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Friday, May 5, 2017

Greenhouse flowers 5/4/17
Petunias, any color you want, lining the greenhouse we purchased from yesterday.

"When We Don't Understand"

Message summary: We need to learn from our experiences, even those we don't understand.

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"I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, 'My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?' He replied, 'Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end'" (Daniel 12:8,9). “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:9).

God is too wise to be mistaken
God is too good to be unkind
So when you don't understand
When you don't see His plan
When you can't trace His hand
Trust His heart

Mollie with frisbee

Mollie, our six year old border collie, loves to play frisbee. Actually it's a rather one way game, I toss and she catches! Our favorite is the long game; that is, I go out in our large front lawn and toss the frisbee disk as far as I can as she runs after it and with a big leap she catches it in midair. I shout to her, "You are quite the athlete" as she runs back to me holding it in her mouth for another go at it.

Cactus near barn doorThe other evening I was sitting in my barn with doors open just enjoying the sights of spring. But Mollie wanted to play of course and brought her frisbee expecting me to toss it. I decided to play the short game, that is whipping it right at her where she practically always catches it.

But one toss landed in a cactus plant near the barn door. Instantly Mollie dove in to retrieve it but was pierced by the needles on the cactus. She of course had no idea what was going on, similar to her response years ago, when she encountered an electric fence.

She kept opening her mouth like she had cotton in it and rolled her mouth against the ground attempting to get rid of the thorny sensation. She had no idea what was going on of course but she now associates the cactus plant with that experience and stays away from it.

I knew what she did but had no way of explaining it to her in dog language. Any analogy using a dog and human is bound to be woefully short when it comes to the eternal God and His relation to humans. After all, He is quite able to explain all things. However He doesn't always do so! Today let us consider a phrase from our first daily text when Daniel said, "
I did not understand."

In this case he was referring to future prophetic events but in regard to God's personal dealings in our own lives we can so often candidly admit, I do not understand. Although we know that all things will work out according to Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." But we so much want to know how and when. We want to understand!!! But the answers to many of our are simply not provided. So why do we expend so much energy or allow ourselves to become anxiety ridden about those things which we can do nothing about?

We need to learn from our experiences, even those we don't understand. Mollie now is quite wary of going near that cactus plant. We also need to move away from our source of trouble and move forward in the direction we feel God is leading, trusting Him to provide the answers along the way. The apostle Paul, facing a time of great uncertainty said to the Ephesian elders, "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me" (Acts 20:22,23).

Such is the life of faith! My friend, keep trusting today, as you receive this word from Scripture in your own life even when you don't understand now.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Praying manDaily prayer: Father, we don't always know where our present steps will take us on life's journey, but we do know they lead us toward heaven as we walk with You. Our steps here may lead to cold, dark mountains or deep valleys. Crooked paths and rough terrain may be part of the journey, but ultimately we will rest where at the feet of Jesus at heaven's throne. There we will no longer have questions about our future, for we know that we will spend eternity forever worshiping You as we give You glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving. Give us peace, joy, and endurance for our journey here below and heavenward anticipation for our future inheritance. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.



Some Scenes From Our Journey Yesterday

Blue jeans on clothesline 5/4/17
There were lots of heavy duty blue jeans on this farming family's clothesline.

Planting lettuce 5/4/17
Old Order Mennonites planting lettuce in this field.

Planting lettuce 5/4/17
This photo showing an upclose though the photo is blurry due to the distance. Take notice of the seats at the back with planters bent down dropping the lettuce as the driver slowly makes his way down the freshly plowed field.

Hay wagon 5/4/17
I wonder if the cows salivate when they see a wagon loaded with fresh hay!

Mennonite open buggie 5/4/17
Outside of our company in New Holland yesterday we passed a woman heading to town on a wagon. She must have numerous supplies to pick up. Behind her a Mennonite boy is meeting up with another friend who is across the road you will see in the next photo.

Mennonite boy on bike 5/4/17
The old order Mennonites dress a little differently than the Amish. Their attire more reflects the Andy Griffith era (going back to Stephen's and my childhood years.)



Today's Suggested Music and
Supplemental Resources

"Trust His Heart"  Video  Musician not identified (Portion of song quoted in message)

"When Answers Aren't Enough"  Video 
Scott Wesley Brown

"When God Has Another Plan"  Video  The Greenes

"What's Wrong With Living Right"  Video 
The Cupps  A very thought-provoking song!

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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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