Monday: Ruth 1 Ruth & Naomi
This is the crux of the story. You must read this passage to understand the ending. The whole point of Ruth and Boaz is caught up in Ruth’s willingness to follow Naomi back home.
Tuesday: Ruth 2 Ruth & Boaz
God works to make a bad situation a good situation. The chance of Boaz and Ruth getting together are slim and none, but then God is a God of possibilities. You might want to do some digging and find Boaz family linage. You will end up back with Jacob and Abraham.
Wednesday: John 13 The Last Supper
Read though this very familiar passage of Jesus in the upper room with his disciples. As you read I would like you to look for and note places of Jesus acting as King. You must also be aware of the counter-culture kingdom over which Jesus is presiding. What new insights of Jesus do you find?
Thursday: Psalm 61 A Psalm of David
God is a rock higher than ourselves. I was recently asked to explain why we take off our hats in the church sanctuary. My response was that in the action of uncovering our heads we offer deference to one whom we acknowledge is greater, a cousin to the tipping of our hat or a salute. This seems to be learned behavior until we have the experience of deciding this for ourselves.
Friday: Ruth 3 Naomi’s Instructions to Ruth
I have often called this whole book the story of Naomi’s Redemption. You will begin to see the transformation taking place in this her life because of the generosity and grace of those around her. Doesn’t Boaz remind us of a king?
Saturday: Ruth 4 A Marriage and a Child for Ruth & Boaz
A child is born to this unlikely couple and he will be the father of King David. Well there are a few generations in-between but you get the idea. Note the linage of the King has a foreigner in Ruth placed squarely where we cannot disregard her presence. What must this mean for King David and then again for us who are claimed as children of the King?
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Ruth 4:13-22Sermon Title: “The Old Family Tree”
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005
Grandpa Alert!!
Here is the picture of our granddaughter, Brianna Nicole Weesner, born this last weekend. We are going to Denver for a couple of days this next week. She already has that look in her eye like she knows more than she fells compelled to tell. Beautiful litte girl.
Ever See the Movie, "Phenomenon?"
What if we started a new children's worship service? Lets say we gut the old gym in the basement and put in a whole new look and feel more like a Nickolodian stage or something. What if we moved our worship services on Sunday morning from three upstairs to two upstairs and one downstairs? In addition to this, we keep moving forward on the Sunday evenings prayer service the Lay Speakers group is leading and excited about along with keeping some sort of our Wednesday evening WOW service. That would make five organized large group worship experiences every week. What if the two services on Sunday morning were just enough different that the choir and orcherstra would take primary music responsibility at one service and we kept things just enough to the Hymnal side of the isle that folks at the present traditional service would feel comfortable 80-90% of the time. And what if the Worship Team/Praise Band would take the primary music leadership at the other service and it would move just enough to the praise side of the isle that folks from the present contemporary services would experience God moving in new ways but also get a little of the flavor of things from our heritage? And what if we had a new coffee machine out in the fellowship hall with free cupachio or hot choc. , just push the button like down at the gas station? What if the two worship services upstairs lasted about an hour and half, so that we could finally incorporate all the things you would like us to incorporate into worship? What if at the same time we had this Elementary children's worship going downstairs which also incorporated Sunday School as we now know it into something compllety new and fresh? What if we had children's church for 50 minutes and then a small group breakout session by age or whatever for an additional 20 minutes? What if Jr and Sr high youth were the worship assistants at the children's worship time. What if we had Holy Communion upstairs at every service. Not sure about downstairs? Not that the kids aren't worthy, but some parents like the children to wait for them in this area of Spiritual experience. What if at the same time we have started at least one or two or more home church group meeting midweek or on Sunday and they were using the same materials that we use on Sunday, or at least were following the same scriptures as the weekly Study offers so that we were all doing the same thing all the time. What if we we offered a whole lot of small group studies for this fall like Beginnings and Comanions and Disciple. Maybe like twenty different groups starting in the fall with folks all growing like crazy for God. What if we really started a mission to the college kids at Iowa Western. Like provide a worship time and supportive stuff that help them experience God at this time in their life. What if we did some strategic planning to figure out the best way to move through all of this wonderful growth that is taking place. What if we talked seriously about facilitate and staffing and finances with an eye on the future and another eye on God. Maybe we will find we are looking at the same thing, for certainly the future is God and only God. Maybe you guys will never let me go on vacation for a week again where my mind goes off into these hyper-ideas and just free-wheels. Maybe I shouldn't drink three ice teas and then sit and try to write. Maybe everything I have written about is in our near future. What do you think?
