Category: Shepherd

30.8.23: I follow you

Ruth Kirk
dodo71: Pixabay.

I had barely begun to pray last Sunday morning when these couplets came to me. They took several hours of concentrated work to put into words.

This happens more and more frequently. The first stage of writing takes so long that by the time it’s finished, I have missed out on the experience of wordless prayer. In fact, there is a constant, seemingly irresolvable tension between my longing to pray, and the drive to express in words what I am given, so it can be shared here.

All I can do is to echo the prophet’s words: “My work seems so useless! I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose. Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand; I will trust God for my reward” (Isaiah 49:4; NLT).

So now, here is today’s blog:

Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34; NLT). 

I follow you, my only Lord:
My guide, my way, and my reward.

I honour you, my Shepherd King:
My strength; the truth to which I cling.

I thirst for you, my living God:
My breath, my life, my staff, my rod.

I trust in you, my light, my love:
My daily bread from heaven above.

I worship you, my Father’s voice:
My resurrection, and my choice.

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (John 11:25; NLT).

Choose today whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15; NLT).

11.8.23: Threefold love

Ruth Kirk
The Trinity in an initial letter B, Master of the Codex Rossiano, Sienese, probably 1387: metmuseum.org.

Yesterday, whilst I was praying quietly and sleepily, the sudden arrival of these simple, worshipful verses woke me up completely. This piece came together very sweetly, and was easy to put into words.

You are my Father, my God, and the Rock of my salvation.
(Psalm 89:26; NLT). 

1. God, my Father,
And my Mother;
Lord, my Maker:
I love Thee.

2. Christ, my Teacher,
And my Shepherd;
Lord, my Saviour:
I love Thee.

3. Holy Spirit,
Guide, and Helper;
Lord, my Comfort:
I love Thee.

4. Three in One,
And One in Three;
My Lord forever:
I love Thee.

I love thee, O LORD, my strength.
(Psalm 18:1; ERV).

References 

Verse 1:
* Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).
* You are our maker; and we are all the work of your hand (Isaiah 64:8; BBE).

Verse 2:
* You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
* I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NLT).
* You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18; NLT).

Verse 3:
* Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives (Galatians 5:16; NLT).
* I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever (John 14:16; ESV).
* When the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall bear witness of me (John 15:26; ASV).

Verse 4:
* YHWH appeared to Abraham by the oak grove of Mamre, while Abraham sat at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Looking up, Abraham saw three travelers standing nearby (Genesis 18:1-2; TIB).
* Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; NIV).
* You are my God! (Psalm 31:14; NLT).
* He is our God forever and ever (Psalm 48:14; NLT).

31.7.23: My Jesus

Ruth Kirk
schienertown: Pixabay.

After a very disturbed night of migraine, medication and strange dreams, the last thing I could have hoped for yesterday was the gift of a prayer on waking. Yet here is is:

I love you, LORD.
(Psalm 18:1; NLT). 

I love you, Lord,
And praise you name,
For you are always
Just the same –
My origin, my life,
My aim:
My Jesus.

You love me, Lord,
I know that’s true;
You are my Way,
My Shepherd, too;
My God, the One
Who makes me new:
My Jesus.

We live as one –
The blind; the Guide;
Always together,
Side by side;
You are my Bridegroom,
I, your bride:
My Jesus.

God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.
(Isaiah 62:5; NLT).

16.7.23: Thank you

Ruth Kirk
The Crucifixion with St John the Baptist and St Jerome, Wikimedia.

This prayer came to me one morning, when I kissed my beautiful picture of Jesus on the cross, and said, “Thank you,” to him:

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
(1 Thessalonians 5:18; NIV). 

Thank you, Christ Jesus,
For all you have done for me.

Thank you for helping me, Lord,
Through today.

Thank you, my Saviour,
For all you will do for me.

You are my Lord and my God –
Come what may.

