Friends of Life In The Spirit
  • Home
  • Classes
    • World of Done Home Page
    • World of Done (at ACTS) >
      • World of Done - Noah 29-32
      • World of Done - Noah 25-28
      • World of Done - Noah 21-24
      • World of Done - Noah 17-20
      • World of Done - Noah 13-16
      • World of Done - Noah 9-12
      • World of Done - Noah 5-8
      • World of Done - Noah 1-4
      • World of Done - Prodigal Son 1-4
      • World of Done Romans 9-12
      • World of Done Romans 5-8
      • World of Done Romans 1-4
      • So Where Was the Beginning Parts 5-9
      • So Where Was the Beginning Parts 1-4
      • Wisdom of God 1-4
      • The Body the Son Wanted 1 & 2
    • Troubles and Trials 2023 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
    • Stephen: the First Ripe Fruits of the New Testament Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
    • David's Intimacy with the Godhead (Current Class) >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-9
    • Jonah (Recent Class) >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
      • Classes 25-26
    • Pro-Self in Contrast to the Lamb (Recent Class) >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
    • The Book Of First Peter (Recent Class) >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-22
      • Classes 23-24
      • Classes 25-28
      • Classes 29-32
      • Classes 33-36
      • Classes 37-40
      • Classes 41-42
    • God Calling His Firstborn Son Out Of Us Home Page (Recent Class) >
      • Section One - The Prodigal Son Story >
        • Classes 1-3
        • Classes 4-7
        • Classes 8-11
        • Classes 12-15
        • Classes 16-19
        • Classes 20-24
        • Classes 25-28
        • Classes 29-32
        • Classes 33-36
        • Classes 37-39
      • Section Two - The Exodus Story >
        • Classes 1-3
        • Classes 4-7
        • Classes 8-11
        • Classes 12-15
        • Classes 16-19
      • Section Three - Cain and Abel >
        • Classes 1-4
        • Classes 5-8
        • Classes 9-13
      • Section Four - Abraham Home Page >
        • Classes 1-4
        • Classes 5-8
        • Classes 9-12
        • Classes 13-16
        • Classes 17-20
        • Classes 21-24
        • Classes 25-28
        • Classes 29-32
        • Classes 33-36
        • Classes 37-40
        • Classes 41-44
        • Classes 45-48
        • Classes 49-52
        • Classes 53-56
        • Classes 57-60
        • Classes 61-64
        • Classes 65-68
        • Classes 69-72
        • Classes 73-76
        • Classes 77-80
        • Classes 81-84
        • Classes 85-88
        • Classes 89-92
        • Classes 93-96
    • So You're Afraid of the Devil and the End Times?
    • Adonai Sharings >
      • Classes 1-3
      • Classes 4-7
      • Classes 8-11
      • Classes 12-15
      • Classes 16-19
      • Classes 20-23
      • Classes 24-27
      • Classes 28-31
      • Classes 32-33
    • The Book of Revelation Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
      • Classes 25-28
      • Classes 29-32
      • Classes 33-36
      • Classes 37-38
    • Bread For The Eater Home Page >
      • Bread for the Eater Page 2
      • Bread for the Eater Page 3
      • Bread For The Eater Page 4
    • The Christ Life/The Crucified Life Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9 & 10
    • Colossians 2019 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-7
      • Classes 8-10
    • Colossians (Preserved Seed)
    • Corinthians 2012 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
      • Classes 25-28
      • Classes 29-32
      • Classes 33-36
      • Classes 37-40
    • Cross Principles 2019 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-9
    • Esther 2015 Home Page
    • The Feasts Of Israel I 2007 Home Page
    • The Feasts of Israel II 2008 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
    • The Gospels 2014 Home Page >
      • The Gospels 1-4
      • The Gospels 5-8
      • The Gospels 9-12
      • The Gospels 13-16
      • The Gospels 17-20
    • Hebrews 2011
    • The Heart Of The Eternal Plan 2016 Home Page >
      • Heart of Eternal Plan 1-4
      • Heart of Eternal Plan 5-8
      • Heart of Eternal Plan 9-12
      • Heart Of Eternal Plan 13-16
      • Heart Of The Eternal Plan 17-20
    • In Christ Basics 2019 (Current Class) >
      • Classes 1-3
      • Classes 4 & 5
    • Johannine Literature Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 5-8 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 9-12 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 13-16 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 17-20 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 21-24 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 25-28 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 29-32 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 33-36 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 37-40 Johannine Literature
      • Classes 41-45 Johannine Literature
    • Kenosis Of Christ 2010 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-24
      • Classes 25-28
      • Classes 29 & 30
    • Lamb Life 2003 Home Page
    • Law and Grace 2016 >
      • Law and Grace 2016 Part 1 - Law and Lamb Home Page >
        • Law and Lamb 1-4
        • Law and Lamb 5-8
        • Law and Lamb 9-12
        • Law and Lamb 13-16
