Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday January 07, 2007
Jonah 1-4
There is a difference between a New Years resolution, hoping for change, and a fresh start, making change really happen. That difference might be understood as a big chasm between where we are now and where we know we should be. How do we get to the other side? Are we trapped with no way to move closer to becoming the person God created? A fresh start is in order.
Life change happens in climates that allow and foster change. We must change the climate as we begin to make change in our lives or we will revert back to our old ways and fail once again. I taught a Bible Study in Pod H of the Pott. Co. Jail for over a year. I quickly learned that the brothers being released were usually sullen and sometimes weeping in despair on what I assumed would be a happy day. They wept because they knew they could not go back to their old climate and survive. They also knew they did not possess the skill to magically make a new climate appear around them. They did not have the ability to make the jump across the chasm. Theirs is a difficult situation to which we can all relate.
We must have some outside source of hope to bridge the gap. Hope changes the climate. We find hope in our faith, our relationships with those who care for our wellbeing and by a change of life systems that provide a new set of boundaries and rules for us to follow. This is dangerous work. Some folks close to you will not embrace change in your climate. Do not be surprised by attempts to sabotage. Change in your climate will change theirs also. Consider what would happen if one day you decided to take control of the thermostat and change the temperature in your house. Climate change, even that change leading quickly to hope, needs to be planned and communicated.
Jonah is an interesting Biblical focus for this topic. Jonah wanted no change. He ran from God. After going through a terrible ordeal almost leading to his death he accepted God’s invitation to speak the prophetic word. Even as the story closes Jonah does not fully embraced the God’s hopeful plan for the world. And yet, there is a bridging of the gap in this story and we find a hopeful climate emerging which brings us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Jonah 1:1-4; 2:1-3 The Message
Sermon Title: “FRESH Start”
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thoughts for December 31, 2006
Sunday December 31, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Matthew 1:18-2:23 The Magi Rescue Jesus
Luke 9:18-36 Transfiguration
What to preach on the last day of the year? I am led to this passage from Matthew’s gospel which outlines the saving action of the Magi who came to honor and bless the child. These fellows were star watchers and had invested quite a bit of themselves into predicting the future. They were looking for the child who would become a king. Their search was to follow a peculiar star which led them to the very spot where the found Jesus. All of this seems so unexpected. But in a larger sense isn’t that how God works even today in our lives. I think so.
I also want to offer to you a sneak peak ahead into the FRESH sermon series beginning the first Sunday in January. There are seven sermons in this extended series and each deals with another aspect of how we go about making change in our lives in one of five areas: Finances, Relationships, Emotions, Spirituality, and Health.
On January 7 we will look at how we can make change happen. We may know what to do but feel unable to make the jump to start and maintain that new habit. On January 14 I will be about getting our finances into a Biblical perspective and working toward appropriate goals. The following Sunday we will focus on Relationships and we will take a hard look at the role of sacrifice. Next we will visit about emotions and ways we can work toward lives full of meaning even when feeling challenged. On February 4 we will take a fresh look at deepening our spiritual disciplines and walking closer to God than we ever imagined. Next we will take a look at our health and how we can make simple changes to profoundly effect our ability to eliminate physical restrictions and open new possibilities. In part, this particular week will be a personal testimony of my last 3 months to make the very changes I am suggesting are Biblical and possible for all of us. I will finish the series with a Sunday to suggest ways we can finish well in all the areas of our lives experiencing change.
I expect these will be a very powerful days here at Salem. I hope you will plan to make every effort to attend and bring a friend as we these days will surely bring us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23
Sermon Title: “The Unexpected”
Scripture Readings Leading to
Matthew 1:18-2:23 The Magi Rescue Jesus
Luke 9:18-36 Transfiguration
What to preach on the last day of the year? I am led to this passage from Matthew’s gospel which outlines the saving action of the Magi who came to honor and bless the child. These fellows were star watchers and had invested quite a bit of themselves into predicting the future. They were looking for the child who would become a king. Their search was to follow a peculiar star which led them to the very spot where the found Jesus. All of this seems so unexpected. But in a larger sense isn’t that how God works even today in our lives. I think so.
I also want to offer to you a sneak peak ahead into the FRESH sermon series beginning the first Sunday in January. There are seven sermons in this extended series and each deals with another aspect of how we go about making change in our lives in one of five areas: Finances, Relationships, Emotions, Spirituality, and Health.
On January 7 we will look at how we can make change happen. We may know what to do but feel unable to make the jump to start and maintain that new habit. On January 14 I will be about getting our finances into a Biblical perspective and working toward appropriate goals. The following Sunday we will focus on Relationships and we will take a hard look at the role of sacrifice. Next we will visit about emotions and ways we can work toward lives full of meaning even when feeling challenged. On February 4 we will take a fresh look at deepening our spiritual disciplines and walking closer to God than we ever imagined. Next we will take a look at our health and how we can make simple changes to profoundly effect our ability to eliminate physical restrictions and open new possibilities. In part, this particular week will be a personal testimony of my last 3 months to make the very changes I am suggesting are Biblical and possible for all of us. I will finish the series with a Sunday to suggest ways we can finish well in all the areas of our lives experiencing change.
I expect these will be a very powerful days here at Salem. I hope you will plan to make every effort to attend and bring a friend as we these days will surely bring us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-23
Sermon Title: “The Unexpected”
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Thoughts for December 24, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday December 24, 2006
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
Acts 14 Paul in Lystra
The Birth of Jesus, big deal. Matthew offers only seven verses to the birth of the Christ child. He does however give another chapter to the deception needed to flee and thus save the child from the wrath of King Herod. Mark, the first of the gospels written, does not mention the birth of Christ at all. John goes off on a whole separate track of imagery and metaphor sufficing for any sort of a birth narrative.
In contrast, Luke contends he is writing an “orderly account” “after investigating everything from the very beginning.” Luke gives 20 verses to the birth of the child. Twenty verses that offer the story the family of believers have come to cherish and look forward to hearing every year. We never tire of the story. It never ceases to amaze us. We are always ready to once again hear how Mary and Joseph traveled into the Judean hill country to the small community of Bethlehem. Once there, they found no room available for them. Mary gave birth to the child in a crowded cow barn with the awesome glory of God surrounding them. Even the poor shepherds out watching the sheep on the surrounding hillsides were informed of this great news by the angels from heaven who could not keep silent.
Luke makes a place for the story that had no place, so that our hearts might find a place for the child. Perhaps as Kim Brouse said in his sermon at Wednesday’s WOW, “God wanted our hearts to be the place for the Christ child to be born on Christmas.” Yes, I think so.
So as the days slip closer to that day, may we all pause to acknowledge Emmanuel; God with Us. May each of us make room, in our own way, in our own hearts make room for Jesus. The child sent from God changed the world 2000 years ago and is still changing ours today. Make a place, invite the whole family and lets move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Title: “Make a Place”
Sunday December 24, 2006
Luke 2:1-20 The Birth of Jesus
Acts 14 Paul in Lystra
The Birth of Jesus, big deal. Matthew offers only seven verses to the birth of the Christ child. He does however give another chapter to the deception needed to flee and thus save the child from the wrath of King Herod. Mark, the first of the gospels written, does not mention the birth of Christ at all. John goes off on a whole separate track of imagery and metaphor sufficing for any sort of a birth narrative.
In contrast, Luke contends he is writing an “orderly account” “after investigating everything from the very beginning.” Luke gives 20 verses to the birth of the child. Twenty verses that offer the story the family of believers have come to cherish and look forward to hearing every year. We never tire of the story. It never ceases to amaze us. We are always ready to once again hear how Mary and Joseph traveled into the Judean hill country to the small community of Bethlehem. Once there, they found no room available for them. Mary gave birth to the child in a crowded cow barn with the awesome glory of God surrounding them. Even the poor shepherds out watching the sheep on the surrounding hillsides were informed of this great news by the angels from heaven who could not keep silent.
Luke makes a place for the story that had no place, so that our hearts might find a place for the child. Perhaps as Kim Brouse said in his sermon at Wednesday’s WOW, “God wanted our hearts to be the place for the Christ child to be born on Christmas.” Yes, I think so.
So as the days slip closer to that day, may we all pause to acknowledge Emmanuel; God with Us. May each of us make room, in our own way, in our own hearts make room for Jesus. The child sent from God changed the world 2000 years ago and is still changing ours today. Make a place, invite the whole family and lets move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 2:1-20
Sermon Title: “Make a Place”
Monday, December 04, 2006
Thoughts for December 17, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday December 17, 2006
John 1 The Meaning of Incarnation
Luke 22:39-46, 23:26-49 The Crucifixion
In the beginning; is how everything starts. The story of creation in Genesis starts this way as does the gospel of John. John was recalling the story of Genesis and wants us to consider Jesus Christ as a part of that creative process. In the beginning has a nice ring to it. It feels comfortable when I say it aloud. In the beginning.
But, What? In the beginning, what? This is our question. Our minds and hearts are open for this question which we struggle to place something into a category such as spiritual, physical, or even meta-physical. What was in the beginning and what was going on? Simply put, Christ was. Jesus Christ was in the beginning and Christ had it “going on.”
When questioned, I find most folks outside the church see Jesus as a nice guy, a good person, who did good things. They see little more. More disturbing to me, I find a growing number of folks inside the church, even some clergy types, who think of Christ as a good prophet or nice role model. When pushed they struggle to find a deeper more profound quality to the life of Christ. My guess is that this is not new, and certainly is the main reason John wrote these words to a young church in hostile world who did not know that Jesus was more than just another nice holy guy.
