Thursday, May 27, 2010

Daily Encouragement (05/27/10) "Lessons From A Transplanted Tree"

Daily Encouragement Net - A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
Trouble reading this message?  Read online or see archives
RSS feed       Podcast feed
 Daily Encouragement Net Header
The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

<Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition

Thursday,
May 27, 2010

Newly transplanted Crimson Red Japanese maple
Our newly transplanted Crimson Red Japanese Maple

ListenListen to this message on your audio player.

"Lessons From A Transplanted Tree"

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).

Last week I visited a large wholesale nursery where the owner is interested in having a farm chaplain. I introduced the owner to a friend of mine whom I recommended and we discussed the role of chaplaincy together. It it such a blessing to see the caring heart this businessman has; to provide not only employment for his workers, but to care for their souls as well.  We thank God for caring Christian employers.

GreenhouseAfterward we got in the owner's truck and he took us on a tour of the farm. Mostly they grow trees and perennial type plants on 200 acres and 240 greenhouses.  At the end of the tour we pulled up beside a long line of pallets with a variety of plants stacked on them. They were discards deemed unsuitable for sale and destined for the compost heap.  From that group of discards I spotted a Weeping Japanese Maple that didn't measure up to nursery standards but was acceptable to me, a novice gardener.   I carted the tree sideways into my Camry and later transplanted it in our front yard. For many years I have wanted one of these trees but they are quite expensive.

Crimson red Japanese maple leavesI dug a deep hole and then refilled it partially with broken up soil and watered the hole before I carefully set the plant in and backfilled around it. Now I am tending it carefully, watering it several times a day, especially as it adjusts to its new location.  I find fulfillment in trying to save a beautiful plant that was otherwise destined for the compost pile. As of this morning, several days after the transplant, it looks good. I hope in the coming weeks and months I will have a good report to share of my transplanting success!

Today I consider another type of discard and the need for a transplant.  God promised the ancient Israelites through the prophet Ezekiel, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."  That was about 2,550 years ago and remains God's redemptive work; that of a spiritual heart transplant.  I consider the words of Paul in Colossians 1:13&14: "For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."  No contrast is greater than God rescuing us from the darkness of sin and "transplanting" us into His Kingdom of light!

Thousands will trust Christ today for salvation through the witness of so many all around the world.  Have you trusted Christ for salvation; for the new heart He has for you?  I know many of you have and you will rejoice with me as I thank God for what He did in my life nearly 40 years ago in the very midst of being a rebellious, grumpy teenager.  Thank God for what He did in your life when He gave you a new heart.  But if you haven't already made that commitment we invite you to do so.  Speak to Jesus right now through prayer and invite Him into your heart.  Then choose to follow Him and grow in your relationship with Him the rest of your days.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, to walk on this earth and show us the way to You.   Through His death and resurrection we have forgiveness and hope of eternal life.  We confess our sins and ask You to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.  Show us through the Scriptures how to turn away from the ever-changing values and principles based on this world where the prince of darkness reigns.  Endear our hearts instead to building an eternal spiritual foundation while we look upward to that great City whose Maker and Builder is the Lord Jesus Christ.  Our minds cannot conceive what is in store for us but it will far surpass anything we might possibly hope for in this life.  Keep us faithful until that eventful transfer.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Stephen's note: We have a wonderful Christian radio station (WDAC) that we enjoy throughout the day.  It's a commercial station and relies on advertising for support.  Many of the advertisers seek to connect to the listeners, who are for the most part Christians, and if possible provide a spiritual angle to the ad as well.  One of our favorite ads in this regard is for Goods Disposal Service, a trash hauling company, which has this memorable jingle, "Let God recycle your heart and let Goods recycle your trash."  I smile and actually am edified every time I hear this ad.  Wherever you live and regardless of who handles your trash let God recycle your heart!




