“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with fragrance.”  John 12:3  NLT

This passage from John is astonishing! Mary’s act of devotion was both extravagant and physical. She had to sacrifice money, time, and energy to perform this anointing of Jesus’ feet which Judas Iscariot criticized as a waste of money. But Jesus rebuked him and foreshadowed his own burial.

I am almost startled on mornings when Famous washes my feet with his tongue before I have the chance to slide into my bedroom slippers. Maybe he likes the saltiness of my skin. Perhaps he is reconnecting with me following the separation of sleep.

It would be easy (and a lot less ticklish) for me to refuse him this “service.” But as I endure a few sloppy licks, I am reminded of the place in my heart which allows me to recognize and receive such blessing. These feet which will carry me through the day will also allow me to serve the Lord. If my dog can show what I choose to believe is this simple act of devotion, then how much more should I perform humble acts of service and sacrifice to my God each day of my life?

Father, guide my feet in grateful service to You this day.

“And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.”  Deuteronomy 6:5  NLT

What can be more endearing than to have your dog gaze into your eyes as if he understands the very depths of your soul? I know the intensity of his sweet expression is probably directed more towards determining the scent of what I ate for lunch or studying the expression on my face than conveying the human emotion of love. But our dogs do have a bond with us which grows with the passage of time.

Let this be a lesson when we say we love the Lord. We should not be guilty of putting on mere faces of piety. If indeed we are seeking to adore the One true God, are we also sacrificing the time it takes to conscientiously pour our intentions, our passions, and our energies into the task?

Through the eyes of Famous I am reminded that I am loved by the One who made me. In receiving His love I am reminded that He expects nothing less than everything in return.

Lord, fill me with your love so that I will know how to surrender every fiber of my being unto You. 

“Praise the Lord, I tell myself, and never forget the good things he does for me.”  Psalm 103:2  NLT

For me, one of the most enjoyable parts of “puppy school” training was rewarding Famous with exuberant praise for a positive behavior. For example, in teaching the puppies to return to their owners upon command (a response which could potentially save their lives from traffic or other hazards) the owners would kneel down, hug the pups and praise them over and over again if they successfully ran into our arms.

But in praising the Lord, our own lives are saved. The puppies were learning to follow the promptings of our voices. We must learn to recognize the voice of our Master and eagerly run into his arms with praise.

I at times deal with people who believe that there is nothing good about their lives. They cannot seem to understand God’s love even though they so desperately need it. They are as dogs who can no longer hear the voice of the One who is showing them the way to salvation. They have forgotten the good things that God has done.

Father, I eagerly await your voice that guides, protects, and blesses me each day!

“I have heard all about you, Lord, and I am filled with awe by the amazing things you have done.”  Habakkuk 3:2  NLT

I enjoy talking about my dog, Famous. So much, in fact, I ordered a photo book to document our first year together. If anyone had any doubt about my dedication to him during those twelve months, the photographic record gave evidence of our hikes, holidays, and training classes.

My hope is to be able to demonstrate with equal ease and enthusiasm my amazement at God’s work in my life. For although I physically interact with Famous when we jog or play catch, when we greet guests at the door, or when we settle down in front of a fire, it is the awesome God who blesses, protects, and guides me as we interact each day.

There are times in our worship when we are bound to be silent because nothing can express our awe of God’s glory. But we should not refrain from sharing with others our joys He sends every day of our lives.

Help me to be a witness to the wonder you bring into my life this day, O Lord.

“I love you, Lord; you are my strength.”  Psalm 18:1  NLT

The Hebrew word for strength is often used to describe the steadfastness of God as it would a rock or a fortress. It helps us to understand our God is not a mythical Hercules on steroids, but an awesome bulwark against the storms brought by time and living. Everyday we are bombarded with physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual arrows. Without God’s strong protection we cannot weather these assaults!

In days when I have felt the onslaught of the world, Famous has been a source of steadfastness in my life. Always willing to be at my side, to lay his head in my lap, to remind me of how precious a moment can be, he becomes a vessel of God’s faithful love and grace.

Being able to recognize God’s handiwork in this creature allows me to grow stronger. I am reminded of my relationship with the One who created the entire universe. For out of the whole universe and out of all of history He has remembered me this day and has placed this devoted pet into my life.

My love for you, God, knows no limit. Your love for me is eternal.

“When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  Matthew 2:10-11  NLT

Today is Epiphany–a time when God’s work is revealed. But revelation does not easily come to those who are not prepared, who are not curious enough to look for a sign.

