Because The Lord Is My Shepherd...

I've been looking for an independent Bible study lately, and I have had no success because I can't seem to get to Orlando to the Christian book store. I've looked at Target & Wal-mart, I went to Barnes & Noble thinking, "surely this 8000 sq ft bookstore will have bible studies." NOPE. I wasn't even sure which study I wanted to do, I've been praying for guidance. Well at church this past Sun. our pastor taught from John 10 about the Good Shepherd. He suggested memorizing Psalm 23, or revisiting it if it's already been memorized. That's it! I'll do a study on Psalm 23. I need to be reminded that the Lord is my Shepherd. He knows me. He loves me. He cares for me. If I wander, He's there with His staff to pull me back to Him. He knows that sheep are dumb and prone to wandering (yes, that's me to a "T" - I'm dumb and prone to wandering). He wants to keep me safe from the wolves. I need to be reminded that I am SAFE with Him. I have grown into adulthood with a very jaded sense of security. I've been a sort of caregiver in my family for as long as I can remember and I have very few memories of being "cared for."

Anyhow, I digress. I decided that since my lack of local Christian bookstores was hindering my study of the Word, I would take my search to the Internet. Surely there are free, reliable, true Bible studies on the Net. Yep! I went to http://www.abideinchrist.com/ and found a nice little study on Psalm 23. I'm trying to do a little each day. I hope to follow up with a book titled, "A Shepherd's Look At Psalm 23" (I think).

I'm learning to remember always, in all situations, that there is security in the presence of the Good Shepherd. That He is my very own Shepherd. It's so very important to dwell on these truths.

Stay tuned for more on Psalm 23...

Shut Up and Pedal!

I've really been struggling with the situation at work and some issues with my babysitter. I'm having a hard time letting go and letting God. I am working again today and have awakened to an uneasy feeling. Someone told me on Tuesday that pain is very hungry; and pain must consume pain. Often times a person in your life who is causing you a great deal of pain are themselves in a great deal of pain and they are creating pain in you for their pain to consume. Is that clear as mud? It was very enlightening to me. It helps me to have a little bit of compassion for the people who are causing me grief.
When I did a short Bible study in Proverbs this morning I was reminded to, "trust in the Lord with all [my] heart and lean not on [my] own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 There was an illustrative narration in my study by an unknown source:

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping the things I did wrong, so
as to know whether I merited heaaven or hell when I die...but later on when I recognized God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that God was in the back helping me pedal. I do not know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life without my God, that is...when I had control I knew the way...it was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful longcuts, up mountains, through rocky places, and at breakneck speeds! It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "pedal!" I worried and as anxious and asked, "where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. I started to learn to
trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say "I am scared," He's lean
back and touch my hand...I did not trust Him in control of my life at first, I thought He'd wreck it.
But He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful, constant companion, my God. And when I am sure I just cannot do anymore, He smiles and says, "pedal."

I long for the day when I can be in this place. To be more trusting of my God, to remeber that He's in control, that He will get me through the rocky places, that He is a great navigator of all things difficult.

May He bless you today and may you allow Him to take the front seat.