Podcasts about Good Shepherd

It's easy for all of us to get swept away by the powerful current of "doing more." Although too many responsibilities stress us out, we often don't realize that unconscious emotions and unmet needs drive us toward giving too much of ourselves. Thankfully we can learn to care for our souls with Jesus and approach life in God's Kingdom with a full tank. Join us for this episode of Soul Talks as Bill and Kristi dive into the psychology behind busyness. You'll become aware of the unique factors that keep you from prioritizing soul care so you can establish new rhythms with the Good Shepherd and serve others in freedom. Resources for this Episode:Healthy Feelings, Thriving Faith: Growing Emotionally and Spiritually Through the EnneagramSoul Shepherding Enneagram ResourcesDonate to Support Soul Shepherding and Soul Talks

TEACHING SLIDES SERMON REFLECTIONS

The beloved imagery of Psalm 23 has long captivated Christians' minds. The LORD is the Shepherd who guides His flock to needed sustenance of both body and soul. He gives, and we joyfully receive. Even in the darkness of death, we know that He is with us, and so we follow Him in confidence as He takes us through death and into life. Even as enemies surround us now, we rest and find refreshment at His overflowing table, knowing that He will pursue us and lead us into His house forever. As Jesus prays this psalm, He receives His Father's faithful answer, so that we know that in Jesus, we have the answer to this psalm ourselves: Jesus is our Good Shepherd who has laid down His life and taken it back up again for us.  Rev. Merritt Demski, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church-Hanover in Alta, IA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 23.  To learn more about St. John Lutheran, visit stjohnhanover.org. Join Sharper Iron this summer to study selected Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God's Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org

Pastor Taylor unpacks how Jesus is the Good Shepherd and lays down his life for his sheep.

In this episode, we see the magi who come from the east looking for the messiah, and they are told that this Good Shepherd will come from the House of Bread! (Bethlehem)

In this powerful message from John 10, Eric explores what it means to follow the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd who calls his sheep by name and leads them from the front. Unlike cattle who are driven from behind, Jesus leads with care, love, and gentleness—especially for those carrying the weight of parenting, pain, or uncertainty. But how do we recognize His voice in a noisy world? Eric introduces helpful tools like the “Three Lights” and the character of Christ to guide us in hearing and discerning God's voice. Through stories, Scripture, and encouragement, this sermon reminds us that following Jesus is not about static belief but an ongoing relationship of listening and responding. If you need direction or long to hear God more clearly, this message will help you move forward with confidence and peace.

Exploring the significance of Jesus as the Good Shepherd with minister Terence Aponshine

