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 Tuesday, July 31, 2012  Our friend Lee Smucker sent us this interesting photo he took at an Amish horse auction here in Lancaster County. These auctions are not only practical but major social events in the Amish culture. Some buy horses as a sign of prestige much like the automobile in the non-Amish culture.  Listen to this message on your audio player."A Lesson From A Smelly Skunk" "In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). One of my daily early morning routines includes taking our two dogs out to visit our cat "Dottie" who lives in our barn/shed. I say "Let's go see Dottie" and they both seem to know the routine. Dottie is always pleased to have some company but she sheds so bad and has a clawing problem we don't keep her in our house.  Then I step out into the open air and take a deep breath using my lungs and putting to good use my olfactory glands. Usually breathing in the fresh country air prompts me to give thanks for the privilege of living out in the country away from large buildings, busy traffic, and free of an oppressed government. But occasionally I'll get a whiff that is a warning not to breathe in too deeply such as the morning after a field has been fertilized (organic) or an uninvited skunk comes for a visit such as the one we share about today. We had stepped out of our car and immediately picked up the ugly smell of a skunk. "Pe-ew", I reacted to the silent but potent intruder. Brooksyne smiled and responded, "Gloria a Dios* reminding me of an interesting perspective we had heard in church earlier. A Brazilian brother who only spoke in Portuguese introduced a song through an English translator and was recalling how his father-in-law would express appreciation for all of God's creatures. Early each morning he'd walk outside and greet the outdoor creatures. He would say "Good morning little skunk." Now how's that for a positive outlook! As I breathed in the skunk contaminated air I got to thinking about the skunk that was functioning as God designed; a small mammal less than 5% my body weight being able to overpower me in such an irritating way. Their spray can also cause irritation and even temporary blindness. One odorous spray can be detected by a human nose up to a mile downwind. The foul odor of a skunk's secreted liquid has been described as a mix of rotten eggs, garlic and burnt rubber. Thankfully, this morning the air is fresh, there are no foul odors, and it looks like we might get a shower or two! Today most of us will encounter some "skunk smells"; perhaps literally, but many more figuratively. How are we going to deal with them? Are we able to say, "Gloria a Dios" or do we say something we'd rather others not hear. Our daily verse is very familiar and most likely many of you have memorized it. You should! Let's look at a single word in the text today. "In." I note a consistency in all major translations in using this word and I feel it's very significant. In this text Paul does not use the word "for". He uses the word "in". I believe he's speaking of living a thankful life; being thankful "in" the midst of pleasant circumstances and "in" the midst of difficult circumstances. The "everything" of life includes the good reports as well as the bad reports. The worldly outlook of thankfulness includes giving thanks only for the good. God's Word says "in everything". After all, as Christians we have an assurance that "God is working all things out for good for those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). In living a life of thankfulness those of us who seek to do the will of God are clearly obeying a Biblical mandate. Let us be thankful even when we get a whiff of skunk smell! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber  Daily prayer: Gloria a Dios for the blessed gift of our five senses. Our surroundings become very much alive to us through our sense of touching, smelling, tasting, hearing and seeing; all a part of Your plan to help us navigate our way through life as we journey here below. And yet it is through these senses that we also experience the irritations of life, the undesirable circumstances that can prompt an attitude of grumbling instead of gratitude, unless we have developed a sixth sense, the sense of gratitude which does away with grumbling. It doesn't come as naturally as the five senses but Your Word develops our sense of gratitude as we apply its truths and prayerfully adapt it to our way of looking at things. Help us to give thanks in everything, for this is Your will, through Christ Jesus our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.* Gloria a Dios is translated "Glory to God" Brooksyne's note: I wish it was as natural to thank God for the skunk smell as it is when I smell the sumptuous baking chocolate from Wilbur Chocolate Factory in Mount Joy. It takes me back to my childhood when Mom make numerous batches of fudge at Christmas. It's a delightful aroma that comes to our neighborhood frequently. But I am thankful God has given discernment to our sense of smell to rule out danger. It's a blessing we usually take for granted and in certain instances do not appreciate.  Brooksyne washing Roxie: This photo was taken in our backyard after Roxie was skunked for the second time. She didn't understand why she had to be subjected to a cold bath outside but we sure weren't going to treat that smelly problem inside. We have found success with using a hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda and soap. The smell goes away very quickly and it's not a messy treatment either. See here.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resource "In Everything Give Thanks" Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir "In Everything Give Thanks" Video Charlotte Ritchie, Jeff & Sheri Easter Whenever we are driving along and smell a skunk, someone will say, "I smell a skunk, do you?" Then we just might spontaneously launch into the chorus of the "Dead Skunk Song" Video I didn't know that there were actually verses as we just recall the chorus (Note: This video is not intended for spiritual edification!) More Amish horse auction photos     Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne. |
 Stephen and Brooksyne Weber Our 36th anniversary photo (Click on photo to enlarge) "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update (Revised 4/12)  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 supporting 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 7/30/12: $9,571.00. 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. These messages are 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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