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Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Pacific ocean sunset 10/17/16 (Photo by Ester)

The sunset view from our "front porch" last night was a bit different than our front porch at home!  (Photo by Ester)

"Take Me Back"


Message Summary: Today Brooksyne and I want to serve the Lord with renewed zeal and keep the fire burning within our hearts so that we are continually on fire for Christ. We appreciate the sentiment in Andraé Crouch's song that states, "Renew my faith, restore my joy". We urge each reader to make that same appeal!

Please note: We are visiting a longtime friend here in California and will not be preparing podcasts while we are away from our home "studio". Also since we are at a different time zone three hours earlier and working on only one computer the message delivery times may vary as well as the depth of our messages!

This week our messages are prompted by a medley of
Andraé Crouch songs we heard this last Sunday at the Shadow Mountain Community Church near San Diego. We both enjoyed his music when we were young Christians and still benefit from the thoughtful lyrics that are just as relevant today. Today we will consider a song titled "Take Me Back"

"I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:5-7).

I feel that I'm so far from you Lord
But still I hear you calling me
Those simple things that I once knew,
The memories are drawing me.
I must confess, Lord I've been blessed
But yet my soul's not satisfied.
Renew my faith, restore my joy
And dry my weeping eyes.

Pacific ocean fireplace 10/17/16
Last night we sat out by a patio fireplace as we looked out at the ocean and listened to the loud splash of the rolling tides. It was a first time life experience to sit by a fire and watch the ocean. The fire wasn't needed for warmth though, merely ambience.

But when we return home we expect we will need to fire up our coal stove which will run through mid April. Coal provides lots of heat and requires little maintenance but we do miss the crackle, appearance and aroma of a wood burning fire. However we discovered a candle that has a wood burning scent and burn that from time to time!

Fireplace candle
A campfire or fireplace fire brings to mind a verse that I committed to memory early in my Christian walk; "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God." In fact one of the very first sermons I ever preached was based on this passage, I suppose in part due to the phrase, "fan into flame."

 I recall my years as a boy scout and our many camping trips. We were taught to blow on the embers to get a fire going, especially to restart the smoldering embers of wood when we'd get up in the morning. Then we would gently fan the flame, increasing the oxygen that fed the fire turning it into a blazing fire.

The key Greek word which is translated "fan into flame" is "anazopuro", which is in the present active indicating a continuing action. The sense is to stir up smoldering embers into a living flame.

Other Bible versions vary slightly in the way they translate this word. The NASV states, "kindle afresh", the Amplified uses the phrase, "stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of,)" while the KJV merely states "stir up", which reminds me of when I would take a long stick and stir up the fire early in the morning! Clarence Jordon translates this verse, "I’m reminding you to shake the ashes off the God-given fire that’s in you."

The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to build the fire of faith in our hearts. On the day Jesus rose from the dead He walked on the road to Emmaus with two disciples. After their eyes were "opened" they recognized who Jesus was and then He disappeared. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32). A roaring fire emblazoned their hearts when they understood what Jesus taught them in the Scriptures.

Paul is urging Timothy to a necessary spiritual discipline. In the course of life the fire can burn down a bit or at times a lot. We need to continually be mindful of this and keep fanning into flame the gift of God. Elsewhere Paul writes in Holy Scripture, "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11). The phrase "spiritual fervor" literally means "in spirit burning."

Many years ago Keith Green, another very memorable Christian musician, whose music has blessed and challenged us, wrote a song with this theme in mind:

Oh Lord please light the fire,
that once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
that burned with holy fear.

Today Brooksyne and I want to serve the Lord with renewed zeal and keep the fire burning within our hearts so that we are continually on fire for Christ. We appreciate the sentiment in Andraé Crouch's song that states,
"Renew my faith, restore my joy". We urge each reader to make that same appeal!

Take me back, take me back, dear Lord
To the place where I first received you.
Take me back, take me back, dear Lord,
Where I
first believed.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, I consider the depth of one's faith and how far-reaching it is when fleshed out in one's life. Timothy's sincere faith was due in great part to the influence of a godly grandmother and equally devoted mother. As we stay in communion with You through prayer and obedience to Your Holy Word we ask You to keep the flame burning within our hearts. It is not just compliance to Your Word, but also fervency in our spirit that will convince others of their need to walk in Your ways. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.



Some more photos from our trip:



Richard and Elnora Dresselhaus 10/17/16
Yesterday we visited with Pastor Richard and Elnora Dresselhaus. Since 1984 our host has been a part of the church Pastor Dresselhaus pastored here in San Diego from 1970-2003 (he is now Pastor Emeritus). For many years I enjoyed reading articles he wrote in the Evangel magazine and it was a pleasure to meet him. He also has an email ministry with a Scripture teaching called "One For The Road".

 Prayer with Marilyn 10/17/16
We had a wonderful visit together and then prayed together for our dear friend.

Brooksyne and Elnora playing Steinway grand piano 10/17/16
Brooksyne is enjoying her time at the Steinway and was excited to find a second pianist in Elnora Dresselhaus. They began to play "How Great Thou Art" together but it took only a few notes of their playing to realize the pianos are not set at the same tuning. It wasn't quite the pleasant sound we had all hoped for. Brooksyne backed off since we wanted to hear the beautiful hymn as it should sound. Elnora is a very gifted pianist and has played on this piano over the years.

Wet surf 10/16/16
Brooksyne had fun capturing this photo as I was unexpectedly showered with this big wave. Thankfully I was able to protect the phone.



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Take Me Back"   Video  Andraé Crouch

"Oh Lord, You're Beautiful"  Video  
Keith Green


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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 make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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