John is clear. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Simply put, this nice guy Jesus is God. Yes fully human, but also fully God at the same time. And no place other than in the idea of who created, who kicked off this biggest of all universal bangs, does the idea of Jesus as God become more clear in our understanding. He was in the beginning. Jesus is the co-creator of the universe along with the Father and the Spirit. Wow. All of sudden everything comes into view and I find I am just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “The One”
Sunday December 17, 2006
John 1 The Meaning of Incarnation
Luke 22:39-46, 23:26-49 The Crucifixion
In the beginning; is how everything starts. The story of creation in Genesis starts this way as does the gospel of John. John was recalling the story of Genesis and wants us to consider Jesus Christ as a part of that creative process. In the beginning has a nice ring to it. It feels comfortable when I say it aloud. In the beginning.
But, What? In the beginning, what? This is our question. Our minds and hearts are open for this question which we struggle to place something into a category such as spiritual, physical, or even meta-physical. What was in the beginning and what was going on? Simply put, Christ was. Jesus Christ was in the beginning and Christ had it “going on.”
When questioned, I find most folks outside the church see Jesus as a nice guy, a good person, who did good things. They see little more. More disturbing to me, I find a growing number of folks inside the church, even some clergy types, who think of Christ as a good prophet or nice role model. When pushed they struggle to find a deeper more profound quality to the life of Christ. My guess is that this is not new, and certainly is the main reason John wrote these words to a young church in hostile world who did not know that Jesus was more than just another nice holy guy.
John is clear. Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Simply put, this nice guy Jesus is God. Yes fully human, but also fully God at the same time. And no place other than in the idea of who created, who kicked off this biggest of all universal bangs, does the idea of Jesus as God become more clear in our understanding. He was in the beginning. Jesus is the co-creator of the universe along with the Father and the Spirit. Wow. All of sudden everything comes into view and I find I am just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 1:1-18
Sermon Title: “The One”
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Thoughts for November 19, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 19, 2006
2 Kings 4 & 5 Elisha’s Miracles
Luke 4:31-5:26 Jesus’ Miracles
This week we will have another story about an oil jar which does not run dry. This particular miracle by the prophet Elisha is similar to the miracle by Elijah we studied a couple weeks ago and both are similar to the miracles Jesus performed as recorded in Luke’s gospel. Miracles are miracles and we seem to live in their midst most of the time. We may or may not see our daily life events as miracles, but someone else probably does.
As we are preparing for Nov. 19th, our Stewardship Celebration Sunday, we would do well to consider these miracles. Even on some of my worst days, I am still very blessed. I need to grow in ways to express my thankfulness. Not because it is required for entry into eternal life, but rather, precisely because I have been offered eternal life I need to offer gifts as an expression of God’s grace. It (what ever “it” is) all is a gift from God in the first place anyway. I am only a caretaker of all that is placed before me.
If I consider myself as God and offer myself the position of one who creates and decides, then I will also do with the resources around me as I see fit. If I consider myself as unworthy to even participate in that wondrous thing God is doing and then neglect the need to invest the treasure in self and others, then I again fail and fall short of God’s plans for those to whom much is given.
I think we need to do our part. Be faithful, in season and out. I think we need to listen, reflect and then act outwardly toward the stranger and widow who have no hope. As we are faithful and see our lives full of love and peace as the jar of oil not running dry, I believe we will move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Sermon Title: “The Price of Oil”
Sunday November 19, 2006
2 Kings 4 & 5 Elisha’s Miracles
Luke 4:31-5:26 Jesus’ Miracles
This week we will have another story about an oil jar which does not run dry. This particular miracle by the prophet Elisha is similar to the miracle by Elijah we studied a couple weeks ago and both are similar to the miracles Jesus performed as recorded in Luke’s gospel. Miracles are miracles and we seem to live in their midst most of the time. We may or may not see our daily life events as miracles, but someone else probably does.
As we are preparing for Nov. 19th, our Stewardship Celebration Sunday, we would do well to consider these miracles. Even on some of my worst days, I am still very blessed. I need to grow in ways to express my thankfulness. Not because it is required for entry into eternal life, but rather, precisely because I have been offered eternal life I need to offer gifts as an expression of God’s grace. It (what ever “it” is) all is a gift from God in the first place anyway. I am only a caretaker of all that is placed before me.
If I consider myself as God and offer myself the position of one who creates and decides, then I will also do with the resources around me as I see fit. If I consider myself as unworthy to even participate in that wondrous thing God is doing and then neglect the need to invest the treasure in self and others, then I again fail and fall short of God’s plans for those to whom much is given.
I think we need to do our part. Be faithful, in season and out. I think we need to listen, reflect and then act outwardly toward the stranger and widow who have no hope. As we are faithful and see our lives full of love and peace as the jar of oil not running dry, I believe we will move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7
Sermon Title: “The Price of Oil”
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Thoughts for November 05, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19 Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35 What Jesus Saw in John
Sin likes to hide. It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware. Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods. Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.
Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin. At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less. And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.
However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly. The current culture offers sin on display at every corner. We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated. Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts. No one feels safe. No place is sacred.
In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before. When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern. Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need. Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention. You see that is just the issue. These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.
It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need. Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.” And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19 Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35 What Jesus Saw in John
Sin likes to hide. It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware. Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods. Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.
Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin. At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less. And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.
However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly. The current culture offers sin on display at every corner. We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated. Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts. No one feels safe. No place is sacred.
In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before. When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern. Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need. Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention. You see that is just the issue. These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.
It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need. Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.” And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Thoughts for October 29, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday October 29, 2006
Galatians 5:1-6:10 Fruits of the Spirit
Luke 6:27-49 Love Your Enemies
To love is to risk. Allowing the Holy Spirit of God to have control of our lives is risky. Love is required by the Holy Spirit. Relationships are always risky. Mostly we shrink away from the Spirit because of the unknown risk involved. We would rather retreat into unhealthy attempts to follow laws and regulations rather than fly with the freedom of love.
It is curious; that we believe that there is less risk, less pain with the path that avoids a full movement within the Spirit. And yet the truth of Gospel message is that the opposite is true. When our lives are filled with Spirit and we move to God’s call of love our lives will be less painful, less uncertain.
The Church is no different. A dead church attempts to control everything and everyone. Demands are made to put everyone and everything in their proper place to align with the law of the local church law-giver. This may be the pastor or it may be a controlling family or dysfunctional group usurping Spiritual presence and power for building up personal identity and ego. We have all seen it. Too many times.
The Spirit –filled church will feel chaotic at times, maybe even out of control. However the church alive in Spirit will also be offering the fruits of the Spirit as testimony. Love will abound. Grace and peace will follow. Justice will be demanded by the Spirit. The voice of the one bent low by the forces of this world will be heard singing praise to the King of Heaven. Outward expressions of gratitude and fellowship will prevail. It may be messy at times. Tears of joy may flow. Unrehearsed shouts of joy and hands raised as a banner toward heaven may be experienced in the presence of the gathered body. Even quiet reverence, not a stuffy shushed down quiet, will be offered.
This Spirit-filled church is the one I want to serve. I believe it is also the church to which you seek to build as we all move just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Sermon Title: “Love-Able”
Sunday October 29, 2006
Galatians 5:1-6:10 Fruits of the Spirit
Luke 6:27-49 Love Your Enemies
To love is to risk. Allowing the Holy Spirit of God to have control of our lives is risky. Love is required by the Holy Spirit. Relationships are always risky. Mostly we shrink away from the Spirit because of the unknown risk involved. We would rather retreat into unhealthy attempts to follow laws and regulations rather than fly with the freedom of love.
It is curious; that we believe that there is less risk, less pain with the path that avoids a full movement within the Spirit. And yet the truth of Gospel message is that the opposite is true. When our lives are filled with Spirit and we move to God’s call of love our lives will be less painful, less uncertain.
The Church is no different. A dead church attempts to control everything and everyone. Demands are made to put everyone and everything in their proper place to align with the law of the local church law-giver. This may be the pastor or it may be a controlling family or dysfunctional group usurping Spiritual presence and power for building up personal identity and ego. We have all seen it. Too many times.
The Spirit –filled church will feel chaotic at times, maybe even out of control. However the church alive in Spirit will also be offering the fruits of the Spirit as testimony. Love will abound. Grace and peace will follow. Justice will be demanded by the Spirit. The voice of the one bent low by the forces of this world will be heard singing praise to the King of Heaven. Outward expressions of gratitude and fellowship will prevail. It may be messy at times. Tears of joy may flow. Unrehearsed shouts of joy and hands raised as a banner toward heaven may be experienced in the presence of the gathered body. Even quiet reverence, not a stuffy shushed down quiet, will be offered.
This Spirit-filled church is the one I want to serve. I believe it is also the church to which you seek to build as we all move just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Galatians 5:13-14
Sermon Title: “Love-Able”
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Barbeque and Minsitry
A Little Closer to Home
I have been thinking about writing a book about how ministry is like cooking good barbeque. Before you laugh me out of the county, read a little further and see if you might just agree. As a disciple of Jesus Christ we have this thing we call ministry which is the orientation of our lives to make more disciples of Jesus. When I refer to our ministry I mean we may be professionals in ministry on a church staff, unpaid volunteers, or simply committed folks who believe and then act on those beliefs. I think each of us are called and uniquely equipped for the ministry of making disciples.
