Welcome to "If God is My Shepherd, Why Did I Stray From the Flock?", a journey of exploration, understanding, and hope. This book is more than just an inquiry into the reasons behind spiritual wandering; it is an invitation to rediscover the profound love and guidance of God, our Shepherd, even in moments when we find ourselves lost or distant. At some point in our spiritual journey, many of us face a crucial question: If we are under the watchful eye of a loving Shepherd, why do we stray? The world we navigate is complex and filled with distractions that can lead us away from our spiritual path. This book seeks to explore these complexities, offering insights and encouragement for those who may feel they have wandered far from their faith. Through the following chapters, we embark on a journey together. It’s a journey that starts with understanding the metaphor of God as a Shepherd – a portrayal rich in care, protection, and unwavering commitment. This image, deeply ingrained in the Christian tradition, sets the stage for our exploration of faith, wandering, and return. As we navigate through the chapters, we confront the realities of life that can lure us away from our faith. We grapple with the wilderness experiences – times of doubt, isolation, and spiritual dryness – and learn from those who have walked these paths before us. We delve into the process of turning back, the steps towards restoration, and the joy that comes with reuniting with our faith and community. But this book is more than just a narrative of straying and returning; it is a guide for deepening our relationship with God, understanding His unceasing love, and recognizing our role in the broader community of believers. It’s about learning to listen to the Shepherd's voice amidst life’s noise and understanding the profound impact of our journey on our eternal destiny. As we turn these pages, my hope is that you will find not just answers, but also comfort, guidance, and a renewed sense of purpose. Whether you are someone who feels they have strayed from the path, a believer seeking to deepen your faith, or simply curious about the Christian perspective on life’s wanderings, this book is for you. Let us journey together, guided by the wisdom of Scripture, the experiences of believers past and present, and the unchanging truth of God's love for each one of us. May this exploration bring clarity, hope, and a renewed commitment to walk closely with our Shepherd, today and always.

Travel the Shepherd's path to the green pastures and cool, refreshing waters of Psalm 23. As a shepherd himself, W. Phillip Keller shares his insights into the life and character of sheep--and of the Good Shepherd who loves and cares for them. A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 will give new meaning to the ageless Shepherd Psalm, enriching your trust in and love for the Lord who watches closely over you. Keller infuses new hope into our relationship with Christ. Part of the Timeless Faith Classics series, this installment: Is perfect as a treasured self-purchase or gift for any occasion Showcases Scripture which has been the topic of countless books, articles, and featured on a multitude of gift products Delivers new insights on one of the most familiar and popular chapters in the Bible Is a trusted inspirational resource for personal and spiritual growth and reflection As we lie down in green pastures or walk through the shadowy valley, we're assured that whatever our path, whatever our stumbling, the Shepherd will lovingly guide, carry, and protect us. We can depend on His goodness and mercy all the days of our lives. Readers will find comfort, guidance, and reassurance with A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23.

The world needs leaders who are prepared to dismantle injustice. Through the story told in the Song of Solomon, you will learn to use the one tool that heals both victim and oppressor: God's love. This once popular interpretation of the Song of Solomon details a young woman's struggle between submitting to King Solomon as his sex slave and accepting her beloved Shepherd's invitation to come away. The scholars who subscribed to this interpretation believed the Song of Solomon was a rallying cry to dismantle the injustices perpetuated by the unpopular King Solomon against his Northern Kingdom. Was this interpretation buried in modern times to justify slavery and segregation? You will need to judge for yourself. The book is divided into eight lessons, each ending with a suggested spiritual practice. The reader gets a solid understanding of the Song of Solomon wrapped around an unforgettable parable: the story of an African-American baseball coach turned congressional representative, who, influenced by the Song of Solomon, spent his life dismantling injustice. The Disorderly Parable Bible Studies teach the way Jesus taught, by using stories of everyday people and things to illustrate spiritual truths.

Do you consume God's blessings, or do you share them? Most Christians are consumers. We are obsessed with knowing the right theology and following the right set of rules in hopes that God will bless us. Yet, no matter how much God blesses us, we are still looking for more. James says our faith is dead. But there is another type of Christian, one who craves being put to work as the servant of God to share God's blessings with others. Their faith spurs them on to become the hands and feet of Christ. James says their faith is alive. James in the Suburbs is far more than your ordinary Bible study guide. It is also a parable--an energizing story of the lives of six men and women--that wraps itself around the Epistle of James, making its teachings immediately applicable to modern life. You will walk away with not only a thorough understanding of the epistle, but also the unforgettable story of people just like you, whose lives the Holy Spirit turned upside down. This book can be read casually by an individual or studied within a group. The final chapter provides everything readers need for a guided twelve-week study.

When Jesus walked this earth, he spent time with the messes. A lonely thief. An unwelcome dinner guest. A death-row criminal facing his final hours on earth. What do all of these people have in common? They all faced the messiness of life. Some made the mess themselves. Some were thrown headfirst into a mess through no fault of their own. Then something changed. It wasn't that they suddenly became unmessy. But they each came face to face with Jesus, and he invited them to be part of God's story. He didn't leave them out. This 40-day devotional looks at eight encounters Jesus had with messy, broken people. In short, daily readings, you'll explore each story and see how Jesus met each person in their mess. The eight stories we'll be walking through together are: Jesus Meets The Lonely Thief Jesus Meets The Know-It-All Jesus Meets The Unwelcome Dinner Guest Jesus Meets The Woman Who Was Exploited Jesus Meets The Sick Woman & The Dead Girl Jesus Meets The Blind Man With Perfect Vision Jesus Sees The Invisible Widow Jesus Meets The Honest Criminal Whether you've been following Jesus your whole life or have never cracked open a Bible, Nobody Left Out: Jesus Meets the Messes will remind you that God's love is big enough for everyone.... He doesn't want anyone left out!

The ministry contained in this little book has been wrought on the anvil of deep and drastic dealings of God with the vessel. It is not only doctrinal; it is experiential. Only those who really mean business with God will take the pains demanded to read it. For such, two words of advice may be helpful. Firstly, try to remember all through that the spoken form is retained. The messages were given in conference, and the reader must try to get into the spirit and mind of listening, and not only reading. In speaking, the messenger can see by the faces before him where repetition or reemphasis or fuller elucidation is called for. This explains much that would not be the character of a precisely literary production. It has its difficulties for readers, but it also has its values. Of all the books that have issued from this ministry, I regard this one as that which goes most deeply to the roots and foundations of our life in Christ with God. T.A-S.