Don't forget about the non dog post section.

Last weekend it seemed in one day we saw all four seasons on our day out.  Cherry blossoms are always a lovely sign of Spring and we stopped and had lunch by some.

Then we drove over the beautiful Snoqualmie pass, where there is still a fair bit of snow by the roads and on the mountains.

Even though there was snow, the whole day was blue skies and ended up being lovely and warm and the perfect weather for a long walk.  With the sun streaming, I wouldn't have wanted it any warmer - it was like the perfect Summer's day. 

The walk through the forest to the beach with the undergrowth, and some trees being empty of leaves was a bit like Autumn.  I thought all the reminders of all the seasons in one day was fitting as it was Easter weekend.  Easter is about celebrating Jesus victory over death and what that means for us.

We go through different seasons in life.  Sometimes it may seem like we are going through all the seasons in such a short period of time or we may feel like we have been in Winter for so long that we have forgotten what Summer feels like. 

I think dogs are an excellent example for us in this.  If you look at how they are, they go from one element to another effortlessly.  Hamish seems to explore and take it all in his stride.  I've shared before and shown you how he loves all the seasons. He is not phased by the snow or ice, and will go and explore and have fun it.  He loves the leaves in Autumn and he doesn't let the heat of the Summer bother him, finding shade in walks when there is some.  He is always exploring His surroundings, taking what joy and fun there is at the time while learning things about his environment. 

If only I was more like Hamish that no matter what the season or what the day brings, I would seamlessly without shock, hesitation, trepidation or doubt take it in my stride. Going seamless back and forth through all the seasons in life, learning quickly from it, and find the joy, rising above the circumstance not letting the circumstance control me.  I sadly don't always do this although I know I can do this as God is there helping me but sometimes it takes longer than it should, to remember God is in control of the circumstance so then why should I worry?  God is in control and instead of me arguing with Him, or asking 'why?' I know God loves me and wants the best for me, so I can trust and leave the matter with Him.

Are you like that? Sometimes we can get so hung up over a circumstance or an event or something that happened we don't realise that God has changed seasons for us and wants us to go on but we have decided to stay in the mud or snow and refuse to move on. 

We are living in a fallen sinful world with illnesses and bad things that people do to each other. This is not how God made the world or wanted it to be and there is a day coming when all that will stop. God is holding it back 2 Peter 3: 9-12.  Bad things can and will happen to us, it's how we respond and live our lives so others can see it that matters; "in holiness and godliness." 

We are looking at life on earth from an eternal viewpoint if we have a personal relationship with Jesus. This changes how we look at things, so let us not get bogged down in whatever season we are going through.  If Jesus could endure the cross because He had set His eyes ahead then surely we can endure what ever we have to go through.

"looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2"

You have a Saviour that knows how you are feeling, if you are going through a 'winter' as He went through it as well.  He didn't just give us an example of how we should live at all times, but because He is alive He has given us the power to actually do it!

Sometimes the summer seasons in our lives can be the most dangerous season, way more than the winters.  Everything is going so smoothly the temptation is not to rely on God as we get caught up in the good circumstances keeping our eyes on the things around us and not on God.  No financial problems, great job, good health, friends, just having fun.

Whatever season in life you are in, don't keep your eyes on the circumstance as that's very dangerous.  We don't put faith in what good job we have or that we are healthy - we rely and trust God alone, not just in bad times but in good times as well.

Like all my posts, it's not just to you I'm writing this but to myself.  I need to hear and practice the truths as well, just like today!

I have never seen a deer panting for water but having a dog that pants after exercising; I always picture this verse, especially on a hot day when he gulps down water. I wonder if God made dogs this way – that they have to pant to cool down and regulate their body temperature (as well as jumping in water to cool off) so we are constantly reminded of what our attitude should be towards God; our fibre of our being, our every thought and longing should be panting after God always thirsting after Him. 

In John 4:14 Jesus says He can quench that thirst that only he can satisfy. Some people try and put out that quench with career, sex with many different people, drink, drugs and for a time it may work but only God can give the permanent fix, so they never need to be hungry or thirsty looking elsewhere for satisfaction that will never truly satisfy.

As Christians that deep eternal thirst is quenched but in our everyday lives, we always should be seeking God out, desiring/thirsting after Him for a deeper and deeper relationship with Him.  It’s an ongoing relationship, and we need to be constantly filled as Ephesians 5:18 tells us. (In the original greek ‘be filled’ means "keep on being filled constantly and continually.") It’s not a one time thing.

Even if you don’t have a dog, you can imagine animals in a desert, that their soul-thinking each day is to find a watering hole and hope that it’s safe to drink and other animals aren’t lying in wait ready to attack.  I once saw a documentary about prey animals that just wait by the watering hole because they know every creature has to come there for a drink and they knew it was easier to hunt lying in wait at the hole.

Sometimes we let other things come in the way and make excuses.  “I want a closer walk with God but I don’t have time as I’m busy with my children or at work, I'll do it soon.” 

Or it will be a spiritual attack - the evil one and his demons can see the potential of what could happen if you got closer with God, spending more time with Him or do a ministry God has put in your thoughts.  They know your weakness and what temptations you have given into in the past be it business, or excuses, whatever it is expect opposition! Factor that in but don’t let it stop you!

The bible says that Satan is like a roaring lion. The lion may be the king of the jungle but the lion is no king in our Christian lives.  We have one who is far greater, more powerful so stop feeling defeated.  Our watering hole is God, He is right there.  He has no problem in keeping away prey animals (our own excuses or outside forces) but we have to want to come to the watering hole, and to thirst after that watering hole. We know that nothing is going to taste as good as that water, but we don’t let ourselves get waylaid.

If you want to know if you are that thirsty for God, ask yourselves what your priorities are.  Then look at what time you give to your priorities - that won’t lie. Your time will show you your priorities. So are you like your dog after a hot day walking or an animal in the desert – are you that thirsty?  Are you that thirsty for God?

After Christmas it has been one thing after another, mostly illness – each one minor but it was back to back and draining which is the main reason why Hamish and I have been quiet.  I’m sorry about that but as I don’t want to post just for the sake of posting, I only want to post when something really is on my heart.  This is why the tumbleweed has been rolling through here of late.  I either couldn’t think straight, due to not feeling well or didn’t have photos or videos to make the illustration and I know how much everyone loves videos and photos!

Sometimes in life it may seem like we are running in circles, never seemingly making much progress and not feeling like we are getting anywhere.

Recently we took Hamish out for a walk and while we were trying to get our gear together at the beginning of our walk, Hamish was running in circles presumably draining some of his energy. Watching him do this it struck me that I had been feeling like that – running in circles and never seemingly breaking out of it, to feel like I’m moving forward – making progress.

If you can relate to that, maybe like me we can go through a kind of checklist and see if there is something deeper that is going on or what we can learn from it.  I’m not really doing that here but I thought of a couple of different things that may make us feel like we are running around in circles.

In Ecclesiastes we are reminded that there is a time for everything in our lives, bad as well as good.  So illness will probably happen and bring us down, even for a short time.  So it’s a case of getting through it, but while we are doing that, maybe we can see it as an opportunity to show others in our lives – non Christians how we handle the tough times – do they see God at work in our lives when we are in pain – are we gentle and loving?  Are we thinking about how to witness to the doctor or nurse, in how we are responding to things - that we are trusting God? Or are we selfish, only thinking about ourselves?  We may not be thankful that we are ill but we can be thankful that if we are trusting God through it,  good will come from it.  We might never know what it is – it could be our witness to someone we might never see again but it might be one of the stepping stones for them to come to know Jesus. Or maybe from the illness, we can learn to be more patient or understanding to others.

It might not be illness with you (or just something to get through.)  But whatever it is, if you have a close walk with God, don’t be discouraged as you might think you are walking in circles when in fact you are an important part of an intricate pattern that only God sees.

picture 1

Look at the first picture, all you can see is a small black even boring circle but when you draw back you can see it’s not really a circle at all but an important part of the London Underground, where a lot of people pass through.  Do you need to know that your life isn’t a black circle – going nowhere? 

We mostly don’t see God’s big picture but it’s vital to know that if we are walking closely with God we are a vital part of His plan, if we let Him use us.

Or maybe you are in a period of life that you actually are walking in circles going nowhere, either in everyday life or your spiritual life.  If you are, then take an example from Hamish, he eventually stopped and turned and looked and went to me.

