THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE!

For His Name's Sake. 

That's Purpose! 

Regardless of what Bible version you choose....the purpose is to freely honor because we cannot earn, to honour most, to glorify for the sake of His name!

He makes His sheep lie down....He leads....He restores....He guides....for his name's' sake. (Laniak, p.103)

What a great purpose!

THE LORD---MY GUIDING SHEPHERD!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness. Think right paths!

That's GUIDANCE!

Seek the Lord's Guidance from His Word. Open your Bible.....

.....walk through a labyrinth to meditate on His Word.....

.....look up; focus on a cross.....

...... walk down an aisle to kneel at an altar with both your head and heart bowed! 

"God also gives His sheep guidance ib the proper path of life, so that we do not wander aimlessly. He does so in part for the sake of His own reputation, as One who has promised to direct His people." (Thomas Constable)

He, our Shepherd and Spirit of Truth, guides into all Truth, from OT to NT. (Isaiah 30:21 & John 16:13) 

THE LORD----MY SHEPHERD PHYSICIAN

The Lord, my Shepherd, is my Physician---

He restoreth my soul!!!

That's HEALING!

Healing comes from the inside out! 

True healing always start's with Him!

THE LORD----MY SHEPHERD LEADER!!

The Lord is my leader.....

    He leadeth me beside the still waters---

THAT'S  REFRESHMENT!

ROSE WALK @ LAKE JUNALUSKA

He leadeth me to relaxing  times, NOT times riddled with worry. 

When we lean into Him with faith it's like stepping right into the still, calm waters where our souls can be rejuvinated!

Truly refreshing!

THE LORD--MY REST

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures---(even with a sleeping bag and blanket)

That's REST!!!

The shepherd's presence seems to make all the difference in the behavior of His tired sheep! Turning back fear before it can get a foothold. Sitting in His "Love-Light."

Think revitalizing!

Thou has formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee. -Augustine

MESSY MONDAY!

LIFE IS MESSY!

Especially on Mondays. For Sundays to be serene, I must be still, quit striving and let go of emails and texts. Then when I awaken to a new day, portals need to be finished for tomorow's doc appointment, text and emails answered but my internet* is missing & that's messy!

Think, non-existent atop this mountain ridge. 

Unraveling comes to mind.

Before I had a complete "come apart",  I needed to have a cuppa sani-TEA and get back into the Psalms. All that's necessary is a Bible. 

Grateful I found notes I had taken yesterday---from Psalms 104 (BC FUMC) and Psalm 1 (FEC Memphis) 

Praises for reminders ---Reading aloud Psalm 104 3x and noting words/verses that "jumped off page" and into my heart! 

MEDITATION kept jumping!

May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord.(Psalm 104:34)

Psalm 1 notes---Blessed (intensely happy and "gets it right"-- Pace)

is the man (a regular person, not  a king or scholar or man of note)

embracing these negatives of actions....

walks not in counsel of wicked...

stands not in the way of sinners....

sits not in the seat of scoffers ie scorners.... 

Yet, the positive stood out to me. 

but he delights in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Think exercising your mind to dwell on a passage. Think deeply. Ponder. 

Meditation turned my "Messy Monday" into Meditation Monday."

*Internet back @ 1:03 pm EST

MY SHEPHERD---MY SUPPLIER

The Lord is my Shepherd....
 

I shall not want---

THAT'S SUPPLY! 

May the Lord provide insight into my soul as He provides for my true needs to be found in stillness before Him. An intentional choice!

* Sometimes He uses family to supply closeness in times of need.

MY SHEPHERD--THE LORD!

The Lord is "my" Shepherd----  

    That's RELATIONSHIP!

An eternal relationship! 

The Lord is the WHO, above all others, in the lives of Jesus followers! 

*Thx to Carolyn F. for 2006 relevant notes. 

CAMPING OUT IN THE PSALMS!

What does camping out in the Psalms look  like if one is camping indoors? Messy for me. LJJ even plays relevant, uplifting spiritual songs as she cleans!

At different ages/seasons or addresses. Steve Rd.,585,3958,1093,1152 or 125 it often looked like this, whether for meditation or teaching.

Psalm 23     I will not FEAR. (The Psalmist says)

Often, when unable to relax from medical maladies or other stresses, I have used this psalm as my sleeping pill. Think, "nite-nite" from relaxing words of Scripture or hymns playing quietly.

Psalm 27     Whom shall I FEAR? (We ask; God answers)

When God is our light and strong hold, there is nothing or no one to fear. The Lord gives "heart" courage as we wait for Him to answer.

Psalm 46     I/We will not FEAR! (Our response of Worship)

Be still before Him and Know He is GOD as I/we seek Him through prayer and His Word allowing us to exalt Him as our fortress.

Once again may "camping out in the Psalms" bring songs to my soul.

A musical interlude of sorts to help ease my mind and overlook my mess.

WITS' END WEDNESDAY!

Ever feel like you're on the road to nowhere?!

Kind of like being at the corner of Wits' End? *

Baffled. Confused. Perplexed. Worried.

Not knowing which way to turn or what to do next?

Stuck at a crossroads of desperation!?

The grammarian in me is still undecided about apostrophe location.

Note white out drippings 

Turn to the left and you might end up on Bitter's Corner. A place of blinding, wearying pain or dread of what's to come.

Across the way is a YIELD to Worries sign! NO!!!! 

Worries should have a "No Loitering" sign!

Turning the "right way" is so important. 

Wits' End or Wit's End!! (Regardless of the punctuation)

It's where God brings us to the end of ourselves.

* Wednesday Wordsmith's info---wits' end is preferred by Brits 3 to 1 (+ in my ESV Bible) but wit's end is preferred 2 to 1 in the US (even at a shop in  Highlands, NC---tho Chamber of Congress there dubs it Wits') Are you stumped yet?!

Are you stumped yet?!