BY    MY   FATHER'S   HAND!!!!!!!!!
6/15/19

I have spent some time this morning searching for Daddy's "walking stick".
My Daddy/papa (Joe Taylor) that raised me from age 6...He was a farmer.
He owned a small farm; He bought and sold cattle, horses, mules and hogs.

One of the tools that Daddy used on his farm was called his "walking stick".
(Daddy was not disabled in any way so that he needed a stick to aid him in
walking.)  His stick was simply a tool.

His stick was similar to a shepherd's "crook", or "crosier".

Definition: crosier: a crooked cross - a symbolic representation of the structure 
on which JESUS was crucified.

On my Daddy's walking stick, the upper end is curved into a "hook-shape".

As it is referred to in Psalm 23:4, (Lord), "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort
me."

Definition: comfort (Strong's # 5162), nacham ("nah-chahm"). The "ch" of the
word makes it have a hard "k" sound (similar sound to the words "comfort", and "calm)".
In it's sense of comfort, nacham does not describe casual sympathy, but rather deep empathy.
It is like "weeping with those who weep".

A shepherd is known to use his staff to both "protect", and to guide his sheep.

How about THAT for a definition of "comfort"--- our Holy Savior/Shepherd JESUS 
"guides us and protects us"!!!

Earlier in this message, I referred to "Daddy's walking stick".....Actually, I have two (2)
walking sticks that once belonged to Daddy. 

Let me give you a more detailed description of a "walking stick" like those which Daddy had:
A wooden stick with one end curved into a "hook shape".  The stick(s) are carved with "ridges"
on the crook ("handle").  These "ridges" afford a more secure grip on the stick by the shepherd's
hand. 

On one of the (2) walking sticks that I have.....the "ridges" on the handle have been "smoothed"
into a polished surface by   MY FATHER'S HAND".  That makes the walking stick both
more beautiful and precious to me!!!!!!!

Let us continue to submit our days to JESUS CHRIST our Shepherd so that He can make us
more beautiful (more into His image!!!)
As we more and more allow Him to shape and polish our lives by using both our joyous times and our difficult times..... so that other people can see
HIS image reflected through our lives!!!

"Fear not, for I am with you, I will strengthen you with My righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)   
"The Lord is my Shepherd." (Psalm 23:1)

And the arms of His hands were made strong by the hands of the MIGHTY GOD OF JACOB,
from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel". (Genesis 49:24)

I say, "YOU are my GOD, my times are in YOUR HAND." (Psalm 31:18)

ALL GLORY TO THE "KING OF KINGS" (Revelation 19:16)