Psalm 93,The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.4 Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!5 Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore. Most mornings in the Schumann household start out the same way. Following time in the word, we make a round of toast with peanut butter and honey for everyone at the table. Next, if it's nice, we go outside for a walk or scooter ride around the block. After that, I get ready for work, grab my lunch, and then right before leaving, ask each of our kids three questions. They are the exact same questions every single morning.Who is the king of the world?Who are the king's people?And, What is better than being the king's people?Just about every morning in our house starts out this way and has now for quite some time. There are easier, simpler ways we start out a morning. For one, we could just skip the questions. I mean, the same three questions every single morning? Is that really necessary? Is that really worth slowing your progress out the door? I think it is. And the reason I think that is because none of us ever truly knows what the day ahead of us is really going to bring — it may be a whole set of circumstances that leave you feeling completely disorienting. Significantly unsteadied. Life can tend to do that kind of thing, you know. It can tend to knock-us-off-balance just when we're least expecting it. Each day carries with it the potential for quite the barrage of disorienting experiences: A suddenly fractured friendship you thought would stand the test of time, shocking news of a failed marriage you believed stood as solid as a pillar, an unforeseen illness in place of ongoing health, an unexpected accident in place of continued safety, loss of trust in someone you had thought trustworthy, or loss of life in someone you had thought invincible.Life can be disorienting. Any given day can leave you feeling turned totally upside down. And that's why, coffee in hand, backpack on shoulders, about to head to work, I ask our kids the questions: Who is the king of the world?Who are the king's people?And, What is better than being the king's people?And then, I listen for the answers we've taught them. Who is the king of the world? God is the king of the world.Who are the king's people? We are the king's people.And, What is better than being the king's people? There is nothing better than being the king's people. That is the message I hope to give my kids every single morning, and it is the message I believe Psalm 93 aims to give us this morning. Cities Church: God is the king of the world. Psalm 93 invites us to anchor ourselves to that truth, that we might be able to ride out all life's disorienting storms.Let's pray and ask for God's help before going any further. King Over the WorldSo, Psalm 93 — God is king over the world. More specifically, God is king over the world's future, its floods, it's faithful. Let's begin with what it means for God to be king more generally, then we'll consider his kingship over the future, floods, and faithful. So, God is king over the world. Beginning with verse one:“the Lord reigns.” The Lord reigns. He reigns. He does not merely manage or supervise — he reigns. As a verb, reign pertains to the realm of royalty. Reigning involves sitting upon a throne, wielding complete authority, and bearing the title “king.”And, this is something God does by right, for his kingly throne is “from of old.” Verse 2,“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.”So, verse one, God is king, and, verse two, his status as king is no new thing. He is king and he has been king, and there has never been a time, or a world, in which God was not King.Go ahead, take all of reality, all that has ever been, bind it all together into a single book. Turn to its very last pages and then start flipping backward. You'll just keep seeing it over and over again — God seated upon a throne. Brothers and sisters, the empires of our world are as a blink of an eye compared to the reign of God. Entire royal lines — a snap of the fingers. The timeline of the universe is the timeline of God's reign.So, God is king. God reigns as king, and he does so, still verse one, “robed in majesty.”“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;” You've all seen movies or books where ancient kings have been depicted. Sometimes they're clothed in garments of purple laced with gold, or a cloak of red with white and black-dotted collar. King Aragorn kind of ends up with this cool black cloak with the white tree insignia — that one's pretty cool. Take all those images together, the basic idea is the same: kings set themselves apart from others by way of clothing. They choose, from all the finest clothing in the land, garments to signify their unique position. They adorn themselves, and they do so with articles of clothing that are exterior, outside themselves.The image here of God, the true High King, is similar — but not the same. Verse one describes the Great King's attire, but with one major difference. Here, it seems the Lord, the true reigning King, does not go looking for something exterior himself to wear. He doesn't go searching for outward, purchasable splendor. Rather, it seems he possesses within himself an inherent majesty, inherent greatness, which emanates out from him so real and so palpable that it is to him his robe.In other words, he's robed not in the majesty of man. Majesty is his very essence. He is what it means to be majestic.We see much of the same in terms of his belt. The text reads, still verse one,“He has put on strength as his belt.”Now, remember, we're talking about God here. God who does not borrow strength from elsewhere. Does not increase in strength, as if some form of it could even exist outside of him. He's what all forms of strength depend upon. And so when we read, God has put on strength, or God has robed himself in majesty, I believe we are meant to understand it as not suggesting God is adding anything to himself, but rather that God is revealing something of himself to us. Put another way: His putting on of strength, robing himself with majesty is simply what God looks like, from our angle, whenever he reveals himself to us.Brothers and sisters: God is king over the world. And, more specifically, God is king over the future of the world. King Over the FutureTake another look at verses one and two, and notice what's sandwiched between the words on God's kingship. See it with me, on one side of the sandwich, verse one:“The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.”All thoroughly Godward statements, yes? All concerning God's kingship. On the other side, verse 2:“Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting.”Again, thoroughly Godward statements. All concerning God's kingship.But then, in the middle, a statement that doesn't immediately seem to fit. End of verse one:“Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”Nothing thoroughly Godward here, right? The world is what's in view. Not God's kingship, but the world and the promise that it shall never be moved.Now, how does that fit here? What is the connection? God, God, God on one side. God, God, God on the other. Earth sandwiched in the middle. I think the point is this: We don't know what tomorrow will look like for our world, do we? We don't know the world's future. From a purely scientific angle, it doesn't look great. Think about it: We are literally standing on a ball, that's currently hurling through space, and held in the orbit of an even bigger ball, that's burning like a furnace, so massive and so powerful, that it makes nuclear reactors look like candle sticks.Will the sun go out tomorrow? Will the earth erode? Will a gigantic asteroid smash into us and break our planet in two? Will food run scarce? Will the waters dry up? Will the temperature rise too high?What will the future of our world hold? Any future at all?Psalm 93:“Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”And the reason it won't ever be moved is because God is king over its future. He is king over the world's tomorrow. The world does not exist independently from God. The world is not a clock simply wound up by God and left to tick away on its own.God has told us his son is coming back to this world. God has told us he is going to free this world from its bondage to decay. Till he does, he has also told us his Son is the one who upholds the universe by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). God is not going to let this world turn to dust. Psalm 93: “Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.” God is king over the future of the world.You feel flipped upside down by certain reports in the news. You feel disoriented, confused, by the possibility of chaos or catastrophe. Take heart, God is king over the future of the world. No one gets to decide what tomorrow will bring save him.God is king over the future of the world. And, God is King over the floods of the world.King Over the FloodsVerse 3,“The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their roaring.”Certainly seems significant, given recent events. Last I read, the death count from the recent flooding in Texas has reached 134 people. The floods have certainly lifted up their roaring, and it's not the first time. Now its true, the term “floods” here could