This’n’that

Pets in Heaven?

“God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he’ll be there” Billy Graham

I have heard people get really sideways about this topic. If you tell some people you think your cat or dog will be in heaven they start getting all puffed up and theological on you. My friend will never forget the time she mentioned how she missed her cat of 18 years and expressed the hope that he would be in heaven. She was sitting next to a Pastor and family friend. Instead of acting in love and sensitivity, he bristled and looked at her sideways with a cold look and said something to the effect of: “Pets do not go to heaven….” She will never forget it.
As a result an opportunity to act in love and reconciliation with a fellow believer was lost in that moment. A kind and otherwise compassionate person  lost sight of what God wanted him to do right then, just like we all do at times.
In every topic of theological debate there is one thing that must be perfectly clear. We must always act in love. The book of Titus says we are: “to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” 3:2 In every exchange love must be the backdrop surrounding our conversation, especially between fellow believers…..

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”  

Of course we know that animals don’t have the ability to choose right from wrong, and they can’t respond to the Gospel message of salvation either accepting or rejecting Christ….Duhhh! But God loves animals and thought they were an important part of creation as well as wonderful companions to the first man and woman, just as they are to us today.

The truth is, we really don’t know all the details about heaven and what it will be like. We do know that it will be perfect, and there will be everything there that we could ever hope for. God has given us as much information as we need to know, and there are some things He has left purposefully out.

I realize in this era of goofy theology that we must stand our ground about what the Bible says and be responsible about it, and I don’t think we should ever take liberties with Scripture and add something that isn’t there. We must however, be careful about what the Bible doesn’t say. If God wants to add my cats into the new created heaven, then He has that right. If it turns out they are not there, I think I will be so overwhelmed with everything I see that it won’t matter!

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

That’s my story and I’m stickin to it!

If you can’t say anything nice

I have really resisted this. I am still resisting this. I really want this blog to be a place of peace, and rest. A place where you can leave the cares of the world behind as we look to God as our true source of everything good. I need to go to my happy place. I do not want to rant about our current Government. There are plenty of people ranting and raving out there. So I will just post some of my favorite things instead, like Seagulls.

I will dream of the sound of the sea, and warm breezes. I will dream of vacations I have taken, and quiet moments of joy in my yard, and in my place of prayer…..

It all started last night when Elaine informed me that she had to go through the infamous TSA screener. I thought I was over that, but I guess I am not.  This woman, my best friend looks like anyone’s favorite Aunt. She has a face you can trust. Old people and children flock to her. So why does our Government insist that scanning ordinary law abiding citizens, children and handicapped  people keeps us safe? Because it is one more thing that has happened since our President has taken power. It is all about control. All about giving the Government more power. The scanners are not the issue. Just my opinion. The issue is I can no longer travel freely in my own country without being unlawfully searched…..

……….to go to places like this…..one of my favorites, in Carmel, California. The Normandy Inn. Happy place, happy place. Now the President is saying that he will not give U.S. officials guns for protection in Mexico. He is also saying that he is doing all he can to make the border safe. I think he should move his family to El Paso. Once again, he was on TV apologizing for America, just like he has been doing all over the world since he came into office. Sometimes I wonder if he really likes his own country. This is just my opinion.

I love this country. I know it is not perfect, but I also don’t think we have anything to apologize for. The memories are still alive for many, memories of those who lived through unbelievable evil in Nazi Death Camps, hoping against hope, and then grabbing the hand of an American soldier who brought them freedom, and a second chance at life……
I will not watch the news today……I will retreat to my place of peace. Read some Scripture, get my balance back. Realize that God is still and always in control and His is the real Government and the only lasting Government. I will count my many blessings today and try my best to help and uplift those around me, in word and deed. I will realize that disagreement with certain things in our Government is a freedom and a privilege others fought and are fighting for. And any problem I think I have pales in comparison to most other people in the world…….
This is as close as I get to a rant. And it is the first and last time I will post anything about politics. As for something nice to say, he is just about the best I have ever seen with a teleprompter, and he has a very good smile.
”Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.” Isaiah 9:7

Just stoppin in…….

