Daily Encouragement (11/24/11) "Magnify Him With Thanksgiving"

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Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter        The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition Thursday, November 24, 2011 Thanksgiving Day Our local community paper places a Thanksgiving proclamation on their front page.  Listen to this message on your audio player. "Magnify Him With Thanksgiving" "I will praise the Name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving" (Psalm 69:30). Today is Thanksgiving Day here in the USA. Some friends are joining us for this designated day of thankfulness and a wonderful extra large meal.  Brooksyne has been preparing since last night and we are cleaning the house extra well! It's a special day; with origins going back as early as 1621 at the time of the Pilgrims. In the course of our chaplain work we see a lot of folks that immigrated to America as adults primarily from Southeast Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. I am blessed by the strong work ethic and drive to succeed commonly seen in many of them. During my recent visit I asked these folks about the Thanksgiving customs they practice from their original homeland. Each one indicated that having a specific day dedicated to Thankfulness was introduced to them after arriving in America. In fact only two countries actually celebrate Thanksgiving; the United States and Canada. I asked further, "Do you celebrate Thanksgiving as a special day now that you're living in the USA?"  Not really surprisingly they do, including the custom for many of roasting a turkey!  In fact, yesterday we learned from our Bosnian friends that turkey will be at the center of their feast today. I especially consider Milan, a Bosnian friend, who left his home country in the late nineties when he was 49. He and his wife and two daughters came to America not knowing English and wearing only the clothes they had on (their baggage was lost in transit!!!) Several weeks ago we had dinner with Milan, Zakira and their daughters in their beautiful new home. They have worked hard and done very well. What a blessing to offer thanks prior to our meal. They recounted the extreme difficulty of living through the war that wracked their country in the mid-nineties. They saw people, some of them friends, die in bombings. They had their home bombed out and all the windows shattered. Milan is just a few years older than I, yet he has experienced desperate living conditions where stability and comfort were foreign to their circumstances. "It is a special time for my family to participate in the custom of Thanksgiving here in America" he told me in a very solemn tone. We all have so much to be thankful for, although our "blessings" vary from one person to the next.  Yet even as the world has denigrated the true meaning of Christmas, it seems the same is happening to Thanksgiving.  This began with a subtle change of the object of our thanksgiving being attributed to others rather than God.  Today I'm so thankful for my salvation, my family and friends, and my church. I have also been mightily blessed with much of the good things this world has to offer relative to so many. (Most all of you reading this have as well!) Many songs have been written that express thanks to God. Today's verse is taken from a Psalm of David and expresses an interesting way to "magnify" the Lord.  The Hebrew word for magnify is "gadal" and is translated throughout the Old Testament with words like advance, lift up, promote, increase, and boast. I remember in my earliest days as a Christian singing a gospel chorus with the line "O, magnify the Lord with me." It was my first pastor, James O. Howard's, favorite chorus as I recall. It's so old now I can't even find it on YouTube but it went like this. Maybe this will stir up some old memories! Magnify the Lord with me! Blessed Lamb of Calvary! For His Grace so rich and free, Magnify the Lord with me! Magnify the Lord with me! Blessed Lamb of Calvary! Jesus gave us liberty, So Magnify the Lord with me! I like the word "magnify" and here we are told "we magnify Him with thanksgiving."  Let us indeed magnify the Lord by our thankfulness and remember; God's call to a life of thankfulness is not limited to this day, it's not seasonal, but should be a daily expression! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Today we want to share a prayer we earnestly pray for our family, friends and readers. It is from Colossians 1:3-14 with slight adaptation. Listen to this prayer on your audio player. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the Word of Truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth. You learned it from faithful followers of Jesus Christ. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Amen. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today we complete our selection of music we've been sharing with a theme of Thankfulness. "Be Magnified"  Video   Kim Hill "In Everything Give Thanks"  Video   Charlotte Ritchie, Jeff & Sheri Easter "Thanks"  Video  Marshall Hall and the Homecoming Singers "I Want To Thank You"  Video  Karen Peck and New River  This is a song expressing thankfulness to the many people who impact our lives and also reminds us of the blessing of seemingly insignificant expressions of faith.  