OzThoughts –Tuesday 16th September 2008.

OzThoughts –Tuesday 16th September 2008.


Children and animals seem to go so well together. When our daughter was about 18 months old she loved the new kitten her uncle and auntie bought. Its name was Sam. As we could not have a pet at the time she loved to visit them so she could cuddle him and just enjoy holding and playing with him. Between visits she often talked about Sam. I am sure you can picture a little blonde toddler cuddling a tiny ginger kitten.

We went to visit some people from our Church, and as we walked in the front gate, she saw their dog lying on the front verandah. Before we had even seen it she began running towards it and was up the three or four stairs and across the verandah to it. Greeting it with “Hello Sam!!” she threw her arms around its neck and gave it a hug.

It seemed that her arms must have only got partway round its neck, because we saw as she ran up the stairs towards it, this was no tiny ginger kitten but a very large brindle Great Dane. Our friends assured us that their huge dog was very placid and loved children. He obviously loved the attention our daughter gave him and I have been sorry the encounter was not captured on film.

I think my daughter has inherited my love of animals. I remember at school being envious of some kids in my class who could take their pets to church. I even saw a photograph of it in the newspaper. It seems the local Church of England Church (Anglican/Episcopalian) was the Church of St Francis of Assisi and there luck would have it Francis was the Patron Saint of animals. So one day each year the Parish Priest would bless all the pet animals of the parishioners.

That sounds like an excellent idea for us to copy. In these days when young people, in fact all of us, are being taught to be environmentally conscious, that we could highlight God’s creation and his care for it. It is sad that today, many Corps are not observing the “Harvest Festival” when we thank God for his provision for us through nature.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I thank you for your creation of this world and all that is in it. I pray that you will continue to provide my daily needs and help me then to minister to others in your name. I pray that you will give me wisdom in my relationship with all your creation. Help me to do what I can to make this world a better place for all. Amen.


[Listen: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music/mus_307.mp3 ]

All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
Thou silver moon with softer gleam:
Chorus
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
Ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest man both warmth and light:

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flowers and fruits that in thee grow,
Let them his glory also show:

Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship him in humbleness,
O praise him, alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One:
Author: Francis of Assisi (1182-1226),
Translator: William Henry Draper (1855-1933)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 2

PSALM 50 (The Message)

1The God of gods--it's GOD!-speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east,
farewells the disappearing sun in the west.
2From the dazzle of Zion,
God blazes into view.
3Our God makes his entrance,
he's not shy in his coming.
Starbursts of fireworks precede him.

4He summons heaven and earth as a jury,
he's taking his people to court:
5"Round up my saints who swore
on the Bible their loyalty to me."

6The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court,
that here God is judge.

7"Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak;
Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial.
This is God, your God,
speaking to you.
8I don't find fault with your acts of worship,
the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.
9But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,
or more and more goats from your herds?
10Every creature in the forest is mine,
the wild animals on all the mountains.
11I know every mountain bird by name;
the scampering field mice are my friends.
12If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you?
All creation and its bounty are mine.
13Do you think I feast on venison?
or drink draughts of goats' blood?
14Spread for me a banquet of praise,
serve High God a feast of kept promises,
15And call for help when you're in trouble--
I'll help you, and you'll honor me."

16Next, God calls up the wicked:
"What are you up to, quoting my laws,
talking like we are good friends?
17You never answer the door when I call;
you treat my words like garbage.
18If you find a thief, you make him your buddy;
adulterers are your friends of choice.
19Your mouth drools filth;
lying is a serious art form with you.
20You stab your own brother in the back,
rip off your little sister.
21I kept a quiet patience while you did these things;
you thought I went along with your game.
I'm calling you on the carpet, now,
laying your wickedness out in plain sight.

22"Time's up for playing fast and
loose with me.
I'm ready to pass sentence,
and there's no help in sight!
23It's the praising life that honors me.
As soon as you set your foot on the Way,
I'll show you my salvation."

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