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Thursday, February 2, 2017
I was pretty excited to see these loaves of bread cooling on our kitchen counter. Brooksyne made a large batch of English Muffin bread. For many years she made all our bread. But such treats added to our waistline over the years so it is a rare day when we indulge in homemade bread.
"The Blessing Of Hands"
Brooksyne's note: As noted below I will be undergoing outpatient surgery for
both of my hands due to carpal tunnel that I've had for about twenty
years now, though the painful symptoms have escalated over the last
four or five years. I thank you, in advance, for your prayers. I'm uncertain of what my limitations will be in
the recovery phase so typing may be an issue for me over the next week
at least. Stephen will be the one who really needs prayer as he is
quite accustomed to my assistance in the kitchen and office! I'm so
thankful that there are solutions for those who suffer from this
affliction. I see women who work repetitively with small machine parts
in the companies we visit every week. Many of them have had this
surgery and found relief, so I'm confident this will be a blessing to
me as well.
Due to busyness in preparing for Brooksyne's surgery and a long day of chaplaincy service we did not post a message for Wednesday, February 1.
Message summary: As you go about your chores today give thanks to God for the two tools he has equipped you with from the time of creation. It's amazing how much we accomplish in just one day when "we work hard with our own hands."
Listen to this
message on your
audio player.
"We work hard with our own hands" (1 Corinthians 4:12).
On Tuesday I had some business in the Harrisburg area and Ester joined
me. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel and, prior to our meal,
enjoyed a game of checkers. When we travel a distance we often eat at Cracker Barrel. Brooksyne and I both enjoy country cooking
and she likes to browse in the gift shop while I enjoy moseying
around looking at the antique photos and assortment of "stuff" on the walls. We've been in Cracker
Barrels all over the country and almost always have a good, predictable
experience. (We've noticed the older we get the more we like
"predictable".)
Several years ago we were waiting to eat breakfast at the Cracker Barrel at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We ordered and then sipped our freshly brewed coffee while we patiently waited for our meal.
For a number of years now Brooksyne has dealt with a tingling or burning pain in her hands especially through the night and early morning hours, the effects of carpal tunnel. Those who deal with these ongoing symptoms often find temporary relief by shaking their wrists and wiggling their fingers. Before our meal arrived Brooksyne was doing just that, attempting to relieve herself of the numbness, so that she could hold her utensils for eating. It's a rather strange sight but I've gotten used to it and rarely notice.
A few minutes later the young server approached our table with my eggs and country fried steak along with Brooksyne's buttermilk pancakes. From a distance she observed Brooksyne's strange exercise and made a reasonable deduction, "You must really be excited about your breakfast today!" We were taken back at first by her comment and then realized that she thought, at the sight of the food, Brooksyne was shaking her wrists out of excitement like a baby or little child excited about a treat they're about to receive! We all had a good laugh when Brooksyne explained to the waitress the reason for her shaking her hands over the table.
Now, several later, Brooksyne will have carpal tunnel surgery today in both her hands.
What a blessing our hands are. Of course some people have restricted or
have no use of their hands at all. We think of Joni and many others like her. Thank God
for accessibility aids that can help people with such a disability to
function and even thrive. Joni has done more for the Kingdom of God
without the use of her hands than many who have no limitations.
Brooksyne's hands are now just over 61 years post birth. She has used them extensively, as they have been very useful to her and others.
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:12, "We work hard with our own hands." We know from the book of Acts that Paul was a tentmaker but likely he was referring to the sense of being a hard worker. Almost all forms of work require the use of our hands. Certainly in her surgery we expect the surgeon to engage his trained mind as he puts to use his expertise hands!
Perhaps, as you go about your chores today, you will recall this verse from I Corinthians and give thanks to God for the two tools he has equipped you with from the time of creation. It's amazing how much we accomplish in just one day when "we work hard with our own hands."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we thank You for the blessing and usefulness of our hands. We're so
accustomed to having them at our disposal we rarely consider how
different our lives would be without them. They're used for nurturing,
correcting, guiding, and protecting those entrusted to our care.
They're used for working, cleaning, building, writing, driving, typing,
clutching, shaping, mending, drawing, washing, digging, planting,
cutting, and on and on the list goes. We use them often to show our
love to others by what we might do for them or make for them, or by
clasping their hand in loving affection. And the greatest use of our
hands is raising them heavenward in honor and praise to the very One
who made them. Your lovingkindness is better than life. My lips shall praise You, thus will I bless You, for I lift up my hands unto Your name. Amen.
Men working with their hands
These two craftsmen, Ben and Rodney, are discussing ways to rebuild some rotted exterior woodwork (seen in the center of the photo).
Malachi, a young mechanical engineer, is testing drip flow for a poultry watering system.
These three men are collaborating on a project.
"Take My Life" Video
"Daddy's Hands" Video
Holly Dunn Today's message and this song brings to mind our dad's
hands. We both had hardworking dads who had a commitment to provide for
their families. Brooksyne's dad was a truck driver. Stephen's dad
worked in a variety of trades.
