Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture

Tag: animal lovers

  • Hope Springs Eternal

    Photo taken from Cebu Daily News

    In these troubling times, it’s heartwarming to hear stories of human goodness. Here’s a link to a heartwarming tale of a stray dog finding a loving home in the US.

    The Bible said, “The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.” (Isaiah 65:25)

    Let’s learn from this story of a stray dog. Many are struggling and may be falling into depression. All it took was a chance encounter with a stranger who was willing to extend a helping hand. The rest is up to us. If you responded positively to that opportunity, your chances of bettering yourself are now possible. However, never abuse a gracious offer. They only offer you a hand, not their entire person.

    Depression is the fear of being alone in your misery, but that’s never true. Scripture states, “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel” (which means, God with us – Matthew 1:23).” That’s Jesus Christ.

    In the Book of Revelation, the Bible proclaims, “And I heard a resounding voice from the throne declaring, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God has come to man. He will reside among them, and they will be His people. God Himself will be with them as their God.’” (Revelation 21:3)

    The Jerusalem temple, the visible manifestation of the First Heaven and First Earth, has ceased to exist. This aligns with Jesus Christ’s teachings in Scripture, as it has passed away. For reference, check out Matthew 24:1-35.

    Paul, in his letter to the church of Corinth, declared, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they have become a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

    The New Creation has been a constant presence since the arrival of Christ Jesus, marking the inauguration of God’s kingdom. (For Scripture references, see Luke 17:20-21 and Matthew 12:28.) Its fullness becomes a complete reality with the destruction of the Old Covenant Jewish temple. Jesus declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19) Clearly, the temple about to be destroyed was the Jerusalem temple. Christ Jesus, along with His church, constitutes the New Temple (Ephesians 2:19-22 and Ephesians 5:23), which He established by His resurrection.

    Though it is sad that the organized church has mangled the image of God’s church. Often times, it becomes a stumbling block for people to believe the Gospel. Nevertheless, never be afraid to be alone, especially if you are truly a Christian.

    Regardless of what happens, God promises never to abandon or forsake us. As it says in Hebrews 13:5, “Keep your life free from love of money and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”

    Scripture also warns that “the love of money brings trouble” (1 Timothy 6:10). Instead, seek God’s blessings, as it says in Proverbs 10:22, “The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.”

    There is hope in humanity, after all. God’s goodness shines through in the hearts of those who are always ready to care and help. However, they must embrace the Gospel. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

    Share the Gospel, but do not imposed rules, regulations, or practices that are not explicitly taught in Scripture. The Bible intended God’s church to be a community, not an organization.

    Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!

  • Memoirs of Lanky

    I was reminded once more by the recent passing of our family cat that life is precious. God created them along with us humans for companionship. So let’s make the best of our time for both our loved ones and our family pets. Animals are far more devoted to us than most humans. Their loyalty cannot be questioned. Their wellbeing is dependent on us humans. 

    Whenever I’d take a nap, he would sleep beside me. Once, my wife wasn’t feeling well, so she laid down to rest. Lanky came and kneaded her back. It’s an act of endearment and comfort.

    The Bible teaches, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:26-28)

    A lexicon made this distinction for the Hebrew word “dominion”; theologically significant is the use of this word to identify people’s God-ordained relationship to the created world around them. (Complete Word Bible Dictionary)

    Proverbs, on the other hand, said, “Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10) Beast, in this context, applies to domestic animals, like cats, dogs, etc. 

    Lanky, together with his sibling, both were rescued kittens. They came to us while we were just starting off doing our independent ministry. Both cats became a source of joy to my two daughters and wife, as they were also affected by my departure from conventional church.

    I recall the time when thieves broke into our place. We were then out doing our regular Bible studies. Upon reaching home, we saw both the gate and main door opened. The first instinct of my wife and daughter was to search for both cats. Thanks be to God, they hid on the roof.

    Once, when Lanky was still a year old, he went missing for a day. My youngest daughter cried thinking he’s lost forever. But he came back home sometime before nightfall. Since then, he never went out of our premises. We believe he must have encountered scary situations that caused him to go off, but thankfully he found his way back home.

    The last two years, Lanky has had quite a few health challenges. Each time he would get over the hurdle. He was with us for a little over a decade. Sadly, the vet can’t do anything more about his condition. Early this year, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 CKD and later with FIV. His condition went spiraling down after the latest diagnosis. We had hope he could still come home, even with palliative care. But all things considered, it was best that we let him go.

    I learned the true meaning of love from Lanky. He always approached me with affection, often giving me a headbutt to claim me, no matter where we were. He saw me as the object of his love and trust, overlooking my shortcomings. I regret that it took me so long to appreciate animals. My wife and daughters’ love for them has influenced me positively. I wish I had reciprocated Lanky’s love while he was still with us. I now see this as a challenge and a lesson to become a better person. I hope he felt our presence and love during his final moments. My daughters told Lanky repeatedly, “Lanky, we love you very much.”

    I sure hope animals will also be in heaven. Finding no clear answer in the Bible, I can only trust God’s heart and His goodness, knowing that He treasures the life of both man and animals.

    The Bible said, “Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.” (Psalms 36:5-6)

    God certainly cares for the lives of both humans and animals. The book of Ecclesiastes states, “For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place; all are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21).

    Scripture clearly teaches that both humans and animals share the same source of life—God. Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

    Finally, Paul emphasized that the details about heaven remain a mystery. Although he experienced a vision of it, he stated that it cannot be revealed. In 2 Corinthians 12:3-4, he writes, “And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.”

    “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8)