Ever since Adam and Eve took a bite out of the forbidden fruit, pain has been a part of life. It’s unavoidable. If you’re alive, you must deal with pain in varying degrees of intensity. And let’s face it. Pain can be a problem. The problem with pain is that the source is not always … [Read more…]
Bright yellow signs hung throughout the hospital. They were everywhere. In the elevators. Bathrooms. Cafeteria. Patients’ rooms. In the hallways. No matter where I stood, at least one yellow triangle was visible. Never has a message been so urgent and clear. I was, after all, in a surgical hospital. CALL. DON’T FALL. Patients with new … [Read more…]
The last verse of Psalm 23 creates an image of going home to the fold after a day of grazing in the pasture—a day filled with problems and enemies yet surrounded with comfort and peace. Listen to what the lamb says: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and … [Read more…]
In this next to last lesson from our sheep, we’re looking at Psalm 23:5—Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Theologians often use this verse when they speak of the Lord as the host of a great banquet. And while … [Read more…]
This week we’re looking at verse 4 of the Twenty-Third Psalm. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” This is one of the most well-known verses of the entire Bible. Television shows … [Read more…]
I really like the photo of the sheep that’s helping me narrate this series of posts on Psalm 23. He seems to be talking to me and, for whatever reason, the lamb makes me smile. Take a close look at his face. You can almost hear him squeal with delight as he brags, “the Shepherd … [Read more…]
During difficult times of life, the image of Jesus as our Shepherd can bring immense comfort and peace. In fact, I have a print of Katherine Brown’s painting “Jesus and the Lamb” hanging in our home and the image of the Shepherd with His arms wrapped around the lamb has carried me through many dark … [Read more…]
Years ago a minister visited me in the hospital and implied that I was sick because I’d been too busy and God was making me slow down. (Actually, it was the flu but thanks for the pep talk.) The minister’s comment was based on a misunderstanding of what it means for a shepherd to make … [Read more…]
Last week I started a series of posts on Psalm 23 but didn’t get very far. I only made it through the first phrase of verse 1: The Lord is my shepherd. We looked at the tone of pride in the sheep’s voice (remember, the sheep is the speaker of the poem). Of course he … [Read more…]
This week’s blog is the first in a series of posts on Psalm 23. The Twenty-Third Psalm is perhaps the best known biblical passage in American society. Hollywood producers frequently use this psalm during graveside scenes, and it offers such comfort that many funerals today include the passage. Because of this, many people associate this … [Read more…]