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Living Water

The Water of Life Discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, by Giacomo Franceschini, 17-18th century (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, Jesus isn’t going to make any more wine is he? I think I got a hangover from that last story you told me, when he turned water into wine.

Oh, good. Only water in this story, huh? I drink lots of water, so that’s good. Unless maybe, Jesus wants to make me some fish juice.

Okay, I’ll listen to the story.

***

Jesus decided to leave Judea, where he’d been hanging out for awhile, and go back to Galilee.

***

Is that a long way? How did he get there? Did he have a fancy car?

Jesus walked? What do you mean they didn’t have cars then? I thought they always had cars.

I’m listening. I just wanted to know.

***

Jesus had to go through Samaria to get where he was going. The Jews hated the Samaritans so much that most of them would travel the extra distance around Samaria rather than go through it.

***

Jesus must have been in a hurry.

Yes, I’ll listen.

***

Jesus came to a town called Sychar in Samaria to the place where Jacob’s well was. His disciples went into town to buy food. Jesus, who was tired from the journey, sat down by the well.

A Samaritan woman came to the well to draw water and Jesus asked her if she’d give him a drink. The woman was surprised that Jesus, a Jewish man, would talk to her, a Samaritan and a woman.

And Jesus said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

***

Living water? That sounds good. I want some of that.

I am listening. But could you fill my water bowl with living water next time?

***

The woman couldn’t figure out where Jesus could get any kind of water because he had nothing to draw water out of the well with.

***

I could jump in and get that water. Oops, I forgot. I’d be stuck in the well, wouldn’t I?

***

Jesus told the woman that everyone who drinks from the well will be thirsty again, but those who drink from the water Jesus gives them will never thirst. The water from Jesus will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Of course the woman wanted some of that water so she wouldn’t have to come drawing water from the well every day.

So Jesus told her to get her husband and come back, but when the woman said she had no husband Jesus said she was right. He said she’d had five husbands but the man she was with now wasn’t her husband.

***

That woman was busy. I’ve only had two girlfriends.

Can’t I make a comment sometimes?

***

The woman realized Jesus was a prophet when he knew all about her and she asked him some questions and then said that when the Messiah comes he will explain everything.

Jesus said, “I who speak to you am he.”

***

Jesus is the Messiah? I thought he was just someone who made fish and wine.

***

The woman left her water jar right there and ran back to town to tell everybody about Jesus. Many believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, but after they’d talked Jesus into staying two days with them many believed because of Jesus’ words.

***

Hey person, Jesus words are good, but do you think he’ll throw in some fish with that living water?

13 Comments

Posted by Bongo on February 3, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, Christianity, dogs, faith, Jesus, Messiah, Pets, Samaria, Samaritan woman at the well

The First Miracle

27 Jan

Jesus making wine from water in The Marriage at Cana, a 14th-century fresco from the Visoki Dečani monastery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, that’s pretty cool that Jesus said, “Follow me” and people followed him. I’ve been trying that all week and I can’t get anyone to follow me. Well, except you that is. Because I hook you to my leash and make you follow me.

I guess Jesus was pretty special. So after he got all those disciples to follow him, what did he do with them?

He took them to a party? No way! I knew there was a reason I wanted to follow Jesus.

Yes, I’ll for sure listen, person. I want to hear about this party.

***

Jesus’ mother was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee and both Jesus and his disciples were invited.

***

If I had been following Jesus back then I could have gone to the party too.

I am listening.

***

While Jesus was at the wedding they ran out of wine.

***

That’s not so bad. I just drink water. They could do that too.

Oh. It was really embarrassing in those days to run out of wine at a wedding? So what did they do?

Jesus mother told Jesus they were out of wine? Why did she do that?

Yes, I’m listening.

***

Jesus told his mother his hour had not yet come, but he did what she wanted anyway.

His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”

There were six stone water pots that each contained twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants to fill them with water and the servants filled them to the brim.

Then Jesus told them to draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.

The master of the feast tasted it and called the bridegroom. He said to the bridegroom, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

This was Jesus’ first miraculous sign and because of it his disciples believed in him.

***

Hey person, do you think maybe next time Jesus could turn the water into fish juice instead? I think I drank too much of that special water. I’m feeling kind of tipsy.

19 Comments

Posted by Bongo on January 27, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, Cana, Christianity, dogs, faith, Galilee, Jesus, Pets, Water, Wine

Follow the Fish

20 Jan

Hey person, is it true that Jesus went up to people and said “Follow me,” and they followed him? He must have had some pretty good treats with him or something.

What do you mean they left their fish to follow Jesus? How could you leave a good meal to follow anyone?

I’ll try to listen. I’m still thinking about all those fish.

Some of the disciples had been introduced to Jesus when they were hanging out in the wilderness with John the Baptist. John told the disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God.

They talked with Jesus, but later went back to their homes in Galilee and were busy fishing when Jesus showed up.

Jesus saw Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake. And he said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

Fishers of men? If those men rubbed fish oil all over themselves I’d go fish for them. And I’d give them lots of big, slobbery kisses.

I’m listening.

Then Jesus walked a little further and he saw James and John in a boat preparing their nets with their father Zebedee. Jesus called James and John and they left their father with the boat and followed Jesus.

I bet they were just tired of working for their dad and wanted to have a good time.

What do you mean they didn’t always have a good time? All those miracles Jesus did? He even turned a little bit of food into enough to feed thousands of people. I bet those disciples always had all they wanted to eat. And good stuff too. Like fish.

Jesus said what?

Anyone who follows Him must deny himself and take up his cross daily?

What does that mean? Does that mean no treats or extra fish?

Oh. It means I have to go where Jesus wants me to go? I guess that’s not so bad. He hung out a lot with fishermen and sometimes he even helped them catch lots of fish – so I guess if I follow Jesus I’m following the fish.

16 Comments

Posted by Bongo on January 20, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, Christianity, faith, Fish, Galilee, James, Jesus, John, Peter, Pets

Getting Around to Jericho

13 Jan

English: The Taking of Jericho, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902) or follower, gouache on board, 7 1/4 x 5 15/16 in. (18.6 x 15.1 cm), at the Jewish Museum, New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Is it time yet? Is it time?

You know what time. I want to hear how those Israelites gave the city of Jericho what for? You’ve been promising to tell me about it.

I promise. I’ll be quiet and listen.

Those people in Jericho were scared of the Israelites, so they shut their city up tight. Nobody came in and no one went out. And the Lord told Joshua that He had delivered Jericho into their hands.

Are Joshua and the Israelites going to break down the walls and storm in and give them what for?

What do you mean, that’s not what they did?

Yes, I’m listening.

The Lord told Joshua to march around the city with all the armed men once a day for six days. The Lord said to have seven priests carry trumpets of rams horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day they were to march around the city seven times with the priests blowing the trumpets.

That’s a lot of marching.

I’ll listen, but couldn’t they have just gone in and given them what for? I’ll bet if I was there I could have led them in a big battle.

So the people got up early and marched around the city and went back to their camp. And they did the same thing the next day, and every day for six days.

Is that it? They’re just marching around the city? That sounds boring.

I am listening.

On the seventh day the Israelites got up at daybreak and did the same thing – except they marched around the city seven times. On the seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!”

It’s about time.

The trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and the wall collapsed.

That was some shout.

They charged in and took the city.

But Joshua sent in the two men who had spied out the land to get Rahab and her family and they put them in a place outside their camp.

Wasn’t Rahab’s house in one of the walls of the city?

Is that why they had her tie a scarlet cord to her window? So they could grab onto it and keep her wall from falling over? If I was there I could have grabbed that cord in my teeth.

