Christian Photographers Community

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• I would like to thank again our friend Judith from Dayton, Ohio who very kindly composed our lovely scripture to go with today's devotional. 

Morning Devotional...






WALKING IN THE OLD PATHS
Jeremiah 6:16
By the late Jack Scott



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 week as we examine some of the blessings we can experience in Him on life's path.

---

Jack Scott loved his Lord! He passed away on January 10, 2001 after a lengthy illness.
He is missed greatly by his family.

Hi everyone on this Monday morning.  Here we have bright skies and mild temperature.  There is all kinds of activity across the street at the new house that is being built.  They brought in carpeting this morning and other workmen are there as well.  I have to wonder if there will be a closing on it at the end of the month.  Today will be fairly busy as this is my Monday noon meeting and then this evening the Men's meeting at church. 

Pat, thanks for the fine Devotional for this week on the 23rd Psalm.  Jack certainly left us a lasting legacy with his find and insightful writing.  Judith's graphics are a wonderful visual expression of the content Devotional.  Thanks to you both for getting us started on another week here. 

Pat, thank you for this week's devotional.  We are so blessed that Jack's writings are still available.  And Judith is so adept at matching graphics to the subject we're studying.

Thanks, Pat, once again. And, may I say, it is my honor and privilege to be able to add to Pat's fine devotions! I am not worthy, but The Lord Jesus Christ is! Being surrendered to serve Him, I am thankful He can use someone like me to help share His Word.

Hi everyone on another beautiful South Carolina morning with blue skies and zero chance of rain today or tonight.  I seem to be operating on slow this morning as didn't get up until 8 am and just taking things slow this morning.  Fortunately, other than some kitchen work there is nothing on the schedule until Pat's 4 pm Chiropractor appointment so I have no need to hurry this morning.  We had a nice men's meeting last night at church, a good steak dinner and a speaker from the Palmetto Shooting complex, which is quite an operation with one of the aims being to teach the younger generation to hunt safely as well as providing a shooting range to shoot skeet, clay pigeons and target shooting.  Even though I have never been a hunter I have to say I enjoyed the program.  This facility is about 25 miles from our town in the next county. 

Looks like today will be back to mid-summer.     A few more warm days and mild nights and then back into the chill of real autumn.  There are more bright yellow leaves on the ground than on the trees this morning. 

Ken has gone back to New Jersey after being here since Friday.  I miss him, but he expects to be back next week, joined by my daughter and possibly Ken's wife. 

Larry, you may know Ron LaFlam? He would go out to the range, but hasn't in a long time, I think, because of taking care of his wife. They are very close and dear friends of ours. He is a retired pastor from Columbia Baptist Temple.

Keeping you in prayer, Jeanne.

Have a good day, everyone.

Hi, friends,

I'm thankful to have had the time to catch up here on our wonderful CP.

Pat, thank you so much for the series of devotions from Jack. He certainly was led of God in his writings, and other areas of his life. We are enriched by them.

Oh my goodness, I cannot respond to everyone, but please note I've read every word.

I sent off my first draft of the report I've been working on. I hope to hear that it is mostly complete, and to get suggested edits from the gentleman I'm working with.

Now, to stop and eat some lunch!

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another beautiful morning.  It will get pretty warm this afternoon going up to 86 at the hours of Pat's Chiropractic appointment. 

Around 10:30 this morning I will make a trip to the church to take the casserole and the cake that we made for the church bazaar today.  My neighbor is going with me as he wants to see the room arrangement of where he will be speaking and to show his pictures he will use to the lady in charge so she will have the proper projection equipment available.  He will speak next week at our Adult Fellowship Luncheon on the Assassination of JFK.  This evening is the Wednesday night dinner with our son and then he will come out to visit with us again.   

I spoke with the builder yesterday and he told me they will be closing on the new home across the street a week from yesterday.  They laid part of the driveway yesterday and are all ready pouring the cement for the sidewalk and the rest of the driveway. 

Jeanne, glad that Ken has been their to help you with more family on the way.  Hope you are feeling a bit stronger each day. 

Ruth Ann, hope you get an OK on your report you have been working on.

Judith, when we moved to South Carolina a year ago January our son was the only person we knew in the State other than the realtors and the builder of our home.  So I have never met the person you mentioned.  We live about 60 or 70 miles from Columbia and I have no reason I would be going there. 

Hi everyone.  I got up early this morning and fixed a batch of sausage muffins for Pat to have for several breakfasts over the next week.  She generally alternates between the sausage muffins and the scrambled eggs with bacon bits every other day.  My morning chores are done, the trash is at the street and I got a birthday card into the mailbox for my oldest great grandson's 14th birthday. 

I got the casserole and cake to the church on time and took my neighbor, who will be speaking next week, with me so that is setup.  We had a good dinner last night and Scott and I both enjoyed it.  The bazaar was apparently a big success although they have enough stuff left over for another one.  However, it was much less than I saw piled on the tables  with homemade items before the event started.  We had the best evening with Scott we have had for sometime as he had gotten some extra rest so he wouldn't go to sleep here as he had done for several weeks. 

Today will be coffee with my church friends and I will pick up my friend and then take him home after coffee and return to the church for the Wisdom group.  Then we plan on going to a new (to us) restaurant we have heard about for our main meal for the day in the early evening, at least after I rest.  That will be it for today. 

It looks like I am writing to myself today so hope others will stop by and post. 

I'm here, too.   Not as early, but I'm here. 

The temperature is about 20^o lower than Tuesday and there's no sign of the sun.  It sure doesn't seem like we're back to summer.     My back yard is a carpet of bright yellow and there are still a lot of leaves on the trees. 

I've made arrangements for transportation tomorrow to the follow up of my latest hospital visit.  Maybe this time I can have the check up and come home. 

Hello I am here as well. This has been a busy week for me with Therapy dog Visits, hospice class and  the children's library reading program. I canceled today's visit got someone else to take my place, Keith had a dr. appointment and they just now called to changed that until tomorrow. I will be calling the body shop today to see if they have received the mirror replacement for my car. , it was supposed to be on Monday or Tuesday but no one has called me.

I am having some back pain this morning that is  a little bit worse than yesterday when I could just apply the cannabis and coconut oil ointment and the pain went away, today I have taken a pain pill, I lifted Freckles twice  at the nursing home so someone could pet her. I should never do that she only weighs 35.6 lbs.

I'm still around, just having a hectic week with company and several doctor's appointments for Darrel.  And Mary and I canned 12 pints of tomatoes yesterday!  Those will really taste good this winter!

We must get to bed early, as have to leave by 5 AM to be in Hutchinson by 9 for another appointment, this one with an ENT about that throat infection he has been fighting for two years.

Stay safe, everyone!  And I will see you when I get back!  (Well, anyway, I will "see" you in here!)

Hi, friends,

Well, my final product of the report and graphics plus data pages was finished and sent off today.

It was such a blessing to eat with my brother who lives in Ohio. He got into town about 6:45, so we met at a Ruby Tuesday restaurant at 7 pm. I so seldom get to see him, that each time we meet there's lots of love and plenty of sharing.

And, tomorrow my youngest child will be age 44. My goodness, how time flies. Seems she was a young'un typing on a typewriter as I worked at the computer. Now she's a charge nurse in the bone marrow and stem cell transplant unit of a major hospital here in town.

Y'all have a wonderful period of rest and relaxation tonight. Hopefully I'll be here again tomorrow.

Till then, I'm sending lots of love and prayers.

Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on another clear morning.  After today our temperatures are suppose to be a lot cooler getting only into the 70's during the day.  I am more than ready for some nice cooler days.  The housekeeper is due here this morning and Pat has an 11:30 appointment with the Chiropractor.  While she is there I will go on down the street to Aldi's to pick up a couple of things I didn't have on the list the yesterday but which we need. I may also make a quick trip to COSTCO for a couple of things rather than try to go on Saturday, which they are super busy. 

Jeanne, sure hope your doctor's appointment today goes well and you won't need to go back into the hospital.

Marilyn, it sounds like Freckles is too large for you to be picking up.  I hope Keith's appointment goes well today.

Janet, it is amazing how much having a doctor's appointment takes out of a day.  Hope your trip to Hutchinson goes well today. 

Ruth Ann, I understand your appreciation of being able to spend some time with your brother as feel the same way when I get to see my sister and brother-in-law, which is only every few years now.  I see your daughter's birthday is on the same day as my oldest great grandson, who is turning 14 today.  Your daughter certainly has a very responsible job.

Late yesterday afternoon Pat and I tried the new restaurant (for us) called Vinny's and the food was very good.  A man we knew from church came in to eat and we invited him to join us and we had a chance to get to know him. 

We're still in the warm spell for today, but it looks like the temperature will be dropping from summer to late autumn.  It's not too warm today, but the humidity is making it feel muggy -  which does not help with breathing. 

Larry Freckl;es weighs 35.6 lbs, However what kills my back is standing there holding her for what seems like 10 minutes.

I  went with Keith to his Dr. appointments today, everything is OK.

Out to dinner this evening.

Hi, friends,

I've been solving computer software problems for a friend today.

The temperatures have dropped from a high Wednesday of 91 to a predicted low for tomorrow morning around 41 - 50 degrees in 2 days. Brrrr!

Thanks so much for being here. I appreciate each participant.

Love to all,
Ruth Ann

Hi everyone on a crisp Saturday morning.  It was in the high 40's this morning and was a bit nippy outside when I watered the flowers and then made a trip to the mailbox.  I high today is suppose to be 68 degrees.  I look forward to a very quiet day today.  My neighbor just left after spending an hour or more visiting with me so the morning is about gone.  Looking forward to watching some college football today but haven't even checked the schedule yet.

Jeanne, hope the humidity is down today so you are able to breath more easily. 

Marilyn, so glad that Keith had a good report from his doctor and hope your back is feeling better.

Ruth Ann, it is a good feeling when we are able to help a friend with a computer problem.  I no longer do much of that other than for keeping our computers going, which sometimes is a job unto itself. 

Chilly and raining today and I'm spending most of the time bundled on the couch.  After another visit to the ER, I'm home with a diagnosis of a UTI and a prescription for a very strong antibiotic for the next 10 days.  At least this time they didn't admit me to the hospital. 

But...  in the process of switching oxygen tanks four times, somehow one of my hearing aids turned up missing.  Not a happy discovery.  Monday morning I'll contact my homeowners insurance, hoping that will be covered. 

Jeanne I hope your homeowners insurance covers your hearing aid, those devices are so expensive.  I don't think I could ever afford to have hearing aids.

Lazrry yes my back is so much better, that always seems to happen after I call the chiropractor for an appointment.

Larry, yes, those Doctor's appointments do take a chunk out of the day, especially when they involve a 400 mile round trip!    But we did have a pleasant day, so all is well.  Darrel got two new prescriptions plus sinus wash, which he is to use three times a day until we go back in a month.

What a wonderful day!!  A whole day without anything on our calendar!  I haven't even stepped outside the house today.  And it's a lovely day out there, so I should have.

I'm trying to get a couple things done, so will stop now!

Hi everyone on a very cool morning for us as it is still in the high 40's and we will only get into the low 70's late this afternoon.  As planned we stayed home all day yesterday and had a very enjoyable day.  I will go to church this morning and then bring home something for our main meal of the day.  I know that Pat is getting better as she was up before I was this morning and fixed her own breakfast for the first time in more than two months.  It seems her most painful time is trying to sit up to get up in the mornings.  She is now getting around the house without the aid of a walker or cane, which is another good indication.  I did enjoy a couple of football games yesterday and will likely watch some pro games this afternoon if I can keep my eyelids open while also listening to Don's Classical Music on my headphones.  From my office window I am enjoying seeing the Mums plant that is in full bloom as well as the five azalea bushes that are now blooming with red/orange blossoms.

Jeanne, so sorry that you are having to fight another medical problem but glad it didn't require hospitalization this time. I expect you called back to the ER to see if anyone turned in a hearing aid.  I hope it can be found.

Marilyn, that is the news I was hoping you could report on your back.

Janet, no wonder you dread the trips to the doctors that are so far away.  Four hours in the car isn't fun although I know you have a comfortable vehicle in which to ride.  I hope the medicine and actions the doctor asked Darrel to do will solve the sinus problems.  He needs some feeling good time.  Nice to see you had a day where you had nothing on your calendar.  That was our day yesterday. 

Time to lock this door but I've opened another one HERE

See you all in the coming week's topic!