Jesus often used real life situations to get his point across in his teachings. He took something that the people of that day understood to teach a lesson or to symbolize something spiritual. One of the jobs that people in biblical times certainly understood was shepherding. So Jesus took the opportunity to relate how he loved and cared for his children by using this example.

I would like for you to think with me today about one of the names that we hear used for God. That name is Waymaker. The most basic use of the name comes from John 14:6 (NIV), “Jesus answered and said I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the father but by me.” God sent Jesus to earth to die for our sins to make a way for us to get to the father and for us to be able to spend eternity with him.

As I write this week’s blog the show, American Pickers just came on TV. The reality show’s main characters, Mike and Frank, go to places where people have been collecting, antiques, treasures or depending on how you look at it junk to buy things that they see as having value.

The latter half of last week, my daughter came home from college for fall break, so I made a crockpot full of chili. I am not a gourmet cook by any means, but some recipes I like to add my own spices, chili isn’t one of them. I know the packaged chili spices are just right and I know that if I add the right amount that I will get the desired results. I know the right amount because I’ve done it before but also because I sample as I go to see if I need to add more. Spices are meant to enhance a dish not to be the main ingredient. If too much spice is adding it will overpower the overall flavor of the dish.

Last Sunday at church, I sat behind a grandmother who was holding her six or seven month old, grandson. Before the service he was smiling and looking back at me, so I reached for him, and he came right to me. I was feeling pretty good that this baby that I had only seen a few times wanted me to hold him until he went straight for my neckless. The lady, sitting a pew over, commented that the baby sure did love me. I told her that I thought it was my neckless he loved instead of me.

In recent days we have heard about the devastation that hurricanes can bring. Many of the places being hit are being wiped out because they have no strong buildings. Their houses consist of materials that can’t stand against the forceful winds and pouring rains. The people in these areas have nowhere to go that is safe.

Fall has come upon us. I think that fall slips in the quietest of all the seasons. It may not seem that way at first because of the brightly colored leaves and the cool, crisp air but these usually don’t occur until well into the season.