Having said this I have identified five barbeque ideas which seem to hold true regardless of our ministry position or place. They are in no particular order of importance: preparation is essential, learn to take advice, someone has to do the dishes, if your looking then your not cooking, and the final product will speak for itself.
Preparation is essential in good ministry and barbeque. Start with fresh ingredients, not something left over from last year. One of the worst things we do in ministry is to use outdated ideas and programs with no “spice” left in them. The meat of the ministry may be one of any number of possibilities, but it must be fresh, handled carefully, trimmed of the fat, and always focused towards the purpose. I have found it is easy to get sidetracked during the preparation time, to the place where something unrelated can throw off my whole days schedule.
Learn to take advice. How many times must we hear this before it begins to sink in? If we just start to barbeque and never read a recipe or inquire of a friend how this best works, we will have set our selves up for failure and disappointment. Yes, if we are stranded on a desert island with nothing to eat and find a rack of ribs, bag of charcoal, and a nice grill we could probably make something tasty happen. However, with all the information or history freely offered, it just makes sense to ask and receive assistance. We must respect ourselves, those around us, and the ministry itself enough to read, ask, and then listen. Good barbeque is always kind of personal thing as is ministry. Feel free to take what you learn and tweak it to match your situation and personality.
Someone has to do the dishes. Oh, crud. I never knew barbeque was so messy until I actually got to cooking myself. When I make the rib rub, I have to clean everything again; the counter tops and then the measuring spoons, and containers. I find it is the same for the mop sauce and finishing sauce; let alone actually applying the rubs and sauces to the meat. I wash a lot of dishes while I am in the process of cooking. Many times I wash the same dishes several times in the same day. Someone has to do the not-so-fun work part of ministry also. I have found that if I am in charge of a ministry, I should also be prepared to do the most unpleasant work. My experience is that as I engage positively in, “dish washing,” others come along side and we end up having fun. But make no mistake, the dishes will need to be washed.
If you are looking; your not cooking. In good barbeque temperature is critical. I try to cook along at 215 degrees for several hours without high peaks or low valleys. Once you have developed a little history and have a basic idea of what you are doing, you will be able to keep the fire burning with discipline and planning. The biggest problem with all of us is that we want to see what is cooking. We open the lid and in doing so we release the temperature and then have to start over again. It is hard to trust the process and not keep checking and looking, looking and checking. Barbeque takes time, but requires us to trust the process. Ministry also needs to be able to do its thing without a herd of folks picking and poking at the meat of the ministry all along. Perhaps it is a God thing to learn to simply sit back, enjoy a nice diet Pepsi, and just let the meat cook.
The final product always speaks for itself. We might want to make excuses or put our product on a silver platter, but the truth is that the final product will speak for itself. Barbeque, like ministry is unique to the time and place, but the people who come into contact with our work will make the decision whether to engage further or back away slowly. I am always wary of those who claim to know all the best barbeque recipes but have never actually personally attempted to cook a brisket for 10 hours. It is always nice to get feedback and then use that information to tweak the process a little one way or another with the goal of becoming more effective.
As you can tell I am having some fun with using barbeque as a metaphor for ministry. There are several more chapters I am considering and I hope to link a Biblical example along with a recipe to each thought. So, lets get cooking and I hope I gave you some “food for thought.”
See You Sunday, Pastor Dave Weesenr
I have been thinking about writing a book about how ministry is like cooking good barbeque. Before you laugh me out of the county, read a little further and see if you might just agree. As a disciple of Jesus Christ we have this thing we call ministry which is the orientation of our lives to make more disciples of Jesus. When I refer to our ministry I mean we may be professionals in ministry on a church staff, unpaid volunteers, or simply committed folks who believe and then act on those beliefs. I think each of us are called and uniquely equipped for the ministry of making disciples.
Having said this I have identified five barbeque ideas which seem to hold true regardless of our ministry position or place. They are in no particular order of importance: preparation is essential, learn to take advice, someone has to do the dishes, if your looking then your not cooking, and the final product will speak for itself.
Preparation is essential in good ministry and barbeque. Start with fresh ingredients, not something left over from last year. One of the worst things we do in ministry is to use outdated ideas and programs with no “spice” left in them. The meat of the ministry may be one of any number of possibilities, but it must be fresh, handled carefully, trimmed of the fat, and always focused towards the purpose. I have found it is easy to get sidetracked during the preparation time, to the place where something unrelated can throw off my whole days schedule.
Learn to take advice. How many times must we hear this before it begins to sink in? If we just start to barbeque and never read a recipe or inquire of a friend how this best works, we will have set our selves up for failure and disappointment. Yes, if we are stranded on a desert island with nothing to eat and find a rack of ribs, bag of charcoal, and a nice grill we could probably make something tasty happen. However, with all the information or history freely offered, it just makes sense to ask and receive assistance. We must respect ourselves, those around us, and the ministry itself enough to read, ask, and then listen. Good barbeque is always kind of personal thing as is ministry. Feel free to take what you learn and tweak it to match your situation and personality.
Someone has to do the dishes. Oh, crud. I never knew barbeque was so messy until I actually got to cooking myself. When I make the rib rub, I have to clean everything again; the counter tops and then the measuring spoons, and containers. I find it is the same for the mop sauce and finishing sauce; let alone actually applying the rubs and sauces to the meat. I wash a lot of dishes while I am in the process of cooking. Many times I wash the same dishes several times in the same day. Someone has to do the not-so-fun work part of ministry also. I have found that if I am in charge of a ministry, I should also be prepared to do the most unpleasant work. My experience is that as I engage positively in, “dish washing,” others come along side and we end up having fun. But make no mistake, the dishes will need to be washed.
If you are looking; your not cooking. In good barbeque temperature is critical. I try to cook along at 215 degrees for several hours without high peaks or low valleys. Once you have developed a little history and have a basic idea of what you are doing, you will be able to keep the fire burning with discipline and planning. The biggest problem with all of us is that we want to see what is cooking. We open the lid and in doing so we release the temperature and then have to start over again. It is hard to trust the process and not keep checking and looking, looking and checking. Barbeque takes time, but requires us to trust the process. Ministry also needs to be able to do its thing without a herd of folks picking and poking at the meat of the ministry all along. Perhaps it is a God thing to learn to simply sit back, enjoy a nice diet Pepsi, and just let the meat cook.
The final product always speaks for itself. We might want to make excuses or put our product on a silver platter, but the truth is that the final product will speak for itself. Barbeque, like ministry is unique to the time and place, but the people who come into contact with our work will make the decision whether to engage further or back away slowly. I am always wary of those who claim to know all the best barbeque recipes but have never actually personally attempted to cook a brisket for 10 hours. It is always nice to get feedback and then use that information to tweak the process a little one way or another with the goal of becoming more effective.
As you can tell I am having some fun with using barbeque as a metaphor for ministry. There are several more chapters I am considering and I hope to link a Biblical example along with a recipe to each thought. So, lets get cooking and I hope I gave you some “food for thought.”
See You Sunday, Pastor Dave Weesenr
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Thoughts for October 01, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday October 01, 2006
Luke 9:10-17 God’s Hospitality
Luke 14:15-24 Jesus, Banquet
Have you ever been really, really hungry and somebody offered you some food? Have you ever been really, really lonely and someone offered you conversation or a place to belong, even if just for a little while? Have you ever been frustrated and confused by the events of the day and needed a new vision of grace to move you back onto the correct path? I have been there. My guess is that as you are honest and take a moment to consider your experience, you have encountered each of these situations as well. This is life being lived out. Life is not always sanitary or pretty or happy, but life does offer possibilities at every bend and eternal opportunities to rethink and be renewed. Life is a gift from God and contains the gunk, but also the glory. And daily we get to choose our path.
This wonderful story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is a little vision of heaven on earth. We might see the hospitality of God in the small groups gathered on the grass. We can be sure there are groups that have invited the widow or lonely individual to join their fellowship. We can be sure of the laughter and conversation taking place. There is sharing and caring moving among the circles. The invitation is clear, powerful, and instructional. It is also addictive. As we gather in the circles we find we yearn for more of this friendship.
We may also see the hospitality of God offered though the simple meal of loaves and fish. We may see a hungry world feeding upon God’s grace, much like a baby feeds upon the mother’s breast. That which is needed is offered and received with humility and thanksgiving. The action of the giver is greater than the gift received but is not offered so as to be placed above the other. The gift is offered simply because the gift exists and the action of hospitality is possible.
There is no motive or hidden agenda other than to offer grace. There is only hospitality and a needy world. I do not think it can become more simple. The kingdom of God is a place where what is available is offered without reservation. And when I begin to act in this way, with this hospitality leading my decisions, I know I am just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 9:10-17
Sermon Title: “A Dinner Party”
Sunday October 01, 2006
Luke 9:10-17 God’s Hospitality
Luke 14:15-24 Jesus, Banquet
Have you ever been really, really hungry and somebody offered you some food? Have you ever been really, really lonely and someone offered you conversation or a place to belong, even if just for a little while? Have you ever been frustrated and confused by the events of the day and needed a new vision of grace to move you back onto the correct path? I have been there. My guess is that as you are honest and take a moment to consider your experience, you have encountered each of these situations as well. This is life being lived out. Life is not always sanitary or pretty or happy, but life does offer possibilities at every bend and eternal opportunities to rethink and be renewed. Life is a gift from God and contains the gunk, but also the glory. And daily we get to choose our path.
