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From The Pastor

From the Pastor
“The Shepherd’s Psalm” 
Of the 150 psalms in the Bible, 73 of them are attributed to David, and there is probably none more famous than that of Psalm 23. Now for many people Psalm 23 is associated with funerals. The 23rd Psalm is to funerals what I Corinthians 13 is to weddings. When a couple stands at the front of the church, we expect to hear words about how love is patient, kind, and doesn’t envy or keep a record of wrongs. People getting married, as well as those attending the wedding, expect to hear that kind of thing. In reality, they need to hear that kind of thing. And at a funeral, we expect to hear that “The Lord is my shepherd.” We need to hear that even though we may feel like we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. The words of Psalm 23 are what we turn to when we need comfort in times of sorrow. It is comforting to be told how God guides us and makes us rest by still waters. We are comforted to know that our souls can be restored, and the right path for us can be discerned, that good things will follow after us as long as we live. And finally, when it’s all said and done, we will dwell in God’s house forever. Indeed, there is no shortage of comfort to be found in the trusty 23rd Psalm.
However, Psalm 23 also forces us to let go of the steering wheel of our lives. Before we can bask in the comfort, we face an uncomfortable truth. The guidance and courage and overflowing cups will not be ours until we can get past the first words of the psalm, “The Lord is my shepherd.” It may sound comforting at first, – but it is an insult to our belief in self-reliance, and the attitude that I can do it all by myself. “The Lord is my shepherd” is really an implicit declaration of dependence. The comfort of Psalm 23 remains elusive until we come to terms with the fact that we truly need a shepherd for our lives. All of the shepherding tasks that God does are for our benefit, as we admit that we cannot secure or accomplish those things for ourselves. As one bumper sticker that I saw read, “If you have insomnia, don’t count sheep, talk to the Shepherd.” 
Pastor-author, Max Lucado paraphrased Psalm 23 for those who will not admit their need of a shepherd. 
“I am my own shepherd; I am always in need. I stumble from mall to mall and shrink to shrink, seeking relief but never finding it. I creep through the valley of the shadow of death and fall apart. I fear everything from pesticides to power lines and I’m starting to act like my mother. I go down to the weekly staff meeting and am surrounded by enemies. I go home and even my goldfish scowls at me. I anoint my head with extra strength Tylenol. My Jack Daniels runneth over. Surely misery and misfortune will follow me, and I will live in self-doubt for the rest of my lonely life. Max Lucado, Traveling Light.
Friends, there’s plenty of comfort in Psalm 23 for those who know they need a shepherd. But, until we know we need a shepherd, the opening line of Psalm 23 is just something nice that we read or recite in the hopes that it will make us feel better. May we all know that we need a shepherd, and allow the wonderful words of Psalm 23 to give us hope, strength, and life.
Pastor John
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Quote of the Week
“I have all things and abound; not because I have a good store of money in the bank not because I have skill and wit with which to win my bread but because the Lord is my Shepherd.” 
Charles Spurgeon on Psalm 23
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers"