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Thursday, January 8, 2015
Coast Guard Lighthouse Station, Lake Superior, Marquette, Michigan
(Photo by Howard Blichfeldt)
"Not A Blast Of Hurry"
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player.
“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).
Today
we are having a blast of cold arctic-like temperatures that has fallen
upon
our
region. I managed to take our trash and recyclables out to the road
and when I returned told Brooksyne with the blasting winds it felt like
30 below zero!
It was in the single digits w/o factoring in the wind chill last night.
With the wind it feels much colder! It
reminds us of the blessing of having a good heat source keeping us warm
on
this frigid day and I have the coal stove up as much as it will go,
cranking out some 85,000 BTU's! However we will be getting out early
this morning to make some chaplain visits so we can commiserate with
everyone else who must be out.
The cold blast brought to mind a line from Frances Havergal's classic hymn, “Like A River Glorious”. She writes, "not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there”. The blast of hurry she writes about has also been described as the “Tyranny Of The Urgent” by Charles E. Hummel in a small booklet written about 50 years ago. And it sure seems that life has gotten a lot busier since then!
So many things can come in and clutter our minds and lives causing a loss of focus. Many days it seems I have about 10 "irons in the fire" and they each compete for my attention. Many of you are probably the same way. Well, I wish I could say to you that I had discovered the answer with this tension in my life, but I haven't. I will admit it and continue to pray about the steps needed to change that.
"Tyranny
of the Urgent" expresses the sense of urgency that
overshadows us in the daily experience of living, and it examines how
modern technology contributes to this urgency. When Hummel
wrote this in 1967, he identified the telephone as a great contributor
to this sense of urgency, writing how it "breaches walls with imperious
demands." Can you imagine what he would write now that we have
ever-present cell phone! In the sixties, for me anyway, the phone would
have
been the black rotary dial phone mounted to our kitchen wall; the only
phone in our home in Belton, Missouri. Extensions were deemed a luxury
we could easily do without.
Fast forward to present day where a majority carry cell phones and many have smart phones with instant and constant access to the internet in addition to every manner of distraction-inducing technology. Many can't resist using their phone, even to the point of being rude or inconsiderate to others or worse yet making themselves a danger on the highway.
"The Tyranny of the Urgent" describes the oppressiveness of the many demands that come our way regarding our time. The tyranny of the urgent is essentially the oppressive compulsion that I have to do it now. When we live in the "tyranny of the urgent" mode day by day we respond to the urgent, while often neglecting the important.
Hummel writes, "Have you ever wished for a thirty hour day? Surely this
extra time would relieve the tremendous pressure under which we live.
Our lives leave a trail of unfinished tasks. unanswered letters,
unvisited friends, unwritten articles, and unread books haunt quiet
moments when we stop to evaluate. We desperately need relief." But
don't you suppose we would quickly be in the same position even if we
had a thirty hour day?
Today as we encounter everyday life at what seems for many of us an increasingly frantic pace we do well to read and apply the words of the ancient Psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Havergal offers the antidote to living in a blast of hurry in the refrain to her great hymn. We hope you periodically sing it in your church and that its message remains tucked in your heart and informs your mind.
We encourage you to keep your heart stayed upon Jehovah this new year of 2015.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
You know that many of my days are spent at a frantic pace. Often it's
due to my improper use of time, other times it's responding to
unexpected needs that arise. As I invite
You to examine my heart and mind, I lay before You the people,
projects, and pursuits that
drain me of needed peace and rest and further away from a heart and
mind that is fully submitted to You. Though You have not removed me
bodily from this world, You have raised me up spiritually to find
peace and rest even as I carry out my daily duties. As a vehicle
needs fuel to
properly function, I need Scripture and prayer to uphold and equip me
for the day
that lies ahead so I place this discipline at the top of my list
and submit all other duties in accordance to Your leading. In the name
of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Current events: As we prepare these messages we are aware of the turmoil in so many places such as yesterday's Islamic terror attack in Paris. Practically every day some event or usually events happen that could drive these messages but we rarely allow this to happen. This does not mean we are not aware though and do make these events a matter of prayer.
I was perusing Doris High's photo blog and on this cold day a sip of hot coffee never looked more appealing. Add to that a colorful mug that bears a good message and you've got a winning photo!
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“Like A River Glorious" Video Smucker Family
"Be Still and Know" Video Steven Curtis Chapman
The "Tyranny of the Urgent" is available to read online as a pdf (it's only four pages). It's an older booklet but has a timeless message.
Too funny! A parody "It's All About Me" video that's actually far to true!
Today's
lead photo of the Michigan lighthouse was
taken by our friend Howard Blichfeldt (left), a professional
photographer from Pittsburgh. In August of 2014 he was commissioned to
present one of his city photographs to Franklin Graham (right)
who was visiting Pittsburgh for an evangelistic meeting. Last summer we
visited with Howard and his wife, Sharon, when Ester managed to take
the
selfie (below) of us on Mount Washington
overlooking the city skyline. Though Howard takes many photos he
indicated this was the first one where he was included in a selfie!
But, of course, he isn't around Ester all the time who loves to take
selfies!
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Are
our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to
consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can
continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is
accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily
Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support
of its readers and podcast listeners. See here
for more information on supporting this
ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.
Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA
<Previous Message Next Message>
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Coast Guard Lighthouse Station, Lake Superior, Marquette, Michigan
(Photo by Howard Blichfeldt)
"Not A Blast Of Hurry"
Listen to this
message on
your
audio player.“Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee" (Isaiah 26:3).
Today
we are having a blast of cold arctic-like temperatures that has fallen
upon
our
region. I managed to take our trash and recyclables out to the road
and when I returned told Brooksyne with the blasting winds it felt like
30 below zero!
