A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Monday,
May
10,
2021
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
While visiting people in their workplace we
often see interesting photos displayed on their computer
screen. Richard is originally from
Maryland and often shares about his favorite place,
Harpers Ferry WV, so we decided to go there for our 45th
anniversary weekend. Richard is a friend and fellow Christian we see
at White Oak Display in the course of our chaplaincy and
he took this photo from Maryland Heights.
It's interesting how some people perceive our work. He
once wrote, "fellowship with a brother in Christ always
re-focuses my day on what's important."
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
"The
Long Haul"
Message
summary: Whatever
your circumstances, however serious your situation,
regardless of how long you've waited; keep believing,
obeying, and praying. We will reap a harvest; that's
the assurance we receive directly from Scripture for
the long haul!
"Therefore,
my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in
vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58). "Let us not become weary
in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9).
This last Saturday we celebrated two anniversaries. Both gave us the opportunity for reflection upon God's blessings and faithfulness over the increasingly long haul of life. (We were married forty-five years ago on May 8, 1976 and I was ordained for Christian ministry forty-two years ago on May 8, 1979). Of course for many families there was the big celebration of Mothers Day on Sunday.
This last weekend we went to Harpers Ferry, WV primarily to ride our bikes on the C&O canal trail and walk a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It was a bit colder and rainier than we would have preferred but we made the best of it, although our bikes are covered with trail mud!
This last Saturday we celebrated two anniversaries. Both gave us the opportunity for reflection upon God's blessings and faithfulness over the increasingly long haul of life. (We were married forty-five years ago on May 8, 1976 and I was ordained for Christian ministry forty-two years ago on May 8, 1979). Of course for many families there was the big celebration of Mothers Day on Sunday.
This last weekend we went to Harpers Ferry, WV primarily to ride our bikes on the C&O canal trail and walk a portion of the Appalachian Trail. It was a bit colder and rainier than we would have preferred but we made the best of it, although our bikes are covered with trail mud!
The
Appalachian Trail is 2200 miles long from its southern
terminus at Springer Mountain Georgia to the northern
terminus at Mount Katahdin in Maine. We have hiked
portions of the trail in 7 states. It seemingly runs
very inefficiently as far as getting from one point to
the next. The actual distance between the north and
south terminus is about half the hiking distance. It
goes up and down and around to maintain a relatively
steady grade.
That's
kind of like life. Between our two certificates (birth
and death) we have lots of "dangers, toils and snares".
Sometimes were on a route that just made no sense.
We have so
often found assurance in the two daily verses during our
marriage and in our ministry. The farther along I get I
have a greater perspective in seeing God's hand at work
during the "why" seasons of life. The "why" seasons are
when we just don't understand God's ways in our life and
we wonder why. But as we grow in Christ and mature
we call this the perspective of the long haul. I suppose
it's just one of the good things about getting older!
We can look back at the times of dismay, discouragement, and even feelings of despair. I've been criticized, attacked and even vilified. (Although nothing compared to what so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been through). I've faced forms of temptation common to all men and forms rather unique to the minister of the Gospel. But God's Word says my labor in the Lord is not in vain and at the proper time I will reap a harvest. Staying faithful and maintaining integrity brings great reward!
We can look back at the times of dismay, discouragement, and even feelings of despair. I've been criticized, attacked and even vilified. (Although nothing compared to what so many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have been through). I've faced forms of temptation common to all men and forms rather unique to the minister of the Gospel. But God's Word says my labor in the Lord is not in vain and at the proper time I will reap a harvest. Staying faithful and maintaining integrity brings great reward!
There's
lots of things I'm finding in the aging process that are
not enjoyable, but one bright spot is that we have
gained perspective not yet available to us in our youth.
The perspective over the long haul is that in so many
ways we are now reaping the harvest of seeds sown many
years ago. A blessed marriage, so many longtime friends
now living all over the world, young people I dedicated
as babies and discipled through childhood and youth now
serving God faithfully. We know there are still aspects
of the harvest that are yet future, and quite
realistically more "why" times will come. But what a
joy, as life progresses, to experience the reaping,
although we certainly continue to sow as well.
