Daily Encouragement

British Columbia, Canada.
Our friends Cerwin and Doris High are visiting out that way and Doris took this photo on Vancouver Island.

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Pauline Harding is now 94 years old.

Several years ago when we held my mom’s memorial service I stopped by, along with my two brothers Mike and Pat, to visit Pauline Harding, who had been a friend of my mom’s for nearly 60 years. It was a warm sentimental visit. As we left she looked up at the three Weber boys, started to cry and said, “I’m just so glad you came by.” (The photo above was taken at that time.) Last night I called Pauline and, although she is now in a nursing home and her memory is frail, she still knew me. We talked a while and she told me, “I’m so glad you called.” Today I want to share a message about her husband, Joe, who passed away many years ago.

“Mr. Harding”

“Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain”   (1 Corinthians 15:58).

My Sunday School teacher in 7th and 8th grade was an older man by the name of Joe Harding.  (Since I was raised to respectfully call all adults Mr. or Mrs. I still think of him as Mr. Harding.)

At that time in my life I had no desire to serve God and don’t recall paying much attention in Sunday School.  In fact, I was a problem student.  Thinking I was doing him a favor just showing up on Sundays, I never expressed any appreciation whatsoever to Mr. Harding for his labors.  In retrospect I recall his love for the Lord and for his students.  He was a kind, soft-spoken man and so earnest in his desire to share the Bible with us. He surely must have gotten very discouraged with brash kids like me.

A couple of years later during my high school years I accepted the Lord as my Savior.  After high school I went to Central Bible College and prepared for the ministry and went immediately into pastoring.  Many years after this I was prompted by the Spirit to contact Mr. Harding and thank him for his faithfulness to God and for his impact on my life (over 20 years after he had taught me).

I did reach him (he was in his 80’s at the time) and I must say my expression of gratitude made his day!  He went to be with the Lord a few years after this. There was mention at his funeral that one of his students from Sunday School went into the ministry.  I am sure there are many other students who were impacted by his teaching and Mr. Harding fully knows now that his labor in the Lord was not in vain, as he week after week endured uninterested and often interrupting Junior High kids like me.

I often quote our daily verse in this series.  I suppose I would have to say it’s my life verse. In fact the church Brooksyne and I planted and served for nearly sixteen years in northern Pennsylvania had a clock made for me with this verse on it as a gift when we moved on.

Consider just the phrase “because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” Warren Wiersbe observes, “Christians can be steadfast and immovable, because they know that if their worst enemy (death) has been overcome, they need fear no other enemy. They can abound in Christian service, for that work will count for eternity.”

Don’t forget that important truth.  Ministry in any form can be discouraging at times.  Consider how often discouragement is based on the sense of futility.  But the apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, tells us “our labor in the Lord is not in vain.“ Keep pressing on; serving, loving and showing the light of Christ to a dark, often unreceptive world or even just one rascally student.

Two practical thoughts for each reader today:

1) We all have several people like Mr. Harding in our lives.  They’ve invested in us. Why don’t you brighten their day by personally thanking them? Perhaps you can meet with them. If possible write them a note or even a tribute.  Invest a little time and a lot of heart in return for the investment they made in your life.

2) Some of you are serving the Lord with kids as Mr. Harding did when I was in 7th grade.  You are seeking to share God’s truth with some rascals and it sure doesn’t seem like anyone’s paying a bit of attention.  Stay faithful, stay faithful, stay faithful.  Serving God is never a waste of time! It’s never in vain!  God is doing a work in you and growing the fruit of love, patience, goodness and faithfulness as you carry on His work.  He’s also doing a work in those you pour your life into.  You will find out the rest of the story later (perhaps in this life, perhaps in heaven).  ”Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, there are many good things that beckon my attention, time, and energy.  But as You place on my heart a ministry or service that  brings eternal significance to others give me strength, endurance and desire to press on zealously, no matter the difficulty or seeming ineffectiveness.  As I obey You I  find reward and fulfillment in my spiritual walk and am investing in that which does not perish, spoil or fade.  Keep me firm and immovable always abounding in Your work because I want to make an eternal difference and am confident that my work for You is never in vain.  Amen.

“It’s Gonna Be Worth It” Video

I often issue a challenge to readers to write a tribute to their parents. But such a  practice can also be meaningful for others who have had an impact on your life as well.

