“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go back to Pharaoh and announce to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.”  Exodus 8:1  NLT

One of our classes in puppy school emphasized getting our puppies to run to us and into our arms as fast as they could. The instructor took each dog to the opposite side of the room and held him until its owner shouted, “Come!” The dogs who were able to focus and who had created close bonds with their owners were the fastest in covering the distance that separated us. Famous was always “ahead of his class.”

One of the important aspects of Christian servanthood is hidden in this passage from Exodus. God instructed Moses to tell Pharaoh he had to free the Hebrew slaves whose ancestors had originally found refuge in Egypt. Then they would not be abandoned or enslaved in turn by God, but in their freedom they could worship him. Choosing to serve the Lord is indeed a type of bondage which brings freedom. It is a choice which allows us to break free from the bonds of sin and the oppression of evil and allows us to run into the arms of God.

Today I pray for insight and wisdom to make choices which keep me close to God’s will.

“But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD .”  Joshua 24:15  NLT

If you ever want to pamper your dog, you can take him to the pet spa, or you can vacation at The Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. When Famous and I checked in, we were both escorted to our luxurious room. There we found his doggie-sized bed prepared beside my king-sized bed. I had an ice bucket, and he had silver bowls for water and for food. I had a mini-bar, he had a bag full of doggie kibbles. Both of us had room service menus, his featured morsels for canine customers!

But the service did not stop there. We dined in the plaza of the hotel’s lobby where I was given full service from the hotel’s restaurant with Famous by my side. My water glass was filled as was another silver bowl brought for Famous (with a napkin placed on the floor beside it). My bread basket was served at the same time he received a basket filled with doggie treats. Following a delicious meal, we were offered a private tour of some of the hotel’s historic rooms.

I was grateful for the lengths the hotel staff went to to make our stay a success as they had chosen to cater to customers who had their companion dogs with them. And I am thankful the training Famous received allowed him to feel comfortable and to obey me in new and strange settings.

May I find new opportunities to follow God’s direction today.

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”  Ephesians 1:18-20  NLT

What is the truest joy of loving Famous? It is knowing that the love comes from a mighty Source. In watching his feet fall, prancing on the ground, in observing him stand on point when he feels I need to pay attention, and in seeing his chestnut eyes studying my face, I know his life is a gift and that all life is worth cherishing.

God bestows upon us many gifts designed to reveal his greatness. These gifts serve us in life, give us hope, and remind us of a truth often unheard in a world set to deceive and misguide us. As I strive to return home at the end of the day to find him ready to greet and receive me, I understand this is the joy our heavenly Father holds for all of  creation when it honors him. I share my experience of loving Famous out of a hope it reminds all of us to look for God’s power in our day-to-day existence. Then life truly becomes exuberant praise for those who believe!

My heart is ready and open to glorifying its Creator today!

“I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?”  Psalm 42:2  NLT

Such pleasant times are my walks with Famous! To share the outdoors as a team, the dog with the nose, the man with the eyes, both with a set of ears working together to discover the world around us gives great joy. But on a day like today, even with a pleasant breeze, warm temperatures make a dog with a heavy coat pant after only a few minutes. Water is lapped up eagerly, and then comes that look of satisfaction which I always take as a “thank-you.”

Do we sometimes impose our own thirst of God’s living water? When we are so wrapped up in our day that God becomes buried in our thoughts, are we not denying the need we have for his life-giving presence? Now is the time to fill ourselves with the sweet, quenching life only He can provide.

Giver of Life, teach me to stay near Your oasis that satisfies thirst.

 

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105  NLT

We have already noticed the sun setting earlier as the summer heat just barely begins to dissipate and children return to classes. If I cannot get outside earlier for an evening walk with Famous, I have to start thinking about increased safety precautions in the dark. It just makes sense that one or both of us should have a light source alerting neighbors who may still be on the road.

I have tried different methods. Carrying a flashlight is great for seeing where  you are stepping, but it can be burdensome to if you are holding a leash. I have tried dog leads and collars that flash LED lights, but it time they usually break down. I found nominal success with a flashing ball designed to clip on to your dog’s collar, and it usually s shows up well against Famous’ white feathering. And if all else fails, the flashlight on my smartphone can serve as a warning beacon to drivers.

The world can be a dark place if we are not prepared with the light of God’s love. His lamp can illumine mysteries and blessings and help us to avoid sin and evil.

