Grace

Believer...

Jesus died once. His blood cleansed our conscience "from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14). His sacrifice did away with sin permanently (Hebrews 9:26). He carried out the will of His Father. He finished His work.

In Jesus's selfless act, God condemned sin. He judged it and punished it by pouring out His wrath on Jesus. The Lamb of God died in my place and your place.

Two thousand years ago, God remembered your sins. Because of the worth and power of the blood of Jesus. God remembered them no more. Your debt is paid in full.

This is what God has done with your sins. He removed your sins. He sent them away. He is remembering them no more. This is forgiveness.

This is the gift of Grace.

- Simple Gospel Simply Grace by Bob Christopher

Acorn Art! : )

Acorn art has new home. : )







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Acorn art (aka time spent with Nick while he works on the She Shed).- Nick Ellison

Happy Thanksgiving!

Give thanks to The Lord, our God and King! His love endures forever!

Psalm 103:17
But the Lord's mercy is from age to age,
toward those who fear Him.
His salvation is for the children's children.

Nick and Stitches!

Biking the trails- Thanksgiving Day!

Looks like Pops-to-be is getting stitches (7 stitches at the ER). Mountain biking. Metal bridge. Glad I'm a runner!

 

Grandparents!

Guess who's going to be GRANDPARENTS!

·

Nick and I were so excited about being grandparents (July 2016) we bought a Ford Escape- I mean, really, grandparents can't handle all that bending down putting a baby in a carseat can they?

Today I am thankful for so many things but the thing I am most thankful for is the tiny blessing that Ben and I will have with us next year! We have prayed and longed for a sweet baby of our own and the Lord has answered our prayers!
Thank you lord for YOUR timing and your goodness!- Allison Ellison Wofford

Cody- Turkey Trot champ 2 years!

Cody won the Spartanburg Turkey Trot- 2 years in a row!

If you look close you can see him right behind the reporter, he is bouncing up and down....

/http://wspa.com/2015/11/26/thousands-participate-in-thanksgiving-day-races/

Momentary and Light Afflictions

I woke up this morning with the words, "momentary and light afflictions" in my heart and mind.  I thought, "momentary and light"?  That's not how the world is feeling right now.

These afflictions FEEL unending and dark and heavy.  Paris killings.  A young pastor's pregnant wife brutally murdered.  A 7 year old brutally murdered.  A young mother killed in a car wreck right before the Holidays.  A family grieving the unexpected death of their baby.  A dear friend still grieving and experiencing a deeper grief. Family members lost in the world of drugs.  Brokenness.  Defeat.  Depression.  It just doesn't seem to end.

I asked God, "How are these people handling this?  Where are You?  How are You "working" through all this?"  I can't imagine the pain- deep aching pain- these families are feeling.  As I laid in bed my heart ached and I clicked through my mind of the young husband and grieving parents and siblings, of the parents whose daughter has been brutalized in a moments time, of the husband and young children who lost their mother yesterday in a car accident- HOW, HOW, HOW God are You going to work "good" in all this?

And He spoke to me, "You've been there.  How have I worked "good" in your life?"

But God, "That was 36 years ago.  I was so young and little."

"But you've been there.  You've experienced deep loss.  What has that light and momentary affliction produced in you?"

And yes, as I think, once again...and again..and again over the last 15 year of finding my healing in Jesus.  And more especially in the last 7 years of allowing Him to set the captive free and BE my Healer.   Brokeness- made complete and whole.  Defeat replaced with Victory.  Depression/oppression released and filled with joy and peace.

"while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, bu the things which are not seen are eternal.  For we KNOW that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven." (2 Cor 4 &5)

Our hope is not in this world of grief, sadness and despair.  This world, temporal, has NOTHING to offer us.  We can only find our life, joy and peace in Jesus.  Not Mohammad.  Not Budda.  Not any cult or religion.  Not in our spouse.  Not our children.  Not our opinions or thoughts.  Not getting all our wants or needs.  NOTHING.

Paul said, "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3)

This world is not our (born again believers in Jesus Christ) home.  This body is not our eternal dwelling.  They both will perish.

Someday, this temporal "earthsuit" I currently live in will die.  And my true eternal self will no longer be confined in it.  My true eternal self (spirit and soul) with a glory to be revealed.  Yet not on this earth.  But with my Creator in whose image I was created.  

