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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, September 11, 2014  Listen to this message on your audio player."Hope Remains" "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it, 'But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you'" (Psalm 39:6,7). "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope" (Lamentations 3:21). "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). This last weekend on the men and boys campout I rode my bike through an abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike tunnel. We drove to the tunnel prepared with our headlamps since we knew what to expect. It was a fun adventure and even though it was very faint we saw the distant light at the end of the 6,782 foot long tunnel even as we entered. But at other times we face a tunnel experience with little warning and are ill-prepared for navigating our way through it. We may see no evidence of light at the other end. In fact we might not even know where the end will be. These tunnels may be very personal such as a failing relationship, financial issues, or health problem. Or it could be a type of dark tunnel we mutually share on the national level. Today marks 13 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11. If you live in the USA and are 18 or older you will recall that day. Evil has gone on unabated since the fall of the human race, but some calamitous days are noteworthy reminders. Most of us remember very graphically the events of 9/11 and live with the lasting impact. I was in an outdoor meeting with a group of bus drivers in York County that morning. I noticed several large planes making an unusually rapid and steep approach into Harrisburg International Airport to the north, although at that time I had no idea why. I first heard of the events when I walked into an office and saw the live coverage on TV as a secretary wept uncontrollably. Initially, as I watched the burning trade center, my mind refused to believe this to be reality since we're accustomed to dramatic graphic fiction on the television screen. But of course it was real. As I drove home and crossed the Susquehanna River back into Lancaster County I began to wonder if freedom and the "good life", as most of us had known it up to that point, was over. We had a chaplain leadership meeting that morning but our attention was so diverted and everyone wanted to gather with their families so our supervisor cancelled it after a short time. Most of us recall sitting in shock and disbelief in front of our TV's the rest of that day and the days that followed. The next morning I sent out a message on hope and today I have revised and added to that message. It indeed is still appropriate and always will be. It's based on a study through the Bible using the key word "hope". Hope is one of the most necessary spiritual and emotional components of life. Without it we live in despair. In the book of Lamentations the prophet Jeremiah is living through the times of Judah's final conquest. In the portion that precedes the second daily verse he describes the horrible, despicable events that accompanied this time and Jeremiah seems to be teetering on despair. But we have one of the greatest transition verses in all of Scripture. In the midst of this terrific despair Jeremiah writes, "This I call to mind and therefore I have hope." What Jeremiah called to mind brought hope from despair and today some 2,600 years later, it will do so for us as we reflect on these immutable attributes of God. The kingdoms of this world are temporal, self-serving, and polluted by the wiles of Satan's strategies to steal, kill and destroy. It is headed for total destruction. But, as believers, we follow after Christ who brings abundant life as we renounce the world and enter into His kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy. Though the world may crumble around us, our hope remains fixed on the eternal kingdom not seen with human eyes. Such anticipation fills us with inexpressible and glorious joy as we await the day that Jesus Christ is revealed in all His glory, splendor and holiness.  The hope that remains is the assurance that ultimately "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8;28). This is an enduring hope in which we can all be absolutely confident. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we solemnly consider the catastrophic impact that terrorists have permanently etched in our painful memories from events of 9/11/01. Though we witnessed mayhem and saw evil at its worst, mercifully, we also witnessed acts of goodness at their best. We are not without hope, for we know that You are a God of hope that fills believers with all joy and peace as they trust in You, so that they may overflow with hope by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Help us to spread the overflowing, enduring hope that does not diminish in the midst of evil, but instead it focuses our hearts on the holy city, the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem where Your presence is with Your people. Where You will wipe away every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death, sadness, crying, or pain, because all the old ways are gone, for You will make all things new. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.(See Romans 15:13, Revelation 21:1-5) Here are several photos from our journey to and through the abandoned turnpike tunnel this last weekend.  You drive on back roads to get to the old turnpike right of way where you park. The way to the tunnels are blocked with these Jersey barriers to limit any vehicle traffic.  Approaching the tunnel from the east.  Coming out of the tunnel with our headlamps on.   On the way to the tunnels we had an adventure when a limb broke off a tree and fell right on the hood of Roy's van.  We passed this old mountain barn on the way back from the abandoned turnpike tunnel.  I've photographed this old farmhouse before and have wondered if it will ever be restored. Nelson who has a camp in that area claims that a legend is that George Washington stayed here. But then again it is claimed that George Washington stayed about everywhere in the northeast at some time! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Because He Lives" Video Gaither Vocal Band "I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary" Video Gaither Vocal Band "Sometimes I Cry" Video Jason Crabb "Redeemer" Video Crabb Family * Here's the original archived message from 9/12/01 Here are some more tunnel photos and account from the trip I made with the men and boys in 2007. History of the Pennsylvania Turnpike (article) If you enjoy these messages please forward to a friend and recommend they subscribe, too. If you were forwarded this email and like it, you can subscribe here. 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. 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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. Your answers are anonymous and I we are unable to respond. If you want to send a personal message use the 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."  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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