East and Wes

This past October (2024), I took a spiritual journey (pilgrimage) to the Glendalough monastic site south of Dublin, Ireland. En route, I visited London, England. In this episode, I recount the second bit of my London adventure.

This past October (2024), I took a spiritual journey (pilgrimage) to the Glendalough monastic site south of Dublin, Ireland. En route, I visited London, England. In this episode, I recount the first bit of my London adventure. You can see my photos and videos on YouTube @wesyoungwriter: Pilgrimage, Part One: London, England

Is "God" a personality or a metaphor? In Joseph Campbell's book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces, he says metaphor. In this AudioBlog, I say otherwise. Enjoy.

"Wes Young Writer" (formerly the "East & Wes" podcast) is an AudioBlog by Georgia author Wes Young. Here you'll find essay-style writings (the sort of thing you'd expect from a blog) offered in the convenience of audio form. Find more at wesyoungwriter.com.

My new book, ONE STORY, BUILDING, is available now. Find all your purchasing options at wesyoungwriter.com (or, of course, find it on Amazon). Lots of good laughs in this book. I hope you enjoy!

Today's episode is a sermon inspired by the topic of my forthcoming book, One Story, Building: A Memoir on the Power of Story. I hope you enjoy this recording, and when the book releases later this month (Jan. 2024), I hope you'll order a copy. It will be available in all major online retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Barnes & Nobles, Books-a-Million, etc.), but to get a signed copy (and to cut out the middlemen), buy yours at wesyoungwriter.com.

Reaching Sol, my debut novel, is now available as an audiobook (on both Audible and Apple). Today's episode is a free sample, one chapter. Voice Actor: Charles (Chuck) Conover of Texas.

In this finale episode of Season Six, we address the maddening difficulty of work and fruit, toil and futility. If we only live in the material, natural world, then like Solomon we are left crying, "Meaningless, meaningless!" The best we can do, in the mono-dimension, is to try and enjoy our work, for it is our lot. However, if there is both a natural and a supernatural realm, the paradigm changes. Suddenly what matters on Earth matters all the more because it also matters in Heaven. What we bind here is bound there; what we loose here is loosed there. This is a profound mystery, and one explored Scripturally in this sermon. If you've enjoyed Season Six and are interested in more from Wes Young, keep an eye on wesyoungwriter.com for updates, especially updates on the audiobook version of my debut novel, Reaching Sol, which will be available soon on Audible and Apple.

The mainstream modern paradigm is built on the narrative that things rolled out accidentally. The only "driver," from past to present, has been the blind driver of natural selection. Any appearance, so the story goes, of design or meaning is merely ascribed by humanity. The complexity of the cosmos impresses us, arbitrarily, and so we feel there must be "more to it," but this "more" is merely a human construct. The Christian paradigm is different. You are here, so the Christian story goes, not by accident but by design, and that matters. All matters. It matters. Today's episode explores this topic in detail. *Note: The poem from Romans, mentioned during this episode's conclusion, can be found in Romans 11:33-36.

Understanding that there is a supernatural realm, and a Supernatural God who is Lord of all: now what? What is our duty in light of this truth? Many Christians wonder if they are doing enough, or what "enough" would be for them. Today's message from the sixth chapter of Micah will help answer that difficult question. Also, in part, it will reframe the question itself. Much like when a student asks a teacher "Is this for a grade?" The simple answer is either "yes" or "no" or "I'm not going to tell." But for some teachers (myself included), I want the kid to see the foundational issue with their inquiry. A true curiosity, a desire to know, a thirst for growth and knowledge, mystery and solution, what care these for grades? So too a Christian, wildly in love with the Lord, what cares he for "Have I done enough?"

The incarnation is the defining event of history, and through it we see all things in new light. Do bodies matter? Well, God came in bodily form. Can we trust our senses? Jesus trusted His. Does the present, material world, and our material selves, really count for all that much in comparison to Heaven? Our Lord cared enough even to return a borrowed donkey! Today's episode works to bring back the validity and importance of our physical side, and such a resurrection does not demote the spiritual in the least. The interwoven fabric of the two, physical and spiritual, is a great mystery and a beautiful dance, and this Palm Sunday sermon sways to that ancient rhythm.

Jesus is the stone that causes men to stumble. I can see this, totally, for to talk of “God” can mean so much, can slip so easily into vagueness and ephemeral whatever-ness that two can say “Yes, I believe” and mean wholly different things. The hallway narrows when we talk of “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” The Way becomes narrower still, perfectly and exclusively narrow, when the Lord lands in a particular time and a particular place: Merry Christmas. In Jesus, there is no evading the personality, the personage, the person-ness of God. When He rides into Jerusalem on a donkey weeping over His city, then there is only the bare choice: to shout “Hosanna,” or to cry “Crucify Him.” Today's sermon explores this most pivotal of moments in human history and in the human heart.

