Be Like Dogs, Not Snakes

1 Corinthians 1:9 (ESV)

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we hear the word “snake,” most of us recoil with fear. Granted, there are some people in the world who are genuine snake lovers, but for most of us, we simply don’t like snakes, and for good reason. Snakes are sneaky and many of them are dangerous. We don’t trust them. Truth be told, though, snakes probably don’t like us just as much as we don’t like them.

On the other hand, when we hear “dog,” most of us, unless we’ve had a bad encounter, get warm and fuzzy feelings inside. We like dogs. After all, most dogs are fun, kind, and gentle. But owners of dogs also know that they’re faithful animals.

We all want friends that are more like dogs than snakes. We want friends who can be trusted, who are faithful, and who are loyal. We don’t want friends who talk bad about us behind our backs, who let us down, and who are never there for us when we need them the most.

God wants us to be faithful people!

How Do we Do This?

Spend time reading about and reflecting on God’s faithfulness.

Ask yourself the following questions. How has God been faithful to me? What kinds of qualities does God have that I want in my own life in order to become more faithful?

Write out some practical ways that you can be more faithful.

Thank God for His faithfulness in your life and then ask Him to help you be more faithful.

As you reflect on the fruit of faithfulness, remember that God wants us to be like dogs, not snakes! He wants us to be people who are faithful.

Dear Lord, help us to be faithful. Help us to be more like Dogs and not snakes. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Happy 99th Birthday Billy Graham

1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV)

Only fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things He has done for you.

I had the privilege to attend the Billy Graham crusade when it was held at the Pontiac Silver Dome in 1976. It was fun to be part of one of the first events held at the new home of the Detroit Lions.  They were expecting about 30,000 to be there and were shocked when the total attendance topped 70,000.  What a tribute to the power of God using a man that gave his all to serve his Lord and Savior.  

Billy Graham has been named by Americans as "One of the Ten Most Admired Men in the World,” over 59 times with the Gallup poll. He has been known through the years as not only a world renowned evangelist, but as a kind, non-judgmental, accepting, and humorous soul. His message is timeless, powerful, and relevant for today. The phrase, “the Bible says,” resounds throughout his sermons, and the truth he has preached for years still transcends all barriers of denominational differences, age, nationality, and culture. It has stood the test of time and generations, pointing millions to Christ.

Dear Lord, we thank You for the men and women that stay faithful to the call that You put on their life. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

Be faithful where He puts us

Revelation 5:10 (ESV)

And you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,

    and they shall reign on the earth.

In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria grew tired of court life and the pressures of being a monarch. He made application to Prior Richard at a local monastery, asking to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in the monastery. "Your Majesty," said Prior Richard, "do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience? That will be hard because you have been a king." "I understand," said Henry. "The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you." "Then I will tell you what to do," said Prior Richard. "Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you." When King Henry died, a statement was written: "The King learned to rule by being obedient."

We are kings and priests! Furthermore, the Bible says that one day we will rule with Him! We need to get ourselves ready!

Are you weary of parenting, ministering, praying or whatever other assignments the Lord has given you for this season of your life? Be encouraged! God expects us to be faithful where he puts us, even in the small things. Stay strong in the Lord! God is preparing us for great things -- and our efforts for Him will not go unnoticed!

Dear Lord, we pray that we will be faithful in the positions that You have given to us. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Be encouraged

1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV)

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

In the early 1800's a preacher gave a message to call men to join him on the mission field in Africa. In the audience were only a few women along with a boy. The pastor knew that few women were expected to volunteer to face harsh African jungle conditions. However, he gave the message; and no one responded. What he didn't realize was that he had touched the heart of a little boy whose name was David Livingstone. This boy would grow up to spend the rest of his life ministering to Africa's unreached tribes.

David Livingstone was touched by the faithfulness of a pastor who gave his message when there seemed to be no obvious fruit from its delivery – and that made all the difference! The lesson is this: we are not in charge of results, but only responsible to be faithful to what God has given us to do. You may not be seeing any fruit from your obedient labor at the moment – it may appear next week, next year or a century from now, but in its time the fruit will appear, and may be greater than you could have ever imagined. Heaven will, one day, reveal the fruit of lives we have touched by our faithfulness!

Be encouraged – and don't give up. Your faithful stewardship will produce its true harvest which will never fade or pass away!

