Friday, September 9, 2016

Sorrowing of the Damned
By Larry Doyle Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

One state of soulful regret is called “Godly sorrow”
And “sorrowing of the damned” is a different term
Each lamenting like souls raked with a harrow
Who, dreading God’s judgement, writhe and squirm

As we advance from infancy into toddlerhood and begin to use real words and phrases, our parents quickly introduce us to the social obligation of saying to others we have offended, “I’m sorry.”  It takes a while for the phrase to sink in, because in those early ages and stages, saying that we are sorry and actually feeling sorry are often two very different things.  Hence, the rather constant encouragement by others who feel offended to pry an “I’m sorry” out of us. 

Eventually, we develop the ability to truly observe how our behavior affects us and others.  If all goes well and we survive childhood’s typical traumas, we develop an increasing capacity for a wide range of emotional response to life and to others, including the experience and the expression of sorrow in a variety of situations. 

If God and religion are part of our upbringing, then the concepts of personal sin, guilt, and Godly sorrow become ingrained –more or less.  We feel badly inside ourselves when we have offended or caused others pain.  At some point we are deeply affected by the realization that an Atonement was arranged so that our repentance would be effectual. Thus we become motivated to take corrective action, or in other words we repent. 

Regrettably, some grow up and never quite tune into remorse, guilt, or the need to repent for errant behavior.  For them life is not a window into the world of others, but a fragile mirror that reflects only their wants, desires, and emotions – not others.  Nonetheless, they remember well the childhood education in sorrow.  The downside is that they apply sorrow not to their own errant actions, but the unfortunate consequences they must endure.  Thus, the thief does not regret that he stole money, but is sorry that he got caught and punished.  The lifelong sinner regrets not his behavior, but sorrows for the actual or anticipated consequences.

Thus, the scriptures refer to the “sorrowing of the damned” – a sorrow not borne of guilt for sin, but of pain for anticipated penalties.  This concept becomes our focus in this meditative verse where we voice the warning:

God will not always suffer sinners to take pleasure in sin
For their day of grace will expire in the third estate
When time is no longer - with no time to repent therein
Then, for the damned, sorrow will be their eternal fate

Sorrowing of the Damned
Thus there began to be a mourning and a lamentation in all the land because of these things, and more especially among the people of Nephi.  And it came to pass that when I, Mormon, saw their lamentation and their mourning and their sorrow before the Lord, my heart did begin to rejoice within me, knowing the mercies and the long-suffering of the Lord, therefore supposing that he would be merciful unto them that they would again become a righteous people.  But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.  And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die.
Book of Mormon   Mormon 2:11-15

One state of soulful regret is named “Godly sorrow”
And “sorrowing of the damned” is a different term
Each lamenting like souls raked with a harrow
Who, dreading God’s judgement, writhe and squirm

Both sorrows induce pain regardless of cause
But differ in their fidelity to Christ the Lamb
Godly sorrow leads to reconciliation to God’s laws
Impenitence, to the sorrowing of the damned

One sees a soul turning; the other a soul burning
Godly sorrowers embrace the path of the penitent
Others churn and burn with unrequited yearning
For things vile, immoral, base and decadent

The unrepented seek not Jesus with broken hearts
But curse God and wish that they might hide
From His gaze, and the judgement He imparts
Indulging malignant sin, avarice and pride

God will not always suffer sinners to take pleasure in sin
For their day of grace will expire in the third estate
When time is no longer - with no time to repent therein
Then, for the damned, sorrow will be their eternal fate

Larry Doyle Crenshaw

Friday, September 2, 2016

Joy for a Season

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Works of Godly light and truth bring gladness and joy
But if deeds are of darkness, and with evil aligned
Then comes the end and those in the devil’s employ
Who joyed in evil for a season, to evil will be consigned

Sometimes the pursuit of the upward-bound Christian life is tempered and slowed as we pause and look at passersby who are moving in the opposite direction, and who appear to be happier than us, more prosperous than us, and, in many respects, seem more content than us.  We may be tempted to consider, “Should not our good works produce good fruit leading to ever greater prosperity, progress, and happiness?”  “Why does it appear that their road is freer of obstacles, roadblocks, hurts and pains?”  These inner spiritual questions usually give way to standard answers that require our patience, and persistent faith, but most of all, require a re-orientation of our line of sight – not on those going the other way and their path, but a re-focus on ourselves and our path.

God has said that those taking a downward direction may have “joy” for a season, but it will be short-lived in the eternal scheme of things. (Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 27:9-12)   Further, He has said that what they appear to experience is not really joy at all for “wickedness never was happiness,” (Book of Mormon  Alma 41:10). So, we assume that what they call joy must be something else – perhaps what is called “temporal pleasure” – things that please the “carnal, natural man.” (Book of Mormon   Mosiah 3:19)

However, despite, and perhaps because of, our afflictions, we may experience joy as declared by the Apostle Paul, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  (2 Corinthians 4:17) – “Difficult, but worth it,” we often say.  This truth leads us to testify:

Patient, Godly works will yield a divine noblesse
By obedience to God and by His saving grace
And consecrate us thru His veil and profess
Our reunion with Him by His heavenly embrace

Joy for a Season
Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you;  And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it. But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return. For their works do follow them, for it is because of their works that they are hewn down; therefore remember the things that I have told you.
Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 27:9-12

Joy can be rather constant or a fleeting thing
Oft determined by our attitudes and actions
Beliefs, feelings, and works to which we cling
Thus, joy is a choice in our daily transactions

Works of Godly light and truth bring gladness and joy
But if deeds are of darkness, and with evil aligned
Then comes the end and those in the devil’s employ
Who joyed in evil for a season, to evil will be consigned

Remorseful in a place from whence there is no return
Their evil works will follow them and hew them down
Such is the fate of the ungodly who will fall and burn
Refusing the atoning grace of Him who wears the crown

Joyful transactions can seem few and far between
As joy is waylaid by pain, chaos, and strife
Ambushed by things capricious and unforeseen
Some forego joy and succumb to the temporal life

Life can seem like a despairing judicial sentence
For the hapless who may have joy for a season
But remain lost and refraining from repentance
They reject the truth and the light from its beacon

Patient, Godly works will yield a divine noblesse
By obedience to God and by His saving grace
And consecrate us thru His veil and profess
Our reunion with Him by His heavenly embrace

Larry Doyle Crenshaw



Friday, August 26, 2016

The Servant’s Heritage

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

 Servants of God and His kingdom’s cause
Inherit the blessings God has avowed
And as we serve Him, His word and laws
We become His heirs, hallowed and endowed

In a world ever more focused on serving the self, the nobleness of true servanthood is often obscured and unrecognized.  Yet, if we profess the Christian cause, then we would do well to acquire the traits and perform the practices of true servants.  The practice of Servanthood requires few skills but an enormous amount of focus directed toward the needs of others.

There was One, of course, who provided an advanced course in Servanthood.  From washing the dirty feet of others, to cleansing souls via His Atonement, the Lord, Jesus defined Servanthood for all of us.  His example and His message underscored the amazing principle that when we serving God’s children, we are serving their Father.  Hence, our mortal curriculum is filled with daily opportunities for charitable, Godly service

Yet Servanthood is not empty of recompense.  There is an amazing grace and tender mercy that accompanies our Godly service.  For as we sacrifice our time, our energies and means in behalf of others, and as we help build God’s kingdom, we are imbued with greater light, more spiritual energy, and greater capacity.   In our pursuit to “bear one another’s burdens,” (Galatians 6:2) and to “lift up the hands that hang down,” or “strengthen the feeble knees,” (Hebrews 12:12) we find our own burdens lighter, our hands and arms lifted up, and our knees strengthened.  Thus, we become more hallowed and sanctified as the law of Christ is fulfilled in our Servanthood.  This is what the ancient prophet referred to as, “the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17)

Hence, our meditative verse declares:

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
Whose righteousness is of Him forevermore
An eternal bequest of glory is our reward
As we enter Heaven’s Gate to go out nevermore

 The Servant’s Heritage
7  For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8  In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer….  10 For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee….  13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children…. 17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall revile against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.
Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 22:7-8, 10,13,17  (Isaiah 54:17)

Servants of God and His kingdom’s cause
Inherit the blessings God has avowed
And as we serve Him, His word and laws
We become His heirs, hallowed and endowed

Though God on occasion may hide His face
His compassion and mercy is soon shown
He blesses with power, love and grace
Vowing to forsake not, nor ever disown

Faithful servants need never fear
God’s armor is a defense and shield
And guardian angels are ever near
As the sword of the Spirit they wield

Righteous servants are protected
As the world battles the blest
Enemies are subdued and subjected
And no weapon against them shall molest

This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord
Whose righteousness is of Him forevermore
An eternal bequest of glory is our reward
As we enter Heaven’s Gate to go out nevermore
Larry Doyle Crenshaw