This wonderful story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is a little vision of heaven on earth. We might see the hospitality of God in the small groups gathered on the grass. We can be sure there are groups that have invited the widow or lonely individual to join their fellowship. We can be sure of the laughter and conversation taking place. There is sharing and caring moving among the circles. The invitation is clear, powerful, and instructional. It is also addictive. As we gather in the circles we find we yearn for more of this friendship.
We may also see the hospitality of God offered though the simple meal of loaves and fish. We may see a hungry world feeding upon God’s grace, much like a baby feeds upon the mother’s breast. That which is needed is offered and received with humility and thanksgiving. The action of the giver is greater than the gift received but is not offered so as to be placed above the other. The gift is offered simply because the gift exists and the action of hospitality is possible.
There is no motive or hidden agenda other than to offer grace. There is only hospitality and a needy world. I do not think it can become more simple. The kingdom of God is a place where what is available is offered without reservation. And when I begin to act in this way, with this hospitality leading my decisions, I know I am just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Luke 9:10-17
Sermon Title: “A Dinner Party”
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thoughts for September 24, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday September 24, 2006
Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones
Luke 8:4-15, 22-56 Teaching and Healing
One of the most amazing events in our lives is to experience a re-birth of something or someone left for dead. Crushed, but not defeated were the words of Apostle Paul from our reading just two weeks ago. It is one thing to be in the presence of one who is riding high, on top of the world, and has it all going their way. It is entirely another thing to feel the power of one who was lost, but now is found; was blind, but now can see. God’s grace which leads to the new life of re-birth is always amazing. I believe real worship happens when we yearn to feel God’s healing presence and witness to this Spirit in our midst. I want that worship for me, and for you.
I am blessed to pass on a little piece I received this week on Jorge Acevedo, Pastor of Grace Church in Cape Coral and Olga Fort Myers Shores, Florida (www.egracechurch.com) While we were experiencing a huge Sunday here at Salem last week with 479 people gathering for worship Pastor Acevedo was in the midst of an old fashioned two hour tent revival at his church in Florida with about 1700 folks. Read on as he describes how the Spirit moved in new lives.
“After I preached, Matthew West sang "History" while 50 people transformed by Jesus walked to the center of the stage and held up a placard with a few words describing their life before Christ and then flipping it over with a few words describing their new life in Christ. The most memorable one for me was Eugene's. His old life sign said "Guilty, D65379." This was his prisoner number. Eugene spent 11 years in prison. Then he flipped it and it read "Not Guilty. Romans 3:24" Our people went crazy. Then Matthew West transitioned into his song "Only Grace." The 50 people holding the placards stood in front of the congregation holding up their signs. Tears flowed all over the tent. Our people got it. They saw what is at stake….”
We may want to think that this passage from Ezekiel is just a long ago story about some bones in a forgotten place. We may try to even deny the power that the Gospel offers. But the truth is that this is our story about our lives. What does your placard say? Are you willing to hold it high for others to see? It is good for us to know that God is at work all over the kingdom as well as right here in our hearts. As we move forward into that closer walk with our Savior, we find that our dead lives are being put right and healed. And that my friends moves us all just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Sermon Title: “Thus Says the Lord”
Sunday September 24, 2006
Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones
Luke 8:4-15, 22-56 Teaching and Healing
One of the most amazing events in our lives is to experience a re-birth of something or someone left for dead. Crushed, but not defeated were the words of Apostle Paul from our reading just two weeks ago. It is one thing to be in the presence of one who is riding high, on top of the world, and has it all going their way. It is entirely another thing to feel the power of one who was lost, but now is found; was blind, but now can see. God’s grace which leads to the new life of re-birth is always amazing. I believe real worship happens when we yearn to feel God’s healing presence and witness to this Spirit in our midst. I want that worship for me, and for you.
I am blessed to pass on a little piece I received this week on Jorge Acevedo, Pastor of Grace Church in Cape Coral and Olga Fort Myers Shores, Florida (www.egracechurch.com) While we were experiencing a huge Sunday here at Salem last week with 479 people gathering for worship Pastor Acevedo was in the midst of an old fashioned two hour tent revival at his church in Florida with about 1700 folks. Read on as he describes how the Spirit moved in new lives.
“After I preached, Matthew West sang "History" while 50 people transformed by Jesus walked to the center of the stage and held up a placard with a few words describing their life before Christ and then flipping it over with a few words describing their new life in Christ. The most memorable one for me was Eugene's. His old life sign said "Guilty, D65379." This was his prisoner number. Eugene spent 11 years in prison. Then he flipped it and it read "Not Guilty. Romans 3:24" Our people went crazy. Then Matthew West transitioned into his song "Only Grace." The 50 people holding the placards stood in front of the congregation holding up their signs. Tears flowed all over the tent. Our people got it. They saw what is at stake….”
We may want to think that this passage from Ezekiel is just a long ago story about some bones in a forgotten place. We may try to even deny the power that the Gospel offers. But the truth is that this is our story about our lives. What does your placard say? Are you willing to hold it high for others to see? It is good for us to know that God is at work all over the kingdom as well as right here in our hearts. As we move forward into that closer walk with our Savior, we find that our dead lives are being put right and healed. And that my friends moves us all just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14
Sermon Title: “Thus Says the Lord”
Monday, August 28, 2006
Thoughts for September 03, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday September 10, 2006
Exodus 1,2,3 The Call of Moses
Luke 5:27-32, 6:12-16, 8:1-3, 19-21 Call of the Apostles
Except for Abraham, Moses is probably the most important figure of the Old Testament. God used Moses’ leadership to bring the people of God into the promised land. No one else can claim that distinction. He was prophet, priest, a person of justice, he acted with malice and grace. He did it all.
The story of Moses birth and call to service is by it’s self amazing and I plan to preach particularly about the women who’s disobedience made Moses life possible. Sometimes a little civil disobedience can be a heavenly thing, but we must be careful to count the costs and ready to take responsibility for our actions. The mid-wives were not willing to let the Hebrew children die as they were instructed. They then lied to cover their actions. Have you had an experience when this was your story as well?
The story takes the baby Moses into pharaoh’s house as a ward of pharaoh’s daughter. He is given the Egyptian name Moses (say Mo-ses, like Ram-ses.) He grew and was educated but felt the pain of the Hebrews who suffered in slavery. He killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Worried that he would be caught, he fled the country to the wilderness where he found a nomadic family who needed someone to watch the sheep. It was here Moses encounter God in the burning bush. Notice that Moses has narrowly escaped at every turn of his life. In addition he has killed a man, lied to cover the death, and then fled as a fugitive. If God was ever going to choose someone to use to save the people, this guy would have to be at the bottom of the list. And yet, God works in mysterious ways, even in our lives.
You know the rest of the story. Moses went back to Egypt and led the people out into the wilderness where they wandered for 40 years before finally entering the promised land of Israel. We note that Moses did not enter, he died across the Jordan River. Moses did not enter the land but through his faithfulness, he did move himself and all the people of God just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21
Sermon Title: “When Being Bad, Isn’t”
Sunday September 10, 2006
Exodus 1,2,3 The Call of Moses
Luke 5:27-32, 6:12-16, 8:1-3, 19-21 Call of the Apostles
Except for Abraham, Moses is probably the most important figure of the Old Testament. God used Moses’ leadership to bring the people of God into the promised land. No one else can claim that distinction. He was prophet, priest, a person of justice, he acted with malice and grace. He did it all.
The story of Moses birth and call to service is by it’s self amazing and I plan to preach particularly about the women who’s disobedience made Moses life possible. Sometimes a little civil disobedience can be a heavenly thing, but we must be careful to count the costs and ready to take responsibility for our actions. The mid-wives were not willing to let the Hebrew children die as they were instructed. They then lied to cover their actions. Have you had an experience when this was your story as well?
The story takes the baby Moses into pharaoh’s house as a ward of pharaoh’s daughter. He is given the Egyptian name Moses (say Mo-ses, like Ram-ses.) He grew and was educated but felt the pain of the Hebrews who suffered in slavery. He killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew slave. Worried that he would be caught, he fled the country to the wilderness where he found a nomadic family who needed someone to watch the sheep. It was here Moses encounter God in the burning bush. Notice that Moses has narrowly escaped at every turn of his life. In addition he has killed a man, lied to cover the death, and then fled as a fugitive. If God was ever going to choose someone to use to save the people, this guy would have to be at the bottom of the list. And yet, God works in mysterious ways, even in our lives.
You know the rest of the story. Moses went back to Egypt and led the people out into the wilderness where they wandered for 40 years before finally entering the promised land of Israel. We note that Moses did not enter, he died across the Jordan River. Moses did not enter the land but through his faithfulness, he did move himself and all the people of God just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Exodus 1:15-21
Sermon Title: “When Being Bad, Isn’t”
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Thoughts for August 27, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday September 03, 2006
2 Corinthians 4 & 5 God’s Treasure
Luke 18:18-30 The Rich Young Man
Non-Breakable; now there is a concept. How many times over the years have we encountered something with the side tag of being non-breakable. Too often I would guess. My experience is that everything breaks eventually. Perhaps the product could be promoted with the phrase almost non-breakable or pretty much non-breakable. I get a good laugh out of stuff that is supposed to be rough and tough, the best thing on the market place, and then we find out it comes with almost no guarantee or warrantee. A 30 day limited warrantee and non-breakable status do not go together.
