Ch. 5: The Magnitude of Decision

In this chapter Michelle talks about getting her first dog Milan. How that came about, the set back, and ultimately actually bring her little puppy home. She tells how she went totally over board with books, toys, etc. but waited until the actual day to buy dog food. One statement in the whole chapter really struck a chord. "The only thing separating us from joy is a simple decision." How true that is in our relationship with God. We are so "busy thinking about what our decision will cost us that we forget to consider what will be gained." This kind of thinking kept me from returning to the church long after I felt the pull to make that move. Like Michelle I now realize that what I gained far out weighted any cost. It is kind of fun how much I really am getting out of this little book about a woman and her little dogs. Something else a little ironic is that I really do not care for shih tzus.

Ch. 4: Law of Attraction

Michelle shared about the first time she really saw a shih tzu and realized that she just had to have a dog just like that. She got the name of three breeders and called them. However, only two would talk to her and ultimately there was only one breeder that she ended up dealing with. Even the set back of not being able to get the dog that was her first choice did not stop her. There was only one moment when she had a bit of a pause to think about what she was doing and that was when her friend reminded her that this was a serious commitment. She used that to reflect on the quality of her relationship with God at times. Her comments struck a cord with me and possibly all of us. The comment was that when do we want our relationship with God to be all about the benefits of salvation with none of the commitment of developing a relationship. She then goes on to equate this attitude to how our commitment to God looks to non-Christians. This comment struck a none to happy "I do that" response in me. "This led me to conclude that we as Christians can do a far better job of making the world want what we have. But that means we actually have to enjoy our relationship with God, relish living by faith, and revel in the truths that God shared in His Word. Only with that enthusiasm can we interest others."

Ch. 3: The Phenomenon of Focus

In this chapter Michelle writes about her growing interest in dogs. She shares that during Thanksgiving when several congregated in her mother's kitchen they would watch the annunal kennel club dog show. It was watching these shows that she began to gain an interest in shih tzus and started researching them. One of the comments that I thought was really funny was when she said "If peopole checked out their potential mates the way we do our homework on dogs, jobs, real estate--you name it-- perhaps we would make better choics and enjoy more lasting relationships." When I think about it I can say that I have spent more time researching cars, computers, appliances, than I did checking out my first husband. In his case I did not research. To be truthful I didn't do much better with my second husband, it is just that he turned out to be much, much better suited to me and my personality. He is also a kinder, more considerate person with a more pleasing personality and better moral fiber.
Next she shares about that the clues for meaning that you are looking for are not necessarily in the things that scream loudly, interrupting your thoughts. She equate these loud things to television commercials. We keep coming back, according to Michelle, to that which "has been misplacd among your efforts at survival." To me that means we keep coming back to what we think is our purpose, direction, focus in life. However, she gives us a caveat that it isn't always what we expected it to be. Again I can certainly agree with that statement. Whenever I reflect back on my life course I certain did not expect to arrive at this place. It was at this point where she becomes certain that she is going to get a dog.

Chapter 2: The Value of Good Neighbors

I found this chapter hilarious. In particular I really enjoyed how God can have such a sense of humor that he requires us to do the thing that we most did not want to do or plan to do. In the author's case it was to get a dog when she had been complaining a great deal about the behavior of dogs and dog owner's in her building. However, it was a little less than hilarious when she got to the section she calls "Paws to Reflect" when she addressed the behavior of those who call themselves Christian but whose actions and attitudes are less than Christ-like. Those who demand that everyone believe as they believe and practice their religion the same they do. That one I was able to silently say "I don't do that" but then she got to those of us who are not disciplined and orderly, who tend to selfishly see their time as they own to do what they want to do. God's purpose for wanting the author to get a dog was that he was convicting her of being selfish and self-consumed according to her. She used the example of Paul on the road to Damacus. She then shared how meeting a woman walking her dog had been her own "Road to Damacus" convicting moment. The woman shared how much better her life was after she got a dog.

A New Book

Today's blog starts another new book. This one is Lessons from a Girl's Best Friend: What my Dogs Taught me About Life, Love, and God by Michelle McKinney Hammond. As a dog lover the title intrigued me. In the first chapter Michelle tells us about her initial distain for all pets and dogs in particular. She equates this to those people who miss out on all that God has to offer because of past experiences. She also comments on how we have distorted what "Fear of the LORD" is really all about. Michelle shares that what they miss out on is much like what she missed out on with her misunderstanding about the joys of having a dog.
My two dogs are precious to me even though they can be a nuisance at times. They can also be loving, comical, and adoring. Their reactions when I first get home everyday, they are overjoyed and act like it has been days or even weeks since they last saw me. This is a reminder to me of the joy I feel when I spend time with God, particularly after a time of absence. It is also the same when I am in a valley of darkness for some reason. One of my dogs, Dancer a female manchester terrier/chichaua mix, has allergy problems to some of the local grasses and some household scents. When her tummy itches she scoots along the carpet on her stomach. When her nose itches she almost stands on her head in order to scratch her nose on the carpet. Both actions bring my laughter because she just looks so goofy. I believe that God sometimes laughs at me because of the silly, goofy things I do. My other dog Doodlebug is a dachsund/basset mix who is overweight and to see him run down the hall with his ears flying out in a straight line from his head as his stubby little legs propel him at his top speed (which is not very fast) is just to funny. He even seems to be grinning much like a child glad that their parent has come home. There have been times in my life where I wanted to run to the foot of the cross in just that way. My joy over been one of God's children was just that great.
However, the are time when Doodle is grumpy, like when he is buried under the pillows on the sofa asleep and I wake him up. At those times he reminds me that there are times when I feel grumpy about going to church, studying my Bible, or other things I know God wants me to do. Or when he is just lazy and won't move off the sofa and just wants to you scratch his belly reminds me that at times I'm just being lazy instead of doing what God urges me to do. Oh yes, I agree with Michelle there are many lessons my dogs bring me.

