MY SHEPHERD --ANNOINTER & SANCTIFER

One's shepherd whether for a sheep in the field or as God's sheep, His own people, need to be used for the purpose the Shepherd intends. Annnointing is often used. 

"Thy (the Shepherd) anointest my head with oil;"  (Psalm 23:5b, KJV)

That's CONSECRATION!

This anointing releases the aggravation, frenzy, irritability & restlessness and replaces those tendencies with quiet feeding and peaceful 

contentment. Shepherds in the field smear the oily solution.

Similar to sanctification, maybe? Living for a holy purpose allowing growth in divine grace according to God's intentions through the Holy Spirit.

Such a change allows someone in need to live in comfort. (Haddon Robinson)

MY SHEPHERD----A GOD OF HOPE,

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies...(Psalm 23:5a) 

That's HOPE!! 

A symbol of a shepherd's abundant generosity, food each day, even in the midst of adversity. Weather and wolves come to mind but trust in the shepherd reigns regardless!

Put your hope in God! Think succinct.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (Psalm 62:5, emphasis mine)

Lord, my Shepherd, is the God of hope!

This designation continues in the NT as an analogy for God's people who now have the Holy Spirit via the triune God. Think Father God, Son of God and Holy Spirit.

Note Scripture citation above the word HOPE...(Romans 15:13) 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In Romans 15:13 NT, the Greek word for "hope" is  ἐλπίς (elpis)

implying assurance of something in the future. The passage uses the genitive form ἐλπίδος (elpidos),referring to the "God of Hope". 

A SHEPHERD PF COMFORT!

Both the rod and staff have a place in the requisite tools of the Shepherd. 

The rod has had a training purpose to aid protection and the "staff is the symbol of care." (Laniak. p. 95)

These two wooden tools are both educational in training the sheep.

That's DISCIPLINE!

From a shepherd who comforts!

 Today's "biggie" neuro doc meeting---would appreciate the comfort of prayers 

THE LORD OUR EVER PRESENT SHEPHERD!

Our ever Present Shepherd = ALWAYS WITH!

For Thou art with me.....

That's FAITHFULNESS!

We are never alone spiritually even if we are alone physically.

Think constancy. Faithful and dependable. 

Walking by faith not sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Our Shepherd is faithful even when it hurts. During life's unstable seasons, God's faithfulness is consistent and steadfast.

An ever present One! WITH ME!

TRINITY SUNDAY!

FATHER GOD!

SON JESUS!

HOLY SPIRIT!

ENOUGH SAID!!!

THE LORD OUR PROTECTING SHEPHERD!

I will fear no evil.

That's PROTECTION!

Fear itself can have a devastating effect on the sheep in GOD'S household. In today's evil times, protection is needed even in one's thought life. Be vigilant to guard your thoughts. Don't let the voice of today's culture lead you.

Time in His Presence is key.....from care in the day to watch in the night. (Laniak p. 112)

Courage comes from the shepherd's role of protector. It's part of the Good Shepherd's ID. (John 10:11) His sheep know him as he calls them by name. Aloneness disappears, displaced by an abundant life given freely by the "Protecting Shepherd".

THE LORD A TESTNG SHEPHERD!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.... 

(Psalm 23:4a)

That's TESTING..........

Many threats to a herd with newborns requires Nate, at Darnell Farms, to house newborns in barn to provide security as the elements of weather test them. 

The only reliable source of security comes from the shepherd's presence. A flock cannot be left alone. (Laniak.While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks' p. 109)

Times of testing require the Divine Shepherd's Presence!

*A big thanks to Cathy C. for Laniak's devotional book!

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?!

TARRYING TUESDAY!

Tarrying in scripture was the directive, during Pentecost, for the disciples as they waited for the glorification of the Lord and the Holy Spirit to come. (Luke 24:49) For me, the analogy of tarrying is indicative of the waiting required for clarity, direction and power from God all of which are evidence of the ascended Christ.

Recently I have been focused on my physical condition when In fact, it's my spiritual condition that allows me to "put on Christ." (Romans 13:14)

Clothed in Christ. Think compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Lately, it seems sometimes I have to seek God's face from the stillness of my bed, front porch or out the window. Today is that kind of day for me. 

Neighbor's flame azalea. 

Aflame with the Spirit reminder. (Romans 12:11)

Tarrying. Lingering. Physically waiting in prayer to enable me to cling to His Presence throughout this day. 

