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”