Cats are really strange. There’s no understanding their likes and dislikes. That’s why God made them so cute and cuddly…….so we would love them in spite of their strange ways and not throw them out.

For years I disciplined (threatened) our children with Scripture. Being a super-spiritual Mom I wanted to always stay Biblical, if possible. When any one of them, or more, got disruptive, I would tell them if they didn’t behave I would sell them to the first traveling band of Ishmaelites that came by. Then I would quote Genesis 37:28…..

“So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern

and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt”.

 I like to think I raised them right with the discipline of Scripture.

After the children grew up and moved out, I still had little living beings to discipline…..our cats. It kept me in spiritual shape using my parenting skills.  I always feel better when I tell them that in our house we obey Scripture and then recite Genesis 37:28 to them.  Perhaps they just happen to be slow-learners, or possibly they would rather test the Lord’s patience. I don’t know.

One weird thing about our cats really puzzles me. Whereas, they really love the “fragrance” of old dirty socks, sweaty tennis shoes, or tracked-in mud…..they simply will not tolerate anything perfumed, such as newly washed cat-beds. Good grief, it says on the label that is smells like Lavender. What’s so bad about Lavender? Last week I washed the fluffy bed things from the cat-basket. Smells so sweet; looks so inviting. But Tomboy or Abby Cat will wait for a week, maybe two, to let the offending odor dissipate before even approaching it. And then it is done with utmost care….one  paw only goes in slowly to test the safety of it all.  I’m sure if they could they would hold their noses during this test. Silly cats!

I’m quite sure I heard one of them say as they backed away from the lovely clean basket, “If that cistern in Genesis 37:28 smelled this bad, I’ll bet Joseph was glad to be pulled out”. Maybe not!

“Consider The Heavens”

For information about this painting, click here

Rain, rain, and then a little more rain….that has been our week so far here in the Houston area. Those of us who live in the “Livable Forest” known as Kingwood, Texas, remember the terrible drought a few years back during which Kingwood lost hundreds of huge trees. Since then David and I have promised never to complain about the rain again. It is a blessing, although many in the area are struggling with the high water.

Rain is an amazing thing. It always makes me think of the extravagantly creative hand of the Lord. He didn’t miss a thing needed by His creation. After all this rain things seem so clean and fresh.

I’m sure you’ve stared into the night sky and wondered at the Lord’s majesty. I have and am reminded of these verses from the Bible:

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise

because of your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet; all flocks and herds,

and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your names in all the earth!”

Psalm 8

‘Til He Shouts!

O Sacred Head

O sacred head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, your only crown.
O sacred head, what glory
and blessing you have known!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I claim you as my own.

My Lord, what you did suffer
was all for sinner’s gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but yours the deadly pain.
So here I kneel, my Savior,
for I deserve your place;
look on me with thy favor
and save me by your grace.

What language shall I borrow
to thank you, dearest Friend,
for this, your dying sorrow,
your pity without end?
Lord, make me yours forever,
a loyal servant true,
and let me never, never
outlive my love to you.

___________________________________

“Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” John 19:30

‘Til He Shouts!

The poem “O Sacred Head”, is attributed to Paul Gerhardt, 1656 Continue reading →