Old Dogs and Fall Leaves

Old Dogs and Fall Leaves

We have an old geriatric pug named “Bubba Joe”. 

Bubba Joe is more Heinz 57 than pug ~ he is just enough pug put to curl his tail ~ then the rest a little bit of this and a little bit of that. 

Bubba Joe was a pet rescue out of Seattle.  His owners grew old and his sister passed away from cancer. So His owners dropped him off at the Vet and we ended up with him. 

 I have no idea what kind of “city dog” Bubba Joe was ~ but he adopted quickly to country life. 

It took him all of 10 minutes in the country to discover his deep seated affection for deep scat.  As disgusting as it sounds ~ a fresh pile of deer scat makes his day and keeps him busy for hours.  The vet says it won’t hurt him so “go wild”. 

Lately the weather has cooled and the large cottonwood trees have been shedding it leaves.  This is Bubba’s favorite time of the year. 

I let him out to “do his business” and he disappears every single time.  Bubba will find a dry patch of grass covered in leaves and plop down.

I watched him yesterday afternoon as he laid in his favorite spot ~ munching on “deer treats”.  His head rolled back and his face faced directly into the sun as he breathed the fresh cool air.  This was a dog completely at peace with the world and enjoying his station in life.

Eventually it was time for the old timer to come into the house ~ so I wandered out to disturb his solitude.  He refused to get up.  He was content right where he was at. 

So I gently lifted him into my arms and his head remained rolled back as he deeply inhaled the fall breeze.  I followed his lead and raised my eyes to the heavens and took a deep breath. 

Perspective touched my soul as I realized my schedule was intruding on my friend’s season of joy.  In a moment of clarity, I laid my friend back on the grass and left him for another 30 minutes of …..

whatever it is that warms an old dogs heart.    

As I watched Bubba in his moment of peace ~ I asked myself what in my life brings me that level of peace and contentment.

My old friend brought tears to my eyes as I recognized the wisdom in his simplicity. 

“The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
    the jackals and owls, too,
    for giving them water in the desert.”

Isaiah 43:20 NLT

Monday’s Prayer:

“Father, please allow me to see today from Your perspective. This upcoming week is packed with challenges and difficulties ~ but my old friend Bubba has reminded me how important it is that I don’t get so busy looking ahead that I neglect to look up.  So today, I will lay in the grass and listen to the fall leaves rustle.  As the cool fall wind softly moves through the trees, I will quietly spend time in Your Presence. May Your Spirit draw me close today and allow me to experience Your joy and peace. Amen!”

Benched

Benched

Coaches watch their players for signs that they need a “break” from the action.  When a coach decides a player needs a “break” ~ that player gets “benched”.  That means for a few plays, that player gets to sit down and catch his breath and rest up for a few minutes. 

Sunday night, the good Lord “benched” me for a few plays. 

I slipped on a flight of stairs and tumbled to the bottom. It was a less than graceful descent and resulted in me spending the night in the ER.  After some X-Rays, it was determined that nothing was broke but my left foot and knee was severely sprained.  Then the Doctor advised me that I was out of the game for 7 days and on crutches.

It is ironic that my first impulse was to make excuses as to why this is NOT a good time for me to be laid up.  However, I’m not sure who to address my complaint to. 

I also find it ironic how overwhelmed with guilt I feel for having a week to let my knee and foot heal.   

My friends with the ambulance service have been amazing.  They have dropped off books for me to read ~ food ~ a steady stream of texts and messages letting me know that everything is covered.  I am truly blessed.

I want to share a Psalm that the good Lord handed me this afternoon.

This Psalm is ALL about waiting quietly before God.

Calmly resting in His Presence.

Trusting Him to be in control and do what is right.  

Psalm 62

A psalm of David.

¹ I wait quietly before God,
    for my victory comes from him.
² He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will never be shaken.

³ So many enemies against one man—
    all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall
    or a tottering fence.
⁴ They plan to topple me from my high position.
    They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face
    but curse me in their hearts. Interlude

⁵ Let all that I am wait quietly before God,
    for my hope is in him.
⁶ He alone is my rock and my salvation,
    my fortress where I will not be shaken.
⁷ My victory and honor come from God alone.
    He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
⁸ O my people, trust in him at all times.
    Pour out your heart to him,
    for God is our refuge. Interlude

⁹ Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,
    and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,
    together they are lighter than a breath of air.