Created For Worship

This is the last chapter in the book. Like Debbie I do find that worship means several things and that each is a critical component of our worship of our creator. It is more than just the music that occurs on Sunday morning and the debate between traditional or contemporary misses the point about what worship is. For some of us the can become a jubilant as David to the old traditional hymns while other may need the more modern lively music. I personally get something out of both types. But then I am a person who has always loved all types of music.
I also agree with her comments (and others) that we need corporate worship. Her example of removing an ember from the fire and placing in on the grate where it's fire dies is a good example from my own life. Yes as she next talks about I do get much soul restoration in the intimacy of individual worship. However, I also need other people, but I don't need them to the point of busyness. Busyness is an insidious vine that can creep in and strangle my worship whether corporately or individually.
Next she talks about prayer which she sees as a part of our worship. We need to discipline ourselves to build that relationship with God, not only through worship but also through time spent in prayer. In an individual time of worship and prayer, using that ever format that works for us, then points us towards doing the same with others in corporate worship.
Let us never forget as we close out this book that as Debbie says "We were created for all these things...but most of all,we were created for love. We were created to be loved y God and to love Him back. We were created to love others and to love the life God has given us."
I'm going to close out these posts on Debbie's book just as she closed the book:
"Live creatively, friends. . . . Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life. (Galatians 6:1, 4-5 THE MESSAGE).
We each ave been knit together by God for a purpose, for a reason. May His handiwork be evident in your life today and throughout te days to come."

Created For Blessing

What a great chapter! Debbie starts out with discussing our greatest blessing: God's Amazing Unmerited Grace. But then she goes on to say that because of this factor (God's unmeritied grace which is his blessing to us), we need to bless others. Like the two examples she gave of how blessing others has in turn more greatly bless her sons' and herself, I to have experienced that blessing others ultimately blesses me. I often think it blesses me more than my pitifully small efforts to bless others.
On page 197 inside the yarn box she talks about "Knitting a blessing". My mother was the one who taught me to love doing yarn/thread crafts but she is not the person who taught me to knit. In fact I actually taughter her how to knit. It became a blessing for both of us. The one craft my mother did that was truely her creative outlet was her quilting. This is one skill I have not acquired. She made lovely quilts many of which were her own special design. I treasure the ones she gave me. Another craft I have not learned was the one that Grandma Abbott enjoyed which was tatting. I never could see the need because I had other ways to make beautiful edging for various items, now I often think how neat it would be to add a tatted edge to a blouse or other piece of clothing.
My knitting is also a way of being able to bless others. I have setting in a chair by my desk several baby blankets that I have knit and crocheted, along with other items for babies and toddlers. In a few days they will be turned over to Project Linus and the Red Bird Mission contacts. I have no way of knowing who will ultimately end up with these items but I do know that I have been blessed by hours of enjoyable industry which have blessed me more than any one who receives the item will be blessed.
In the last part of the chapter Debbie talks about the blessing of prayer and acts of kindness. Again I could so identify with the examples she gave. I have been so greatly bless by the
prayers of others as well as their acts of kindness. Therefore, I feel that I am just returning the favor when I pray for someone else or extend to them an act of kindness

Not really related

This post is not really from the book that I'm studying but it is about becoming the woman God wants me to be. I finally decided last week to give in and have bariatric surgery (stomach reduction). Yesterday I had my very first appointment in the process. I really have begun to feel much as I did 27 years ago as I struggled with how out of control my drinking had become. My eating is now what is out of control and if I am truthful is the same as my addiction to alcohol. Once I start I can not stop on my own. I need something outside of myself to stop. I know there are those what would say that God is that outside something and I should not rely on surgery. However, just as in my early recovery days of AA I needed the fellowship (along with God) to stop drinking I need something in addition to God to help me stop over eating. Nothing else has worked and I believe that surgery is my only other option if I want to live a normal productive life. There are so many things that I would like to be able to do for Bo, for God, for Asbury and I can't do any of them because they are too painful. I can stay doped up on drugs to overcome the pain because that would just create other problems. So I have started as of today on a life changing process so that I can live another 20-25 years and enjoy my living. There are things that I really want to be able to do.