Daily Encouragement (04/30/12) "The Blessing Of Laughter"

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A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email ·   ·     ·     <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Monday, April 30, 2012 Yesterday after church I took Mollie for a walk around our yard and practically stepped on this baby cardinal (technically a fledgling). Daddy Cardinal was keeping a close eye on me as I snapped this photo of Brooksyne holding the baby bird. *  Listen to this message on your audio player. "The Blessing Of Laughter" "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy" (Job 8:21). Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy" (Psalm 126:2) "A time to weep and a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). For many years now I (Stephen) have customarily worn suspenders. In my case they're not so much a fashion accent but instead serve a practical purpose. Jere, a friend of mine and fellow suspender-wearer, told me of a time when an old Mennonite fellow saw him and informed him he was Biblically dressed based on Ecclesiastes 4:9,10. The other day in the course of our chaplain visitation an employee asked me a question: "Why were the suspenders arrested?" Initially I couldn't tell what in the world she might mean. I shook my head, "I don't know. Why?" She looked up with a smile and answered, "For holding up the pants." Well, that sure brought on a good round of laughter! One of the great blessings in life is laughter. We begin to laugh at a very early age. One of the maturing milestones parents anticipate is their baby's first smile and then their verbal laughter, often accompanied by giggles. Today I share a couple of links to videos of babies laughing which rouses the joy in all of us, no matter the age. I considered how therapeutic this pleasurable sound would be in the room of a patient in a nursing home. Just hearing the joyous sound of laughter, especially that of a baby, is uplifting to any downcast or lonely heart. "A time to laugh." Aren't you glad the Lord gave us the blessing of laughter? There's a lot to be serious about and plenty of opportunities for weeping. I've wept at times, but I've had far more occasions to laugh. I feel laughter is designed by God as a great stress reducer. The verbal expression for inward joy is first referenced in the Bible surrounding the events of Isaac's birth.  In fact his name means "laughter." Billy Sunday said, "God likes a little humor, as is evidenced by the fact that he made the monkeys, the parrot—and some of you people." One of my favorite pictures of our Lord shows Him laughing as He embraces the little children. I recall many years ago a man in our church who came to the Lord out of a drug background. He was quite intense and rather somber about the things of the Lord. In a conversation I had with him he made it clear that he was offended at the very notion that Jesus would have ever laughed. While it's true, there isn't a specific verse stating that Jesus laughed, it can be assumed in the setting where "He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them" (Mark 10:16)? Would you prefer to picture Him with a scowl, frown or emotionless expression? The New Testament has few references to laughter but commonly teaches the attitude of joy, which is often expressed in laughter and a smile. Today I encourage you to be thankful for the God-given blessing of laughter. Make use of it often, for the Scriptures remind us that there is "a time to laugh." And I really hope you will have some good laughs today! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, the day to day living can be so challenging and easily drain us of the pleasures in life if we're not careful. We thank you for our family and friends who pull us away from that mindset and add laughter to our lives, as well as the unexpected events that make us laugh at ourselves. Would you bring heartfelt laughter to the hearts of our readers today as they go about their daily duties. May they hear laughter and may they make laughter, verbally, and in their hearts. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen. Over the years I've had a number of humorous moments related to my suspenders. Five years ago we were at the INS in Philadelphia where Ester attained her American citizenship. Due to security we were searched upon entering the building and had to do the usual emptying of pockets, removing watches, and laying items on the conveyor belt for inspection. When I went through security the magnetic detector beeped so I was sent through again, this time without my suspenders, which had metal clips. At the time I had taken off about fifteen pounds so the suspenders were pretty important. I passed the inspection the second time through and quickly picked up my suspenders with the intention of securing them to my pants. Due to the orders being incessantly shouted by the security, "Stay to the right, Keep the line moving, Sir, move over here, don't hold up the line," I got quite flustered as I was being pushed through the crowded line and was unable to get them back on. In the maddening process my pants started to fall down!  With one hand on my suspenders and the other holding up my britches I was having big time troubles. Brooksyne, who was already through the line at this time, caught sight of me and rather than being a compassionate wife she burst into uncontrollable laughter. She tells me my face was beet red as I was trying to work through my dilemma. I explained my situation to the security man and he responded with a dry smile, "I sure hope this doesn't make me have to do my job" (referring to arresting me for "indecent exposure.") Well, I eventually was able to get out of the line and put myself back together. But Brooksyne had quite a time getting control of herself as she kept replaying that scene in her mind while we sat in the large room with about 100 others waiting during the immigration process. This humorous incident brought some distraction and lightheartedness to an intense setting where there is so much security, rules, and regulations. Brooksyne had some fun last week as she combined spring colors in her attire. Some of the ladies at the workplace asked her if she was trying to make a fashion statement with her choice of "sherbet" colors.  