Here’s a tribute I wrote many years ago for Bill Shibilo, a faithful member of the church we served in Taunton, Massachusetts.

Here’s the tribute I wrote for my parents.

Here are some tips on preparing a written tribute.

“The Best Gift You Can Ever Give Your Parents” is an excellent detailed guide for preparing a meaningful and lasting tribute.

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Ministry Update

Fodder baling

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Yesterday we shared the testimony of Colton, a tiny baby who died shortly after his very premature birth. His mother, Amy, sent us this prayer that was written by a friend and read at his funeral.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you today with Colton and his family on our hearts.  Lord, our heads are swimming with thoughts and emotions.  It’s hard to grasp that a life that entered and left this world silently…in a lifetime of 15 hours and 47 minutes …could make such an impact on us…and yet, this tiny baby has.

Colton has confirmed for us that every life you’ve formed touches the world in some magnificent way for all eternity.  Father, thank you for giving us a glimpse into the “secret place”, the place where Colton was fearfully and wonderfully made by your hands.  Thank you for knitting him together within Amy, and for the privilege of witnessing this miracle of life.

…and yet, Lord, we don’t understand why Colton was born into such a dark place and taken from us in a heartbeat.  Please be with all of us, and especially with Amy, Chris, Hunter, and Colton’s grandparents. Give them sleep and the courage to face tomorrow.

Most of all, Father, we ask that from Colton’s death, new relationships would be born and old relationships strengthened and restored.  Lord, bind Chris and Amy together through their grief.  Give them a supernatural grace to extend to one another as they walk through this valley.  Immerse them in Your love.  Father, because the magnitude of Colton’s loss is unspeakable, I ask that as we struggle to cope and to pray, that your Spirit would intercede for us with groans that words cannot express.  Amen.

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Suggested Resources:

Joseph By Charles Swindoll / Thomas Nelson – Every day it seems another so-called “hero” falls from grace, but in his Great Lives from God’s Word series, Chuck Swindoll introduces you to heroes who stand the test of time. In his third volume, Joseph, Swindoll challenges Christians to aspire to the virtues of obedience, mercy, and courage—all of which characterized the life of this richly blessed child of God. Click here for more information or to order through CBD.
Brooksyne’s Note: When I have gone through hard times this book has offered great encouragement and understanding of how God works good even in the midst of those who intend harm; at times this might include our own brothers and sisters in the faith who see things differently than we do. This can lead to some very ungodly actions which can really break your heart.   I like to read the Scripture right alongside the book and find hidden insights that God, along with the gifted writer, Swindoll impress upon my heart. God can pour the salve of His Holy Spirit in your wounded spirit as you study and apply His Scripture.

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Ministry Update

Wild Kittens
Several years ago these wild kittens adopted us and hung around for awhile.  I took this photo one night with a flash when I walked out on our deck and found them laying in one of Brooksyne’s flower pots!

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When I first introduced this song to the church I illustrated the daily verse from James, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” I sprayed a fragrant mist that disappeared within seconds, reminding us of how quickly we pass through life on this side of eternity.  I appreciate the lyricist’s contrast of the temporal and eternal as she was inspired to write this beautiful praise song.

On Feb. 11, Stephen and I made a chaplain call to see a couple where the husband, Chris, works in one of our companies.  His wife Amy had given birth prematurely early that morning to Colton Matthew Brown and was in the Reading Hospital. She was only 24 weeks into her pregnancy and was preparing to endure 11 weeks of complete bed rest at the hospital awaiting her due date.

But little Colton was more impatient than Amy and less than a week into her required bed rest he arrived at 3:24 A.M. weighing only 1 pound, 8 ounces and 12½ inches in length.

By the time we arrived he had coded twice and the likelihood of his survival was diminishing by the minute.  We had prayer with Chris and Amy and then went into the neonatal intensive care unit and prayed over their tiny, tiny infant, committing him to the Lord.  At 8:16 P.M. Colton left his parents to be with Jesus in heaven. His physical presence here on earth was merely 17 hours and 8 minutes.

When I attended the funeral service the following Monday the first song we sang was “Be Unto Your Name.”  What a fitting song that took on even greater meaning to me as I considered that little Colton arrived too soon and left way too soon, much like the mist that appeared for a moment and then so quickly vanished.

