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
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
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.
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