also be translated as rivers. NIV has “seas.” So we want to be careful here to not interpret this too narrowly. Waters is the idea. Bodies of water. Whether in the form of an ocean threatening deep sea fishing boats far from land, or a rising tide that breaks over embankments and floods into a city. Bodies of water, and all the potential energy amassed within them — that's the idea here. And in the ancient world, these bodies of waters were regularly feared as extremely threatening and unpredictable. Thought by many to be the realm of worldly chaos.In fact, so threatening, unpredictable, and chaotic were these bodies of water that the term itself — whether rivers, waters, or floods — became synonymous for enemy nations.Isaiah 8:7, with regard to Assyria:“The Lord is bringing up against them the waters of the River, mighty and many, the king of Assyria and all his glory. And it will rise over all its channels and go over all its banks,”Jeremiah 46:7, with regard to Egypt:“Who is this, rising like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge? Egypt rises like the Nile, like rivers whose waters surge.”Revelation 12:15, with regard to Satan himself:“The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood.”So, floods here, could mean literal floods, like that which recently swept over parts of Texas. Or it could mean figurative floods, like warring nations that have swept over our world. Truth be told, I think both are in mind here in Psalm 93, because what follows is just as true concerning both. See it with me, verse 4: “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!”God is king over the world's floods — it's literal floods (think Noah and the Ark) as well as its figurative floods (think Egypt's watery grave). God is king, and can be king, over the world's floods because he is mightier than they. His power far exceeds their own. The floods are to him as freshly poured tar upon the road, where he is to them the steamroller. He drives his will right on through without the least degree of resistance.Does he, at times, allow the floods to wreak havoc? Yes, according to his all-knowing, loving, and perfect wisdom, he does. But that's the key word, allows. And the moment he stops allowing, the floods must cease. Jesus slept for a time in the boat, yes? The waves crashed, the waters roared. But when Jesus woke, and spoke: “quiet, be still.” The waves were forced to bow to him. Our Psalm 93 king is mightier than the floods. Friends, no matter how out-of-control things look. No matter how in-control the enemy may seem to be. In seasons of disorientation and confusion, step away from the tilt-a-whirl of circumstances. And steady yourself upon the truth that God is king over the floods of the world.Anchor yourself to that truth, and ride out the storm from there. God is king over the floods of the world.Lastly, God is king over the faithful of the world.King Over the FaithfulVerse 5:“Your decrees are very trustworthy; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.”Key terms here — decrees, think Laws. And House, think household, or family. In other words, what's in view here is the church. The faithful who are in Christ. After all, it is we who are the members of his house, “holiness befits your house.” It is we who are the possessors of his decrees, “Your decrees are very trustworthy.” We, the church, the faithful in Christ, we are in view here. Which means, God is king over us as well. God is king over the faithful of the world.And I want us to really think for a moment about what that means. God is king over us. Kings, as we said, sit upon a throne. They wield complete authority. They reign. And as they do, their citizens do what? They obey. They submit. They endeavor to do what the king tells them.In the church, we call Jesus our friend, and we should, because Jesus first called us his friend (John 15:15).We call Jesus our Good Shepherd, and we're right to, because Jesus told us that's who he is (John 10:11).We call the Father our Father, because Jesus invites us to call him Father (Matt. 6:9).We call Jesus our Savior because that's just what he came to — save us from our sin (Matthew 1:21). We call Jesus, Jesus, because though fully God, he also became fully human, even to the point of taking on a human name, Jesus. How often do we call Jesus king? How often do we call him king and really mean it? To call Jesus king means you intend to submit to him, right? You intent to obey him. You intend to abide by the rules of his kingdom.Are you winking at any of King Jesus' commands in this season? Are you taking lightly any of King Jesus' words? Friends, in all our love for, nearness to, and enjoyment of Jesus, don't forget, this same Jesus is also King. A King deserving of our obedience to him.DecreesAnd now, two quick words concerning your King: First, verse 5, his decrees are very trustworthy. Speaking to the king,“Your decrees [think testimony, Law — the words of this book he's given us called the Bible] are very trustworthy.”His decrees are very reliable. And that's important, because his word is also very challenging, “better to pluck out your eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell.” Pluck out my eye? Am I really to take sin that seriously? His word is also not always intuitive, “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Really, I have to lose it, to find it? How can that be? His word is also humbling, “no one is righteous, no not one.” Ouch. Self-help books don't talk that way. His word is also very candid and to the point, “Here you have no lasting city.” Phew, kind of sobers you to reality just a bit, huh.So, given the challenging, not always intuitive, humbling, and to-the-point nature of God's word, we could tend to find ourselves sifting through it a bit, don't you think? Customizing it — I like this part, not that part. But these are not the words of a common citizen. Advice from the guy on the corner to either be taken or dismissed. They are the words of your King. And your king is telling you that they are very worth your trusting them.The world would have you to doubt God's word. Your sin would have you ignore it. Follow the king's word. Submit to it by faith. His decrees are very worth your trust.HolinessSecond, and lastly, holiness befits his house. Speaking to him in verse 5, “Holiness befits your house.”Whether his kingdom in heaven, his church here on earth. Holiness befits his house.And, look, this ought to be such a relief. Such an encouragement. I mean, a King can be a frightening thing. All that power, handed over to one single person? Turn the pages of history, human kings have wreaked havoc on the world. There's a reason most countries don't want them anymore.But, here's good news of a good King. One who is purely, perfectly, unchangeably holy. A king who is set apart and entirely untouched by sin, unmarred by evil, unendingly good.“Holiness befits your house.”You need not ever fear this King acting capriciously, selfishly, or deceptively like human kings. This King has no sin for you to worry about. He is radiant in holiness and it decks the walls of his house. No sin or evil ever touches this king. And the fact that holiness befits his house, means that everyone he calls near to it, he too makes holy. 1 Peter 2:9,“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,”Christian, God has made you holy, that he might bring you near. So, be holy, because you're headed to his house in heaven. And, don't miss this, be holy now, because you are his house on earth. 1 Cor. 3:17,“If anyone destroys God's temple [God's house], God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.”Holiness befits his house. You are that house. Therefore, be holy.Application for you: What is one step you can take today toward greater holiness? One sinful habit you can drop. One godless activity you can quit. One decision by which you can say, “God, you've made me holy by your Son, you've called me to live holy in this world. You are my king, and as a member of your household, I will choose holiness here. What is here for you this morning?Christian, we've got good news about a good king. It's news we can anchor our souls to in the midst of stormy weather and disorienting seasons.Who is the king of the world? God is the king of the world.Who are the king's people? We are the king's people.And, What's better than being the king's people? There is nothing better than being the king's people.The TableNow, what brings us to the table this morning is the fact that none of us here deserve to be the king's people. Had the king done nothing, and we continued in our sin just as before, we could expect nothing but rightful judgment from him. But, King Jesus did, in fact, do something. He left heaven, came to earth, took on the form of a servant, was mocked, beaten, scorned, and then hung upon a cross to die for us. Our King purchased our citizenship into his kingdom, by his life, death, and resurrection. So, because that's what this table represent, if you're here today and you've trusted in Jesus as your Savior King by faith, then we invite you to take and eat with us. If you've not put your trust in Jesus, we ask that you'd let the bread and cup pass, and in this moment, turn from your trust in all other things, give your full allegiance to Jesus. Say “Jesus, be my king.”