Rick Masciantonio 5/26/10Last night we had a visit from Rick Masciantonio, a long-time friend from our years of pastoring in New England during the nineties. Rick & Elizabeth and their three sons attended our church. Rick is now a pastor himself and is in this area for a pastor's conference. Last night he shared a message at our small group Bible Study from Isaiah 45:22. Rick is the most studious person I ever had the privilege of pastoring and it is a joy to see him staying faithful in his walk and service for the Lord! In fact Rick specifically recalls, like many who know me, my persistent reminder to "STAY FAITHFUL".  As John states concerning those whom he discipled, "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth" (3 John 4).

Sam Masciantonio and Ester (about 1998)
We have fond memories of the three Masciantonio boys frequently visiting us in our parsonage home next door to the church, most especially after Sunday evening services. Last night Sam, their youngest, was  with his dad and before he came Ester dug out this old photo of the two of them with some roses. Was this Ester's first date? (Brooksyne's note:  Not at all!  It was an arrangement given to me from Ester's elementary school after I presented the Pilgrim's story of their voyage on the Mayflower in 1998.)

Sam Masciantonio and Ester 5/26/10
As old friends Sam and Ester enjoyed visiting each other last night.  Sam and his brothers especially loved Brooksyne's homemade bread on their visits so she made some whole wheat bread yesterday for our meal. In two weeks 20 year old Sam will be going into the Marines.

Ester with childhood friends
Our friends in New England may especailly enjoy this old photo. Sam is shown with his two older brothers, Richard (holding the puppy) and Peter (back center). Richard is now studying to be a doctor in Pharmacy and Peter is an electrician. Also in the photo is Ashley (front center), who is now a medical doctor and her brother Eric who is in the Marines having already served a tour of duty in Afghanistan.  The Panda Bear cake Brooksyne made for Ester celebrating her second year of adoption (look closely at the American flags and the two candles.)  It's a long, complicated story but essentially Ester who has been with us since 3 months of age was not officially adopted from the country of Guatemala until she was 8 years old.  Until recent years Ester had three celebrations a year:  her birthday in March, her arrival to the U.S. in June, and her adoption in August!  Add Christmas to her list and she had lots of celebrations each of which she enjoyed and always invited friends to enjoy with her.



Survey
Daily Encouragement Net Reader Survey: Thanks to all who took our reader survey yesterday. Due to the "free" nature of the survey we are only able to analyze the first 100 responses which has been surpassed. Some highlights:

  • Although some 20% of you have knowledge of our online ministry because you have met us, most of you came to know of Daily Encouragement from a forwarded email or a web search.
  • We are heartened by the wide geographical scope of our ministry. We are especially blessed to be reaching into countries that are considered closed to traditional missions.
  • Most responders have a broadband internet connection (although 20% didn't know what they had).  Photos will load fast in a high speed connection and it is practically essential if you want to listen to music or watch online videos.
  • Not surprisingly most responders indicate they receive the messages through the daily email and read the messages daily. This is because most responders were likely active readers & linked to the survey through yesterday's email!
  • We are pleased that many of you share the messages, primarily by periodically forwarding on selected messages
  • We read over many kind comments from responders who filled in the text box. Several had responses that we would like to reply to but the survey purposefully did not collect any contact information.
Thank you!

Note: I reset the count and welcome any to respond who have not done so already.  Click here. (It should take less than five minutes.)



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.)

"Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God"  Video  Keith Green

"Create In Me A Clean Heart"  Video  Scripture from the Integrity Scripture memory series sung in the Maranatha Country Praise collection.

"Create In Me A Clean Heart"  Video  Donnie McClurkin

"Purify My Heart"  Video  Brian Doerksen

"Purify My Heart"  Video  Piano version


Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.
Photo of Stephen and Brooksyne Weber
"We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!"

Personal Ministry Update

DonateEach 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.

2010 YTD financial offerings as of 5/26/10 $5,608.00

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. 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 through feedburner.

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.


Reader Survey: Please take a few minutes to assist us in improving our ministry effectiveness by filling out this onlne reader 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!) 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.

Christianbook.comDaily 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."

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 2010 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