Friday, June 29, 2012

Daily Encouragement (06/29/12) "Lessons From Plowing"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Having trouble reading this message?  Read mobile edition online
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
.
Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email · Daily Encouragement on Facebook  ·  Daily Encouragement on Twitter   ·  RSS feed
 
<Previous Message       ·       Archive edition

Friday, June 29, 2012

Ester by water pump at Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PA
Ester works the old water pump at the
Longenecker Farm
in Lancaster County

ListenListen to this message on your audio player. (Note: Due to scheduling the podcast will be unavailable until Friday evening.

"Lessons From Plowing"

"But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house" (Numbers 12:7). "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).

Don and Kathy Eaton 6/28/12

Our friends Don and Kathy Eaton joined us for dinner last night. Don and Kathy came down from New England twenty years ago to start 
Eaton Farms, a family run business north of Reading PA, that grows trees and plants for the wholesale market. The farm covers some 200 rolling acres where one can view tens of thousands of growing trees and other plants in various stages of development.

They are
both committed Christians, seeking to live their lives and operate their business in a manner that pleases the Lord. I have assisted them with their chaplaincy service and work with Keith Rodriques their farm chaplain. Due to the distance and many Hispanic laborers we are unable to provide direct care.

Don loves plants and brought us a couple of trees last night along with his pruners and some good growing advice. We walked through our yard and picked his brain! 

I am blessed whenever I receive an email from Don. As a tag line he quotes a Scriptural concept based on today's second verse. "Keep your hand to the plow."

Photo of Amish man plowingJesus used this agricultural illustration to teach the vital importance of staying focused, persistent and faithful. "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62).  The apostle Paul seems to share this same concept in Philippians 3:13: "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead."

Jay Kopp with mouldboard plowMany of you who know me personally have often heard me say farewell with one of two phrases; "Stay faithful" or "Keep your hand to the plow."  I've done this for many, many years and now people often anticipate and reciprocate. One time I was working in large printing plant and a man jumped off the catwalk around a huge web press, walked right up to me and asked, "Are you staying faithful?"

God said regarding Moses, "He is faithful in all my house". What a gratifying affirmation to receive from God Himself! 

In a parable in Matthew Jesus gives us a glimpse of what we'll hear when we finish the race:"Well done, good and faithful servant!" (Matthew 25:23). And in the book of Revelation we have a recognition of His "called, chosen and faithful followers" (17:14).

Indeed
let us keep our hand to the plow and "stay faithful"!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we desire to remain faithful to You all the days of our life.  We join with others of the Christian faith who hold unswervingly to the hope we profess even as we spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Disappointments, unanswered prayers, loved ones who oppose us, spiritual lethargy, temptations and trials pull at our hearts and tempt us to look back just like the Israelites who were freed from slavery.  They who greatly rejoiced at their new found freedom found themselves longing to return after the going got tough.  Give us strength and firm resolve to plow through the hard soil and bumpy rocks of life all the while fixing our eyes on our eternal dwelling place as we hold unswervingly to the hope we profess in Christ Jesus our Lord.  It is in His name that we pray. Amen



Ester by water pump at Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PA
This week we have featured photos of Bill and Peggy Longenecker's farm here in Lancaster County. This is where we took the photo at the top of our message of Ester working the water pump. Our last photo in this series indicates the meticulous detail of Bill and Peggy as the entire grounds are so well groomed demonstrated by this photo of the bridge.


Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource

"Hand To The Plow"  Video  Paul Clark  This is from an album made the year we got married.

"I Know Whom I Have Believed"  Video  A great hymn based on 2 Timothy 1:12.

Eaton Farms  Our association with Don is through Convene.


Call to fall

We want to encourage readers wherever you may live to participate in a special prayer time this coming Lord's Day in falling to our knees and praying for our nation and world. For more information see this website.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of 36th anniversary Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (click to enlarge)
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Our 36th anniversary photo
(Click on photo to enlarge)

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 4/12)

Make A DonationAre 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 supporting 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. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 6/28/12: $7,936.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Free email subscriptionWere 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. These messages are 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:
Daily Encouragement on Facebook
The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 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.

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 2012 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
Net Atlantic

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Daily Encouragement (06/28/12) "Covered Bridge Kisses"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Having trouble reading this message?  Read mobile edition online
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
.
Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email · Daily Encouragement on Facebook  ·  Daily Encouragement on Twitter   ·  RSS feed
 
<Previous Message       ·       Archive edition

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Covered Bridge on Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PA
 Covered Bridge on the Longenecker Farm
A replica of the Risser's Mill Bridge, Mount Joy 

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Covered Bridge Kisses"

"So she became his wife, and he loved her" (Genesis 24:67b). "Husbands love your wives" (Ephesians 5:25).

