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Friday,
August
7,
2020
This large
weathered barn is near the Buffalo Valley rail trail which
travels through a very rich agricultural area in central
Pennsylvania.
Click
on photo to enlarge
"The
Blessing On Barns"
Message
summary: Many tend to see work as a mere
necessity to be avoided, as much as possible. But
God has called us all to use our hands for our
betterment and for His glory.
"The
Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on
everything you put your hand to" (Deuteronomy
28:8).
On our final rail trail bike ride this last weekend (actually Monday on our way back) we rode on the ten mile Buffalo Valley Rail Trail between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, PA. The trail runs along a very straight and level grade through beautiful farmland inhabited by many old-order Mennonites who, since they wear plain clothing and ride in a horse driven buggy, are often confused with the Amish. We saw a lot of corn but in addition to the field corn (animal feed) we saw large fields of sweet corn destined for human consumption likely going to a commercial food processor.
On our final rail trail bike ride this last weekend (actually Monday on our way back) we rode on the ten mile Buffalo Valley Rail Trail between Lewisburg and Mifflinburg, PA. The trail runs along a very straight and level grade through beautiful farmland inhabited by many old-order Mennonites who, since they wear plain clothing and ride in a horse driven buggy, are often confused with the Amish. We saw a lot of corn but in addition to the field corn (animal feed) we saw large fields of sweet corn destined for human consumption likely going to a commercial food processor.
We also saw lots of big barns! We
have a small two story utility barn where I have my
workshop and lots of storage. This is probably the
only barn I will have on this side of eternity. But
will there be barns in heaven? Since the Bible
mentions horses in heaven we feel there must surely
be barns!Barns vary in size, design, color and even their intended usage. There are cattle barns, feed barns, equipment barns and many other kinds. As a little boy I would play in my Uncle Gentry's barn on his farm outside of Harwood, Missouri. When the cousins came together for family gatherings we'd play for hours in that barn and especially the hay loft. Uncle Gentry would hitch a wagon to his Allis-Chalmers tractor and take us for a ride in the fields. When we heard the ringing of the dinner bell we'd all run back to the old white 1880's farmhouse for Aunt Dora's country fried chicken, sizzling in a cast iron frying pan.
Barns are mentioned throughout the Bible with today's verse being the very first reference to "barn" in the Scripture. This was prior to the crossing of the Jordan River into the Promised Land and thus is a prophetic promise since, at the time, they were concluding their wilderness wanderings and certainly did not build barns.
"The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to." It was a wonderful promise to them and in principle a promise to all of us whether or not we have a barn.
"The Lord will send." It's so vital to recognize where our blessings come from. In the Doxology we sing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow". God continues to send forth His physical and spiritual blessings to the fallen human race. Sadly, many reject the reality of this source or exhibit an entitlement attitude. God owes us nothing and yet provides for all that we need.
"A blessing on your barns." This phrase indicates the agricultural way of life so common in the Bible period. But in principle it surely also means your work or business, whatever that may be, that relates to the way we make a living today.
"On everything you put your hand to." Note carefully how that this Scripture expresses a cooperative relationship. God is faithful to bless. But farmers don't just lay around all day waiting for God's blessing to fall down from the skies. They work hard, using the skills God has taught them over the years, often through the trials and errors of farming. Although most of us don't work on farms the principle is surely the same in life.
Yesterday
I visited with a young design engineer who was doing
final testing on a new product his company has
developed that will be a benefit to many of our
readers, although very few would be aware of that,
which is the case with so many contributions others
make in our lives. I commended him for his many,
many hours of hard work using his hands and mind to
be productive and an asset to the planet.Many tend to see work as a mere necessity to be avoided as much as possible. But God has called us all to use our hands for our betterment and for His glory. Consider these verses:
- "He who has been stealing must
steal no longer, but must work, doing something
useful with his own hands, that he may have
something to share with those in need" (Ephesians
4:28).
- "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you" (I Thessalonians 4:11).
- "We work hard with our own hands" (1 Corinthians 4:12).
Let us
claim today's promise and let us faithfully obey
God's commands. And let us always be mindful of His
blessings regularly giving Him thanks.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, thank you for Your blessing on
our "barns". We are confident that You will provide
for all our needs as we obey Your commands. You have
instituted work from the very beginning so that we
can provide for ourselves and others that which is
needed. Your blessings fall upon those who obey You,
those who are not idle or wasteful. Thank you for
our work. We lift up our brothers and sisters who
are impacted by this pandemic period who earnestly
want to work and are diligently looking for
employment but still await doors to open. Father, we
pray that You would open the right door and provide
for their needs in unconventional ways as You always
care for Your own, no matter the circumstances. May
it be a time of trusting and growing as they look to
You for their provisions and for the open door. We
also pray that they will find ways to be useful in
helping others while they are flexible in their
schedule. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.Today
we share our final set of photos from our five
bike trail rides this last weekend.
Another
large barn we saw from the Buffalo Valley rail
trail.
The
contrasting green and beige colors and matching
cupolas really stood out on this barn.
Click
on photo to enlarge
This
scene reminded us of how farms looked in our
childhood, especially in the area of southern
Missouri where my grandparents lived: clothes
hanging to dry, cows grazing, corn growing toward
the sky, green pastures, silos that stretch above
the trees and clouded blue skies.
Click
on photo to enlarge
We
passed the Vicksburg Buggy Shop (Building,
Repairing and Restoration) and saw this buggy
"junk yard" out back. See this photo
of their restoration of an 1890's era fire company
ladder wagon. Brooksyne thought it fitting that
these buggies were laid to rest under a large
shade tree.
On a
hot afternoon this family rode on their wagon down
to the swimming pond; adults, kids, and pets.
Click on photo to enlarge and see the dogs on the wagon.
Click on photo to enlarge and see the dogs on the wagon.
An
enterprising Mennonite family hosts this small
stand along the rail trail selling "Homemade
lemonade, root beer and baked goodies". The
rootbeer is bottled in old fashioned jars with a
handle: $1.50 for 16 ozs., $3.50 for half gallon.
These
Mennonites might be the same as a branch that is
settled here in Lancaster County where we see a
lot of them hauling items in cardboard boxes on
back of their bikes. This mother and son had just
done some grocery shopping at Wenger Discount
Grocery in Mifflinburg. We shopped there before
leaving the area and found their prices excellent.
Their music fed our souls while shopping - all the
songs or hymns were sung acappella Mennonite
style.
For any who may be interested:
Buffalo Valley Trail on Trail Link (many nice photos) The trail is located in this region of Pennsylvania (Google map) The trail parallels PA Route 45.
Finally
today:
Yesterday morning we stopped by the Old Windmill Farm and greeted these twin baby goats born just 4 days earlier.
Stephen
with Petey, a baby goat and Sheba, a Siberian Husky
puppy, on the Old Windmill Farm.
Send a message to
Stephen & Brooksyne
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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."
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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Weber - All Rights Reserved
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