THE SHEPHERDS -- LEADING BY EXAMPLE

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:17

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.

THE SHEPHERDS -- LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Stop and watch the people around you. They are teaching you how to cope with life. I have learned and am continuing to learn from each person -- young and old -- that I meet.

I have watched as you care for your loved one, who has suffered with physical and mental challenges. You have taken on new responsibilities with love and care and patience. I have watched as you face new limits of your own physical capabilities. You have shown me how to help others and that it is okay to ask for help.

I have watched as children have died, leaving an empty place in the family portrait and a hole in the heart of the parents which can never be filled. As parents, you did not turn your back on God and His Church, but turned to God to help you understand. I have seen you stand strong, even when you felt weak inside. Through you, I have learned to trust God and know He has prepared a place for all of His children.

I have watched as life-long partnerships have ended and one is left. I have seen strength come out of grief, as the day-to-day demands filled the empty hours. I have seen individuals begin a new life alone. I have seen new unions take place, creating new families. Your example shows me how to face our uncertain future.

If you have less of life’s experiences, do not feel left out. I am learning from you as well. I am watching your generation raise our future. I am seeing families who want Christ as an active part of their lives. I am learning new songs from our youth and young adults. Songs that express our beliefs to a new beat. At the same time, our youth are singing songs that are the building blocks of our faith. Songs that bring our history and ancestry into their lives.

Then all of this is tied together by the others who touch our church – The person who keeps our house of worship clean and makes it so we can walk in the door for class, for dinners, for prayer. The Sunday School teachers who so unselfishly prepare all of those lessons. Those involved in the music that makes our service peaceful, exciting, or reverent. Music can make us tap our toes, bring a tear to our eye, or touch our heart. The church secretary/treasurer who keeps our dates straight, our bills paid and who listens as we tell about our hopes, our dreams and our failures. The ministers who help us understand the word of God and how to make it apply to each second of our lives. You are there when we have doubts, when we have fears and when we have joys.

Yes, each of you is an example of how life should be lived. You are one of my shepherds.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Yes, this is a longer than most of the day’s readings, but it raises a very big question. Where do you find the shepherds in your life? Are those you use as role models/examples leading you in the right direction?

LET US PRAY

Dear Shepherd, You are the supreme role model. You have lessons written for us to follow. We can read the Bible, but sometimes the Bible is hard to understand. Thank you for earthly examples of how we should live. Thank you for ………………………………… Amen

Although the last post is dated March 6, 2007, I hope you realized there were two new devotionals. I did not know drafts would publish under the draft date, instead of the day they were posted. Live and learn.

A FRIEND GOES HOME

TODAY'S SCRIPTURES:

To you, O Lord, I left up my soul; in you I trust, O my God. Psalm 25:1

Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his: we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. Psalm 23:1

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. John 10:14

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

A FRIEND GOES HOME

February 16, 2007, I asked you to pray for our friends Jim and Barbara. Barbara had ALS and was in need of prayers. Barbara has gone home to be with the Father and is now free of the body that was confining her to a bed and making it hard to breathe. Barbara was a gift to everyone she knew and left each of us a better person.

Barbara was such an inspiration to all who knew her. During the time ALS took her body away from her, it did not stop her from continually being concerned about others. When a friend told Barbara that they were sorry to hear she had ALS, she said, "Better me than someone else." And she meant it! To the end, she was seeing that notes of encouragement were sent to many, many people. To the end, she knew that God had a purpose for her life. To the end, Barbara had a spirit that was a wonder to behold. Barbara was a child of God and His light was reflected in her life. She trusted the shepherd.

Barbara was sure of two things -- God had a plan for her and that she wanted to live that plan. Believe me, a new Saint is watching over all of us!!!!!

My sister, Margaret, sent me a message -- "Your friend has changed your life and, so in her passing, she is not really gone, but continues in the things she has shown you. The things you now show others."

Celebrate each day, because we never know what tomorrow will hand us. I just hope that I can handle what comes my way one-tenth as graciously as Barbara did.

Thank you for reading about my friend.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you know someone like Barbara? Someone who puts others first. Someone who has such faith and trust in God's purpose for their life that they can handle the valleys.

When someone dies, where will you turn to help you understand death and grief? A minister can help you understand and show you were to find scriptures that can give comfort. A friend? A book? Max Lucado wrote a book, Safe in the Shepherd's Arms. This book offers hope and encouragement from Psalm 23. Although this book was printed in 2002, most bookstores can order it. Just the title gives comfort. What peace to know we ARE safe in the Shepherd's arms.

LET US PRAY

Dear Shepherd, We are comforted to know that a loved one is home with you. To know their body, mind and soul are whole again. No more pain. No longer confined in a body that is not working properly. For myself, I ask for understanding when a loved one dies and I thank you for the words of hope, compassion and promise of eternal life that I find in Your Holy Word. As I pray, I remember loved ones that have left wonderful memories in my heart. I remember ……………………………….. Amen.

