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Stephen
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Brooksyne Weber
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prayers:
A selection of prayers written by Brooksyne used in these
messages. Listen
to WDAC "Music for the Heart"
(Streaming HD
radio from our local Christian station)
Agora:
Articles concerning ministry at work. Resources
for Ministers:
Helps and ideas for pastors and others in
ministry.
Hymn
Story Net: Stories and
backgrounds behind the great
hymns. Scripture Memory Songs: A
selection of Scripture verses we
recorded in our home with
some friends. The words are
set to familar music
as an aid to memorization in a discipleship training class. Music:
Songs recorded in my home studio.
Perspectives:
Articles on various contemporary issues.
"A
Little Foolishness" I
invite daily encouragement readers to visit our
blog which is a collection of humorous and satirical
stories
drawn
mostly from our years of ministry, as well as my sometimes fertile
imagination. We also welcome submissions from readers. Humor:
Have a laugh based on real experiences we have had as well as stories
submitted
by readers.
These
are a
selection of books that Brooksyne and I have read that have impacted
our walk with the
Lord and we especially recommend to others!
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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 honor God through my
faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for
eternity."
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"But
the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting
King" (Jeremiah 10:10). "All the nations may walk in the name of their
gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever"
(Micah 4:5).
I've been reading through I and II Kings for
several weeks now and have done so slowly and thoughtfully, taking
careful note of the way in which the kings reigned. What was
their belief, how did they carry it out, what were the results, and how
did their life end? What I've learned or I should say reaffirmed
in my heart is that "What we believe is the pattern for which we live
our lives."
This is true for rulers, politicians, employers, teachers, parents and right on down to everyday people like you and me.
As
I read about the kings I recognized that their culture very much
influenced their belief and the way in which they ruled. So much so
that they "forgot" the law of Moses and began to adapt the philosophies
and practices of godless nations, going so far as to offer their
children up as a sacrifice to gods – a practice detestable to the
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Awhile back I had a lengthy
discussion about postmodernism with a man about 15-20 years younger
than I who earned a philosophy degree from a prestigious university.
Simply put, postmodernism is the criticism and/or rejection of absolute
truth and is rampant today.
One of the greatest offenses to
secular sensitivities and religious tolerance is the assertion of the
exclusive truth claims of Jesus Christ. To those ignorant of sound
Biblical doctrine and thoroughly indoctrinated in the ways of the world
this seems so unloving and even mean-spirited. Sadly this is evident in
the modernistic and apostate churches. (Many aspects of postmodernism
is also integrated in the growing emergent church movement).
"But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King" (Jeremiah 10:10).
To
postmodernism thinking all religions are equally valid and there are
many ways to God. This outlook is seen as virtuous, loving, and
all-embracing of people's groups all over the world. The problem
comes when we also embrace their foreign godless teaching and integrate
various aspects of it into our every day way of life.
Asserting
the exclusive truth claims of Christ seems intolerant and narrow-minded
(two of the greatest taboos in secular thinking). Many have
no problem recognizing Jesus as a fine man and excellent teacher,
perhaps even a noble example. The rub comes in His claim to being
the second Person in the divine Trinity, whom we alone must worship,
and He is God's only provision for meeting our sin problem.
But true followers of Jesus Christ must faithfully proclaim their Master's words; "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). The apostolic proclamation was an unequivocal statement of faith concerning the Name of Jesus Christ, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Today's second verse draws a sharp contrast. Indeed, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods."
When written this referred to the specific false gods of the nations
that surrounded Israel at that time such as Baal and Molech. But
it still applies broadly to each generation, people and nation whether
they are polytheistic (more than one god), atheistic, or
materialistic. There are many false gods.
Today join me in making this great declaration of faith, "We will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever."
What a powerful statement of steadfast commitment! We must not
dilute the exclusive truth claims of Jesus Christ. And we must not
"update" according to our present culture's way of thinking. To
do so would be to present a false gospel. The apostle Paul
reaffirms the words of Christ when he wrote, "For
there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in
its proper time" (1 Timothy 2:5,6).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:Jesus,
when I chose to surrender my life to You it was not simply an emotional
response that would last for a short season. I asked You to be my
Lord and Master and to rule my heart for ever and ever. Though
there have been trials galore that would assault my faith and countless
remarks that would attack my faith I choose to walk in Your name
forever and ever. In the good and bad of life You will always
remain my only Lord and Master.
More photos from our weekend snowstorm
Here's
a view of our home late Saturday afternoon after the storm passed. Our
neighbor had brough his tractor over to clear out our driveway.
Brooksyne enjoys feeding the birds and is especially pleased when the cardinals come!
Mr. Cardinal always gets our attention after a snowfall. The bright red in contrast to the white snow is stunning.
Late Saturday afternoon I got out and passed this buried car. (Only the driver's side mirror is visible!)
A tradition in the Weber home after a big snow storm is snow ice cream.
SNOW ICE CREAM 1 can cold evaporated milk 2 eggs 3/4 cup sugar (or to taste) 2 tsp. vanilla 1 tsp. maple syrup (optional) 10 cups clean, cold snow (or to taste)
Mix
evaporated milk on high till it whips and is thickened (as shown
above). Add 2 eggs and mix. Add sugar and vanilla and maple
syrup. Add flavorings if desired, strawberries, chocolate,
pineapple, coconut, nuts, etc. Best when eaten immediately.
Freeze leftover and eat as soon as possible.
After
mixing the ingredients it's ready to serve! (This recipe works
best with dry snow. If it's a heavy moist snow it melts quickly
and compromises the overall quality of the ice cream.)
Today's
Suggested Music
and
Supplemental Resources
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on the link to open and play. (In
some cases you may also need to click
again to start the song.)
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