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&
Brooksyne Weber
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Wednesday, March
15, 2023
This
redbud we
passed in
Mount Joy
yesterday is
blooming. We
hope the winds
that came up
later in the
day didn't
blow the
blooms off nor
the heavy
winds that
continue
throughout
today!
"A
Chasing After
The Wind"
Message
summary:
Today
let us beware
of chasing
after the
wind. Let’s
make it our
renewed and
persistent
goal to chase
(seek) after
the Lord above
all!
Listen
to our message
on your audio
player.
Our
text speaks of
"a chasing
after the
wind" so today
we want to
consider this
phrase, which
is found nine
times in the
Book of
Ecclesiastes.
Consider our all-knowing Master who watches His children chasing after the many winds of life trying to find fulfillment and happiness with money, trying to impress others with our material possessions, educational titles, political posturing, and so forth.
In describing this futility the writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon) uses the colorful phrase, “chasing after the wind”. In a descriptive language that all people of all generations can grasp, he describes the meaninglessness of so many life pursuits. We all know how utterly futile it is to go chasing after the wind. It can also be useless to chase something that is being blown by the wind.
But
the book ends
with this
timeless
counsel:
Daily
prayer:
Father, it’s
the deception
of the enemy
that distorts
the many
worthless
pursuits in
life that will
veer my heart
off course
from the goal
of winning the
prize for
which You have
called me
heavenward in
Christ Jesus.
All worthy
pursuits are
secondary to
the the
highest
pursuit of
knowing Christ
Jesus as my
Lord, for
whose sake I
am willing to
lay it all
down, that I
may gain
Christ and be
found in Him,
not having a
righteousness
of my
own...but the
righteousness
that comes
from You on
the basis of
faith. Knowing
Christ is a
lasting goal
that brings
great reward
not just here
and now but
forevermore.
No more
chasing in the
wind but a
lifetime
pursuit of
walking in the
ways of
holiness is
what I seek
after. It is
through Christ
Jesus that I
commit to You,
Father God,
this worthy
desire of my
heart. Amen.
We were among several other "English" (the term Amish use in referring to non-Amish) who attended a children's Christmas program at an one room schoolhouse that has nearly 30 children, grades 1-8. This was our third time to attend the Children's school program and it is certainly not your "normal" school or church event, but more a reflection of the past when children were required to memorize poems, passages, skits, plays, and songs.
I, Brooksyne, still recall our Christmas concerts in my Elementary School where we memorized all the verses of "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Joy to the World", "We Three Kings" and other such sacred carols.
The Amish children's program was 90 minutes with 9 poems, seven lengthy songs and medleys, and seven plays, besides some other punchline type narratives. All spoken in English, but with their Pennsylvania Dutch accent, there is much we miss if the children speak quickly. According to Amish customs taking photos of the children's faces would not be protocol, but we thought we'd share some of the vibrant singing so we recorded some audio using the video function on our phones.
The first part of the video is singing by the children, discreetly recorded by Ester along with some exterior photos Stephen took as we approached and entered the school. Thankfully hats are removed which helps the many guests with viewing the short children on the platform. We were crowded in like sardines sitting on benches, even squeezed into the children's small desks - for the really slender, even two were seated at one desk (obviously that didn't include the three of us). What a delightful event that few are privileged to enjoy. We love our dear Amish friends.
“Yet
when I
surveyed all
that my hands
had done and
what I had
toiled to
achieve,
everything was
meaningless, a
chasing after
the wind;
nothing was
gained under
the sun”
(Ecclesiastes
2:11).
Today we have blistering cold winds coming from the west. Since our home faces a large open farm field there’s nothing to break the wind and we get the full brunt of the cold, blustery air. But we’ll take that, along with the periodic applications of manure in the fields, in exchange for the many pleasures we experience living out in the country!
Today we have blistering cold winds coming from the west. Since our home faces a large open farm field there’s nothing to break the wind and we get the full brunt of the cold, blustery air. But we’ll take that, along with the periodic applications of manure in the fields, in exchange for the many pleasures we experience living out in the country!
Our
text speaks of
"a chasing
after the
wind" so today
we want to
consider this
phrase, which
is found nine
times in the
Book of
Ecclesiastes.Consider our all-knowing Master who watches His children chasing after the many winds of life trying to find fulfillment and happiness with money, trying to impress others with our material possessions, educational titles, political posturing, and so forth.
In describing this futility the writer of Ecclesiastes (Solomon) uses the colorful phrase, “chasing after the wind”. In a descriptive language that all people of all generations can grasp, he describes the meaninglessness of so many life pursuits. We all know how utterly futile it is to go chasing after the wind. It can also be useless to chase something that is being blown by the wind.
Yesterday
we were
visiting an
Amish school
program and
our friend,
Jesse, along
with others
went chasing
after their
hats, bonnets,
and other
items that the
wind had
picked up and
blown into
oblivion it
seemed. Their
effort was
futile.
Perhaps the
items will
show up in
someone's
field over the
next few days!
Nothing
solid or
tangible; no
lasting
pleasure or
joy; no inner
satisfaction
results from
the ongoing
chasing after
the wind. Many
major life
pursuits
perish and die
in the
enjoyment of
them. Instead
of yielding
absolute and
ongoing
delight they
only proved to
be short-lived
pleasures,
over soon and
leaving a
thirst for
something
else. This
mindset drove
Solomon onto
other
fruitless
chases; “All
that my eyes
desired I did
not refuse
them. I did
not withhold
my heart from
any pleasure”
(Ecclesiastes
2:10a).