When I was a young man I believed I was unbreakable. Most of us feel this way as a youth. But as we grow and mature we have some hard knocks, make a few dumb mistakes and learn that we too are breakable. It happens to all of us, none are immune from the tumbles of life. And yet here is the funny thing; our culture seems to hold to the idea of unbreakable and even promotes it as a goal of a life lived to its fullest. The other night I had the opportunity to see some of the X-games motorcycle stunt competition. There were guys flying motorcycles 60 feet in the air, upside down, with out hanging on to the bike. Most landed safely, a few bite the dirt and were out cold. Nuts, these folks are nuts. And yet I know that if some of the stunts I have done in my youth were on national TV you would be saying the same thing. We all move to the edge of unbreakable at times in our lives; some lose their balance and go on over the edge. None of us are non-breakable, no matter what we may think.
The Apostle Paul offers to the church in Corinth that we are like clay jars, highly breakable. And inside these jars is a valuable treasure. All this is so that the power of God may show through in everything we accomplish. No matter what happens, even if our jar becomes broken in the course of its useful life, the treasure will remain and be established. What we believe is this: God’s promise of grace for our sin will not be broken. We believe life has the last word, not death. We believe God offers this extraordinary power to even ones like us. And when we realize our physical lives are breakable, but that our Spiritual lives are unbreakable, non-breakable, and even come with a guarantee, we are moved just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Sermon Title: “Not What I Wanted to Hear”
Sunday September 03, 2006
2 Corinthians 4 & 5 God’s Treasure
Luke 18:18-30 The Rich Young Man
Non-Breakable; now there is a concept. How many times over the years have we encountered something with the side tag of being non-breakable. Too often I would guess. My experience is that everything breaks eventually. Perhaps the product could be promoted with the phrase almost non-breakable or pretty much non-breakable. I get a good laugh out of stuff that is supposed to be rough and tough, the best thing on the market place, and then we find out it comes with almost no guarantee or warrantee. A 30 day limited warrantee and non-breakable status do not go together.
When I was a young man I believed I was unbreakable. Most of us feel this way as a youth. But as we grow and mature we have some hard knocks, make a few dumb mistakes and learn that we too are breakable. It happens to all of us, none are immune from the tumbles of life. And yet here is the funny thing; our culture seems to hold to the idea of unbreakable and even promotes it as a goal of a life lived to its fullest. The other night I had the opportunity to see some of the X-games motorcycle stunt competition. There were guys flying motorcycles 60 feet in the air, upside down, with out hanging on to the bike. Most landed safely, a few bite the dirt and were out cold. Nuts, these folks are nuts. And yet I know that if some of the stunts I have done in my youth were on national TV you would be saying the same thing. We all move to the edge of unbreakable at times in our lives; some lose their balance and go on over the edge. None of us are non-breakable, no matter what we may think.
The Apostle Paul offers to the church in Corinth that we are like clay jars, highly breakable. And inside these jars is a valuable treasure. All this is so that the power of God may show through in everything we accomplish. No matter what happens, even if our jar becomes broken in the course of its useful life, the treasure will remain and be established. What we believe is this: God’s promise of grace for our sin will not be broken. We believe life has the last word, not death. We believe God offers this extraordinary power to even ones like us. And when we realize our physical lives are breakable, but that our Spiritual lives are unbreakable, non-breakable, and even come with a guarantee, we are moved just a little closer to home. Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Sermon Title: “Not What I Wanted to Hear”
Monday, August 14, 2006
Thoughts for August 27, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday August 27, 2006
Philippians 2:1-18, 3 Christian Living
Acts 16 Lydia Grows the Church
Some days are like jewels. They come and go with a brightness that offers hope and illumination. Some days we are comfortable with ourselves and we do not spin or toil in anxious worry. Some days we are sure of our destination and the knowledge of a solid path under our feet. Some days are like jewels offered as a gift from a king.
Paul the Apostle writes to the church in Philippi of the hope offered by the life offered in discipleship to Jesus. However Paul is not only hopeful, rather he is expectant of God’s transforming grace to do a great work among the people of the church. When God has started a good work, God will finish the work. We take Paul’s words as a promise for our lives today. We move through our days with this hopeful promise offering that same solid footing for our life trek. This good work made manifest makes such a difference in the lives of Jesus’ disciples that they are easily distinguished from the common population. The goodness and hopefulness offered by the life focused on the mercy of Jesus’ love changes everything it contacts. True faith needs no introduction; it is as distinguished and rare as it is attractive.
Fertile ground is everywhere. Paul knew this and offers his prayers to all who would listen. Our lives have the capacity to make change and add blessings into others. The Christian life is not about finding security in the things of this world. We do not accept the grace of Jesus Christ so that we may avoid pain or suffering. Following Christ is costly in the ways of this world. Our value is found in the love of Christ. In God’s kingdom the bright shinny penny carries the same value and worth as the penny dull from use, lost, and forgotten underfoot.
The Christian life is full of grace. The Christian life is practical and moves at a thoughtful pace. The Christian life maintains the rule of love as the distinguishing mark. The Christian life is a gift from the King and is more precious than any bit of stone found on this earth. The Christian life completes our life path in full circle and like a dream, moves us a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
Sermon Title: “Clueless”
Sunday August 27, 2006
Philippians 2:1-18, 3 Christian Living
Acts 16 Lydia Grows the Church
Some days are like jewels. They come and go with a brightness that offers hope and illumination. Some days we are comfortable with ourselves and we do not spin or toil in anxious worry. Some days we are sure of our destination and the knowledge of a solid path under our feet. Some days are like jewels offered as a gift from a king.
Paul the Apostle writes to the church in Philippi of the hope offered by the life offered in discipleship to Jesus. However Paul is not only hopeful, rather he is expectant of God’s transforming grace to do a great work among the people of the church. When God has started a good work, God will finish the work. We take Paul’s words as a promise for our lives today. We move through our days with this hopeful promise offering that same solid footing for our life trek. This good work made manifest makes such a difference in the lives of Jesus’ disciples that they are easily distinguished from the common population. The goodness and hopefulness offered by the life focused on the mercy of Jesus’ love changes everything it contacts. True faith needs no introduction; it is as distinguished and rare as it is attractive.
Fertile ground is everywhere. Paul knew this and offers his prayers to all who would listen. Our lives have the capacity to make change and add blessings into others. The Christian life is not about finding security in the things of this world. We do not accept the grace of Jesus Christ so that we may avoid pain or suffering. Following Christ is costly in the ways of this world. Our value is found in the love of Christ. In God’s kingdom the bright shinny penny carries the same value and worth as the penny dull from use, lost, and forgotten underfoot.
The Christian life is full of grace. The Christian life is practical and moves at a thoughtful pace. The Christian life maintains the rule of love as the distinguishing mark. The Christian life is a gift from the King and is more precious than any bit of stone found on this earth. The Christian life completes our life path in full circle and like a dream, moves us a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11
Sermon Title: “Clueless”
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Thoughts for August 20, 2006
Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday August 20, 2006
Job 1,2,3,40,41,42 Suffering & Evil
Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man & Lazarus
Suffering is a fact of our lives. Nothing will protect us from pain and grief. As humans we are easily broken and bruised. All our strength will not protect us. Our wit and wisdom will not keep us from harms path. Try as we might, we will not escape this simple truth: suffering is a fact of our lives.
As we mature and are schooled in this difficult lesson, we learn to not invest our entire attention on avoiding suffering. Rather, we rightly focus our energy in surviving and managing our pain. Many times we see someone who has excelled in a particular field of endeavor and we are want to dismiss their accomplishment as one of privilege or a lack of personal suffering. My study offers that nothing could be further from the truth. The successful persons I admire are those who have learned and grown through some very difficult personal lessons and then gone beyond their pain and begun to offer themselves selflessly into the lives of others. Did you see Tiger Woods pump his fist and weep in the arms of his caddie following his victory at the British Open this past month? That was victory over the death and suffering he has experienced in the loss of his best friend and coach, his father.
Why do we invest so much energy in avoidance of pain? When in reality we learn so much from our suffering. Do you really want a pastor, or a church for that matter, who/which has never experienced a moment of pain and grief, or would you be more comfortable with one who displays a knowing heart towards the grace of healing and new life? Would your life be richer, fuller, and somehow more complete with an absence of any struggle or pain? A friend once offered to me these simple but profound words, “Lean into the pain and cry out to God.”
The good news is that as suffering comes to us all, God has promised to be with us. God is offering the Holy Spirit to walk with us and remind of us everything we need to survive and learn from our experience. As we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit, we begin to offer grace to the world around us. We claim only Jesus as the victory over suffering and death and that realization moves us ever a little closer to home.
Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Job 1:22
Sermon Title: “When the Sky Falls”
Sunday August 20, 2006
Job 1,2,3,40,41,42 Suffering & Evil
Luke 16:19-31 The Rich Man & Lazarus
Suffering is a fact of our lives. Nothing will protect us from pain and grief. As humans we are easily broken and bruised. All our strength will not protect us. Our wit and wisdom will not keep us from harms path. Try as we might, we will not escape this simple truth: suffering is a fact of our lives.
