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The Words of Jesus of Nazareth by Lee Cantelon
The Good Shepherd
Fear not, little flock, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
I am the good shepherd. I know my flock and they know me, even as the Father knows me and I know the Father. I am willing to give my life for the sake of the sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them each by name, and they follow me. I give them eternal life. They will never be destroyed, nor can anyone tear them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than any kingdom or power, and no force is able to pluck even the weakest from his mighty hand. Still, there are many sheep that are lost outside the fold: I must gather them as well. They too will rejoice at the sound of my voice and will become members of one great fold, with one shepherd to care for them night and day.
He that enters in by the front door of the fold is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens the door, and the sheep thrill at the sound of his voice. He calls them each by name, and leads them out to green pastures. When he leads the sheep out to graze, he goes before them. They follow him, comforted by the words that he speaks. They will not follow a stranger; instead, they run from the sound of an unfamiliar voice.
I am the good shepherd who gives my life for the sheep. The hired hand is no substitute. He does not care for the sheep as if they were his own; and when the wolf comes he runs away, leaving the sheep unguarded. The wolf catches them, and they are scattered.
I am the door to the sheepfold. Those who attempt to enter this fold by any other way are thieves and robbers. Many imposters have come before me, but the sheep did not recognize or follow them. I am the door. Enter by this door and you will be safe, free to go in and out and find food.
This earth is plagued by corruption, by death and destruction. I have come to undo this curse, that you might discover the true meaning of life and be blessed.
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Abba, Father, Lord God, thankful and humble I pray, ask and cry out soften my ways, my voice, my look, my words, my expressions, my mind and my heart! Liken me to Jesus, with His understanding, His wisdom, His unconditional understanding, forgiveness and love. Let my light be the change He works in me in this things; free of pride, empty of selfishness. Only seeking to be a channel of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring Your love;
Where there is injury, Your pardon love; and
Where there is doubt, Your faith in You;
Where there is a despaired life, let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light; and
Where there is sadness, ever joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may never seek so much
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love with all my soul;
Make me an channel of Your peace.
it is in pardoning that we are pardon love;
it is in giving of ourselves that we receive;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.
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Chaste fear endures forever. Love does not destroy it or drive it out of us, but rather embraces it and holds on to it as its companion. We come to the Lord in order to see Him face to face. Then a chaste fear preserves us.
— St. Augustine
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10 Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms, he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.
Psalm 96:1-3, 10-13
Matthew 18:12-14
12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
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Audio books I am listening to and other books or readings I am reading:
The Processes: Ask and It Is Given, Volume 2 (Unabridged) Ask and It Is Given, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, which presents the teachings of the nonphysical entity Abraham, will help you learn how to manifest your desires so that you’re living the joyous and fulfilling life you deserve. As you listen, you’ll discover powerful processes that will help you go with the positive flow of life. It’s your birthright to live a life filled with everything that is good, and this audio program will show you how to make it so in every way!
There’s No Such Thing as "Business" Ethics (Unabridged) Best-selling author and expert on leadership John C. Maxwell claims there is only one rule for business. How does a person judge what is ethical? Sometimes it’s clear. You know Enron’s leaders were in the wrong. But is it always easy to see where the line is in your life? What’s the standard? And can it work in all situations? John C. Maxwell thinks it can. When the New York Times best-selling author, successful businessman, and former pastor was asked about his thoughts on business ethics, his response was, "There’s no such thing. There’s only ethics." Maxwell asserts there’s one ethical standard for all behavior. And you might be surprised by what it’s based on. Did you know that a variation of the Golden Rule exists in every major religion? In There’s No Such Thing as Business Ethics, Maxwell shows how people can live with integrity by using the Golden Rule as their standard (regardless of religion, culture, or circumstances). Along the way, he delves into the desires of the human heart, reveals the five most common causes that get people off track ethically, and teaches how to develop the Midas touch when it comes to integrity.
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One Walk 