Read the Bible in a Year : End of January Readings

Jan 15
Gen 31:17-32:12
Mat 10:26-11:6
Psa 13:1-6
Pro 3:16-18

Jan 16
Gen 32:13-34:31
Mat 11:7-30
Psa 14:1-7
Pro 3:19-20

Jan 17
Gen 35:1-36:43
Mat 12:1-21
Psa 15:1-5
Pro 3:21-26

Jan 18
Gen 37:1-38:30
Mat 12:22-45
Psa 16:1-11
Pro 3:27-32

Jan 19
Gen 39:1-41:16
Mat 12:46-13:23
Psa 17:1-15
Pro 3:33-35

Jan 20
Gen 41:17-42:17
Mat 13:24-46
Psa 18:1-15
Pro 4:1-6

Jan 21
Gen 42:18-43:34
Mat 13:47-14:12
Psa 18:16-36
Pro 4:7-10

Jan 22
Gen 44:1-45:28
Mat 14:13-36
Psa 18:37-50
Pro 4:11-13

Jan 23
Gen 46:1-47:31
Mat 15:1-28
Psa 19:1-14
Pro 4:14-19

Jan 24
Gen 48:1-49:33
Mat 15:29-16:12
Psa 20:1-9
Pro 4:20-27

Jan 25
Gen 50:1 - Exo 2:10
Mat 16:13-17:9
Psa 21:1-13
Pro 5:1-6

Jan 26
Exo 2:11-3:22
Mat 17:10-27
Psa 22:1-18
Pro 5:7-14

Jan 27
Exo 4:1-5:21
Mat 18:1-22
Psa 22:19-31
Pro 5:15-21

Jan 28
Exo 5:22-7:24
Mat 18:23-19:12
Psa 23:1-6
Pro 5:22-23

Jan 29
Exo 7:25-9:35
Mat 19:13-30
Psa 24:1-10
Pro 6:1-5

Jan 30
Exo 7:25-9:35
Mat 20:1-28
Psa 25:1-15
Pro 6:6-11

Jan 31
Exo 12:14-13:16
Mat 20:29-21:22
Psa 25:16-22
Pro 6:12-15

Bible In A Year - Week 2

January 8
Genesis 18:20 - 19:38
Matthew 6:25 - 7:14
Psalm 8:1-9
Proverbs 2:6-15

January 9
Genesis 20:1 - 22:24
Matthew 7:15-29
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 2:16-22

January 10
Genesis 24:1 - 24:51
Matthew 8:1-17
Psalm 9:13-20
Proverbs 3:1-6

January 11
Genesis 24:52 - 26:16
Matthew 8:18-34
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 3:7-8

January 12
Genesis 26:17 - 27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10

January 13
Genesis 28:1 - 29:35
Matthew 9:18-38
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 3:11-12

January 14
Genesis 30:1 - 31:16
Matthew 10:1-25
Psalm 12:1-8
Proverbs 3:13-15

Read the Bible in a Year - Week One

January 1
Genesis 1:1-2:25
Matthew 1:1-2:12
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-6

January 2
Genesis 3:1-4:26
Matthew 2:13-3:6
Psalm 2:1-12
Proverbs 1:7-9

January 3
Genesis 5:1-7:24
Matthew 3:7-4:11
Psalm 3:1-8
Proverbs 1:10-19

January 4
Genesis 8:1-10:32
Matthew 4:12-25
Psalm 4:1-8
Proverbs 1:20-23

January 5
Genesis 11:1-13:4
Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 1:24-28

January 6
Genesis 13:5-15:21
Matthew 5:27-48
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 1:29-33

January 7
Genesis 16:1-18:19
Matthew 6:1-24
Psalm 7:1-17
Proverbs 2:1-5

The Son Is On The Horizon - Sermon by Rev. Teresa Chapman

The Son Is On The Horizon

　

3jan97
Text: Psalms 30: 1-5
　

Officially the day begins

At exactly 12:01

With no lights, no rays, no early dew

No mention of the sun.

For man believes the start of day

Is at the midnight hour

When ghost and goblins and creatures of night

Gain most their strongest powers.

Then round about 6 am

When yonder daylight breaks

Man wipes away the sweat of fears

To dress the wounds and aches.

He rises above the stench of dark

And praises greatly the light

The sun will heal those unseen scars

Of the unknown battles he fights.

Here in our text as David writes

He pens these words of praise

Thanking God for deliverance

From a darkness to brighter days.

　

　

“Oh Lord, I give m all to you

You’ve been right there for me

You’ve made it so that I may rise

Above my enemies.

When destruction brought me down to tears

Your hand gently wiped them away

You and only you gave me worth

How can I ever repay?

Father, you gave me endless hope

When I thought all was dead and lost

You assured me you have all powers within

There’s no problem you can’t bear to cross.

Your love has given me harmony

Your grace is like words to a song

I give thanks unto thee, How Great Thou Art

Magnificent, Holy and Strong.

Though tears for my pains are abundant

Lord you know must how much I can bear

Your anger is quick, your wrath is sure

But I know your love is still there.

I’m standing in this side of midnight

Awaiting to see the dawn

Knowing your sun’s on the horizon

And his joy is going to come.”

The words of David the psalmist

How well it applies to my life

So often I stand between night and day

Trying to understand my strife.

See I’ve got this wild crazy notion

At midnight the night is now day

Figuring the date determines the life

And the calendar determines who stays.

I figure I’m young I’m still able

I have strength so I should not feel weak

And I think I have all of God’s blessings

If I hear Him each time He speaks.

