Month: October 2017

10/09/2017

10/09/2017
In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.  The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”  Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.  You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”  Matthew 21:18-22  NLT

Famous has faith that he shall be fed. If his evening meal has not been satisfying, he will stand in the middle of the kitchen floor and bark repeatedly until I have given him a second helping. We have both been cutting back on portions lately, and at times he must feel he is getting the short end of the straw. But he has learned to ask the one who supplies his food, and he shall receive.

Jesus has amazed us in giving the instruction that if we but have faith, we can receive anything. Anything! But I believe we are prone to dismiss this as hyperbole. Our prayer lives have become scant acknowledgements that God will hear our requests. Otherwise, our days would be spent in meditation and praise, and our houses of worship would always be full.
I believe there is great power in prayer which can bring exactly what we need, be it healing, comfort, peace of mind, and even daily provisions. But that can only come when we have the faith to acknowledge that it is God Almighty which delivers these blessings because He has heard our prayers and seen our faith.

Today I will be bold in prayer and strong in faith. 

10/03/2017

10/03/2017

“But then I recall all you have done, O LORD; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.”  Psalm 77:11  NLT

The autumn brings new opportunity for finding fun things to do with Famous. This month I plan to take Famous on a mountain hike, stand with him in a pumpkin patch, and sit and watch fireworks one evening at the end of the county fair. I am storing up memories with Famous. He is my gift, one which comes with responsibility. I choose to be faithful to this gift and to honor God, the Giver of all good gifts. My hope and trust is that these memories will turn into blessings even after Famous is no longer by my side. He points me back to the One who so loves me, and he will continue to remind me of that love once he is gone.

God bestowed upon us the gift of memory. This is one way in which we can draw closer to Him. Our memories of his presence, his intervention, his providence, and his grace, result in our natural responses of praise, thanksgiving, and adoration.

Preserve and protect the memories You have given to me, Father, of my journey that continues to lead me closer to You.

10/02/2017

10/02/2017
About this time, a man and woman from the tribe of Levi got married. The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She saw that he was a special baby and kept him hidden for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got a basket made of papyrus reeds and waterproofed it with tar and pitch. She put the baby in the basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River. The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him. Soon Pharaoh’s daughter came down to bathe in the river, and her attendants walked along the riverbank. When the princess saw the basket among the reeds, she sent her maid to get it for her. When the princess opened it, she saw the baby. The little boy was crying, and she felt sorry for him. “This must be one of the Hebrew children,” she said. Then the baby’s sister approached the princess. “Should I go and find one of the Hebrew women to nurse the baby for you?” she asked. “Yes, do!” the princess replied. So the girl went and called the baby’s mother. “Take this baby and nurse him for me,” the princess told the baby’s mother. “I will pay you for your help.” So the woman took her baby home and nursed him.  Later, when the boy was older, his mother brought him back to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her own son. The princess named him Moses, for she explained, “I lifted him out of the water.”  Exodus 2:1-10  NLT

The first crisp air of the fall greeted us this morning. I begrudgingly put on jeans and a light jacket noting I had not been this cold in a long time. Famous, however, seemed to be excited about the chill. If you are a fan of “sweater weather,” then you will understand he is too, since he has to wear his sweater year round.

But the afternoon was warmer and afforded great conditions for a long walk in a nearby park. As we crossed a wide grassy meadow, Famous seemed to just sail along through the grass, his long coat making him move like a schooner on the water. He no longer had to trudge through the heat of the hot summer sun. I mused he would have been a happy dog to have been raised on a large farm or estate, free to roam the grounds everyday. But he became my dog, and I became responsible for raising him and providing a home and care. He may not have chosen his fate, but he liberated me from a quieter and lonelier home, so his presence has always been seen as God-sent.

When today does not make sense to me, when I wonder how I ended up with everything seemingly working against me, show me, dear Lord, that You care and have provided for me long before I knew You.

10/01/2017

10/01/2017
Then he left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and everyone in his household believed in the Lord. Many others in Corinth also heard Paul, became believers, and were baptized. One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent!”  Acts 18:7-9  NLT

Famous and I said good-bye to our next-door neighbors this weekend as they moved to another home in town. For several years they had been wonderful people to have living beside us. They had their own menagerie of cats and dogs, so we often passed them when we would take our walks. But they were especially kind to Famous and often looked after him when I had to take a trip out-of-town.

On the day of the big move we passed them early in the morning as they began the packing. They were preparing for hired movers to assist them, so I assumed they would be in and out all day. But they were not! Once the movers arrived I failed to see them return to the house, and I was fearful to have missed the opportunity of telling them one last time how much they would be missed. They did return the next day to gather smaller items (and cats) which they had not taken for the first night. It was then Famous and I hurried over so as to catch them and wish them well. They kindly said they would continue to help with Famous if I ever needed them, but I was already acutely aware of how much I would miss our frequent conversations and stories.
Even when we live according to God’s Word, there are times when we cannot see the fruits of our labors. In fact, because we often measure outcomes by our own eyes, we miss the miracle of the Holy Spirit empowering the faithful to work together for the Kingdom. We should never doubt that the good we perform in simple daily tasks is being multiplied by God. We should seize every opportunity to share our hearts, appreciating the fact it might be our only opportunity.

Direct my feet not to stumble or hesitate today, God, when I hear Your directions.