It's been incredibly hot n muggy this week. Well, this is Fiji, right? It's supposed to be hot? Fiji actually doesn't get hot too often. But this week it has. Combine it with the usual humidity, and we've even been silver-foiling windows to get some respite. That works fabulously, just in case you're interested!
Today we drew the curtains across the doorway in the living room to cut the late afternoon glare, but left the door open. Our two dogs, Honey and Zeba, fierce, man-eating specimens that have workmen trembling, looked miffed as the curtain shut them out.
In the living room with us sat Rosie, our cat who has recently left kittendom behind. Rosie has spent the last three months training both dogs to obey her every hiss. She regularly freezes them into fascinated statues with a cold stare. She loves it. So do they.
Zeba was not happy with the curtain and began pacing outside in the sun. She cast a large shadow on the curtain, twice her normal size, and instantly struck terror into the heart of the cat who immediately manifested into a hissing, spitting puffball of bristling fur. This interested Zeba enormously, who came closer to the curtain and in turn, enlarged her shadow.
The cat freaked at such outright disobedience. With a howl of wrath, she leapt at the shadow, caught one claw in the curtain, and then wriggled desperately in embarrassment until she freed herself.
As funny as it was to watch, I know I've acted like Rosie at times. Reacted badly to a perceived threat, an injustice, or simply, like Rosie, magnified something in my own imagination. I am more prone to those overreactions when I've stepped out from under Shaddai's shadow; those days I left Jesus sitting on the front fence, while I raced on with my day. I remember one day, when I sensed Jesus gazing forlornly at me as I drove away. I reversed, and called out to the fence, "Sorry...C'mon! Get in!" I don't know what the neighbours thought. But I do know my day was great!
How does the Lord get YOUR attention?
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "GOD, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you-- under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing--not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because GOD's your refuge, the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" PSALM 91 THE MESSAGE
Today we drew the curtains across the doorway in the living room to cut the late afternoon glare, but left the door open. Our two dogs, Honey and Zeba, fierce, man-eating specimens that have workmen trembling, looked miffed as the curtain shut them out.
In the living room with us sat Rosie, our cat who has recently left kittendom behind. Rosie has spent the last three months training both dogs to obey her every hiss. She regularly freezes them into fascinated statues with a cold stare. She loves it. So do they.
Zeba was not happy with the curtain and began pacing outside in the sun. She cast a large shadow on the curtain, twice her normal size, and instantly struck terror into the heart of the cat who immediately manifested into a hissing, spitting puffball of bristling fur. This interested Zeba enormously, who came closer to the curtain and in turn, enlarged her shadow.
The cat freaked at such outright disobedience. With a howl of wrath, she leapt at the shadow, caught one claw in the curtain, and then wriggled desperately in embarrassment until she freed herself.
As funny as it was to watch, I know I've acted like Rosie at times. Reacted badly to a perceived threat, an injustice, or simply, like Rosie, magnified something in my own imagination. I am more prone to those overreactions when I've stepped out from under Shaddai's shadow; those days I left Jesus sitting on the front fence, while I raced on with my day. I remember one day, when I sensed Jesus gazing forlornly at me as I drove away. I reversed, and called out to the fence, "Sorry...C'mon! Get in!" I don't know what the neighbours thought. But I do know my day was great!
How does the Lord get YOUR attention?
You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow,
Say this: "GOD, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right--he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you-- under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing--not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.
You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because GOD's your refuge, the High God your very own home,
Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.
"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says GOD, "I'll get you out of any trouble. I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times; I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!" PSALM 91 THE MESSAGE
