A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
July 28,
2021
The Precious Moments Chapel near Carthage, MO.
(Click on photo to enlarge and you can
see the children walking the golden staircase in
heaven. Also Sam Butcher's "backbreaking" but
inspiring artwork of the Precious Moments cherubs on
the ceiling of the chapel.)
"A
Book
Of Remembrance"
“Then
those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The
Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of
remembrance was written before Him of those who feared
the Lord and esteemed His name. They shall be mine, says
the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my
treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man
spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall
see the distinction between the righteous and the
wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not
serve Him” (Malachi 3:16-18).
During
our trip we visited the "Precious Moments" chapel in
Southwest Missouri. This chapel is a remarkable place and
was developed by Sam Butcher the man who originated the
Precious Moments collection (small pottery pieces of
children).
During
our trip we visited the "Precious Moments" chapel in
Southwest Missouri. This chapel is a remarkable place and
was developed by Sam Butcher the man who originated the
Precious Moments collection (small pottery pieces of
children).Sam
Butcher, who initially made the figurines as gifts
for family and friends, is a Christian and there is a
strong testimony for Christ in the Chapel. For many years
Sam had dreamed of building a chapel where he could share
his faith and spread the word of God with anyone who
wished to visit. He was originally inspired by the sight
of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel in Rome. He remembers
looking at the masterpiece and thinking, “Could it be that
someday God might grant me the privilege of sharing what
light He has given me by painting what I feel He has to
say about His grace?”
In
the back of the Chapel there are several rooms with large
books of remembrance where people are able to write a
brief memory of deceased loved ones. You can also read the
previous memorials and many are very moving. They express
the love and appreciation of the living for the impact of
those "that have gone on before us". There is a
quiet sacredness about this place. Boxes of Kleenex are
strategically placed around the room for good reason! If
you are ever in Southwest Missouri (near Carthage) not far
off I-44 check it out. (The photo on the right shows
Brooksyne writing in
a book of remembrance several years ago.)The daily text begins with a reflection of how the Lord observes our relationships with others on this side. “Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another." In a number of businesses we visit, especially service companies like HVAC and home improvement, I often observe the service techs “talking shop” before they begin their day, discussing the work they recently completed and the work ahead as well as sharing tips with one another. I wonder what “shop talk” in church sounds like to the Lord as we discuss spiritual matters with others who fear Him?
One
thing is for sure, the Lord is listening! "The Lord
paid attention and heard them.” That should
certainly give us pause!
Apparently this talking with one another prompted the writing of “a book of remembrance” which “was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed His name”.
Today let us consider this “book of remembrance”. Although we don’t know all the details we have wondered if this book is similar to the Book of Life mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. It does not specify in the text who wrote in this “book of remembrance”, just that it was “written in His presence”. Perhaps it was angels or even God Himself.
I wonder to what extent our heartfelt tributes to the living or memorials to the dead are a means of doing this. I wonder in what way we can honor and remember those who “feared the Lord and esteemed His name”?
Certainly our lives have been immeasurably enriched by many whom God has providentially and strategically placed in our lives. And yet, one by one, they go on before us and eventually it will be our turn.
Our
friend Sabra Penley wrote an article titled, “What If
Today Was My Last?” which included this thoughtful
Scripture portion, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and
the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life
is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span
of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a
breath, even those who seem secure” (Psalm 39:4-5).
Someday we want to write a message based on that last
phrase, "Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure”.
Apparently this talking with one another prompted the writing of “a book of remembrance” which “was written before Him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed His name”.
Today let us consider this “book of remembrance”. Although we don’t know all the details we have wondered if this book is similar to the Book of Life mentioned elsewhere in the Bible. It does not specify in the text who wrote in this “book of remembrance”, just that it was “written in His presence”. Perhaps it was angels or even God Himself.
I wonder to what extent our heartfelt tributes to the living or memorials to the dead are a means of doing this. I wonder in what way we can honor and remember those who “feared the Lord and esteemed His name”?
Certainly our lives have been immeasurably enriched by many whom God has providentially and strategically placed in our lives. And yet, one by one, they go on before us and eventually it will be our turn.