One of the great delights of driving through Lancaster County is viewing the covered bridges. When we moved to this area in early 2001 from New England we lived in a rental farmhouse with a view of the Risser's Mill Covered Bridge right from our front porch.

We often passed through the bridge since it was the shortest route to Lancaster. Once we had to wait for another car to pass before going through the old one lane covered bridge. I expected the car to make its way right through so I could be on my way, but instead it stopped right in the middle of the bridge for just a moment.  After the car resumed and came through to my side of the bridge a portly, sixtyish looking man stopped his car, rolled down his window and said with a big smile, "Sorry for the delay, but you just gotta stop and kiss your Valentine when you're in a covered bridge".

Covered Bridge on Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PAAfter that reminder you can be sure I kissed Brooksyne as we proceeded through the bridge that day and continue to do so to this day whenever we go through a covered bridge. In fact covered bridges are known as "kissing bridges" as courting couples were prone to stop and steal a kiss before exiting the bridge.

The first daily text is the first occasion in the Bible where we are specifically told of a husband's love for his wife Rebekah,
"So she became his wife, and he loved her."  Genesis 24 is a lengthy account of Isaac's arranged marriage, facilitated by Abraham's chief servant. Theirs is love at first sight and is demonstrated when he prays for her on the occasion of her barrenness (Genesis 25:21). Later, after their twins were born we find the two in a passionate embrace (Genesis 26:8). Still later we find the old couple agonizing over decisions their children had made (Genesis 26:35, 27:46).  Sound like your marriage?  Yet his love for her endured.

Many years ago I heard
Josh McDowell speak at a marriage conference in Boston.  He encouraged us to authenticate our faith by modeling lasting relationships, particularly in our marriages. A great witness for Christ is marriages and families that function well and endure. I encourage you all to again commit yourselves to this goal. The apostle Paul said, "Husbands, love your wives" and the world is watching for demonstrations of this love in the home.

I still marvel at marital love and hope I always will. Of course the institution of marriage is under severe attack in our time on many fronts. How vital to again ponder a simple command of Scripture, "Husbands, love your wives." The underlying Greek word for love is that wonderful word "AGAPE", which is in the present active, calling for continual, habitual action. 

Let us again remember God's call to marital love. Gary Chapman shares these five essential characteristics of a healthy marriage in his book "The Five Love Languages."  Please apply!

1) Affirming Words             
2) Quality Time                  
3) Thoughtful Gifts
4) Cooperative Service
5) Physical Intimacy

Now with thirty-six years of marital experience Brooksyne and I will add two more. Tease each other and have fun and if you ever find yourself driving through a covered bridge, brake the car so you can share a kiss!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, You teach us that we are to love one another unreservedly. The love You give us for others goes beyond our own natural inclinations. It is a love that motivates us to give without expecting anything in return. More often than not we fall short of extending this kind of love to our spouse and other loved ones. Only with Your continued help can we set aside our own expectations and learn to love the way You intend by always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, and always persevering with those You've brought into our lives. Amen.



Rick and Rachel Caldwell 6/27/12
Last night we joined our friends Rick and Rachel Caldwell for dinner in their home in York County. Our association with Rick is through Convene, a businessman's group which seeks to teach godly values in operating a business. Many of our American readers have likely seen products made by White Oak Display, which designs and makes Point of Purchase displays for major retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, Bass Pro Shop, Cabellas, etc. We have the privilege of serving this company as chaplains.  White Oak Display    Video of operation and products made by White Oak Display.



Risser's Mill Covered Bridge in Lancaster County PAThis week we are featuring photos from Bill and Peggy Longenecker's farm here in Lancaster County. The covered bridge in today's photo was made from wood salvaged from the Risser's Mill covered bridge (shown on left) which was burned by arsonists in July 2002 after we had moved from the rented farmhouse to our present home so this replica is of special sentiment to us.


Plaque in Covered Bridge on Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PAOur story in Lancaster County begins with difficulty in finding housing when we were preparing to move here in February 2001. We had come down prior to moving and really wanted to live out in the country but could only locate apartment type housing for our temporary living quarters. The night before we were to return to Massachusetts we saw a small ad in the paper for a rental farmhouse and we called right away. I kiddingly asked the owner, Ernie Sweigart, if it was near a covered bridge and he said, "As a matter of fact you can see a covered bridge from the porch!" And we enjoyed that special privilege for just over a year.

