Graze: To feed on growing grasses.



The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.

-Ps. 23:1-6

Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – 'come boss, 'come boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?!

Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long! But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Show HIM Your Paper!


A farmer answered a knock on his door one morning.  An electric company worker handed him a piece of paper stating that the electric company would like to run a power line through his pasture.  The farmer said, "No."

"Legally, that paper says we can," replied the worker.

As he turned and left returning to his co-workers in the field, the farmer went to his barn and turned his bull into the pasture.

As the bull rumbled toward the workers in the field, the farmer hollered, "Show HIM your paper!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I grew up on a farm – I know exactly how that works!!

Have you ever been in a spot where you have had to “Show HIM Your Paper”!! Have you ever been there where you were backed up against the wall and had to show the world that “You ARE a Christian”?  Have you ever been there where it was God and God alone that took you under HIS wing and carried you through?

Yes, I have been there many times – when it was God that took care of me through my situation.  Thank the Lord for those times – times when I had to “show the devil my paper”!! Many times it was those times that got me out of the pressure of the devil and into the presence of God Almighty!!!
 Times like this when I was weak and feeling run down. I knew I was a Christian – but how do I handle this? I knew I couldn’t go back but only headed upward toward the God that would take care of me. These things I knew!  I could only put my full faith in this God that would say to satan himself – “She’s mine! Leave her alone!” And that is just what has happened to me so many times – God said it and I believed it.  It was God that took me and held me close and said, “Be still my child – I’ll take this one”! 

Time after time as I look back I see these special moments and I cherish each one of them for it’s during these times that I see God’s loving hand reaching out to me – reaching out to me when I couldn’t even take another step – He was always there reaching out for my right hand to connect with His . . . here's one of my favorite verses . . .

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.  (Isaiah 41:10)
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