A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Tuesday,
September 14,
2021
Cameron
Estate Inn
Mansion Lane
in East Donegal Township
(click on photo to enlarge)
"Mutually
Encouraged!"
Listen to this message on your audio player.
"I long to
see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to
make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith" (Romans 1:11,12). "The
brothers there [Rome] had heard that we were coming, and
they Paul (and his team) traveled as far as the Forum of
Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of
these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged" (Acts
28:15).
Almost every
day on the calendar has been designated as a special
recognition for something or someone. For instance today,
September 14, if you want to celebrate something you have
many choices including: "Eat a Hoagie Day", "National
Coloring Day", and "National Sober Day" among others.
But I
saw a day on our print calendar that especially caught my
attention. I didn't know there was a "National Day of
Encouragement" which was recognized this past Sunday,
September 12. The
day originated in 2007 as a day meant to remind others that
encouragement matters. It all started when a group of high
school students attending a leadership forum were asked to
come up with a solution to the biggest problem that faced
young people in their day. They overwhelmingly agreed that
young people lack encouragement.
September 11 will always be a day full of hurt, confusion and loss for Americans as we commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attack. But the very next day we acknowledge the National Day of Encouragement. It's a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the importance of coming together and encouraging others. Encouragement matters.
National Day of Encouragement is a day dedicated to uplifting those around us and making a positive impact, no matter the magnitude. It’s that simple.*
September 11 will always be a day full of hurt, confusion and loss for Americans as we commemorate the 9/11 terrorist attack. But the very next day we acknowledge the National Day of Encouragement. It's a perfect opportunity to acknowledge the importance of coming together and encouraging others. Encouragement matters.
National Day of Encouragement is a day dedicated to uplifting those around us and making a positive impact, no matter the magnitude. It’s that simple.*
Today let us
consider encouragement from a Biblical perspective.
Romans is a
deeply theological book and chapter 1 has a panoramic view
of the glorious Gospel and the depraved condition of the
human race, which is foundational to an understanding of the
necessity of the Gospel.
Paul had not
been to Rome but a church had been established, perhaps as
a result of those who returned from the Day of Pentecost
which included "visitors from Rome" (see Acts 2:8-11).
Paul includes in his introduction today's Scripture portion, "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong - that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith" (Romans 1:11,12).
The concept of
mutual encouragement really stands out to me. That is
so often the way encouragement works, it's mutually
beneficial. As Proverbs 11:25 states, "He who
refreshes others will himself be refreshed".
When Paul
finally reached Rome in Acts 28 there's a poignant scene, "The
brothers
there (in Rome) had heard that we (Paul and his
team) were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum
of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the
sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged"
(Acts 28:15).
Let
me end with an illustrative memory of mutual encouragement
from some 25 years ago.
I
was serving a church in New England when I received news
that my dad was nearing his end on this earth. I took the
first flight I could get (out of Boston as I recall) and
headed to Kansas City. I connected in Dallas/Fort Worth, a
huge airport with many, many gates for American Airlines. I
wearily got off the plane as I prepared to walk or perhaps
run to the next gate for the short connection.
Lo
and behold I ran into Dave Simpson, a great friend from 1st
grade who "just happened" to be heading from Springfield, MO
to a business meeting in Florida. Neither of us had any idea
of each other's travel plans but it was ordained that we
would each be in just the right part of the huge airport at
just the right time (+/- only a few minutes and we probably
would not have seen each other). But we met and were able to
grab a quick bite and have a few minutes of fellowship with
one another. I can say at the sight of Dave Simpson I
thanked God and was encouraged and certainly hope I
encouraged Dave as well.Today
how and with whom might you be mutually encouraged?
Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, we want to encourage another
by imparting courage, spirit, and hope into their
life. We have all been encouraged by another's
words, actions, or example and we can also be an
encourager by doing likewise, putting others before
ourselves. We are mutually encouraged when we build
up each other in the faith testifying of the good
things You have done. Help us to be more concerned
about blessing others than receiving a blessing,
because it's in the blessing of others that we
ourselves receive Your blessing which brings about
the greatest encouragement one can receive. Amen.
Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom was the
evangelist who preached the Gospel the night I got
saved in August 1971. On several occasions I saw
Lowell since the time of my conversion and was
pleased to share of his impact on my life and he
was equally pleased to hear it. The last time I
saw him was in 1998 when I "just happened" to meet
him at the KC airport following my dad's death. I was
returning home and he had a connecting flight to North
Dakota. He provided some comfort and
perspective when he suggested to me, "Your dad
took an early flight". I've used that illustration
many times over the years when speaking to others
who lost a loved one who was a believer.
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
Rick Masciantonio and Tom Hanley
holding a sign with a phrase I used most every
Sunday when I pastored. How many of you have
heard me say, "Stay Faithful"?
Follow-up:
In last Friday's message we used
an illustration about an elderly lady I had
visited about twenty years ago that spoke of
going to her permanent home. Her grand-daughter
wrote me just today and said, "Anna finally went
to her permanent home in April of this year. She
was 103."
"Jesus,
Strong and Kind" Video
CityAlight This especially blesses me to
see the children sing!
*
"National Sober Day" is
another day I do not recall ever hearing about.
We pray that God will help all struggling with
addictions experience deliverance and freedom in
Jesus Christ! I have several on my heart that I
am praying for. May we all consider this verse.
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and
fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be
brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed
at His coming" (1 Peter 1:13).