Solomon is surely among the most interesting people in Scripture. Although known for his great wisdom and many accomplishments, he failed in some foundational personal decisions. The Book of Ecclesiastes has elements that indicate his despair at life’s pursuits. He was successful by virtually any worldly standard, yet he begins the book by stating, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
Solomon is surely among the most interesting people in Scripture. Although known for his great wisdom and many accomplishments, he failed in some foundational personal decisions. The Book of Ecclesiastes has elements that indicate his despair at life’s pursuits. He was successful by virtually any worldly standard, yet he begins the book by stating, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
But
the book ends
with this
timeless
counsel:"Now
all has been
heard; here is
the conclusion
of the matter:
Fear God and
keep His
commandments,
for this is
the duty of
all mankind.
For God will
bring every
deed into
judgment,
including
every hidden
thing, whether
it is good or
evil"
(Ecclesiastes
12:13,14).
Today
let us beware
of chasing
after the
wind. Let’s
make it our
renewed and
persistent
goal to chase
(seek) after
the Lord above
all!
Stephen
and Brooksyne
Weber
Daily
prayer:
Father, it’s
the deception
of the enemy
that distorts
the many
worthless
pursuits in
life that will
veer my heart
off course
from the goal
of winning the
prize for
which You have
called me
heavenward in
Christ Jesus.
All worthy
pursuits are
secondary to
the the
highest
pursuit of
knowing Christ
Jesus as my
Lord, for
whose sake I
am willing to
lay it all
down, that I
may gain
Christ and be
found in Him,
not having a
righteousness
of my
own...but the
righteousness
that comes
from You on
the basis of
faith. Knowing
Christ is a
lasting goal
that brings
great reward
not just here
and now but
forevermore.
No more
chasing in the
wind but a
lifetime
pursuit of
walking in the
ways of
holiness is
what I seek
after. It is
through Christ
Jesus that I
commit to You,
Father God,
this worthy
desire of my
heart. Amen.For
reflection on
prayer see
Philippians
3:7-14
The
Scriptures
contain a
wonderful
promise
concerning the
prime pursuit
we should all
engage in
life. God
speaks to us
and declares,
“You will
seek me and
find me when
you seek me
with all your
heart”
(Jeremiah
29:13). Jesus
gives us a
simple key
regarding what
we are to
pursue in
life, but it
seems we need
to be
constantly
reminded, “Seek
first the
kingdom of God
and His
righteousness,
and all these
things will be
given to you
as well”
(Matthew
6:33).
Today's
Suggested
Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Oh,
But God"
Click
to listen on
YouTube
Davy Flowers
I
was buried
beneath my
rebellion
Lost without hope of redemption
Blind to my need for a Savior
Oh But God
Lost without hope of redemption
Blind to my need for a Savior
Oh But God
Further
study:
"What
is the meaning
of “chasing
the wind” in
Ecclesiastes?"
(from
gotquestions.org
teaching site)
Yesterday
morning we
visited with
Mel in
Palmyra, who
has a fresh
testimony of
giving his
life to
Christ. He is
seeking after
the Lord and
we are pleased
to share
spiritual
encouragement
with him. His
shirt
expresses his
faith and many
will recognize
the song. We
presented it
in our song
list on Monday
and here it is
again
dedicated to
Mel. Video
Later
in the
afternoon we
visited with
Hector who
works as a
laser
machinist.
Hector has
recently
placed his
faith in
Christ. We'll
follow up on
his story in a
future
message.
Mid-afternoon
we went to a
student's
program (28
children,
grades 1-8) at
an Amish
School,
invited by the
family. What
effort these
children put
into
memorizing
hymns (all
verses),
recitations,
drama, all
with good
moral lessons
indicative of
the type of
education they
are receiving.
What a
contrast to so
many public
schools and
the utter evil
that is being
promoted.
The
desks were
removed from
the one room
schoolhouse
and stacked in
front to make
room for
benches to
seat the
family and
friends who
were invited.
Hats and
bonnets went
flying in the
high winds and
it may be days
before some
are recovered!
Here
is a fuller
description
from a program
we attended at
the same
school 8 years
ago:
We were among several other "English" (the term Amish use in referring to non-Amish) who attended a children's Christmas program at an one room schoolhouse that has nearly 30 children, grades 1-8. This was our third time to attend the Children's school program and it is certainly not your "normal" school or church event, but more a reflection of the past when children were required to memorize poems, passages, skits, plays, and songs.
I, Brooksyne, still recall our Christmas concerts in my Elementary School where we memorized all the verses of "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Joy to the World", "We Three Kings" and other such sacred carols.
The Amish children's program was 90 minutes with 9 poems, seven lengthy songs and medleys, and seven plays, besides some other punchline type narratives. All spoken in English, but with their Pennsylvania Dutch accent, there is much we miss if the children speak quickly. According to Amish customs taking photos of the children's faces would not be protocol, but we thought we'd share some of the vibrant singing so we recorded some audio using the video function on our phones.
The first part of the video is singing by the children, discreetly recorded by Ester along with some exterior photos Stephen took as we approached and entered the school. Thankfully hats are removed which helps the many guests with viewing the short children on the platform. We were crowded in like sardines sitting on benches, even squeezed into the children's small desks - for the really slender, even two were seated at one desk (obviously that didn't include the three of us). What a delightful event that few are privileged to enjoy. We love our dear Amish friends.
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radioPermissions: Please feel free to pass on, reproduce and distribute any material on Daily Encouragement Net, in part or in whole, in any format, provided that you do not alter the wording in any way or charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. It is our desire to spread this material, not protect or restrict it. We do request that you keep the contact, copyright and subscription information intact.
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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