Fran Trascritti culture, gospel, Jesus

The Time is Now: Wake Up

Romans 13:11–12, Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

The feeds on my social media platform are filled with news of violence and shootings: another school shooting, a young girl brutally murdered on a train, a frame-by-frame video of Charlie Kirk getting shot, and all of it coming at once. It’s an information overload, and when you add in the many wars, political conflicts, and endless vitriol that exist in the world today, it’s overwhelming.

And we must admit one truth that sums up all that we see and hear: Evil exists in our world, and it has permeated everything. We are in darkness and in the night.

Life is fragile, and evil is real, and an existence can be ended by a virus or by an assassin’s knife or bullet. Despite many being desensitized by the media we consume, there is still a reality that life is precious and tenuous. The world is not some virtual place. Instead, it’s real, and it’s a dark, often chaotic place, with injustices and intolerable pain all around. And in this reality of the world we live in, no justification, no drama, no snarky politicizing matters.

We are in the same state: we live in a world where death, destruction, and chaos reign for the present time, and, unfortunately, no new laws, no new movements will change that significantly. And why is that? Because, to borrow a phrase from history, “We have met the enemy and the enemy is us.” No man-made action or reaction can cure the enemy of sin within us.

Sin reigns in the world, and it breeds chaos, killings, and a sea of violence. No one is immune from its power, no one is free of its influence. We sin because we are sinful, and though we pick our own pet sins to lobby against, the truth is all sin is vile, horrific, and endlessly destructive. Left to our own, we maim, injure, and hurt ourselves and others. And along the way, we justify it, doing mental gymnastics to excuse it, and even normalize it. We feel so enlightened and proud, and yet we are participants in the common destruction around us because of our sin. Our pride leads us to our doom. This is the way of the world and of the evil one, and this has been the way since the Garden.

But don’t miss the point that there is hope. While no law, movement, or politician can ever save us from ourselves, the eternal God-man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, can. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. He came to restore what is the will of God, bringing a reconciliation between God and man, changing the future of each individual in a corrupted and decaying world.

It is this Jesus who snatched life from death, eternity from the temporal, and has brought hope to the despondent. This Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again, was witnessed by many who refused to deny it even under the threat of death. This Jesus, who many mock, came to save the world, and He is available for anyone to receive Him as Lord and Savior. This Jesus, who stands against evil and the chaos of its effects, brings peace, life, and hope to a lost and dying world.

Yes, this Jesus. And He calls you to wake from your sleep and become one of His own.

You don’t have to be alone in your sins, alone in the fear of the world’s random acts of violence. You don’t have to be a slave to the anxiety that rages within you or the depression that covers over you. Jesus is here and takes you through what you experience as a broken human in a broken world. He made a way for you to change your life and direction for the future. He made a way for your forgiveness, your restoration, and your eternal future with Him.

Receive or rededicate yourself to Him. It’s a life change you will never regret, a change that affects the world now and heaven tomorrow. A life change for eternity.

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Devotional, God's Goodness, intimacy, Seeking God

Even in the darkest of times…

And after this Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days.        —Job 42:16-17 ESV

Above all, Job finished well. His horrific physical, emotional, and mental anguish did not destroy his spiritual walk with God. Despite his counsel to the contrary, Job never cursed God, never blamed God, and he never gave up. He ran the race, and he ran it well.

At the end of the day, Job lived a life full of days. He lived 140 years beyond his episodes of misery, and he enjoyed the blessings of seeing and interacting with four generations that came after him. A life well lived, a life that serves as an example to us even today.

But it wasn’t Job’s goodness that make this end so well, it was because of the grace of a comforting, faithful God. The test Job endured was because God knew Job could endure. God’s grace was made perfect in times of Job’s weakness, and times of his strength was made because of God’s presence and power. Though it may have felt like it, God never left Job, protecting his life from the evil one, softening each blow until the right time in order to demonstrate His sovereignty and might. This is why we can say that Job ended well because of the goodness of God.

You may be going through a test of sorts. It may be the darkest of times for you. Sure, it may not be a test to the extent of Job’s, but it may feel that way. If so, let me encourage you: Rest in the comfort of the Lord, draw on His strength, cry out to Him for comfort, and trust in His power. He brings joy in the morning, light in the darkness, and hope to difficult times. He is surely with you even today so you, too, can finish well.

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, discipleship, gospel, Jesus, ministry

It’s Just Not the Same…

A few years ago during the time of Covid, Major League Baseball, like any other professional sports, had a problem. They wanted to resume playing, but they viewed that having fans in the stands was a risk to spreading the virus further. Their solution was to put cutouts of smiling fans, simulating a crowd, complete with a crowd noise, in an attempt to make it all feel “normal.”

Yet it was, of course, far from normal. It just wasn’t the same thing and might have been a bitter reminder of the daily environment the world had been experiencing. The stands remained lifeless: there was no participation and no human interaction. In fact, the games felt empty, contrived, and cold.

This was an admirable attempt, but like it or not, fans are a part of the game. And nothing would ever replace the human element of a baseball fan. Fans change the game in a variety of ways.

