A hound dog lays in the yard and an old man in overalls sits on the porch. “Excuse me, sir, but does your dog bite?” a jogger asks. The old man looks over his newspaper and replies, “Nope.” As soon as the jogger enters the yard, the dog begins snarling and growling, and then attacks the jogger’s legs. As the jogger flails around in the yard, he yells, “I thought you said your dog didn’t bite!” The old man mutters, “Ain’t my dog.”
–Borrowed.
“You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about.” Psalm 104:20 NLT
Famous and I took advantage of the halftime break of a televised basketball rivalry to take our evening walk tonight. On the way home through the backyard he got very excited, running up and down the fence line until he centered on a large opossum that had ventured out of the woods on a moonlit night. Famous has smelled them around the deck and trash cans in the past, so he knew the creature was about. When he finally found him clinging to the top of the backyard fence, he tried to jump up and catch him, but alas, the springer could not spring quite high enough. Lucky opossum!
The passage from Psalms helps to describe the order of the world that God created. Everything exists according to God’s plan. We may not understand what happens in the night, what happens in the shadows, or the things we refuse to see, but God has set the universe in motion and will ultimately direct the course of eternity.
Help me to rely on Your wisdom when I cannot comprehend the mysteries of life.
LOYAL DOG
Bright eyes, brown nose
Cropped tail, spotted toes
Brows raised whenever I stir
He’s a loyal dog
Of that I’m sure
Sunrise, bird sings
Day breaks with all it brings
We could see the whole wide world
He’s a loyal dog
Of that I’m sure
We long to share a piece of heart
A dog can teach us how to start
Best companion in the world
He’s a loyal dog
Of that I’m sure
Night comes, memories keep
Chasing rabbits in his sleep
Sweet touch of flesh and fur
He’s a loyal dog
Of that I’m sure
Rich and Famous
“Now I, Paul, appeal to you with the gentleness and kindness of Christ—though I realize you think I am timid in person and bold only when I write from far away.” II Corinthians 10:1 NLT
I remind you the time outside with Famous is his time. Of course, I ultimately decide if we can take a long walk or a short walk, but as much as time will allow, Famous generally chooses which direction we take and how much time we spend with each area of interest. Naturally, there are points of contention when he would like to go through a neighbor’s yard or across a busy street and time or circumstances make it more difficult. That’s when a gentle leading works better than a tug-of-war.
He may not immediately respond, but if I wait for him to turn around, he soon gives his yawn of displeasure and leads me in the suggested route. If I tug on his leash, he resists and pulls on the leash with a true potential of slipping out of his collar. It is my way of saying I know best in this situation what we need to do. But even then, there are times when his nature insists that following this fresh scent of cat is more urgent than being obedient.
The almighty God often leads us with a gentle hand, showing us right from wrong. We may resist his leading, but his persistent teaching ultimate directs us onto the path of righteousness.
I thank my God for His gentleness and tender devotion.
“At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway. At the top of the stairway stood the LORD, and he said, “I am the LORD, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants.” Genesis 28:11-13 NLT
Famous sleeps throughout the night, but he has developed a routine that would make you wonder if he has a bit of insomnia. When I start my evening toiletry, Famous ascends his own dog steps to the top of the bed where he will promptly fall into a slumber. Then, as soon as I turn off the lights and prepare to fall asleep with him, he climbs down the steps to curl up on the cool ceramic tiles of the bathroom. Sometime in the middle of the night he returns to the bedroom and takes to slumber underneath the bed. And to the complete the cycle, before I wake up in the morning, and often as i am first starting to stir, he mounts the steps again to take his original post at the foot of the bed. I have yet to figure out if this is mere habit or true preferences he seeks to satisfy at different hours of the night. He did much the same thing before the steps arrived, only I would had to wake up and lift him onto the bed before he was happy. (Therefore, we both appreciate the steps!)
The story of Jacob’s ladder and the naming of Bethel helps us to understand there is a connection between heaven and earth. For Jacob, soon to be named Israel when he wrestles with an angel, the connection also meant a blessing for him and his descendants.
God wants us to know He has a plan for us, a plan that contains a blessing of life. This does not mean it will necessarily be a life without struggle nor a life without want. But it is a promise of a complete life, a life that is whole, and a life celebrated with joy.
Help me each day, Lord, to behold the many connections my earthly life can make to the perfect holy life of heaven.
