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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 Thursday, August 28, 2011  Note: Due to a very busy schedule and early morning chaplain visitation a podcast will not be prepared for this message. "Blooming In A Dark Place" "You, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness" (1 Thessalonians 5:4). "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19). Each year we seem to get a lesson from the Morning Glories which are prolific around our place each summer even though Brooksyne hasn't planted any for about 11 years. We've surely pulled them up by the thousands but they continue to grow. We are blessed not only by flowers that Brooksyne intentionally plants all around our home but "volunteers" that spring up wherever we happen to dispose of the clippings. Some of our clippings make their way beside the farm road across from our house along the front row of the corn field. In addition to a beautiful cornfield we have Morning Glories growing up along the corn stalks! These plants have not benefited from Brooksyne's feeding, watering or weeding, yet they grow; blooming where they are planted providentially by God usually in the full sun, demonstrating the character quality of perseverance.  But this year one of the volunteers is brightening up the inside of our garden shed, blooming in a very dark place unless we open the door or turn on the light. This volunteer Morning Glory is climbing up the bright outside of our garden shed but still manages to bloom on the dark inside through the crack in the wood siding.I recall first hearing the phrase, "Bloom Where You're Planted" from our years in Bible College in the seventies. The saying has the sense that we are to let God use us and seek to be fruitful wherever we are. Sometimes we may find ourselves providentially planted where we would rather not be, sometimes in what sure seems like dark places. A true test of character is whether we bloom or wilt in these difficult places. Peter does not specifically identify the "dark place" in our second daily text. It seems most natural however to view this dark place as the world as it presently exists. Peter is likely using "dark place" as a metaphor to describe this corrupt world system. However "advanced" our secular civilization becomes, this world in its willful rebellion to God (whose essence is light), lies in the darkness of sin, ignorance, despair and death which keeps people from seeing God's truth until His light shines into their hearts. (Precept Austin commentary)  Warren Wiersbe, who has long been one of our favorite Bible teachers, comments regarding the Greek word "auchmeros" used here for dark. It "is the picture of a dank cellar or a dismal swamp. Human history began in a lovely Garden, but that Garden today is a murky swamp. What you see when you look at this world system is an indication of the spiritual condition of your heart. We still see beauty in God’s creation, but we see no beauty in what mankind is doing with God’s creation. Peter did not see this world as a Garden of Eden, nor should we."Today we want to encourage our readers who live or serve in what may seem like a dark place. Some of us plant, others water but God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). And the God who ultimately gives blooming ability to the morning glory in our dark garden shed can bring growth and blooming wherever you are, even if it's a dark place! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we thank You that You shine Your light through us most especially in unusual circumstances in which we find ourselves. We are to let our lights shine before others that they may see our good works and glorify You in heaven. There are times when we cry out, "No More! I just can't do this anymore." But Father, in Your infinite wisdom You give us daily strength and spiritual resolve to carry on in the darkest of circumstances so that the light of Christ might be made manifest in our lives. We will carry the light of Your salvation through our words, our actions, and the way in which we seek to be fruitful and bloom where we are planted. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen.Brooksyne's Note: One of the common attitudes residents express in nursing homes is, "This is where I live, but this isn't home." How could it be in comparison to their individual homes where they grew their families and lived their lives for 50 years or more! Often I select the hymn, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" and occasionally share the background story where Ina Ogdon expressed the true meaning of the message we shared today about blooming where you're planted. I challenge the residents of the nursing home that instead of feeling "cornered" or trapped in a nursing home that God has called them to brighten the corner at their dining room table, in their hallways and in the midst of activities for this is where God has led them during their golden years. Here's the story: In 1912 Ina Duley Ogdon received an invitation to be a Chautauqua Circuit speaker. This was a great opportunity for her since Chautauqua Lake was a place in upstate New York where performers, musicians, lecturers and motivational speakers were invited who were famous throughout the country. At the time it was the most popular spot where people by the thousands came to visit. Theodore Roosevelt called it "the most American thing in America." Miss Ogdon, a brilliant orator, had felt God's calling on her life. Upon receiving the invitation, she excitedly considered the thousands of people that she might influence for the cause of Christ. But as she was packing for the upcoming tour her father was seriously injured in one of the new-fangled "horseless carriages." Ina, deeply disappointed and somewhat angered toward God for allowing this tragedy to happen, eventually cancelled her travel plans to care for her father. After making her peace with God about the matter, she determined in her heart that she would be happy and remain "true to the many duties near" her. She would do her best to "brighten the corner" where God placed her. Ina completed this poem over the next year. It became the theme song of Billy Sunday's evangelistic ministry for twenty-two years. Instead of reaching only thousands in her lifetime Ina Duley Ogdon's inspired words have reached out to millions from 1913 right up to our lifetime. "Brighten the Corner" Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do. Do not wait to shed your light afar. To the many duties ever near you now be true; Brighten the corner where you are. Chorus: Brighten the corner where you are! Brighten the corner where you are! Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar; Brighten the corner where you are! Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear; Let not narrow self your way debar. Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer, Brighten the corner where you are. Here for all your talent you may surely find a need, Here reflect the Bright and Morning Star. Ever from your humble hand the bread of life may feed; Brighten the corner where you are. Just as the Morning Glories brighten our dark shed so we too can brighten the corner in which we find ourselves! Some photos of morning glories around our home:  Here's the same Morning Glory as in our lead photo, growing up outside our garden shed. After Brooksyne pulled out about a hundred Morning Glory "babies" over the summer months she finally gave up and I provided a trellis so they would grow up, not out.  Morning Glories grow up along our backyard fence. Truth be told, I find these some of the most beautiful flowers even though they grow wild like a dandelion and can actually be an intrusive flower, choking out other flowers. I know Brooksyne has pulled the young roots of thousands of morning glories this year that appear between the rocks in our back yard walkway.  Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Carry The Light" Video The Continental Singers "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" Video The Statesmen Quartet 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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