Spilled Milk

It was December 27 in the aftermath of our Christmas festivities.  My mom and my sister were on their way to our home in Pennsylvania from their abode in Virginia to celebrate some more.  My husband, Eric, was with our oldest son at the DMV waiting in line to take the the driver's test.  The three younger kids were in the living room playing video games when I asked if they would like some goat's milk hot cocoa.  We had brought home our first freshened does in May, and they were now bred, and the first one dried off.  Our milk supply was getting low since we were only milking one dwarf goat at the time, but it seemed like a good idea to make hot cocoa anyway.  I may have been mistaken. 

I emptied the current pitcher into the hot chocolate maker and proceeded to wash it and fill it from the next waiting jar.  Usually I just wash whatever is stuck on the sides down the drain, but I have been watching how Eric is careful to scape the jar into the pitcher and decided that I should be too.  I reached for a spatula, and as I tipped the jar up the pitcher full of milk slipped and fell over.  As the creamy white liquid ran down the counter and onto the floor while seeping into the drawers, the pitcher rolled to the floor as well.  I stood watching in bewilderment as the puddle of milk made its way to the gap under the oven.  My children came to the kitchen to see what the commotion was all about. 

There was really nothing that could be done except for cleaning up the mess.  Austin and Heather tried to pitch in and did a few errands for me, but for the most part I just worked at it til it was done.  No one was hurt.  No glass was broken.  Nothing was really ruined except the milk which we had worked several days for.  I was rather upset with myself for my clumsiness, but what could I do besides learn from my mistake and try to be more careful in the future.  It was only spilled milk after all.  

While I was cleaning up the mess I heard my daughter complain excessively about something her brother was doing in the game they were playing.  I admit that I laid into her and told her to suck it up.  Her problem seemed so small compared to mine.  I also reminded her though that my problem was so much smaller than the one someone else we know is facing.  She is in the hospital suffering from physical injuries, and the loss of a loved one. They were recently in an automobile accident.  Really, there are so many people in this world who are suffering physically and emotionally that I feel ashamed for letting something as small as spilled milk get to me.  

Come March, Lord willing, there will be adorable goat kids to play with and three mommas giving all the milk we need for many months.  In the mean time we will have to supplement with milk from the grocery store a little sooner than we expected.  That will make Heather happy, though she did feel bad for me about the incident in the kitchen, she really hasn't gotten used to goats milk yet.  I will also hold off on drying up the other goat until we need to. It will only be another week or two then she will need to rest for two months while her babies grow to full term.  Some days just aren't the best, but when we put things into perspective they're a lot better than they seem.  

My mom and my sister weren't having their best day either.  They got stuck in some really slow traffic, but that's a story for them to tell.  

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Are You Being Served?

A few weeks ago I wrote a post about learning to be content that God is pleased with me even when I am being criticized by other people.  I am trying to learn not to beat myself up because others are disappointed with me or simply think I am not good enough.  On my own I am not good enough, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).  The realization that the very thing I do to please one person might simultaneously irritate, annoy or anger someone else reminded me that I should be striving to please God and not men (Galatians 1:10). The seemingly ironic thing is that to please God I must serve my fellow man (John 13:14-15).  This seems to put me in a quandary, but I know that there is a balance that I must strive for.  I always must put God first and serve others, but knowing that I can't always please others I must be content to serve them and receive criticism for it sometimes.  

In this world that says, "do what you want to do," "do what feels good," and "do what makes you happy;" I must stand apart and do what pleases the Lord, for that is where true joy is found.  Hopefully it will often mean meeting a real need and being appreciated, but it doesn't always work that way.  Sometimes it will mean giving someone what they need instead of what they want, as the Lord often does with me.  Sometimes it will mean speaking the truth in love.  Often it will mean setting aside what one person wants to meet the needs of another, but it is still putting God first and serving others.  

I recently had this principle of receiving joy by serving others brought to life in a very simple way.  I was addressing Christmas Cards to friends and family and as I got to the end of my list (not alphabetically) I became discouraged.  I started thinking crazy things like, "I never hear from this person, why should I send them a greeting?"  How ridiculous!  Somehow I had let the process of sending out cards become about me instead of the people who I was wishing a Merry Christmas.  I asked Eric if I should send cards to this person or that person, and his response was, "Well, you have the stamps."  He left the room and I began to think about my attitude and realign my perspective.  I started thinking about how it may bless the people to know that someone was thinking of them.  True, they may not like the particular card or even appreciate the thought, but that is not for me to worry about.  As I wrote out the remaining greetings as an expression of love to others, wishing for nothing in return, I was filled with joy once more.  I had grown weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9), but it was such a blessing to receive that second wind and reenforcing life lesson.  Serving is for the other person.  Yes, the server receives a blessing of joy, but if their motives become corrupted it robs them of that joy.  

So the lesson continues.  On the journey through this world God is working to transform me into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29)(2Corinthians 3:18).  It's a process, but someday it will be complete (Philippians 1:6) (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).  The longer I struggle against my human nature, which wants it's own way, the more I long for that day.  Until it arrives I will thank my God that His grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:19) when I stumble along this road.  Praise the Lord!  Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His love endures forever! (Psalm 106:1)

So you can answer the title question this time if you want to, or you can share your own story of one of your own life lessons.  :)

2013 Greetings From The Huyett Family

Dear Friends and Family,

It's been quite a year of change here. As the year began so did our discussions about farm animals. It wasn't long before we were visiting farms. In March we got some chicks and by Easter we had brought home our male Nigerian dwarf goats. On Memorial day we went to pick up the rest of our goats, two of which were freshened does, and we also had our first and only milking lesson. The rest we had to learn through experience and research. This fall the does were bred, and we are expecting our first kids in March. So continues our hands on educational experience.

