DOG THOUGHTS

Luke 6:44-49
44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.49 But the one who hears My words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

Just when you thought you'd never figure out what your dog is thinking, "Bow Lingual--The Dog Translator" has come to the rescue. This device, invented in Japan, uses a radio microphone attached toa dog's collar, and a hand-held receiver that translates the barks into 200 different phrases. It claims to sense your dog's mood and emotion at the time of barking. In Japan, 250,000 people paid $120 each for "Bow Lingual" before it went on sale in the United States.

Craig Wilson, writing in USA Today, says that even though he's sorry he didn't invent The Dog Translator so he could enjoy the profits, he's never had any problem figuring out what his dog is thinking. A bark around 6 p.m. means that dinner hasn't been served, while constant barking at midday announces the arrival of the mailman. "Just the cock of her head will often do it," Wilson says. "Translation: Surely you're taking me with you." Craig Wilson's dog reveals her thoughts through what she says and does.

So do we.

Jesus used an everyday picture when He said that a tree is recognized by its fruit. What's inside the tree appears on its branches. He made it clear that our words and actions flow from deep inside us: "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart" (Luke 6:45). What we're thinking emerges in our words and actions.

Jesus again showed the importance of our inner life in His illustration of the wise and foolish builders. The person who heard Jesus' words but didn't obey was like a man building on sand, while the one who put them into practice built on solid rock. The storm that destroyed one house couldn't shake the other. When we acknowledge Jesus as Lord and obey His words, He is our sure foundation.

Since what's inside us is what others see, it's essential to make sure we're barking up the right tree. That translates to a life well-lived. --Dave McCasland

DESTINATION POINTS

* What do people learn by watching and listening to me?
* Since my inner life never remains hidden, why do I so often try to act secretly, thinking no one will know?
* What act of obedience will help me establish a solid foundation on Jesus today?

bottom line: Our words and actions reveal our heart.

soul journey