Daily Encouragement (01/04/12) "What A Friend!"

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<Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Wednesday, January 4, 2012 Our friend, Peter DeHart, took this photo of the Tioga Central Railroad Bridge near the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon in Tioga County. It's the coldest day of the season with temps down to nearly 10 degrees last night! Listen to this message on your audio player. "What A Friend!" "I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you" (John 15:15). Through technology we have the opportunity to be connected with far more people than previous generations which is a positive thing. But in the last several years in my view technology has cheapened the meaning of friendship. These associations, however minimal, are referred to as "friends", whereas in the past they would have been at best "acquaintances", which the online dictionary defines as "Knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship less intimate than friendship." The term "friendship" is especially cheapened when the word is used for political purposes. I heard an interview with a politician speaking of how a political rival was such a good friend. The interviewer then played a tape of him calling this very rival a pig! Genuine friends don't call me a pig (Editor's note: not in front of others, at least)! This is a longtime problem illustrated by the expedient pseudo friendship between Herod and Pilate at the trial of Jesus; "And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other" (Luke 23:12). I am blessed with many friends, collected over 50 years of living. I am appreciative of technology that connects us more easily and doesn't break the piggy bank in doing so (as in the past when long distance calls cost a small fortune). Dave Simpson, a businessman in Springfield, Missouri, is my longest term friend whom I have been associated with since first grade. Yesterday I got a call from an Amish friend who called just to check up on me and see how I was doing. A peculiar religious restriction meant he had to go to an outbuilding to make the call so I'm glad he made the extra effort! I am pleased to call many of our readers friends and of course since Brooksyne and I have been married for nearly 36 years most of our friends are mutual. But today let us consider One whom we reckon as our best friend. Many see Proverbs 18:24 as an allusion to this Friend, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Many years ago I recall a prayer gathering with a group of ministers. The service was themed with various segments of prayer for specific needs. In between the prayer times the worship leader led us in a selection of music which was also themed. I was especially touched when he led in a hymn and several choruses dealing with our endearing, enduring friendship with Jesus Christ. We sang, "What a Friend we have in Jesus", "What a Friend I've Found", and "He Knows My Name". As we gathered around the altar singing these songs I was filled with the peace and assurance that is my rightful inheritance and wept as God reminded me of His steadfast love and care. In the daily Scripture text Jesus is speaking to His disciples. "I have called you friends."  It's during his final hours and His final teaching. He does not use the designation "friends" often in the Gospels. It seems He wants to use this endearing term at this time to describe His relationship with the disciples as each of them faced such a dark time ahead. There are many songs that describe our friendship with Jesus. Some of you will recall songs like "Friendship with Jesus, fellowship divine…", "I've found a friend in Jesus, he's everything to me" or "I've found a Friend, Who is all to me". And still one more, "There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus…" What a joy today to have a friend in Jesus. This is a friendship we can all mutually share. Wherever you live, whatever conditions you are dealing with, this friendship is steady and enduring. Indeed, what a Friend I've found! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, we thank You that in Jesus we've found an enduring Friend for all eternity; One who laid down His life that we might be raised to newness of life. There's no friend on earth that can provide the constant companionship we experience with Christ through prayer, the Scriptures, and the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit that resides in our hearts; in the good times and the bad, during the testings and temptations common to all. There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus, no not one, no not even one. Thank You for this wondrous gift we celebrate of Jesus coming to earth in the flesh to dwell among us and to show us the more excellent way. Amen. Today's pig story prompted a memory from several years ago when we served a church in Spring Grove, PA in an interim role. Bob was an older member of the church who had a very colorful personality and a weight issue common to older folks. He told us about going to a donut shop where he'd heard they give away day-old donuts. He inquired about the donuts and the lady at the counter informed him, "We give them to a pig farmer who feeds them to his pigs." Not to be outdone, Bob followed up, "Well, I'm a pig!" Mollie's Birthday: Yesterday, Ester excitedly celebrated Mollie's first birthday. In February 2011 she picked her out of a litter of four short haired border collie pups at the Humane League.  She was 2 months old when she came to live with us. Definitely a busy, lively dog but a very affectionate one as well and an excellent retriever. We hope that in Year Two she gets through the destructive chewing stage which has been an ongoing challenge. Mollie Yesterday Ester connected with another Border Collie owner through the Humane League who put two and two together and made the discovery that she adopted Mollie's brother. The owner, who lives in Leola (Lancaster County), sent us the photo to the right which looks identical to Mollie; same markings and height.  What fun to make the connection on their one year birthday.  From the sounds of things Sawyer loves to chew, just like Mollie. Hopefully they'll narrow their chewing desires to just bones and dogfood in their 2nd year! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "What A Friend We Have In Jesus"  Video  Paul Baloche "Friendship With Jesus"  Video  The O'Neil Twins (1971) Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/11) Are our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 12/31/11: $21,391.00  Note: Due to a delay in posting for offerings made directly to my chaplaincy account a final accounting for 2011 will not be available till mid January. We want to express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter: The daily message and prayer on Facebook.  The daily message and prayer on Twitter. 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! 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!) (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 2012 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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