Today's episode presents the second half of a two-part sermon that explores naturalism vs. supernaturalism, especially as concerns the Christian worldview. This episode is the second installment of my "You Are Here" supply-preaching series (Season Six). This episode was recorded on January 8, 2023 in Fort Valley, Georgia. May it draw you nearer to the Lord. *Disclaimer: There are parts of this episode (including one bit about Santa Claus) that you may want to keep from young ears.

This premiere episode of Season Six presents the first half of a two-part sermon that explores naturalism vs. supernaturalism, especially as concerns the Christian worldview. This episode is also the first sermon in my "You Are Here" supply-preaching series. This episode was recorded on January 8, 2023 in Fort Valley, Georgia. May it draw you nearer to the Lord.

If you are reading this, then you exist. I'm sure of it! This quick intro episode overviews the adventure that is Season Six, and the seven episodes that follow are seven sermons I've delivered along my supply preaching trail. Special thanks to my home church, Limestone Baptist in Cochran, for hosting me for two of these messages (find more at limestonebaptistchurch.org).

This Season Finale is a short story entitled "Hird Island." The tale is a coastal adventure set against the backdrop of the bizarre and tragic year 2020. [*For another fun story featuring McIntosh County, try my new novel, Reaching Sol. Find more at wesyoungwriter.com.]

Today's episode explores what I refer to as the "Sapelo Sentiment," which was a strangely haunting feeling that struck me while touring Georgia's remote Sapelo Island. The sentiment is partly captured in Psalm 39:4-7 "Show me, Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you." *Link to Sapelo Tour Website: https://sapelonerr.org/visit-sapelo-island/

Hero stories are everywhere, and they have been around a long, long time. Some stories are Judeo-Christian (David killing Goliath). Most are not (Spider-Man killing the Green Goblin). Are these stories innocent entertainment, or can they corrode into something else? Today's episode wrestles with this question. Two things to keep in mind: 1) At least the heroes of old, like Odysseus and Beowulf, are seen praying to and relying on higher powers. How often do we see contemporary heroes doing this? 2) Don't underestimate the power of humans to worship some odd, odd things. Take a look at this verse from Ezekiel, Chapter 8: "Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. He said to me, 'Son of man, now dig into the wall.' So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there. And he said to me, 'Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here.' So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and unclean animals and all the idols of Israel." *For further reading, here is the link to a fascinating 1998 article by Natalie Angier entitled "Drugs, Sports, Body Image and G.I. Joe": https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/featured_articles/981222tuesday.html

If I asked 100 Americans what happened last July 4, I would get 100 different answers. "I was at the lake" and "I was at a BBQ" and so forth. But if I asked 100 Americans what happened July 4, 1776, I would get one answer. "History" often pretends to be multiple-choice-simple, but it is far from it. Today's episode explores the reason for this and, more importantly, the significance of it in terms of how we see and react to the world. The stories and histories we believe and tell determine everything about the present and future decisions we make. Upon what Story will you build your life? Listen today to find out more. *Note: Here is the link to Shane Morris's interview with Tom Holland: https://breakpoint.org/how-the-christian-revolution-remade-the-world/

There's an interesting bit of linguistics in the famous 1 Corinthians 13 passage. Modern translations use the word "love" (like in verse 13, "faith, hope, and love, but the greatest is love"). Older versions, like the King James, use instead the word "charity." Now this discrepancy is no doubt the simple, inevitable drift of language. "Charity" meant "love" to a 17th century Britain, but it means something else to a 21st century American. When we say "charity," we mean the giving of something (food, clothing, shelter, money, whatever) to a person in need. I must say, though, that this particular semantic drift strikes me as especially significant. In today's episode, I want to explore the interplay between giving and loving. Despite what our secular age keeps telling me, I don't think that JUST ADD MONEY is the real answer to anything.

Satan's earliest tactic (and one of his favorites to this day): "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" Translation, "Stop focusing on God and start analyzing the lines God has drawn." Folks, knowing right and wrong is a wonderful thing, but there are two ways to go about it. 1) Studying "the lines" in order to know just how much you can get away with. 2) Studying the lines out of a pure and passionate desire to live righteously. Today's episode investigates this distinction, with special emphasis on the culture of our land and the school climate it creates.

C. S. Lewis once wrote, "You find out the strength of a wind by trying to walk against it, not by lying down." Today's episode explores two similar phenomena: One, that you can only praise God in a slump if you are, in fact, in a slump. And two, you can only love an enemy if you, in fact, have an enemy. We also should remember G. K. Chesterton's line, "The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because they are generally the same people."

