My Dog Got Skunked

My dog, Maggie, can hear things that I can't. Sometimes I think she is imagining things. Like the other night--she kept going outside barking and barking. I thought she was chasing cats. She hates cats! Well, then I heard her running and barking around the apple tree. Then I smelled that horrible scent of a skunk and I knew Maggie was in trouble.

Half asleep, I went to the family room where the doggie door is. Maggie ran in scared, really scared. I picked her up (big mistake). She had that smell on her and the smell got on me. In my slumber I dowsed her and myself with baby powder and went back to sleep. Frankly, the powder didn't work. It smelled good at first but when I woke up, I realized we both got skunked, and so did our bed.

Getting skunked made me think how sin works. When I know I've done something that doesn't please God, I am tempted to do some wonderful things (like using baby powder) so God won't think about my sin. It doesn't work that way. I found out that when I confess my sin, God is faithful to forgive me. Then I don't have to worry about balancing the scale of doing good for every time I sin. The most important thing is that I pray for God to help me live for Him.

If you or your pet get skunked, don't use baby powder. Here are some things you can do that will help:

1. Don't pick up your pet without first wrapping it in a towel and don't let him/her touch anything in your house, especially your bed.
2. Bathe your dog using some of these solutions: a peroxide/baking soda bath, orange bath, soda bath, fabric softener bath, or commercial skunk smell removers. Find prices and directions here: http://www.howtogetridofstuff.com/odor-removal/how-to-get-rid-of-skunk-smell/.

Application
Do you try to balance good deeds against wrong things you do? Remember this verse: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 NIV).

Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your faithfulness and always being here to get the stink of my sin off of me. I love you. Amen.


         

Don't Misuse God's Name

The third commandment of God's Big Ten is, "Do not misuse God's name. Yet, I hear people say, "Oh my god!" even though they are not thinking about God at all. The TV show OMG uses the acronym that means the same. Other times people say "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" when they are not praying to or talking about our Lord. Such careless use of God's name grieves Him. It is down right disrespectful to our God.

God loves us and calls us by our names. He wouldn't think of calling us by any other name. If he did, we probably wouldn't answer. Have you heard Him call your name? I have and it makes me feel loved. It makes me feel special. We should respond to God's call by returning the favor--by saying His name with reverence.


Application
I wouldn't like for you to say my name in a curse. Would you like me to yours? I didn't think so. Let's  not use God's name unless we are praying or speaking reverently of Him.

Prayer
Lord Jesus, help us to use your name with love and care. We pray for the people who think nothing of using your name so carelessly. Teach them your ways, Oh Lord. Show them your paths." Amen.

Living Water

While driving along the Feather River in Northern California, I thought about the River of Life in Revelation 22. It must be beautiful with the Tree of Life rising on each side which bears twelve different kinds of fruit. Hard for me to imagine.

After a winter of heavy rain and snow, the Feather is fuller, faster and more captivating. White water rushers over boulders and descends into glorious waterfalls. The rushing water seems to be alive and I questioned, "Is this what living water is like?"

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at the well outside of Sychar, that He had living water, water that would spring up into eternal life. She said, "I want some of your water," because she didn't want to have to keep coming to the well several times a day for water to clean her house and cook her food. She didn't want to have to come for water to bathe her family.

But Jesus wasn't talking about physical water. He talked about nourishment for her soul. She understood when she realized Jesus knew all about her sinful life but showed her love. She tasted the living water but couldn't keep it to herself. Like the water in the rushing Feather River, the living water bubbled up inside her and she had to run and tell others in town about the man who knew all about her, yet, loved her.

That's how God's love is. Once we experience it, we can't keep it to oursleves. We have to love God and love others. That's how God's kingdom grows and grows. Do you know God's lavishing love? If you do, you know what I mean. If not, my prayer is for you today, that you will call on Jesus' name. That's all you have to do. He is waiting to show you His love just as He did the woman at the well.

Dealing with Bullies

Bullying is a big problem. When someone tries to hurt, scare, embarrass you or try to get you into trouble, they are bullying you. Here are some things you can do:

1. Do not bully back.
2. Tell an adult--a teacher and/or your parents.
3. Avoid the bully. Take a different route to your locker or the lunch room or gym. If the bully is in your class, you need to tell the teacher.
4. Stand tall and be confident.
5. Do not allow name calling to get to you emotionally. That's what the bully wants.
6. Use self-defense as a last resort--when you are trapped and alone with the bully. Make every effort not to let this happen.
7. Realize bullies are usually insecure people and they use bullying to give themselves power. They may not come from loving homes and this might be their way to get attention. Jesus said in Matthew 5:43, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.'" As a Christian boy or girl, your attitude and prayers can make a difference.

Here are some links to more extensive articles on how to deal with bullying:
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/bullies.html#
http://www.kidpower.org/resources/articles/prevent-bullying.html?gclid=CI2FjK2W_agCFRRigwod9EfVRw

Lord Jesus, I pray for kids who are bullied, that You would protect them. Help them make right decisions to be confident and tell adults. I pray for the bullies, that you would send someone to love them and show them a better way. Amen.