A dog sees the world differently from his master. You and I might take notice of the slow and subtle changes of the seasons, but during our daily walks our canine friends are eagerly taking in every new scent that has been “deposited” since the last outdoor adventure. Much is new on each hike, and if you observe a sniffer like Famous, his snout is investigating every inch of ground along the way.

By not expecting God’s miracles on a daily basis, we lull ourselves into comfortable complacency and misplaced self-confidence. Suddenly, a crisis arises, a loved one falls ill, and we suffer because we have forgotten to find God among us.

Father, I seek forgiveness for being blind to your miracles which you place in my path every day. Help me to place my trust in you so that I may discover your revelation in each and every moment.

“His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.”  Ephesians 1:5  NLT

Who can say if dogs understand more than their human counterparts the need to belong? Instinctively, they stay in packs. This has increased their capacity to survive and probably explains part of the long history that has been forged between humans and domesticated canines.

As independent as we attempt to be, we also have a yearning for family, camaraderie, and community. Once we realize God has made provisions for these needs, our fears of loneliness, isolation, and banishment fade away.

Often at the end of the day, Famous will curl up near my feet and doze. If I take just a moment to sit beside him and place my hand across his back, he lets go a heavy sigh. He knows he belongs!

It gives my heart great joy to call you Father! Thank you for making me your child!

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the temple. She was now eighty-four years old. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.”  Luke 2:36a, 37  NLT

How impatient we have become in today’s society! If there is something to be had, we want it instantly. The fast food lane is never fast enough, and e-mail and tweets have replaced “snail” mail. Soon we will be expecting drones to expedite same-day delivery by giving us same-hour arrival. Most of us could never relate to our grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ time-consuming tasks of sowing, nurturing, and harvesting food for our tables while we have it instantly displayed in the local markets. Ironically, we continue to pursue time-saving measures, and yet, we never seem to have time to spare.

One of the first tricks my dog learned was to leave his treat alone until I granted him permission to consume it. As much as I could see he wanted that delicious little morsel, he would lie on the ground motionless until he heard my cue. Then, with glee and satisfaction, he would gobble up his reward. Anna, in contrast to us, had plenty of time. She worked many years at growing her trust, waiting diligently on God’s blessing. Finally, God rewarded her patience by allowing her to meet the Messiah face to face.

Prepare me, Master, with the quiet gift of patience so that I too can continue to see with glee the blessings You wish to bestow upon me.

 

“There are three things that will endure — faith, hope, and love — and the greatest of these is love.”  I Corinthians 13:13  NLT

As a child I learned the cheerful song that ends, “God is love, God is love!” As I grew up I became even more aware of the very nature of God’ essence as love. It really is that simple. Theologians may weave intricate explanations in an effort to grasp particular aspects of the relationship between creation and Creator. But ultimately I have found more understanding comes from an open heart.

I would not be the first to say our pets see their owners as god-like creatures. I think a better description would be we find in them the type of adoration we should show to our Master. Day in and day out my dog demonstrates how I should soar up to God, jump into His arms, and adore Him in an eternal moment.

Ultimately, this is my desire: to free my heart from earth-bound oppression so that I may open my eyes and heart to God’s love.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, which I will lift up to you in thankfulness and praise.

Continue reading “January 3” →

“Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; celebrate his wonderful name with music.”  Psalm 135:3 NLT

I have found a connection to my dog through music. Music has always been a part of my life and my worship. But until I brought Famous home, I did not realize it could also be a tool for creating a bond to this wonderful creature.

On the day we met, as I was packing him into his new crate, five hours from what would become his new home, his breeder began to tell me he would cry and yelp for about thirty minutes. “Did you bring earplugs?” she asked. I could only think of the distressed look in the eyes of the pup’s mother as I carried away the last of her precious bundles.

Driving down the long driveway of the farm all I could hear were his ear-piercing cries for help against this sudden abduction. I decided to switch on the radio and began to sing amidst the din he was making. Amazingly, in minutes he settled into a soft whimper and then a quiet slumber for the remainder of the trip.

In my journey of faith, music has always been an integral component of worship. This gift that so enables me to connect with the loving Father has now become a means to connect with my loving pet.

Today I celebrate all gifts which come from above.

"Ce qu'il y a de meilleur dans l'homme, c'est le chien."

(The best thing about a man is his dog.)

Alexandre Vialatte