Description in Covered Bridge on Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PA
Here is a description of the replica bridge



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource


"Love Will Be Our Home"  Video  Susan Ashton

"The Marriage Prayer"
 Video  John Waller

"Flesh Of My Flesh"  Video  Leon Patillo This was a popular wedding song when we got married in 1976



Call to fall
We want to encourage readers wherever they may live to participate in a special prayer time this coming Lord's day in falling to our knees and praying for our nation and world. For more information see this website.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of 36th anniversary Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (click to enlarge)
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Our 36th anniversary photo
(Click on photo to enlarge)

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 4/12)

Make A DonationAre 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 supporting 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. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 6/27/12: $7,736.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Free email subscriptionWere 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. These messages are 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:
Daily Encouragement on Facebook
The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 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.

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 2012 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
Net Atlantic

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Daily Encouragement (06/27/12) "A Roofing Ministry"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Having trouble reading this message?  Read mobile edition online
Daily Encouragement Net Header
A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation.
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
.
Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email · Daily Encouragement on Facebook  ·  Daily Encouragement on Twitter   ·  RSS feed
 
<Previous Message       ·       Archive edition

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Hanging flower basket on the Longenecker farm in Lancaster County PA
 A country porch scene at the
Longenecker Farm in Lancaster County.

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"A Roofing Ministry"

"Some men came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven'" (Mark 2:3-5).

Painting barn roof
This week we are having our metal barn roof painted. A previous owner made the barn made from materials salvaged from a larger barn that had been demolished about 20 years ago. The roof had a galvanized type finish with splotches of green from a previous paint job. I have a workshop downstairs and a large storage area on the second level where I sometimes go when it's raining since I like the sound of rain on a metal roof!

The brief account recorded in our daily Scripture reading describes a roofing job and a colorful description of caring friends; the kind of friends we would like and indeed we do have. For the sake of our opening illustration we'll say they had a "roofing ministry".  Let's examine several characteristics of their roofing ministry:

1) They had a friend with a need – These men were determined to do something about it. He was a paralytic and, although the degree of his paralysis is not specified, he was immobile so he had to be carried from place to place. Consider today those you know who may be in need due to their immobility or otherwise. How can you help them?

2) They had a plan - They wanted to get their friend to Jesus. Word was spreading concerning Jesus' ability to heal the sick. These men had a plan to get their friend to Jesus where they believed he would receive healing. That should be our goal as well, to get people to Jesus.

3) They had obstacles – The healing service was likely in the daytime since they didn't travel in vehicles and nighttime would be very difficult, They likely sacrificed some pay for taking off time from their day job. After carrying their friend to the healing service they met up with a big crowd and a house with limited access. In one way or another it seems there are always obstacles of some sort in any type of ministry. Genuine, lasting ministry is characterized by overcoming obstacles, one by one.

Paralyzed man lowered through hole in roof4) They had innovative determination – In spite of the obstacles they made a way. I can just see these daring men each presumably holding a corner of the mat. Surely they were throwing out wild ideas as to how they could get their friend through the mass so that he could be within the touch of the Master's hand. Perhaps one threw out the idea just for a joke, "Let's just cut a hole through the roof!"  Of course we don't know the circumstance but we do know that's just what they did. They lowered their friend down in the middle of the crowd right smack in front of Jesus (see Luke's account in Luke 5:18-20). I wonder what the other people thought who had arrived earlier and been waiting a long while to see Jesus. Did they feel like we do when a person crowds in front of us in a grocery line?

5) They had roofing skills - Now I presume it was some type of thatch roof. They had to know where to make the opening so as not
to impact the structural integrity of the entire roof. I also assume, although it's not specified, that they repaired the roof afterwards!

6) They had faith - But onto a more important and essential detail here: "When Jesus saw their faith." Note the plural pronoun, "their faith". These men had faith that their friend would receive help from Jesus and he did! We are so thankful for those people of faith who have instructed and encouraged us in our journey.

7) They had a caring Savior - Jesus did not let them down. A wonderful verse states, "Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). What a powerful assurance that we always have a caring Savior in Jesus!

Now your roofing ministry may not be as literal as this but most of these points will apply to any type of ministry endeavor.

We hope you have lots of friends like these. There are times when we simply do not have enough faith that God will intervene in a matter. We are so grateful that we can enlist others to pray for us when we're in the midst of the "blues" of a difficult circumstance. Their faith is a source of encouragement to us and it strengthens us when we are weak, whether emotionally, physically or spiritually or sometimes all of the above!