She needed only lime green to make it a Rainbow Sherbet Look so one of the workers volunteered the finishing touch; a rather silly looking green headband. Brooksyne went along for fun and I snapped the shot. Friday afternoon we had lunch at "The Country Cafe" at the Green Dragon Farmer's Market and caught up with our long-time friends, Bunny and Peg O'Hare.  Bunny continues to serve as a lead chaplain with Transport for Christ.  Some friends of ours run the Country Cafe and we can always count on a fine Lancaster County meal there. Yesterday afternoon our Donegal Creek walk was busy with another family joining us; grandparents walking alongside their very active grandchildren on a beautiful spring day. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today's message concerning laughter brought to mind a time of joy and laughter: "Let Them Be Little"   "Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle, Let 'em sleep in the middle..." The first time I heard this song was at the wedding of Adrienne, the oldest daughter Pat and Charlotte Mallery, the very first couple whose wedding I officiated over 30 years ago.  As is customary they played a song at the reception for the bride and her father. I had never heard it before, but it sure brought tears to my eyes as I stood beside Brooksyne and Ester and watched the bride's father affectionately embrace his newly married daughter. The song is called "Let Them Be Little" and upon reflection I could once again see the parents bring baby Adrienne to our church 20 years earlier when she was a very tiny new-born crowned with carrot red hair! Later Pat stopped by our table to greet us and thanked us for coming. We reminisced about just how fast life goes by and how quickly our children grow. I know most all of you can identify. This is the original audio version by Lonestar which I prefer and the one played at Adrienne's wedding. Video This version is a video made by parents with photos showing the progression of their baby. Very well done! "Babies Laughing"  Video  Here's another one with a custom made table for quadruplets and a "hamming it up" Dad. Video  I dare you to watch these videos and not laugh! "The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength"  Video  Twila Paris  I suppose I should have a serious song up as well! Along our walk yesterday afternoon we passed these heifers who ran over to greet us along Donegal Creek.  There's something very funny about watching cows run! This brings to mind another video that may bring you a smile or even a laugh! Jazz for cows * Someone will inevitably write us concerning picking up the baby bird. See here. Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/11) 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. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 4/26/12: $4,505.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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! 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. © Copyright 2012 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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Daily Encouragement (04/27/12) "Remember Your Creator"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.

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A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email ·   ·     ·     <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Friday, April 27, 2012 Blooming Azaleas in Lancaster PA Listen to this message on your audio player. "Remember Your Creator" "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1). "When the almond tree blossoms" (Ecclesiastes 12:5b). Before we begin our day of ministry we pray that God will open doors of receptivity among not only those we come in contact with formally in the course of our chaplain ministry, but also to all we may providentially encounter. In the same way we always pray together before we send out these daily encouragement messages for people to read or listen with a receptive heart. A couple of days ago on the spur of a moment we stopped in to visit Jeanette, a pleasant older woman, we've come to know through her sons, Rick and Fred. It's been nearly a year since we last visited and the age progression continues to take its toll. We thought we might encourage her with a brief visit. In this photo, taken several years ago, she is in front of a very large oak tree that she planted as a tiny sapling some 70 years ago! Jeanette continues to live in her own home due to the loving support of her children and the devoted caregivers who tend to her needs 24/7. In fact she was being dressed when we arrived so we took a walk among the beautiful rhododendrons and azaleas planted all along her long back yard, gifts from her sons who presented her with a new bush to plant each Mother's Day. The trees and plants have grown older and fully matured and so has Jeanette, who recently celebrated her 94th birthday. When I (Brooksyne) asked her, "Do you know how old you are?" she just laughed at me as she shook her head. In the living room family pictures dotted the walls, all taken during a much earlier era. I especially noted the photo with her husband and sons when her hair was gray rather than the gleaming white that we've admired since we first met her. Jeanette is wonderfully polite and her beautiful smile engaging, but at times she drifts in and out of substantive conversation. So I began to sing a couple hymns to draw her back. Rather than join in singing, as I had hoped, she just took it all in and as she did, tears began to slowly trail down her cheeks. She expressed her appreciation and pointed to a tissue lying on the sofa. I picked it up and gently wiped her tears. Then she pointed to her nose reminding me that it also needed attention.   