From the Gaither Homecoming series. "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me"  Video  Gordon Mote & Jason Crabb "Thanksgiving Medley"  Video  Nice selection of grand old thanksgiving hymns. "Now Thank We All Our God"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "Come We Thankful People Come"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "I'm Forever Grateful"  Video  Willow Creek "Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart"  Video  Don Moen "When I Thank Him For What He Has Done"  Video  The Cathedrals A highly recommended read: Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well By Billy Graham / Thomas Nelson Many people, even Christians, fear growing older. We don't like to think about losing independence and control in our lives, but perhaps learning to accept these changes is the first step in dealing with them. After 93 years of living and decades of Christian service, renowned evangelist Billy Graham writes to encourage people of all ages to live with purpose and grace in Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well. Graham also discusses the importance of building strong foundations in relationships, facing life's transitions with trust, and understanding our glorious hope in Jesus. Join Billy as he shares the challenges of fading strength, but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well. Special Thanksgiving Resources We want to offer these resources to families and church leaders to enrich the spiritual impact of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will post these resources through Thanksgiving Day here in the US (November 24). "Thankful For The Thorns": A family reading and exercise that is a wonderful way to give a thoughtful focus around your Thanksgiving Table. The Thanksgiving celebration typically includes family coming together for a huge meal and hopefully a heartfelt prayer of thankfulness. However it can often be difficult to have a spiritually oriented conversation. Why not add some stimulating discussion about the ways God has worked in your life over the past year! Some of you are not in charge and are only visitors at your Thanksgiving gathering, but if it is possible share together around the table the theme of "Thankful for the Thorns" (printable webpage). "A Thanksgiving family exercise" (pdf). We have used this questionnaire as a stimulus for discussion among family members in the past in our home. We encourage you to share results around the table at Thanksgiving before or after the meal. A Thanksgiving prayer: Written by Joe Sherer, a pastor friend of ours and shared as the benediction at our community Thanksgiving Eve service several years ago. (printable webpage) For those who enjoy written prayers this would be a beautiful prayer to read together at the Thanksgiving table. A Thanksgiving Scripture reading: A selection of Old and New Testament readings dealing with thankfulness appropriate for church, family and personal readings. (pdf) (Suitable for printing out and copying.) Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Our photo taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Sherburne Falls, MA Fall 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/11) 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 teaching 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 11/23/11: $12,916.00 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! 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. 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

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Daily Encouragement (11/23/11) "What's Your Excuse?"

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

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Follow Daily Encouragement on Facebook and Twitter        The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition Wednesday, November 23, 2011 Lancaster County Amish farmwork taken from a hot air balloon. Photo by Debra Zimmerman (Used by permission) See this photo for zoom-out context. Listen to this message on your audio player. "What's Your Excuse?" Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice, and he fell on his face at His feet, giving thanks to Him. And he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered and said, "Were there not ten cleansed? But the nine—where are they? Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-17). Andrew Carnegie, the multimillionaire, left one million dollars to one of his relatives, who in return cursed Carnegie thoroughly because he had left $365 million to public charities and had cut him off with just one measly million. How's that for a grateful heart? (Now a million dollars is still a lot today but can you imagine how much more it would have been worth when Andrew Carnegie died in 1919!) Carnegie's ungrateful relative reflects the attitude of far too many, not only in our day but throughout the centuries.  Let's review a story that Jesus told regarding ten lepers. Jesus often asked questions to get His audience to probe their own minds before he would launch into an important teaching. Settings where teachers set up their lesson by first asking thought provoking questions always stimulates my own thinking and it helps me to assess the crowd that has gathered. In Jesus' teaching from Luke 17:11-19 He had healed ten lepers but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give Him thanks.  