It May Be Time For Another Change

You might as well expect it and get ready for it.  Change, that is.  It will happen.  We try to make life simple and easy, yet enjoyable and meaningful.  Sacrifices are made so that we can have the greater benefits tomorrow, or next week, next month or next year, but, as you might already know, things change.  So, in our attempt to accept change, we may decide that we really don't want, nor need the so called benefits that we have been working for.  It seems then, that we have wasted our time and energy, and if we can't accept the change and go with the flow, so to speak, we will likely become frustrated with life in general.

I know that we must put forth or best effort, and when things don't seem to work out properly we must try and try again, and possess a determined spirit.  But, like it or not, sometimes our efforts are only driving us further away from our goal.  Then it's time to accept change and take a new course of action.

I have found that I have been able to adjust to change fairly well.  That doesn't mean that I like change, it just means that I can go with the flow, so to speak, and make life enjoyable to some degree of acceptability.  For example:  When I joined the Air Force, life changed drastically for four years.  When I completed my tour of duty and returned to civilian life, my life changed again.  When I got married, my life changed to never be the same again.  When I lost my wife in an automobile accident, change forced it's way in upon my life.  Then I remarried and started a new journey.  Children came; life changed.  My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer; change.  I was diagnosed with Hepatitis-C; change.  Over and over again, changes come.  We must face it.  Change will come.

All of these changes were happening while I was trying to become a minister of the Gospel.   I had accepted the call to the ministry while still in High School and had set my sails for that 'beautiful isle of somewhere', or at least I had 'visions of sugar-plums dancing in my head'.  Had I not accepted the changes and learned to live with those that I had no power over, I would have most likely been misdirected early in life and probably would have never been ordained to the ministry by any church synod.

Now, I am retired.  WOW!  What a change.  I'm still adjusting to changes.  Doesn't it ever stop?  Yet, there is one more change that I am anticipating.  It is the change from this mortal body to an immortal one, from this corruptible body to an incorruptible one.  I shall be changed, and I will go with the flow, so to speak.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Merry Christmas!

We made it through the Thanksgiving season with rather traditional activities; turkey & dressing, family, special gatherings both at church and home. I think it is sad that we get so excited because of the tinsel and holly surrounding the Christmas season, the gift giving and receiving, Santa, and jingle bells, but do comparably so little when it comes to giving thanks for the many blessings we possess. 

I know that if it wasn't for the Christmas reason for celebrating this season, we really wouldn't have much, of lasting value, to be thankful for. I do love the Christmas season. The Christmas carols, the Christmas plays, the family get-to-gathers, and yes the overeating, are things that I enjoy. As I get older, I find some of the values of these things seem to change, but it is still a great and enjoyable season. 

I'ts important that we understand the reason for the season. Without beating around the bush, I'll tell you that the reason for the season is Jesus, The Christ, The Son of God. We celebrate His birth on December 25th. and that is the reason for the season. Somehow Santa Clause & the reigndeer, elves, trees, lights, trimmings, the snowman, etc., entered into the celebration. To some, that takes away from their idea of a joyous Christmas. To some it seems to add to the celebration. There are some people who do not believe in Santa or Jesus and the whole season is an annoyance to them. I say, every man has the priviledge to choose for himself, but I do hope each and everyone of you will know the joy of the season like I have found it to be with Jesus. I've made my choice: "As for me and my house", we believe that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Just to let you know that I'm still alive!

Looks like my last post was on March 12, 2011, so I may have lost any followers that I had. Well, that’s what happens if you don’t take care of business. This post has no particular theme or topic. It’s just here to let you know that I’m alive and well, and to try to keep this blog up with some life. What would you like to hear about? I’m sure you can find it somewhere on the internet, so why do we post blogs. We do it to give our opinion. We want to be heard. sometimes I actually have something to tell and when I do, I want you to hear it. If I try to speak in a crowded and noisy room, I’ll not be heard, but if I blog, and you read my blog, I will probably have your attention and what I say will be better heard. Too bad I don’t have some real important stuff to tell you, but that’s just the way it is. Really, do you think all those blogs out there have important stuff? Yeah, I guess some of them do, but many do not. Neither does this on have important stuff, so, here it is anyway. You can do with it what you like. Maybe next time I’ll have something to say.

