Monstro The Goldfish

[Walter and Deborah]

Saturday 8-13-22 7th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, Av 14 5782 54th. Summer Day

Monstro the Goldfish

Read: Luke 10:27–37 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 87–88; Romans 13
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Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Lacey Scott was at her local pet store when a sad fish at the bottom of the tank caught her eye. His scales had turned black and lesions had formed on his body. Lacey rescued the ten-year-old fish, named him “Monstro” after the whale in the fairytale Pinocchio, and placed him in a “hospital” tank, changing his water daily. Slowly, Monstro improved, began to swim, and grew in size. His black scales transformed to gold. Through Lacey’s committed care, Monstro was made new!

In Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of a traveler who was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. Both a priest and a Levite passed by, ignoring the man’s suffering. But a Samaritan—a member of a despised people group—took care of him, even paying for his needs (Luke 10:33–35). Pronouncing the Samaritan as the true “neighbor” in the story, Jesus encouraged His listeners to do the same.

What Lacey did for a dying goldfish, we can do for people in need around us. Homeless, unemployed, disabled, and lonely “neighbors” lie in our path. Let us allow their sadness to catch our eyes and draw us to respond with neighborly care. A kind greeting. A shared meal. A few dollars slipped from palm to palm. How might God use us to offer His love to others, a love which can make all things new?

How can you reach out to others in a neighborly way? What can you do for people in need around you?

Dear God, thank You for making me new! May I be a neighbor to those who desperately need Your care in order to be transformed by You.

INSIGHT
Samaritans, a people group formed from the intermarriage of Israelites and gentiles brought into the land by the Assyrians, only accepted the first five books of Moses as Scripture and rejected other tenets of traditional Jewish faith, such as worship centered in Jerusalem (the Samaritans’ worship was centered at Mount Gerizim).

Tensions between Jews and Samaritans ran high. In choosing a Samaritan as the hero of His now-famous parable (Luke 10:25–37), Jesus brilliantly challenged His listeners on who their neighbors were.

By Elisa Morgan|August 13th, 2022

God's Love And Care Luke Ten:27-37

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Love, Walter and Debbie

[Sower]

11 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Lacey Scott was at her local pet store when a sad fish at the bottom of the tank caught her eye. His scales had turned black and lesions had formed on his body. Lacey rescued the ten-year-old fish, named him “Monstro” after the whale in the fairy tale Pinocchio, and placed him in a “hospital” tank, changing his water daily. Slowly, Monstro improved, began to swim, and grew in size. His black scales transformed to gold. Through Lacey’s committed care, Monstro was made new!

When our children were young my wife and the two girls got together and decided we were going to Foster Care babies, from birth to about 2-3 yrs old, through a Christian foster care agency. Almost all the babies were bi-racial crack babies still strung out at birth. They had obvious mental/emotional damage, very unresponsive. My wife and our two girls took those babies as if their own, and showered them with so much love and attention, constant touching and holding and talking to them, they responded very quickly. Anywhere from 6mos to a year they became normal active beautiful little laughing kids. Like you said above Walter, they were transformed to gold. A good description for the thread here  "What is a woman?"

[JohnR7]

14 hours ago, Walter and Deborah said:

What Lacey did for a dying goldfish, we can do for people in need around us.

Interesting anology. Because we do give them fresh water every day instead of that old stale water they have been swiming in. This is living water or the river of Life that flows from the Temple of God. Often religion is considered to be old stagnant water. What was fresh living water at one time can become stagment. 

[JohnR7]

2 hours ago, Sower said:

Almost all the babies were bi-racial crack babies still strung out at birth.

I know a women who took in a fetal alcohol baby. This is a project for the whole church as it requires a lot of prayer. The love and acceptance begins with the Husband for his wife, then she is able to show love and acceptance for the children.  The healing power of God can transform people and love is a part of that. We are told that everything God does is an expression of His love. 

Even we share the love of God with our childrens friends who may not experience that love in their own home. 

[Mama Etna]

When I was a child my parents kept an aquarium.  I remember the patience it took to care for those fish.  We had a Catfish, Clarence that lived for years.