What a sight it was to see a dancing flame getting nearer and nearer. The colder winter night made me shake, my shaking seemed to make everything hurt worse. But as the light got nearer I could recognize my Shepherd's voice. He didn't seem angry at me for getting lost, it almost sounded like he wanted me back with the others around the fire.

When he got close enough for me to hear his footsteps, I made a loud noise for Him. I'm pretty sure he already knew where I was but I wanted to be sure of being found. As he rounded the corner to find me torn by wolves, the flame illuminated my Shepherd's face. His words made the pain of injury disappear and joy warmed my soul as fear had no reason to stay anymore.

That night my peace returned to me as we gathered around The Shepherd's Fire. Even the ones who didn't like me much were happy to see I was not devoured by wolves. Some others I never noticed before showed me their scars that resembled my freshly wrapped injuries.

Peace is a gift that is given by the Good Shepherd and is also a defense against evil.

May we find peace and joy in these stressful times. May dim lights become increasingly brighter. Cry out to the Good Shepherd for help, He will answer and He will bring you back to the fire.

Ezekiel 34:11-12

“For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day......

.....(v.25) I will make a covenant of peace with my people and drive away the dangerous animals from the land. Then they will be able to camp safely in the wildest places and sleep in the woods without fear.

From a massive war of Kings to a messy covenant and then news his family would be enslaved in Egypt... Abraham and his connection with Creator goes far beyong a refined theology. "Chasing off Vultures" is an encouragement to keep going even when you don't want to.

Love your neighbor as yourself.

Love those that hate you.

Yes, Yeshua/Jesus seriously commanded us to DO these things.

I have failed over and over again with the most simple commands. We all do. The hard reality of these teachings is that everyone can understand what He is saying yet it's the strength of God that is required to obey.

Join me and my brother Matthew as we discuss this tension.

*In this episode I linked the Baal-Peor incident (Numbers 25) with the adding of 3,000 In Acts 2. It's actually linked to the golden calf incident of Exodus 32. While the events might be related in nature, the reference was mixed up.

Shavuot or Pentecost is a true treasure that we should never forget. As I found myself discouraged recently, my exploration of Shavuot and the wilderness ignited something deep and primal within me. Wilderness is a part of this soujourning here on earth. One day, righteousness will rule and reign. There will be no more tears and no more death. Until that day, though, we should always remember what God has already done. This is something our children and grandchildren should be taught about on a regular basis, not just on appointed times.

The Way gives Peace that is beyond our understanding. This Shalom is not manufactured on Earth and therefore cannot be obtained any other way. To put it simply, Yeshua is our guide and He reveals our path. We can choose the path of humility or we can put our working clothes on and choose the way of pride. Each path ultimately leads to humility. We can humble ourselves and listen for the voice of the good Shepherd or we can lose focus and lose our way. Yeshua not only experienced the full human experience, he took the place of an outsider to bring everyone into himself. Unity with the Father leads to eating the peacful fruit of righteousness. We have the promise so we must endure and press on. We must continually encourage one another and always be looking for the path of peace.