Friday, August 19, 2016

The Tent of Zion

By Larry D. Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

The desert tent: the ancient nomadic residence
Walls and rooms made of woven goats’ hair
Poles, cords and stakes around its circumference
Warm in the night - cool in the desert-sun’s glare


Jewish history until mid-1900 is a record of thousands of years of captivity, subjection, and disbursement into unknown lands. Although scattered throughout the earth, those of Israel's blood have always sought a return to their homeland spurred by the Biblical promise found in Deuteronomy 30:1-5

1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee,  2 And shalt return unto the Lord thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;  3 That then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the Lord thy God hath scattered thee.  4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:  5 And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

In ancient times the tent-tabernacle of the wilderness and later, the temple on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, became the place of holiness and the emblem of Israel’s Godly devotions.  For wanderers in distant lands, gathering to Zion (Jerusalem, the home of the temple) was often a life-long, centuries-long pursuit.

 The tent of desert nomads provides an interesting metaphor for Zion’s search for habitation.   Providing shelter from the desert heat in the daytime and warmth from the desert cold at night, the nomadic tent was a place of transient residence and protection. Its interior was divided into rooms by curtains of woven goat hair.  Stable against desert storms, it was held up by strong poles flexible enough to bend against the winds without breaking.  Extending from the poles were strong cords anchored into the ground by stakes driven deeply into the sand and soil.  Gathering to Zion was seen as gathering to a place of safety and security – a place of peaceful residence like the ancient nomadic tents.

One of the many definitions or interpretations of Zion is that it not only represents a holy place, but also a holy, covenant people known as “the pure in heart.”  People become Zion as they become “children of the covenant” via adoption through baptism into Christ’s church.  One becomes pure by honoring baptismal covenants, exercising faith unto works (James 2:17).  Finally, when all is done within our power to work out our salvation, God’s grace completes the process driving out all impurities and we, as a people, become Zion – the pure in heart. 

The meditative verse The Tent of Zion takes up this theme as it reflects on the nomadic tent, curtains, poles, stakes, and cords – each a metaphor of Zion –each a metaphor with even deeper meanings. 

Zion, the pure in heart, is thus gathered and grown
Anchored by stakes firmly secured with priestly cords 
Allowing covenant blessings to be reaped when sown
As citizens of Zion are blessed with eternal rewards

The Tents of Zion
And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.  Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes;   For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.
Old Testament, Isaiah 54:2; Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 22:1-3

The desert tent: the ancient nomadic residence
Walls and rooms made of woven goats’ hair
Poles, cords and stakes around its circumference
Warm in the night - cool in the desert-sun’s glare

Like the ancient tent of desert habitations
Zion is where the pure in heart may dwell
Protected from the desert’s stormy tribulations
Sheltering wanderers, keeping them safe and well

The Lord commands “enlarge the place of thy tent”
And thus, Zion grows, expands, and is multiplied
 “Stretch forth the curtains of thy habitation” is meant
To make room for our spiritual needs to be supplied

“Lengthen thy cords” expands Zion’s habitation
Extending its power and impact in all the world
“Strengthen thy stakes” secures Zion’s foundation
As the banner of Zion is raised and unfurled

Zion, the pure in heart, is thus gathered and grown
Anchored by stakes firmly secured with priestly cords 
Allowing covenant blessings to be reaped when sown
As citizens of Zion are blessed with eternal rewards

May our habitation be in Zion, the pure in heart
A people bound by covenants with the Lord
Faithful servants with Godly service to impart
Strengthening the tent of Zion with one accord
Larry Doyle Crenshaw




Friday, August 12, 2016

Children of the Covenant

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

Children of the covenant – an honored name
A Godly progeny, a peculiar and holy nation
Children of the prophets whose doctrines we claim
Children and heirs of the promise before creation

There exists an ancient covenant from the days of Adam and Eve and even before in the great planning councils of creation, wherein God offers knowledge, power, and the way and means to return to His presence.  This covenant process works somewhat like a school where the principles and practices of a Godly life are given by God and received by His children through covenants and then celebrated by rituals called ordinances.  Those who enroll and pursue this Godly course may be properly called Children of the Covenant.  Thus, the scriptures proclaim “25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”  (Acts 3:25)

Biblical scholars cannot agree regarding the number of covenants or which ones are conditional or unconditional.  Many look at God’s dealings with man and divide His expectations and promises into seven specific covenants.   From a Biblical point of view these covenants include the (1) Adamic, Edenic, or Creation Covenant, - Genesis 1:26-30, 2:16-17, and 3:15-19, (2) Noahic, - Genesis 9, (3) Abrahamic,  - Genesis 17:4-5, 12:3, (4) Palestinian or Land Covenant, - Deuteronomy 30:1-10, (5) Mosaic, - Exodus 20,  Deuteronomy 11:26-28,  (6) Davidic, - 2 Samuel 8-16  and (7) New Covenant. – Jeremiah 31:31-34, Matthew 5:17.  Some scholars further sub-divide these and some combine these covenants. 

