I recently had the opportunity to sing at a gathering of pastors in the area. It is always a joy for me to express in song to pastors my respect and gratitude for all they do. I wrote this song, “Feed My Sheep”, in the early 2000's after being asked to do a concert at a church in Indiana pastored by a man who made an indelible mark in my life. John K. Summers.
John K. is a giant in my estimation and is beloved by hundreds of people all over the country and beyond. He is in his nineties now and is still actively taking trips to Haiti to minister to the people there. He has never taken his hand off the plow and is a great inspiration to me.
After seeing him at his church and reminiscing on his life of faithfulness, I wrote this song in his honor.
Here are the lyrics: You can also view and share the video/ song from the You Tube Channel
FEED MY SHEEP (Words and Music by Larence Chrwning
I saw him preach last night.
This man who touched my life.
The years had all flown by since I got to know him.
He was an old man now.
His hand was still on the plow.
I realized last night what a debt I owe him.
And I asked him, “How do you do it? How do you just keep carrying on?”
Then he told me, “Here is the secret that keeps me strong.
Late in the night, when I lie down to sleep,
I can still hear a voice, whispering to me,
'You did not choose me. I chose you.
You make me smile when you do what I've asked you to do,
When you feed my sheep, feed my sheep.'”
And he had done just that,
When times were good or bad.
He had some battle scars, but he just kept fighting.
He never did retire.
He never lost the fire.
And there he was last night, letting the light in.
And late in the night, when he lies down to sleep,
He can still here that voice, tender and sweet.
“You did not choose me. I chose you.
You make me smile when you do what I called you to do.
When you feed my sheep, feed my sheep.”
And I thought of all the others who preach the Word week after week.
Weary and discouraged, yet they continue to speak.
What is it that keeps them going after all their strength is gone?
Could it be that they remember that voice they heard when they were young?
And late in the night, when they lie down to sleep,
They can still hear that voice, tender and sweet.
“You did not choose me. I chose You.
You make me smile when you do what I've called you to do.
When you feed My sheep, feed My sheep.”
And so they feed His sheep.
copyrighted 2004 by CHEWNING TUNES (ASCAP)