Verse of the Week

I did it! Psalm 150 is in my arsenal, so to speak.

If your church follows the Church year (or if you do so on your own), you know that today was the Fourth Sunday of Easter or Christ the Shepherd Sunday. You've probably guessed that means the lectionary texts (see them here) have to do with Christ being our shepherd. This, of course, means that we are sheep.

In our discussions today, our six year old, Ellie, asked, "So, does that mean that sheep are special?" The Big Guy and I did our best to explain what an analogy was an how Christ was the Passover Lamb and also the shepherd. I think she got some of it.

Her question gave me some food for thought though. "Are sheep special?" The first thing that raced through my head when she asked her question was, "Sheep are actually really dumb." The actual animals are not the bright and we, in the whole analogy of Christ being our shepherd, well, we're not that bright either.

How many times have I doubted the Shepherd's care for me? How many times have I not followed him and gotten into trouble? I know he's the Good Shepherd, but I don't act on the knowledge. Hmmm...not too bright.

This week's Verse of the Week is Psalm 23 - such great words for those times when I start to wander away from my Lord, the Shepherd.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still
waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil,
For you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I feel like I'm cheating a bit, because I know these verses for the most part. I've helped the kids memorize them over the years. However, we could all use some brushing up on it so it'll be a family project.