Another thing we began to seriously consider as the year dawned was alternate employment opportunities. Eric compiled his resume and sent it to Penn State. It took most of the year, but the Lord's timing is perfect, and in November he received the offer we had been waiting for. He is scheduled to begin his new job on January 6 after 17 ½ years at Raytheon.

In July, Eric went on another business trip to Denver. I had the opportunity to go spend some time with him while he was there. This was a new experience. It was nice to see where he has been going for the past eight years. The kids did a wonderful job of caring for the animals while we were away, and Eric's mom, June, and Aunt Peg were very kind to come and stay with them driving them to their activities and helping them stay on task. Eric was able to take the weekend off while I was visiting, and we had a wonderful time in Rocky Mountain National Park, and at Pikes Peak. You can view pictures from our trip at:

http://whathasbeenmade.blogspot.com/2013/07/colorado.html

In addition to all the new happenings we continue to stay involved with Church, Small Group, Child Evangelism Fellowship, Soccer, Band and Drama. The three older kids also did track in the spring, and they went to Disney with the marching band. Darren had the opportunity to take some horse back riding lessons, which he loved. Eric still plays volleyball on Sunday evenings, and I still enjoy participating with the worship team. It's such a blessing to have three of the kids by my side in that ministry now. Cody has been training Heather to operate the sound board, and Austin plays keys occasionally.

One of the best things I have done this year is to keep a journal. I have been able to realize so many answers to prayer that may otherwise have gone unnoticed. Thanks be to God for all he has done and Praise to Him for He is worthy!

We hope that your family has realized many blessings this year as well, and we wish you many more in 2014.

~With love from the Huyett Family.

Are You Pleased?

I walked away from a conversation at the beginning of the week feeling like a loser.  Why did I feel like a loser?  The person had made one remark that felt like a put down, and I came to the conclusion that I was not pleasing them.  I struggled hard as the accuser (Revelation 12:9-10) used this conversation to bombard me with all the reasons I should give up, quit, walk away from what I was trying to do. It's ironic that one of my thoughts shortly after the conversation was, "oh well, everyone's a critic."  I know I can't please everyone.  If I try to please one person, the very thing I do to satisfy their wishes will offend or disappoint someone else.  Regardless of what I know, I let myself be taken down that dark and bumpy road. 

I started to pray about it.  What else could I do.  I was a mess.  I was discouraged and depressed, and I had no ability to change this persons view of me.  But praise be to God, when I asked for his help he reminded me that I don't have to please people. I knew this, but when God tells me something it means more than my knowledge.  He is truth.  What He says is.  The verse that I was lead to was Galatians 1:10  "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."  

As long as I am obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit who is always consistent with the written word,  I don't have to worry what anyone else thinks of me.  There are people who don't like me, the things I do, or sometimes just the way I do them.  I may feel sad sometimes, but I can have peace and joy knowing that God is pleased.  He's made me his child.  (John 1:12) I am an heir with Christ!  (Romans 8:17)  He helps me to do what is right, though sometimes I try to go it alone and I fail.  I am sinful and flawed, (Romans 3:23) but Christ has paid the debt for my sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), and the Holy Spirit is working in me to make me more like Christ as I walk with him (Romans 12:2).  I am under construction, and I won't be perfect until God calls me home (Philippians 1:6), then I will be a completely finished masterpiece. (1 Corinthians 15:51) 

My actions fall short of pleasing God, but He is pleased with me because he sees the righteousness of His Son.  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  As I strive in this world to be a pleasing aroma, let it be for God alone. (2 Corinthians 2:15)  I will be considerate of people to the best of my ability, but I will have to let go of trying to please them. (Romans 12:18) I will serve them as Christ taught me to, but if they reject me I am not responsible for that decision. (John 13:14) (John 15:18)  (Luke 10:16) I will live my life for Jesus who gave His life for me, and I will strive to please God and not man.  

So, don't answer the question in the title.  It really doesn't matter as long as God is pleased.  :)

Of Camels and Needles and Such

Have you ever heard the testimony of someone who turned to Christ and was delivered from a life of addiction or crime?  Do you know anyone who thinks that they are a good person and deserve to go to heaven?  There are times when I think some unbelievers who are obviously "bad" may have a spiritual advantage over others who have always been relatively "good."  That sounds outrageous, but let me explain.  No one deserves to go to heaven.  We all need a savior.  None of us is really good, but for some folks it is easier to see their need than others.  Jesus said, "Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."  (Mathew 19:24 NIV)  The rich man depends on his wealth and therefore overlooks his need for Jesus, and sometimes the "good" man does the same.  Anyone who depends on their own goodness to save them will be disappointed though.  Isaiah 64:6 says, "but we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade like the leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."  No one is an exception to this save Jesus who in His perfection was able to substitute himself for us as the Bible tells us.  "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed."  (Isaiah 53:5)   The problem is that many people refuse to admit the guilt that they should be punished for, and will be punished for if they do not accept his gift of forgiveness.  "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them."  (John 3:36)  People who can plainly see the sin in their lives can repent, unlike those who think their offenses are inconsequential.  Telling a lie or spreading gossip is just as much of a sin as murder or robbery.  Sometimes we sin without even knowing it.  On our own we are held accountable for it all.  That is why I am so thankful Jesus came to save me.  In the sermon on the mount Jesus tells us that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause is in danger of judgement, and that looking at someone lustfully is adultery of the heart. (Matthew 5) No one is without sin, but there is a sinless Savior waiting to remove the guilt of those who are willing to admit their wrong and trust in Him.  Thank you, Jesus!