As we mature and are schooled in this difficult lesson, we learn to not invest our entire attention on avoiding suffering. Rather, we rightly focus our energy in surviving and managing our pain. Many times we see someone who has excelled in a particular field of endeavor and we are want to dismiss their accomplishment as one of privilege or a lack of personal suffering. My study offers that nothing could be further from the truth. The successful persons I admire are those who have learned and grown through some very difficult personal lessons and then gone beyond their pain and begun to offer themselves selflessly into the lives of others. Did you see Tiger Woods pump his fist and weep in the arms of his caddie following his victory at the British Open this past month? That was victory over the death and suffering he has experienced in the loss of his best friend and coach, his father.
Why do we invest so much energy in avoidance of pain? When in reality we learn so much from our suffering. Do you really want a pastor, or a church for that matter, who/which has never experienced a moment of pain and grief, or would you be more comfortable with one who displays a knowing heart towards the grace of healing and new life? Would your life be richer, fuller, and somehow more complete with an absence of any struggle or pain? A friend once offered to me these simple but profound words, “Lean into the pain and cry out to God.”
The good news is that as suffering comes to us all, God has promised to be with us. God is offering the Holy Spirit to walk with us and remind of us everything we need to survive and learn from our experience. As we are strengthened by the presence of the Spirit, we begin to offer grace to the world around us. We claim only Jesus as the victory over suffering and death and that realization moves us ever a little closer to home.
Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Job 1:22
Sermon Title: “When the Sky Falls”
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Daily Scripture Reading Leading to Sunday June 25, 2006
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday June 25, 2006
Monday:
1 Samuel 17:1-32 Who Will Fight Goliath
Nobody wants to fight the big guy. Goliath is just huge and very ugly. He is sure to put an end to anyone who comes out against him.
Tuesday:
Psalms 9 Power and Justice
God is full of wonderful deeds and leads us into a place of justice for the nations. Can you sing this Psalm through your life experience?
Wednesday:
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 An Acceptable Time
They say timing is everything for a comedian; I suggest timing is everything in God’s kingdom as well, God’s timing that is.
Thursday:
2 Corinthians 6:11-16 Temples of God
Apostle Paul calls us temples of the living God. And so we are. At least in the respect of our souls housing God’s activity in the world. We are God’s creation. We are God’s people. We are the hands and feet of God active in the world to feed the hungry and heal the broken hearted. How do you act in the temple of God? That is how you should act everyday.
Friday:
1 Samuel 17:32-49 David and Goliath
Of all people, David is not the one we would choose to fight for us. He is a boy, small in stature, and even King Saul’s armor does not fit the boy. Yet he is the one. With a sling shot and five smooth stones he walks into battle. What are your five stones?
Saturday:
Mark 4:35-41 Peace, Be Still
They are on the water and a storm approaches. The little boat is going to be swamped and they would surely drown. In the midst of the shouting and panic of the disciples, Jesus offers three words of calm and comfort for our lives. The first one is a command directed to the sea (I secretly wonder if Jesus didn’t say this to the disciples who assumed he was speaking to the wind and waves.) The last two are questions directed to the disciples. Their response is one of awe and wonder.
“Peace! Be still!”
“Why are you afraid?”
“Have you still no faith?”
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sunday June 25, 2006
Monday:
1 Samuel 17:1-32 Who Will Fight Goliath
Nobody wants to fight the big guy. Goliath is just huge and very ugly. He is sure to put an end to anyone who comes out against him.
Tuesday:
Psalms 9 Power and Justice
God is full of wonderful deeds and leads us into a place of justice for the nations. Can you sing this Psalm through your life experience?
Wednesday:
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 An Acceptable Time
They say timing is everything for a comedian; I suggest timing is everything in God’s kingdom as well, God’s timing that is.
Thursday:
2 Corinthians 6:11-16 Temples of God
Apostle Paul calls us temples of the living God. And so we are. At least in the respect of our souls housing God’s activity in the world. We are God’s creation. We are God’s people. We are the hands and feet of God active in the world to feed the hungry and heal the broken hearted. How do you act in the temple of God? That is how you should act everyday.
Friday:
1 Samuel 17:32-49 David and Goliath
Of all people, David is not the one we would choose to fight for us. He is a boy, small in stature, and even King Saul’s armor does not fit the boy. Yet he is the one. With a sling shot and five smooth stones he walks into battle. What are your five stones?
Saturday:
Mark 4:35-41 Peace, Be Still
They are on the water and a storm approaches. The little boat is going to be swamped and they would surely drown. In the midst of the shouting and panic of the disciples, Jesus offers three words of calm and comfort for our lives. The first one is a command directed to the sea (I secretly wonder if Jesus didn’t say this to the disciples who assumed he was speaking to the wind and waves.) The last two are questions directed to the disciples. Their response is one of awe and wonder.
“Peace! Be still!”
“Why are you afraid?”
“Have you still no faith?”
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Friday, June 02, 2006
A Little Closer to Home
A Little Closer to Home …
Map, Morph, Melt.
As members of Salem UMC we all know our goal is to live a life worthy of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. We all know we are directed to offer ourselves sacrificially. We all know this means our attention, our time, and our money. We all know we must gather and celebrate in worship, grow in personal and corporate discipleship, and go to the world in service. We all know as we do these things, the body of Christ will continue to expand and God will be honored by our attempts at faithfulness.
A new generation of believers is beginning to make themselves known. We seek to not make them like us, but rather we send them forth from our places of tradition and ritual not unlike young birds venturing from the nest. These new believers, this next generation now emerging, will have a voice in how the church looks and acts. To deny them would be to revert our practice backwards into one of entitlement and security rather than ministry and a complete reliance upon God.
Who are these new believers and what are they asking of us who make up and lead the church today? Well, they are few in numbers but deep in passion. They are young in age but mature in the things of Christ. They may look like children, but do not be fooled as many have read their Bibles and offer daily prayers expecting miracles within the kingdom as naturally as expecting the sun to rise in the morning. I am just beginning to be able to hear them. I have to listen very carefully. They sing new songs and offer new dreams, but they are walking the same paths we followers of Christ, we pilgrims of the cross, have trod for over 2000 years.
For me it is to gather, grow, and go. It serves me well. Offers me a daily direction and instructs my going out and my coming home. And yet the small voice I hear from a new place is one of Mapping, Morphing, and Melting. Mapping is a way of finding where you are by taking careful attention to where you have been and what you now find all around you. Mapping allows us to go into new territory and not become lost or overwhelmed. Mapping is a time of stopping and taking a little bread and wine to strength us for the yet awaiting journey. Morphing is like growing in a sense, yet it contains a flavor of change that continues as we journey. The apostle Paul said he becomes all things so that he may influence all people. Paul was morphing. Melting is just like is sounds, we melt into the fabric of life and in an almost unseen way begin to move the whole towards God. Melting is going in mission in a deep and fruitful, sacrificial way.
I am not suggesting that we give up our gather, grow, and go. But I am suggesting we take a fresh look at our lives and how it is we are accomplishing our goals. I am suggesting we take some time to listen carefully for the new songs being sung around our camp and continue to be willing to think new thoughts and attempt the impossible. For surely God is with us on our path, and the world is still hurting and is dying for a savior.
See You Sunday, Rev. Dave Weesner
Map, Morph, Melt.
As members of Salem UMC we all know our goal is to live a life worthy of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. We all know we are directed to offer ourselves sacrificially. We all know this means our attention, our time, and our money. We all know we must gather and celebrate in worship, grow in personal and corporate discipleship, and go to the world in service. We all know as we do these things, the body of Christ will continue to expand and God will be honored by our attempts at faithfulness.
A new generation of believers is beginning to make themselves known. We seek to not make them like us, but rather we send them forth from our places of tradition and ritual not unlike young birds venturing from the nest. These new believers, this next generation now emerging, will have a voice in how the church looks and acts. To deny them would be to revert our practice backwards into one of entitlement and security rather than ministry and a complete reliance upon God.
Who are these new believers and what are they asking of us who make up and lead the church today? Well, they are few in numbers but deep in passion. They are young in age but mature in the things of Christ. They may look like children, but do not be fooled as many have read their Bibles and offer daily prayers expecting miracles within the kingdom as naturally as expecting the sun to rise in the morning. I am just beginning to be able to hear them. I have to listen very carefully. They sing new songs and offer new dreams, but they are walking the same paths we followers of Christ, we pilgrims of the cross, have trod for over 2000 years.
For me it is to gather, grow, and go. It serves me well. Offers me a daily direction and instructs my going out and my coming home. And yet the small voice I hear from a new place is one of Mapping, Morphing, and Melting. Mapping is a way of finding where you are by taking careful attention to where you have been and what you now find all around you. Mapping allows us to go into new territory and not become lost or overwhelmed. Mapping is a time of stopping and taking a little bread and wine to strength us for the yet awaiting journey. Morphing is like growing in a sense, yet it contains a flavor of change that continues as we journey. The apostle Paul said he becomes all things so that he may influence all people. Paul was morphing. Melting is just like is sounds, we melt into the fabric of life and in an almost unseen way begin to move the whole towards God. Melting is going in mission in a deep and fruitful, sacrificial way.
I am not suggesting that we give up our gather, grow, and go. But I am suggesting we take a fresh look at our lives and how it is we are accomplishing our goals. I am suggesting we take some time to listen carefully for the new songs being sung around our camp and continue to be willing to think new thoughts and attempt the impossible. For surely God is with us on our path, and the world is still hurting and is dying for a savior.
