My cat died this morning.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Ferd

I hope there are cows in heaven because I like hamburgers?

lol

Or perhaps we'll see the power to materialize what we desire without having to inflict animal death. For example, in a movie I saw about Heaven reality was in the mind... and shaped by thought (Faith). The character imagined a cup of coffee... and suddenly... he had coffee. lol

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The New Living Translation renders it as saying...

Romans 8:20-21
New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

ESV (formally equivalent translation) renders it as saying:

Romans 8:20-21
English Standard Version (ESV)
20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Romans 8:19 "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."

How would an animal be able to do that?

It is hard to take the whole context of chapter 8 and include animals into it. Just don't see it, Aquila. LOL!

But, we will allow Ferd to dream.

[Dordrecht]

Originally Posted by Aquila

True... but could there be a new heaven and a new earth without animals, forests, jungles, deserts, oceans, snow capped mountains, gleaming cities, learning, loving, etc., etc.?

In my mind... the whole cosmos will be resurrected from the curse. Satan will have won nothing and creation will be restored to its Edenic purity.

A big fat AMEN to that one!

[jediwill83]

I am so so so sorry man :-(

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Romans 8:19 "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."

How would an animal be able to do that?

You've never seen a dog or some other animal wait at the door for it's master's arrival? Never seen a dog lay at the foot of a coffin and have to be removed by family? Never seen a dog or animal starve themselves to death over losing a master? Oh... they wait. They know something isn't right with creation. And they know that mankind are both the problem and key in being the answer.

It is hard to take the whole context of chapter 8 and include animals into it. Just don't see it, Aquila. LOL!

That's cool. lol I could be wrong. But if God does restor the cosmos... that would include everything in it... redeemed man, plant, and beast.

But, we will allow Ferd to dream.

lol

[deafdriscoll]

Jay my screen name here is after one of my cats.Driscoll really is daef.

[Jay]

I never realized how many have created their screen names from pets. I know these things take time, but already I am feeling much better. I am not a weepy person as a rule, but I do tear up on occasion, and have when talking or thinking about Kunoichi. Each day has gotten better, and the routine of my constant daily grind has definitely helped. I am thankful that God has not given me a lot of time to just brood of collapse into depression. I had her for the better part of three years, and I am thankful for every moment I had.

As for the debate on pets in Heaven, I have not seen a lot of Bible support, but having had a number of pets in our family, I must admit to a certain amount of hoping that I will see them again. I have loved, or at the least liked, all of the pets that our family has ever had, and it would be wonderful if we got to be reunited with them again.

One last thought, the New Jerusalem alone is going to be nearly as large as either half to two-thirds of the United States. We know that this current earth will pass away and be destroyed by a fervent heat. Who is to say that the New Earth will be the size of our current habitation, or if it might also be of much greater size as well. A little more to think on when we consider the works of our Creator.

[Dordrecht]

Good response, Jay!

[CC1]

Originally Posted by Jay

I came home this morning about 0845, and found that my 2.75 year old cat had passed away very early this morning. I saw her just last night, and everything seemed fine for the most part. However, she was several hours deceased when I discovered her in my shower this morning.

I have owned her since she was only about 8 weeks old, maybe less than that. I called Mom almost immediately, and about 90 minutes later, we buried her out behind the parsonage near my Mom's dogs the last of whom passed a week after Thanksgiving last year.

Needless to say, today is a rough day for me, but I am going to be fine. I know this, but I am going to miss the little girl, her greetings at the door, her inconvenient cuddles, and waking to see her curled in place by the head of my bed.

I am now needing to find a new cat to keep Shade (my male black cat) company. He does not do well being alone, and being the introvert that he is, it is even worse.

I am sorry if my thoughts are rather scattered, instead of being neat and orderly, but I have not been having a very good day at all.

I have not had a chance to read this thread, just yoiur initial post here, but wanted to tell you I am sorry about your cat passing away. I know that people who are not pet lovers do not understand how strong of a bond there is between pet lovers and their animals.

[Jay]

Thank you very much CC1, everyone here has been very kind during this time. Each day is a little easier, but much of that comes from staying very busy. If I figured my hours accurately, I will have worked more between 60-70 hours this week.