The Adventures of Lynx and Cheetah
The Unconditional Love of a Beloved Pet Gives Us a Glimpse into the Heart of God
by
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Chapter 1: BORN WILD
“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—A time to give birth…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1–2a
Lynx and Cheetah were twin kittens. Lynx was a boy and Cheetah was his sister. They were born wild. Their Mom and Dad were both wild cats, and their other sister Snowy was a wild cat. Their family lived under a small storage barn. They had to be very careful to not be seen by people, because they would be trapped and taken to the pound. Cats that had been trapped and taken to the pound were never seen again. So Lynx and Cheetah and Snowy were very careful and stayed hidden most of the time. They would only venture out at night with the protection of the darkness.
Lynx and Cheetah ate whatever they could catch, and drank rainwater. Whatever was smaller than them was possible food. Whatever was larger than them could possibly hurt or even eat them, so Lynx and Cheetah became excellent tree climbers to escape any dangers.
It was very cold that winter and Lynx and Cheetah and their parents were very very hungry. One evening when they were out hunting for food, the lady who owned the small storage barn under which they lived saw the kittens! The next night their Dad went out hunting for food and did not return home. The following night their Mom went out searching for food and did not return home. The following night Lynx went out searching for food. He smelled something wonderful and slowly approached the delicious food. He was so hungry! Just as he began to eat he heard a loud crash! He had been trapped! He could not get out of the cage even though he tried and tried. He was so scared and so very alone!
The next morning men came and took the cage with Lynx in it to the pound. It was like a jail for animals, with many cages filled with cats and kittens, and dogs and puppies. Lynx was placed in a small cage. His Mom and Dad were in nearby cages but Lynx could not get near them. The next two days Cheetah and Snowy, who had also been trapped, joined Lynx. The three kittens snuggled together very tightly. They were so afraid.
There was no way to escape. There was nothing that they could do. Their situation was hopeless.
The hopeless condition of Lynx and Cheetah and their family is a picture of every boy and girl and man and woman today living in a world cursed by sin.
All of creation has been impacted by sin. Life is characterized by hard work and toil, by strife and conflict, and by a futile struggle to survive. We experience tears and sorrow, crying and pain, death and mourning. All of creation groans and suffers because of the impact of sin.
“The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
God’s heart grieves over the devastating presence and impact of sin!
Chapter 2: NEW HOME
“…a time to heal…and a time to build up.”
Ecclesiastes 3:3
The first time I saw Lynx and Cheetah I fell in love with them.
I was willing to pay the price to adopt them. I would redeem them—purchase them out of the pound, never to return. They would not die at the pound, as so many animals do.
In paying the price to purchase them from the pound, we would have a new relationship. They would become my kittens, and I would become their owner. I would be their alpha, and they would join my pride.
I would love them and care for them. And give them an amazing life of adventure!
Their first adventure in their new home was a bath! They hated it and squirmed and meowed like the wild cats they had been. But the bath removed the fleas and the dirt and the grunge they had gotten from life in the wild and in the pound. And now their fur was so soft and beautiful!
Their second adventure in their new home was receiving a beautiful new collar. The collar had a small tag with their new name, their new owner, and contact information to return them to their new home if they should ever get lost. Their new blue collars even matched their beautiful blue eyes.
Their third adventure was meeting Sarah, Elizabeth, Carolyn, Rebekah, and David, my five children, when they all came home from school. Lynx and Cheetah received many pets and were held lovingly, but all they wanted to do was escape and hide. Their wild instincts enabled them to find amazing hiding places. They hid in the closets, behind the clothes. They hid under the beds. They hid in the drawers in the furniture. They hid in the cabinets. They hid under the sofas, and on the chairs under the tables. They even climbed the hanging clothes in the closets like trees to hide on the very top shelves in the closets. Lynx and Cheetah were experts at hiding in the house, but the children became experts at finding them and petting them. Within a few weeks Lynx and Cheetah were looking forward to pets and playtime with their new family.
My paying the price to adopt Lynx and Cheetah is a picture of Christ paying with His life on the Cross to bring boys and girls and men and women into a new personal relationship with God. Christ loves each one of us very much. But we are all sinners, born in sin and condemned to death because the wages of sin is death. So God sent His beloved Son Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin on the Cross. Jesus redeemed us from the bondage of sin so we could enter into abundant and eternal life with Him. Faith in Christ ushers us into the family of God.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
God’s heart lovingly provides eternal salvation through His Son Jesus Christ!
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About the Book
The Adventures of Lynx and Cheetah: The Unconditional Love of a Beloved Pet Gives Us a Glimpse into the Heart of God chronicles the exciting story of twin kittens, Lynx and his sister Cheetah, as they transition from freezing, malnourished, feral wildcats into beloved and cherished family pets. Their story provides spiritual insight into God’s plan of salvation, God’s purpose in trials, wisdom in relationships, abundant living in the seasons of life, and ultimately to the threshold of heaven.
This entertaining story is supplemented by additional material enabling parents, teachers, children’s ministry workers, or interested readers to conveniently access biblical verses and supporting theological material. God reveals His character, wisdom, and love through His awesome creation and His amazing creatures, including the unconditional love of precious pets, and in His gracious provision of eternal salvation, abundant life on earth today, and eternal life in heaven forever. This book presents a simple, entertaining story of the adventures of twin kittens, illuminating the doctrines of salvation, sanctification, and glorification, in order to touch hearts and transform lives of readers of all ages.
About the Author
The Adventures of Lynx and Cheetah: The Unconditional Love of a Beloved Pet Gives Us a Glimpse into the Heart of God chronicles the exciting story of twin kittens, Lynx and his sister Cheetah, as they transition from freezing, malnourished, feral wildcats into beloved and cherished family pets. Their story provides spiritual insight into God’s plan of salvation, God’s purpose in trials, wisdom in relationships, abundant living in the seasons of life, and ultimately to the threshold of heaven.
This entertaining story is supplemented by additional material enabling parents, teachers, children’s ministry workers, or interested readers to conveniently access biblical verses and supporting theological material. God reveals His character, wisdom, and love through His awesome creation and His amazing creatures, including the unconditional love of precious pets, and in His gracious provision of eternal salvation, abundant life on earth today, and eternal life in heaven forever. This book presents a simple, entertaining story of the adventures of twin kittens, illuminating the doctrines of salvation, sanctification, and glorification, in order to touch hearts and transform lives of readers of all ages.
Laurna Berg has over 35 years of experience teaching Bible Studies and at retreats, has published in Bibliotheca Sacra, has contributed to numerous Bible Study Curricula, and graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary. Her presentation as a dynamic interactive teacher of Bible exposition and systematic theology is prayerfully designed to communicating enthusiastically and accurately the incredible Word of God to impact lives for His glory. Laurna has 5 children, 4 Grandchildren, and enjoys Bible Study, crafts, genealogy, photography, and traveling. Laurna resides with her husband Doug and their precious pets in Bedford, Texas.