Thursday, June 23, 2005
SCRIPTURE STUDY LEADING TO SUNDAY July 3, 2005
Monday: Nmbers11.1-14.25 Please Pass the Meat
This week we will be reading about an interesting aspect of the covenant in that the people were always grumbling. You would think that after God had saved them from the Egyptians they would be a happy and thankful lot. Not so. Our human ability to pick, pick at the tender spots and always want things to go our way is as old as humanity. Enjoy this back and forth between Moses and the Lord. Look for who says, “Until it comes out your nose.”
Tuesday: Numbers 17 Flowering Staff
God is again going to show the people the power with which they are dealing. What does an Almond flower look like anyway? They all thought they were going to die. Perhaps this mean they were all complaining also?
Do you ever grumble or complain? To whom? About what?
Wednesday: Numbers 20 Thirsty People
Moses gets in big trouble with God. So much trouble that God will not allow Moses to enter the promised land. What did he do wrong? It seems Moses hit his stick on a rock to give the people water. It must be the action of not waiting for God to offer what the people need that was a problem. In verse 12 the Lord talks about Moses not trusting enough to allow God to act in due time. This could be bad for us today, as we grumble and complain and hit about everything in sight to get our way. Maybe we need to rethink all we have as being a gift and sign from God as well.
Thursday: Numbers 22 A Talking Donkey
And you thought Shrek had the first talking donkey. In fact it is the Lord who speaks through the donkey. Read the passage and hear God speaking to you.
Friday: Numbers 27.12-23 A Good Day for Joshua
The next leader of the nation is commissioned. Moses’ work is through and he has Joshua before the priest and the people where they prayerfully lay hands on Joshua and take him as their new leader.
Saturday: John 4.7-42 An Invitation to Abundant Life
The story of the Samaritans and Jesus strikes an interesting reflection against the previous reading of this week. As you read this wonderful story of grace and hope, consider this living water and how it is given and received. What is stranger, hitting a rock in the wilderness and getting water, a talking donkey, or a man who walks into our lives forgives all sin and offers new life? If you were to send a postcard from each of the places and days in our readings this week, what would each postcard say? See you Sunday.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Numbers 20.13
Sermon Title: “Postcards from Traveling with the Family”
This week we will be reading about an interesting aspect of the covenant in that the people were always grumbling. You would think that after God had saved them from the Egyptians they would be a happy and thankful lot. Not so. Our human ability to pick, pick at the tender spots and always want things to go our way is as old as humanity. Enjoy this back and forth between Moses and the Lord. Look for who says, “Until it comes out your nose.”
Tuesday: Numbers 17 Flowering Staff
God is again going to show the people the power with which they are dealing. What does an Almond flower look like anyway? They all thought they were going to die. Perhaps this mean they were all complaining also?
Do you ever grumble or complain? To whom? About what?
Wednesday: Numbers 20 Thirsty People
Moses gets in big trouble with God. So much trouble that God will not allow Moses to enter the promised land. What did he do wrong? It seems Moses hit his stick on a rock to give the people water. It must be the action of not waiting for God to offer what the people need that was a problem. In verse 12 the Lord talks about Moses not trusting enough to allow God to act in due time. This could be bad for us today, as we grumble and complain and hit about everything in sight to get our way. Maybe we need to rethink all we have as being a gift and sign from God as well.
Thursday: Numbers 22 A Talking Donkey
And you thought Shrek had the first talking donkey. In fact it is the Lord who speaks through the donkey. Read the passage and hear God speaking to you.
Friday: Numbers 27.12-23 A Good Day for Joshua
The next leader of the nation is commissioned. Moses’ work is through and he has Joshua before the priest and the people where they prayerfully lay hands on Joshua and take him as their new leader.
Saturday: John 4.7-42 An Invitation to Abundant Life
The story of the Samaritans and Jesus strikes an interesting reflection against the previous reading of this week. As you read this wonderful story of grace and hope, consider this living water and how it is given and received. What is stranger, hitting a rock in the wilderness and getting water, a talking donkey, or a man who walks into our lives forgives all sin and offers new life? If you were to send a postcard from each of the places and days in our readings this week, what would each postcard say? See you Sunday.
Sunday: Reflect and Worship
Sermon Scripture: Numbers 20.13
Sermon Title: “Postcards from Traveling with the Family”
Saturday, May 28, 2005
Sunday Sermon: Genesis 21:1-7 “Going All In” May 29, 2005
If you have watched any Cable Television at all lately, you certainly have seen TV Poker games. There is everything from weekly ESPN World Championships to Celebrity Poker. A friend recently remarked, “You know your life is in really bad shape when you find yourself sitting and watching celebrity poker on the television!” The poker game sweeping the country is called, Texas Hold ‘Em.
I am worried this poker explosion, which appears so acceptable, is a free advertisement for evil. We now are experiencing a large and growing youth gambling problem. It is not unusual to hear of high school students owing amounts up to $500 to classmates; money lost during poker games. Texas Hold ‘em is so popular and so easy to play that we have accepted it is as normal to our society. When in fact, it is a game based on breaking down the other individuals personalities in an attempt to take everything from everyone. This is a dangerous game and yet the popularity of Texas Hold ‘Em is growing by leaps and bounds.
One particular play in this game is called going all in. This refers to a move which puts your whole stake in the game on the line. Either you are going to win big or you lose everything. Going All In can be the bold move of a champion, who made the right choices at the proper time, or it can also be the bold move of a fool who walks away with nothing. Just as importantly to NOT go all in, when the time is right, also has the same consequences. Going all in is a term of commitment. When one goes all in, one commits everything and holds nothing back in reserve.
I read the city swimming pools will open on Tuesday. Wow! Imagine the temperature of the water. When I enter water like that sometimes I wade in to my knees, then my thighs, then my waist, then some nut splashes water at me, then finally after I have risen my courage to the highest point, I put my head under. In just a few minutes the water feels just fine, but at first I think I am freezing. Sometimes however, I just go to the deep end and dive in. No muss, no fuss, just go all in.
Abraham and Sarah have gone all in by following God in Covenant TWO ways. And they have dived in, no “frady-cat” wading around for them. First, they have put their whole lives on the line by moving to a new place where they are living as strangers in a strange land. And they have moved to this new place because God invited them to move. Has God ever invited you to move to a new place in your life? Secondly, Abraham and Sarah have also Gone all in by having all the males circumcised as a constant reminder and witness to themselves, their families, and the society in which they live that they have committed their lives to the Lord God. Their share of the covenant with God was that they would live lives full of miracles and trust God completely in ALL things. God would in turn offer unconditional love and freedom to grow and choose.
Remember from last week that God has promised them: a home (land) and offspring (like stars in the sky and sand upon the sea shore.) Both of which they do not possess and both are in reality, quite impossible. But with God all things are possible and these things came true.
Sarah gives birth to baby Isaac while in her 90”s. They lived lives full of Miracles.
Abraham was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God. They trusted God completely in all things.
The Bible is story after story of God forgiving and loving unconditionally. No where more powerful than Jesus’ death and resurrection for our lives. Jesus died with our sin so that we may have life.
God offers the opportunity to learn and grow from all our experiences. And we know all to well that God has given us freedom to choose good or bad. Certainly God has kept God’s side of the covenant, even unto today.
