Most of the time, I associate this Psalm with funerals. I don’t like to read this Psalm because it brings to mind sadness and pain. And yet, this Psalm is all about peace.
Formations 12.12.2021: God Will Be Our Shepherd
December 5, 2021 by
I’ve met—and am related to—a bunch of farmers and others who live in rural communities. But I don’t think I’ve ever met a shepherd.
Connections 03.22.2020: The Church of the Shepherd
March 15, 2020 by
There are local churches called The Church of the Shepherd or The Church of the Good Shepherd. Those are good names. After all, as Psalm 23 affirms, the Lord is our shepherd.
Formations 12.22.2019: A Shepherd’s Perspective
December 15, 2019 by
My beloved pastor at the church where I grew up asks church members (both past and current) to submit devotionals for an Advent booklet he compiles each year. Inspired by Luke’s account of the shepherds, I wrote the following story for the 2015 booklet.
Crossroads: My Shepherd
May 13, 2019 by
Most of the time, I associate this well-known psalm with funerals. I don’t like to read it because it brings to mind sadness and pain. And yet, this psalm is all about peace. It is also about being treasured.
Crossroads: The Shepherd Candle/Candle of Joy
December 18, 2017 by
Welcome to the third week of Advent! Advent is a time of preparation, when we wait and prepare for the Christ child. Each week, you will light a new candle as we recognize the things that Christ brings to this world: hope, peace, joy, and love.
Connections 12.25.2016: Ridiculousness
December 18, 2016 by
The whole thing seems ridiculous to me. God Almighty cares enough about this world and the people in it to come down and spend a few years in it and with them. And when God Almighty comes, it’s as a helpless baby who has to be protected, fed, and burped.
Crossroads: My Shepherd
April 18, 2016 by
Most of the time, I associate this Psalm with funerals. I don’t like to read this Psalm because it brings to mind sadness and pain. And yet, this Psalm is all about peace. It is also about being treasured.
Crossroads: The Shepherd Candle or Candle of Joy
December 14, 2015 by
Today we light the pink candle, known as the candle of joy. We also light the candle of hope as well as the candle of love. Today we remember that Jesus is the hope of the world.
Crossroads: The Candle of Joy – Shepherds
December 15, 2014 by
During the third week of Advent, we light the Shepherds candle, the candle of Joy. You will also be lighting the first two purple candles (the candle of prophecy and the Bethlehem candle).
Crossroads: The Lord is My Shepherd
October 6, 2014 by
Many years ago I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go to Israel for several weeks. This trip was an incredible spiritual high point in my life filled with many wonderful and memorable experiences.