In this episode of "God and Our Dogs," host Meg Greer welcomes guest Joe Davis to a special "Pawnder" show. Together, they reflect on a touching dog story from Tommy Matthews, exploring themes of patience, longing, and the spiritual lessons we can learn from our relationships with dogs. The conversation weaves together personal anecdotes, biblical references, and insights about faith, stillness, and love. The episode also highlights the importance of waiting, being present, and the parallels between how dogs rely on us and how we can rely on God. The show concludes with information about Joe Davis’s work at Branscomb Law and an invitation to connect with the community online.

Timeline

• 0:00 – Introduction to the show and host Meg Greer
• 0:13 – Show overview and invitation to connect online
• 0:39 – The purpose of sharing dog stories and their spiritual parallels
• 1:02 – Explanation of the "Pawnder" show format and introduction of guest Joe Davis
• 1:32 – Joe Davis’s background and welcome
• 2:00 – Introduction to Tommy Matthews’s dog story
• 2:20 – Tommy’s story: buying Oliver, his unexpected size, and his gentle nature
• 2:54 – Oliver’s dislike for porcupines and lessons in patience
• 3:36 – The importance of stillness and morning routines with Oliver
• 4:14 – The spiritual significance of sunrises, sunsets, and meditation
• 4:40 – Reflections on patience, longing, and biblical parallels
• 5:20 – Joe and Meg discuss the deeper meaning of patience and longing in faith
• 6:00 – Discussion of Isaiah 40:31 and the order of spiritual growth
• 7:00 – The importance of quiet moments and God’s faithfulness
• 7:13 – Psalm 63:1 and the metaphor of thirsting for God
• 8:08 – The challenge of waiting for answers and trusting God’s timing
• 9:01 – The role of impatience and learning to walk with God
• 9:41 – Psalm 46:10: “Be still and know that I am God”
• 10:21 – Faith, stillness, and the connection to love (1 Corinthians 13)
• 10:52 – How God changes us through longing and waiting
• 11:25 – Lessons from dogs about priorities and friendship
• 11:55 – Joe Davis shares about Branscomb Law and its mission
• 12:30 – Show wrap-up, thanks, and how to connect online

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