NOTEBOOK
I HAVE HAD MANY REQUESTS TO LEAVE THIS SCRIPTURE. SO, I'M GOING TO DO JUST THAT. I'M GLAD THAT IT TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE.
PSALM 62:1-2
I stand silently before the Lord, waiting for him to rescue me. For salvation comes from him alone.
Yes, he alone is my Rock, my rescuer, defense and fortress. Why then should I be tense with fear when troubles come?
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NOTICE THIS LAMB IS NOT PANICKED BY HER SITUATION. SHE KNOWS, WITHOUT DOUBT, THAT I WILL ARRIVE AND HELP HER.
GOD, TOO, IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL. TURN TO JESUS IN YOUR TIME OF TROUBLE AND HAVE FAITH THAT HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH. HE HAS NEVER, NEVER FAILED ME EVEN WHEN, TO THE WORLD, MY SITUATION SEEMED HOPELESS. I HAVE FOUND, THAT IS WHEN HE DOES HIS MOST MARVELOUS WORKS.
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COMING TO CHRIST
OVER THE MANY YEARS OF SPINNING YARN I HAVE HAD WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THIS CRAFT WITH MANY PEOPLE.
VARIOUS FARMER'S MARKETS, CRAFT SHOWS, FESTIVALS AND DOING MINI-FARM TOURS AT MY PLACE HAVE INTRODUCED SOME AND REFRESHED THE MINDS OF OTHERS TO THE BASICS BEFORE HIGH-TECH GOT INVOLVED.
FOR SOME REASON PEOPLE CAN'T HELP BUT STOP AND WATCH THE WHEEL GO ROUND. I'VE HAD KIDS SIT STILL FOR UP TO AN HOUR JUST WATCHING A PIECE OF WOOL BECOME A PIECE OF YARN.
IT WAS A QUIET DAY ON THE RANCH, ONE I WAS GOING TO DEVOTE TOTALLY TO PREPARING WOOL. DURING THAT DAY I REALIZED THE PARALLELS BETWEEN WOOL AND SOMEONE'S WALK WITH THE LORD.
WOOL IS A FILTHY ITEM ONCE OFF THE SHEEP. IT IS FULL OF STICKY LANOLINE WHICH HAS GATHERED DIRT FOR A YEAR ON THE ANIMAL. IT REMINDED ME OF MYSELF, AS A SINNER, BEFORE COMING TO THE LORD. ALL THE BAD THAT WAS STUCK TO ME FROM YEARS OF DOING IT MY WAY.
Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...
THE FIRST PROCESS THE WOOL GOES THROUGH IS CALLED SCOURING. IT'S PUT INTO A VERY HOT BATH WITH LOTS OF SOAP AND SOAKS FOR A FEW HOURS. YOU CAN WATCH THE WATER TURN IMMEDIATELY BLACK FROM ALL THE DIRT.
THE FIRST RINSE IS ALMOST AS DIRTY, BUT FINALLY YOU HAVE VERY WHITE WOOL.
AS I LAID THE WOOL OUT TO DRY ISAIAH 1:18 CAME TO MIND.
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
WHEN DRY, THE WOOL GOES THROUGH A CARDING PROCESS WHICH STRAIGHTENS OUT ALL THE FIBERS AND GETS THEM GOING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. THE WOOL IS SMOOTHED OUT INTO A LARGE BATT THAT MAKES IT EASIER TO SPIN.
SOMETHING LIKE GOD STRAIGHTENING OUT OUR LIVES ONCE WE LET HIM IN. MAKING OUR WAY EASIER, SMOOTHER.
Luke 3:4-6
4
As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: "A voice of one calling in the desert, `Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
5
Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth.
6
And all mankind will see God's salvation.'"
THE FIBER IN THE BATT IS VERY FRAGILE. IT PULLS APART EASILY. WE TOO ARE VERY FRAGILE WHEN WE FIRST COME TO THE LORD WE HAVE TO STAY IN THE WORD TO BECOME STRONG.
John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Psalm 28:7
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Psalm 29:11
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
SPINNING THE FIBER GIVES IT STRENGTH AS IT WRAPS AROUND ITSELF FORMING A CONTINUOUS STRAND. BUT IT IS STILL SOMEWHAT WEAK AND CAN BE BROKEN WITHOUT MUCH RESISTANCE.
NEW CHRISTIANS CAN ALSO BE BROKEN EASILY IF NOT CARED FOR BY MORE MATURE CHRISTIANS. THEY NEED TO BE TAUGHT TO PRAY AND SEEK GOD IN EVERYTHING.
Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
GENERALLY WE DO A PROCESS CALLED PLYING, PUTTING TWO OR MORE STRANDS TOGETHER. PLYING MAKES THE YARN VERY STRONG AND DIFFICULT TO BREAK.
SPENDING QUANTITY TIME WITH FELLOW CHRISTIANS HAS THE SAME EFFECT. YOU DRAW STRENGTH FROM OTHERS AS THEY DO FROM YOU.
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
I WONDER SOMETIMES. WHERE WOULD I BE NOW IF I HADN'T ACCEPTED CHRIST WHEN I DID? HADN'T BEEN WASHED IN HIS BLOOD? HADN'T BELIEVED HE WAS THE SON OF GOD, BORN OF A VIRGIN BIRTH, DIED ON A CROSS FOR MY SINS AND RAISED UP AGAIN ON THE THIRD DAY?
WHERE WOULD I BE IF I HADN'T BEEN FORGIVEN OF MY SINS AND MADE A JOINT-HEIR WITH CHRIST HEADED TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH GOD?
WHERE WILL YOU BE? THE CHOICE IS YOURS...........HEAVEN OR HELL?
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE, WITH A TRULY REPENTANT HEART, THAT YOU ARE A SINNER, THAT JESUS DIED FOR YOUR SINS, THAT HE HAS ARISEN AND AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD AND YOU WILL BE TOTALLY FORGIVEN AND BE WITH GOD FOR ETERNITY.
IF YOU HAVE COME TO THE LORD TODAY LET US KNOW SO WE CAN REJOICE WITH YOU.
Luke 15:10
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
GOD BLESS YOU!
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CALVARY
AND THE
SALES YARD
JANUARY 19, 2001
ONE OF THE HARDEST PARTS OF MY JOB IS SELLING. THE LAMBS ARE HARD BECAUSE THEY ARE SO CUTE. THE OLDER ONES BECAUSE I’VE HAD THEM FOR SO LONG AND HAVE BECOME ATTACHED.
AS HEARTLESS AS IT SOUNDS, I WOULD RATHER SELL THEM TO THE BUTCHER THAN TO THE PUBLIC. AT LEAST I KNOW THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SUFFER. THEIR DEMISE WILL BE QUICK AND RELATIVELY PAINLESS. WHEN I SELL TO INDIVIDUALS, UNLESS I KNOW THEY ARE EXPERIENCED WITH SHEEP, I CONTINUALLY WORRY. ARE THEY BEING FED RIGHT, ARE THEY GETTING ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT THEY MIGHT NEED, ARE THE NEIGHBOR’S DOGS ATTACKING THEM?
MOST PEOPLE DON’T DELIBERATELY WANT HARM TO COME TO THEM, THEY JUST DON’T KNOW ANY BETTER. THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT GETTING A NEW ANIMAL AND FEW REALLY WANT TO TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN FULLY ABOUT THEM.
THE MOST PAINFUL OF ALL IS TAKING THEM TO THE SALES YARD. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHO IS GOING TO GET THEM OR WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM.
ONE SALES DAY STANDS ALONE FOR ME. IT WAS A DREARY, RAINY DAY TO BEGIN WITH WHICH SOMETIMES CAN HELP HIDE THE TEARS. I HAD TO TAKE A LOAD OF OLD CULL EWES IN. SOME HAD COME FROM CALIFORNIA WITH ME, WE HAD A LOT OF HISTORY TOGETHER. SOMETIMES I WISH THIS WERE A HOBBY AND NOT A BUSINESS, THEN I COULD JUST RETIRE EVERYONE AND PAY TO HAVE THEM BURIED, BUT THAT WOULD REQUIRE A LOT MORE ACREAGE THAN I HAVE NOW AND A LOT MORE MONEY.
I PULL THEM OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE TO MAKE LOADING QUICKER AND EASIER COME MORNING. DURING THE NIGHT I CAN HEAR THEIR CRIES AS THEY WONDER WHY THEY ARE AWAY FROM THE OTHERS. IT’S A SAD BAA, NOT THE USUAL NOISE YOU HEAR FROM THEM. THEY KNOW SOMETHING IS GOING ON.
I CRIED AS I LOADED THEM IN THE TRAILER AND ALL THE WAY TO THE YARD. TRYING TO DRY UP BEFORE GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF ALL THE COWBOYS, I DECIDED TO PUT MY SUNGLASSES ON TO HIDE MY RED EYES. THEY ALL THINK I CRAZY TO RAISE SHEEP ANYWAY SO SUNGLASSES ON A RAINY DAY WOULDN’T EVEN PHASE THEM.
ONCE THEY ARE OFF THE TRUCK YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE PIT. LIABILITY PROBLEMS THEY SAY. SO I WATCH AS THE HANDS HAVE TROUBLE MOVING THEM, KNOWING THAT I COULD GET THEM WHERE EVER THEY WANTED ME TO PUT THEM. AFTER ALL, THEY ARE MY SHEEP. I WAS THERE WHEN THEY WERE BORN, I NURTURED THEM, TAUGHT THEM, WATCHED THEM PLAY, GROW AND MATURE. THEY TRUSTED ME, I TREATED THEM WITH KINDNESS. I WAS PLEASED WITH THEM, BUT KNEW ONE DAY THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO.
SHEEP FRUSTRATE THE HANDS, THEY ARE NOT CATTLE AND DON’T BEHAVE LIKE CATTLE. I WATCH AS THEY PULL THEIR WOOL TO GET THEM TO MOVE. MOST OF THE GUYS CHEW TOBACCO, SO I HAVE TO WATCH AS THEY SPIT ON THEM AS THEY USE THEIR CATTLE PRODS AND STICKS TO POKE AND BEAT THEM. THEY WON’T MOVE FAST ENOUGH AND ARE SCARED, THEY SLIP AND FALL AND THE GUYS LAUGH AT THEM. THEY KICK THEM TO GET UP AND ABOVE THEM ARE ALL THE BUYERS, STARING DOWN, GAWKING AT THEM.
FINALLY IN THE CHUTE THEY GET TAGGED WITH THEIR BID NUMBERS. ON THE CAT WALK UP ABOVE THEM I STAND, LOOKING DOWN TO MAKE SURE THE NUMBERS AND THE SHEEP MATCH. OF COURSE I HAVE TO TALK TO THE YARD MANAGER AND MY SHEEP KNOW MY VOICE. THEY START TO BAA, KNOWING I’M THERE BECAUSE THEY CAN HEAR ME, BUT UNABLE TO FIND ME.
THE MANAGER AND I ALWAYS HAVE THE SAME CONVERSATION. HE WANTS ME TO WAIT AND WATCH THE SALE "THE SHEEP ARE FIRST", HE SAYS. "YOU CAN GET YOUR CHECK RIGHT AWAY". NOT INTERESTED, I TELL HIM. I KNOW I’LL GET A GOOD PRICE, BUT I JUST CAN’T BARE TO WATCH THE SALE.
AS I LEAVE I CAN HEAR THEIR BAA’S OF WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO US. IT’S MORE THAN I CAN STAND SOMETIMES.
THIS DAY IT HIT ME PARTICULARLY HARD. EVERY YEAR I SWEAR I’M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN, YET HERE I WAS ONE MORE TIME. I WAS CRYING SO HARD THAT I LITERALLY HAD TO PULL OVER AND STOP DRIVING. I SAT THERE A FEW MINUTES WHEN SUDDENLY THE LORD SPOKE.
"YOU KNOW I WAS THERE WHEN HE WAS BORN. I NURTURED HIM, I TAUGHT HIM. I WATCH HIM PLAY, GROW AND MATURE AND I WAS WELL PLEASED WITH HIM. HE TRUSTED ME, I TREATED HIM WITH KINDNESS. I KNEW HE WOULD HAVE TO GO SOMEDAY."
"I HAD TO SEPARATE HIM OUT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND LISTEN TO HIS PRAYERS TO REMOVE THIS CUP. IT WAS A DIFFERENT CRY, A SAD CRY, NOT ONE USUALLY HEARD FROM HIM."
"I HAD TO DELIVER HIM TO THE YARD. I STAYED BACK AND WATCHED, TOO MUCH LIABILITY IF I GOT INVOLVED. I WATCHED AS THEY PULLED THE HAIR OUT OF HIS FACE, WATCHED THEM SPIT ON HIM, WATCHED THEM POKE, PROD AND BEAT HIM BECAUSE HE WOULDN’T MOVE FAST ENOUGH."
"I WATCHED THEM LAUGH AT HIM AS HE SLIPPED AND FELL DOWN AND AS THEY KICKED HIM TO GET UP AGAIN, ALL THE PEOPLE GAWKED AT HIM."
"I HAD TO WATCH THEM TAG HIM TO THE CROSS. I WAS UP ABOVE LOOKING DOWN, HE KNEW I WAS THERE BUT COULDN’T FIND ME."
"I KNEW I WOULD GET A GOOD PRICE--THE SOULS OF ALL MY CHILDREN. I LISTENED TO HIS CRIES OF ‘WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’"
"I HAD TO TURN MY BACK AT CALVARY. I COULDN’T BARE TO WATCH THE SALE."
"I HAVE MANY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS THAT ARE DOING THE VERY BEST THEY CAN EVERY YEAR TO TEACH ABOUT CALVARY. MOST OF THEM TRULY FEEL IT IN THEIR HEARTS, BUT VERY FEW FEEL IT IN THEIR GUT. YOU ARE NOW ONE OF THE FEW!"
I HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO SO MUCH AS DRIVE CLOSE TO THE SALES YARD WITHOUT CRYING SINCE THAT DAY AND I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY HE TURNED HIS BACK AT CALVARY.
THANK YOU JESUS FOR GOING THROUGH THE SALE!
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STUPIDITY
I GUESS THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION I GET FROM PEOPLE IS: ARE SHEEP REALLY STUPID?
NO!!!!
EVERY TIME I HEAR A PREACHER GIVE A SERMON THAT TALKS ABOUT THE STUPIDITY OF SHEEP IT'S ALL I CAN DO TO STAY IN MY SEAT. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN I HAVE LITERALLY HELD ON TO THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAIR TO KEEP MYSELF FROM RUNNING UP TO THE PLATFORM.
THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT "CITY FO'K" THAT TALK ABOUT FARM ANIMALS LIKE THEY KNOW THEM THAT JUST RUBS ME THE WRONG WAY. WELL, ANYWAY.........
I KNOW, I KNOW. CUT THEM SOME SLACK, THEIR DOING THE BEST THEY CAN (GOD'S ALREADY DEALT WITH ME ON THAT) AND I KNOW THEY ARE. BUT LET'S SET THE RECORD STRAIT.
