Month: July 2017

07/31/2017

07/31/2017

“For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”  Psalm 84:11  NLT

We are so blessed to be in the middle of the summer! Everything is green and blooming. We do not live in a tropical location, but the humidity makes up for it! Walks are easy when you avoid the heat. Naps are on the porch rather than by the fireside. Famous luxuriates in rolling in the grass. Walks are for sheer enjoyment rather than to “take care of necessary business.” Neighbors stop to say hello and linger to give Famous a belly rub. It is easy to forget that winter is coming and that these days, these years, cannot continue forever.

But God is forever. His mercies are infinite. We celebrate the gifts of his goodness knowing this day is a blessing. He will shield us when times are not as joyful, and He will continue to grant everything we need. Let us give thanks for all that surrounds us.

Teach me the art of living in Your grace and glory. Amen. 

07/30/2017

07/30/2017
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5  NLT

Always supervise your pet when eating and when treats are given! Even favorites can sometimes become a choking hazard. Famous took a treat meant for small to medium sized dogs the other day, and I could tell something was not right the way he was pawing at his muzzle and pushing his face into the carpet. I did think he might be choking, so I knelt beside him to sweet my fingers across the back of his throat to see if I could discover the problem. Famous is a medium to large dog in my estimation of appropriate treat buying, and the chomp he had taken on this treat had lodged the tasty morsel either between his cheek and gum or on one of his molars. He was not choking, but he was having difficulty chewing the bite. Finally, our efforts paid off, and he gulped down the tasty but onerous snack.

Do we sometimes assume we always know what is best? When did we stop acknowledging God as our judge and take the task on ourselves of having all wisdom and privilege? Should we not rather accept an attitude of learning from one another rather than insisting “our” way is best? Do we ever stop to pray for guidance before deciding someone is somehow less in understanding or virtue because they profess a differing opinion?

I have always held God has an infinite number of ways to reveal himself to his creation. We, ourselves, are each unique examples of his loving expression. Perhaps we should gaze at our fellow creations with awe and inspiration rather than at our own reflections.

Allow me to take ownership of my role in the diversity of Your creation, O God.

07/27/2017

07/27/2017
“As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.”So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing.”  Acts 8:26-39  NLT

You would think it is crazy, but we never go that way. There is a neighborhood just one block away from our home with its quiet streets which make a nice circle for pet walking. But we rarely walk there because it requires walking along or across a busy road. However, with several people playing sports on the fields near the school where we typically walk, I led Famous back into this seldom seen subdivision.

As soon as we reached the first homes, I noticed neighbors standing in the lawn and wondered if they might not care for strangers walking through their property. But as we passed I recognized one of them and called out to him. As soon as he heard my name, he recognized me, but so did the neighbor to whom he was speaking! They both came over to greet Famous and me, and we had a wonderful reunion until well after the sun had set.

Are we open each day to the “coincidences” which fall our way each day? I believe it was more than a chance meeting when I picked that evening to walk in that neighborhood, to see a colleague whom I had not seen in twenty years who just happened to be talking to another former acquaintance who, by the way, had just moved into her home. Friendships were rekindled, and even new friendships were made as my friends had a golden retriever named “Deacon” for Famous to meet.

Help me learn to recognize the clues of Your guidance in my life today, dear Lord.

07/28/2017

07/28/2017

FAMOUS FRIDAY FUN FACT

Dogs can smell disease.

If your canine chum is acting strange there might be nothing wrong with them – the problem could be with you.

Research at the Schillerhohe Hospital in Germany found dogs have an incredible ability to recognise the smell of a range of organic compounds that show the human body isn’t working as it should.

That means your dog can actually diagnose your cancer, something scientists are eager to explore further, as well as diabetes and the early signs of an epileptic seizure.

 

07/26/2017

07/26/2017
“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42  NLT

I would rather have a dog than a clean house. I suppose in a perfect world you could have both, and Famous is not a messy dog, but I would rather spend time enjoying his presence than completing all of the household chores. I know friends who are so particular with the condition of their homes that they would never consider having pets. However, I realize my home without Famous would feel less lively, less cozy, and less complete.

A house lived in will always fall into disarray. And as far as Famous goes, he would also fall into disarray without daily care. But the moments with him are precious and fleeting. It should come as no surprise I choose as often as possible to make them a priority.
What goes through our minds as we plan the day, as we decide what is important, what can wait, and what we can ignore? God knows there are many things calling for our attention. He has given us guidance to keep us from worshipping the things of this world which would keep us from drawing closer to him. Then we will know the peace of a life well-spent.

Today I need the focus to stay in Your presence. 

07/25/2017

07/25/2017

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”  Proverbs 3:6  NLT

He does not get to do it very often. But today, to make up for the fact it was too hot to have fun sitting outside, I took Famous for a car ride, and I let him sit up front with me. He did not mind the warm wind hitting him in the face, but after about ten minutes he decided it was nicer sitting down in the seat where the air conditioning vents could send cooler breezes his way.

He seemed not only happy with his upgrade to first class, but he was carefully focused on everything appearing through the windshield. He watched the traffic, curves in the road, moving houses and businesses as if he were my navigator. Finally, the familiar site of our neighborhood and driveway appeared before us, and somehow this wonderful adventure had brought us home again.

God asks us to stay awake, alert to what only He can show us. When we spend our time only looking inward and seeing our flaws and failures, we diminish our capacity to do his will.

Open my eyes and fill me with Your wonder today.

07/24/2017

07/24/2017

“Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.”  Psalm 112:4  NLT

It was another relaxed morning. So much so that Famous was willing to lie on the floor as I dozed above him aware of the first rays of sunlight hitting the windows. I was not in need of hurrying out of bed, nor was I needing to fall back asleep. I had found the balance between stillness and wakefulness where I was simply blanketed in peace, grateful for the moment and the life shared with Famous.

It was a moment of peace in what had been a “stay-cation” for me. While it had been relaxing, I had been lifting up prayers for a suffering relative, coordinating a future family trip, and looking at the calendar realizing how much lay ahead in the next six months. There would be tension and stress and sadness that I would have to face again in my life, but in that moment of serenity before the day began I was happy and I was blessed.

I have found it is very simple to find God in the darkness. When we let go of our expectations and our demands, God sends silent, calming assurances that He is there. He can fill our hearts with joy and show us the way to the light.

Remind me when I see fears arising that You will not let the darkness overwhelm me. 

07/23/2017

07/23/2017

“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”  Romans 13:11  ESV

It was a morning where I did not have to jump out of bed and instantly start calculating the minutes I had remaining to take care of the morning chores before walking out the front door. It was the beginning of a long weekend. I pulled my legs and feet over the side of the bed and enjoyed the lazy feeling of  dangling and stretching my feet before taking the step down to the floor. But as I did so, Famous starting licking my feet in an early morning greeting. He was happy I was finally moving. He is my motivation for owning the day and getting out of the bed.

God requires us to find daily motivation in his calling, his purpose for our existence. We cannot be self-serving in our motivations save from the joyful experience of following God’s commands. We have but a limited number of days to seek God’s pleasure, but each of these can become eternal moments by his divine power.

Remind me the hour has come to serve You, Lord, with all of my heart.