This brief Scripture passage certainly drives home a hard hitting message, but it also stirs one's imagination for all that was not said. I've wondered what excuses the other nine might have had in failing to return to give Jesus thanks. Of course the text does not tell us and we can't be absolutely certain, but let us consider nine possible excuses they might have used. Notice they are all pertinent to our day as well! Perhaps: 1)  One was too busy. Surely their disability had resulted in a lot of work that needed done. (Self-importance) 2)  One forgot. (Ingratitude) 3)  One was planning to do it later. He reasoned that he would eventually get back to thank Jesus... sometime. (Procrastination) 4)  One thought somebody else would do it. Perhaps he saw the one returning and thought "he will speak for all of us". God does not accept vicarious praise. "Let everything that hath breath…"  (Lazy) 5)  One wanted to see if the healing would last. He looked and thought this is wonderful but let's see if it comes back before I do any thanking. (Skeptical) 6)  One had a religious prejudice. Perhaps he didn't want to even be associated with the Samaritan (Superiority) 7)  One thought it really didn't matter. (Thoughtless) 8) One thought "I still have a lot of other problems." Like many he saw the glass half empty. Indeed on this side whatever God may do for us we very likely have or will have other problems. (Negative) 9)  One thought "I don't want to bother Him." Scripture is abundant in calls to thank, praise and glorify God. We never bother Him in calls to be obedient! (Inferiority)  What's your excuse for not returning thanks to God? Four great truths could be derived from this message: 1) Thankfulness is an act of the will. This man made the decision to return and offer thanks. "Now one of them, when he saw that he had been healed, turned back." We need to make a decision that we will be thankful and act upon it. 2) Thankfulness matters to God. It brings glory to God. The man "returned to give glory to God."  The Westminster Catechism states, "Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." We can be assured Scripturally that as we thank God we also glorify Him. "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me" (Psalm 50:23). 3) Thankfulness is an excellent expression of faith. "And He said to him, 'Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.'"  This part of the text somewhat puzzles me. Apparently the Lord had seen faith in the demonstration of desperation in the ten lepers when they had cried out in a loud voice: “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” Now Jesus is commending that faith.  Chuck Swindoll notes, "Faith believes in advance what will only make sense in reverse." 4) Thankfulness is an excellent testimony. Consider that this story made it into the record of Holy Scripture because this man was thankful!  As we live a life of thankfulness we also present a good testimony. Today let's not make excuses in being unthankful to God or others. Will we be like the one who returned to give thanks or like the other nine? Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: Father, we want to bless You at all times allowing praises to spring from our hearts and express themselves in our words and actions.  We magnify Your name and exalt You, Almighty God, for You are our great Deliverer.  As we celebrate our thanks to You we tell of Your mighty power and miracles in our lives. We teach these to our children so the next generation might know them, even the children not yet born, that they in turn might teach their children. We want each generation to set their hopes anew on God, remembering His glorious and miraculous provisions, as they turn their hearts toward You. Thank You, Father, for everything!  For apart from You we have nothing!  Amen. (Prayer inspired by Psalm 78:5-8) "Was no one found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" What we may infer from this is that the others who failed to return to offer thanks must all have been locals (Jews)! Additional thought from Bible commentator Brian Bell's study notes on this passage: How grateful the men should have been for the providence of God that brought Jesus into their area. How grateful the men should have been for the love that caused Him to pay attention to them and their need. How grateful the men should have been for the grace and power of God that brought about their healing. "Brent The Tool Man" We are having some extensive work done on our home's HVAC with a new heat pump. Ductwork needs to be routed throughout our home since our home has not had ducts. It's quite a job for the crew working on it since they have to get into our attic and snake ductwork throughout the house, including through closets to get to lower levels. But they are doing so with diligence and a good attitude. Brent is showing off his skills in handling power tools! We have been using a coal stove for primary heat (which we will continue to use as a supplement and for the ambiance in our family room) and several window A/C's for cooling (which we will no longer need) so we are looking forward to this improvement! Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today we want to share music with a theme of Thankfulness which we will add to this collection through the week and leave up through Thursday. "Thank You Lord"  Video  Acapella "Thank You Lord"  Video  Don Moen   "I Thank God"  Video  Rhema Marvanne  An eight year old girl who has a very nice, mature voice.  Her family are people of faith, and sadly, her mother passed away two years ago. "In Everything Give Thanks"  Video   Charlotte Ritchie, Jeff & Sheri Easter "Thanks"  Video  Marshall Hall and the Homecoming Singers "I Want To Thank You"  Video  Karen Peck and New River  This is a song expressing thankfulness to the many people who impact our lives and also reminds us of the blessing of seemingly insignificant expressions of faith.  