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Note: Late yesterday afternoon we returned from our Thanksgiving trip to Nashville, TN. We are thankful for safe travel (over 1500 miles) and for finding our home and pets in good order when we returned! We have wonderful neighbors who care for our pets and we exchange the favor. We did not have wireless internet at the RV park we stayed at so were unable to post messages.

"The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him'" (Genesis 2:18).

Our visit to Tennessee included some fine dining, which for us is country food with a southern flair. Several times we stopped at Cracker Barrel where we can always depend upon getting a good square meal.

Probably our most memorable meal was at a folksy establishment near Nashville known as the "Loveless Cafe" where the specialty is southern biscuits and sausage gravy. It is a very popular spot and we waited over an hour just to be seated but the ladies had a nice time perusing the gift shops. However we sure enjoyed our meal and joined a lot of famous people who also have eaten at the "Loveless Cafe" based upon the 8 X 10 photos of movie stars, country singers and politicians who filled the walls.

Brooksyne's favorite attraction was the delicious hot biscuits offered with three of their homemade jams. As you might imagine we asked for seconds during our meal. Mark, the friendly waiter, also brought Brooksyne sorghum since that's one of her favorite family memories of growing up in Oklahoma. Most mornings she and her dad would cover their homemade biscuits with sorghum that the family bought by the gallon. (With a family of seven it didn't last all that long, so the gallon price was the best deal.) 

The name "Loveless Cafe" is interesting and we wondered how they came up with such a name. Based upon the name loveless was it going to be a dour place void of love? (We didn't really think that!) Actually it was named after the original owners Lon and Annie Loveless, who in 1951 began serving chicken and gravy to travelers who passed by their house along US Highway 100 in Nashville, Tennessee. They served them fresh hot food right out their front door!

I suppose the announcement of their marriage might have been summarized "Loveless Marriage" but we're pretty sure it wasn't a marriage without love! Sadly though we do read and know of loveless marriages where either one or both parties state, "I just don't love ______ anymore." Biblically love is not only an emotion but an act of the will. Paul instructed Christian husbands to love their wife (Ephesians 5:25). We are thankful for a love-full marriage!

Brooksyne and I have each been gifted differently and our gifts complement each other. I truly see her as a very suitable helper and recognize the great wisdom of God's first statement that reference something not being good, "It is not good for the man to be alone." God made Adam "a helper suitable for him".

We hold to what is known as a complementarian approach to our marriage and ministry. Complementarianism is a theological view that men and women have different but complementary roles and responsibilities in marriage, family life, religious leadership, and elsewhere.

In regards to our household she has many gifts, but I have several as well. In marriage and in life we really do need each other. We are all dependent, in one way or another, on the giftings of other people. This is true in marriage and the home, in the church, and in all of civilization. Today pause for a moment and consider all the ways others are contributing to your life. You might also give thanks in the way God has gifted you to serve others. Above all we pray that all our marriages and homes are not loveless but love-filled!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, thank you for the interdependence we have in a marriage relationship, in healthy families, and in good work relationships. You've given each of us gifts where we can put forth our best not just related to our own interests but also in fulfilling the needs of others. Help us to be team members working together in unity and love so that we achieve a common goal. Fill our hearts and homes with love that overflows to those whom we travel with on life's journey. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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"The Marriage Prayer"  Video  John Waller

"Before the Throne of God Above"  Video  Selah

"I Believe"   Video   Jimmy Fortune, Dailey & Vincent

Loveless Cafe  We think we will have another message prompted by the name Loveless Cafe. Normally the suffix less connotes a negative such as thankless, joyless hopeless, etc. However we can think of a grand old hymn that uses a word with the suffix less in a positive way. Any readers want to guess what hymn we are referring to? Respond here.

Finally today:

Sunday we received word that Florence Zimmerman, a friend from our church passed away. Today Brooksyne will be using one of her giftings in playing the piano at her funeral service. Florence and her husband John celebrated 55 years of marriage that we are quite certain was not loveless. Florence has a colorful and expressive personality. A funny memory of them was how John loved a song I placed up years ago called "The John Deere Tractor Song". Florence said she got tired of hearing John sit at his computer and play it over and over!  Video

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