WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?
Thought-provoking
Dear Reader,
Thank you for being a subscriber to The Three Taverns.
The apostle Paul on his way to stand in the court of Caesar and declare another King, Jesus the Lord of all, he stopped in a town called the Three Taverns. It is on the Appian Way about 30 miles outside of the city of Rome, and believers from Rome came out to meet him and the Acts account says he “thanked God and was greatly encouraged.”
This newsletter was created to be at least one voice of encouragement in a crowded life.
I read a Facebook post from a friend that provoked a lot of thought for me. Instead of me writing an article I thought I would post his and he gladly gave me permission to do so.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE WORLD?
BY STEVE GEYER..
“This is gonna be a tad long… I’ve been wrestling with this for years… enjoy.
The Times of London, sometime in the early in the 1900’s, posed a question to several prominent authors of the time: “What’s wrong with the world today?”
Well-known author G.K. Chesterton is said to have responded with a one-sentence essay.
Dear Sir,
I am.
Yours,
G.K. Chesterton
Not much has changed since Chesterton sent that note.
Believers charging at windmills has become all too common here in good ol’ 2025 as there’s no lack of “worthy” and just as many “foolish” causes to misguidedly attach ourselves to, in order to find community, identity and some greater sense of purpose.
Jesus commanded His followers to “Go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” All to be done in a spirit of love, humility and a focus on the poor.
That’s the mission, that’s the purpose. Sadly for some, Jesus’ commission apparently doesn’t have enough “zing” to it and some believers have invested themselves into all kinds of missions that seem to be leading them astray.
About seven years ago, while speaking to a college aged audience, I shared an observation… I noticed that Christians who have unresolved hurts, issues, traumas, anger and wounds tend to lean into causes (that may seem noble) but have absolutely nothing to do with the Great Commisson and tend to lean away from the Great Commission… far away.
And their new ideology is almost always accompanied by, “I’m embarrassed to be a Christian because ____________(fill in the infraction or failings of the Church). The Church will always have its failings and infractions as it’s constituents are all sinners
I kind of get their point, I’ve received my share of kicks in the groin and knives in the back from my fellow constituents…. However… its Jesus who established the Church, died for the Church and is returning to the Church as His beloved bride.
When I shared these “observations” about “unresolved issues” a few years ago, the response was not very encouraging or receptive. In fact, it cost me longtime relationships in ministry that are strained to this very day. I’m still heartbroken.
All this to say… instead of being vexed and perplexed by the number of my friends who have chosen a lance and a charger over the simplicity of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I too have come to the painful conclusion… that what’s still wrong with the world today… is me.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” ~John 3:16”’
TAVERN TALKS TUESDAYS
I LOVE these guys!
Someone said recently, “Tuesday mornings saved my life.” I know what he means, he means the fellowship with other men honestly seeking a relationship with Jesus has helped him stay on the Path.
Others have said, “This is what church is meant to be.” Honest, open, vulnerable, God stories in the midst of our stories.
It has been encouraging to see how men commit to each other and fellowship in the Lord.
Tavern Talks is about our stories and God’s story. It’s not about perfect people with perfect stories but authentic working out this salvation in our lives.
THIS WEEK: Jesse Weedmon tells his story! Don’t miss it!
Each Tuesday morning at 7am you will find two to three dozen men gathered to hear each other’s stories, to encourage one another, to teach scripture and pray together.
This gathering is at The Mission Cigar & Social in Spring Hill.
Bring your coffee, your Bible, Febreze if you go to the office after, an open mind and open heart. You can purchase a cigar as well to enjoy your first cigar of the day.
We are really grateful to Mark, Monte and Willie for opening up The Mission early each Tuesday and participating in Tavern Talks!
CHRIST IN CULLEOKA
Emily and I love this small but growing group of believers at Sweetwater Church just 10 minutes south of Columbia.
We began pastoring here mid-March.
We have had so many friends come to visit us from
Nashville, Columbia, Spring Hill, Leipers Fork, Franklin, etc.
Some have decided to make this their regular fellowship.
I preach/teach the first three weeks of every month, then one of our younger men preaches the 4th Sunday. On 5th Sundays we encourage families to worship together at home.
In June I will be highlighting some powerful truths from the New Testament letter we call Ephesians: Our Seat, Our Walk, Our Stand.
As believers we do not live from Sunday to Sunday. Church is who we are 24/7; everything that we do in Sunday meetings can be done in every place we occupy on a daily basis. That is thrilling to see! We don't add Jesus to OUR life, he IS our life!
Every person is a minister, every home is a lighthouse, and Sweetwater is a safe harbor (Culleoka means "sweet water," so we are not just talking about our congregation but the city).
We meet at 11:30am in the Glendale Methodist church building at 1423 Culleoka Hwy, five minutes off of I-65 South. Great time to meet for a relaxed Sunday morning!
Some of you have been looking for a New Covenant group to walk with. We welcome you to walk with us.
Looking Up! (Luke 21:28)
Tod Bell
P.S. Hits so close to home!
