Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives
Trouble reading this message? Read online or see archives
 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Friday, November 27, 2009  Our 2009 Thanksgiving Meal We were joined by Ester's boyfriend, Brian, and our longtime friends, the Pierce family, including Baby Seth, who is sleeping in his carrier in the background.  Listen to us share this message on your audio player."Thanksgiving Memories And A Challenge" "Remember the days of old, consider the generations long past" (Deuteronomy 32:7). Yesterday we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving Day in our home. As we gave thanks prior to our Thanksgiving feast I considered how once again we had gathered in peace, freedom, and with a bountiful table as I have experienced all though my life. Perhaps our musing today will cause you to also do some reminiscing, if you haven't already done so over this Thanksgiving holiday weekend!  I have over 50 years of Thanksgiving Day recollections, some more distinct than others. Times have changed as have the people around the table. As a child we usually gathered at my Uncle Gentry and Aunt Dora's farm outside of Harwood, Missouri (pictured above). It was sure a big crowd and Aunt Dora was well known in our family for her fine cooking. As I look at the photo I have specific recollections such as crossing the road in front of the farmhouse and being allowed to fire a deer rifle.  Years later, throughout the earlier years of our marriage, we had either our folks or extended family visit us or we'd visit them. Due to the thousand miles that separated us from our parents we also celebrated holidays with our spiritual family in churches where we ministered. Above all, we always had lots of good food and much reason to express thanksgiving. The photo above shows a family gathering at our home in Saint Marys, Pennsylvania in 1988. Still living at a great distance from our siblings, with the exception of my brother Pat who is only 100 miles away, we try to stay connected, but admittedly when the parents are no longer alive it is much more difficult to bring the whole family together. Now that we see how life quickly passes and after we experienced the loss of a generation in our family we've come to realize the importance of staying in touch and expressing love and appreciation regularly for one another. It's interesting that for many of us it comes more easily to express our love to brothers and sisters in the faith than our blood brothers and sisters. Perhaps it's because our family knows us far too well, foibles and all! We also have some distinct memories from our years in New England when we weren't with family. Several years on Thanksgiving Day we went to Plymouth, which was only about 25 miles from our home in Taunton, Massachusetts. Of course that's where the first Thanksgiving meal was held. But one year we went to Old Sturbridge Village, a living museum which depicts a typical New England village set in the 1830's. The village residents dress in the costume of the period, work the land so they had food to eat, preserved and prepared their foods according to customs of that period, and sought to make an income in their various pursuits. Each time we visited the village we realized how far we've come in 150 years! I saw in their roles a strong commitment to the virtues that made our country great: deep religious convictions, love for family, hard work, honesty, etc. We attended the church service one Thanksgiving Day which the whole Sturbridge Village Community attended. We sat in the pew boxes characteristic of Congregational churches of that period. Ours had a seat pad, a foot rest and an arm rest. Actually it was quite comfortable, though a little cool since the church was not heated! The parson preached a good message on thankfulness (a message actually written during the 1830's.) It was very Biblical and its truths were just as applicable over 150 years later. Among his points was the statement (to the effect) "If we cease being a religious and moral people we will lose our way as a nation." How true this warning was for hearers in the early 1800's; it was true and prophetic some 14 years ago when we heard it repeated and the warning reverberates to our present generation. We have ceased to be a religious people based on Biblical faith and the result is that we have ceased to be a moral people. How long before we lose our liberty? Only God knows. We are seeing a systematic dismantling of these qualities of greatness and surely the foundations are being destroyed. I consider scores of recent events that are further evidence of the crumbling of these foundations. As we remember the days of old; as we consider generations long past let us hold fast to that which was passed onto us that was rooted in Biblical teaching, regardless of what the future may hold. As we look back and express our thankfulness let us also renew our steadfastness! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, help us to be faithful to Your Scriptures no matter the tidal wave of evil that spreads across our land. Truth is not based upon the popular opinion polls, but instead it is based upon Your eternal Word. May we be found faithful, no matter the price we pay! In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.  Our pie collection for 2009: cherry, apple, pecan and pumpkin, and a bowl of pumpkin seeds (for those watching their diet)! Guess which of the five offers was not touched!  Two month old Seth greeting Bea. After our feast and before our dessert we visited Longwood Manor and sang some traditional Thanksgiving hymns. The elderly residents of Longwood Manor are so blessed to see children. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Click on the link to open and play. (In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.) "If We've Ever Needed You" Video Casting Crowns For several years I have appreciated the thoughtful lyrics to Casting Crowns songs. This is from their new album "Until The Whole World Hears" and addresses the conditions mentioned in today's message. "This Little Child" Video Scott Wesley Brown This song also has a strong message even some 20 years after it was written. Old Sturbridge Village We recommend a visit to Old Sturbridge Village for any one living in or visiting New England. Some of our readers may, like me, be terminally curious, and wonder where in the world is Harwood, Missouri? See on this Google map. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update Revised 10/21/09  Each weekday morning Brooksyne and I prepare these messages and distribute them at no cost to you and many others all over the world. Would you please consider a financial offering to support us in this daily encouragement ministry? Donations are tax deductible and will be receipted directly by my chaplaincy endorsing ministry. Thanks! See here for details. (2009 YTD financial offerings through 11/26/09: $10,447.00)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 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 update through feedburner. You can also subscribe to Daily Encouragement feed updates by email.Cancel: We respect and value your time and privacy. If these messages no longer meet your needs (providing encouragement) you can remove your address by merely use 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. It is merely the Friday message with a link to previous messages. To receive the free weekly version, send a blank email to this address. Please feel free to pass these messages on! "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!) Last updated with the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her "spiritual gift" is sending forwarded emails! (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 2009 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 |
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 |  |
