If you have been reading my blog, you probably remember me writing about the dog I had growing up named "Poochy". He was a beagle hound and the best rabbit dog in the country.
If there is such a thing as a dog loving his master, with all his heart, Poochy did. Looking back, he put me above anything he wanted to do. He could be in a warm bed in the winter time and I could come out of the house with my shotgun and immediately he was on my heels ready to go rabbit hunting. I have seen him stop eating to go with me.
For a little dog , he had the courage to go after anything I sicked him on. We had a big Charolais bull and one day I was trying to drive him to the barn and I told Poochy to "sick-em" and he did, grabbing the bull's tail. That was funny, a little beagle hound making a big bull run.
Many times I would have to make Poochy stay home, especially when I was running my trap line. I didn't want him to get caught in a trap. He did not like staying behind. Most of the time, when I was walking back home, I would meet him. He couldn't stand it. He had to be with me.
Evidently, if a dog can be thankful for you feeding him and providing him a warm place to sleep, he shows gratitude the best way he knows how, by serving his master with all his heart.
Poochy died wanting to be with me. He had gotten old and could not see or hear very well. One day, I walked across the road to the barn, Poochy saw me and came running, not seeing or hearing the car coming.
That was a hard death to take. I had lost a friend that always put me first. No matter if it was the heat of summer, the cold of winter or the dark of night, Poochy always wanted to be with me. I miss him. If dogs can love something or somebody with all their hearts, Poochy loved me with all of his.
Do any of you reading this, believe that a boy and his faithful dog came into existence from nothing by an evolutionary process? If you do, Poochy was alot smarter than you are.
I have tried to show what loving with all of your heart may look like. I have used one of God's creatures, Poochy, as an example. Now let's look at the subject a little deeper.
I was reading, Joel 2:12-13, the other day and he talked about the Lord telling Judah, "Now, therefore," says the Lord, "turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.", then I turned to Matt. 22:37 and I read Christ giving an answer to a lawyer asking Him which is the greatest commandment. In the answer was included, "love the Lord your God with all your heart." Christ said this was the first and great commandment.
I thought I was understanding, "with all your heart", until Debbie and I were studying Luke chapter 14 the other night. Here is when I started questioning the place God has in my heart. "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.(Luke 14:26)
"All of my heart," is what Christ said. We will look at many passages that say the same thing. All, does not leave room for anything else or anyone else. How can that be?
I love my wife Debbie, my children and grandchildren, parents and all my relatives so much. I also, love God and want to make a difference in this world by sharing God's love and His Gospel. How can this be to love them less and love God with all my heart? All of my heart means, all of my heart, not part of it.
Then, as I sat outside last night, around eleven o'clock, I realized what he was saying. I understand now, and what a difference it has made.
In the next few days, I want to share with you the scriptures I read helping me to understand, "all of my heart." Understanding this has begun to make a world of difference in my life. I have read many self help books, but this, God's word, has given me great comfort and courage more than anything else ever has.
Until next time, what place does God have in your heart?
I am sending this out today without Debbie editing it. I will try to correct any errors of grammar or punctuation. Also, I have been busy on other things and have not been posting as often as I would like. I will try in the coming days to write more consistently.
Many of you have commented and that is a great encouragement to me. I am trying to increase the number of readers. If you enjoy reading, please pass on to family and friends.
Have a good weekend and send any comments to rhepler52@gmail.com .
Thanks!
Rick Hepler