I am with you always, even to the end of the world.
(Matthew 28:20; WNT).

References

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7; NLT). 

“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).

3.7.23: One flock

Ruth Kirk
balouriarajesh: Pixabay.

This little prayer came out of a period of blissful wordlessness a few days ago:

I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.
(John 10:16; NLT). 

1. There’s one flock,
And one Shepherd,
One faith, hope and Lord;
One baptism only,
One love,
One accord.

2. There’s one mind,
And one body,
One heart, and one soul;
One God,
And one Spirit –
Whose hands make us whole. 

His hands make whole (Job 5:18; KJV).

References 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11; RSV).

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

I will restore to the peoples a pure language, that they all may call on the name of the LORD, to serve Him with one accord (Zephaniah 3:9; NKJV).

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Philippians 2:1-2; NKJV). 

23.6.23: In my dreams

Ruth Kirk
A photo of the icon in my bedroom: Jesus Christ Pantocrator.

This prayer came to me at bedtime last Wednesday evening, when I was saying goodnight before my icon of Jesus:

I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
(Psalm 23:4; NIV).

1. Even in my dreams you’re with me:
All around me and within.

2. Even in my dreams you love me, Lord,
Protecting me from sin.

3. Even in my dreams you teach me:
Always walking by my side;

4. Even in my dreams you help me:
Lord, my Shepherd, and my guide.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
(Psalm 23:3; NIV).

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
(Psalm 3:5; NIV).

References

Verse 1: If I ascend into heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there! (Psalm 139:8; NKJV).

You, O LORD, are a shield around me (Psalm 3:3; NLT).

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

Verse 2: Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-9; NLT).

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

Verse 3: Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29; NLT).

He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds (Job 33:15; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

Verse 4: The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me (Psalm 28:7; NIV).

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).

I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NIV).

13.6.23: You are peace

Ruth Kirk
Public Domain Pictures, Pixabay.

Seeing this prayer in my mind and heart brought a gentle end to a wonderful time of light, silence and peace last Sunday. Writing and referencing it was a labour of love.

The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT). 

1. You are peace, and you are love,
On earth, below, in heaven above.
You are fire, and bread, and wine,
Our narrow way, our living vine.

2. You are pity, Shepherd King,
You shield us all beneath your wing.
You are Spirit, truth and light,
The resurrection, and the life.

3. You are Christ, our staff and rod,
So kind, so good, our Lord and God.
Teacher, you forgive and bless,
For you are strength, and tenderness.

4. Yahweh, Holy Ghost, and Son,
The One in Three, the Three in One,
Our faith, our hope, our soul, our call:
You are God, our All in all.

God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28; TIB).

References

Verse 1
God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
The Lord your God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; NIV).
I am the living bread that came down from from heaven (John 6:51; NLT).
Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).
I am the vine (John 15:5; NLT).

Verse 2
Yahweh is …pity (Psalm 103:8; NJB).
I am the good shepherd (John 10:11; NLT).
You are my King and my God! (Psalm 44:4; NLT).
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings (Psalm 57:1; NLT).
The LORD God is our sun and our shield (Psalm 84:11; NLT). |
God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).
The Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6; NKJV).
God is light (1 John 1:5; NLT).
Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25; NLT).

Verse 3
Jesus is the Christ (1 John 5:1; NLT).
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
How kind the LORD is! How good he is! (Psalm 116:5; NLT).
“My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed (John 20:28; NLT).
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT).
He forgives all my sins (Psalm 103:3; NLT).
How he blesses them! (Psalm 107:38; NLT).
The Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:4; KJV).
Yahweh is tenderness (Psalm 103:8; NJB).

Verse 4
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19; KJV).
The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; NIV).
Three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love (1 Corinthians 13:13; NLT).
The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).
We keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call (2 Thessalonians 1:11; NLT).
You are our God! (Hosea 2:23; NLT).

6.6.23. You are our Father

Ruth Kirk
Ramdion, Pixabay.