Dear Lord, help us be faithful and not give up when there seems to be no fruit. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

It made a difference to that one!

Luke 19:17  (ESV)

And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant!  Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’

I am sure you have heard this story before but it has such a good lesson for each of us I wanted to use it today.

A young man once went to the beach. There, he saw miles and miles of starfish washed up on the sand. “If these starfish stay out here during the heat of the day,” he thought, “they'll die.” So he began picking up a starfish at a time as he walked and throwing them back into the ocean.

An elderly man also walking along the shore approached him and said, “Do you mind if I ask young man, what are you doing?” “I'm throwing these poor starfish back into the ocean so they don't die in the hot sun,” the youth replied. “But what difference can you really make,” said the old man, “Look at this beach -- there are thousands, maybe millions, of starfish here!”

The young man chuckled as he threw yet another starfish into the sea. “Well -- it made a difference to that one!”

“Faithful in a very little”, the Word of God says! It is faithfulness in the little things that the Lord rewards mightily!

The world is like those millions drying out in the hot sun – and we have reach out to those the Lord has put in our path! If we all do our share, the job will get accomplished! There's so much work to be done!

Dear Lord, help us be the one to reach out to those that are drying out in the sun. Use us to reach them today. In the Name, of Jesus, Amen. 

Are you a faithful farmer for our Lord?

First tomatoes of the year

Genesis 9:20 (ESV)

Noah began to be a man of the soil, and he planted a vineyard.

My wife and I enjoy each year working in our garden.  Tilling the soil, planting and weeding are all an enjoyable time we can spend together. But the best part is when those plants start bearing vegetables for us to enjoy.

I started thinking about farmers as I walked through the garden today. What does a farmer do? If he or she is a good farmer, he works hard at preparing the ground for the sowing of seed. Each year, he waits in expectation for a harvest. Hopefully he toiled the ground well and the seed sank deep into the rich soil. Hopefully his watering was consistent and the seed will grow and bear large delicious fruit. But really, he can't know for sure until many months later when it's time for the harvest.

One of the trees for which Israel is best known is the olive tree. It doesn't take months; it takes YEARS for an olive tree to develop fruit! Who wants to plant a tree that doesn't bear fruit for many years? But once it starts bearing fruit it can keep producing on it's own for dozens of years!

We are all called to be farmers -- to bring in God's great harvest! What we often lack is the patience to wait to see fruit! We want those seeds to sprout right now and we lose heart when we don't see instant results.

The Lord promises that His Word will not be sent in vain, but will accomplish what He pleases and shall prosper where He sends it! Our job is to be faithful and patient! Let's not get discouraged when we don't see our seed producing. It will bring forth fruit in His timing! Be patient! Keep planting! And expect a bountiful harvest!

Are you a faithful farmer for our Lord?

Dear Lord, help us as we work in the garden You have placed us in. Help us be faithful so that we may bring many into Your kingdom. In the Name of Jesus, Amen. 

Are you faithful in your prayers?

Romans 12:12 (NIV) 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

During the Korean war, one man was hurt badly on the battlefield of Heartbreak Ridge. His buddies were in a foxhole about 50 yards away when the man was hit by sniper fire in an ambush.

As the fire continued, the other men discussed among themselves what to do. But since the sniper fire was too intense, to crawl out and bring back their wounded buddy would mean almost certain death.

For a while no one would move. The men in the foxhole could hear their wounded friend yelling for help. Then one of the men in the foxhole began to look intensely at his own watch. He could not keep his eyes off it. All others in the foxhole noticed this, and began to ask questions. But the soldier with the watch remained silent.

All of a sudden, the man with the watch jumped out of the foxhole, and crawled over to his wounded buddy. He then grabbed him by the nape of the collar, and very slowly made his way back to the foxhole, all the while sniper fire whizzing around. Both amazingly did make it back to the foxhole without another bullet penetration.

After the sniper fire had died down, the man who saved his wounded buddy was asked why he waited so long to crawl after his wounded friend. To which he responded: "My mom said every day at the exact same time she would be praying for me. And according to my watch, I left the foxhole exactly when she started praying."

Are you faithful in your prayers?

Dear Lord, help us be faithful in our prayers. Help us to remember the importance of talking to You and bringing our friends to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Will You Be Faithful to the End?

