The Good Shepherd Leads His Sheep

Day 118 of Photo Inspirations -- The Good Shepherd Leads His Sheep
We saw these sheep in Keukenhof, Holland yesterday.  Beautiful sheep, well cared for in a confined area.  They're well-protected.  But, what about those sheep that are in a field, open-prey to ravenous animals and harm? That's why they need a shepherd to watch over and care for them.

How comforting to know that wherever we are, our Good Shepherd keeps a watchful eye on us.  Like a shepherd, Jesus shares something central to our life of faith.  He says, "I am the good shepherd."  John 10:11.  Like a shepherd, He leads us, feeds us, protects us, and saves us.  How could He have such unending and unrelenting love for us?

And the answer has always been the same -- simple, yet profound  God IS love.  It's who He is.  He can't stop loving us.  We are His children, and we are the sheep of His pasture.  He loves us so much that He asked His Son to leave His heavenly home, take on a human body and lay down His life for us.  And, now enthroned with His Father, Jesus still guides us to safety, restores our strength.

So, today, I proclaim, as one of His sheep....... "The Lord is my Shepherd.  I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures.  He leads me beside still waters  He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.  Yea, tough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for He is with me.  His rod and His staff -- they comfort me.  He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  He anoints mhy head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and merchy shall follow me all the days of myh life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Psalms 23.

God's Creation is Even More Spectacular in Holland

Day 117 of Photo Inspirations -- God's Creation is even more spectacular in Holland!

It was another glorious day as we made our way to the largest port in the world, Rotterdam, Netherlands -- the gateway to Amsterdam, Holland.  We travelled leisurely down the canal, passing by the secret annex of Anne Frank who wrote her famous diary during the holocaust.  I loved hearing Michael Buble' singing as we slowly passed by the contemporary architecture of the bridges and buildings -- certainly not the Holland we imagined.

And, what fun it was to dance with one of the ship's cooks on the upper deck as we made our way to docking.

But, being the adventureous "Fearless 4" that we are -- we decided to once again, set out on our own for a great day of exploration and adventure.  The ship's excursion packages are pricier and safer since if you're not back to the ship in time for it to leave port, they'd wait for you, but in our case -- we're up for the thrill of the hunt and excitement of living on the edge!  We took the shuttle to city center, then we got on a train to Liedem, Holland, then took a taxi ride through what we remembered about Holland -- the quaint homes, green pastures, bicycles ridden by young and old alike, the cable cars, etc., but we were in for the greatest thrill when, since it's the Tulip Festival Season, we went to Keukenhof, Holland.

Keukenhof is the most beautiful spring garden in the world with more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths that fill over 77 acres with color, beauty and fragrance.

You'll see what I describe in the photos attached -- my, oh, my -- our Creator continues to inspire and amaze us with his creative genius.  I know I am so blessed to be able to "stop and smell the....tulips" -- and I'm thanking God everyday for His greatness.

I continue to be amazed as I sing "Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder -- consider all the worlds thy hands have made.  I see the stars.  I hear the rolling thunder.  Thy power throughout -- the universe displayed.  Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee -- How Great Thou Art!  How Great Thou Art!