Bible Basics Journal
Written and compiled by Osten Aune
Friday, August 30, 2008
Yesterday my wife Jo and I, we took our female cat “Harry” to the veterinarian to get the cat fixed. We were both apprehensive about doing this because as we found out later, Harry was further along than we expected.
Our untimely delay was not because of laziness or busyness but from the lack of funds – money! I just recently opened up a new checking account. This is my first checking account in years after losing my business and filing for bankruptcy. I also received a credit card. The credit card is an absolute Test from God on stewardship, managing money, not going into debt, and not repeating past mistakes. Like the Parable of the Talents: you must learn to take care of the small things if you want God to trust you with greater things! (Actually the credit card in itself is another story!)
But with the credit card the first thing we did was to set up an appointment for Harry. The vet bill came to $328.80; about $100.00 more than expected. There were additional charges for treatment and pain since Harry was so far along. (They took every precaution to ensure the safety and well-being of Harry in a caring professional manner.) This is a small price to pay for our beloved Harry, BUT spending this type of money when at this time I’m making only $8.00 per hour working night-security at a luxury apartment complex. (More about this irony in another letter.) It will take me over 40 hours to pay for this operation. The point is we couldn’t take care of Harry until we had the funds. I feel guilty because I couldn’t have taken care of Harry earlier, safer, and quite a bit cheaper. BUT we love the cat and we made Harry a priority.
Now what this letter is about! In the vets office
Dr. Kimberly Hagan DVM
performed a wonderful and caring operation and recovery for Harry. Harry was back on her feet; back to her old-self amzingly quick! (Buckingham/Plano, TX RD Vet Clinic) they had on the wall a framed quote:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Through Him all things were made.
John 1:3
Somehow this little verse helped to calm my fears as we waited in the vet’s office. Later I looked it up on the internet and found:
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Written by Cecil F. Alexander
Hymns for Little Children, 1848
Refrain
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.
Refrain
[Most hymnals omit the following verse]
The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.
Refrain
The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.
Refrain
The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
Refrain
The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.
Refrain
He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.
Refrain
Enjoy this little hymn!
Cyber Hymnal had a biography of both the lyric and music authors. Cyber Hymnal also had a MIDI file so you can listen to the music!
YouTube Video: All things Bright and Beautiful
Spectacular video slideshow of natures incredible beauty - Music by Katherine Jenkins
BUT later that night as I looked at Harry content, safe, curled up and sound asleep, I started to give thanks to God for our little blessing Harry, that she came home safely.
THEN I started to think of the little kittens-lost – their little lives were taken before they had really began. I prayed for their little-kitten-souls. (Please, I am not after a great debate on if animal pets have souls.) I pray that they are in heaven, happy, playing, and that God plays and pets them, and watches over them.
I wanted to do a good thing by having Harry fixed. There are too many dogs and cats in this world, which are destroyed by city pounds every day. Too many dogs and cats are homeless, hungry, starving, sick, scared, and run over by cars. But still I am saddened by the loss of these kittens because:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
O’ dear God, there are people homeless, hungry, starving, sick, scared, and run over by cars. I pray for those who are homeless and hungry;
I pray for those who will not share their bread.
This leads me to share this:
Prayer of Hope
O God we pray this day:
For all who have a song they cannot sing,
For all who have a burden the cannot bear,
For all who live in chains they cannot break,
For all who wander homeless and cannot return,
For those who wait for loved ones in vain,
For those who live with hunger
and for those who will not share their bread,
For those whose words of love are locked within their hearts,
and for those who long to hear those words.
Love us, O God, and fill our hearts with courage and hope.
Reveal through us the power of your magnificent grace
as we live out the faith of Christ.
Amen
- Author Unknown
Sunday, August 17, 2008
My first visit to
Arapaho United Methodist Church
"Prayer of Hope" was a beautiful Prayer of Confession
in their Worship Service.
God Bless!
God Be With You Till We Meet Again!
Osten
Visit Dr. Kimberly Hagan DVM
Buckingham/Plano, TX RD Vet Clinic
and check out their "Grief Recovery" for the loss of a loved pet and "Friends" buttons.