Safety, security, and satisfaction. Aren't those things we all want? Yet so often, we look in the wrong places to find them. Don Pearson continues our summer series and takes a deeper dive into the second half of Psalm 23 to show us how our Good Shepherd pursues us and provides all we could ever need.

Psalm 23 with Elder Joshua.

Today we will be studying in the book of Ezekiel (SUNDAY 07/20/22) Today's sermon will be looking at Ezekiel 34:7-31 "The Restoration of Israel under the Good Shepherd"

The sermon emphasizes that believers already possess abundant life through Jesus Christ, but often fail to recognize and experience it due to the deceptive tactics of the thief—Satan—who seeks to steal joy, disrupt ministry, and ultimately destroy. The preacher urges listeners to actively resist the devil by submitting to God, remaining vigilant against temptation, and running to Jesus as the Good Shepherd, highlighting that true victory comes through faith and a steadfast commitment to Christ, rather than striving for worldly success or succumbing to fear and discouragement.

From Genesis to Revelation, God is described as a Shepherd to His people, and in John 10, Jesus Himself says He is, in fact, the Good Shepherd. Let's look at the intimate bond between the Shepherd and his sheep, that we may claim as David did, “The Lord is my Shepherd.”

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” — John 10:11 Jesus makes clear that his work is much more than a job to do. He has real skin in the game. He is not playing at caring for the Lord's sheep until something better comes along. Jesus is the gate that any poacher or corrupting force would have to pass through to get to the Lord's sheep—and because of his deep love for us, he is willing to die on our behalf in order to bring us back home to his Father. This is Jesus' mission. The sheep and the good shepherd are completely connected to each other. As Romans 8:39 tells us, nothing can “separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus doesn't feel put upon to carry out this mission for the Father; he and the Father are of one mind, both driven by a shared love for the sheep. Jesus the Son gave up his privilege in heaven, emptying himself to come and invite us back into a relationship with God our Father and Creator (Philippians 2:6-8). What an amazing sacrifice! And this is amplified by Jesus' willingness to lay down his life for us so that we can be saved. This is amazing grace! This is abounding love! How can you thank God for this astonishing gift today? We thank you, Jesus, for your sacrificial love. Thank you that nothing can separate us from you. Help us to live boldly into this gracious truth. Amen.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me. . . .” — John 10:14 When Jesus, the Son of God, came to live and teach among us, he picked up on the imagery of Psalm 23 and told all who would hear, “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus came to us as the Lord God in the flesh, declaring that he was there to shepherd God's people and lead them home to the Father. He moved into our world, our neighborhood, and reminded everyone of what the Lord our shepherd had been doing all along: guiding us, pursuing us, and calling us back to him. The Lord's sheep began to recognize God in his Son and to follow him. Jesus made a strong connection to the work that his Father had already been doing, highlighting that his close relationship with the Father informed how he would save, guard, and protect the Lord's sheep. When we read the accounts of Jesus' life and ministry in the Bible, we see Jesus gathering his flock, walking among God's people, and getting to know them. He teaches them and models what it looks like to do the will of his Father so that they can live God's way as well. Like the shepherd in Psalm 23, he lives among God's sheep and leads them to the one thing they need: a renewed relationship with the Lord, who calls them to live in abundance and full life forever with him. In what ways have you found that the good shepherd knows you? Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us God's love and how to live for him. May we hear your voice in your Word and by your Spirit. Amen.

The Good Shepherd will lead you on right paths. Pastor Colin talks about why these paths are not always easy ones.

