Friday, February 27, 2009

Daily Encouragement (02/27/09) "Mr. Harding"

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Friday, February 27, 2009

British Columbia, Canada (photo by Doris High) 
British Columbia, Canada.  
Our friends Cerwin and Doris High are visiting out that way and Doris took this photo on Vancouver Island.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

Pauline Harding
Pauline Harding is now 94 years old.  
Several years ago when we held my mom's memorial service I stopped by, along with my two brothers Mike and Pat, to visit Pauline Harding, who had been a friend of my mom's for nearly 60 years. It was a warm sentimental visit. As we left she looked up at the three Weber boys, started to cry and said, "I'm just so glad you came by." (The photo above was taken at that time.) Last night I called Pauline and, although she is now in a nursing home and her memory is frail, she still knew me. We talked a while and she told me, "I'm so glad you called." Today I want to share a message about her husband, Joe, who passed away many years ago.

"Mr. Harding"

"Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain"  (1 Corinthians 15:58).

My Sunday School teacher in 7th and 8th grade was an older man by the name of Joe Harding.  (Since I was raised to respectfully call all adults Mr. or Mrs. I still think of him as Mr. Harding.)

At that time in my life I had no desire to serve God and don't recall paying much attention in Sunday School.  In fact, I was a problem student.  Thinking I was doing him a favor just showing up on Sundays, I never expressed any appreciation whatsoever to Mr. Harding for his labors.  In retrospect I recall his love for the Lord and for his students.  He was a kind, soft-spoken man and so earnest in his desire to share the Bible with us. He surely must have gotten very discouraged with brash kids like me.

A couple of years later during my high school years I accepted the Lord as my Savior.  After high school I went to Central Bible College and prepared for the ministry and went immediately into pastoring.  Many years after this I was prompted by the Spirit to contact Mr. Harding and thank him for his faithfulness to God and for his impact on my life (over 20 years after he had taught me).

I did reach him (he was in his 80's at the time) and I must say my expression of gratitude made his day!  He went to be with the Lord a few years after this. There was mention at his funeral that one of his students from Sunday School went into the ministry.  I am sure there are many other students who were impacted by his teaching and Mr. Harding fully knows now that his labor in the Lord was not in vain, as he week after week endured uninterested and often interrupting Junior High kids like me.

Photo of farewell plaqueI often quote our daily verse in this series.  I suppose I would have to say it's my life verse. In fact the church Brooksyne and I planted and served for nearly sixteen years in northern Pennsylvania had a clock made for me with this verse on it as a gift when we moved on.

Consider just the phrase "because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  Warren Wiersbe observes, "Christians can be steadfast and immovable, because they know that if their worst enemy (death) has been overcome, they need fear no other enemy. They can abound in Christian service, for that work will count for eternity."

Don't forget that important truth.  Ministry in any form can be discouraging at times.  Consider how often discouragement is based on the sense of futility.  But the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us "our labor in the Lord is not in vain.
"  Keep pressing on; serving, loving and showing the light of Christ to a dark, often unreceptive world or even just one rascally student.  

Two practical thoughts for each reader today:

1) We all have several people like Mr. Harding in our lives.  They've invested in us. Why don't you brighten their day by personally thanking them? Perhaps you can meet with them. If possible write them a note or even a tribute.  Invest a little time and a lot of heart in return for the investment they made in your life.

2) Some of you are serving the Lord with kids as Mr. Harding did when I was in 7th grade.  You are seeking to share God's truth with some rascals and it sure doesn't seem like anyone's paying a bit of attention.  Stay faithful, stay faithful, stay faithful.  Serving God is never a waste of time! It's never in vain!  God is doing a work in you and growing the fruit of love, patience, goodness and faithfulness as you carry on His work.  He's also doing a work in those you pour your life into.  You will find out the rest of the story later (perhaps in this life, perhaps in heaven).  "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."



Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer:
Father, there are many good things that beckon my attention, time, and energy.  But as You place on my heart a ministry or service that  brings eternal significance to others give me strength, endurance and desire to press on zealously, no matter the difficulty or seeming ineffectiveness.  As I obey You I  find reward and fulfillment in my spiritual walk and am investing in that which does not perish, spoil or fade.  Keep me firm and immovable always abounding in Your work because I want to make an eternal difference and am confident that my work for You is never in vain.  Amen.
 

Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.

"It's Gonna Be Worth It"  Video

Bill Shibilo EsterI often issue a challenge to readers to write a tribute to their parents. But such a  practice can also be meaningful for others who have had an impact on your life as well.

Here's a tribute I wrote many years ago for Bill Shibilo, a faithful member of the church we served in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Here's the tribute I wrote for my parents.

