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Morning Devotional...

WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS Jeremiah 6:16 By the late Jack Scott 7.  The Shepherd Psalm-- Part (i)

What do you think is the most loved portion of Holy Scripture? It may well be that great Gospel verse "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Thousands of children over the centuries have learned it at their mother's knee. I know I did and so did my children. What a wonderful statement it is. Many people down through the ages, since the Lord Jesus spoke these words, have received the peace and joy of eternal life through realizing their truth.

Perhaps one day I shall write an article on this grand old theme. But not today. Instead I want us to focus our attention on another great passage of scripture, almost as well loved, and dear to many since David, the shepherd king, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write its lovely words. The portion of the scripture to which I refer is, as you will probably have guessed from my title, the twenty-third Psalm:

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."

A jewel is best appreciated in all its sparkling beauty when it is viewed against the setting chosen for it by a skilled artisan. This brilliant gem is no different in this respect although more precious than all the world's lovely stones. What then is the setting chosen for this rare and beautiful rock of divine comfort? Well on the one side we have a prophetic picture of the Shepherd on the cross. See for example, Psalm 22:16-18. This is indeed an example of crucifixion written long before the awful death of crucifixion was invented by wicked minds. On the other side in Psalm 24, we are given a view of our Lord Jesus Christ Our Great Shepherd in His present glory and coming kingdom.

An old Irish preacher, James Irvine of Newcastle, Co. Down, used to explain it this way... "In Psalm 22, we see the Shepherd on the cross dying for His sheep. In Psalm 23, we have the[ Shepherd with His crook in his hand defending His sheep while in Psalm 24 we have the Shepherd with the crown on His head ruling His kingdom."

There is one who died for His people and now lives to reign eternally on the throne of the universe and I can call Him "My Shepherd". Is there anything more lovely, more comforting, more reassuring than this? If we bear this in mind as we study the depths and delights of the "beloved Psalm", its intrinsic value will be appreciated more and more.

Let us first look at the Person of the Shepherd.
Who is He, what is His character and what are His attributes? This world and the universe of which it forms a part had a beginning somewhere in the ancient past. This Shepherd of whom the Psalm speaks, entered this world of beginnings, yet He had no beginning. John's gospel, chapter 1 tells us that in the beginning was the Word. That is, when everything that had a beginning, began, He already existed. He goes on to inform us that the Word was God and was with God and then, Oh glorious truth, we learn that "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." (John 1:14).

Mary was given the inestimable privilege of becoming the virgin mother of the humanity of our Lord, but in His eternal being as deity, He had no mother, no birth, no beginning. He always was and is the second person of the Godhead. He is also "My Shepherd." He is and always has been absolute in holiness, unlimited in knowledge, power and glory. Yet if we are of His flock, we can say with full confidence, "The Lord is My Shepherd."

When our Lord walked upon the green hills of Israel in the days of His flesh, He said, "I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep." (John 10:14). This is why it is so appropriate that the Shepherd Psalm is placed directly after a Psalm which prophesied the awful events of Mount Calvary.

You see, my dear friends, we cannot claim the wonderful blessings of the Shepherd Psalm unless, we have trusted Him in His life-giving death and are thereby counted among His sheep. The words of the Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in John's Gospel, 10:26-30 are very important.

"But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one."

Have you believed in Him as your personal Saviour and Lord? He does not call on us to place our faith in anyone other than Himself. He does not tell us to hope in the apostles or any other persons, no matter how holy, blessed and exalted they may be. It is He who has loved us unto death. It is He who has borne our sins and carried our sorrows. It is only He who saves us from sin and to such as trust the good Shepherd, He gives eternal life, and they shall never perish.

Even if there were no other blessing to be found in Christ, this by itself would be wonderful news for sinners. Yet there are a multitude of blessings in store for all who come to Him for salvation from the penalty and the power of sin.

Many years ago, Thomas Kelly wrote a fine hymn which very nicely expresses the wonderful work that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished in His role as "The Good Shepherd."




Can you honestly say, "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want" for time and for eternity?

God willing we will continue our study in Psalm 23 next time as we examine some of the blessings we can experience in Him on life's path.

Hope you choose your most disliked household chore in the poll above!!! 

Actually, decluttering and filing are my two most disliked chores, Pat.

I am very tired, but back from a wonderfully refreshing christian singles retreat for 50+. It was only about 50 miles outside Nashville, so not too difficult to get there, a weekend with my very close friends (and new friends, too!).

Then, the day wrapped up with two more things. First, a lovely visit with a younger friend, her hubby and little 2.5 year old boy. They came to the restaurant beside the river and ate, so it was great to be able to share hugs and to love the little one. I thought maybe my face would crack from all the smiling.

Then, Trevecca Nazarene Men's Heritage Chorale sang at a church that was actually on the way back from the retreat. Oh, how wonderful to see and enjoy the older leaders in our faith singing the beautiful hymns of the faith.

So, although I was too tired to take things out of the car, that can wait until tomorrow.

Good evening, friends. Let's rest with our Lord tonight, knowing he is ever watchful and awake, caring tenderly for us as we sleep.

Love to each of you,
Ruth Ann

Good morning!  I must wake Darrel so we can be off to Garden for his surgery by 7:30.  I will post about our day after we get home.

Be blessed, friends!

Judy - thankfully, I'm not really "on my own."  Thankfully, Marbeth is here with me and helps me where I can't help myself.  Otherwise ,though,  getting along ok.  I'm sitting here drinking the coffee Marbeth made, although she's gone back to bed for a couple more hours.  I'm going to have to study the study booklet for the driver reexamination that I have to take next Friday.  Pray I'll pass, since I otherwise wouldn't be able to drive.

Good morning.  I am about to head to the DDS for my cleaning.  One of my two times a year appointments.  Taco Bell is on the way home so I will probably get Taco Bell before returning home. 

We had Small Groups at the Fairs last evening.  We finished our lessons two weeks ago but Pastor Steve showed us a DVD on the Gaithers and Heaven.  I love the Gaithers.  Their singing is wonderful and the messages about heaven between the singing was awe inspiring.  How can anyone NOT believe in heaven?  Golden streets?  Why not?  God made the gold so why can't there be streets made of gold? 

Cloudy and overcast today (or is it my eyes?).  It is funny or weird.  Now that I know I am having surgery, I see more and more flaws in my eyesight!  Now I realize when my eyes water it is when I am straining to see something!  Hmmm!  Just wish I had seen Dr. Miller sooner! 

Not much news about Jacob yesterday.  They don't do therapy on the weekends so they let Jacob rest. 

Today should be a pretty routine one for me.  This is our Monday men's luncheon and we are going to a Mexican place called Pablano's.  This evening I have a meeting to attend and the rest of the day should be fairly restful.  There is not too much to do at my desk today.  I hope to finish the book I am reading on the Nook on my iPad.  It has been a fascinating story written by the author of Seabiscuit.  It was tough reading about the terrible torture he and others went through as prisoner's of war in the Pacific but he survived and the rest of his life certainly was interesting. 

Stacey was to meet with the home health care person last evening. They will be scheduling physical and occupational therapy for her shortly.  She now can't find her Skype phone but she had used it on Saturday when we brought her back to her apartment.  Fortunately she can use Skype with a headset .

Janet, glad you are going to get your things back from the theater.  I have ordered new credit cards this morning but it will take about a week to get them.  Hope Beth didn't get too sunburned.  Sure Darrel will be glad that the eyelid surgery is over.

Ruth, you are doing a wonderful thing to be so good to your aunt.  Hope your hot water heater situation resolves soon so it won't be a worry for you all.  When my wife had her eye surgery she was in the facility no more than an hour and then we were on our way.  The followup visits always took longer as you had to wait for your turn and it seemed the doctor and staff were overbooked.

Carol, my wife would have loved the quilt show.  One year she attended a big national show in Nashville, TN with a friend and they had a wonderful time.  Unfortunately she is no longer able to attend such events.  I knew she was feeling better last evening as she did some work at her sewing machine, something she hadn't done for several days. 

Pat, thanks for sharing the magnificent writing on the 23rd Psalm.  Jack sure had a way with words and expressing his thoughts so well.

Ruth Ann, glad you were able to attend the singles retreat.  Hope you got a good nights sleep and are feeling much less tired today.  What a nice weekend you enjoyed.

Al, study well on that driver's manual.  Is the test due to the fact you have been ill or is it something that goes with age in your state?

Etta Sue, I love the Gaither's singing and have a lot of their music. 

Larry - apparently being retested is just normal as we age here in Calif. And I did age!  It's a habit I've gotten into I guess.  The study booklet is good, but I just hope I can remember it.  It does get complicated in plsces.  And those cells up there in my head aren't absorbing and holding quite ss well nowadays.

Al Go to the AARP website and sign up for their online class, it costs $15. But is really helped me to pass the test here in Oregon plus you get a discount on your car insurance if you take the course..

Darrel is lying in his recliner with two small bags of frozen peas on his eyes.  They gave those to him at the clinic, and he is to use them for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day, putting them back in the freezer afterward until the next time.  They bought big bags of them and divided them up into sandwich baggies, so they are small and lighter in weight.  He is also to clean the incisions with a Q tip dipped in hydrogen peroxide, and put a topical gel antibiotic on them, also into his eyes once a day.  And guess who gets to do all these things?     But I'm glad to help him.

As soon as we left the surgery center, I took him to breakfast at IHop, as he hadn't eaten since last night.  Then we went to Walmart, and by the time we got our list done there,  he was getting really tired, so we came on home.  I'm glad this is done, as he had really been dreading it.

Al, it sure is good to have you posting more regularly now.  We missed you!  I am wondering what you are thinking re the election/campaign now.  I'm not happy.   

I need to get the Q tips and peroxide.  Back later!

Janet - I'm not very happy w/election campaigne at present either.  I think all we can do about it is pray for mercy.  We deserve what we get, but God IS merciful - beyond our wildest dreams.  If it were not so, our nation would have gone down the tube long ago/

Al:  Good to see you posting more often now.  I do pray that you will pass your driver's test. 

Larry:  Pat could have come with us to this quilt show - it had auditorium seats at the Mountaineering building in Golden.  They did have an elevator.  Tell her that I have been trying to free motion stippling and it feels a little easier now that I am finally relaxing.  It still is tiring though.  This is a little project of a snowman and family.  Something to hang on the wall somewhere. 

Pat:  The letter on the 23rd. Psalm is such a good explanation of the entire piece.  Thanks for sharing Jack's beautiful writings. 

I called the library and asked if they still carried a book that has been shown to be filled with lies - and the charity is missing money.  I only asked them to discuss that book and maybe file it under Fiction instead - frankly, as a taxpayer it just frosts me to see the stupid books the library buys and exhibits as their "favorite reads".  Well, when something is wrong it is WRONG!

Heading out early today to take Cimi out to the vet for teeth work to be done.  I have shopping to do as well as bills to be paid.

It is an overcast day today, but it is supposed to warm up slightly.

Have a good day and God bless you all.

Carol, thank you for paying attention to what your library buys, and for attempting to do something about it.  We need more people like you!

The housekeeper is here for her two hours, and since I am hosting my painting group here on Saturday, I want to supervise what she does more than usual....and I have more to do, as well!

Beth has a dental appointment at 9 and wants me to go meet her there, so it sort of cuts up my morning.

Much to do---see you later!

This morning I went to the pool and then to Perkins for breakfast.  As soon as I got home and my wet things hung on a inside line to dry, I changed clothes and started mowing the yard.  It was cloudy and looked like rain but I was hoping to get the yard mowed before rain came. 

I looked up and saw Kaye Don walking back from the woods.  (He had been looking for mushrooms)  I pulled up to him and stopped the blades to talk to him for awhile.  Now if I hadn't have done that, I would have gotten the yard all mowed before the thunder, lightening and rain but I had to leave a small part not mowed!  The lightening is what scared me and made me get back into the garage!

Sheree wrote yesterday....

QuoteApril 30, 2012
Jacob had another 1st today with his speech therapist. Its called localizing. Usually when she would pinch his finger he would pull away. Today he took his other hand to push her away. This is a good thing and gets him extra points on another method of measurement they do on his progress called the JFK testing scale!
We heard a rumor this evening Jacobs surgery might get scheduled for this Thursday.
His airway is 50% blocked from having tubes down his throat at Methodist that has left to much scar tissue for him to be able to breath properly.
We pray for the doctors as they work to clear his airway and for the nurses as they care for Jacob. We pray Heavenly Father that you be with Jacob and hold him in your loving arms and heal him quickly Lord. In the name of Christ Jesus we pray. Amen

Then today I started reading Facebook and saw this from

QuoteSheryl Craig
I was so excited to find Jacob's face book page! I was the first person at the scene of his accident in March. I wanted him to sit down, he wanted to walk! He was so unsteady on his feet, I held on to both of his arms so he wouldn't fall- we "danced" all over the road like that for several minutes. At one point, he wrapped his arms around me in a big bear hug & laid his head on my shoulder. I rubbed his back & realized he must think I was someone he knew, so I kept promising him I wouldn't leave him-I knew he had to be frightened, & wanted to reassure him. He was so very dazed and confused. He's a strong young man, I"m glad he's making progress!!

Sheryl is one of our volunteer EMT's.  This is the first time I heard that he did anything like that.  Remember, the day of the accident, it was announce it was a fatality?  Here it is, 55 days later and Jacob is still alive and progressing slowly but still progressing.  Jacob is in my heart and when I called Ivalou to read this to her, I could hardly talk, I was crying so hard.  And Jacob is the son of a niece by marriage's sister!  I can't imagine if this was a young man in my own immediate family!  But in my heart, I just know that Jacob is going to come out of all of this and be a thriving young man!  God is good!

Hi everyone.  It is another very warm day here and it was been a really busy one and even after a nap I am still feeling very tired.  However, don't need to leave the house again today so can take my time this late afternoon and early evening.  Pat and I were gone most of the morning and then ate lunch with two friends at a seafood diner.  We had a good meal.  I then stopped at Walmart on the way home for some grocery items as that will save me making the trip I had planned for tomorrow.  Pat will leave in a few minutes to attend her book club meeting with some of the church women so I will be here alone for awhile.

Al, I am beginning to notice my brain cells aren't absorbing as much as they use to.  I like to attribute it to the fact that as we get older we store more and more things in my mind and it just takes longer to locate them. 

Janet, glad to read the operation is over for Darrel and I bet you make a great nurse as you are very caring.

Carol, that stipling looks like it would not be very easy and would be quite intense or you could have quite a mess.

Etta Sue, even though I only saw Jacob and his parents for a very few minutes from the vantage point of the room doorway I also feel an attachment.  I am so glad you are sharing the daily updates concerning his situation. 

Etta Sue:  Such good news on Jacob.  Prayed for him and all the family.

Janet:  I must have had a bee in my bonnet - we pay the salaries and buy the books for our libraries.  You would be shocked at what they order sometimes.  I hope Darrel is taking it easy and that you can continue to have the strength to care for the family. 

It is very pleasant outside today and we have enjoyed sitting outdoors.  Watching the hawks circle and listening to the busy birds around here.  There is a big owl but we have not heard that song yet.  We are grateful for a peaceful day. 

Oh, how much I enjoyed being here tonight. This week has been a whirlwind of going, coming, fetching & carrying, etc. It will be good to see Saturday roll around again. Maybe that will be good for resting inside the apartment.

Marilyn, I really enjoy taking those AARP 55 Alive classes. It helps that our teachers even take us through the handbook at the same time they're illustrating their points on screen. It's great to both read and see - sometimes a picture really does say a thousand words.

Oh, Judy, such lovely songs today. I am opening them often to replay them.

I had asked prayer for my brother's surgery (I think).  Well, it's over, and he even was able to call me himself. So, the abdominal problems are resolved, but the surgeon warned him that there probably will continue to be difficulties with the Femoral nerve. He says deep muscle swelling likely is at the root of this numbness in his leg and inability to control his knee very well. Our Father, thank You so much for prayer warriors who care. May they each receive a special blessing today.

Jacob's recovery astounds me! Yes, he's slowly recovering, BUT HE IS RECOVERING.

May our Lord be with each of us today. Let us fix our minds on Him and His wonderful love for us tonight.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone.  Just back from coffee and a quick stop at the bank to put a document in my safe deposit box.  While there I took a few minutes to look at what was in the box as sort of forget after a period of time.  I don't have anyplace to go today until evening when I have a short business meeting to attend for the group for which I serve as Treasurer.  Pat is getting her hair trimmed up right before lunch and that is it for her. 

Ruth Ann, sure glad your brother came through his surgery well.  I hope you are not overloading yourself trying to help so many others. 

I am busy re-doing the things the house "cleaner" did yesterday.  I had to leave to go meet Beth at the dentist's office, and I don't know what the gal did to the tile floors, but every step caused a loud squeak--very annoying.  When I got home, she was still here, the floors were wet, but still dirty looking.  Well, when I went to re-mop this morning, I discovered the mop pad was clean, dry and still in the shelf where I keep it after laundering it each week.  Grrrr....  I don't think I am picky, but smearing dirty water on the floors does not make me happy.  (Okay, off the soap box now!)

Last evening we drove over to Moscow for little Chelsea's second birthday party.  She's such a delightful little one, so calm natured.  She just quietly goes about her 'business' whatever it is she's interested in doing at the moment.  A little sweetie.  We got to see all of Diane's family except Abby, who was at a track meet.  I was surprised when I asked what events she does in track, I figured running, but she is doing shot put, discus and softball throw!

Darrel's eyes were swollen almost shut this morning, so he used the frozen peas on them for quite a while.  He just got home from a chiropractor appointment.

Have a great day, friends! 

I was beginning to feel a little left out with all my close family and friends being gone next week when I have surgery.  But Kitty reminded me that she wasn't leaving until Thursday.  I know I will be fine but just in case, I can call her and she will come to the rescue.  Also need someone in case Ivalou needs help.  Thank you, God!

Today is a fundraiser for Jacob and his family.  Today with showing a flyer or a picture of the flyer at Applebees, they will donate 15% of what you spend to Jacob and his family.  Ivalou and I plan to go around 3 pm and then she has a massage at 4:30.

Then this evening I have Crochet Angels at 6:30.  I started another Chemo Wrap.  It is so ugly it is pretty!!  I am using variegated yarn and every once in a while I am making some rounds of a solid color.  It's about 15" wide already!

Just read this on Facebook.  Here's the website of a local Indy TV station.

You may click on Jacob's Facebook website on the WISHTV website.  I believe all you need to do is click on a 'Like' and become a member of it.  Maybe you have to be a Facebook member first.  Not sure. 

One of Sheree's close friends wrote today....

QuoteMay 2, 2012 ~~~ Day 56 of JACOB'S ROAD 2 RECOVERY !
This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad & rejoice in it !!!!
Sheree told me this morning that Jacob will be receiving a different stimulant medication this a.m. around 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. to see if it has a positive effect on him. The physical therapist will then monitor him & watch for for signs that it IS working. Sounds like it's quick acting. It has worked on a few others.
PRAY EXTRA, EXTRA HARD, that it DOES work & this is God's waking/healing elexcir (sp.?) for JACOB BAXTER BOLLING ! This IS the day that HE has made ! :-D

Hamilton County is joining in the healing of this young man. 

After many thunderstorms yesterday with tornadoes and high winds, today is a beautiful day with bright sunshine and wind to dry off the fields and grass.  And it is suppose to get to 87 degrees!!  Ah, spring time once again!  And the A/C is on once again!

Hey Strollin good to "see" you here!

We have rain tonight.  The temperature has risen and now the rain, that will clean things up a lot.  John managed to cut the grass while he was home, so I don't have that to worry about.

I can't get my printer working.  There was a glitch so I uninstalled it, and have tried a dozen times to reinstall and nothing works.  It is frustrating, I have no clue why it isn't working. I have not had any alerts.  Weird!!!

Hi, friends,

Well, it was a much quieter day in "Ruth Ann land."

When I took the elderly lady to the ear specialist, she stayed, and stayed, and stayed, and I was ready to slip away for a few moments to try to find my errant cell phone (I could hear it beeping, but couldn't see it. No wonder - it had slipped under my passenger's front seat!

At any rate, she looked SO bad when she finally emerged - they had relieved the pressure in her ear and then inserted a tube. lAhhhhh - Ruth Ann has had many of these, so I was able to assure her that she will immediately begin to both feel better and hear better. So, I canceled the next fetch n carry, and rested abou an hour before taking 3 of us to the premier hospital in town for stroke care. Oh, what an interesting session, and what I learned will help me with my own health matters, too.

And, of course, I ended up volunteering to help the nurse with her Power Point presentation. Some of the text was simply too dark to read, and with this really important subject, each slide was needed.

So, now, I'm rooting for the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League playoff - they've made it to the second level of the playoffs, and tonight's game is a must win.

Much love for everyone. (And y'all who play games, I want to return for those word games are fun and challenging, but I'm needing some rest time tonight. - Maybe tomorrow night.)

G'nite friends,
Ruth Ann

Please pray for the Button family, Our neighbor Jason Button was killed today when he fell from  whatever he was standing on and split/crushed his head on the concrete patio right outside their sliding door.. He leaves a wife and two small children about 3½ and the boy is 1½. All of us neighbors are in shock as well. His wife, Amanda was not home with it happened. He and a friend were working on a retaining wall.

Marilyn, what a tragedy for your young neighbors!  Do you happen to know if he had Jesus as his Savior?  "The devil comes but for to kill, to steal and to destroy; but I am come that they may have life, and life more abundantly."  (John 10:10)  Prayers for the survivors, that they will be cared for and will have that peace that passes understanding.

We both have appointments in Liberal today, shouldn't take long, though.  The trip over and back will take far longer than the appointments themselves.

Much to pray for today.  Be blessed, my friends.

Marilyn praying for the family and the neighbours Marilyn.

We finally have spring weather.  I am hoping it stays.