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As you read or hear these words, you feel no sense of motion, yet in reality we are moving around the sun at 67,000 mph and the surface of our planet is spinning hundreds of miles per hour – locked into a silent single rhythm.

Likewise, we may have a strong sense of personal autonomy and complete free will – yet in reality, we (who have each been assigned specific DNA and propensities) are responding to everything around us in perfect harmony within an orchestrated environment designed, created and sustained by our Father, Who loves us all and is truly sovereign over His Universe.

Mike Owens

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After the fall, God could have withdrawn. Instead, He gave us glimpses of Eden – soft echoes of what used to be. One of those echoes is the bond we share with certain animals.

Your pet doesn’t fix your pain. But they sit with it. They don’t explain your grief. But they feel it. They’re there when the tears fall, when the room goes quiet, when you need someone who won’t give advice – but just stay.

That’s no small thing.

In a world of broken relationships, unpredictable losses, and spiritual loneliness – sometimes a wagging tail or a warm purr feels like grace in motion.

And maybe it is.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. / Steve Martin

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We know that every single chapter of our story is written by a Father Who is good, wise and loving; that even when things feel unfair or unjust, He is working it all out for good; that He hasn’t forgotten us or left us. He’s not pacing heaven, nervously wringing His hands. He’s in charge. That’s freedom.

Not the kind that depends on perfect circumstances. Not the kind that waits for governments to change.

But the kind that anchors your soul in unshakable love. So yes, even in the midst of tyranny, we are free.

Free to trust. Free to rest. Free to stop judging and start loving.

Free to be full of joy, even when the world around us is full of chaos.

Because freedom isn’t a place. It’s a Person.

And He lives in us.

Steve Martin

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Why Christ’s suffering? Why such a public, brutal death? The answer lies not in satisfying some abstract “justice system” in the Heavens, but in displaying the Father’s love in the most powerful way possible.

Romans 5:8 reminds us that God’s love was best demonstrated to us because we were yet sinners. Love is most clearly seen in costly sacrifice, and there is no costlier gift than one’s own life offered for others (John 15:13).

By enduring unimaginable pain, humiliation and rejection – and still remaining perfectly obedient – Christ revealed both the depth of the Father’s love and the worth of His Own Headship over all creation.

The cross was not God’s wrath poured out on His Son; it was God’s love poured out on the world.

Stephen Hill

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It’s no coincidence that dogs wag their tails when they see us or that cats curl up in our laps like it’s the safest place in the world. These aren’t random behaviors. They’re signs of something deeper – God’s design for connection.

Animals that make good companions – especially dogs and cats – aren’t just biologically compatible. They’re relationally tuned in. Scientists call it tameness. Low reactivity. Docility. But if you ask me, it’s grace.

These creatures are naturally social. They’ve been wired through generations of domestication – yes – but first by the hand of a God Who knew that we’d need more than food and shelter. We’d need presence. Loyalty. Love that doesn’t give up when we’re at our worst.

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr. / Steve Martin

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Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Will this occur by force, or the result of changed hearts?

If by force – it brings no glory to God.

When this event takes place, and it will, it’s the result of softened hearts that have been instantly transformed at the resurrection by seeing and experiencing God’s love and mercy. THEN it will bring Him glory and appreciation by ALL.

Scripture tells us that the ONE THING that God desires is to display is His mercy (Hosea 6:6).

Mike Owens

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The Greek word, charis, which is translated “grace” in most of its occurrences is essentially a matter of joy. Hence it is first defined in the Keyword Concordance (p. 132) as “an act producing happiness,” and in Englishman’s Greek Concordance as “that which gives joy, pleasure, delight …”

I would say, judging by its usage, that charis always conveys much the same sense as chara, and in one way or another all Greek words in the char- family (e.g. chairō = “rejoice”). It is to be noted that charis is sometimes rendered “thanks” as in Romans 6:17 and II Corinthians 9:15, but in those cases the word “joy” would serve as well (i.e., to give God charis is to give Him joy).

Dean Hough
Unsearchable Riches, Volume 115, Number 4 (2024)

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One of the “grace” (Greek, charis) words used by Paul was charizomai (G5483), which is structured by the Concordant Keyword Concordance as “JOYize.” That’s what grace does – it JOYizes!

What a beautiful picture all of this is. That’s what we’re here for – to JOYize others. We’re JOYizers! Father JOYizes us, and then we in turn become JOYizers – JOYizing those around us.

Sadly, the King James Version often translates JOYize (charizomai) as “forgive.” Yet, the deeper one digs, the more freedom one finds – and the more sinister the conspiracy against freedom we discover!

One can’t help but think here of a contrast between JOYizers and Judaizers. Judaizers place people in bondage. JOYizers help to liberate them from bondage.

Grace is better than we ever could have imagined. It isn’t about being undeserving – it’s about being deeply cherished. What father doesn’t cherish his children, and want to bless them (make them happy)? Not because they are deserving or undeserving, but because they are his!

Clyde L. Pilkington, Jr.

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Nathan the Prophet provided King David with a remarkable parable concerning an ewe lamb. In it, the lamb was clearly considered a treasured family member, in every sense that they are considered by us today, for

He raised it, and it grew up, living with him and his children. It shared his meager food and drank from his cup; it slept in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him (II Samuel 12:3).

What a very touching picture this is. It is something that readers of our day who love their pets can surely appreciate. Pets were, and still are, certainly viewed as precious members of the family, reminding us of the endearing term “furbaby.”

God gave us domestic animals to respond to our love and kindness. They were created to value human companionship and some even to take pleasure in pleasing us. They are gracious provisions of a loving Creator.

Likewise, we were created to be companions of God, the responders of His love, and members of His divine family.

Clyde Pilkington