Here are some tips on preparing a written tribute.

"The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents" is an excellent detailed guide for preparing a meaningful and lasting tribute.


Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 01/20/09

DonateEach weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details.  
(2009 YTD financial offerings through 2/26/09: $1,870.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscriptionWere you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net?  If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: 
We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meets your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message.

Weekly Version:
The weekly version is designed for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.
 (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass these messages on!


Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated 2/18/09 with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

Four Spiritual Laws

How to become a child of God



Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.


© Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
Chaplaincy logo

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"

www.dailyencouragement.net



Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!


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To unsubscribe click here
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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Daily Encouragement (02/26/09) "Handling Disappointments"

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Amish team baling fodder
Fodder baling
We had a beautiful spring-like day yesterday and our Amish neighbors were baling corn fodder for animal bedding in a large farm field across from our house. The mule team pulls the baler and wagons but the New Holland baler does have a gas engine.  Eli (behind the team) was sure glad to be out and expected the project to take another day. This farm was sold several weeks ago at auction and purchased by a farmer who grows flowers for the commercial market. This spring he will plant an entire field in flowers so that should be an interesting and colorful addition to our neighborhood!

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Handling Disappointments"

"Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, 'Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches" (Acts 15:36-41).

The safest kinds of stories to tell, particularly if they don't cast one in the best light are the ones you tell on yourself. Today I have given myself permission to tell this illustrative story!

1965 Boy Scout handbook
I grew up in the small town of Belton, Missouri, about 20 miles south of Kansas City. I was very active in the Boy Scouts and by ninth grade had the Life Rank, one step below the highest rank of Eagle Scout, which I was striving for. After 9th grade my family moved about twenty miles away to Independence, Missouri so I was no longer able to participate in Troop 210, the Boy Scout troop I had grown up in, while we resided in Belton.

However I received information from the Kansas City scouting council about how I could fulfill the remaining requirements to earn my Eagle Scout award. I was to assist a local Boy Scout group in Independence for a specified amount of time, which I did.

I had my driver's license at this point and drove over to the Kansas City area scouting headquarters for a final review with a group of scout leaders. For some reason they would not accept my work with the troop and they rejected my application. I angrily stormed out of the meeting, got in my car (actually, my dad's car) and peeled rubber as I left the parking lot. I vaguely recall seeing them pull back a curtain and watch me tear out of the parking lot from a window.  In my immature youthful mind I must have thought "I'll show them!"  Well, I certainly did!

How we handle disappointments is a real test of our character. In this case I flunked this test big time and wish to this day I would have handled it differently.

Paul and Barnabas had a long ministry together. Barnabas' early encouragement was vital following Saul's conversion (of course Saul became known as Paul).  On the first missionary trip they worked together and initially Barnabas' name was listed before Paul, perhaps indicating a greater prominence on the team.

However as they prepared to depart for a second mission trip they had a sharp dispute concerning whether to include John Mark, who had earlier deserted the team on the first trip (Acts 13:13). They actually parted ways over this matter with Barnabas taking Mark and Paul teaming up with Silas.

The sharp dispute notwithstanding, I would sure like to know the attitude of both as they departed and to what degree they had reconciled at that point. How did they handle the disappointment of not getting their own way? However two mission teams resulted and later Paul speaks well of Barnabas and Mark indicating that at some point there had been reconciliation.

All of us endure disappointments in life. Some, as a result of our own making, and others due to circumstances beyond our control.  Other times it's just a misunderstanding or miscommunication that needs time to clear up. To this day I really don't understand why my assigned work for Eagle Scout was rejected. But I've managed to have a life without getting the rank. (I suppose I thought it would look good if I ever ran for president!)

I wish I could say that my Boy Scout temper tantrum was the only or last time I ever responded poorly to a disappointment but I really can't. However, thankfully this is an area in which I have matured, as I commit my way to the Lord and realize He is ultimately in charge of my comings and goings, my opened and closed doors.  May God give us all the needed grace to handle our inevitable disappointments in a manner that pleases Him and witnesses positively to those involved!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You grow and stretch our maturity through circumstances that don't always reflect our choosing.  It helps us to gain needed perspective and experience in situations not of our own choosing, but to our overall benefit.  Help us to be patient as we search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in our lives.  Align our desires with Your own as we submit our will to Yours.  May we not be overcome by adversity but ask You, Father, to use adversity as a tool by which You carve Your image and character deep into our hearts. We may make our plans but we realize that, as Your children, You will have the final say. Amen.



