A Dog

 

I have always wanted a well-trained dog … but not enough to get one.  There is nothing better than an obedient hunting dog, but nothing worse than an out-of-control mutt.  But Marleen and I agree that pets are a problem if we travel.  We must find a kennel or make arrangements for a house sitter.  Either way is expensive.  So, we have a dog that is easy to take care of and needs no care when we’re gone.  That’s because this dog is a ceramic dog.  It looks like a real dog, but it is only a fake dog.  Hey, are you a real Christian or just a fake Christian?  Do you do things for Jesus, or do you just sit around taking up space?  II  Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."  Don’t be a fake; be the real thing!

Deep Cleaning

 

Marleen has a Yeti cup that is great!  It keeps hot liquids hot (like coffee) and cold liquids cold (like ice water).  But the other day, as I tried to get her cup extra clean, I noticed that there were different parts to the lid.  I snapped the closure slide off and removed the rubber gasket.  Both had gunk underneath them.  After some Dawn Powerwash, they smelled and looked fresh.  Hey, often I need a tune up in my spirit too.  I become critical and look at others more than looking to myself.  But after all, the only one that I can really do anything about is me.  And I am better off if I take care of me and let you take care of you.  Matthew 7:5, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”

Give It to God

 

I saw a great decal on a car window last week in the Walmart parking lot.  It read, “Give it to God and go to sleep.”  How often do we worry over things that are out of our control?!  The owner of this car had it right.  Whatever the problem is in life, give it to God and go to sleep.  Psalm 127:1&2, “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.  It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”