Monday, October 31, 2005

Pots, Pressure and Sick dogs


It's that wonderful day..."All Saints Eve"...forget that Halloween stuff. That's for people who want to ignore their roots of faith.
Yesterday I spoke at Mad City on "Pots, Pressure and Perspective"...some musings on God's desire to form his character within us -- from 2 Corinthians 4:7. Paul's profound words, "We have this treasure in our mortal bodies -- jars of clay (pots) -- so that the surpassing power of God might be made visible in us." (my paraphrase) I couldn't help but note that God has this unique sense of humor that causes him to take the glory of himself and dress it up in the tackiest of costumes -- us. Pressure? Well, today that comes from our sick dog -- Tertullian. He's been sick all weekend. Between his vomiting and his diarrhea this very little left within him! So tonight we took him to the Vet clinic...third time in a week. Now he's on an IV, and scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning. The doctor discovered the mass of something in his bowels and I even felt it. A squishy section that felt a little lumpy -- about 2 inches long -- that the doctor assures me is the culprit. "He'll be as good as new by tomorrow evening." I don't Tertullian understands what is about to happen to him. He's about to be violated...all of it in the name of feeling better. That's his pressure. Mine is the $500 bill that is added to normal life bills.
So, back to 2 Corinthians...perspective. "Hard pressed, but not destroyed..." thank you Lord, I need to know that.

2 comments:

cory said...

Pastor P.

that same thing happened to my dog. he is as good as new. they eat really weird stuff sometimes that their innards aren't too wild about. just thought i'd attempt to encourage you, as i was freaking out after the vet told me the stuff he told you. (btw-i am a friend of chris and sarah...and i enjoy your blog.)

cory

ericj. said...

e-

you have convicted me once again (but i really did have a good halloween weekend, even if i did ignore my roots)

quote: It's that wonderful day..."All Saints Eve"...forget that Halloween stuff. That's for people who want to ignore their roots of faith.

my spiritual life has been tough. i feel like i am climbing on very sharp rocks to an unknown location. i think where you spend your time shows a lot about what you truly believe.

ouch.

hey, we should plan a retreat weekend in march or so. you could even come up here to the mountains.. or maybe montana.. or chicago..

oh, i have had the image of you sternly telling us to shut up in church when i wad younger... why? i dont know... just kinda funny.