Do you need to stop and turn and really look and come to God? Or maybe you are a Christian but have lost focus for a while and been running around God, He might even be at the centre of the circle but if you don’t allow Him in and slow down with what you are doing, you will never get back to the walking (moving) forward with God, going where God leads and wants rather than running around doing your own thing trying to please God.

I don't know what is going on in your life, only God knows and if it's self inflicted or not.  But whatever the reason or wherever you are, God can lead you through it and out if you let Him.

Merry Christmas everyone!  Did you get a stocking?
Here is Hamish

Here is a link to last year's stocking story.

Hamish got a tartan bandana, a pig's ear, couple of smoked bones, busy bone chewnola.  It's not what I would want in my stocking but that's what Hamish wanted in his. 

Sometimes we don't get what we want but all our stocking's are different just like in life.  God fills our stocking with good things, as we saw last year James 1:17.  We have to be careful to not be children who sometimes eyes other people's gifts and wants it for themselves without being satisfied what they have actually got.  We may not like to admit it, but sometimes that is what we are like.  God may have given someone else a more beautiful voice, or trust someone with more money than you and it's so easy to not look at our own gifts and be satisfied with the blessings God has given us, but have an eye on others.

So count your own blessings, say thank you for what God has given and bestown on you.  What greater gift could God have given you and shown His love to you but his own son?  You are loved, so what are you going to do with the gift God has given - Jesus?  Accept and open the gift into your life?

Don't forget to look over at the non dog area, for new posts (it's food related at the moment!)

Last time we focused on how important God is (obviously as it is His birthday!) and how we need to spend time with God over the Christmas holidays.  I also want to remind you as well as me, to be careful around our dogs.  With many visitors and the house can be just so busy, don't forget to tell them as well as children to not put chocolate, within reach of dogs.  This includes bags on the floor and even on trees.  Chocolate is highly toxic to dogs and can kill or leave permanent liver damage.

Here is a list of dangerous items and food that you may not be aware of at Christmas time.

This is Hamish's 3rd Christmas and due to my own ineffectiveness of training him and showing him who is top dog, he has to be kept in the family room; away from the tree and Christmas ornaments as he can't be trusted.  I had him on a leash while putting up the tree as leash correcting does work but I dropped a glass bauble and it broke.  Within a second he was on it and had two small broken pieces of glass in his mouth.  I did get both, and glad I went back a second time to double check as got the second piece!   So be careful.

I know you are tired but please don't forget to give your dog the only present or thing he wants (daily) and that's a walk.  It's not only good for him but good for you as well.  It also tires them out and are more likely to lie down and not be hyper so you can enjoy the rest of your day in peace.

I've said this before but it also ties in with spending time with God, even if this is the only time you have alone what a great time you can have with God walking your dog.  If you go with your children then use it to show them God's creation and the seasons and apply it to seasons in their life.

So have a safe season with your dog and also remember whose birthday it is and who then needs to be center of Christmas.  So celebrate and spend time with the "birthday boy."

If video isn't showing it may be firefox/flash problems try chrome.

Just in case you were wondering about Hamish, as it has been a while, here is a video of him trying to figure out what is going on with my singing snowmen.  Sorry about the quality, it was dark when I shot it.

The snowmen are singing about all the food they are going to consume over Christmas, and I think Hamish was jealous as he wanted some!  He didn't know what was going on or what to make of it.

Every Christmas I feel the same.  There are the new gadgets, toys and it's just overwhelming.  I just heard in a news story that stores deliberately want to overwhelm you with piped in smells, noise/music, loads of eye stimulation with lights.  As if they over stimulate you, apparently you are then a bit disorientated and more likely to impulse buy.  Although it doesn't work with me as I just want to stay home and not go into those shops and just buy online!

But with crowds and the season being so busy, it's not just children that get overstimulated and overwhelmed.  So by the time you slip into church for a carol service you are exhausted and it's hard to wind down and concentrate on the one true meaning of Christmas - our redeemer was born.

Satan and his minions does the exact same thing as stores.  Distract us, overwhelm us through busyness or trying to make us believe it's all about family or whatever will work for you. So we concentrate on getting the right presents for children and everything else so we don't have time to spend quality time with God.

We might not even realise it, as what's wrong with cooking, spending time with family or shopping?  Nothing on it's own but we have to strike a balance and realise who is priority number 1 and not just on paper but actually doing it - spending time with God and putting His wishes for you first.  Then, as He loves you and wants the best for you, you won't feel as frazzled or tired.  Also you can be more ready with your family and friends to bring the true meaning of Christmas into conversations, applying it to each situation.

When we talk about the Christmas story - how God loves us so much he gave us the biggest gift of all - His son as He would save us from our sins.  We realise what our priorities should be and what is and isn't important.  So don't stress out and take time with God.

It seems a few people missed my new post in the new area - "non dog posts." 

So I wanted to answer a few questions and let you know about it.

I haven't posted anything for ages, and I apologise for that.  Even before my Aunt died I realised that sometimes I wanted to say something but it wasn't related to the dog.   So do I create a new webpage as well as this?  For now, and we'll see how it works out, I decided to keep it all here but just separate out 'thought for the day' - the dog related posts from the non dog posts.

By doing this, I hope it will keep dog lovers happy, and this after all is called "myGodandmydog."   But a few people don't have dogs and I hope by having a different section it will be relevant to them.  Of course I'd love it if people read both!

I did plan on taking all of the posts here that were not dog related out and put them over in the new area, but because of how I named them (day 1 etc) I can't as it would mess this section up.

I'm still planning on doing my dog posts and that won't change.   So don't forget to read both areas and if you have RSS feed for this area you do need to separately subscribe to the new area if you want updates from that.  See sidebar area for more info and a link to what RSS is.   You may have to redo the RSS for this area, as it seems to not be updating.  This could be due to accidentally having let this webpage domain run out.

Please feel free to give me feedback or comments or questions about all this.

Hamish is the perfect example of how we are with God sometimes.  Hamish wants the company and for me to facilitate all his wants without wanting me to be the 'driver' in his life, even though I know what is best for him. For example, he wants to stick his head out the window when he is in the car but he can get debris and dirt in his eye.  So I want him to wear his doogles but he doesn't want to or understand why he has to.  But aren't we exactly the same sometimes with God?

Last year for Anthony’s birthday I bought him a flying lesson on a helicopter. Usually I don’t know what to buy him but when I saw this half price deal on groupon for $80 it was a no brainer.  It has taken this long for him to find the time to use it, but today was the day!  Before he could have the actual 'fun' bit, the flying, he had to have instruction. The pilot had to explain how it works, what Anthony had to do before they took off. 

How often do we want the fun bit of life - the 'highs' with God, miracles, the fun 'experience' without going through the 'instruction' side and then wonder why we aren't getting anywhere?  It is so obvious that he needed instruction first and one on one time with the pilot before he can even take-off but yet we often neglect the obvious or want to skip that part in our life.

Preflight inspection and instruction. 

Sometimes even after instruction when God wants us to do something, or just in life, we can get so eager.  It’s like we run ahead of the pilot climb into the helicopter seat with the attitude of “hey I think I got this” and try and take off.  Not realising in our eagerness that God is left standing on the tarmac in the rear view mirror of our life.  If by God’s grace we don’t crash and burn immediately upon take-off, sometimes we don’t even notice He’s not there!  We can be chatting away even getting slightly annoyed why He’s not saying anything or doing anything in a situation or why we are lost when He’s not even in the helicopter anymore!

As the lesson/journey went on, Anthony was trusted to do more when the pilot thought he was ready. God knows when we are ready for something so if he is asking you to do something, and you don’t think you are ready - good, as humility and full reliance on God is vital and He will equip you. 

Sometimes if we have been Christians for years, reading the bible, we can become complacent and think we can skip parts that is vital, with excuses to go with it! Anthony flew solo on a small aircraft when he was in the Air Squadron at university. He soon discovered that this was actually a disadvantage as some of the controls on a helicopter are the exact opposite of a plane and a helicopter is much harder to learn how to fly.  If he had the attitude that just because he has flown before, ‘and I’ve got this’, he would have had serious trouble!  Just because God does something one way in your life, don’t expect the next time to be the same.  He wants to stretch us, our faith and perseverance and give us that closeness we desire but we always first have to have a learning, teachable humble heart.

Where are you in life?  Are you alone in the cockpit? Or the exact opposite - too scared to get into the helicopter! Maybe you are completely lost, or you have crashed and burned? Wherever you are, the only safe way to travel and be safe is for you to be in the co-pilot seat, and God as the pilot. So check today, where you are and where God is, not just generally in your life but in every situation.

We have lift-off!