From the Gaither Homecoming series. "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me"  Video  Gordon Mote & Jason Crabb "Thanksgiving Medley"  Video  Nice selection of grand old thanksgiving hymns. "Now Thank We All Our God"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "Come We Thankful People Come"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "I'm Forever Grateful"  Video  Willow Creek "Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart"  Video  Don Moen "When I Thank Him For What He Has Done"  Video  The Cathedrals Today's photo was take by Debra Zimmerman, daughter of our friends Cerwin and Doris High. More photos from this balloon collection are on Doris High's photoblog site. A highly recommended read: Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well By Billy Graham / Thomas Nelson Many people, even Christians, fear growing older. We don't like to think about losing independence and control in our lives, but perhaps learning to accept these changes is the first step in dealing with them. After 93 years of living and decades of Christian service, renowned evangelist Billy Graham writes to encourage people of all ages to live with purpose and grace in Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well. Graham also discusses the importance of building strong foundations in relationships, facing life's transitions with trust, and understanding our glorious hope in Jesus. Join Billy as he shares the challenges of fading strength, but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well. Special Thanksgiving Resources We want to offer these resources to families and church leaders to enrich the spiritual impact of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will post these resources through Thanksgiving Day here in the US (November 24). "Thankful For The Thorns": A family reading and exercise that is a wonderful way to give a thoughtful focus around your Thanksgiving Table. The Thanksgiving celebration typically includes family coming together for a huge meal and hopefully a heartfelt prayer of thankfulness. However it can often be difficult to have a spiritually oriented conversation. Why not add some stimulating discussion about the ways God has worked in your life over the past year! Some of you are not in charge and are only visitors at your Thanksgiving gathering, but if it is possible share together around the table the theme of "Thankful for the Thorns" (printable webpage). "A Thanksgiving family exercise" (pdf). We have used this questionnaire as a stimulus for discussion among family members in the past in our home. We encourage you to share results around the table at Thanksgiving before or after the meal. A Thanksgiving prayer: Written by Joe Sherer, a pastor friend of ours and shared as the benediction at our community Thanksgiving Eve service several years ago. (printable webpage) For those who enjoy written prayers this would be a beautiful prayer to read together at the Thanksgiving table. A Thanksgiving Scripture reading: A selection of Old and New Testament readings dealing with thankfulness appropriate for church, family and personal readings. (pdf) (Suitable for printing out and copying.) Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Our photo taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Sherburne Falls, MA Fall 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/11) 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 teaching 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 11/22/11: $12,866.00 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! 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. 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!

 

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Daily Encouragement (11/22/11) "Thankful For the Thorns"

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

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. Home · About Us ·· Podcast · Free email <Previous Message  ·  Archives  ·  Archive edition Tuesday, November 22, 2011 The "lovely" arrangement on our Communion Table this past Sunday. Listen to this message on your audio player. "Thankful For the Thorns" "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). For many years Brooksyne has enjoyed creating attractive flower arrangements for our home and friends, as well as the churches we have served for the past five years. Among the favorite flowers she grows are roses and presently we have three rose bushes, though they stopped blooming a few weeks ago. Each Sunday she generally makes arrangements for the church using seasonal flowers, such as the fall mums over the past couple months. However this last Sunday she prepared a rather unusual arrangement for the Communion Table; clipped rose stems without the roses as seen in our top photo today. With gloves for protection she clipped them low at the base of our rose bushes and arranged them for display. It was not very pretty to say the least and probably made the congregation wonder if she was losing her senses! How many of you plan to order a Thanksgiving bouquet from the Florist Shop this Thanksgiving? Roses are a perennial favorite. Why not have the florist cut off the roses and purchase only the long, thorny stems for your Thanksgiving centerpiece? Sound a little strange?  In the Thanksgiving Resources listed below our daily message we feature a story called "Thankful for the Thorns". Years ago Brooksyne played the florist when it was presented in skit form in our church.  