Expository Footnote:  I enjoy studying God's Word as I prepare these messages. Luke wrote the book of Acts and as a close associate of Paul's may have been inclined to omit this dispute from the record since it may tend to cast Paul in a bad light. But inspired by the Holy Spirit this dispute is indeed a part of the Scriptural record. In Paul's final epistle (2 Timothy) he writes "Only Luke is with me" and then makes an appeal for Mark to come, acknowledging, "He is helpful to me in my ministry." (v. 11)  So Luke, who recorded the dispute concerning Mark's fitness for ministry, was with Paul many years later when he specifically acknowledges that Mark was helpful to him in his ministry. I also consider how Mark had to overcome a potential bad attitude toward Paul as he had once faced rejection from him.



Additional Note:  As we go through life we really experience a lot of disappointments and at least for me they haven't stopped.  These last several years I enjoy my periodic part-time roles as interim pastor for churches going through a transition. It is also part of our multi-vocational income stream. In the Spring of 2008 two separate prospective interim roles I was excited about did not materialize.  It was somewhat of a puzzle to me why they didn't work out.  When I received the disappointing news I recall being able to just leave it in the Lord's hands and move on, looking for other ministry opportunities.  However in each church we met some very nice folks and continue to stay in contact with a number of them though our daily encouragement messages.

Today's message brought another recollection from my childhood. Our troop 210 Scoutmaster in Belton was a caring older man named Mr. Winters. (Actually he was probably the same age as I am now but at 14 that seemed really old.) At that time in life you really don't give a lot of thought to the dedication and time these leaders gave each week. I wonder if I ever thanked him.

One night his older son, who apparently was a rebel, came into a meeting and had some angry words with his father. I specifically recall Mr. Winters weeping and some of the other leaders delicately handling the matter so he could leave. However he was back the next week and as I recall remained the scoutmaster. I would assume he has died by now but I sure hope he got things straightened out with his son. I also wish I could express my appreciation to him and so many others like him who had a role in my formation.

Tomorrow I want to share a story about one time when I was able to express appreciation to a former mentor.


Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.

"Press On"  Video  Selah

One of the disappointing doors that didn't open last spring was Mount Vernon, a beautiful country church in southern Lancaster County.  We had several interviews and were looking forward to an opportunity to serve but for whatever reason we weren't selected for an interim role. However during the two Sunday services I preached I was really blessed by Andrew Hostetler, their young worship leader, who shared some music with me and gave me permission to place it on the Daily Encouragement website. This music is based on Psalms.
"Psalm 33"  Audio   "Psalm 34"  Audio
  


Colton Matthew BrownYesterday we shared the testimony of Colton, a tiny baby who died shortly after his very premature birth. His mother, Amy, sent us this prayer that was written by a friend and read at his funeral.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you today with Colton and his family on our hearts.  Lord, our heads are swimming with thoughts and emotions.  It’s hard to grasp that a life that entered and left this world silently...in a lifetime of 15 hours and 47 minutes ...could make such an impact on us...and yet, this tiny baby has.

Colton has confirmed for us that every life you’ve formed touches the world in some magnificent way for all eternity.  Father, thank you for giving us a glimpse into the “secret place”, the place where Colton was fearfully and wonderfully made by your hands.  Thank you for knitting him together within Amy, and for the privilege of witnessing this miracle of life.

...and yet, Lord, we don’t understand why Colton was born into such a dark place and taken from us in a heartbeat.  Please be with all of us, and especially with Amy, Chris, Hunter, and Colton’s grandparents. Give them sleep and the courage to face tomorrow.

Most of all, Father, we ask that from Colton’s death, new relationships would be born and old relationships strengthened and restored.  Lord, bind Chris and Amy together through their grief.  Give them a supernatural grace to extend to one another as they walk through this valley.  Immerse them in Your love.  Father, because the magnitude of Colton’s loss is unspeakable, I ask that as we struggle to cope and to pray, that your Spirit would intercede for us with groans that words cannot express.  Amen.



Suggested Resources:

The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good?
The Invisible Hand: Do All Things Really Work for Good?  By R.C. Sproul / P & R Publishing  -  In a world steeped in anguish and evil, how can God be in control? Do all things really work for good? With head-on honesty and biblical insight, Sproul examines the difficult doctrine of divine providence. Discover how your Lord lovingly guides the events of your life without creating human wickedness or destroying human freedom. Ordering information. Of course today's message title was prompted by this book title!

