The Story Of A Shepherd’s Journey
I would recommend that you not listen to this CD until you have first read and familiarized yourself with the following storyline of the journey that these songs set forth. Once that has been accomplished, it would be most beneficial if you could first read the information about one Act at a time, followed by listening only to the song pertaining to that Act. Follow this same pattern all the way through the CD to the end. Of course, you may choose simply to listen, which is fine. These songs present to us a story; almost in play form, hence the designation of progressive "Acts" setting forth the storyline.
A good portion of the songs on my previous CDs are uplifting and even fun to listen to, with a few exceptions. This CD will end with joy and contentment in the Lord, but the process to get there is never easy. This project has been in process for almost 20 years. Yes, bringing the CD to a place where it was presentable has taken that long, but more importantly, it has taken me that long to get over the loss, hurt, agony, and self-criticism that arose those 20 long years ago when I was faced with a heart-breaking crisis. The circumstances and people involved are not my emphasis, except to say that it involved "sheep" for whom I cared deeply. Since that time, I have experienced many similar situations that involved this pattern.
Although this journey is the story of a Shepherd or Pastor's ordeal, most of us will be able to identify with the trial, agony, and pain that one must go through for God and others. This is a pattern that happens repeatedly in ministry, and to almost every shepherd and sheep alike. It is a story of how we all as caterpillars must wrestle through until we become butterflies. The course of this journey presupposes good relations with those whom you love, but the early songs begin with the first signs of trouble. In the end, the discovery is not about what is wrong with others but whether the person on the journey is willing to open up and let the Lord work within. Sadly, the early stages always find us less mature, focusing on the failures of others or ourselves.
I would recommend that you not listen to this CD until you have first read and familiarized yourself with the following storyline of the journey that these songs set forth. Once that has been accomplished, it would be most beneficial if you could first read the information about one Act at a time, followed by listening only to the song pertaining to that Act. Follow this same pattern all the way through the CD to the end. Of course, you may choose simply to listen, which is fine. These songs present to us a story; almost in play form, hence the designation of progressive "Acts" setting forth the storyline.
A good portion of the songs on my previous CDs are uplifting and even fun to listen to, with a few exceptions. This CD will end with joy and contentment in the Lord, but the process to get there is never easy. This project has been in process for almost 20 years. Yes, bringing the CD to a place where it was presentable has taken that long, but more importantly, it has taken me that long to get over the loss, hurt, agony, and self-criticism that arose those 20 long years ago when I was faced with a heart-breaking crisis. The circumstances and people involved are not my emphasis, except to say that it involved "sheep" for whom I cared deeply. Since that time, I have experienced many similar situations that involved this pattern.
Although this journey is the story of a Shepherd or Pastor's ordeal, most of us will be able to identify with the trial, agony, and pain that one must go through for God and others. This is a pattern that happens repeatedly in ministry, and to almost every shepherd and sheep alike. It is a story of how we all as caterpillars must wrestle through until we become butterflies. The course of this journey presupposes good relations with those whom you love, but the early songs begin with the first signs of trouble. In the end, the discovery is not about what is wrong with others but whether the person on the journey is willing to open up and let the Lord work within. Sadly, the early stages always find us less mature, focusing on the failures of others or ourselves.
Act I - What About His Heart
The journey begins with the shepherd discovering misunderstandings concerning Jesus’ heart in some of those whom he loves. Along with this discovery comes questioning on the part of the shepherd. For a pastor who loves Jesus and His flock, it is very sad and painful to discover that when it comes to following Jesus, some see the cost of doing so only in terms of loss instead of the selflessness that living for Him can bring about. Act I is a cry to not be so occupied with surface issues but to look more deeply into Jesus' heart and motivations. In so doing, he believes they will find rest for their souls over issues that loom so large in their minds.
The journey begins with the shepherd discovering misunderstandings concerning Jesus’ heart in some of those whom he loves. Along with this discovery comes questioning on the part of the shepherd. For a pastor who loves Jesus and His flock, it is very sad and painful to discover that when it comes to following Jesus, some see the cost of doing so only in terms of loss instead of the selflessness that living for Him can bring about. Act I is a cry to not be so occupied with surface issues but to look more deeply into Jesus' heart and motivations. In so doing, he believes they will find rest for their souls over issues that loom so large in their minds.
Act II - Your Pain Is Killing Me
Since these beloved sheep do not change their focus, things eventually move toward a breaking point with no remedy in sight. Reactions, needs, and personal issues cloud everything on both sides and create division. At this stage, all that the shepherd can see is how much others need to change their perspective and get closer to Jesus. Though someone else may be causing it, the shepherd is primarily aware of how these things are affecting him in a negative way. Unbeknownst to him, the issue is really not the issue.
