Man's Best Friend

This post in inspired by the 1st lab I've ever loved.  My parents had the unfortunate task of deciding to put their dog Ruby down this past weekend.  It was a very sad day for them.  Ruby was truly the inspiration for me to get a lab.  I last saw her a few weekends ago when my parents came to visit. She was having a hard time moving as she couldn't keep her legs under her.  My dad kept saying that all her blood work came back and her mind was right, but her legs were just not as healthy as the rest of her.  I know my dad took this especially hard and rightfully so.  Ruby took over as the child of the house when my brother and I moved out.  She kept both my parents entertained when she was young by being very playful and causing numerous smiles over the years.  She loved people, especially my dad.  She knew the sound of his truck and would be sitting at the door waiting for him when he came home.  There is just something about a man and his dog.  I could go on and on with story's about Ruby and my dad.  She brought so much joy to his life.  Now that task has been left up to Oakley.  I've already been told that Oak has been making a few more trips to test trains with my dad.  The bond is becoming stronger, but the heartache of losing Ruby will last a while longer.

So why is it that we get attached to animals?  My own experience with Tag has led me to ponder this thought.  How is it that this shedding, slobbering and at times gassy dog has wormed him way past my defense system and become an integral part in my life.  How is that animals throughout history have done this.  I have read books like "Marley and Me", "Racing in the Rain" and "A Dogs Purpose".  They took me closer to tears than any other book I have ever read in my life.  But my question is why?  I have a few theories that may only apply to me, but a few others that I think apply to everyone.

First and foremost dogs teach us about unconditional love.  I believe all dogs are capable of this.  Yes each breed has its quirks, but the one thing that remains, is that they are willing to do a lot for their master.  I have never understood how people beat dogs and don't for them at all, yet still have them around.  I have become a bit of a cynic when it comes to all these people who abuse any animal.  I don't understand because there are so many stories of how dogs have saved people from others and themselves.  I talked about the dark place I use to be in and I can't say that Tag is the main reason for my move from that place, but he has  been a huge part of showing me that love.  Even when I don't want him to be around me, he waits patiently, and when I call, he is ready to just be around me.  He meets me at the door each time or runs back and forth from the gate to the back door until I open it when he is outside, just excited to see me.  Yes he does this for anyone, but I know there is something a little special in it for me.  He is there when the day is crappy and takes stress away by just showing he cares.  It's amazing that he knows when its time to just sit and cuddle with me.  Even when I get mad at him for whatever reason, he is instantly ready to be by my side when I am ready.  I leave him for hours on end and he is still just as happy when I get home.  He never holds a grudge, but also isn't afraid to let me know when I'm not pulling my weight with him by acting out just enough for me to get mad, but not enough to cause damage to anything.  What a smart dog!!!!

I like my quality alone time.  However, after 3.5 years with Tag, alone time seems wrong without him laying near me, sighing when I haven't played with him or getting up every once in a while to walk by me just so I'll pet him.

Responsibility is another life lesson.  I always hear about couples getting a dog before having a child because it changes your life.  If you get a puppy, you have to teach it, just like you will your child.  Once you have a dog, decision's are based on its lively hood as well as your own.  My travel schedule in the summer is based on where I can take Tag.  I'm just happy my parents and family understand and let me take him wherever.

Here are a list of other traits that I won't go in depth on: Loyalty, Patience, Trust.

The greatest lesson Tag has taught me is to enjoy the simple things in life.  He is a constant reminder of how chasing a ball can be so fun.  He is excited every single time he sees one.  I wish I could be half as excited as that about something in my life.  Watching him chase the ball, fall over it, slip, play in the snow, hike, bouldering (Yep, he's pretty good at following me up rocks), makes me smile and enjoy life itself.  Its a constant reminder that I shouldn't take it so serious and instead, I should just chase a ball around :).

I can't even think about the day I'll have to make the decision my dad had to make.  I don't think I could do it.  On the other hand, I hope I know when to do it.  As with my family, I don't ever want Tag to suffer.  He has been a loyal and worthy companion since the day I got him.  I think God has used Tag to open my eyes to the things mentioned above and see them in a new light.  The day will come when he passes, like all things in life, there is an end.  I'm just glad I'll be able to spend as much time as I can with him.  I'm still trying to figure out what he is going to do when I get married and he moves to number 2 on my list.  I'm hoping he's smart enough to understand.

So with this I say thanks Ruby for the fun, the love and all the joy your brought to the family.  You'll be missed.

Difference Maker

The past couple of weeks has been rough.  I have no idea what it is, but I have just felt run down in all areas of my life.  I was able to break away last night from life for a few moments and go to a Needtobreathe concert.  I'm not usually a concert guy, but this one was I was looking forward to ever since a friend introduced them to me over a year ago.  These guys are awesome.  The concert was great.  I was surrounded by old friends and new friends.  The venue was great, the crowd good and the music awesome.  I'll admit, they were a little more rock than I was thinking they were going to be, but it was just fine.  Big, bright, flashing lights with loud speakers.  There was lots of dancing and singing from the crowd.  They finished their set which included a lot of their old stuff mixed with some of the new.  Of course the crowed wanted an encore and started chanting "Needtobreathe".  I was yelling because they had yet to play my favorite song "Something Beautiful".  The lead singer came back to the stage with his acoustic guitar and let the crowd calm down.  He then started singing this song:

