Journey

 Scripture:   The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even thought I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Thought Conveyed:   Protection.  Care.  Feeding.  Love.  Discipline.  Guidance.  Blessings.  Hope. Application Made:   This is not a shepherd who puts me up for the night.  He is with me always; focused on my care and well-being.  His presence brings with him the blessings of comfort, safety, calm, and guidance.  ...

  Scripture:   When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.  All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.  He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Thought Conveyed:   A time is coming when Jesus will separate the his people - the sheep who follow him,  from the people who are non-believers, i.e. the goats. Application Made:  I have assurance that I won't have to put up with non-believers in heaven, who really get on my nerves. Response:  Lord, I am thankful that your words are easy to understand and straight forward.  It brings a lot of reassurance to me - and other believers - that you see us, you know your sheep, and a time is coming when we will be separated from the "goats."

  Scripture:  May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, Thought Conveyed:  Again, the Bible names Jesus as the great Shepherd Application:   Jesus is the great Shepherd, so he's not just a shepherd. Response:   Lord, you are not just any shepherd, but the great shepherd.  You are the standard to which all shepherds try to ascribe themselves to be.  The role-model to follow.

Scripture:   He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Thought Conveyed:   The relationship of Christ to His followers is comparable to a shepherd and his flock.  A lamb needs to be gathered when lost, scared, or hurt, and so Christ does the same to his followers - close to his heart, which implies he thinks deeply for their issues.  "Those that have young" means he is especially attentive to young parents. Applications Made:   He doesn't just notice that I am lost, afraid, or hurt.  He acts, and conscientiously responds. Response.   I don't know when I need you.  I'm glad you do.

Scripture Read. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. Thought Conveyed.   It's a message directed to the elders to explain they should be role-models to whom they shepherd.  It points towards Christ as the "Chief Shepherd."  It also explains that for their good work as elders, they will receive a "crown of glory" (non-physical, so what?) which will never fade. Application Made .  Primarily that Christ is the Chief Shepherd, which means at some point in the future he will reward the elders for their job well done.  My feeling is that it is a non-physical adulation that means he will no forget their good works. Response.  Lord, I am not an elder.  But I understand that those who are should be our shepherds.  I'm sorry, but elders continually disappoint me in their mediocrity and are a source of my deeper anger towards the failure of the church to be what you created it to be.  I feel...

 Scripture Read.   I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen.  I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. Thought Conveyed.   Jesus was saying that His "sheep" are not confined to the Jews alone.  He is also here for the Gentiles, and they will respond to his call. Application Made.   Jesus is larger than one denomination and one demographic.  He is available for all.  He is also here for the ones no one else notices; the lost and unseen. Response.  Lord, allow me to see the unseen.  Help me to not be hard and cold to those whom you also love and are also your sheep, although they don't know you as Shepherd.

  Scripture Read.   John 10: 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-- Thought Conveyed.   God is saying his role in the relationship to mankind is akin to a shepherd and his sheep.  He will tend, which means to take care of the necessities.  He will provide guidance (physical?  spiritual?  emotional?) He will manage...?  He will direct.  He will safeguard.  In verse 10, he says the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  Which means he considers the life of his sheep to be more valuable than his own.  In verse 14, immediate recognition is implied. Application Made.  That I will recognize the presence of God by His works. Response Given.

 How do you see yourself knowing that God created you and shaped you as you are?     Is this to imply that I'm NOW supposed to see myself differently than before?  No, I don't think so.   I think what the question is asking is more like, "Knowing that God created and shaped you, how does that influence how you see yourself?"  Starting from the POV that God created me with something in mind, then he either created me to do something, or created me to be something for someone else.  For example, Job was ultimately an example for Christians through the ages, but he had no way of knowing that when his went through his ordeals.    To be honest, I think all of us serve both points:  there are things he expects me to do, but He is also aware that others draw from how I live my life, both good and bad. What does God say about how He made you?  How well do you think God knows you? "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."  Completely....

  Do you dwell on heaven as your future home? Why or why not?                 Nope.   Because I do not know what Heaven is truly like.   Work is a gift from God, but many people think there is no work in Heaven.   If so, what will I do for eternity?   How varied will be my time?   What is my form?   Will I be aware of my time of earth?   What bearing does it have on my role (if any) in Heaven?   Thinking on what things will be like in Heaven are a waste of time, as no one has any answers. What does God know about your future? Do you spend time thinking about it?                 In the large sense, He sees all the variables.   As we take actions, he sees the immediate outcome.   If mankind had no freewill, then our freely given love and obedience to him would be worthless.   ...

  Scripture.   Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Thought Conveyed.   This verse continues to build on the theme of the week, except it adds one more thought, i.e. "to whom we must give account."  In all the other scriptures, God is omnipresent and omniscient.  He is with us, watching us, involved in what we do, and concerned.  But with this verse, we can now expect and some point to explain what we did and why. Application Made.  It is natural to think God would want us to explain why we disobeyed, or rebelled, or didn't do what we know we should have, or did what we know we shouldn't.  But God will also want an accounting of why we did the good things, and what was our motivation behind doing them. Response Given.   I can think of nothing new to add.

Scripture.  [Isaiah speaking].  "But I know where you stay and when you come and go and how you rage against me." Thought Conveyed. This verse adds to sentiment I've read in other verses this week.  Now in addition to his presence, his observation, and his involvement in my life, he also listens to my words, including my frustrations with how he would like me to live. Application Made.   God knows that living a life for Him is not always easy.  Sometimes we rebel against it and he hears.  God is with me in good times and bad.  When I feel gratitude for his blessings, and when I am frustrated by how I don't measure up. Response Given.    Lord, thank you for not abandoning me when I am frustrated by my life and actions.  Thank you for your patience during these times.

Scripture.  Does he not see my ways and count my every step? Thought Conveyed.   God is aware of my actions in every moment. Application Made.   God does not just see me.  He does not just observe my action.  He is there every moment, and takes account of what I am doing. Response Given.   It makes me think of the "Footprints in the Sand" poem.

Scripture.  for he [God] views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Thought Conveyed.   God is omniscient. Application Made.   God not only sees all that mankind does, but also everything man does not. Response Given.   God is omniscient.  Nothing is hidden from His eyes, and He sees things that will impact our lives, even though it is just a butterflies wing in Africa.

 Scripture.  The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord in on his holy throne.  He observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. Thought Conveyed.  God reigns, and from his position of power all is seen by him.  Not just seen, but carefully observed. Application Made.   The scripture does not say God was  or is going to be  in his holy temple.  It says he is , as in constantly there.  There is not a before time nor an after time.  And not only is His reign eternal, but so is his observation of mankind. Response Given.   I should not doubt God's eternal kingdom.  I should not doubt that he observes not just me, but all of mankind around me.

  Scripture Read.   If the Lord delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm. Thought conveyed.   If in the eyes of the Lord, if what the man is doing is in alignment with His will and the Lord is glad of the actions being taken, then the Lord will make it easy for the person to continue in his plans and achieve the goal. Application Made.  There are a lot of things one can do everyday.  There are a lot of small decisions, and a lot of big ones.  Sometimes it can be Him just reaching out to removes obstacles from your way, because He loves you and wants what is best for you.  Sometimes, it's a big project, but He'll bless your actions and remove problems (or keep them from appearing) if He is pleased by the intent of the project OR just wants what is best for you. Response Given.   Use critical thinking and self-assess during actions (or considering actions.)  Are you having unexpected difficulties along the way?  Why?  Sto...

Scripture Read.  Psalm 139 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1  You have searched me, Lord,     and you know me. 2  You know when I sit and when I rise;     you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3  You discern my going out and my lying down;     you are familiar with all my ways. 4  Before a word is on my tongue     you, Lord, know it completely. 5  You hem me in behind and before,     and you lay your hand upon me. 6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,     too lofty for me to attain. 7  Where can I go from your Spirit?     Where can I flee from your presence? 8  If I go up to the heavens, you are there;     if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, ...

Scripture Read. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Thoughts conveyed.  “Think about such things.” God will guide your heart. Think about: noble, true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy. Application .  Thoughts run rampant through our heads all day without bridle. Bridle them! Identify the source. Is it your own? Does it come externally? Did it come from a previous experience? Is it a thought that you didn't bridle? Evaluat...

    Journey group first night impressions. There are 13 members in the group including myself. We have two couples serving as facilitators or guides. Tony and Elizabeth Staten are the first couple. Kristie and Mark George are the second set of facilitators.  Two future members - Rodney & Deborah Tidwell - didn't travel in due to the weather.  They live 1.5 hours away.  Tony and Elizabeth have been married 38 years and have two children and four grandchildren. The four grandchildren are two boys and two girls. He works as a dorm manager for single airman probably at Gunter. Elizabeth has been working as the "caregiver" to her two grandkids who have since moved out. I'm not quite sure what that means; but she is having mixed feelings about their departure. Nathan Smith is 42 and Montgomery born and raised. He works for the Alabama Department of Health but there seems to be some issues at work. He's been married for 17 years, wife unnamed, 11 year old girl ...

 Just making notes before class begins. I know there will be two sets of leaders. Mark and Kristi George, who drive all the way in from Eclectic to attend Vaughn Park. And Tony and Elizabeth Staten. I'm fearful most of the class will be couples. I had really looked forward to it being a men's only group, but there weren't enough men signing up to do it. I get the feeling most of them were doing it because they felt obligated to attend with their wives. At least, that's one gentleman told me. I feel tonight will be mostly introductory... getting to know the other people in the class and introducing ourselves. Course goals?  Hoping I can deal with someone my anger issues towards the church as an institution and maybe grow. I feel like I've been rather stagnant with my personal Christian growth so I'm not quite sure which way to go. Is there something more? I'm not feeling it. I feel like I have good relations with my heavenly father. The books that they asked ...

 I know that they want us to use a physical journal, but I've been interested in blogging for a while so I'm gonna give this a try.  In a way, I'm growing in two areas - spiritually and technologically.