Tag Archives: Grace

Message In A Minute: As You Are

I was first invited to a church when I was 17 years old.

I had been to churches a few times growing up, but nothing even resembling a consistent church attendance.

I walked into that church at 17 years old with long hair, ripped jeans, and a heavy metal t-shirt on. I honestly wasn’t trying to push any buttons. That was just who I was, and I didn’t know enough about religion to even pretend I was somebody else.

Sure I got some odd looks, yes a couple father’s in the church subtly kept me from even sitting near their daughters. On Sundays, I would usually sit in the back, to avoid any uncomfortable situations. Things like that happen. I even understand why some assumed things about me.

But there were these older ladies who sat in the front row of the church who overwhelmed me with love. They would always hug me, ask me how I was doing, and accepted me exactly the way I was.

A couple times they even invited me and my group (made up of my brother, a cousin, and a friend) to sit with them in the front.

It looked like Metallica was sitting with the Golden Girls.

That’s what God does.

He brings people together, His grace is the same for us all, He isn’t impressed with our clothes, our financial situation, or our status.

It makes me smile when I think of those older ladies who were so welcoming. They are part of the reason I’m a pastor today.

Love people where they are, if they are rough around the edges, let God make any changes needed. Make sure you are growing in your faith, you just may be the reason another person opens their heart to God.

We are all a work in progress.
We are no better than another.
We are all candidates for God’s goodness.

-Tom Wise

Message in A Minute: Within Reach

I love the Andy Griffith show, so forgive me for this example.

Otis, the town drunk would come in the courthouse on the weekend and lock himself up for public intoxication. He would sleep off his hangover, and he would let himself out of the prison cell the next day. It all worked very smooth,

Otis was safe from hurting himself or someone else. The sheriff didn’t have to go out of his way to pursue the guilty man. And Barney got to have someone in a cell, which he seemed to like. All three were grateful in their own way.

Here comes the difficult idea.

We are a lot like Otis.

A good number of our problems are self-inflicted. Not all of our troubles, but many are brought on by behaviors or circumstances that we have some control over. I understand that some issues are beyond our control, some problems are caused by others, and difficult things just happen in life.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to bring guilt on all of us. I simply want to encourage you to look for a key.

The answers and solutions to most of our problems are within reach. Many of the situations we find ourselves in are like the Mayberry Courthouse. There is a key hanging on the wall, so close we can reach it.

We can let ourselves out.

God can and will do miracles in certain situations, but in other circumstances, he provides a key on the wall. He makes sure that the answer is within reach.

Maybe the key on the wall is a decision you need to make, a substance you need to avoid, or a conversation you need to have.

God can guide you, family can support you, friends can cheer you on. But only you can reach for the key, unlock the door, and walk out of the problem.

Be honest, be humble, and be grateful that sometimes the answer is hanging on the wall right beside you.

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Justice and Authority

When I was in high school, I worked evenings and weekends at a retail store.

I helped customers, herded shopping carts, mopped floors, and every once in a while, I assisted the “Loss Prevention” manager with shoplifters. I felt like a hero when we would catch someone stealing.

One time a man boldly stole a video game system, he simply walked out the door with it under his arm. A call came across the intercom and I took off toward the front door where I noticed the other employees gathered.

I was ahead of the Loss Prevention manager and a couple other employees who were in pursuit of the shoplifter.

At that time in my life I ran track, played tennis, played basketball and was generally in good shape.

I was a couple hundred yards ahead of my fellow employees when I caught up to the man.

But then something happened that changed everything.

The man stopped, dropped the gaming system, turned toward me and ripped his shirt off. In my mind he looked like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Without a conscience thought, my body immediately slowed down. Quickly I realized that gaming system wasn’t worth as much as I thought.

It was an awkward few seconds as scrawny little me and the Terminator faced off.

Fortunately for me, the other employees showed up, followed quickly by the police.

I learned something in that moment, Justice is best left to those with real authority.

It’s not our place to chase down every sin and punish every sinner. We have enough trouble recognizing and removing our own sin.

Our calling is to love, encourage, and point to the one with real authority. We don’t enable or coddle, but at the same time we don’t condemn or accuse.

Let God make the judgements, let God make the corrections, let God make people into new creations.

Billy Graham said it this way. “It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love.”

-Tom Wise

Message In A Minute: Reflect the Light

There is a village in Italy called Viganella.

Viganella is in a valley surrounded on every side by mountains. In fact for 3 months out of the year the sunlight can’t reach the village because of the mountains.

For a long time people lived in shadows for a quarter of each year. Many villagers understandably suffered from depression during that time of the year. Some people would leave the village during this time because being in the constant darkness caused them so much emotional difficulty.

Until one man decided to gather a team and construct huge mirrors to place on a mountain top. Those mirrors now reflect the sunlight to the middle of the town. I encourage you to look this up on the internet, it’s a great story.

As soon as the results could be seen from the mirrors everyone was amazed. It virtually turned night into day. The people celebrated and the overall mental health of the town greatly improved.

I can’t help but see a moral to this story, we can reflect the love of God, the mercy of God, and the truth of God to all who long to see the light.

You and I aren’t the source of the light but we have been tasked with reflecting it to the people around us.

Illumination can happen on the outside and even more importantly, on the inside.

-Tom Wise



31 POWERFUL PRAYERS: DAY 12 | NEW BEGINNINGS

31 Powerful PrayersHere is another great anonymous prayer.

I like it because it applies to a new day, a new year or just beginning again in life.

We all need new beginnings from time to time. Often its to recover from a tough situation and other times its simply a reminder that God makes all things new. Continue reading →