The words are so familiar that we give them little thought. Why don’t we pause a moment and do that? Who is this LORD who is mentioned 6,828 times in the Old Testament? Have you noticed that his name is always written in small caps? Other lords are mentioned in the Old Testament, but this … Continue reading The LORD is my shepherd
shepherd
A matter of the heart, not the head
As I walked the dusty streets of Plimoth, Massachusetts, Samuel Fuller fell into step beside me. “The church hierarchy in England says that we are not a legitimate church, because we have no ministers. A church is made up of Christian people; they don’t even have a church. Who made them ministers and bishops?” On … Continue reading A matter of the heart, not the head
The affliction of Joseph
Judah and Ephraim were the two largest tribes of Israel. Joshua was of the tribe of Ephraim; perhaps the Ephraimites carried from that some sense of entitlement that they should play more of a leadership role. When Jeroboam of the tribe of Ephraim rebelled against King Rehoboam, Mannasseh and all the other northern tribes followed … Continue reading The affliction of Joseph
Four kinds of Christians?
In musing over the many directions taken by Christians I have encountered over my lifetime, it seems that they fall into four basic categories: ritualists; activists; survivalists and disciples. I don't pretend that this is the nec plus ultra of analyses, but it is something that has helped me sort things out in my own … Continue reading Four kinds of Christians?
Did Moses speak with a stutter?
We know the story. Moses was an Israelite child raised by an Egyptian princess. After he had lived as a prince for 40 years. He fled Egypt after an unfortunate incident and spent the next 40 years as a Midianite shepherd. Now God was asking him to go back to the Israelite people, speak to … Continue reading Did Moses speak with a stutter?
Living in the presence of the Shepherd
There are well-meaning Christians who put much emphasis abiding by correct doctrine, even adding numerous rules of guidelines as rules of conduct. The intention is to construct a barrier around the people of God so that they would know not to stray far from the truth as given in the Word of God. But where … Continue reading Living in the presence of the Shepherd
A more honest version of the shepherd psalm
Mammon is my shepherd; I shall always want more. He gives me no rest; he makes me to always desire greener pastures and more dangerous waters. He gives me emptiness and leads me in paths that offer shiny and exciting things to fill that emptiness. But when I come to the valley of the shadow … Continue reading A more honest version of the shepherd psalm
Pookie come home
Pookie wasn't here to greet me when I came home Tuesday evening after taking my wife to the airport. Pookie,a little flame point Siamese, showed up on our doorstep two years ago in fall, a feral kitten looking for a home. We didn't need a third cat, but pretty soon he had captured our affection … Continue reading Pookie come home
Submission = Freedom
I realize this is a counter-cultural statement in the present day and age where liberty is prized above all other virtues. But are people more free today than they were in ages past? Consider the example of a shepherd and his flock. The shepherd watches over the needs of the flock, guards them from enemies, … Continue reading Submission = Freedom
Pet Therapy
But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And … Continue reading Pet Therapy
Flatlander Faith 