Month: February 2024

She leisurely stretched, arching her back and bringing her feet to touch the small of her back. Easing out of this position, she formed a bridge, chest to the sky. On cue, a baby goat walked on her. 

This is goat yoga. Here is an example. 

Source. Mad Lavender Farm

Just when I thought I had heard it all, there is goat yoga. It began in 2016 as the brainchild of Lainey Morse, who owns a goat farm in Oregon. She found comfort in the time she spent with her goats. When she shared this with a friend who is a yoga instructor, the two decided to combine their two passions, and goat yoga was born. It was an immediate sensation and has gone viral with new locations in nearly every state. 

It’s the latest fad. Will it last? No one knows. However, the history of the world is littered with similar fads. The Bible gives a humorous account of the philosophers in ancient Athens.

He also had a debate with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. When he told them about Jesus and his resurrection, they said, “What’s this babbler trying to say with these strange ideas he’s picked up?” Others said, “He seems to be preaching about some foreign gods.” Then they took him to the high council of the city. “Come and tell us about this new teaching,” they said. “You are saying some rather strange things, and we want to know what it’s all about.” (It should be explained that all the Athenians as well as the foreigners in Athens seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas.) 

Acts 17:18-21 (NLT)

Today Goat Yoga. Tomorrow? Who knows? God created us with a curious nature. That nature was given to us to encourage us to seek our Creator. God created us with an emptiness in our hearts that can only be filled and satisfied when we accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. 

Let His presence fill your lives.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

I was viewing a popular show about a popular matchmaker. Each participant, seeking a marriage partner, was asked a variety of questions. “What are you looking for in your partner?” “Do you want children?” “Where will you live?” None of these are surprising. However, one question did stand out. 

“Would you marry yourself?”

This self-reflection may seem obvious but how one answers may give insight into one’s personality. Answering too quickly and affirmatively may indicate narcissistic tendencies. Answering too slowly or with hesitation may indicate low self-esteem. What about a middle ground? Psychologists and marriage counselors have a field day analyzing this answer. Is there an ideal answer to this seemingly simple question? Once again, God gave us the answer, thousands of years ago.

In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. 

Ephesians 5:28-30 (NLT)

God created marriage and defined the boundaries and expectations for each partner. The ideal marriage focuses on Jesus Christ and His example of how He loves us and His Church. If a husband loves Jesus Christ, then He will love his wife as himself since we are part of the Body of Jesus Christ. No obscure psychology. No outside pressures of finances or children. The only question that one has to answer is, “Do you love Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?”

Would you marry yourself?

If you have placed God at the center of your relationship, the answer is an unequivocal yes!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

The Lazy Susan.

It is a familial and practical piece of furniture or cupboard accessory. Here are two examples of this common household item. 

Source: Pinterest

Many stories attribute it to President Thomas Jefferson who invented the device as a dumbwaiter for his daughter, Susan. Numerous other historians and pundits have challenged this story, stating that a similar piece was used in England. Ironically, such a common and important piece of furniture with a distinctive name has its origin lost in history, even though its history is less than three hundred years. Yet, it is in use worldwide and no one questions the odd name because it has become an important item in many homes.

Not all names are so easily dismissed. Mention the Name of Jesus Christ and it always evokes a very strong reaction, both positively and negatively. Why? Unlike a common piece of household furniture, His Name has the power to change lives. As the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon stated, “I have a great need for Christ. I have a great Christ for my need.”

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 (NLT)

Lazy Susan. No one gives it a second thought.

Jesus Christ. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

You ignore His Name at the risk of your salvation and eternal destiny.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

It happened again. They met at their mutual friend’s wedding. He was one of the groomsmen and she was the bride’s maid. During the month-long preparation, they fell in love, and within a year, they announced their engagement. I have witnessed this twice and I am certain that this is far more common than generally reported.

It is not surprising. The close friends of the bride and groom should certainly have many similar traits and friendship and even love could easily blossom with members of the wedding party. Yet, for as many successful relationships, there are probably far more that never materialize or are successful. 

In my life, there are many examples of people whom I have admired, who were close friends to my friends. These people shared many of their same traits. Although we would often spend time together, I never became close to them as I did to our shared friend. The reasons are many and as complex as all relationships are. Despite some successful relationships beginning at wedding parties, shared relationships with a close friend are not enough to guarantee a successful relationship.

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 

John 15:13-14 (NKJV)

Even within the Body of Christ, His Holy Church, there is conflict among the members. The Bible records many examples of these disagreements. There were conflicts between the Apostle Paul and Peter. There were conflicts between the disciples as some jockeyed for positions of leadership. A relationship with Jesus Christ is holy and sacred. However, we are all sinners, striving to be transformed to become more like our Lord and Savior. Until we are in His presence in Heaven, it is a journey that is not always a straight path. 

What is our response? We should rejoice that we have a relationship with our Lord and Savior, the perfect God-Man. We must be comforted that in this life, we may not have the benefit of a close friendship with other believers, but we are given something much deeper and special. We are brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. We will have eternity to enjoy this relationship in the presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.