The assurance in these two verses is for all of Christ's followers regardless of the type of service you are in. Receive this assurance today. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain and you will reap a harvest. So let me encourage you today to keep your hand to the plow. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord and continue to do good as you serve the one true God. Whatever your circumstances, however serious your situation, regardless of how long you've waited. Keep believing, obeying and praying. We will reap a harvest. That's assurance for the long haul!
The assurance in these two verses is for all of Christ's followers regardless of the type of service you are in. Receive this assurance today. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain and you will reap a harvest. So let me encourage you today to keep your hand to the plow. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord and continue to do good as you serve the one true God. Whatever your circumstances, however serious your situation, regardless of how long you've waited. Keep believing, obeying and praying. We will reap a harvest. That's assurance for the long haul!
But the
reality is this: not everyone who has been introduced to
Christ stays in it for the long haul nor do they
continue on the path of the straight and narrow way.
There are the drifters, the doubters, and the
disobedient who veer off on treacherous paths that steer
them away from the upward road. Be sure
that you never enter that dead end route.
Be
encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Faithful Father, many portions of
Scripture speak of fruit as an outgrowth of
sowing good seed in fertile soil. Help us to be
faithful and fruitful over the long haul,
especially during times of disappointment,
spiritual dryness and delayed answers to prayer.
Often times we forget that You generously bless
us in ways more numerous than we can recall even
in difficult times. We are in this spiritual
race for the duration and will never give up but
will finish the race, for victory is just ahead!
Amen.
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Faithful Father, many portions of
Scripture speak of fruit as an outgrowth of
sowing good seed in fertile soil. Help us to be
faithful and fruitful over the long haul,
especially during times of disappointment,
spiritual dryness and delayed answers to prayer.
Often times we forget that You generously bless
us in ways more numerous than we can recall even
in difficult times. We are in this spiritual
race for the duration and will never give up but
will finish the race, for victory is just ahead!
Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"He's
Been Faithful" Video
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
"Faithful To The End"
Video
Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
When I'm feeling afraid,
Full of uncertainty
When the plans that I've made all fall apart
When the futures unclear, and all that I can do is wait
There is a promise echoing in my heart.
That he will be faithful to the end
He will provide time and time again
He will be faithful, So faithful to the end
When the plans that I've made all fall apart
When the futures unclear, and all that I can do is wait
There is a promise echoing in my heart.
That he will be faithful to the end
He will provide time and time again
He will be faithful, So faithful to the end
Today we share some photos from our
weekend in Harpers Ferry WV.
Note: Harpers Ferry does not have
an apostrophe ('s)
Harpers Ferry rail tunnel
from the C&O bike trail.
The
Appalachian Trail crosses the Potomac River into
West Virginia from Maryland over the bridge to
the left in the photo. It also shares the trail
for several miles with the C&O tow path
which winds around the mountain to the right of
the rail tunnel close to the river.
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
Potomac
River from Harpers Ferry, WV
We
walked on this pedestrian walk along the train
tracks and saw many padlocks attached to the
fencing. But, of course, we were more struck by
the beautiful mountainous view.
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
A
train coming through Harpers Ferry rail tunnel
with bright afternoon sun.
Harpers
Ferry has lot of interesting buildings
Bright
pansies during a moment of sunny weather!
Civil
War era buildings in Harpers Ferry
Click on photo to enlarge
Our
forty-fifth anniversary photo in front a Harpers
Ferry store window.
(Click on photo for larger view)
(Click on photo for larger view)
Finally
today:
I
like trains and when I heard one coming I
ran up to the station to see it pass.
Brooksyne came up behind me and took a video
but I lovingly chastised her for being way
too close to the tracks when she took it!
The curve in the track threw us for a curve
as to how close the train was to where we
were standing. It took only a few seconds
for Brooksyne to realize how dangerously
close she was and she moved back about three
feet. Video
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Weber".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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