As believers, we are not just cardboard spectators on the sideline. We are part of God’s work, His workmanship designed to do His work once we come to Christ. We take the gospel and bring it to the masses, changing hearts, lives, and eternity.

John the Baptist said as much when He confronted the Pharisees, who pridefully boasted about their supposed top tier place in the Kingdom:

Matthew 3:9 ESV, “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.”

In other words, don’t think so highly of yourselves, because after all, God can make replacements who do what you do out of rocks! Pedigrees mean nothing concerning the Kingdom. Instead, repent and bear fruit in accordance with your newfound faith.

Continuing this thought, then, just sitting in the crowd means nothing. Isaiah 40:15 ESV says,

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.”

Get off the sideline, because just being in the crowd might feel safe and secure for the moment, but it really is empty. Anyone and everyone can be in the crowd (after all, it is a crowd). Jesus called this state following  the wide path that leads to destruction, while He offers a more narrow way that leads to life. Being a part of Jesus means stepping out of what feels comfortable and secure and going to what is truly safe and secure.

God is calling His people to an active, vibrant life in Him. Is this life going to be perfect? Nope. Uncomplicated? Of course not. But as God calls you to a life with hope and peace and you follow Him, your life will change forever. After all, it’s only through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross and His grace that leads to everlasting life. And it’s available to all who call on Him.

Let this encourage you to step and stretch yourself in Him like never before. Step out of the crowd. Step into an abundant life in Christ. Step into bearing fruit from your repentant heart and soul.

To God be the glory!

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti discipline, intimacy, Jesus

What a Facebook Break looks like—and it’s not what you would expect…

About a month ago, I felt like screens were overtaking my life. I had just come off of a wonderfully relaxing vacation, and as I thought about the prospect of going back to my usual routine, I felt convicted. My greatest concern was that I just spent too much time in front of screens and not enough time to reflect, read, and pray.

So what did I do? I got off Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. I removed them from my phone and even deactivated Facebook for a short while (it’s back but I still don’t use it). My social media usage dropped dramatically and I had an opportunity to be free from my device. Or so I thought.

One key learning about my social media break is that my screentime didn’t drop. Why? Because Facebook isn’t the problem. Nor is any other social media. My time on social media was replaced with other screen time such as YouTube, which is, arguably, another form of social media.

So what was and is the problem? I’m the problem. My sinful, deceiving heart is the problem. It’s a Romans 7 issue, where I do the things I shouldn’t and don’t do the things I should. My time to reflect, read, and pray more is not because of Facebook, TV, or any other distraction. Those are symptoms, outcomes of my heart. Instead, my lack of time with God is because of my undisciplined, misaligned heart.

By removing myself from social media, I missed out on some things. Connecting with people I love who wished me a happy birthday last month. Being active with our church’s Facebook page. Being a part of someone’s life and encouraging them with comments and likes. These are the positives of social media. And sure, there are negatives, but with a healthy approach, social media can be a good thing. Just not all of the time.

So what now? I’m hoping that this experience can be a help to others. My hope is that I don’t develop a sense of legalism, but structure with room for the Spirit to lead me daily. That said, plan going forward is this:

  • Return to social media, but keep the apps off of my phone to avoid disctractions.
  • Schedule a time and a place a few times a week for prayer and deep reflection with the Lord, beyond my normal devotion time.
  • Set goals for reading, visiting others, and other onscreen activities each week.
  • Reassess my priorities at least every month, if not every quarter.

That’s it. That’s where I’m at. And again, I hope that this experience is helpful to you. If you’ve got your own thoughts, I’d love to hear it. Blessings to you on your journey in Christ.

In Him,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Devotional, discipline, intimacy, Seeking God

Conquering the spirit

Proverbs 16:32 ESV‬ [32] Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

There are many conquerors of cities, states, and nations, but it is a rare few who can conquer the heart. The best of men are men at best, and even the greatest of kings were deeply, tragically flawed. The world is never enough, and the temporal things of this planet never satisfy for long. And when men pursue nothing but the temporary, they will leave this world empty, lost, and miserable.

This is why this proverb is so fitting. The world can see and count successes and failures, measured by their own standard. Yet God looks at the heart, and what might appear weak to the natural spirit is first in the Kingdom.

So how do your conquer your lawless spirit? It might seem easy to say that it’s about discipline. Yet self-control is impossible if not for God’s sanctifying work. In fact, self-control is the last fruit of the Spirit, a life long effort of focus, submission, and finally, surrender. Your spirit must submit to the Spirit.

Our loss of self-control is directly tied to our distance from God. When we draw hear to Him, He brings us close, but when we shut our eyes and ears to His workings, He keeps us at a distance, free to be disciplined by the fallen world, pressed until we return to His goodness, grace, and mercy.

You are more than a conqueror, turn to the Master of Your soul. Draw close to Him as you let go of the things of this world. Let God do His work as You seek first His Kingdom.

In Him,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Pastors, Seeking God

Why I’m taking a break…

All of us should know how important it is to take time to think, to pray, and to refresh in order to be effective in their daily life. Days off are important. Vacations are important. A period of reset is incredibly important.

