A daily, Bible-based message of hope and encouragement.
 A daily, Bible-based message of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. <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. * "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 |
 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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