Mark 15:15 (NIV)

Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Thomas Kozaki was born in 1582 in Ise, Japan. His father Michael was a carpenter and a Christian. Michael met some Franciscan missionaries and he helped build the Franciscan convents and churches of Kyoto and Osaka.

In 1596, fourteen year old Thomas was an altar boy. The Japanese ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi wanted to rid Japan of Christians and he ordered their arrest. In Kyoto and Osaka, twenty-six Christians, including Michael and Thomas, were arrested. They each had a piece of their left ear cut off, and then paraded from city to city, traveling more than 400 miles.

For weeks a man shouted their crimes and encouraged their abuse. The arrested priests and brothers were accused of preaching the outlawed faith of Christianity, the laity of supporting and aiding them. They were each repeatedly offered freedom if they would renounce Christianity. They each declined. The twenty-six were crucified on February 5, 1597 at Tateyama (Hill of Wheat), in Nagasaki, Japan.

Prior to his death, Thomas wrote a touching letter to his mother. In it he says: "Remember also the innumerable blessings bestowed by the Lord Jesus Christ. As everything of this world can be lost soon, even if you might become poor and have to beg for food from people, please take care not to lose the glory of paradise. No matter what people may say to you, please forbear with patience and love to the end."

Jesus loved the world that He laid down His life for it will you be faithful to the end?

Dear Lord, thank You for Your love. We pray today that no matter how hard it seems to be that we will stay faithful to You just as You are faithful to us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Can God Use 57 Cents?

Matthew 25:2 (NIV)

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded'. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class.

The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school."

For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment. Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 - a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century).

Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."

Do you have room for someone today who needs a place to learn from God?

Dear Lord, help us have a heart that is open to those around us that need Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

We Are Called to Be Faithful

1 Samuel 26:23 (New International Version)

The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

In 1952 Mother Teresa began the work for which the Missionaries of Charity have been known since. Her order received permission from Calcutta officials to use a portion of the abandoned temple to the goddess Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. Here Mother Teresa founded the Kalighat Home for the Dying. She and her fellow nuns began gathering dying Indians off the streets of Calcutta and brought them to this home to care for them during the days before they died.

In 1974, Mark Hatfield was touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visited the "House of Dying." He saw sick children were being cared for, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily.

"How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked.

Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."

Are you being faithful to what the Lord has called you to do?

Dear Lord we thank You for the work You have called us to do. We pray that we would always serve You faithfully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Will The Commanding Officer Find You doing Your Very Best?

Matthew 25:23  (NIV)

His master replied, "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness."

I was doing some reading on Faithfulness and came across this story told by a man in Canada. It is a good example of being faithful. His story is as follows.

I was stationed at the Canadian Navy base in Scotland, waiting to join a new aircraft carrier destined for the Pacific, when the war came to an end with VJ day. I was scheduled for return to Canada and demob (demobilization), but having recently met a special girl in Glasgow, I volunteered to stay while the base went through the lengthy process of closing down.

As a mere Able Seaman (one automatic step up, with the requisite sea time, from Ordinary Seaman), I was given the job of swabbing the deck (the floor) and cleaning the heads (the toilets) on the quarterdeck. This being the nerve centre of the establishment, it was often crawling with high-ranking officers.

One day, I was summoned before the Commanding Officer. Not knowing what to expect, but fearing the worst, I snapped to attention before his desk and waited. When he finally looked up from his paperwork, his first question startled me.

"You were brought up on a farm, weren't you?" He asked.

"No, sir," I admitted. Actually I was brought up in a manse.

"Oh." That seemed to confuse him momentarily. "It has been my experience," he said at last, "that only farm boys do the 'joe jobs' as conscientiously and as cheerfully as you have been doing. I have another job for you, if you would like to take it."

And that job? Taking the mail between Glasgow and London on the train, with my own compartment, just me and the mail bags, travelling overnight, being relieved of the mail at Euston station, having all day off in London, returning with mail overnight to Glasgow, being relieved of the mail at St. Enoch's station, having all day off in Glasgow, doing this every night but Saturday, being paid extra (for a total of $3.20 per day), having relatives at both ends, seeing battered London this time without fear of the doodle bugs (flying bombs), and most importantly, having time with the special girl in Glasgow. (We recently celebrated our sixtieth anniversary.) I accepted a job with more responsibility but with far greater rewards.

