The G.O.A.T.

 

I'm helping some friends care for their various animals while they are out of town. They have dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and goats.  One goat, Tilly was due to deliver  her kids on October 1, before they left; but apparently baby goats are just as hard to predict as human babies, and Tilly was still quite preganant as of October 6. 

When I arrived for this morning's feedings (10/7) my co-farmworker, Stacy and I saw that Tilly had delivered two kids sometime during the night and was in the process of delivering a third.  It was an amazing experience to witness the birth of this tiny being, and though goats have been delivering kids for many millenia, for me I felt as if I was witnessing a miracle. While delivering kid #3 she was simultaneously cleaning #2 while  #1 was trying to nurse. No one ever taught these animals how to give birth, clean or nurse. They knew instinctively what they wanted and needed to do. It was built in to how they were created. While only humans were made in the image of God, that doesn't mean we can't grow to know Him more through bits of His creation.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19: 1-4  

There is much to be learned about God by "touching grass"; by spending time with and reflecting on His creation. Just as one can gain insight in to the minds of daVinci and Hemingway by pondering their works, we can get to know more of who God is by spending time with His creation.

I was born and raised in the inner city, but I am not so much a city girl as to not know that bacon comes from pigs, hamburger comes from cows, and the chicken I like so much comes from...well, chickens. I've visited farms and petting zoos, listened to farming friends talk about their animals. However, this was the first time I've ever cared for and interacted with farm animals to this extent.

As I've thought about the farm work I've been doing this week  I realized this was a taste of what Adam and Eve experienced in the Garden, and a bit of what life will be like on the New Earth. I've often thought about what work I will do on the New Earth once Jesus returns.  There won't be any need for healthcare so my occupation procuring medical supplies will not be needed. So what career options will I have? I've always  figured I'd work with dogs and cats; maybe work in the kitchen baking bread or pies. After this week, my options have expanded and I think I'd like to work with goats. In the process I will know even better that God is the One and only G.O.A.T.

Kid #1 I named Sunshine because I've been singing to Mama Tilly "You Are My Sunshine"

This is Kid #2 - "Skunk" named for his coloring and in keeping with the music theme, named after Guitarist Jeff "Skunk" Baxter who played with Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers.

Kid #3 I named "Sloopy" for the song "Hang on Sloopy"

Surf City

As I was getting ready for church this morning I started singing to my self the hymn, "O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus". I couldn't remember some of the lyrics so I did a quick Google search to make sure I was singing it right. I know God knows what I mean to say, but I still like to get it right for Him!

As I read the lyrics certain passages stood out to me; the Spirit was prompting me to do more than sing the words but to reflect.

O the deep, deep love of Jesus...rolling as a mighty ocean in it's fullness over me!

Often I've described depression, sadness and grief as waves that wash over me.  Sometimes they're small splashes at my ankles. Other times the waves are bigger, knocking me off my feet; but other times they're large waves crashing over me, threatening to drag me out to sea, Comparatively, however, the love of Jesus is more than a wave, it's an entire ocean.

Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love

Waves of sadness, grief, pain, they threaten to drown me. Their desire is to drag me to the bottom of the sea. The all encompassing love of Jesus has a different aim. It wants to take me in a different direction to a different destination.

...and it lifts me up to glory for it lifts me up to Thee

The deep love of Jesus doesn't sink me but lifts me up. Jesus wants me to ride the wave of His love. He wants to take me surfing!

Photo: Flickr

Pretty as a Picture

On my ride home this evening, I was struck by the beauty of the sky. The porch-ceiling blue served the perfect backdrop as a contrast to the clouds, with the sun illuminating the entire scene. The wind was still and each puff of white looked as if they had been perfectly placed in the firmament to achieve this flawless panorama.  I thought to myself “That’s pretty as a picture!”.  Then I thought,”HUH?”

Pretty as a picture? What was I thinking?  I had the original model in front of me. Pictures aspire to look like this genuine article, not the other way around.  King David said in Psalm 19 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork,” The heavens were talking directly to me and I chose to listen to a static-filled recording instead.

God, the Maker of heaven and earth speaks to us each day in so many ways. He speaks through family, friends and strangers we encounter. He speaks when we pray (it’s not supposed to be a one-way conversation). He speaks to us through His Word, the Bible. And He speaks through His creation.

God is speaking, calling us all the time. And He’s listening, waiting for a response.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:9)