"For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.” 2 Timothy 1:7    “The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will, and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit. An art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children.” Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind    Submit a Podcast Listener Question HERE!    Podcasts by Series  Level One Book Study  Level Two Book Study    Claire Paglia and Cathy Johanni join us to discuss four tools that can be used in your atrium and in your home: modeling, scaffolding, isolation of difficulty and purposeful work.   Claire Paglia is a child of the atrium. As an adult, she is an AMI-trained guide who has been in the primary environment for 12 years. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree in education with a concentration in Montessori from Loyola University, Maryland. She worked for a year as a course assistant for the primary training center. In 2012, she received her Level I formation and has been a catechist at her church in varying capacities since then. She enjoys spending time with her family and particularly enjoys preparing Montessori-friendly spaces at home for her three children. @_athomewithmontessori_    Cathy Johanni lives in Columbus, Ohio where she has enjoyed accompanying children on their spiritual journeys for more than two decades. She is recognized as a formation leader in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd at levels I, II, and III.  She has been involved in Montessori education for a decade, working with children ages 5-14.   A member of the editorial committee for the United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Annual Journal. Cathy has authored articles and contributed to The Roman Missal Third Edition and the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd: Changes to Materials . She holds a Bachelor's degree in cultural anthropology from Princeton University, a Master's degree from The Ohio State University and Montessori Elementary certificates. Married for 31 years, she is the mother of five.    CGSUSA Store    Five Reasons to Stop Saying “Good Job” by Alfie Kohn    Episodes to help you further explore Freedom and Discipline:  Episode 30 – Freedom and Discipline with Claire Paglia  Episode 133 – Freedom and Responsibility with Sr Mary Teresita  Episode 134 – Freedom and Responsibility for the First Plane Child  Episode 135 – Freedom and Responsibility for the Second Plane Child  Episode 139 – What to Try When it Seems to be Failing? With Cathy Johanni  Episode 141 – Normalization with Claire Paglia and Sr Maria Teresita  Episode 142 – Adults as Potential Obstacles in Development with Pilar Bewley        The Prepared Environment: Making Materials  with Don Martin (The Catechist's Husband) and Lynda Catalano  Tuesday, August 26, 2025  7:00 - 8:30 pm EDT  Join Don Martin, CGSUSA Vendor, The Catechist's Husband, and Lynda Catalano, CGSUSA Formation Leader, who will share her wisdom and passion for making the materials by hand. Don and Lynda's sessions will be followed by time for questions. All those present will be registered for a drawing for an atrium material from the Catechist's Husband.    Mark your calendars for this SPECIAL EVENT.  Registration information will come in July.  This is a free Zoom Session    BECOME AN ORGANIZATION MEMBER!  Organization Members are any entity (church/parish, school, regional group, diocese, etc.) that either offers CGS and/or supports those who serve the children as catechists, aides, or formation leaders) Organization Members also receive the following each month:  Bulletin Items - 4 bulletin articles for each month. We have a library of 4 years of bulletin items available on the CGSUSA Website.  Catechist In-Services to download TODAY and offer your catechists. We have six in-services available on the website.  Assistant Formation - prayer service, agenda, talking points, and handouts.  Seed Planting Workshop - prayer service, agenda, and talking points.  Family Events: downloadable, 1/2 day events for Advent, Christmas/Epiphany, and Lent.  Catechist Prayers and prayer services  and so much more!  Click Here to create your Organizational Membership!      AUDIOBOOK:    Audiobook – Now Available on Audible  CGSUSA is excited to offer you the audio version of The Religious Potential of the Child – 3rd Edition by Sofia Cavalletti, read by Rebekah Rojcewicz!  The Religious Potential of the Child is not a “how-to” book, complete with lesson plans and material ideas. Instead it offers a glimpse into the religious life of the atrium, a specially prepared place for children to live out their silent request: “Help me come closer to God by myself.” Here we can see the child's spiritual capabilities and perhaps even find in our own souls the child long burdened with religious information. This book serves as a companion to the second volume, The Religious Potential of the Child 6 to 12 Years Old. The desire to have this essential text available in audio has been a long-held goal for many. The work of many hands has combined to bring this release to life as an audiobook.    Find out more about CGS:       Learn more about the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd     Follow us on Social Media-  Facebook at “The United States Association of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd”  Instagram-  cgsusa  Twitter- @cgsusa  Pinterest- Natl Assoc of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA  YouTube- catechesisofthegoodshepherd 

What if your imagination was one of the most powerful spiritual tools you've been given? What if you could learn to use it—not to escape reality—but to see what's most true, most good, and most possible in your life, through the eyes of God? In this episode, we explore why your imagination isn't childish or frivolous—it's sacred. It's how you co-create with God. And when you combine it with stillness and mindfulness, it becomes a superpower for clarity, healing, and divine direction. Whether you're facing a crossroads, navigating uncertainty, or just yearning to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd in a world that's loud and overwhelming—this episode is for you.

July 13, 2025 Main Theme: Jesus boldly declares, “I am the Good Shepherd,” offering a powerful picture of His love, leadership, and protection over our lives. In a world filled with noise and confusion, Pastor Gene reminds us how vital it is to recognize and follow the voice of our Shepherd. Key Points: 1. The … Continue reading "I Am The Good Shepherd"

13/07/2025 – Evening Service Rev Douglas Cranston John 10:1-42 The post I am the Good Shepherd appeared first on Hope Church Blackwood & Kirkmuirhill.

The Good Shepherd leads His flock. Yes, but where does He lead them? Pastor Colin talks about two answers—into rest and righteousness.

