A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Friday,
October
22,
2021
Strasburg Railroad Steam Engine
Yesterday they were running the old steam engine
on the excursion run.
(Click on photo for larger image)
(Click on photo for larger image)
"Staying
On Straight Street"
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"The Lord
told him (Ananias), 'Go to the house of Judas on Straight
Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is
praying'" (Acts 9:11). "Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me
in a straight path" (Psalm 27:11). "They have left the
straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam
son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness" (2 Peter
2:15).
Periodically
in these Daily Encouragement messages we mention interesting
street names we see along life's way such as "Bible Road" in
Central Pennsylvania, "Thankless Lane" near Rising Sun,
Maryland, "Delilah Road" near Atlantic City, New
Jersey (a fitting name for what that
city became!) and "Easy Street" in Bloomsburg, PA.
Whoever
named streets near Porters Lake in Nova Scotia apparently got
really lazy, because three connecting streets are called “This
Street,” “That Street,” and “The Other Street.” It sure must
be hard to give directions there! (See on Google maps)
There is only one named street in the
entire Bible, "Straight Street" in Damascus where Ananias
was instructed to go and meet Saul, who of course became
Paul. The photo to the left is an online picture of Straight
Street taken around 1900. It appears to be a rather
pleasant, peaceful scene. Based upon events in recent years
in Syria this is probably not the case today.
During the Greek period in Damascus, the city was re-designed by Hippodamus, who gave the city a grid structure. The longest of these streets, about a mile in length, was called Straight Street. The eastern half of the street, leading to the Bab Sharqi gate is now named "Bab Sharqi Street". This can be seen on a Google map and indeed appears to be quite straight and is still utilized to this day.
Today let us focus our attention on that which lies ahead as we stretch toward the mark of the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us firmly resolve within in our hearts that we will stay on the straight way, not veering to the right or the left.
Daily
prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the
Truth, and the Life. You've given us the road
map to follow through the guidance of Your Holy
Scriptures. You've established that Your way is the
only way to eternal life. It is the only way that we
can have victory in our walk here on earth and the
assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven. Just
as John the Baptist went before You preparing
straight paths, I thank You for going before me
preparing the way for my journey. Though Scripture
describes the Christian's walk as being a straight
and narrow path it has steep inclines and its route
will also take me through deep valleys. If I wander
off-course I'm grateful for Your Holy Spirit who
reminds me of my commitment to follow You and the
importance of my example to those who walk beside me
or behind me. Let us not veer from our heavenly
destination. Amen.
There is only one named street in the
entire Bible, "Straight Street" in Damascus where Ananias
was instructed to go and meet Saul, who of course became
Paul. The photo to the left is an online picture of Straight
Street taken around 1900. It appears to be a rather
pleasant, peaceful scene. Based upon events in recent years
in Syria this is probably not the case today.During the Greek period in Damascus, the city was re-designed by Hippodamus, who gave the city a grid structure. The longest of these streets, about a mile in length, was called Straight Street. The eastern half of the street, leading to the Bab Sharqi gate is now named "Bab Sharqi Street". This can be seen on a Google map and indeed appears to be quite straight and is still utilized to this day.
Today let us
consider a spiritual "straight street" we are to stay on!
David's prayer
in Psalm 27:11 should be a daily prayer of ours as well, "Teach
me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path".
Throughout the Bible following the straight way or straight path is emphasized. Proverbs 11:5 states, "The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness". John the Baptist came to "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him". And we often paraphrase the words of our Lord Jesus in regard to living by "the straight and narrow way". (This is taken from a phrase in Matthew 7:14.)
But in the second daily text the Apostle Peter speaks of those who "have left the straight way". Today we will all make decisions and be confronted with temptations of various sorts to leave the straight way. Our enemy wants to throw in a few curves that steer us off the straight way. Many continue to wander off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, and love the wages of wickedness.
Balaam is a prophet mentioned in Numbers most famously for having a conversation with a donkey. He did not have a consistent walk with the Lord but rather wavered in his loyalties and commitment.
The Precept Austin online commentary notes,
Throughout the Bible following the straight way or straight path is emphasized. Proverbs 11:5 states, "The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness". John the Baptist came to "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him". And we often paraphrase the words of our Lord Jesus in regard to living by "the straight and narrow way". (This is taken from a phrase in Matthew 7:14.)
