From Gary... A question from Diesel Dan...

The above pictures are of my friend, Walter Vogt's dog: Diesel Dan.  There were a lot pictures on facebook, but I chose just these few to give you an idea of the dog.  Unfortunately, Diesel Dan had to be put down because of extreme health problems, but he is remembered by Walt- and now myself as well.  As I looked at these photos of remembrance, it occurred to me that not only the dog was special, but so was its owner.  Special, not just because he is a friend, but also because he is a human being.  And so this question (which is emboldened below) from the Scriptures, came to my mind...

Psalm 8

  1  Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth,
who has set your glory above the heavens!
  2 From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength,
because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
  3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
  4 what is man, that you think of him?
What is the son of man, that you care for him?  5 For you have made him a little lower than God,
and crowned him with glory and honor.
  6 You make him ruler over the works of your hands.
You have put all things under his feet:
  7 All sheep and cattle,
yes, and the animals of the field,
  8 The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea,
and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
  9 Yahweh, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

OK, we have a picture of a cute deceased dog and a Scriptural question- so why is this important?  Well, consider this: If we are just another animal, then why do we have the capacity to love another animal besides our own species???  The answer is that WE ARE DIFFERENT; we are created in the image of God.  We have the ability to love, even those who don't return that love. That sounds like one of the definitions that could be used of God, doesn't it?  Walt has never told me he loved Diesel Dan, but his pictures say volumes.  I understand because I have grown to love my own dogs very much over the few months that I have had them.  If you have doubts in your mind about the existence of God, look to yourself, understand that you ARE DIFFERENT from every other animal and that God loves you, even though you may not return that love.  My guess is- sooner or later LOVE will turn you around, because it changed my life and continues to do so, even several decades later.

PS.  I found out today that my wife is coming home next week; I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE HER.  AND SHE IS MEANS MORE TO ME THAN TEN THOUSAND CANINES!!!!