“If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”  Luke 9:24  NLT

This has been a week to remember and give solemn thanks for the lives of men and women, and even service dogs, who have given the ultimate sacrifice. The memory of their efforts in protecting and preserving the world we enjoy means they did not die in vain. To remember death comes to all of us elevates our appreciation of each and every breath we take.

But what good is a life preserved if it is lived in fear, or greed, or vanity? A truly liberated life is one where each moment spent is in harmony with the will of Christ. Famous reminds me to lift up my heart in praise for each moment and to see the world through different eyes than my own. The same inspiration comes from the memories of those we have loved who no longer walk this earth but who continue to inspire and teach us.

Today, I will remember and seek God’s power to let go of self.

“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26  NLT

Famous has one master. It makes his obedience a simple matter instead of a complicated one. He still has “free will” by his instinct, so he does have to choose whether he is going to follow me into the house or be left outside alone. And, yes, sometimes he chooses to remain out on the lawn, but I have never abandoned him, always keeping him in eyesight.

God commands us to have no other gods before him. Christ explains that we cannot serve two masters. If we give our love to anything else, relatives, possessions, or philosophies, then we sacrifice our commitment to him. I am not saying God tells us not to love others, but to love them with the love of the Lord. If we turn our energies to pleasing the One true Master, then He will order our lives, freeing us from confusion and fear, and enslavement to false gods and idle purposes. Rather than worshiping Famous, I am dedicated to celebrating the God-given joy he brings.

God, You alone shall be my heart’s desire.

“so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people.”  Hebrews 9:28a  NLT

Owners speak of the responsibilities they have regarding their pets. These are sometimes regarded as duties, but usually I see them as sacrifices. There are the sacrifices of time and money. But there are also sacrifices of self; that is, where I put Fame’s well-being before mine. Each one may seem insignificant in itself. For example, I might take him for a walk before having my first cup of coffee, or I might head straight home after work instead of going out for dinner. Once I slept on the floor for several months to keep him from jumping down from the bed in the middle of the night while he was developing bursitis.

Together these sacrifices add up to part of the relationship between human and dog. Christ’s one sacrifice for all humanity surpasses all that we could ever attempt to do to repay him. But just as the daily sacrifices I make for Famous make our relationship stronger, the daily commitment to follow in Christ’s steps makes us stronger by freeing us from the fears and sins of this world.

Teach me the value of giving up everything for You, Lord Christ.

“But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.’”  Mark 5:36  NLT

Faith overcomes fear.

Famous is pretty chill as he makes his rounds through the neighborhood. He gets along well with other dogs, and he makes friends easily. I cannot say that about every other dog on our walk. There are many yapping barkers who discourage our approach. I imagine this is often inherent in the breed’s temperament. But I have also learned our animals pick up on our own emotions. It seems obvious to me the barking is encouraged when the human is yelling at them to be quiet. Either way, it can be a lot of commotion.

When we let our fears run our lives, we drown out God’s steady, empowering voice of calm. We are convinced that no one is in control, and panic sets in. On our walks together, I cannot help but sense we are working along side each other. We are bound by the leash which gives us both more security. If we are bound by the bonds of faith with our Lord, we have the added courage of knowing He is by our side.

Help me to remember You are always beside me in my work each day.

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need.”  Colossians 1:11  NLT

Famous is a great teacher when it comes to patience. How he sits patiently waiting for me to want to venture back outdoors for a hike! And I know the hours must creep by as he waits for the sound of my car to pull into the driveway. I try to return the favor on every neighborhood walk. Even the ones in the morning when I might be late for the office find me allowing him to explore whatever bush or curb holds his interest. This is his reward for waiting patiently by my side.

There are also great rewards in waiting for God. We have opportunities of renewed strength and courage. We have the occasion for reflection and meditation to help guide us. Time cannot restrict God the way it does us, yet He uses timing to order the events happening around us. He knows the lessons and the endurances which can make us his greatest witnesses, and He will reveal their purposes when we need them the most.

Father, give me patience and endurance today by your Holy Spirit.

 

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11  NLT

If you love creatures, you find the beauty in their form. Regarding Famous, I have always been quite enthralled by his eyes and his expressiveness. I know God planned for his striking appearance to always be a reminder of the attention He gives to his creation. He has planted an eternal affection in me for Famous which in turn helps me to praise my Creator.

I regard Famous as only a part of God’s work in me. I am constantly seeking the significance of our time together, knowing one day this daily journey will end. If joy is truly in the journey, then my cup runneth over. I cannot see all that God has in store for me, but I know He will bless me with joys such as those I know with Famous, those with eternal significance, as long as I surrender myself to doing his will.

“Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. “

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1  NLT

This is the beginning of a familiar and popular biblical passage which sets forth the rhythm of life and the inevitability of life. But I think it also tells us that we are not passive observers during our journeys on earth. There is a time to be born and a time to die, but there are millions of precious moments between those two events. I believe we must find courage to present our best possible selves in every moment lest we miss the blessing that each moment holds.

Each walk with Famous is an opportunity to experience the neighborhood, the weather, the companionship in a unique and different way. Even if the weather is uninviting, there is a joy in facing it together. This weekend our walks gave us the perfect opportunities to see the moment a bright full moon peeked through a hole in the clouds illuminating the ground for just a few brief seconds and a brilliant rainbow once a storm had passed. These are gifts which would otherwise have been missed.

Seeking God’s direction in every moment allows us to be where He can use us. Thinking that we have no talent, that we do not belong or fit in, or that someone else can do the work are attitudes which rob us of opportunities for seeing the power and glory of our God.

O God, I pray my daily routine increases and does not diminish Your power in me. 

 

“However, anything specially set apart by the Lord–whether a person, an animal, or an inherited field–must never be sold or redeemed. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart for the Lord as holy.”  Leviticus 27:28  NLT

The Book of Leviticus became one of the guides for the laws of the Israelites, including the instruction to repay the afflicted with an “eye for eye” and a “tooth for tooth.” If someone killed another person’s animal, then he was required to pay him back with a live animal. There were also laws regarding special vows of dedication to the Lord, and land, property, animals, and even people could be dedicated for the right amount of silver.

We no longer make holy sacrifices of blood to God since Christ has become the eternal sacrifice for us. But the idea of understanding our possessions, our property, and even our families are to be dedicated to God out of our thanksgiving to him is an expectation which is becoming less and less familiar in our society. If we make those things which are most dear to us the conduit of God’s blessings and offer them in return to his service, we honor God.

Famous is my conduit of blessing from God. I will cherish him not as my own, but as a gift to remind me of God’s favor. If God can use us to bless others, then his love can be multiplied beyond the boundaries of my heart and home.

Teach me to take stock, O God, of all I possess and treasure, so that I may dedicate my all to You.

“In that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk.”  Joel 3:18  NLT

Believe it or not, Famous knows the sound of a spoon against a near-empty cereal bowl. He knows that noise at breakfast means I am almost finished, and if he approaches at the right time, he gets the remnants of milk before the bowl finds the sink. I am aware some dogs can be lactose intolerant, but there are only a few laps for him, and I have not seen any adverse effects. Still, the bowl is not offered unless he catches me at the right moment.

Unfortunately, most of us regard heaven as a future place in a future moment. Why bother with it now when there is so much which consumes our time, our passions, our energy? We miss the moments, even if they are small amounts of milk in the bowl, that can bring bits of heaven to our day. God desires our daily lives to be spent in preparation for the day when all of our needs are fulfilled. The more we come to his table of grace, the more He can reward us in this world.

Father, even the scraps from your table would bring me great joy and pleasure. Help me to visit it often today.

“Then after I have poured out my rains again, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions.”  Joel 2:28  NLT

Rain is inevitable. So, too, is walking the dog in the rain. Famous could care less if he gets wet, his natural coat shielding him from most of the moisture. I see it as a bit more of a challenge if indeed I am juggling a leash, an umbrella, and a poop bag. I wonder if he appreciates the extra effort. And I know he must think it silly to carry a portable roof, because he seems to be quite satisfied with the wet and the wind.

In the days of the Old Testament an anointing by God came only to a few. But the prophet, Joel, told of the day when this anointing would be available to all. That day would be Pentecost, when the birth of the church would usher in the age of gifts to all believers. And just as it is natural for Famous to delight in the natural blessing of rain, so should we celebrate out anointing by the Holy Spirit.

Holy Spirit, teach me to delight in Your transforming power!