Someday, we will be surprised when our Great Commanding Officer reviews how we have performed the "joe jobs", the little things, the necessary but perhaps unpleasant things, that are a part of life. What will be His verdict? Have we done them with grumbling and with as little effort as possible, or with a song in our hearts, doing all to the glory of God? The rewards are beyond our imagining.

Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. (NIV)

Are you doing the “Joe Jobs” to the best of your ability? Will you be found faithful?

Dear Lord help us to make You such an important part of each day that even the little, unpleasant chores are accepted not as nuisances but as opportunities to know Your presence with us and to praise You in everything we do. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Will You Be Called Faithful?

Proverbs 31:28-29 (New American Standard Bible)

Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

“Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all.”

This is a great true story I came across and wanted to share it through my blog. I pray that it blesses you as it did me.

She was the Vice President of Household Affairs for her entire adult life. She had a husband, four daughters, and one son whom she managed. Her calling was not to the marketplace; it was to the home. It was a calling that she fulfilled well. She often went beyond her job description to fulfill menial tasks like sewing clothes for her twin girls, playing dolls, and even playing catch with the only boy in the clan.

Things were going along well until midway in life a telephone call came that changed everything. The caller informed her that the love of her life had been killed in an airplane crash. She was in her early 40's, still beautiful, with five kids to raise on her own in spite of the fact that she hadn't worked in the business place for nearly 20 years. The death of her husband removed their steady upper middle-class income, and she was now faced with the greatest test of her life. At her lowest moment, wondering how she was going to make it, she cried out to God. God answered, "Trust Me, Lillian." Those audible words became the strength that she needed to care for her family for the next 40 years. From that moment on, she came to know her Savior personally and shared Him with her family. Her children came to know Him as well. Grandchildren became the recipient of her prayers, and they came to know Him too. She was building an inheritance in Heaven, one prayer at a time, one soul at a time. She never remarried; Christ became her Husband.

Dear Lord, We pray today that we would always cling to You for our guidance. We pray that when it really means something our children would say of us that we were faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Being Faithful to the End

Revelation 2:10 (New American Standard Bible)

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

In 1988, Wally Magdangal was pastoring an underground church in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He was a Filipino lay pastor of Christian foreign workers wishing to gather for worship. In 1992, soon after the conclusion of the Gulf War, the house church had grown to over three hundred worshipers, the largest church in the country. The Saudi government became alarmed at the positive impact the church was having and Wally was arrested. While he was in prison, Wally was tortured, abused, and eventually falsely charged with blaspheming Muhammad and Islam. He was tried before the Saudi Arabian High Court and was sentenced to death by public hanging scheduled to take place on Christmas Day 1992. Throughout his terrible ordeal, Wally refused to renounce his faith in Jesus Christ. Outcries from several foreign governments and agencies, including President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines, Amnesty International, and members of the U.S. Congress were made on behalf of Wally to the Saudi Government. And then just a few hours before his scheduled execution, Wally Magdangal miraculously was granted a reprieve. The Saudi Government decided to deport him to the Philippines instead. Today, Wally is itinerant preacher, sharing how the Lord delivered him from persecution.

Being a Christian has never been easy. There are many Christians today who are being persecuted for their faith. Are you regularly praying for those who are persecuted?

Dear Lord today we pray for the Christians in the Middle East who are being persecuted. We pray that they may be faithful to You in all they do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He is Always Faithful.

Psalm 117:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

1 Praise the Lord, all nations;

Laud Him, all peoples!

2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,

And the truth of the Lord is everlasting.

Praise the Lord!

Australian singer and songwriter Darlene Zschech gained international recognition in 1998 for her song "Shout to the Lord," which was nominated for the Dove Award for Song of the Year.  In 1999, Darlene received the International Impact of the Year Award from the American Gospel Music Association in Nashville. But Darlene's life wasn't always as together as we see it now. 

As newlyweds, Mark and Darlene struggled financially. Darlene earned small change singing commercial jingles for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Diet Coke and McDonald's. Mark struggled to keep their motorcycle parts business afloat to support Darlene and their two young children. It was then that Darlene decided to praise God through the struggle. 

