Saturday, October 19, 2013

Persistance


Hello Friends.

I am going to talk to you today about persistence.  MOM was reading the scripture she is using Sunday from Luke 18:1-8 about the persistent widow.  Well who knows more about persistence than us dogs?  My Buddy Bert is very persistence when it comes to wanting to go in the water or playing ball.  Our friend Sophie is VERY persistence when it comes to be by Bert's side, or running along with him, or pouncing on him, or biting him, just being with him.  I have  persistence when saving sticks.  Persistence is just a part of us doggies.  In fact a word to describe persistence is "DOGGEDNESS".  So let's get started.  The photos you will see are from a recent play time with my friends and when MOM and I took a nice Autumn walk.

If your peeps have ever tried to housebreak a new puppy (maybe it was even you), you know that the key to success is consistency.  They must always take the puppy out the moment it wakes.  They must never let it whine and look like it needs to go without whisking the little one outside.  And if they let the puppy get away with any indoor accidents, well you know what will happen, you can bet that the pup will return to the scene of the crime for a repeat version of its indiscretion.  The same absolute consistency is required of anyone trying to run the gauntlet of the check-out counter with a child in tow.  It's an absolute, positive law of the universe that a kid (regardless of age) is going to suddenly, desperately need whatever is being sold by the check-out stand in that particular aisle.
A child knows (and so do we dogs) that if they/we beg, moan, screech, or scream long and loud enough, there's a good chance that the "adult-in-charge" may cave in - either out of embarrassment, or exhaustion, or because some primitive survival gene suddenly takes them over.
The justice-seeking widow in Luke 18:1-8 is as annoying and irritating and doggedly persistent as any child in the check-out line . . . or any puppy trying to get outside or get a treat.  Or in Bert's case to get permission to go in the water.
The widow in the Gospel of Luke knows the power of persistence.  It seems to be the only power she possesses.  And she wields this power with unfailing tenacity and skill.
Persistence pays, and nobody knows that better than a dog. When was the last time you sat frozen next to your peep through an entire meal, gazing up with those Bambi eyes we all have, drool dripping from the sides of our mouth? How many times have they caved and tossed us a bite by the end.
This widow's in-your-face annoying presence was so great that this judge, this man who neither feared God nor had respect for people, felt completely beaten up by her powerless persistence.  This judge's eyes were not opened to justice.  His heart wasn't warmed with compassion.  His spirit wasn't compelled to righteousness.  This judge simply wimped out and wore out.
But this parable that Jesus gave isn't just about persistence.  It's about persistence coupled with prayer.  When you yoke persistence with prayer, you get revolution.
All the persistence in the world doesn't pay off without the engines of prayer to power our lives, to make our hopes and dreams soar in the Spirit.
Persistence alone isn't enough.  Only when persistence is yoked to prayer will transformation take place.
My MOM says that Christians are imperfect.
Butt she also says that they should be a humble people who love sacrificially, forgive generously, welcome unconditionally, act irrationally, live gratefully, listen constantly, and pray persistently . . . which enables us, in the face of death, to choose life; and in the face of violence and hatred, to choose peace.
My advice to you my friends... keep up your persistence and if you add prayer to it the sky's the limit as to what can be achieved.
Blessings,
Goose

26 comments:

  1. Dear Goose, Berts My Vickie here. Thank you so much for making Bert a part of your post and the wonderful way you taught us of persistance. We have missed our Saturday walks so much and it was so nice to spend time with you and your peep today. I personally will work on persistance and of course Bert, well he doesnt need any practice. WE love you both
    My vickie

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  2. So true - and how beautiful!

    Monty and Harlow

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  3. What a wonderful Sunday post!
    Have a blessed day. XOXO

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  4. Oh my Goose the house training bit had my peeps doing the big sigh thing as she remembered how it took me a year to figure it out. Not a time she wants to remember. Have a serene Sunday and get in some big easy today.
    Best wishes Molly

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  5. thank you dear Goose for this gospel of truth, i went to another tab and read the verses before i read the post. i could not remember the widow, but when i read it i did... thanks for being persistent in telling us Gods truths

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  6. Goose, you are so wise. Mom and i agree to that. Prayers can move mountains. It's very powerful. Persistence is also one ingredient to answered prayer. Never give up. God bless you and your mommy, goose.

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  7. That is one wonderful post. We really enjoyed reading that. Goose, you and your Mom are the best. You do such a good job getting the message out. Take care.

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  8. That was written so well, I always thought YES! while reading. I will keep this always in my mind: persistance+prayer=sky is the limit. Thanks Goose&Mom! btw: in my case the levee for the yellow river in the house were treats. I was persistant and demanded to go out every 5 minutes (because I've got a treat!) till the staff thought I have a bladder weakness. Sadly the vet subverted my smart plan and said I'm not sick just greedy.

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  9. Good sermon Goose! We will be at church tonight to see if your mom preaches it like you taught her!
    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  10. Oh Goose this is a most beautiful and inspiring post and we just love how you mom put the lovely verses from Luke in to every day life.
    The pictures were an added and wonderful bonus
    Hugs madi your bfff

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  11. As always, Goose, an excellent message. We are doing our best to be persistent with Mom about getting life back to normal here. She says we have to be patient, another good lesson to be learned:( Sorry we haven't been around much, but hopefully the dust will settle in a few weeks.

    Woos - Phantom, Ciara, and Lightning

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  12. Goose! Yous always has the purrfect message! Hows does yous know what wes needs to hear?
    Kisses
    Nellie (and Mommy)

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  13. Hi Goose, What a powerful message your mom is preaching today! Firstly though, I love her shirt from the other day-that was a great present you gave her. O.k. so back to today's message-I love it and know it is true-you see, I've been praying for someone I love for 34 yrs now-just waiting to see how those prayers are answered. Hunter is a persistent whiner-he constantly whines for treats etc. Do I give in-you bet and now he is a spoiled puppers.
    I hope your mom is feeling better and I pray that the two of you will be blessed beyond measure.
    Wags, Noreen & Hunter

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  14. Goose and Mom, I love this message because it has struck a very personal chord for me. and it's one I need to remember. Thank-you for an inspirational post.

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  15. Thank you for an inspirational post shared in such a beautiful way. You and your mom :) have such a beautiful way with words.

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  16. Beautiful photos and examples. I have the persistence part nailed... :)

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  17. Wonderful post and pictures. I like the last picture a lot. Very handsome.

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  18. Well, Goose, you know where we think this blog post could be shared...it comes in something with a lot of pages in it. There is a cover, with a title, and an author. It's that beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for this little gift.

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  19. What a wonderful, inspirational post, Goose!
    Cammie!
    PS: I LOVE the photos!!!

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  20. Oh my dear Goose, That's the best advice I've had in a long time. And, you look awesome--as usual. Good fellow!

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  21. Lovely Goose!!! I'm a very persistent person...It's served me well!

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  22. Hi Y'all!

    Fabulous post.

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  23. An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!

    Website
    Information

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