A View from the 23rd!

The next couple of Blogs will focus on one of the most quoted Psalms in the Bible, Psalm 23. David wrote this Psalm with a Shepherd's insightful passion , & he is able to very beautifully
illustrate his relationship with his Lord. David has been described as a " man after God's own heart". I hope that Ewe come to appreciate this phenomenal passage in a fresh, new way.

Aren't Ewe glad we have a real Shepherd?

"The Lord is my Shepherd" Ps.23:1a
I have an incredibly wise Shepherd that I'm choosing to follow!

I LOVE Sheep!



"I shall not want"Ps.23:1b

I firmly believe that my Shepherd is able to meet all my needs!

No kidding! I 'm CONTENT!

 "He makes me to lie down in green pastures"; Ps.23:2a 

My Shepherd knows the best places to find rest & nourishment!

Did Ewe see the color of the Grass? This grass is like ordering Boar's head!

The Shepherd said we can CHILL here for awhile!

"He leads me beside the still water."Ps.23:2b

My Shepherd leads me to real refreshment & offers me Living Water!



Don't Ewe think this is a GREAT SPOT?

"He restores my soul;" Ps.23:3a

My Shepherd is able to restore & bring peace to my innermost being!  

 

Thanks to my Shepherd, I'm well fed, & I'm well cared for!



"He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake." Ps. 23:3b
My experienced Shepherd knows the right path for me to travel on.



Follow the Yellow-Brick Road! 

Sheep enjoy being "Led" places, rather than "Driven" places. The

Shepherd who is truly called, will lead the sheep, & leave the "driving" to the cattle ranchers.

Leading involves guiding the sheep to the right places!

Follow the lead of the Good Shepherd today,as He takes Ewe places that Ewe would have never dreamed of going.


 "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake."  Ps.23:1-3

1. 

Spring Fever Sayings 4!

This will be our last look at common sayings & their roots. As I researched these phrases, I discovered that there were 122 directly derived from the Bible, just on one site! I hope Ewe have enjoyed the side trip , learning about the origins of some of these often used expressions. Stay tuned for the "Final Four"!

I just "EAT" these sayings up! GIVE ME MORE!g 

The first expression is the familiar "Apple of My Eye". This phrase can also be traced to the Bible, however, it has also been mentioned in a few other places. It first appeared in A.D. 885, in a work titled, Gregory's Pastoral Care, by King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex. Shakespeare also used the phrase in A Midsummer's Night Dream, in 1600. Moses referred to this saying while alluding to God's "Chosen" people. He wrote, "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye". Deut.32:1 The expression figuratively means,"to keep one person or thing  cherished above all others". David also used it in Ps.17:8, asking God ; "Keep me as the apple of the eye,.." Zech.2:8 also states "For thus saith the Lord of Hosts,...,he that toucheth you ,toucheth the apple of His eye". What a rich heritage this phrase has!

Ewe are the "Apple of my Eye"!

Ewe are the "Apple of my Eye"! Ewe scratch my snout & I'll scratch Ewer snout!

Our second expression of the "Final Four", is the expression "No Rest for the Wicked". (or Weary) This phrase can be traced back to the Bible in the Book of Isaiah. It states, " But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire & dirt. 'There is no peace,' says my God, 'for the wicked'. Is.57:20,21 It literally means, "the wicked shall be tormented". It also has been used to describe an overworked person & the devil, who is always plotting evil. In 1933, this phrase was used as a title in the popular cartoon, Little Orphan Annie.

Ewe must know that I'm ALWAYS on the prowl for a Good Meal!

I wouldn't throw a coconut at a human. They won't stop hunting Ewe down!

Our Third Expression is the ever popular "Going the extra mile". Jesus made this statement in the Sermon on the Mount." And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two". Mt. 5:41

The literal meaning of this saying is, to do more than the required amount. Simply, when one goes above & beyond the norm! When this was spoken, the Roman law allowed soldiers to force citizens to carry their heavy packs for one mile. If the citizen carried it an extra mile, the soldiers were in violation of the military law.

It took an above & beyond effort  to rescue this sheep! It was a real Cliffhanger!

Have we gone the extra mile yet?

The last expression of the "FINAL FOUR" is the popular,"Out of the Mouth of Babes (and Sucklings )".This saying can also be traced right to the Bible. Jesus quoted Ps.8:1,2 on Palm Sunday, after cleaning out the temple of the moneychangers. He stated, "Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes & sucklings

thou hast perfected praise?" (Mt. 21:16)  The common meaning is that pearls of wisdom can come forth from the mouths of youth & innocence. He is also capable of using even the smallest & weakest of His creatures, to proclaim His Truth!

" Have Ewe heard the saying" Out of the Mouth of Babes"?

Sheep are among the weakest & most vulnerable of all of God's creatures. They have been blessed with the honor of bearing one of the names chosen for our Savior. Jesus was referred to by John the Baptist as the "Lamb of God"!



Jesus was referred to as the "Lamb of God"!

As Ewe live life today, walk humbly in His footsteps, as Ewe see what opportunities the day will unveil. Happy Trails!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven". Mt.5:3

Spring Fever Sayings 3 !