Martha, Martha

Today I read through the past two months of my journal so I could jot down the prayers that have been answered.  So many times I pray about things while I am worried and barely even notice after the prayer is answered.  I want to have an attitude of gratitude, so I started this practice at the beginning of the year.  It is sometimes amazing when I look back just two months and see what my prayers and concerns had been.  Sometimes I see that God worked things out the way I had asked Him to.  At other times I see that He had a much better plan.  Sometimes I am still waiting for an answer two months later, but I know that God's timing is perfect. As I turned in my little notebook to the page marked July 2, 2013, I was blessed by what I read there...

 ________________________________________

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things."  Oh how soothing those words seem to me this morning.  Jesus wasn't speaking them with judgement or condemnation, but with compassion and understanding.  Mary had chosen not to be upset or worried.  She sat at the Lord's feet, enjoying His presence.  Martha hustled and bustled around trying to "serve" Him.  Martha didn't think that it was fair that Mary could just sit there like that, unconcerned about anything else.  

When my heart becomes overwhelmed with all there is to do, or with decisions that must be made, I want to remember the kindness in the way my Savior responded to Martha.  "Juanita, Juanita, you are worried and upset about many things."  Often when I become frustrated with a person, as Martha was frustrated with Mary, it's the same way.  It may not be as much about that person and what they are doing or not doing, but more about the "many things" that I need to let go of so that I can rest comfortably at my Savior's feet.  

Lord, give me peace and rest today that continues through my life.  Amen

_________________________________________

The passage of scripture that inspired this reflection is Luke 10:38-42

OMP

On Labor Day our family was out geocaching with our friend Tom who is visiting from Wyoming.  We had been to the parks at Benner Township and Bernel Road, taken a walk along Blue Course Drive, eaten lunch at Dairy Queen, and stopped various places along Martin Street.  Our quest to find hidden "treasures" had finally taken us to Circleville.  As we finished up our day of walks and searches I heard my daughter burst out with a frustrated, "OMP."  One of her brothers had asked her to do something he easily could have done himself, and she complied with a measure of annoyance.  We all looked at her a bit perplexed because none of us knew what OMP was supposed to mean, and then she spelled it out for us, "Oh My Pumpkins!" 

Part of me wanted to laugh, and part of me wanted to scold her.  I was about to tell her she couldn't cover up the meaning of what she was saying by changing the word to pumpkins, but before I did I mentally flipped the proverbial coin and looked at the other side.  Maybe she really is just say the word pumpkin in vain.  What if she were to say this among her peers at school?  Would they react the same way we did?  Her brothers just sort of rolled their eyes, and maybe even laughed at her silliness, but would someone who doesn't know her so well wonder why she would change the phrase?  I know why!  She respects God and doesn't want to use His title flippantly.  I say title because the One True God who created everything has many names that express His attributes.  Many people worship gods that are not real.  They are not divine, in fact many of them are not even alive.  Could OMP be Heather's way of saying, "I am frustrated, but I respect God?"  

I didn't actually say anything to her about it, but pondered the thought for a while.  In a culture where there is very little respect for anything, might this be one of the subtle ways that Heather stands out from the crowd?  Could it cause her friends to ask her questions and open the door to conversations about her faith that she would not otherwise have?  Is there anything wrong with exclaiming pumpkins? I'm not sure I know, but I think that I am often inclined to take things a little too seriously.  My prayer is that Heather will stand out as a light in the darkness, as one who knows the true and living God, and as someone who is eager to lead her friends to Him.  I can see that this is the desire of her heart, and so I am glad that I took a look at the other side of the coin before casting a judgement.  Heather, you are one special girl! 

Exodus 20:7  “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Late In August

The sky above is blue.  

The clouds are floating softly.  

They are big white puffs of cotton on this calm and peaceful day. 

The breeze brushes against my arm.  

Strands of hair tease my face.  

A little bug lands on my leg and I flick him away.  

The sun is shining brightly, 

but I am sitting in the shade from a great cluster of trees.  

They are standing proudly.  

Their leaves are green in this summer scene,
but very soon they will be changing.  

Shades of flaming orange and fiery red
will creep up the mountain behind me.  

Golden streaks will stir themselves into the mix.  

The air that is now moist and heavy
will soon be crisp and clear.  

Those birds that are gliding overhead
will fly south to their winter home.  

The bugs will go to sleep, 

and I will hide my legs from the chill.  

The friendly breeze will become harsh and cold.  

The wood piles that we have split and stacked
will soon be in demand. 

Steaming hot milk flavored with rich dark chocolate
will once again be my faithful companion. 

 How the world changes!  

...and yet, it stays the same.  

From year to year the days shorten and lengthen
as constant as the tide, 

and there is peace and contentment in knowing that
trees will bud again and the sun will warm the earth once more. 

Jesus taught about signs of the changing seasons...

^{Matthew 24:32} “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. ³³ In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. ³⁴ I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. ³⁵ Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

You have to read the whole chapter to know what "these things" are.

Lilies Of The Field

Matthew 6:28-31 "And why are you worried about clothing?  Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more cloth you?  You of little faith!  Do not worry then..."

Having clothing to wear is not something I have ever had to worry about.  It is not something my children have had to worry about either.  Having the right clothing to wear; that's a different story.  It would sound ridiculous to a person who really doesn't have a garment to protect them from the elements.  Recently though, two separate occasions arose in which an appropriate article was called for, and we did not have it.  

The first was when our Drama Club went to the awards ceremony known as the Issac's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.  It is a formal occasion, and girls wear gowns to it.  Heather didn't have a gown that fit her, and none of mine worked for her either.  I went to The Faith Center, a local thrift store, in search of an appropriate gown that was affordable for this one time use.  Donna, the owner of the store is an officer in the Drama Booster Club for our school, and her son was attending the event as well.  In fact, her son had been individually nominated for one of the awards.  It was half an hour to closing time when we arrived, and all of the gowns had been put in storage since prom was over.  When we told her what our errand was, Donna was excited to try and help and showed us where we could find them. We looked, but nothing seemed to work for Heather, either being the wrong size or cut too low.  Just as the store was about to close Donna remembered a gown that was set aside in her office.  We were first amazed that it was Heather's favorite color, and then found that it was here size too.  It couldn't have been more perfect! Donna was the first to give glory to God for having the dress ready and waiting, and she let us borrow it for the event.  I had waited until Wednesday to go looking, and the event was on Sunday.  Praise be to God for providing!

