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Morning Devotional...



Know Your Shepherd!

by George Whitten, Editor of Worthy Devotions.


Isaiah 40:11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm (z'roah in Hebrew), And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.
John 10:10-11 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

In Israel, we often see goats and sheep roaming the countryside. Driving through rural Israel often involves suddenly stopping to allow a herd of sheep or goats to cross the road. But interestingly, I have never seen "sheep kill" on the side of the road in all the years that I've lived in Israel. It's because sheep don't roam without a shepherd!
The Lord is gathering His lambs with His arm, and carrying them to His bosom. This is not a distant relationship but one of loving care and intimacy with His sheep. He said, "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." [John 10:14]. Then He continued, "..and I lay down my life for the sheep."
The most vulnerable time for defenseless animals is at night when they need to sleep. The sheepfold is where they are gathered by the shepherd each night; a stone compound, with rocks stacked high enough to keep out predators, but without a door. Yeshua (Jesus) declared Himself to be the "door of the sheep" [John 10:7-9] because, as a Good Shepherd, He lies where a door would typically be so that nothing could go in or out, without passing by the Shepherd!
As evil seems to be rearing its ugly head in every facet of life these days, and greater darkness seems to be looming on the horizon, we need to truly realize the powerful and complete protection that our Good Shepherd provides. Nothing can get to us unless it goes through Him! When the Lord laid down His life for us He also gave us a fortress of protection and safety which is impossible to break.
Knowing of the dark days we would be facing Yeshua afforded us a profound sense of safety in Himself so that we absolutely need not walk in fear. Promising never to leave nor forsake us till the end of the age He gave us the security of intimacy with Himself, in and through every trial or danger. We need never doubt...that we can trust Him.

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This dog took exception to me taking pictures of "his" sheep. The sheep were not upset at his barking they knew him, just as we the sheep know our Shepherd's voice.

My first post in "Thoughts for the Week" so I hope I'm using it right.

It's my first full week back to work after a California vacation. We were there from 8/1-8/13 and had a great time. During the vacation our grand daughter celebrated her 1st birthday and we piggybacked on our son's in-laws yearly Lake Tahoe trip. Our second year to do that. We'll probably make it a yearly thing Lord willing.

While there and experiencing all the beauty this earth has to offer I kept being reminded of Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

If there's such beauty on Earth I can't wait for Heaven and I can't imagine what beauty is there.

Wondershots, I'm glad to see you here in "Thoughts for the Week".  How wonderful to be able to celebrate the first birthday of a grandchild, and then to be able to enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe.

Welcome, Wondershots!  So happy to have you join us here.  And your California trip sounds lovely, combined with celebrating that first birthday and enjoying the beauties of nature, how blessed you are!  And aren't those grandchildren special?     I think everyone here will agree on that!

We have been to the gym for an hour's workout, and when we got home, our carpenter and his crew were here and are working!  YES!!

It's Monday again, with all the errands that seem to come along with a new week.  I wish you all a wonderful day, and weather like ours is at the moment.  Nice and cool!

Hi everyone. We have just had light rain today.  Yesterday as we were getting ready to leave Stacey's apartment it started raining hard.  It poured on us all the way up I-85 to the point it was hard to see the cars in front of us.  Then we ran out of it and into it again and when we got back to our area it hadn't rained at all.  We found Stacey very depressed and she said it had really hit her this last week.  She usually chatters on when we are with her and yesterday it was hard to carry on a conversation as she was so quiet.  Good news is that she is to be fitted with her temp artificial limb on Thursday and they will start her standing.  However, it still will be awhile before they want her to walk as a little more healing is needed.  I had an appointment with my heart doctor this morning and he had requested  that Pat attend as well.  We got through at the doctor's office and got to Athens on time for my appointment.  Perhaps I will write a little more about my doctor visit tomorrow but have limited time tonight.

Wondershots, welcome to CP.  It is nice to see another man join in the conversation.  You will soon feel you know us and we look forward to learning about anything you care to share regarding your family and yourself. 

I am just stopping in to say hello and to tell Janet that I enjoyed her story.  So glad that Beth has finally had the chair problem resolved.  To some it might seem like a little thing, but to Beth that must mean the difference between comfort and pain.

Life must be very difficult for Stacey and I will continue to pray for her Larry.  She is very fortunate to have such caring parents.  I hope that your doctor visit went well.   How nice that another male has started to post and keep you company.  I personally really miss Al's posting. 

We are enjoying lovely weather here on the island.  A little rain, a little sun, sometimes both on the same day.  Has started to feel a little like fall already and becomes chilly at night.  But then my 80 yrs. have definitely caught up and now really feel any kind of change.

The kids had bought tickets for me to see Sarah Brightman in Oct. (actually it was for March but she cancelled) but now Amanda is going to be at her course that night and so we decided to cancel. Probably for the best.  I have a problem with falling asleep early these days....pre-sleep and can't really rewind a live concert.  I do love her singing but not too happy with all the changes to her concerts.  Much to New Age and World for my own taste.  She is going to train to fly to the moon with the Russians in a couple of years, and now her music seems to reflect that in a big way.  Oh well, things do change.......

Where is Etta Sue?  People keep asking and no one gives an answer!  I always love seeing her posts and especially the Graphics.....Do hope that she is well.

Not much to talk about so will go and do my dusting.  God Bless and stay safe.

Liz

Hey Larry:   Thanks for your daily remarks

Liz:   Hello as well.

Janet & wondershots      Hello
Judy:   How is the weather up north.

We have had another gorgeous day.

Welcome to this   forum Wondershots so nice to have you join us here.

Liz so good to see you too.

I am taking full advantage of the ten days off with ow work. I've been doing things I enjoy., I made a batch of Blackberry jelly, some potato salad and a cake today. yesterday i baked two oaves of bread one  was honey Banana Whole Wheat. yesterday I created 2 new images too.

Hi everyone.  More rain overnight and good possibility of more today as it is overcast and muggy outside.  I am going to drop Pat off at the church at 10 am as she is joining with a few ladies to put together cloth dolls (Beanie Babies I think they are called) for the Christmas Boxes for Samaritan's Purse and our own local homeless ministry where there are usually children involved.  I will go on to Kaiser for another blood test and then will find something to eat before heading out to Athens for my treatment.  I did see my cardiologist  yesterday and can't say what he told Pat and I surprised either of us.  He feels the symptoms I now exhibit, i.e. tiredness, etc. as the result of the continued heart failure with the heart becoming weaker and weaker.  We talked about my wishes at the end in terms of life support and whether I wanted the defibrillator part of the pacemaker turned off (which I don't) since he said it is a pretty scary thing for the spouse to observe.  I tell you this not for sympathy but to explain why I am having to discontinue many of the activities I have enjoyed over the years and often don't feel very well.  He discontinued a couple of my blood pressure medicines and cut the dosage back on another medication and is a bit concerned about my sodium level, which is too low but goes along with the heart failure.  I fully intend to be around for quite awhile so this isn't something that is likely to happen anytime soon as I fully intend to be around a long time yet.  I know I need to review again the documentation I have prepared on our affairs but know that Pat is aware of everything.  Enough of a downer for today.  I fully intend to enjoy each day as much as possible and to stay in today and not worry a whit about tomorrow.  I will just take life on life's terms.

Judy, thanks for the devotional thoughts for this week.  Your photo of the sheep is appropriate to the devotional.

Liz, I agree with you in missing Al's friendly postings.  I bet you would have loved the Sarah Brightman concert and sorry to read you had to cancel.  Guess it was just not met to be. 

Marilyn, you can come and use our kitchen anytime.    It sounds like you all will be eating well.     

Larry I am sorry to hear this prognosis, rest assured you are in our Father's hands and He will keep you safe.  Know also you and Pat are prayed for.

We have beautiful weather here, and after a walk out front of our place I am see lots of deer scat.  Problem is out dogs are getting in to it. So a change of route is in order I will be taking the road back into the bush.That way I will have better control of what they get in to.

Kim is counting the days till she goes home.  It is time, I have loved having her here.

John has headed to the midwest USA again there will be a short trip added on to the end and then he will be home.  I am so looking forward to retirement.

Have a great day folks.

I meant to tell you, many here will remember Lee Kirkwood.  His nephew Ron has suffered and aortic abdominal anurism which blew, he lost a gallon and a half of blood. After extensive surgery his kidneys and adrenal glands have shut down, and his body can't take the dialysis.  This morning I got the report that the family needs to be prepared he has little chance of living. He is a born again Christian, Pray for peace for the family and those that don't know Christ will come to believe in Him.  Pray that God will be glorified.

From Chris Saunders...

Hi all, and thanks for the welcome. Also, feel free to call me Jim instead of my screen name. That handle has been around awhile. LOL

I appreciate the thoughts and words shared here. I'm sure as time goes on I'll get to know each of you better. Today I've been thinking alot about my grandmother. She's 93 and recently she's had a downturn in her health. The timing is interesting as I got to visit her in June while I was in St. Louis on business. She lives in a nursing home in southern Illinois. When I visited we were able to take her out to eat and I was able to talk with her, hold her hand, and kiss her cheek. She was lucid and very much engaged in our conversation. It was a special time that I'm so thankful I took advantage of. A few weeks later things deteriorated and she went to the hospital. Mostly because she wasn't able to swallow or keep things down and started to quickly lose weight. Eventually they put in a feeding tube, took her off all but pain medication, and sent her back to the nursing home under hospice care. My dad got to spend several days with her last week and he said that she's simply ready for God to take her home. She's a godly woman and I know she's looking forward to that day.

Please pray for comfort and a peaceful passing. We know it's coming and are prepared. I know she is. It's been 30 years since my grandfather passed away. They're both a huge part of who I am and I'm blessed to have known them and had them as influencers on my life.

As for things around here today? It's Houston in August, and it's hot. God Bless.

Larry, I'm sure you know we always want to hear encouragement from your doctor.  But we all also know that you are in the loving hands of God, who is always in control.  Thank you for keeping us up to date about your health and know that you and Pat are in our prayers.

Pat, what a beautiful photo and scripture from Chris Saunders.  Thank you for sharing it with us.

Jim, how wonderful that you had the opportunity to spend time with your grandmother.  I'm sure it meant a lot to her, too.  Although I'm "only" 81, I am always so pleased when my grandsons make that little extra effort to be with me, even for a very short visit.  I know you are grateful for the time with her and I know it is a comfort to you to know as these last hours approach that she is ready to go home to Jesus.

Larry & Janet: The both of you have not been ashamed to put your struggles down
                        for us to read and learn from, you give me strength to know that my
                        hurts and disappointments are so small.

Marilyn:   Send a loaf of bread my way.

Jeanne Lee:  You are just a spring chicken.

I was out early this morning getting my hair done along with the little visit. On my way home I noticed that some of the trees are changing color.

Hello everyone,Sad news here today. Larry I am praying for you,  Judy I am praying for Lee's nephew and the family. Jim I am praying for your grandmother.

Jeanne I  echo Ruth's statement that you are just a spring chicken.  I often think about my relationship with my children, and when I don't hear from them or see them it bothers me that something could happen to me and they wouldn't know anything was wrong  because they don't stay in contact often enough. For example, I hadn't heard from Gilbert for a few weeks, he was busy as was I. I called on Sunday, he answered and said I'll call you right back. I am still waiting. so He got a text from me today with only two words "Still waiting".

Lee's nephew has passed away.  John's cousin in Holland buried his dad today.  Sad day is right Marilyn.

It is so hot here today, I prefer the heat to the cold so no complaints from me.

Have a great day folks.

   Well here I am again.  It is so hard to here about all the health problems within the families on C.P.  We will remember them.  Noreen is still having problems with her right knee and she cannot bend it very much which is so frustrating to both of us.  She is supposed to start physio this week but we are still waiting to here for the times she is supposed to go.

We did have a good time at the cottage that we went to and so did our kids and grand kid's.  Our weather has been wonderful since we came home and we have enjoyed it a lot.

Larry and Pat.  I am so sorry to here what is going on with you and also your daughter so we will also continue to lift you up in prayer.

Judy B.  It sounds like you have had a wonderful time with your grand daughter and it is very important for us to be able to spent that time with them.  We have so much fun with ours.

Well as per usual it is very late and I have to get up for my volunteer  in the morning so good morning to all or good night.   God's richest blessings to all others here.

Jim.   Welcome to you and it is awesome to have you on C.P. keep coming often.  All our Love.   Gordon and Noreen.

Gord, as always it's good to hear from you, but not good that Noreen's knee is not quite right yet.  Prayers continue.

Excellent reminder, Pat.   

Thanks Pat! Alistair Begg's program is one I have favorited.

Glenn, he's one of my favorites of all time. 

Glad you enjoyed it too!

Hi everyone.  I was admitted to the hospital this afternoon following my eecp treatment.  I  will have a right side special heart cath where they can get various measurements.   It is an add-on to the schedule so could be anytime they can get me in.  I spent probably 90 minutes with the Kaiser cardiologist and he explained things and answered all my questions.  If the tests indicate what they think they will find I will begin a process using a drug that hopefully will help me feel better and this involve having a 24 hour a day IV for the rest of my life.  It uses a little pump that infuses the medicine.  It will not extend my life but should help me feel better as I have been getting weaker and so tired.

I have read the postings but am tired and they just brought me a sandwich and fruit juice, which will be it for food until after the procedure tomorrow.  Don't worry about me as I know I am in God's hands.  However your prayers are appreciated.  I will have time to write more tomorrow.

Larry, I'm so sorry you've wound up in the hospital again, but thank you for keeping us advised about what's going on.  I'm praying that the next procedure will give you more comfort and strength.

Oh Larry please know that I am praying for you as you undergo these tests and procedures.

Larry, Paul and I just prayed for you here in Winchester.

I'm so sorry you are experiencing this set back.  Take care my dear Brother in the Lord.

 :)Larry.  So sorry to here about your problems and we will pray for you.  God's richest blessings to you.   Gordon and Noreen.