"I learned we'll never find hope looking at our circumstances," she says. "It's only found by fixing our eyes on Jesus who doesn't change and who's always faithful." In 1990, the Zschechs left their home and church in Queensland, and moved to Sydney in New South Wales, where they became a part of the music team at Hills Christian Life Center. From there, the Lord started using Darlene to bring glory to Him.

Darlene Zschech commented that praise is "thanking God for things even though they're not there yet," Darlene says. "It's appreciating Jesus not [just] for what He can do, but for being your Savior. And there's power in that."

The Lord isn't just faithful some of the time; He is faithful in the past, present and the future.

Dear Lord we thank You that You are always faithful and that faithfulness endures forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Lessons in the Barnyard.

Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

The day was calm and sunny. All the animals of the barnyard were out of bed, eating their breakfast, and chatting to one another. Ah... life was good in the barnyard! Every day the Farmer brought them their food, and tended to their needs. They had a wonderful barn to be in, out of the storms of life. The barn provided them warmth in winter, and shade in summer. The Farmer had provided each of them with their own area, and each animal was completely content. The pig family (the Jones clan). The sheep brood (Moxie's crew). The horse family (Milly, Ben, and Frisky). The goats (Larry, June, and the little ones, Bret, Ben and Gale). The chickens (Hale family), their numbers were the greatest. They seemed to be all over the place. The Rooster (Mike), he was the head of the chicken clan. There were the cows (Blanch, Nell, and "big bull" Greg). Last but definitely not least was "Charley" the ever watching, ever protecting Australian Sheep Dog!

Life was indeed good for the barnyard animals. Not only did Farmer care for them, but also they knew Charley was always there to guard the Yard. He had saved them more than once from wolves, chicken hawks, foxes, and mountain lions! Not to mention the snakes and coyotes that had slipped into the yard from time to time. Charley was always there, ready to fight them off at any cost. Many times, he had been hurt, but he never stopped. He took his job of guard, and watchdog, very seriously, and the other animals knew they could depend on him to protect their lives. They all remember the day in late summer of two years ago.

The day had begun as any other. Suddenly though, as if out of no where, a storm began to brew. "This looks like it is going to be a bad one Charley," Farmer had said. "Let's get the animals into the barn where they will be protected and safe."

Charley rounded up all the families and directed them to seek the shelter of the barn. One by one, they went in to their areas. Farmer had already lit the lamps, as it was beginning to grow dark. When Charley thought they were all in and safe, he and Farmer began to close the doors of the barn against the winds and rain. They then went into the farmhouse to wait out the storm. All the animals were chattering.

Some were a little frightened, but Greg, reminded them that the barn was safe and secure. "Farmer has provided us with a perfect, secure shelter in His yard. Do not be afraid. As long as we stay in the barn, we are safe!" They could hear the storm coming closer, and building up winds. They could tell this was going to be a bad one!

Suddenly from the back of the barn, Larry began to shout for Gale, his youngest. "Gale? Gale where are you?" he cried. No answer. "Gale, answer me now," cried her Dad. Silence. "Oh no. Gale must have been left outside!" said Larry. "Greg, what do we do?" pleaded Larry.

"I don't know," said the bull. "Maybe if we all make enough noise, Farmer will hear us, and come to see what is wrong."

They all began to pled and cry with all their strength. Loud, and continual, they bleated, brayed, clacked, and grunted. Praying farmer were hear them, and help Gale.

Now Farmer and Charley were in the house. They had just lit the fire, and were getting dinner ready. Suddenly Charlie's ears perked up! "What is it Charley?" asked

Farmer. "What do you hear?"

"I hear crying and weeping." said Charley. "It sounds like many voices all at once! I think it is coming from the barn."

"We did get all of the animals in, did we not?" asked Farmer.

"I thought so," said Charley, "but perhaps I should go check things out."

"Alright then", said Farmer, "Use your side flap door, to find out what is happening in the barn. However, mind you, be careful, That old enemy storm is going to come in like a flood, and we have all got to be ready for it!"

Charley nodded in agreement, and went outside to the barn. When he had come in, he saw all the animals together making a racket and crying. "What is this all about?" asked Charley. "Why the racket? The Farmer and I heard you all the way in the house! He sent me to comfort you, and find out what was wrong."

