RE: Word for Today, Wed, 10 Apr 2002: Dogs Need Discipline, How About People?

#1 · April 12, 2002, 10:32 am

Quote from Forum Archives on April 12, 2002, 10:32 am
Posted by: tmboarman <tmboarman@...>

Unsubscribe please. Thank You. Marie

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Masinick [mailto:masinick@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 5:50 PM
To: 1Cor7 Prayers
Cc: Larry Davies
Subject: [1Corinthians7] Word for Today, Wed, 10 Apr 2002: Dogs Need
Discipline, How About People?

Dear friends,

On Monday, I shared with you a compilation of Phil Ware's Weekly
Verses, which I subscribe to by Email from Crosswalk.com. In
Tuesday's edition, I shared with you a message from Neil Anderson's
Daily Devotional about effectively dealing with anxiety.

Today, I would like to share with you a message from one of my
friends, prayer partners, and collaborators in writing, Larry Davies.
I have read many of Larry's messages over the past several years, a
great number of which are compiled in the books that he writes. These
books are sold primarily to help fund Larry's online ministry
expenses, particularly the Web site, online prayer ministry, and
weekly Email mailing list. Even if Larry makes a few dollars over and
above his expenses, I think that's great, because his ministry
encourages thousands of people, well beyond the boundaries of his
church building, so I endorse Larry's work.

In today's message, Larry begins with an illustration about his dog
Molly. It's really a practical message about discipline and
discernment. Whether we apply it to our dog, our child, our
subordinates, or --- hmm --- OURSELVES, the importance of discipline
and discernment are valuable lessons. God's Word teaches us both, and
if we are wise, we will accept it's teaching and share it with those
that we love, wherever we may be.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Sowing Seeds of Faith..

After gathering all remaining copies of my first two books, I came up
with twenty of each. So, I?ve put together a package containing all
three books and signed each one.

"Sowing Seeds of Faith in a World Gone Bonkers" - Paperback $10.95
"When A Used Car Salesman Becomes A Preacher... There Must Be A God" -
Paperback $12.95. "Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's
Recipe for a Better Life" Hardback, $24.95.

Total list price would be $48.85 but the package price is only $32.95
for a savings of nearly $16. All three books will be signed. There are
only twenty available. After that the first two books will be
gone. Click here to purchase online:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/book_package.htm or reply to this
email.

"Help: I Can?t Control My Dog!" Larry Davies

Our little cocker spaniel, Molly is getting out of control. Several
months ago her doctor informed us that she may be dying. "She'll be
craving water and food." He solemnly informed us. "Give her what she
wants and make her comfortable," were his parting words. The doctor
was being too kind. Molly doesn?t just crave food and water... she
CRAVES food and water all through the night.

At first we were eager to do whatever Molly wanted because we felt
sorry for her but after several months Molly's condition improved. In
fact, she's healthy. There is only one problem. She still wants food
and water all through the night. She's gone crazy and in the meantime,
she's driving me nuts.

Molly goes through the same routine every night. First she gently pads
over to our bed, sits down near my head and stares at me. (Why is it
always me? Don't answer that.) Those penetrating eyes send lightning
bolts through my dream world. Startled, I would wake up and there sits
Molly with a look of desperation as if she just completed a hot march
across the desert. "Feed me... now!"

After awhile, I learned to sleep through the stare so she learned a
new tactic: heavy breathing. Molly would rise up on her hind legs (I
thought she was sick?) and place her snout directly in front of my
face and begin to pant. When that stopped working, she began to
whimper and then she would whine. Finally Molly began barking: soft at
first but building in intensity until the walls themselves shook.

Whenever Molly wants something now; she barks. If we go to bed and
leave her in my study; she barks until we let her sleep on the
bed. When she wants to go outside; Molly barks. When she wants to be
fed; she barks. Won?t somebody help me out of this mess? My dog is out
of control!

* A friend suggested I whip her into shape. "A good spanking never
hurt anyone," he said.

* Another implied that I didn't understand her. After all, Molly is
sick and obviously traumatized.