Our
friend Sabra Penley wrote an article titled, “What If
Today Was My Last?” which included this thoughtful
Scripture portion, “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and
the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life
is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span
of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a
breath, even those who seem secure” (Psalm 39:4-5).
Someday we want to write a message based on that last
phrase, "Everyone is but a breath,
even those who seem secure”.
Today pause for a moment and consider those who have made
an eternal impact on your life. Raise a prayer of
thanksgiving in remembrance of this person. If they are
still living perhaps the Lord will lead you to visit or
call them. Send them a note or a card, a text or email -
connect with them in some way to let them know they have
made a difference in your life.
Keep these questions before you:
* What am I doing that is making an eternal impact for Jesus Christ?
* Who will write about me in a “book of remembrance”?
* What will they write?
Keep these questions before you:
* What am I doing that is making an eternal impact for Jesus Christ?
* Who will write about me in a “book of remembrance”?
* What will they write?
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Loving Father, You shower me with
spiritual blessings as You place godly men and
women in my path who revere Your holy name and
honor You with their lives. They live above
reproach and serve as examples of those who have
overcome the world! Just as You brought these
dear brothers and sisters into my life for a
season, I pray that I, too, will make a positive
difference for those who are presently observing
my life. I want my testimony to be an example of
Your life-changing, all-sufficient, and
all-sustaining grace. Amen.
Daily
prayer: Loving Father, You shower me with
spiritual blessings as You place godly men and
women in my path who revere Your holy name and
honor You with their lives. They live above
reproach and serve as examples of those who have
overcome the world! Just as You brought these
dear brothers and sisters into my life for a
season, I pray that I, too, will make a positive
difference for those who are presently observing
my life. I want my testimony to be an example of
Your life-changing, all-sufficient, and
all-sustaining grace. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
Forever
Home Video
Brian Free & Assurance
Homesick
for Heaven Video Jim &
Melissa Brady
"Farewell,
But Not Forever" Video Jim
& Melissa Brady
"Hello In Heaven" Video
The Freemans Monday we shared
a partial video of this song
with Brooksyne's cousins singing it in the
mountain church her grandpa established in
1981. John Thomas, a local reader, also
suggested a version of the song by a
family group known as the Freemans. It's a
nice overview of the many popular stories
and characters mentioned in the Bible.
In
today's message we mentioned Sabra Penley.
Yesterday we received this note from her
husband David: Glad you guys had a
good trip and are back home safely. Good to
be reading your Daily Encouragement messages
every day again. I really enjoyed today's
message and reading about "Victory in
Jesus". It has special meaning and memories
for Sabra and me. Our first ministry
position was at First Calvary Baptist Church
in Kansas City as Associate Pastor while I
was in seminary. Our pastor was Fred Fishel.
He loved that song. We sang it often. When I
had my first position as pastor in Dallas,
PA, we invited him to preach at our first
revival, which he did, and which we called
the Victory in Jesus Revival. We sang that
song at every service. It was a wonderful
week and God truly blessed. Glad you're home
safe and blessings to you guys. David
We
connected with David and Sabra many years
ago through Daily Encouragement.
Whenever
we pass through Saint Louis we look for
the Gateway Arch. (Who doesn't?) As a
child I (Stephen) recall making trips with
my dad to Saint Louis to watch the
progress as the arch was being
constructed. Here's a neat collection of
construction photos
Brooksyne
met up with her cousin, Sharon, who lives
in Springfield, MO. Sharon attended
Evangel University in Springfield while we
were students at Central Bible College in
Springfield back in the day!
We passed by Central Bible
College where we met in the seventies.
Sadly it has now closed.
Here's our engagement photo
taken in the spring of 1976 in front of
CBC.
During
our trip we rode on a portion of Rt 66
through southwest Missouri, southeast
Kansas and northeast Oklahoma, including
Galena Kansas, which is the basis of the
town called
Radiator Springs featured
in the animated movie "Cars". See here.
In
Oklahoma we all enjoyed a boat ride on
Fort Gibson Lake. Ester was with us for
the Steincross reunion (my mom's side) but
then stayed with Brooksyne's sister,
Elaine, in Arkansas while we visited
Brooksyne's relatives there. They traveled
back to Texas in Elaine's RV where she
lives in New Braunfels, and she'll be
staying with her for a few weeks.
Send
a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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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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