“We love each other as a result of his loving us first.”  I John 4:19  NLT

Cause and effect: the doorbell rings and Famous reacts with loud barks and a mad dash to the front door. Or, he grabs his leash from the closet doorknob, and I know he needs to go outside. He and I have rituals that enable us to have something of a shared understanding of how our lives work together.

I try to let this same concept guide me with regards to other people. My reaction to God’s love for me should be the love I have for those who fill my world from the morning commute to the drive home. But this can only happen if, when the day is new, I remember the love God pours out upon me.

Famous is a great reminder of God’s love. I give thanks for his companionship and the lessons he brings while we have each other. When I cannot be at home to share his presence, then I am mindful to show others the joy and peace which comes into my life through him in hopes they will also have a glimpse of the source of all love. I am motivated to share the love Famous brings into my life until I am home again. He helps me work to make each day count–how I spend precious time with him and how I show God’s love to others.

Today, Lord, I am reminded of your love. May others come to know your love through me this day. 

“Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear.”  I John 4:18a  NLT

As Christians, we have been given the great opportunity of living in this world without fear. I say opportunity because, as human beings, we often forget our God is ever present. I must admit I have an increased sense of security knowing I have a dog. And although he is usually very mild-tempered and affectionate, he will alert me at any time, day or night, whenever the serenity of our little home is interrupted by strangers walking in the yard, car doors slamming in the driveway, or pesky crows or squirrels venturing within our fenced yard.

In turn, I have given Famous an existence protected from most dangers and stresses. (Perhaps he does worry whether his dinner menu will feature duck or salmon!) Of course, his instinctive nature does betray him whenever a tree branch moves unexpectedly or he sees a facial image in an object or a sign. The former produces a startled jump and side twist, while the latter causes him to begin a studious low growl followed by a series of sharp barks if he cannot determine the nature of his inanimate enemy. Usually, a word from me assuring him there is no danger is sufficient to allow him to return to his safe existence.

Dear God, allow me to hear your calm assurance when I feel afraid. 

 

“But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!”  Galatians 1:15  NLT

However a pet comes into our lives–whether it be carefully chosen from a litter, rescued from a shelter, or welcomed as a stray in the neighborhood–the moment comes for us to choose to accept and care for it.

God’s mercy for each of us existed long before we knew him–before we were born! This completely shows his love to be unmerited. It is freely given. And whether deserved or not, the love we give our pets is received with the type of joy we should show in response to God’s mercy. God has chosen us to be recipients of his great love. We honor God when we choose to let love into our lives.

Today, God, allow me to receive your love and to practice acts of mercy throughout my day. 

“But you, O Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to get angry, full of unfailing love and truth.”  Psalm 86:15  NLT

We should take great comfort in knowing the love of God is unfailing. In this verse from the Book of Psalms we also see God’s anger is real. How do we accept these two aspects of the nature of God? Does anger exist alongside of love?

On one of our morning walks along our routine path, Famous took great interest in a patch of grass just beyond the entrance to our residential community. I am used to him taking long, deep sniffs of the morning grass as he registers any newly deposited scents. His nose went deeper and deeper into the grass and right into a burrow of baby rabbits. His head came up with two of the rabbits squealing in his mouth, certain to soon be his satisfying brunch.

I commanded him to drop his prey, but he would have none of it. He could hear my voice, but his instinct had greater control. Finally, with much disdain he allowed me to pry open his jaws enough to release the bunnies so I could return them to the burrow. In that moment I was angry with Famous for not obeying me. But this did not interrupt my love for him.

Perhaps we need to realize God has understanding beyond our disobedient natures. He will always guide us away from temptation in order to reveal his truth.

Today, God, teach me more about your mercy, for I know I have failed to listen to your voice. 

 

“But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations.”  Exodus 20:6  NLT

The greatest relationships are founded in love. And even though our hearts are designed to respond to love, we have to actively receive it with a heart that is willing. God tells us his love is “lavished” on the ones who love and obey. This tells us more about incentives than his consequential judgment. God is love. But only those who recognize his love, allow it to rule them, and share it by following his commandments, will begin to know fully to what extent God’s love can empower their lives.

By placing Famous into my world, God gives me the opportunity to be the provider who can joyfully lavish love on one of his creatures. Famous understands the provision, protection, and devotion which comes from me are beneficial to him. In turn, he has the capacity to show acceptance, affection, and obedience to me.