“The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 NLT
Our outing today took us to a local park with large fields which have been replanted with native grasses and plants. At this time of year the old grass has died, and the dry stalks and blooms create a rustling noise as the March winds catch them and throw them against one another. Famous was more interested in sniffing out what animals had previously been down the grassy trail than listening to the wind, but I noticed it was nearly as loud as the street traffic just a couple of hundred yards away.
Today we have weather alerts and barometric charts to give us information on wind conditions. But Jesus used the unknown direction of the wind to illustrate the mystery of the spiritual life. It has dimension, depth and vastness, which we cannot comprehend. But we can experience it as easily as feeling the wind. Any day is a good day to walk in the Spirit and feel God’s transforming power.
Heighten my senses today to the touch of Your hand, the warmth of Your Spirit.
“So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:6-8 NLT
The early spring has forced many plants to bloom early including the camellias which line both sides of the drive into our neighborhood, the point at which Famous and I turn around on most of our walks. These are massive hedges with thick, dark green leaves and bright red flowers which remind you of the Christmas celebrated just a couple of months earlier. Camellias come in many colors and shades, but the bold red is especially cheerful before the blooming of spring’s delicate pinks and yellows. Since the bushes bloom for many days, a red “skirt” has spilled onto the ground under and around all of the hedges. How many people, I wonder, drive by these flowers, each perfectly formed, without noticing them?
Today it reminded me of the precious blood Christ bled for all of us. During the season of Lent which precedes the holy Eastertide, Christians speak often of the sacrifice Jesus made so that we could know the full measure of God’s love. So precious and transforming is Christ’s blood, but how many travel through life without understanding its significance?
Help me to travel through this day aware of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for my soul.
Clever Springer
A wealthy man decided to go on a safari in Africa. He took his faithful pet springer along for company. One day, the springer starts chasing jungle scents and before long the springer discovers that he is lost.
So, wandering about, he notices a leopard heading rapidly in his direction with the obvious intention of having him for lunch.
The springer thinks, “OK, I’m in deep trouble now!” Then he noticed some bones on the ground close by, and immediately settles down to chew on the bones with his back to the approaching cat. Just as the leopard is about to leap, the springer exclaims loudly, “Boy, that was one delicious leopard. I wonder if there are any more around here.”
Hearing this, the leopard halts his attack in mid-stride, as a look of terror comes over him, and slinks away into the trees.
“Whew,” says the leopard. “That was close. That fancy dog nearly had me.”
Meanwhile, a monkey, who had been watching the whole scene from a nearby tree, figures he can put this knowledge to good use and trade it for protection from the leopard. So, off he goes.
But the springer saw him heading after the leopard with great speed, and figured that something must be up.
The monkey soon catches up with the leopard, spills the beans and strikes a deal for himself with the leopard. The leopard is furious at being made a fool of and says, “Here monkey, hop on my back and see what’s going to happen to that conniving canine.”
Now the springer sees the leopard coming with the monkey on his back, and thinks, “What am I going to do now?” But instead of running, the dog sits down with his back to his attackers, pretending he hasn’t seen them yet … and, just when they get close enough to hear, the springer says…
“Where’s that darn monkey? I sent him off half an hour ago to bring me another leopard.”
GRANOLA BAR
Granola bar, granola bar,
How I want you so!
I hear the wrap from whence you came.
Your sweet honey taste drives me insane!
Please! Please! Don’t ever tease!
One bite is all I need.
I’ll sit up straight. For you I’ll wait
‘Til the last crumb falls to your plate.
(Don’t make me beg. How degrading!)
Rich and Famous, 2017
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:6-7 NLT
I am exploring and understanding new insights into God’s care for me through the relationship I keep with my dog, Famous. I am only human, but my concern and care for Famous is central in my life. Unfortunately, I cannot be with him throughout every moment of his life. I did not create him, so there are many times that I do not understand him. In providing for him I am at a loss when at times he is ill, and I have to rely on others to help manage his care. And even with the best of intentions I sometimes create more stress in his life rather than comfort.
This is not the case with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is with us throughout every day. He knows our hearts and can provide every release from worry and care. We say that dog is man’s best friend. And although this is a great gift from our heavenly Father, it cannot surpass the “best friend” we have in Jesus.
Teach me to rely upon You this day, O Christ.
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