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(Click refresh or reload for current message) Thursday, August
18, 2022
Crossing the Susquehanna River
into Danville locals and visitors are welcomed by this well
manicured park.
Click on photo to enlarge
"Shining
In A Dark Place"
"So we
have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you
do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a
dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star
arises in your hearts" (2 Peter 1:19).
The last
couple of days we have been up in north-central PA where
we took two bike trail rides. On Tuesday we rode on a
very isolated trail in the Roaring Creek Watershed in a
beautiful mountain valley passing three lakes. After
this we walked around Knoebel's Amusement Park (no rides
for us), viewing the beautiful flowers and observing the
excited children, before heading to Danville, PA where
we spent the night.
![]() We noted the house has a very nice garden in
the back but wonder what it would be like to live in
such a place. Of course they don't have to worry about
noisy neighbors nor do they endure traffic jams, and it
can be truly said that they know everyone in town! But
they surely must weary of cars slowly driving by
photographing their place.
We first went through the town in the 1980's
when there were still many residents. At that time you
could see holes in the ground where smoke was escaping
we but didn't this time. The main road through town is
still a state highway and for many years was covered in
graffiti but is now repaved. It's interesting to see on
a Google satellite map.
Centralia has been used as a model for many
different fictional ghost towns and manifestations of
Hell. That would make living there all the more daunting
but these are longtime residents who probably just love
their hometown.
“Some want to live within the sound
Of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop, Within a yard of hell.” The sense seem to be the willingness to serve
the Lord in the most needy places which are often also
the hardest places. Today we consider those who
sacrificially serve in such places.
Peter does not specifically identify the "dark
place" in our daily text. It seems most natural however
to view this dark place as the world, the way it
presently exists. Peter is likely using "dark place" as
a metaphor to describe this corrupt world system.
However "advanced" our secular civilization becomes,
this world in its willful rebellion to God (whose
essence is light), lies in the darkness of sin,
ignorance, despair and death which keeps people from
seeing God's truth until His light shines into their
hearts. (Precept Austin commentary)
Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe makes this comment regarding the Greek word "auchmeros", used here for dark. It "is the picture of a dank cellar or a dismal swamp. Human history began in a lovely garden, but that garden today is a murky swamp. What you see when you look at this world system is an indication of the spiritual condition of your heart. We still see beauty in God’s creation, but we see no beauty in what mankind is doing with God’s creation. Peter did not see this world as a Garden of Eden, nor should we." Today we want to encourage our readers who live or serve in what may seem like a dark place. Some of us plant, others water but God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). God will also bring growth and blooming wherever you are, even if it's a dark place, as You look to Him for strength, light, and persistence! A gentle reminder from the Good Book to Christ's followers, "Do not be weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). ![]() Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Rescue
the Perishing" Video Billy
& Cindy Foote
CT Studd (1860 –
1931) was a missionary to China
who also wrote a well known poem with
this oft' repeated refrain, "Only one
life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s
done for Christ will last". Full poem
Today
and tomorrow we will share some
photos from our trip.
The
trail was a nice gravel surface though
forests with slight inclines (not a
rail trail) but we rode our Ebikes so
it was not an intense effort.
McWilliams
Reservoir was one of three lakes we
passed along the trail riding right
beside it.
Click on photo to enlarge Johnson
Covered Bridge, Columbia County
There are
so many flower arrangements at Knoebels
surely they have their own
greenhouse(s). Any farmers reading this
interested in trying to drive a tractor
with round front wheels and back
octagonal wheels! It might be a bit
bumpy even on level ground.
Tuesday
we stayed overnight at the historic Doctor's
Inn Bed and Breakfast in Danville,
PA. Over the years two
different doctors owned the house and
for a period of time patients were
cared for there as well. The
innkeepers have tastefully decorated
the home and kept it looking much like
it would have in years gone by.
The
woodwork was absolutely beautiful.
This is the stairway from the living
room/parlor area leading up to the
guest rooms.
I
wanted to show you the formal dining
room where we enjoyed our breakfast.
As you can see Stephen is ready to
eat, me as well, though I got up to
take the photo. We ate a fresh fruit
salad along with a delicious egg and
cheese placed on a warm bagel. Chas,
along with his wife, Tina are the
innkeepers and are very good at making
guests feel right at home.
![]()
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![]() ![]() Stephen & Brooksyne 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." © Copyright 2022 Stephen C. & Brooksyne Weber - All Rights Reserved Daily Encouragement Net - 495 Kraybill Church Road - Mount Joy, PA 17552 USA |