A good working definition of covenant is: When Unequal Parties agree to Unconditionally offer the full measure of their agreement, Regardless.
Covenant means both parties go all in all the time.
Example: a successful marriage is not 50/50. It is always 110/110.Both partner is giving and sacrificing for the other with out regard to their own needs. Show me a couple who gives 110/110 and I will show you a very happy couple and a pretty well adjusted family.
We need to be reminded: God loves us unconditionally and offers freedom to grow and choose. And we Trust God in all things and live as if everything is a miracle and a blessing.
Going All In on God’s covenant FEELS like a Bold Move!
In truth, we are not risking anything we will not lose anyway… You are not going to take it with you.
Think about what you would risk by fully diving in with God. None of those things are anything but a gift from God in the first place. Like wading into the swimming pool we are afraid of the unknown, we find it hard to trust God. And so there we have it… trusting God seems to be the key to this whole covenant.
We know in our heads that God loves us. We know in our heads that we need to come closer to God. We know in our heads God is the God of miracles and blessings. But we are afraid of Going All In with our Hearts. We are wading ankle deep, while we muster the courage to put our heads fully under the water.
Sadly, we have no idea when that day will be, and we have no real plan on how to get to that day.
The church, who should be leading in this process, has instead been a hand holder. We have been willing to stand along side and say nice things like,
“You are doing good by getting this far!
Some day it will just happen for you!
We are so glad you are in the pool.
What a pretty swimsuit!”
Others in the church kick water and laugh as they go off the high board at the deep end. “Look at me, they shout, see how good I am!” That does not help either. Some days I think the church has forgotten how to help others find the covenant of God in their lives.
Let me help you go all in starting today. Or at the very least what that might look like here at Salem UMC.
FIRST: Begin Trusting God with Everything
Commit our Life to Christ – Surrender every Day
Every day in Prayer
Commit to Regular Worship Attendance every Week
3 out of 4 Sundays
Commit to a Spiritual Growth Opportunity every Year
Short Term, Long Term or Both
Commit to a Mission Effort that Moves Your Heart every Year
Whatever - !!
Commit a Fixed Percent of your Income to God
Make your giving planned and regular – EFT soon.
SECOND: Accept God’s power to live as if everything is a miracle.
Feel the change in your attitude immediately!!
Experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.
Remember, going all in refers to a move which puts your whole stake in the game on the line. Either you are going to win big or you lose everything. Going All In can be the bold move of a champion, who made the right choices at the proper time, and it is also can be the move of a fool who walks away with nothing. Perhaps more importantly to NOT go all in, when the time is right, also has the same consequences.
Win Big or Lose Everything. It is Your Move.
I am worried this poker explosion, which appears so acceptable, is a free advertisement for evil. We now are experiencing a large and growing youth gambling problem. It is not unusual to hear of high school students owing amounts up to $500 to classmates; money lost during poker games. Texas Hold ‘em is so popular and so easy to play that we have accepted it is as normal to our society. When in fact, it is a game based on breaking down the other individuals personalities in an attempt to take everything from everyone. This is a dangerous game and yet the popularity of Texas Hold ‘Em is growing by leaps and bounds.
One particular play in this game is called going all in. This refers to a move which puts your whole stake in the game on the line. Either you are going to win big or you lose everything. Going All In can be the bold move of a champion, who made the right choices at the proper time, or it can also be the bold move of a fool who walks away with nothing. Just as importantly to NOT go all in, when the time is right, also has the same consequences. Going all in is a term of commitment. When one goes all in, one commits everything and holds nothing back in reserve.
I read the city swimming pools will open on Tuesday. Wow! Imagine the temperature of the water. When I enter water like that sometimes I wade in to my knees, then my thighs, then my waist, then some nut splashes water at me, then finally after I have risen my courage to the highest point, I put my head under. In just a few minutes the water feels just fine, but at first I think I am freezing. Sometimes however, I just go to the deep end and dive in. No muss, no fuss, just go all in.
