Pastor Buddy’s Blog

How are you today Mr. Smokey …

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Hi Journal,

Looks like I’ll need to tell the story about Smokey since Nathan shared it with the congregation last evening.

It happened? in the late 60s. I was a preacher-sprout but my fulltime job was as an agent with Prudential Insurance Company. During my traveling? times I would go to a trailer park near the back gate of Fort Polk, where I had clients. I always enjoyed working with? GI families.

Anyway, the first trailer had a? fenced in front yard and behind the fence was this very large but also quite handsome German Shepherd. While walking past? the yard I would shake the fence and make fun of the dog by barking at him. Never in a mean way. Just picking. (His name was Smokey.)

This day it was different. After my little disrespectful tift with Smokey, I walked on down the street. What I did not know was that Smokey had managed to lift the lock on the gate. He runs down the street ever so softly, jumps up on my back, and says ‘woooollf’ right in my ear. Smokey simply drops to his feet and heads back to his yard. (Think I heard doggy laughter. Can’t be sure.)

People sitting on their front porch saw everything and they roared. Had I been a chicken, there would have been an egg in the middle of the street.

Course that pretty much settled the score with Smokey and me. From that time on when I walked by his yard, I’d say, ‘Good day, Mr. Smokey. How are you today. So good to see you again. Talk with you later, Mr. Smokey.’ (Something like that.)

The truth of the matter is that Smokey always knew I was playing with him. Is there a lesson here? Yes indeed. Don’t anyone ever tell me that dogs lack reasoning powers, or that they have no sense of humour. Smokey knew exactly how to? get me back without doing any damage.? He who laughs last, laughs the loudest.? :)

Morning has been pretty busy with? phone calls. Lane made his usually ‘checking-in-with-you’ call. Always a pleasant time. Then Edward Dorsey called. What a cool trooper. Edward has such a great sense of humour. I love to pick at him.

In between calls Nathan came by to visit with his mom and me. I always enjoy these visits. We share? about ministry and family things and whatever else fits our fancy.

My sister Julia called. She is always a treat. Julia is? good about checking up on me. Then JoAnne called. On her way with a ‘king’s cake.’ (Think that is what you call it.) JoAnne is like a mother hen fluttering around her chicks. Wow, its been a real special morning.

Betty and I enjoyed the service last evening. Nathan taught out of Proverbs on the issue of conflicts. He? shared some very practical guidelines.

And, yes, I saw Jessica’s new engagement ring. She put it up in the front of the camera. Boy, the glitter just takes you away. (Talking about the glitter in Jessica’s eyes. Well, and the ring too.)

Here we are back with? Job for my morning devotion. I am much more amazed at what Job has to say than I am with the words of his ‘accusers.’

Now its time for? Bildad the Shuhite:

“If you are pure and upright, surely now He would rouse Himself for you and restore your righteous estate.” (Job 8:6 nasb.)

Do you detect Satan’s influence in this speaker? It is easy. One of Satan’s names is ‘the accuser of our brethren.’ (Rev. 12:10)

Let’s ignore what Bildad has to say. Mostly? pure bunk.

But there is a great deal of notice to be given to Job’s words. Even when Job is making his complaints you still hear redemption truths in what he says.

This is what? amazes me even more about the book of Job. When you realize that? this book? likely came to us through? Moses, you see the same? truths flow in Genesis and in Job.?

Here are? some sampling statements made by Job. As you read them,? think about God’s finished work of the cross:

“…how can a man be in the right before God” (Job 9:2)

“For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him, that we may go to court together.” (Job 9:32)

“Have you [God] eyes of flesh? Or do You see as a man sees?” (Job 10:4)

“That You should seek for my guilt and search after my sin?” (Job 10:6)

I’ll stop on the quotes for now. Hopefully? you have already seen it. It is wonderful? how much Job has to say that wraps itself around the incarnation and the? cross.? Job has a much closer walk with the Lord than his three ‘friends’ realize.

There is one place that really brings out Job’s faith. Listen to? Job 19:25,26:?

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!”

Most? of what? we hear from Job’s friends are? religious and philosophical tirades. But there are more awesome redemption truths? to be? discovered.?

The clock on the wall says 3:40 p.m. Guess it is time to close out again.

Hope you enjoyed my Smokey story. It actually happened. But as many of you know, I am a real lover of animals and especially dogs. It is rare for me to find a dog that I can’t relate with. All I need is a bit of time.

Ok, I’m really going. Y’all have a good evening.

Love by the bunches coming your way.

Buddy

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