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•Sidney Buckner & Youth in Unity (Y.I.U.)•Sidney Buckner a gifted drummer, and the grandson of a Baptist pastor who taught him early in life that only what you do for Christ will last.  He is a dynamic leader of  Youth in Unity (Y.I.U.), a group of young people on the move!  Make no mistake; these young, motivated witnesses for Christ are united to edify the Lord using their voices.Youth in Unity was established February 2010.•This dynamic group believes in giving high praise to the almighty and is a highly sought out group with a mission tohelp others encounter Jesus. God has afforded them many opportunities to minister in song at various churches throughout the city and suburbs of Chicago.  They have performed at the 18th Ward Gospel Fest 2010, sharingthe same stage with Gospel Legends, the late Inez Andrews, and Leanne Faine, as well as being the opening choir for the legendary, Mighty Clouds of Joy and recording artist Vashawn Mitchell. Youth in Unity also got the opportunity toperform on the Chicago 2017, Gospel Festival Youth Stage at Millennium Park.•Their first live CD entitled, “Youth in Unity Project” wasreleased March 2012 featuring some of Chicago talented writers Malcolm Williams, Tony Tidwell and others , to name a few. This talented group refused to stop singing for the Lord and released their 2nd Live CD entitled “YIU2”in November 2019. Their single, “Superman” was nominated for a 2020 Eddy Award for Best New Single and the choir also receiveda nomination for Best New Group. Youth in Unity's latest single “What He's Done for Me”, wasoriginally recorded by James Hall and Worship & Praise. It is featured on their EP “I Love Choir Music.” Thissingle is following the great success of “It's Gonna Rain” and “The Good Shepherd”.Youth in Unity just celebrated 3 winning awards at the Rhythm of Gospel Awards. The categories were community choir of the year, best performance by group/duoand song of the year “The Good Shepherd.”•The single and EP “The Good Shepherd” areavailable for downloads and streaming on all digital platforms. •Please send Let's Talk: Gospel Music Gold an email sharing your thoughts about this show segment also if you have any suggestions of future guests you would liketo hear on the show. Send the email to ⁠⁠letstalk2gmg@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ •You may Subscribe to the podcast and be alerted when the newest episode is published. Subscribe on Spotify and we will know you are a regular listener.All 4+ Seasons of guests are still live; check out some other Podcast Episodes over 200 episodes are available. •LET'S TALK: GOSPEL MUSIC GOLD RADIO SHOW AIRS EVERY SATURDAY 9:00 AM CST / 10:00 AM EST ON WMRM-DB INTERNET RADIO STATION  AND WJRG RADIO INTERNET RADIO STATION 12:00 PM EST/ 11:00 AM CST •There is a Let's Talk: Gospel Music Gold Facebook page ( @LetsTalk2GMG ) where all episodes are posted as well.   •The Podcast and Radio shows are heard anywhere in the World on the Internet! •BOOK RELEASES"If We Can Do It, You Can Too!" •“Legacy of James C. Chambers And his Contributions to Gospel Music History”•NEW •RELEASEDATE JULY 29, 2025 •"Molding a Black Princess"Pre-Order Information https://www.unsungvoicesbooks.com/asmithgibbs

Jesus hired us.

Safety, security, and satisfaction. Aren't those things we all want? Yet so often, we look in the wrong places to find them. Trent Heaton continues our summer series and takes a deeper dive into the second half of Psalm 23 to show us how our Good Shepherd pursues us and provides all we could ever need.

Midge Noble is an online resiliency coach, podcaster, author, and speaker. She has published two children's books, SHEBA, Home Is Where Your Heart Is, and ICE CUBE AWARD, Learning To Be Cool Under Pressure. Her memoir, Gay with God, Reclaiming My Faith, Honoring My Story has just been released! Her podcast, GAY with GOD! can be found wherever you stream your podcasts. Midge specializes in helping her LGBTQIA+ community in their coming out and faith journeys. Her main focus is to stop gay suicides by educating people wounded by the church that they can be in relationship with the God of their understanding and that God does and has always loved us, just as we are created to be. To that end, Midge is very involved in her parish, The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Midge and her wife, along with their fur babies, enjoy spending time at their mountain cabin, hiking, and being with their friends.  On today's episode I talk about how we can speak with love and strength.  I introduce you to,  Argula von Grumbach, a scholar and Church reformer who spoke truth to power...boldly, wisely, and without shame. I focus on how we can mirror Argula's faith and Jesus' gospel by being a beacon for others to follow who we are still called to be: Christians who stand up for and speak love and truth to power.   Connect with Midge Complimentary Session w/ Midge Be MY next GUEST on GAY with GOD! Email  Linkedin Facebook Website Instagram @midge.noble BlueSky @Midge4.bsky.social TikTok @MidgeNoble418 Threads BUY a SIGNED copy of the Gay with God memoir!

Series: Psalm 23Sermon Title: Paths of Righteousness (Part 1)Main Scripture: Psalm 23:3 "He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake"Synopsis: As Isaiah 53:6 says, all of us have left God's path to follow our own. Jesus came as the Good Shepherd to rescue us from our paths of sin and then lead us in paths of right living. In this message, we consider how our Shepherd leads and how we can be faithful to follow.July 13, 2025 • Kyle Smith• • • • • • • •.• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Join us for service in person and online every Sunday at 10am (MST) at the City Life Community Center in Missoula, MT. We believe that you matter. We would love to connect with you and hear your story! https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.com/contactIf you would like to engage financially with Anchor Church you can give by texting any amount to 84321 or by visiting https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.comNeed prayer or have a praise report? https://www.anchorchurchmissoula.com/prayerpraiseFor more information about Anchor Church or ways to get connected visit us at https://www.www.anchorchurchmissoula.com or follow us on our social media platforms below.Instagram - @anchorchurchmissoula - https://www.instagram.com/anchorchurchmissoulaFacebook - @anchorchurchmissoula - https://www.facebook.com/anchorchurchmissoula

In this message from John 10, Eric invites us to see the beauty and depth of Jesus' words: “I am the Good Shepherd.” Far from being just a metaphor, this truth reveals a personal Savior who knows each of us by name and calls us with love, not obligation. In a world where value is often based on achievement or popularity, Jesus flips the script—He loves us first, and that gives us value. Eric explores what it means to be truly known and cared for by the Shepherd who doesn't run when trouble comes, but lays down His life for His sheep. If you've ever felt unseen or unsure of your worth, this message is for you. Come be reminded that to Jesus, you are not just one of many—you are His, and He knows your name.

In the Bible, there are many examples of bad shepherds of God's People. But Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.

https://purposechurch.com/nextsteps/ What does life look like when we trust God as our Good Shepherd? In one of the most beloved psalms in Scripture, Psalm 23 paints a vivid picture of God's presence, provision, and peace in every season. Today, Claire Bertrand walks us verse by verse, helping us reflect on how God lovingly leads us, […]

Many people take pride in being independent, and if you called them “sheep” it would be an insult. Yet in Biblical times, being a sheep with a good shepherd meant that you did not want for anything. Don Denyes continues our summer series, Worship and Wonder: Pictures of God in the Psalms and explores how following our Good Shepherd gives us rest, refreshment, restoration, and direction.

13 of 22 in a series through Mark 1-9

Pastor Lawson reintroduces our series "Summer in the Psalms" with a sermon from Psalms 23.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD - Week 3 - Mark 6:30-44 - Matt Skrabec by FBC Benicia

https://purposechurch.com/nextsteps/ What does life look like when we trust God as our Good Shepherd? In one of the most beloved psalms in Scripture, Psalm 23 paints a vivid picture of God's presence, provision, and peace in every season. Today, Pastor Claire Bertrand walks us verse by verse, helping us reflect on how God lovingly leads […]

Comfort in the Chaos – Part OneLife gets loud. Fast. Heavy. But Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the middle of the valley, we're not alone. In this message, we rediscover the peace, guidance, and presence of the Good Shepherd—who restores our souls and walks with us through whatever we face. *The intro to this message was recorded short. It should not impact the overall message content.

Have you ever paused when you sensed God speaking—unsure if it was really His voice? In this episode, we unpack the powerful message behind Surrendering Certainty: Hearing God Today by Letting Go of Tomorrow with Abby McDonald. A faith-filled guide for women who want to confidently follow God's voice without the weight of overthinking or the pressure of needing all the answers at once.By focusing on three promises Jesus gave us in John 10, Surrendering Certainty shows a better way to live, empowered by God's Word instead of a false sense of security. We're called to walk in step with the Good Shepherd, finding peace in His presence today rather than relying on certainty of tomorrow.You'll hear how to:Grow confidence in discerning God's voice.Make bold, faith-filled decisions without second-guessing.Release the need for control and rest in Jesus's unshakable promises.This episode will encourage you to lay down the burden of control and take up a better way—one rooted in trust, surrender, and the truth of John 10. If you've ever longed to stop striving and start trusting, this conversation is for you!For more info:abbymcdonald.org. Amazon: Surrendering Certainty Personalize Scripture With Me! Get Your Serenity Journal & Connect: https://www.jaymeelizabeth.com/CONNECT WITH JAYME ON SOCIALS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ l⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ l ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pinterest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ l ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

As a sheep of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, there are specific promises of provision over your life—promises you can count on when you follow Him faithfully. In part two of “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” Pastor Bayless looks at the peace and restoration Jesus promises His sheep. You will discover how, by applying Psalm 23 to your everyday life, He can lead you through life's valleys to victory over fear and trials. Listen and find out how you can embrace the divine provision and purpose the Good Shepherd provides!

Do you feel lost? There's a story in the Bible, God's book of truth, it's a story about a shepherd with one hundred sheep, and one wanders away. He left his ninety-nine sheep to rescue the one sheep that took off on its own. Wow! That is true love. This story represents the love of Jesus for you. He is the shepherd, and we are the sheep. We try to figure out life on our own, and we stray from the shepherd's care. Even though we run, Jesus loves us so much that He rescues us. He comes for us and He brings us back. He wants to have a relationship with you.. Have you been running from God, afraid that He won't accept you back? You have a good shepherd who sees you and knows you. Come to Him today! He's reaching out to you with open arms. Always remember, there's hope with God. I'm Andrew Palau. Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:10-14 radio.hopewithgod.com