You are my lighthouse, Lord. Keep me safe today and always. 

“From his throne he observes all who live on the earth.”  Psalm 33:14  NLT

There are times when I have a wonderful problem. I can be sitting on the couch in my living room reading or watching television when I would like to get up for a drink of water or a snack to eat, or maybe just to check the phone or the clothes dryer. The problem is Famous has fallen asleep on top of my feet, and I know he will wake if I try to rise from my seat.

This is one of those wonderful circumstances where he has drawn close to me and represents the satisfaction he has found in my life. The security of our home, the blessings of food and shelter, the luxury of owning a pet are all wrapped up for me in this moment. I could ignore it and move anyway, but taking even a few moments to wait and treasure the gift of companionship and pet ownership restores my heart to gratitude.

Lord, help me to draw closer to Your throne today and know Your deep, deep love for me. 

“You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.”  Psalm 139:3″  NLT

Famous was my constant companion on our recent road trip through the Midwest. Rarely was he out of my sight. Valet service often made it easy for loading and unloading the car. But when we returned home and resumed our routine schedule, I once again was separated from him for hours during the day.

I have often thought of purchasing an in-home security camera which would allow me to check on him during my time at the hospital or when I would have to take a trip out-of-town without him. Such “pet cameras” are now advertised on the internet and represent the product as the perfect solution for both the worried pet owner and the lonely pet left behind. I have yet to give in to such marketing ploys.

But we should be comforted in the fact that God is aware of all that we do. We cannot travel too far from him or find too hidden a place where He is not lovingly watching and looking out for us.

Today, I will confidently accomplish everything I can for my God knowing He watches over me, protects me, and strengthens me. 

“I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”  Philippians 4:12  NLT

Last night Famous gulped down sufficient cold water from the fridge it turned his stomach, and its contents of the previous meal ended up on the floor. Once his stomach was empty, he was fine, and I knew better than to try and replace the meal so soon. His pulse being normal and his relaxed demeanor told me this was not an infection or poisoning, but still I felt sorry that his hunger would arrive earlier than usual the next day.

Despite his physical want, he still remained close to me throughout the evening, and we went to bed without argument or resistance. How many times have I been less than  brave in face of weakness or depravity? Paul knew the secret of living in all circumstances: our strength does not come from our material possessions or our bodily well-being, but rather from Christ alone. But even so, Paul benefitted from the generosity of the church at Philippi, and we in our victory should never forget there are others who on this day are hungry and poor. We can share God’s blessings until there is no more need.

Dear Lord, I call upon Your strength and direction in wisely using the resources You have provided this day.

 

“’Come now, let’s settle this,’ says the LORD . ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'” Isaiah 1:18  NLT

It is not his favorite time. If Famous gets a hint he is headed for a bath, he retreats under the bed. But once the process is underway, he patiently waits for the experience to transpire. First, there is the rinse. Then shampoo and  rinse again. Finally, coat conditioner and one last rinse. He gets a final towel dry, then I pin him into a robe which helps his coat to lie flat and keeps excess water from being splashed all about the bathroom. Once again his coat is soft and silky and bright white as snow.

We are not capable of washing away our sins. Only God has the power and authority to do that. But we must come to this decision of not hiding ourselves from him. Instead, we must come to him for the cleansing power that only He can provide so that our souls are returned to unblemished, sinless snow white.

Wash me in Your righteousness, O Lord, that I may be pure before You.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31  KJV

Our daily walks are very familiar. But there is one variable that Famous has learned. As we  approach the last curve in the road, less than fifty yards from our home, he stops and waits. He has been leading most of the journey. Sometimes I have had to jog to keep up with him. But with the possibility of a short cut behind our neighbors’ houses, he waits to see if the timing is right. Not too early. Not too late.

But if the present moment is good and appropriate, the clip on Famous’ leash is released and he runs off to our backyard. He might spook a squirrel or a rabbit, or find the scent of a possum or deer. And even if the walk has been long and tiring, the moment he is free he takes off with new energy! He can go where he likes, and chase whatever crosses his path. He is renewed and can do what he was created to do.

God is the one who can release us from our chains to be all that He intended us to be. When we discover his power by trusting and hoping in him, and not ourselves, then we are lifted up with newfound spirit and and strength.

This is the day God has given me wings.