JosephJoseph  By Charles Swindoll / Thomas Nelson - Every day it seems another so-called "hero" falls from grace, but in his Great Lives from God's Word series, Chuck Swindoll introduces you to heroes who stand the test of time. In his third volume, Joseph, Swindoll challenges Christians to aspire to the virtues of obedience, mercy, and courage---all of which characterized the life of this richly blessed child of God. Click here for more information or to order through CBD.
Brooksyne's Note:  When I have gone through hard times this book has offered great encouragement and understanding of how God works good even in the midst of those who intend harm; at times this might include our own brothers and sisters in the faith who see things differently than we do. This can lead to some very ungodly actions which can really break your heart.   I like to read the Scripture right alongside the book and find hidden insights that God, along with the gifted writer, Swindoll impress upon my heart. God can pour the salve of His Holy Spirit in your wounded spirit as you study and apply His Scripture.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update
Revised 01/20/09

DonateEach weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details.  
(2009 YTD financial offerings through 2/25/09: $1,870.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscriptionWere you forwarded this edition of Daily Encouragement Net?  If you desire you can receive your own free! To receive these "Daily Encouragement" devotionals each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe. This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. It was sent to you because you signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed.

Cancel: 
We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meets your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use the link automatically inserted by the mailing list software at the very bottom of each email message.

Weekly Version:
The weekly version is designed for those who may not check their email regularly. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address.
 (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.)

Please feel free to pass these messages on!


Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated 2/18/09 with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

Four Spiritual Laws

How to become a child of God



Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.


© Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
Contact us
Chaplaincy logo

"Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation"

www.dailyencouragement.net



Daily Encouragement is issued Monday-Friday.  To make sure you continue to receive these e-mails in your Inbox (so they're not sent to a junk folder), please add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your address book or safe sender list. You are receiving these recurring messages as a subscriber to Daily Encouragement Net because you signed up on our website or otherwise requested it unless someone forwarded the message to you. If you desire to unsubscribe use the link below.  However, please do not use this link unless your address is the subscribed address below as you will otherwise unsubscribe the person who forwarded it to you!


You are currently subscribed to dailyencouragement as: stephencweber.dailyencouragement@blogger.com
To unsubscribe click here
or send a blank email to leave-1314809-29778931.3ca482100b92072753461f79e13fb4f8@pr4.netatlantic.com

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Daily Encouragement (02/25/09) "A Vanishing Mist"

  Daily Encouragement Net   Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives
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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Kittens
Wild Kittens
Several years ago these wild kittens adopted us and hung around for awhile.  I took this photo one night with a flash when I walked out on our deck and found them laying in one of Brooksyne's flower pots!


ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

Note: Today's message was written by Brooksyne and she does so with Chris and Amy Brown's blessing.

"A Vanishing Mist"

"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14).

Over the past month I led our congregation in a worship song several times that has ministered deeply to my heart, not just during church but also through the week.  Some of our readers will be familiar with the lyrics from the song, "Be Unto Your Name."  The first verse of this praise song is based upon today's Scripture text:

"We are a moment, You are forever. 
Lord of the ages, God before time.
We are a vapor, You are eternal. 
Love everlasting, reigning on high."

MistWhen I first introduced this song to the church I illustrated the daily verse from James, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." I sprayed a fragrant mist that disappeared within seconds, reminding us of how quickly we pass through life on this side of eternity.  I appreciate the lyricist's contrast of the temporal and eternal as she was inspired to write this beautiful praise song.

On Feb. 11, Stephen and I made a chaplain call to see a couple where the husband, Chris, works in one of our companies.  His wife Amy had given birth prematurely early that morning to Colton Matthew Brown and was in the Reading Hospital. She was only 24 weeks into her pregnancy and was preparing to endure 11 weeks of complete bed rest at the hospital awaiting her due date.

But little Colton was more impatient than Amy and less than a week into her required bed rest he arrived at 3:24 A.M. weighing only 1 pound, 8 ounces and 12½ inches in length.

Colton Matthew Brown


By the time we arrived he had coded twice and the likelihood of his survival was diminishing by the minute.  We had prayer with Chris and Amy and then went into the neonatal intensive care unit and prayed over their tiny, tiny infant, committing him to the Lord.  At 8:16 P.M. Colton left his parents to be with Jesus in heaven. His physical presence here on earth was merely 17 hours and 8 minutes.




When I attended the funeral service the following Monday the first song we sang was "Be Unto Your Name."  What a fitting song that took on even greater meaning to me as I considered that little Colton arrived too soon and left way too soon, much like the mist that appeared for a moment and then so quickly vanished. 

