Author Archives: Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Celebrate On The Way

I helped out at a church 90 miles from my home for a while.

I listened to lots of podcasts, music, and audio books during the long drive to and from the church.

A couple of days every week, I would see a gentleman standing on the side of the rode near a rest area. This special needs man would stand and beckon anyone, but especially truck drivers to blast their horn. His care giver would sit in a car nearby to watch over him while he pleaded with the drivers.

I wish you could’ve seen this man celebrate when the horns would sound. He would dance and clap like he won the lottery. 

He enjoyed it more than I could explain, but I grew to enjoy it myself. I would hold my horn down as long as I could see him.

His dancing was infectious, his celebration was inspiring, and his ability to find joy in the simple things brings a smile to my face even while I’m writing this.

Find ways to bring joy to those around you.

But just as important, let those same people fill you with joy.

After all, they are God’s handiwork, don’t let them pass you by without celebrating.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: More Like Them

Today, many adults see teenagers in negative ways, and sometimes that’s justified. 

But I want to be more like them.

Because they are honest, they haven’t developed a false self to hide behind like many adults. They are open to the challenge to love others. Sure they are selfish in some ways like you and I, but they admit it. 

If God speaks to them, they will respond. 

For over a decade, my wife and I were Youth Leaders/Pastors.

I’ve been in a church van on Pike’s Peak, hiding in a tree at a campground at 2 am, up all night laughing so hard I could barely breathe, praying in a hospital waiting room, crying at a funeral, speaking at a school, in the middle of a creek looking for a cell phone, and many other crazy places with teenagers. 

Not to mention so many graduations I have lost track.

Thousands of lessons, thousands of hours of prayer, hard work, and fun.

Hundreds of young lives.

Some nights we had more teenagers in our meeting than the church had in the main service. Other nights we had just a handful and the overall numbers didn’t matter to us.

Some mornings I will wake up thinking about one of the teenagers we were blessed to know. I always remember something unique about them and take it as a cue to pray for them.

If over the years we hear that one of them is doing well, we celebrate. If we hear one is hurting, we hurt.

Some of them are now in ministry, some may be strung out on drugs at this very moment. Some are mothers or fathers with children of their own. Most of them we haven’t seen in years. But, we are thankful that God allowed us to be a part of their lives, each one was created in His image.

It was frustrating, exhilarating, exhausting and rewarding. And we loved each one of them. 

We still do.

If you have teens in your life, reach out to them, encourage them. Adolescence is a difficult time for many. Those teens around you could use a trustworthy adult in their life.

If you are a teen, find adults you can trust to talk with. You may not need them at this moment, but you may want someone to listen and encourage you in the future.

And no matter your age, be like some of the amazing young people I’ve known. 

Be open and honest with God. 

He’ll take it from there.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: The Bible

The Bible can be intimidating for everyone.

It is life changing for millions, controversial for many, inspirational, confrontational, and so much more.

There are many ways to approach the Bible, from total skeptic, to absolute believer. It has been viewed as an owner’s manual for life, a collection of mythical stories, a moral code, a chronical of religious history, a love letter from God, and a family album of misfits, saints, and sinners.

Obviously, as a Pastor, I encourage you to read and wrestle with the words in the Bible. But I understand all the baggage they may come with that task. Whatever your personal history with the Bible, church, or religion has been, take a fresh look at the bible. Many people have set out to disprove parts of the Bible, only to end up having their lives changed by the message inside.

Here is a way to look at the whole Bible I discovered a few years ago. The way I explain it, goes like this:

“In the Old Testament, God heard the cries of His people.

In the Gospels, He cries with us.

In Revelation, He wipes away every tear from our eyes.

His love is for us, His spirit is with us, and His movement is towards us”.

There is an endless supply of wisdom and inspiration to discover, but no matter how deeply I dive in, I try to remember this approach to the collection of history, poetry, letters, songs, laments, and prophecy we call the Bible.

Find out for yourself what the Bible really is, it may be the beginning of a life changing journey.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: That Is Amazing Grace

I never met my wife’s Grand-Mother, but I’ve heard many stories about her.

She was a pastor in a small West Virginian community. Her name, very fittingly was Grace.

One year, a few coal miners started attending the small church. After many messages about God’s grace from Pastor Grace. These men all decided to start following Jesus. Pastor Grace was overjoyed, the men began a new type of life, and the church members celebrated.

But a couple weeks later, the local mine owner came to visit Grace at her home. This was a big deal for such a rich and prominent man to even visit the little community. For him to come to her home was unthinkable.

I imagine Pastor Grace was confused as to why this man would be visiting.

Soon it was very clear.

It seems the men who started following Jesus, brought back tools and equipment they had previously stolen from the mine company. They gave the equipment back and asked their boss for forgiveness. The miners seemed to be radically different than before. This overwhelmed the mine owner so much that he had to come and meet Grace.

At this meeting, a huge check was made payable to the church from the mine owner. The church would be able to make major improvements. The ministry would be able to reach more people with the life changing message of God’s Grace.

You can’t make up a story this good.

These men found grace, because they met Grace.

You may not be named after God’s goodness, but you can just as readily share God’s grace with those around you.

There is no limit to what God can do with a willing heart.

That’s Amazing Grace.

-Tom Wise