 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Messages · Archives ·  Archive/print editionWednesday, September 2, 2009  Schenks Mill Covered Bridge, Lancaster County, PA We crossed this bridge yesterday on our way back from Root's Country Market. This covered bridge crosses the Big Chiques Creek. Built on a single span Burr arch truss, this historic landmark is painted red and is mainly made of oak. Red is the traditional color of Lancaster County and most bridges follow a red motif. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It was built by friends Charles Malhorn and Levi Fink in 1855, and has since been and important landmark in the county, remembered by tourists for its unforgettable color and span.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player"Like A Bad Tooth" "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble" (Proverbs 25:19). I had a dental visit early this morning; a checkup and cleaning. For several months I've had a bad tooth that needs attention. It's a molar back in my mouth and it aches more or less off and on. Today's report indicates I will need a filling and perhaps eventually a crown. That's sure not the kind of crown I'm looking forward to!  The Bible has some interesting verses about teeth. The most common reference is the "eye for eye, tooth for tooth" found different times in a variety of places. The most colorful reference is when Job describes his physical plight, "I am nothing but skin and bones; I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth" (Job 19:20). And here's an endearing line for men to use when expressing affection to their wives: "Your teeth are like a flock of sheep coming up from the washing. Each has its twin, not one of them is alone" (Song of Solomon 6:6). Today's verse is one of those cross generational/cross cultural illustrations. "Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble" (Proverbs 25:19). Most of you, regardless of where you live can identify at having a toothache at some time in life. If not you've surely had "a lame foot". I've had both in the sense that I broke my ankle playing football many years ago! I get the idea that Solomon was speaking from experience as well in this Proverb. He uses this simile to describe another condition; "reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble." And I suspect most of us have experienced this as well. We've felt the sharp sting and deep disappointment of disloyalty and rejection that is especially painful "in times of trouble". Job stated in the midst of his trouble, "All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me" (Job 19:19). I have sure had these experiences, although I choose not to focus on them, but rather the blessing of steadfast, loyal friends of whom I have many. In this encouragement I want to consider the wonderful contribution of true and faithful friends who are there and who are reliable in the inevitable times of trouble in our lives. I especially like lasting, reliable friends. We need good friends don't we; friends who are loyal and faithful, particularly in times of trouble. I sure want to be that kind of friend as well. I sure don't want to be like a bad tooth or a lame foot! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Jesus, You are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. It seems that many of our brothers and sisters in the faith are closer than our blood relations because we've been joined together as a family of believers and share common spiritual goals. Though we're created in the image of God and follow Your example we're still given to human error and do not always apply good judgment which causes division in the body of Christ. Help us to practice forgiveness and exercise forbearance with one another so that we will be united and faithful to one another in times of trouble. Last year I had a crown put in and at that time wrote a daily encouragement message with a spiritual application. "Small Town Dentist" Audio story from the American storyteller podcast.  This story reminds me of my cousin Doug McKelvey, a dentist in a small town in rural Wisconsin. His wife Georgia and Brooksyne always enjoy visiting as they both thorougly enjoy gardening. The photo taken at a family reunion several years ago in Branson, Missouri. Our wives devised a way they could be taller than their husbands! (I'm 6 foot 2 inches and Doug is obviously taller than me.) Root's Country Market & Auction Yesterday was a beautiful day with a slight coolness in the air reminding us that autumn is coming. In the late afternoon we drove over to Root's Country Market & Auction about ten miles from our home.  One of the interesting features is the variety of people you will see including many Plain people (old order Mennonite, Amish and other similar groups).  There are several auctions going on simultaneously. Here are a box of carrots being auctioned. The auctioneer is colorful and humorous.  Root's covers a sprawling area with both indoor and outdoor vendors.  As we walked among the stands we ran into Mike Martin along with his daughter Taylor. Mike leads a ministry to bikers called Bikers For Christ. We saw several other friends and the market is a regular social outlet for many. They will probably be going into soup or sauce. 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.) Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 05/08/09  Each 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 9/1/09: $7,510.00)SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION  Were 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 either signed up to receive it OR a friend forwarded it to you. You can also subscribe to the rss feed. or as an email subscription update through feedburner. Subscribe to Daily Encouragement Updates by EmailCancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet 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. (To change addresses cancel your old address and then join again using your new address.) Weekly Version: The weekly version is intended 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. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "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 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.  Daily 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."  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  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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