Ezekiel 37:1-14 The Valley of Dry Bones
The movies show a crowd of life-less zombies walking along without a light in their eyes. They are attempting to frighten by offering a vision of dead people who are somehow, not dead. We hide our head under the pillow until the hero with the anti-zombie cure comes and makes the world safe for us once again. We trudge off to try to our own beds to attempt to sleep, muttering something like “stupid movie,” all the while knowing that we are going to lie with eyes wide open until our own death-like slumber overtakes our thoughts of the zombie movie.
I recently spoke with a UMC pastor who shared that he and his spouse were watching TV when a commercial for the United Methodist Church aired. He said the commercial had a bunch of folks walking over a pasture hill like zombies. The story line was simple that the people of the UMC has opened our doors, our hearts, and our minds to the world. The point was to be that this huge group of people were marching toward some sense of unity in Christ Jesus. What this couple experienced was a commercial that reminded them of the zombie march of a group of life-less people. He was bent over in laughter telling the story. Maybe you have seen the commercial, I have. But now, I will look for a light in the eyes of the group of folks walking over the hill toward a new day.
My point is that just perhaps my pastor friend is right. Perhaps the UMC looks like a bunch of life-less zombies to a world of folks overtaken by the passions of worldly knowledge. Just perhaps the church is so out of touch with reality and life itself that we appear dead. What does it mean to be alive? Are we walking like dead people, not seeing, not hearing, not responding to the opportunities to share God’s blessings with a hurting world?
I expect to make some folks uncomfortable this week. Are you alive in Christ? Give me evidence; prove it. I also expect to bless some folks this week. The Spirit has power to offer life. And it is in the life of Jesus Christ alone that we will together walk the path a little closer to home. Buckle your seat belts for this one. Or not.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-6
Sermon Title: “The Living Dead”
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Reading for September 9, 2007
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”
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”
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”
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