After submitting some writings to a Christian devotional publication, and being rejected by the same, I've decided to share my three sample devotions here on East and Wes. Hey, it's better than letting them go to waste, and I hope they can be a blessing to someone, somewhere.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the final chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. Chapter Ten beautifully concludes this classic fairy tale, gently lowering readers to a sense of closure after the harsh climax of Chapter Nine. In this episode, which is the finale of Season Four, I share a bit of my opinion on what Undine means and how it speaks to readers as a Christian allegory.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the ninth chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) Chapter Nine holds the climactic scene of this little novella, and I dare not risk a spoiler—just listen and enjoy for yourself. I will add a special thanks to the students in my first period class who served as something like a “live studio audience” for this chapter's recording. May they find inspiration in the experience to go out and explore their own creativity. [*Music Credits—used by permission: Eternal Sleep by Darren Curtis https://www.darrencurtismusic.com/ Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/ Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/]

This episode is an audiobook performance of the eighth chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Eight, Huldbrand, Undine, and Bertalda take a boating trip to explore the Danube. Things start off brilliantly, then steadily and rapidly dissolve into serious trouble. Undine's courage and Huldbrand's faithfulness are put to the test in ways equally dreadful and meaningful.

No Undine today, but check out this quick update on my latest writings.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the seventh chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Seven, Huldbrand's heart continues to turn away from his wife and toward this other woman, Bertalda. This chapter includes a clash between the two women, a despairing flight into the Dark Valley, and most menacing of all, further trouble with Undine's protective uncle, the water spirit Kuhleborn.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the sixth chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Six, Undine reveals a great secret, learned from the mysterious spirit of the fountain, concerning Bertalda. Undine expects the secret to thrill Bertalda, but instead it enrages her and causes far-reaching upheaval. The realities of what it means to have a human soul, and the depths to which souls can be corrupted, all wash onto Undine's shore as her adventure continues.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the fifth chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Five, Huldbrand, his new wife (Undine), and the priest who married them journey off the fisherman's peninsula, through the haunted forest, and to the Imperial City. The Knight's return is an occasion for rejoicing in the city, but there is one person not at all excited about meeting Undine. Bertalda, the lady whose hand Huldbrand was originally trying to win, sees now that she has missed her chance with him, and that he now loves another.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the fourth chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Four, readers learn much that lies behind the mystery of this strange Undine. After her marriage to Huldbrand, she explains who she is and what she is. Chapter Four also dives deeply into the Christian allegory of this tale, having much to do with the idea of Undine acquiring a soul.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the third chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Three, the floodwaters continue to isolate the people in the cottage, separating them from mainland civilization. Also, a tempest washes ashore a priestly character who propels this story in a new direction. Lastly, Chapter Three features yet another appearance of the menacing white figure that has haunted these worthy people throughout the tale.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the second chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter Two we learn more of Huldbrand's backstory and how he came to be in the haunted forest in the first place. Also, the mystery of the young Undine grows, as does the girl's jealousy concerning her newfound friend, the brave knight, and his other woman, Bertalda.

This episode is an audiobook performance of the first chapter of Undine, by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué. (If you are joining us for the first time, I strongly advise starting Season 4 at the beginning, with S4-E1.) In Chapter One we meet our central characters: an old fisherman and his wife, their adopted daughter (the title character, Undine, a strange girl from the first), and a knight named Huldbrand (who makes this, for now, a “stranger comes to town” story). Prepare to be transported to the fairy tale forest for an adventure worth taking!

What's the latest? What's new? What's hot off the press? These are, of course, interesting questions when trying to pick a new book to read or movie to watch, but they do imply that anything old is of less value. I disagree. The old stories, though sometimes gone and forgotten, are often the most powerful. In Season 4 of East and Wes, I blow the dust off one of my favorite old texts by reading/performing it, in its entirety, audiobook style. Undine is an 1811 fairy tale by Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué, and is an interesting ancestor of a story most are familiar with, The Little Mermaid. This season premiere introduces the story's history and author's bio. The episodes that follow adventure through the book one chapter at a time. George MacDonald called Undine the most beautiful of fairy tales, and I feel confident listeners will find it to be just that. [Music Credits: Precious Memories by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ - Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/]

Check out this sneak peek of my as-yet-unpublished manuscript, ROAD, a memoir of the Dusty Roads Band. This reading is from Chapter 10, which tells the adventure of a backwoods south Georgia bar called "Pud's." Laugh along with me as you enjoy this completely nonfiction tale.

In this unique bonus episode, East and Wes takes a nostalgic journey through the days of two bygone cover bands: Supercargo and Dusty Roads. The latter is the inspiration for my current writing project (a memoir entitled ROAD), and in this episode you'll hear a chapter (sneak peak) from that working manuscript. Lots of music here too, so crank up the volume and enjoy! ** Parental Note: Some (just a small bit) of the lyrics are PG. **

I never dreamed this day would come, but it's here, and I couldn't be happier! I am now, officially, a novelist. This just further proof that God can use anybody. He is so good! Give this short episode a listen to find out more.

