good morning faithful followers of God. I hope and pray that we all have a great day today. I don't have any plans for the day, yet. I may get my bread machine out and make some brioche rolls, dough balls, for the freezer. I need to keep those made up and when we use them as buns for hamburgers, as we do frequently, we really plow the brioche buns. I may end up having to go to the dr with my knee. I rolled over in bed and tweaked it pretty bad, so we'll have to see how it feels later on. if it's not one thing is another. but hey, I got up, so that's a blessing and I'll treat it as such and pray for God to lay His healing hand on my knee. I know He can heal it. I also know that I may end up having to go to the dr. so, we'll see. either way, God gets the glory, even right now, I praise Him for what He is doing and will do. so, thank You God, for all your many blessings on me over the course of my lifetime. You've been so faithful, I haven't, but You've always loved me in spite of me. Thank You!!!!!!
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this is a little story I wrote a few years ago and remembered it, so I thought I would share it again as we go into this particular time and season of the year. I've shared it a time or two. this is all just my "imaginings", and I know some of it is factual and some may not be factual. it's not meant to be anything other than a story to maybe read to your children and then look up the scriptures that co-inside with the different parts of the story.
The Little Donkeys, I can just imagine
The donkey is a lowly little critter. It's been called a little stubborn and ornery, among other things. It's a small little beast of burden. It has been known to be a pack animal, carrying big heavy loads. Oh, it's not uncommon to drive around in the countryside and see a donkey in the field, among some of the other more favorable animals. I've heard it said that a donkey will keep predators away from other animals and that's why you see them on farms sometimes. Who determines what an animals duty in life will be? Who assigned their particular roles?
Donkeys have been used as work animals for more than 5000 years and there are more than 40 million donkeys in the world today. Working donkeys were associated with those living at or below poverty level. In some cultures they were also associated with wealth. They continue to fill important roles in many places around the world today. Donkeys live and thrive in climates and places around the world that a horse can't survive in. They were used in early days as a means of mobility for cultural survival, being pack animals. Man and donkeys have worked together side by side for many many years. Donkeys adapt to the land and the job they are to do. They are surefooted and can climb and work in just about any terrain. Donkeys have been known for their stubbornness and this can be associated with their strong sense of preservation and a weaker connection to human beings because people have always chosen horses over donkeys. But still, there are things a horse can't do that a donkey can do. Studies have shown donkeys to be quite intelligent, cautious, friendly, playful and eager to learn.
They are mentioned all throughout the Bible. There are several stories in the Bible in which a donkey plays a key role. One of them is in regards to Balaam's donkey. It is of importance to note, I guess, the cross shape on the back and shoulders of donkeys in black hair. Some see that as the symbol of Christ riding on a donkey. There are lots of sayings and insults attributed to the donkey. I'll let you search for those. They are also associated with politics, but that's another story altogether.
The lowly donkey. A stubborn little thing. It's sure footed and can carry most anything you place on it. If you scare it, it will stand there and stare you down. Curiosity is one reason they are called stubborn. Because they are not afraid of much. At one time, most everyone had a donkey. If you traveled, you had a donkey to carry your belongings. Even today, in parts of the world, a lot of travel is still done with donkeys.
I can just imagine the donkey that Mary rode on when she was great with child and she and Joseph was going to be counted in the census. I can just imagine that lowly little creature realized that he was carrying God's Son on his back when Mary was riding the lowly little donkey. I can just imagine here a little bit too, because we don't know what the donkey thought or knew. But them being perceptive animals, I can just imagine that the donkey knew he was carrying Precious Cargo. I can just imagine that he, this donkey, was a little more sure footed than usual. Since Jesus and John knew each other in their mothers wombs, I can just imagine that Jesus communicated with the donkey while still in His mother's womb. Far fetched thought I know, it actually is far fetched. But I can just imagine that if He had wanted to communicate with the little donkey, that He certainly could have. And just because there is no record of it, doesn't mean He didn't.
I can just imagine that this donkey stepped a little differently after his task of carrying Mary to Bethlehem. I have always imagined it just like this, that the donkey carried Jesus to His birthplace, by carrying His mother, Mary to Bethlehem. I can just imagine this. The King of Kings and Lord and Lords came riding in to His kingdom on a lowly donkey. When we think of kings and lords we usually associate them with royalty and military. Neither of those words describe our Lord and Savior. Oh, to me, those words don't even do Him justice, but the world has never seen Him as anything but someone who is a disturbance to them and their sin. But, He is my King and my Lord and far greater than anything this world will ever know as king and lord. And I can just imagine that Jesus meant a lot to the little donkey that carried Him in to Bethlehem to be born. I would love to know how he communicated with his donkey friends about the task that he had been chosen to do. I can just imagine that he told his story as humbly as a little donkey could, while trying to keep his pride from getting the best of him. But, in all honesty, he could be very proud of the task that he had done. After all, no one else would ever have such an honor as his.