I KNOW.  And I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me- and the life I live in this physical body and on this earth I live BY the FAITH of the Son of God, my beloved Jesus, who loves me and gave His life for me- that I can LIVE despite the "momentary and light afflictions".  (Galatians 2:20) 

Monday morning...

Nick- when he kissed me goodbye this morning, "Bundle up when you go running this morning- it's cold."

Ah now, that's love : )

It's 25 degrees out.

117 days until Spring!

 

I've got TWO crazy work days ahead of me.  I might even miss the Operation Christmas Child packing party at our church.  : (  Hopefully the two hunting clubs I clean won't be too bad and I can get them finished quickly on Tuesday for the packing party at 6:30.  I hope so! 

Sounds like TODAY

How many sermons have we heard on the Jewish people rejecting Jesus?

"They wanted the Messiah to deliver them from Rome. They wanted food for their tummies. Jesus has given them instead the message of life. They wanted utopia and He gave them a cross, and the masses are going to walk away. You know, it's an incredible thing. Why did they follow Him? It was because they wanted to hear His words , and they wanted to see His works. So what does He do? He does the work and gives them His words. And what do they do? They walk away."- Johnie Grainger

And 2000+ years later.....

My most used words on Facebook : )

  

This week....

I am super excited to about this coming week.  While home in Kentucky my Dad found a letter my grandfather, Johnie Cleary, began writing to a preacher.   I do not know if this was a copy and he sent another letter or if he just didn't send the letter.  It is 12 pages and in his own hand.  There is also a 7 page written testimony of his, which he entitled, "Some High Points In My Experience with God".  I do not know when he wrote the testimony but I know he wrote the letter on January 13, 1963. 

At the time of writing the letter Grandpa was 68 years old.  It is hard to read in some areas but I hope to get more familiar with his handwriting and able to correctly copy it.  He had some questions for the preacher.  It's funny- here he was 68 and some things in the Bible he was struggling with.  I have to say, I am his granddaughter- for it is some of the things I have struggled with.  But I do want to say, I have found my answers.  I don't know if Grandpa ever did.

What he was "seeking, searching" to understand is nothing to do with his salvation.  It actually had to do with "movements" at that particular time.  I will go more into this this week.

But here are a few snippets of wise and beautiful words that fill my heart with joy!

One of my favorite verses- My Grandpa Cleary's paraphrase and handwriting.
2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  (NASB)

 

 Grandpa's "Find a Grave"

A wonderful weekend in Kentucky!

A sunny surprised-filled day.

Cody surprised us by driving up to Kentucky for his birthday weekend!

Cody and Dad.

 

My Cody's 23rd Birthday!

Happy 23rd Birthday Cody Aaron Ellison! "Friday's child is loving and giving"

We are so proud of you- and these last couple of months we have seen the fruit of years of hard work and dedication.

In a month, you will graduate college. You started coaching your first cross country team AND you started a new job!

Just this week you bought your first car!

Cody- it takes what you have inside of you to do all that. You're a man now- not just a boy in man's body. Dad and I are so proud of the man that you are. We love you!

A special thanks to Eric S. Jolly- thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done for Cody. He couldn't have made it through college without you and we are so thankful for your kindness and friendship with him.

: )

Jesus- my Life!

I see these slogans like "Keep Christ in Christmas" and I think...well, why not simply allow Him to be Himself in our every moment? Let's celebrate Jesus every day!

... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith- Hebrews 12:2

Jesus is More Than just a couple of months of trees, music, gifts, decorations, lights and food.

He wants to be your very life.

Colossians 3:1-4 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

8 years ago today!

Starla Ellison shared Allison Ellison Wofford's photo.

8 years ago today a young man walked in our church- Allison Ellison Wofford took one look at him and that was that. I vividly remember her sitting in the pew in front of me and looking at me saying one word, "Mama".

Later that evening the doorbell rang at the house the youth group was meeting- and a voice came to my mind, "If it's that boy, she'll marry him." It must have been the voice of God.

Marry they did- June 16, 2012- in the same church they met.

And I couldn't be a happier Mama.

I love you Ben Wofford. You are a brother to Cody and Johnie- and a son to Nick Ellison and me. You are a blessing and we are so thankful for you.