But let’s look at this thing realistically

Does not matter how much I pretend

I can listen to God from dusk to dawn

But I must do Hi will for my darkness to end.

For the darkness I see is not based on time

It’s a matter of where my heart stands

If I bury myself in sorrows and woes

Then of course I’ll believe I am damned.

Not all of my darkness comes in the night

I can be in the midst of the sun

But refusing to open my eyes to the truth

Means for sure more darkness will come.

When I open my eyes to see the new light

My focus must then be adjusted

Because figures will wave, will double in size

What I see cannot always be trusted.

If I build up my strength to hold my sight still

If I step back to really be sure

I will find there’s more darkness hiding inside

It’s amazing what man can endure.

See darkness covers up what’s actually true

You may think you truly believe

But when the light begins to penetrate

The truth is not readily received.

This darkness is meant to blind you

It’s meant to make you unwise

You may feel so right but be so wrong

The real truth will not wear a disguise.

The enemy wears sheep clothing

When for real he is truly a beast

And he roams this earth from end to end

Seeking to devour the least.

in darkness you’re in betwixt and between

There’s a thin line between love and hate

What side of the fence will you decide to stand on

When the sun shines it’s light on the gate.

If you see exactly how green your grass is

When you stand on the other side

You can see there’s more that a dew drop or rain

Causing the growth that’s been tried.

But oh, when yonder daylight breaks

And the sun shall arise in the east

What was hidden is seen and the truth shall be known

There you’re bound to find blessed peace.

When the sun is on the horizon

It’s like everything gains new life

It’s a time of starting all over again

A new twist to the old pains and strife.

The sun takes us from midnight to a new dawning

From our fears to the easing of woes

It creates in us a calming

A joy no man ever knows.

The sun gives us warmth and direction

It’s a wonder for our eyes to behold

How can something so far be so near

And continue to be so bold.

Even David knew the sun would come forth

So he praised God for all He had done

If weeping last for only a night

The morning will have joy to come.

The morning brings rays of God’s goodness

Surrounded by mercy and grace

If we close our eyes and throw back our heads

We can feel the sun on our face.

When the sun is on the horizon

First you will be lifted to new heights

For from midnight to dawn you’re not always so sure

But in day you can see what’s in sight.

I will lift up my eyes from whence cometh my help

Lord I know it is coming from you

There’s no power except God to close my eyes

And then open them to something new.

Men everywhere should be praying

We should lift God with Holy hands

Because of His love, He gave us the sun

To bring light to a place dark and damned.

God will lift up our hearts to see what we’ve done

When we’re right, even when we are wrong

We must humble ourselves for the pride in our hearts

Will block out the sun shining so strong.

When the sun is on the horizon

True we’re lifted, but then we are healed

When we come from below there’s dirt to remove

For that’s when God wants us to yield.

“But unto you that fear my name

Shall the sun of righteousness

Arise with healing in His wings,”

Saith the Lord, that’s when a man’s blessed.

There’s a time when the sun will shine in our lives

And a time for the healing of scars

God doesn’t want us to cover our faults

But to come to Him just as we are.

But it’s not just the lifting and healing

See the sun can restoreth the soul

It brings back to life that which is dead

Makes a half of a man feel whole.

If a man feels his faults are too heavy

And his spirit is a little too weak

Allowing the sun to shine in his life

Can restore one in spirit to meek.

When the sun doesn’t shine there is darkness and rain

Despair in our lives then employ

But just rays of sun bring salvation and grace

That restores unto you a free joy.

When your enemies bring you captivity

And they prey on your strength and your wealth

“I will heal thee of thy wounds,” saith the Lord

“Unto you, I will restore thy health.

This is the power of the sun

True the stars and the moon gives us light

They’re that light that comes in our midnight hour

But in the morning, the sun comes in bright.

We’ve been standing too long at midnight

Gazing up at the moon

Thinking this small beam of light is lighting our paths

But our sight becomes dark too soon.

We get lost in the constellations

Where we end depends on which stars lead

Big dipper, belts and milky ways

But the sun always fills our need.

That was the reason God sent His Son

When He looked down, He saw we were lost

Running around in the darkness

Weeping about the cost.

We had cried unto Him, “Lord please help us

The enemy is on either side

every time we think we’ve got this one beat

Then another one comes with great stride.”

We said, “Lord, it’s four in the morning

And we just can not go to sleep

It’s been dark a long time, will this joy ever come

It is night Lord, that’s why we weep.”

And we figured our cries went unanswered

Then round about 5 am

The angel told the wise men, “Go look,

There’s a star in Bethlehem.”

They did everything to block it

Killing babies and cries in the wild

But nothing could stop the Son coming forth

God said, “This is my beloved child.”

Oh they tempted Him, tried Him, despised Him

They accused Him of blasphemy

Said that darkness was good, knowing well it’s a lie

And the truth would set men free.

So they figured, okay if we kill Him

See darkness is all about tears

Hang Him up on a cross, nail Him up on a hill

If He dies we’ll control them by fears.

When the curtain came down, the earth shake and quacked

And they thought the Son was dead

So they put Him to rest in a grave behind stone

Figuring darkness was truly ahead.

That was Friday, I’d say it’s 5:30

When Saturday came all was shocked

Weeping across the land was loud

The Son, they thought had been blocked.

But on Sunday around 6 am

Someone said the stone’s rolled away

Over yonder on the horizon

The Son arose to a new day.

