“No, I will not break my covenant; I will not take back a single word I said.”  Psalm 89:34  NLT

I hate breaking promises — even to Famous. But even if the intention is good, there are times when my word is not quickly followed by my actions. When Famous wants to tell me he would like to go outside he will go and nuzzle his leash hanging near the front door. He just gives it a little nudge to make it swing and sometimes cause the clasp to bang against the wooden door. Then he will look at me, or come find me to see if I “got the message.”

Tonight I got the message. And as soon as he looked at me, I communicated quite sincerely that going outside was a good plan (even if we had just returned from his walk just thirty minutes earlier.) However, I was in the middle of my supper and decided he really just needed to stretch his legs and it could wait until after my meal. Then I had to answer an important phone call which helped me to forget my promise to Famous. Sometime later, while changing clothes in order to move delivery boxes, I saw him, and it dawned on me I had not kept my promise. With renewed energy I left my agenda and returned to his promised jaunt outside.

How often are we guilty of only paying lip service to God, forgetting our promises, and putting our agendas before his? We should constantly stay kneeling before God’s throne awaiting his guidance and making our best attempts to keep our faith alive and  to keep his agenda ahead of our own.

Help me to refrain from making empty promises to You, Lord, but rather to stay eager to obey Your commands.

DOG KISSES

You kiss my feet when they are bare

You kiss my hand hanging off the chair

You kiss the fist offering you a treat

You kiss my face with licks so sweet

Do you love the taste or do you love me

Would you prefer I taste like PB

Lucy said, “Yuck!” But I say, “Yeah!”

You can give me dog kisses any old day

Rich and Famous

 

 

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.”  John 14:15-17  NLT

I wore a dark navy wool suit today. It is the kind of material that if you look closely enough, you will see I share my life with some sort of animal. I find reminders of Famous every day in my clothes, my towels, my car, and all throughout my house. The brown hair is rarely detected except when I am grooming him. But I cannot say the same for the bright white hairs which give him his characteristic springer markings. They are easily detected on dark surfaces throughout the house. I believe I will find them as long as I live in this house long after Famous is gone.

God has given us an ever-abiding reminder of his love, protection, and promise. The Holy Spirit is God’s answer when we ask for hope, courage, and direction. There is evidence of the Spirit in our lives. At times it may be like Famous’ dark hair, hard to see at first, but spread around us. At other times, if we know where to look, there is abundant evidence of his presence.

Show me Thy secret abiding places as I travel this day, for surely I am more secure in knowing You are with me. 

 

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  I Thessalonians 5:16-18  ESV

It is on my mind a great deal. Can I justify the time away from Famous, and is the time I spend with him quality time? As a puppy he was with me constantly. He even accompanied me to work. About the only time he was not with me was when I was in the shower! My job has changed, and of course Famous is older. I believe he is accustomed to the routine of staying by himself for many hours several days of the week. But every time I leave the house, I am anticipating my quickest return.

In writing about Famous, I am also seeking to cultivate a running prayer or dialogue with my God. Am I just as conscious of the time I am away from God in my thoughts as I am of my awareness of my separation from Famous? I know God’s presence accompanies me throughout the day. But just as I try to return home quickly whenever Famous is alone, I also seek to return to the throne of my Father when the world distracts me.

Keep my heart focused on You today, O Lord, my God.

“Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.”  John 14:19  NLT

I  could not see him, but I knew he was there.

My usual morning routine once I get out of bed is to head to the kitchen to start the coffee. With my mind set on getting to work, I follow a certain sequence of events which helps me to accomplish chores before I leave including taking Famous for a walk. One advantage this brings me in the winter is giving the sun a chance to rise and light up the neighborhood.

But today after I arose I decided to get dressed immediately and start the day with our walk knowing I would have time on a Saturday to enjoy the morning coffee later. The cold air outside would serve as a very good stimulant! But whether he just was not quite awake, or just too cozy under the bed, or thrown off by my change in routine, Famous did not arrive for his morning back rub, and I was able to put on my shoes and socks unhindered.

I thought how this will be the reality when Famous is gone. No dog pushing up against me over my feet. No eyes flashing as he flips over exposing his belly. No wag of tail as we head to the front door. Just me putting on my shoes.

But I knew he was under the bed. And as soon as I had opened the hallway closet to retrieve my coat, there he was looking at me with his head cocked to one side suggesting he was a bit confused and thinking, “Are we really going outside right away? You should have sent me a memo!”

Christ does not leave us alone and comfortless. Even though at times it may seem his presence has left us, He is always here with us. The world would have us believe we are alone and powerless. With Christ by our side, all things are possible.

Help me to feel your empowering presence today, O God!

YOU CAN’T TEACH AN OLD DOG TO FLY

A woman called our airline customer-service desk asking if she could take her dog on board.

“Sure,” I said, “as long as you provide your own kennel.” I further explained that the kennel needed to be large enough for the dog to stand up, sit down, turn around, and roll over.

The customer was flummoxed: “I’ll never be able to teach him all of that by tomorrow!”

Borrowed

“Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.”  John 21:16  NLT

“Do you want to go outside?” It is a rhetorical question. Rarely is Famous not ready to spring out the door the minute it is opened to once again take in the excitement of our yard, driveway, and street. It really seems to him like Christmas every time. And it only makes him more excited if I prompt him by asking this silly question, his tail wagging furiously, and his eyes fixed on the door anticipating the moment it cracks open.

Jesus asks us a simple question: “Do you love me?” We might even say it is a silly question. “Of course we do, Lord!” But do we answer with the same excitement we felt the moment we knew Jesus had come into our hearts? Or do we become accustomed to the “necessary” tasks at hand. I love you, but I have to go to work now. I love you, but I want to watch television tonight. I love you, but I planned this trip with my family a long time ago.

Jesus does not want us to pay him lip service. Our only true love for him is serving in his name, not just when it is convenient or when we get around to it, but when with enthusiasm we cannot wait for him to open our door to his field.

Grant me a heart that pounds wildly to serve You today, O Lord!

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”  James 4:10  NLT

I have described how Famous corrals me in the morning while I am putting on my shoes for his back rub. But this morning he seemed to still be waking up; either that or he was feeling a little down sensing it was one of those days when I was about to leave him alone while I went to work. Instead of his usual erect posture with his back to me, he bowed his head low in front of me pausing for a moment before flipping over on his back in supplication.

It struck me how important it is for me to begin each day bowing before God and placing my very life in his hands before ever leaving the house. If there are schedules, they will surely run late. If there are agendas, they will certainly change. If there are laws of justice, common decency, and moral integrity, they will undoubtably be broken. And then where are we? Lost, unless we have already made the commitment to first depend on the almighty God.

Give me a dependent and humble heart. Help me to give it to You in submission this day.