Happy Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day! Nick Ellison 1986  Harold Cleary (196?)

Happy 70th Birthday Connie!

Happy Birthday to the most special and dearest woman in my life. Connie Beasley, I thank God for you! God took this broken, motherless woman and gave me- you. A mother. One that loves me, prays for/with me, speaks truth into me, laughs with me, worships with me, LOVES my husband and children, bakes the best coca cola cakes and loves British shows- as I do! 

Not only have you been a wonderful mother and mentor- momtor- but you have been the heart, hands and feet of Jesus to me. My intimacy with Christ is as vibrant and sustaining as it is because I follow your lead.

Connie, you have filled a a brokenness in me. Your deep and abiding love for me filled and sealed all the holes, cracks and valleys inside of me. I needed the true love of a mother. When God wove me together in my Mom's womb- He knew I would only have her a short time. He knew I would ache and long for the love and guidance of a mother. And at just the right time, in just the right place- (12 years ago!) He brought us together.

And Connie- I wouldn't have it any other way. I would go through all the years of sadness, longing and sorrow over and over just to have you in this life with me.

I love you, Happy 70th!

Looking for something....

I lived most of my life looking for something...just around the corner.

I was always having to have something to look forward to.

When I became a believer, this kind of intensified in my life.  It became more of an emotional high- but the downfall to this is there is always a low.  What comes up must come down.   

That's why I was always so discontent.  I was always living ON an emotional roller coaster.

Then Jesus became my life- and He made plain to me that is now how He wants me to live.  Not up or down.  

He wants me to be steady.  To roll along- as I trust Him.  Now, the circumstances in my life may go UP or DOWN but that doesn't mean I do.  

Maybe that's why Christians always have to have something to DO.  Not so much about serving God but about having to fill that emptiness in their life and have something to look forward to- something right around the corner.  

My friend, Pastor Dave Loser, said this: "The greatest need we have is life."  

I tried to find life- right around the corner.  I tried to find life on a constant emotional roller coaster.  I tried to find life in everything that could never give me REAL life.  

"Jesus wants you to have a great life while you are here.  Abundant and full."- Dave Loser

JESUS is life.  He is the only life. If you want real life...then you need Jesus.  

John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.  In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 3:15, 16
so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life....whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:36
He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.

John 5:21

For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.

John 5

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; 40 and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.

John 6:35,48

I am the bread of life.

John 6:63

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.

John 8:12

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 11:25

I am the resurrection and the life

John 14:6

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

John 17:3

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 20:31

but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

Acts 17:25

He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things

Romans 8:11

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

1 Corinthians 15:45

The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Colossians 3:4

Christ, who is our life,

2 Timothy 1:10

but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

2 Peter 1:3

seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

1 John 1:1-3

 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life— 2 and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 5:11-13
And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

1 John 5:20
And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’

Revelation 22:17

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Voices

There sure are a lot of voices trying to get my/your attention. 

Sin. Flesh. The world. Satan. 

Well meaning yet scripturally and spiritually illiterate people, pastors, teachers, friends, family, books, videos, movies, audio, songs, etc and etc. 

But there is only One Voice which speaks to me/you that is Truth. 

How can we know THE Voice amongst all the noise?

When my children were little and through their years- I came to know their voice amongst all others. Why?  Because I know that child intimately. From the way he/she breathes to how they walk through a room. I know their scent, their cry, their laughter. I SENSE their fears, their joys and their cares. I KNOW these kids because I've loved them, rocked them, spanked them, prayed for them, yelled at them, whispered sweet words to them- I've held them within my body as God wove them together in my womb. 

I've lived life with them. 

And they- by the same way- living life with me- know my voice. 

That's how I know my Father's voice.  The voice of my Shepherd. 

Living life intimately with Him and IN Him. 

Abiding. 

Whose voice do you hear? Listen to?

Beautiful Harvest

First half marathon since April 2014!

Some days are just unpredictable. They start same ole same ole but- then you go out for your morning run and you feel pretty good.

Then you think- "Well, the most I've ran the last 1.5 years is 9.5 miles. Maybe I could run 10 today."

Now- I run almost every day- usually 3,4,5 miles. But since the marathon in 2014 I lost all interest in distance running. I run because I like to start my day with a run. I just feel better.

But today- everything just came together. Cloudy, cool and misty.

And I ran my first 13.1 (half marathon) since April of 2014.

It just felt good.

Now- I gotta go to work. My goodness, I hope I can mop that floor. : )

Will Gunter- GracePointe Ministries

THE GUNTER'S
FALL 2015




"There's only one way left to go..."

Aaaahhh!!!, Here we are again! Which way do I go? Do I strain and strive to try and figure it out? Do I try to make something happen in my own strength? Do I manipulate my circumstances to try and make them work out in my favor? I've tried, believe me I have tried, but that path will not work for me anymore. God will not let it work for me. I have tried to reason with Him on "this", but He will not reason back. There is only one path left for me, for all of us really. It is the path of trusting God. This is the only path where we get to be who we truly are and we get to experience God as He truly is. I am not going to lie, this path can be scary at times and hard, but it is the only path to experiencing real life. Jesus said...
"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few." - Matthew 7:13

I love trail running. The trails have become a personal "sanctuary" of sorts. It is the one place where I can clear my mind and that I often hear God's voice. After the heavy rain falls we got just a few weeks back I was "itching to hit the trails. It had only been a few days since the rain stopped. I expected it to be pretty muddy, but that didn't faze me. I was up for the adventure. As I reached the bottom of the main trail I took a hard right and after about ten yards I discovered that it wasn't just muddy, but the trails were completely flooded. I couldn't go any further, so I turned back. This time I ran to the left and it was the same scene. The trails were completely flooded and there was no where to run. I reasoned, "There's only one way left to go." I would have to turn and go back up the same trail I first came down. In that moment I had this deep sense that God was saying something personal to me. It was as if He was inviting me back up the trail to be with Him. Interestingly enough, and I wouldn't think about this until later, the name of that trail is "Center Line." This was God's invitation back to the "center."

Over the past year I have been on a personal quest, if you will, for clarity. There are several variables that play into this. To make a long story short, I know what I am passionate about and the truths that God has called me to share. I have been getting opportunities to walk in my calling through discipling indidviduals and some teaching as well. At the same time there is this "haunting" or "wooing" inside of me that leads me to believe there is more. As John Eldredge writes, "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard all that God has in store for his lovers, which does not mean, "we have no clue so don't even try to imagine," but rather, you cannot outdream God." In other words, I do have a clue, I am just not certain what it is suppose to look like going forward.

Allow me to be honest for a moment, my seeking clarity as of late has become a bit unhealthy. Perhaps I momentarily lost sight of the bigger picture allowing myself to get wrapped up in my own smaller drama. The majority of my time with God shifted from just "enjoying Him" to attempting to figure out my future. I have been more occupied with the "things of God" rather than "God Himself." Each time I would go there I found myself in a cycle of frustration, discouragement, and even feelings of depression. I know this is not what God desires for me. So, I began praying something along these lines, "God, there are so many voices coming at me, my voice, the flesh, others, the world, the enemy, but I need to hear Your voice alone. The question is not what I want to do, or what others would like to see me do, but God what do you want to do through me?" Recently, in a state of frustration and confusion, I cried out to God once more; "God, I don't know what to do! You are going to have to help me! What do You want me to do?" He answered and I heard Him loud and clear. His voice was sure and kind at the same time. With these words an inner Amen and a sense of peace rose up in me..., "Stop trying to figure it out, let it go, and simply come be with Me."

"Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God." - Psalm 46:10 (Amplified)

In a matter of moments he began clearly laying out His plan...
"I want you to take a time of Sabbatical and simply be with Me for a little while. Have a conversation with your wife. Talk with a couple of people that you trust for confirmation. Ask your brother about working with him during this season. Communicate your heart with Rob, your ministry partner. Seek out some counseling for yourself."

Every step that I took was confirmed with a clear "Yes, this is Me that you heard." Each person that I have shared my heart with including my ministry partner, Rob Nelson has met me with affirmation, grace, and full support. God has opened the door for me to work as my little brothers helper doing heating and air work to provide for my family. I also plan and have already made arrangements to go to counseling while I am on Sabbatical. I have counseled many, but have never officially sat in the other chair. Mark Maulding, President of Grace Life International who counsels pastors and ministry leaders has agreed to meet with me to help me work through some of my own emotional "stuff" as well as to be a guide as I seek clarity for the future.