We should seek to allow the love of God to rule our hearts in all relationships. But first we must discipline our lives in order to understand and receive the true measure of his love.

Out of deepest devotion I open myself to your love and your commandments, O God.

“Messenger of  good news, shout to Zion from the mountaintops! Shout louder to Jerusalem–do not be afraid. Tell the towns of Judah ‘Your God is coming!'”  Isaiah 40:9  NLT

“He’s home! He’s home!” This is the essence of what I feel Famous is trying to communicate to me whenever I pull into the driveway. No matter if I have been away for half an hour or most of the day, he wants me to know he is waiting for our reunion. The sense he brings to the moment is one of relief: “You came back! You did not forget me!”

Imagine, after Israel’s history of enslavement and exile, her ability to release all fear and worry to the point of shouting for joy, “God is coming!” Years of oppression and burden would be cast away. Life would have a new zeal, a new purpose.

This is the gospel for the whole world. There is a Master who cares enough  to be involved in our lives and who can abolish all the fears that bind us. Our futures are secured. We can rest in his arms.

Dear God, let my actions today proclaim the good news of your remembrance of me!

 

“What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!”  II Corinthians 5:17  NLT

I had always called myself a dog lover. But except for family pets when I was a boy I had never had a dog until I was nearly fifty years old. My reasoning was I was too busy to give a pet the attention it deserved. When at last I saw the opportunity to raise a puppy within the constraints of my career and hobbies, I started carving out a daily routine that could accommodate a dog. Then I began researching different breeds, and I read manuals on how to raise and train a puppy.

Needless to say, my life changed after I brought Famous home. I had to buy a vehicle which would hold a dog crate. I began to meet neighbors who had previously acknowledged me only by a hand wave. I had to endure months of getting up in the middle of the night to let him relieve himself. And then other people began to recognize how I truly loved this animal.

The new life which Christ gives is even more transforming. The world is re-ordered. Priorities change and a life of vision begins. But just as my decision to spend part of my years with a dog was intentional, so is the choice to allow Christ to re-create you.

Lord, help me to prepare for your transforming work in my life. 

“If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”  Psalm 139:9-10  NLT

One of the most adorable features of most spaniel breeds are their long, soft, pendulant ears. They jostle and swirl and frame the pensive faces of these dogs. Whenever a stiff wind occurs on our daily walks, Famous’ ears fly straight behind him as if they were wings about to give him flight. (He could demonstrate the same effect whenever I would allow him to hang his head outside the car window on our way to the park.)

No matter how far away one has gone across the globe or across the vast chasm of sin away from God, He is there to guide and to forgive. The knowledge that we are not alone gives us strength and hope. We can be lifted up from the brink of despair.

Famous reminds me over and over again that I am not alone. His flying ears remind me of God’s love and support.

I know I will need your support today, God. Thank you for guiding me through the day which lies ahead. 

“Our lives are a fragrance presented by Christ to God.”  II Corinthians 2:15a  NLT

How many designer colognes are there on the market today? The answer is not limited to the number of celebrities nor the companies eager to invest in them. But that number is only a drop in the ocean when compared to the sacrificial lives poured out as a fragrance in service to the Lord.

Dogs probably know us better by scent and sound than by visual recognition. In their world we are a complex recipe of smells and odors. They can tell if we have bathed recently, but they also know what we had for lunch by the residue they smell on our hands and clothing, or if we have unfaithfully played with another dog on our way home. Some dogs have been bred to track us hours after we have left with nothing more than impressions in a grassy field.

In making us unique individuals with unique fingerprints, ideas, and passions, God is faithful to remember and know each of us as his own children. When we recognize our own unique compositions and give them up in sacrifice, then indeed God is pleased.

I dedicate my unique self to you, God, as a living sacrifice. 

“When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.”  Jonah 2:7a  NLT

God’s love and power can pierce the darkest gloom and misery that descend upon our lives. The fear of disability and isolation drives many people to the brink of despair. What once may have been a comfortable existence can suddenly become filled with pain and depression.

Because life is precarious, it is necessary to see the grace of God in each moment. The ability to find small miracles in our daily lives strengthens the bond we have with God. We can use all of our senses to gather evidence of God’s presence in a shining moon, a whiff of freshly fallen snow, or a mended relationship.

The unconditional love given by a dog is a reminder of God’s nearness. No matter how brutal the day has been, the welcome I receive from Famous reassures me and helps me remember the One who gave him to me.

You are my hope, Lord. Help me to see your footprint today.