Finally today:
Ester caught this pony up close. It appears as though he is rather curious or is preparing to snatch her camera!
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
I was pretty excited to see these loaves of bread cooling on our kitchen counter. Brooksyne made a large batch of English Muffin bread. For many years she made all our bread. But such treats added to our waistline over the years so it is a rare day when we indulge in homemade bread.
Brooksyne's note: As noted below I will be undergoing outpatient surgery for
both of my hands due to carpal tunnel that I've had for about twenty
years now, though the painful symptoms have escalated over the last
four or five years. I thank you, in advance, for your prayers. I'm uncertain of what my limitations will be in
the recovery phase so typing may be an issue for me over the next week
at least. Stephen will be the one who really needs prayer as he is
quite accustomed to my assistance in the kitchen and office! I'm so
thankful that there are solutions for those who suffer from this
affliction. I see women who work repetitively with small machine parts
in the companies we visit every week. Many of them have had this
surgery and found relief, so I'm confident this will be a blessing to
me as well. Due to busyness in preparing for Brooksyne's surgery and a long day of chaplaincy service we did not post a message for Wednesday, February 1.
Message summary: As you go about your chores today give thanks to God for the two tools he has equipped you with from the time of creation. It's amazing how much we accomplish in just one day when "we work hard with our own hands."
Listen to this
message on your
audio player."We work hard with our own hands" (1 Corinthians 4:12).
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
At the impulse of Thy love.
On Tuesday I had some business in the Harrisburg area and Ester joined
me. We ate lunch at Cracker Barrel and, prior to our meal,
enjoyed a game of checkers. When we travel a distance we often eat at Cracker Barrel. Brooksyne and I both enjoy country cooking
and she likes to browse in the gift shop while I enjoy moseying
around looking at the antique photos and assortment of "stuff" on the walls. We've been in Cracker
Barrels all over the country and almost always have a good, predictable
experience. (We've noticed the older we get the more we like
"predictable".)Several years ago we were waiting to eat breakfast at the Cracker Barrel at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. We ordered and then sipped our freshly brewed coffee while we patiently waited for our meal.
For a number of years now Brooksyne has dealt with a tingling or burning pain in her hands especially through the night and early morning hours, the effects of carpal tunnel. Those who deal with these ongoing symptoms often find temporary relief by shaking their wrists and wiggling their fingers. Before our meal arrived Brooksyne was doing just that, attempting to relieve herself of the numbness, so that she could hold her utensils for eating. It's a rather strange sight but I've gotten used to it and rarely notice.
A few minutes later the young server approached our table with my eggs and country fried steak along with Brooksyne's buttermilk pancakes. From a distance she observed Brooksyne's strange exercise and made a reasonable deduction, "You must really be excited about your breakfast today!" We were taken back at first by her comment and then realized that she thought, at the sight of the food, Brooksyne was shaking her wrists out of excitement like a baby or little child excited about a treat they're about to receive! We all had a good laugh when Brooksyne explained to the waitress the reason for her shaking her hands over the table.
Now, several later, Brooksyne will have carpal tunnel surgery today in both her hands.
What a blessing our hands are. Of course some people have restricted or
have no use of their hands at all. We think of Joni and many others like her. Thank God
for accessibility aids that can help people with such a disability to
function and even thrive. Joni has done more for the Kingdom of God
without the use of her hands than many who have no limitations.Brooksyne's hands are now just over 61 years post birth. She has used them extensively, as they have been very useful to her and others.
The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:12, "We work hard with our own hands." We know from the book of Acts that Paul was a tentmaker but likely he was referring to the sense of being a hard worker. Almost all forms of work require the use of our hands. Certainly in her surgery we expect the surgeon to engage his trained mind as he puts to use his expertise hands!
Perhaps, as you go about your chores today, you will recall this verse from I Corinthians and give thanks to God for the two tools he has equipped you with from the time of creation. It's amazing how much we accomplish in just one day when "we work hard with our own hands."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we thank You for the blessing and usefulness of our hands. We're so
accustomed to having them at our disposal we rarely consider how
different our lives would be without them. They're used for nurturing,
correcting, guiding, and protecting those entrusted to our care.
They're used for working, cleaning, building, writing, driving, typing,
clutching, shaping, mending, drawing, washing, digging, planting,
cutting, and on and on the list goes. We use them often to show our
love to others by what we might do for them or make for them, or by
clasping their hand in loving affection. And the greatest use of our
hands is raising them heavenward in honor and praise to the very One
who made them. Your lovingkindness is better than life. My lips shall praise You, thus will I bless You, for I lift up my hands unto Your name. Amen.Men working with their hands
These two craftsmen, Ben and Rodney, are discussing ways to rebuild some rotted exterior woodwork (seen in the center of the photo).
Malachi, a young mechanical engineer, is testing drip flow for a poultry watering system.
These three men are collaborating on a project.
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental Resources
"Take My Life" Video
Finally today:
Ester caught this pony up close. It appears as though he is rather curious or is preparing to snatch her camera!
Send a message to Stephen & Brooksyne
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