It was in the single digits w/o factoring in the wind chill last night.
With the wind it feels much colder! It
reminds us of the blessing of having a good heat source keeping us warm
on
this frigid day and I have the coal stove up as much as it will go,
cranking out some 85,000 BTU's! However we will be getting out early
this morning to make some chaplain visits so we can commiserate with
everyone else who must be out.The cold blast brought to mind a line from Frances Havergal's classic hymn, “Like A River Glorious”. She writes, "not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there”. The blast of hurry she writes about has also been described as the “Tyranny Of The Urgent” by Charles E. Hummel in a small booklet written about 50 years ago. And it sure seems that life has gotten a lot busier since then!
So many things can come in and clutter our minds and lives causing a loss of focus. Many days it seems I have about 10 "irons in the fire" and they each compete for my attention. Many of you are probably the same way. Well, I wish I could say to you that I had discovered the answer with this tension in my life, but I haven't. I will admit it and continue to pray about the steps needed to change that.
"Tyranny
of the Urgent" expresses the sense of urgency that
overshadows us in the daily experience of living, and it examines how
modern technology contributes to this urgency. When Hummel
wrote this in 1967, he identified the telephone as a great contributor
to this sense of urgency, writing how it "breaches walls with imperious
demands." Can you imagine what he would write now that we have
ever-present cell phone! In the sixties, for me anyway, the phone would
have
been the black rotary dial phone mounted to our kitchen wall; the only
phone in our home in Belton, Missouri. Extensions were deemed a luxury
we could easily do without.Fast forward to present day where a majority carry cell phones and many have smart phones with instant and constant access to the internet in addition to every manner of distraction-inducing technology. Many can't resist using their phone, even to the point of being rude or inconsiderate to others or worse yet making themselves a danger on the highway.
"The Tyranny of the Urgent" describes the oppressiveness of the many demands that come our way regarding our time. The tyranny of the urgent is essentially the oppressive compulsion that I have to do it now. When we live in the "tyranny of the urgent" mode day by day we respond to the urgent, while often neglecting the important.
Hummel writes, "Have you ever wished for a thirty hour day? Surely this
extra time would relieve the tremendous pressure under which we live.
Our lives leave a trail of unfinished tasks. unanswered letters,
unvisited friends, unwritten articles, and unread books haunt quiet
moments when we stop to evaluate. We desperately need relief." But
don't you suppose we would quickly be in the same position even if we
had a thirty hour day?Today as we encounter everyday life at what seems for many of us an increasingly frantic pace we do well to read and apply the words of the ancient Psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God.”
Havergal offers the antidote to living in a blast of hurry in the refrain to her great hymn. We hope you periodically sing it in your church and that its message remains tucked in your heart and informs your mind.
"Stayed upon Jehovah,
Hearts are fully blest,
Finding, as He promised,
Perfect peace and rest.
Hearts are fully blest,
Finding, as He promised,
Perfect peace and rest.
We encourage you to keep your heart stayed upon Jehovah this new year of 2015.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Father,
You know that many of my days are spent at a frantic pace. Often it's
due to my improper use of time, other times it's responding to
unexpected needs that arise. As I invite
You to examine my heart and mind, I lay before You the people,
projects, and pursuits that
drain me of needed peace and rest and further away from a heart and
mind that is fully submitted to You. Though You have not removed me
bodily from this world, You have raised me up spiritually to find
peace and rest even as I carry out my daily duties. As a vehicle
needs fuel to
properly function, I need Scripture and prayer to uphold and equip me
for the day
that lies ahead so I place this discipline at the top of my list
and submit all other duties in accordance to Your leading. In the name
of Jesus I pray. Amen.Current events: As we prepare these messages we are aware of the turmoil in so many places such as yesterday's Islamic terror attack in Paris. Practically every day some event or usually events happen that could drive these messages but we rarely allow this to happen. This does not mean we are not aware though and do make these events a matter of prayer.
I was perusing Doris High's photo blog and on this cold day a sip of hot coffee never looked more appealing. Add to that a colorful mug that bears a good message and you've got a winning photo!
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
“Like A River Glorious" Video Smucker Family
"Be Still and Know" Video Steven Curtis Chapman
The "Tyranny of the Urgent" is available to read online as a pdf (it's only four pages). It's an older booklet but has a timeless message.
Too funny! A parody "It's All About Me" video that's actually far to true!
Finally today:
Consider the selfie, which is a relatively recently phenomenon. Old
cameras had a timer. You set it and then hustled to get in the photo. That's
why this ad is so funny. Notice the anachronism of a couple taking a selfie with an
ancient camera during football's first halftime! Video (it's a very brief scene)
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
To receive the "Daily Encouragement" each Monday-Friday through email see this page to subscribe to our email list. You can also subscribe to the Wordpress rss feed or through a Wordpress email subscription. (See the email subscription on the right side after opening this page.)
Are
our daily encouragement messages a blessing to you? We ask you to
consider making a donation to Daily Encouragement Net so that we can
continue to prepare and provide this daily resource which is
accessed by believers and seekers all over the world. Daily
Encouragement Net relies solely on the generosity and financial support
of its readers and podcast listeners. See here
for more information on supporting this
ministry. Gifts are tax deductible.Permissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. I do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
Text only version for printing: To make a text only version for printing (without photos or any of the supplemental materials)
1) Open the basic text editor that comes with all computers (known as wordpad, textpad, etc.) You can also use a program like Word and select paste text only.
2) Select and copy the text from the portion of the message you want to print.
3) Paste into the text pad. (The photos won't show up but you will have a brief text description of the photo which you can delete or just ignore.)
4) Format if you desire (change font, increase or decrease size, etc.)
5) Print!
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."
© Copyright 2015 Stephen C. Weber - All Rights Reserved
Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA