SHEEP VERSUS HUMANS

When I was a child my Sunday School teacher told us a story of the lost sheep.   I was NOT impressed.  Most of my young classmates thought “oh, they are so cute.”  Not me!

You see, after hearing about still water and green pastures and a shepard, I thought the sheep had a good life and decided the one the shepard had to hunt for to protect him from getting hurt . . . well I thought he was stupid.  Follow the leader, eat, play, sleep, trim the grass . . . ie snack time, repeat next day.so why not do as your told, wandering sheep?

HOW’S YOUR LIFE GOING?

The Bible tells us that we have a Good Shepard and we are His sheep.  All we must do is listen and follow.  How’s that working for you?  As for me, this sheep often neglects to pay attention, thinking MY idea sounded good, “maybe God will support MY idea instead.”  WRONG!  The loving Good Shepard came after me, protected me, loved me, and taught me which way to go WITH HIM.

Ultimately, supporting myself is NEVER going to lead me to the life and purpose God has for me.  I am trying to listen better.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TEACH US, LORD

You created us as unique creatures with a purpose.  Sadly, instead of giving yoou glory for this and learning from one another, we listen to the evil one and behave wickedly!  Help us to reflect Your love and behave as one mutually supportive body in you as you intended and please forgive us for our failings, In Jesus’ holy name.  Amen

 

WP REBLOG FAIL

Hey folks!

It seems there is a wide spread problem on WordPress with reblogs.  A change has been made in the way in which they appear but based on my own experience and that of many others who have spoken to me or written in the help forum .  . .

The title and “comment” appear without a snapshot of a portion of the posst and with no link.  In my own experience, I was unable to delete the useless post and prior posted reblogs have also been affected.

From what I can see, the techs have been advised of this.  Sorry for your inconvenience in viewing these.  Hopefully they will soon have things restored.

 

H-H-H-H-HELP!

Why is that word so hard to say?  We like to think there’s nothing, absolutely NOTHING we cannot handle and we deceive ourselves quite effectively in that inner claim until certain things happen in life which cannot be ignored.  What then?  I can only speak for myself. I tell myself:

• It must be God’s will
• I can live without . . .
• The answer will come.
• Oh, it’s not that big a deal.
• I’m okay.  Really.
• I can do this.
• I’ll do it myself.
• I’ll figure it out.
• I’ll pray about it.

Those aren’t all completely wrong statements, but they truly don’t satisfactorily support never needing help from one another.  The one which leaps off the page for me is “I’ll pray about it.” I do pray.  You pray.  Prayer is amazing.  He answers our prayer.  He fixes things.  Sometimes the answer is to direct us to one another seeking support from the body of believers of which we are a part.  So, today I made a phone call for some advice.  I’ve needed to make the call for a while.  I got this very person’s name and phone number over a week ago.  I didn’t call until just now.  Why didn’t I call?  My reasons . . .

• I was busy.
• There were all these appointments . . .
• The weather (???)
• I had a lot on my mind.
• I lost the phone number.

I could go on.  Truth?  Asking for help freaks me out.  I’m strong.  I’m smart.  I should succeed on my own.   Asking for help is so . . . so what?  I looked the word up in the dictionary.  The words weak and failure are not in the long list of definitions.  What was there?

• give
• provide
• necessary
• satisfy
• succor
• cooperate
• strength
• render
• contribute
• useful
• profitable
• cooperate
• effective
• fascilitate
• advantage

There is not a single word in that list that’s frightening or remotely suggests help is a bad thing or a wrong choice.  We, most of us, freely offer and give help – often before being asked.  We don’t, I am sure, even give thought to looking down upon the one needing it.  Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we inwardly tremble at the thought of seeking it.  Interesting, isn’t it? 

Know what?  The woman I was told to call is “out of the office at this time.”  So, I have to call back.  Okay, I’m actually giggling over that.  I finally got up the nerve and she’s not even there.  Making the call didn’t change me.  I might not even tremble quite as much when I try again.  We are the body of Christ.  We lift each other up.  That is the way we are called to live.  I can do this.  With His help, I can do anything He desires me to do, even ask for help.