Word of Encouragement

On June 22 and 23, 20 leaders from Wesley will be attending leadership training in Fort Meyers to encourage us and help us learn about Real Life Discipleship. Be in prayer for the leaders: Brad and Ali Hubbard, Steve and Lesley Holroyd, Leslie Berlin, James Pearson, Amy Dissler, Marilyn Preston, Rene and Pete Kincaid, Lester Pineda, Larry and Nadia (soon to be Wood), Bob and Jean Rowe, Iraeda Malpica, Jennifer Foster, Connie Pruitt, Brenda and Ernie Post. When we return, we will be having a commissioning service for the leadership and be launching our 20/20 vision, sharing the exciting work of God with the congregation. I am sensing a strong movement of God here at Wesley and a time of renewal and refreshment. As your pastor I want you to know how encouraging it is to me to be a part of such a fresh movement of God in the church. Each step along the way, God has affirmed our desire to make a difference and walk into the future with this new mission.

“Disciples who make disciples” will help us keep our focus on making a difference for others and push us to always be preparing someone else for tomorrow in their walk with Jesus. I am excited to see where God takes this leadership team. As always, I love being your pastor.

~Grace & Peace~
Pastor Ernie

Word of Encouragement

The Mentor Leader, by Tony Dungy, chapter 6, Living the Message. “what we do is even more important than what we say.” And what is true of me as a leader or you as a spouse or parent is also true of the entire church, and this is magnified during tough times. If we say we love people but are not present for them in a tough time, they cannot help but wonder if we meant it. If we desire to teach our children about Godly living and fail to set the example by our behavior, then we fail our children. To tell someone it is important to be humble but always insist on your own way will result is selfish children and eventually a selfish society. If we want our children or our spouses or our church to be generous, then we ourselves need to be generous. Words are actually the least effective way to influence someone unless the words are attached to a life of integrity and humility. Almost everyone wants to know the same thing, “Are you interested in me?” And yet nearly every conversation we have we are thinking of something to say about ourselves while someone else is talking. We need to practice the art of valuing others. Practice listening, practice humility, practice honesty, practice helping others succeed, practice generosity, practice serving the less fortunate. When all we do is talk about these things, it leads to others thinking we are a fraud. Be genuine with people. Follow thru. Love them as you want to be loved.

Word of Encouragement

About two years into college I had a great learning. If I decided my final grade BEFORE the class started it changed a whole lot about the class. First, I never decided in advance that I would get anything lower than a B. This put the class into perspective before it began. It inspired me to begin strong, keep up, do the work, study, and make the grade. I never got anything lower than a B again.

Last week in church, I asked everyone to grade their 2017. Not surprisingly, most of us did not grade it an A. Now why is that? The truth is, most of us look back at the value of the year based on what happened. Our circumstances determine the value. What would change if we decided to grade 2018 before it began? Undoubtedly we would not be able to value the year and grade it on the circumstances, nothing has happened yet.

So I think I am going to have and A year this year. How about you? And what will we do to assure we get there? It inspires me to start strong. In January I will overwhelmingly enjoy my opportunities with my family, diligently pursue my studies. Keep up my attitude and make the grade. What can stop me? My upcoming circumstances? No way. Greater is the One who lives in me than the one who lives in the world. I have Jesus. Winner year!

~Grace & Peace~
Pastor Ernie