1. The King of love my shepherd is,
whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
and he is mine forever.
2. Where streams of living water flow,
my ransomed soul he leadeth
and, where the verdant pastures grow,
with food celestial feedeth.
3. Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
but yet in love he sought me,
and on his shoulder gently laid,
and home, rejoicing, brought me.
4. In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
with thee, dear Lord, beside me,
thy rod and staff my comfort still;
thy cross before to guide me.
5. Thou spreadst a table in my sight;
thine unction grace bestoweth;
and, oh, what transport of delight
from thy pure chalice floweth!
6. And so, through all the length of days,
thy goodness faileth never.
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
within thy house forever.
Worship services in a certain parish church in Scotland held three distinctive markings. The sermons were thoughtful; the sermons were interrupted for brief periods by the pastor's pronounced stuttering; the pastor was beloved by the people of his parish. In a land known for gifted preachers, one would have thought that stuttering would be quite a handicap. If so, like many handicaps, there was also a substance present that made it well worth seeing beyond it. He had been a chaplain in World War II and had ended up in a concentration camp. Hence, the stutter was something he did not ask for and which, unfortunately, like many handicaps, just wouldn't go away. But Sunday after Sunday he was living testimony to armor from a kingdom beyond the battles his people were facing. And they took in gladly that unimpeded source of strength to which his life pointed.
Dear Lord, forgive us the needless strife we impose on one another. As we regard your sacrifice made for us, may we ever with courage and acceptance be made anew to go forth, to try yet again, with your grace to strengthen us. Amen.
Gordon Long
Bachelor of Divinity , 1965
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