I’ve been misreading the 23rd Psalm. The most familiar of all. Yet I’ve goofed in understanding it. How? You know the opening words–‘The Lord is my shepherd…’ (Psalm 23:1). And Jesus speaking–‘I am the good shepherd’ (John 10:11). Who’s the shepherd? Obviously, God. And Jesus, God’s Son. So where are my crossed wires? Lend me your ears.

When renting the 15th-century ‘Old Manor House’ in Droitwich, England, we’re thrilled that the owner allows sheep to graze on all the lawns of his multi-acre property, nestled behind a walled mound that was a Roman moat. We get a kick out of watching their ambling along and rambling around, eating away munching on plums and apples, lazily lying down, then getting up to follow the sheep leader to another part of the same field.

One day their shepherd comes to haul them all away. For our evening meal? Perish the thought. When I ask the shepherd, Roy, what he’s up to, he reassures me that it’s mating season. Is he crossing his fingers behind his back, giving us a line of hooey, placating a couple of weak-stomached Americans? Strangely, we never see him or them again. We wonder.

What becomes clear is how obedient those wooly lawnmowers are to their shepherd on that fateful day. When he whistles, they pull up stakes and scram right toward him, cramming themselves, nose to nose like canned sardines, in his van. No rebels in their ranks. No mutiny on the lawns. That’s where I must come clean.

My version of Psalm 23 starts like this: ‘ I am my Lord’s shepherd, I lead…I want…I, I, I.’ Get out of the way. Lightning’s about to strike! For I’m instructing the Lord what should happen. Like I know best. Right? Wrong!

Of course, we have requests of Jesus in our prayers. He loves to hear from us. It’s open season with our pleas. But sometimes I get out of hand with great advice for the Almighty, telling Him what to do. Also how, when, and where. My bad, as people annoyingly say today.

So, I’m trying to let the Lord be my shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd, in whose care we can relax. Trust Him wherever He’s leading. Go with His flow. Follow Him. Get out of His way. Confident in His timing. Keeping our eyes and ears attuned to Jesus. It’s much better this way. After all, it’s what He wants. What else matters, really?

Lord Jesus, thank you for being my Good Shepherd. Amen.

When Al Jolson stars in the 1927 movie ‘The Jazz Singer’ something amazing happens. Talkies get the show on the road. Jolson tells his cabaret audience–‘Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I tell ya, you ain’t heard nothin’ yet!’. Then to the stunned moviegoers’ surprise, he knocks their socks off singing ‘Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye!’ And Jolson is right–that’s only day one. Sound, color, and now digits. But in 1927 they ain’t heard nothin’ yet!

Back in Moses’ day, in Deuteronomy 3, he recounts to God’s people hat wthe Lord has done for them. Yet he barely scratches the surface. For God gives so much to His own. Then and now– salvation, forgiveness, freedom, protection, care, and provision. Best of all? His love. You name it, and He gives it…and more.

Deuteronomy 3: 23-24–“And I pleaded with the Lord at that time, saying, ‘O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?'” ‘…you have only begun to show…’ It’s only the beginning. ‘You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!’

However long you’ve believed in Jesus, there’s much more ahead, the likes of which we can hardly imagine. When Columbus discovers America, he knows nothing of the Rocky Mountains, the mighty Mississippi River, the plains and deserts, lakes, wildlife, and native folk. He has no idea. But as time goes by, others uncover the unfolding majesty of this land.

Know that God has much more in store for us. When the Apostle Paul experiences some ecstatic moment that he can’t talk about, which he can hardly put into words, it’s not about what he sees, but what he hears that shocks him–‘…and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter’ (2 Cor. 12:3). Just the sounds of heaven prove incomparable. ‘You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!’

Heard, seen, touched, smelled…all amplified to the nth degree–that will be heaven for sure. Can hardly wait. But there’s more to do this side of paradise. Maybe it’s something more than doing. Possibly it’s growing to be all that God made us to be.

Spending time with our Lord, developing and deepening our love for Him. Opening closed doors in our minds and hearts, airing things out, and asking God to clean us up. Using His vacuum to remove our sins, so to speak. To grow and mature as believers in Jesus. Be the love of His life.

