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A Mary T. Hoffman Commentary from All-Creatures.org

 

"Joyful Curmudgeon" An oxymoron?
No! I see all the beauty of God's creation and I'm joyful.  At the same time, I see all the suffering and corruption going on in the world, and feel called to help expose and end it so that we may have true peace and compassion.

 


Altruism - 5 Feb 2006
By Mary T. Hoffman

(Unselfish regard for the welfare of others)

A few days ago I turned on a TV news channel and caught a glimpse of something pleasantly heart-warming for a change: They were showing a baby lion playing with a puppy dog. They also had children’s toys to play with and were having a wonderful time together.

Immediately, I thought of the “peaceable kingdom” as described by Isaiah in Chapter 1:6-9:

Isaiah 11:6-9

6. And the wolf will dwell with the lamb,

And the leopard will lie down with the kid,

And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together;

And a little boy will lead them.

7. Also the cow and the bear will graze;

Their young will lie down together;

And the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8. And the nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra,

And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.

9. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain,

For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD

As the waters cover the sea.

NASB

Since starting our web site, Frank and I have become aware of inspiring true stories (with photos) of animals showing altruism toward other members of the animal kingdom usually thought to be their “enemies.”

These animals have not been taught to kill or to be enemies. The fact that they get along peaceably, even lovingly, together is further proof that this is God’s intent. We can and should have a peaceable kingdom here on earth.

Personally, I observed such a happening in our own home. At the time, we had four adopted cats of various ages and backgrounds. One day I noticed all four kitties near a sliding glass door inside our bedroom where we had several plants standing on a strip of slate flooring. All the kitties were quietly watching a little mouse on the floor who was preoccupied with some nectar which had fallen from one of the plants. The cats were peacefully watching the mouse who made no attempt to flee.

I walked over, gently picked up the little mouse and released him (or her?) outside. I was glad it was a warm day and prayed that the mouse would be ok.

As God says to the churches several times through Jesus (Revelation 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 3:6, and 3:22): “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

It’s also as though God is telling us that there is no excuse: Those who have eyes to see, let them see; and those who have ears to hear, let them hear. Through all that He has created, God has made the Truth available to those who choose to follow Him.

Also see:
http://all-creatures.org/stories/a-thecat.html (A must read!)
http://all-creatures.org/stories/a-hogan.html
http://all-creatures.org/stories/a-tigger.html 

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