 The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, December 27, 2010   Listen to this message on your audio player.Note: Today's message is based on a childhood memory from Stephen. "All Is Well" "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). I have sixteen cousins, all related through our grandparents and we all stay in contact to this day. In fact we have an annual family reunion and each year almost all of us make it, although on any given year one or two are usually unable to come. Recently one of my cousin's husbands had a serious auto accident and the family has had a very difficult time in a situation described as "touch and go". I especially considered on Christmas day that this particular family was not celebrating in the way that most are, but keeping vigil in a hospital setting. There were many other families in that very hospital experiencing Christmas in a way they would never have expected, as was the case all over the world for others in similar situations.  This prompted a recollection from when I was a child back in the sixties. Each year our family gathered in an old farmhouse west of Harwood Missouri for Christmas. It was on a farm that was in our family for over 100 years (known as a centennial farm) and where both my grandpa and Uncle Gentry, who was living in the farmhouse at the time, were born. MaMa and PaPa, aunts and uncles, cousins including some already married with children, all gathered in the farmhouse. It's hard now to imagine how many of us must have been in that farmhouse but I don't recall it being uncomfortable or even crowded. I also specifically remember Aunt Dora and the other ladies preparing the big meal together. She was famous for her cooking.One year on Christmas morning Aunt Dora got sick and was taken to the hospital in Eldorado Springs. I still recall how much that shook me up. I thought all hospitals closed down for Christmas. In my young mind everyone was surely well and with their family on that day just like we were. Well, of course, some 45 years later I know far more now than I did then. In fact I've experienced these life changing events personally and through caring for others in my pastoral role. For many all is not well. On Christmas Eve we received a brief e-mail prayer request from an international reader who wrote that she had been beaten and left to die by her husband. Our family immediately went to prayer on her behalf and she continues to be in our prayers and on our hearts today. I've thought a great deal about a family here in Lancaster County who lost their son in the war this last Saturday (one week before Christmas). They surely experienced Christmas in a way they never would have imagined. Of course my cousin's family is on our hearts as well. Yet the message of Christmas on the deepest level, a level experienced by faith, is that "All is well". That's very hard to hear (or read) when it would seem that all is not well, but on the authority of God's Word "All is well". The angel's message to the shepherds was, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10). The Christmas message is this: Jesus came to save us. His birth in a stable eventually led Him to the cross. His death on the cross provides salvation, peace, freedom and eternal life to all who by faith embrace it. This is the highest level of understanding that "All is well" and can be embraced by my cousin's family, the grieving family here in Lancaster County, the sister in Africa and all who are in the midst of circumstances that would otherwise dictate, "All is not well." As some of you are reading our message you're likely feeling that this message is custom made for you. I like the Horatio Spafford's resolve in the hymn, "It is Well": Whatever my lot Thou hast taught me to say, "It is well. It is well with my soul!" Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, we do not have to fear the present nor the future when we place our complete confidence in You and recognize that Your plans prevail. Daily we make our plans but we know that You have the final say. Help us to find comfort in You for the circumstances of life that throw us for a curve, knowing all the while, that You will supply us with the needed resources and spiritual support that leads us to victory so that we can truly proclaim from the depths of our hearts, "All is well!"Today we especially encourage our readers to scroll down and listen to a song titled "This Too Shall Pass" by Dallas Holm.  Fifteen of my sixteen cousins made it to the 2007 reunion in Branson Missouri. (I'm standing on the back right in the photo.)  One year we had some snow in southern Missouri at Christmas so Uncle Gentry took some of the kids out for a makeshift sled ride on his tractor pulling what appears to be a wood pallet. That's my cousin Steve driving the tractor with the huge smile and I'm in the photo standing on the back of the pallet. I think that's my sister Genelle sitting on the pallet. Uncle Gentry doesn't look like he's in a very safe place!  Yesterday afternoon we conducted an afternoon worship service in a local nursing home and Larry Garber accompanied Brooksyne on the accordian as she played Christmas hymns for the residents. It was beautiful!  Last night we had a heavy projected snow storm for our area. We had also scheduled our annual "Open House" for friends. Many were unable to make it out but several did and we gathered around our dining room table for what appears to be avacado punch (although it's lime of course!) As it turns out the projected massive storm was somewhat a fizzle in our area and this morning the ground isn't even covered. 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.) "This Too Shall Pass" Video Dallas Holm We devote this song today to several specific friends, family and readers going through a very hard time. In our view Dallas Holm has such a powerful and earnest voice. This is well worth the listen. "He Leadeth Me" Video We closed our service yesterday with this hymn and a strong call to be a faithful follower of Christ. We extend that call to all of our readers today. "Think About His Love" Video Acapella "All Is Well" Audio This is a powerful short story written and read by Frank Peretti. It prompted the title to today's message. "All Is Well" Video A song wiritten by Michael W. Smith "The Chair" Video In searching this morning I came across this short video lecture by Frank Peretti, who has a most interesting voice and teaching style. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 10/21/10)  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. 2010 YTD financial offerings as of 12/26/10 $17,904.00.We thank all who support our online ministry. You may contribute online or through mail. Note: In order to receive 2010 giving credit gifts must be received by December 31 so I can account to my chaplaincy credentialling agency by that date. 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 by us 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 you no longer desire to receive these messages you can remove your address from the list by merely using 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 or who may desire less frequent mailings. It is Friday's 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 online reader survey. To take the survey click here. 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 2010 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 |
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