And know that whenever it’s our time to approach heaven’s gates, ‘You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!’

Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have in store for me now and then. Amen.

The gardens around our home are becoming more beautiful and lush. Mainly due to my wife’s ‘green thumb’. She’s a wiz at gardening. Removing critters that eat away with abandon. Weeds don’t have a chance. New ideas grab hold of her only to make our gardens even more gorgeous.

The earth that makes up our home lot consists of river rock soil. Sounds fine until you want to dig into it. Almost impossible. Hit rocks at every turn. Can hardly make a dent. But after eight years of hammering away, it’s coming along and giving way.

What makes the difference? Good old compost. Fresh scraps from meal preparation, coffee grounds, wood chips, and especially the gifts given by worms who eat that stuff leaving casings (manure) that add richness to our compost. Planting this mixture into our soil, and blending it thoroughly, produces a gumbo of luxurious soil. Compost.

Matthew 13 contains Jesus’ parable about soil. A farmer spreads seeds over his fields. Most wind up falling on less than favorable soil conditions that then produce a poor crop, if any at all. Some get eaten by birds right off the bat. Other seeds have shallow roots and don’t survive. Some grow up between noxious weeds that choke the life out of them. The last group is planted in good soil, grabbing hold and producing crops like gangbusters. Thirty, sixty, one hundred-fold of grain galore!

Later on, Jesus explains to His disciples that the good soil represents God’s Word implanted in them and then acted upon–‘As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields…’ (Matt. 13:23). The good earth of God’s Word leads to a productive life for Jesus. That’s what I want. To be useful for the Master. Who wouldn’t?

I picture the Lord’s good soil involving compost. For when you read your Bible you come across all kinds of characters. A concoction of personalities and abilities. Much like you and me. Many start out strong for God and then wind up on some trash pile somewhere out in the desert. Like King Saul and Solomon. Others amble along trying to avoid trouble, only to find it smack dab in their faces. Like Gideon and Job. While some finish up fully committed to the Lord, yet paying the ultimate price with their lives. Like most of Jesus’ apostles.

So, that good soil involves messy stuff like those Bible madcap eccentrics. Like you and me! Tossed out as abject failures. Full of regrets. Sinners, yet forgiven, thankfully. All the spoiled stuff of our lives can meld and blend together in the warmth of God’s Word into something useful for Jesus. Like compost.

I need this message. I’m sure there are others who do also. For when we keep reminding ourselves how horrible we’ve been, then Satan robs us of the joy of God’s forgiveness. When we get stuck in the past, not letting go of what God has forgiven, then we can’t effectively serve Him. Puts us on our back foot, off balance, and dizzy. Too much looking in the rearview mirror, missing what’s right in front of us, becoming useless soil.

I need to put His promises into action. Planted and rooted in the good soil of His Word. Where can I hear Him? You know. Your Bible. The true good earth. Time to plant?

Why not give Jesus our compost, the jumble and muddle of our lives? What we’ve mishandled and mismanaged. And watch what He makes of it. Surprising what good can come out of our seeming messes when given to Jesus. Give it a try. You’ll see! Want to?

Lord Jesus, thank you for placing me in the best place of all, right next to you. Amen.

I love reading 19th-century novels such as those authored by Dickens, Tolstoy, Eliot, Melville, Austen, and more. One recently recommended is entitled ‘Shirley’ by Charlotte Bronte. It’s proving to be a real page-turner. Bronte’s descriptive powers are breathtaking and sublime. Masterfully crafted language with nary a swear word, thankfully. Aren’t you tired of the smut oozing out of our current culture, which seems to lack any semblance of ‘culture’ whatsoever? When you think it can’t get any worse, it does.

But there’s nothing new about a decaying society. You know about the Old Testament book of Judges, where everyone does exactly what they themselves want to do regardless of God’s ways or will. They’re mad to defy and flaunt the Law of the Lord. Maybe it’s recreation or cheap entertainment for them. If they want to do something, they’ll do it. Defiant bigshots. See what I mean? There’s ‘nothing new under the sun’.

