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Archive for the ‘Good Shepherd’ Category

Embracing Vulnerability

Posted in Christ, Gentleness, Good Shepherd, Trust, tagged , , , , on October 8, 2012| Leave a Comment »

“Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.” — Jesus (Luke 10:3)

The world expects (demands) toughness — notice truck decals, group mascots, and projected personae.

Jesus sent out his followers with a different mental picture — lambs among wolves.

Sheep can at least bite but lambs have nothing! Lambs can’t even pretend to be tough!

How can a lamb survive? Having a good shepherd at his/her side.

We don’t have to play the world’s game nor fix our vulnerability. We follow our shepherd, trust his care, use our “shield of faith” (Eph 6:16) when the enemy zings us with fear — embracing our personal vulnerability with faith in his intervention.

– fritz

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Doing My Part

Posted in Good Shepherd, Trust, Walking, tagged on December 23, 2010| Leave a Comment »

“The LORD is my shepherd … Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;” – Psalm 23:1a, 4

So what’s my part in this sheep to shepherd kind of relationship with God? I walk – choosing not to fear even if/when I am in dreadful times and places.

This is, really, the ONLY thing he expects – to follow him in my daily life trusting even in tough times he will keep me safe and lead me through; it’s just that simple.

I can’t always see the big picture or understand the “why”, but by God’s grace I can put one foot in front of the other, choose to be brave, and trust God will make things right.

The senior pastor where I once served took me aside one day and said, “Your faith is just too simple for real life”. The only response I could give – “I guess the only way I’ll survive is by the grace of God!” He agreed but not in the positive way I meant it. That was almost 30 years ago.

God’s grace has always been sufficient for my need. I walk and choose not to fear, God handles the rest.

– fritz

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Righteousness After Restoration

Posted in Good Shepherd, Hymns, Restoration, Righteousness, tagged on December 22, 2010| Leave a Comment »

“The LORD is my shepherd…He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” – Psalm 23:1a, 3

It’s after his restoration of our soul that we can be lead in paths of righteousness.

That restoration makes us want to do the right thing, only then can enables us follow, not as a precondition but as the result. This is his work, and he gets the glory for it.

Charles Wesley, Anglican Priest and brother to John Wesley who founded the Methodist Church, wrote in his hymn “O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing”

He breaks the power of cancelled sin
He sets the prisoner free
His blood can make the foulest clean
His blood availed for me

– fritz

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