The Lord is My Shepherd

To be called a sheep is not exactly flattering, but knowing that I have a Shepherd makes it more palatable :)

Having a Shepherd means that I will be well cared for and vigilantly watched over; never alone. It means that my name is known; I am not just some faceless sheep amidst the flock.  It assures me that should I be injured, my wounds will be carefully dressed.  Even during the night I will be surrounded by His protection. 

The Shepherd will lead me from pasture to pasture in search of the best food for me.  He will provide nourishment, making sure I always have enough.  He knows when I need to have some quiet rest time beside a stream of water, where He can restore and refresh me.  I may have to navigate some rough places with Him.  I may even have to climb some rocky mountain trails or pass through some dark valleys but I can be confident that He will be leading the whole time.  He promised never to leave me.  There probably will be times when He actually needs to carry me.  The times I stray off on my own, thinking I know best, He will patiently come searching for me.

So maybe being called a sheep isn’t so bad after all.  The hardest decision I have to make is: will I trust Him? Allow Him to be my Shepherd? To lead me even when it doesn’t make sense?  He stands waiting for my answer… and yours.

Scripture:  Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:31

The corn was flat; other tender plants in a tangle.  Quite a few storms (with wind etc.) had just passed through the area that Wednesday afternoon, leaving the garden soggy and muddy.

As we stood there viewing it, we felt helpless.  I tried to encourage my gardener hubby that at least our house was dry with no internal flooding.

The weekend was hot and sunny.  We were gone for the weekend; when we returned, the majority of the corn was standing.  Maybe there is a scientific explanation, but to us, and one little guy praying, a miracle!

It got me thinking.  The storms of life can be tough, even brutal.  At times they can even lay us out flat, seemingly hopeless of ever recovering from the damage.

But time in the presence of Jesus, the Divine “Sun”, will slowly but surely bring you back up to standing position.  You will be OK.

 About 2 weeks later!  Amazing... I think!

Escaping

Momentarily

escaping the mundane of life....

hiking mountain trails

by Margaret Slabach

Stilled Heart

A stilled heart alert

the call to sanctuary

alone with the King 

by Margaret Slabach

God Knows My Name

 

Somebody

To the masses, I’m

Part of the crowd, nobody

BUT GOD knows MY name

He knows my feelings and thoughts

He cares about every detail

-Margaret Slabach 

"I have called you by name; you are MINE"

Isaiah 43:1b

 

 GOD or Giants

Giants clank around in my head, vying for supremacy.   I am in the midst of preparation for a God-assignment in Paraguay and so I am facing giants assigned to whisper lies in my head…the giant of fear and intimidation, the giant of insecurity, the giant of inadequacy, the giant of unbelief etc.  You know what they sound like- you have heard them yourself.  

I know the promises from the Lord…

He will never leave nor forsake me    Heb.13:5

The Lord Almighty is with me   Ps 46:11

The battle is not mine but the Lord’s   2 Chron 20:17

Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified     

      because the Lord is with me wherever I go!!!    Joshua 1:9

God will give me the words and I will triumph   Is 50:4, 7

I don’t need to fear because He is with me   Is 41:10

God, who is in me, is greater than my giant   1 John 4:4

But these promises do not keep me from having to face those giants…they are still there.  I just have to choose my focus…giants or God.   Will I believe the lies of the giants whispered so loudly or will I believe that God will show up for me as promised.

I have a choice…

But so do you….