Exodus 1,2,3 The Call of Moses
The call of Moses is foundational. God calls each of us into the priesthood of all believers. These first chapters of Exodus outline the birth and call of the great Mo-sayes, leader of the Hebrew people to a new life. We find strength and hope in this narrative.
The faith of a mother who, in a desperate attempt to save his life, would put her child in a basket and push him off into the flow of the mighty Nile, instructs us into a new path, a new reality for out lives. She could not know the outcome. She had to trust God, fully trust God, only trust God.
We may understand ourselves as the one in the basket, the one on the shore weeping for her child, the sister running the shore to maintain contact, or even Pharaoh’s daughter who draws the baby from the Nile against the wishes of her father. Whatever our place, a willingness to listen to God and then act with faith is our path to moving us all just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10
Sermon Title: “A Basket Case”
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Readings Leading to September 02, 2007
2 Corinthians 4 & 5 New Life in Christ Jesus
The Apostle Paul writes that we have treasures in clay pots. Some days I think mine is cracked. But that is the point he is making. We have the most wonderful gift hidden in these most common of items. The Spirit of God resides within us. Why would God allow something so wonderful to be carried by such a common thing as you and me?
Paul also offers that if anyone is in Christ Jesus, they are a new creation. This is where I think my sermon will center. This idea of a new creation is just like something God would do. Take everything that is common and make it into something new, something amazing. To be a new creation is to let go of all our pain and worry and grasp a new reality, waiting for us like a bride awaiting the wedding march. Could God be that good? Could we be that unwilling? Could this be real?
Consider with me what our lives will be as we fully rest into Christ Jesus. Consider those who live in need and the impact the new creation will have on their lives. Reach out to Jesus and let God heal that cracked pot of a live. And when we do this, day by day, we all move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Sermon Title: “From Now On”
The Apostle Paul writes that we have treasures in clay pots. Some days I think mine is cracked. But that is the point he is making. We have the most wonderful gift hidden in these most common of items. The Spirit of God resides within us. Why would God allow something so wonderful to be carried by such a common thing as you and me?
Paul also offers that if anyone is in Christ Jesus, they are a new creation. This is where I think my sermon will center. This idea of a new creation is just like something God would do. Take everything that is common and make it into something new, something amazing. To be a new creation is to let go of all our pain and worry and grasp a new reality, waiting for us like a bride awaiting the wedding march. Could God be that good? Could we be that unwilling? Could this be real?
Consider with me what our lives will be as we fully rest into Christ Jesus. Consider those who live in need and the impact the new creation will have on their lives. Reach out to Jesus and let God heal that cracked pot of a live. And when we do this, day by day, we all move just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Sermon Title: “From Now On”
Monday, August 13, 2007
A Word on Youth
You are young for a reason. It has to do with years lived and physical development. Yet, here is my observation. Your youthfulness, being young in age, means nothing when it comes to wisdom, knowlege of right and wrong, or ability to make change in the world around us. Do not disrespect or disreguard your young age, God does not. You are God's creation and as such, you are Holy right now. Being Holy is one area of your life for which you do not have to wait.
Others, even your elders, will notice and be moved into a deeper relationships by your example. Have you noticed that nothing really good and lasting happens without young persons. Think about it. Without your participation in life everyone is poorer. You can move mountians and make whole societies think in new ways. You will make better choices and focus your lives on more important topics than any society in the history of humankind. Yes, there will be changes and you will help lead them.
You are young for a reason. Your youthfulness is a very good thing and this is the Good News..
Others, even your elders, will notice and be moved into a deeper relationships by your example. Have you noticed that nothing really good and lasting happens without young persons. Think about it. Without your participation in life everyone is poorer. You can move mountians and make whole societies think in new ways. You will make better choices and focus your lives on more important topics than any society in the history of humankind. Yes, there will be changes and you will help lead them.
You are young for a reason. Your youthfulness is a very good thing and this is the Good News..
