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 A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. Home About Us Archives Free email subscription  Listen to these messages  Text only for printing  See here for more info. <Previous Message · Archive edition Monday, August 25, 2014  Last night we had a Galilean service around Galen Martin's farm pond. It was a beautiful and cool evening for late August. "Message From A Boat" Listen to us read this message on your audio player."That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. And He spoke many things to them in parables" (Matthew 13:1-3).  Last night our church held a Galilean Service. We gathered on the lawn surrounding the farm pond, sang several songs, shared testimonies and prayed before I was invited to climb on board the boat from which I was going to preach! It was a beautiful evening and a distinct experience from that of preaching behind the pulpit. Truth is, I had never heard of a Galilean service prior to moving to this area and have learned since that it is not unique to our church. Prior to stepping down into the boat Pastor advised me, "Stay in the Word and stay in the boat." Throughout our ministry of nearly forty years now we've have had a number of experiences in farm ponds. Brooksyne recalls her youthful years in Oklahoma when she, along with her teen peers, were immersed in a muddy farm pond. The very first baptism I performed as a Bible College student/pastor was in a muddy pond in southern Missouri. I came out sloshing my feet as I forcefully fought sinking in the deep mud each step I took. The farm pigs generously shared their watering hole with us that summer afternoon. Studying the life of Christ a lot happened near and on the Sea of Galilee.*
Jesus provides an example of flexibility in ministry in order to most effectively reach people. I am not sure how comfortable it was sitting in a boat while preaching to people along the shore but it likely had both a visual and acoustical advantage. Perhaps this setting could help us to be more resourceful and creative in reaching out to others as we speak God's truth in our needy world? Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we thank You for Jesus and His compassionate approach in reaching people of all ages, all backgrounds and various ethnicities. The parables and messages He shared as the crowds gathered are life-transforming as they enlighten the hearts and minds of those who have ears to hear the truths He spoke. Likewise we too can share the life transforming message of the gospel to people in all walks of life and every derivation of sin. None is beyond the all-powerful reach of the Savior who died that we might live victoriously here and eternally in the hereafter. It is in His name that we pray. Amen.* In all cases the body of water was not specifically identified as the Sea of Galilee and other names are also used for the same body of water.  Grandpa Martin holding two of his grandchildren.  Ester took this distant view.  After the service the congregation lingered and Brooksyne passed by this old-fashioned swingset as Prentice called out, "Swing me!" She happily obliged and Prentice eagerly showed her his tricks on the swing and his intelligence. He boasted, "I can count to 120 and proceeded to do so as she pushed him on the swing over and over again.  Saturday afternoon Walter and Randi Waldvogel stopped by for lunch along with their friend Susan Gill. Waldvogels relocated to Lancaster County a couple years ago but Susan still lives in the Long Island area. She's a long time reader of Daily Encouragement so it was especially nice to meet her face to face.  Saturday, Aug. 23, was the day we commemorate Ester's adoption that was finalized only 17 years ago (long complicated story), though she was with us from three months of age. I wore my Guatemalan attire in celebration and baked this juicy peach pie to share with our friends.  Later Saturday afternoon Mark and Carolyn Pulliam stopped by, played a game of horseshoes and visited with us on our deck. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Farther Along" Video Dailey and Vincent (Note: takes about 12 minutes for the music to start!) "Micah 6:8" Video Maranatha Singers We were blessed when Marsha, who was in a church we served over twenty years ago, wrote and reminded us how we used to sing this song in church and she still remembered! "Mount Pleasant Galilean Service 2014 message" Video For any who may care to see me preach from a boat! The summer setting is beautiful. (Our friend Mike Martin made the recording.) Here's the fuller video with folky intro and beautiful scenery. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne  Stephen and Brooksyne Weber (Click on photo to enlarge) About Us "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/13) 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 an offering 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. 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"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."  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. Other versions are also occasionally used. © Copyright 2014 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net Stephen & Brooksyne Weber 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552  Endorsed chaplain "Living securely today anchored in God's solid foundation" www.dailyencouragement.net |
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