Bible commentator Matthew Henry writes, “The frailty, shortness, and uncertainty of life, ought to check the vanity and presumptuous confidence of all projects we have in mind for the future. We can fix the hour and minute of the sun’s rising and setting to-morrow, but we cannot fix the certain time of a vapor being scattered. So short, unreal, and fading is human life, and all the prosperity or enjoyment that attends it; though bliss or woe for ever must be according to our conduct during this fleeting moment. We are always to depend on the will of God. Our times are not in our own hands, but at the disposal of God. Our heads may be filled with cares and contrivances for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but Providence often throws our plans into confusion. All we design, and all we do, should be with submissive dependence on God.”

Colton was a long awaited answered prayer for Chris and Amy and yet they placed his young life and future in God’s hands when their plans turned into confusion.  Although an anquishing time, they nevertheless cherished every minute of the short time they had with him and they celebrated his 17 hour life as family, friends, co-workers, and church family attended his funeral. It was a powerful testament to the value of life, no matter the brevity of it.

They had plans for his future but they also had the attitude James writes about in his epistle, “If it is the Lord’s will, [Colton] will live and do this or that” (4:15). They were truly in “submissive dependence on God” as Matthew Henry writes.

Below we have a link to the beautiful and touching tribute to Colton’s life that Amy and her friend prepared, set to the song, “With Hope” by Steven Curtis Champman.  Chris and Amy’s story will touch your heart as Chapman’s song brings the eternal perspective into their heartbreaking circumstance.

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, our lives are in Your hands.  We make our plans and dream our dreams, but we desire to have the same attitude as that of Your Son, Jesus, who expressed His own heart’s desire and then submitted His will to You when He prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will but Thy will be done.”  Help us to submit our will to Yours and trust You with our future, for You never forsake the righteous and You are a refuge for those in trouble.  Amen.

“In Memory Of Colton Matthew Brown” The video prepared by Amy and her close friend that was shared at his funeral service.  It also tells her story and features “With Hope”, a powerful song written by Steven Curtis Chapman.

“Be Unto Your Name” Video This is the song Brooksyne refers to in today’s message.

Fearfully & Wonderfully Made, DVD By Dr. David Menton / Answers In Genesis
Anatomist Dr. David Menton allows us to take a fascinating look at the development of human life. He follows an unborn child at each step in its growth, relishing the chance to show the birth process’ intricate design. He illustrates how miracles are required every step of the way, giving as examples twins having the same DNA, and the ability of the uterus to accept the ‘foreign’ child. Psalm 139:13-16 tells us how God knit us together in the womb, and Dr. Menton demonstrates that we were indeed created by a series of “irreducible complexities” that couldn’t just have happened at random. Rather, we were deliberately designed by a caring God who gave us not only our first natural birth, but our second spiritual birth as well. Approximately 63 minutes

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Ministry Update

Lake Atescatempa and Chingo Volcano
Jutiapa, Guatemala
(photo by Marvin Culajay)

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“My cup runneth over” (Psalm 23:5).

We serve as part-time chaplains in Longwood Manor, a large assisted living/nursing home type facility. Each week we spend several hours walking through the facility room by room visiting individually with the residents, often sharing Scripture or praying with them. Due to the continuity in care we are building friendships and trust over time.

Late Saturday afternoon I received a call that one of the men wanted to see me so that he could take care of “some unfinished business.” I drove over to find him sitting alone in the dining room. He’s 90 years old and has had a long, full life but these last several months have been very hard for him with a succession of critical health-related issues.

I pulled a chair up beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He was distressed and somewhat confused about his present circumstances, but I verified his faith in Christ and his preparedness for heaven.  Like many in a situation like his, he was singly focused on his present trial and needed outside perspective. I shared with him the need to focus on his blessings as together we considered the Lord’s goodness to Him all the years of his life.

He had been staring aimlessly away from me, but at that point he looked right into my eyes.  He then nodded his head with a contemplative look and responded, “You know, you’re right.” His outlook seemed to change from that point on.  He then reminded me to bring Roxie next time. The residents are accustomed to seeing Roxie with us on our visits and sometimes I think they look forward to seeing Roxie as much or more than us!

