Isaiah 40:31 - Retrievin' for Jesus

"And the highest title of Hunting Retriever Champion goes to: Isaiah 40:31!"

Who would name a hunting dog after a Bible verses?

That is what Hank Hough, founder of Kingdom Dog Ministries, found himself answering every time his chocolate brown Labrador Retriever would advance in the highly competitive venue of hunt test retrieving competitions.

It all started when Hank finished the Bible study Experiencing God. The message that he learned was that in all things we say and do we should glorify God. When Hank asked his wife, Jayne, "How could this dog be used to glorify God?" she replied, "Let's watch and see, and in the process you might learn something yourself!"

In an effort to make sure the dog glorified God, Hank officially registered his puppy's name after his favorite Bible verse, Isaiah 40:31 "...but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." The call name of "Monk" was given after Jayne said the puppy reminded her of their son Brian's brown hooded friar's robe.

Hank began to enter Monk in retrieving competitions. As Monk progressed up the competition ladder, his name was posted on the leader board, prompting the question, "What is Isaiah 40:31?"

This often forced Hank to talk about the Bible in strange places; retrieving competitions are often out in pasturelands and South Texas rice fields.

Monk as a dog was nothing special as far as pedigreed champion retrievers are concerned. He was not the fastest, strongest, or even the smartest dog by far. In fact, he was an average dog in relation to the standards dogs are judged by. Hank humorously points out, "It's obvious Monk and I have a lot in common!"

"The same God that fed 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish is the same God that took this dog and glorified Himself in unexpected ways," Hank says. "Who says God is not God of exponential numbers? Anything is possible with God."