Still on vacation

well, Shannon and I have been enjoying our sweet fifth year anniversary here in Orlando, Florida. On Monday we went to MGM Studios, the lights went out on the "who wants to be a millionaire" live set, then Tuesday was Wet-n-Wild which was a awesome time. Wednesday we headed to Universal Studios and were lucky enough to get on Fear Factor Live. Only six people were selected and Shannon and I were two of the six. We made it to the final two and we competed against each other and of course I won but in front of over a thousand people. We ended up winning 6 free tickets to Universal Orlando so if anybody wants to go let us know. Then Thursday we went to Island Adventure which is Universals theme park, it was also a sweet time, a lot of rides and Spider man was there, we got a picture. Friday was Epcot, this park rocks, if you ever get a chance check it out.

Other than that we went to church on Wednesday night. Calvary Chapel South Orlando. There ware seventeen people there, worship was great but the sermon was as lame as it gets. Makes me wonder why no body was there. My wife and I almost considered it torture. It's not that the guy sucked but he was so stuck on having such a bias opinion on his own agenda. If we really want to reach out to the people in our culture I believe that we should, just as Jesus did, reach out with a arm of community. I mean this guy was a flipping punk. He was so pissed at the world, he was so mad at the people that didn't agree with his ways. This guy will never ever affect his culture for the gospel of Christ. His loss I guess, I just pray that the young pastor matures quickly and that the Lord changes his way of thought. I was sick of him preaching even by the time he made it to verse 4 and he was going to verse 59 of Leviticus chapter 15. Straight suck, that's all I can say.

Every day has been busy and because this is a vacation I have not worked on theemerge.com at all. Part because I have devoted this time to relax and to my wife and also I am moving to tri-Cities Washington on the 2nd of May. SO the podcast and an update on theemerge.com will follow in the next week. Rock on and God Bless....Wes_Line

Vacation in Orlando...

My wife and I have finally made it to our honeymoon. We were just about five years late but it was worth it. We got married in Las Vegas on the 12th of March 2000 and we never went on a true honeymoon. So we saved airline miles, got a timeshare from the in-laws and bought some tickets to Disney World.

The sweet thing is that my mother-in-law came to watch the kids back in Oregon so my lovely bride and I can have a week alone. We are pretty stoked and today was just the flight and a trip to Buffalo Wild Wings and Downtown Disney. While there, we even watched a movie at the theater; it has been a sweet time so far.

I am amazed that every movie I watch lately I tend to look for spiritual overtones to them. And I have come to find out that they are found in almost every movie I see. Now it may not be the sound theological doctrine portrayed but it nonetheless has some spiritual tone in some way or another.

The movie we saw tonight was Benchwarmers. I love stupid comedies that make no sence and have no real plot to them. I guess it makes me feel like I actually have a life when I watch movies made by old Saturday Night Live cast members. However, during a part of the movie towards the end Rob Schneider, the movies main character, is caught portraying someone that he's not. When he was a kid he picked on others and bullied them around and now after feeling guilty for so many years he pretty much starts this baseball team for kids that are bullied. He became the icon for the poor kids that were always poked fun at and weren't good enough to play sports, thus the kids becoming benchwarmers.


After a little fame, somebody recognized him as the big bully in school and now his cover was blown. He felt remorse for not being truthful but he claimed he just wanted to make up for all the pain he caused in the past. Feeling so bad, he goes and apologizes to the kid he picked on the worst. The next day everyone is happy and they live happily ever after. No not really but I pretty much just told you the whole movie, sorry.

But the part that made me think and wonder, like I always do, was when he took that time to humble himself enough to face up to what he did in the past. He was doing all this good stuff because of the pain he felt for being so lame during his life. It really portrays humanity as a whole. Now I know comparing "Benchwarmers" to humanity is a little out there but I find many similarities. We feel guilt for some bad thing we've done; we do all that we can to make it better by doing outside religious things. We believe that if we can make it high enough on the good list than in some magical way nobody will remember the bad that follows us like a shadow. But like in the movie, when the truth came out, there was no forgiveness until there was realness, honest, true-humble-repentance.

That is why I love to follow Christ. When He knew what it was before Him, He bore the Cross, despising the shame. Chrsit humbled Himself. He was transparent, vulnerable; He was as real as He could be.

I struggle in this life; I'm trying to always portray myself as something I'm not. How I pray, hope, and desire that I, that we too would humble ourselves, be vulnerable, be transparent and be real before our families and closest friends. Because it doesn't matter if we have fame, a following, or even a title, when we are found out most all will forsake us and cast us down as a hypocrite. Let us not put on that face which covers who we are but rather, let us put on Jesus Christ who for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross.

How do we, "be the church?"

I have a very close friend whose dad is on a ventilator and diagnosed with lew gehrig's disease. Unfortunately, his dad has been confined to his bed and couch and only gets up to use the bathroom. Only once, since he has been home from the hospital (in late Feb. I believe) has he been outside of his house. His wife is with him almost ever hour of the day, she has become a virtuous woman if I've ever knew one. They are believers and love Jesus very much.

Now the question, how are these folks exposed to participate in a church service as we know it today? Some might say, "Well, the wife should go to the church and hear what the Revered had to say and then go home and share it with the husband." Or others may advise the wife and say, "Even though your husband has been incapable of going you should at least participate in church service, that's the least you could do." And of course some would say, "You need not to forsake the assembling of the brethren."