Darkness could not hold Him down

He got up with all power within

If you believe in Jesus Christ

You will not face this darkness again.

Your weeping is from midnight to 6 am

Your horror’s from dusk to dawn

But look over yonder, the Son has arose

His joy is now going to come.

You don’t have to be afraid anymore

Of the things that go bump in the night

His gentle hand will wipe all tears

The Son is Jesus Christ.

Know you this, not all in life will be right

Your attacks come from all ends so surprising

Yes, your weeping may endure for a night

But God’s Son is on the horizon.

AMEN

Harmony by Jane Sellman

Harmony
by
Jane Sellman 
 
In
birdsong
you hear perfectly
impossible lyrics
 
that
 
move your winter-
beaten heart dangerously
close to optimism.

I Give You Peace by Karen M. Rozier

My mother said to me, "If you become a soldier, you'll be a general;
if you become a monk you'll end up as the pope."　
Instead, I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.
--Pablo Picasso

 I was once a warmonger, but now I am an advocate for Peace. I have discovered some Truths and I tell you these Truths as I have come to understand them. These are not my truths but rather universal ones. Many have understood them before me. You can understand them as well.

I am just like you but I am nothing like you. I accept the Peace that lives in me. I opened my mind to the Truth and rejected that which is untrue. I Love. I do not hate. I Know. I Know I don’t know. I cannot open your eyes to the Truth, but if you open your hearts and minds you will see it before you. There can be Peace. There can be Nirvana. That is True.

All that I write has been written before. It will be written again. I write the Truth and the Truth will be told. Someone who understands will tell it. It does not matter if you agree or understand for it is true. The Truth is. Listen to the Truth wherever it is told.

Knowledge
Knowledge is the foundation for Peace. Without knowledge, there is ignorance, which breeds contempt, confusion, fear and deceit. Where there is ignorance, there can be no Understanding. Understand this. Without Knowledge, there can be no Peace. Knowledge is power. Seek to know all that you can about your chosen profession. Seek to know all that you can about your chosen environment. Educate yourself and others. Use knowledge responsibly. Further knowledge.

Love
Open your heart to Love. Give Love freely. Love fully and deeply. Accept Love at face value. Relish the Power of Love. Do not hate. Do not confuse Love. Love is Pure and Right. If it is impure or wrong, it is not Love. Let Love guide your thoughts, words, and deeds. Lead and follow with Love. Do all things with Love and you will do them correctly. Love is never wrong but always True. Love is strong. Hate is weak. Be stronger than those who hate you. Love them. Be strong. Love all who oppose you. Everything about Love is True. Love your enemies. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is as true today as the first time it was written.

Truth
The Truth is. Know this. Reject untruth. Do not confuse untruth with Truth. See the Truth; it is right there in plain sight. Untruth is hidden, ashamed. Truth is proud and open. Be True in all things. Accept the Truth in all things. Speak only the Truth. Truth is. Know this. Understand this. Love this. Truth.

Understanding
There must be Knowledge, Love and Truth for there to be Understanding. There can be no Understanding where there is confusion and there is confusion without Knowledge. There can be no Understanding without Love. Hate prevents Understanding. Love all things. Be True. There can be no Understanding without Truth. Truth is. If that is not Understood, there is no Understanding. War is the apex of misunderstanding. There is no Understanding in war. There is no Peace without Understanding. Understand this. If you want there to be Peace, you must first Understand why there is war.

Peace
Be Peaceful. Always preach Peace, never war. There can never be too many voices supporting Peace. Support Peace. Listen to those who preach Peace. Never harm them nor allow them to be harmed. Seek to Understand them. Do not upset Peace, or there will be war. Oppose war. War is bad. Shun those who preach war. Deny them every platform and every audience. Shun war. Do not go to war. Never kill another. Do not kill. Do not speak of war or hate. Do not speak with anger. Speak with Love. Preach Peace. Do not make weapons. Weapons are designed to kill. Do not support those who make weapons. Reject killing. Reject those who kill. Reject that which kills. One weapon is too many. If you reject killing and all that kills, there will be Peace.
If you choose Peace, there will be Peace. If you accept this, there will be Peace. Teach these things to your children. There will be Peace. Live with Truth and Knowledge. Promote Love, Understanding and Peace. Make a place in our world for dreamers lest we kill all dreams. Feel the Power of Love. It will change your mind and heart. Acknowledge the Truth. Seek to Understand. Love. We can have Peace. Know this.

Know me. I cursed Knowledge while reaping its benefits. I abused the many blessings and talents I was bestowed with, but that did not lessen them. I denied the reality of my limitations and that did not improve them. I rejected Love while experiencing its Power. I ignored the miracles I’ve experienced but that did not change the Truth. I wanted Peace but supported War. One day my son asked me what I did for a living and it opened my eyes to the Truth. I could not teach my son War. Then I Understood: Knowledge is Power. You can never Love enough. One weapon is too many. There can never be too many voices supporting Peace. You can always Love more. There can be Peace. Truth is. I Understood.

I give you these words just as they were given to me. “I bring you Peace. My Peace I give you. Go in Peace. Do this in memory of me.” I understand these words. I give you Peace. Accept this gift and carry it with you always. Pass these words along. Go in Love. Go in Peace. May Peace be with you.

God gave me the gift of superior intellect. I wasted it on war and other frivolous matters. Now I walk a different path. I walk in Truth and Peace. Feel free to join me.