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27
Today I stopped in. I decided to touch bases with everyone who follows. I confess that it has been too long since I have done this…..I came to your porch and knocked softly. I confess I wanted to steal a peek in your window, your porch looked so inviting. With most, I made my presence known with a comment and an encouraging word. It was good to see you again. To get a glimpse into your corner, your world. And I was touched.
I saw and felt, love, sorrow, joy, humor…with some pain sprinkled in. I breathed prayers over you, your families….did you feel it? When I read your posts, I tried to envision your porch as I stood there. I listened for sounds within…..I heard children playing, life happening, cereal spilling, dogs barking, doors slamming, cars starting up and pulling into the driveway.
I heard laughter, and saw someone bend down to pet a cat that had wound itself around a pair of ankles. I heard pages turning, furniture creaking, floors groaning, heaters coming on, flaring up after being turned down at night.
Sometimes I heard soft weeping, and that was when I hoped you felt my prayers wrap around you…….Sometimes I heard anger and that was when I hoped my prayers made somebody stop, think…..say “I am sorry, will you forgive me?” Because life really is too short to get mad over silly little things.
I saw you smile, and then I smiled too!
Thank you for fellow bloggers and also those that have none but are reading along with me. Thank you for letting me into your world, and allowing you to see into mine.
Be blessed today, and tell your loved ones how much they mean to you!
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galations 6:9,10
photo from flicker and publicdomainpictures.net

A Failure to Communicate

“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can’t reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don’t like it any more than you men.” From the movie Cool Hand Luke

This week I had something interesting happen. It was a crazy day at work on Thursday. In the computer chip making business sometimes you have to be really creative and go to the next level. We had a defective chip go out so it was an “all hands on deck” kind of day. It was a twelve hour day with a small break in between. Right in the middle of it, a couple of engineering interns came in. They were new and someone had sent them in with questions. It was clear they had an agenda from somewhere else. I tried the nice approach. I tried to explain that it would be in their best interest and mine if they came back another day. They weren’t hearing me.

The phone was ringing, I was up to my ears in requests, and they still would not leave…….I kept thinking of the line from that movie. Finally, I appealed to the system that we all go by and said, “All engineering requests must go through my OM, so just shoot her an email and we will go from there.”

They finally left, but it was a frustrating experience for both of us. Was I not clear? Were they not? What could I have said differently? With any communication breakdown, we tend to evaluate ourselves. I do, anyway. A situation like that becomes a good opportunity to evaluate yourself and the situation; see if you could have done or said something differently. Try to see things from their perspective.

I did that. Then I prayed about it. I don’t like it when I feel like someone leaves unhappy. I feel like things are somehow unfinished. When I got to work today I asked my OM about it. She said, yes, they did in fact send her an email. She verified what I was thinking inside, they had no clue what they were asking of me. It was nice to get confirmation.  As usual I worried needlessly.

I got another thought this morning on the way to work. It used to be that certain things were just understood to be wrong, no argument. Now it seems that whoever has the best story wins. It used to be if someone was caught red-handed in a crime they were guilty. Now, if they can convince a lawyer to argue their case effectively, they get off. In politics it is the same way. Whoever can present the best case, tell the best story, make the most polished speech wins. Character is something that is becoming increasingly irrelevant in our society.

In God’s world it is never irrelevant and I am glad.

Draw comfort from this today. If you ever feel like you are not being heard clearly remember Jesus felt the same way.

“Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread?” Matthew 16:8-11

Church Etiquette

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:14

Has something like this ever happened to you? You are sitting in church, trying desperately not to be distracted, but directly in front of you is a couple who can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. It happened to me this past Sunday. Now this was not a young teen aged couple, they should have known better. They were 30 something, maybe even 40. What made it worse was this was during communion. I elbowed Elaine, sitting next to me who I knew was trying just as hard as I was to keep focused. Usually I can focus. Rattling papers, whispering, people walking up and down the aisle, no problem…..I can pay attention.

It went on and on…….I had so many crazy thoughts. I was almost ready to wad up my program and toss it in their direction. Where is the mischievous little boy throwing spit wads in class? I wished he was there. C’mon, we are trying to have a Holy moment here! Concentrate, breathe……..focus. Even the Pastor, who was right in my line of vision and theirs, was looking at them.

He had his hand wound up in her hair, and she was making (as my Dad would say) cow eyes at him. She even puckered her lips at him, I swear! My mind twittered thoughts right and left…….”at least they could have sat in the back row…..don’t they have any clue about church etiquette? Why are they here? They really need to get a room.”

Finally, at a loss as to what to do, I prayed for them, and for me. I know it was Jesus idea. It did help, it diffused the irritation. Opened the channels to a bit of love and understanding…..everyone has to start somewhere after all.

What do you think? Was it good that they were there regardless of how they acted? Had something like this happened to you?

“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” 1 Corinthians 14:26

Bought another goat!


I bought another goat this year through World Vision. This is a wonderful gift. You have heard it takes a village to raise a child, well these goats can raise a small village. Well, okay a family anyway. They use the milk to make cheese and they also use the manure to fertilize their crops. The goats can also provide income for the family by being able to sell extra dairy products and produce at market. You can donate in someone else’s name and they will get a card in the mail notifying them of the gift, which is pretty cool!

