Let me first say, I do not like rain. I know we need it, but I do not like going out in it. So when MOM put on her hiking boots and a jacket and put my collar on I thought she was nuts. It was raining like, well like cats and dogs outside. But I got in the Blazer thinking wherever she was going I would just stay dry in the car.
We pulled up to one of my favorite places the run around and guess what? Murphy and Bert were there. Well maybe I’ll get out for a little bit just to say hello. There were a lot of people besides us there. Seems that some crazy people where going to jump in the pond to raise money for something. A 2-legger friend of Bert’s was going to jump in. So we were there to cheer and support her. Before the fun began the three of us took a little walk with our mom’s in the pouring rain!
Me and The Murphy
Me and Bert. Sorry for the blurry photo, but as I said it was POURING down rain
Me and my stick. I love me a stick. This stick was attached to part of a tree, no problem I just let the current help me take it down stream.
OH is it WET!
Then we watch the people jump in the pond and then headed home where MOM dried me off real good.
Then MOM did something she has not done in a VERY long time. She turned up the thermostat! Normally it is set at 60 degrees. But after I got toweled off she turned it up to 66! It’s like a heat wave in here.
MOM is going to preach about “Bearing or Wearing”. I was a little concerned until she told me it was about the Kingdom of God. Whewww. I thought the naked truth might take on a whole new meaning. Anyway here are my thoughts.
How can the kingdom of God “come near” for this twenty-first century?
As disciples we have to be willing to bear the cross, not just wear the cross. Jesus called his disciples to service, to sacrifice, to being the last, the least, the lowliest. When Jesus promised to make his first disciples “fishers of people” it was a mission that came with fishhooks in thumbs, raw and ripped hands, long days of hard work and the possibility of empty nets.
Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24-25). Life’s “crosses” are not barricades blocking your path to the future but bridges that take you across.
This story I have not been able to verify. But if it is not historically true, it is spiritually true.
There is a story about the sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840-1917), who is most famous for his “The Thinker.” It seems that one day Rodin noticed a large crucifix that had been discarded in a pile of trash. Although it was terribly marred and defaced, Rodin perceived that it could be restored to its original beauty. Consequently he and some companions carried it to his home.
But the cross was too big for the house. What to do? Rather than return it to the trash heap, Rodin decided to knock out some walls and raise the roof of his house to make room for the cross.
Has the cross of Christ made you knock out some walls and raise the roof of your life? If it has, then that’s kingdom living.Blessings,
Goose
OH Goose, I love the story of the Cross. And I liked the part you said: Life’s “crosses” are not barricades blocking your path to the future but bridges that take you across.
ReplyDeleteYou do have a way with words my friend. My Vickie wanted me to tell you thank you for coming out with her in this misserable weather to support Erin.
I'm still tired from our day.
Your a great friend bud.
Bert
That was a lovely post! I did not know that story about Rodin, but I do love his sculptures and have been to the museum in Paris. I hope you get warmer and dryer weather for your future walks.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good sermon! And I hope that lots of money was raised!
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all,
ReplyDeleteWhen's your mom going to let you preach to the congregation?
Y'all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Now see here is the thingy... I just wonder WHY it is that We will go SWIMMING.. butt HATE to have the Rain WATER fall on US???
ReplyDeleteNOW I won't be able to sleep tonight tryin to THINKER (hehehe) that one through.
Great story about the cross. It sure was a mucky wet day there. Stay warm!!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awful weather day, although for a good cause to jump in the water, I wouldn't do it, but knew that you would! :-)
ReplyDeleteBut at the end of my day, I'm warmed by the story...Thanks for sharing!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
Goose,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wet day you all had! So nice that you all got out there to support a great cause! And you even got the heat turned up, so that shows your klout with mom!
I love your sermons. I am a great dog of faith myself and am proud to bear the cross as you say!
I hear from Bert's Vickie that it's now snowing. Do you like snow better than rain, Goose?
ReplyDeleteI love your message even if I put my own slant on it. I've found in my life that many things that seem like huge barricades turn into bridges that cause me to change, often in good ways. Even the things that seem worst in life help shape my heart for the better.
I like the "naked truth" line :) It reminded me of the "flaky" post!
Woof! Woof! You are lucky that you get to play with Bert. Golden Thanks for the Sermon. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
ReplyDeleteOh, Mom was moved by the story of the cross and Rodin! It really illustrates the point you're making perfectly!
ReplyDeleteGoose, that stick you found? It belongs in the Stick Hall of Fame. It's a BEAUTY!!!
Play bows,
Zim
Goose it looks like you had a lot of fun even in the rain!
ReplyDeleteStay safe and dry.
Big Nose Pokes
The Thugletsx
Great story about the big cross.
ReplyDeleteIt sure was raining out there. All that rain can make a body cold.
Thanks for the Sermon :)
ReplyDeleteWhen will our humans learn that rain is awful! Looks like you had fun regardless though!
Slobbers
xxx
That's a great message! I'm betting that a lot of people who hear it will think about things in a different way, and I hope the story about Rodin is true!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd rather play in the snow than the rain, but that's just me! Bundle me up in my coat and I'm all about a good romp, but drip dry is NOT my style!
Bunny
Hi Goose
ReplyDeleteHave fun today with your friends.. I would like to go too and play in the snow with you (here there is no snow this year).
Kisses
Iris
OMD...you went out in da rain...in da cold rain?????? Nws, I may be a tomboy but I is not gonna takes da chance on melting...yes, I is dat sweet.
ReplyDeleteOne thing, I has many though, dat I likes bout dis blog is dat you has a way to makes me think. Your message made me think.
One thing you said dat stuck out in my brain was dat "it may not be historically true, but spiritually true"...I thinks dat was dead on! I thinks maybe dat is one reason why peoples can't understand religion today...so many needs proof and they don't realize dat sometimes you just haves to believe, you don't always need proof. Does dat make any sense what I is sayin'? I hope so.
Puddles
PS: If you come overs can you bring me some more beers? I thinks mum drank all mine, seriously and da woman HATES da taste!
Those pictures were just precious! You have a wonderful life you're living. The reflections from your mom and the way you live are pretty spectacular too. The gave us a moment to stop and reflect on our day and how we're spending our time. It was wonderful!
DeleteHappy seeing beautiful!
Hi Goose, Loved seeing you out in the rain; we should learn to dance in it and not hide. Same true about not hiding our light under a bushel. I love the analogy your mom gave about bearing and wearing. Makes me want to just think on it awhile. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Hugs, Noreen & Reggie
Goose, looks like you had a great day in spite of the wet weather. I can't get over the "little" stick you had. You are one of the few doggies I follow that doesn't like the rain. One of my two furkids doesn't like it either. She will just run out as fast as she can to do her business, then it's back in lickety split. Loved your post.
ReplyDelete