✝ Daily Encouragement (7/13/22) "For The Beauty Of The Earth"
Published: Wed, 07/13/22
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation. The online Bible teaching ministry of Stephen & Brooksyne Weber.
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Wednesday, July 13, 2022
 A verdant rural landscape in Lebanon County PA.
Click on photo to enlarge
"For The Beauty Of The Earth"
Message summary: We encourage you, wherever you live, to observe the beautiful creation of God. Take some extra time to observe the often overlooked blessings of God's creation and give praise to the God who has created and rules the universe.
 "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein" (Psalm 24:1). "Then God said,
'Let the earth produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds'. And it was so. The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:11,12).Yesterday we drove through a scenic part of Lebanon County. This is one of our favorite country drives. Following an early morning chaplain visit we had breakfast at the Richland Railroad Diner, which sits right beside a busy freight rail line in Richland, PA. I enjoy watching trains go by as Brooksyne and I eat our breakfast: mine was the country skillet (anything with skillet in it sounds good to me) and Brooksyne had strawberry cream baked oatmeal, along with a steaming hot cup of black coffee.
This part of the county is very rural and seems in a number of ways to be a step back into time. We even get that vibe in the diner which is very popular with the conservative Plain people. We sat next to a three generation family and Brooksyne commented it looked like a Norman Rockwell picture. It warmed our hearts as they bowed their heads in prayer before "digging in" to their hearty breakfasts.
Then we drove through the country and took several photos which we share today. Every setting brought to our mind hymns like, "For The Beauty Of The Earth" or "I Sing The Mighty Power Of God".
For the beauty of the earth,
for the glory of the skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies. I sing the goodness of the Lord, who filled the earth with food,
Who formed the creatures through the Word, and then pronounced them good. Lord, how Thy wonders are displayed, where’er I turn my eye, If I survey the ground I tread, or gaze upon the sky.  So many have never learned the Biblical teaching of our origins and about God who created all things or they have rejected this truth. What a joy to awaken today, look
outside and express praise to the God of creation! "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11:3).Consider the stirring acclamation of David in our daily verse. The shepherd, who had spent so much time in natural settings, proclaimed "the earth is the Lord's". Contrast this to the famous statement by the late Carl Sagan, who confidently proclaimed "The cosmos is all there is", to the nodding "amen" of scores of secularists. Carl Sagan and the scores of unbelieving secularists will stand before a great White Throne and bow before the Father and Creator of all things and proclaim "I was wrong" and "Jesus Christ is Lord." Today, we encourage you, wherever you live, to observe the beautiful creation of God. Take some extra time to observe the often overlooked blessings of God's creation and give praise to the God who has created and rules the universe. Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
 Daily prayer: Father God, the universe created by Your own hands, declares that You are all-powerful, all-knowing and
that Your presence is everywhere. You truly are a God of wonders performing works far beyond what the eye can see in Your vast domain. And yet when I yield my life to You, You choose to live within my heart and have personal fellowship with me. Thank You that You have made me one of Your cherished creations and You have given me an eternal spirit that will bring praise, glory and honor to You throughout all eternity! Amen.Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"For The Beauty Of The Earth" Video Michelle Swift
"I Sing The Mighty Power Of God" Video The Couriers This group formed at the same Bible College we attended but about 15 years before we arrived. "How Great Thou Art" Video Shane and Shane
This distant farm setting is centered perfectly between these two trees.
Click on photo to enlarge  This long lane leads to at least two farms.
Click on photo to enlarge
 Shady Breeze Farm Produce
This farm has been in the husband's family for the last 80 years. For many years they sold their produce on a wagon
under a large shade tree next to the highway (next photo), but this is the second year they've had such a spacious and airy building for their eggs and produce. We ate their corn for dinner last night and it was so tender and juicy!
Click on photo to enlarge  This old wagon has been in the family for many years on Shady Breeze Farm.
Click on photo to enlarge  Such a beautiful day, though very warm, for an open buggy ride on Rt 419, a rural highway.
Click on photo to enlarge  Stately old farmhouses like this one lined each side of the road as we traveled through Lebanon County.
Click on photo to enlarge
For the geographically curious here is where we were on a Google map with satellite view.
Before we headed home we stopped at the BB's Grocery Outlet, one of the most interesting stores we shop at due to it being staffed by Amish women and girls, who often sing aloud as they work.
Finally today:
 Early yesterday morning we made our chaplain visit and Stephen took this photo of Mary Ellen hard at work on the forklift. Several months back one of our forklift drivers left for a different job, so Mary Ellen decided to take up the challenge and learned to drive a forklift. She does a great job and, in my estimation, a very courageous one as well!
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