A JOB TO DO

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Romans 12:4-8

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

A JOB TO DO

I always know when spring is just around the corner. How? Mr. Mole makes his presence known in our yard. He does not even wait until the grass is green. I told my husband, Bill, “We need to do something about Mr. Mole.” As he went out the door, he said something like, “We? Where does she get this we stuff?”

You see, I do not have a “honey-do” list. I have a “we-list,” but the “we-list” means I see what needs to be done and then tell Bill. Works for me. The “we-list” ranks right up there with my theory on the checkbook. Bill’s name is on there first and that means he has to put the money in. My name is second and means I take the money out. (Just kidding here.) We do work together. We have never had your job/my job. For 41 years, we have worked as one. That is how our church should be.

We should work together, each finding our strength and using that gift to make the church stronger. Some can sing. Some can teach. Some can talk and some can listen. Some can get rid of moles. There are opportunities in the church for each of us. What gift do you share with your church family?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you make a list of “things” that need to be done around the house? What is your favorite job at home? What is your least favorite? Do you make a list of “things” you could do at church? What is your favorite church job? Do you know where your talent can be best used?

LET US PRAY

Our Heavenly Creator, You created each of us to be individuals. You made me a unique person. Help me to see me as you see me, with the capability of working for you. Let me see my strengths and guide me as I use the talents you have given me. Guide me to ………………………………… Amen

WHY TAKE A VACATION?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Genesis 1:31

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning -- the sixth day.

WHY TAKE A VACATION?

Travel does many things. It relaxes the body and soul. It allows you to see how other people live and puts before you new landscapes.

Interstate driving gets you there quickly and large cities have an energy that makes them exciting, but taking the side roads lets you experience the area and enjoy the view. You see towns with empty stores and old men sitting on benches wondering why things have changed so fast. You observe quiet, restful places to stay settled alongside the flashing neon signs of a tourist trap. You see prime farmland growing houses.

As you go down the road, you are constantly reminded of the bounty you receive from the land. As you approach small towns, you are reminded where our strength comes from, because the first things you usually see are the church steeples.

When you travel the back roads, you witness the character of our country. You can travel through old towns very alive and old towns being allowed to die. You can see beautiful old churches. You can watch parents preparing for the future, as they wait at bus stops with their children. And communities honoring the past, with statues to fallen heroes, in immaculate cemeteries.

You can visit new places and revisit some favorite places. You can eat in interesting restaurants and stay in a cabin by a river. You can see elk and buffalo. And mountain goats and eagles. And drive on paths where you have to stop until the cattle and sheep decide to give you the right of way.

No matter where you go, it is good to get away from your daily routine, to see what is around the bend of a different road. But, no matter where you go or what you see, there is nothing to compare to the sight of the door to your own home.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

God has given us wonders to see. Those wonders can be far away or right at your back door. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Would you take someone with you? What would you want to see when you got there?

LET US PRAY

Dear Creator of the world, How can I ever thank you for all the wonderful sights you gave me? The mountains and the plains. The oceans and the rivers. Please give me a spirit of adventure so I want to see new sights and enjoy new places. I know those places do not have to be far away. Sometimes I just need to see what is outside my door. Thank you for the chance to see ………………………………… Amen

YOUR INSIDES

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 2:2

“There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.

YOUR INSIDES ---

Just as our nights can be jumbled full of feelings, emotions, worry and confusion, so can our days.

Do you ever feel like you might explode?
It is nothing you do or anyone does to you
It is just there, inside you, and you must wait for it to pass

Do you sometimes feel so alone?
It can happen even if there are many people around
It is just an empty feeling deep inside where no one can reach

Do you feel such deep love?
It is a close feeling, as if you are one with so many people
Love is one of the best feelings of all

Do you ever feel so at peace with yourself?
It is a satisfaction with who you are and what you do
It is a comfortable time to enjoy

Do you ever feel like you are sitting still?
It is a time of wanting to do different things
It is the spirit that keeps you learning

Do you ever feel like there is something out there waiting for you?
It is knowing you have an important job yet to do
It is as if the things you are leaning now are preparing you for your future

Do you ever feel God’s arms around you?
It is as if the whole world is alive and bright
It is a time you strive for, knowing your faith is there at all times

Do you ever feel --- well who knows?
Feeling is the way you learn, by trials and errors, highs and lows
Life -- an ongoing change of feelings and emotions

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

How do your insides feel today? Do you know that you are never truly alone? Do you know that no matter how you feel, you have a rock to lean on?

LET US PRAY

Dear God, I turn to you, my Rock. I know that not all of my days will be easy. I know that some days I will feel alone. I know that some days I will feel scared. I know that you are my Rock when ………………………………… Amen