A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope,
encouragement and exhortation.
Daily
Encouragement on
Wednesday, May
1, 2019
Message
summary: We
can be blessed
by a story that
reminds us of
Jesus’ love and
sacrifice.
Listen to our message on your audio player. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us" (1 John 3:1). We sure enjoy the flowering season during Spring when the Dogwood Tree is blooming. We have two in our lawn, one white and one pink. The flowering Dogwood is native to the eastern part of the United States, from New England south to the Gulf Coast. But it also extends into the Midwest and is the official state tree in my home state of Missouri. Jerry, a friend from Kleen-Rite, works in an office in the building behind the two Dogwoods seen in our lead photo. Last Friday I was commenting about the beautiful appearance of these trees and Jerry told me about "The Legend of the Dogwood Tree", which includes Christian symbolism in the tree, especially the flower. I researched online and one of the top searches is an article from another company we are connected with in our chaplaincy ministry, Eaton Farms in Leesport, PA. Although it doesn't specify who wrote the article we consider our favorite Arborist, Don Eaton. Although we are sure a number of our readers are familiar with this story today we will share it in our Daily Encouragement.
There’s nothing
more majestic
than a dogwood
in spring,
decked out with
fabulous
flowers! To some
people, though,
Dogwoods hold a
deeper meaning.
The legend of
the Dogwood tree
is an age-old
story that tells
the story of
this magnificent
tree and how it
became the tree
we know and love
today.
It is more than
likely just a legend
but nevertheless we
can be blessed by
the story and
symbolism of Jesus’
love and sacrifice.
"Behold,
what manner of
love the Father
hath bestowed upon
us!"Our story begins almost two thousand years ago in Israel. If you ventured into the forests of Israel at that time, you would have seen plenty of sturdy oaks, lofty cedars, walnut trees, and more—all of which are fine and noble trees, loved and used by carpenters. However, one tree was prized above all others: the mighty Dogwood. Back then, the Dogwood lacked its distinct fruits and flowers, but it was still impressive, rising taller than any oak or cedar. Its wood was strong, hard, fine-grained, and easy to work with. It had no equal, and it was constantly in demand. During this time, a simple carpenter was declared King of the Jews and was sentenced to death. The method of execution? Crucifixion. And the tree used to fashion the iconic wooden cross? A Dogwood. According to the legend, the Dogwood felt great sorrow for the role it played in Jesus Christ’s death. While on the cross, Jesus sensed the tree’s anguish, and He decided to transform it so that it could never again be used in crucifixion. From that point on, the Dogwood was no longer a tall, stately forest tree. Rather, it became a small and shrub-like tree with thin and twisted limbs. Jesus was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb. Three days later, He rose from the dead. At the same time, the Dogwoods in the forest burst into bloom, and they continue to do so right around Easter in what is believed to be a celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. While the Dogwood tree never again took part in an execution, it’s still said to carry the marks of Jesus’ crucifixion. Its four large petals represent the cross he died upon, and each petal displays four red-tinged notches that are said to represent four nail holes. And in the center of each flower is a green cluster that is symbolic of Jesus’ crown of thorns. Alas, the legend of the Dogwood most likely originated in the United States in the 20th century. They are not native to the Middle East, nor would they have been found growing there in Jesus’ time. Nevertheless, the legend persists, and many Christians revere the beloved Dogwood as it continues to remind them of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. (From the Bower and Branch website) Be encouraged today, Stephen & Brooksyne Weber Dogwood
photos
Sunday
afternoon we
saw this
Dogwood tree
in the
Gettysburg
National
Cemetery.
Our backyard Dogwood after a snow storm. This is one view we don't care to see for another 8 months or more! (Click on photo for larger view) Today's
Suggested
Music and
Supplemental Resources
"Behold What
Manner Of Love"
Video
Maranatha Singers
"Legend Of The
Dogwood Tree" Video
Told by the
distinct voice of Paul
Harvey Sr. (Brooksyne likes
to point out that Paul
Harvey grew up in Tulsa
Oklahoma, where she was also
raised!)
"If I Were the
Devil" Video
Paul Harvey, quite
insightful and prophetic! We
appreciate the common sense
wisdom of two Oklahomans,
Paul Harvey and Will Rogers!
Finally
today:
Late yesterday
afternoon returning home
from our chaplain visits
(and a vigorous 16 mile bike
ride through Swatara State
Park) in Lebanon County, we
noticed from a distance
something very colorful in
front of our friend Galen
Martin's home. Passing by we
saw it was his restored 1949
tractor and turned around to
get a closer look when we
saw Galen walking down the
lane to his steer barn. He
seemed pleased to come back
to show us the tractor.
(Click on photo for larger view) The 1949 Minneapolis-Moline tractor has a lot of sentiment to Galen. His father, Earl, purchased this tractor in 1949, the same year Galen was born and Galen had worked on it through his childhood and his younger farming days. In March we took this photo in his equipment barn of the tractor undergoing restoration. 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.) We realize there are many fine ministries and causes requesting support but if the Lord would lead you we surely need and appreciate the financial support from our readers and listeners. Our ministry labor is comprised of approximately half our time to Daily Encouragement and the other half to our chaplaincy ministry to companies for which we receive compensation. Each of these ministries essentially is the same as a part-time job (20+ hours weekly) for each of us. Our goal for many years is that each would provide half of our ministry expenses and income. If you would consider making a donation to our ministry see here for more information. Please Note: We also provide this easy option due to the convenience, for international supporters, and for those who may not be concerned regarding receiving an official tax deductible receipt. Click here to send an offering using PayPal. This will open to a page that states "Brooksyne Weber" 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. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact. 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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