| Author | Message | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 484 Registered: 9-2006  |
Ric_b Wrote: I think that the issue with re-baptism because of sin is related to false ideas about Christ's forgiveness being for past sins only, perfectionism, and a gospel of salvational uncertainty. God doesn't drop us like a hot potato every time we sin. Instead He gently picks us back up, brushes off the dirt, and tends to our cuts and bruises. It is this understanding of God's grace, perhaps more than anything else, that clearly showed me the inadequacy of SDA teaching. ************************************************************ This is a snippet from an interview with a Basque Shepherd I ran up on, It is by an unknown author. I ran cattle for awhile in the Green Horn mountains and I remember seeing the lonely Basque shepherds camps off in the distance. Yes Ric_b, he does care for us. May this be a blessing to you all today. Rest well in his love today my friends. ************************************************************ ìThou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.î ìThis phrase has been interpreted many times as symbolic of fullness of reward for well doing literally; however it is the statement of a daily task of a professional shepherd in the most time honored calling. At every sheepfold there is found a big earthen bowl of olive oil and a large stone jar of water. As the sheep come in for the night, they are led along the side of the wall to the gate in one end. The shepherd lays aside his woolen robe and his staff, but rests his rod across the top of the gateway just higher than the backs of the sheep. As each passes him in single file, he quickly examines it for briers in the ears, snags in the cheek or weeping of the eyes from dust or scratches. When such conditions are found, he drops the rod across the sheepís back, and it steps out of line and waits until all the sheep have been examined. ìOut of his flock of 150 ewes, the shepherd may find one or a dozen needing attention. Each sheepís laceration is carefully cleaned. Then the shepherd dips his hand into the bowl of olive oil and anoints the injury gently but thoroughly, he is never sparing of the oil. Along with the treatment the shepherds love words are poured into the sheepís ears with sympathy. Then the cup is dipped into the large jar of water, kept cool by evaporation in the unglazed pottery, and is brought out never half full, but always over flowing. The sheep will sink its nose down into the water, clear to the eyes if fevered, and drink until fully refreshed. Then is allowed to enter the sheepfold, and the next injured sheep is treated. ìWhen all the sheep are at rest, the shepherd places his rod in the corner, lays his staff on the ground, wraps himself in his heavy woolen robe, and lies down across the gateway facing the sheep for his nightly repose. ìAfter all his care and protection, can a sheep be blamed for soliloquizing in the twilight, as translated by David: ìSurely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord foreverî River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3417 Registered: 3-2004  |
That clearly describes how God takes care of us, His sheep. He is so gentle and loving and tender. He is not lax in His care of us. Thank you, River, for your years of experience with Jesus Christ. Your Adventist friends are fortunate that God provided you as a friend. We are fortunate that you found FAF to learn about adventism. Thank you God, You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5375 Registered: 12-2003  |
Thank you for sharing the "shepherd" piece, River. Colleen | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 97 Registered: 1-2006  |
River Thank you for sharing about God healing our wounds, removing briers and snags, etc. We've done the same for our dogs after they've been out exploring, but I never understood that part of Ps 23 until now. Thanks again! Bob |