Sheep Life by Karen Drake

Sheep Life:

A Reference Manual for

Sheep and Shepherds

Introduction

    God has already established nature in an orderly, if complex, manner.  If you are a sheep, you were probably born to a sheep and raised by an ewe that was already a member of a flock.  You probably grew from lambhood to sheephood in a flock, and you probably think you know everything that there is to know about being a sheep.
    But then again, maybe you don’t know everything about being a sheep.  Maybe you’re a sheep who wasn’t raised around other sheep.  Maybe you were raised by goats or pigs (both equally fine parents).  Maybe you’re a sheep without a flock.  Perhaps you’re even questioning your innate sheepiness.
    If so, fear not!  This book is just for you.  These writings will answer many of your questions about sheep, shepherds, and their responsibilities to the flock.  The following chapters will answer questions like:

• How do I find my flock?
• Am I a sheepdog?
• Whose lamb is it anyway?
• Why shear a sheep?

I am not pastor, educator, or certified theologian.  I am not a zoologist, philosopher, or doctor of any kind.  But I am a sheep.  The following chapters come from my experiences as such.  An ewe raised me, and I have been a member of a flock all of my life.  I don’t claim to know everything about sheephood, but I am willing to share what I have learned with those who are willing to listen.  I only wish to share a little of my tale -- painting a picture of church life as I see it – as a way of enhancing the quality of life for my flockmates and all of sheepdom everywhere.

Congratulations!  You get to be a sheep.  You are welcomed and you are loved.

Chapter 1:  How to Be A Sheep

    Let’s start at the beginning:  What is a sheep?  Sheep is the common name for a collection of grazing mammals.  Sheep can be wild or domesticated.  They are the most widely distributed kind of domestic animal, found in nearly all countries.  Sheep are thought to have been domesticated about 11,000 years ago in what is now northern Iraq, descending primarily from the mouflon.#
    Now, the next question:  How do you know you’re a sheep?  Well, one way to tell if you are sheep is to determine if you look like a sheep.  Sheep have an even number of toes and they have hooves.  They also chew cud and have four-compartmented stomachs.  The adult male sheep, or ram, has large, spirally curved horns.  The horns of the adult female sheep, or ewe, are short and slightly curved (“Sheep” 1).  Does this sound like you?  If not, don’t lose hope yet.  By my understanding, even if you don’t have hooves or horns, you can still be a sheep.  

Just as there particular characteristics that identify a “field sheep,” there are similar characteristics that identify a “church sheep.”  Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ.”   Fortunately, church flocks, just like field flocks, contain many different kinds of sheep.  Some sheep are good meat producers; some produce delicious milk; still others are known for their wool.  To be a sheep, all you have to do is do what a sheep does.  

Unlike many other organizations currently in the world, you can choose to become a sheep at any time.  You don’t have to be raised by sheep to be a good sheep.  You don’t have to be intelligent, or rich, or born in a particular place or time.  For the most part, you don’t have to be certain age to be a sheep.  The simple answer to the question is this – if you think you want to be a sheep, then you are already on your way to becoming one.  

Most churches that I’ve encountered start sheephood with a vocal confession.  You have to say, “I want to be a sheep.”  For Christians, that usually means accepting the premise that Jesus Christ, the great shepherd, died to save you from your sins and agreeing to join a particular flock.  Each time you visit with a flock, the shepherd-in-charge will offer an invitation to join.  Linking up with a flock is as easy as announcing your intention at that time.  If that is not possible, you can meet with the pastor privately to discuss your impending sheephood.  For some, this may seem like a scary proposition, but do not fear.  Most flocks and shepherds are eagerly waiting to welcome you into the fold.  They want to make your feel comfortable and at home.

Also, most flocks have some rite of passage that you must complete before you are considered a full member of the flock.  Some flocks welcome all young ones in their group when they reach a certain age, usually around 12 or 13 years old.  You might have to go to new members classes or the like to receive the education of the flock.  These classes let you know about the general principles that your flock accepts as a standard for daily living.

Much of what you learn about how to behave as a sheep comes from what your flock believes.  Some of your flock’s behaviors are guided by what your shepherd believes.  Some of your flock’s behaviors are guided by what other sheep in your flock believe.  Still other behaviors are based in tradition, or the collective understanding that “it’s always been this way.”  However, I think that each sheep is the best judge of what is acceptable flock behavior for him or herself.  For comfort’s sake, do try to join a flock that believes what you believe and behaves as you behave.  But beyond that, trust your innate sheepiness.  Only you can decide what is acceptable sheep behavior for you.  

Some sheep are nimble runners.  Some enjoy living at great heights.  Some enjoy grazing on pungent herbs; other do not.  I think that these personal variations are God’s intent -- differences that should be celebrated, not subjugated.  Therefore, if you like to run, then you should run.  God made you to run:  Run on, and don’t let any sheep stop you from running just because that sheep doesn’t like to run.

In Matthew 12:33, the Bible says, “You can tell a tree by its fruit.”  I say, you can tell a good sheep by his wool.  A healthy flock should be producing some wool; healthy sheep should be producing other lambs.  Your flock should be actively involved in living and working for God and your community.  You should be growing in your knowledge of God and in your personal relationship with the Creator.  You and your shepherd should be learning, increasing physically and spiritually.  If this is not happening, then something is wrong.  

Maybe the shepherd isn’t taking good care of the sheep.  Perhaps the sheep aren’t visiting the right pastures to feed or aren’t getting enough to eat.  The sheep might have a disease, virus, or parasitic infection -- something internal is hampering their individual growth.  In any case, this flock needs medical attention right away.  (These problems are discussed further in the chapter on Sick Sheep.)  With work, a sick flock can make a full recovery and be back to full health in no time.

   

Chapter 2:  Know Your Shepherd

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  Psalm 23:1

    What is a shepherd?  A shepherd is a person who looks after sheep.  A simple answer for a simple question.
    A shepherd’s job is not easy, however.  It’s interesting to note that one of the most well known passages of scripture, Psalm 23, talks about how a shepherd cares for his sheep.  In that chapter, the psalmist David tells what a shepherd does, and he tells it as if he is the sheep.
    David’s shepherd makes sure that his sheep has green grass to eat, cool water to drink, and nice comfortable fields in which to rest.  David says that his shepherd leads him along safe paths and protects him as they travel through dark places.  David has food to eat even while his enemies are around.  The shepherd even rubs David’s head with a sweet-smelling salve.  David has more than just what he needs.  Because of the great care that the shepherd provides, David feels that his life is filled with goodness and kindness, and that he will live with the shepherd forever.
    David’s song can convince one that sheep life is a really great life.  After all, who wouldn’t want to lie in green fields, drink cool water, be protected in dark places, or anointed with oil?  David might even convince some to become shepherds.  Wouldn’t it be great to be able to provide someone else with all of the things that he or she needs for a comfortable life?  Surely it would!
    But eager sheep and shepherds must think about some things that David’s song does not mention specifically. David’s song does not mention how long the shepherd must look or how many fields the shepherd must pass by before he finds one that is good enough for his sheep.  How does the shepherd find the right path?  Does he have to get lost first?  Is the shepherd afraid while he’s protecting the sheep in the dark valley?  Where did the shepherd get his rod and staff?  Did he beg or borrow it?  Whittle it or work for it?
    David seems glad to have his head anointed with oil, and rightly so.  But for most sheep, an ointment appointment means that one has had a fierce brush with a thorn bush.  So, the sheep had to get hurt in order to get the oil treatment.#  Oil is the shepherd’s antiseptic, the shepherd’s way of fighting infection.  An oil anointing could also denote election to a high, official post (say King, for example).  Therefore, an oil anointing might be the beginning of many new responsibilities.
    In this Psalm 23, the shepherd David is talking about is God.  Of course, God is the perfect shepherd, and perhaps a little difficult for average flock-leading shepherd to emulate exactly.  Still, the flock is the shepherd’s responsibility.  Maybe that’s why a lot of shepherds get sheepdogs.

Chapter 3:  Am I A Sheepdog?

“What do you think?  If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? So it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little one should be lost.”  Matthew 18:12,14

    Sheepdogs can be great additions to the flock of the modern shepherd, for sheepdogs are trained to herd and guard sheep.  Suppose a sheep gets lost on the way to or from a pasture.  Heretofore, the shepherd would have had to leave the sheep alone in the field or locked up in a pen while he went to look for the lost sheep.  (And a good shepherd always searches diligently for every lost sheep.)  With a good sheepdog in the ranks, a shepherd doesn’t have to leave his flock all alone while he looks for a sheep.  The sheepdog can guard them while he’s away.  Or better yet, the sheepdog can follow at the back of the flock to make sure that no sheep gets lost along the way.  The shepherd can sleep more soundly at night with a sheepdog around.  And the shepherd’s not as lonely because he has someone to talk sheep with, someone who understands “shepherd” and “sheep.”
    Although the sheepdog doesn’t have a rod or staff, there are still a lot of things that he can do to protect the sheep.  A good sheepdog will run after the sheep, even nip at their hooves if they are going the wrong way, to get them moving back on course.  The sheepdog has to be alert, running forward and back to warn the shepherd of dangers for the sheep.  The sheepdog must be willing to fight an enemy for the sake of the sheep.  Of course, the sheepdog doesn’t fight enemies alone; the shepherd helps also.
    However, a sheepdog never chooses the path that the flock with travel.  That’s the job of the shepherd.

Chapter 4:  Why Shear A Sheep?

    One of the greatest sheep commodities is wool.  Wool was probably one of the first fibers to be made into cloth.  Wool is warm, absorbent, elastic, strong, and crease resistant.  It can be dyed or bleached.  And wool looks great, especially on us sheep!
    There comes a time, usually in the spring, when sheep give up their wool.  It may be a little uncomfortable giving up something that you’ve grown close to, something that you’ve created.  When the shepherd greets you with mechanical clippers, it’s not hard to be offended.  Try not to take it personally; the shepherd only wants to help you.  The shepherd can help you help others.
    When the shepherd shears your wool, remember that he only gets that – wool.  He isn’t taking any part of your body or spirit.  You’ll find that you feel lighter and cooler without your heavy woolen coat.  You can run and play in the fields.  In this case, the shepherd brings you deliverance.
    Once the wool is sheared, it must go through a long process before it takes on its final appearance.  It must be sorted by thickness and length.  It must be washed to remove other oils or debris.  It must be combed so that all of the fibers lie in the same direction.  This process is called “carding the wool.”  After the wool is carded, the individual strands are twisted together into a long cord.  Thick, loose cord is usually called yarn.  Thin, tight cord is usually called thread.  Yarn is woven together on big looms to form fabric.  Then, the fabric can be cut and sewn together, using your thread, to make clothing.
    When the shepherd shears your wool, it can be made into something new.  A coat, pants, socks, or scarf – things pretty worthless to you – are necessities for others.  If you are willing to give up your wool, the shepherd can make it into something bigger and better than you ever dreamed.
    In addition, other animals – and not just sheep – are looking to you to see what good comes out of being a sheep.  It might be your beautiful wool or delicious cheese made from your milk.  If you give of yourself, others will see your good works, and it will give glory to God.  (The Bible says something like this in Matthew 5:16.)  It’s what you were made to do.  Your works may also encourage others who want to be productive to join your flock.  And that’s not such a bad thing, either.

Chapter 5:  Pregnant with Promise – Guiding Those With Young

“He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms,

and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.”  Isaiah 40:11

    Shepherds have a unique and important position in leading mothers – many different kinds of mothers.  Some members of the flock may be preparing to take care of physical children.  The biological mothers will care for most lambs, but sometimes ewes must step in to care for children that someone else bore.  Some mothers won’t be giving birth to babies at all, but to new ideas.  Still, all mothers need special care, and a good shepherd must be prepared to provide exactly what each mother needs.
    If there is one thing that expectant mothers will surely need more of, it is more food.  Mothers need additional food.  They may need more physical food, like money or supplies.  They might need more spiritual food.  It is possible that the ewes will need more of both kinds of food!
    Perhaps the ewes will need a different kind of food.  Maybe the daily grazing that is just fine for the average sheep is not as nutritious for a new mother.  Shepherds should check out different pastures to get just the right combination of food that the ewe needs.  So, if you are a shepherd with a lot of pregnant ewes, plan to spend more time feeding your flock.
    Another thing that mothers need is special care.  This could mean a special respite from routine duties in the flock, so that she will have more free time to devote to preparing for her new child.  Maybe your mother needs support from other members of the flock.  Perhaps she needs the advice of a midwife, someone more experienced in the birthing process.
    Finally, your expectant mother needs time and a special space.  Normally, it takes about 145 days for an ewe to bear a lamb.  Your ewe has been carrying her brilliant plans of promise for months, waiting for the right time and place to bring her beautiful bundle of joy into this world.  When a sheep is born, it usually comes with its front feet first, struggling for its first breath.  For this reason, your flock should be ever prepared to make things easy for its newest member.  Consider these birthing room suggestions:

• Clear out a space for your newest member.  Your flock needs to physically and mentally ready to give way to lambs coming into the fold.
• Keep things clean!  Your ewe needs a nice, clean spot to deliver-- typically a clean, dry shelter bedded with straw.  You’ll need to worry less about bacterial infecting the newborn (and the rest of the flock) if the newborn lands in a clean space.  And that’s just what he or she deserves.
• Don’t stop yet!  Make sure your newborn can stand and nurse.  The first meal provides not only energy, but also antibodies vital to the health of newborn sheep.  Drink milk now!  After a short while, the newborn will lose its ability to absorb antibodies from the colostrums. #

Give your baby a nice space and some quality time, and in a little while, you will have a new lamb to add to your flock.
    One might think that scheduling all of those extra feedings, giving special care, and providing adequate space for your sheep will be a problem.  It is a lot of work, but don’t get discouraged.  When God chooses shepherds, God imbues them with the abilities necessary to handle the job.  God puts people in the path (even sheep in your flock) to help you or teach you even greater skills.  In choosing each of your flock mates, God allows each one to be a special part of a bigger plan.  Flocks are witnesses to and participants in the miracles that God performs in the lives of God’s sheep.

Chapter 6:  Whose Lamb Is It Anyway?

    If you hang around a healthy flock of sheep for long enough, pretty soon some young lambs are going to appear.  This is perfectly natural and is a sign of growth.  So, if your flock is growing, you’ve got to know how to handle lambs.
    Every ram or ewe was once a lamb.  Everyone was young at some point.  As we grow older, we sometimes forget what it was like to be a child.
    Rams and ewes eat grass.  But lambs don’t eat grass, at least not right away.  Lambs can’t digest the food that older sheep eat.  But this doesn’t mean that lambs shouldn’t get anything to eat at all, or that lambs will never eat grass.  Lambs just need milk first.  Milk is a lot easier for a little lamb to digest than grass.  Make sure that lambs get milk, and that they get enough of it!
    Most lambs get milk from their mothers.  This means that shepherds must be careful to take care of ewes so that they will be healthy and able to take care of their lambs.  For the most part, healthy ewes produce healthy lambs.  (See Chapter 5 for more information on taking care of pregnant ewes.)
    If a young lamb does not have a healthy mother to take care of him or her, then the shepherd must find a mother for the lamb.  The shepherd might have to bottle-feed the lamb himself until the lamb is old enough to feed with the rest of the flock.  This may be tedious and time-consuming, but the investment is worth having a strong, healthy lamb in the fold.

Chapter 7:  The Story of Maa, OR Maa Knows Best

(Dedicated to the Maas in my life: M. Barclift, J. Blackwell, S. Cox, B. Dutton, A. Key, and V. Walker)

    In the movie “Babe”, one is introduced to the characters Babe, a pig that herds sheep, and Maa, a wonderful teacher and support-sheep.  Maa helps Babe on his difficult quest to become a successful sheeppig.  Her help comes not only in the form of support of Babe’s efforts, but also in the form of helping Babe to hone his unique abilities, defining Babe’s motivation toward shepherding, and maintaining and distilling the synergistic energy that Babe needs to complete his championship shepherding challenge.  Maa did more than encourage Babe or point out ways in which Babe could improve.  She shared points of her own experience.#
    Even if an ewe has raised you, you probably will have some experience with a Maa in your life.  Your Maa will teach you many things.  She may help you to learn more about your personal gifts, help you make positive choices in your walk with God, support you through trials, or just give you good advice.  