      • Law and Grace 2016 Part 2 - Lambs and Beasts Home Page >
        • Lambs and Beasts 17-20
        • Lambs and Beasts 21-24
        • Lambs and Beasts 25-28
        • Lambs and Beasts 29-32
        • Lambs and Beasts 33-36
    • Leadership 2002 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-9
      • Classes 10-13
      • Classes 14-17
    • Philemon 2017 Home Page
    • Philippians Part 1 2011 Home Page
    • Philippians Part 2 2013 Home Page
    • Preparations For Starting A Ministry 2009 Home Page >
      • Preparations For Starting A Ministry 1-3
      • Preparations For Starting A Ministry 4-6
    • Priesthood I 2007 Home Page
    • Priesthood II 2008 Home Page
    • Psalms Home Page >
      • Psalms 1-3
      • Psalms 4-7
      • Psalms 8-11
      • Psalms 12-15
      • Psalms 16-19
      • Psalms 20-23
      • Psalms 24-27
      • Psalms 28-31
    • Realities Beyond The Seen 2010 Home Page >
      • Realities Beyond Classes 1-4
      • Realities Beyond Classes 5-9
      • Realities Beyond Classes 10-13
      • Realities Beyond Classes 14-18
      • Realities Beyond 19-23
    • Redemption Truths 2013 Home Page >
      • Redemption Truths Classes 1-4
      • Redemption Truths Classes 5-8
      • Redemption Truths Classes 9-12
      • Redemption Truths Classes 13-16
      • Redemption Truths Classes 17 and 18
    • Road To Emmaus 2009 Home Page >
      • Road To Emmaus Classes 1-4
      • Road To Emmaus Road Classes 5-7
    • Romans 2015 Home Page >
      • Romans Classes 1-16
      • Romans Classes 17-32
      • Romans Classes 33-49
      • Romans Classes 50-65
    • A Simple Yet Profound Look At The Tabernacle 2017 Home Page >
      • Classes 1-4
      • Classes 5-8
      • Classes 9-12
      • Classes 13-16
      • Classes 17-20
      • Classes 21-23
      • Classes 24-27
    • Song Of Songs 2014 Home Page
    • Spiritual Realities Of Noah 2008 Home Page
    • Tabernacle 2011 Home Page >
      • Tabernacle 1-4
      • Tabernacle 5-8
      • Tabernacle 9-12
      • Tabernacle 13-16
    • Troubles And Trials 2014 Home Page
  • Blogs
  • Sunday Sermons
    • 2022
    • 2020-2021
    • 2015-2017
    • 2013-2014
    • 2011-2012
    • 2009-2010
  • Bible School
  • Literature
    • Booklets
    • Ashes of the Red Heifer Audio Book
    • Christ Filling All Things Audio Book
    • Fragments
    • Christ As Life Manuals
    • Articles
    • Transcripts of Sermons
    • Dutch Literature
    • Spanish Literature
    • Romanian Literature
  • Donate
  • Original Music
    • A Shepherd’s Journey
    • Crucified Worship Volume One
    • Crucified Worship Volume Two
    • Crucified Worship Volume Three
    • All Over The Place
    • Axe To The Root
    • Near Kinsmen Bluegrass Cd
    • Dyslexic doG
  • Conferences
    • Gathering 2024 The New Has Come
    • Arkansas Conferences
    • LITS Gathering 2023
    • Ireland 2023 - World of Done
    • Belgium 2023
    • Ireland 2022 - In Search of The Wisdom Before Time"
    • Ireland 2022 Young Adults Sharings
    • Gathering at the Sheepgate 2022
    • Gathering in the Altar 2021 >
      • Catch the Flame!
      • Main Session Sharings
      • Kids' and Teens' Sessions
    • Gathering the Ashes 2020
    • Gathering At His Heart 2019
    • Gathering At His Feet 2018
    • Belgium Conference 2019
    • Crucial Preparations For Taking The Land
    • Noah's Floating Circus And Zoo Vacation Cruise
    • At His Feet in Ireland 2019
    • Father's Heart Conference 2017
    • Ireland Conference 2015
    • Belgium Conference 2014
    • Holland Conference 2007
    • Holland Conference - Bearing Fruit
    • Fulfilling Gods Heart For A Habitation
    • Conferences in Spanish
    • Conferences in Dutch
    • Women's Conferences >
      • Bathsheba
      • The Geneology Of Jesus Christ
      • Hannah
      • Two Aspects of Christ Our Husband
    • Ohio Conference
  • Dutch Resources
    • Conferences in Dutch
    • Books in Dutch
  • Moments of 2020
  • Outreach
  • Videos
    • Short Video Sharings
    • The Firstborn - Stand-Alone Sharings
    • Teaching Videos
    • Mini Series
    • Spanish and English Videos
    • Music Videos
  • Audio Individual Sharings
    • Applying The Cross
    • Lamb Sharings
    • Abiding In The Vine
    • Christ Filling All Things Audio Book
    • Ashes of the Red Heifer Audio Book
  • Oldies But Goodies Vol 1
  • Oldies But Goodies Vol 2
  • Sermons To Soak In
  • Newsletter Articles
  • Bible Translations
    • Galatians Translation
    • Ephesians Translation
    • Philippians Translation
    • Colossians Translation
    • Philemon Translation
    • I & II Corinthains Translation
    • Romans Translation
    • Hebrews Translation
  • Prayer Requests
  • Poems
  • Contact Us
  • What Is The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit?
  • For Such A Time
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.

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.
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.

​​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?"

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.

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.
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.
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.
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.

If you would like to receive a copy of this album please email us at [email protected].