“Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation.” II Peter 1:20  ESV

I need to make a video of my brushing Famous’ teeth. I never brushed a dog’s teeth as a child, and I would never have guessed that part of the responsibilities to your pet would be brushing his teeth! But this is our normal. He watches me brush my own teeth. Then, if he hears the faucet turn on again, he is convinced it is his turn. He really is quite the good sport, and I suppose the chicken-flavored dog toothpaste makes the task a little more bearable. (And yes, they do they make bacon-flavored toothpaste for humans if you are inclined to try it!)

God surprises us in his own time with his own message. This is not left up to the whimsy of the individual, but upon the divine message which God sends to us. We should be convinced that God is in control and will work out his plan in his time.

When I am in doubt, O God, surprise me today with Your revelation!

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.”  Philippians 3:13  ESV

Wet ears are a sure sign Famous has been working at discovering all the new scents of the morning. I can keep to the road, but Famous is in and out of the grass, going wherever his keen nose takes him. His long, floppy ears drag through the dewy ground gathering moisture, leaves, and twigs. He can transform into quite the hippie dog.

One scent can give a clue as to what lies ahead as he pushes his nose through the grass. Finally, he locks into the spot that has the most information. He might spend minutes in one location where he is transfixed by the evidence of another dog, cat, or forest creature’s presence.

People of faith never tire of discovering what lies ahead in their service to the Lord. No doubt it requires work and perseverance. But it also requires an ability to move beyond the good and the bad of the past in order to place hope in the path that lies ahead.

Give me the faith to always find joy in the discovery of how I can best serve You today, O Christ.

“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”  Proverbs 16:25  NLT

There are inherent dangers for a pet living in the city. The most treacherous is motor vehicle traffic. In his excitement to enter the world of fresh scents and new territory, Famous would have no savvy or street smarts to protect him from running into the path of an oncoming car or truck. He would only be drawn to the promise of exploration and discovery with only pure luck and poor odds at his disposal.

However, in my company he anticipates a pause at the curb where he sits until commanded to cross the street with me. It does not provide immediate satisfaction, but it delivers the reward in the end.

In our humanity we often make decisions that seem to guarantee a better existence, a greater prize. However, if we cast our wills into the path of compromise of faith, selfishness of pride, or neglect of those suffering about us, we bring death not only to ourselves but to the world at large. We foolishly distance ourselves from God’s will.

There is a sure path before me today. Lord, light my path and I will be thankful for where it takes me. 

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”  Matthew 21:25  NIV

I am thankful for the devotion and companionship Famous gives to me. His happiness gives me joy. As I sit down to put on socks and shoes each morning, he finds a way to get in front of my feet or on top of my shoes in perfect position to keep me from doing anything other that giving him a back rub. And as soon as I have finished, he rolls over to receive a belly rub before I can even attempt to get back to the socks and shoes.

Having to stop my rushing to share time with him is a blessing in itself. He knows he can get my attention for some one on one time before leaving the house. It is a shared happiness that I will never forget!

What vast happiness have I declined or refused because I have left Your presence, O God? Help me to draw closer to You by my faithfulness.

“The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD . Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD . The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.”  II Chronicles 5:13-14  NLT

How difficult it would be if Famous and I disagreed on most things, if he did not choose to accompany me outside for walks, or if he fought me at bath time! There are moments when he can let it be known he thinks he knows better than I. Knowing I would be responsible for making this relationship between master and pet work well, I worked hard from the very beginning to establish a routine that would work for both of us.

Much like a chorus of singers and the musicians which accompany them, people have to work together in unison to accomplish a greater task. When the Temple was completed, it was with a chorus of thanks that prompted God’s glorious presence to bless them.

God created us individually with unique gifts necessary to serve him. Just as a choir is not composed of only sopranos, the world is not filled with people of the same temperament, opinion, and understanding. Faith works as a great unifier in a world where forces work to divide and conquer us.

I surrender my gifts to be used in the harmony of the Holy Spirit. 

 

“‘Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies.  But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone.’ Then the LORD ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.” Jonah 2:8-10  NLT

I signed an agreement with Famous’ breeder. It included notification and possible return of my dog in the event I found I could not adequately care for him. But I also made a verbal agreement (of sorts) with Famous, telling him I would love and care for him if he would grow old with me and keep me active and engaged as I entered middle age. Now that eight and a half years have gone by, it appears our contract is solid.

