Proverbs 3:3-4 ~ The Tablet of your Heart †

Nevah evah, thought I'd post about our Poodles. And then... you realize you have to make the Post.

It was February of 2019, we were in the emergency room. I had been sitting shoulder to shoulder with a man diagnosed with Pneumonia for about 4 hours. I was sitting, bleeding on the floor.  ER attendants had removed the careful wrap of our good GP Dr. hours earlier. The RN going past said, not to worry, the emergency room had seen blood before.  

We had been taking care of our eldest son's dog, Jackson, who was 14 and dying. We had turned the den into a giant dog playpen. And sat with Jackson to get him comfortable at night and sleepy with the medication.  Our other dog was sad and depressed, too. Beau, the beautiful 7-year-old Springer Spaniel. About 1 AM, I came in to get my slippers and Beau was awakened with Springer Rage. I had been his favorite person, but the next thing, I was calling to Edward, asleep in bed, to rescue me 3 rooms over, quickly, because Beau was shredding my right upper arm and literally hanging from the upper arm muscle. Beau was surrendered for biting and shredding my upper arm, a hip deep bite and a punch on my thigh from his jaw that took 6 weeks to go from black, to purple, yellow and gone.

And that afternoon, I looked out over the parking lot, with pretty trees, from the ER waiting room and went from misery (at my IV needing injury and the shock of loss of my beautiful, beloved Springer) to a glimpse of something far away, bringing great joy.  Something was stirring, God was telling me.  Misery fell far behind, and I noticed how beautiful the trees were.

I told Edward we were not waiting 5 more minutes, of the 4 hours, for an IV and I was going home. We exited.  I wondered what was stirring, as we gladly came home.

In a few weeks, a friend had told me I was just made to have Standard Poodles. And the first dog, who overcame my 4-year-old self fear of dogs, was a Standard Poodle, Springer mix. Sadie. In about March, I was looking for a brown poodle. And discovering this could be a 70 lb dog. 

Then, in Tyler, Texas, a well-known Poodle breeder had 8 puppies. 50 lbs. We were on the road, and time seemed to drag, forever, as we drove there. In came 3 white Poodle Puppies. I knew I wanted all 3. Edward said no, but was most concerned to find this was a Birthday Present from my mother, and I got to say how many Poodles came home. We flipped a coin and I got to pick out the boy and a female. I was surprised to find, on the way home, we had the fraternal sister and not the twin. But the fraternal, was a thrill. She loves everything that is life and seeks fun continually. Yes, God was right, something big had happened. Edward and I were now singing to dogs. The baby dogs slept on our Jackson. Jackson didn't mind.  Big, and hugely, furry Husky meets two small, white Poodles. 

And the Poodles have my father's Birthday. There you go. Smile with me.

When I wake up in the morning, the first thing, after prayer, is to meet Lily. Who is in my face, and has to have her eyes cleared of the gigantic morning goo. 

Now, this is the reason for the Post:

After this small, for a Standard, Poodle has her eyes gently cleaned out, she begins to let me know by kissing both of my hands, how grateful she is. 

She is grateful to see, she is grateful for the day, she is glad for her good life, she loves me, she loves Edward. She kisses me because she has her own Big Brother Poodle. Her Brother Poodle kisses her, since meeting the two, kissy orange, adopted kitty cats. She kisses me because she knows we will play fetch the Tennis Ball.  The kisses flow from gratitude for the daily walks. And the veggies and yogurt with Kibble.  She knows Gummy children vitamins. She kisses me because love flows from her heart. She is the most grateful and happy dog, who finds even when having separation anxiety, that she has her Brother Poodle to have love.  This is a very loving and grateful Pup.

2011 Photo I took on the San Diego Plane Ride

Many people took a photo when I showed Edward. Screaming Poodle.

It was a blurt.

Wooley Booley, Wooley Booooooley

Yes, I cut their hair. 80s Hair Band. And there is always a mistake,

but, hey, in 7 days, Voilà.

This is an everyday event. And on Monday, what struck me, if my sweet Poodle can have so much Gratitude, I should practice this. 

And so, Monday, I began to pray Gratitude Blessings as my Poodle displayed her heart. And I found out, Lily is much more experienced finding Gratitude than I have been practicing.

 

Proverbs 3:3-4

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; 

bind them around your neck; 

write them on the tablet of your heart.

 So you will find favor and good success 

in the sight of God and man.

 

Abba, Father,

Hello, today I discovered my

pup has a lot of Gratitude.

In fact, I was surprised to consider,

prayerfully, how much gratitude she has.

And I hope to grow my Gratitude,

Thanks ability

and notice Gratitude more

often.

Thank You for showing me

how much Gratitude really abounds.

And this month, I will be 

saying Thank You a lot more.

Bless You for

Giving us

Jesus Christ.

We certainly need Jesus.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You Lord Jesus 

Matthew 11:28-30 ~ Rest

 

 

Matthew 11:28-30

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary 

and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. 