I have donated to World Vision for many years…..there are other wonderful organizations out there who are doing great work also, Compassion International and also Heifer International are some others you can check out who also participate in the animal donation program.

Of course the skeptic in me rises up and wonders if my goat really gets there, or if there is a goat at all, or if my money actually goes where it says it goes. I see the cute little picture of a smiling child with an adorable baby goat and I hope and pray that a few seconds after the photo, the goat is snatched away and…..well, never mind……You can ease your mind by checking out the accreditation’s on all the websites and you can also view all of your donations online. I encourage you to do your own research.

I always feel that if you donate your money to a reputable organization, the blessing will come back to you.

So where’s my goat? I did an online search and found someone else who was asking the same question. He actually did a documentary that chronicles his journey to Zambia to track down his charitable goat. See the website here.

I have a warm fuzzy about buying this goat and I pray it is a blessing wherever it goes.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

Where did our love go?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Elaine and I were driving around the day after Christmas doing errands and we decided to stop at the mall to walk around, maybe check out a few sales. Our final destination was Border’s but there was no place to sit so we went out for some air and sat in the courtyard. She looked at me and said, “These are our future leaders.” I said, “Looking around at who I see, that is a pretty scary statement.” As we headed back into the Mall I noticed she quickened her pace drastically. Now when you go anywhere with my best friend you have to be ready for anything. She can spot a premeditated crime a mile away. She always has her ears and eyes open for anyone that needs help. She has driven miles to return wallets on several occasions. Old people and kids are attracted to her. I think because they sense she will look out for them. By the time she reached the door she was almost running. It only took a couple seconds for me to realize she was on a mission, I know her.

She quickly approached a teenaged girl and stopped her. The girl wheeled around, a bit surprised. “Your money is falling out of your back pocket and some guy was planning to take it,” she said. The girl was with her Dad, who was very thankful for her act of kindness. As we walked off we could hear him say to his daughter…..”I told you…..” We heard her tell her Dad that she had forgotten she put it there.

What happened was, my friend overheard a punk outside where we were sitting say, “Hey, watch this, I am going to be $20.00 dollars richer in a few minutes.” There were some choice expletives thrown in. My friend’s antenna went up and that is what tipped her off to follow him. She said God worked it out just right because the guy was ahead of her but two people got in his way and she was able to pass him to reach the girl in time.

In my Mom’s day behavior like this would never have been tolerated. Young women especially were treated with utmost respect and looked out for. I know there were exceptions to that, but as she says, not very many.

What do you think? Has behavior generally gotten worse in your opinion? I have this discussion all the time and many think that there are simply more people now and more cameras to record bad behavior, but I disagree. The Bible says things will get worse before they get better. Despite that, I am thankful there are still many good and helpful people who will step up and do the right thing.

Speaking of the last days….

For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…..and not to let believers off the hook, the verse continues: holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.
1 Timothy 3:2-5

Are we there yet?

On a more positive note my dear Mom and Dad are celebrating 60 years of marriage today. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

images from google

Putting myself in timeout

It never fails….just when I start to get a bit sanctimonious and pat myself on the back about something, God reminds me that I need to practice what I preach. I was thinking I was doing a very good job of just relaxing and enjoying the season when everything just snuck up on me. I am staring at four computer screens at work today and realized that unless I get stuff in the mail TODAY, it will not get done….

My wonderful friend, being the thoughtful angel she is, finished icing all the sugar cookies yesterday……they were really works of art, they all looked like little stained glass windows; I wish I had taken a picture! She really surprised me and everyone is enjoying them today at work…..

So right after I mail that box I plan on finding a quiet place to reflect on all the things I am so very grateful for this year, and of course the real reason for this season…..I think I need a little timeout tonight in my prayer shed!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

Christmas in the Desert



Desert Botanical Gardens

Thought you might enjoy some Christmas decorations with a bit of a Southwestern flair……

Down here in the desert we have to be a bit creative when it comes to outdoor lighting…..
  

What we lack in “Christmas” weather, we make up for in spirit!

Stillman/McCormick Railroad Park, Scottsdale Arizona

Of course we also have the more “traditional” setting up North in Flagstaff if we dream of a white Christmas!

 Hope you are enjoying His blessings this Christmas Season……

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Luke 2:10

Photos from flicker, google and arizona travel

Travelin……

I will be traveling today, driving one state over to see my family in California for a week. The road will look somewhat different than this, mostly desert until we get to the farmland of San Joaquin county……I will have a laptop and plan to spend some time in Panera Bread Company blogging and sipping coffee by the fire!

So, keep checking back in okay? Until then…..

The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”‘
So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I
shall bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27