04/20/2017

“My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.” Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT

With onset of his hearing loss Famous has to watch me more carefully when he needs information. He carefully looks at the expression on my face and the directions I give him with my hands. I honestly think he can read my lips when it comes to familiar phrases such as “out” and “walk.” He learned sign commands as part of his puppy training, but I’m also starting to use new hand signals for everyday words such as
“eat” and “water”. I am also aware that he may not hear me respond if he barks at the door or if I call him from another room. I make the extra effort to let him see me responding and communicating.

If we do not regularly listen to God’s Word, then we begin to forget how to hear his song in our hearts. We need to study the written word, and we should also expect to hear God’s voice guiding us through every moment of the day. Then we can know the life and healing He has promised.

Guide me with Your voice and help me to open my ears to Your words of life.

04/19/2017

“Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations. No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.” Revelation 22:1-3 NLT

I will forever have a profound appreciation for the entrance to our subdivision after the many daily walks that Famous and I make there. Beyond the bricked walls bearing the name of Polo Oaks there is a long drive flanked by camellia hedges and ornamental cherry trees that you cannot truly appreciate by driving by in a car. In the spring you might find yourself walking on a carpet of red petals or strolling through a snow globe of pink ones. In summer the trees provide shade from the heat of the sun. The autumn brings showers of falling gold and yellow leaves. And the winter gives the occasional postcard scene of a snowy lane. But on most mornings we arrive at the east-facing entrance to see our first glimpse of the sun, at least several minutes before its morning rays would find their way through the trees at the bottom of the hill where sits our home. Here we find evidence of a new day, and I delight in seeing Famous’ coat glowing in the new light and in feeling its warmth on my face even in the coldest of mornings. We rarely go beyond the entrance on our first morning walk, but many days Famous will linger looking towards the sun and the world that is beginning to come alive outside of our neighborhood. In some ways I think we are looking into the future to see if we can tell what this day will be like, what the years will bring, and what memories will be left behind when Famous no longer walks that path with me.

Perhaps Famous has helped me to find a promise of the heaven’s dawn upon the new Earth. On that morning, we shall find the river of life supplying goodness and healing. There will be no curse of disease or despair, and we will gather to worship the Lord of Lords upon his throne.

Show me the way to Your heavenly Kingdom by the thoughts and deeds You shine upon me today.

04/18/2017

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAMOUS!

Happy birthday, buddy! You are nine years old! If it were my birthday, my dad would be telling the story of bringing me home from the hospital during the hottest summer he could remember. So hot, in fact, he had to go and buy a box fan to sit in the window to cool the apartment. Later as a kid, I used to get close to the breeze coming from the fan and make funny sounds with my voice! So your story is how I drove all the way to northern Virginia when you were almost ten weeks old to bring you home one weekend. (When you were born I received puppy pictures on my cell phone of you and your brothers.) You cried at first, all alone in your crate, even though there was a new stuffed bone pillow for you to snuggle. So I started singing along with the radio playing, and ten minutes later you were quiet and resting. We had our first walk in the parking lot of a big box store somewhere along the highway that afternoon. It was also a very hot day when I brought you home, and I looked for the one tree that might give our vehicle a bit of shade. I have done that many times over the past nine years, always aware of precious cargo in the back of my car. Thanks for being a loyal friend, for being blessed with a gentle temperament, and for being my inspiration for all of these years! Happy birthday!

04/17/2017

“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” John 15:11 NLT

What a day of blessing! Easter in all of its glory was spent with church family, relatives, and, of course, Famous. We had our morning walk, traveled to my parents’ home, and made it safely home to relax before starting the week again tomorrow. Famous was a real trooper, but he is very tired this evening, and so am I.

But it was more than a day of celebration. Easter marks the end of our season of reflection and preparation and initiates a new year for the Christian. Of all the beings who shared this day with me, the most precious was the risen Lord. Christ has given me new insights on life and living these past few weeks. Having Famous as a touchstone has helped me to focus on God’s direction for my life.

Guide me today, O great Jehovah! With joyful enthusiasm I await Your call.

04/16/2017

“And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said.” Luke 24:36 NLT

Famous generally winds down about nine o’clock in the evening. The house gets quiet, and it is a reminder that the day is over and rest is at hand. His slumbering repose is reassurance of the peaceful night ahead.

This Easter, remember the peace, the shalom, that Christ brings to us. He has conquered sin and death. He has not left us comfortless.

The Lord is risen as He said!

04/15/2017

Poodle: “My life is a mess. My owner is mean, my girlfriend is leaving me for a German shepherd, and I’m nervous as a cat.”
Springer: “Why don’t you go see a psychiatrist?”
Poodle: “I can’t. I’m not allowed on the couch.”

04/14/2017

“And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.’ And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:72 NLT

Famous sent out an alert to me yesterday. He was in the yard and noticed one fence post was out of place. It had fallen and had been placed close to its original position, but now it was leaning against the railing. It was one imperfection along the fence line, but he had noticed it.

He barked for a minute or two–at least long enough to get my attention. Perhaps he just wanted to tell me about it. Or maybe he wanted me to fix it. In most cases, he is placated when I assure him there is no need for alarm, but good job for telling me about it!

Is there anything in your life to warn you when you have forgotten to follow Christ? Do you have habits which repeatedly force you to deny the power of his transforming love in your life?

Help me to recognize my transgressions and to return to the path of righteousness.

04/13/2017

STARING CONTEST

You looking at me? You looking at me?

You’re on. Ready, set, go!

Don’t blink. Don’t look away.

You’re good.

This is no contest.

Your eyes are deep and soulful.

Rich and Famous

04/12/2017

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matthew 4:19 NIV

“Come on, let’s go!” Famous rarely needs more than one invitation to head outside. (He has also learned not to get too excited until I actually head to the door as I might encounter several distractions along the way.)

Just as these walks are a shared experience, I think of our time together over nine years as a shared life, one we have created together. Both of our lives were forever changed when we met each other. I had to invite him into my heart in order to let go of other things which were filling my life. Now I try to honor that invitation by remembering to consider his situation as part of my decision making. Whether it is a lazy weekend at home or an adventure out in the world, all the moments we share together are celebrated.

Jesus Christ issued an invitation to each of us which can change our lives forever. But that is the catch–it is a changed life. It has to be honored by considering our daily walk with God as first and foremost in the decisions we make.

Lead me, Lord, to seek to follow You throughout this day.

April 11, 2017

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

It is those gentle tugs that remind of God tugging at my heart. When Famous and I are out on one of our walks, it gives me great joy to watch him explore all that is new in our same little world. Has there been a dog visitor recently? What did the sanitation department leave behind? Is there anything interesting in this week’s recyclables containers? We never walk the exact same path twice.

But there are times when I have to nudge him away from something fowl or dead, and there are other times when my choice of footwear will not allow me to tromp through the wet grass and mud. This is when I work the hardest at convincing Famous to follow my lead with a gentle tug rather than pulling harshly on the leash. It only takes a moment and a bit of patience before he complies and turns around. (And there are times when we have a little discussion about which way to go, and he does occasionally win!)

God works best in us when we trust him, and to get to that point, I believe we should stay highly curious and seek out all the signals God is sending to us. Ultimately, we should try to be looking for God’s revelation in every single moment of our lives. But there are times when we have to get beyond our own seeking and simply allow God to direct us without question.

Help me in my questioning to not be an obstacle to Your will for me, O Christ.

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Month: April 2017