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls. 

30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus said, do not worry, it won't add a cubit to your life.

The truth is, if we worry less, we enjoy His gifts more.

Because if we trust Him, we can rest. The Nature of our Father, Jesus tells us no one living has seen, is understood and revealed in Jesus. Nothing too hard to understand. To do good, to give justice with mercy and walk humbly with God.

Numbers 23:19-20

God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being,

 that He should change His Mind. 

Does He speak and then not act? 

Does He promise and not fulfill? 

20 "Behold, I have received a command to bless; 

When He has blessed, 

then I cannot revoke it."

Titus 3:5 

He saved us, 

not by the righteous deeds we had done, 

but according to His mercy

Exodus 33

Moses asked the Lord

Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in my sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight. Consider too that this nation is your people.”

 14 And He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

 15 And he said to Him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here. 16 For how shall it be known that I have found favor in your sight, I and your people?

 Is it not in your going with us,

 so that we are distinct, I and your people, 

from every other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, 

“This very thing that you have spoken I will do, 

for you have found favor in my sight, 

and I know you by name.” 

18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 

19 And He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” He said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.”

Psalm 23:1-2

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters.

Psalm 34:8 

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! 

Blessed 

is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 4:8

In peace

 I will both lie down and sleep; 

for You alone, O Lord, 

make me dwell in safety.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes Jesus our Salvation

Matthew 22: 34-40 ~ Pleases

Today, we traveled to see my mother’s house and the Texas weather would never even hint in the lush greens, gentle sunlight and wonderful breeze - that Texas ‘evah knew a drouuught. We will see family and a long time friend.

My laptop is resting comfortably at home. Edward has had a golden set of weeks. All he touches is blessed. He had played #3 in his age group, worldwide, and won. Won three tournaments and, and, yes, made 2 Aces. Spoken to family across the continent. His business hours are happy. And Edward is filled with contentment.

The Wind of the Spirit is blowing.

John 3:8 
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.



Jesus Christ is really the way, truth and Life. Life is about sorting out the imperfect - taking meaning - leaving other meaning to become compost. And upon the compost putting our solid and enduring Truth of Jesus to build a life of meaning. 




We can all have our lives relate to the real way life works. We have a sunny day - top down. Favorite Song on the radio - spending time with those we love. An endless sunshine day.


Enter the Iggy Story into your day. My brother has a life long friend, Bob, who by coincidence and accident of God, turned out to be his 5 year elementary school friend - by accident, like I said - turned out to be our Dallas across the alley - we moved both moved one summer and - Oh My God Almighty - I am your across the alley neighbor... 

And on with the Iggy Pop Story. Your day is perfect, the fans love you, all is sunshine.


Bob was waiting to meet Iggy with the rest of the diehards. Bob had a shirt or an album for Iggy to sign. Iggy arrives. And standing next to Iggy, is a beautiful young girl waiting with an album to sign. And the beautiful, young girl has been talking to Bob, who just enjoyed meeting her and waiting for Iggy. Bob said it was friendly, comrades. And Iggy, who is 25-35 years older, decides he is going to mesh tonsils with this young woman.

Bob said looking back on it, it was as if all the mothers in the world had converged upon his voice and tone and inflection.

"Oh. OH. NO. Oh Honey. NO. ">". NOT IGGY. NO, OH, HONEY NO. YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IGGY HAS BEEN. OH HONEY NOT IGGY'S MOUTH. OH NO!!!"

The gathered Crowd saw how sincere Bob was and they Roared. The crowd fully understood what Bob was saying. And they applauded. Asked Bob's name and chanted, "Bob. BOB. BOB."

Famous, famous Iggy was - less than pleased. The girl broke off the tonsil sling and sincerely, as if for the first time - Looked at Iggy. With less than joy. Iggy quickly departed. Then the crowd said, quietly, "Poor Iggy."

True Story. I know Bob. Bob is a friend of mine. Bob said he had a range of allllll kind of emotions getting in his car to ride home and think about this forever. To this day, Bob says, he is "conflicted" over the situation. We think, probably, it wasn't Iggy's best day either.

One of the thoughts that pour into my thoughts regularly is the whole of God’s Church confronting massive social and entertainment teaching us comfort, conduct, and values. The loss in this century of Church goers departing for comfort of their own Book of Judges, chaos, when “All Decided for Themselves.”

My comforts include: the ebb that encourages renewal. 

The Plague recoveries include a love for Jesus Christ, Father and Holy Spirit. And, newly, Queen Elizabeth reworking the governing body of the Church of England, before her sky filled, double rainbow, passing victorious into His Kingdom. 183 countries, Scripture believing, will guide the 100 million congregants in their blossoming Church Family. Saint Elizabeth II of England! 

Jesus calls Himself Living Water. Water will find an incredible path as God the Almighty desires.

We can certainly participate and play a vital role in the Church Jesus died for. We will let Jesus be God Almighty and not find reasons to find discord. Jesus washes all things new, reborn. We call this, His Banner Over Me Is Love.  The truth is, the message is for all of us. And when it does not apply, we gladly let the Word of God be Peaceful in our heart. We build up the Body of Christ by Love, Joy and Peace.

Abba, Father,

We ask You to fill the world

With the Joy of Jesus Christ’s Holy Spirit.

We ask You to Dwell in us!

Dwell Forever in our Loved Ones.

Help us in Your Grace and Mercy.

Enable us and embolden us to Seek You First.

And in Jesus Christ, we will finish well.

Your Glory, Lord!

Your Glory!

Amen in Jesus

Alleluia 

A wonderful Article The Prince of Peace by Rev.  John Sundara   In Isaiah 9:6-7, popularized in Handel’s “Messiah” chorus, “For Unto Us a Child is Born,” Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace. In our day and age, peace has become a muddled concept. We often confuse peace with a Zen-like experience, calming teas and breathing techniques, but if this is what peace means, do we need Jesus?   What does Isaiah mean? How does he prophesy that Jesus is our Prince of Peace? Isaiah’s prophecies came on the heels of massive political turmoil and war. The Assyrians threatened to take over the Ancient Near East. No nation could withstand the tramping boots of their vicious armies. Their armor was drenched in the blood of their enemies.    What use is a calming tea and proper breathing technique in the face of such an existential threat?   Yet, amid such geopolitical terror, Isaiah prophesies:   “For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:5-6, ESV   The peace that the Prince of Peace gives us is far more than just a calming tea. He eradicates the enmities that exist between different peoples and nations and brings into harmony all those who seek to worship and obey Him. He punishes those who harm the innocent, even on His last day, and binds up every wound and wipes away every tear. He frees the oppressed and executes justice on the oppressor. He restrains the evil and wicked and empowers the peacemakers.    Even now, His Spirit of Peace fills the Earth and draws people closer into His reign. This is God’s unbreakable promise, guaranteed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.    And so, with this in mind, I commend to you this collect for peace (“The Book of Common Prayer,” pg. 815):   Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and forever. Amen.

The Rev. John D. Sundara Vicar for Worship and Evangelism St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

Psalm 148 ~ Praise the Lord!

 

Psalm 148

 

Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;

praise Him in the heights!

2 Praise Him, all His angels;

praise Him, all His hosts!

3 Praise Him, sun and moon,

praise Him, all you shining stars!

4 Praise Him, you highest heavens,

and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For He commanded and they were created.

6 And He established them forever and ever;

He gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and mist,

    stormy wind fulfilling His word!    

9 Mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars!

10 Beasts and all livestock,

creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth!

12 Young men and maidens together,

old men and children!

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for His name alone is exalted;

His majesty is above earth and heaven.

14 He has raised up a horn for His people,

praise for all His saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to Him.

Praise the Lord!

 

 

Abba, Father,

Today, was, to be polite,

challenging in many, many directions. 

Interesting and hopeful.

With Downhearted moments.

The Christmas Season has started with Thanksgiving.
So many places to go and allow for 

suddenly, incredible 

Traffic.

And in this travel, we ran into a longtime,

dear friend, and poured out to her

how challenging this year has been.

She told us, it is the Pandemic and the temperature.

Their beloved, beloved, beloved adult child

has chosen to run away as an adult. 

Hearing only within a space of years.

The other child had the Pandemic era upon them

in all types of stress.

Another friend

has seen an adult child

who has been so successful

and has gone forth

to this life without

many visits or calls.

We all have a time of stress,

either upon us,

or upon our loved ones.

What shall we say for

Thanksgiving?

Thank You, Abba, Father,

I woke up today

and had my ... health...

 I love the people You have given me...

The ability to reach up, Rise up

and go forth.

And the ability to have another day,

another year,

the ability to have Hope. Love. 

Peace within as Hope

Grows.

We pray strongly

and fiercely for

our Children of all ages.

This is a Season of Need for Children

of All Ages.

Jesus safeguard our families,

who don't even always know

You will Help.

Help us to be both

respected shelter

and cause for Joy.

And in this Hope

Jesus Christ brings us

we will find

Joy

Love

and Peace.

The finding of the blessings

the day brings.

Thanksgiving,

we will find in this shared

time of difficulty,

more empathy,

more kindness

and an upbuilding of the

Children of God.

We will choose

to be Gracious.

Find more

Heaven on earth,

Bring more Heaven on earth.

The Blessings of the Day

bringing more than

merely sufficient

in our hearts.

We pray for Israel

Peace.

We pray for Ukraine

Peace.

Surround Ukraine with

Help in their Neighbors

as well.

We pray for the 

return of Middle East Peace.

And we pray for this

Nation

in the Highest Name of Jesus Christ.

Bless and Cover 

the Nations asking for Your Help.

To Your Glory.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Your Son.

Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Thank You Lord Jesus