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Friday, September 6, 2013

Flower cart 8/29/13
We saw this attractive display of arranged fresh flowers all priced
around $8.00 on an Amish farm in Lancaster County.

"The Blessing Of The Day Of Rest"

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"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day" (Deuteronomy 5:12-15).

This week we have shared several messages based on the theme of work.  In America today we can observe two contradictory errors in regard to work.  There are many that see no value in work, with their lives marked by laziness and irresponsibility. The first part of the commandment states, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work."

Others are workaholics, with their life singularly focused on temporal work while still others may have a work and play attitude. Work during the week and party all weekend.

Day Of RestThey all have seriously misplaced their priorities. The fourth commandment is in regard to keeping the Sabbath.  It explicitly commands work (a point often missed) and a setting aside of the Holy Day to rest. More text is used for this commandment than any other of the Ten. The failure to keep it is a great sin in America, for which I earnestly believe we are reaping the consequences, along with that of many other violations of God's commands.

One of the blessings of aging is perspective. We consider the even greater perspective those farther along in the life cycle have on us!

How we have seen attitudes to the Lord's Day change in our lifetime. We grew up in a period of "blue laws" with most businesses closed on Sunday. As Christians in our homes the Lord's Day was special. Many of us got "ready" for church and although all didn't go to church to worship, overall our society itself treated Sunday as a special day.

This of course has changed and for most Sunday is just another day, treated no differently at all from others. It's somewhat quaint to see remnants of this old standard on so many signs in our area with "No Sunday Sales" posted. I believe these owners gain the respect of others (they certainly gain our respect).

Note just two words in the Commandment today, "may rest". The purpose of this commandment is for our benefit.  Jesus said "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).


The day of rest is both a reality check and a priority check.

Reality check: As Christians we worship and rest on the "Lord's Day", recognizing on each Sunday the reality of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the foundational event of our faith.

Priority check: The Day of Rest should remind us that "this is not all there is".  The Day of Rest goes back to the initial day of rest following Creation and the day when Christ arose. One day we will rest from all our labors (Revelation 14:13).

We urge our readers to consider the blessing of the Fourth Commandment and seek to live in obedience to it.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying manDaily prayer: Father, You command us to observe the day of rest, by keeping it holy. You also command us to work on the other six days. You made this commandment for our benefit that we might be renewed spiritually and physically on the Lord's Day. Help us to be careful to set this day apart and make it the highlight of our week as we honor You in corporate worship, as we spend quality time with our family members and as we take time to rest from our labor. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.



Cute bunnies for sale
We passed this sign advertising "Cute Bunnies For Sale" Has anyone seen bunnies that aren't cute! Notice the "No Sun Sales" at bottom of sign.

Flower cart 8/29/13
Here's another view of the flower cart. We like the wagon wheels.

Fresh flowers 8/29/13
The flower arrangements were lovely and vibrant at a bargain price.



Today's Suggested Music
and Supplemental Resources

In considering music for today's post an old song, "Slow Down" by Chuck Girard came to mind which prompted some memories of other songs he sang.

"Slow Down"  Video  Chuck Girard

"Lay Your Burden Down" 
Video  Chuck Girard

"Little Pilgrim" followed by "Sometimes Alleluia"  Video  Chuck Girard's daughters and granddaughters.

Chuck Girard was a popular singer in the early-seventies when I first came to the Lord. He just turned 70! His main page has a powerful prayer song on it titled "HEART of AMERICA"

Interview with Chuck Girard on WJTL (one of our local Christian stations)  Video Part 1 of 3 (additional interview segments are also posted)

"Little Pilgrim"  Video  Love Song (The band Chuck Girard was in)



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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.

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."

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