Good Sunday Mornin'

[Shortgrass]

This is a photo from our recent travels around Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This is a replica of a sheepfold from the New Holy Land Tour.



Can you imagine "driving" sheep in or out of this “Sheepfold?” Now, not understanding sheep, I can imagine shaking a cake bucket to be the only hope to get an animal in or out this gate. I understand it was common practice to have two or three flocks inside this rock pen. One of the Shepherds would then sleep in the doorway. When the owner of one of the flocks would come, he would be allowed to enter the fold. The shepherd would then call his own by name, and his sheep would gather up, and follow him out. Sheep of another man’s flock would not follow. This picture is like a dictionary to John, Chapter 10.

MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, HE WHO DOES NOT ENTER THE SHEEPFOLD BY THE DOOR, BUT CLIMBS UP SOME OTHER WAY, THE SAME IS A THEIF AND A ROBBER. BUT HE WHO ENTERS BY THE DOOR IS THE SHEPHERD OF THE SHEEP. TO HIM THE DOORKEEPER OPENS, AND THE SHEEP HEAR HIS VOICE; AND HE CALLS HIS OWN SHEEP BY NAME, AND THEY FOLLOW HIM OUT, AND WHEN HE BRINGS HIS SHEEP, HE GOES BEFORE THEM, AND THE SHEEP FOLLOW HIM FOR THEY KNOW HIS VOICE. YET THEY BY NO MEANS FOLLOW A STRANGER, BUT WILL FLEE FROM HIM, FOR THEY DO NOT KNOW THE VOICE OF STRANGERS. JESUS USED THIS ILLUSTRATION, BUT THEY DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE THINGS WHICH HE SPOKE TO THEM.

THEN JESUS SAID TO THEM AGAIN, MOST ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, I AM THE DOOR OF THE SHEEP. ALL WHO EVER CAME BEFORE ME ARE THEIVES AND ROBBERS, BUT THE SHEEP DO NOT HEAR THEM. I AM THE DOOR, IF ANY MAN ENTERS BY ME, HE WILL BE SAVED, AND WILL GO IN AND OUT AND FIND PASTURE. THE THEIF DOES NOT COME EXCEPT TO STEAL AND TO KILL AND TO DESTROY. I HAVE COME THAT THEY MAY HAVE LIFE AND THEY MAY HAVE IT MORE ABUNDANTLY.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD GIVES HIS LIVE FOR THE SHEEP. BUT A HIRELING, HE WHO IS NOT THE SHEPHERD, ONE WHO DOES NOT OWN THE SHEEP, SEES THE WOLF COMING, AND LEAVES THE SHEEP AND FLEES; AND THE WOLF CATCHES THE SHEEP AND SCATTERS THEM. THE HIRELING FLEES BECAUSE HE IS A HIRELING AND DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE SHEEP. I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. I KNOW MY SHEEP, AND AM KNOWN BY MY OWN. AS THE FATHER KNOWS ME, EVEN SO I KNOW THE FATHER; AND I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP. AND OTHER SHEEP I HAVE, WHICH ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD; THEM ALSO I MUST BRING, AND THEY WILL HEAR MY VOICE, AND THERE WILL BE ONE FLOCK, AND ONE SHEPHERD.

Have you heard Him call your name? Time to follow………Have yourselves a good Sunday mornin’ and a great rest of the week.

[Triangle Bar]

Welcome back Shortgrass. I hope you both had a rest full vacation.

Great post this week. I always thought of sheep as being on the dumb side , but even your average sheep can hear and recognize the hope & truth of the Good Shepherd calling them into the fold.

Have a Great Week.

[Big Muddy rancher]

Great message and interesting history lesson.

[Mrs.Greg]

Enjoyed your message,along with the picture.

Its nice to see you back although Soapweed did a wonderful job filling in for you.I hope you and Jan enjoyed your trip...hugs to Jan...

[Shortgrass]

[Soapweed]

That was a nice history lesson, Shortgrass. Even with a cake bucket as "bait," my cows would probably be suspicious of that narrow opening on the rock wall. Then, I'm not sure I would have the courage to sleep in the gateway because something might spook those ol' girls, and a feller could get trampled. The whole set-up is sure designed better for sheep.

Peach and I have enjoyed Old West Days in Valentine this week-end. I am just remembering that this time last year, you and Jan met us in Valentine. You and I went on the trail ride using Goose and my mule for transportation. Peach and Jan went on back to our ranch; we all attended church together that evening; and you spent the night with us. It was a fun time. This morning the weather is downright wintery, and the trail ride has been canceled.

Glad you are back on the Sunday Mornin' job, Shortgrass. I hope you and Jan have enjoyed having a chance to do a little traveling. It is always interesting to see how thre rest of the world lives.

Thanks, Mrs. Greg, for your kind words to me and for your updates on your niece. It is so touching and inspiring to see how Hanna is overcoming her obstacles. She is a very remarkable young lady who deserves our utmost respect. Our prayers continue to be with her, and for all of you in her family.

[Sundancer]

Thanks Shortgrass! What a comfort it is for those who are within the walls of the sheep pen with the Great Shepherd guarding the door.
The photo is a great visual to reinforce this.