Thursday, March 22, 2012

Green Pastures

Psalm 23
A Davidic psalm.

1 The LORD is my shepherd;
there is nothing I lack.




2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.



3 He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths
for His name’s sake. 



4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for You are with me;




Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me.




5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;



You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.



6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
as long as I live.





Yesterday I said no to a good thing in order to say yes to a bit of silence and solitude with the Lord and my journal. The quiet park and library (no cell phones allowed) blessed me. If you are not able to take a time-out today, I pray the truths of the Shepherd Psalm and this glimpse of our green spring would settle into your heart and give you peace. May the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and give you strength.


sharing with Laura's community

11 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos to accompany the psalm. I guess I'll never read or hear Psalm 23, again, without thinking of my friend Bob.

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  2. I remember your post about him. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thank you.

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  3. Seeing your pictures, hearing the words, I'm wondering if I can arrange to have a time-out tomorrow. The past few days I've felt ragged, rushing to get things done. But I'd love to intentionally set them all aside and just spend time in peace with the Lord. Thanks, Christina! Always inspiring...

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  4. That's how I felt yesterday. Just taking a couple of hours of quiet without agenda helped more than I expected it would. May you find a way to take that rest, and if the Lord says no for now, may you find peace in knowing Him who is rest as you obey what He gives you.

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  5. Excellent advice. Either way--in the quiet or in work, I can find Rest; He is it.

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  6. Lovely. And today Husband and I took time out to picnic up the hill in "green pastures" and to walk "beside the still waters" of the pond. Right after that I came upon this post, and thought, I could have written that! So glad you did, accompanied by your beautiful photos. How good it is to let Him restore our souls!

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  7. This is so very beautiful!!! Green is right! Wow! It's so lush! Thank you for sharing it with us. I'm thankful you had such a lovely time with Him. :)

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  8. So, so beautiful! You said yes to the best: focused time with God and His creation. That bridge tree amazes me. I'm not sure anything comforts me like the 23rd Psalm. Wonderful to read it here alongside your photos. Now, to a blessed weekend. Glad I started it here:)

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  9. So glad you said "Yes" to time with our loving Shepherd...lovely photos & one of my favorite psalms...Thank you for sharing :)

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  10. This does settle my heart and brings peace. So, so lovely. I like imagining you there...amidst all this new life.

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  11. Lovely photos, Friend! Such a breath of sweet spring air as the new season still fights to fully birth here in my corner of the world. That first photo is my favorite--something about the positioning of the sun and the shadow of the tree lends a beautiful, hope-filled movement to the vista. Very thankful you were able to take a much needed rest and take in His Beauty. May you continue to find these moments no matter how busy the schedule in the days ahead.

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Thank you for sharing your day with me! Your presence here is a gift. *You* are a gift. Right now I am unable to reply to every comment, but please know I read and pray for each and every commenter. Grace and peace to you in Christ.