One of the most important things about Maas is that they teach by example.  Maas are sheep that are strong in the faith because they have endured something.  Maas can support and encourage you because they’ve already experienced the support and encouragement of someone else.  Maas have already been when you’re going, and they have experienced God first-hand.  

The great thing is that once you’ve experienced the love of a good Maa, you’re more likely to become a good Maa for someone else later in life.

Chapter 8: Dollars and Sense, or Don’t Sell Sheep Cheap

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”  Psalm 37:25

    Money is often a hard topic to discuss sensibly.  Nevertheless, it is extremely important for members of the flock to have a collective understanding about their tithes and offerings.  Most shepherds also encourage some kind of sacrificial giving in the form of gifts and offerings for other causes.  Some shepherds (though not as many, I feel) also stress the importance of using our time and talents to glorify God.  However, some shepherds don’t encourage growth in the right direction or for the right reasons.  This can cause swelling, which might look like growth, but is never a good thing.  (Please see the chapter on Sick Sheep for more about swelling.)
    I don’t know a shepherd who doesn’t want every member of the flock to tithe. A tithe is equal to ten percent of what you have, not only your income.   The tithe is important for many reasons.  One reason is because it helps to take care of the flock.  The Bible says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”#  God desires for the church to be a storehouse for all good things.  Not because God needs things, but because God’s sheep and other animals need things.  God wants all of us to have all that we need and many of the things we want.  In the Bible, God says, “No good thing will I withhold from you.” # God uses the church (in the physical sense), and the flock (in the physical and spiritual sense) as the storehouse for God’s things.  This is so sheep and other animals can get what they need.

Therefore, sheep, expect your flock to be full of things.  God will give you plenty of physical things to share with the flock.  This means money and other goods, like food and clothing, should be in stock in your flock.  God will also give you plenty of spiritual gifts that should be shared also.  Remember in chapter one when I mentioned that there are several different kinds of sheep?  This is because God gives his sheep different skills and specialties.  Can you sing or weave?  Can you dance?  Are you a good writer or speaker?  Are you a cheerleader?  Can you help others heal their bodies, relationships, or finances?  These are just some to the special talents that God may imbue in his flock   Use everything that God has given you to support God’s flock.  

Also, expect to give things away. This includes giving to sheep that are not members of your flock and animals that don’t look like sheep.  Realize that giving things away does not mean that the flock will have less.  It means that the flock will have more room for the gifts that God gives.

Chapter 9: Lamb Chops with Mint Jelly:  Avoiding Pitfalls That Really Stunt Your Growth  

    Uh, just in case you had not heard yet, some animals like to eat sheep.  Shepherds, sheepdogs, and sheep need to be aware of this so that the flock will be prepared.  Predators are always lurking about, trying to catch a young sheep unaware because they are such tasty morsels.  Predators love to catch young sheep, but they are not above catching older sheep either.  This is why shepherds and sheepdogs need to keep close watch on the flock at all times.

The flock must be watched at all times, but it is particularly vulnerable at times of change.  If you are moving your flock to a different pasture or navigating dangerous terrain, look out!  Predators will take this opportunity (while you are tired, busy, or distracted) to attack your flock.    

Shepherds carry weapons to ward off any animals that might hurt the sheep.  Sheepdogs are a significant advantage to a flock because they can “get low” with the sheep.  By walking around and among the sheep, sheepdog can keep a close eye on what’s going on with the flock.  They can sniff out if something isn’t quite right with the flock. Even the sheep can help by warning other sheep when predators are present.  Everyone in the flock must be awake and alert, ready to defend at all times.  

Predators are smart and strong.  They work in groups and attack at night.  They are wily and cannot be trusted!  They create diversions and “fake outs.” Did you know that predators dress up like sheep to try to infiltrate the flock?  Have you ever heard of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing?”  They might even pretend to be hurt to secure help from shepherds, sheepdogs, or sheep, or to lure them aware from the flock.  Predators may linger around the edges of the flock to catch those sheep that are older or weaker, and so, can’t keep up with or move as fast as the rest of the flock.  Predators also look for inexperienced sheep, those that can be easily distracted or confused by quick or unexpected moves.  

The best way to be prepared for an attack is to run practice drills.  You have to know what the enemy might throw at you so you can defend yourself.  Maas and other sheep have a wealth of knowledge in this area because they have experience with predators.  Practice with your flockmates, maybe in age groups so that you create realistically threatening scenarios, replete with the common lingo that wolves use.  Ask a sheep that your trust, perhaps your prayer partner, to help identify your weaknesses.  Are you a sucker for great-smelling guy in a suit or a fifty percent off shoe sale?  Do you casinos or a Manhattan neat make your knees go weak?  Find out your weaknesses now in the safety of your flock before you go out into the world to experience a full-out assault.  Be strong and take courage.  Your flock is present, praying for you and fighting with you to ensure your survival.

Lambert, the sheepish lion:  Don’t let this cute face fool you.
    As scary as this might sound, I must tell you: everyone that looks like a sheep is not looking out for your best interests.  Unfortunately, sometimes your biggest predators are other sheep. Your flock, or flocks that you interact with frequently, may contain Lamberts.  Lamberts look like sheep on the outside, but seem to have the hearts of predators.  This is because the flock is like a hospital; people come to God to be healed.  All members are in varying stages of recovery.  Remember when I warned you about wolves in sheep’s clothing?  Lamberts may act similarly, but could deserve a little more grace for trying to be better.     
    Why do Lamberts act the way that they do?  To be honest with you, I am not quite sure.  I could be that your flockmate is jealous of your position, knowledge, or level of respect within the flock.  Maybe Lambert has been hurt previously and uses his or her behavior as a barrier against further vulnerability.  I suppose it is possible that Lambert does not know any other way to behave.  