We often share the 23rd Psalm in hospital visits or at deathbeds. Of most pertinence in these kinds of settings is the reassuring phrase, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”

But I am especially moved by the latter phrase in this famous psalm when David writes, “My cup runneth over.” One of the great choices we make in life is how we view the cup of God’s mercy in our lives. Many are focused on the aspect of lack rather than plenty.  You’ve likely heard the illustration of optimists who see the glass half-full while pessimists see the glass half-empty. But we, who are truly growing in our faith will recognize that which God is doing in our lives, and choose to rejoice as we focus on the outpouring of God’s blessings toward us.

Today I urge each of you to consider God’s blessings in your life. Surely some of you are going through a deep trial. But you make the choice to focus on your perceptible lack or on His sufficient resources. I pray that we all might truly declare with David, “My cup runneth over!”

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, You are our Shepherd who tenderly cares for all our needs.  Your grace is beyond measure and more than sufficient for our daily needs.  When we are weary and discouraged You restore our soul and renew our hope, in this life, and most especially through the eternal perspective of life’s circumstances.  Thank You for Your anointing and outpouring of blessings that overflow in our lives.  For all that we have we give You thanks!  Amen.

“Fill My Cup Lord” Video

Today’s photo of the lake and mountain in the backgound was taken in Jutiapa, Guatemala by Marvin, a young man who once lived with us when he was a little boy in the late eighties while he was up from Guatemala for medical treatment. This last weekend he visited this area in Guatemala and sent us some photos yesterday.

Here is a photo taken about twenty years ago when he was up in the States with us.  He is with with two sisters, Shawna and Sharon, who were in the church we served at that time in northern Pennsylvania. A fond memory we have of Marvin was how proud he was to wear his tie to church. In fact he liked it so much he often wore it at home. He comes from a devout Christian family.

Here’s a current photo of Marvin and his family. He is now married with a child and is serving the Lord! He works for the Guatemalan Forestry Department. Here’s a photo of Shawna and Sharon at the Shady Maple where we met them for lunch two years ago. Both are married with children and also faithfully serve the Lord.  3 John 1:4

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Ministry Update

Bass Harbor Lighthouse
(photo by Howard J. Blichfeldt)

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“I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right” (Isaiah 45:19).

In my lifetime I’ve observed that we are increasingly subjected to lies; big lies, little lies, and half lies; lies in business, media, and politics; lies in personal relationships and so many lies over the internet. And it will only get worse as mankind drifts farther and farther from the ancient, firm foundation of God’s laws revealed to us in great part through the Ten Commandments.

An absolutely essential key to determine who is lying and who is telling the truth is practicing discernment. We become wise in our discernment through prayer, biblical understanding, and by observing the character of one who is either telling the truth or lying.  When confronted with two opposing stories by a youngster at school, the teacher will lean toward the one whose character is honest from day to day.

We need to equip ourselves with God’s truth to defend ourselves against the ever-increasing onslaught of cunning lies. We seek to live with God’s perspective and want to see the human condition through the filter of what is written in the Scriptures.

In the early chapters of Romans we have a panoramic view of man’s fallen condition. Three times the Greek phrase ta alatheia is used, which translates specifically “the truth” (τὴν ἀλήθειαν) The definite article is very important.

These verses describe man’s attitude toward the truth. It is written concerning the human race, that they “suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (1:18), “exchanged the truth of God for a lie” (1:25), and “reject the truth and follow evil” (2:8).

I readily see all three of these responses to the truth:
1) Suppression of the truth
2) Exchange of truth for lies
3) Rejection of truth for evil.

Today as you are confronted with these attitudes in the workplace, in the political arena, or in your own family, observe how this takes place and be on guard.  When we first hear a lie it takes little discernment, for we quickly recognize it to be false.  But when that same lie is repeated often, given a different spin, dressed up or promoted by well-known personalities or by someone who is asserted to be “smart” or “educated” we can gradually become desensitized or indifferent to the real truth as declared by God.  It’s one of Satan’s strategies in making our world more and more decadent.  It’s also the reason why we must be vigilant in reading God’s Word. Our continual exposure to God’s truths keeps our hearts and minds guarded against error and poor judgment creeping in.

Isaiah 45:19 is a majestic statement from the one true God. Although written in Scripture some 2,700 years ago it is always a present tense statement, for God does not change: “I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.”

The Lord’s truth and declaration of what is right remains a steadfast bedrock in the constantly shifting sands of that which we are exposed to. We have this truth expressed to us in the Holy Scriptures, which is an absolute foundation of dependability!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I pray for a discerning spirit to help me recognize truth from falsehood.  Help me to know when others are lying and help me also to recognize the lies I tell myself.  You always speak the truth and You declare that which is right from that which is wrong.  When the world describes a lifestyle or belief system to be good and You declare it to be evil, help me to stand firm upon Your holy truths as I faithfully read them in the Scriptures.  Give me bold conviction to stand firm for truth even when it seems as though no one stands with me.  The “truths” as purported by this world shift like the changing winds but Your Truths stand for all eternity!  Amen.

Brooksyne’s Note: Our message today reminds me of a conversation I had with a young wife about 25 years ago.  She was in a miserable marriage and had become involved with a male co-worker who was everything her husband was not.  I counseled with her extensively regarding this wrong relationship as Scripture often speaks against adulterous relationships including the 7th Commandment.  After several conversations she said to me, “I know what you’re saying and I understand why God has that in the Bible.  It’s true for others, but God has shown me that this relationship is right for me.”  Needless to say, this young lady had chosen to believe a lie that she had spoken to herself repeatedly, though it originated from the devil.  Her marriage ended and I never saw her again.  When we think we’re the exception to God’s laws that’s when we’re most vulnerable to Satan’s attack.  If this woman had been absorbed in God’s Word and turned over the miserable circumstances of her marriage into steadfast prayer, her heart would not have been so vulnerable to the devil’s influence which eventually led her down the wrong destructive path.

(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

“Ancient Words” Video A timeless musical message sung by Michael W. Smith.

“The Voice Of Truth” Video An excellent song that reminds us the Voice of Truth (the Holy Spirit) is the voice we need to hear in the midst of all the other voices calling out to us.

“Slow Fade” Video This song, featured in “Fireproof”, reminds us that wrong choices and sinful behavior is most often a gradual letting down our guard in areas that God has clearly warned us about.

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Ministry Update

Bridge in Zamora Spain
(photo by Bill Jackson, a missionary friend to Spain)
(click for larger image and Scripture text)

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“So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, ‘Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!’ But his sons-in-law thought he was joking” (Genesis 19:14).

Those who know me personally are aware that I sure enjoy teasing and having a good laugh. The Bible says there is “a time to laugh” and I am thankful that God placed the emotional response of laughter in our human disposition. Sometimes people don’t know how to take my personality and more than a few times my teasing and joking has gotten me in some minor trouble, as some can’t always discern when I am teasing or serious.  But Brooksyne explains my personality to Ester when I tease her and her friends by saying, “Your dad just has a colorful personality.”  It’s interesting that Ester has also become a tease!

But there are critical issues in life that are not joking matters. All over the world Christians regularly proclaim their belief in the coming judgment by reciting the Apostle’s Creed, “He shall come to judge the living and the dead” or they profess this belief in a doctrinal statement. Today there are those faithful ministries that warn of impending judgment, but this is a subject many just don’t want to hear. Indeed for many, judgment is just a joking matter.

The response of Lot’s sons-in-law typifies this attitude.  Lot had been told to warn anyone who belonged to him to leave the city, for it would very soon be destroyed.  This is an act of grace on God’s part.  Lot urged these young men, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!”

Ponder with me a moment regarding their response.  They “thought he was joking.” Years earlier the people in Noah’s day, corrupt in God’s sight and full of violence, also surely thought Noah was joking as he worked day and night on the massive ark.  But the rain fell and they soon drowned.   Biblical history then records the awful judgment that also descended upon Sodom and Gomorrah.  Many today, now some 4,000 years later, still laugh and scoff at the notion of a future judgment.

Whether God’s judgment is that of the whole earth, specific nations, or individuals, it’s just a joking matter to many people. The good life, along with years of secularism and Biblical illiteracy, has dulled us to this most certain future event.  There are many who regularly profess that, “He shall come to judge the living and the dead”, but give little thought to the meaning or impact of these solemn words.

Even so God has made Himself very clear in His Word: “Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). To the scoffers of his day Peter warned, “But they will have to give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).

