God's Tug - A Dog's Loyalty

A Dog’s Loyalty

April 19, 2011

Man is a dog's idea of what God should be.  ~Holbrook Jackson

The dog is the only animal that has seen his god.  ~Author Unknown

We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults.  Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment.  ~George Eliot

I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands.  When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat.  For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.  ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

You think dogs will not be in heaven?  I tell you, they will be there long before any of us.  ~Robert Louis Stevenson

Quotes from http://quotegarden.com (as were the ones about the cats last night)

Continuing on the thread I started last night and will continue through the week (ok, can you guess where this is going?), I will “spotlight” dogs. So, what do dogs have to do with God? When dogs are in bad situations and they are rescued, they become loving companions. When, I as a human do bad things, my God does not stop loving me. That is true of a dog no matter what situation they are in. I have seen documentaries where they say that a dog will do anything to please its master. I, too, do all I can to please my Lord, my Saviour because one of these days, when I die, I will face Jesus in Heaven. The two quotes above I like best are the ones by George Eliot and Robert Louis Stevenson. I long for love and although I have many friends who love me, and maybe somewhat unconditionally, none come as close as the canines I’ve encountered. Now this doesn’t mean my friends don’t love me – they do. Dogs are just very sensitive to someone’s feelings and nature. (shhhh, don’t let Sasha hear me saying this!)  ;~D And will I see the dogs who went to heaven? Ones I’ve grieved for? I hope so because I think God put them in my life and on earth to let mankind know how loyal He is. And on the flip side of that - just how loyal am I to God? Only I can answer that in my heart and spirit.

And now, to end on a touch of humor, since my eyes are getting a bit misty…(I know those of you who own dogs will understand).

I wonder what goes through his [a dog's] mind when he sees us peeing in his water bowl.  ~Penny Ward Moser

May God bless you, your families, and your furkids (if you have any).

Michelle Rose

Nan's Calendar

by        Nan Forehand,  Statesville,  NC    

There, but for the grace of God go I.
John Bradford

But for the Grace of God

Nan's Calendar

by        Nan Forehand,   NC     

There is no camouflage color on Earth that can hide us from the sight of God.

Oh LORD, you have searched me and you know me.  You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.  You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.  Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.  You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.  Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence?  If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.  If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me", even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:1-13 NIV

I have nothing to hide from God and I have nothing to hide from you.  I want you to see right through me and know me.  Why?  Why do I care that you know me?  I care that you know me because you matter to me.  I don't pretend to be anything I'm not.  That is why I tell you who I am.  I write these love notes, pouring out my heart to anyone who reads my words, because I have nothing to hide.  I believe that one day I will be a grandmother, Lord willing.  I want my grandchildren to know me.  I didn't know my grandmothers.  One died before I was born and I never met my other grandmother.  I know very little about either one of them.  I want my grandchildren to know me.  If I die before they are born, they will know me by what I have written.  I know my children will tell them about me and when they are old enough to understand, they will read my poetry and my Nan's Calendar messages.
As far as I know, I'm healthy, but we never know from one day to the next how short life can be.  Don't take a day for granted and don't take your loved ones for granted.  Tell them now while you still can that you love them.  We can't hide from God, but sometimes we want to hide from others and from ourselves.
When I began this message, it was going to simply be a quote and a Bible verse.  I believe God has directed my words today and this is the message I was inspired to write.
Take care and remember, I love you and you remain in my prayers.  Always, Nan

Good Things

by       Everett Christian,  McAlester,  OK   

 
GOD SPEAKS TO US THROUGH HIS HOLY WORD
 
14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
      I will protect those who trust in my name.
 15 When they call on me, I will answer;
      I will be with them in trouble.
      I will rescue and honor them.
 16 I will reward them with a long life
      and give them my salvation.”
- Psalm 91:14-16(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
GOD'S PROMISE TO US FROM HIS HOLY WORD
 
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.  - 1 Peter 5:6(New Living Translation).
 
 
 
A QUOTE
 
And I shall see Him face to face, and tell the story - saved by grace.
- Fanny Crosby -
 
 
 
THOUGHTS TO REMEMBER
 
I've learned that everyone can use a prayer.
- Age 72, Wisdom Through The Ages -
 
Love is the language understood by all.
- From Reflecting God -
 
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
When you're at the end of your rope, just let go - unless you're mountain climbing.
- From Reminisce Magazine -
 
 
 
NOTES
 
Today has been mostly sunny with a high temperature of 78 degrees. Low temperature this morning was 42 degrees. I attended Sunday School and Worship Services this morning for our Palm Sunday service. I had lunch at home. I took a nap this afternoon. I attended church tonight. The picture tonight is Rascal.
 
The cats are fine. I have seen them all today.
 
At 10:30 p.m. skies are fair with a temperature of 69 degrees. I will see you next time.
 
In Christian Love, Everett.

God's Tug - God and the Beasts of this Earth

God and the Beasts of the Earth

April 16, 2011

"If all the beasts were gone, man would die from loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beast, happens to the man. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth, befalls the sons of earth." Chief Seattle

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Mahatma Gandhi

I am your servant, LORD, and you have kept your promise to treat me with kindness. Psalm 119:64-66 Contemporary English Version

Be Still and Know that I AM GOD. Psalm 46:10

So much goes on today that is sad, but that is the world – there cannot be joy without sadness. What makes me the saddest is abuse of women, children, and animals. The abuse of the last two in this group not only makes me sad, but also very angry, since they are the most helpless. I think about the commercial on tv for the largest animal organization in the US. One of the segments has a scraggly looking dog, shivering and looking very sad saying, “Why won’t they stop beating me.” And there are a multitude of animals in equally disheartening situations.

So, what do the above quotes above I know what it is and that is kindness. They are all tied together with a common thread. I’ve always heard the saying, “Practice random acts of kindness.” Well, I believe it’s not just a saying, but a directive to be kind where ever and whenever we can. It’s what God wants for me. I know Jesus treats me with kindness and love? He died for me so that I could be forgiven.

Ok, so many of you know how much I love animals. Why would God create animals if we weren’t to live in harmony with them? Yes, times have changed, but I don’t think God wants us to abuse animal. Notice I said abuse and there is more of that than even I realize. It’s frightening to hear all the news about the way many people treat animals. The destiny of people is inherently tied in with animals and nature. That’s not just my belief.  Evidently God believed it to, otherwise why would the Lord have saved all the animals (alive at the time) on Noah’s ark when He destroyed the earth with the Great Flood?

May God rain his blessings upon you, your family, and any furkids you have. I almost sent this God’s Tug out last night, but I was in quite a bit of pain and had to get away from my computer. I’m glad I didn’t. This revised message is more in line with what I wanted to say, than last night’s blog.

Michelle Rose