In every case, Lamberts must be handled delicately; such a personality is by definition fragile and easily wounded. However, by all means, do act.  You do not deserve to be treated poorly by flockmates or any others.  After fervent prayer for assistance from the Holy Spirit, I suggest addressing your flockmate directly -- but humbly and in private.  Ask if there is anything that you have done to create a stumbling block in the relationship.  Carefully consider the response:  Is there anything that you can do to encourage more positive interactions?  Then, calmly lay out your concerns and hurts.  Maybe there has been a misunderstanding that can be cleared up easily with honest and prayerful discourse.  If a consensus cannot be reached, or if you do not feel comfortable addressing the party directly, call in your shepherd or sheepdog as a mediator.

Chapter 10:  Sick Sheep

    Shepherds and sheepdogs, be especially conscious of the health of your sheep.  Yes, if you give your sheep good food, good water, and plenty of exercise, they should remain healthy.  However, sometimes – even when you’ve done your best—sheep get sick.  
    You have to watch your flock closely to check for any sickness.  Watch when your sheep eat, drink, and work.  Are all of your sheep eating?  Are any eating a lot more or a lot less?  Do any seem especially slow or tired?  Are any limping?

If you see any of these things, act now!  Your flock may be sick.  Somehow, some foreign body -- some germ, some unhealthy thing -- found its way into your flock.  First, figure out what is making your flock sick.  Is it something in the food supply?  Have your sheep been going to unsafe places?  Did one sheep accidentally or purposefully hurt another in the flock?  Find the thing that is hurting the flock and root it out.  Kill it to its roots!  It must die for the flock to be safe.

Sheep need to eat.  They sometimes eat a lot and they may require a variety of foods.  Lambs usually drink milk, milk that is provided by an ewe or by the shepherd.  However, as the lamb grows, he or she does not continue to drink milk.  Lambs begin to graze, learning the behavior from other healthy sheep in the flock.  Yes, make sure that your lambs get plenty of milk.  However, at some point – pretty early in the their sheepy lives, they should begin to transition to eating grass.  Grass is a little tougher to digest than milk

At the beginning of chapter seven, I briefly mentioned swelling.  This should be addressed more directly here.  Swelling is one of most often ignored signs of flock sickness.  This is because swelling can cause your sheep (or your whole flock) to get bigger, which may look like growth, but is never a good thing.  Swelling is medically defined as fluid in tissue.  It can occur all over the body at once or affect a particular body part.  Swelling doesn’t necessarily mean that you did anything wrong.  Increased activity, even in humans, sometimes causes swelling in the extremities or around the joints.  Perhaps you just had a fulfilling revival or a moving choral presentation.

Swelling usually occurs around an area of hurt.  If your sheep hurt a hoof, this can cause the leg to swell and the sheep to limp. This is why you should hold your sheep periodically to get a good look at each one.  Touch your sheep all over to see if there are any sore places.  Your sheep might flinch when you touch a sore place or even try to hide the spot from you.  If this happens, just hold your sheep gently and speak softly to assure him that the treatment will make it feel all better.  If you see any open wounds, be sure to clean out any dirt or infection with prayer oil.  Then, apply a bandage: form a barrier against any further infection.  Check the wound regularly to make sure that healing is taking place.  As the wound heals, you should see the swelling go down.

I mentioned that swelling often occurs around areas of hurt.  Areas like money, power and relationships are often involved in swelling, because these are topics that humans have strong feeling about.  Humans often flock to congregations that have (or seem to have) money, influential members, or budding relationships because they think that being a member of the congregation will automatically grant them these things, and that having these things will guarantee their happiness.  I am sorry to say that this conclusion is often incorrect.

In fact, I believe that joining churches in droves for these reasons causes the problem. The people are the swelling; the people’s ideas and experiences surrounding the areas mentioned are the hurt. Allow me to explain further.  Joining a particular church is not going to ensure that God will send your mate, increase your prosperity or enlarge your territory.  Yes, God does want you to have these things, but not predicated on church membership.  If blessings are in God’s will for you (and they most certainly are), then you will receive those blessings no matter where you attend.  God seeks to be in relationship with you; God is not interested in honoring a church building or organization.  God loves you much more than a church.  

Works Consulted

Hollies, Linda H.  Jesus and Those Bodacious Women.  Pilgrim Press:  Chicago, 1998.

Odor, Ruth Shannon.  The Little Lost Lamb.  Standard Publishing:  Cincinnati, 1979.

“Sheep,” www.ics.uci.edu.  25 July 2004.  http://ww.ics.uci.edu/~pazzini/4H/Sheep.html

“Sheep,” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2004.  www.encarta.msn.com. 1997-2004              Microsoft Corporation.  25 July 2004.  http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559678/Sheep.html

Swann, Leonie. Three Bags Full. Anthea Bell, Translator.  Doubleday Publishing, Flying      Dolphin Press:  New York, 2007.

Babe. Dir. Chris Noonan. Perf. Christine Cavanaugh, Miriam Margolyes, and Danny Mann. 1995. DVD.

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