The second occasion hasn't actually happened yet, but today God provided what we need for it.  After Youth Group on Sunday the kids told us that Austin was going to need white pants for the Drama that the teens are doing for Reservation Sunday coming up this weekend.  When I looked at Wal-Mart and Target today I found nothing.  I headed to Khol's and found a pair, but they were on sale for $40.  I had to take Heather to the doctor at the end of the school day, so we swung around by Ollie's after the appointment.  "Good Stuff Cheap!" is their motto.  The first thing I found was a $70 pair of pants marked down to $12, but they were not pure white.  I wandered around for a few minutes and soon saw shelves with white pants stacked on them.  When I checked the price tags they were only $3.99, and I quickly found Austin's size.  Heather had been out in the car praying about it, and I had been asking for help too.  I am really looking forward to seeing the Youth presentation on Sunday, and pray that it draws people to the Savior! 

Thank you Lord that you provide.  Not only did You provide a dress, but it was just the style and color Heather wanted.  Not only did you provide the pants for the drama, but you led me to an inexpensive pair while we were already near the store.  These experiences bring new life to the verses in Matthew 6 for me.  You are teaching me all the time just how much You care about the small things as well as the large.  "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more cloth you?"

Update:  The presentation that the white pants were needed for went very well!

Do Motives Matter?

When my second son was about eight months old I volunteered as a helper in the Bible Story Room for VBS.  The woman who had volunteered to teach was significantly more than twice my age and was brand new to the church. I guess we all figured she had experience, but no one really knew her. We quickly found out that she wasn't interested in teaching the Bible to children; she had an agenda of her own.  She aspired to write and perform country songs, and her purpose for being there seemed to be to have a captive audience.  At about twenty-four years of age I worked to steer the class time back to the Bible Story and give the kids something they could apply to their lives.  I wasn't prepared to teach the lesson since I was only helping, but I tried to point the kids to the truth.  The woman I was working with could have sought to use music to bring glory to God, but instead she used the class for her own purpose.  I'm not sure that I ever saw her at church again after that week.  

Paul wrote in Philippians 1, "It is true that some preach Christ out of rivalry and envy, but others out of good will.  The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here (in prison)  for the defense of the gospel.  The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.  But what does it matter?  The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.  And because of this I rejoice."

The lady in my story wasn't really preaching the gospel at all, but she certainly is a case of misguided intentions.  Her objective might have kept the kids from hearing God's word, but He had other plans that would not allow that to happen.  I am not suggesting that she intentionally attempted to prevent God's word from being taught, just that teaching it was not her purpose. Perhaps she heard something that would later change her life.  I'll probably never know.  So do motives matter?  Whether the issue is teaching, feeding the hungry or healing the sick, I think Paul's message applies to the outcome for the recipients:  they are taught, fed and healed.  For the individual with a selfish agenda, they will end up frustrated unless the Holy Spirit  changes their hearts.  I think it is important to examine ourselves often for false motives, and when we see that we have been doing something for the wrong reason, ask God to change our perspective.  

My oldest son questioned his reason for singing in the church choir, and decided that it was best for him to give that up.  He mostly stays in the back helping out with sound and projection, but also plays bass on the youth worship team.  A little over a year ago I had to step away from the worship team for a couple of months because I needed to reevaluate my objective in that ministry.  Thankfully, the Lord used the time to teach me so that I could return with a new perspective.  I recently had a disagreement with a friend who I thought was pushing their own agenda, but then I had to step back and consider what my "spin" was.  I'm still not sure how that will all turn out, but I am looking at things from different angles now and trying to make sure that I really have the good of everyone in mind as I was first convinced that I did.  Life is full of learning and growing, and for me, evaluating why I do what I do. 

Where I Stand

Sometimes I just don't know which way to turn, and then I remember that I need to keep looking out ahead.  It feels like being on a tight rope.  Something urges me to the left then I sway to the right trying not to fall.  One one side there's the pitfall of "I must achieve perfection," and on the other side is the abyss of "anything goes."  Let me explain...

There are those who think they have to do everything just right to get to Heaven, but God says, "all have sinned and fall short..." (Romans 3:23)  No one can live perfectly and earn their way to Heaven.  The only way is through the sacrifice of Jesus.  "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."  (John 3:16)  You can't earn it.  You can't work for it.  It's a gift.  "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast."  (Ephesians 2:8-9)  None of us can walk around with our snoot up in the air and say we are accepted by God because we are good.  We are not good.  He is good.  That is why He sent his Son to save us from ourselves: so that He could take our sin away and we could be accepted.  I know this, but  don't always act like it.

On the other side of the rope are those who think their sin should be accepted as a part of them.  They should be allowed to think, say or do whatever they want, and no one should be able to tell them it is wrong, not even God, but God says "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (taken from Isaiah 55:8-9)  He says, "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and He means it.  He provides forgiveness of sin, not acceptance of sin.  He gave His own Son to bear our sin so that we could be set free from it, not to allow us to live in it. "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."  (2 Corinthians 5:21)   If we are living for Christ, we struggle against sin, we don't let it have it's way in us.  

