![\"Bluebonnets](\"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/bluebonnets-rut-to-runway-768x1024.jpg\")
Since we fall quickly, it’s good to plan ahead on who will be the guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the shortest chapters in the Bible shows the way out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Everybody has a guide<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nLife is a highway. Everyone\u2019s passing through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everyone\u2019s going somewhere, but not everyone has the best guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most colorful writers of Scripture brightens our direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.\u201d <\/strong>
\u2014 Psa 23:1<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot once in the 23rd Psalm does David mention a rut like health or wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He focuses entirely on the guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Runway](\"http:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Shepherd-with-flock-at-suns.jpg\")
Shepherd with flock at sunset\/Gina Pricope\/Getty Images<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If God is not our guide, we are like sheep without a shepherd circling aimlessly in the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Choose a guide who leads personally<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nMartin Luther said the Bible’s unique message is found in its personal pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Psalm 23 has seventeen personal pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI, me\u201d or \u201cmy.\u201d \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God is saying we have a personal relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not a religious, ecclesiastical, or liturgical relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A personal relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Anselm said, we are talking about \u201cSomeone whom nothing greater can be thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And when a person places their life totally upon the God of the Bible<\/a>, they can confidently say with David in Psalm 23 . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- \u201cI lack nothing.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- \u201cI shall not fear.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Choose a guide who calms anxiety<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nI have read Psalm 23 at many funerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three powerful images that God wants us to see about His presence in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All three images are vivid scenes in the natural world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scene #1: Leads me beside still waters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shepherds avoid rushing creeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They seek out calm lagoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We need a calm lagoon every day.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"refreshment](\"http:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Calm-lagoon-blog.steveblais-1024x768.jpg\")
The inspirational refreshment of still waters\/Lake Athens\/Steve Blaising<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n“I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.”
\u2014 Psa 16:7-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even sheep know how to patiently survive a storm, trusting their shepherd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scene #2: Lie down in green pastures<\/strong><\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOn the way to calm water, the wise guide gives breaks in green pastures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He made them for our journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why I love spring wildflowers in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Transform](\"https:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Bluebonnets-Highway-16-768x1024.jpg\")
Texas wildflowers on Highway 16 to Fredericksburg\/Steve Blaising<\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their beauty reminds us of the ultimate source for nourishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cObserve 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 clothe you?\u201d <\/strong>
\u2014 Matthew 6 selected verses<\/p>\n\n\n\nOur problems persist when we refuse to see the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nourishment persists when we stay connected to the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scene #3: Paths of righteousness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nGod doesn\u2019t hand us a map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He gives us his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe guides me in the paths of righteousness.” <\/strong>
\u2014 Psa 23:3<\/p>\n\n\n\nGod\u2019s reputation depends upon taking us the right way. . . \u201cfor his name\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Right paths or right tracks lead to the right destination.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Runway](\"http:\/\/blog.steveblaising.com\/content\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/Shepherd-leading-sheep-blog.jpg\")
Sheep following shepherd in the South of the Netherlands\/Ineke Kamps\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe paths here are literally wagon tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A good shepherd knows where they are and follows them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God never leads anyone astray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the darkest hours of our lives, He is with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not just for us. He stays with us. He is with us perennially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
\u2014 Psa <\/strong>23: 4
<\/span>
My uncle, Melvin Craig, was in the 330-day march from Normandy in June 1944 to Berlin in May 1945.<\/p>\n\n\n\nI didn’t know why he always quoted Psalm 23 when he visited us as kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, at 71, I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I never knew the horror he witnessed during those 330 days and nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But he told me he quoted Psalm 23 throughout that long campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He found a lagoon and the right path every scary day in the Word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who are you following to escape your ruts<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Psa 23:1<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not once in the 23rd Psalm does David mention a rut like health or wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He focuses entirely on the guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n The Lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If God is not our guide, we are like sheep without a shepherd circling aimlessly in the darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martin Luther said the Bible’s unique message is found in its personal pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Psalm 23 has seventeen personal pronouns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI, me\u201d or \u201cmy.\u201d \u201cThe Lord is my shepherd.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n God is saying we have a personal relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not a religious, ecclesiastical, or liturgical relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A personal relationship with God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Anselm said, we are talking about \u201cSomeone whom nothing greater can be thought.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And when a person places their life totally upon the God of the Bible<\/a>, they can confidently say with David in Psalm 23 . . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have read Psalm 23 at many funerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are three powerful images that God wants us to see about His presence in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All three images are vivid scenes in the natural world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shepherds avoid rushing creeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They seek out calm lagoons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We need a calm lagoon every day.<\/p>\n\n\n “I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.” Even sheep know how to patiently survive a storm, trusting their shepherd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the way to calm water, the wise guide gives breaks in green pastures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He made them for our journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why I love spring wildflowers in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Their beauty reminds us of the ultimate source for nourishment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObserve 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 clothe you?\u201d <\/strong> Our problems persist when we refuse to see the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nourishment persists when we stay connected to the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God doesn\u2019t hand us a map.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He gives us his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe guides me in the paths of righteousness.” <\/strong> God\u2019s reputation depends upon taking us the right way. . . \u201cfor his name\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Right paths or right tracks lead to the right destination.<\/p>\n\n\n The paths here are literally wagon tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A good shepherd knows where they are and follows them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God never leads anyone astray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the darkest hours of our lives, He is with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not just for us. He stays with us. He is with us perennially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” I didn’t know why he always quoted Psalm 23 when he visited us as kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, at 71, I do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I never knew the horror he witnessed during those 330 days and nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But he told me he quoted Psalm 23 throughout that long campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He found a lagoon and the right path every scary day in the Word of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who are you following to escape your ruts<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\nChoose a guide who leads personally<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Choose a guide who calms anxiety<\/mark><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scene #1: Leads me beside still waters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Psa 16:7-9<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene #2: Lie down in green pastures<\/strong><\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Matthew 6 selected verses<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scene #3: Paths of righteousness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Psa 23:3<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Psa <\/strong>23: 4
<\/span>
My uncle, Melvin Craig, was in the 330-day march from Normandy in June 1944 to Berlin in May 1945.<\/p>\n\n\n\n