The Poodle's Lament

Woe is the poodle which God did create,
unable to shed...  an embarassing fate!


Poor Biscuit and Truffle endured yet another close shave yesterday, much to their everlasting shame.  It took me about five hours, but I managed it.  They might be small, but believe me, it's a time consuming task!

Poodles don't shed, so their hair just keeps growing and then it gets matted, as in dreadlock kind of matted.  Not a pretty picture, and not comfortable for them either.

 

Before...

After

Further humiliation...

I know, they look ridiculous, but it is winter,
 and this is Canada!

 

Oh, the shame...the shame....

 

Ephesians 2:1-10



Today my dad preached an excellent sermon based on Ephesians.  The following, in particular, made a tremendous impact upon me.  I've read it before, of course, and I've also heard sermons based on the text, but today Ephesians 2:1-10 really struck me!

 "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

What a wonderful passage!  It amazes me that I was so dead, as dead as the worst sinner, yet God had mercy on me and called me to Himself!!  And how glad I am that it is by grace and not works that I'm saved, for how could I ever do enough "good works" to please a perfect God? 

That's not to say I shouldn't do good works, because the scriptures declare, "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." (James 2:26).  Clearly good works must follow salvation, but Praise God!, my salvation did not, does not, depend upon what I do, or don't do! 

G. A. Henty

George Alfred Henty, better known as G. A. Henty, was born on December 8th, 1832, and died on November 16th, 1902, just shy of his seventieth birthday.

Henty attended Cambridge University and in addition to his intense course of study, participated in a wide range of competitive sports, including wrestling, rowing and boxing.  These physical disciplines were very useful in preparing him for serving in the British army during the Crimean war.  The letters Henty wrote home from the war were filled with accounts of all he witnessed and were published in the  "Morning Advertiser", thus beginning his writing career.

After Henty returned from the war he married Elizabeth Finucane, who bore him four children.  Elizabeth died of tuberculosis, as did two of their children many years later.  Unable to support his family on a captain's wages, Henty became a war correspondent for "The Standard".

Henty's storytelling career began with his practice of delighting his children with tales of fictitious, courageous lads who met, and sometimes helped, great people in history - people like Josephus, Titus, Hannibal, Robert the Bruce, Sir William Wallace, Robert E. Lee, Coligny, Cortez, Napoleon, and many more.  His oral narratives sometimes lasted for weeks!

When a friend of Henty's was present during story time and witnessed the rapt attention of Henty's children, he suggested that Henty write his stories down so others could enjoy them as well.  Taking his friend's advice, a secretary was hired and Henty's stories were put to paper.  It's said that Henty would quickly pace back and forth in the room, dictating as fast as the secretary could write.  Henty became known as "The Prince of Story-Tellers" and "The Boy's Own Historian".

Henty's accounts of battles and other historical events have been noted by historians for their accuracy.  His fascinating and exciting style of writing make his stories a terrific addition to any library.

Two of my favorite Henty Titles are:

Winning His Spurs - A Tale of the Crusades

and

In Freedom's Cause - A Story of Wallace and Bruce.

It's A Marshmallow World...

Winter scenes after Wednesday's snowfall.

Posted by Bethany