For ten years Shelby, aka Pup Pup was our family dog. When she finally went blind, and had to be put to sleep, even the vet cried when he came to pick her up. And figuring we could never replace her, decided to forego a family dog. Which lasted almost a month. Looking at many breeds, we almost got an English Bulldog, until we discovered American Bulldogs. And then set about trying to find one, which took Christopher to Las Vegas to get Clemenza. Named after Peter Clemenza in the Godfather-"leave the gun, bring the canoles," her name ironically means merciful in Italian. And so, Clemenza, aka Baby came into our lives.
We had decided she would be an outside dog like Pup Pup, but the first night let her sleep on our bed, as much for her well being as ours. And she learned quick-realizing that people shared beds with her, not the other way around. She still thinks Andrew's bed is hers, and let's him sleep with her, and friends spending the night in our guest room are advised to shut their door, or they will find a 75 pound dog in bed with them. She has even been spotted under the covers with them. Well, they were warned. And it is her house.
We were also advised about crate training her. Getting her a crate to sleep in, so she felt secure, and that the house would stay puppy proof. She already had a house-ours, she didn't need a crate. And besides, I think it is cruel to put a dog in a crate to sleep, after all they are our best friend, would you treat your best friend like that? We won't ask the cat as she has a different opinion.
We call them CEO's-Christmas and Easter only Christians-those are the only two times a year they go to church. It is like they feel that fulfills any religious obligation they may have, and so this semi-annual event makes them a Christian. We also discuss those that feel a weekly appearance in church fulfills their obligation, leaving all but 90 minutes a week to do what they want. And lastly there are those who get up and read 15 minutes of their Bible, pray for ten, then go to work-having fulfilled their obligation. And some even repeat it at night-they are really holy! And like putting their dog in a crate, have put their God in a crate. Calling on Him only when it is convenient, or they need something. Making Him a set of rules, a religious experience only when they want it, a set of rules to adhered to, no freedom involved. Unless you count weekends off. Always knowing right where He is, just not knowing Him. Try this with any other relationship and see what happens-why do they think it will work with God?
You see God wants to have an intimate, personal relationship with you. Not a religious time like the examples above. I know people who live like this, and they know all about God, but I wonder how they can know God. They are in the word, but like God asks, is the word in you? Big difference. You see God never leaves your presence, but we can turn our backs on Him. We crate train Him by our actions, when He really wants to be our best friend-where Jesus wants you to get to know Him, not just as a man who puts a check by your name, then sends it off to the heavenly printer to be added to the book of life. He is life, and as your time spent with Him becomes increased, you find yourself thinking about Him more, praying, and more often than not praising Him. Psalm 1 calls it meditation, and says it brings blessings. Not enough blessings-the formula says not enough Jesus. Any questions?
Let today be the day that you let God out of the cage you put Him in, and enjoy all the freedoms of a relationship, versus a religion. Get to know God, and realize that although you kept Him in a cage-it was really you who was locked up-or bound by a set of religious rules. Read the Bible every morning for 15 minutes-great, but sing in the shower, and think on Him while riding to work. Spend 10 minutes daily praying, aka asking for something-let Him do the talking and find out what you really need, and how He supplies it. Spend time with Him, tell Him about motorcycles-He rides, tell Him about food-He eats, and get to know Him.Take the leash off of God, and enjoy walking with God, instead of walking God. Be like Adam, before he sinned, walking daily with God. I can only imagine the things they talked about, but I do know God still loves to walk and talk with His children.
As for Clemenza, I have to go rescue the cat-she hasn't quite got this man's best friend thing down yet. I hope you do-for God, dog spelled backwards is man's best friend. I hope you are His. Only by letting Him out of the cage and into your heart will you ever know. Or grow.
Jesus Christ-still and always man's best friend. He is love, and we sure could use a whole lot more of that! He escaped the tomb, letting Him out of the cage and into your heart is easy after that!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com