The Good Shepherd

 

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."  Isaiah 40:11

 

Jesus, Our Good Shepherd

 

"I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."  John 10:11

 

 

The following is an excerpt from a book I'm reading to the boys in the morning.  It is called The Tanglewoods' Secret and if you haven't read it to your children, could I please encourage you to?  Be sure to have a box of tissues within arms length though.  We just got to chapter 9 this week and this is where the story begins to get good.  Little Ruth, in a fiery temper runs away and spends the night in a church in a small village.  The next morning, the Vicar of the church finds her and brings her to his study.  He leaves Ruth in his study while he goes to telephone her aunt.  It is here that Ruth has her first life changing encounter with Christ, although she doesn't yet know it or understand it. 

 

"I wandered around the room looking at the pictures.  They were mostly photographs and not very interesting, but there was one I liked so much that I moved my chair over in front of it so that I could gaze at it. 

 

It was the picture of a sheep lost on a rocky mountainside.  Overhead hovered a fierce bird, waiting for it to die, and the sheep looked up and cried to be rescued.  Someone had heard its cry, for the shepherd with his crook was leaning over the edge.  In another moment he would pick it up and carry it safe home in his arms."

Oh how I want to go on and share it all with you but I fear I would ruin it for you.  Ruth and the Vicar have a very serious talk about the little lamb and the Shepherd...  He asks Ruth some very thought provoking questions and shares Jesus Christ with her. 

Quick - add it to your list books to read or better yet, order it now so you don't forget.  Amazon currently has paperback version for $4.42.  It is also available on Kindle!  ☺

We read the story two years but my youngest only remembers a very little bit of it so I'm glad we can re-visit again.  After the first reading I took the above image and printed out a copy onto cardstock and then laminated it for a bookmark for each of us.  I still have mine in my Bible. 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." 
Psalm 23