Sunday Morning Rising: The Shepherd Who Seeks the One
Date: Sunday, September 27, 2026
Scripture Focus: Matthew 18:10–14
The Scripture Reading
Matthew 18:10–14 (KJV)
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?
13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
Along Twelve Mile Bayou: The Sunday Morning Watch
Stepping out onto the porch at 1:00 AM, the night air along
Water Watch & River Gauge: The Dixie gauge along Twelve Mile Bayou holds steady at 9.5 feet, with the Red River pool stage in Shreveport resting calm at 13.6 feet. The current is slow and flat down through the Soda Lake basin. With the water stable, submerged root balls, old cypress knees, and drift logs are sitting right where they belong—tucked beneath the black water, waiting on the dawn.
The Chapel Sector on the Map: Looking just beyond the cabin clearing toward our mapped sanctuary grounds—the Chapel of the Rising Cypress—all remains secure. Built firm upon the reinforced petrified cypress pilings at the natural convergence point of the bayou channels, the chapel faces due East, ready to catch the very first amber light of dawn through the Moon Krystal Oculus. It stands as an unbroken sanctified perimeter against the damp night fog, environmental dread, and wandering shadows, serving as a beacon of quiet peace for the entire community artery.
The Woods & Wilds: The cicadas and tree frogs have settled into their steady late-night cadence. Out across the backwater mudflats, the night belongs to the great blue herons and nocturnal feeders along the banks before Sunday morning fishing boats head down the channel toward the river.
Cabin & Hearth: Back inside the Shreveport Cabin command post, the first pot of dark-roast coffee is brewing strong, filling the room with that rich roasted aroma while the world sleeps. Pixie McKitty is curled up tight, keeping watch from her favorite perch by the window sill, entirely unbothered by the quiet shadows creeping along the levee line.
Morning Devotional & Reflection
Human math always wants to cut its losses. In business, balance sheets, and everyday schedules, losing one out of a hundred is considered an acceptable margin—a minor sacrifice to keep the rest intact.
Christ’s parable turns that ledger upside down. The Good Shepherd does not shrug His shoulders at the solitary lost sheep, nor does He write it off to stay comfortable with the ninety-nine. He heads straight out into the briars, through the brush, and over the rocky bluffs until the wandering one is lifted safely across His shoulders.
The Upper Room and Our Daily Bread remind us this morning of God’s relentless, pursuing grace. He isn't distant or detached. His authority is demonstrated by His willingness to seek the vulnerable, the overlooked, and the exhausted.
Like the chapel standing watch over the dark water, faith reminds us that no corner of the wilderness is beyond the reach of divine protection. If this Sunday finds you feeling stranded in the thickets—worn down by the trials of the week or feeling separated from the fold—take heart. The Shepherd never takes His eyes off you. And if you are resting in safety and comfort this morning, say a prayer for the ones still out on the hillside who need to find their way home.
Morning Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the deep silence before Sunday morning breaks, we thank You that Your watchful eye never closes. You know every hidden channel, every dark bend, and every wandering soul. Thank You for being the Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one in the brush. Grant peace to our sanctuary, strength to our community, and eyes to see those who are lost or hurting. Bless our homes, watch over our water and roads, and guide our steps in Your truth as the sun rises. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Product Identity & Legal
The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges: The world of Zimrala, the Tygerian Isles, the Ether Dragons, the Tiger Force Shadow Saga, the Chapel of the Rising Cypress, and the specific "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona. Scripture taken from the King James Version (KJV). Devotional themes inspired by reflections from Our Daily Bread and The Upper Room. © 2026 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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