See You Sunday, Rev. Dave Weesner
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Daily Scripture Reading Leading to Sunday June 11, 2006
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Pentecost Sunday June 11, 2006
Monday:
Isaiah 6:1-8 Here Am I, Send Me
The call of Isaiah is powerful and as we read we are caught up into the metaphore and imagery. Hot coals on the lips, Ouch!!
Tuesday:
Psalms 29 Voice of God
Nothing is like the voice of God. Have you heard the voice of which the Psalmist speaks?
Wednesday:
Psalms 29 The Storm
Read and ponder this Psalm a second day. Today focus your thoughts on the storm surrounding the voice of God. The people of God do not seem to be swept away by the storm; rather they appear to be strengthend by it all. Cool!!
Thursday:
Romans 8:12-17 The Good News
Once again this week Romans is full of good news for God’s people. We learn that we are like adopted little children into a new family. What we may not expect and cannot know beforehand is that this is the family of the king. While we may be told of the blessings of this relationship, it is our personal expereice which confirms our hearts to Christ Jesus. We then must go in works and deeds of love and care.
Friday:
John 3:1-15 Nicodemus and Jesus
How can a second birth be possible? Consider your place in this story and your second birth.
Saturday:
John 3:16-17 God’s Purpose
Perhaps my favorite passage. Memorize this!!
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Pastor Dave will be attending Annual Conference in Ames this week. On Sunday he will be preaching at Boone 1st UMC. David received a Taylor Scholorship from Boone 1st from 1987-1990. Boone 1st UMC invites a former Taylor Scholorship reciepent every year during the Annual Conference.
Dr. Greg Witte, Ph.D. who is the Executive Director of Risen Son Christain Village will give our sermon. Dr. Witte is an outstanding speaker and I promise you will be blessed with his insight and spirited delivery.
Pentecost Sunday June 11, 2006
Monday:
Isaiah 6:1-8 Here Am I, Send Me
The call of Isaiah is powerful and as we read we are caught up into the metaphore and imagery. Hot coals on the lips, Ouch!!
Tuesday:
Psalms 29 Voice of God
Nothing is like the voice of God. Have you heard the voice of which the Psalmist speaks?
Wednesday:
Psalms 29 The Storm
Read and ponder this Psalm a second day. Today focus your thoughts on the storm surrounding the voice of God. The people of God do not seem to be swept away by the storm; rather they appear to be strengthend by it all. Cool!!
Thursday:
Romans 8:12-17 The Good News
Once again this week Romans is full of good news for God’s people. We learn that we are like adopted little children into a new family. What we may not expect and cannot know beforehand is that this is the family of the king. While we may be told of the blessings of this relationship, it is our personal expereice which confirms our hearts to Christ Jesus. We then must go in works and deeds of love and care.
Friday:
John 3:1-15 Nicodemus and Jesus
How can a second birth be possible? Consider your place in this story and your second birth.
Saturday:
John 3:16-17 God’s Purpose
Perhaps my favorite passage. Memorize this!!
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Pastor Dave will be attending Annual Conference in Ames this week. On Sunday he will be preaching at Boone 1st UMC. David received a Taylor Scholorship from Boone 1st from 1987-1990. Boone 1st UMC invites a former Taylor Scholorship reciepent every year during the Annual Conference.
Dr. Greg Witte, Ph.D. who is the Executive Director of Risen Son Christain Village will give our sermon. Dr. Witte is an outstanding speaker and I promise you will be blessed with his insight and spirited delivery.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Daily Scripture Reading Leading to June 4, 2006
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Pentecost Sunday June 04, 2006
Monday:
Acts 2:1-13 The Day of Pentecost
Lukes account of the Spiritual happenings within the early body of believers. Is you experience similar?
Tuesday:
Acts 2:14-21 More Pentecost
Peter offers that this people of God are not drunk, although they probably look and sound like it. The promise in Verse 21 feels very important to me.
Wednesday:
Psalms 104 The Creator
The Psalmist recongnizes it is God who creates. While this may seem like a “no brainer” I believe it is really the first steping stone to the life in grace.
Thursday:
Romans 8:22-25 The Good News
I think hope may be the most needed message to the world from the church today. Where do we look for hope? When we are without hope we do stupid things which hurt people. When we live with hope, we honor God and our neighbors as ourselves.
Friday:
Romans 8:26-27 The Spirit Prays For Us
Sometimes folks tell me they do not know how to pray. I take that pretty seriously because without the leading of the Holy Spirit my prayers can feel lame and uninspired. More than a wish list or a listing of our perceived needs, our prayers could be described as a little dance with the Spirit. We lead, sometimes we follow. Sometimes we just step on toes, other times we find magic.
Saturday:
John 15:26-27; 164b-15 Going Deeper
Read this passage over three times, and it will begin to offer some deep insights into your personal experience. I find this passage to be helpful and hopeful, not punitive.
We must choose sides in life. Strange as it seems God allows us to choose, even though God has already chosen us. I always enjoy keeping verse 27 close to my heart. What a nice promise to ponder.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:26-27; 164b-15
Sermon Title: “Choosing Sides”
Pentecost Sunday June 04, 2006
Monday:
Acts 2:1-13 The Day of Pentecost
Lukes account of the Spiritual happenings within the early body of believers. Is you experience similar?
Tuesday:
Acts 2:14-21 More Pentecost
Peter offers that this people of God are not drunk, although they probably look and sound like it. The promise in Verse 21 feels very important to me.
Wednesday:
Psalms 104 The Creator
The Psalmist recongnizes it is God who creates. While this may seem like a “no brainer” I believe it is really the first steping stone to the life in grace.
Thursday:
Romans 8:22-25 The Good News
I think hope may be the most needed message to the world from the church today. Where do we look for hope? When we are without hope we do stupid things which hurt people. When we live with hope, we honor God and our neighbors as ourselves.
Friday:
Romans 8:26-27 The Spirit Prays For Us
Sometimes folks tell me they do not know how to pray. I take that pretty seriously because without the leading of the Holy Spirit my prayers can feel lame and uninspired. More than a wish list or a listing of our perceived needs, our prayers could be described as a little dance with the Spirit. We lead, sometimes we follow. Sometimes we just step on toes, other times we find magic.
Saturday:
John 15:26-27; 164b-15 Going Deeper
Read this passage over three times, and it will begin to offer some deep insights into your personal experience. I find this passage to be helpful and hopeful, not punitive.
We must choose sides in life. Strange as it seems God allows us to choose, even though God has already chosen us. I always enjoy keeping verse 27 close to my heart. What a nice promise to ponder.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:26-27; 164b-15
Sermon Title: “Choosing Sides”
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Daily Scripture Reading Leading to Sunday May 21, 2006
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday May 21, 2006
Monday:
Acts 10:44-46a Holy Spirit Power
The Holy Spirit comes to the Gentiles. What might this feel like or look like?
Tuesday:
Acts 10:46b-48 Good Question
Baptism always is appropriate for those experiencing God for the first time in thier lives.
Wednesday:
Psalms 98 God’s Kingship
O sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise to the Lord; all the earth!
Thursday:
1 John 5:1-5 The Victory of Faith
Faith seems to be the key to the live in Christ. We do not win favor with God through our actions, even though they may be virtious. We receive grace by faith only.
Friday:
1 John 5:6 Water, Blood. and Spirit
This is a interesting trinity of metaphors. Take a few minutes and consider the role and place of each of these in your life.
Saturday:
John 15:9-17 Love Defined
The love of the Father is clearly defined as ours to receive or deny. We are chosen by God, not the other way around. To love means to offer our life as a sacrifice to the other. Martin Buber in his work, “I & Thou” says that there is no I unless we acknowledge the Thou in our midst. So my life is only viable in relationship to my ackloledgement of your life. In other words, to accept Christ is to acknowledge the other. And it is in this action of remembering, which is in a sense a self-giving, that we find our lives renewed and resurrected. Our willingness to live by the rule of God’s love is key to our life in Christ Jesus. As God has remembered us, so should we remember others.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon Title: “No Greater Love”
Sunday May 21, 2006
Monday:
Acts 10:44-46a Holy Spirit Power
The Holy Spirit comes to the Gentiles. What might this feel like or look like?
Tuesday:
Acts 10:46b-48 Good Question
Baptism always is appropriate for those experiencing God for the first time in thier lives.
Wednesday:
Psalms 98 God’s Kingship
O sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise to the Lord; all the earth!
Thursday:
1 John 5:1-5 The Victory of Faith
Faith seems to be the key to the live in Christ. We do not win favor with God through our actions, even though they may be virtious. We receive grace by faith only.
Friday:
1 John 5:6 Water, Blood. and Spirit
This is a interesting trinity of metaphors. Take a few minutes and consider the role and place of each of these in your life.
Saturday:
John 15:9-17 Love Defined
The love of the Father is clearly defined as ours to receive or deny. We are chosen by God, not the other way around. To love means to offer our life as a sacrifice to the other. Martin Buber in his work, “I & Thou” says that there is no I unless we acknowledge the Thou in our midst. So my life is only viable in relationship to my ackloledgement of your life. In other words, to accept Christ is to acknowledge the other. And it is in this action of remembering, which is in a sense a self-giving, that we find our lives renewed and resurrected. Our willingness to live by the rule of God’s love is key to our life in Christ Jesus. As God has remembered us, so should we remember others.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:9-17
Sermon Title: “No Greater Love”
Thursday, May 04, 2006
A Little Closer to Home...
A Little Closer to Home…
Ten Things I Believe and will preach here at Salem UMC:
Ten Things I Do Not Believe and will not preach here at Salem UMC
I am not sure where these lists leave you. I can tell you they leave me with a list of sermon topics for the next few years. If we could preach and teach only one thing, wouldn’t that one thing be that God loves you. And if we could offer only one action over the rest of our lives, wouldn’t that one act be something which offers grace to a suffering world in the name of Jesus?
If you could do one thing, would you Baptize, or offer Holy Communion? Would you get involved with feeding hungry people, or sorting out injustice and setting straight the course for the future?
Or would you buy something to make yourself feel better. Would you watch more TV and play more pool? Would you put your life above others or would you sacrifice your life so that others could also know love and live? What do you do now? Like it or not, our actions shout out what we believe?
See you Sunday, Dave Weesner
Ten Things I Believe and will preach here at Salem UMC:
- God, the great I AM, created, creates, will create.
- Jesus was fully human and fully God at the same time
- Jesus was crucified until dead for sin, and then re-gained physical life
- The Holy Spirit speaks and acts today
- Only God’s grace is sufficient for salvation
- Grace is received by faith in Jesus Christ
- The two sacramental means of grace are: Baptism & Holy Communion
- Worship happens when God is celebrated
- The church has only one mission: To Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
- The church in mission will always offer justice and relieve the suffering of humanity
Ten Things I Do Not Believe and will not preach here at Salem UMC
- There is no God
- God of Old Testament: Mean and Bad vs. God of New Testament: Good & Happy
- Jesus was a fictional character, Scripture is a human document
- Jesus was not crucified, was married, and lived in France
- Basically everyone is a good person, Everyone goes to heaven
- I can be a Christian and not surrender my life to Jesus, there is always more time
- Infant Baptism is just a rite of passage for proud parents
- Holy Communion has no real power to save
- Animals have a spiritual life equal with humans
- God loves Americans more than folks from other countries
I am not sure where these lists leave you. I can tell you they leave me with a list of sermon topics for the next few years. If we could preach and teach only one thing, wouldn’t that one thing be that God loves you. And if we could offer only one action over the rest of our lives, wouldn’t that one act be something which offers grace to a suffering world in the name of Jesus?
If you could do one thing, would you Baptize, or offer Holy Communion? Would you get involved with feeding hungry people, or sorting out injustice and setting straight the course for the future?
Or would you buy something to make yourself feel better. Would you watch more TV and play more pool? Would you put your life above others or would you sacrifice your life so that others could also know love and live? What do you do now? Like it or not, our actions shout out what we believe?
See you Sunday, Dave Weesner
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to Sunday May 14th
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday May 14, 2006
Monday:
1 John 4:7-21 No Fear
Read the passage with the forcus of fear being forign to God’s plan of love for our lives. What would your life be like if you had no fear?
Tuesday:
1 John 4:7-21 Essence of God
Read this same passage again today and focus on what God must be like, based on this important scripture. What does love look like?
Wednesday:
Psalms 22:25-31 Sing the Song
The Psalm offers a glimsp of God. It also offers a vision of our response to God. How is your life similar or different from the Psalm?
Thursday:
Acts 8:26-40 Good News
We are like Philip in offering God’s blessings with joy. What good news we have to share with a hurting world! Have you ever felt like Philip, when because you were so much in the Spirit you did not remember how you got from one place to another?
Friday:
John 15:1-8 Broken Connection
The connection between vine and brach is essential for fruit to grow. What happens when the connection is broken? You guessed it. The branch withers and if and any fruit does not mature and spoils.
Saturday:
John 15:1-8 The Good Connection
Read the same passage again today. This time consider the good connection between vine and branch. Consider the fruit and to what the mature ripe fruit bear witness. We are told we are made in the image of God. Could it be that we are image bearers of God’s Spirit or Soul? Or perhaps the better question, How could it be that we are not? Either way we see god’s place in creation and new growth. Not that the fruit is the image of God, but rather, that it bears witness to that which does: You and me. We bear fruit when we stay connected and growing. Pruning, painful as it can be, may even help more fruit grow.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon Title: “Image Bearer”
Sunday May 14, 2006
Monday:
1 John 4:7-21 No Fear
Read the passage with the forcus of fear being forign to God’s plan of love for our lives. What would your life be like if you had no fear?
Tuesday:
1 John 4:7-21 Essence of God
Read this same passage again today and focus on what God must be like, based on this important scripture. What does love look like?
Wednesday:
Psalms 22:25-31 Sing the Song
The Psalm offers a glimsp of God. It also offers a vision of our response to God. How is your life similar or different from the Psalm?
Thursday:
Acts 8:26-40 Good News
We are like Philip in offering God’s blessings with joy. What good news we have to share with a hurting world! Have you ever felt like Philip, when because you were so much in the Spirit you did not remember how you got from one place to another?
Friday:
John 15:1-8 Broken Connection
The connection between vine and brach is essential for fruit to grow. What happens when the connection is broken? You guessed it. The branch withers and if and any fruit does not mature and spoils.
Saturday:
John 15:1-8 The Good Connection
Read the same passage again today. This time consider the good connection between vine and branch. Consider the fruit and to what the mature ripe fruit bear witness. We are told we are made in the image of God. Could it be that we are image bearers of God’s Spirit or Soul? Or perhaps the better question, How could it be that we are not? Either way we see god’s place in creation and new growth. Not that the fruit is the image of God, but rather, that it bears witness to that which does: You and me. We bear fruit when we stay connected and growing. Pruning, painful as it can be, may even help more fruit grow.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: John 15:1-8
Sermon Title: “Image Bearer”
Friday, April 21, 2006
Daily Scripture Reading for Sunday April 30, 2006
Daily Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday April 30, 2006
Monday:
Acts 3:1-26 Peter Heals a Crippled Man
The power Peter is using is the same power we have available today. Jesus is at the center of this powerful witness. Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Tuesday:
Luke 24:36b-43 Having Fish w/ the Disciples
Maybe the central point is that Jesus was eating a piece of fish. This is the resurrected Jesus, not some ghost guy from outer space. He was real, alive, and eating. That has to be worth something.
Wednesday:
Psalms 4:1-8 Trusting God
Like last week this is also one of the shortest Psalms. It is only eight verses. READ IT!!
Thursday:
Luke 24:44-48 Jesus Speaks
After Jesus eats some fish he begins to share with the disciples the ways that these events have fulfilled scripture. Jesus encourages them to wait for the completion of the promise which God will send. We know that day as Pentecost.
Friday:
1 John 3:1-3 Children of God
One line really caught my eye. It was verse two, “for we shall all be changed.” I use this verse in almost every funeral service. “What we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know we are going to be like Him.” Is that enough for us? I think not some days. We want to be in control of our days and our future. We want to know, like planning for retirement. We can try to be ready but we will not know fully until that time comes. So there comes the rub. If you are not choosing & planning where you are going you will end up where you are headed. Simply put, choose your future. The form of our lives is in God’s hands, the freedom to choose is ours.
Saturday:
1 John 3:4-7 No Sin in Christ
So sin is lawlessness. And we are speaking of the kingdom laws here, the Big Ten. The author calls us little children in verse seven. How many times I have thought about the ways we act just like children when things go right, or things go wrong. What does it mean to grow in the Spirit of God? How we might act differently today?
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: 1John 3:1-7
Sermon Title: “Well, I’ll Be”
Sunday April 30, 2006
Monday:
Acts 3:1-26 Peter Heals a Crippled Man
The power Peter is using is the same power we have available today. Jesus is at the center of this powerful witness. Father, Son, Holy Spirit
Tuesday:
Luke 24:36b-43 Having Fish w/ the Disciples
Maybe the central point is that Jesus was eating a piece of fish. This is the resurrected Jesus, not some ghost guy from outer space. He was real, alive, and eating. That has to be worth something.
Wednesday:
Psalms 4:1-8 Trusting God
Like last week this is also one of the shortest Psalms. It is only eight verses. READ IT!!
Thursday:
Luke 24:44-48 Jesus Speaks
After Jesus eats some fish he begins to share with the disciples the ways that these events have fulfilled scripture. Jesus encourages them to wait for the completion of the promise which God will send. We know that day as Pentecost.
Friday:
1 John 3:1-3 Children of God
One line really caught my eye. It was verse two, “for we shall all be changed.” I use this verse in almost every funeral service. “What we shall be has not yet been revealed. But we know we are going to be like Him.” Is that enough for us? I think not some days. We want to be in control of our days and our future. We want to know, like planning for retirement. We can try to be ready but we will not know fully until that time comes. So there comes the rub. If you are not choosing & planning where you are going you will end up where you are headed. Simply put, choose your future. The form of our lives is in God’s hands, the freedom to choose is ours.
Saturday:
1 John 3:4-7 No Sin in Christ
So sin is lawlessness. And we are speaking of the kingdom laws here, the Big Ten. The author calls us little children in verse seven. How many times I have thought about the ways we act just like children when things go right, or things go wrong. What does it mean to grow in the Spirit of God? How we might act differently today?
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Scripture: 1John 3:1-7
Sermon Title: “Well, I’ll Be”
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