The Final Destination

As I get older, it seems that time passes faster and faster.  It's been almost three months since I last posted a blog on this web site but it seems like it's been much less time than that.  Isn't that the way it is with life?  We wake up on Monday morning and go to bed on Friday night and then we start all over again.  Sometimes it happens so fast that it seems that time overlaps itself and we go to bed on Monday night and wake up on Monday morning.  I guess that's just one of the symptoms of getting older. 
I'm finally realizing that the fast train is moving on, with or without me, so I don't have time to worry about the small stuff.  Some things that used to seem so important to me no longer have that same appeal that they once had.  I think I've learned that all those non-essential, yet enjoyable, things are only there to distract us from the more important, and sometimes undesireable chores.  I think of that song that says, "I can see clearly now.  The rain is gone.  I can see all obstacles in my way."  When I was young I didn't realize that those non-essential, yet enjoyable, things were nothing more than obstacles that would keep me from obtaining a more important benefit - a peaceful life.  I'm not talking about a momentary life, but an eternal life.  Oh, I've had peaceful moments, but they were always interrupted by some non-essential thing that I had placed a lot of value in.  Now, the nearer I get to my final destination, the clearer I can see what is ahead of me.  I don't see all the "things" around me as clearly as I used to, but my destination is getting nearer and clearer every day. 
When I see the younger generation so caught up in the activities of their day, I remember that I used to be a lot like that.  I've even wondered how I did it.  The time does come when we look forward to, with mounting anticipation, the end of the journey.  If I could, I would tell this younger generation to stop worrying about keeping up with their peers, and dare to be different and follow the voice (of God) within.  I don't know how much longer this train ride will continue, but I'm beginning to focus in more and more on the final reward.  It's looking good people.  I'm getting excited.

What will I get Janis for Christmas?

I don't know what my wife wants me to get her for Christmas!  That's the way it is every year.  I know some things that we need but that would not do as a personal gift from me to her.  Even if it was something that she really needed, that still is not what I'm looking for.  I want to get her something that she wants.  You know!  Something like a toy would be for a child.  She's too practical and conservative to buy something frivolous, just for fun.  Oh well!  I guess I'll have to do what I've done so many times before and think of some unique way to surprise her with cash!  Then she can go to the store and buy what she wants to, which will probably be clothes.  I'm glad that I can do that much anyway, and I know that she will be glad to get the cash.

Speaking of Christmas gifts, let me tell you what I already bought myself for Christmas.  It's a Fender, FM-52E SB, Mandolin.  Yep, a mandolin.  No, I don't know how to play it, but I will learn.  I may not learn to play it like Sierra Hull, but I'll learn to play it.  I found it on craigslist for $100.00.  There's not a scratch on it.  I only had to put two strings on it.  I found others just like it on sale elsewhere for $239.00 (MSRP $339.00).  

Well, I'm happy and Janis is happy for me.  Isn't it great to be blessed and able to enjoy the fun things of life.  I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas.

Visit me at www.janwell.com.

God Is Not Through With Me Yet!

I don't know what God has in store for me.  I am retired, but I hear God saying, "I'm not through with you yet."  I was raised in the parsonage, made a sincere profession of faith while very young, and accepted the call to the ministry while still in High School.  I was active in some form of ministry (counting the years that I prepared for ministry) from High School (graduated in 1961), to my last church (2006), except for about six years.  Let's see.....that's about 45 yrs., minus six, equals about 39 yrs.  Of that, about 33 yrs. was spent in pastoral ministry, four yrs. at Lee University (full time), and maybe 1 1/2 yrs. attempting to preach revivals.  I wanted to be an evangelist, but it became obvious, that my calling was not evangelistic.  My calling was to serve the church as pastor.  I did that, and resigned as pastor of the church in 2006.  I retired in 2007, underwent a medical setback for about two years, was called to serve as associate pastor in 2008 and here I am today.  I am serving as an associate pastor, and have as much to do in that position as I desire, but I'm wondering if that is what God wants me to do for the rest of my active years, or does he have something else in mind.  Yes, that could 'fill the bill' when I say that God says that He isn't through with me yet, but I think it involves more.  I presently have one forceful, driving desire - to play my trumpet.  My interest in music has revived and I have written a few new songs and poems, I have developed a new feeling for the piano, and I have shown improvement in other areas of music.  Could it be that God would have me to be active for him, at my age, using my musical abilities?  I'm not a professional musician by any means, but I do enjoy it, and I do use it in ministry from time to time.  I'm 68 yrs. old.  My mother is 89 and she is still living by herself and taking care of her self.  If that is any indication of my life expectancy, then I may have at least 20, or 21 more yrs. to live.  A lot can be done in 20 yrs.  I still seek to know God's will, and to follow Him.  I want to follow Him closely wherever He leads.  I want the remaining yrs. of my life be more effective in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, than any of the previous years of my life. 

Since this blog is a re-post of a blog I posted about 1 1/2 yrs. ago on another website, I have received a few comments on it.  I want to share one of those now.  "I like your spirit of perserverance! Don't overlook the fact that you have a worldwide ministry over the Internet already. I see you on all these sites. You have a gift of encouragement, among many others. With your openness and humility there's no telling what God has ahead. It will be great." -- Dr. Bill 

You know, I have had a growing interest in different aspects of the internet.  Hummmmm!  Maybe there is something there for me.  By the way!  Check out Janwell.com.

