Dog Poop in the Flower Bed

 

Recently I was on my walk when I noticed something which  made me shake my head in wonderment. Someone had taken the time to pick up their dog's poop into a bag, tie the bag shut, and then, they threw the bag into someone's flower bed. I guess at least they used the bag! The standard of dog poop etiquette is to carry the poop with you and properly dispose of it. This is a hot-button issue in many neighborhoods.

What does this have to do with this blog? Well, this is just a small demonstration of the fallen nature of man. It exhibits self-centeredness, laziness, and a disrespect for others and their property. 

We are told in 1 Peter 2:17 to "show proper respect to everyone..." Since we are all made in the image of God, to disrespect another person is to disrespect God. Abusing someone else's property is tantamount to stealing their ownership of that property. The owner has the right to say how their property is to be used.

Some Christians would say we should not own private property since Jesus said to sell your possessions and give the money to the poor. They may be misreading what he was saying. 

In Exodus 20:17, notice that the property belongs to the neighbor, not the community or the government. Nowhere does Jesus condemn ownership of private property. What he was saying on several occasions is "own your property, do not let your property own you." Use your property to help the homeless and the poor, to glorify the Lord, and to advance his kingdom.

When the Only Person You Want to Talk to is Your Dog

Recently, I saw a woman wearing a tee shirt which said, "Leave me alone! I'm only talking to my dog today!"  We all feel that way sometimes.  Your dog will love you and listen to you even if you are in a sour mood. Even if you are a bad person.

The next time you are in a mood like this, try taking to God. He will always listen. He is always there, even when you do not talk. He wants you you to talk to Him. He comes to you, even when you do not want Him to.

'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  Revelation 3:20

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

"Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible ®,
Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Used by permission." (www.Lockman.org)

Are You "Picky"?

This video shows a person throwing pieces of turkey to Gemma, a pit bull. Gemma eagerly grabs the turkey out of the air before it hits the floor. When the person substitutes a broccoli floret, Gemma declares "That is not food!" We laugh at such a "picky" dog.

The Bible instructs us to be just as "picky" as Gemma. We are to use our powers of discernment. We are free under the Blood of the Lord (Romans 8:1) but not all things are useful to us and some things are positively harmful to us or to our witness. These things are to be rejected as quickly as Gemma spit out the broccoli.

But I Don't Want to Go!

I am posting this video simply because I can.  Bella is swimming and enjoying it very much until it is time to go home.

http://theilovedogssite.com/gone-viral-dog-throws-hissy-fit-when-told-its-time-to-stop-swimming/

Does this look and sound familiar?

They Know What You Are Saying!

I was walking my dog when a neighbor came by with her two young boys on a walk.  The two year old was driving his tricycle.  The other boy has just turned one year old.  The mother was pushing him in a little car.  The youngest boy waved at me and then turned to his mother and bumped his hands together. He was telling his mother that he wanted "more," presumably more of his "car ride."  The sign can be seen in the fourth link listed below.

The mother told me that the youngest boy knew several signs for simple things like "more," "finished," "hungry," "sleepy," "love," and "play." I had heard of this before and told her what that meant. The child, in correctly using the sign language, was demonstrating that he understood.  This also meant that he understood what his parents were saying and that he was listening.  I told her what she already knew; that children understand and are able to communicate long before they are able to speak.

Many people talk, and even argue, in front of "the baby," never realizing that the baby is listening.  How wonderful it is if what the baby hears is talk of Jesus and what the baby sees is two righteous and loving parents.

The baby sign language is inspired by the American Sign Language for the Deaf.
Links about infant sign language:

http://www.babysignlanguage.com/

http://www.babysignlanguage.com/dictionary/first-signs/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/baby-sign-language/AN02127

http://www.parenting.com/gallery/baby-sign-language-words-to-know

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_sign_language

http://www.parents.com/baby/development/sign-language/

http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-signs/b/baby.htm
http://www.signbabies.com/
http://www.google.com/search?q=infant+sign+language&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=vZ2KUaeNMIOm8QSrxYGgBw&sqi=2&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1202&bih=812

Dog is Good

Modern culture seems to have absolutely lost the understanding that words and concepts have meaning.  I believe that this is a result of the relativism which is rapidly becoming the prevalent world view.

I recently saw a bumper sticker on a car.  The bumper sticker had a cartoon of a dog wearing a halo and the caption “Dog is Good.”  While I definitely agree with the sentiment, something about this bothered me greatly.

The halo is an almost universally recognized symbol for sainthood.  The phrase “Dog is Good” is an English language play (*) on the words “God is Good.”  The sainthood reference made me itchy.  The “good” reference concerned me greatly.  While I am absolutely convinced that there is no intent here to do so, the “good” reference could be viewed as sacrilegious.  This is a word that people, in their obsession to not offend anyone, shy away from now, but it is still pertinent.  People in the modern Church seem to have lost their understanding of the Holiness of God.

Jesus responded very quickly when He was called “good” by a loving follower.

“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.”  Mark 10:17-18

“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 (This references Leviticus 11:44)

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(*) :  For non-English speaking readers of this blog:  In English, the words G_O_D and D_O_G contain the same letters and at a quick glance, can appear to be the same word.