Flowers are blooming, birds are singing , & new life is appearing. Oh, the many wonders we enjoy in Spring! The season  motivates us to buy seed, to prepare the soil, & to plant our seeds, hoping for an abundant harvest. Let's continue to dig a little further & attempt to unearth some more common sayings & their origins.

Ewe know I have lots to learn, so lay another "saying" on me!

The first expression is just a "Drop in the Bucket", in comparison to all the common sayings that we use. It means a very small piece in proportion to the whole, & can be traced back to the Bible. The prophet Isaiah spoke these words to the  people of Israel during their Babylonian captivity. He said, "Behold, the nations are as a drop in the bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales;.."Is.40:15. God was communicating through His prophet that His plan would take precedence over any nation's actions.



Did Ewe say "Drop in the Bucket"? I can't see the meaning of it!

The next saying we will examine is a proverbial question," Can a Leopard change its Spots". This phrase can also be traced back to the Bible, & particularly, to the prophet Jeremiah. " Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil." Jer.13:23. It asks the question as to whether or not any person or creature is capable of changing its innate being. Fortunately, we know that Christ alone, is the only One capable of changing the very heart of man!



What was the Question? Would Ewe please repeat it?

Did Ewe want me to "Change my Spots? (Over Ewer Dead Body!)

The last saying for today is the phrase, a "Labor of Love". This expression can also be traced back to the Bible. In the Book of Thessalonians, Paul writes," We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, & patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ..." 1Thes.1:2,3a. It is also seen in Heb.6:10 " For God is not unrighteous to forget your work & labor of love..."When something is done for the shear pleasure of benefitting a loved one, or other needy person , Ewe have performed a "Labor of Love"! 



Caring for Kids is a "Labor of Love"!

We will either "Hang together, or we will Hang separately"!

Sheep thrive when they are loved well by their Shepherd. They experience peace & contentment sitting near His feet.



Sheep are drawn to the Good Shepherd!

As Ewe go through Ewer day, ask God to direct Ewe to someone who is in need of a reminder of His love! Happy Trails!


"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, & to give His life a ransom for many." Mt. 20:28

Spring Fever Sayings 2 !

Everyday "Expressions" are fun to use, & particularly interesting to investigate their places of origin. Let's continue on our excursion into common sayings & their roots. Many of these sayings are deeply rooted in Biblical truth. Have Ewe been surprised yet?



Are Ewe Ready for more Sayings?  I'm all Ears!

The  first expression to put under the proverbial microscope is, don't cast ewer "Pearls Before Swine"! It's an expression that can clearly be traced back to the Bible. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus stated," Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, & turn & tear you to pieces". Mt.7:6 This is a powerful indictment on acting foolishly, & not using wisdom in sharing the treasure of the Gospel message. In the Jewish culture, pigs were considered "off limits" & "unclean". This only strengthens the need for using wise discernment in sharing the message of Christ today!

When casting pearls, Ewe got to ask Ewer self, Are Ewe Feeling Lucky?

I love Pearls! Don't Ewe think I look PRETTY?

Now that we, pardon the pun, "Pigged-Out" on the first Expression, it's time to meander onto our next saying, which is the proverbial "Fly in the Ointment". This expression can also be traced back to the Bible. Solomon wrote it in the third century B.C. in the Book of Ecclesiastes. It states, " Dead flies putrefy the perfumer's ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom & honor". Eccl.10:1 (NKJV) The meaning of this expression is that it only takes a little flaw to spoil something of greater value. Whether a reputation, home-cooked meal, or a big project, that nasty "fly in the ointment" will ruin it! It's time to take out the Fly Zapper!

Did Ewe know that "Fly-time" makes me want to GAG!

BOT Nasal flies are the "Fly in my ointment"!

Our last expression for today is the popular "I'm at my Wits End"! The common meaning of the saying is that Ewe are very frustrated  & have reached Ewer limit. Susanna Wesley would sit on a chair & pull an apron over her head when she reached her "Wit's End", raising her 19 children. This phrase can be traced back to the Bible as well. "They reel to & fro, & stagger like a drunken man, And are at their wits' end." Ps. 107:27 It depicts a sailor being tossed about by an angry sea, with nothing else to do but look up!

I'm at my Wit's End! These flies are driving me CRAZY!

I'm at "Wit's End", I can't do anything with my Hair!

Sheep are faced with various challenges on a daily basis. Food, shelter, water, & safety from predators & flies are just a few of the  daily needs the Shepherd must meet. Ewe can see why being a Shepherd is a calling that requires passion & a deep love of sheep. 

Ewe know it's all about TRUST!

The Good Shepherd Loves the Sheep!

The Good Shepherd loves Ewe more than Ewe can fathom! Walk in His Love today, at peace with Him & with others. Happy Trails to Ewe!

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own". John 11:14

Spring Fever Sayings!

I thought that for today's Blog, we could venture off into a little different excursion than normal. I'd like to explore some common "sayings" in our society & where they originated from. Ewe might be surprised, as I was, as Ewe discover "Truth Versus Fiction".



