Conversion means change. That which has been, now is somehow better or improved, closer to perfect. Broken verses Repaired; Lost verses Found; Empty verses Filled. You get the idea.
A conversion, in a Christian context, is also known as a "born again" experience. We may recall John Wesley's experience of a "strangely warmed heart.” Conversion is necessary for the life in Jesus Christ. How conversion happens, what it may look like, or even the time period needed to complete a conversion, vary to the extremes. We do know the Holy Spirit is active and leads the process of conversion. We do know we become more like Jesus Christ in conversion. We do know conversion moves us toward God, perhaps even within God. Conversion is individually unique, yet held in common with others within the community of faith.
Conversion is a life dance with God's grace enabling our soul to be refined into something more. One can die without experiencing conversion; however, one cannot experience the fullness of life without experiencing conversion.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Scripture Readings for August 05, 2007
Habakkuk Why a Just God is Silent
We wonder why evil appears to flourish while a good God looks on. I think the answer is in the question, as is often the case. The prophet Habakkuk offers the righteous live by faith. We live by God’s grace, not by our own wit and wisdom. God offers goodness and allows the possibility for evil. We choose.
Ever notice that the material possessions, fame, or fortune of others never brings happiness. Never. People may be happy, contented, and well grounded but it is never because of the size of the storage units piled high with their stuff. Good choices give us life and bring us just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-5
Sermon Title: “Power to Live”
We wonder why evil appears to flourish while a good God looks on. I think the answer is in the question, as is often the case. The prophet Habakkuk offers the righteous live by faith. We live by God’s grace, not by our own wit and wisdom. God offers goodness and allows the possibility for evil. We choose.
Ever notice that the material possessions, fame, or fortune of others never brings happiness. Never. People may be happy, contented, and well grounded but it is never because of the size of the storage units piled high with their stuff. Good choices give us life and bring us just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Habakkuk 2:1-5
Sermon Title: “Power to Live”
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
A Word on Prayer…
To pray is to focus ourselves within God’s presence. Prayer moves us to experience that which is already, but has remained unknown. To pray is to join with God in what God is doing. Therefore, prayer is either always selfish or never selfish, depending on how we understand the outcome.
Real prayer takes time. Thirty minutes every day is a good start. Real prayer offers a conversation with God regarding all the vital details of our lives as well as the mundane seemingly unimportant aspects of our days. All topics are welcome in prayer.
Yet, we do not know what to pray. No one ever does, nor can. We place ourselves in God’s presence and listen. Quietly waiting for God to speak is the hardest work of our praying. By listening, we begin to sense the message, which God has been speaking to us all along. Let us pray.
Real prayer takes time. Thirty minutes every day is a good start. Real prayer offers a conversation with God regarding all the vital details of our lives as well as the mundane seemingly unimportant aspects of our days. All topics are welcome in prayer.
Yet, we do not know what to pray. No one ever does, nor can. We place ourselves in God’s presence and listen. Quietly waiting for God to speak is the hardest work of our praying. By listening, we begin to sense the message, which God has been speaking to us all along. Let us pray.
Scripture Readings Leading to July 29, 2007
John 4:1- 42 The Woman at the Well
The woman at the well did not expect grace. We never do. The woman at the well did not expect a messiah. Nor do we. The woman at the well did not expect cool water to quench her thirst. To drink deeply and be satisfied is a Spiritual experience. How does your life align with this woman? Do you understand her needs, her fears? Jesus understood.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus turned water into wine. In this passage John recalls Jesus turning water into a transformed life. Our lives are also transformed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ who calls us to the well just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 4:7-15
Sermon Title: “Cool Water”
The woman at the well did not expect grace. We never do. The woman at the well did not expect a messiah. Nor do we. The woman at the well did not expect cool water to quench her thirst. To drink deeply and be satisfied is a Spiritual experience. How does your life align with this woman? Do you understand her needs, her fears? Jesus understood.
In Luke’s gospel Jesus turned water into wine. In this passage John recalls Jesus turning water into a transformed life. Our lives are also transformed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ who calls us to the well just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 4:7-15
Sermon Title: “Cool Water”
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A Word on Christian Marriage…
Two people joining together for a lifetime while submitting to a blessing by God is a sacred covenant. Christian marriage is more than an agreement, more than an arrangement, it is a grace-filled bond offered by God. God offers an unseen guest of grace to be a part of the marriage, until death parts the couple. And so, the two who come together actually leave for a life together as three: groom, bride, Holy Spirit.
Christian marriage is always in the moment, it is never lived in the past. When we celebrate a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary we are essentially saying, that as a couple, they have given themselves to each moment for that length of time. We do not simply celebrate the past, we honor the moment by moment commitment held by God’s grace.
Remember, a wedding is not a marriage. Preparing for a wedding should be exciting and inspiring. However, preparing for a marriage holds far more blessings and should receive the lions share of our attention.
Christian marriage is always in the moment, it is never lived in the past. When we celebrate a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary we are essentially saying, that as a couple, they have given themselves to each moment for that length of time. We do not simply celebrate the past, we honor the moment by moment commitment held by God’s grace.
Remember, a wedding is not a marriage. Preparing for a wedding should be exciting and inspiring. However, preparing for a marriage holds far more blessings and should receive the lions share of our attention.
A Word on Gossip…
Gossip is talk which is not intended to confront or inspire, rather it's purpose is to demote others so as to raise the self; so that one's ego may be artificially inflated. Gossip deals, not in the achievements, rather in the defeat of another. We conspire with, and are unwittingly used by, "the accuser" when we gossip. Those who gossip do so with malice, not grace.
Gossip requires talkers who talk and listeners who listen. Consider that those who talk and those who listen are both active, equal, participants. As gossip makes another loop, a new group of good folks invest their energy into spreading a damaging message. What is the worse evil, the original gossip or the gossip loops that follow? I am equally saddened by both.
Lord have Mercy.
Gossip requires talkers who talk and listeners who listen. Consider that those who talk and those who listen are both active, equal, participants. As gossip makes another loop, a new group of good folks invest their energy into spreading a damaging message. What is the worse evil, the original gossip or the gossip loops that follow? I am equally saddened by both.
Lord have Mercy.
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