Because the Lord is My Shepherd: Psalm 23 and Me

By Carolyn Booker-Pierce

"The Lord is My Shepherd" is compilation of short story testimonies of how Psalm 23 comes alive in the personal life of the writer, Carolyn Booker-Pierce. These are real life incidents that confirm Christ Jesus as a being a good Shepherd who cares for his sheep, God's people. 

She tells of the incredible moment when s

• Language: English
• Publisher: J Merrill Publishing Inc
• Release date: Aug 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781950719457

Carolyn Booker-Pierce

Carolyn Booker Pierce is a licensed social worker, teacher, mentor, and spiritual leader born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. After leaving a career of almost 20 years in accounts payable and claims auditing, Carolyn followed her passion in the area of social services. She then graduated with a BA at Capital University to become a licensed social worker. Carolyn gravitates to chemical dependency counseling as a substance abuse group and individual counselor. Later she took her years of experience as a substance abuse counselor into her local county jail to serve inmates struggling with substance abuse, alcoholism, and family relationship problems. She is known for listening to others without judgment as they process their everyday life problems. Carolyn desires to help people grow, heal from their past, and move on to a healthy future. She enjoys spending time with her family, church worship center, traveling, writing, and empowering others.

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Introduction

Are there times when you feel like you are out there on your own? It may seem like there is no one out there to help you but you. There is not even one person who sees that you need help. Even if they saw you, they could not help you.

Well, let me share some of my experiences with Psalm 23. Let me share some of my experiences with the good Shepherd. I named this book’s subtitle Psalm 23 and me because it is personal. I am writing out of my own experience with Psalm 23.

Oh, let me put out this disclaimer before you read my book. I don’t consider myself to be a professional when it comes to book writing. Still, I do consider myself an expert when it comes to depending on and trusting in God.

I have been in the school of the Shepherd for a long time. I grew up hearing Psalm 23 in churches, quoted by my elders, and I have seen all kinds of plaques with the famous chapter written on it. It always made me feel good when I first started reading it for myself.

However, over the years, it has become a real connection to who I believe God is to me. I did not really start meditating on what it said until I found myself feeling like a lost sheep. It was then I began to identify with the Lord as being a shepherd. The more problems or tests I found myself in, the more I read Psalm 23.

As I read, I understood how the Lord earned Shepherd as one of his names. Psalm 23 had started to become more personal to me.

It became more than just a lovely Psalm that David wrote that people like to quote. It was personal. It had become a psalm for me.

It became a reality about how a good shepherd cares for his sheep. In caring for their sheep, shepherds would help sheep stay out of trouble or lead them when they got into trouble. I am one of those sheep that was always getting into trouble. I am one of those sheep that the Shepherd has had to rescue.

Are you one of those sheep? Are you a person that, although you try to live right every day you find yourself wandering off away from the fold? Are you a ‘good person’ that sometimes life will land in unforeseen circumstances that only a good shepherd can get you out of?

You may love the Lord, your Shepherd, and he loves you too, but every sheep needs a shepherd. Why, because we don’t know everything.

I have learned that sheep are not very smart. I have learned that I am not very smart compared to my Shepherd. I have learned that I don’t have to know everything. I just need to know the Shepherd because he takes good care of me. He knows how to take good care of you.

I hope you are encouraged by my experience of being led by the Lord. Because the Lord is my Shepherd, he takes good care of me. Like I said, it is personal.

PSALM 23 (KJV)

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

1

My Shepherd Takes Care of Me

The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 1:1

What is a shepherd or sheepherder? It is a person who tends to, feeds,