Finding God in the face of a pussycat?

One of the four legged residents of the Wright house is a 13 year old calico male puss named Zoey, as he is purest white and ginger orange, which made my daughter think of Elmo's friend, Zoey, the first time she saw "my baby pussycat".  He has a great pussinality, as I think all felines do, and one of those moments that almost always moves me is that as I am getting out of the shower, I am allowed to pickup Zoey and hold him on his back, like a baby, and he will not struggle to escape, but spends minutes gazing into the eyes and face of his master, much to my pleasure, somedays with a nose and lips that almost are clear, but most days, are bright pink, and we have a bit of quality time in the early Oklahoma morning.

Having been lonely before at times in this life, and without the comfort of friends, I recall the feelings of peace and contentment found in the embrace of having a small, purring animal about 2 inches from my face, also at peace and content in the arms of their owner, and often the memories of Puff, Smokee, Tigger, Jasmine, Amber, Pepper, Sparky, Chicago, Momma Puss, or Zoey, is often to bring the tears flowing, as I also have been the last one they have seen on this earth before being released from the end of life struggle that so often seems to come to these little ones, and that last exhale , peaceful as they enter into the rest of their Creator, in the place He has prepared for these beasts He made for our and His own pleasure.

As I gaze into the eyes of Zoey, and once again, rest in the peace and warmth of unconditional surrender from this little beast that so often frustrates me by running off when I wish to hold and cuddle him, but on these moments post shower, he comes to that place of familiar encounter, and is willing to be held close, knowing that safety is certain, and soft words and snuggles are always in order.

In these moments, I pray that my Creator and Lord, might see the same contentment and lack of struggle in His little child Thomas, on those moments when we are face to face, hopefully early in the morning, and during the rest of my day as well, as I seek moment to moment to take thoughts and words captive to the mind of Christ, that I might walk like Jesus walked, never grieving or quenching the Spirit, but in perfect obedience, choosing to put aside temptation for a cross, pleasure put aside for submission, and just resting in obedience, the accepting gaze of my Father and peace of Christ giving me a heart to take on the role of servant , ready to encounter the least of these in my daily walk to follow, and once again, glorify God by seeing the world as He sees it, as revealed in His Word, by His Son, The Word from before in the beginning, and the Lamb crucified from before the foundations of the earth.

As I marvel at the beauty of a small eight pound white and orange domestic house cat, how the pattern of his fur is so amazingly beautiful, and made with purpose, as any artist must first have an idea in their mind before putting said image onto the medium of choice, in this case, daughter's baby kitty, now 13 and not knowing when my last day will be to have this joy, I am moved to think of the joy God must have in His creatures, as we are told that not a sparrow falls but the very Creator of the Universe knows that little breath of life has left this world of fallen wonders and beauty, how much more must He love His Kids that in love were given the very Son of God in hopes of a spirit born again, to be made right through submission, and turning back to a loving Father, waiting for the sons and daughters to come running home.

I love Rich Mullins song "Growing Young", the word pictures painted by my favorite ragamuffin artist move me to tears every time I hear this, being the first song on the CD and first chapter of James Bryan Smith's devotional autobiography "An Arrow Pointing to Heaven", and one I listen to frequently, the chorus is lived out again, and one of the Father's big boys cries once again, brought to tears by emotion and passion of memories lived, and loves missed, whether a pussycat that has gone back to it's Creator, or a brother in Jesus who wrote and sang so much that our Father above speaks to each of His Children, whether through Rich's songs, or His Word, or His Creation, which we walk in the fallen remnants of, still marveling at sunsets and sunrises, lightening flashing across the sky, the smile of my wife or girls, or mom or dad, or even in the twitching whiskers of my kitty, drawing a deep breath and thanking my Lord and Creator for one last snuggle with that soft white fur, and that if this is my last day, I will strive to serve Him with my words and deeds, and be salt and light to a flat and darkened world, and relish the least of these that are brought to my life in the hours that may be my last, and a passion to give God the glory He deserves, and longing to hear "well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord".

New MATH?

I have a math equation that will change your life if you are up to the daily, moment by moment, challenge it asks of you.

Ready?

Jesus Christ + nothing = everything

The next few days will offer some definitions of these five words and symbols, that I offer as a synopsis of the book of Galations that Paul was inspired to write to several small bodies of believers in what is now the central section of the country of Turkey, consisting of Antioch, Derbe, Listra, and others.  These assemblies were being confronted with corruption of Paul's simple gospel, and what true truth was had to be defended, as the original Gospel apologist did almost 2000 years ago.

Our challenge today is nothing less, and our adversary none less that the one the apostle faced then.

Join me please as we search the scriptures daily to see if the words of satan and his angels, who masquerade as ministers of light even today, are exposed by the very sword of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, just as the Bereans did, noted in Acts 17:11, as their standard of truth.

Peace of Christ to you on a sunny, hot, and likely stormy, Monday in April 2012.

Thomas