Spoken...

Dripping down the base of the neck until it hit mid back where the t shirt picked it up and drew it away, the sweat kept coming. Yes, the humidity was abundant and the temperature met it at it’s peak. With the dog days of August upon us, it did not fail to live up to the hype. Even though the afternoon was quite unpleasant, it wasn’t enough to keep the work from being done. The porch needed to be completed. Wayfaring individuals needed to be able to make use of the front door once again. The job could not be halted.

Imagery is a powerful tool. A composition of shapes we call letters and when combined in a predetermined fashion begin to relate something beyond the simple figures that were drawn or typed. Yes, we begin to form words. Words share our mindset. The thoughts contrived and expressed in a written fashion.

Many stories and images are conjured up by the decisive words we use to express our thoughts. Whether we are full of anger, happiness, love, guilt, sadness, or peace, it can be found in not only what we say and do but in the words we use. It’s good to take time and gather ourselves and compile what we need to say. Sometimes emotions get the better and things are shared on a level that, in the end, need to be toned down. Once the calm resurfaces, one can make amends and soften the take on what was said.

In a world where things are shared and taken in and out of context; in a world where everything is edited to create a presentation for the viewer and listener; in a world where the powers of the deep speak things in and out of context; in a world where there is little to no light, people can not see.

What is the calling of a sheep? Is it to follow just meandering around, waffling and getting into trouble until… Until the Shepherd shows. The Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and His sheep know His voice this is the call of many. We are the sheep of His Grand pasture. We are His. He defines us. He spoke and we came into being. He caused life. He is life. Without Him there is NOT. He is the "I AM.”

Championing you is what He does. Ha ha! Why, because He delights in you! You are His special possession. You are His. God’s fervent prayer before He took the final trail to the cross was for you not to be removed, but for you to be strengthened. For you to be unified with your brethren. To be as one!

One. We are to set the standard as we join together. We as Christians need to be joined to the Shepherd. This is the way the world will know, because we are one. Do not let the division of the darkness set in. The more we rally for things other than the Cross of Christ, we stand afoot to the prayer of Jesus. This does not mean it is right or wrong, but when we unify we become more than a sheep. We become a congregation. We bring Jesus to the world!

Spoken between the last dinner and the garden, Jesus prayed us up and left a golden rule for us to follow, be unified in prayer and love. His wishes were for those who surrounded Him and those who would come by later because of them. Yes, Jesus saw what was to be. He knew then what we would need now. The strength to stand comes from one who lifts himself up. The strength to stay comes when one comes and stands with you. And you. And you. One by one they stood and they withstood the storm together. But when one stands alone, He becomes susceptible to the strength of the darkness. Hence, the sheep were scattered and alone on the hilltop Jesus took the punishment for the ages. He did what we could not. His prayer was this: stand as one.

Take time. Take a moment. Take it now. Gaze the eyes upward. Think about what power is in the Word! So when we take that moment, we realize the purpose of the words we use.

Godspeed, The Journeyman

Ps. Today’s story comes from the frailty we call life. May we begin to unify under His arms! Enjoy the digging in the dirt by reading some scriptures: John 1, 10, 17, and 19; Zephaniah 3