We conversed together but there were times Jeanette tried to communicate and the words just wouldn't connect in an understandable manner. We played "charades" as I tried to vocalize what she might be wanting to communicate. When I was right on, she vigorously nodded her head and her smile grew even larger. We had a nice time of prayer before I left her side. Following our visit, I thought of how wonderful it is that Christ dwells within the believer and knows our every thought even during the fogginess of old age. No interpretation or guessing needed. But I am also saddened by those who reach their golden years who don't know Jesus personally; they've never communed with God. Their hearts aren't warmed by hymn tunes like "Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus" or "In the Garden" where the hymn writer described communion with God as, "He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known." In Ecclesiastes 12 Solomon writes about the changes that come to those enduring old age. In today's second verse he writes about an almond tree, which has blossoms progressing from white to dark pink. Blossoming in this case is an analogy of aging. Commentator Adam Clarke sees it this way in regard to aging: "The hair begins to change, first gray, then white; it having no longer that supply of nutritive juices which it once had." He analogizes the changing color of the gray hair to the changing colors of the almond blossom as it ripens to maturity. Essentially Ecclesiastes 12 speaks of a life with and without God. CS Lewis wrote: "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done'." * The Life Application Bible study note makes this interesting observation concerning this passage: "A life without God can produce a bitter, lonely, and hopeless old age. A life centered around God is fulfilling; it will make the "days of trouble" - when disabilities, sickness, and handicaps cause barriers to enjoying life - satisfying because of the hope of eternal life. Being young is exciting, but the excitement of youth can become a barrier to closeness with God if it makes young people focus on passing pleasures instead of eternal values. Make your strength available to God when it is still yours - during your youthful years. Don't waste it on evil or meaningless activities that become bad habits and make you callous. Seek God now." Indeed let us, "Remember our Creator in the days of our youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when we will say, "I find no pleasure in them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1 slightly modified by using the first person pronoun). Whenever you may be reading this; whether you are young, middle-aged or old, we encourage you to "Remember your Creator." Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, we who have received Christ early in our young years are grateful for the solid and lasting foundation we're building that will provide comfort, solidity, and needed perspective when we approach the golden years of our life here on earth. The older we get the more this earth and all that it has to offer grows dimmer while the lights of glory grow ever brighter. It happens because our eyes are fixed on the eternal city not built with human hands but fashioned and designed by the Builder of the Ages. Keep us true Lord Jesus, for there's a race to be run and there are victories to be won on this side of heaven. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. * This quote is in "The Great Divorce" which is a complementary to Lewis' earlier book "The Screwtape Letters". The working title was "Who Goes Home?" but the final name was changed at the publisher's insistence. The title refers to William Blake's "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." The Great Divorce was first printed as a serial in an Anglican newspaper called The Guardian in 1944 and 1945, and soon thereafter in book form. Teaching insight: Yesterday we wrote about the Master Pruner and in the course of our message commented on James 1:2 which states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2). Will, a pastor friend from Marin County CA, makes this interesting and helpful observation: "The passage that you quoted from James is a stumbling block for many--viewed as contrary to nature and nearly impossible. May I suggest that this is not about "attitude" (which means to me a developed outlook of the heart), but about a volitional mental process, of which attitude is the product. I am confident that you know this, because your attitude could not be what it is without it. Too many that I speak with interpret this to be about a positive attitude or feeling, which their trials do NOT elicit, so they become even more discouraged and want to avoid this verse, as it seems to expose a fault in their faith. To the contrary, I believe, James intended to provide relief and encouragement to battered and weary souls. I think you'll agree that "consider" or "reckon" is a chosen response to circumstance--a choice to categorize it and think of it in a certain way. If I consider it "joy," even when my feeling is fearful or grumbling, it will begin to adjust my heart and, thereby, my attitude. I guess what I'm trying to say is that discouraging feelings are natural in difficult circumstances; the way to have a better and godly attitude toward them is to intentionally think about them in the way James prescribed." For further consideration: Early this week I mentioned that trees are referenced from the first chapter to the final chapter in the Bible. Here's the final reference: "On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations" (Revelation 22:2). I had intended to write a message based on this text but just wasn't getting the insight! Jeanette's property has an abundance of mature, stately trees Close up of a pink Azalea "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" (German) This is carved into the mantle above a huge fireplace at Jeanette's home. Our 32nd anniversary photo was taken four years ago when we first met Jeanette. (Photo by Rick Steudler) Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus"  Video  Casting Crowns "He Leadeth Me"  Video  The Martins "In The Garden"  Video  Pure Praise Hymns and Worship Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/11) 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. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 4/26/12: $4,475.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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! 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. © Copyright 2012 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!

