Pastor Buddy’s Blog

Well Journal.

I’ve gotten requests for an update on CJ, or as his official names goes, ‘General Claudius Josephus.’ Thought I’d shared some pictures of my good buddy, since pictures are said to be worth a thousand words. (At the ending of this journal entry I’ll share a spiritual insight concerning animals.)

In these pictures  you see CJ as a pup, and as he is now. The General was born in May, 2001, and we brought him home in June of that year. He was six weeks old. Actually CJ was a gift to me on Father’s Day, from my three children. For a certainty these gentle Giants  measure up to their name. And they grow up pretty fast.

The General is now six and a half years old. Here are some pictures we took just today. In one, CJ joins in with Shana as she is plays the piano and sings ‘East to West’, a song by ‘Casting Crowns.’

By the way ‘East to West’ is a very moving song. Perhaps you would like to listen to it. If so click on this link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=s6zdihmwy1M

What can I say about the General? He loves everyone. When our door bell chimes, CJ picks up his favorite toy cow to greet whoever is at the door. It is his way of welcoming our visitors.

Great Danes look a bit scary because of their size, but they truly are gentle souls. If you look at the comic strip ‘Marmaduke’, that tells you exactly what these dogs are like. (The writer has to have a Dane.)

As for me and CJ, we are pretty much connected at the hip. Wherever I am, there you will find CJ. If we are outside, he never gets very far from me. All I have to do is clap my hands and he comes running.

So, if you come avisiting Betty and me, and a huge horse-like dog greets you at the door, don’t worry about him. Just watch for his tail. CJ can put a grown man on his knees when his tail hits at just the right height. (You can work on that one. Just ask Nathan.) 

Here is a final picture of CJ with Betty and me in front of our home. This is what you will see when you are leaving. We are from the old south. Our goodbye’s begin in the kitchen and conclude with the last wave as your car is pulling out.  

Well, if this journal entry does not seem to be very spiritual, that’s because you don’t really understand how an animal can be a true gift from heaven to a family. And perhaps there is a spiritual lesson here. Did not Jesus say…

“Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God.” (Luke 12:6 nasb)

Does God love the animals…

Yes, it seems that God truly does love even the animal. Did you catch the last part of the afore Scripture. Not one sparrow is ever forgotten before God. So the next time one of your children asks you where the animals go when they die, just share this Scripture with them. He will help you fill in the blanks.

Yes, the General is very much a part of our family. 

He sends his regards. Y’all come, ya hear….

Much love coming your way,

Buddy