Since these beloved sheep do not change their focus, things eventually move toward a breaking point with no remedy in sight. Reactions, needs, and personal issues cloud everything on both sides and create division. At this stage, all that the shepherd can see is how much others need to change their perspective and get closer to Jesus. Though someone else may be causing it, the shepherd is primarily aware of how these things are affecting him in a negative way. Unbeknownst to him, the issue is really not the issue.
Act III - I Am Broken Over You
With no remedy in sight, things grow worse, and distancing begins to take place. The shepherd assumes innocence on his part, while perceiving that this distancing came about because of the sheep’s rejection, coldness, and shutting down. A deep sense of loss comes over the pastor. At this point the question he must ask is, "Is it for them or myself that I cry?"
With no remedy in sight, things grow worse, and distancing begins to take place. The shepherd assumes innocence on his part, while perceiving that this distancing came about because of the sheep’s rejection, coldness, and shutting down. A deep sense of loss comes over the pastor. At this point the question he must ask is, "Is it for them or myself that I cry?"
Act IV - This Poor Man Cried
The fracture finally transpires, and along with it comes the split, the loss, the hurt. Now the shepherd mourns, but with it a new feature arises. Introspection begins, including questioning yourself. At this stage, it is no longer about blaming others but trying to find out what you did wrong. The Lord responds and shows you your part in the failure. Dark self-examination is frightening and painful.
The fracture finally transpires, and along with it comes the split, the loss, the hurt. Now the shepherd mourns, but with it a new feature arises. Introspection begins, including questioning yourself. At this stage, it is no longer about blaming others but trying to find out what you did wrong. The Lord responds and shows you your part in the failure. Dark self-examination is frightening and painful.
Act V - Jesus Mourns (Robbed And Spoiled)
In the preceding song, Jesus showed the shepherd his need, but now He is ready to show the others what things they have done that has broken His heart. In this song Jesus speaks not to the shepherd but to the sheep who have moved away from Him. The Lord's words are undistorted by the shepherd's own hurts, viewpoint, or bias, for you see, Jesus is Lord of both the under shepherd and the wayward sheep.
In the preceding song, Jesus showed the shepherd his need, but now He is ready to show the others what things they have done that has broken His heart. In this song Jesus speaks not to the shepherd but to the sheep who have moved away from Him. The Lord's words are undistorted by the shepherd's own hurts, viewpoint, or bias, for you see, Jesus is Lord of both the under shepherd and the wayward sheep.
Act VI - Jesus I Need You
Some of the previous songs have dealt with the shepherd's personal progression in wanting and needing to see Jesus. In this song, the pastor has not fully gotten over the issues previously brought up, yet the shepherd has gained a cleaner self-examination. It is a cry for the work of the Cross within himself. The darkness in this song is not that of the enemy, the crisis, or the failure but the darkness of blindness, and it reveals a longing for Jesus on a root level.
Some of the previous songs have dealt with the shepherd's personal progression in wanting and needing to see Jesus. In this song, the pastor has not fully gotten over the issues previously brought up, yet the shepherd has gained a cleaner self-examination. It is a cry for the work of the Cross within himself. The darkness in this song is not that of the enemy, the crisis, or the failure but the darkness of blindness, and it reveals a longing for Jesus on a root level.
Act VII - I Wanna See Jesus
The previous song was still a search for Jesus on account of what is personally lacking in the shepherd. This song is a progressing forth out of the clouds of earthly circumstances and misrepresentations concerning Christ, simply to see Him clearly. It is no longer about the issues, whether it be the shepherd’s lack or sheep’s, but a desperate heart cry to see Jesus unfiltered. Included in these purified motives is a clean recognition that all of us have failed and been party to Jesus' death.
The previous song was still a search for Jesus on account of what is personally lacking in the shepherd. This song is a progressing forth out of the clouds of earthly circumstances and misrepresentations concerning Christ, simply to see Him clearly. It is no longer about the issues, whether it be the shepherd’s lack or sheep’s, but a desperate heart cry to see Jesus unfiltered. Included in these purified motives is a clean recognition that all of us have failed and been party to Jesus' death.
Act VIII - I Want To Know You
This last song can be described as clean, open to the Spirit, and no longer under the trials of life. The shepherd enters the bright sunshine of his motive just being about Jesus. The issues are no longer the issues. The personal failures, as well as the hindering forces of people, distorted views, or earthly influences are gone and now all that is left is just a pure heart that wants to seek and know Jesus for His sake and not for personal reasons.
This last song can be described as clean, open to the Spirit, and no longer under the trials of life. The shepherd enters the bright sunshine of his motive just being about Jesus. The issues are no longer the issues. The personal failures, as well as the hindering forces of people, distorted views, or earthly influences are gone and now all that is left is just a pure heart that wants to seek and know Jesus for His sake and not for personal reasons.
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