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.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Memorial Day 2013 - Everyday!

Photo: Expressing appreciation today for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our country and protecting our freedoms. May God bless the families and loved ones of all those who never made it home. May we never forget their sacrifice. And may God Bless America. Blessings Soul Friends

It has been said that only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you . . . Jesus Christ and the American Soldier . . .  one died for your "soul" and the other died for your "freedom".

There is a lot of truth in that. Truly, "greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13) But do we really know that kind of love, do we experience it in our friends and acquaintances, in our own lives, and in the God we serve.  That love that goes above and beyond the call of duty even unto the call of death?  Would we go there, do that, be the one that loves beyond love itself?  Are we passionate about that kind of love - that self-less kind of love that cares about others more than our own being.  The solders that have sacrificed for the cause of "freedom" feeling a greater passion and cause. . . even when self-sacrifice may be the end result. Thank you - we honor each of you and also your families that paid the price for the freedom we so often take for granted.  Help us remember the life you gave for us . . . for me!

Again, "greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." (John 15:13)

Jesus Christ was the ultimate "sacrifice" for the sins of the whole world. He died for each of us - for your sins - for my sins - for the wrong things in my life.  And He gave His all - everything He had when He suffered and died on the cross.  Everything so that I could experience a different kind of freedom - a freedom from the chains of sin, guilt, and destruction.  A freedom of love, grace, and mercy.  A love that goes far beyond our understanding and reaches deep into our hearts and lives changes us and makes us like new creatures. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)It is then we are able to understand the kind of love that would lay down ones life for another.  The kind of love that has a passion behind us pushing us forward to that same freedom of country in the sacrifice of men and women willing to fight for that freedom and most importantly - freedom from sin redeemed by the sacrifice God made when he offered His Son, Jesus Christ to save the world!



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