“It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God.”  Hebrews 6:19  NLT

It’s always something. As Famous and I leave the house on our way to walk through the neighborhood, I inevitably will remember I need the house key in my hand, or I left a bottle inside for the recycling bin, or I forgot to pick up a letter to mail. Then, I am thankful I use a retractable nylon lead attached to his collar. As he goes out to the porch, I have the length and flexibility of his tether to allow the front door to close between us while I retrieve the forgotten item in the next room. He waits patiently knowing he is always supposed to remain at the top of the porch until I join him before we descend the steps together.

But God never forgets his promises. They are as sure as a “lifeline” that will never break. It may be very tempting to blame God when the things we count as secure–our families, our homes, our jobs, or our health–are destroyed. Even when we feel separated from God, as though a door has closed between us, He is constant in his faithful presence.

Assure me today, Father, of Your presence when I feel cut off from You. You will never leave me alone. 

“Six days later Jesus took Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.”  Matthew 17:1-3  NLT

I am always looking for photo opportunities to capture moments with Famous. We might be at a scenic location, or on a road trip, or just chilling around the house. These photos will remind me of what I was experiencing both on the outside and the inside. I will remember the light, or the wind, or the smell. And I will also remember the joy, the wonder, and the fun.

Wouldn’t this have been a great photo “op” for Peter, James and John! No doubt they would never encounter any difficulty remembering what happened to them that day. They would remain forever changed knowing that God was with them and would give them strength during all which would later happen to them in their lives.

Today, nearly everyone carries a camera phone in their pockets. Making memories seems to have become very easy. But have you tried taking a photo of God recently? It may or may not work so well with a smart phone, but the moments when God is present should be remembered by taking the time to let the experience become part of our long-term memories. Perhaps you can recall the moment from a dream, a conversation, or a worship service. When you know God is there, take a picture in your mind so that it will be useful during the future challenges.

Show me the moments today, God, that will be helpful on my path in service to You.

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Go, for your faith has healed you.’ Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road.”  Mark 10:52  NLT

We were enjoying the warm afternoon on the back deck a few days ago. Famous was standing up close to the railing in order to better survey the woods behind our house for any trespassing squirrels. As I watched him, a hummingbird flew and hovered two feet in front of his face, unaware at first that he was on the other side of the railing. Famous stood still and watched as the creature hung in the air in front of him. Then it flew off into the woods. Famous probably figured it was some large insect such as a dragonfly, but for a moment it captured his attention.

There are so many moments in our lives. Each one can be as wonderful as the next one if we are connected to Jesus. But instead of stepping from one moment to the next with the grace and confidence which the Lord gives us, we are tempted to dwell on the past or consume our thoughts with the prospect of the future. Even worse, at times we live vicariously through others and allow envy, greed, or depression to dominate our minds and  hearts.

Faith is knowing that this very moment is the most important time to be connected to the Lord. These moments can be endless, and they can continue into the world to come.

I pray You will be close to me in every moment of today.

“It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”  I Corinthians 15:52  NLT

It only takes an instant for life to be forever changed.

My recent lack of posts was not due to sudden tragedy or illness. The transition out of the end of summer into the fall routine, along with regaining my equilibrium of a balanced schedule following a week of vacation, has simply left me experiencing a changing rhythm which often left the blogging unattended. Either that or I have been too lazy. Famous enjoyed some of this R and R with me which you can see in today’s featured image, a pretty happy dog basking in the sunset breeze of a wide and sandy beach.

I did begin to worry I was not listening to God and sending forth his message through my daily reflections. The truth is his voice has been very clear, but at times it takes me a while to begin to comprehend what He has shown me in a single thought. I understand God is simply love, the depths and heights of which I cannot understand. This is our unwavering task as his creation–to resonate, to grow in, and to be vessels of his love.

Today has been declared Patriots’ Day, a somber day of remembrance and reflection, compassion for those who tragically died suddenly sixteen years ago and honor for those who suddenly found themselves rescuing others.

It is true our world was suddenly different. The repercussions of the attacks on the World Trade Towers in New York City continue like aftershocks following an earthquake, slowly beginning to diminish over the years. We cannot live in fear of what the next second will bring or that we missed every opportunity the last second that just passed could have afforded us. But how often we trivialize each mere second as though in this world they were infinite! They are not so in this world. But they will be so in the world to come. And we should remember that God is present in every…single…moment.

Teach me the value of each moment of life today, O God.

“Also on the day of the first fruits, when you present a new grain offering to the LORD in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work.”  Numbers 28:26  NASB

The feasts of the Hebrew year were set aside to commemorate blessing. The one mentioned in Numbers 28 is probably closely related to the Feast of Tabernacles which occurred in September or October and has significance as a celebration of deliverance from bondage. Work was forbidden and reflection on God’s goodness was a priority.

Famous will benefit from my day of rest from the hospital. We will enjoy the beauty of the day, the opportunity to walk trails, and give thanks for God’s gift of life. We will remember the fun and energy of the summer now coming to an end, and we will pray for the blessing and security we hope for in the winter ahead.

May this day of rest from labor create many moments to thank God for His deliverance. 

SPECIALTY DRINKS MENU

A dog goes into a bar and orders a martini. The bartender says, “You don’t see a dog in here drinking a martini very often.”

The dog says, “At these prices, I’m not surprised.”

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”  Isaiah 58:10  NLT

Famous is a light to me and a light to neighbors. He is an emissary who accompanies me on the occasional visit to neighbors who might need a note of cheer. Today he walked beside me to deliver a meal to a neighbor who had been away for most of the summer as she recovered from a broken hip. Finally, she was able to return to her home–but without her companion, her Boston terrier. Afraid she might not be able to safely walk her pet, she is living, for now, without her. The meal will be of some comfort, but hopefully so will the awareness that we are glad she is back in the “hood.”

I am amazed at the reaction of people who have not learned to share God’s light. Rather than see the blessing, they see an imposition or a threat. They have been deceived into believing they are safer alone, separate, and apart from God. We are only given so many opportunities to share God’s light in this world before He calls us home. Why waste a single opportunity?

Forgive me when my darkness of fear prevents me from stepping into Your light of truth.

“All right then,” Joshua said, “destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”  Joshua 24:23  NLT

A catalog arrived today filled with pictures of beautiful art treasures. One such treasure was a bronze statue or figurine depicting a dog jumping into the lap of a woman. The statue was entitled, “Joy.” It was apparent to me that the emotion could be applied to both the dog and the woman in the statue.

Famous displays a certain amount of added affection of his own choosing. Sometimes without warning he draws close to me rather than apart snoozing on the floor. I could suspect he wants nothing more than the pleasure of my scratching behind his ears, but he seems to be trying to express to me his happiness and satisfaction of being close to me, almost as if he were to say, “Thanks.” “Let’s just enjoy all that we have right here in this moment and make it last (at least until you grow tired of scratching my ears).”

What brings us such satisfaction with our Creator? I believe it is that freedom of choice we exercise when we elect to draw close to God to experience the gift of life He offers to us over and over again. But we are human and cannot sustain the continuous rapture of being in his presence. But we can come to his arms over and over again when we remember his call to our hearts.

Help me to satisfy the yearning of my heart for Your wondrous love, O Lord.