Thoughts from the Shepherds (Page 2)
Flying in Turbulence
The thought I have had often the last few days is: ” I’ve never seen anything like this”. But it’s true. At the risk of sounding old “in all my born days….”. What are we to do in times like these? I was reading in Deuteronomy this morning and I read through God’s command to Israel: “Imprint these words of mine on your hearts and minds, bind them as a sign on your hands, and let them be a…
Thoughts on the Virus
Here we go folks! Corona virus has come to Rochester! But, we’d like to encourage you to do what you should always do: Trust God and Love People. Therefore we will not be afraid, though the earth trembles and the mountains topple into the depths of the seas,Psalm 46:2 (CSB) God expects that his children will trust in him in the face of any danger he allows. And that trusting in him will allow us to love him and those…
Who do you go to for help?
So David fled and escaped and went to Samuel at Ramah and told him everything Saul had done to him. Then he and Samuel left and stayed at Naioth. — 1 Samuel 19:18 (CSB) We need help. Doing life isolated and alone is unwise at best and deadly at worst. But, who you run to for help is also really important. Do you go to someone who always agrees with you and just pacifies you in your place of trouble?…
Changing by One Snowflake at a Time
As I was shoveling today I thought about snow flakes. Recently, someone had posted pictures of how each one was unique and beautiful. But they are so small and delicate that they are nearly weightless. If you had only seen them this way, you could never imagine being able to cover the earth inches or feet deep with them. Yet this is how God works. If you needed to feed perhaps a million people in the desert what would you…
What ever happened to that guy?
It’s easy to focus on the disciples in the Bible’s New Testament, see their lifestyle and feel inferior. They travel around, do miracles, preach and see amazing results! But, where are the little people? The everyday people who live rather ordinary lives of faith? Those who are not the superstar disciples? At the Fusion conference last week Tom Short gave us a brief snapshot of what he feels like happened in the life of one of these sorts of people.…
Love People at Christmas
The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. — Matthew 22:39 (CSB) I don’t really love people very much. I’m an introvert with a critical attitude that can be sarcastic. I am not the life of the party. But, I know from numerous Bible passages that I’m supposed to care for those around me. From the homeless guy on the corner to the neighbor living next to me, those in prison to the fatherless and the widow. Then…
Is it a Merry Christmas?
Look up the word merry and it means cheerful. Wishing someone a “Merry Christmas” is a good thing and something I try to do as often as possible this time of year. But to be honest, it can be a rather tired phrase. Yet, to truly have a cheerful Christmas I think we need a reason to be cheerful. All of those people talking about having a reason for the season are on to something. When I reflect on the…
A Thanksgiving Thought
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. ‘His faithful love endures forever’.Give thanks to the God of gods. ‘His faithful love endures forever’.Give thanks to the Lord of lords. ‘His faithful love endures forever’. — Psalms 136:1-3 (CSB) I read Psalm 136 this Thanksgiving morning and it was very appropriate. I thought about copying it all in here but then thought I’d just give you a link instead. Out of all the things that we can be thankful…
Thoughts on Thankfulness
Are you a thankful person? Am I?At times I can be critical, grumpy, frustrated or just plain jealous instead of thankful for who I am and what I have. This is not the way that God wants me to live and it’s not the way I want to live either when I’m honest. What sort of reason does God give me to be thankful instead of being so negative? Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,…