Having trouble reading this message? Read mobile edition online
  Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter    The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <Previous Message · Archives · Archive edition Monday, June 13, 2011  A faithful silent but powerful witness See body of today's message for story  Listen to this message on your audio player."A Tribute To Naomi" "Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated in Greek is called Dorcas); this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did" (Acts 9:36). Yesterday we commemorated Pentecost Sunday, a very significant day on the church calendar, that many consider the birth of the Church. It’s easy to recall prominent spokesmen for the Church throughout the ages beginning with Peter, who proclaimed God's Word on the Day of Pentecost. Other historical, prominent names in the Church like Martin Luther, John Wesley, Billy Sunday and others right up to our own day such as Billy Graham come to mind easily. These well-known leaders have faithfully served and received commendation but there are many, many others far less prominent who have greatly impacted lives with the gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact we contend that the vast majority of work done for Christ and His Kingdom has taken place and is now taking place by those who are unknown apart from the relatively small circle in which they serve, generally in a local church.  Today we honor a woman by the name of Naomi Wolgemuth, who will soon celebrate her 88th birthday. Confined to a nursing home for nearly five years, Naomi continues to testify of her steadfast faith in Christ.On Saturday night the ladies in our church honored her at a Women & Girls Banquet. Brooksyne plotted with her nephew to arrange a trip to her home church which is about 40 miles from Messiah Village where she now resides. It was the first time she would return to her home church since the disabling stroke in August 2006 which necessitated her need for nursing home care. The staff informed Naomi on Friday night that her nephew would pick her up on Saturday and take her to a surprise destination. Over the banquet meal she told Brooksyne that she could hardly sleep the night before trying to guess where she would be going. It didn’t enter her mind that it would be her home church which she had attended since the first week of her birth up until the time of her stroke.  Naomi never married and lived in very same house in which she was born until her move to Messiah Village. She was a first grade schoolteacher for many years and impacted numerous lives in that role all throughout the area. But we especially honored her for her faithful service to her home church. Many in our small community came out especially to see Naomi and express their love to her. She was active in a variety of ways including, of course, teaching children. One mother had a special recollection of visits Naomi made to their home to visit the children who were Naomi’s Sunday School students. It was not uncommon to see hear her reviewing the Sunday School verses with her students as she sat with them in their sandbox! Naomi's most distinctive community witness could be viewed from a bank in front of her home that faced Colebrook Road, a heavily travelled rural road here in Lancaster County. Beginning in 1950 she and her mother planted flowers on the bank, arranging them in such a way that they spelled a word or phrase. This practice continued fifty consecutive years with a brand new theme every year! Many in our area recall the colorful bank with a message of witness to the Lord. Generally they arranged marigolds to spell the words and white sweet alyssums served as a light contrasting background. Following the banquet, as Jan and his wife Dorine were buckling Naomi in the front seat of the car, she shook her head in disbelief as she said several times, “I just can’t believe this. I just can’t believe it…” We didn’t have to ask, “Did you have a good time?” Her voluntary response to the evening said it all!  The early church had people like Naomi though we know the names of very few. One noteable exception is Tabitha more commonly known by her Greek name, Dorcas. An active part of the faith community in Joppa, she was characterized as a "woman who was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did." In verse 39 we read that she was a seamstress and blessed others by the garments she sewed for them. You and I can think of those whose lives are characterized by their continuous kind and charitable acts in our own lives. Each of us knows people like Naomi regardless of where we live. There are many in the church like her. Little known and sadly, in too many cases receiving little acclamation or appreciation. But they are really the backbone of the church! Be sure to let them know of their great value to you personally and to the church as they give of themselves heartily unto the Lord. Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Father, keep our hearts open to those who are in need of a compassionate touch, a charitable act, or a kind word. Let it come naturally from our hearts that are in tune with the heart of Jesus. May I view others through the eyes of Christ, walking in His compassion and His benevolent ways. We thank you for the scores of people like Dorcas and Naomi who have served you in local churches all through the church age. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.Some more photos from our banquet  Naomi is greeted by her present pastor's wife, Brooksyne, and Wilma who was her pastor's wife some 40 years ago.  The Dourte sisters sang several songs for the banquet and had incredibly tight harmony as they sang three of the numbers acappella.  Naomi played the harmonica for us all. Brooksyne made sure Jan, Naomi's nephew, brought the harmony just in case we could get her to play, and we did!"  Many greeted Naomi following the meeting expressing their love and appreciation to her.  The men prepared and served the meal and worked very hard. They even cleaned up afterwards! The main dish was Gene Wenger's famous ham loaf, a Lancaster County favorite.  Though None Go with Me By Jerry B. Jenkins / Zondervan From master storyteller Jenkins comes the moving chronicle of one woman's unswerving obedience to God. Born in 1900, Elisabeth LeRoy commits her life to Christ. But her heartfelt decision is tested by two world wars, the Great Depression, and personal sorrow. A remarkable act of faith and grace performed on the stage of history. 304 pages, softcover from ZondervanOne woman's costly decision will touch a lifetime of hearts. Born at the turn of the century, Elisabeth Grace LeRoy longs for something more in her life. Something only an eternal love can offer. It is a love she encounters at last---one that promises to fill her passionate heart completely and that calls forth her utmost in return. In response, Elisabeth makes the commitment that will shape her entire life: a decision to follow Christ always, no matter the cost. So begins a remarkable love story---a legacy of faith that weaves together two world wars, the Great Depression, and deep personal sorrows as the dramatic background for displaying the courage, grace, joy, and far-reaching impact of a life lived truly and fully for God. Also available as an ebook: Though None Go with Me: A Novel - eBook And as an audiobook download: Though None Go with Me: A Novel Audiobook [Download] Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Finally today: This morning we went to our local hardware store and I ran into John, a Pioneer seed salesman, I met a number of years ago when I was in a local service club. As we visited for a few minutes I told him about our present work in Mastersonville and he was familair with the church. I shared how we had honored Naomi and he enthusiastically recalled both Naomi and her Colebrook Road flower designs! Study note: Apart from the miracle associated with her Dorcas would probably have never have been mentioned in Scripture and thus would not have been known through history, but only during her lifetime for her service to the church in Joppa. See Acts 9:36-43 There have been a lot of people like Naomi and Everett through the church's history! Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne |
 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 12/31/10)  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. 2011 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 6/9/11: $4,225.00 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 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. Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter: The daily message and prayer on Facebook. 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. 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 2011 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 |  |