But what precedes the book of Judges offers some semblance of hope. The Israelite leader Joshua is tasked with the unenviable job of settling Israel into its twelve tribal land allotments. You can imagine the war-mongering going on from within and without. Battles rage yet victories outnumber defeats. Near the end of Joshua’s life, he challenges his people to choose whom they will serve–the One True God of Israel or the gods of neighboring nations? Decision day arrives.

As Yogi Berra says, ‘When you get to the fork in the road, take it!’ But Joshua offers a more decided choice. All roads don’t lead to Rome or Yogi’s home! You either follow the Lord or align yourself with pagan gods. Not ‘all of the above’ on God’s multiple choice test. Decide, already.

Knowing how wonderful Israel’s God has been to them, the miracles He performs, what kind of choice is that? Should be a no-brainer. Like rejecting everything to embrace nothing. As my Grandfather Fischer used to say: ‘Smart like your father, you dope you!’ So, who’s not playing with a full deck? Read the book of Judges to find out.

Many years ago, I chose to follow Jesus. To accept His offer of love and forgiveness. To be my Lord and Savior. How could I not? And then to make the Bible my life’s guidebook. Also to hang out with others who’ve chosen the same Lord and guide. Is that it? There must be more. Seems way too simple.

So, what does God require of us? There’s got to be a catch somewhere. Something that’s hidden in the fine print, which I can barely read? Too good to be true? Let’s check it out.

Hints can be found in the Old Testament Book of Joshua. ‘Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods…’ (Joshua 23:6-7). GPS is your Bible. God’s Positioning System! He’ll lead. We’ll follow.

More? ‘Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God’ (Josh. 23:11). Something else? ‘…but you shall cling to the Lord your God…’ (Josh. 23:8).

As I read these verses, I understand that following the Lord Jesus is not tied up with rituals and rules. Of course, there are do’s and don’ts but not to hamstring us. He wants to help us. Giving us good guidance with ways to live a life that is for our best. Being in a loving relationship with us, as we freely choose to follow Jesus. Loving Him back. Clinging to the Lord. Hanging on to His every word. Not letting go. Does He ask too much of us? Does He?

Back to Charlotte Bronte–‘…it is felt that a pitying God watches what all mankind has forsaken; the tender compassion of Jesus is recalled and relied on. The faded eye, the gazing beyond Time, sees a Home, a Friend, a Refuge in Eternity’ (‘Shirley’).

I choose to rely on Jesus. To cling to my Friend who prepares a Home for me, a Refuge, a safe place, not only for a fleeting moment but forever. How could anyone turn their back on such promised good news?

Thank you, Jesus, for being my true forever Friend. Amen.

Our silver anniversary French River cruise was one for the book. On board, the food was sumptuous and scrumptious. Something unique was provided for our enjoyment at the breakfast and lunch buffets. A wooden honeycomb frame about a foot and a half square, where you could spoon out whatever quantity of honey your tummy desires. I enjoyed honeycomb treats every day at both meals.

Not everyone chomped away. One passenger made it crystal clear to her hubby, and those of us within earshot, what she thought of this gooey goodness. ‘I don’t like honey,’ she’d bellow. Too bad, so sad. More for the rest of us!

Proverbs 24:13-14–‘My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.’

Wisdom. I’m sure I have some. Don’t I? Probably none in abundance. And, in and of myself, not worth writing home about. I wonder where I can get more? Any ideas?

You know. Go to the head of the class. Yes, the Bible. From cover to cover, it’s God’s Word. Totally trustworthy and true. Helpful and wise like nothing else. Puts us on the straight and narrow and keeps us there. Picks us up when we’ve fallen into some ditch of our own making. Wipes us off. Cleans us up. That’s my experience, yet He’s not done with messy old me. There’s more needed, sorry to say.

When the Bible speaks, God speaks. What better voice to hear? Who knows best? Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? I’d have to say yes. I’ve done some checking elsewhere. Scoped out the competition. Studied under some rather liberal religious professors, who thought they knew it all. Many cast the Bible as just another record of ancient myths and fables. They rest smugly on the settled science of theological arrogance. Of their own making. They should get off your high horses before they fall off. Watch out, Humpty-Dumpty! I’m moving out of the way. A big crash is coming. Sheltered safe and secure under God’s Word.

I’m glad I heard those discordant voices, casting doubt and disrepute about the Bible, for they inadvertently drove me back to God’s Word, where it made the most sense. And still does. More than ever.

Can I figure it all out? All of my questions answered? Not quite. But that’s why I dig deeper into my Bible. More time committed to and with my Lord Jesus. Learning and studying are never-ending. No Summa Cum Loud Mouth for me. Graduation day has yet to come.

I know myself. That I need more of Him daily. For I run out of spiritual steam way too soon. If I skip getting closer to the Lord in prayer and His Word, the gas tank quickly runs on empty, sputtering out by the side of the road. When I let worry grab hold of my mind, imagining all the possible horrors that await me, forgetting His promises, I sink deeper into fear, ignoring how close He wants to be with me, right there next to me holding my hands. Now you can see why I dare not neglect Jesus and His Word.

Again, wisdom is but a Book away. Sweet as honey. Spoon it on your plate. Take all you want. Relish its sweetness. Plenty to go around. Never runs out. No supply-chain delays or over-inflated price gouging.

Go ahead, try some. You’ll like it. So good and healthful. Besides, it’s the wise thing to do. Honey.

Thank you, Lord, for your gift of the Bible. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Matthew 8 in the New Testament focuses on three healings by Jesus. None involve surgery or advanced medical procedures involving robots. No high-powered medicines are prescribed. No vaccines or boosters are required. Only Jesus’ word and touch. For what He says happens. Whoever needs His touch receives healing help.

When I came to believe in Jesus, I became less lonely. Fewer feelings of inferiority, fearfulness, and self-consciousness. Fewer troubles are found when placed squarely in Jesus’ hands. His Words and touch lighten the load. He takes up residence within us. Comforts us with His gift of the Holy Spirit.

All better? On top of the world? Always happy as a clam? Like a child with a new toy? Kind of. As you can well imagine, I have a long ways to go. But the trend is my friend. Two steps forward follow one back. Being Jesus’ follower is a daily task, regardless of your age. Goofing off is not recommended.

One healing done by Jesus in Matthew 8 is of the Apostle Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus and His disciples gather at Peter’s home only to find that his mother-in-law suffers from a raging fever, which puts her to bed. Being a busy person, she wants to do what’s needed around the house to make Jesus’ stay more pleasant. She likes to help. Lives to give. Not to be served but to serve. But she can’t now. Who knows what this fever will lead to? Could it be the end for her?

Not to fear. The Master is here. The light touch of Jesus drains away that nasty fever. Gone and good riddance. Now what? Her strength returns. She throws off the covers. Watch out. Get out of her way. She’s back in action! ‘He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him’ (Matt. 8:15).

Don’t imagine for one moment that Jesus heals her so that she can wait on Him hand and foot. Puts her back to work. Gets the most out of this old lady. Uses her for the drudgery she could perform.

No. For when you know Jesus, you can’t help but want to do your part. To follow His lead, getting behind Him. Serving the Lord is a natural overflow from our relationship with Him. The closer you get to Jesus, the more you want to please Him. To hear Him say, ‘…Well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matt. 25:21). Those would be the best words I could ever hear. But will I?

Jesus gave His all to have us near Him, forgiven and clean. As His children and heirs. Can you imagine?

Are we thankful enough to serve Him as best we can? Am I? Are you? After all, it’s only natural.

Thank you, Jesus, for being my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Give me a buffet any day. A continual feast of food. Could be at a high-end restaurant for Easter brunch, a simple one at a Chinese restaurant, or tables loaded with homecooked goodies at a church potluck supper. Love them all.

It’s in Europe that we’ve relished breakfasts at hotels we’ve stayed at. One my wife and I will never forget was on our 25th wedding anniversary, enjoying brunch at the Ritz Carlton Cannes Hotel in France, directly facing the Mediterranean Sea. What a magnificent spread. Culinary elegance at its best. Thankfully, they didn’t weigh us before and after to compute our bill. But a feast that never ended was there for our enjoyment. And did we ever!

Trying to move off of food for a moment, which seems like a chore, let’s look at some wise words found in Proverbs 15:15–‘All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.’ Don’t you love such wisdom? It should come as no surprise. For it comes from the Bible, God’s own Word.

Sure there are lots of daily troubles. Worries plague us. Pandemics past, present, and when in the future? We know they happen. Do we ever. Now we’re on the alert for more to come. When? Who knows? We don’t have a clue, but trauma puts us on edge. Such fear afflicts us even when times are good. Worry robs us even when no thief is around. Bad days come as we allow anxiety to grab us by the throat not letting go.

What about that second part of verse 15? About how to live and how to look at life. As in trusting God. Staying close to our Lord. Putting faith into action–‘…but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.’ Joy and gladness continually feed us, making tough times that much less.

What’s ironic about nourishing your relationship with Jesus is that the closer you get to Him, the more you want Him. Those buffets we enjoyed took a long time to recover from, to get back our appetite. Thoughts of food were far from our minds, sometimes for a day or two. Or at least until an evening snack!

But with Jesus, the more you take, the more He gives. The more you open your life to Him, the more you discover His wonder and love. Never enough. Always more to enjoy of our Lord and Saviour. Glee multiplies. Happiness radiates with kindness. He cheers our hearts and minds as promised in Proverbs. Cloudy, rainy days see some clearing. Smiles finally show up. Why not? After all, He is our continual feast!

Lord Jesus, you are all I need. Amen.

Recently I met the fiance of a friend from the church where I’ve been honored to serve as their emeritus pastor. Both widowed, grew up near each other, and both with love for the Lord. A match made on earth, arranged for in heaven.

When greeting this fiance, I said the following –‘Nice to meet you!’ And it was. So gratifying to see happy people planning a life together, sharing families, memories of days gone by, and creating new experiences together as a married couple.

This man and woman remind me of a meeting we can all have. With God. When we commit our lives to Him, trying, as best we can, to live His ways, knowing that He’s available for us 24/7, 365. For when you meet the Risen Jesus, an eternal relationship begins. What could be better? Any ideas?

How about winning a mega lottery? Multiple millions in our grubby paws? But winners often wind up losers for varied reasons, worse off than before they hit the jackpot. But you and I would be different. We can handle having a gazillion bucks in our clutches, fending off relatives we’ve never heard of, who immediately pop out of the woodwork. Right? Probably wrong. That’s you, I mean. I’ll keep greedy folk far away. Right? Fat chance, once again.

Here’s something far better–knowing Jesus places us in His hands forever. He’s the one we meet when you ask Him into your life. I met Jesus when I was 16 while listening to a radio program on a Sunday evening. Over the years, He’s become more precious to me in spite of my tendency to walk my own way, wanting what I want, tossing sand in His face, so to speak.

When you meet the Risen Jesus, you shake hands with two wonderful words found here in the Old Testament book of Proverbs–‘…Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness’ (Pr. 14:22). ‘Steadfast love’ and ‘faithfulness’ are two precious character traits of the Lord. You’ll see them coupled together throughout the Old Testament.

‘Steadfast love’ is God’s commitment to His own, which lasts when everything else fails and fades away. His promises endure it all. When He gives you His hand, He won’t pull it back. Like a marriage between a man and a woman, who love each other and stay committed to each other, so is God’s steadfast love.

Here’s more–‘faithfulness’. Where God stands by us. With us. Minding the store. Carrying the load. Always there in a pinch. Hedging us in. Protecting and providing. Trustworthy and dependable. Never flighty. He means what He says and says what He means. Faithfulness.

However, none of this is for those who turn their backs on God, wanting absolutely nothing to do with Him. Happily and deliberately divorced from Jesus. Determined to go their own way no matter what. Therefore, so be it. Their wish will be granted.

But for those of us who run to Jesus, wanting that relationship with Him, guess who eagerly comes your way, with open arms? Yes–steadfast love and faithfulness. Embodied in Jesus. Nice to meet you!

Lord Jesus, thank you for staying with me forever. Amen.