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.

An illuminating road trip through the history, life, and attractions of one of the most beautiful countries in the southern hemisphere The beauty and grandeur of New Zealand has captured the imagination of movie-goers over the past couple of years, and the country is a dream destination for many around the world. Straying from the Flock is an intimate and personal account of one passionate traveler's visit to this incredible country, its mountains and beaches, fjords, rainforests, vineyards, and hidden eateries. Each of the fifty chapters describes one day in his travels-fishing, flying, cattle herding, befriending locals at every turn. Filled with colorful stories and memorable personalities, the book not only describes the trip of a lifetime, but captures a life-altering experience for its writer. From mountains and rainforests to cities and beaches, Straying from the Flock is both a moving memoir and personal travel guide to this amazing country.

These are poems about the anxiety of what must be traded for the comfort of the flock. "Flock books" allow farmers to register and track livestock, and these poems survey the anxieties of that registry: the comfort of shelter as trade for living under the weight of threats--of removal, conformity, or one's own urge to stray. Katie Umans has an MFA from the University of Michigan, was a Ruth and Jay C. Halls Poetry Fellow at the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing, and received a 2010 Individual Artist Fellowship from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.