Reading for August 26, 2007
Philippians 2:1-18; 3 The Christian Life
God’s grace does not excuse us from the obligation to put forth serious effort in our spiritual life. To say we are a Christian is not the same as to act as a Christian. I am reminded of the old saying, “Sleeping in the garage does not make one a car.” Jesus told the disciples that his yoke was easy and light. While that is true, we should not carry around burdens and cares for which we have no application, it is also true that the upward call of Christ requires constant attention.
In this passage, the apostle encourages us to press on toward the goal. While this may sound like a football coach at half-time, it is really the truth of our lives in transformation. We must not stop growing in our faith and love toward others.. We dare not languish in pride or self-pity for even a moment. Our lives are not our own, but belong to Jesus Christ. As such we must offer our very best for God’s highest prize. The sacrifice of self is the very work of moving our lives just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Philippians 3:10-16
Sermon Title: “Press On”
God’s grace does not excuse us from the obligation to put forth serious effort in our spiritual life. To say we are a Christian is not the same as to act as a Christian. I am reminded of the old saying, “Sleeping in the garage does not make one a car.” Jesus told the disciples that his yoke was easy and light. While that is true, we should not carry around burdens and cares for which we have no application, it is also true that the upward call of Christ requires constant attention.
In this passage, the apostle encourages us to press on toward the goal. While this may sound like a football coach at half-time, it is really the truth of our lives in transformation. We must not stop growing in our faith and love toward others.. We dare not languish in pride or self-pity for even a moment. Our lives are not our own, but belong to Jesus Christ. As such we must offer our very best for God’s highest prize. The sacrifice of self is the very work of moving our lives just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Philippians 3:10-16
Sermon Title: “Press On”
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Readings for August 19, 2007
Job 1,2,3 & 40, 41, 42 Suffering and Evil
Take time and read the chapters assigned from Job for next Sunday. The context will help your understanding and thinking as we investigate the topics of suffering and evil in our lives. I am hopeful to offer grace for your journey through the sermon and your reading the text ahead of time will give a fuller focus to our experience.
We find a wonderful beginning and ending of Job’s life and years of suffering and evil that plague him in the middle. I wonder if we feel the same. I believe we can understand how Job felt. As we are reminded of God’s promises we are sure to find that however we may find our selves today, the best is yet to come. And that thought again moves me just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Job 1:1-5; 42:12-17
Sermon Title: “Life in the Middle”
Take time and read the chapters assigned from Job for next Sunday. The context will help your understanding and thinking as we investigate the topics of suffering and evil in our lives. I am hopeful to offer grace for your journey through the sermon and your reading the text ahead of time will give a fuller focus to our experience.
We find a wonderful beginning and ending of Job’s life and years of suffering and evil that plague him in the middle. I wonder if we feel the same. I believe we can understand how Job felt. As we are reminded of God’s promises we are sure to find that however we may find our selves today, the best is yet to come. And that thought again moves me just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Job 1:1-5; 42:12-17
Sermon Title: “Life in the Middle”
A Word on Birth...
We all agree birth is the beginning of life. We struggle to discern exactly when and how life begins. We simply can know that we are, and not much more. Birth becomes a slippery slope upon which to make important life choices, unless we define its boundaries. Does our birth occur with the first gulp of air, the first moment of viability as an individual while still in the womb, or at our conception from egg and sperm to ovum? These questions puzzle our society and we struggle to find substantial answers worthy of the question.
Consider birth from another perspective. Theologically we are born, have our birth, as and when God invites creation. Perhaps our birth is primordial and predates our understanding of self and world. Perhaps God weeps at a society in which hearts move to violence and disrespect for others over the boundaries of birth. Perhaps with God there are no boundaries and as God speaks the word of creation, we are born into being. Birth then becomes not a physical relationship with the world, rather a Spiritual relationship with the creator.
The bitter conflict over the boundaries of physical life should not also become the defining point of the birth of our souls. Our birth has more to do with our relationship with our God, than our lung’s relationship with oxygen. Yet, we all agree, birth is the beginning of life.
Consider birth from another perspective. Theologically we are born, have our birth, as and when God invites creation. Perhaps our birth is primordial and predates our understanding of self and world. Perhaps God weeps at a society in which hearts move to violence and disrespect for others over the boundaries of birth. Perhaps with God there are no boundaries and as God speaks the word of creation, we are born into being. Birth then becomes not a physical relationship with the world, rather a Spiritual relationship with the creator.
The bitter conflict over the boundaries of physical life should not also become the defining point of the birth of our souls. Our birth has more to do with our relationship with our God, than our lung’s relationship with oxygen. Yet, we all agree, birth is the beginning of life.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Readings Leading to Aug 12, 2007
John 14 & 15 The True Vine
Jesus is offering final instructions to the disciples in these two chapters. He is clarifying some things that are easily misunderstood. One of theses clarifications is the route we must take to get to our Father God. Within this passage is the idea of going home and finding our final place of being with God. Others find this passage as offering a route for salvation. Your reading and understanding may vary, but Jesus is being clear about one thing.
Jesus tells us, “I am,” reminding us of God speaking to Moses through the burning bush. God said, “I am who I am.” so this seemingly unimportant little, “I Am,” actually some pretty powerful insight. Jesus, one final time, reminds the disciples who he is. We hear the words spoken to Thomas in our own lives. We affirm with the disciples that God is alive, Jesus is God. There is much more in just this one verse (the way, the truth, the life) that offers even more power into our lives to live in the presence of this risen God and move every day just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 14:6
Sermon Title: “No One”
Jesus is offering final instructions to the disciples in these two chapters. He is clarifying some things that are easily misunderstood. One of theses clarifications is the route we must take to get to our Father God. Within this passage is the idea of going home and finding our final place of being with God. Others find this passage as offering a route for salvation. Your reading and understanding may vary, but Jesus is being clear about one thing.
Jesus tells us, “I am,” reminding us of God speaking to Moses through the burning bush. God said, “I am who I am.” so this seemingly unimportant little, “I Am,” actually some pretty powerful insight. Jesus, one final time, reminds the disciples who he is. We hear the words spoken to Thomas in our own lives. We affirm with the disciples that God is alive, Jesus is God. There is much more in just this one verse (the way, the truth, the life) that offers even more power into our lives to live in the presence of this risen God and move every day just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: John 14:6
Sermon Title: “No One”
A Word on Death...
Is death the absence of life? We will not avoid death, just as we did not avoid life. Theories abound as to the finality of death. I believe death is not the last word, but is a place of changing, yet continued existence. To be clear, our bodies will experience a physical death. Yet there is a part of us, sometimes referred to as our soul, our spirit, or inner being, which I believe has and will continue to transcend this life. It is as if our souls are not bound within the world as we experience it today. The soul is primordial, comes from God and will one day return to God.
Death then is the condition of passing from this experience of life unto the next shadowy place where God will be found. Many claim to have visited death and then returned to life to share their experience. These reports offer that death may lead us to a place of goodness and eternal grace, or a place of anguish and turmoil. I find scripture supports their observation.
We need not fear death. God's grace and love will abound in death as creative power. In addition, we shall not glorify or worship death. To do so would be to fail to live fully within the gift of today. And isn't our goal to live in this moment in time as faithfully as possible without fear of death? I think so.
Death then is the condition of passing from this experience of life unto the next shadowy place where God will be found. Many claim to have visited death and then returned to life to share their experience. These reports offer that death may lead us to a place of goodness and eternal grace, or a place of anguish and turmoil. I find scripture supports their observation.
We need not fear death. God's grace and love will abound in death as creative power. In addition, we shall not glorify or worship death. To do so would be to fail to live fully within the gift of today. And isn't our goal to live in this moment in time as faithfully as possible without fear of death? I think so.
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