Lessons of Real Love & Devotion

The 16th Century philosopher and mathematician Rene Descartes stated that all animals (referring to those outside the human race) were automatas (red-blooded machines without thoughts or emotions). Many have held onto that belief throughout time. Even in today's society, many usually think of love, compassion and devotion as acts of human kindness-the love you see in families or in a marriage (if priorities are in right order) and sometimes possibly a random act of kindness from one stranger to another.

Below are pictures and links to articles telling stories of true love in deed from animals! It's good to have positive role models and sometimes the best role models are our four-footed (feathered or oceanic) friends!

Jeffrey and Jermaine are beautiful examples! These two are brothers and Jeffrey is blind. Because of the love Jermaine has for him, he trained himself to be his seeing eye dog never leaving his side and even touching while they sleep to let him know he's always there!



http://theilovedogssite.com/the-story-behind-this-photo-will-leave-you-spechless/?utm_content=img-group&utm_source=FB_AllDogPages&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=SpeechlessPhoto_11-15-13


Rats have long been test subjects of science. Below you will find that compassion doesn't escape them either! Without any promise of reward and no incentive but to relieve their fellow rodents distress, they learn how to work the mechanics of a trap door.

In another study that was conducted in 1958, hungry rats were given access to food. All they had to do was pull a lever that sent an electric shock to their litter mate. They wouldn't do it! They chose hunger over hurting their fellow rat!



http://freefromharm.org/farm-animal-intelligence/rats-not-only-show-compassion-but-arguably-more-than-some-humans-in-unprecedented-new-uofc-study/

http://www.livescience.com/24800-animals-emotions-morality.html

Elephants are the largest creatures on land. They also have some of the most respectful rituals for a fallen member of their herd. Also, just as a human visits a grave site of a loved one, so do elephants visit the bones of a deceased herd member for years to come. We have tomb stones and grave markers whereas elephants just REMEMBER!



http://www.livescience.com/24800-animals-emotions-morality.html

Dolphins have been known to help others outside their own pod and even their own species! Several stories report humans being rescued from shark attack and stranded whales being guided back to sea-all by dolphins!



http://www.livescience.com/24800-animals-emotions-morality.html

Here, a bird shows love and compassion for his mate.



Dogs show love and heal wounds like no other!

November-Thanksgiving-Giving Thanks

You can never do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon will be too late.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

No one is ever useless who lightens the burden of another.~ Charles Dickens

We should all be thankful for those who rekindle the inner spirit. ~ Albert Shweitzer

The unthankful heart finds no mercies, but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour, heavenly blessings. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

What the Bible says about thanksgiving/gratefulness at anytime-not just the month of November!







Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. ~ James 1:17

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. ...~ Psalm 118:1-18

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...~ Psalm 23:1-6


But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. ...~ James 4:6-12

Christian vs Humanitarian?

http://inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com/2013/08/12/the-love-of-god-includes-pruning/

Chris·tian
noun \ˈkris-chən, ˈkrish-\
: a person who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. (Christ-like)


To be Christ-like means to live by Christ's example.



Chris·tian·i·ty

noun \ˌkris-chē-ˈa-nə-tē, ˌkrish-, -ˈcha-nə-, ˌkris-tē-ˈa-\
: the religion that is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ

Biblical scripture that explains what it is to be and how to become Christian.


"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (NAS, Matthew 7:8-11)

"..., blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it." (NAS, Luke 11:28)

Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him. (NIV, John 14:21)


"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (NIV, John 13:34-35)



Now, the definition of a humanitarian-



hu·man·i·tar·i·an

noun \hyü-ˌma-nə-ˈter-ē-ən, yü-\


: a person who works to make other people's lives better



So now, why is it that so many of us can't seem to realize that the true meaning of truly living as a Christian is not to appear superior to others but really show compassion and love by helping others in whatever way God has blessed us with to give. This show of love as Christ loved is being Christian and it is exactly what humanitarianism is. They are the SAME THING!











If we as

Adopted by God!

http://jackiesramblings.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/adoption.jpg

We are all adopted by grace and blood covenant into 
the family of God! 

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Galatians 4:4-7

Strength from God

Show compassion as Jesus did!

http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/teenagers-show-compassion-2893.html

Then Jesus made a circuit of all the towns and villages. He taught in their meeting places, reported kingdom news, and healed their diseased bodies, healed their bruised and hurt lives. When he looked out over the crowds, his heart broke. So confused and aimless they were, like sheep with no shepherd. “What a huge harvest!” he said to his disciples. “How few workers! On your knees and pray for harvest hands!” ~ Matthew 9:36-38

God Knows and He Cares!