"Oh Charley." cried Larry. "My little girl Gale is missing! We think she got left outside!"

"Oh my." said Charley. "That is not good! I will go out and search for her. Meanwhile, Peace, be still, there is nothing to fear! Farmer and I care for you all, and we will find her and bring her safely home here!" said Charley. "Just have faith in us, it will be alright!"

The animals quieted down, and agreed to stay calm. Even in the midst of this great storm and turmoil, they knew Charley and Farmer would do what ever it took to protect them all. They knew they would find Gale.

Charley went out again and to the house. He told Farmer what was going on. Farmer told him to search for gale. Then, when he had found her, to let him know so he could open the barn door. Charley nodded and off he went. Like the "Hound Dog" of Heaven that he was, Charley barked and searched all over. He looked in every corner of the yard. He could not see Gale. "Gale, where are you?" he yelled. "Make a noise so I can find you!" shouted Charley. The rain was pouring and the winds were picking up. Charley was having a hard time even seeing two feet in front of him. Still he kept up the search. Finally, he heard what seemed to be a small, still, whisper of a cry.

"Gale? Is that you?" yelled Charley. "Hang on, I'll find you. Just keep crying till I track where you are!"

Charley walked slowly and carefully. He listened with all the senses he could muster up within him. Then, suddenly, between two logs, under the brush, he saw Gale!

"I'm coming Gale. Fear not! I am here to protect you!" yelled Charley as he ran to her. She was curled up in a ball, and drenched to the bone when he got to her. Crying and so scared. Charley nudged her and told her to follow him.

"I can't!" she cried. "I am too scared of the thunder and lightning!"

Charley sat next to her and placed his paw around her neck.

"Gale, do you really think I would let anything happen to you?" he asked. "Don't you know by now? I have already proven I will protect you through all the trials of life, and I will do it again! Now, be strong, take heart, rise Gale, and follow me to the safety of the barn. There Farmer will dry you and wrap you up in warm blankets. You will find a refuge from the storm in the barn. Now...Up girl!" said Charley sternly.

With strength and courage, she followed him. As they approached the barn, Charley began to yap, bark, and wail. Farmer heard him, and running out into the storm, He opened the barn door. He helped Charley get Gale inside, and stayed there. Farmer dried Gale off, and brought her near to the heater to warm her little shivering body. He picked her up in his arms and held her quietly until she began to relax and calm down. She looked up into the wonderful, kind face of Farmer. "I was so afraid!" she said.

"I though you had all forgotten me, and left me there alone!"

The Farmer held her tightly, and said to her. "Gale. You are never alone. God, Charley, and I are always here for you. We will never leave you alone. You may feel like you are at times, but rest assured, We are as close as a cry or whisper. We care for you, love you, and all the others. When we provided you with a home, it was forever. Trust that. Now, be still, and know that Farmer, Charley, and a wonderful God are here with you.

Soon the storm passed, and again, the sun came out. There was gratitude and rejoicing in the barn that day. Again, the Farmer and Charley had delivered the animals from the storms of life. Moreover, the animals knew, deep in their hearts, that they always would!

Dear Lord all we can say today is thank You for always being there for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is Faithful

God is faithful and his covenant is a covenant of love. He will not forsake us but will treat us better than we deserve, just as a loving parent treats a rebellious child better than she or he deserves. But our hearts must be tuned to honor God as God, not as just a good luck charm or a weekly guest into our otherwise busy lives. What we do must be done in awareness that it is done before and for him!

The Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.

— Deuteronomy 7:9

Dear Lord. Thank you for the way you preserved your promises to the Israelites and brought Jesus just as you promised. We trust your promise to send him back to bring us home to you. Please receive the deeds and words of this day as our thanks to you for your covenant of love with us and those we love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

God is Faithful

God is faithful. We can trust his promises to be kept and his purposes to be good. How do we know? The sunrise each morning is a reminder that the Father of heaven and earth is at work keeping his universe in working order. If it is true in nature, it is true in the spiritual realm as well. Greet each sunrise as a reminder of God's faithfulness.

The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

— Psalm 33:4-5

Dear Lord We want to thank you for your faithfulness. Each day the sun rises we anticipate the day you honor your promise to send your Son back to bring us home to you. Give us a keen sense today of your faithful presence. In Jesus name. Amen.