People who have more than one child can attest that every child has its own particular personality. There may be one that is anxious to please, and one that's a tattletale, and even one that's the baby of the family. Well, most of you know that I have four dogs, and let me tell you that dogas are the same way. Each one has its own funky personality.

Nothing make Deniese and I more aware of this than when strangers come to visit. We have one that barks, but is really a big sissy. We have one that will beg you to pet him, and will rudely jump on you when you sit down. We also have one that holds back, but if you make any indication you would like to pet her, she will come right to you. But we have this other one. Oh boy!

Our littlest dog has been the subject of many past bulletins. she's the feisty one, the one that begs you to pet her but will blitz out of reach if you put a hand down. She's the one that drags in ice, fights over toys, and squeals with a high pitched shriek if you do manage to touch her when she's not expecting it. When people come to visit, they often leave saying, "if you ever want to give away one of your dogs, I'll take that one." This is hard for me to figure out, because she is the most unfriendly of all the dogs. She is, however, the smallest by far and perhaps because of that the cutest. She is also the one most likely to bite you, and I have seen her snap at a kid or two. That's because kids see her and they all reach out and grab at her. Taffy, the vicious killer Pomeranian, seems to dislike children most of all. They are quick and move in unpredictable ways, which unnerves her quite a bit.

So it came about that when we went on vacation, all the dogs, of course, wanted to gp with us (let's not kid ourselves, they wanted to go with Deniese. I was just driving) but it was the bratty, baby-of-the-family dog that ended up going. We couldn't leave her behind, there were kids staying at our house while we went on our long road trip and she would have chomped one of them. The rest of our dogs are ok with kids, but anti-social Taffy got to ride all the way to Colorado and back in her little blue box. And the temperatures were hot this summer. Very hot. which meant no restaurants for us (nowhere to leave the dog), no American side show trips like to see the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota (nowhere to leave the dog) and you know she didn't spend a whole lot of time in that box, either. She wanted to sit on mama or under mama's feet, so Deniese couldn't even drive much without that crazy dog complaining about it.

But it also came about that we ended up going to church in Ohio, once on the way out and once on the wat back. Now, you know what we did. We took the dog in with us. Something must have closed the mouth of the lion, because that dog didn't let out a peep either time. Mind you we had to keep Deniese right by the cage door, but she was ok with the whole thing and cooperated just fine.

It makes me think some pretty kind thoughts about brethren in various places. They hardly knew us, but they let us and our dog come and worship with them. No one was fussy and complained, and of course everyone was very interested in seeing what kind of dog could fit in a box so small (and I got pretty tired of explaining that, no, it's not a puppy and yes, this is as big as it's ever going to get.) It was something to talk about, and in one place the preacher had some amusing things to say about it during his lesson. I was reminded that true Christians don't judge others by they way they look, or if they're from out of town, or even if they happen to have a dog tucked under one arm.

What also put a quirky smile on my face was remembering that while none of my dogs are perfect, if any of them needed to go to church to learn some manners, it was this one! But don't you start thinking that what I am saying is that we should all bring dogs to church. I am not! I am suggesting we consider this: my dog had enough sense to behave herself. She didn't disrupt others from worshiping God, and she didn't get up and go in and out and in and out during the services. surely people have more sense than a dog does!?! (And she was there! Tonight when it's time for worship services, where will you be?)

No, I wouldn't make a habit of taking a dog to church. But sometimes, when I am struggling, I feel like a dog in the presense of God. I wonder how he stands me, how he could allow his son to have died for me. I love my dogs, but I wouldn't give my life for them. It's a good thing we're not dogs. So we should stand up and not act like one. We should be better!

1 Samuel 18:14-15 And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him. Wherefore when Saul saw that he behaved himself very wisely, he was afraid of him.

1 Chronicles 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

Psalm 35:11-14 False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned unto mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one morneth for his mother.

Psalm 131:2 Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.

Micah 3:4 Then they shall cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-9 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.