THE GOOD SHEPHERD

March 5

Bible Reading: John 10:8-18

John 10:11, “I am the good shepherd.”

The Bible often compares humans to sheep.  There’s good reason for that, as sheep are notoriously not-so-smart and needful of someone to lead and watch over them.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd: good by nature and altogether trustworthy in taking care of us.  But we are born into this world with a sinful independence that works to set and keep us astray.  Heaven rejoices when any lost sheep is returned to its Master (Luke 15:7).

Shirley was my neighbor, though I didn’t know her.  Then she was our hospice patient.  Then she became my good friend.  She was one of the most remarkable women I’ve known.  She died last year, after twenty months in hospice, ample opportunity for me to get to know and appreciate her. 

A Facebook post summarized her passing this way: “Morrow County lost a legendary sheep, cattle, horsewoman when Shirley died at the age of 94.”  She loved animals.  But she wasn’t so fond of people.  We talked about that once and agreed that sheep are “dumb but docile, whereas people are dumb and hostile,” though I added the caveat that people are not always that way.  She was a sheep rancher for many years, overseeing the Basque under-shepherds she employed.  They soon realized she was as tough as any of them.

She lived life on her terms.  But then she became a hospice patient.  And then there was a need for a transition.  The fiercely independent, “I don’t need anyone,” former sheep-rancher-now-hospice-patient, needed to realize her own need of a shepherd.  Over the course of those twenty months, Shirley and I and her daughter, Jill, talked about many things, but mostly about Jesus. 

I often read Scripture to her, gravitating towards John 10 and Psalm 23.  We’d sing hymns.  I talked to her about the Good Shepherd in whom she could trust for her salvation.  She once remarked that she hoped that she’d make it to heaven.  I explained to her how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gave His life so that she could have complete forgiveness and have the assurance of a heavenly home when the time comes.  And I witnessed her transition, from that fiercely independent woman, dependent on no one, to one who came to trust in the only One who could impart to her eternal life.  For many years, she’d watched over her sheep, but then Jesus called and made her one of His own. We all have desperate need of Jesus; the only question is to what extent we realize that.  In Jesus, we have a Good Shepherd who cares and can take care of us in every way (1 Peter 2:25).

“What would become of some people if they were always in good health, or if they were always prospering? But tribulation is the black dog that goes after the stray sheep and barks them back to the Good Shepherd.”—Charles Spurgeon.

SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use Thy folds prepare:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast bought us, Thine we are.

We are Thine, do Thou befriend us,
Be the guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Hear, O hear us when we pray.

Thou hast promised to receive us,
Poor and sinful though we be;
Thou hast mercy to relieve us,
Grace to cleanse, and pow’r to free:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Early let us turn to Thee.

Early let us seek Thy favor,
Early let us do Thy will;
Blessed Lord and only Savior,
With Thy love our bosoms fill:
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still;
Blessèd Jesus, blessèd Jesus,
Thou hast loved us, love us still.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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