Do you hang out in one of these camps? Maybe you know the truth but you lean toward one like I do? One is no better than the other, they are both completely wrong.  I'd say my bent is toward trying to do everything just right in order to be accepted.  "The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."  Do you have the courage to search God's word for the truth?  Are you willing to admit that the Bible has authority over what is right and wrong, and face any changes that you need to make in the way you think and the way you live?  It takes courage!  I know, because I have had to make some significant changes when confronted with God's truth, and He's not finished with me yet.

To a person who is not ready to accept the sacrifice Jesus made for them this is all foolishness, but I hope to those who have trusted Him it is making sense.  If you are leaning to the right, and think you need to be perfect, remember that God's grace covers you and He has set you free from sin. If you are falling to the left fight hard against temptation because though you are free from sin, you are not free to sin.  As I wobble back and forth on this narrow road I remember Hebrews 12:1-2, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us lay aside every weight that slows us down , and the sin  which so easily hinders our progress, and let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish.  He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy He knew would be His afterward.  Now He is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in Heaven." 

I am not claiming to be getting this all right myself.  I know that I teeter and sway.  My eyes stray from the cross, and I think I need to get everything just right on my own.  I am quickly reminded that I can't do that when I struggle with temptation and when I fail, but I am saved by grace.  Praise be to God!!!  

1 Peter 3-7, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade.This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  In all this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.  These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Pea Soup

Fog!  It was all around me, and it seemed to come out of no where.  I had been basking in the sunshine just moments before, and then there were clouds; clouds that were so thick I could not tell where the sun was.  The path that had seemed so clearly laid in front of me in an instant had vanished.  I felt alone.  I felt abandoned.  I felt cold, and the fog lingered on.  

For months I trudged through the clouds of doubt and depression.   Feelings of worthlessness overwhelmed me.  That's what they were though, only feelings.  One of the lessons God taught me during that time is that feelings are often not trustworthy.  Feelings are often false.  God's Word is trustworthy because it is guaranteed to be true.   If our feelings contradict what the Bible says, then they are leading us astray.

It was a time of great caution.  When you can't see where you are going, it is hard to move forward with confidence.  I had to trust God to lead me through the obstacles that seemed  to keep popping up in front of me.  Another lesson He was teaching me is that no one has the power to stop me from doing what He called me to do.  I felt the opposition and I was taking it personally, but I had to realize that though God was allowing the resistance to my progress, He was not the initiator of it.  He was going to bring me through and use me for His purpose.  Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.  This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me."  He was also leading me to rediscover my true identity.  I am his child.  I am not what I do or participate in.  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  Ephesians 2:10.  I am God's workmanship, good works are something I do, but they don't change who I am in Christ.

The really tough thing for me, and the aspect that caused so much confusion, was that it felt like a few of my brothers and sisters in Christ were against me.  This was probably a deception from the enemy.  Sometimes though, we do start vying for our own agenda and forget that we need to let God decide who does what in his kingdom.  We form teams and committees and make decisions, but if we don't ask Him to guide us, we could be setting up road blocks for others that He wants to use in His service.  That makes it tough for the person who is struggling against the obstruction, but it's doesn't cause any problems for God.   "The one who calls you is faithful, and He will do it"  1 Thessalonians 5:24.  To me this is an encouragement that nothing can stop God's plan including my weakness, as well as a warning not to stand in the way of others God is working through.

I really believe that the enemy was trying to prevent what God is doing in my life. Whether he was actually using people to do it, or was just using a misconception to discourage me, I may never know.  I do know, however, that I felt hindered.  I felt like others were pushing their own agenda and blocking me from effectively participating in a ministry I was called to.  I felt betrayed, and I struggled with jealousy and resentment.  That is where I first stumbled into the fog.  I begged and pleaded with the Lord to remove the negative feelings, but He led me out slowly instead, and right back to the path that I had not been able to see for so long.  I don't think He ever let my feet leave the path, He only allowed my vision to be obscured for a while. 

God has cleared away the clouds and I can feel the sunshine once again.  Sure, some days it rains, but the constant fog has lifted.  I am so thankful for the brightness and warmth, but I am learning to be grateful for the struggle I faced in ways that I never thought I could be.  It was a time that I thought I would rather forget, because if I looked back on it it would I would be filled with sadness once again, but the storm looks different after it's passed.  God used a difficult time in my life to teach me; He does that with every trial.  He brought me through the darkness, and he will lead me on.  No fog is too thick for Him to see through.  This is something I must remember the next time a haze dims my view.


A special thanks to Don Colburn for impressing upon me 1 Thessalonians 5:24 several years ago when I was suffering with "I can't do anything right syndrome." 

Also Thanks to the authors of the two books I was reading that taught me not to always believe my feelings.
Your Own Jesus by Mark Hall and Tim Luke 
When The Crosses Are Gone: Restoring Sanity To A World Gone Mad by Dr. Michael Youssef 

The Piano Lesson

I will admit I was nervous about leading music for the Good Friday Worship Service.  I am new to this, and very well aware that it was not a usual service.  The team only had three songs to do, and I was confident that they were appropriate, but they were also less familiar.  In addition to that there was a song I have been interested in doing for Good Friday for several years now, and my son, Austin, had agreed to do it as special music with me.  It was going to be the first time Austin played piano in front of a group of people.  We practiced a lot, and things were going well.  Everyone was committed to coming to practice on Thursday night, and I took my son, Cody, in early to set up the sound equipment. 

The previous night we had had a choir practice for Easter, and it did not occur to me then that it was a problem that the keyboard wasn't working.  I guess I figured it was something Cody would know how to deal with, but when the time came for the team to practice no one could get it to work.  I felt bad for the people who were standing helplessly waiting for practice to begin while a few guys messed around with the piano.  Finally we decided that the keyboard player would have to play guitar for practice.  Cody took the keyboard off the stage, and began trouble shooting.  He eventually discovered the problem but could not quite find the solution, and our local keyboard expert had a dead cell phone.  We could not reach him with a call, a text, or an email.  

