Happy Anniversary

Welcome back to Sheep Dog's Place! It has been nearly a year since I began this blog, so I would like to take a moment to reflect on the Lord's blessing during that time. In the course of a year we have explored lessons spanning from Yahovah to Abraham even though we have covered only about half of the first book of the holy scriptures -- Genesis. Along the way, it has been my prayer that you have become at least a bit more acquainted with my very good Friend. For He is not merely the Reason for the season, He is the Reason for everything. As Colossians 1:16 succinctly puts it, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."

It is my hope that you will come to realize that you are included. The Lord Jesus Christ created you for Him. But He did not stop there. He became one of us more than two millenia ago at the very first "Christmas". About 33 years later, though sinless and holy, He sacrificed His life's blood to pay in full the sin-debt of those who had, did, and would believe on Him. Then He victoriously rose again from the dead, spent many days with His disciples, and ascended back to Heaven promising to return one day not as the Lamb but as the Lion. My friend, are you ready to face Him who gave His all to save your soul from sin, death, and Hell? He created you to live and fellowship with Him, who loves you more than words can convey. He bridged the gap between our fallen state and Heavenly bliss with the unspeakable gift of His own substitutionary death on the cross.

Of course, "...the gift of God [being] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b) is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, God's greatest gift to believers. However, one does not have to wait until the afterlife to begin fellowshipping with Christ and enjoy His blessings. As Romans 8:32 states, "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" The Lord's blessings in this life are manifold although sometimes different than what one would expect.

For instance, as I reflect on this year I thank the Lord for the birth of one of my children, a promotion in my career, and a "new" car. However, I also thank the Lord for directing me by not allowing me to purchase additional real estate or send another of my children to private school. How are these latter items blessings? The first may have kept my family and I out of a messy dispute with our neighbors, whom I am glad to say are still our good friends. The second has facilitated my family and I being more involved in our child's education than we would otherwise have been and helped us to avoid a financial burden that may have overly strained our family. I could cite many other examples, but I am sure that you get the point.

I am not saying that I or my life are perfect. What I am saying is that there is a certain assurance in knowing the One who guides it, relying on Him, and developing a deeper relationship with Him. Even "little" things in life take on new meaning when you know the Savior. For example, when my newborn focused on me and cooed to me for the first time I understood a little better why God delights in our praying to Him. When my child asked about Santa Claus, I was challenged by God's honesty and realized how important the truth is. Christ put it best in John 8:31b-32, "...If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Milestone Week

On a personal note, this has been a week of milestones. First, on Monday our elder children had their first bonafide dental appointments of their very own. We thank God that the children were composed during their examinations and cleanings and that their teeth were found to be healthy.

Second, on Tuesday my eldest child began attending school for the first time. It has been a matter of prayer for a while now, but God has graciously guided us into the world of formal education. My wife and I thank the Lord that our child is adjusting well to this major change in our lives. In fact, it appears to be quite a bit more difficult emotionally for the parents than for the child when starting school.

Third, on Wednesday my wonderful wife celebrated her birthday. The very fact that God has blessed me with her is much more than enough to prove beyond all doubt that He loves me. I wish I could have given her a worthy gift because she is more precious than a mountain of rubies. But, alas, my modest budget permitted only a card and dinner, which she seemed to enjoy nonetheless.

Fourth, yesterday my wife and I attended our first charity event. It consisted of a couple of short plays about domestic violence, and it was benefiting some of the local women's shelters. The plays were excellent; and although not entertaining, they educated the audience about the dynamics of domestic violence in a way only the arts can do. It was kind of "a picture is worth a thousand words" sort of thing. Without being graphic, they were very thought-provoking.

Fifth, today at work I closed the very first case I received on the job. Without boring you with the details, let me just say that my career entails being a case-worker. I am assigned cases (people), I manage those cases for a period of time rendering services and such, and then I close those cases once services are concluded. Although it wasn't cause to hold a press conference, it was notably satisfying to close the file on the first person I helped in my line of work.

Such were the milestones that the Lord blessed me with this week. Although I am thankful that every week is not so filled with new adjustments, I do thank God that He shakes us up a bit now and again. It brings us afresh to our knees in prayer and opens our eyes and hearts to blessings that we would have otherwise missed.