“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”  Proverbs 28:13  NLT

I often have to say, “I’m sorry,” to Famous. I’m sorry if I let his water bowl become empty. I’m sorry if I have not got the time for a long walk. I’m sorry the neighborhood will not let dogs swim in the public pool. I’m sorry if I forget to buy his favorite treats. I’m sorry I have to leave him at home all day by himself several times each week. I’m sorry I cannot play with him all the time when I do get to stay at home.

It seems we are forgetting how to say, “I’m sorry,” to one another. I suppose we associate these words with guilt for omissions or mistakes which puts us in a position of liability. If we are in a habit of confessing our sins before God, then I believe we can learn to commit them less often. If we can approach our Lord with a contrite heart, then we can equip ourselves with the peace to apologize to those we have wronged.

I confess today I have sinned against God and against my neighbor.

FRIDAY FUN DOG FACT

They Really Are Hot Dogs: Next time you see your pet pooch panting on a sunny day take pity on them. Not only are they wearing a huge fur coat, they also have to contend with a higher body temperature than you.

The normal body temperature of a human is 37C, but a dog’s is a whole degree higher at 38C. That’s one reason fleas are more likely to be attracted to your dog than to you. And unlike humans, dogs don’t have sweat glands all over their body, just on the pads of their paws.

“So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.”  Luke 15:20  NLT

How far have I ever been from Famous? Thousands of miles if you count my cross-country trips. His leash, however, will not allow him to go more than twelve feet away. As for being off of his leash, he was once with me on a private beach where he ran to his heart’s content and where he easily distanced himself by a hundred yards before running back in my direction.

Our days are filled with obstacles and opportunities to run away from God. We are easily distracted at times by this freedom, and we will more often than not use it for our own pleasures rather than God’s pleasure. But I believe the safety of our souls depends on being in God’s presence. He is always there throughout our days to welcome us home.

Today I choose not to be a slave to my freedoms but to be a slave to the call of God. 

“For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  II Corinthians 3:17  NLT

Famous spent his first Fourth of July in the big city of Atlanta watching tens of thousands of runners fly past in the annual Peachtree Road Race. I was one of those 10 K’ers. We were just learning to co-exist with one another, and he was as far from home as he had ever been. Instinctively, he began to understand I would be the one who would sustain him, who would keep him from harm, and the one among all those runners who would claim him as my own.

God’s Spirit has claimed us. It can grant us freedom from the thousands of false gods which seek to destroy us. Whatever demon you think has claimed you, be it illness, vanity, or prejudice, it can be vanquished by God’s Spirit.

Show me Your freedom, and teach me its value so I may understand the price that was paid for it.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”  I Peter 2:16  ESV

We started our celebration of Independence Day with an early morning walk through the park. Famous enjoyed the cool breeze on what is forecasted to be a hot day with probable afternoon and evening storms. I enjoyed watching him trotting in the breeze and sniffing the wet grass, although I was eager to get home again for my first cup of coffee. We ran into a young lady who was also taking her dog for a walk. He was a yellow lab, and he was really celebrating his freedom. He was walking without a leash.

I thought to myself how this seemed to be a preferable method. Obviously, he had been well trained and resisted the urge to walk over and say hello to Famous. But I also noted his owner was in violation of a city ordinance, one that states in the city limits a dog must be on leash in public spaces. I said, “Good morning” and kept Famous on the other side of the street. The lab’s owner did not acknowledge me as she was diligently speaking to her pet reminding him of his obedience.

I do think it would be better if all dogs could be trained in such manners. Obviously, most owners would not take the time to be as involved, so leash laws need to be passed. Perhaps it was envy, but I was still annoyed that someone would assume that the law did not apply to her and her pet. I hope he will always be obedient and not be placed in danger around other dogs or traffic.

God grants us freedom knowing it is a good thing for us, but also because we need to work together to help each other. Some of us have more freedoms from disease, from poverty, from mental disease, from demons such as hatred, greed, and lust, than do others. We can share our freedom in Christ to those who are so burdened.

Lead me to celebrate with gratitude the opportunities to live in Christ’s freedom.

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”  James 1:19  NIV

I suppose if there is any consolation for the hearing loss Famous has suffered this year it is the fact that he is not bothered by fireworks exploding in our neighborhood this year. As we took our final stroll this evening, you could hear our neighbors’ dogs barking and howling behind closed doors as distant booms began to sound beyond the tree line. Famous was not distracted one bit. His world remained calm as we traced our way home in the warm and muggy night.

I have found that deep understanding requires me to speak less with the gain of comprehending more. For Famous, who can no longer hear me calling from another room, my words are empty. I doubt he can read lips (yet!), but he is beginning to understand my signs for taking a walk, come here, and eat.  But in our world today there seems to be a lot of noise which causes people to shout and grow angry with one another. Attacking one another has become the new “normal” for what some are calling success. It would even behoove some of our nation’s leaders to be more “slow to speak.”

And as St. James has written, everyone should be involved in the process. To not listen is haughty, to speak quickly leaves us no room for interpretation, and to rush to anger leaves no time for forgiveness.

Help me today to create the time to listen to You, Father, so that I might better listen to my brothers and sisters. 

“And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.”  II Peter 1:13  NLT

The convenience of modern photography helps to insure I will have many memories captured with Famous. It is with much joy I look back on pictures from a few years ago such as when we spent one Fourth of July weekend on the coast. Seeing my footprint alongside his paw prints gave me the idea of capturing the image with my phone. The morning sun was low and gave great definition to our impressions in the sand. As our time on earth is short, even more so for these footprints which would be quickly erased by wind and water but forever captured in “the cloud.”

And now social media even reminds me years later about that memory. If we look around, it will soon be obvious God is reminding us constantly of his love and provision. These memories give peace, understanding, and hope.

I will be eager to make memories today because of God’s steadfast love for me.

FRIDAY FUN DOG FACT

Dogs suffer from jealousy and are just as likely to turn into a green eyed monster as humans, according to scientists in California.

Researchers studied 36 dogs from 14 breeds and found that most were indifferent when their owners ignored them until the owners showered their attention on a stuffed dog.

“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.”  Philippians 3:1  NLT

The dismay of saying farewell to the month of June is as striking as the joy of seeing its return. Rarely do its temperatures require more than a sweater, and shorts and tees are often the dress code once the work is done. It is a month for being outside and making memories, and it is the anniversary month of when Famous and I first met.

Like the Junes is our lives, there are few times when everything comes together, we reek of optimism, and we give life our best. Plans for vacations replace political elections, and freshness from the garden adds flavor and vitality to our bodies. For these times we must be grateful, but faith is our stronghold when times are less abundant. Living in gratitude increases our acceptance of God’s provision.

Show me the path to serenity and joy for whatever faith requires of me.