Happy Birthday Duke Ellington the dog!

Nearly three years ago, on the eve of Christmas Day 2007, this little baby beagle entered my life.  He was so small he could fit in my hands.  He had the most perfect puppy breath and the cutest little puppy potbelly.  He was 8 weeks old when I got him, so I guess-timated October 25th to be his birthday.  I named him Duke Ellington the dog.

I’ve helped to shape the dog he is today, and in many ways he has helped to shape me.  However, I take no responsibility for his baby-like tendencies; whining, whimpering, crying, sucking a blanket, etc. Those are characteristics of his distinct personality and not something I instilled in him at all.

As a beagle he loves to smell. Always with his nose to the ground, he is ever curious of every scent (though he favors dead, usually smelly things).  He is well-behaved, smart, and funny.  He’ll hardly make a noise except for when he sees my reflection in the mirror at night, his low growl turning into a beagle howl (Aroo!) at any sudden movements.

His repertoire of tricks include but are not limited to the following: sit, lay down, roll over, spin, jump, shake, shake w/ other paw, catching, playing dead, crawling, and waving his paw as though he were saying goodbye.

The Duke will love and keep on loving.  He is persistent on experiencing your nearness and likes to be as close as he possibly can to you at all time.  He is a constant reminder to maintain my own longing to be near to Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  He is a great friend and my life is all the better for it.

So here’s to you, Duke Ellington the dog.  Happy Birthday! May there be many years to come…

Here’s a song by a friend of mine back in Kansas City.  Jacob Hanly. I’ve been continually provoked by his honesty and his artistry and his worship.  They weave between each other, and I believe that’s evident in this song…

 

The Song of Your Return

How can I escape, when every place,
Is marked with Your face.
Where can I hide, for peace of mind,
To numb the memory?
Even the stars sing Your Name.

Love in times like these, is less than sweet,
More like suffocating.
Wave after wave, I’m drowning deep,
What could satisfy me but Your return?

When all of my world has been groaning for You,
What else is there left to do?
But join in the song all creation singing,
the song of Your return.

How else can I prove that my loves true
When you’re not by my side.
Can our love grow, if i cant hold you,
Will distance be the end?
No, it still burns deep within.

Love in times like these, shown forth in deeds,
When I give of my life,
And I won’t stop, until I build a place for You,
A home for our love, I will give You all my love.

When all of my world has been groaning for You,
What else is there left to do?
But join in the song all creation singing,
the song of Your return.

Despite distractions, temptations,
I will not stray.
The hope of that day, will be with me,
Through this night of faith.
Though You are so far, I will hold you close,
To my heart.
My love; committed, both then and now,
And always.

Despite distractions, temptations,
I will not stray.
The hope of that day, will be with me,
Through this night of faith.
Though You are so far, I will hold you close,
To my heart.
My love; is committed, both then and now,
And always

 

 

Relationship and Communication

God often has little ways of surprising me, frequently speaking at unexpected times in unexpected ways. At first there’s an initial feeling of newness to those ways and those times. A sense of awe, and rightfully so. GOD is speaking.  Though when I stop to observe and ponder, familiarity is diffused into my marvel. God is a person and I am in relationship with him. People in relationship communicate. For example, my wife speaks to me and it does not come as a surprise, nor does it come unexpectedly.  So why should I be surprised when God, who I am in relationship with, communicates?*

With time this communication has become regular and familiar. I’ve learned to hear and perceive the ways in which God speaks to me. It isn’t a perfect science. It’s relationship.  Even in seasons when I feel that God is silent he is always speaking.  The times I feel that he is not speaking I often discover that it’s me that is not listening.  I must listen.

Even so, as familiar as this relationship and communication may become the mystery of it remains. I love this about it.  The awe and the wonder. He is God. Unknown to be known. Inasmuch that he is, he reveals that he is.

This morning, before the earth spun into light, his communication was through my dog who has to be let out to use the bathroom and the strong winds full of pillow coolness that, through the dog, he led me outside to bask in.

_{*This is not to say that my relationship and communication with God is modeled to that of another human person (though through Jesus this is somewhat true). Relationship and communication with his personhood was (and is) first. All else tells of that.  We are made in his image.}