Inquiring minds want to know!(Where did the "sayings" come from)

Did Ewe say, " AS Old as the Hills" ?

Since I retired in June, 2012, I've been more susceptible to our first saying.The first saying, Ewe are as "Old as the Hills", is a common expression that is traceable to the Bible. "Old as the Hills" can be traced back to the Book of Job, where one of Job's friends, Eliphaz, asked Job a question in the midst of his suffering. In Job 15:7, he asks," Art thou the first man that was born? Or wast thou made before the hills?" Eliphaz was attempting to convince Job that God's purposes are sometimes bigger than our own understanding!

I'm so old it's making my horns curl!

I'm so old that I remember when Moses was a Private in the Egyptian army!

 Another common expression we use & hear often, is the saying, "The Blind leading the Blind". Ewe can trace this phrase back to the Bible. It was used by Jesus to describe the Pharisees who were the religious leaders. He stated," Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch." Matthew 15:14. Jesus conveyed that Ewe can't lead a person to truth, if Ewe don't understand the truth ewer-self! Ewe will both wind up in a ditch, & there are better ways to be "Hole"y! 

The Blind leading the Blind!

 The last expression that we'll examine today is the saying about a  "Wolf in Sheep's clothing". This metaphor can be traced to the Bible in the Book of Matthew. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount,
taught people the importance of choosing the narrow gate, because the road to destruction was so broad & wide. He warned them to beware of the messengers who were bringing them the truth. He said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves". He also added that Ewe can "know them by their fruits". This saying also has roots in Aesop's Fables. Aesop told a fable about a wolf that used a sheep's fleece he found, to get closer to his prey.This was a "Baa-D" move for the prey.



I am a wolf in Wolf's Clothing!

I'm waiting to meet someone for LUNCH!

I don't think they recognize me! I'll try not to Drool!

 Sheep are commonly seen in the Bible as symbols of needy creatures, that need to depend upon a Shepherd. It's a beautiful picture of God caring for His people.

I Depend on my SHEPHERD!

 As Ewe travel throughout Ewer day, it's comforting to know that the Good Shepherd is traveling with Ewe, every step of the way.!


 "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want". Ps.23:1

Spring is in the Air!

Springtime is a wonderful time of year. Life is bursting forth all around us! Rays of much needed sunshine warm our sun-starved bodies, as we look forward to "Old-man Winter" leaving us for another year. Hope & optimism are in the air, as we anticipate what God is going to do in this new "season" of our lives! For Icelandic ewes, Spring is a time for giving birth to lambs, multiple lambs !  

Icelandic Sheep are TOUGH CUSTOMERS!

Icelandic sheep are one of the world's purest & oldest breeds of sheep.Through a history that includes the Vikings & spans 1100 years, they have a stellar reputation for benefitting sheepherders in three ways. First, they're valued for their meat. Second, they're
treasured  for their wool. Finally, they're esteemed for their milk. Sounds like a winner! 

Did Ewe know that I have genes that Shepherds admire?

Icelandic sheep are a mid-sized breed, ewes weighing on average 130-160 lbs. & rams averaging about 180-220 lbs.,& sporting a short, fluke-shaped tail. Icelandic sheep are generally stocky & short-legged. Their fleece has a double coat, usually ranging in colors from black, brown, grey, or white. Their faces & legs are bare, or without wool.

"Bare-faced & Pregnant" is my normal condition in the Spring!

Lambing & Springtime are perfect together!

Ewes are able to lamb multiple births quite successfully, due to a gene they carry called the Thoka gene. The Thoka gene,  present in Icelandic sheep, is known to cause a higher rate of triplets. If a ewe has 2 Thoka genes, then there is an increased chance of lambing quads, quintuplets, & even sextuplets! The Thoka  gene was named for the first ewe it was discovered in. Lambs mature early & begin lambing at 11-12 months.They continue lambing for about 10 yrs.! Obviously, during Spring, Icelandic sheep are very productive.



I feel like the "Old Woman in the Shoe"!

I just want to be a Sheep ,Baa, Baa!

Ewe need to know that I watch my KIDS!

Icelandic sheep make excellent mothers. They are instinctively
doting & caring mothers. They are quick to claim their 5-7 pound bundle of joy, cleaning it, bonding with it, & carefully watching it's every move. Icelandic ewes are definitely prime candidates for a "Mother of the Year" award!

Is it time for dinner? Ewe know we are really hungry!

Giving multiple births is not easy! Ewe have to be "Strong like Bull."

Sheep are  literally "full of life" in the Spring of the year. Lambing is an exciting, yet busy time for the Shepherd. He or she needs to always be on call to assist the mother ewes, as they deliver new life into the world! It's an exciting reward they always enjoy receiving.


No Kidding, Life is GOOD!

As Ewe enjoy the change of seasons, thank Ewer Shepherd for His "Watchful Eye" over Ewe. Give thanks today for such an attentive Shepherd, who daily cares about even the smallest details of Ewer lives!

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die;" Eccl 3:1,2.