SHEEP ARE JUST LIKE US. WE ARE NOT STUPID, THEY ARE NOT STUPID.
A STUPID ANIMAL DOES NOT KNOW WHEN IT'S 5 MINUTES AFTER 7 AM AND THAT I'M 5 MINUTES LATE.
A STUPID ANIMAL DOES NOT MAKE IT KNOWN TO ALL THE NEIGHBORS THAT I'M 5 MINUTES LATE.
A STUPID ANIMAL DOES NOT KNOW THAT WHILE THEY ARE LETTING THE NEIGHBORS IN ON THE FACT I'M 5 MINUTES LATE THAT I'M MOVING IN DOUBLE-TIME TO GET OUT THERE AND FEED THEM, TO SHUT THEM UP.
ONLY A VERY INTELLIGENT ANIMAL CAN FIGURE ALL THAT OUT AND UTILIZE IT TO THE FULLEST AND THEY DO.
LIKE US, THEY DO REALLY STUPID THINGS.
LIKE US, THEY GIVE UP A LITTLE TOO SOON WHICH CAN BRING DEATH TO THEM.
LIKE US, THEY MAY NOT TRY AT ALL TO HELP THEMSELVES WHICH CAN BRING DEATH TO THEM.
LIKE US, THEY SEE THINGS THEY WANT TO GET TO AND DON'T THINK ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES WHICH CAN BRING DEATH TO THEM.
LIKE US, THEY ARE EITHER TOO TRUSTING OR NOT TRUSTING ENOUGH. BOTH CAN BRING DEATH TO THEM.
LIKE US, THEY CAN'T MAKE IT ON THEIR OWN. GOD MADE THEM THAT WAY, LIKE US.
THEY ARE THE MOST LABOR INTENSIVE DOMESTICATED ANIMAL. THEY NEED A LOT OF CARE, NURTURING, TENDING TO, WATCHING OVER, PROTECTING AND GUIDING. THEY CAN NOT BE LEFT ALONE, THEY WON'T SURVIVE, THEY WON'T MAKE IT ..........JUST LIKE US!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR BEING SUCH A GOOD SHEPHERD.
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MEEKNESS
MANY PEOPLE THINK I SEDATE THE SHEEP FOR SHEARING BECAUSE THEY JUST SIT THERE.
THAT'S THEIR NATURE, TO GIVE UP AND NOT FIGHT.
A LITTLE MEEKNESS IS A GOOD THING FOR IT ALLOWS THE SHEPHERD TO DO THE WORK THAT IS NEEDED.
HELLO!! ANYONE LISTENING??
IF YOU NEED "THE GOOD SHEPHERD" TO DO SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE BE MEEK, SIT STILL, QUIT FIGHTING AND LET HIM DO HIS WORK!
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FLOCK MENTALITY
THE OLD SAYING, IF YOU CAN GET ONE TO GO OVER A CLIFF THEY ALL WILL IS A FAIRLY TRUE STATEMENT.
IT IS ALWAYS AMUSING FOR PEOPLE (AND STILL IS FOR ME) TO WATCH ME WORK THE SHEEP. AT SOME POINT I'LL PUT THE CROOK IN FRONT OF ONE AND IT WILL JUMP OVER IT. I STAND BACK REMOVING THE CROOK AND JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM WILL JUMP OVER THAT SPOT--BECAUSE THE ONE IN FRONT OF THEM DID.
IT'S NOT SO AMUSING WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GATHER THEM AND ONE DECIDES TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND, OF COURSE, ALL THE OTHERS DO THE SAME.
IN THE SHEEP BUSINESS WE CAN TURN THIS NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE BY USING REVERSE PSYCHOLOGY. WE CALL IT "CONTROLLED ESCAPE". THEY THINK THEY ARE ESCAPING. WE MAKE IT SO THEY ESCAPE TO WHERE WE WANT THEM TO GO. IF WE CAN GET ONE TO GO--THEY ALL WILL.
YES, WE ARE JUST LIKE THEM IN THIS TOO.
I KNOW I'VE SAID IT GROWING UP AND HAVE LISTENED TO THE SAME RESPONSE FROM MANY CHILDREN. YOU PROBABLY HAVE ALSO.
WHEN ASKED WHY THEY DID SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE, THE ANSWER MANY TIMES IS--"BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE DID".
NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF A MENTOR YOU ARE: PARENT, AUNT/UNCLE, BROTHER/SISTER, PASTOR OR MINISTER, IT'S YOUR GOD-GIVEN DUTY TO TURN THIS NEGATIVE INTO A POSITIVE. SHOW THEM A BETTER WAY TO GO, A BETTER PLACE TO BE. GET ONE TO COME TO THE LORD AND OTHERS WILL FOLLOW--CONTROLLED ESCAPE.
PROVERBS 22:6 Teach a child to choose the right path, and when he is older, he will remain upon it.
BEFORE YOU ADULTS SNICKER TOO MUCH.
THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR SPEEDING ON THE INTERSTATES??
BECAUSE EVERYBODY ELSE DOES!!
BE CAREFUL OF OUR INBORN FLOCK MENTALITY AND FOLLOW THE RIGHT ONE.
JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER LEAD YOU WRONG.
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SEPARATION FROM THE FLOCK
SHEEP ARE FLOCK ANIMALS AND THEREFORE ARE RARELY SEEN VERY FAR FROM EACH OTHER. THERE ARE ONLY TWO TIMES WHEN A SHEEP WILL PULL COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE FLOCK. THE FIRST BEING DUE TO ILLNESS AND THE SECOND, GIVING BIRTH.
SHEEP DO NOT HANDLE ILLNESS WELL AND THE OLD SAYING "A DOWN SHEEP IS A DEAD SHEEP" IS FAIRLY ACCURATE. THEY WILL LEAVE THE FLOCK TO DIE AND A SHEPHERD HAS TO KNOW THE FLOCK WELL IN ORDER TO PICK UP ON ANY SUBTLE CHANGES IN A SHEEP BEFORE IT GETS TO THE POINT OF PULLING AWAY. ONCE THEY DO PULL AWAY SURVIVAL IS VERY, VERY RARE.
BIRTHING IS A MORE DIFFICULT SCENARIO. ONCE AGAIN THEY WILL PULL AWAY, BUT FOR QUIETNESS AND PRIVACY THIS TIME. THE SHEPHERD HAS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT JOB WITH THIS. MOST TIMES THE BIRTHING PROCESS GOES QUITE SMOOTHLY AND ANY INTERFERENCE WITH A NORMAL BIRTH CAN CAUSE REAL PROBLEMS.
NO ONE WANTS TO WATCH AN ANIMAL SUFFER AND THE BIRTHING PROCESS IS PAINFUL. IT IS A NEEDED PROCESS THOUGH FOR BOTH MOTHER AND LAMB. IT STARTS A CHAIN REACTION OF EVENTS THAT ARE ALL NEEDED IN THEIR PROPER TIME TO ENSURE A STRONG HEALTHY LAMB AND A MOTHER THAT IS CLEANSED OF TOXINS ACCUMULATED OVER THE SPAN OF THE PREGNANCY. TOO MUCH INTERFERENCE CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO EITHER THE EWE, THE LAMB OR BOTH.
THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN A NORMAL, HARD DELIVERY AND A EWE IN TROUBLE. ONLY A SHEPHERD WITH EXPERIENCE AND A KNOWLEDGE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL EWE CAN KNOW THE DIFFERENCE AND EVEN THEN THERE IS ALWAYS A MOMENT WHEN WE WONDER, "SHOULD I HELP OR NOT"?
EWES CAN BE WEAK, LAMBS TURNED BACKWARDS, TWINS AND TRIPLETS INTERTWINED, WEAK LAMBS OR DEAD LAMBS. IT'S ALWAYS AMAZING TO ME HOW OFTEN THINGS GO RIGHT WHEN SO MUCH CAN GO WRONG. THESE SITUATIONS NEED IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION FOR THE LIFE OF THE EWE AND THE LAMB.
PASTORS HAVE THE VERY SAME DILEMMA.
HAS A MEMBER OF THEIR CONGREGATION PULLED AWAY BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR BIRTHING?
ILLNESS CAN RANGE FROM DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE CHURCH, BOREDOM AND NO GROWTH TO BACKSLIDING. IF THE PERSON PULLS AWAY FOR TOO LONG IT COULD HAVE ETERNAL RESULTS. IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR THE PASTOR TO KNOW THEIR "FLOCK" AND BE ABLE TO NOTICE SMALL CHANGES BEFORE THEY BECOME "A DOWN SHEEP".
BIRTHING THOUGH, THAT'S THE REAL TOUGH ONE. WHEN SOMEONE IN THE CONGREGATION STARTS A NEW MINISTRY THEY HAVE TO GO THOUGH THE PANGS OF BIRTHING TO BEGIN THE CHAIN OF EVENTS TO CREATE A STRONG AND HEALTHY MINISTRY. SOMETIMES A PASTOR IS A LITTLE TO QUICK TO RUSH IN AND WANT TO HELP WITH THE DELIVERY. TELL THEM HOW THEY SHOULD DO IT, WHAT TO SAY, HOW TO SAY IT, WHERE TO DO IT. IF HELP IS ASKED FOR THEN WISE COUNSEL IS A BLESSING, BUT IF NOT, IT CAN BE THE DEATH OF THAT MINISTRY.
THEN TOO, THERE ARE TIMES WHEN A NEW MINISTRY IS IN CRISES AND HELP MUST BE GIVEN BEFORE IT DIES. COUNSELING, TEACHING, PRAYING AND GUIDING, WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO ASSURE A SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY.
ONLY WITH PRACTICE, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE CAN A PASTOR KNOW WHAT TO DO AND ONLY WHEN A PASTOR REALLY KNOWS HIS CONGREGATION CAN HE KNOW WHEN TO DO WHAT IS NEEDED.
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PAINFUL LEARNING
03-02-09
AT ABOUT 10 DAYS OLD THE LAMBS START TO GET VERY INQUISITIVE. TODAY THEY WERE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE ELECTRIC NETTING. AS THEY GOT TOO CLOSE, I RAN THEM AWAY FROM IT. THAT SEEMS TO MAKE THEM EVEN MORE INTERESTED IN WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FORBIDDEN.
FINALLY, I HAVE TO JUST STEP AWAY AND WATCH AS THEY FIND OUT FOR THEMSELVES WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SPARE THEM OF.
PREDICTABLY, THERE’S A ZAP ON THE NOSE AND THEY JUMP BACK, TURN AND RUN TO THEIR MOMS BAA-ING ALL THE WAY.
SOMETIMES THAT’S ALL THAT’S NEEDED. SOMETIMES, AFTER A FEW DAYS, THEY HAVE TO TEST IT AGAIN. THEY ALL EVENTUALLY LEARN TO STAY AWAY FROM THE FENCE.
I WONDER HOW MANY TIMES IN MY WAYWARD LIFE GOD TRIED TO SHEW ME AWAY? HOW MANY TIMES DID I COME BACK TO THAT “SIN” UNTIL HE STEPPED BACK AND LET ME GET PAINFULLY ZAPPED? HOPEFULLY, IT DOESN'T TAKE MORE THAN ONE ZAP TO LEARN MY LESSONS. HOPEFULLY, I ALWAYS JUMP BACK, TURN AND RUN BACK TO THE FATHER!
HOPEFULLY, YOU DO TOO.
PROVERBS 3:11-12
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.