What's Right With This World!

In my last blog I said that selfishness was the problem with this world.  I have not changed my mind, but that could be expanded to include the more or less identifiable symptom called greed.  However, I want to change the direction of our thoughts here so that we might see something that is right with this world.

We have just experienced the joy of Thanksgiving.  What a wonderful time of the year.  Now, I don't claim to be a philosopher nor even a teacher, so don't be disappointed if all I'm saying amounts to no more than just revving my engine, but I must yelp about the great time of Thanksgiving that we have just enjoyed at my sister's house here in Cleveland, TN.  We had relatives from Florida, Alabama and Texas and we got to met some new friends from Wears Valley, Tennessee.  The rest of us were from 'close by' Cleveland, TN.  There were about 40 of us.  Some were young and some were old, some were small and some were large, some were of modest means and some were fairing well, some were fit as a fiddle and some were more like Momma's old, antiquated, Stradivarius (copy) Violin, but we all had one common characteristic; we were all happy.  At least everyone seemed happy to me.  We've all experienced sadness and disappointment from time to time, but the good news is that we can got over it.  We didn't have to continue in a sad, despondent, gloomy mood. What fun!  Laughing, singing, reminiscing, and of course eating.

What does this world have to do with that?  Well, this world is the creation of God.  It is a display of His splendor and majesty.  He has created such a beautiful world that even the beauty of it has healing qualities.  There are marvelous healing qualities in the trees and the fruit of the land.  The clean air we breath is a gift from The Creator.  If we only use the "stuff" of this world properly, we would find that everything we need is provided for us by such a caring God, then perhaps, we would know more how to enjoy the good things that this world provides for us because of His care.  We have morning, day time, and night.  We have summer, fall, winter, and spring.  What wonderful mountains and valleys, oceans and springs of fresh, bubbling water.  This world operates according to the laws of nature that God has designed.  And, I could rev my engine more but I believe I'll just let it idle for a while.  There is something right about this world, and I thank God for it.

I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  If you want someone to say a prayer for you, just click on 'Prayer Request' and let me know.  I'll be glad to pray for you.

What's Wrong With This World?

Do you ever feel like this is a crazy world?  What's wrong with it?  Here's a simple and short answer:  It's full of people!  That's right - People!  People are what's wrong with this world.  So, the question should be, "What's wrong with people?"  Do you ever feel like, if people would only listen to what you had to say, this world would be a better place?  Well, I'm going to be truthful with you......I have felt like that a time or two!  But, you know, I've found out that all people are not always going to listen to what I have to say, and even if they did, they would not all do as I say.  You're not surprised by that are you?  Well, the same thing holds true for you too. 

Everybody has their own idea or opinion.  How can we come together on common grounds, so that we can get along with one another and live and let live?  I know that it's a good possibility that somebody is already saying, "I don't believe that 'live and let live' is the right approach to life.  Instead we should require of everybody their own responsibilities and if necessary, punish them if they do not pay up."  Okay.  I don't expect everybody to agree with what I'm saying right here, right now, but, I'm going to tell you what I think is wrong with people anyway.  Are you ready?  Here it is: It's selfishness!  Greed, envy, jealousy, pride and all the other selfish adjectives can pretty well describe what's wrong with the people of this world, and since the people of this world is what's wrong with this world, then the answer to the first question is selfishness. 

I really didn't intend for this blog to sound like I'm preaching at anyone but if it does, so be it.  I might as well invite you to read these scriptures that are taken from the Holy Bible, the Contemporary English Version:

Jude 1:16-19  ...People grumble and complain and live by their own selfish desires. They brag about themselves and flatter others to get what they want.  My dear friends, remember the warning you were given by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.  They told you that near the end of time, selfish and godless people would start making fun of God.  And now these people are already making you turn against each other. They think only about this life.....

2 Peter 3:3  ...First you must realize that in the last days some people won't think about anything except their own selfish desires.....

James 3:16  Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things.

Galatians 5:19-21  People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds.  They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom.

1Corinthians 13:3-8  What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.  Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn't selfish or quick tempered. It doesn't keep a record of wrongs that others do.  Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil.  Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting.  Love never fails!

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This

Did you ever have one of those days when everything hit you at once, or when everything just came together so perfectly?  We tend to quickly blame somebody or something, or maybe even God when it's things we don't like, but do we express thankfulness when it's things we do like?  I've had a mixture of those kind of things lately.  Mama Said  there'd be days like this! (Ya gotta click on "Mama Said")  My first tendency was to be upset about a leaky roof, a faulty air conditioning system, a major drain clog, and a leaky jeep radiator, just to name the recent, prominent things, but here is the fact at this very moment:  I am living comfortably in my home with my beautiful wife, I've got clothes to wear and food to eat, the vehicle that sits out in my carport is dependable and ready for tomorrow, and God loves me!


