In which I have more thank you’s to God (178-191)

by Craig on April 4, 2011

#178 …that I get to learn so much from reading in this community and from those who read me.

#179 … that You gave me last week’s Easter Poem (here) about The Lamb of God saving us lambs of God.

#180 … that You are The Good Shepherd, not willing to let a single lamb of Yours be lost.

#181 … and that in the writing of the poem I missed something important that I needed to see –and You sent me two readers to show me the way.

#182 … for Nicole from Ladies of Virtue Journal who wrote, “I never really got how vulnerable a lamb was until I saw those pictures! We are so in need of a shepherd.” And Maryleigh from Blue Cotton Memory who said the same.

#183 … that You know I never get stuff good enough the first time. So you sent me two human “angels” with the message. And I got it.

#184 … that all I saw in sheep (read me) was how You, The Good Shepherd, were needed because sheep don’t concentrate and stay on task. But it’s more. It’s that “vulnerable” sheep stand naked against a hostile universe, not fully armed to defend themselves. They need someone to draw them close and protect them. And that as sophisticated as we think we are – we ARE them.

#185 … that You taught me so much about lambs, and The Lamb, and the Good Shepherd this week – and that the wisdom was near, and fresh, and immediately useful.

#186 … that when old negative voices returned this week – the “you’re not good enough” voices. And when they nearly got me. It was Your voice I heard more clearly. You brought to my mind the thieves and robbers of John 10:8 who tried to lure the lambs from the safety of the pen – and “the sheep did not listen to them”.  So why would I listen to these thieving and robbing voices?

#187 … that if we listen hard enough, we can hear and recognize  the voice of God. That verse 14 is true. “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me”.

#188 … that the negative voices had only three possible sources. The first might be God, but Our Lord isn’t like that. The second are demons. I know, some don’t think demons run around and try to mess us up. I do. The third would be, my history. Limiting the possible sources helps in pinpointing the actual source.

#189 … that I’m not the only one with negative “inner” voices that reach out and try to trip me up. Can I get an amen here? Please? (◠‿◠)

#190 … that either I can deal with my own “inner critical” voices, or voices from an evil source. Or I can take the higher route. You have taught me that it’s better to just call out to the Good Shepherd. You are the best way to rid myself of the voices of  “thieves and robbers”. You protect Your sheep – even this one.

#191 … that You reach out and spend time, and teach someone who is such a mad mix of overconfidence and insecurity – and how You can love someone so mixed up – and teach someone so lacking.

 

God Bless

 

… giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Eph 5:20)

Mondays are for Gratitude. Linking today with Ann’s

{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }

A. April 4, 2011 at 11:08 am

#189, Amen!! Also loved #191…and He uses the most unexpected ways to help us. Just when I think I have reached an impossible wall (like your waaaay earlier canyon story), something comes along and opens a new understanding or way or friendship or whatever. That alone should cause me to trust His shepherding and love! but, sadly, i tend to forget at times and get all swallowed up in the next big wave that feels threatening…bleat, bleat! Then He comes through, again. He is such a faithful and loving One!!!

…and your photos….makes me want to go find me some lambs to HUG!!!!!

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Craig April 4, 2011 at 11:20 am

I have one of those situations this very week myself – a big, giant, no fun, decisions to be made immediately, no room for error kind of wall. Given my commitment to these blogs and the “sleep thing” there is no way to do it all – and it has to get done. Prayers will be helpful. It would be nice to see a good clear cut door to open up – but since a door MUST be moved through – I’ll take what God opens – and be thankful. I’m praying for his will – that’s all I ever want (almost – I like my will too – but – well you know). At any rate – I’ll take prayer for this situation :)

Bleat bleat!!! We are all lambs. No?

Thank you A. God Bless.

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A. April 4, 2011 at 11:26 am

Prayers, it is, then, for you, Brother Craig. It’s the least that can be done for one of the Family who blesses so many.

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MrsH April 4, 2011 at 12:39 pm

I recently heard this quote:
“Coincidence is when God decides to stay anonymous”
Craig, I believe that THIS is one of those instances. Let me explain. I am attending a women’s workshop at my church and the main theme is “Listening to the right Voice”. We discussed the different types of voices one hears (same as you mentionned: God, demons, self/flesh/old nature). We are practicing how to turn to the One with the Voice we should be listening to and how to turn away when we hear the other negative voices.
So Amen! to your list and thank you for the encouragement :)
God bless!

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A. April 5, 2011 at 1:07 am

Mrs. H…what a terrific definition of coincidence! Your comments raise the issue of how one knows which/whose voice one is hearing. That can be tricky. When I hear one Christian adamantly claiming to be hearing from God and another, with an opposite view, claiming the same….it makes me want to go run for the hills in search of a wise old owl! Its all about our growth and growing ability to discern His voice for ourselves. Yet, there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors, too, we are told.

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Craig April 5, 2011 at 10:37 am

A. The way I look at it – unless someone is the Pope he can’t say “because I say so” and there’s only one of those at a time – and he’s not “the boss of” Protestants. So I just check everything with Scripture. If it agrees then I agree – if not, then not – and if the Scripture leaves a little wiggle room – I yield to it – there are some things that are not explicitly spelled out in Scripture – all the important things are – but if there are good Christians with two different views of a certain topic – and both valid – I say major on the majors and minor on the minors. I heart your mind – and respect your struggle – God bless!!

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Cora April 4, 2011 at 5:05 pm

You get a big AMEN for #189 from me, too! It’s something I will fight all the rest of my life, I guess. I know better, too. And #190? Why is it we know this so well, but it’s like the “when all else fails” thing that we do LAST instead of first. I can make my life so miserable before I call out to Him. Uhhhhh . . . because I’m a sheep?????

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Craig April 4, 2011 at 7:41 pm

It is good to know I’m not alone with 189. The whole sheep – shepherd thing – a lot to learn there – but then like you say, knowing is and doing it…

Thank you fore reading Cora. God bless and Keep you.

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Rose April 4, 2011 at 6:59 pm

#189 -Amen! :-) #186 I am far too familiar with those voices and that when I have to remember that it is not because of me but because of the Good Shepherd that I can move forward.

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Craig April 4, 2011 at 7:44 pm

It’s that strength – the strength of the God of all things we have to tap into – amen Rose. And thank you for the amen to 189 – and 186. God bless you and yours.

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Lauren April 4, 2011 at 8:00 pm

this post made me so look forward to Easter! :) Thank you for sharing such wonderful blessings!

Lauren
http://becauseimyours.blogspot.com/

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Craig April 6, 2011 at 9:25 pm

Thank you much Lauren – it’s the lambs – I’ve decided to put pictures of frisky fluffy lambs in every post from now on (◠‿◠) – again – thank you I look forward to reading you – God Bless.

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Emily April 4, 2011 at 8:45 pm

Craig, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I am so grateful that my simple words could minister to you. I think my favorite on your list was “#187 … that if we listen hard enough, we can hear and recognize the voice of God. That verse 14 is true. “I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me”. ”

I am often guilty of not listening enough. Praying peace for you.

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Craig April 4, 2011 at 8:48 pm

Thank you Emily – prayers? always helpful (◠‿◠) – for the lambs to run to the shepherd – instead of wandering off and forgetting how to get home – it’s not easy to be a lamb. God Bless you Emily.

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Debbie April 4, 2011 at 9:09 pm

Thanking Him for all your thank you’s . . .they are all relevant! And praying for you too, for this decision that has to be made. So glad that we get to be in the same flock of sheep. God bless you and lead you gently today!

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Craig April 5, 2011 at 10:20 am

I am so glad – let me tell YOU – to know I’m not the only bleating one. Than you Deb. Prayers will keep me in line – With God. And God bless you.

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Debra April 5, 2011 at 12:30 am

#179 – Thank you for the sublime Easter poem… I’ll say it again: poems love you! No projection please :) Don’t’ make the poem out to be the villain… They heart you Craig. They really do.
# 184 – God couldn’t have chosen a more apt metaphor for us than sheep, could he? I almost cried reading this, just realizing that he would leave the whole flock to rescue me when I wander off and lose my way. He has many a time, and I praise him for his protective arm.
# 186 John 10: 8 – have stood on this one many a time… hearing the Shepherd’s voice above all others has been a safe saver.
#189 – Amen!

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Craig April 5, 2011 at 10:18 am

All due respect Debra – if poems loved me they’d be nicer to me as I write them – and they wouldn’t try to kill me. (◠‿◠) But thank you.

And the lamb thing – amen – God is smart – we DO know his voice – we (read I) just have to listen – and thank you of course for the amen on 189 (◠‿◠)

God Bless You Debra

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Michelle April 5, 2011 at 12:55 am

AMEN!

I’ve just been to a day on being still, making God spaces, and in making those times I will recognise His voice even easier.

Thank you for your Thank yous :)

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Craig April 5, 2011 at 10:22 am

I’ll assume your amen is for 189 – and that you’re letting me know I’m not alone (◠‿◠) – and say thank you – and I guess “be still and know He is God” – there is wisdom in that. No?

God Bless you Michelle.

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Joy April 5, 2011 at 5:41 am

AMEN, Craig. I especially get these words: “a mad mix of overconfidence and insecurity” — yes. And thank God that He loves us and walks us through in spite of all that mess.

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Craig April 5, 2011 at 10:24 am

YOU are “a mad mix of overconfidence and insecurity” too. I’d have never guessed. And I guess he loves us like you loved your babies when they tried to eat food in the high chair and got more on everything else – than inside of them. I bet I’m right. No?

Thank you for reading me Joy. thank you. and God Bless.

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