In the Service of the Shepherd King Part 3

The Shepherd King

Part 3

I turned to see who was there with me, and I saw a man with curly dark hair and brown eyes. He smelled of the outdoors and looked muscular and strong. I knew he was a shepherd when I saw his staff. His robe was secured at the waist, and His sandals were old and worn. He was binding up my wounds and putting a healing oil on each one. This was the same oil that He would use on his lambs and sheep. It deterred flies and gave relief from their bites.

His hands – so gentle yet so strong inspired a great confidence in me. I was safe with Him, and I knew it. His eyes were kind but discerning.

“Who are You?”, I asked. He smiled as He said, “I am a shepherd. My flocks are grazing nearby. I was out hunting for a lost lamb.”

“Why are you so downcast?” he inquired.

I told him all, this time with the tears that come when someone kind and sympathetic asks what the matter is.

He listened to every word, then after a brief silence, he said, “Sooooooo, you are in the service of the Shepherd King. Some say that He is a hard master. And some say that He is not. But I have heard that any who wish to serve Him may. Does He require total commitment to His rules? I have heard some say that they have never felt so loved and protected as when they joined Him in the fight against the darkness.”

I answered with a smile.

“I should be going.” I said.

“Let me tell you a secret.” said the shepherd. “The world is filled with darkness and dangerous evil creatures of darkness. But remember that the darkness does not comprehend the light and the truth. Shine and do not hide. Shine and the darkness will flee. Draw near to the Shepherd King, and He will draw near to you!”

I turned to thank this kind shepherd. But he was gone. It was as if he had disappeared. Strangely I still felt his presence.

I went out and found that my shield had been repaired, but I never saw the shepherd do it. My enemies were gone – at least for now. So I started down the path to the town of Parkinson's Disease. I didn't particularly feel like it, but I sang a shepherd's song:

In God's green pastures

feeding by His cool waters lie;

soft in the evening walk my Lord and I

all the sheep of his pastures fare so wonderfully fine.

His sheep am I.

waters cool,

in the valley;

pastures green,

on the mountain;

in the evening

walk my Lord and I.

dark the night

in the valley;

rough the way

on the mountain ;

in the evening walk my Lord and I.

My heart was lifted up even though the way was tough and I had so far to go.

In the Service of the Shephard King - Part 2

Shepherd King

Part 2

The road I was to follow was set out straight before me, though it was narrow. There was no turning to the right or to the left. But very early in my life of battles, the road narrowed so much that I didn't think it was passable. It had pot holes and rocks with thorns, and from the thick forest of trees - overhanging branches. There were biting flies and gnats, and even snakes. I couldn't believe that this was the way, so I checked out a side road that seemed to have several alternate routes branching away from the main – all very broad and easily traveled. There were even signs that read “Greener Pastures”, “Easy Street”, “Name it and Claim it”, “Just Have Faith” and “Positive Thinking”.

I headed for the easy way, but just as I was to set my foot down, a gate that I had not noticed slammed shut and barred my entrance to every single side road. There was only one way to go.

I looked back at the narrow way, and then I saw it........ On the side of the road, there was a sign. It read: “Parkinson's Disease; 50 Miles”. This did not penetrate my brain at first. Surely I read it wrong. What good could possibly come from going through this dreadful town? I wasn't prepared for this. I decided to turn back and go the way I came to the shelter from which I had come, but at that moment there was an avalanche of gravel and rocks and boulders that I couldn't possible have gotten through. And so with a heavy heart, I sat on a large boulder, trying to calm my fears and quiet my mind.

My shield had been damaged by the falling rocks. It wasn't long before my enemies saw this also. Out of every bush and from behind every turn in the road, flaming arrows whizzed. They began to yell out lies to me: You cannot make it down this road to the end; The King could have stopped this from happening, so He must not love you or be powerful enough to provide another way. The King couldn't be real. He is cruel. You have broken his rules too many times and now you can't be forgiven. You did something terrible to deserve this. It's your own fault.  You don't have enough faith..........

I crumpled down onto the ground, unable to stand.

It was at that moment that someone shielded me from any further woundings from the arrows. He wrapped his body around me so that the arrows hit him instead of me. He lifted me up and carried me to the side of the road where there was a door I had not seen before. And he carried me in, shutting the door behind us.

In the Service of the Shepherd King

Part 1

The battle outside was raging. It's not as bad as it's going to get though. Things are going to escalate. These clashes with the enemy are precurser to the war. I am tired nevertheless, and feeling the need for rest and food, warmth and safety where it seems not to be found.

But our King and Lord – the Good Shepherd - has provided respite in the midst of all Hell breaking loose. He can be found everywhere. The desperate cry of His soldiers always reaches His ears, and brings them into the safety of hidden places – places that the enemy cannot see or find. They are caves perfectly camaflouged and nestled in between the rolling foothills. They are sheepfolds hidden in plain sight in the fields frequented by lowly shepherds - where the King lays His body across the only door. His soldiers are safe within those walls – for now.

I enter the cave and am welcomed by the sight and delicious smells of an early morning feast on a plain table in the center of the room. The room is dimly lit by a warm light emanating from the candles set upon the table. I do not see anyone else, but feel the presence of the Shepherd King's servants. I enjoy the fragrance of coffee freshly made and poured into the mug that warms my hands as they are cupped around it – steam rising....... My hunger is awakened at the sight and smell of bacon and eggs with buttered toast and jam. There is a bowl of luscious fruit in small bite sized pieces that nevertheless drip down my chin as I eat. There are fried potatoes and other delicacies. I eat my fill, and I am refreshed. But I am also sleepy. There is a warm bed in the corner of the room, inviting me to rest.......... I had scarcely pulled the warm blankets up, sinking deep into the feather bed, when sleep overtook me. I think I dreamnt of green pastures and still waters – crystal clear. There were valleys in my dreams but always the Shepherd King led me safely through them.