16 Comments

Posted by Bongo on January 13, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Battle of Jericho, Bible, dogs, faith, God, Israelite, Jericho, Joshua, Lord, Pets, Rahab

Crossing the Jordan

06 Jan

English: Israel Enters the Promised Land, as in Joshua 3:5-17, illustration from a Bible card published between 1896 and 1913 by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, I’m trying to figure something out. Last week you told me a story about those spies who went to Jericho. And then they had to go across the Jordan River to get back to where Joshua and all the Israelites were.

So doesn’t that mean that all the Israelites are on the wrong side of the Jordan River from Jericho? How are they going to get there to give Jericho what for?

I could probably swim across that river. But those Israelites lived in the desert all their lives. I bet most of them couldn’t swim. Dogs just take to swimming naturally, but people aren’t usually that smart.

Person, I didn’t mean you. You must be smart. You tell me all these good stories. So how did they get across that river?

What? The Jordan River was in flood stage right then? Did they have to wait awhile to give Jericho what for? That must have been hard. I bet they were all anxious to go.

I’m listening person. I just don’t see how those Israelites are going to get across that river.

Joshua told the priests to take the Ark of the Covenant and go ahead of the people.

Are they going to float across the river on the ark? What if they float downstream?

Oh. The ark is sacred and they can’t float on it? That makes it even harder to get across.

God told Joshua to tell the priests with the Ark of the Covenant to stand in the river when they reach the water’s edge.

What if they get their feet wet? Isn’t that river moving awfully fast? You said it was at flood stage.

Yes, I’ll listen.

As soon as the priest’s feet touched the water’s edge the water coming from upstream stopped flowing. The water piled up in a heap a long ways away from them. The priests carrying the ark stood in the middle of the Jordan on dry ground while all the Israelites crossed.

When the people had crossed they took twelve stones from the middle of the river where the priests were standing and made an alter to remember the day that God had stopped the river for them. And as soon as the priests came out of the river with the Ark of the Covenant and set their feet on dry ground the river started flowing at flood stage again.

I sure hope nobody forgot something on the other side of that river.

13 Comments

Posted by Bongo on January 6, 2013 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Ark of the Covenant, Bible, dogs, faith, God, Israelite, Jericho, Jordan River, Joshua, Pets

The Scarlet Cord

30 Dec

Rahab and the Emissaries of Joshua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Hey person, I just got here and there are words already on my blog. I wanted you to tell me a story about Joshua. You know, the guy who took over after Moses died.

Really? God said those words to Joshua when He told him to go take the Promised Land?

Do you think God would say those words to me the next time there’s thunder?

I would too listen to God.

I do too listen to you. Okay, I’m listening now.

Joshua sent two spies across the Jordan River to look over the land. He told them to especially look over Jericho. So the spies went to Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

The king of Jericho heard that the men had come and he sent messengers to tell Rahab to bring them out.

Was that king going to give those men special honor? That’s pretty cool – a king wanted to see them.

I am listening.

Rahab hid the men and told the king’s men that they had gone. She sent the king’s men down the road looking for them.

Rahab was pretty sneaky, wasn’t she?

I’ll listen. I promise.

Rahab talked to the men she had hidden and told them that everyone in the land was afraid of their people because of the things God had done for them. She asked them to spare her life and the lives of her family.

The men agreed that if Rahab didn’t tell anyone what they were doing they would treat her kindly and faithfully. Rahab’s house was part of the city wall, so she let the men out of a window by a rope and told them to go into the hills for three days so they wouldn’t be found.

The men had climbed down on a scarlet cord, and they told Rahab that if she tied it in her window and brought her family into her house they would be spared.

Rahab agreed and sent the men on their way. They hid in the hills for three days, then forded the Jordan River and told Joshua everything that had happened to them.

So what happened next? Did Joshua and the Israelites go give those people in Jericho what for?

What? I have to wait to find out what happens next? Maybe I’ll go to Jericho and huff and puff and blow the walls down.

What do you mean I have the wrong story? I am not a big, bad wolf!

