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.

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."

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!

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 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!

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

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.