Monday, November 30, 2009

Daily Encouragement (11/30/09) "Ordinary People"

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A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

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Monday, November 30, 2009

Donegal Creek duck family, Lancaster County, PA
For many years we have observed this duck family in Donegal Creek near our home.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Ordinary People"

"But the angel said to him: 'Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John'" (Luke 1:13).

Yesterday Brooksyne and I held a Memorial Service for families and residents of Longwood Manor, a nearby assisted living facility where we serve as chaplains.  Seven residents had passed away over the past quarter and so we planned a service to honor them.  At the end of the service Brooksyne read "My First Christmas in Heaven". Afterward we went around the room and greeted those who were in attendance.  Brooksyne had a very interesting conversation:

I greeted Marian (not her real name) whom I've known for about eight years now through my hymn sings and chaplaincy at the facility. Marian has a disease that greatly impairs her mobility and makes her speech extremely difficult to understand.  If I really, really focus and with the help of others I can sometimes understand what she is trying to say.  Other times I don't understand but listen anyway to show her that I value her conversation.

She was most intent in communicating with me yesterday and I just could not understand her.  With great effort she used her arms to give me gestures that was helpful.  I thought she was referring to my playing hymns at the piano, but that was clearly not the message.  One word I finally understood was "image" and it helped direct me in my interpretation of her message.  After a lengthy time of playing charades (so to speak) I finally understood what she was saying.  When I had read the Christmas poem earlier, in her spirit, she saw an image of Jesus standing behind me.  Marian was so excited when I finally understood her message and she was clearly touched by what she'd experienced. Jesus had met her in a supernatural way during the reading of that poem and she wanted to convey that to me.

That brings to mind the Bible story where Zechariah resorted to using gestures to communicate.  Luke describes Zechariah and Elizabeth as an ordinary married couple who lived upright lives in the sight of God.  Elizabeth was barren so they had no children and "they were both well along in years."  He served as a priest at a time when God was about to break a long, bleak period of prophetic silence.  It had been 400 years since God had spoken through the prophet Malachi.

Yet Zechariah and his wife, like other godly Jews, fervently awaited the promised Messiah.  His routine assignment in the temple on this particular day changed him forever after his encounter with a representative of the living God, none other than the angel Gabriel! And what a blessed message he received!  "Your prayer has been heard."  I wonder if Zechariah's mind went into fast mode to consider which prayer Gabriel was speaking of.  Surely, he had given up on the request for a child many years earlier.  Possibly the answered prayer was the Messiah's coming and Zechariah would play a part in this prophetic fulfillment in a most remarkable way.

We encourage you to read the entire account from Luke 1:1-25 (link below). Zechariah wanted to be sure he was really hearing things right.  Do you blame him?  Due to his initial unbelief Gabriel told him that he would be unable to speak until the birth of his son.

Following his lengthy encounter with the angel, Zechariah went outside the temple and saw those who anxiously awaited his appearance. "They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak."  I can't help but wonder what kind of signs Zechariah made to describe his supernatural encounter with the angel.  Did he look up toward heaven and shield his eyes to give the effect of a heavenly encounter with a dazzling, bright visitor?  Did he point to his mouth to indicate that the messenger gave him a message?  And how about the news of the coming birth….did he make a cradle of his two arms nestled together and rock an invisible baby?  Surely, the crowd would have to wonder if John, well up in years, might be having the first signs of Alzheimer's (or whatever term they used to describe the deterioration of aging brain cells.)

The next challenge would be communicating the miraculous news to his wife, Elizabeth.   I wonder if God had in some way spoken to her as well.  What did she think when her speechless old husband walked into their house that night at a quicker pace, his face lit up, and his hands talking a mile a minute?  We really don't know how God enabled Zechariah to communicate the good news to Elizabeth, but we do know that nine months later they rejoiced as they welcomed little John into the world.  Their son would "bring many of the people of Israel back to the Lord their God.  And he would go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

Zechariah and Elizabeth were ordinary people touched by an extra-ordinary God who's very much at work today still touching and using ordinary people like you and me!

Just ordinary people, God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
Who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all.
No matter how small your all may seem to you.
Because little becomes much,
As you place it in the Master's hand." *


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, we are thankful for the miraculous birth of John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Lord Jesus who came as Savior to the world.  We also thank You for ordinary individuals living blameless, upright lives who help prepare unbelievers to  receive the gospel message.  By their godly example and their communicating the truths of the Bible they become Your earth appointed messengers directing people's hearts to Jesus who is the only way to the Father.  May we be among them.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Today's Scripture portion: 
Luke 1:1-25


   
Rustic log cabin on Cold Spring Road in Lancaster County, PA
It was a beautiful sunny day late yesterday afternoon and driving through the country to the church for choir rehearsal we passed this little rustic log cabin on Cold Spring Road. It sure looked like a nice place to sit out and enjoy a pleasant Autumn afternoon!


Old well pump on Cold Spring Road in Lancaster County, PA
I have enjoyed old pumps since I was a child when there was one in front of my grandparent's home in Harwood, Missouri. I couldn't resist pumping this one to see if I could get water out, but alas was unable to get any.  As a child my sister Genelle and I would race to the pump and vigorously pump till the water surged out!

The two photos were taken here (Google map)

Laurie and Estella
Laurie and Estella visiting before our church service.  It's always a delight to see intergenerational fellowship among the believers.



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.)
 
"Ordinary People"  Video
 Sung by some ordinary people!

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 10/21/09

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 11/29/09: $10,447.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscription
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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.

Cancel: 
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!


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 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

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
Endorsed chaplain

"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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Friday, November 27, 2009

Daily Encouragement (11/27/09) "Thanksgiving Memories And A Challenge"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
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RSS feed       Podcast feed
 Daily Encouragement Net Header
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

<Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition 

Friday, November 27, 2009

2009 Weber Thanksgiving Meal
Our 2009 Thanksgiving Meal
We were joined by Ester's boyfriend, Brian, and our longtime friends, the Pierce family, including Baby Seth, who is sleeping in his carrier in the background.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Thanksgiving Memories And A Challenge"

"Remember the days of old, consider the generations long past" (Deuteronomy 32:7).

Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day in our home. As we gave thanks prior to our Thanksgiving feast I considered how once again we had gathered in peace, freedom, and with a bountiful table as I have experienced all though my life. Perhaps our musing today will cause you to also do some reminiscing, if you haven't already done so over this Thanksgiving holiday weekend!

Steincross farm
I have over 50 years of Thanksgiving Day recollections, some more distinct than others. Times have changed as have the people around the table. As a child we usually gathered at my Uncle Gentry and Aunt Dora's farm outside of Harwood, Missouri (pictured above). It was sure a big crowd and Aunt Dora was well known in our family for her fine cooking. As I look at the photo I have specific recollections such as crossing the road in front of the farmhouse and being allowed to fire a deer rifle.

Weber family 1988 Thanksgiving
Years later, throughout the earlier years of our marriage, we had either our folks or extended family visit us or we'd visit them. Due to the thousand miles that separated us from our parents we also celebrated holidays with our spiritual family in churches where we ministered.  Above all, we always had lots of good food and much reason to express thanksgiving. The photo above shows a family gathering at our home in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania in 1988.

Still living at a great distance from our siblings, with the exception of my brother Pat who is only 100 miles away, we try to stay connected, but admittedly when the parents are no longer alive it is much more difficult to bring the whole family together.  Now that we see how life quickly passes and after we experienced the loss of a generation in our family we've come to realize the importance of staying in touch and expressing love and appreciation regularly for one another.  It's interesting that for many of us it comes more easily to express our love to brothers and sisters in the faith than our blood brothers and sisters.  Perhaps it's because our family knows us far too well, foibles and all!

We also have some distinct memories from our years in New England when we weren't with family.  Several years
on Thanksgiving Day we went to Plymouth, which was only about 25 miles from our home in Taunton, Massachusetts. Of course that's where the first Thanksgiving meal was held.

But one year we went to Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum which depicts a typical New England village set in the 1830's. The village residents dress in the costume of the period, work the land so they had food to eat,
preserved and prepared their foods according to customs of that period, and sought to make an income in their various pursuits.  Each time we visited the village we realized how far we've come in 150 years!  I saw in their roles a strong commitment to the virtues that made our country great: deep religious convictions, love for family, hard work, honesty, etc.

We attended the church service one Thanksgiving Day which the whole Sturbridge Village Community attended.  We sat in the pew boxes characteristic of Congregational churches of that period.  Ours had a seat pad, a foot rest and an arm rest.  Actually it was quite comfortable, though a little cool since the church was not heated!  The parson preached a good message on thankfulness (a message actually written during the 1830's.)

It was very Biblical and its truths were just as applicable over 150 years later.  Among his points was the statement (to the effect) "If we cease being a religious and moral people we will lose our way as a nation."  How true this warning was for hearers in the early 1800's; it was true and prophetic some 14 years ago when we heard it repeated and the warning reverberates to our present generation.

We have ceased to be a religious people based on Biblical faith and the result is that we have ceased to be a moral people.  How long before we lose our liberty?  Only God knows.  We are seeing a systematic dismantling of these qualities of greatness and surely the foundations are being destroyed.  I consider scores of recent events that are further evidence of the crumbling of these foundations.

As we remember the days of old; as we consider generations long past let us hold fast to that which was passed onto us that was rooted in Biblical teaching, regardless of what the future may hold.  As we look back and express our thankfulness let us also renew our steadfastness!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, help us to be faithful to Your Scriptures no matter the tidal wave of evil that spreads across our land.  Truth is not based upon the popular opinion polls, but instead it is based upon Your eternal Word.  May we be found faithful, no matter the price we pay!   In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.


   
2009 Thanksgiving pies
Our pie collection for 2009: cherry, apple, pecan and pumpkin, and a bowl of pumpkin seeds (for those watching their diet)!  Guess which of the five offers was not touched!

2009 Thanksgiving at Longwood Manor
Two month old Seth greeting Bea.
After our feast and before our dessert we visited Longwood Manor and sang some traditional Thanksgiving hymns.  The elderly residents of Longwood Manor are so blessed to see children.



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.)
 
"If We've Ever Needed You"  Video
  Casting Crowns  For several years I have appreciated the thoughtful lyrics to Casting Crowns songs. This is from their new album "Until The Whole World Hears" and addresses the conditions mentioned in today's message.

"This Little Child"  Video  Scott Wesley Brown  This song also has a strong message even some 20 years after it was written.

Old Sturbridge Village  We recommend a visit to Old Sturbridge Village for any one living in or visiting New England.

Some of our readers may, like me, be terminally curious, and wonder where in the world is Harwood, Missouri?  See on this Google map.

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 10/21/09

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 11/26/09: $10,447.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscription
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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.

Cancel: 
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!


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 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

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
Endorsed chaplain

"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
Add scweber@dailyencouragement.net to your email address book to ensure delivery
Forward to a Friend  |  Manage Subscription  |   Subscribe  |   Unsubscribe
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Thursday, November 26, 2009

Daily Encouragement (11/26/09) "Giving Thanks To The God Of Heaven"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives
RSS feed       Podcast feed
 Daily Encouragement Net Header
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

<Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition 

Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving Day


Thanksgiving clipart
Our local community paper places a Thanksgiving proclamation on their front page each year.

ListenListen to us share this message on your audio player.

"Giving Thanks To The God Of Heaven"

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever."
(Psalm 136:26).

Today's message will be a bit different. It's Thanksgiving Day here in the USA, a national holiday and a great day to especially give thanks to the Lord and gather with family and friends.  Today we will be spending the day here in Mount Joy enjoying a bountiful meal.

Ester's boyfriend, Brian, will be joining us along with our friends, Ken and Nila Pierce and their two young sons David and Seth.  Later this afternoon following our meal we'll be going over to Longwood Manor, a local assisted living center, to provide a Thanksgiving hymn service for the residents. A number of their families will be there as well.  We know the young children will be of special blessing.

Brooksyne and I give thanks for all our readers (and podcast listeners) and hope our American readers will have a blessed Thanksgiving Day, especially focusing on thanks to God, which was the original intent for the day when it was a solemn day for the Pilgrims along with Indians in 1621.

Today we want to share a Scripture reading from Psalm 136 that is very suitable for responsive reading, even for those with very young children who can simply respond, "His love endures forever."

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

To Him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

Who by His understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

Who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.


Who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

The sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

The moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

To the One who remembered us in our low estate
His love endures forever.

And freed us from our enemies,
His love endures forever.

And who gives food to every creature.
His love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His love endures forever.


Be encouraged today and be overflowing with thanksgiving to God!


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

A Thanksgiving Prayer

In thanksgiving we lift our voices of praise from grateful hearts, Father, as we sing songs of praise and adoration to You, our blessed King.  Whether in seasons of prosperity or in seasons of want we find Your grace sufficient to meet each one of our needs.  You guide us, protect us, and You provide for us as we journey here below.  Every good and perfect gift comes from Your hand.  Thank You, faithful Father!  Amen.



Pond scene
This photo was taken several weeks ago and is one our favorite views on the way to church.  Here's a photo of the same view taken last winter with ice on the pond.



I met Tommy Carpenter several years ago. He began receiving our messages at that time and periodically shares an interesting insight. He wrote concerning yesterday's message: "I have been thinking about the Samaritan who came back to give thanks to JESUS! Let me explain... The other nine could go to the Temple and find a priest to examine, administer the purification laws and affirm them. The Samaritan did not have right to the Levitical priesthood nor the temple area. He turned back and humbled himself before our Great High Priest, who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities! He came under the examination, administration and the affirmation of JESUS CHRIST."



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.)

Highly Recommended! On searching for music related to today's message I found this very interesting video that really puts things in perspective. It's a little early for the Christmas song background but it also has a very powerful Thanksgiving message.

"Thanksgiving Medley"  Video
 
"Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart"  Video
  Don Moen

"Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me"  Video  Jeff and Sheri Easter

"Now Thank We All Our God"  Video  Best Loved Hymns

"Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing"  Video  Jars Of Clay

"He's Been Faithful"  Video  Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

Celebrating Thanksgiving in America: Here's an excellent article by historian David Barton regarding the history of Thanksgiving Day here in the US.  It absolutely dispels the current politically correct notion that our country did not have a strong Christian basis.

The most detailed primary source description of the "First Thanksgiving" comes from Edward Winslow from A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, in 1621:

"Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, among other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed upon our governor, and upon the captain, and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."



Special Thanksgiving Resources
We want to offer these ideas to families and church leaders
to enrich the spiritual impact of the Thanksgiving holiday.
(We'll be posting these resources through Thanksgiving Day.)


Thorns"Thankful For The Thorns": A family reading and exercise that is a wonderful way to give a thoughtful focus around your Thanksgiving Table (printable webpage) The Thanksgiving celebration includes family coming together along with the turkey and trimmings. Often there's a lot of food with little meaningful conversation. Why not add some stimulating discussion about the ways God has worked in your life over the past year! Some of you are not in charge and are only visitors at your Thanksgiving gathering, but if it is possible share together around the table the theme of "Thankful for the Thorns" or the questionnaire we've provided in the link below.  A Thanksgiving family exercise - We have used this questionnaire as a stimulus for discussion among family members in the past. We encourage you to share results around the table at Thanksgiving before or after the meal. (pdf) Perhaps you could just use it as a discussion guide to provide stimulus for other's reflections.

A Thanksgiving prayer: (written by Joe Sherer, a pastor friend of ours and shared as the benediction at our community Thanksgiving Eve service several years ago.)  Webpage  For those who enjoy written prayers this would be a beautiful prayer to read together at the Thanksgiving table.

A Thanksgiving Scripture reading: A selection of Old and New Testament readings dealing with thankfulness appropriate for church, family and personal readings. (pdf) (Suitable for printing out and copying.)

A Day of Rest in Plimouth Colony: This is a summary of a chapter in the lives of the pilgrims that Brooksyne uses to teach about their Sunday worship.  (pdf)

Resources used in Brooksyne's research on the Pilgrims:
Saints & Strangers  By Vision Video
Three Young Pilgrims  By Cheryl Harness / Simon & Schuster

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 10/21/09

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 11/25/09: $10,447.00)

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

Free email subscription
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. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.

Cancel: 
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!


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 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. All of these songs are also available for download on the site.

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

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