But in the second daily text the Apostle Peter speaks of those who "have left the straight way". Today we will all make decisions and be confronted with temptations of various sorts to leave the straight way. Our enemy wants to throw in a few curves that steer us off the straight way. Many continue to wander off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, and love the wages of wickedness.
Balaam is a prophet mentioned in Numbers most famously for having a conversation with a donkey. He did not have a consistent walk with the Lord but rather wavered in his loyalties and commitment.
The Precept Austin online commentary notes,
"Doctrine is
important - Balaam's doctrine polluted their mind and led
to their unrighteous acts. False teachers are master
purveyors of false doctrine. We desperately need churches
where the pastors are teaching sound doctrine to renew
minds able to identify and resist false doctrine that is
creeping into even the most conservative, evangelical
churches."
Today let us focus our attention on that which lies ahead as we stretch toward the mark of the prize of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us firmly resolve within in our hearts that we will stay on the straight way, not veering to the right or the left.
Daily
prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the
Truth, and the Life. You've given us the road
map to follow through the guidance of Your Holy
Scriptures. You've established that Your way is the
only way to eternal life. It is the only way that we
can have victory in our walk here on earth and the
assurance of a victorious eternity in heaven. Just
as John the Baptist went before You preparing
straight paths, I thank You for going before me
preparing the way for my journey. Though Scripture
describes the Christian's walk as being a straight
and narrow path it has steep inclines and its route
will also take me through deep valleys. If I wander
off-course I'm grateful for Your Holy Spirit who
reminds me of my commitment to follow You and the
importance of my example to those who walk beside me
or behind me. Let us not veer from our heavenly
destination. Amen.Yesterday
morning we visited the Old Windmill Farm for the
"Farmhouse Experience".
Other
visitors were in attendance from New Jersey,
Russia, and Maryland.
Jesse
and Anna invited us to join one of the "Farmhouse Experience" tour
groups. (Video) We were pleased to see
how much the guests enjoyed the experience and Jesse
does a great job of explaining his Amish heritage as
well as his witness for the Lord.
The
process of making fresh cider begins with cutting up
fresh apples which go into the press; stems, seeds
and possibly a few bees swarming the process!
Pressing
the apples for cider. Churning the butter was
easier than turning the wheel for the cider so
Jesse did most of the work in this chore though
everyone took a turn just for the experience.
Turning
fresh cream to make butter in this antique glass
butter churn. Several visitors had a turn at this
chore since it takes 15-20 minutes. I (Brooksyne)
was taken back to childhood memories with this
"chore" as we had a crock butter churn with a dasher
that my siblings and I took turns in pushing the
dasher up and down to churn the cream till it turned
to butter. We had a milk cow and often made butter
or homemade ice cream with the generous cream that
came from the cow after separating it from the milk.
Freshly
baked homemade bread right out of the oven. Oh, so
good, and since Brooksyne was the birthday girl, she
was given a whole loaf to take home!
Can't
get any fresher or tastier than this! Hmm, Hmm,
Good!
I
receive copies of Yelp reviews of the Old Windmill
Farm and was especially blessed by this observation
posted yesterday by a tour participant from New York City.
My daughter was on cloud nine, and so was
I. I got to experience a little bit of that world
growing up, but where we live now my daughter only
observes the stress and complexity of urban life.
I'm so glad she got to experience some of the more
awesome aspects of living on a real farm. I also am
so glad she got to witness this family. They're a
large family, but you could see Lizzie's father and
mother and I believe her older brother all working
hard and also loving each other as a family. They
all spoke to each other in Pennsylvania German.
As a Christian trapped in NYC, I also
appreciated how they reflected their faith, not by
loud preaching, but just through simple living, hard
work, and love. I loved seeing a plaque with a Bible
verse in the barn. I think we city folk often look
upon Amish culture as a curiosity, but what I
witnessed was how they "get" what's important in
life more than we ever will. Another great lesson
for my daughter--and me. I can't recommend this
place highly enough. Just remember if you go with
your kids to make sure they respect their culture,
respect the animals, and remember that this is a
working farm, not a theme park.
Finally
today:
Ester
and I took Brooksyne to the breakfast buffet at
Hershey Farm Restaurant. Afterwards Ester stood next
to the giant Amish man when we "snapped" this photo.
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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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