Hebrews 4:11-16 ~ no creature is hidden from His sight

Hebrews 4:11-16

11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.


14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.




This morning, I started out early. Edward was meeting his friends to Disc Golf in Huntsville. I was trying to decide how to save Indian Hawthorne bushes. An article on the web, by a Georgia Master Gardener, was talking about Beer, Mouthwash, Ammonia and perfection. And I asked a couple of friends what they thought. A Christian Radio announcer, in another city, swears by these homemade things every month.

And another garden site said yes, but Chemicals have more homework. So I did what I do, I filled up a Nalgene bottle after doing a few weeks of systemic Fungicide and fertilizer were not getting the heal I wanted. Theis was a bottle of a small bit of Miracle Gro, a beer, a tad of Dish soap, a squirt of Ammonia, and Trace Minerals and some Epson Salts. And some Cornmeal for fun. When I read this, I was peaked, I thought it was interesting beer provides carbs and causes photosynthesis.

The next taske was putting out Caladium bulbs in the backyard and my Grand Dog, Jackson the Husky, who is visiting us - decided he needed a duckling off of the pond. This mature, purely loving dog has torn himself out of a steel travel crate and he found he could now pop the gate open.

Grand Dog visits the Wonderful Keeper of Treats.

I was so horrified. Baby Ducks were screaming, we were all screaming, the Mom Duck was Screaming. When a Husky, a dog bred (in Texas) decides he needs an Australian Walk about and Iditarod Dog Race - this is going to take about 3 to 5 people and High Anxiety to get him home. Huskies run. This is what this breed does.

We;ve raised ducks on that pond.

Simply, I just did not know what to do. The people I called were not answering and I was alone. Rest was not going to be part of my Saturday Morning with Jackson.

This week has been Adventure Week. We can call this "Adventures in Dog Baby Sitting."

So I ran back in the house to get phone, treats, book and prayer. And on the way out, I accidentally let Beaux, our Springer out and now there were two dogs in the pond.

I prayed FAST. The stories of old Catholic Saints say if you can't do something - you can't do something. You just better ask Jesus for Help. And Loudly. One saint used to plop down her Shepherd's Crook. Pray and go to Church. She knew if the sheep were eaten - she would be beaten at home. For her failure to do the family business. She put the crook up - the Shepherding Up to God - Down on her List and went to Church. The events said, well, the sheep didn't get eaten every time she went to Church.

I said, "Father, I can't do 3 to 5 people running up and down the 3 acre pond to catch this dog. I need the dog, this is really a very loving dog and we just need our dog. Please Help in Jesus. Amen."

Going to the back door, uncharacteristically, Beaux had decided, he'd better find out why I was in the house. Beaux rushed into the house to see me. Thank God, now we were back to only one dog loose.

You can do, what you can do. I sat by the gate to our house and I said, using all the tricks we have used for 8 years, what we do to recapture the Jackson dog. I spoke Kindly. I yelled Kindly. I promised the treats I waved. I tried singing the "You are a Good Dog Song" we sing. But forget that. Rotten dog. No way I'm singing that lie to that dog. And he had better not decide to run through the neighborhood. He has, yes, done that plenty of times. Please God, let that not be today. Amen.

And about the second hour, I never did get to read the book, he discovered the neighbor's dog and they had the best time running up and down the fence. Every 30 minutes he'd swim past, the center of the pond, with all the ducks in a line in front of him.

Using the sweetest voice, I'd call his name very loudly and tell him I had "Canned CAT FOOD." And he would look appreciatively over and KEEP Swimming.

Only one of us was having fun.

When Jackson go to the exit parts of the Pond - Then I would jump up and down and sweetly call him LOUDER. Pray too.

Just to peak my interest, Jackson visited our yard twice. And eluded me.

The third Jackson visit, we were well into the second hour. I jumped into the pond and for the first time in 16 years, I was going to swim Long Lake. With a wide brimmed hat, and tennis shoes. And I reached and paddled and got - Jackson's tail. This is about the end of this "Tail".

But I promise you, what I thought of was Mother Angelica, Catholic nun, saying, "Pray! But pay the Light Bill!!!"

Jackson swept us well over my head. Quickly. And I thought, "Oh you can sink in tennis shoes," But with dog tail and dog back fur, you are not able to release tennis shoes. I got him turned around bobbing us both. Jackson is a heck of a dog. He just is the sweetest natured boy in the Dog Kingdom. But I wondered because he was going under and my hat was going under but we were going to get to shore and point the right way. He looked at me for all the world to say, "Really, really, you just pushed my nose under. Are we ok?"

I prayed. "Power Lord, Power." And I kicked as hard as I have ever kicked. And I thought, now, I just have to stand up. And my feet hit solid ground. Thank Jesus.

God even provided a self photo that won't make me cry! The hat had to dry out too. You can tell from Jackson's expression, he was not ready for "Adventures in Dog Baby Sitting" to end.

Lord Father God,

I know You sat so many hours with David shepherding his family flock, his people and his Nation. I would wonder if Jesus sat in Nazareth to guard literal flocks and would guess, yes.

There are so many things in life, where we can only do what we can do.

I Thank You so very much for Your Help. I drew near to You and You did Help and Help.

Thank You for all the prayers You hear about loved ones and You answer in Your Mercy and Grace.

In Jesus. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †