The word puppy includes three P’s for a reason.
1. P is for Piranha. In our newly increased tribe, the youngest member’s resemblance to a fierce Amazonian predator may last longer than my patience and visible scars. Good thing there is only one of him. And, no wonder there’s a market for toys, rawhide, chicken collagen—whatever it takes to distract from gnawing on the humans, electrical cords and furniture.
True confession: I asked ChatGPT to make a picture of a Shih Tzu with Piranha characteristics. The result was too frightening to post. So instead, here is a real picture. Rico is showing me he truly can be trusted around the cords beneath my desk. I’m not convinced yet.
2. P is for Pee. My brilliant husband has trained more than one dog to “speak” to be let out. Rico seems to be in touch with his inner cat-self. “Maybe I will, or maybe I’ll scramble to the back hall before you can catch me.” Stanley Steemer, standby. You have a contract coming.
The pup is living up to expectations for this age. So am I.
3. P is for Priorities. This pup wants his people before his food. Early in the morning, a squeaky yawn says, “hello!” A nibble just shy of a nip says, “I like you,” and all transgressions melt away. Is it “bred-for-companionship” DNA or echoes of life before the Fall? Truly God’s grace is new every morning.
Praises
A couple is reconciling.
Parents enjoyed watching their four-year-old daughter perform at her first dance recital.
Travel plans!
Volunteers of all stripes: church—school—hospital— praise God for you!
Help from unexpected places. Thank you Lord.
Father God we praise you for healthcare professionals who help with so many problems.
Weddings in the making… and the marriages and families that follow.
Praise for new graduates and their dreams!
Praise for job interviews and careers in the making!
Prayers
A woman in her early 60’s is hospitalized with an infection that cannot be treated with oral antibiotics. She loves Jesus, but also struggles with dementia.
A family traveling overseas to explore their heritage is praying for God’s work in that country.
A middle-aged man has A-fib and will have his heart shocked to put it back into rhythm. Praying for God’s "peace that passes understanding,” promised to those who trust Him.
Our friend who went on mission to Puerto Rico is preparing for re-connection after a colostomy. Praying for peace in the face of upcoming surgery, and rapid and thorough recovery.
Last week we prayed for a family whose father committed suicide. His widow seeks wisdom for navigating insurance and her family’s financial needs. She has four children. Lord we ask for realization that you are close by and listening and helping.
A man seeks wisdom as he navigates assisted living for his elderly in-laws.
Quests
Seventh Day Baptists (SDBs) may be a great deal like other Baptists you know—except they hold true to roots that go back thousands of years and observe Sabbath (the seventh day of the week) as the day of worship. And rest. Kin to denominations that came out of the Protestant Reformation five hundred years ago, their founding fathers and mothers studied scripture and determined God was serious about the seventh day of the week. It was counter-cultural in the 1650’s, and it is counter-cultural now. Other Sabbatarian groups who also follow this practice include Seventh Day Adventists and Messianic Jews.
In getting to know SDBs over the last few years, I have found that bucking the weekend traditions of most of their surrounding society shapes believers who are willing to be different for the sake of their convictions. That may be one reason they are a small group (numerically speaking), but mighty in faith.
Tenets of my Baptist heritage: Bible-based belief; salvation by the grace of Jesus (faith, not works) and baptism by immersion are immediately apparent, as well as the practice of the priesthood of all believers; church autonomy; and a drive to fulfill the command to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Then there’s fabulous history—as in SDBs are the oldest denomination in the U.S. and many can trace their heritage to the Mayflower. Yes, that Mayflower.
For one raised otherwise, the most profound practice is the counter-cultural one: flipping the script to worship on Saturday rather than Sunday. My first realization was that weekends suddenly felt twice as long. Yes! Over years of worshiping on Sabbath and truly resting (minimal screens if any, naps, walks, etc.) each week anticipates a deliberate day of celebrating God.
I love my “Sunday-keeping” friends and family and always will. I am grateful for new meaning given to a childhood upbringing that has personalized and brought depth to practicing faith.
For more information about Seventh Day Baptists, click here.
We enjoy weekly fellowship (online) with the lovely members of the Pataskala Seventh Day Baptist Church, just east of Columbus Ohio, and look forward to connecting with them in person again next month. Hi y’all! See you soon!
Until next week,
The master dog-trainer at my house (aka my husband) just said, “its easier for Rico to do the tricks he knows than learn new ones.” Hmmm.
With love,
Jana
p.s. Local Lexingtonians— mark your calendars and save the date for Rahab’s Rope annual Porch Concert! This tradition begun during the pandemic has proved to be a neighborhood favorite. It is free and open to the public.
Time: Thursday, June 12, 7 p.m.
Location: 280 Southpoint Drive
Bring a chair and a buddy — we’ll have cool lemonade and cookies. You may bring some to share too if you like.