Beside the Still Waters

This was the scene on Still Waters Pond early this morning, when it was about 36 degrees here in Florida. The steam was rising off of the water, and the geese were swimming to the shore where the water was probably a little bit warmer.

The photos don't do it justice, but the steam on the water was magical and mystical.

The sun was rising in the eastern sky, and there was frost on the ground around us.

What a beautiful way to start our SONday morning!

Psalm 23

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.

And then to go to church and find out that the pastor was preaching from the 23rd Psalm in addition to John 10:11-21, "The Good Shepherd"

In addition, our choir was singing one of my favorite hymns..."How Great Thou Art".  You may want to sing along: (If you click on the video above, the song is in the very beginning)

How Great Thou Art

O LORD my God! When I in awesome wonder

Consider all the works Thy hand hath made;

I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 

When through the woods and forest glades I wander

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,

And hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze: 

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die - I scarce can take it in:

That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died to take away my sin: 

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home - what joy shall fill my heart!

Then shall I bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, my God how great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great Thou art! 

What a perfect way to start the day. By the time you are reading this it will be afternoon or evening at least, since I am not writing this until afternoon.  But I trust that you are having a peaceful and comforting day today.  If not, perhaps a little visit "Beside the Still Waters" might be in order for you. You don't need a physical pond or lake or stream to draw close to the Lord...especially for those of you who are in our colder climates...your ponds and lakes may be frozen over by now.  Perhaps you can find a quiet place in your home or beside a window that looks out upon a pretty view...or take a walk along a serene path through the woods or a park...wherever you can go to draw close to the Lord and just spend some time alone with Him, try to do it as often as you can. Turn off the TV, the cell phones and computers, and spend time alone with God and away from the "world" every opportunity you can. 

Especially this week, when things are likely to get difficult at best, it might be a good idea to plan ahead to spend some special times away from social media and alone with the Good Shepherd.  Maybe take your Bible or a hymnal and sing some favorite hymns of praise to the Lord. Maybe we each need to set aside some specific time early this week, to pray for our nation and our government, and pray for a "peaceful transition", regardless of whatever side of the political aisle we may be on. More than ever we need to draw close to the Lord and spend time alone with Him to help us through these turbulent times.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever."

Amen.