Abraham and Sarah have gone all in by following God in Covenant TWO ways. And they have dived in, no “frady-cat” wading around for them. First, they have put their whole lives on the line by moving to a new place where they are living as strangers in a strange land. And they have moved to this new place because God invited them to move. Has God ever invited you to move to a new place in your life? Secondly, Abraham and Sarah have also Gone all in by having all the males circumcised as a constant reminder and witness to themselves, their families, and the society in which they live that they have committed their lives to the Lord God. Their share of the covenant with God was that they would live lives full of miracles and trust God completely in ALL things. God would in turn offer unconditional love and freedom to grow and choose.
Remember from last week that God has promised them: a home (land) and offspring (like stars in the sky and sand upon the sea shore.) Both of which they do not possess and both are in reality, quite impossible. But with God all things are possible and these things came true.
Sarah gives birth to baby Isaac while in her 90”s. They lived lives full of Miracles.
Abraham was willing to offer Isaac as a sacrifice to God. They trusted God completely in all things.
The Bible is story after story of God forgiving and loving unconditionally. No where more powerful than Jesus’ death and resurrection for our lives. Jesus died with our sin so that we may have life.
God offers the opportunity to learn and grow from all our experiences. And we know all to well that God has given us freedom to choose good or bad. Certainly God has kept God’s side of the covenant, even unto today.
A good working definition of covenant is: When Unequal Parties agree to Unconditionally offer the full measure of their agreement, Regardless.
Covenant means both parties go all in all the time.
Example: a successful marriage is not 50/50. It is always 110/110.Both partner is giving and sacrificing for the other with out regard to their own needs. Show me a couple who gives 110/110 and I will show you a very happy couple and a pretty well adjusted family.
We need to be reminded: God loves us unconditionally and offers freedom to grow and choose. And we Trust God in all things and live as if everything is a miracle and a blessing.
Going All In on God’s covenant FEELS like a Bold Move!
In truth, we are not risking anything we will not lose anyway… You are not going to take it with you.
Think about what you would risk by fully diving in with God. None of those things are anything but a gift from God in the first place. Like wading into the swimming pool we are afraid of the unknown, we find it hard to trust God. And so there we have it… trusting God seems to be the key to this whole covenant.
We know in our heads that God loves us. We know in our heads that we need to come closer to God. We know in our heads God is the God of miracles and blessings. But we are afraid of Going All In with our Hearts. We are wading ankle deep, while we muster the courage to put our heads fully under the water.
Sadly, we have no idea when that day will be, and we have no real plan on how to get to that day.
The church, who should be leading in this process, has instead been a hand holder. We have been willing to stand along side and say nice things like,
“You are doing good by getting this far!
Some day it will just happen for you!
We are so glad you are in the pool.
What a pretty swimsuit!”
Others in the church kick water and laugh as they go off the high board at the deep end. “Look at me, they shout, see how good I am!” That does not help either. Some days I think the church has forgotten how to help others find the covenant of God in their lives.
Let me help you go all in starting today. Or at the very least what that might look like here at Salem UMC.
FIRST: Begin Trusting God with Everything
Commit our Life to Christ – Surrender every Day
Every day in Prayer
Commit to Regular Worship Attendance every Week
3 out of 4 Sundays
Commit to a Spiritual Growth Opportunity every Year
Short Term, Long Term or Both
Commit to a Mission Effort that Moves Your Heart every Year
Whatever - !!
Commit a Fixed Percent of your Income to God
Make your giving planned and regular – EFT soon.
SECOND: Accept God’s power to live as if everything is a miracle.
Feel the change in your attitude immediately!!
Experience the power of the Holy Spirit at work in your life.
Remember, going all in refers to a move which puts your whole stake in the game on the line. Either you are going to win big or you lose everything. Going All In can be the bold move of a champion, who made the right choices at the proper time, and it is also can be the move of a fool who walks away with nothing. Perhaps more importantly to NOT go all in, when the time is right, also has the same consequences.
Win Big or Lose Everything. It is Your Move.
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