Note from ClarenceIn the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life" I'm always touched at the end when George Bailey receives a note from the angel Clarence reminding him, "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." Clarence's message is also a reminder to each one of us. Friends are of tremendous blessing, especially when we are enduring hardships of any kind. 


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we are grateful that Jesus is the High Priest who hears our prayers, knows of our troubles and intercedes on our behalf.  But there are times when we are in need of the compassion of a caring friend; one who will pray, listen, lend support, and interject thoughts, experiences or suggestions that help us to bear our troublesome burdens.  Instead of casting judgment they speak to our need, whether it's emotional, spiritual, financial or physical.  Thank you for caring friends who bear with us, lift us up out of despair, and help us discover solutions that we, by ourselves, cannot find.  Help me to be that kind of friend, in the name of Jesus. Amen.



The rest of today's story: "But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, 'Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?' Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, 'Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins' He said to the paralytic, 'I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home.' And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, 'We have never seen anything like this'" (Mark 2:6-12).



Personal note: As our internet ministry has grown through the years the vast majority of our readers of this encouragement series are not personally known to us. Most have signed up on the web page or perhaps after reading a forwarded message they received. Others know about us due to our 1 minute radio broadcasts or after reading about our web ministry in a news article. However there are so many of you that we have personally met and know. You are part of churches we served, business associates, relatives, chaplaincy contacts, fellow pastors and missionaries. You're all our friends and we are grateful for such a blessing. It's amazing how many people you meet through life's journey and each one has something to offer. If you think about it, it's the same for you!



Painting our barn roof 6/25/12
Mike Fisher, a man we met in one of the companies we serve as chaplains, is doing the painting on our barn roof. Mike is a roofer who has an Amish background and is comfortable with heights (he used to build silos). In the photo you can see the new red finish at the top and the previous look on the lower overhang.

Mike Fisher with slate
Mike works for Sam S. Smucker & Sons, Inc.
using a special skill set in a very specific type of roofing. Mike is a specialist in installing and repairing slate roofs, which are found on many of the old stone farm houses and barns in our area. Slate is a premium roofing material and has a lifetime way beyond ours! Mike told me he worked on a farmhouse here in Lancaster County built in 1768 with the original slate roof. The slate was still in good shape but the original nails had worn out!

Slate and roofing toolsr
Here is a piece of roof slate and the some of the tools of the trade. Slate is a natural quarried material.

Sunflowers 6/26/12
Last night as the sun was setting we noticed how beautiful the sunflowers were with the sunlight filtering through them. We gave our garden a break this year, but the birds were not content and decided to plant sunflowers for us. They did a great job! As you can see Mike has completed painting the roof on the overhang area on this side of our barn.


Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Jesus Saves"  Video  Travis Cottrell

"Old Friends"
 Video  Bill Gaither and his many friends (more than a few who are now with the Lord!)

"The Cares Chorus"  Video  Kelly Willard  A great song reminding us of God's care for us.

"I Must Tell Jesus"  Video  Not identified  This song always blesses me and I suppose I recalled the line, "He is a kind, compassionate Friend."

"Friends"  Video  Michael W. Smith  
Each church we served had this song sung during our farewell (in 1993 when we moved on from northern PA and again in 2001 when we left New England to move to Lancaster County). Thankfully we have many friends from each of these churches to this day and have collected many more along the way!

"Old Friends"  Video  
Growing up in the sixties in the Kansas City area, I enjoyed listening to Roger Miller songs along with my dad when we were in his work truck. He had a 65 Blue Chevy truck with "E.C. Weber and Sons" on each side even though my two older brothers had left home by then and I wasn't old enough to drive! This is not a spiritual song but has an interesting sentiment. I can still recall the old men sitting out on the benches visiting with one another in front of city hall in Belton Missouri, the little town I grew up in.


Call to fall

We want to encourage readers wherever they may live to participate in a special prayer time this coming Lord's day in falling to our knees and praying for our nation and world. For more information see this website.

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of 36th anniversary Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (click to enlarge)
Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
Our 36th anniversary photo
(Click on photo to enlarge)

"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 4/12)

Make A DonationAre 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 supporting 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. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 6/26/12: $7,486.00. We express thanks to all who support our ministry!

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Free email subscriptionWere 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. These messages are 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:
Daily Encouragement on Facebook
The daily message and prayer on Facebook.
Daily Encouragement on Twitter
 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.

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 2012 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
Net Atlantic