The few brief and small rains we have had in the past months have not been heavy enough to assure me that the leaky roof is no longer a problem, and I have reason to believe that the roof still leaks.  Nevertheless, I know that the story of my leaky roof is not over yet.  It is still being written.  But for now I am dry.  Although my air conditioner is doing a very nice job now, I still owe a little more payment for the work that was done.  The plumber who repaired my drain line turned out to be someone that was a pleasure to meet and I would not have met him if it had not been for the drain problem.  The leaky radiator in my jeep has highlighted the excellent graciousness of one of my brother-in-laws and nephews.  What a blessing to be in such a great family.  This all begs to mention the Bible verse that says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)


Mama and Daddy both said a lot of things that I disregarded when I was young.  I wish I could recall every one of those bits of wisdom.  Well, Fred, Wil, Bonita and Donice, (my siblings) we still have our mama today, and I'd say that she still has a few bits of wisdom to share with us.  Some of it we heard yesterday and we will hear it again tomorrow, but for now, I think I'll listen to what Mama said.  

Together Again!

Today is a day to be remembered by the Brannen family - by the Louis A. Brannen family, that is.  On this day, after more than 50 years, all of the original Louis A. Brannen family that are still living, have addresses in the same city.  That city happens to be Cleveland, TN. 

About 55 years ago we all lived in the same three bedroom, shotgun house that was the parsonage for the church that daddy pastored in New Orleans, LA.  Daddy was a minister and pastored churches.  We moved a lot.   I used to look at moving to another place as an adventure, full of excitement and expectation with apprehension.  One or two years in any one location was not uncommon, but Dad stayed in New Orleans for four years.  Now, about the time we left New Orleans, my oldest brother, Fred, joined the U S Coast Guard after finishing high school in Cleveland, TN at Lee Academy.  I can't remember if he joined the Guard While we were still in N.O. or if it was after we left there in 1956 when we moved to Ooltewah, TN.  Ooltewah is only about 15 miles from Cleveland.  Fred was was the first one of our clan to leave the "fold". 

The next of the Brannen's who flew away from the "coop" was my next to the oldest sibling, Wil, who also completed his high school education at Lee Academy and joined the U S Coast Guard shortly thereafter.  I'm not positive about the exact times these events took place but I do remember that we moved from Ooltewah, TN, after being there only one year, to Smithville, TN where I started high school at DeKalb County High School in 1957.  I do remember for certain, that I had my own bedroom in that house.

That left two of us kids under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad - Me and my sister, Bonita.  We stayed in Smithville for only one year and then we moved back to Louisiana to the city of Monroe.  Monroe is the city I have often referred to as my home town.  While living there, I graduated from Ouachita Parish High School, I began my ministry with the Church of God, I began my college career at Lee University in Cleveland, TN, I joined the U S Air Force, I met my first wife, Vera Gail Welch, and I met my second wife, and we are still married after 37 years.  A lot of reasons to call Monroe my home, and Bonita has probably just as many and even more reasons to call Monroe her home, but she too now lives in Cleveland, TN. 

The three of us boys were at one time separated from each other as far as Corpus Christi, TX, is from Nairobi, Kenya, Africa, is from Lake Charles, La, is from Corpus Christi, TX, and Bonita was in West Monroe, LA.  At some point during that span of time, Mom and Dad were in Tennessee.  I heard my Mom say that we were all in different states, except that Fred was in Africa.  To say the least, we have been scattered.

While I was still in high school, there was another sibling added to the family, Donice.  She lived with Mom and Dad mostly in Louisiana and then attended, Lee College in Cleveland, TN, where she became engulfed with Tennessee culture and made Tennessee here home.  She now lives in Cleveland, TN.  As a matter of fact, so does Fred, Bonita and myself.  Oh, don't forget my Mom.  She moved here too, after Dad passed away over eleven years ago while they were living in Athens, TN.  That put us all here in Cleveland except for Wil.

Today, Wil is moving to Cleveland, TN.  He is here with some of his belongings and the moving van is to be here tomorrow.  It's been about 50 years but it is amazing how things turn around.  Time goes on and things change.  I don't know how long it will remain this way, but while it is this way, I plan to enjoy it.  Who knows?  It might be that the Brannen Brothers will become something of value, or it might be the Brannen Family that becomes renown.  There is already a Branham Family of note here in Cleveland but if you noticed, the spelling is different.  BRANNEN and BRANHAM!  The Branham Family Singers are really good.  What will the Brannen Family or Brannen Brothers be?  Who knows.  Anyway, we are all here together.  Look out Cleveland, TN!