15 Comments

Posted by Bongo on December 30, 2012 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, dogs, faith, God, Israelite, Jericho, Jordan River, Joshua, Pets, Rahab

Yeshua is Born

16 Dec

Yeshua (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Okay person, in the last Bible story you told me you said Moses climbed a mountain and died, and Joshua took over. But you weren’t going to tell me any stories about Joshua right now because there’s someone else you want to tell me about who has the same name, but different.

Okay, I’m waiting. Who is this person with the same name – but different?

His name is what? Yeshua? That’s a strange name. I’ve never heard of a name like that before.

And Joshua had a name like it? Wait a minute. Joshua’s name is Joshua.

Person, you are really confusing. Okay, I’ll listen.

Yeshua is a shortened version of Joshua’s Hebrew name Yehoshua? Joshua was sometimes called Yeshua. How come Joshua has so many names?

Because his Hebrew name is translated to his English name when the Bible is translated into English? Okay person, what would his name be in Doglish?

I am listening.

This story is about Yeshua, who was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, and laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn.

Wait a minute person. You told me this story last year. But it was about Jesus. There can’t be two babies who hung out in mangers.

They were the same baby? Now I’m really confused.

Yeshua is Jesus’ Hebrew name. Then how come we don’t call him Joshua like that other guy.

Because Jesus’ name was translated into Greek first (part of the Bible was written in Greek?) and then into English, so it became Jesus instead of Joshua.

Oh dog, that’s all Greek to me. What would his name be if it was translated again into Doglish?

The name Yeshua means Salvation? I know what it would be in Doglish then.

Dinner.

14 Comments

Posted by Bongo on December 16, 2012 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bethlehem, Bible, Christianity, Christmas, dogs, Jesus, Joshua, Pets, Yehoshua, Yeshua

Climbing the Mountain

09 Dec

Moses shown the Promised Land (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, you’ve been telling me a lot of stories about Moses. Isn’t he getting kind of old by now?

No way! Moses was one hundred twenty years old? How old is that in dog years?

You just don’t want to do the math, do you?

I’m listening.

After Moses lifted up that bronze snake that healed the people who looked at it, he led the Israelites in a few more battles against nations that had come against them.

Did he give them what for?

I am listening. But did Moses give those nations what for?

Woo woo! My person says he did give them what for. But then God told Moses what? That he would be gathered to his people? What does that mean?

Oh. God told Moses he was going to die. That wasn’t a very nice thing to say to Moses.

Okay, I’ll listen but this is getting sad.

Moses appointed Joshua son of Nun to take his place as leader and lead the people into the Promised Land.

Then God told Moses to climb to the top of Mount Nebo where he could see all of the Promised Land. He told Moses that he would die on top of the mountain and be gathered to his people.

Why didn’t Moses just not climb the mountain then?

Moses was obedient to God? I’m not always obedient to you person. You aren’t going to make me climb up a mountain are you? I’m not going.

God told Moses he couldn’t go into the Promised Land because he had not upheld God’s holiness among the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the desert of Zin. That was when Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it like God had told him to do.

I guess Moses didn’t want to disobey God twice, but that would be pretty scary climbing up that mountain.

After Moses saw the Promised Land from the top of the mountain he died. God buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but nobody knows where the grave is.

And Joshua took over as leader of Israel and the Israelites had some awesome adventures.

I’m sticking with Joshua and maybe get to watch some walls fall over. I heard that Jericho doesn’t have a chance.

What? Oh yeah, it’s almost Christmas. It’s hard to remember that when we have sunshine instead of snow. What does that have to do with Joshua?

You mean I have to wait to hear stories about Joshua? That’s okay. I can’t wait for my treats and toys. I’ll have lots of stories about my new presents.

What do you mean, Christmas isn’t about snow, treats, or toys? What else is there?

Now I’m totally confused. You mean Christmas is about someone who had the same name as Joshua, but it was different? I don’t get it.

Oh, in English – you mean Doglish I’m sure – the names are different but they mean the same thing. I’m still confused.