I contend that among my main responsibilities in this life is to personally prepare for this judgment and to warn others.  And God has also been very clear regarding how we are to prepare.  Fundamentally He wants our trust and obedience.*

Many consider judgment a joking matter, but let us who truly believe in the Lord continue to stand up for the truth and warn those around us that judgment is coming.  Lot’s sons-in-law were urged to “hurry and get out of this place.” The New Testament parallel is a compelling plea to all who are listening, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, thank You for loving us enough to warn repeatedly of impending judgment and for showing us the right path of life.  Keep us faithful and growing in the process.  In Jesus name we pray.  Amen.

* Here’s a common prayer that expresses faith in God’s plan of salvation.  It’s often called “the sinner’s prayer.”  Believing what this prayer expresses is the main component of being prepared for the coming judgment. I urge you to pray this prayer from your heart today and then begin to live for Jesus.  “Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner.  I believe that You came to this earth and died on the cross as a substitute for me.  I place my faith in You and what You have done for me.  I receive You into my life and choose this day to follow and serve You.  Thank You for hearing my prayer.”

Yesterday we stopped in to visit a friend who had recalled our interest in a large eagle he had on his desk from the Sonoran Desert in Mexico made of Ironwood.  He thoughtfully gave me this smaller version to add to my carved eagle collection!

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Today’s Suggested Music

and Supplemental Resources

(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

“Cry Out To Jesus” Video Third Day

“A Little Foolishness” After a rather long hiatus this week I posted a new article to my humor/satire blog; the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her “spiritual gift” is sending forwarded emails! Read more here.  (Note: This material is satire!)

Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne.

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Ministry Update

Horses on Old Order Mennonite Farm

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(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

Press On” Video We really enjoy this song by Selah.

“Friends” Video The song we referred to in the message.

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Ministry Update

Mountain stream in Central Pennsylvania
Photo by Doris High

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“When God Seems Silent”

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them” (Psalm 145:18,19).  “He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29).

I enjoy recording and mixing music on the computer. I practice with my family and friends who have musical talent and of course each day’s podcast contains a bit of mixing, since I use an audio background. I’ve recorded Brooksyne singing and playing the piano on occasion.  Once I played it for Ester and asked, “Who’s this famous musician?” Ester shrugged, as teenagers seem to do, and said rather bluntly in an annoyed tone, “O, that’s just Mom.”

Of course, to Ester, recording one’s voice at home is certainly no big deal. After all, she’s grown up with tape players, video recorders, etc. I remember when she was a toddler carrying around a toy-like tape recorder with the microphone dangling on the end of a stretch cord.  But when I think about recording I come back to a very pleasant and humorous memory.

Back in the sixties my older brother Pat, who is now a pastor in eastern Pennsylvania, served in the Air Force in Germany for several years. Before he left he gave Mom and Dad a small reel to reel tape deck so we could send him recorded messages and he in turn would send messages back to us. The cassette recorder hadn’t even been invented yet. Of course at that time it cost what seemed to be a small fortune to actually call on the telephone so this was really exciting innovation.

Once we gathered at my grandparent’s litle white frame home in tiny Harwood, Missouri. As I recall, there were aunts and uncles and cousins all gathered around the tape machine preparing to record a greeting for Pat on this modern marvel of technology.

My grandmother, whom we called MaMa, bravely began speaking a few words of greeting into the machine.  She paused, then looked up with a questioning look in her eyes, and said, “He’s not there.”  She was expecting him to respond to her sentence immediately as in a phone conversation.

It’s kind of that way with prayer. MaMa expected an immediate verbal acknowledgment from her grandson. In a sense she had to have faith that the machine would work. When we pray we thankfully have experienced immediate answers to our prayers, but at other times we must accept by faith that God hears us; that He really is there even though His response is not immediate and He may even seem silent.

Today I want to especially encourage all readers who are dealing with a period of waiting and God seems silent. You’ve prayed about a matter, perhaps time and time again, but you continue to wait. It may seem as if God is silent and at times even absent from the scene. But we can have confidence that He does hear our prayers and will indeed “fulfill the desire of those who fear Him.”

Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation,
Hearken unto the voice of my cry,
My King and my God;
For unto Thee will I pray,
My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning.
O Lord, in the morning
Will I direct my prayer
Unto Thee, and will look up. *

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: “O Lord, hear me praying. Listen to my plea, O God my King, for I will never pray to anyone but You.  Each morning I will look to You in heaven and lay my requests before You, praying earnestly.  I know You get no pleasure from wickedness and cannot tolerate the slightest sin.  Therefore proud sinners will not survive Your searching gaze, for how You hate their evil deeds…But as for me, I will come into Your temple protected by Your mercy and Your love; I will worship You with deepest awe.”

(The Living Bible; Psalm 5:1-5,7).

* “Psalm 5″ Sprouse, Bill Jr. Maranatha! Music © 1975 Maranatha! Music (Admin. by The Copyright Company)

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Today’s recollection of my brother’s communication with family while in Germany in the late sixties stands in such sharp contrast to modern communications. Andy is a friend of ours in New England whose son Eric is serving with the Marines in Afghanistan, which of course is much more remote than Germany. Yet Eric is able to periodically call his mom and dad. His dad in turn communicates with an email prayer list he developed with regular email updates for those who’ve elected to be on his list.

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“A Little Foolishness” After a rather long hiatus I have a brand new posting to my humor/satire blog; the story of Mildred Swanson, who joyfully discovers her “spiritual gift” is sending forwarded emails!  Read more here.  (Note: This material is satire!)

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Today’s Suggested Music

and Supplemental Resources

(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

“Psalm 5″ Reading with song I believe this is the original artist singing and I so enjoy his earnest expression of faith.

“Psalm 5″ Country version I came across this version in my search!

Here’s some music from my home “studio”

Our friend Mike Book singing a song he wrote based on 1 Timothy 6:6 titled, “Godliness With Contentment”

Our friend Dan Fry playing the banjo, “I Saw The Light”

This is among my very favorite sounds! This is for John Zimmerman!

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Ministry Update

Longenecker farm in Lancaster County Pennsylvania

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

“Ordinary People”

“Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers” (2 Timothy 4:21).

Last week we shared a message about God’s “whole family in heaven and on earth.” Today I consider my dad, who went to be with the Lord in 1998 and now resides in heaven.  Today we remember what would have been his 90th birthday.  He’s part of that “whole family.”

My dad, Eugene Clark Weber, was pretty ordinary and very, very few reading this ever heard of him. Like most, he never did anything really remarkable for God and when historians write of the twentieth century I’m certain they won’t include his name. But his name is in the most important Book of all books, the Book of Life! (see Philippians 4:3)

He stayed faithful to his wife for over 53 years, loved his four kids, and worked hard to provide for his family. He was very proficient in mechanical things like plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and about anything else that needed fixed. He voluntarily used these skills in many churches throughout the Kansas City area. While in his late sixties he installed the entire heating system for the church we pastored in northern Pennsylvania, as we excitedly moved from a storefront rental of seven years into our own new building.

My dad had a simple faith and love for God.  He didn’t pray very dramatically but I sure miss hearing the earnestness when he prayed.  His greatest gift to me was his model of faithfulness and integrity in the regular grind of life.

I doubt if very many have ever memorized the daily Scripture verse or really paid much attention to it.  But notice the names: “Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers”. Do you know what distinguishes them?

2 Timothy is considered to be Paul’s final letter and these are the final names he mentions among all of those he associated with throughout his long ministry.  It happens that each of them are mentioned only in this passage and apart from this mention we know absolutely nothing about them.  But apparently they were with Paul in his final days and personally knew Timothy. They must have had some type of impact upon Paul for him to mention their names.

You know what?  I appreciate these people.  I expect to meet them when I get to heaven.  I have no idea what their contribution was to God’s Kingdom.  But they were probably like my dad, or your dad, or you and me. Ordinary people seeking to live our lives on this side of eternity with faith and obedience.  And God’s still working today using scores of very ordinary people like you and me!

Just ordinary people, God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
Who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all.
No matter how small your all may seem to you.
Because little becomes much,
As you place it in the Master’s hand.” *

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, it is not the accolades of the world for which we live, but it is the affirmation of Your Word that serves as our trusted guide in all we seek to be and to do.  We want to be faithful in the everyday obligations and opportunities that await us.  Use us to glorify Your name and for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray.  Amen.