At key points in my life, I have been blessed to have taken time to reflect and seek the Lord, and He has always spoken in one direction or another. Time away from the grind and towards the Spirit’s leading is essential, and these past ten days have been especially fruitful.

I’m coming off of a much needed vacation, and God has spoken to me that I need to confess and adjust. What do I need to confess? Here it is: I’m confessing my over-scheduled life, my addiction to screen time, and my lack of deep, meaningful, and worshipful prayer time with the Lord.

My daily grind has been more secular than spiritual, more world than the Word, and though I have taken great steps to not fall into the “flesh trap” of doing ministry apart from the Spirit, I fear that I have been heading there. What’s worse is that after a year and a half of a daily grind to revitalize a church and turn our focus to gospel centeredness, I realize now that the greatest tragedy is the lack of the power of the Spirit of Christ in the work. And apart from Him, we can do nothing.

That’s why I am taking a break. Not from ministry and not from my church, but I’m deemphasizing activities in my life that take me away from the two greatest loves: God and people. This means less screen time, less social media, less TV, and yes, less email, text, and FB messenger. I’m instead replacing it with other things: more activities that involve me seeking to read, pray, reflect, care, share, and love life and those around me. I’ll focus less on postings and more on people. Less on “efficiency.” Less quantity, more quality. More on life. More on eternal life.

My hope is to be better, to be ever more focused on Christ and His abundant life rather than getting sucked into an inferior substitute that the world offers. This is why for the summer at least and possibly longer, I’m disengaging from social media. I’m removing it from my phone, even in some cases, deactivating some accounts.

I ask you to pray for me as I begin again at Beacon Church this week to renew our call to the gospel. Pray for a new focus, for renewed faithfulness, and for a proclaimed future in Christ, both in me and through me.

Blessings,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, culture, gospel, Jesus, Missions

Building on the Foundation at Beacon Church

Years ago, Teresa and I found out some horrible news. The house that we were living in had been renovated a few years before by the prior owner, and for some reason, we began to see stains that popped up on the kitchen floor. The stains grew bigger and bigger, and eventually, we started to see moisture from a wall. Because it looked like it might have been a water leak, I called the plumber and he quickly determined the cause of the problem: an old ice maker valve that had been attached to a pipe in a wall had begun to leak, and when they did the renovation of the house, the drywall was built around the pipe. What a terrible realization!

The leak that came from that pipe dripped throughout the kitchen, soaking all of the interior structure beneath the floor of the kitchen. In other words, all of the supporting studs were waterlogged, causing damage, destruction, and ultimately, danger for our family. Thankfully, insurance took care of everything, and soon we had workers who literally took apart our kitchen and went to the very foundation of the house to put in a new kitchen. We spent most of the weeks throughout the holidays cooking our meals on hot plates and depending on the microwave- even for our Thanksgiving meal! However, eventually, that section of the house was rebuilt, and we had a safe, beautiful place to live in: in other words, the house was better than ever before!

Now let’s apply this example to our church. When our church first began our revitalization journey years ago, some very important structural things needed to be done at Beacon. And God used Pastor Ron and many of you to make these important changes for the greater good of the gospel. Some very difficult decisions had been made, including a name change, building updates, and all this through a pandemic. It was indeed a hard journey to dig deep, get strategic, and lay foundations in preparation for the next steps as a church.

And that’s where we were when I arrived at Beacon Church one year ago. Since then, we have carefully laid a solid foundation of discipleship and fellowship at our church. In fact, nearly everyone in our church body is either in a Sunday morning small group that studies the Bible, or in our Wednesday night Bible study, or is involved in the Big Bible Challenge—and some of you are in all three! We have been intentional about having more fellowship, bonding with one another in love, supporting and knowing one another intimately, and focusing on having community as a body of Christ. These are all important foundational things in a solid, healthy church.

So what’s next? Clearly, we need to build on our foundation of discipleship: evangelism and missions. We currently are thankful that we have guests almost every week at our church, and many return to visit again. Yet there’s a need for our community that we cannot ignore: within a ten-minute drive of our church, at least 100,000 people do not worship anywhere, and many of whom do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And because we now have the ability to disciple and receive people, we need to shift to focus on creating a culture of missions and evangelism to reach our neighbors. This means that there will be training on how to share your faith, we will be improving our greeter/welcome ministry, our process for guest follow-up will be updated, and we will offer opportunities for you to serve and to share Christ in local, national, and international mission efforts. This includes a planned international missions trip in late summer/early fall (details coming soon).

Church, the West Side of Cincinnati and beyond needs Jesus, and the time is now. We’ve already laid a foundation through God and His Word, and it’s time to continue the build on this as we welcome people into our home. It’s exciting to see this happening before our eyes! I believe that we can be better than ever before as a church, but it will take your intentional effort to fulfill God’s potential in you. I believe that we can see lives transformed, families changed, and the continued presence of God’s Spirit seen among us. Please pray, seek God, and ask him how he will involve you in such a great task as to reach the West side and beyond with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, we can do this!

In love and faith,

Pastor Fran