But this last Sunday she read the story to our congregation and used the rather plain, somewhat disheveled roseless stems as seen in the Communion Table photo as an object lesson. In the story the florist cuts off the roses and sells only the long, thorny stems. The thorny bouquet is a visual reminder to customers to be thankful for the thorns or painful times in their lives.  Whether experiencing the difficult moments personally or within our families, we have motivation to seek God more fervently, which allows Him to bring perspective, healing, cleansing and maturing in our faith.  The eventual outcome brings beauty and purpose into our lives, much like the beautiful, fragrant rose that is an outgrowth from the thorn covered green stems. In past years we kept a small wrapped box in our dining room where we could drop in notes from time to time telling of the way in which God had provided a special blessing.  Perhaps we need to also include notes that record the "thorns" that appear in our lives to be reminded of the lessons God has taught us through the difficult times. We can also use it to comfort and encourage others who are being pricked by thorns in their lives. The apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4, shares four experiences of spiritual and physical testing as he and his co-workers followed Christ.  In each example he showed how God proved His faithfulness in the midst of the severe thorns:     * "We are hard pressed on every side -- but not crushed."     * "Perplexed -- but not in despair."     * "Persecuted -- but not abandoned."     * "Struck down -- but not destroyed." At times we've been a little "hard-pressed" in various challenges just as each of you have in varying degrees.  But we've also been challenged by God to trust Him when these "thorns" prick while developing fruit in our lives that can only be produced through these "prickly" experiences.  We find enormous consolation as we read and meditate upon the Scriptures. Heart-rending emails arrive regularly from our readers concerning their thorns - some that prick and tear at the soul.  May you find the "God of all Comfort" to be your source of strength and hope.  "God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:4). William Law, who lived in the early 1700's, observed "Whenever you find yourself disposed to uneasiness or murmuring at anything that is the effect of God's providence, look upon yourself as denying either the wisdom or goodness of God." Today are you living with a healthy outlook, confident of God's love and providential care, even during a season of "difficulty"?  Or are you focusing on the difficulty? Some people complain because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain! Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Daily Prayer: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; Teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain; Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant." (Prayer taken from the story, "Thankful for the Thorns") Brooksyne's Note: "The Thorn of a Broken Ankle" Over three months I could bear no weight on my left leg so I used crutches and a wheelchair during that time.  There were so many valuable lessons I learned over that period of time.  The one I think of most often is the ability I have to park a long way from the store and walk with no assistance.  It's something I took for granted and often whined when I couldn't get a closer parking space. I know there are readers who are permanently wheelchair bound and even those who are bedridden. Our hearts go out to you and we know God provides special grace to you in these circumstances. I can still recall the intense pain I felt when I accidentally stepped on a stem of thorns over 3 years ago.  Only days earlier I had the cast removed from my left leg due to my broken ankle that was reset and operated on. I had to give up all gardening the summer of '08 and couldn't wait to do some trimming of hedges and bushes when the cast finally came off.  Due to my foot still being quite swollen I was walking barefooted. First thing, I trimmed the very much overgrown rose bushes and did so verociously. Without thinking I threw the thorn filled stems behind me in the yard. I'd forgotten about the rose stems when I backed away from the bush and accidentally stepped on them. It was so painful I remember screaming and falling face forward due to the orders that I was not to bend my leg.  It was an painful experience (behind and in front of me). Thankful for our doctors: Ester enjoys visiting with Dr. Mark Cohen, her pediatric cardiologist, who was the first American doctor to see her upon her arrival from Guatemala at 3 months of age. He specializes in pacemakers and has continued to care for her as an adult since her heart condition is congenital! Yesterday, during her 6 month check up, he told us of his planned departure from Hershey Children's Heart Group. The news was met with a warm embrace while Ester shed many tears. She is very fond of him and has been helped greatly by his expertise and his genuine compassion when she is experiencing heart problems. Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources Today we want to share music with a theme of Thankfulness which we will add to this list and leave up through Thursday. "Thanks To God For My Redeemer"  Video  This video is in Chinese and, although you can't understand the words (unless you know Chinese!), it is is set to beautiful floral photos with an outstanding vocal and musical arrangement. It is also a reminder that we are part of a big worldwide family of fellow believers. Here's an English version.  "Thanks for roses by the wayside, thanks for thorns their stems contain!" This last Sunday we sang it to the tune of "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus".  It was written in 1891 by August Storm, a Swedish believer. He was stricken with illness 8 years after writing this hymn and was an invalid until his death many years later.  He maintained a thankful spirit to the very end. Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide! Thanks for times now but a memory, Thanks for Jesus by my side! Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall! Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul! Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny! Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply! Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair! Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare! Thanks for roses by the wayside, Thanks for thorns their stems contain! Thanks for home and thanks for fireside, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain! Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav’nly peace with Thee! Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, Thanks through all eternity! "In Everything Give Thanks"  Video   Charlotte Ritchie, Jeff & Sheri Easter "Thanks"  Video  Marshall Hall and the Homecoming Singers "I Want To Thank You"  Video  Karen Peck and New River  This is a song expressing thankfulness to the many people who impact our lives and also reminds us of the blessing of seemingly insignificant expressions of faith.  From the Gaither Homecoming series. "Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me"  Video  Gordon Mote & Jason Crabb "Thanksgiving Medley"  Video  Nice selection of grand old thanksgiving hymns. "Now Thank We All Our God"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "Come We Thankful People Come"  Video  Traditional version  Here's a bit more contemporary version with same lyrics. "I'm Forever Grateful"  Video  Willow Creek "Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart"  Video  Don Moen "When I Thank Him For What He Has Done"  Video  The Cathedrals Yesterday we referred to our friend Tommy Carpenter, whose wife and grandson were killed in an auto accident last month. Tommy writes, "Our grief has been deep, but we have found GOD’S GRACE to be greater than grief." A highy recommended read: Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well By Billy Graham / Thomas Nelson Many people, even Christians, fear growing older. We don't like to think about losing independence and control in our lives, but perhaps learning to accept these changes is the first step in dealing with them. After 93 years of living and decades of Christian service, renowned evangelist Billy Graham writes to encourage people of all ages to live with purpose and grace in Nearing Home: Life, Faith, and Finishing Well. Graham also discusses the importance of building strong foundations in relationships, facing life's transitions with trust, and understanding our glorious hope in Jesus. Join Billy as he shares the challenges of fading strength, but still standing strong in his commitment to finishing life well. Special Thanksgiving Resources We want to offer these resources to families and church leaders to enrich the spiritual impact of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will post these resources through Thanksgiving Day here in the US (November 24). "Thankful For The Thorns": A family reading and exercise that is a wonderful way to give a thoughtful focus around your Thanksgiving Table. The Thanksgiving celebration typically includes family coming together for a huge meal and hopefully a heartfelt prayer of thankfulness. However it can often be difficult to have a spiritually oriented conversation. Why not add some stimulating discussion about the ways God has worked in your life over the past year! Some of you are not in charge and are only visitors at your Thanksgiving gathering, but if it is possible share together around the table the theme of "Thankful for the Thorns" (printable webpage). "A Thanksgiving family exercise" (pdf). We have used this questionnaire as a stimulus for discussion among family members in the past in our home. We encourage you to share results around the table at Thanksgiving before or after the meal. A Thanksgiving prayer: Written by Joe Sherer, a pastor friend of ours and shared as the benediction at our community Thanksgiving Eve service several years ago. (printable webpage) For those who enjoy written prayers this would be a beautiful prayer to read together at the Thanksgiving table. A Thanksgiving Scripture reading: A selection of Old and New Testament readings dealing with thankfulness appropriate for church, family and personal readings. (pdf) (Suitable for printing out and copying.) Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

Our photo taken at the Bridge of Flowers in Sherburne Falls, MA Fall 2011 "We want to encourage you daily in your walk with Christ!" Personal Ministry Update  (Revised 10/21/11) 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 teaching 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 11/21/11: $12,806.00 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! 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. 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

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