I
am also heartened to see people working through
overcoming such as the man we see each week at
work who has a small post-it note attached to
his monitor reminding him of the days since his
last drink, which is over 100 now! I remember
when it was double digits.
"Chainbreaker"
Video
Zach Williams (sung in a prison). Here's a
comment from the song that will bless you:
"I spent 10+ years of my life in
addiction, lost, miserable and on the edge daily
of dying. Jesus changed my life in a 5'x8' cell
after more times in jail/prison/rehab than I can
count. Over 6 years now since He took that devil
of drugs and all chemical dependency from me and
I give glory to God daily and hope one day I can
get into prisons to testify and hopefully change
some lost men's lives. These videos of Zach in
prison sharing the gospel are so powerful for me
to watch I can't begin to describe. I pray every
man finds God and sees that there is SO much to
gain from giving their lives to Him!"
Just
yesterday I received word
that Tom Hanley (right in photo above), died due
to complications in his recovery from a
motorcycle accident. Tom came into the church we
served in New England, recently saved out of a
very rough life. He had been a bar bouncer in
the tough "Tenderloin" section of Boston, among
other illustrious experiences in life. We called
him over the years after we left that area and I
was heartened when he said he prayed for us
daily! I once told him, "Tom, I recall you
telling me you had been stabbed in the chest."
He told me, "Preacher, I've been stabbed all
over." Isn't redemption wonderful! He
leaves behind a devoted wife named LuAnn whom he
married while attending our church in Taunton.
We believe Stephen conducted the service but
can't remember for sure. Another friend, Rick
Masciantonio (left in photo above) from the
church, got him involved in prison ministry and
he served for many years. Rick is now a pastor
out on Cape Cod and had Tom speak last spring
and thankfully has the video of Tom preaching.
Rick also has a great testimony, getting saved
while serving in the navy in Newport, RI.
Cameron Estate Today's lead photo is of the Cameron
Estate which is down the trail we often walk on
across from our home. It was initially a mansion
built for Simon Cameron who was Lincoln's
Secretary of War during the Civil War. It is now
a hotel, restaurant and wedding venue https://cameronestateinn.com/
Yesterday
Brooksyne made her second batch of
strawberry/rhubarb jam this year and decided to
share the process pictorially. Many of our
readers have eaten a jar or two (or more) of
this delicious jam.
The
first step is filling a large dutch oven with
chopped rhubarb, strawberries and sugar. No need
to cut up the strawberries. Bring the rhubarb
mixture to a rolling boil for ten minutes. This
will take a while to get it rolling. (A small
pat of butter helps with the foaming.)
After
boiling the rhubarb mixture remove from heat.
Thoroughly mix strawberry jello to rhubarb and
pour in canning jars or you can also freeze this
jam. I find it easier to fill jars from a
container that has a spout than using a ladle
which is why I'm filling this two quart mixing
bowl to pour mixture into warm jars. Wipe off
any spill before topping with flat lids.
The
jars will need to be boiled ten minutes in a
water bath or a steam canner which is what I
have used for the past ten years. I like the
steam canner because it only requires two quarts
of water and heats quickly between batches. It's
much easier to empty water after usage as well.
Unlike the water bath the lid is deep and the
bath is shallow, whereas the water bath is deep
and the lid is shallow. With the steam canner
the jar flats usually pop as I pull the lid off
- a sign that they are sealed and after they
have fully cooled down they can be stored for a
year or two.
Fifteen
fully sealed jars of Strawberry Rhubarb Jam
(The
recipe below will make over 22 six ounce
jars.)
Oh
so good!
Brooksyne's
Strawberry/Rhubarb Preserves
16 Cups Rhubarb, chopped several ribs at a time (no need to peel)
16 Cups Rhubarb, chopped several ribs at a time (no need to peel)
8
Cups whole strawberries, no need to chop
12 to 13 Cups Granulated Sugar
3 1/2 large boxes Strawberry Jello (give or take a box)
Cover rhubarb with sugar for several hours or overnight as it easier to stir the mixture before boiling. It will be syrupy and will soften rhubarb and strawberries. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for ten minutes. You can add a pat of butter to lessen the foam that gathers at the top. If you get a lot of foam try to remove it before filling jars. Take jam mixture from heat and thoroughly mix in jello powder in. Pour in 6 oz. jelly jars and seal 10 minutes in water bath or steam canner. You can also freeze in freezer jars or containers.
3 1/2 large boxes Strawberry Jello (give or take a box)
Cover rhubarb with sugar for several hours or overnight as it easier to stir the mixture before boiling. It will be syrupy and will soften rhubarb and strawberries. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil for ten minutes. You can add a pat of butter to lessen the foam that gathers at the top. If you get a lot of foam try to remove it before filling jars. Take jam mixture from heat and thoroughly mix in jello powder in. Pour in 6 oz. jelly jars and seal 10 minutes in water bath or steam canner. You can also freeze in freezer jars or containers.
My
notes:
I
have been making this jam for 30 years now and
have never had the jam not set. It is a very
flexible recipe allowing you to mix with the
rhubarb whatever you have such as fresh or
canned pineapple, strawberries, raspberries, or
cherries, (I've used them all successfully and
sometimes two different kinds of fruit). You
might want to match the jello flavor to the
fruit you are using. I often pull the rhubarb
and strawberries from the freezer as I did today
before turning them into jam and there is no
difference in the results! I hope you'll try
making your own jam cause it's so tasty,
inexpensive, and a nice little gift to share
with others. You can also make half this recipe
as it is not required to be exact as are typical
jam and jelly recipes. If you have any questions
just 
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& Brooksyne
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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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