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Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:1-9
Andy was “special” – he had three legs. However, he wasn’t born that way. Andy’s lifestyle change took place when many would have considered him to be middle-aged.
It happened one evening in a Wisconsin wood while he was in hot pursuit of a raccoon. Andy climbed a tree which was hanging out over a steep hillside. Then, attempting to turn around on a limb, he fell. All in all, Andy dropped some thirty feet. He broke one of his legs. Eventually this limb had to be amputated.
You see, Andy was a registered Bluetick coonhound. For the most part, he had always been a “silent trailer” – meaning that he limited his voice on the trail. Indeed, Andy surprised a lot of raccoon. Even so, after his accident this all changed.
Andy was frequently allowed the privilege of a solitary run (often he was physically unable to handle much more than this).
But perhaps most amazing was that in the course of time, Andy converted. Out of necessity he became an “open trailer.”
Yes, this older dog somehow learned that in order to put a coon up a tree, he had to break his silence. Instead of speed, he started depending on the sound of his voice. He discovered that to get what he wanted required change.
The fact is, if a three-legged coonhound can recognize the need for change so should we. More importantly, Jesus told His disciples that change was not only possible, it was actually a prerequisite for getting a foot in heaven. Christ firmly stated, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
Have you changed? With God’s help anyone can. After all, it’s His desire that we do!
This devotional was reprinted with permission by Dr. Tom C. Rakow. It comes, from his book, Devotions for Dog Lovers, published by Rock Dove Publications.
| More than three decades ago (at the ripe-old-age of eleven) Tom C. Rakow poached his first deer with a twenty-two caliber rifle. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of some very bad hunting habits. Then in 1977, Tom came to know Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior while watching a Billy Graham Crusade on television. Not surprisingly, one of the first things that happened was that Tom’s hunting attitudes and activities began to be transformed. Although Rakow would be the first to admit that God still has a whole lot of work left to do in his life, he’s convinced that a return to biblical principles (which predate aluminum arrows, game wardens, black powder, and the Second Amendment) will serve as a helpful bridge between divergent views held by hunters and non-hunters alike. Dr. Rakow has written for major publications and also authored “Copy Me!” Bible Quizzes, Hunting & the Bible: A Scripture Safari, Raccoon Hunting Basics, Devotions for Dog Lovers, and NEW in 2003 SELF-INFLICTED HUNTING ARGUMENTS: Biblical Responses to a Loaded Issue. In addition, Tom is in demand as a speaker for wild game banquets and also hosts a weekly radio broadcast called “First Light.” In 1994, he founded the Christian Deer Hunters Association, a national, non-profit, interdenominational, volunteer ministry to deer hunters. More recently he founded the Christian Anglers Association. Dr. Rakow has studied the Bible in its original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek and regularly researches hunting-related issues as they pertain to a biblical world view approach. He holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Moody Bible Institute (IL), Asbury Theological Seminary (KY), and Bethel Theological Seminary (MN). Rakow has been listed in the Dictionary of International Biography - 23rd Edition, and Who’s Who in Religion. Tom and his wife, Beth, and their four daughters reside in Minnesota where he has served as a full-time pastor since 1989. |
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