No one, except the little donkey chosen to carry Jesus to His death. I can just imagine this little donkey probably didn't have any choice over the task at hand either, any more than the one that carried Him to His birth. But, I can just imagine, that he done his job just as noble as the first little donkey did. Jesus may have told this little donkey what was going to happen. I can just imagine that it is possible that this little donkey was a relative to the one that carried Him to His birth, but, I don't know. When we are just imagining, I guess anything is possible. Can you just imagine the importance of the task at hand? This little donkey would be fulfilling prophecy in the Old Testament. I can just imagine that with each step up the palm branch laden road that this little donkey felt a little more heart pain with each step. Oh, I don't know if donkeys have broken hearts or not, but I can just imagine if Jesus communicated with him in any way about the mission that this little donkey had been called to do, that he took this task seriously.
What would this little donkey say to you or me if he could talk and tell us about his experience? Do you think he would tell us that it was an honor to carry such a person on his back? Oh, I can just imagine he would. I can just imagine he would tell us about all the obstacles along the way that he avoided just to keep our Savior safe while on his back. I can just imagine he would tell us just how broken hearted Jesus really was at what was happening and going to happen shortly. This was the mission of Jesus and He knew that, but can you just imagine being in His shoes and knowing what was ahead of you in the all too near future. I can just imagine that the mere act of sitting on the donkey allowed the donkey to feel some of the impending danger and doom that lay ahead for our Savior. I can also just imagine that for one split second that little donkey wished he was a very large fast stallion, so he could wisk our Savior away to safety. I can also just imagine that is probably why a small slow donkey was chosen. So the will of God could be carried out so perfectly, with our Savior being our perfect sacrifice for our sin. This little donkey fulfilled his calling in life by being the transportation that our Lord and Savior rode to the cross on. He done what he was destined to do. They both did. The first donkey carried our Savior to Bethlehem to His birth and the second donkey carried our Savior to His death on the cross.
I know that none of my imaginings about these two little donkeys is factual other than the fact that they did what they did. They were the chosen transportation for our Lord and Savior. But, you know what, this is some of the things that I have just imagined over the years when I think about those little donkeys. I have a deep love in my heart for these two little creatures that were chosen for their purpose. I hope that if you have never thought of them like this, that maybe, just maybe, you will now.
And we know the next time our Lord and Savior rides on the back of an animal it will be a strong and mighty beast, a white horse, created for it's mission and purpose. To bring the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to claim His own!!! Praise His mighty and holy name!!!! Three creatures created for the sole purpose of carrying our Lord and Savior. One to His birth, one to His death and one to His triumphant return!! I can only imagine this is the only factual statement in this whole scenario. This has not been to mislead anyone, it's just where my mind goes when I think of the little donkeys in our Savior's story. I don't know that my thoughts are true, but I don't know they aren't either. I just know that I have new found respect for the little donkeys, I can just imagine you do too.
written by: pjg 03-17-19
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giggle for the day:
Q - How does a cucumber become a pickle?
A - It goes through a jarring experience.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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picking up with Hosea Chapter 4, this chapter shows us that there are consequences when we turn away from God, individually and as a society or nation. we should have a desire to know more about God and to love Him more. Israel lacked faith, knowledge of God, love, and keeping God's law. they were rotting, decaying morally. study God's word and keep seeking after the heart of Him daily. sin is destructive in our lives and in our communities. pray for leaders that we know who do uphold biblical truth. get rid of any idols!!!! make a commitment to being faithful to God alone. pray for a hunger for the word of God and a deeper understanding of Him.
Chapter 5, there are severe consequences for turning away from God. but even in the midst of judgement, there is hope for repentance and restoration. our spiritual leaders; preachers and teachers, are supposed to guide our communities in truth and righteousness. if there is sin in our lives, we need to embrace the need for repentance and run towards it as fast as we can. make it a point to seek the presence of God in our lives daily. seek a deeper relationship with Him through reading His word and praying.
Chapter 6, we need to realize that God wants His people to return to Him with true devotion and love for Him. look at our lives and see if there is any way that we are falling short of our love, trust and devotion for Him. if we are falling short, we need to repent and return to God. we need love and knowledge of God more than we need fake rituals and fake sacrifices. do you serve God because you love Him and you want to know more about Him, or do you pretend to serve Him out of obligation? our top priority should be to draw strength and guidance from God on a daily basis. pray for God's healing in your brokenness. may we continue to seek after the heart of God daily in all we do.
Chapter 7, sometimes we need to stop and really look at ourselves. if we seen ourselves the way God sees us, it would necessitate a need for repentance and reformation. we can't see who we really are and keep doing the same old same old, expecting a different outcome. God's number one goal is for redemption of His people. we need to confess our sin and beg for God's forgiveness. when we are grounded in the word of God, we can tell the difference between truth and lies. pray for the strength to trust God's plan and His purposes. may we have a longing in our hearts for spiritual renewal.
next time we'll pick up at Chapter 8.
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I hope and pray that we all have a great day today and that we will keep seeking after the heart of God in all we do. blessings of repentance and restoration be ours today. it truly is a blessing from God to be able to repent and be welcomed back into His family with Him remembering our sin no more.
hugs and love, patty
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