Decorations for a barn party
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“I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills His purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2). “When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed” (Acts 13:36).
Today I (Stephen) reach three scores of age. We don’t often reckon years that way so I may have a few guessing my age. Probably the most famous referral to this measurement is included in Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. Allen C. Guelzo, the director of Civil War Era studies at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, suggested that Lincoln’s formulation “four score and seven” was an allusion to the King James Version of the Bible’s Psalms 90:10, in which man’s lifespan is given as “threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years.”
Our life is a part of the overall fulfillment of God’s purpose. Psalm 57 was written during a very low period in David’s life. David cried out to the Lord and expressed confidence that ultimately God would fulfill His purpose in his life.
In the historical books we have a lot of information on David. Apart from Moses, we may have more biographical information on David than any other Old Testament personality. But the apostle Paul, preaching in a Jewish synagogue in Pisidian Antioch, makes a simple statement concerning David’s life, essentially a summation, “When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation.”
God places us all on this earth for a season, a period of time known as our “own generation”. The amount of time we have varies; some die young, others in their middle ages and yet others at a “ripe old age”, one of the most colorful descriptions of age in the Scriptures! (See Genesis 25:8.) But like David, all of us (except the final generation) will eventually fall asleep (die) and our physical bodies will decay though our spirits will soar.
God knows what is good for us better than we ourselves. Let us not make the mistake of judging God’s overall plan for our lives by that portion which may be our current experience. God has all eternity in which to bring His plans to fulfillment for our lives. Think not in terms of today, but in terms of eternity. After all, that’s where we’ll spend most of our existence.
We can live our life for self or in consecration to God’s purpose. Many have heard the quote, “Only one life will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Today, let us, like David, seek to serve God’s purpose in our generation! I ask you, how are you impacting others for Christ and eternity?
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father, we’re grateful for those throughout history who chose to be men and women of faith, whose hearts were fashioned in Your image, for those who served Your purpose in their generation. We also want to serve Your purpose in our generation. Help us to remain steadfast and strong as we press on in this race set before us. Thankfully, in this race, we’re not in competition to be the only prizewinner. Instead we take hold of the hands of those who run with us and invite those on the sidelines to join us. We want to cross the finish line together so that we will all receive the grand prize of life eternal with You. May we never give up! Amen.
Stephen’s Birthday Party
A good old-fashioned hay ride with lots of smiles. Our friend Galen is driving the tractor.
We were so blessed that Stephen’s brother Pat and his wife Laverne came down from the Lehigh Valley (about 100 miles away) to join us and enjoyed the hayride, as seen in this photo.
It wasn’t your normal hayride with Galen taking us over a hilly field for a roller coaster type ride. Mark’s expression looks like, “Hold on for your life!”
Galen suggested that everyone needed a dunking and backed the wagon back up to the edge of a farm pond. This got the attention of a few including Mike! Galen was having lots of fun, but so were we!
Our neighbors, Doug and Marion, joined us for the gathering. Doug is looking at a large group of steers that had gathered at the fence to see what was going on.
Our final gathering place was in a bank barn built in 1832 with three grade level entances. Galen fired up the old FarmAll and I jumped on for a photo op. Lots of faces in the wagon didn’t show up due to the darkness in the barn.
Obviously Stephen enjoyed the hayride and entire evening. I insisted that he put this photo up as a reference point of how young 60 will look ten years from now! We prayed together thanking God for the multitude of blessings he’s enjoyed over his 60 years of life, in addition to God’s protection making it possible for us to celebrate his major milestone.
Finally today, Stephen’s younger sister Genelle tends to keep the family photos and yesterday we came across this on Facebook. Even as a small child Stephen was easily distracted (notice the man far away in the background while he is ignoring the photographer right in front of him)! Some things never change.
“On The Other Side” Video Dailey and Vincent
“When It’s All Been Said And Done” Video Don Moen
“You Hold Me Now” Video
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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