I believe that God is leading me into this time of Sabbatical to gain His perspective and to recover my heart going forward. During this season there are three specific things I believe He is desiring to do in me. One, He is calling me into a time of focussed intimacy with Him. Secondly, He wants to reveal and heal some "stuff" in me. Lastly, He will give me clarity for the future without any "self-effort" on my part. This quote from the book Sacred Romance by John Eldredge says it best...

"At this place on our journey, we face a wide and deep chasm that refuses us passage through self-effort. And it is God's intention to use this place to eradicate the final heart walls and obstacles that separate us from him."

I also believe that He is desiring for me to know and experience Him in two specific ways in this season. One, as "Adonai", my Lord and Master. This is about relationship and His total posssession of me and my total submission to Him. Secondly, as "Jehovah Rapha", the Lord that heals Spirit, soul, and body (The Names of the Lord, Grace Life International).

I want to be clear in saying, I am not quitting the ministry, resigning, or giving up. I have no desire or intentions of quitting. If anything, I am more excited than I have been in a while to discover what God will do in and through me in this next season.

For those of you reading this who love, encourage, support, and pray for me and my family I want you to know how grateful I am for you. Many never get the freedom to take this journey with our God. Because of you I am able to follow Him where I sense He is leading me. I am able to be the unique expression of Christ's life that He created me to be. You mean more to us than you may ever know.
As I take this step of faith in obedience I ask you to continue to pray for me and my family. Pray that I would know and experience God more intimately, that I would continue to find personal healing, and that I would discover how Jesus wants to live in and through me going forward.

IN THE MEANTIME...
I led a men's retreat for Arrowwood Baptist Church at Camp McCall in September and had a blast. God is still working through this event. I recently started meeting with one of the young men that attended and I plan to continue meeting with him even during my time of Sabbatical. Our ministry is also hosting an Advanced Discipleship Training working along with Grace Life International and Abundant Grace International. This past Monday night I had the opportunity to teach the "Intimacy with God" lecture, one of my favorite topics.

If time permits I plan to continue attending the Monday night lectures for my own personal healing and growth. I will also lead my own men's retreat November 13-14 with a group of men I have counseled or have a personal relationship with. The theme for this weekend is, "Inside Out" and will answer the question, "does my sin get resolved through my "self-effort", or by trusting the One who lives in me now." Brandon Moore, a friend and attendee of the men's retreat is helping me to develop a curriculum for the retreat and so far it is coming together wonderfully. Rick Brown, a long time family friend is hosting us at his lake house at Lake Greenwood. It is an absolutely beautiful setting and the perfect place for men to get away, fellowship, fish, and hear from God. I am excited to see what God will do in each of our lives.

If you have any questions for me please do not hesitate to contact me by phone, or email. I would be more than happy to answer any questions or concerns that you may have. If time allows I would even be willing to sit down with you for lunch or a cup of coffee. Also, let us know how we can continue to pray for and stand with you.

I am giving myself anywhere between three to six months to allow God to work in me and to give me a clear direction going forward. I have already verbally spoken to a few of my financial supporters and they are choosing to continue to give during this season. You are of course under no obligation. Please do what you sense Jesus wants to do through you in this regard. I will be doing minimal "ministry" activities. Most of my time will be working, focussing on intimacy with God, getting counsel, and seeking His direction. Over the course of this season I plan to keep you updated as to where I am and what I sense God is teaching and showing me.

As a friend recently reminded me, "Wherever you "go" and whatever you "do" you take yourself with you. Whether I am doing "ministry" activity or manual labor I am Christ in Will Gunter. I believe He will continue to live in me and bare His fruit through during this time of Sabbatical. After all life is ministry. Who knows, He may even do more abundantly than I ask or imagine! He is kind of like that. He is Good!!!

His Grace Is Enough,
Will Gunter,
wg.gracepointe@yahoo.com
864-590-0607

GracePointe Ministries is a faith-based donor supported 501c3 non-profit organization. If you are not currently a supporter and would like to become one or would like to make a donation you can do so by making your checks payable to GracePointe Ministries, Inc for Will Gunter and send to mailing address 225 Basswood Drive Roebuck, SC 29376