 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, December 20, 2010  Central Market alley in Lancaster, PA  Listen to this message on your audio player"Preparing For The Lord" "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is He who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him." (Matthew 3:1-3).  If you simply observe the photo of Brooksyne sweeping the carpet in our church sanctuary you might think she's doing a little sprucing up before the worship service, but there's more to this illustrative story. Yesterday she and I were presenting a teaching skit for the children in attendance during the worship service. I had gathered the children at the front and began to talk about how we make preparations during the advent season to celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. The children were attentively listening as I was talking when all of a sudden there was a loud distraction from the back of the sanctuary that drowned out my voice. (Those who know me realize that takes a great deal of volume!) Everyone turned around to the noise in the back and found Brooksyne very intently running the vacuum cleaner between the chairs seemingly oblivious to the fact that we were having church. It was quite a surprise to see her doing janitorial work instead of sitting at the piano bench where she normally sits on Sunday mornings. Appearing rather incredulous and very annoyed that she would be sweeping during the worship service I asked, "Brooksyne, why in the world are you doing that right now?" She responded, "I'm getting our church ready for Christmas." When I asked her what she meant by that she told me to read Matthew 3:1-3. I read today's text aloud and then she explained that she wanted to have our church all cleaned up for the coming King. She had her dust mop in one hand, glass cleaner in the other, and even had a toilet brush for the toilet facilities (it was a never-used brush, I might add). Well, we went back and forth a few times until I made it clear to our children (and congregation) that John the Baptist was preparing the way for our Lord's arrival by teaching people to repent of their sins. It was an internal work rather than external. Interestingly, after the service, we learned that more than one adult thought that Brooksyne had a bit of a breakdown when they saw her sweeping during the service and as they listened to our convincing dialogue (before the skit's message was fully revealed). They'd considered that the extra pressure she has during the holidays with her ministry responsibilities, etc. was more than she could handle this year. But thankfully she hasn't lost her mind and the lesson proceeded with a short message of how we are to get ourselves spiritually prepared for the Lord's arrival. I suppose that's one lesson people may be more prone to remembering! How are you preparing for Christmas this year? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, there are times when we feel like ours is the lone voice crying out, "Repent, get your heart right, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." Our message is reflective of the reason You sent Jesus to be born in a manger, to dwell among Your creation, and to give His life that our sin curse might be lifted. It is the greatest gift in all the world, for all time and for all people. We rejoice in this imperishable, unbreakable, unchanging, and inexhaustible gift of salvation. Amen.Central Market, Lancaster, PA  Central Market in the very heart of Lancaster city is the oldest continuously operating public market in the country. Saturday morning we walked through and today we want to share some photos we took at the market.  Items are sold from rental spaces known as "stands" which vary in size. With a lot of Amish folks in our area a number of the stands are operated by the Amish, including this bakery with a very common Amish name!  Women (including Brooksyne) enjoy candles and baskets.  I think this stand has to do with quilting or some type of craft.  This is not an Amish man running this stand but in our area the Amish identity is often used for marketing.  The produce stands are very colorful!  But peppers are especially colorful!  An interesting stand is run by the spice man.  Like peppers these spices also make for a colorful close-up photo!  One of the largest and busiest stands is the S. Clyde Weaver Smoked Meat & Cheese stand. More about Central Market I purchased a cyclamen flower for Brooksyne from this very friendly vendor. Anna Marie has been coming to the market since 1945 and as we talked for a few minutes I found out she was an Aunt to Don Kreider, a friend of ours! More photos of Central Market (collection on Google search) 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.) Resources for Christmas Celebrations (We will leave these resources posted below our daily messages through Christmas) Each year we share several online resources that we have used over the years and that may be a blessing to families and churches during this Christmas season. As we find additional material that we believe will be a blessing we will add it to this list as well. "In Remembrance of Me" pdf This is a passion-filled Scripture reading for two adults. Brooksyne and I have used this reading with great receptivity during Christmas Eve services many years. We suggest, if possible, a musical background as the message is read. It is also a great lead-in to a Communion service. It should be thoroughly practiced and read with great feeling. "When Christ Was Born" pdf This is an adaptation to the tune of "How Great Thou Art". It's a great song to sing as a congregation since most are familiar with and love the tune. Responsive Christmas Scripture readings for church or family: John 1:1-18 pdf "O Come Let Us Adore Him" pdf My First Christmas In Heaven This is a blessed reminder for all who lost a loved one this year. This is the poem that Brooksyne read and wrote about in this message. Christmas Knowledge Test We have also posted two Christmas carol quizzes here (scroll down). Are you Christmas shopping online?  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 considering using these links when purchasing online through CBD! Tip: If you are regular CBD customer consider bookmarking this link and using it whenever you shop. Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your parents? Here's an idea! "The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents" Looking for a very special Christmas gift for your children? Here's an idea! "The Blessing" Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/10)  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 12/19/10 $16,554.00 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 by us 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 through feedburner.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this online reader survey. To take the survey click here. 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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