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Friday,
May 25, 2018

Flower wagon 5/24/18
We followed this petunia wagon for awhile in northeast Lancaster County yesterday.

"When It's Not For Us To Know"

Message summary: The disciples had a specific question but I also believe there is a general principle here in regard to God's dealings in our lives. We also have questions, but like the disciples, we don't get all the answers we want. Sometimes we get essentially the same message, "It is not for you to know." That's hard, particularly in the midst of a trial.

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"It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority" (Acts 1:7).

Most certainly, as we read or listen to the news, we become aware of heartache being experienced by people in so many places all over the world. Virtually each "breaking news" story reveals these hardships. Any given time we prepare these messages we are also mindful of those who may be reading our message enduring heartache. It may be in our own family, neighborhood, our church body, or our work associations.

Farther along
In the course of our chaplain service to ten area companies we encounter the hurts representing so much of the human race.  We deal with those fighting addictions, those seeking to "get their life back together", marriage and child custody battles, aging parents, a special needs child, the list goes on and on. There are two common questions we hear; "Why is this happening?" and "When will this end?"

"It is not for you to know". That's a response children don't like to hear when they're wondering about a matter, pestering their parents for answers.  But we don't like that response either, as adults. We want to know; we want answers to the five W questions; who, what, when, why and where. And we especially want the answers in those situations that affect us personally or those we care about!

Acts 1:7
In today's text we have a rather blunt statement from the Lord shortly before He ascended back to heaven. In the previous verse the disciples asked, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" They were still anticipating the establishment of a material, political kingdom and I doubt they expected Christ's ascension into heaven that would follow only moments later. I wonder if they were disappointed when He ascended? There were surely many more questions for which they sought answers.

Christ's answer to their question, His final words prior to His ascension back to heaven, was that it wasn't for them to know the times or dates the Father had set by His own authority, but the Spirit would empower them to be His witnesses (v. 8).

Do you think the disciples were satisfied with that answer? Do you suppose some grumbling took place among them such as, "That's not what we asked about.  Did He not hear us?  Why doesn't He tell us more?  What if?"

Farther along The disciples had a specific question but I also believe there is a general principle here in regard to God's dealings in our lives. We also have questions, but like the disciples, we don't get all the answers we want. Sometimes we get essentially the same message, "It is not for you to know." That's hard, particularly in the midst of a trial.

We can find assurance in the last phrase of the daily text, which contains a powerful spiritual principle regarding any great question of life: "The Father has set by His own authority."

Remember, God is in control, and He has a set purpose for all that He's doing and for when He chooses to do it. What peace to know that our times are in His hands! (Psalm 31:15).

Farther along we'll know all about it.
Farther along we'll understand why.
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We'll understand it all by and by.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Faithful Father, You have called me to a journey of faith where I learn to trust You for all that I have need of, present and future, in my relationships, my health, my earthly provisions and my spiritual needs. As songwriter George Croly solemnly wrote; Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh; Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear. To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh, Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer. Help me to find the sweetness of wholeheartedly trusting in You, when the way is unclear and the answers are still unknown. My request, "O for grace to trust You more".  Amen.



Farewell Joe 5/17/18
We say farewell to Joe AKA Joey "Diesel" Daddiego whom we have visited for several years at Smucker Laser where he works as a machine operator. Joe is a former Golden Gloves national boxing champion and is now a professional wrestler (which he calls "theatrical entertainment") with the "Ring of Honor" circuit and will be going full-time with them. Today is his final day and he will have a "match" with Marlin one of the company owners! (I told Marlin not to hurt Joe and mess up his career.)
We are not wrestling fans but here's a "match" with Joe on YouTube
We have sought to be a witness to Joe the last several years and gave him a New Testament as a farewell parting. Joe has certainly been among our most colorful chaplain visitees!
Here's a photo of Joe lifting Stephen up for a body slam.
(Although, thankfully he didn't do the body slam part!)

Joe Diesel lifting me up



Yesterday we had a pleasant drive as we drove to various companies in eastern Lancaster County and saw a variety of road sites.

Kitchen Kettle Village 5/24/18
Street musician at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA

Church sign in Blue Ball, PA 5/24/18
We enjoy seeing the various inspirational messages on church signs but we think that this message has a spelling error!

Old Windmill Farm 5/24/18 (Click to enlarge)
These Old Windmill Farm mules are getting ready for a day of field work, cutting alfalfa.
We had some fun with what they might be saying to each other here.

Yesterday we meandered our way through northeast Lancaster County to shop at the Black Creek Greenhouse in this part of the county (Google map)



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Farther Along"  Video  Dailey & Vincent

"Farther Along"  Video  The Peasall Sisters

"Does Jesus Care?"  Video 
Guy Penrod · Bev Shea

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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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