Practice would have been better with the keyboard, but it went well enough. I, however, was beside myself because I was afraid Austin would not be able to play the following night.  I worried, and I fretted, and I prayed, but I did not have peace all night.  Friday morning I got up and I knew I could not concentrate on reading my Bible because I was too upset, so I did things backwards and wrote my journal entry first to try to release my frustration.  After I had read I went downstairs to look at my email, and I realized that though I had read the Holy Week emails our pastor had sent out, I had not read the accompanying scripture passages.  I decided to spend some time doing that, and the first one I came to spoke right to the trouble I was having.

Mark 11:22-24 says, "Have faith in God," Jesus answered.  "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain,  'Go throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  I know that God has power over any obstacle, but sometime I get tricked into thinking that He is putting the roadblocks there.  When I realized that Austin and I had been called to present that song Friday night I knew that the keyboard would work.  From God's perspective it was done. I love the way the verse says, "you have received," not "you will receive."  I still struggled though.  I struggled with the thought that I just wanted to do the song and it wasn't really God's will.  I thought I should be content with not being able to follow through with the plan, but I couldn't seem to find peace in that.  The more I struggled the more I realized that the reason I couldn't be content to cancel the song was because I was suppose to cast the mountain into the sea.  

The physical obstacle was only half of the lesson though.  Mark 11:25 reads, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in Heaven may forgive your sins."  My first reaction, when the keyboard wouldn't work, was to blame the last person who successfully played it.  I was holding something against someone, and it was making me miserable.  I had to let go of my frustration toward the person I thought was responsible for the problem, and leave it in God's hands.  As I thought about this I specifically remembered an appointment I had completely forgotten to show up for earlier that week. It helped me remember how often I let others down.  Within a short time after letting go of my grudge the phone rang and I was given the information Cody needed to correct the keyboard issue.  I still insisted on getting there a bit early to get it working, though it only took about a minute to fix. God was definitely teaching me a faith lesson through the circumstances.  The keyboard problem may very well have been an enemy attack, but the piano lesson was from the Lord.

Blind Heart, Come See

Do you feel like you are looking for love in all the wrong places?  Do you find that no matter how perfect a relationship seems, something always messes it up?  We all feel that way in our relationships with each other at times.  Love is a choice.  God loves us, and He lets us choose whether we will love Him back or not.  If we chose to have a relationship with him it can never be messed up.  He made sure it would be secure forever. 

Blind heart there is hope for your eyes now to see

What love truly is, and what love's meant to be.

Love never gives up and it never will fail

Love always hopes over doubt it prevails.

Come see, come see what love is meant to be

Come see, come see what love's become to me.

It began with a God who created free will.

He gave man a choice and we have a choice still.

The first man gave in to desire and pride.

We've all followed suit, but One perfect Son died.

A perfect Man who gave His life, God's only Son the sacrifice,

So from your burdens you will be set free,

when you let Him open your blind heart to see.

He'll come and change you from within, that's the work His love begins

And He will never leave it incomplete

It's a promise for His children who believe.

So lay down your heart at the foot of the cross;

What once seemed like wealth you will soon count as dross

Compared to the glorious love you have found

In the One who gave all. Let your praises resound...

To a perfect Man who gave His life, God's only Son the sacrifice,

So from your burdens you will be set free,

when you let Him open your blind heart to see.

He'll come and change you from within, that's the work His love begins

And He will never leave it incomplete

It's a promise for His children who believe.

And He'll send you to the world wit His story.

Blind heart there is hope for your eyes now to see...

Come see, come see what love is meant to be.

Come see, come see what love's become to me.

Blind Heart, Come See

 Juanita Huyett

©2013jmhuyett

Taste and See

Five members of our worship team were away at a conference together last week.  It was a nice time to hang out and learn together.  One of the things we were encouraged to do is to start writing songs about what is going on in our church.  Our tendency is to just sing songs from other churches.  They are good songs, but if we write our own it captures the heartbeat of what God is doing among us locally.  They suggested ways to begin doing this, and one of them was to use the pastor's sermon as a springboard.  This Sunday when I was sitting in church and our pastor said, "God's love is like ice cream," I thought, "there it is, I have to write a song about that."  It started out as a joke.  I don't think I really expected to get a whole song out of it.  I knew from the beginning that, though he was using this as a good metaphor, as a song it would be a bit silly.  I believe that God approves of our joyful laughter though, because He is joyful. I had a few unexpected minutes alone in the car Sunday, and when I prayed about this idea and began to sing, the chorus seemed to flow out.  All that was left to do was figure out the chords and build some verses to support it.  I've attempted to keep the meaning of the metaphor, while having a little fun with it.  I don't really feel like I write songs, but that God writes them through me.  Sometimes He just puts them in my heart and they come pouring out, other times I get an idea and He uses my effort to produce them, but either way they are His.  My daughter says this one is cheesy...  cream cheesy.  ;)  That's okay; I know she has a special affection for cheese.  I think she might be inspired to write a song about it.

The Ice Cream Song

Taste and see the Lord is good, Things don't compare, but if they could

And I could say it's like a food, then You're love is like ice cream.

You're love, You're love is like ice cream, ice cream

Rich and creamy, sweet and smooth; so many flavors I can't choose.

The good news is I don't have to... You give them all to me.

Chocolate, mint or rocky road, You're merciful gracious and good.

Add caramel, fudge, chips, nuts or fruit, cause you accept us all.

Dip it, scoop it, serve it soft. You paid the tab upon the cross,

So all you are is truly ours, each flavor of Your love.