Following on from yesterday, so what are some promises of the Lord your God?  Can you say that God is your Lord?  Yes it's that personal, it's about a personal, close relationship with God.

Think about that verse, not a single one has failed.  Man has tried to prove He doesn't exist, that creation is a joke but they can't and never will, however hard they try!  What else can you think of?

My Aunt chose the hymns to be sung at her funeral.  Lyrics meant a lot to her, it was always about the words.  These three hymns meant a lot to her as they were her personal testimony. 

You may be like me, know them so well but sometimes we need to stop and meditate on the words when it's like that.  Or maybe you think it's 'old fashioned' language but look past that and you will find comfort and truth. 

Things were not easy in her life, but yet it was never about that but how God brought her through it - cancer at a young age, death of both parents as a teenager and having to bring up her younger brother (my dad) on her own and much more.  But thinking about her and her life, it's never that, that I remember her ever talking about, in fact she rarely did, it was always about God's blessings to her and my dad.

These songs she could sing because it was her testimony - her story.

What song or part of the song spoke to you today?
Do you need to know or experience this for the first time? 

1. All the way my Savior leads me,
   What have I to ask beside?
   Can I doubt His tender mercy,
   Who through life has been my Guide?
   Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
   Here by faith in Him to dwell!
   For I know, whate’er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well;
   For I know, whate’er befall me,
   Jesus doeth all things well.
2. All the way my Savior leads me,
   Cheers each winding path I tread,
   Gives me grace for every trial,
   Feeds me with the living Bread.
   Though my weary steps may falter
   And my soul athirst may be,
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see;
   Gushing from the Rock before me,
   Lo! A spring of joy I see.
3. All the way my Savior leads me,
   Oh, the fullness of His love!
   Perfect rest to me is promised
   In my Father’s house above.
   When my spirit, clothed immortal,
   Wings its flight to realms of day
   This my song through endless ages:
   Jesus led me all the way;
   This my song through endless ages:
   Jesus led me all the way.

Below is Chris Tomlin version of the song - from his album "Hello love."

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save

Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man
Could ever pluck me from His hand
Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I stand



Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!



So back to the first question, about how every promise of God has come true, what in these songs to do you need to ponder about today and know they are true?

My aunt's is living this promise right now in heaven -
"Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above: When my spirit, clothed immortal, wings its flight to realms of day, this my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way."

non dog post

Over a month ago my Aunt died.  I knew I wanted to make this post and until I did, I couldn’t make another.  But I kept putting it off as how do I sum up her life or what she meant to me and what her legacy was in one post?  I can’t!   What I will do is pick just a couple of things that stood out. 

Living out the Christian life, being a good example for others, having the right priorities, and show Christ’s love.  My aunt (Myrtle McCullins) was that and more.  I don’t know if you are blessed in your life by having a prayer warrior.  If not, be one for others, prayer is vital.  It wasn’t until latter years that I realised when my aunt said she was praying for me, it wasn’t just once a day in her prayer time but constantly during the day.  

If you are alone, or infirm or feel you can’t do anything – pray, it's a ministry!  And never ever say “I can only pray” - it’s vital for your church, leaders, people in ministry, neighbours, everyone in your life.  It’s a gift you give to others by praying for them, and one I really appreciated, over everything from my aunt. 

She was humble, generous, loving and really cared about people and what they were going through.  She never had a dog, had never met Hamish but always asked after him and had a picture of him on her mantelpiece (I wasn’t even in it!)

People can see God’s love shining through you, if you get out of the way!  She was a godly woman and I really miss her but I know I will see her again.

She had a cutting board which I now have and it means so much me as it’s a wonderful promise from God and her last encouragement to me Joshua 23:14.

I also started thinking about legacy’s and what we leave behind.  It’s a good time to stop and ask “Is my priority right, do I put as much thought, talk, prayer into my children’s spiritual life than I do their education or other areas?” 

Or “Am I working as hard, through amount of time spent in prayer for my loved ones, bible reading and spending time with them, than I am concentrating on building up my business and leaving behind money for them?” 

It will be different for all of us, what our natural tendency is, but we have to make sure that our top priority is always God and His will in our lives as the only legacy that is important is a spiritual one.  Not just for ourselves but for others in our lives.

So what will your legacy be?  How will you be remembered – by being a vessel for God, showing his love, sharing the good news and living for him?

Without that everything else is meaningless.