Trusting in God

Isaiah 50:10

"Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant?   Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God."

Losing Charlie, the Dog

We just lost our beloved Shih Tzu, Charlie, last Tuesday.  Charlie was 13 years old and suffered from kidney disease.  We adopted Charlie 1.5 years ago from a relative's friend who was going into a nursing home and could not care for him any longer. 

I've had dogs most of my life, but Charlie was the sweetest and funniest dog I've ever had.  He loved to be scratched behind his ears.  Charlie even "purred" as he lay on the couch while being petted.  Sometimes, while standing, he'd swing his hips gently from side to side, gently hitting one side against against the furniture leg, ready to play.  But the funniest thing of all was when Charlie surprised us by dancing the cha-cha-cha with my daughter.  Did someone teach him that or was that just part of his wonderful nature?  We'll probably never know. 

In the end, despite continuous care and treatmentl, Charlie sucummed to kidney disease.  He had seven seizures in less than eight hours.  The vet said his kidneys had failed and there was no hope.  He was suffering so much.  It was time to let him go.  He died in my arms.

The pain is still fresh.  It has been really, really hard for us to lose Charlie.  He brought so much love and joy into our lives.  I hope he knows how much we still love him. 

God's Plans for Us

Jeremiah 29:11-13

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."
(ESV)

A Sure Hand in a Crisis

Psalm 9:9-10

 ^"The  Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

(ESV)

SPEAKING EVENT | Greater Mount Joy Church, Wash., DC

I will be speaking at Greater Mount Joy Church of Christ, Sunday September 16, 2012, 11:oo AM Service. The church is pastored by the Rev. Delores Allen. Location: 1619 Frankford Street, SE Washington, DC. (202) 678-0762.