September 18th, 2025
by Mark McAdow
by Mark McAdow
By Pastor Mark McAdow
Do you remember a parent saying that to you? Or maybe you saying it to one of your kids? Every healthy relationship is built on trust.
On Tuesday at staff meeting, Pastor Scott led us in the game of “Two Truths and a Lie.” Each person did just that and we tried to decide what the lie was. I wasn’t any good at it. I got one right out of three. Scott shared a testimony of an unnamed source (Scott?) that I thought you might like to read. There is some definite truth in it for all of us!
Today’s truth: There is freedom in telling the truth. (Last Wednesday, Charlie Kirk wore a T-shirt with one word on it: Freedom.) In our evil world it may just cost you your life, but your integrity and witness will live on!
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Yours in the love of Jesus,
Pastor Mark
PS: Wasn’t it great to worship together last Sunday and share a picnic lunch with our Willow View family?! Thanks to all who came, brought and cooked food, served, cleaned up and shared in Christian fellowship. It’s one of my favorite Sundays of the year when we are all together! Special thanks to our Congregational Care Team for providing the opportunity. We’ll do it again on Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
Do you remember a parent saying that to you? Or maybe you saying it to one of your kids? Every healthy relationship is built on trust.
On Tuesday at staff meeting, Pastor Scott led us in the game of “Two Truths and a Lie.” Each person did just that and we tried to decide what the lie was. I wasn’t any good at it. I got one right out of three. Scott shared a testimony of an unnamed source (Scott?) that I thought you might like to read. There is some definite truth in it for all of us!
I used to lie, a lot.
No, they weren’t huge lies, just small ones. I’d stretch the truth a bit about what happened when I was out with friends, so my mom didn’t freak out when I got home. I’d exaggerate when telling a story to make myself look better to my friends. I knew telling big lies was wrong, but how about small ones that got me in trouble and didn’t hurt anyone?
Maybe you’re like me and have gotten into a bad habit of telling lots of harmless small lies. Or maybe you flat out tell huge whopping lies. It honestly doesn’t matter. Lying isn’t good and it isn’t godly. So, if you’ve found yourself trapped in the habit of lying, take a moment to step back. Honestly look at yourself and your motivation for lying. Are you trying to make yourself look better? Cover an insecurity? Or something else? For me, the root of my lying habit was insecurity and selfishness. I didn’t want to look bad or get in trouble, so I’d tell a lie.
Once I confronted my motivation for lying, it made it easier for me to kick the habit. I realized that I needed to tell the truth even if it meant I got in trouble. I needed to tell the truth even if it meant that others didn’t look at me as favorably.
No, they weren’t huge lies, just small ones. I’d stretch the truth a bit about what happened when I was out with friends, so my mom didn’t freak out when I got home. I’d exaggerate when telling a story to make myself look better to my friends. I knew telling big lies was wrong, but how about small ones that got me in trouble and didn’t hurt anyone?
Maybe you’re like me and have gotten into a bad habit of telling lots of harmless small lies. Or maybe you flat out tell huge whopping lies. It honestly doesn’t matter. Lying isn’t good and it isn’t godly. So, if you’ve found yourself trapped in the habit of lying, take a moment to step back. Honestly look at yourself and your motivation for lying. Are you trying to make yourself look better? Cover an insecurity? Or something else? For me, the root of my lying habit was insecurity and selfishness. I didn’t want to look bad or get in trouble, so I’d tell a lie.
Once I confronted my motivation for lying, it made it easier for me to kick the habit. I realized that I needed to tell the truth even if it meant I got in trouble. I needed to tell the truth even if it meant that others didn’t look at me as favorably.
The freedom I experienced when I stopped lying was amazing. I realized that there was freedom in telling the truth. So today, choose to tell the truth regardless of what it costs you.
Today’s truth: There is freedom in telling the truth. (Last Wednesday, Charlie Kirk wore a T-shirt with one word on it: Freedom.) In our evil world it may just cost you your life, but your integrity and witness will live on!
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Yours in the love of Jesus,
Pastor Mark
PS: Wasn’t it great to worship together last Sunday and share a picnic lunch with our Willow View family?! Thanks to all who came, brought and cooked food, served, cleaned up and shared in Christian fellowship. It’s one of my favorite Sundays of the year when we are all together! Special thanks to our Congregational Care Team for providing the opportunity. We’ll do it again on Thanksgiving Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025.
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