One theological approach suggests that as God is everlasting and is “the same yesterday, today, and forever,” (Hebrews 13:8), then His covenant is everlasting and not so much as different in each dispensational period, but renewed following periods of apostasy from His ways.  Hence, each time His covenant is renewed, it becomes a “New and Everlasting Covenant” for its new recipients and for which they are and will be accountable.  This understanding appears very consistent with God’s dealings with His children in all times and places.

The “conditional – unconditional” covenant debate appears to put too fine a point on the exact language that may or may not have been used in the bestowal of the covenant.  As any parent can attest, ALL parents put bounds and conditions upon their children’s behavior and actions, declaring what will happen if there is an infraction, or what reward will be given with obedience.  Even parental love is subject to the bounds and conditions set by the child who may create rules and conditions for accepting the parent’s often unyielding love.  Such has always been the case with God’s covenant children.  Our Father in Heaven has always been generous to His children.  While His reasons and purposes for declaring the House of Israel His chosen people, He provides a way and means for ALL of His children regardless of race or gender, or nationality to be a part of His divine family.  Whether by lineage or adoption, we can be a covenant child of God.  Thus, the invitation to ALL to come unto Christ.  29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  (Galatians 3:29)

Thus, being children of the covenant, regardless of one’s dispensational perspective, is a high and holy calling and achievement - one that requires constant vigilance, dedication, and perseverance.  And, from time to time, a remedial course in repentance and re-learning the basic tenants of the covenant until we “get it right.”

Our mediation, Children of the Covenant, celebrates this noble birthright and pleads:

May we honor our covenant title and name
And be virtuous in all we think, feel, and do
May our actions confirm our convictions and claim
Our Godly endowment as our covenants we renew

Children of the Covenant
Verily I say unto you, yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have testified of me.  And behold, ye are the children of the prophets; and ye are of the house of Israel; and ye are of the covenant which the Father made with your fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  The Father having raised me up unto you first, and sent me to bless you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities; and this because ye are the children of the covenant
Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 20:24-26

Children of the covenant – an honored name
A Godly progeny, a peculiar and holy nation
Children of the prophets whose doctrines we claim
Children and heirs of the promise before creation

Covenant children, inheritors of the divine crest
Endowed through the covenants we embrace
By ordinances filled with light - we are blessed
Inheritors of Godly power, truth and grace

Covenant children entitled to help and protection
As God hedges up the way and turns us from sin
Like a shepherd watching his sheep with affection
Jesus loves, watches, and guides His covenant kin

A child of the covenant is a holy appointment
Worthy of our finest effort and best behavior
Often requiring Christ’s atoning ointment
As we are saved by the grace of our Savior 

May we honor our covenant title and name
And be virtuous in all we think, feel, and do
May our actions confirm our convictions and claim
Our Godly endowment as our covenants we renew

Larry Doyle Crenshaw


Thursday, August 4, 2016

The Other, Other Sheep

And verily, verily, I say unto you that I have other sheep, which are not of this land, neither of the land of Jerusalem, neither in any parts of that land round about whither I have been to minister.  For they of whom I speak are they who have not as yet heard my voice; neither have I at any time manifested myself unto them.  But I have received a commandment of the Father that I shall go unto them, and that they shall hear my voice, and shall be numbered among my sheep, that there may be one fold and one shepherd; therefore I go to show myself unto them.
Book of Mormon   3 Nephi 16:1-3

The Good Shepherd loves His sheep
Ministering to His flocks, each and every one
His covenants for them to ponder and keep
Judging with equity when mortality is done

His flock in Jerusalem we know quite well
And of His sheep in America we have a record
But of His other, other sheep we have little to tell
Only a passing reference, spoken by the Lord

Declaring that they too will hear his voice
That there may be one Shepherd and one fold
That all may receive His gospel and rejoice
As His kingdom comes forth in glory to behold

Who are these other, other sheep
Who have heard the Shepherd’s voice
Who, like us, have covenants to keep
Who, like us, at His coming, will rejoice

We know not who or where they are
But as they hear the Shepherd’s call
They’ll come from both near and far
Into His fold, one Shepherd for all

We await the day when His flocks are united
A day when all saints are gathered as one
As the scriptures and Prophets have recited
A day of gathering all things under The Son

As we seek out and minister to our spiritual kin
Let us be as Jesus – His love generous and deep
Serving as ministers of solace to our fellow men
Agents of the Covenant to His other, other sheep

 Larry Doyle Crenshaw

The Other, Other Sheep

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw
MeditationsInLight.Blogspot.com

As we seek out and minister to our spiritual kin
Let us be as Jesus – His love generous and deep
Serving as ministers of solace to our fellow men
Agents of the Covenant to His other, other sheep

We were recently reminded of the potent power of symbolism while comparing themes of the early 1st century Christian church, to that of the 3rd century church, and then later to that of the symbols of the protestant reformation churches.  For example, the cross or crucifix only became an entrenched symbol of Christianity in the 3rd century under Constantine.  Later, in the 16th century and beyond, the protestant reformers were split on the use of religious symbols with the Lutherans a little more accepting of art adorning their chapels, while other reformers tore down or painted over such works.

That leaves us with the question, what of the early Christians – those who lived within a 100 years of the Savior’s death and resurrection?  What was the central theme or symbol of their faith?  It was only about 150 years ago that the answer was revealed with the discovery of the catacombs – the ancient burial places of many of the early Christians.  There on the walls were painted or etched throughout, three themes – “the Good Shepherd,” “the Fish,” and “the Vine.”

As described by one of the great Christian historians of the 19th century, Dr. Phillip Schaff, “Roman Catholic cemeteries are easily recognized by crosses, crucifixes, and reference to purgatory and prayers for the dead; Protestant cemeteries by the frequency of Scripture passages in the epitaphs, and the expressions of hope and joy in prospect of the immediate transition of the pious dead to the presence of Christ. The catacombs have a character of their own, which distinguishes them from Roman Catholic as well as Protestant cemeteries.  Their most characteristic symbols and pictures are the Good Shepherd, the Fish, and the Vine. These symbols almost wholly disappeared after the fourth century, but to the mind of the early Christians they vividly expressed, in childlike simplicity, what is essential to Christians of all creeds, the idea of Christ and his salvation, as the only comfort in life and in death.

The Shepherd … suggested the recovery of the lost sheep, the tender care and protection, the green pasture and fresh fountain, the sacrifice of life: in a word, the whole picture of a Saviour …. The Fish expressed the same idea of salvation, under a different form, and (associating) the fish with daily food and the baptismal water of regeneration. The Vine again sets forth the vital union of the believer with Christ and the vital communion of all believers among themselves.” - History of the Christian Church, Schaff, (7 vols., 1858–1890).

One cannot read the Bible or other scriptural works without being impressed by the imagery of the Good Shepherd and His sheep.  From the Shepherd of the 23rd Psalms to Isaiah 53’s “lamb to the slaughter,” to “the marriage of the lamb,” in Revelations 19 we are taught about the attributes of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer through the imagery of sheep, lambs, and Shepherds.

Our meditational verse focuses on one such metaphor in John 10:16, “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.”  Theologians have wrestled with this verse for ages – most believing that the “other sheep” were the gentiles, but other scholars have suggested otherwise, and generally concluded it to be one of the lesser important mysteries.

One ancient scriptural text says that the inhabitants of the new world – descendants of Israel - are the “other sheep.”  Whether one believes this scriptural account or not, it does present an interesting question. For, in the text Jesus visits these people following His crucifixion and tells them that they are His other sheep, and then He says that He has “other sheep” not in Jerusalem nor any other people that He spoke to during His mortal ministry - saying that they too, “shall hear my voice and be numbered among my sheep….”  These are His “other, other sheep” who are or were among us.

From a salvational point of view, most of us can believe that the Lord loves all of His sheep in all ages and in all places, and, in one way or another, sees to it that they hear his voice and have an opportunity to be of His fold.  There is much yet to be learned about all of the Lord’s other, other sheep –
We know not who or where they are
But as they hear the Shepherd’s call
They’ll come from both near and far
Into His fold, one Shepherd for all

Larry Doyle Crenshaw