People and Animals

Meanwhile, back in America, I sat down to watch the CBS Evening News tonight. It was nice to catch up and watch the news with CBS' Katie Couric, who took the job after long-time anchors Dan Rather and Bob Schieffer hanged up their suits.

Tonight's stories ran through the usual headlines about politics and world affairs, while detailing the massive lay-offs that many companies are forced to make due to the economic crisis that is sweeping the world. The news usually brings the more negative side of life, which in turn makes many Americans ignore the news or turn it off altogether.

Usually, to brighten the mood, alot of newscasts will end the show with a humanitarian story. The whole point is to bring a smile to the viewers' face after they usually watch a half-hour of events that deal with stories that are not optimistic. Economic depression, war, murder, scandals, the list of the effects of sin goes on.

Humanitarian stories usually have two distinct goals when presented to the TV viewer: 1. to show that humans have potential good, 2. to brighten the mood.

So tonight's story was about...cats.

Cats are my favorite animals. I think they are some of the cutest creatures on this earth: with their round heads and whiskers and the way they pounce, purr, and sleep their way through the day. Their small little noses, and of course, their distinct "meow" always brings a smile to my face. When I see a kitty cat in the room, my disposition changes. I love cats. The irony of this blog is that I am allergic to cats.

So I'm watching this humanitarian story about cats, about a man named Jonathan Rosenberg, a successful Internet businessman who has made millions of dollars throughout his career.

Then he gives it all up...for cats.

Check out the story at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/01/26/eveningnews/main4754449.shtml?tag=topStories;secondStory.

He creates this shelter for cats called Tabby's Place, in honor of his 15-year old cat who passed away from cancer. He loves cats so much that he created his own shelter to house and treat cats of diseases and put them up for adoption. So, you would think this is just another animal shelter for cats...big deal. "Awwww...look at the cute little kittie, let's adopt him."

Yet what is unique in this story is the kind of cats that Mr. Rosenberg and his wife takes in: cats with really funky dispositions and illnesses. One cat, Tashi, cannot even use his hind legs. One cat is allergic...to humans. One cat flips her disposition...friendly one moment, then tries to swipe at you in the next. Another cat does not want to come down. One poor cat is missing an eye and an ear. Its really sad to watch these poor cats.

He takes in all cats, but he has a fondness for cats that are really messed up, the cats that nobody wants.

Now, to most casual humans, people would think this guy and his wife are just being nice. Some people who don't really care for animals would probably be like, "why did he spent so much money on dumb cats when he could have donated that money to organizations that help humans? Who cares about these messed-up felines?"

What one person must realize however, is that humans have a special responsibility to take care of animals while we are custodians of the dominion called Earth. It says so in the Bible:

"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.'" (Genesis 1:28)

To rule gives us the right to subject the animals God has created to be under our supervision. Yet sometimes people will take the word, "to rule," as saying, "we can do whatever in the world we want to animals and no one can stop us." We eat certain animals while we have subjected some to be our pets, while to help us in labor, or some to help us keep warm. Its the power God has allowed us as human beings. We can subject the animals to our will, but we have to remind ourselves one thing from the passages of Scripture:

(Colossians 1:15-17): "He is the image of the of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Who is He? Jesus of course. All things on heaven and earth, whether be angels in heaven, to skunks, and for this blog, kitty cats, everything was made by him and for him. Everything that has been established here on the dominion of earth was made for God's Glory, and He has entrusted us with the power to subject animals. Jesus is the ultimate reason why things were made, for His glory and all things are held by him together. We should become like Jesus is: to our fellow man with love, and to take care of his creation, and ultimately, to love the Lord our God.

So, looking at the Genesis and now the Colossians' scripture, to rule does not mean we can do whatever we want to animals as we see fit. We have to understand by looking at the Scripture that we are stewards of his creation. We must not only love another in Christ (John 13:35), but also acknolwedge his awesome creation.

Sometimes, we overlook animals. Of course, Christ came to save mankind from sin. Yet, one of the joys of being a born-again believer is to see the beauty of his creation. In this case, this humanitarian story taught me some really neat lessons about caring for God's creatures and the lessons that it brings. I don't know if Mr. Rosenberg believes in God and His Son, but I think he's on the right track of realizing how delicate life is. He takes in the cats that no one hardly cares for: the socially awkward and physically ill cats.

Some of the cats don't respond to Mr. Rosenberg's love. Some hiss at him. Some he has to spend alot of time and money to fix up some cats who have serious medical issues. Some cats are lonely. Yet some cats make it and finally have a place to live in when a loving family comes by and adopts one.

"Wouldn't it have been more rewarding for you to take cats that are easier to adopt out?" Schlesinger (the reporter) asked.

"No," Rosenberg said. "It wouldn't be because my heart really goes out to the cats like these, that I shouldn't say no one else wants, but for the most part no one else wants."

When we take care of animals, it should be a reminder of the awesomeness of God and his power to create these animals, for His glory. Also, taking care of His creation should remind us that we have a loving God who always takes care of us with tender care and love, because we are created in His image.

So the next time you cuddle with your cat, your dog, your pet gerbil, or whatever goofy pet you have your in house and how that pet responds to your love and care. Remember how much more of our God cares the pride of His creation...us. In turn, let us not forget those other people in our lives who are down and out and in the world's eyes is not desired.

Just like these messed-up cats, humans who have serious issues in their lives can be the most surprising people who might turn from their life of sin and go to a powerful God who can change them, transform them, and love them. From down and out cats to adopted ones in loving families, when we turn from our life of wicked sin, we became wanted creatures in God's Kingdom. Adopted by the King of Kings.

It all starts with Him. His creatures are just a reminder of that.

Return to America

Hey ya'll. I officially finished the year at my school and I will be returning to America for a few weeks. I can't wait.

I return the 20th of January, the same day Barack Obama will become the 44th president of the United States of America, right in the nation's capital, which is not too far from my home.

Our country is getting rocked by the economic crisis, a loss confidence in the health care system, a war in Afghanistan (while Iraq is improving), no money in the government coffers, and a total loss of direction for our people.

I hope this will be a time not of depression, even though economically it seems to be heading that way. But where our people can get out of this depression in the spirit, to seek the Lord. Only the Lord can bring security in times of need.

Mr. Obama, I respect him alot, even though on some major issues I disagree with him. He is bi-racial like me and a very intelligent man, and I will continue to pray for him that he makes the right choice. God allowed him to be in power, so I hope Mr. O in part will revere God and seek His wisdom in choices, just like King Solomon did.

He's got alot on his hands, and he's going to be under alot of pressure to deliver.

Yet I think, after his inauguration is over and his administration kicks off, the onus will be more on us, the Americans. Our families are breaking down, savings are down, we spend more on entertainment than time with our families. We spend time eating more than we exercise and playing outside.

Pleasure is the name of the game, rather than the search for Truth. Kids lack direction from their fathers and mothers, and instead get it from their peers. Authority is breaking down on every level, and we need to get back to the basics of respect and observing who is higher than us.

So, its going to be a great and intersting time in our history. I don't expect anything new, because like it says in the book of Ecclesiastes, "there is nothing new under the sun." Obama is not going to change people's lives. He can change the political environment and help spur the economy with his policies. However, what people need is change...not from the top, but within.

Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). That's it. That's what America needs. Hope for Change...within.

I can't wait to go home!