Psalm 23:1-6 KJV
1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth 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 thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth 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 for ever.

My grandfather was a minister and he had four children along with his high school sweet heart. The family despersed in all directions, seldom did family see one another. Yet as a little girl memories of stories of what family was doing was at the dinner table of my grandfather, including the jokes and antics of when the children were growing up. My grandfather though living far away from his kids, would check in on them. My grandfather, and other family members instilling the importance of family even if they were not close by, that they were still family. My Uncle Jay passed away this passed month. And when I think about him, I remember the strictness of my grandfather and yet the loving nature of him as a father. Jay got into all sorts of things, including play cards in his father office which he was never to do, especially in the church, he also at age three tied my grandfather legs behind the pulpit, and he barely escaped from falling to the congregation amusement. Jay even brought a grass snake to church to show a friend and made a pen out of hymn books. Yet all these things happened in church. My husband a man who sort of sits apart in a crowd when able too. He was at my grandfathers one day and Jay wonder why my husband was not inside eating with everyone else. Soon there was a crowd under the tree beside the wall that ran up beside the driveway. Jay found Kenny sitting in a cool spot outside away from the crowd. Every man soon came out to sit on the wall with him. No he did not retreat. My husband more comfortable outdoors then in the confines of the house. Jay was the type of man that made you feel at home, kenny said. Granddad soon followed his son example as well. Kenny will never forget that day.

The Lord is our shepherd, He walks with us outdoors beside those still waters, He leads us in the ways of righteousness(faith). He set a table before us in the presents of our enemies. And yet he also gives us a desire to dwell in the house of the Lord. The Lord job is to build our faith, to come and sit with us in our hour of need, by his Spirit. He brings comfort in the storm. Family reunions and functions can be a reminder of our Heavenly Father, in regards of the old generation wanting to know about us, know who we are and where we are. Jay was no different then my grandfather, he kept up with his offspring as well as his grandchildren and even siblings. Today as I share this with you, I want you to think for a moment who better to keep up with us but our eternal Father, our friends for eternity. Though I know my Uncle is with my grandparents in heaven, they also with their heavenly father, because they had ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. There position now is resting at their heavenly Father feet, and dining on feast prepared by our Heavenly Father, of all the blessings bestowed on them and their friends that know him.

Our Heavenly Father role in heaven is the throne, greeting all that come before him, either for passport to remain in heaven or a passport straight to the eternal lake of fire. You choose which passport you get before you reach the throne of God. Upon deciding to receive Jesus as Savior your Heavenly Father becomes your shepherd, your protector of your heart and soul, and defender against the wolves of the world that would love to steal your faith. He will give you a meal of scripture right in the middle of your enemies. Scripture to fight the wolves, and a shield of protection by his Spirit. Jay knew his Heavenly Father, as he went off to college in a far away state, and married a pretty lady. He knew his father was far away, but he also knew to call home and share what was happening in his life. God wants to hear from us, though he sees us from his Throne. He wants us to pray, he wants us to trust in his word, and to allow him to fix that dinner for those that come with sharp teeth. He knows our needs. Jay is in the eternal worship center of our faith. Has we worship God almighty, knowing our love ones that know Jesus are there too, I can rest in sweet peace that time I did not get to know him, I will in eternity get to know him, because he with my Heavenly Father.

Our Heavenly Father tends to all the sheep in his pasture. He has a wide world that he ministers too, and he hears all our prayers. The million of letters that go to our president it is a miracle if he hears anyone. Yet I am reminded of all the people that our president ministers to in office. Our Heavenly Father ministers to quite a few more. God is infinite in his ability, we are finite in our ability. God hears and minister to us all by his Spirit who intercedes to our Heavenly Father on our behalf. Is the Lord your shepherd today, knowing he cares about each of you. Our earthly families can not keep up with everything but they care, God cares for each of his own and he cares for those that will be his sheep one day.

Dear Heavenly Father, move in our hearts reminding how segregation you open our hearts to receive the greatest gift of your love for us. That you bring about that cool drink, and tools to destroy the enemy. That you truly are our protector. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

In Loving Memory of Uncle Jay Nichols

Continual Scripture Study: Matthew 6:6 KJV
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.