Yeah ain't it just amazing
How a god can tend a broken man
Yeah let him find a fortune
And then ruin it with his own two hands
Oh isn't it amazing
How a man can find himself alone
Calling through the darkness
For an answer that is never known
He walks on up the hill
The rock on which he stands
Looks back at the crowd
Looks down at his hands and he says
I am a difference maker

Oh I am a difference maker
Oh I am the only one who speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of god

Yeah isn't it amazing
How a man can find himself alone
Calling thorough the darkness
For an answer that is never known
He walks on up the hill
The rock on which he stands
Looks back at the crowd
Looks down at his hands and he says
I am a difference maker

Oh I am a difference maker
Oh I am the only one that speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of god

Yeah I am on the fence about
Nearly everything I've seen
And I have felt the fire
Put out with too much gasoline
And we're all strangers passing through
Places one afternoon
And life is but a vision
In a window that we're peeking through
A hopeless conversation
With a man who says he cares a lot
It's a hopeless confrontation
About who might throw a punch or not
But we are all transgressors
We're all sinners
We're all astronauts
So if you're beating death
Then raise your hand
And shut up if you're not

Oh I am a difference maker
Oh I am the only one that speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of god

I am a difference maker
Oh I am the only one that speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of god

I am a difference maker
Oh I am the only one that speaks to him
And I am the friendliest of friends of god

Video here if you didn't catch it on my facebook page (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyhFbmIjP1k)

This song rocked me.  It sounded just like it does in the video.  I had to hear the verse a few times, but I finally caught on to what he was saying.  I've tried to figure out how to pull myself out of this mini funk I've been in, to figure out what would make me better, help me get through and remember why I am here, why I'm at Whitworth and why I've been called.  What is the difference between good days and bad?  Christ.  Good days are focused on Him and what He is calling me to do.  Bad days are when I venture out on my own.  Man, I felt like someone took the bible itself and slapped me upside the head.  I feel encouraged at the reminder the song provided.  Knowing it will be tough, but there is a difference maker out there for us all.

Blessings,

Jon

Song

I'm trying out a new church and the 2nd time I ever went there was a a guy leading worship and his voice was awesome.  The last time I went to church, they had a CD and this song was on it.  I'm loving it right now.  You can listen to it at http://somaspokane.org/resources/music/  The song is Grace and Peace.  Lyrics below.

All my soul
Has come to be an instrument of hope. 
My Lord has made me useful
Come now child,
Lay your burndens down and trade for rest your debt,
Come now and be made well
God of light shine down
I am overwhelmed
God of light shine down
I am overwhelmed
(x2)

Grace and Peace to the weary soul whose heart is full of holes
Grace and Peace to the fatherless and widow we declare
Grace and Peace to the prodigal whose traded love for gold
Grace and Peace from a God whose yoke is easy and His load is light

Oh my lord
I'm set apart please let me not be still
Find me in Your will
Take myself, I offer up this empty cup let it
Be filled with your life

I can not be still x4

Grace and Peace to the weary soul whose heart if full of holes
Grace and Peace to the fatherless and widow we declare
Grace and Peace to the prodical who has traded love for gold
Grace and Peace from a God whose yoke is easy and load is light

Grace and Peace x2
I was hopeless
You led with light
I was lifeless
You gave me life
I was drowning
You cast a line
I was useless
Now I'm alive in you

x2 (previous 2 verses)

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)

Blessings,

Jon

More to Come

Wow, its been a few months since my last post.  Guess that mean's only one thing:  Work has started.  Life has been crazy since August 1.  Luckily it started slow (10 days to warm up) and ramped up quickly from there and has yet to slow down.  Even when I took a quick trip to Hawaii to be a part of Kurt getting married, it didn't really slow down.  Its been a weird year thus far with the shear volume of athletes we are seeing.  Typically we have a lull before basketball starts in mid October, but that doesn't seem to be the case this year.  The volume of stress and work to do will continue for us all until fall sports end.  Then we might be able to take a breath.  I have a few other blogs in process of being written, but after church yesterday, I felt like I needed to put a few quick things down and to let all 6 of my readers know I'm still alive.

In the midst of all that is going on I'm constantly reminded to find the calm in the storm.  I have been reading the story of Job and I wish I had the faith he had.  He had a group of friends that come to talk to him during his most trying times and he still holds steady in his faithfulness to God.  My problems are minor compared to those he faced and most people are facing in today's world.  The challenge it to keep the faith in good times and in bad.  The bigger challenge is to help others along in during their time of need.  So the question I have been struggling with is how do I do that.  I see athletes every day that are struggling.  I am an adviser for 16 freshman who I know are struggling with a variety of issues concerning their first year at college.  But how can I make an impact and help them through their struggles.  How can I be a light in my neighborhood that is struggling.  How can help the two guys that are in the park every morning drinking or the kids skipping school to smoke weed and drink?  Do I even want to help?

The biggest problem I see in what is written above is the word "I".  I can't do it alone.  As much as I want to be a problem solver, a person people come to in their time of need or a light to world, I need help because as much as they are broken people, I am a broken person.  So whats the difference?  Jesus.  I may be broken, but I can take joy in knowing that brokenness is made whole by the death of Jesus Christ.  Grace has saved me and made me whole once again.

So what do I do with this belief?  How can I be a disciple to those I'm surrounded by.  Am I willing to let go, put myself out there and trust, truly trust that God's will be done in my life?  I hope to address these questions in the coming months through a series of blogs.  (Yep, that's a hook so maybe I can keep my 6 readers)