How amazing it is to me, that so many are stuck in tradition of "going to church". The theme in Scripture is not go to church, but rather, be the church.

Is it not true, does the spirit of God dwell in you? Is it true that where the spirit of God is, there is liberty? Doesn’t Christ say, "where two or more are gathered in my name, "That is Church" or I am in their midst, whatever way you prefer.

So, my friend and I had a great idea. Rather than having his parents feel the guilt that church tradition places on you for not "going to church", we were thinking of some way to bring the church to them. And that is what we have done, twice so far.

For the past two weeks we have, with a few others, gathered in the living room of my friends parents house and the most amazing thing has happened each time, we had church. Not just a "bible" study or a worship time, no, we had church in the most real, organic form that I have ever seen it. Intimate, vulnerable, transparent, humbling, and Christ centered. A church with almost no structure or leadership, a church that brought tears along with comfort, a church that was real and authentic, genuine and full of quality. There was open conversation, dialogue, and fellowship that was real and tangible. There was not a senior pastor or worship leader, no tithe offering or ushers at the door. There was no reason to be in a hurry or watch checking, just waiting for the sermon to end. And even in the midst of this church there was the noise of a ventilator and a brother that was napping on the floor. We were actually being the church rather than doing it. And it was sweet.

Now we know that God works in many ways and the local church has its place in God's plan. But my joy is that when Christ leads us into a place of obscurity and unfamiliarity He always gives us the efficient grace that is needed. He gives vision in the place of sorrow and turmoil. And in the situation of my friends’ dad, He gives us the miracle of being the church, even in a living room, even if it is "the ventilator church."

nothing new under the sun

Solomon knew what was going on when he said vanity of vanities, all is vanity. There is nothing new under the sun; each generation passes by, experiencing the same as the last. But amazingly we think that it's fresh and new and has never been done before. Well maybe not in the exact same way but it has been done, in some form or another. So why do we look for something fresh, why do we search for a new way of doing life? Are we really all that bored with life that we feel the need to change it?

I think, I feel, I believe that we do find ourselves in a rut in life when we have no challenge to change. When we are in comfort, when things are flowing smoothly, when life seems right side up and we have all our ducks in a row, that's when we need to change. Change, why? Well, because life is meaningless says the preacher. There is no point Solomon would say. "But what about Jesus and our mission to save the world?" you might say, or "what about redeeming the time and occupying till he comes?"

Christ would have us press forward and forget those things which are behind, He would have us seek first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness. He has called us to be His witnesses here on earth.

And yet, we are so consumed with ourselves. We are a sick generation, may God be merciful. Did you know that everything that Christ did He did for others, everything! And He is our King, our example.

Oh, how I can relate with Solomon and his ways. His wisdom supersedes even the philosophers of today. At least he got it right in the end of Ecclesiastes when he said, "Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of man".

Finally, theemerge.com has been launched. It has been a long time in the making and I am stoked that the time has come. I have gotten a few request to make it more interactive and things will open up for those of you that have asked.

If anyone wants to share anything that pertains to your journeys with Christ then please sent it to theemerge.com.

I was in some sweet conversation tonight with a couple of my close friends. I was blessed to have such uncondemning, non-judgmental, encouraging fellowship. I seems that it is so hard to actually have conversations with people about spiritual things without having such hostility at every mention of doctrine of some sort. That is probably because I live in a traditional town with traditionial folks. My bad I guess.

Nevertheless, I went away feeling that Christ was glorified in our speech. I was amazed that the majority of our conversation was centered on spiritual things that were centered on Christ. It doesn't happen like that too often so tonight was off the hook. i hope and pray that God will continually be glorified as we all constantly seek Him in all we do.

Blessings, wes_line

a break in the silence

Well, I have on a bit of a sabbatical with my contemplations of this life lately. Each day I drive in my car I wonder why and what it is all about. We tend to think we know and we never seem to question the status quo. My heart aches day after day for passion, for desire, for anything that will bring resolution to my thoughts.
Each generation will continue as it has in the past, sure we have different things in life to experience but all in all life will go on, shall the Lord tarry. When you die, the smoke stacks will continue to smoke. When you fade, books will still be written, movies will still be made, music will still be played. Think about it for a moment! What do we do! What are we doing! Are we satisfied will all we've done in this life??? Do we want more? Are we seeking something different then our everyday rituals?
I cannot and will not continue to wake every morning and do it all the same. I will look back when my children have grown, when there children will be my prize, and I will say amen and right on; because I did not sit and do nothing, because I took a stand and said I will not take what hand has been dealt to me. I will not be satisfied with the minimal status of life. Jesus desires more for me, more for us.
Because of my lovers death upon the torturous cross I am given a chance of an exciting, amazing journey. My heart beats to experience this life will all He has to offer. I am extremely thrilled to travel the path that is paved with thorns and thistles, to take part in walking down a road that leads to the unknown, almost fearing each and every step of the way. Oh how terrified I am of this life and for what lies ahead. In fearful expectation and extreme anticipation I wait upon my God.
In a world with so much uncertainty there is only one thing that remains true. Jesus is the only one that will ever sustain, captivate, fulfill, saturate, and comfort. May He be the center of all we do, think, and feel.

theemerge.com website launch this week

By weeks end the new and improved website theemerge.com will be released. Please stop by and add your voice...

Getting Closer

Theemerge.com is almost to its launching date. I do believe that it will only be a matter of days before the launch. Please visit when it happens.