Autumn mistBible commentator Matthew Henry writes, "The frailty, shortness, and uncertainty of life, ought to check the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all projects we have in mind for the future. We can fix the hour and minute of the sun's rising and setting to-morrow, but we cannot fix the certain time of a vapor being scattered. So short, unreal, and fading is human life, and all the prosperity or enjoyment that attends it; though bliss or woe for ever must be according to our conduct during this fleeting moment. We are always to depend on the will of God. Our times are not in our own hands, but at the disposal of God. Our heads may be filled with cares and contrivances for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Providence often throws our plans into confusion. All we design, and all we do, should be with submissive dependence on God."

Colton was a long awaited answered prayer for Chris and Amy and yet they placed his young life and future in God's hands when their plans turned into confusion.  Although an anquishing time, they nevertheless cherished every minute of the short time they had with him and they celebrated his 17 hour life as family, friends, co-workers, and church family attended his funeral. It was a powerful testament to the value of life, no matter the brevity of it.

They had plans for his future but they also had the attitude James writes about in his epistle, "If it is the Lord's will, [Colton] will live and do this or that" (4:15).  They were truly in "submissive dependence on God" as Matthew Henry writes.

Below we have a link to the beautiful and touching tribute to Colton's life that Amy and her friend prepared, set to the song, "With Hope" by Steven Curtis Champman.  Chris and Amy's story will touch your heart as Chapman's song brings the eternal perspective into their heartbreaking circumstance.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer:  Father, our lives are in Your hands.  We make our plans and dream our dreams, but we desire to have the same attitude as that of Your Son, Jesus, who expressed His own heart's desire and then submitted His will to You when He prayed, "Nevertheless, not my will but Thy will be done."  Help us to submit our will to Yours and trust You with our future, for You never forsake the righteous and You are a refuge for those in trouble.  Amen.



Stephen's note: When we went into the neonatal ICU to see Colton Amy's Mom and Dad were standing near the incubator lovingly hovering over the tiny baby, affirming the value of his life and their love.  It was a tender and heartwarming scene I'll always remember.

Health Update:  Brooksyne talked to Amy last night on the phone. She continues to recover from the emergency ceserean operation from Feb. 11th.  She's had several medical complications which has led to some recovery setbacks. I'm sure she would appreciate your prayers, not only for their emotional healing but also for her physical healing. Chris and Amy have a very lively and delightful four year old son named Hunter and Chris has an older daughter, Christine, seen in the multi-media presentation.


Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources
Click on the link to open and play.
In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.


"In Memory Of Colton Matthew Brown" The video prepared by Amy and her close friend that was shared at his funeral service.  It also tells her story and features "With Hope", a powerful song written by Steven Curtis Chapman.

"Be Unto Your Name"  Video   This is the song Brooksyne refers to in today's message.

Fearfully And Wonderfully Made, DVDFearfully & Wonderfully Made, DVD  By Dr. David Menton / Answers In Genesis
Anatomist Dr. David Menton allows us to take a fascinating look at the development of human life. He follows an unborn child at each step in its growth, relishing the chance to show the birth process' intricate design. He illustrates how miracles are required every step of the way, giving as examples twins having the same DNA, and the ability of the uterus to accept the 'foreign' child. Psalm 139:13-16 tells us how God knit us together in the womb, and Dr. Menton demonstrates that we were indeed created by a series of "irreducible complexities" that couldn't just have happened at random. Rather, we were deliberately designed by a caring God who gave us not only our first natural birth, but our second spiritual birth as well. Approximately 63 minutes

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Personal Ministry Update
Revised 01/20/09

DonateEach weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks!  See here for details.  
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Our other blogs:
"A Daily Prayer" - A blog simply posting the daily prayer. We keep this up each day since it's merely the prayer from the Daily Encouragement Net message!
"A Little Foolishness" - Humor/satire blog (a great outlet for non-serious writing but at times with a subtle message!) Last updated 2/18/09 with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (Note: This material is satire!)
"Clear Minded" - Longer, periodic articles on specific issues impacting the faithful believer and church. (Actually this is my intent but I haven't done much with it!)
"Hymns of Hope" - Brooksyne along with two friends made a CD using classic hymns. Brooksyne tells the background story of the 11 hymns. We are distributing this CD without charge in our ministry. All of these songs are also available for download on the site. If any reader in this series would like a CD merely write us and request one.

Christianbook.comDaily Encouragement Net is an affiliate of Christianbook.com. Any orders placed to Christian Book Distributers using this link or any specific product link to a recommended resource in a daily encouragement message will help our Daily Encouragement ministry through a small commission on the sale. Thank you for using these links when purchasing online through CBD!

Personal Mission Statement
"I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

Four Spiritual Laws

How to become a child of God



Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.


© Copyright 2009 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved

Daily Encouragement Net
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552
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