¹⁰ Don’t make your living by extortion
    or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,
    don’t make it the center of your life.

¹¹ God has spoken plainly,
    and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
¹²     unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people
    according to what they have done.

Embrace the Awkwardness

Embrace the Awkwardness

We all experience “seasons” in our lives. 

Some seasons are sunny and are full of positive experiences.

Some seasons are dark and full of rainy confusing confrontations.

This list is as long as there are people and life experiences. 

However, one of the more interesting “seasons” is the one that follows a long period of difficult testing and pain.

These difficult seasons change us on many levels.

Last night at midnight, my wife and I were discussing how a long difficult season of testing had impacted my life.

She noted that there were some areas that were unresolved and some negative attitudes were lingering.

She then asked me how I would counsel someone who was experiencing this same situation. 

I simply replied that an increased time of drawing close to God in quietness and honesty would produce a healing affect. 

She asked me why I was not doing this myself. 

My honest answer was, “I have tried but it has proven awkward.”

This prompted her to comment, “Then, embrace the awkwardness.”

 ^“Come close to God, and God will come close to you.

Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts,

for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James 4:8 NLT  

Notice 2 things from this verse.

#1.  As you come close to God ~ He promises to come close to you.

v We come close to God when we set aside anything that offends God

v We come close to God when we make Him a priority and move away from our own selfishness and move to where He is

#2.  As you come close to God ~ You will be changed inwardly & outwardly.

v You cannot come close to God and not have your life impacted. 

v “impacted” means that you are changed to love the things He loves and you will hate the things He hates

OK,

I’m done preaching for today….

I just wanted to share with you what God is doing in my life this week and what lessons I am learning.

God bless you,

I’m praying for you

Pastor Shane

New Webpage for GVCC ~ Check it out !!!!

http://www.gardenvalleycommunitychurch.org

GVCC Sermon Handout for September 7th 2014

Garden Valley Community Church

Pastor Shane Moffitt

September 7^th 2014

“HOW GOD BUILDS YOUR FAITH” series

Step #3: God’s Waiting Room

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:6 NLT

v Your test of spiritual maturity is how well you handle waiting….  

“Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.”   

                           Deuteronomy 8:2 NLT ~ Exodus 13:17

#1.  When Waiting ~ Don’t Fear

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

v To Combat fear ~ focus on God’s Presence

v There are 365 "fear nots" in the Bible ~ that's one for every day of the year

#2. When Waiting ~ Don’t Fret

⁴….But the people grew impatient with the long journey, ⁵ and they began to speak against God and Moses. “Why have you brought us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?” they complained….               

                                                          Numbers 21:4-5 NLT            

          Resting in God ~ is an act of Faith

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
    and wait patiently for him to act.
Don’t worry about evil people who prosper
    or fret about their wicked schemes.”

Psalm 37:7-8 NLT

#3.  When Waiting ~ Don’t Faint

         

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Galatians 6:9 NLT

v Never undo in doubt what you have done in faith ~ Don’t 2^nd guess your decision

v This stage makes us idealize the past

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Luke 18:1 NLT

#4.  When Waiting ~ Don’t Forget  

“Let all that I am praise the Lord;
    may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Psalm 103:2 NLT

During the delay, time causes us to forget many things. 

When there is a delay, we tend to forget our God given vision. 

We tend to forget what God had done in our life. 

We tend to forget God's goodness to us in the past. 

We tend to forget that God is with us. 

We tend to forget God's power. 

We tend to forget how important it is that we stay in God's strength

and we start focusing on all our problems than on what He has done for us.  The Bible says, Don't forget.

²⁷Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

²⁸ Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.” Matthew 14:27-30 NLT

v The promises of God in His Word are always greater than the problems you're facing

⁷Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the

Lord’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his

many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they

rebelled against him at the Red Sea.

⁸ Even so, he saved them — to defend the honor of

His name and to demonstrate his mighty power.

¹³Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done!
    They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!

Psalm 106:7-8 & 13