 

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Daily Encouragement (04/26/12) "The Master Pruner"

Daily Encouragement Net
A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.

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A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us · Archives · Podcast · Free email ·   ·     ·     <Previous Message       ·       Archive edition Thursday, April 26, 2012 This ivy covered silo is at the Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast on Colebrook Road about a mile from our home. We wonder how many years this has been growing. If the vine keeps growing it will look like a tree! Another view Listen to this message on your audio player. "The Master Pruner" "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 15:1,2). "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds" (James 1:2). When we moved to our home we had a small silver maple tree growing up right along a fence in our backyard. It was healthy but it needed to be transplanted to a better location in our yard. We dug it out and in doing so inadvertently completely bared the root system. We've since learned that, when possible, it's good to leave soil around roots when you transplant trees or bushes! After digging a deep hole in the desired location we replanted it adding some fertilizer to the soil and drenched it with a lot of water. About three days later the tree started dying with leaves turning brown and falling off. It was pathetic looking. I had resigned to losing the tree when Don, a friend who was visiting us from Texas, told me in his distinctive southern drawl, "You've got to prune that right back, lop it off half way up."  Wow, that was hard to do and seemed counter-productive, but it was dying anyway so I took his advice. Within a few days we saw tiny new leaves forming and the tree began thriving in a very short time. We associate the word, "prune" with trees and bushes and rightly so. In our Scripture text Jesus chose a gardening theme when He described God as the Master Gardener, Himself as the vine and His followers as the branches of the vine. The Father cuts off branches that bear no fruit, which has been variously interpreted by Christians through the ages. Today I consider the latter part of the daily text, "every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Are you bearing fruit today? All who follow Christ are called to bear fruit. In fact Jesus ended His teaching with this statement, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples" (John 15:8). Pruning involves cutting off branches and we do this to encourage flower or fruit development, promote plant health, maintain a desired tree form, and improve plant appearance among other reasons. All fruit-bearing Christians are subject to this kind of pruning as well (notice "every branch"). The purpose of the pruning is that we might be "even more fruitful." "Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (John 15:2). The nature of this "pruning" is seen by many to be the trials that are an inevitable part of our earthly existence. I can't speak for you, but I don't necessarily like the painful pruning experiences of life. If a tree could speak and saw the pruner with the shears or hedge clippers coming its way I wonder if it would say, "Oh boy, yippee, yippee, I am getting pruned today!!!" But our second daily text reveals that this should actually be our attitude! "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." This is an attitude that does not come naturally to me. I'd really rather avoid the pruning times! Too often I'm willing to settle for the fruit I have and am unconcerned about being "more fruitful" which follows the pruning action. But I go back to that detail I pointed out earlier. Jesus said, "Every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful." Today may God give us an assurance that the Master Pruner is showing evidence of His faithfulness and love toward us during the pruning process! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily prayer: Father, You are the Master Pruner who is growing me into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As I remain in the Vine You assure me that I will bear much fruit lasting far beyond one season. When I consider the fruit You want to grow in me I recognize that it is all based on character traits seen in the Son. Help me to respond in accordance to the pruning knife of the Word of God as it penetrates my soul, judging the thoughts and attitudes of my heart. Cut out that which hinders my growth and submerge me in that which will make me flourish making me fruitful for the Kingdom of God.  Amen. Our journeys yesterday took us through Hershey, PA and the Hershey chocolate factory where we pass this "Hershey Cocoa" shrubbery.  This shrubbery is so large that these letters are clearly visible on a google satellite map! These old Mack farm trucks are waiting for another harvest. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources "Thank You Lord For The Trials That Come My Way"  Video  This was popular in our early adult years and has a great message. This was the first solo I ever heard Brooksyne sing when we ministered together at a state lung hospital (called the Missouri State Sanitarium at the time) in Mount Vernon Missouri while in Bible College. As college students we went here to practice preaching! "Blessings"  Video  Laura Story  A newer song with a rich perspective on suffering. "In His Time"  Video   Maranatha Singers.  Brings back memories of when we used to sing this in church. "Consider it Pure Joy"  Video  Acapella group singing James 1:2 Vogt Farm Bed and Breakfast Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Weber family Christmas 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 12/11) 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. We ask you to consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support of its readers and podcast listeners. See here for more information on supporting this ministry. Gifts are tax deductible. 2012 financial offerings to Daily Encouragement Net as of 4/25/12: $4,475.00 We express thanks to all who support our ministry! 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! 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. © Copyright 2012 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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