You’re going to make me wait to find out? This is almost as hard as waiting for my presents.

***

P.S. A new friend, Molly the Wally, shared one of my posts today. You can check it out by clicking here.

12 Comments

Posted by Bongo on December 9, 2012 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, Christianity, Christmas, faith, God, Israelite, Joshua, Moses, Mount Nebo, Pets

Lifted Up

02 Dec

The Brazen Serpent, by Benjamin West; among the overthrown, an unmistakable reference to the Laocoön (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, were those Israelites finally happy after Moses struck that rock and got water to come out?

What do you mean, they had more problems? It seems like one thing or another is always happening to them.

They wanted to go through Edom and the king wouldn’t let them? What’s with that king? Doesn’t he know who he’s dealing with? After all, those Israelites have me on their side.

Yes, I’m listening person.

So the Israelites had to go along the route to the Red Sea in order to go around Edom, and they grew impatient and started complaining again.

Weren’t they going the wrong direction? I might start complaining too.

I am listening.

The Israelites complained that there was no bread or water, and they were really sick of that manna stuff.

I guess the Lord was sick of their complaining because He sent venomous snakes among them and some people got bit and died.

I guess it takes a lot to get those people’s attention.

The people went to Moses and admitted that they’d sinned against him and against the Lord, and asked Moses to pray to the Lord to take the snakes away.

Then the Lord told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it on a pole. When anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake he would live.

That must have been some magical snake. Maybe we should get one like that.

What do you mean we have one like that in a way?

Jesus was lifted up like the snake? Jesus isn’t a snake.

Oh. Jesus said that just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert He would be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.

But person, it’s almost Christmas time when Jesus comes as a little baby. Why would anyone lift up a little baby like that?

Jesus grew up? Really? I hope he doesn’t grow up too fast. I want to make sure to get my Christmas presents.

***

Oh, I almost forgot. Speaking of being lifted up, I got so excited about Christmas coming that I almost forgot that I have something to celebrate today. Today is National Mutt Day. So I thought I would show you a picture of one of my favorite mutts.

Shouldn’t I get some presents for National Mutt Day? After all, this is my special day.

19 Comments

Posted by Bongo on December 2, 2012 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Bible, Christmas, faith, God, Israelite, Jesus, Moses, National Mutt Day, Pets, Snake

Speak or Strike

25 Nov

English: Moses striking the rock (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Hey person, after those Israelites realized they were stuck in the desert for forty years did they finally settle down and do what God said? Maybe they could find a nice oasis and settle down there for awhile.

They complained some more? I guess all that manna was getting to them.

So they complained that there was no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates in the terrible place they were in.

What are they complaining about? I’ve never had a pomegranate.

Yes, I’m listening person.

And then they complained that there was no water to drink.

Hey person, I’m running out of water here. I need my water dish filled up.

No I’m not complaining. And I’m really listening.

Moses and Aaron were getting pretty frustrated with the people but the glory of the Lord appeared to them and He told Moses to take the staff and gather the people together. Then He said to speak to the rock and it will pour out water.

Maybe I can speak to my water dish.

I am listening.

Moses and Aaron gathered the people and Moses was so upset with them that he said, “Listen you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then he struck the rock with his staff and water came pouring out.

Maybe I can push my water dish under that rock.

God was mad at Moses and Aaron? Why? He gave them water didn’t he?

Oh. They didn’t do what He said?

God told Moses to speak to the rock and he struck the rock instead. God told Moses and Aaron that they didn’t trust Him enough to honor Him as holy. And because of it they weren’t going to get to bring Israel into the Promised Land.

Hey person, if I trust God will you fill up my water dish? This story has really made me thirsty.

And then maybe I can lead those Israelites into the Promised Land, since it looks like Moses and Aaron aren’t going to finish the job.

18 Comments

Posted by Bongo on November 25, 2012 in Bongo, Dogology, humor

Tags: Aaron, Bible, faith, God, Israelite, Lord, Moses, Pets, Pomegranate, Water