A Dog's Life

You may be surprised to learn that I have two dogs. I often talk about Buddy (the dog on the left). But I also have another dog, Jackie (on the right). Her eyes are fine, that's just the flash reflecting.)

I've had Buddy for nearly 2 years, while we've had Jackie for 11. But Buddy is definitely my favorite. Why? Because he loves me so much. While Jackie loves me, she doesn't really like to spend time with me. She is happy with an occasional pat, and doesn't like to be picked up. She is content to lay by my feet and just be together.

Buddy, on the other hand, cannot get close enough to me. He whines when he is at my feet, that isn't close enough. He wants to be in my lap. He wants my pats and attention and to know that I with him always. He adores me.

Now I know that God is not like man, that he should pick favorites. However, in my relationship with God, I think I'm often more like Jackie. I love him, but I'm content to be at his feet, to be together, but not really close. How much more would God love it (not me) if I couldn't get enough of him. If I longed to be with him closer and closer, not resting until I am as close as possible?

I need to unleash my reservations, lapping up God's Word until I'm begging for more. Then, no bones about it, I'll be sitting in and heeling heeding God's Will in my life.

(And don't forget, all dogs go to heaven!) **grin**

Deuteronomy 6:5 -- Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Psalm 63:1 -- O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you.

Psalm 99:5 -- Exalt the LORD our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.

A Hallmark Moment

A hallmark is an official mark or stamp indicating a standard of purity, or any mark or special indication of genuineness and good quality. I had a bit of a "hallmark moment" in the middle of the Hallmark store this week.

I've never been a fan of those store created holidays. Reading Mother's Day and Father's Day cards reminds me of all I have missed over the years. "Thank you for always being there for me." "Thanks for supporting me and loving me unconditionally." "You molded me to the person I am today."

I didn't have a hallmark family, but I have been adopted into a new family, the family I received when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. Because of that I have my own hallmark (a mark of good quality). Ephesians 1:13 says "Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit." When God looks at me, he doesn't see my sin or weak attempts to do good. Instead He sees my Hallmark, given to me through Jesus by the Holy Spirit.

I'm not a fan of those Hallmark (store) holidays, but with my Hallmark of Christ, I really have a reason to celebrate. God...He cared enough to send the very best: Jesus.

Ephesians 1:13-14 -- And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. (NIV)

Romans 8:15 -- So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (NLT)

Galations 4:4 -- You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. (The Message)

Thankful Thursday - 6/17

Five things I'm thankful for this week.


1. I heard back on my book proposal. The agent really likes the idea, but thinks it needs more work. So back to the drawing board. But so thankful she took the time to go over the pros and cons of my work with me. Really good feedback.

2. Friends, local & internets, who care about how I'm doing. Thanks y'all!

3. My in-laws are settling nicely into there new home at the Assisted Living Facility.

4. That I have neither 8 kids, nor the paparazzi following me around as a try to parent the 2 kids I do have.

5. To be home. I missed my bed, my shower, my dog, everything! It's lovely here (because it's home), and I appreciate it all the more after being away.

What are you thankful for this week?

Tasting the Difference

When I was dating my husband years ago, I was a big fan of frozen yogurt. I loved it. One evening we were on a date at the ice cream parlor. I had a scoop of my frozen yogurt treat, and he got an ice cream cone. As we sat enjoying our treats, he said "I don't know how you can eat that stuff."

"What do you mean?" I asked. "It tastes just like ice cream."

"Taste this," he said. Then I did it. I tasted his ice cream, right after I had eaten some of my yogurt. Oh my gosh! Where had he gotten that creamy delicious heavenly treat?!? And why was I eating dirt in a cone? It was disgusting. And so, next to the real thing, I realized I was only having an unappealing imitation, not the real creamy, yummy goodness of ice cream. (And a few pounds later, I'll bet he regrets showing me the difference. LOL!)

In life, we often fill up on many things. Our careers, our hobbies, our kids, our friends, food, television. We think these are all good things and we stuff ourselves with them, enjoying life. Then somehow, someway, we get a taste of Jesus.

Perhaps a friend shares with us, or we visit a church. It can be an accidental viewing of Billy Graham as you switch the channels, but you get a little bit of Jesus. Then suddenly all the things you were filling up with seem less appetizing. You realize they were just imitations. Nothing can compare with Jesus. He's the real thing. Accept no imitations.

And He's 100% calorie free. ;-)

Psalm 34:8 -- Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Matthew 26:26-28 -- While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Fashion Advice - Bible Version

My sister (My ADHD Me) posted her fashion advice meme, that she borrowed from Suburb Sanity.

So here is my Bible Version. :-)

1)Who is your fashion icon?

The Proverbs 31 Woman - -

Proverbs 31:25 -- She is clothed with strength and dignity.

2)What piece of clothing could you not live without?

The Full Armor of God --

Eph 6:13-17 -- Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

3)What is your definition of Couture?

Proverbs 31:22 -- She is clothed in fine linen and purple.


4)Your thoughts on east vs. west coast style.

They are as far apart as the followers of God are from their sins....

Psalm 103:11, 12 -- So great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.


5)Your advice on how to be comfortable in your own skin.

God made you wonderfully! He loves you!

Psalm 139:13, 14 -- For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

6)Where do you get your inspiration for your posts?

The Bible, of course.

7)How would you rock out on the catwalk?

With Bible in hand...not to mention black peep-toe platform heels. ;-)

Thankful Thursday - 6/11

1. I'm thankful for time spent with my in-laws (in-loves). The kids love them and it's quality time for sure.

2. I'm thankful that my in-laws are now safe in an assisted living facility. I'm so sad they had to move, but so happy they're safe with constant assistance right there.

3. I'm thankful my brother is pet-sitting for me. My dog, Buddy, is a real people dog and I was sick at the thought of leaving him in a kennel. Now he's home & happy with my brother. I love my dog alot. And my brother's even sent me videos & pics of the dog while I was gone. Now that's a pet-sitter!

4. I'm thankful we're coming home tomorrow. I am ready.

5. I'm thankful that I've been able to check out some blogs this week. It's been tough getting PC time in between packing up the in-laws, so know I've been visiting but not too much commenting this week. Thanks for your patience.

What are you thankful for this week?
Visit Truth4thejourney for more Thankful Thursday posts.

Faith Like Noah

The rain fell in torrents as I drove into the parking lot of my daughter’s preschool. We ran from the car to the doors, but were soaked by the time we entered the building. My clothes stuck uncomfortably to my body, and I felt every bit the drowned rat.

I dropped my daughter off safely in her classroom. As I was leaving I jokingly told the preschool director “I’m off to build an ark!” She replied, “Well you better hurry because it’s already raining.”

That caused me to think. When God told Noah to build an ark, it likely was a beautiful, sunny day. No doubt the people laughed at Noah as he built this ark; 450 feet long, 75 feet wide and 45 feet high. Yet Noah had faith. The bible says, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” (Genesis 6:22 NIV) He built an ark in the sunshine.

I wish I could be more like Noah. When God calls on me to do something for him, how often do I wait for the rain first? “Send me a sign if that’s really what you want, God.” If Noah had asked God for a sign, surely it would have begun to rain. And Noah would have had to build his ark in the rain. The tools would be slippery in his hands, his clothes uncomfortably sticking to him. His hair, matted to his head. But no, not Noah. He had the warm sunshine to work in…no doubt whistling while he worked.

And here I am…in the rain. How much easier would my life be if I could respond to God’s call immediately? Without a sign. Without the rain. And yet even as I work in the rain, I know God will be sending the rainbow soon enough.

But the next time God asks me to do something, I hope I can have a faith like Noah. A faith to do everything just as God commands, without a sign. That faith will allow me to work in the sunshine. And not end up all wet.