“Close your eyes, fall back, we will catch you, we will catch you, we will catch you.” A time-honored game of trust. And trust, it turns out, is near the center of all things. In what do you trust? Today's season finale looks through the lens of Isaiah at the shaky ground that deserves no trust and the solid rock that deserves it all. [*Fact correction: Shakespeare was 16th-17th century.]

Just because something "is" does not mean it always "will be." Perhaps it will change (become new). Perhaps it will invert (become opposite). Perhaps it will expand (become more). All this will be discussed in Episode Six, especially concerning our present life and our afterlife. Textual focus from the book of Isaiah.

Should we live in the now or focus on the future? One answer: In this present moment, we are to hope for the future promise. And remember, if you have something, you no longer hope for it. If we had Paradise now, great, but we would no longer hope for it. However, since we (quite clearly) are not in Paradise now, then we are left with hope. Turns out, living in hope is something intensely special.

“But that's not fair!” said any given kid on any given playground anywhere in the world. We humans, from a very young age, are well tuned to justice, fairness, equality. Turns out, so is God! (Not surprising, really. We're made in His image.) This episode of East and Wes gives an in-depth look at justice, American inequalities, universities, race, and…well, just listen for yourself. [*Note: The foster/adoptive link referenced in this episode is http://fostergeorgia.com/become-a-foster-or-adoptive-parent/. My email is wesyoungchristian@gmail.com.]

"Do this, do that, / a rule for this, a rule for that; / a little here, a little there" (Isaiah 28:10). If the Christian walk has ever appeared to you as just a whole bunch of buzz-killing rules and regulations, then this is an episode for you. Turns out, it is indeed for freedom that God set us free. He'll take a feast and a festival, a joyful heart and a grateful smile, over a despondent legalism any day.

What is that old definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. You know, in that short little sentence we find a good description of human history. "I can make this work on my own, without turning to God. I know I can, I know I can, I know I can." This second episode of Season 3 gives a look at Isaiah's take on humanity's stubbornness. [*NOTE: This episode references a link to an amazing book by G. K. Chesterton. Follow this link for a free online copy: http://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks01/0100311.txt. Or this link for Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Everlasting-Man-Audiobook/B0170GLGJ0.]

East and Wes has gone on the road, recording on the supply-preaching trail. All seven episodes in Season 3 are from the book of Isaiah, today's specifically looking at God as our Father.

East & Wes is a podcast for helping us keep our spiritual bearings as we navigate the world around us. Wes here, and I am a teacher, author, and supply preacher in the middle Georgia area. My life statement is: "Drawing humanity closer to God." The East and Wes podcast provides a Kingdom perspective in hopes that both my listeners and myself will draw nearer to our Maker. Check out my website for more great stuff, including my debut novel, Reaching Sol, which is available for purchase: wesyoungwriter.com.

The finale of our second season! After our adventure through a wide range of interviews, it's time to bring it all together into a meaningful final picture. I'd say this is as political as I get, and as symbolic. Buckle your safety belts everyone (or better put, snap on your life jackets). *Story written and read by Wes Young.

Today's episode looks at missions: the movement and desire of the Church to reach out. Our pastor interviewee is Rev. Glenn Jakes of Perry Presbyterian Church in Perry, GA. Find them online at perrypres.com, on Facebook @pcaperrygeorgia, and on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyhG9VAZhSje-xy6ajTidRg. Their physical address is 1111 Second Street, Perry, GA 31069.

This East and Wes episode spotlights a pastor and former police chief in Vidalia, GA. Pastor BL Horne of South Thompson Baptist Church explores the oft misunderstood topic of the “churched” and the “unchurched.” What does that mean? How are these two groups related? Etc. Find South Thompson on Facebook by searching for “South Thompson Baptist Church,” or try this link: https://www.facebook.com/souththompson.baptistchurch.35/timeline?lst=89400036%3A100018003947596%3A1600078383. South Thompson's physical address is 225 South Thompson Road, Vidalia, GA 30474.

This episode of East and Wes investigates the varied worship styles of the Church, exploring both what this variety means and how we should navigate it. Today's feature pastor is Chad Hendley of Cottondale Baptist Church in Eastman, GA. Find out more at www.cottondalebaptistchurch.com. Cottondale's physical address is 5930 Leitch Street, Eastman, GA 31023

Today we explore the definition of the Church, capital C. What is this thing, and what part do we play in it? For answers, we turn to our feature pastor for Episode 3, Jay Moore of Limestone Baptist Church in Cochran, GA. Find out more at limestonebaptistchurch.org. Limestone's physical address is 874 Highway 257 Cochran, GA 31014.