The Ice Cream Song

Juanita Huyett

©2013 jmhuyett

March 19

This will be even more fun if Austin adds the rap that he is hearing in the background.  If he get's that part together we'll have to make a new video, or maybe have Cody help us mix an mp3 so that the vocals and guitar can be more balanced. I told him if he actually did it I would definitely add his name to the writer credits.  :)

Just Jump!

Sometimes my life reminds me of the time I got stuck on the high dive at the pool when I was in my tweens.  I climbed up there because I wanted to conquer the challenge.  I had a goal.  I had an audience too.  I got out to the end of the diving board and I stared down at the water.  I kept trying to convince myself to take the leap, but the longer I stood there the more nervous I got.  People started yelling at me.  Much of this was because there was a line behind me of people who weren't afraid and wanted their turn.  In the end I hung my head and climbed back down the ladder.  I don't want to live like that.  In the swimming pool of life it is time for me to hold my breath and jump, trusting that by the grace of God I will float and maybe even swim.

In the book of Matthew (14:22-33) Peter doesn't climb a high dive, instead he steps out of the boat on a windy night.  He has a purpose!  He is going to meet Jesus out on the water.  The waves are crashing around him, the other disciples are watching him, they may have even been yelling at him.  Peter probably looked at the water; NIV says he "saw the wind."  He started to sink.  Jesus rescued Peter from drowning that day, and he taught us an important lesson.  When our focus is on Jesus, and we look to him for our strength, every plan that God has given us will succeed.  When we become distracted by circumstances, spectators, hecklers or even cheerleaders, we fail to exercise the power available to us.  Focusing on our weakness, or our ability, rather than on Christ's strength is a tried and true recipe for defeat.

I'd been standing on the proverbial diving board for a long time waiting for someone to push me off.  I guess I'd rather be pushed because then, if I sink, there is someone else to blame.  I've been standing at the side of the boat looking out and asking, "do You really want me to do this, or is this just some crazy thing I have concocted?"  I recently took a long awaited plunge.  Storms raged around and in me while I hesitated, but finally the conviction became so strong that there was no turning back.  I've already had moments where I felt like I was sinking, but Jesus is always there and when I focus on him I rise.  Life is full of opportunities to take a leap of faith.  It's not meant to be a spectator's sport, and if we won't get wet we find ourselves watching it pass us by.  We receive so much blessing from doing the things God has called us to, but the glory is His alone.  If you've been standing on the edge, make sure your eyes are on Jesus then go for it, but remember to stay focused on Him.  I need to stay focused on Him!

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising it's shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Going

Water swirling, waves are crashing;

There is somewhere I must go.

Boat won't take me.  Faith will only.

Now my Savior's will I know.

Wind is blowing, boat is rocking;

I must step beyond it's bow.

Water's cold now, clothes are heavy,

But my end He won't allow.

Feet are walking.  Jesus calling!

Now my eyes are fixed on Him.

Arms that catch me. His face I see.

He's the Light that never dims.

J.M. Huyett  (March 13, 2013)

Chasing My Tail

Don't worry!  It's just for dramatic effect.

I felt like I had been slapped in the face when a friend said, "now, if you could just stop worrying."  I had asked her to pray about a situation, and this was not what I had expected to hear.  In my mind the fact that I was asking for prayer meant that I was admitting that I needed God's strength and wisdom, and to me that seemed like stepping away from worry.  I meant to trust; I was asking for help.  With this one little phrase I catapulted into a frenzied worry about being worried.  Could things get any more ironic?  So, what is the difference between being worried about something, and knowing you need help?  Is there a healthy amount of humble concern we should have?  Can we be carefree and still care?

It's not that I'm claiming I don't worry.  I certainly do. I worry about being misunderstood; what people will think of me.  I often anticipate conflict and then agonize about how to handle it.  Sometimes I end up angry over imaginary conversations in my head.  That's not good fruit.  I worry over others mistaking my motives which causes me to question myself. I wonder, when I share positive experiences, whether friends will think I am bragging, and then I have to ask myself if indeed I am.  If I share my struggles will I sound like a complainer, or will someone else be encouraged to know that they are not the only one with those issues?   For the most part this is out of my control.  All I can do is walk in the Spirit and act and speak as I am led in accordance with God's word.  I have to surrender my desire for everyone to like me or agree with me, and respond with love, patience and kindness when they don't. 

You are reading the ramblings of a confused child, but a child who desires to do the will of her Lord.  I fight a battle "to put off [my] old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of [my] mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  (Ephesians 4:22-24)  It's a battle I am going to have to keep fighting, but I can trust that "He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippian1:6)  Trust and worry just don't mix.  I am going to have to learn to fight my battle bravely without anxiety, and yet retain concern and compassion for others.  I must focus more on others and less on self.  Finally this contemplation has come to the point.  I've got to let go of me.  I have to care about others for their sake alone.  In the here and now I may indeed face all of the things I've fretted over, but in eternity they won't matter.  Actually, there will be rewards for them. (Matthew 5:11-12)  Just stay focused on Jesus, and do what He would do.  He would use His gifts to bless others, and He was often misunderstood.  Why should I expect to be universally accepted and loved when He was rejected?  (John 15:18-20)

I asked my friend to pray for me because I knew God would answer.  The idea was to pray instead of worrying, and trust in God rather than in my ability or lack there of.  I never thought that one simple prayer request would launch me into this type of self analysis, but why shouldn't it?  I am an over analytical type of person; one who would worry about being worried in fact.  I am sure my friend never meant to initiate this type of reflection either, she was just trying to tell me to relax a little.  I guess I could start the whole cycle over again at this point, but I am just going to embrace the personality God gave me, and use it for good wherever He leads me.  

