The Lord Is My Shepherd: A Photo Essay

The 23rd Psalm is more about living than dying.

Though it's probably the most quoted Scripture at funerals, shouldn't this Psalm of David be our guidepost for how we live our lives daily? It's a psalm many of us learned as children. Has it become something we say by rote or is it something we can take to heart and live each and every day?

It's only around 118 words, depending upon the translation. For me, it paints a word picture of PEACE, our Lovely Branches theme this month. It's full of imagery that gives me comfort: The Lord will take care of me. He'll give me rest when I need it. He'll lead me along the paths I should take. He gives me everything I need for daily living. Even when I face hard times, He's there beside me. And best of all, this relationship isn't just temporary: It's forever.

Psalm 23 shows us a caring shepherd, secure sheep, and a tranquil scene of quiet meadows and still waters. But it is Jesus who gives us peace, not the green grass or the flowing stream or the abundant table.

I love seeing our Creator God all around me as I go throughout my day. He's in the sunrises and the sunsets. He's in the touch of a loved one's hand. He's in the phone call from a friend. He's in the cool breeze as I walk. He's in a table filled with food and a house that shelters me. He's in the big moments ... and in the small little blessings, too. I just need to keep my eyes - and my heart - open to Him.

As you look through the images, I hope you'll listen to the words and melody of Christian artist Laura Story's Perfect Peace (Just click on the underlined song title to listen. )

Wishing you the peace that you find only in the Good Shepherd.

Psalm 23: A Psalm of David

¹ The LORD is my shepherd;

I shall not want.


² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;


He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;


He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.


⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;


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 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.

***

It may be a stretch to translate PEACE to PIECE.

But for the food part of Food for Thought this month, try a PIECE of homemade Banana Bread. (Click on the underlined title to go to the recipe.) It's a recipe from a cookbook compiled by the ladies of my childhood church, which just closed its doors in June.

Or make this easy Texas Sheet Cake. It makes a big cake, so you'll be able to share a PIECE with friends and family!

The recipe is similar to the chocolate sheet cake recipe everyone seems to have. It was one of the cakes we served this summer at a church baby shower.

My daughter made it for a very special announcement for our family this summer. Click here to read about the Best Cake EVER!