The Well In The Wilderness Church

09/08/2026

08/30/2026

Washing Of Feet

It’s no secret that I wear flip flops almost all the time and though the high desert here is beautiful, it’s pretty dry with lots of dust and dirt, not exactly sandal country, yet, I still love and wear my sandals. (I also love pedicures… uhm yes, take my money!)

I picture Israel to be dry and dusty much like here, and have thought about how sandals were the common footwear back in the Biblical days. I think about how Jesus washed the disciple’s feet at the last supper; usually a job reserved for the lowliest of servants. Jesus, a perfect man in an imperfect world; Teacher, Lord and King yet he performed the lowliest of jobs; the washing of feet.

Some of us have a difficult time receiving, in this poignant act of love, Jesus taught the disciples valuable lessons; to learn how to receive and also to serve others, no matter who we are. As friends of Jesus, just like the disciples, we also need to learn to receive from Jesus, not be so self-reliant. We need to learn to serve others with the same grace and humility, not get caught up in thinking some forms of service are beneath us; like washing of feet.

Our feet may get dirty and dusty on our journey here for all of us at one time or another metaphorically speaking. To love as Jesus does, it takes both serving and being able to accept service, no matter who we think ‘we’ are, or who we think ‘they’ are. Love as Jesus loves, serve as He has; do life with others, even when those times come for the washing of feet.

May loving others, be our life’s daily routine.

08/23/2026

Confidence

The saying ‘I’ll believe it when I see it’ is a fairly common one in our world. Sometimes we just won’t trust something until our eyes tell us we can. And this got me thinking about faith.

In looking through the Bible there are many accounts, firsthand accounts, both in the Old Testament and New Testament regarding faith. Probably the most often heard verse on faith is Hebrews 11:1, ‘Now faith is the confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’

In this, I see the word ‘confidence’, not wishful thinking, but confidence. It’s not about denying reality, but discovering reality. It’s about having a sense of certainty that Christianity is true- not just true for me in my own mind- but actually, fully, and completely true.

Remember doubting Thomas? He said he wouldn’t believe Jesus had risen until he himself touched the wounds. Then came the point when Thomas was confronted by Jesus Who told him to touch the wounds in His side and wrists. This eyewitness account was written down as evidence.

Faith is not about wishing but about confidence, and the facts make all the difference. The Bible is full of firsthand accounts, it amazes me how we can see a blurb on tv or our phones, and believe what is being told, (remember covid?), yet a written detailed account of Jesus by those who were there- we need more proof?

Faith is not blind, it’s not wishful thinking, it’s not just hoping; it is eyes that can clearly see and a heart full of knowledge in the evidence written so long ago, and this is where we can and believe with confidence.

08/16/2026

Letting Go

We need to be aware that our old patterns of thoughts, habits, reactions etc.…things that we used to be, things we thought were long buried, can surface and hurt our walk with God.

I remember once a year or so ago, when I went to the drive-up window at my pharmacy to get my prescription only to be told they don’t have it and did not know when they would get it. I was disappointed, and angry. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very kind to the person working the window and after quizzing her down and giving her probably what was construed as a hateful look, I angrily said, oh never mind and drove off.

Now, I’d like to justify it by saying it was my hormone prescription and I had driven an hour to pick it up as the phone reorder system said it was being filled. But really, that’s no excuse. I was just thankful I didn’t have a ‘honk if you love Jesus’ bumper sticker on my car as I certainly wasn’t representing well.

I do want to tell you, that even in my ugliness Jesus was still with me, but this was not a good way to represent or be one with Him. I did drive back to the pharmacy and offered a very sincere and humble apology to the woman at the window.

As followers of Jesus, we will make mistakes while we live in our earthly vessels, however, there are things we need to recognize and then let go of so our walk with Him isn’t hindered, and also that others who see us will not be hindered in their belief. In this instance, God not only changed the situation for me, He also changed me through it. There are still things I need to work on, it’s a journey, one day at a time, sometimes one moment at a time.

Our anger, pride, or whatever else hides away within us, can hurt our walk with Jesus and although He will never leave us or forsakes us, our love for Him and others can be compromised. Stay humble, stay teachable, and stay accountable by letting go.

08/09/2026

The Days of Our Lives

Gosh, it seems our world is changing so fast. When we purchased a new laptop a few years ago for the church, I remember working on it, figuring it out, when a notice popped up saying that the software was outdated. I was surprised to see that note as it was only a couple months old at the time, but these are the days of our lives.

Rapidly changing technology, natural disasters, inflation, wars, homelessness, more keyboard warriors and less listening; so many things make our world just seem more hostile today. However, there’s nothing new under the sun as far as our human race goes.

When I look back over the history of the years that I’ve been on this earth there’s always been new inventions, conflicts, political crisis and new diseases, and hatred. Our world has always been changing. The author John Maxwell was quoted as penning ‘change is inventible, growth is optional’.

This world changes and will continue to do so, yet there is One who never changes. The Bible tells us that God is unchanging. If you are God’s child, that thought should bring great comfort to your heart. And here is where growth is optional. It is up to each of us to grow in our faith, in our relationship, with Him.

I pray we each find time daily to water the seed of faith that has been planted in our hearts. Thank You, Father, for always loving us and giving us your peace when this world seems so shaky and off balance. Abide in us and give us Your strength renewed each day. Thank You, Jesus, for being our Rock in these days; the days of our lives

08/02/2026

Recommended Fuel

I remember when I was looking at getting a newer car, there were some which the makers recommended to only use premium fuel at the pump. Now I’m no mechanic but guess you might be able to get by with regular but would also hazard a guess that performance would be compromised by not using the recommended fuel.

Just like vehicles, not only our physical selves, but spiritual selves also have a recommended fuel; we were made to run on super premium. Oh, we could probably survive on j***y foods and praying occasionally but we are meant for so much more by only using the Makers Recommended Fuel.

Our ride through this life is much more rewarding and our Maker promises we will not be left stranded, but we need to resist the urge to compromise our choice of fuel. We may have knocks under the hood as we age, yet can still find great satisfaction in this ride because we’ve taken time to use super premium, our Makers Recommended Fuel.

The enemy will do his best to sell us a cheaper grade of fuel; and he will try to distract us with noises, potholes and sabotaging detours. Yet, if we resist compromising with a lesser fuel, we will maneuver around these pitfalls and shall safely arrive to our intended destination. For this journey we call life and the vehicle we call ‘self’, our Maker has only one Recommended Fuel and His name is Jesus. Fill’er up!!

07/26/2026

The Things We Used To Do

As I sit here this morning, I’m thinking about our 250th anniversary of our country. This country has come a long way from when it was founded, there are some ugly things in our past, but there is also bravery, grit, turmoil and standing for what’s right, and learning.

Seems there are people who judge this country on our past; the errors, the decisions made in the past, and admittedly, some of our history is horrible. We had slavery, women’s suffrage, the wild west lawlessness, Native American encampments, WW2 saw Japanese encampments…. many things that make us cringe.

We have come a long way from those days and will continue to grow as a nation; in our ethics, our unity and hopefully compassion for one another. Hatred will always exist but sadly, it doesn’t need to. It’s a choice, just like everything else.

Many times, as people, we make or have made wrong choices, done wrong things, yet finding Jesus has been key, in my life and many lives. We become a new person, our past…well, it’s in the past, we forge ahead with new knowledge, new understanding, new growth with new choices.

There will always be those who want to see us only for our past, as people, and as a nation; it is not up to us to challenge their mindset; what is up to us, is to stay the course with Jesus and walk out this new life we have graciously been given despite the challenges of those who only see the things we used to do.

Once we find Jesus, stick close, hold tight, for He will stick closer than a brother. However, He leaves that choice to each person to accept Him, the choice to have faith in what we cannot physically see or touch at this time. Jesus is where we find comfort, rest, compassion, peace, and a renewed self; a love that overcomes- overcomes our struggles, our future and the things we used to do.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

07/19/2026

Thankful For Little Things

I just want to call our attention to those little things in life that we can experience gratitude and thankfulness for. The ability to work hard and get something accomplished, a job, family and friends. As you reflect back on your week, what are some of the things that you are thankful for?

This week I’m thankful, that the tank of a dog who darted into the street and ran smack dab into the front of my car, wasn’t hurt, that my airbags didn’t deploy and I was able to reclip my bumper and quasi straighten out my license plate.

It seems like when everything goes smoothly it’s easy to think this is the way it should be; smooth sailing. But when life is tough, busy, exhausting, demanding, frustrating or just isn’t going so smooth, we can start having some negative thinking. Being thankful takes a backseat in our minds allowing the negativity to sit up front and drive; it’s difficult to be thankful for little things.

Sometimes life is messy, sometimes it’s exhausting, and sometimes it doesn’t go as planned or as smoothly as it does in our minds. Yet there are times that remind me to be thankful for the little things. I am thankful for one more day, I am thankful for hands and feet that allow me to work; I am thankful for humor, friends and a heart that loves Jesus- both in others and in self.... ya, I am thankful for the little things.

I am thankful Jesus loves me right where I’m at. This week, even in the roughest of days, I encourage us all to put thankfulness back in the front seat allowing Jesus to drive.

Find beauty that brings a joyous sparkle to your soul despite the world’s woes, and be indeed, thankful for the little things.