* A neighbor wanted Molly to come to her house. After all, dad never
treated her right anyway.

* A minister suggested I pray over her. A psychiatrist recommended
Ritalin.

* A lawyer wanted me to sue the kennel where we purchased her.

* A local automobile dealer suggested buying a new car. (Not for her
silly... for me!)

Whether you are teaching children or pets, everyone likes to give
advice but whose do you actually follow? Which one is right? For a
more reliable source I began looking through scripture.

"For the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes those he
accepts as his children. As you endure this divine discipline,
remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard
of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as
he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and
are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly
fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully
submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?"
(Hebrews 12:6-9)

Did you notice that discipline is used 6 times in one short paragraph?
For God, discipline is an expression of love. In other words... taking
the time to discipline your child or in my case, Molly, is a clear
indication of how much you care. If you do not take the time to
lovingly discipline your child, it is a sign of illegitimacy, which
means they don't even belong in your family: Strong words.

Therefore by taking the time to consistently teach Molly when it is
okay and not okay to bark I am showing her how much I love her. Your
willingness to establish guidelines and expectations for your children
is a way of demonstrating love and establishing their value as
legitimate members of your family. The courage to discipline is in
reality a beautiful gift of love.

Proverbs gives this advice: "Get the truth and don't ever sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment." (23:23) Discipline is
God's way of showing us His endless love. Shouldn't discipline also be
our own way of demonstrating love? Now if I can only teach Molly to
let me sleep!

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the Peanut
Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale
only through this website. Click here for more information:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world?like a city on a mountain,
glowing in the night for all to see. Don?t hide your light under a
basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." (Matthew
5:14-15)

This mailing proudly powered by Subscribe Me(TM) Professional -
Enterprise Edition www.subscribemepro.com

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
taxes.yahoo.com/

--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to
<1corinthians7-unsubscribe@welovegod.org>

Posted by: tmboarman <tmboarman@...>

Unsubscribe please. Thank You. Marie

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Masinick [mailto:masinick@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2002 5:50 PM
To: 1Cor7 Prayers
Cc: Larry Davies
Subject: [1Corinthians7] Word for Today, Wed, 10 Apr 2002: Dogs Need
Discipline, How About People?

Dear friends,

On Monday, I shared with you a compilation of Phil Ware's Weekly
Verses, which I subscribe to by Email from Crosswalk.com. In
Tuesday's edition, I shared with you a message from Neil Anderson's
Daily Devotional about effectively dealing with anxiety.

Today, I would like to share with you a message from one of my
friends, prayer partners, and collaborators in writing, Larry Davies.
I have read many of Larry's messages over the past several years, a
great number of which are compiled in the books that he writes. These
books are sold primarily to help fund Larry's online ministry
expenses, particularly the Web site, online prayer ministry, and
weekly Email mailing list. Even if Larry makes a few dollars over and
above his expenses, I think that's great, because his ministry
encourages thousands of people, well beyond the boundaries of his
church building, so I endorse Larry's work.

In today's message, Larry begins with an illustration about his dog
Molly. It's really a practical message about discipline and
discernment. Whether we apply it to our dog, our child, our
subordinates, or --- hmm --- OURSELVES, the importance of discipline
and discernment are valuable lessons. God's Word teaches us both, and
if we are wise, we will accept it's teaching and share it with those
that we love, wherever we may be.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Sowing Seeds of Faith..

After gathering all remaining copies of my first two books, I came up
with twenty of each. So, I?ve put together a package containing all
three books and signed each one.

"Sowing Seeds of Faith in a World Gone Bonkers" - Paperback $10.95
"When A Used Car Salesman Becomes A Preacher... There Must Be A God" -
Paperback $12.95. "Breaking the Peanut Butter Habit: Following God's
Recipe for a Better Life" Hardback, $24.95.

Total list price would be $48.85 but the package price is only $32.95
for a savings of nearly $16. All three books will be signed. There are
only twenty available. After that the first two books will be
gone. Click here to purchase online:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/book_package.htm or reply to this
email.

"Help: I Can?t Control My Dog!" Larry Davies

Our little cocker spaniel, Molly is getting out of control. Several
months ago her doctor informed us that she may be dying. "She'll be
craving water and food." He solemnly informed us. "Give her what she
wants and make her comfortable," were his parting words. The doctor
was being too kind. Molly doesn?t just crave food and water... she
CRAVES food and water all through the night.

At first we were eager to do whatever Molly wanted because we felt
sorry for her but after several months Molly's condition improved. In
fact, she's healthy. There is only one problem. She still wants food
and water all through the night. She's gone crazy and in the meantime,
she's driving me nuts.

Molly goes through the same routine every night. First she gently pads
over to our bed, sits down near my head and stares at me. (Why is it
always me? Don't answer that.) Those penetrating eyes send lightning
bolts through my dream world. Startled, I would wake up and there sits
Molly with a look of desperation as if she just completed a hot march
across the desert. "Feed me... now!"

After awhile, I learned to sleep through the stare so she learned a
new tactic: heavy breathing. Molly would rise up on her hind legs (I
thought she was sick?) and place her snout directly in front of my
face and begin to pant. When that stopped working, she began to
whimper and then she would whine. Finally Molly began barking: soft at
first but building in intensity until the walls themselves shook.

Whenever Molly wants something now; she barks. If we go to bed and
leave her in my study; she barks until we let her sleep on the
bed. When she wants to go outside; Molly barks. When she wants to be
fed; she barks. Won?t somebody help me out of this mess? My dog is out
of control!

* A friend suggested I whip her into shape. "A good spanking never
hurt anyone," he said.

* Another implied that I didn't understand her. After all, Molly is
sick and obviously traumatized.

* A neighbor wanted Molly to come to her house. After all, dad never
treated her right anyway.

* A minister suggested I pray over her. A psychiatrist recommended
Ritalin.

* A lawyer wanted me to sue the kennel where we purchased her.

* A local automobile dealer suggested buying a new car. (Not for her
silly... for me!)

Whether you are teaching children or pets, everyone likes to give
advice but whose do you actually follow? Which one is right? For a
more reliable source I began looking through scripture.

"For the Lord disciplines those he loves and he punishes those he
accepts as his children. As you endure this divine discipline,
remember that God is treating you as his own children. Whoever heard
of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as
he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and
are not really his children after all. Since we respect our earthly
fathers who disciplined us, should we not all the more cheerfully
submit to the discipline of our heavenly Father and live forever?"
(Hebrews 12:6-9)

Did you notice that discipline is used 6 times in one short paragraph?
For God, discipline is an expression of love. In other words... taking
the time to discipline your child or in my case, Molly, is a clear
indication of how much you care. If you do not take the time to
lovingly discipline your child, it is a sign of illegitimacy, which
means they don't even belong in your family: Strong words.

Therefore by taking the time to consistently teach Molly when it is
okay and not okay to bark I am showing her how much I love her. Your
willingness to establish guidelines and expectations for your children
is a way of demonstrating love and establishing their value as
legitimate members of your family. The courage to discipline is in
reality a beautiful gift of love.

Proverbs gives this advice: "Get the truth and don't ever sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and discernment." (23:23) Discipline is
God's way of showing us His endless love. Shouldn't discipline also be
our own way of demonstrating love? Now if I can only teach Molly to
let me sleep!

If you like this devotion you will love the book: "Breaking the Peanut
Butter Habit: Following God?s Recipe for a Better Life" now on sale
only through this website. Click here for more information:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/peanbutt.htm

Join our prayer ministry by clicking here:
http://www.sowingseedsoffaith.com/sign-up.htm

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world?like a city on a mountain,
glowing in the night for all to see. Don?t hide your light under a
basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." (Matthew
5:14-15)

This mailing proudly powered by Subscribe Me(TM) Professional -
Enterprise Edition http://www.subscribemepro.com

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
taxes.yahoo.com/

--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to
<1corinthians7-unsubscribe@welovegod.org>