* “Ordinary People” Hall, Danniebell © 1977 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

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Today is also the date of Brooksyne’s father Brooklyn’s death in 2000.  Here he is sharing a lollipop with Ester. His adoring look toward Ester in this photo reveals the close relationship she enjoyed with him in the short ten years she knew him.

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Today’s Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

“Ordinary people” Video Danniebelle When we were young in our ministry we enjoyed this song and it packs a powerful message.  

“Use Me” Video Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

“A Man You Would Write About” Video 4 HIM This song has an interesting approach to how we should want to live our life for God.

Please help us continue this free encouragement ministry

Ministry Update

Yesterday we passed this rather rare sight here in Lancaster County, an old abandoned farmhouse with boarded up windows. Since property has great value in this area, especially old stone farmhouses, I assume it’s due to some type of estate dispute.

Listen to us share this message on your audio player.

“Lessons From Mr. Wonderful”

“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this” (2 Timothy 2:7).

This last weekend we celebrated Valentine’s Day, a wonderful time to celebrate romantic and marital love. Several years ago I sure got an interesting gift from Brooksyne on Valentine’s Day that still brings back a chuckle when we reminisce.  “Mr. Wonderful” is a handsome doll with a big smile (big feet also.) When you press his cloth hand, in his distinguished deep male voice, he utters phrases like, “Thinking of you is the best part of my whole day.” Or “You’re perfect JUST the way you are; I wouldn’t change ONE thing.”

Well, through the years we have sure gotten a kick out of Mr. Wonderful but the humorous doll also brought some conviction one time.  We were going out and since I thought she was ready to go I got in the car and … waited and waited. I started to get agitated, but then strangely enough the patient and pleasant voice of Mr. Wonderful suddenly began to repeat over and over in my mind, “Darling, take just as long as you want to get ready, I don’t mind waiting one bit.” I smiled to myself as I realized the Lord was using a silly doll to bring needed conviction toward my impatience.*

Now, what spiritual truth am I going to get out of this story, you may wonder?

2 Timothy 2:7 states, “Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.” The apostle Paul urged Timothy to reflect on what he was saying. By extension I apply this concept to the whole of Scripture. The sense of the word “reflect” is “to understand, to think over, to consider.” The Amplified Version states, “Think over these things I am saying [understand them and grasp their application].”

That’s why Scripture study and memorization are so important to the maturing Christian. As we face a circumstance in life the Holy Spirit can bring to our remembrance a portion of the Word we have read (just as I had recalled Mr. Wonderful’s thoughts) and provide an application to the very situation we are in. Paul continues, “For the Lord will give you insight into all this.” As we faithfully reflect, the Lord faithfully gives insight

We may chuckle at how a little “Mr. Wonderful” doll can give a perspective and even some conviction on a life situation, but the deeper truth today is the joy of experiencing the transforming power and perspective of God’s Word!

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily Prayer: Father, I thank You for the insight given to us through Your Holy Scripture that makes us wise unto salvation and brings understanding to our interpretation of Scripture.  Keep us on the right path and help us to be careful to reflect and ponder the truths that teach us the right way to live.  Amen.

* Note from Brooksyne: I remember quite well the story of Stephen waiting in the driveway.  My side of the story is that he “thought” I was ready and I “thought” we were leaving in about 20 minutes.  I had no idea he was in the car waiting.  Many misunderstandings and arguments are a result of false assumptions. When I got into the car that day I noticed Stephen’s strange sort of smile and we both knew the Mr. Wonderful I had just given him that morning contributed to our peaceful and laughable departure out of the driveway as he explained to me just what took place.

Regarding the Scripture text today it reminds me of a wise woman who gave counsel to another young believer.  She was fairly new in the faith and there were many truths she was learning about God and living the Christian life.  She told her, “There are some teachings that I don’t understand presently but I don’t immediately discard their value or application.  I just put it on a shelf in my mind and later I might pull it off for further examination and application as God makes it more clearly to me.”  I found that to be wise counsel as there are many teachings that require prayerful examination from God’s Word to help us clarify truth from error.

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Today’s Suggested Music

and Supplemental Resources

(Click on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click again to start the song.)

“Thy Word” Video Many years ago we used to sing this song with an added line from on Psam 119:11, “Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee.”

If you are curious about what Mr. Wonderful sounds like we have several of his phrases in today’s podcast!

Please help us continue this free encouragement ministry

Ministry Update