May this Tarrying Tuesday be a time of waiting in God's Presence!

A soul-filling time!

RELAX! RECHARGE! RENEW!

Relax. Recharge. Renew.

3 Rs for the aging! Cannot be done alone! In His Presence is key!

Sarah Young (May 25) reminds readers the importance of turning from problems (ours) to Presence (His) Tangled thoughts with anxious knots get us no where....except maybe the ER!

Choose time in His Word. A creekside walk. A Porch "sit." 

Maybe even a nap to recharge one's body. 

A Word Search of "fear not" verses for a mind renewal. (Romans 12:2)

As for me, this week, I am camped out in the Psalms! 

GIG

What's your GIG in this season of life?

Journal Jottings from Galatians 5, in recent ABC sermon....

"Grace is done, settled---Christ has set you free by faith in His grace" 

Grace not Grit!

My GIG is----

G row

I n

G race

What's your GIG?

WISDOM WALKS! WOW!

As one ages, walking is good medicine, whether one feels like it or not!

Walking can be a path to life with Him. Leaving one's mental checklist behind and focusing on His Presence! 

Last week as Hubby and I walked in much stillness we saw the path anew. Blue skies emphasized the first of the mountain laurel blooms hanging over the creek!

The path itself  was filled with bunches of butterflies.

Blue-spotted purples, a hubby ID.  Tiger Swallowtails. One Monarch that would never land. Even they, seeking moisture and sweet nectar, seemed to dance as if they too could "taste and see" that God's provision is good!

PITHY WITH AN RCK PUNCH!

Son-ln-law, RCK. has a way of saying the most with the fewest words!

First he practices keeping his ears open and his mouth shut. That's scriptural. In His quiet times before the Lord, I imagine he is still to listen first. He ruminates. 

Think----Meditate. Concentrate."Chew the cud." 

He also practices that with people.

The result is saying the most with the fewest words. 

Concise. Succinct. Terse---but without the sting.

Pithy with a punch as I so often say!

Even in his work conferences he knows how to be brief because he has prepped and prayed. He uses kind, bright words to explain and encourage. 

He doesn't just babble and blather on and on.

He physically leaves but his words stick. 

Pithy with a punch of truth are left for others to consider.

SPECIAL ONES!

Some kids are seen as special!

These last few months, I have encountered one who is special beyond measure. His smile is the biggest and brightest I have seen whether in a school play, leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the Special Olympics, running or throwing shot put at several track meets.....even seeing his picture at the prom in the town paper.

 Did I mention he waves every time he sees hubby and me!

At the most recent track event, I saw his backpack open with its contents spilling out----there on the ground was the special evidence of who and whose he is.

His black spoon is part of his everyday ID. He has it with him during his classes as he changes rooms or goes to lunch or track practice. He had it with him on the stage in all 6 productions of the Wizard of Oz. He probably had it in the pocket of his pink vest he wore to prom but I don't know that for sure. According to his friends, the spoon is always with him like a part of him!

His true ID is shown in the Bible he carries everywhere. A backpack essential. I know because he told me that God helps him because he knows His Son, Jesus! 

How special is that?! Enough said!

GRADUATION: KINDERARTEN STYLE

KDG GRADS----SO MUCH STILL TO LEARN! Yet, so fun to watch the event---when it's one of your grands!  

Invitations were digital but appreciated.

Kids' sensibilities were respected! When names were called by the teacher to receive one's diploma, they could be last in line and choose to give a hug or a "high five" to principal/teacher. 

Guess who fit all aspects of those choices?

May we, Lord, as loving family of our young ones, share your steadfast love. May we also show gratitude for the teachers who care for and spend hours of planning for the individual lessons needed per child.

Father God, You know the plans You have for them. "Grace plans" from tears to shed and struggles to experience in order to trust you more and serve others well. We might have to keep our knees-bent for many years ahead to keep our over-controlling hands off.....choosing to embrace and encourage instead. 

Today's graduation bulletin had more than only the schedule for the service!

It had an eye-opening salute to the next graduation for these kids. 

A reminder to embrace our moments with our youngsters as many of us are in a season of life that might hinder our attendance in 12 years!

SLPPING AND SLOSHING!

A RAINY DAY---weather can be a deterrent for one who is on a cane and "not in the mood" to get drenched.

But God in His love and mercy had us in route. We grabbed an umbrella & stayed the course. (Ephesians 2:4)

It became more of an auditory walk----we heard raindrops and splashes with every step. We began to savor those quiet moments wrapped in rain. 