This prayer arrived yesterday morning whilst I lay very still, praying without words. I have included more references than usual, as Biblical imagery about God is so rich.

O LORD, you are our Father (Isaiah 64:8; NLT).

Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).

You are our Father,
And our Mother;
You are our Sister,
And our Brother;
You are our Husband,
Wife, and Lover;
You are our God:
We want no other.

You are our Bridegroom,
And our Bride;
You are our Shepherd,
Way, and Guide;
You’re the Companion
At our side;
Living within us:
You provide.

You are our Master,
Saviour, Friend;
Teach us, Lord, help us,
And defend;
Pardon our sins,
Our faults, transcend;
Make us like you, Lord:
Love without end.

God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).

The faithful love of the LORD never ends! (Lamentations 3:22; NLT).

References

Humankind was created as God’s reflection: in the divine image God created them; female and male, God made them (Genesis 1:27; TIB).

For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant (Isaiah 42:14; NIV).

You deserted the Rock, who fathered you; you forgot the God who gave you birth (Deuteronomy 32:18; NIV).

As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you (Isaiah 66:13; NET).

Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother (Matthew 12:50; NLT).

I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NLT).

You are our God (2 Chronicles 14:11; NLT).

God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride (Isaiah 62:5; NLT).

I promised you as a pure bride to one husband – Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2; NLT).

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT).

Jesus told him, “I am the way” (John 14:6; NLT).

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).

Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).

God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat (2 Corinthians 9:10; NLT).

You are my Master (Psalm 16:2; NLT).

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my God is my rock, in whom I find protection (Psalm 18:2; NLT).

The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).

8.5.23: My hope, my way

Ruth Kirk
Stations of the Cross in Althofen; painted by Consuelo Mels-Colloredo, 1983. Neithan90, Wikimedia.

Yesterday I felt very tired, which had its up-side, as I was able to spend time putting the morning’s notes into words whilst resting. The lines in italics form a prayer within a prayer:

O Lord, you alone are my hope (Psalm 71:5; NLT). 

My hope, my way,
My light each day:
I want to do your bidding;
My peace, my Lamb,
My great “I AM”:
For you are God’s dear Son. 

My truth, my life,
My purchase-price:
You, Lord, are my salvation;
My strength, my blood,
My longed-for love:
May you and I be one.

My Lord, my God,
My staff, my rod:
My body is your temple;
My Guide, my Friend,
My start, my end:
My mind is yours, Lord, too.

My bread, my wine,
My living vine:
My heart is yours forever;
My Shepherd King,
My everything:
My soul belongs to you.

The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul (Genesis 2:7; KJV).

Our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God, who gave it to us (Ecclesiastes 12:7; GNT).

27.4.23: You are One

Ruth Kirk
Sunrise, on Pixabay

Given how I feel at present, I’m particularly thankful for this short blog, which arrived whilst I was half-asleep.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need (Psalm 23:1; NLT). 

Yahweh:
Father God, and Mother;

Christ:
My Shepherd, Teacher, Brother;

Holy Ghost:
My Sister, Lover –

You are One:
I need no other.

The Lord our God, the Lord is one (Mark 12:29; NIV). 

References 

God:  Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy (Matthew 6:9; NLT).

All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22; NLT).

I will proclaim God’s decree – YHWH said to me: “You are my own; I’ve given birth to you today” (Psalm 2:7; TIB). 

Christ:  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep (John 10: 11; NLT).

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am (John 13:13; NLT). 

Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.” Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother” (Mark 3:31-5; NLT). 

Holy Ghost:  Say to wisdom, “You are my sister” (Proverbs 7:4; NIV).

God is Spirit (John 4:24; NLT).

The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him –  the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2; NIV).

I am my lover’s, and my lover is mine (Song of Songs 6:3; NLT). 

Oneness:  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5; NIV).

A reading: Mark 12:28-31; NIV

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”