Tag Archives: Psalm 23

23 Pt. 3

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

23 Pt. 3

 

He guides me  in path’s of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23: 3

     No you did not miss a post. No I am not confused about the order of Psalm 23. I know that the next post should be about greener pastures. But we have to start at the beginning and I can honestly say that with Christianity “greener patures” are not the beginning. Before we ever get to the green space we have to be led in righteousness.

Now righteousness is a sticking place for most of us, because it’s not something we produce naturally as humans. Goodness is not a part of who we are. It goes against our fallen grain. Still,  righteousness is a prerequisite for entrance into Heaven. God understands that if we are to get to the good place it is up to Him. The truth is He has staked His reputation on saving us and bringing us to righteousness. That’s comforting to me because I know He will not let His name be brought down. While there are areas of goodness I still struggle with this struggle is not forever because for the sake of His name He is going to lead me into righteousness!

So tell me what’s the best way to become more righteous?

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23 Pt. 2

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

Hope you are having a great day today. I am out right now celebrating my daughter’s birthday. She doesn’t know it yet but we are going to The Olive Garden.

23 Pt. 2

 

 “I shall not want” Psalm 23:1

   I’ve often wondered about this verse. I am pretty sure that I am trusting the Lord as my shepherd and I still want a ton of things. I mean right now for instance after listening to the pitter- patter of little feet outside my hotel door until 3 A.M. (it is now 6) I really want sleep!

So what does this verse mean? The word used for want can also mean diminish, to subtract from. So “I shall not want” can also mean “I shall not be diminished”.

It’s pretty clear that Christians can and do have needs, some of which are never met. Good Christian men and women are starving to death right now across the face of the Earth. Some are in prison and they WANT  out. Some are like me, really tired because some rascally youth decided to set off the smoke detector in her room  in the middle of the night during youth convention.. But whether or not our needs are met today, tomorrow or in eternity they do not have to diminish or subtract from our faith. If we let the Lord be our shepherd he will provide what is truly needful and if it’s not provided then it’s not really needed no matter what it is. If it’s not needed then it should not diminish us or subtract from who we are or what we were created to be.  Nows that’s a heavy revvy that needs some thought!

Where in your life have you wanted something only to realize it was not something God was going to give?

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23 Pt. 1

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

This is a reblog from my last blog “Reinventing the We’ll”. But as I am getting ready for vacation in the Netherlands I thought it might be a good time to resurrect some of the old studies.

23 Pt. 1

 

     “The Lord is my shepherd” Psalm 23:1

      Midnight has come and gone. I am winding down in the hotel room as the youth group  settles in for the night. I did some calculating. This is my fourteenth youth convention…the eighth I have had a hand in planning. I have turned this one over to Pastor Brad. I am mostly along for the ride to troubleshoot any problems he runs up against. Yet I have found that even this requires a good deal of intentionality and planning.

We started planning this thing back in June. There are a lot of logistics to taking a youth group on an over-night trip: registrations, hotels, meals, travel arrangements, crowd control, chaperone to student ratio and so on.

I realize though that if shepherding a youth group through one twenty four hour period is complicated, planning out and shepherding me through all the twists and turns of my life is a far more complex endeavor. Yet He does it! He is my guide who knows every path. He is the Waymaker when I am certain there is absolutely no way. He is the protector who sees every enemy before they attack. He is the leader who is never at a loss for a plan.

What does “The Lord is my shepherd” mean to you?