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Tuesday February 17, 2009
Longenecker farm in Lancaster County Pennsylvania
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us share this message on your
audio player.
"Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers" (2 Timothy 4:21).
Last week we shared a message about God's "whole family in heaven and on earth." Today I consider my dad, who went to be with the Lord in 1998 and now resides in heaven. Today we remember what would have been his 90th birthday. He's part of that "whole family."
My
dad, Eugene Clark Weber, was pretty ordinary and very, very few reading
this ever heard of him. Like most, he never did anything really
remarkable for God and when historians write of the twentieth century
I'm certain they won't include his name. But his name is in the most
important Book of all books, the Book of Life! (see Philippians 4:3)
He stayed faithful to his wife for over 53 years, loved his four kids, and worked hard to provide for his family. He was very proficient in mechanical things like plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and about anything else that needed fixed. He voluntarily used these skills in many churches throughout the Kansas City area. While in his late sixties he installed the entire heating system for the church we pastored in northern Pennsylvania, as we excitedly moved from a storefront rental of seven years into our own new building.
My dad had a simple faith and love for God. He didn't pray very dramatically but I sure miss hearing the earnestness when he prayed. His greatest gift to me was his model of faithfulness and integrity in the regular grind of life.
I doubt if very many have ever memorized the daily Scripture verse or really paid much attention to it. But notice the names: "Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers". Do you know what distinguishes them?
2 Timothy is considered to be Paul's final letter and these are the final names he mentions among all of those he associated with throughout his long ministry. It happens that each of them are mentioned only in this passage and apart from this mention we know absolutely nothing about them. But apparently they were with Paul in his final days and personally knew Timothy. They must have had some type of impact upon Paul for him to mention their names.
You know what? I appreciate these people. I expect to meet them when I get to heaven. I have no idea what their contribution was to God's Kingdom. But they were probably like my dad, or your dad, or you and me. Ordinary people seeking to live our lives on this side of eternity with faith and obedience. And God's still working today using scores of very ordinary people like you and me!
Just ordinary people, God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
Who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all.
No matter how small your all may seem to you.
Because little becomes much,
As you place it in the Master's hand." *
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, it is not the accolades of the world for which we live, but it is the affirmation of Your Word that serves as our trusted guide in all we seek to be and to do. We want to be faithful in the everyday obligations and opportunities that await us. Use us to glorify Your name and for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
* "Ordinary People" Hall, Danniebell © 1977 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Today
is also the date of Brooksyne's father Brooklyn's death in 2000. Here
he is sharing a lollipop with Ester. His adoring look toward
Ester in this photo reveals the close relationship she enjoyed with him
in the short ten years she knew him.
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on the link to open and play. In some cases you may also need to click
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Tuesday February 17, 2009
Longenecker farm in Lancaster County Pennsylvania
Listen to
us share this message on your
audio player."Ordinary People"
"Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers" (2 Timothy 4:21).
Last week we shared a message about God's "whole family in heaven and on earth." Today I consider my dad, who went to be with the Lord in 1998 and now resides in heaven. Today we remember what would have been his 90th birthday. He's part of that "whole family."
My
dad, Eugene Clark Weber, was pretty ordinary and very, very few reading
this ever heard of him. Like most, he never did anything really
remarkable for God and when historians write of the twentieth century
I'm certain they won't include his name. But his name is in the most
important Book of all books, the Book of Life! (see Philippians 4:3)He stayed faithful to his wife for over 53 years, loved his four kids, and worked hard to provide for his family. He was very proficient in mechanical things like plumbing, heating, air-conditioning and about anything else that needed fixed. He voluntarily used these skills in many churches throughout the Kansas City area. While in his late sixties he installed the entire heating system for the church we pastored in northern Pennsylvania, as we excitedly moved from a storefront rental of seven years into our own new building.
My dad had a simple faith and love for God. He didn't pray very dramatically but I sure miss hearing the earnestness when he prayed. His greatest gift to me was his model of faithfulness and integrity in the regular grind of life.
I doubt if very many have ever memorized the daily Scripture verse or really paid much attention to it. But notice the names: "Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers". Do you know what distinguishes them?
2 Timothy is considered to be Paul's final letter and these are the final names he mentions among all of those he associated with throughout his long ministry. It happens that each of them are mentioned only in this passage and apart from this mention we know absolutely nothing about them. But apparently they were with Paul in his final days and personally knew Timothy. They must have had some type of impact upon Paul for him to mention their names.
You know what? I appreciate these people. I expect to meet them when I get to heaven. I have no idea what their contribution was to God's Kingdom. But they were probably like my dad, or your dad, or you and me. Ordinary people seeking to live our lives on this side of eternity with faith and obedience. And God's still working today using scores of very ordinary people like you and me!
Just ordinary people, God uses ordinary people.
He chooses people just like me and you,
Who are willing to do as He commands.
God uses people that will give Him all.
No matter how small your all may seem to you.
Because little becomes much,
As you place it in the Master's hand." *
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father, it is not the accolades of the world for which we live, but it is the affirmation of Your Word that serves as our trusted guide in all we seek to be and to do. We want to be faithful in the everyday obligations and opportunities that await us. Use us to glorify Your name and for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
* "Ordinary People" Hall, Danniebell © 1977 Birdwing Music (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Mech) (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
Today
is also the date of Brooksyne's father Brooklyn's death in 2000. Here
he is sharing a lollipop with Ester. His adoring look toward
Ester in this photo reveals the close relationship she enjoyed with him
in the short ten years she knew him.Today's
Suggested Music
and
Supplemental Resources
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a message to Stephen &
Brooksyne.
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