“He renews my strength.”
Psalm 23:3
From my Journal 2005...Best to start this story from the beginning..."Travel Lines - 1: The Self Train Line - Derailed"
I found the stream nestled in a meadow. It seemed out of place since I had been hiking in dense woods most of the morning. The clearing brought sunshine to my face, the brightness causing me to squint. The grasses were nearly waist high, their tops swaying in the wind creating a dance across the landscape. I could see the currents of the wind, like a gentle hand caressing the field of green that lifted the smell of aromatic herbs, sweet flowers, and earthy sod.
I nearly walked into the stream; my eyes fixed on the dance of the grasses, my ears soothed by the whisper of the wind as it flowed through the reeds, my sense of smell stimulated, triggering memories from childhood as it meandered through the sod of moderate slope that I was traversing. The clear water of the stream caressed the grasses that fluttered with its flow, its source pure from a wellspring deep beneath the surface of the hill. The stream beckoned me to pause and enjoy its tranquility, causing me to lie down.
The span of its wings took advantage of the loft created by the summer air rising upwards from the green pasture. It soared upward, then banked to cruise in a perfect arc to descend with incredible speed, then leveled off just a few feet above the grassy top, its talons were poised. The great bird continued to glide effortlessly, then suddenly dropped as it fully extended its legs. The awesome span of feathers flapped, the force parting the meadow as it took off from its split second landing—and capture. The snake’s coloring and pattern—red diamonds—gave it a distinctive warning to flee as the eagle took captive the thrashing serpent.
“The Lord is my shepherd,” the poem of my childhood days came to mind as the Eagle ascended into the sky. A sense of peace overwhelmed me as I laid my head against the cushion of the loamy meadow. “He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams,” the poem continued to play in my memory of bedtime stories and prayers. How long had it been since I’d felt the innocence and freedom of the small, quiet boy from Indiana? The flow and escape of the stresses of all my yesterdays were like the clearing of a plugged up drain. “He renews my strength,” the words swelled within me, as did my chest as I began to let go of the pain of my past, the pain that I covered up with the emotional anesthesia of alcohol. The pain I was experiencing now was therapeutic, a cleansing of my spirit as my Shepherd uprooted the stronghold of strife.
The perfect peace of the Shepherd’s Spirit poured over me, anointing me with comfort. This began my next journey on the Spirit Airline—experiencing the Spirit of Peace. This was my fruit—my reward—for receiving Christ as my Savior—God’s Peace, peace that is beyond human comprehension. 1
The LORD is my shepherd;
I have everything I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even though I walk
through the dark valley of death,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You welcome me as a guest,
anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
And I will live in the house of the LORD
forever.2
Next: The Spirit Airline: Appreciate the Moment You Are In…”Because of their faith and patience.”
Praise to Our Father for the words He has given me ~ Jeff Cambridge
Copyright © 2004, 2005, 2016 Stellar Rhema Ministry, Jeff Cambridge
References
All Scripture quotations unless otherwise noted are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society. “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark office by International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.
1. John 14:27, Galatians 5:22, Philippians 4:7
2. Psalm 23
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