Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives
Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives
 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, February 12, 2010  Photo by Nelson Longenecker (see below) Click on photo for larger size  Listen to this message on your audio player. "For Better Or For Worse" "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).  Last summer the Kurtz brothers' mother died after six years of taking up residency in a nursing home. Three times a day, seven days a week, and for all six years their father drove to the nursing home continuing his role as husband and loving companion to his wife until her death. That's enduring love! Enduring love is a tested, proven, and unending commitment that should be at the heart of any marital vows. It starts out as a romantic relationship where appearance, talent, personality and intelligence are usually the qualifying factors in solidifying a long-term commitment. But enduring love comes over time and is strengthened through the way partners handle expectations, account to one another, communicate effectively, and fulfill each other's needs. Much like gold is tested in a furnace capable of reaching 2,000 degrees, enduring love is tested repeatedly in the blazing furnace of trials, failures, disappointments, and losses. As a young Bible College student I made a call on an elderly couple named George and Elizabeth. After a brief visit I witnessed a tender, almost sacred moment when George gently planted a kiss on Elizabeth's forehead. They had been married over 50 years and Alzheimer's disease (called senility back then) was now taking its toll. But this couple had made a commitment in their marriage vows many years earlier that in part stated, "for better or for worse." They had experienced the "better" for the majority of their adult years, but now he was enduring the symptoms from "worse" because of his loving, enduring commitment. In an enduring relationship we enjoy the good and endure the grief encountered along the way. Though it seemed the worst of times for this couple, the love was still there; a love firmly rooted in commitment to God's design for marriage. George saw her every day even though to most observers there was no indication that she even recognized him. They demonstrated what following Christ and keeping promises is all about to a young college student preparing for ministry and for marriage. It left a lifelong impression on me. On Valentine's Day romantic love is celebrated. The Biblical pattern of marriage is simply expressed in the creation mandate, "A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). The apostle Paul makes the simple statement in the daily text, "Husbands, love your wives." Men, today and every day let us heed this straightforward command! And, Ladies, let me assure you that we men treasure our wife's devotion and love! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we ask You to bless couples reading our message today. Help them to grow together through love and laughter, respect and forgiveness, through the good times and through the difficult times. May it not be just for a season, but for life. In Jesus' name. Amen.  This drift formed as the wind blew around our sign. Our broken mailbox is in the background stuck in the snow for now.  This drift outside our dining room is over 6 feet tall!  Here's a photo of our barn I took early this morning.  The temperature is just about at freezing and thus the icicles form as the snow melts off the roof. I took this photo at sunset last night.  This is a view out our backyard this morning.  Marilyn Thompson, a friend who lives near Washington, DC sent us this photo.  I cleared a small spot on our deck so they could go out but they both wanted right back in! 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.) "Living By Vows" Many years ago I read this outstanding article by Robert McQuilken. It's well worth the read. Here's a Video. "I Will Be here" Video Steven Curtis Chapman Great song and this version is worth it for the photos! "I Loved You Then" Video 33 Miles  "When God Made You" Video This song has an interesting perspective on marital love. In 2005 I officiated at a wedding and the young couple used this song during their wedding ceremony! Mike and Joanna and their two-year old daughter Adoreé are building their home on the solid foundation of Christ! "Only God Could Love You More" Video "The Love Of My Life - A Wedding Song" Video Today's top photo was taken by our friend Nelson Longenecker at (I thought geographical buffs might like to determine where the photo was taken by these coordinates!) 48º 26’ 22.87” -114º 21’ 10.65” |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09  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.2010 YTD financial offerings as of 2/11/10 $790.00 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. 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! "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.  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 2010 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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