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Sunshine and Rain Clouds

You can change the world around you with a smile or a frown, a kind word or an insult.  I was recently struck by the power one negative attitude can have over a whole group of people.  Once the rain clouds start rolling in it's difficult to see the sunshine.  Our demeanor can be contagious.  If we insist on being a negative influence, why would we expect the people around us to be anything but negative?  The good news is that a positive attitude can be contagious as well.  If we have the strength to shine we can cut through the gloom.  I know that on my own I don't have the strength, but "all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13  

To often the negative attitude is my own.  I desperately want someone to shine a light strong enough to chase away my storm, but I have to find my strength and joy in Christ.  I can't depend on other people to meet my needs.  Sometimes I just seem to want to wallow in misery, but that is letting the enemy have a foothold.  I have to repent and turn to my Savior.  Personally, when I am tired I have a terrible time seeing things in a positive light.  Sometimes I just need to admit that I am weak and take a nap.  Things often look different after a rest, and that rest is a gift from God.  Jesus knows that we must rest.  He slept in a boat during a storm.  In Mark 6:31 he urged his disciples to “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while,” and he invites us in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  God provides what we need to be the people he has called us to be, but we have to lay down our pride and admit our need. 

Having so often struggled with discouragement, and having been so recently affected by contagious attitudes, I don't want to forget the lesson I have learned about how quickly enthusiasm can be extinguished by the negativity that surrounds it.  I pray for the strength to shine on those who need encouragement instead of smothering the flame; the stamina to fuel the excitement and watch it spread. We can find the positive and encourage each other with it, or we can dwell on the negative and bring others down.  It's easy to yield to discouragement, but life is so much better when we refuse to give in to it.  My prayer is that you and I will each make a conscious effort to be the cheerleader, not the heckler; the one who lifts up, not the one who puts down; the one who finds a way, not the one who gives up.  Though the influences around us are strong, we can shine through the clouds even when others rain on our parade.  I know I can't do it in my own strength, but I am thankful that I have Christ to give me strength.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

As always, if you have not yet received Christ as your Savior it would be my privilege to talk with you about starting that relationship.  Even if you do know Jesus, and you have something you'd like to talk about, just send me a message and I will be in touch.   ~Juanita (jmhuyett@verizon.net)

Spiritual PJs

This thought began with a Sunday School discussion on some verses from Colossians chapter 3...  "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues  put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."   One friend pointed out that Paul does not assume that we are already dressed in these things, but he tells us to actively put them on.  During this discussion I realized that some days I wake up so weary from the previous day's battle that I lounge around in my spiritual pajamas.  Some days I am so sore from the fight that the very act of dressing myself for the day hurts, so rather than going out in my armor I hide in "comfortable misery."

Ephesians 6:14-17 says, " Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  

We have a lot of gear to carry, but it's there to aid us and to make us effective witnesses.   Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, peace, forgiveness and love are our clothing.  Truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and salvation are our armor.  We are given everything we need, but we must make the effort to put it on.  Just because you have a winter coat doesn't mean you will be warm, you have to wear it, and a coat of mail will not protect you unless it is fastened in place.  That is not to say that God will not protect us in our weakness, but we have a responsibility to be active participants in the fight.  

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, the truth is you lack even spiritual pajamas; you're naked.  Don't let yourself shiver to death!  Put on the gift of God!  Romans 6:23 explains that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord,"  and 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 reveals how the gift was purchased.  "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."  Just ask Him to save you (Romans 10:13)  I have received this gift, and I want to pass it on to you so that we can both get dressed to meet the day.

Uncommon Comfort

Last night while preparing for corporate worship I turned to Psalm 23, because one of the songs for this morning's service was based on the passage.  

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 runs over.
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.

I began to jot it down on paper as if I were talking to someone about God instead of talking to God as it is written.  While going through this process the end of verse 4 caught my attention.  It struck me that a rod and staff would be used for correction, and that on the surface doesn't seem very comforting.  I would think that lying down in green pastures and being lead by still waters would be comforting.  It would seem that being held close, or given a pat on the back would be comforting.  How do a rod and staff bring comfort?  As I thought about it I realized that it is comforting to know that God disciplines us as a parent who wants what is best for His children, so I decided to find out a little more about a shepherd's rod and staff.  

A shepherd's rod was indeed used for discipline.  If a sheep was wondering away, the shepherd would throw the rod to startle the animal back to the flock.  I was also used for protection and was carried at all times as an extension of the shepherd's own arm.  In addition to discipline and protection, the rod was used in examining the sheep to make sure they were healthy and had not developed a skin infection under their wool, and it was the instrument used for marking the sheep to indicate ownership.  A look at the shepherd's good intentions for the sheep in using the rod does bring comfort.  Knowing that: He won't let us wander too far away, He will protect us from enemies, He searches out our sickness so he can heal us, and He marks us as His own, is reassuring.  

A shepherd's staff was a separate tool that had other functions.  It typically would have a crook that could be use for pulling sheep out of the awkward situations they are prone to getting stuck in.  With his staff a shepherd could reach a sheep that had fallen into a precarious spot or gotten caught in a thicket.  It was also used for guiding a sheep onto the right path.  The shepherd would gently lay his staff on the sheep's side, and apply pressure to guide the animal the direction it should go.  We all find ourselves in awkward situations that we can't get ourselves out of.  The Bible is very clear that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but God reached into the brambles and rescued us when He sent His Son to pay our debt on the cross.  The pressures of life are uncomfortable, but our Shepherd is using them to guide us to the path we must take.  It is comforting to know that He will guide us; and that when we fail to follow, consequently finding ourselves in a tight spot, He will pull us out.

In our Sunday School class this morning we were lead to Titus 3:3-7 which reads:  "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."  That is what our good and merciful Shepherd has done for us! 

Information on the shepherd's rod and staff is from http://www.antipas.org/commentaries/articles/shepherd_psa23/shepherd_07.html