I slept until my body was strengthened and refreshed – maybe for days. My armor, had been taken from me and shined and polished until it gleamed. Again, I am conscious of the servants of the Shepherd King. They are silent but benevolent. I am helped by these silent giants as I take up my breastplate and shield; my shoes and helmet; my belt and my sword............ Once more the table is set with a wonderful array of food, and I eat. I can feel His warm presence. He quiets my heart and feeds my spirit. He has left a small book for me. In it, the King has left instructions for me. I am to go out while it is still dark. I am to have my sword in hand before I open the door and step out. His words fill my mind. My shield will deflect the arrows that burn. I am to sing praises to Him as I walk. Everywhere my voice can be heard, so goes His light and the enemy dare not approach!

The Day is Late

Today, I added many serious requests for prayer to our church's prayer list.  They are coming in faster and there are more of them, and they are of a more serious nature than even just a few years ago.     I am aghast at the suffering so many are going through.  If you have P.D, then I can say with assurance that you have suffered.  And guess what?  And after being born again, this qualifies you to be a servant in God's kingdom.  Your experiences are different than someone else's, but the pain is the same.

You have paid a high price in order to be able to minister to others who are in pain.  It's not what I set out to learn, but it's what I have learned.

We think of pain as bad and unproductive, but it doesn't have to be.  The good kind brings about good  changes.  I know that a major part of my ministry is praying for people, and with people.  I have had to learn that prayer doesn't always get you something, but get's you through something.  Never underestimate the power of a single prayer.

It's time to start praying seriously for one another.  While there is opportunity and while we can do this, we must do this!  Ask God to show you how to pray; ask Him what exactly He wants you to pray; ask Him to give you His mind and His heart; ask for His perfect results; and ask that He would change you through prayer.

It's not the prayer so much that matters (though that is important), but more important is WHO you are praying TO.  If you are praying in any other name than Jesus Christ, God's only Son, who  died for us and paid the penalty for our sins, then your prayers are worthless.

Some have spent their lives wasted on their own pleasures, with no goal, and have rejected God.  If that is you, then I pray God may open your eyes before it is too late and that you will repent.  There is coming a day when those who do not belong to Him will finally get their way.  They will forever be separated from God who has loved them so much.  There will be a final line of crossing over, and then the dye is cast; there will be no 2nd chance as we still have today.  It will be too late to change our minds.

If this is where you are headed, I hope that you have someone who is praying for you............

Prayer

I believe when we are so full of God's broken heart - when we are brimming full of gratitude to Him - when our need is desperate enough - when we have the tiniest sense of His infinite grace - then we pray.  It is what wells up in our hearts and overflows like the shepherd's cup.  It overshadows every other thing and it must be released to rush back to its source - El Elyon (the most high God) the great I AM.

Prayer never ceases where God is worshipped.

Prayer is like the waters that rush from the mountains to the sea.......carving new paths, changing shorelines, slowing to pool here and there - sustaining life or speeding up to dash the enemy to pieces......always moving back to the heart from which it was broken.

Be still before Him!  Know His heart!  Embrace all that He is.  Trust Him in high waters and low.  Pray His heart.

Like the spray from the waterfall that joyously flings itself over the edge - so should our prayers be - finding their way back His heart.

He is Risen!

He is RISEN!!!!  All praise and glory to the King Who defeated death!  He is our hope.  I am IN Him and He in me - safe and secure - never alone - always sufficient and more.........  I love my King and my Lord.  Because He has risen, I am risen....above all sin, above death, above disease and every power that would raise itself up in pride before Him.  He is the answer to every question.  Every bondage, every addiction, every wrong way established will have to stand before Him.  And when they do, they will be no more...........!
People with Parkinson's Disease need to hear good news.  And what better news could there be than the truth that Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead?

A Moment With God

Slowly consciousness dawns on me.  It's still dark.  Lord....  I'm here...............  We are silent .  Whatever may come today, give me the courage and strength I will need to live for You.   Lord, I remember each of my children to You this morning.  Please protect them.  Save them from whatever intends evil toward them.  Lord, what is my life without You?  There is no life without You.  Your Word is in my mind and in my heart, and I will speak Your Words to someone today, somewhere.  I'll wait for You to nudge me so that I'll know when.
A tear rolls down my cheek and a sound comes from my throat.  I love those children You gave me,  Father..  I don't want to be with You without them.  Everywhere I look there are lost and dying people who don't even know they are sick. I want to help.  But my words won't make any difference.  So lead me to speak Words of life - Your Words.
Your Word is my sword of the spirit...........my heart rises some as I think on how my Beloved loves me.  You know, Lord, You make me laugh.  That funny story we wrote together about Ellen yesterday made me laugh so hard, the tears were blinding me.
Help me keep a sharp mind would You?  I feel so bad when I think that I might become someone's job - someone's problem as I grow older.  I don't want to be a crazy old woman that can't remember things and spells all the words wrong.............  I still feel guilt and shame when I think of my impatience with my grandmother who lost a little more and more of herself each time I would see her.  I'm quiet, while this sinks into my mind.
You know, this really doesn't matter, but I want to feel pretty today.  I want to look like someone who loves you.  I'm quiet once again and in my mind I see You sitting next to me, listening and watching me.
C'mon, Lord.........I want some coffee.......You come too..........  And I'll listen while You fill me in on what the plan is today.................