Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Man's Best Friend



What is it about dogs?  Why does it seem at times, easier to love an animal then a human?  There are countless stories about the bond of man to his loyal companion. 

Fido was born in Italy sometime during World War II.  He was found on the verge of death by a kiln worker who took him home and nursed him back to health.  And for this, he'd have Fido's unwavering loyalty for the rest of his life.  Every day, Fido waited for his master at the same bus stop, refusing to move until he stepped off the bus - and this at a time when Italy was being bombed almost daily.  But one day, Fido's master didn't return. He'd been killed in an air raid while at work.  Fido, ever vigilant, still turned up to wait for him.  Every day.  For 14 years.  Surviving footage shows huge crowds watching him make his way to the bus stop every day, watch everyone get off, then walk away disappointed when the bus pulled off.

A 66 year old Florida man saw his dog get grabbed from the side of a pond by a 7 foot alligator.  Without hesitation, he jumps into the water and wrestles the gator and got his dog back.

Love can drive us to do amazing things.  And a love that is not complicated with ego and expectations has an even stronger bond.  Your dog loves you unconditionally.  He doesn’t care what you look like, how much money you make, or how long you’ve been away.  When you come home, he is there, happy to see you.

The love that your dog has for you is the same type of love the God has for each of us and the love we are called to share with those around us.

Below is a song from a book I used to read the kids.  The author knows exactly what I'm talking about.   




Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Could You Love Me A Little Less?


By Fred Vilbig

In the movie “Evan Almighty”, the main character is in his yard reflecting on what God is asking of him. He looks up and says, “I know, I know. Everything you do, you do because you love me.” At that point, his sprinkler comes on and squirts him in the face. Evan continues: “Do me a favor; love me less.”

As Christians, we believe that God is in charge of everything, so that nothing happens without His involvement in some way. Of course, we can always freely choose to sin, and He is not involved in that, but even the consequences of sin are in some way under His control. Nothing exists without God causing it to exist at any given moment.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A Love Letter

Many of you have probably experienced the dreaded day when you take your child away to college. Our oldest will start her 3rd year at Kansas University. She left Sunday. Yesterday, my wife and I took our son to Quincy University. We arrived late morning and didn't leave until almost 7:00 p.m. Just like I did with his older sister, I handed him a manilla envelope at the moment we left. Enclosed was a picture of him on my shoulders when he was five. The envelope also contained a love letter. Sometimes it's easier to express words on paper than it is face to face. I wanted him to know how much he is loved.....and that he is never alone.


Son,

I miss you already. As you’re reading this, I’m probably reminiscing about all the Father/Son times we’ve shared together. Countless memories and so many more to come. So thus it begins – the next chapter for Ryan Walsh. This is a big one. You’re ready. You know it, and I know it. My daily prayer for you is always the same – “Lord, may Ryan be prepared physically and mentally for the challenges he will face. May he be prepared to make the necessary sacrifices that will make him a better man. And may he continue to be a good and faithful servant.”

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Vacation

Jesus exclaimed: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike ….” Mt 11:25

My parents didn’t have much. They always socked a little money aside each month to save for our family vacation. Venturing from our tiny western Kansas community, Dad searched for hotels with pools … and if one had a slide; my sisters and I were fish in wonderland! We collected General Mills cereal box bottoms and headed to the “big city” to redeem them 3/ticket for KC Royals bleacher seats among local diehards. Skyscrapers poking clouds, too many people to count, and new cultures to visit excited us.