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Monday, February 28, 2011

Duct tape shoes

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"Duct Tape For The Soul"

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3).

Many local businesses in our area are owned by Christians and we are accustomed to seeing signs and Scripture verses on businesses proclaiming an aspect of faith. Each Christmas and Easter our local community Merchandiser papers often have the entire front pages devoted to the seasonal spiritually related theme.

Paul B. Zimmerman hardware store
I enjoy reading ad fliers from hardware stores and earlier this month I received a sales flyer from the Paul B. Zimmerman Hardware store near Ephrata Pennsylvania. Among the ads displaying drain cleaner, hinges, cable ties and other items for sale is a display box that includes a Scripture verse under the heading "Duct Tape For The Soul."

Duct tape t-shirt
As a home workshop enthusiast I find two items indispensable to a complete workshop:  Duct tape and WD-40.  (I suppose I should add bungee cords, as well.)  Many years ago we were eating in a diner near Sand Springs, Oklahoma and I saw a big burly construction worker type man with this slogan emblazoned on his sweatshirt, "WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH THE TOUGH USE DUCT TAPE."

I learned early on in life the many virtues of duct tape from my dad.  It's amazing how much can be fixed with it. I've even seen well-worn Bibles covers that Christians refuse to part with bound together with duct tape!

I think of duct tape when I consider our daily verse.  The Hebrew word for "bind" (chabash) has the sense "to bind firmly."  I'm glad God's binding is not a flimsy variety.  This same word is used by Isaiah in describing the mission of the coming Messiah when he states, "He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted" (Isaiah 61:1). 

Residents at a nursing home chapel service
What a joy to personally experience this healthful binding in my own life and as a minister of the Gospel to help others experience it as well. Yesterday I spoke to a group at a nursing home service and used this verse as my main text. I consider the accumulative aspect of brokenheartedness experienced in that senior group throughout their lifetime. Of course many had lost a spouse in addition to their parents, siblings, and in some cases their own children.  There are inevitable times of brokenheartedness experienced through life, and more so as the aging progresses.

Today are you brokenhearted?  Do you have some spiritual wounds?  I've got good news for you!  God has not changed.  He still cares.  And He still acts. "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:18).


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber


Praying man Daily prayer:  Father, we're so thankful that when we mess things up You don't throw up Your arms, shake Your finger at us and say, "You made the mess. Now you fix it."  Plenty of others might do so, but Your compassion far exceeds Your judgment, for You did send Jesus to condemn, but rather to save us from our own sin and folly.  We do lots of temporary "fixing up" in our lives that comes unraveled again or needs ongoing repair.  But when we lay our broken hearts before You, You pick up the fragile pieces and restore us spiritually and emotionally.  Thank You for binding up our wounds and pouring in Your ointment of healing for our sin sick soul.  Only You, Father, can heal the body and spirit.  Once we are touched by Your healing hand, we can't help but reach out to others who need that touch as well.  You call us to funnel Your love and comfort to others in pain with the same comfort we ourselves receive from You when we are undergoing pain, suffering, or loss. May we faithful in doing so.  Amen.
(See 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)



Duct tape witness
I saw a man wearing a t-shirt and initially the screen print photo of duct tape got my attention but then I asked him to stop so I could read the entire message. The Scripture at the bottom states:
 "Having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross."



Here's another duct tape story!


John Deere Limousine
Ken Pierce is a local friend whom we often feature as the farm hand who can fix just about anything. Most recently he was over to our house when our well pump stopped working and sure enough he identified and replaced the malfunctioning part.  When Ken got married in 2002 he and his new wife Nila didn't travel from the church to the reception in a stretch limo, like so many do today.  Instead Darrel, a farmer friend, pulled them on a tractor in a hay wagon!

Duct tape tire repair kit
Lee, another friend, had some fun with a makeshift tire repair using duct tape!



Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"One Thing I Know"  Video  Selah

"Faithful One"  Video  Selah

"I Have A Shelter"  Video  Sovereign Grace Music

In the message I referred to an ad by the Paul B. Zimmerman Hardware Company in their February sales flier. Here's the flier I referred to, although it may change soon to March, but I suspect "Duct Tape For The Soul" is a monthly feature!  If you happen to read the February spot Berean readers may notice they do need to proofread the Scripture reference.

Finally today:

Ester with ice sculpure seat
This weekend our community (Mount Joy) had a fire and ice festival featuring ice sculptures all along our Main Street. I wasn't able to get Ester to sit back in this large ice chair!

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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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