise come true, it backfired (Ishmael and Hagar have caused some real turmoil.) Now, God, you tell me AGAIN that you will greatly increase my numbers?

How would you respond if you were Abraham? But notice how God defines himself: God Almighty, the Hebrew is El Shaddai. This is the first time God reveals himself as El Shaddai. El is a prefix for Lord. Shaddai comes from the root Bosom. The best translation I have heard is that El Shaddai is the "All Sufficient One". In the bosom of the Lord we find provision, comfort, protection, life! God tells Abraham, I am fully capable of bring forth my promise. I am the All Sufficient One.

Equally important is the instruction the Lord has for Abraham: Walk before me and be blameless. Abe, you're not responsible to make this promise come to reality (you tried that with Ishmael and that didn't work out so well.) I am capable of bringing forth my promise to you. All I ask of you is to walk before me and be blameless.

Now that sounds easy. But in reality, often we'd rather try to make it happen than walk it out in righteousness (rightly aligned with God). In fact, walking it out blamelessly is so hard that Abraham asks God for an alternative. Look ahead in the story a couple verses. Genesis 17:17-18 Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, "Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?" And Abraham said to God, "If only Ishmael might live under your blessing!"

Abraham responds to God's instruction by saying, I'm too tired Lord. I'm too tired of believing in a promise for which I see absolutely no progress nor any potential of it coming forth.
How God? How can you be El Shaddai in this one? Then Abraham makes this appeal, won't you simply bless my best effort - I'll be satisfied with that.

Have you been there? Have you believed for the impossible so long that you don't have the strength to believe any longer? Have you in desperation asked God to simply bless your best effort so that you can be unburdened from the weight of the promise? But there is a difference between God's provision to you, and his Promise for you. God in his mercy will always provide, but God in his all-sufficiency (El Shaddai) will birth his promise. For example, God's provision to the nation of Israel was manna for 40 years in the desert. God's promise was the Promised Land! There is a great difference between manna in the desert and flowing milk and honey in the promised land.

The story of Abraham continues with the Lord saying that he would surely bless Ishmael. He would become a nation and be the father of many leaders. But, the Lord's promise, destiny, and favor will be upon Isaac. The Lord said, I am El Shaddai. I will accomplish this. Your part is the walk before me and be blameless.

Be encouraged. God will always provide for you, but the promises that he has put in your mind and heart are his destiny for you. Ask him to be El Shaddai. Tell him you believe in his all-sufficiency. Tell him you believe he can and will birth those promises. Walk before him, and with his help and through Jesus, be blameless in your walk. Then you will walk right into the promises he has for you.

Living Above Circumstances

2009-04-29T10:24:00.000-04:00

The predominate western world, modern and post modern worldview is Entitlement – the world owes me the life I desire.

A Christ (Christ-like) (Christian) worldview is Gift – I have been given life, genuine life, life that I lost because of my sin and it has been given back to me. I am not entitled to it, it has been gifted to me. God has brought himself and his life to our circumstances. We live by his Spirit in the midst of our circumstances. As we have integrity with his character, we shine his glory and release his life into our circumstances.

When we feel we are ‘entitled’ we are selfish, we are takers, we grasp and cling, we demand and get offended when we don’t get what we feel we deserve – and we feel we deserve everything. We drain life from others and yet we’re never satisfied because when we’re entitled, we’re always entitled to more. Satisfaction and entitlement don’t co-exist. Satisfaction births peace. Entitlement rejects peace. How can we be at peace when we know we have something coming to us that we don’t have yet? Something we deserve. Something that is being kept from us. It breads anger, resentment, jealousy, frustration, and the list goes on. Each of these is a toxin in our lives.

When we realize that God has rescued us, given his very life to us so that we may have life, we are grateful. We want to live generously. We value life as something to live, something to share. We were caught in the grip of circumstances (what were thrust upon us). We were drowning in it. We were being drained of joy, love, energy, and of course peace. But we have been rescued. We have the fountain of life from which to drink. We aren’t entitled to a better life - we have been given an eternal full life. And the fountain of life never stops flowing. We can endlessly drink of joy, love, energy and of course peace.

When our circumstances define us, we try to control them and they inevitable end up controlling us, destroying us. When we live our lives above the circumstances, we are free. Even in the most difficult circumstances, we can live free. We have been set free...see that we stay free.

...more on this topic on Sunday morning, May 10th.

A Spirit of Fear?

2009-04-25T23:19:00.000-04:00

What does it mean to Live above fear? Do we deny it? Do we say there is no reason for fear? Do we become the proverbial frog in the pot? Or do we ignore the fear? It’s there but we refuse to acknowledge it? Do we stick our head in the sand. By the way, do ostriches really do that? I’ve seen little kids cover their faces as if to say, "if I can't see you, then you didn't just see me run naked into the room full of guests."

Or do we somehow defeat the fear? Beat it into submission, like every Will Smith movie…Independance Day, Men in Black, Men in Black II, I am legend...saying, “I do not fear what is terrifying to everyone else…”

The book of Revelation, the final entry in our Bible, reveals a great Cosmic battle of the end times. Evil has reached it’s full ugly blossom. An epic final battle of Good and Evil is pictured for us in this grand vision of the last days, full of symbolic languages and images, allegory and reality. The fulfillment of promise. The completion of battle and the final victory. One reality coming to a most dreadful end while another springs forth in majestic grandeur. There are plenty of fearful things: events, destruction, battles.

The interesting thing is, in all of Revelation the word 'fear' only appears three times. The first time, well that one says fear God and glorify him. But the second...well that one also says fear God and glorify him. But the third…well, it also says fear God and praise him. That's it. The three times the word 'fear' appears are all directed to our need to be in right relationship with God.

There is a difference between fearful, dreadful, terrifying situations, even doom and gloom, and living under a Spirit of Fear. Revelation describes a great and dreadful cosmic battle. But Revelation instructs us that when the battle starts blazing, we better know we are aligned with God.

I'm going to wrestle with what that means to us tomorrow morning at Wellspring. Specifically, the question of the day will be: How do we live in faith, love and hope when fear is all around? If you miss the services, you can catch the audio at http://www.wellspring.net/

New Series! Come check it out.

2009-04-17T11:33:00.000-04:00

Does this picture remind you of anything? Sam reaching down for Frodo hanging over the fires of Mount Doom? The first time you jumped into the deep end without your swimmies on? A pretty good rendition of Stephen Cahill?

Does it represent our great desire to be rescued from the swirl of our lives? I sure don't know all the answers even for myself let alone all the possible challenges you face. But together, let's wrestle with some of the questions. Let's reach with all we have to the outstretched hand of one who is reaching down to us. Let's grasp for his promises. Let's live out of the resources of an eternal kingdom, not out of the limits and emptiness of this temporal world. The scriptures call us to live in this world but not be of it. How do we do that?

This should be an interesting series. I know I'm looking forward to it...and I barely know what I am going to share. But I do know that God offers us the opportunity to live above brokenness of this world. I do know that as we seek it, specifically, as we seek him, we will find him when we seek him with all our heart. Let's go seeking...