Living Left Handed In a Right Handed World

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 ESV

I was born left-handed, and I still painfully remember the upside down feeling of learning to write. At Hamilton Elementary, all children were taught penmanship right-handed. But I held my paper entirely upside down, gripped the pen the wrong way and on my report card every quarter appeared the inevitable F.

What I could never shake was the feeling of being upside down. That is the same feeling that Jesus is preparing us for with this verse. He tells us we are going out like sheep among wolves. Now if we stop to think about it we would all agree that there is no competition in a fight between sheep and wolves. The wolves have bigger teeth, are stronger and can run circles around sheep. Nevertheless Jesus confidently sends us out because we have one thing the wolf doesn’t have. We have the shepherd!  KIMG0458

When we get into a wolf-fight, our first tendency is to sign up for the “How to fight like a Wolf” seminar. We think if we could just try a little harder, change our tactics or develop a quicker response, we might come out on top. But that wasn’t the Lord’s idea at all. What Jesus wanted was for us to live life walking close behind Him. Being strong enough to protect ourselves can never compare to having the protection of the Lord. We are no match for wolves, but they will run away from us when they come face to face with our Shepherd. Then He makes us lie down in green pastures and turns our world right side up!

Complete Adventures of Tad & Candle

I’ve began by weaving together stories for our children  when they were small. While there were a number of starts and stops along the way they culminated in a single tale about a lost lamb, named Tad. As the years have passed Tad’s adventures grew into a three part series and now that our “boys” are in their forties I have started a series for the grand-kids about “Candle” the firefly. In all there are six stories, each being a small adventure that focuses on a life lesson for little hearts such as, how to make friends, trust God or be brave.

If you would like to find out what Tad or Candle have been up to you may either follow the link provided or search on Amazon for it by title. Be blessedta-and-candle

 

The Complete Adventures of Tad and Candle

Valley of the Shadow – Part 2

…I will 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  Psalm 23:4-5

In David’s Psalm I often picture a meadow of the greenest grass in the very heart of the dark valley. There, while the enemies of the sheep peered down sept-oct-2013-025_crop_cropfrom the rocks, the Good Shepherd stood guard over the sheep as they grazed. They calmly eat then lie down to rest, trusting that they are safe. When they hear the silent footsteps of the enemy or see a shadow move in the distance, they have only to glance up to reassure themselves that the shepherd’s staff and his heavy rod are there. Then they rest their heads back down on their hooves and sleep.

What enemies are you facing today? What fear is keeping you from finding green pastures to rest in? When you trust in Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd you will discover that He has also prepared a table for you. It does not matter what dangers you face, His rod and staff will keep you in perfect peace even in the presence of your enemies!

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