We even took our umbrella down to relish our sense of touch.

How grateful for a new "walk" perspective---muscle mass might not have been improved but my spirit was. 

I felt like singing in the rain----what a happy refrain....."singin' just singin' in the rain." (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

SOVEREIGNTY!

SOVEREIGNTY, even for this Kentucky miss, is not a race horse!

For me, sovereignty is the royal rank of God in my life. He is my all in all!

I rest in His truth.

Today's devotional reminded me to "Relax in God's Sovereignty."

It was an AH-HA moment! He is with me. He goes before me. (Psalm 46:10)

During this season of medical maladies, remembering His words of truth are one's  best medicine. Soothing ointments. Balm of Truth!

GOD'S MERCY

Some days are a stay in one's jammies all day kind od day. 

Two days ago was such a day for me. Was that a "bad" thing for me to do? I certainly berated myself for each nap I needed.

Even though I was beyond being physically pooped, I certainly wore the guilt robe throughout the day!

But God in his love and mercy has us reading from the Allen Bible Church reading plan each night.

That night, April 30, had us reading from 1 Samuel 16!

When we got to verse 7, I knew I had been exonerated. Staying in one's "PJs" is not a crime. In spiritual terms, I could forgive myself because God does not look at one's outward appearance but at one's heart.

Hallelujah!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER!

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAY............................

So grateful for this day designated by US Congress when our country observes  a time for our people to turn to God in prayer and meditation. Memorable times for me have been in the pews at FEC, around the flag pole with students at Houston High School and at a cathedral in Albuquerque, NM with Okie Dokie and CharChar.

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13 NASB)

Above fave verse for focus on this National Day of Prayer!

ROAD TO NOWHERE!

The road to nowhere is a road no one needs to be on in his/her spiritual life. How do i know!? The Bible tells me so! It is not just a physical journey but a spiritual one as well! A faith path.  

It's a journey with a heavenly destination yet often includes struggles, and hardships along the way which we must embrace with the joyous ones. God's word gives us the wisdom to navigate all of life.

His word gives the "light" needed.

It might be a bit rocky at times....but Christ is the solid rock on which stand.

There is a "road to nowhere" in Bryson City not far from our home.  Somehow I only looked in as I didn't like the darkness even though we had a flashlight. The floor was muddy thus too slippery for a gal with a cane!

One must be cautious to choose the right roads in life!

As Jesus Calling reminds us on this National Day of Prayer, we are on the path of God's choosing. Every moment walking with Him leaves no time for worry as His Spirit directs our steps to walk along the path of peace. (Luke 1:79)

TABLESCAPE OF PRAYER!

Some days can be harder than others and I have to go back to bed right after my morning cuppa! This morning was one of those days. I returned to bed for a 4 hour snooze. (...a bit longer than Gilligan's 3 hour tour)

I might still be a sleep if hubby had not awakened me at 11:15 am to check my pulse. When I went into the kitchen I saw a very welcoming sight......much like spiritual sky-writing.

I sat at the small table by our eastern window and was greeted by a large greeting straight from heaven.

I didn't even need to leave the table to go to my prayer chair. I sat right there with a glass of my iced tea, Bible and  my prayer journal......warmed by sunshine from heaven.....in His very Presence!

A great reminder of National Day of Prayer coming tomorrow, 5/1/2025.  

I can begin early!

A perfect  tablescape for National Day of Prayer prep!

 28,490 days old according to hhis NY family!

Oh what a day!

FRIDAY FOCUS!

How does one keep his/her "balance" in life, both spiritual and physical?

Steps that are steady and sure are needed in the whirlwind of today's culture!

What is one to do?

Jesus has the answer.....He is the Answer!

 fix your eyes on me (Hebrews  2:12)

Enough said!

REWARDING RAMBLE IN THE WOODS

Rambling can be good when one is trying to refocus!

Not rambling in speech but in a quiet time. Today hubby did the directing to the place and then allowed me to traipse among the woods. Soothing came as flowers appeared and he helped me to change position in order to get close-up views.

A trillium evoked memories of my childhood wild flower garden and took my mind off unnecessary worries. 

Springtime with its abundance of flowers. White. 

Foamflower

Vibrant colors.

Hooked buttercups

Dwarf Crested Iris

Red Columbines were also in my childhood garden.

Hubby took the pix and when we returned home I could use his iphone which gave horticultural info and lengthened my on-going quiet time!