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; John 10:1-12, 27-28Evening descended swiftly on the French Alps. Chloe snuggled closer to her dad as the two of them and her dad's friend Jules huddled around a fire for warmth. "Another good thing about being a sheep is all that wool to keep you warm," Chloe said. Jules nodded. "It's almost time to put them in their pen for the night. If I wait until it gets too dark, the wolves come out." Chloe's eyes widened. "Have you ever had to fight a wolf, Uncle Jules?" He nodded solemnly. "Fortunately, I was able to save the lamb. The sheep know they are safe when they stay close to me, just like we are safe with Jesus, our shepherd.""That doesn't mean bad things won't happen to us," Dad interjected. "Everyone goes through darkness and tough times. But our Good Shepherd promises to be with us through every dark valley we encounter." "So we don't need to fear, just like David wrote in Psalm Twenty-Three," Chloe said softly. "Uncle Jules, what about the verse where David talks about God anointing his head with oil? What does that have to do with sheep?" Jules grinned. "Do you think Chloe can handle this, John?" "It's kind of gross, Chloe," Dad warned. "I can handle it!" "We have different medicine now, but back in David's day, shepherds used to pour oil over the sheep's heads to protect them from bugs," said Jules. "That's not so gross--kind of like giving pets flea medicine." "But these kinds of bugs would eventually make their way into the sheep's brains and destroy them." "Ewww!" Chloe shuddered. "Good thing they have a shepherd to protect every part of them--even their brains.""God does the same thing for us," Jules noted. "When we listen to the truth of His Word, it transforms and renews our minds and helps keep us from fixating on what might harm us. Instead of worry, we can feel His peace. That's why reading and memorizing God's Word is important." Chloe gazed at the sheep thoughtfully. "Uncle Jules, I've learned a lot this week. One thing's for sure--I'm going to listen to my Good Shepherd."–Savannah ColemanHow About You?Do you follow Jesus as your shepherd? Jesus says He is the gate for the sheep--trusting Him to save you through His sacrifice on the cross is the only way to have eternal, abundant life. (To learn more, click the "Good News!" button in the right column of this page or go to www.keysforkids.org/goodnews.) As His sheep, we need to listen to Him. He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. Listen to your Good Shepherd so He can fill your thoughts with His peace.Today's Key Verse:My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. (NIV) (John 10:27)Today's Key Thought:Listen to your Good Shepherd

Many people take pride in being independent, and if you called them “sheep” it would be an insult. Yet in Biblical times, being a sheep with a good shepherd meant that you did not want for anything. Don Denyes continues our summer series, Worship and Wonder: Pictures of God in the Psalms and explores how following our Good Shepherd gives us rest, refreshment, restoration, and direction.

Bible Reading: Psalm 23; Isaiah 53:4-7Chloe gasped as the car rounded the mountain road and the French Alps were fully displayed. "I've never seen anything so majestic!" Dad parked the car next to a rustic cabin. The cabin door opened and a man with dark curly hair and a beard exited with arms outstretched. "John! Come and hug your old friend!" Chloe hung back, watching the happy reunion until the men turned to her. "Chloe, meet my old college friend, Jules! The last time we got together you were just a baby." "You can call me Uncle Jules if you wish, Chloe. My, you are growing up quickly!" "Do we really get to stay a whole week and help you care for your sheep? Dad says you have over a thousand! I read that shepherding is a difficult job. What's your favorite part about it?" Jules threw up his hands and laughed. "Whoa! I'm not used to all these questions. The sheep aren't nearly as chatty." Jules winked at Chloe. "I'm happy to tell you all about it over a nice cup of coffee."The next morning, Chloe was bundled and ready for a day of shepherding. After a few hours, she collapsed on the ground dramatically. "How do you not get bored, Uncle Jules?"Jules chuckled. "It takes a certain type of personality to do this day after day, but I actually enjoy all this stillness. I have plenty of time to memorize God's Word out here and reflect on His goodness." "Kind of like David did," said Chloe. "He was a shepherd too. Didn't he write that famous psalm about sheep?" Jules nodded. "Psalm Twenty-Three.""David compares us to sheep in the psalm," Dad pointed out. "And the Lord is our shepherd. When we had wandered away and were lost in sin, Jesus gave His life to save us, and He promises to guide us and take care of us." Jules pulled a small, worn Bible out of his coat pocket and opened it to Psalm 23. Chloe read it aloud through verse three. "Today we are living out this psalm!" she said. "This morning you put salt out so the sheep could follow the route you wanted them to take. Just like you lead them on safe terrain, God guides us on the right paths." –Savannah ColemanHow About You?Have you ever thought about how much we are like sheep? Just like sheep, we want to go our own way and are prone to getting lost. We need a shepherd to keep us on the right path, and that shepherd is Jesus. He took the punishment for our sins to make us His sheep, and He guides us and provides for us. When we spend time in His presence, He refreshes our souls. How will you choose to follow the Good Shepherd today?Today's Key Verse:He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. (NIV) (Psalm 23:3)Today's Key Thought:Jesus is our Good Shepherd

Jase gets a last-minute wake-up call—literally—when his live Fox TV interview gets canceled just minutes before airtime, after hours of prep and a full camera crew setup. While Jase pulls back the curtain on the chaos and inconvenience of showbiz, the guys laugh about what Phil would've said if he were here. Zach reveals he discovered a never-before-heard 90-minute voice recording of Phil teaching on the kingdom here and now. The discussion returns to John 10, where Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd, and the guys dig into why that image still hits hard today, especially when you realize the one watching over you once walked in your shoes. “Unashamed” Episode 1117 is sponsored by: Download the Rocket Money app & tell them you heard about it from Unashamed with the Robertson Family! Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/rocket-money-bills-budgets/id1130616675  | Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.truebill&hl=en_US&pli=1 https://onekingdom.org — Donate to One Kingdom today to help share the gospel! https://myphdweightloss.com — Find out how Al is finally losing weight! Schedule your one-on-one consultation today by visiting the website or calling 864-644-1900. https://puretalk.com/unashamed — Support veterans by switching to America's wireless company for as little as $25 per month today! Listen to Not Yet Now with Zach Dasher on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, or anywhere you get podcasts. — Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices