Be Bummer Sheep!…

image via dailyrecordnews.com

image via dailyrecordnews.com

A “bummer lamb” is rejected by her mother, so tries to “bum” milk from other ewes, who too reject her. The bummer lamb may have been rejected for being different, the runt, or the third of a triplet.  The mother ewe will kick the lamb away. The lamb will die without milk

But…

The Good Shepherd is on the look out for bummer sheep (Lk 15:4). He will take a bummer lamb from the flock and hand feeds the lamb sometimes 5 times a day (Is 40:11).  The Good Shepherd talks to the lamb and once a day holds the lamb to his chest so she can hear the Good Shepherd’s heartbeat (John 10:14).  Eventually the bummer lamb can be introduced back to the flock (John 10:9) and yet the bummer lamb will always be the first to come running when the Good Shepherd calls because she recognizes His voice (John 10:27).

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

Aren’t we all bummer sheep? In need of His reassuring presence with us? Knowing we are connected Heart-to-heart? Hearing His voice as His grace feeds us? It is the bummer sheep who know the Good Shepherd most intimately…and who follow Him most obediently.We are bummer sheep when we recognize our brokenness…our littlenss…our need for Him.

“As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep.  I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cludy and dark.” Ez 34:12

A Real Bummer Lamb!

http://youtu.be/5MtzNkd2Zl4

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Level Ground…

I just got glasses…Been a bit strange wearing them.
image via fromtheheartofj

I feel very tall…everyone looks short…I feel like I’m walking downhill uphill.

Has made me think about Perspective.

“Let your nose point first to what you want to look at…then find the sweet spot where things that are blurry become clear, ” said Martha with the white hair.

Good advice. Don’t you think?

It’s not enough just to set your eyes on where you want to go…your body needs to move in the same direction.

And aren’t we all looking for that sweet spot – that God perspective – where things blurry become focused and clear?

I’m finding it takes some practice…and patience… intention… and good humor.

Hopefully in time the journey will no longer all seem downhill uphill.

It will become level ground.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level. ” Psalm 143:10

Holy Innocents…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

We read in Matthew chapter 2 that when Jesus was born in Bethlehem, King Herod, fearing for his throne, ordered that all the male infants of Bethlehem be killed.  These children are regarded as martyrs for the Gospel.

A Prayer to the Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents, you died before you were old enough to know what life means, pray for all children who die young that God may gather them into His loving arms.

Holy Innocents, you were killed because one man was filled with hatred, pray for those who hate that God may touch their hearts and fill them with love.

Holy Innocents, you experienced a violent death, pray for all who are affected by violence that they may find peace and love.

Holy Innocents, your parents grieved for you with deep and lasting sorrow, pray for all parents who have lost young children that God may wrap a warm blanket of comfort around them.

Holy Innocents, those around you certainly felt helpless to prevent your deaths, pray for all who feel helpless in their circumstances that they may cling to God for courage and hope.

Holy Innocents, you who are now in Heaven, pray for all of us that one day we may join you there to bask in God’s love forever.

Amen.

(author of prayer unknown)

No Such Thing As A Counterfeit…

If you aren’t a writer…be the story.

image via makems.com

 

If you aren’t an artist be the paint.

image via extreme-couponing-tips.com

 

If you aren’t a sculptor be the clay.

image via instructables.com

 

If you aren’t a singer be the song.

image via star4laughs.blogspot.com

 

If you aren’t a dancer be the moves.

image via freepik.com

 

If you aren’t an athlete be the fan.

image via georgeprice.net

 

Discover “YOU”… the real version.

Because if you aren’t “YOU”…there is no such thing as a counterfeit!

“In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the one who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” Eph 1″ 111-12

Falling and Getting Back Up…

Is “Wholeness” perfection?

image via blamecristal.com

 

Or rather in this life is “wholeness” realizing we are sinners doing the best we can,

falling and getting back up as we journey through the chaos of the world?

image via photoisanescapsim.blogspot.com

 

Always, however, embraced in His love and mercy.

image via theocentric.com

 

“To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best night and day to make you everybody else,

means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight;

and never stop fighting.” (E.E. Cummings)

image via lovethepersoninthemirror.xanga.com

 

“Have mercy on me, God, have mercy on me.  In you I seek shelter.  In the shadows of  your wings I seek shelter till harm pass by.” Ps 57:2

Wholeness Lived…

We have been gifted with WHOLENESS…RESTORATION…PEACE  through the Wounds of Christ.

image via flickriver.com

 

WHOLENESS given is now WHOLENESS lived out in our earthly life.

Sometimes there seems so much messy brokenness in the WHOLENESS…

image via flickr.com

 

Let not doubt have a room under your roof!

Glory is your foundation…Built sturdy to withstand the messiness!

image via inkity.com

 

The power of LOVE is the mortar that builds the temple of God who you are…

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yes, WHOLENESS given is WHOLENESSs to be lived…

in the here and now….step by step by step,

image via barnabasanglicans.com

 

HOME.

“Rise up in splendor! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you.  See, darkness covers the earth, and thick clouds cover the peoples; But upon you theLlord shines, and over you appears his glory.” Is 60:1-2

Designer Collection…

You knit me in my mother’s womb…

image via canadatop.com

Stitch by stitch.

The way you intertwined the DNA with which I am created…

thednastore.com

Is Your Divine Design.

And you saw it as wonderful!

You outlined my days. You numbered them.

NOTHING about me is a mistake!

I am part of the Heavenly Father’s “Designer Collection”

image via designersense.org

 And I wear His label!

“You formed my inmost being; you  knit me in my mother’s womb. I praise you so wonderfully you made me; wonderful are your works! My very self you knew; my bones were not hidden from you.  When I was being made in secret, fashioned as in the depths of the earth. Your eyes foresaw my actions; in your book all are written down; my days were shaped, before one came to be. How precious to me are your designs, O God.” Ps 139 13-17

Encircled…

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me. ” (Ps 139:5)

image via achildofgod2010.blogspot.com

Oh God you are my PROTECTOR.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

image via marklabutis.wordpress.com

 

Oh God you are my STABILITY.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

image via raftertales.com

 

Oh God you are my FOUNDATION.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

image via trainer.kim.com

 

Oh God you are my SUPPORT.

“Behind and before You encircle me and rest Your hand upon me.”

Like the seamless garment Jesus wore upon the earth…

I am encircled in Your love. Clothed in Your presence.

“Such knowledge is beyond me, far too lofty for me to reach.” (Ps 139:6)