We make promises every day, but how well do we keep them? Are small promises to pray for someone just as important as the ones to love someone for a lifetime? It seems these days our promises are only as good as the circumstances surrounding them. And because someone’s word is not as reliable as it might have been in the past, we have contracts and prenuptial agreements to hold someone to their promises. When these agreements are broken, stated or alleged, we feel cheated and due adequate compensation.

We cannot expect the Lord to deliver us from death and defeat if we turn our backs on his mercy and grace. Only if we keep our promises to worship him and offer our prayers of thanksgiving can we find true salvation.

Let me start with a promise to praise You in all circumstances today, my God!

“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it. He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds. He whispers in their ears and terrifies them with warnings. He makes them turn from doing wrong; he keeps them from pride.” Job 33:14-17  NLT

Walks with Famous in the late fall are marked by a rustling noise as he wades through the fallen leaves of oak, maple, and poplar. If I closed my eyes, I would still know exactly where he was and whether he had stopped to sniff the ground or had picked up the pace after the scent of a rabbit or squirrel. He, however, is a silent observer, rarely making a bark or a whine throughout our trek. With my eyes open, I can see if he stops to focus on a neighbor or points to a pair of doves.

I decided when we first began our walks not to wear ear buds in order to listen to music or podcasts. For one reason, I needed to make sure I heard any approaching traffic or danger to help navigate Famous to a safer position. But secondly, I wanted to share the experience of what he was seeing and hearing, sometimes interpreting the sounds of geese flying overhead or assuring him to be calm as a screaming firetruck sped by.

How often do we fill our day with noise to distract ourselves from God’s voice? I find that God speaks to us constantly is so many ways throughout the day. It might be in the beauty of a sunrise, the face of a stranger greeting me on an elevator, or the abiding devotion of a beloved pet.

Tune my heart to see and hear Your guidance and warnings throughout this day.

“Let them praise the LORD for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8-9  NLT

Famous has, in my opinion, a good life. It is not a perfect life. I can only offer him so much of my time in our modest home. But anyone can observe him and tell he is happy or at least comfortable. But he has moments when he appears to be truly satisfied, when he is fully in the moment, and in need of nothing else. My joy is most complete in these times because I also find myself in that moment, unaware of any unmet need or desire.

I have heard from many dissatisfied people, people who have become acutely aware of what life has withheld from them and who live in the shadow of the fear that their needs will never be fulfilled. I have seen this fear used in the interest of gaining power over others, and I have seen it used to blame others for the uncertainty and unfairness of life.

But I proclaim we can all know the satisfaction of God’s love. We cannot achieve it on our own accord, and we cannot find it if we are focused on our own needs and fears. I can experience the joy which Famous brings by knowing I am doing everything I can to help him achieve that joy.

Let me leave my needs and desires up to God, and let me concern myself with showing others the wonderful things God has done.

 

“As long as the earth remains, there will be planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night.”  Genesis 8:22  NLT

With my blond, graying hair and blue eyes I have what they call a “summer” color type. But not Famous. He is definitely colored for autumn with his liver coat and hazel eyes. He wears an orange collar during the fall months of September, October, and November. And to see him wade through deep mounds of brown, red, yellow, and gold leaves is a striking image.

God gives us seasons for work and play, for rest and renewal. But prior to Christ’s return we must never cease from spreading the Good News of his love and saving power.

Help me to plants seeds of hope and eternal life throughout this day.

“He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious plan regarding Christ, a plan to fulfill his own good pleasure. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.”  Ephesians 1:8-10  NLT

A dog’s life is not long enough. This has been said to be a dog’s only fault. And I am grateful for the anchor they become to the past and the bridge they can be to the future.

Famous, as a puppy and young dog knew my sister who sadly passed away when he was only two. Yet, I can still hear her greeting him in my mind with her “How is the ol’ boy?” He continues to be a bridge for me and my hospital patients who often inquire about him during their clinic visits. And as I look to the years ahead, I anticipate a wiser, older Famous demonstrating for me how to accept a slower pace of life and teaching me more about grace and thankfulness.

I pray for Your grace and wisdom to guide me through this day.