Our little guy has gotten to where he is afraid of the dark. It used to not be this way but for some reason, lately, he doesn't like to go into a dark room. It is the fear of the unknown that causes us all problems, not just a three-year-old.
We get really uncomfortable when we don't know what is going on or what is about to happen or when something really unexpected startles us. It is for these reasons that slasher movies and haunted houses are so popular. However, fear can paralyze us.
Yesterday, we talked about the shepherds being visited by the angel of the LORD and that they were sore afraid; they were terrified. Today's verse is Luke 2:10, KJV, which reads, "And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."
The shepherds were terrified but the angel of the LORD calmed there fears by saying, "Fear not. I bring you good tidings of GREAT JOY..." When Blake is scared, I am amazed at how just my saying, "It's alright buddy," soothes his fears. Once the shepherds saw that the angel was there to bring them good news, they could relax and receive the gift - it was for ALL people.
As we approach the day we celebrate the birth of our SAVIOR we, too, can relax. No matter what is going on in this world, no matter the evil, no matter the turmoil, we can FEAR NOT. Our SAVIOR is in Heaven fighting on our behalf.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, December 22, 2014
Sore afraid
Ever been afraid? It's amazing to me how brave we can be at times and how scared we can be at others. I think a lot has to do with the surroundings and our mind set (what's going on in our lives at that particular moment).
I think about camping out. Out in the "wilderness" there is nothing but stars and the moon to keep you company. When you hear something, you wonder what it might be; your mind can run wild with imagination. What you hear is a giant grizzly bear so starved and deranged that he smelt you from five miles away. What it is, though, is a tree frog with a cold. This all sort of reminds me of three others that we frightened on night...
Today's word is Luke 2:9, KJV, which reads, "And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."
The three shepherds, on the night of our SAVIOR'S birth, were out in the middle of the wilderness, not expecting anything or anyone, and BAM, the angel of the LORD appeared. The description is that they were "sore afraid", they were terrified. Can't blame them, can you? Out in the middle of nowhere, these shepherds, the outcasts of society at times, had a visitor. I bet they were afraid. But, what a remarkable example for us.
GOD sent the SAVIOR'S birth announcement to the shepherds, not to kings or royalty, not to the news agency, not to the elite of the elite, not the upper crust, but to the shepherds. GOD is interested in each of us individually. You don't have to be rich, you don't have to have popularity, you don't have to have stuff; all you have to have is a willingness to accept the gift. And, you can rest assured, just as the shepherds realized, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I think about camping out. Out in the "wilderness" there is nothing but stars and the moon to keep you company. When you hear something, you wonder what it might be; your mind can run wild with imagination. What you hear is a giant grizzly bear so starved and deranged that he smelt you from five miles away. What it is, though, is a tree frog with a cold. This all sort of reminds me of three others that we frightened on night...
Today's word is Luke 2:9, KJV, which reads, "And, lo, the angel of the LORD came upon them, and the glory of the LORD shone round about them: and they were sore afraid."
The three shepherds, on the night of our SAVIOR'S birth, were out in the middle of the wilderness, not expecting anything or anyone, and BAM, the angel of the LORD appeared. The description is that they were "sore afraid", they were terrified. Can't blame them, can you? Out in the middle of nowhere, these shepherds, the outcasts of society at times, had a visitor. I bet they were afraid. But, what a remarkable example for us.
GOD sent the SAVIOR'S birth announcement to the shepherds, not to kings or royalty, not to the news agency, not to the elite of the elite, not the upper crust, but to the shepherds. GOD is interested in each of us individually. You don't have to be rich, you don't have to have popularity, you don't have to have stuff; all you have to have is a willingness to accept the gift. And, you can rest assured, just as the shepherds realized, there is nothing to be afraid of.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, December 15, 2014
Overflowing Hope
There's a really old joke that goes something like this: A guy walks up to the fence at a little league baseball game and asks the outfielder, "What's the score?" The kid tells him that the score is 30 - 0. The man says, "Well, that's not much of a game." To which the young kid replies, "Yeah, but just wait until we get to bat." That young kid had some hope.
I think one of the easiest things to lose is hope. In this world where everything you see on television and hear on the radio is bad news, it is easy to lose hope. When you seem to do all you can just to see that it will never be enough, it is easy to lose hope. The solution is hoping in the Right One.
Today's word is Romans 15:13, NIV, which reads, "May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
It is when we put our hope in things that are not worthy that we end up hopeless. We can rest assured that GOD is worthy and that He will fill us with what we need. I like the way this verse says that we "may overflow with hope..." Overflowing hope only comes from GOD.
We may find ourselves down by 30 runs in the first inning. We may find ourselves down to the wire with no end in sight. We may often find ourselves with way too much month and not near enough money. We may find ourselves in the midst of the toughest battle we ever thought possible. If we will trust in GOD, we may find that He will fill us to overflowing with hope.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I think one of the easiest things to lose is hope. In this world where everything you see on television and hear on the radio is bad news, it is easy to lose hope. When you seem to do all you can just to see that it will never be enough, it is easy to lose hope. The solution is hoping in the Right One.
Today's word is Romans 15:13, NIV, which reads, "May the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
It is when we put our hope in things that are not worthy that we end up hopeless. We can rest assured that GOD is worthy and that He will fill us with what we need. I like the way this verse says that we "may overflow with hope..." Overflowing hope only comes from GOD.
We may find ourselves down by 30 runs in the first inning. We may find ourselves down to the wire with no end in sight. We may often find ourselves with way too much month and not near enough money. We may find ourselves in the midst of the toughest battle we ever thought possible. If we will trust in GOD, we may find that He will fill us to overflowing with hope.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
The Key to Happiness
It seems that everyone is looking for the proverbial "key to happiness". Some people have to go out and "find themselves". If I had ever wandered out to find myself, I'm afraid I might never find my way back. What if what I find is worse than what I already have? What if what I find is something no one else would even want? Would that really make me happy?
Others try to find happiness in things. They will buy a new car, a new house, a new toy, or even try a new love, thinking that is what will make them happy. In the end, though, they find that it is just another payment, another thing to break down, a worse relationship than they already had.
Today's word is a quote from Mandy Hale that says, "The KEY to happiness is letting each situation be what it is instead of what you think it SHOULD be."
It does seem to prove true that most of my unhappiness stems from my trying to make something what it could never be. I think we all do that from time to time. We have these expectations of what our vacation should be or what our family get-together should be or what someone should be, and we set our ideal, our expectation, so high that it is unattainable. Then, when our expectations are unmet, we are unhappy.
Let's try enjoying the MOMENT! Let's enjoy the little things in each situation. Let's find the happiness in the normalcy of things. I bet if we will try to do that, we'll find that we were holding the key the entire time.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Others try to find happiness in things. They will buy a new car, a new house, a new toy, or even try a new love, thinking that is what will make them happy. In the end, though, they find that it is just another payment, another thing to break down, a worse relationship than they already had.
Today's word is a quote from Mandy Hale that says, "The KEY to happiness is letting each situation be what it is instead of what you think it SHOULD be."
It does seem to prove true that most of my unhappiness stems from my trying to make something what it could never be. I think we all do that from time to time. We have these expectations of what our vacation should be or what our family get-together should be or what someone should be, and we set our ideal, our expectation, so high that it is unattainable. Then, when our expectations are unmet, we are unhappy.
Let's try enjoying the MOMENT! Let's enjoy the little things in each situation. Let's find the happiness in the normalcy of things. I bet if we will try to do that, we'll find that we were holding the key the entire time.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Checking it twice
"Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why..." This time of year, we are reminded that Santa is making a list and checking it twice. We are then told that he is going to find out who's naughty and who's nice. Yeah, you better watch out.
Throughout the year, I have done some pretty nice things. And, I have done some not so nice things. I guess if you weighed them in the balance, I would probably rate a big stocking of coal and a sack full of hickories. I try to be good, and some moments, I truly am. But, I usually do something equally bad, or worse, that would wipe out the little good, if that is how it really worked.
Today's word is Hebrews 8:12, NIV, which reads, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Aren't you glad, that as a child of GOD, He's not just sitting there making tic marks every time we do something bad? Now, no one knows more about who is being naughty and nice, yet, He doesn't keep track of all the times we mess up. Instead, He just waits for us to ask forgiveness, then, He gives it freely. And, once He forgives us, HE REMEMBERS OUR SINS NO MORE.
Yeah, this time of year we consider if we are on the naughty list or the nice list. Yet, every day I want to be diligent to be what GOD wants me to be. When I mess up, which happens often, I ask forgiveness, and He freely gives it; that is better than any present you could ever receive from Santa, though, I am hoping for something really special.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Throughout the year, I have done some pretty nice things. And, I have done some not so nice things. I guess if you weighed them in the balance, I would probably rate a big stocking of coal and a sack full of hickories. I try to be good, and some moments, I truly am. But, I usually do something equally bad, or worse, that would wipe out the little good, if that is how it really worked.
Today's word is Hebrews 8:12, NIV, which reads, "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."
Aren't you glad, that as a child of GOD, He's not just sitting there making tic marks every time we do something bad? Now, no one knows more about who is being naughty and nice, yet, He doesn't keep track of all the times we mess up. Instead, He just waits for us to ask forgiveness, then, He gives it freely. And, once He forgives us, HE REMEMBERS OUR SINS NO MORE.
Yeah, this time of year we consider if we are on the naughty list or the nice list. Yet, every day I want to be diligent to be what GOD wants me to be. When I mess up, which happens often, I ask forgiveness, and He freely gives it; that is better than any present you could ever receive from Santa, though, I am hoping for something really special.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, December 5, 2014
Need a Boost?
I remember doing some training that required climbing up some fairly rugged terrain. While we were all men, and manly men at that, there would be points during the climb where everyone needed a little help - a pull here, a push there. It's amazing what a little boost can do.
Another boost we all need from time to time is our batteries. There are few things more frustrating than a dead battery, especially if you are in the middle of nowhere, knowing no one. Hopefully, someone will come along, with jumper cables, and get you going.
Today's word is Psalm 31:24, NIV, which reads, "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
When things get disheartening and it feels as though you can't climb another step or that no one will ever come along and help you get going again, take heart. Our Father knows our needs and will send us what we need.
I am amazed at how there have been times when I was really down and someone gave me a boost. Maybe it was an encouraging word, maybe a song on the radio, maybe a card in the mail, maybe just a smile. There have been other times that something I read made the difference. The thing is, that when you hope in the LORD, He will always help.
Need a boost? Take heart and hope in the LORD.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Another boost we all need from time to time is our batteries. There are few things more frustrating than a dead battery, especially if you are in the middle of nowhere, knowing no one. Hopefully, someone will come along, with jumper cables, and get you going.
Today's word is Psalm 31:24, NIV, which reads, "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."
When things get disheartening and it feels as though you can't climb another step or that no one will ever come along and help you get going again, take heart. Our Father knows our needs and will send us what we need.
I am amazed at how there have been times when I was really down and someone gave me a boost. Maybe it was an encouraging word, maybe a song on the radio, maybe a card in the mail, maybe just a smile. There have been other times that something I read made the difference. The thing is, that when you hope in the LORD, He will always help.
Need a boost? Take heart and hope in the LORD.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Explaining and Understanding
Ever have someone ask you to explain Love? Love is really hard to define. I mean, we all know what it is, most of us have truly felt it, but it is hard to explain to someone. Sometimes, the explanation isn't the problem as much as the understanding. It's hard to explain complex things, such as true love, to a three-year-old.
It is also hard to explain faith to an unbeliever. You can use all kinds of analogies, examples, expressions, but for those who have never felt, never asked JESUS to be their Savior, they just can't understand why I know that I know that I know.
Today's word is a quote that says, "I can EXPLAIN it to you but I can't UNDERSTAND it for you."
We can spend all day trying to explain complex things to people and they will never get it. Just as there is so much that I don't know that if someone started trying to explain it to me, my head would probably explode. It all comes down to the understanding.
In the matters of love and faith in JESUS CHRIST, these are the things that I just have to say they are better felt than talked about. Because, we can spend a lot of time trying to define it, trying to expound on it, trying to explain it but what I know about it you will never understand - because it is personal.
Keep trying to explain and educate as much as possible whenever and wherever possible. By all means keep telling others about JESUS CHRIST; keep telling folks about true love. Just realize there will be those things, those subjects, those emotions that all you can say is, "I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you."
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
It is also hard to explain faith to an unbeliever. You can use all kinds of analogies, examples, expressions, but for those who have never felt, never asked JESUS to be their Savior, they just can't understand why I know that I know that I know.
Today's word is a quote that says, "I can EXPLAIN it to you but I can't UNDERSTAND it for you."
We can spend all day trying to explain complex things to people and they will never get it. Just as there is so much that I don't know that if someone started trying to explain it to me, my head would probably explode. It all comes down to the understanding.
In the matters of love and faith in JESUS CHRIST, these are the things that I just have to say they are better felt than talked about. Because, we can spend a lot of time trying to define it, trying to expound on it, trying to explain it but what I know about it you will never understand - because it is personal.
Keep trying to explain and educate as much as possible whenever and wherever possible. By all means keep telling others about JESUS CHRIST; keep telling folks about true love. Just realize there will be those things, those subjects, those emotions that all you can say is, "I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you."
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
I LOVE CHRISTMAS
While Christmas is still three weeks away, there is no doubt that it is heavily on our minds. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! It's the time of year that everyone is harried and stressed and worried and irritable, when dysfunction becomes front and center. Yeah, it's a great time!
I see people fret about what they are going to buy, how much they are going to spend, how disappointed they are that they don't have enough to spend. Everyone seems to get so wrapped up in the commercial part of Christmas that they forget what CHRISTmas is really about.
Today's word is, "The Magic of CHRISTMAS is not in the presents, but in His presence."
The Magic of Christmas isn't in what you get or what you give. The Magic of CHRISTMAS is found in what has been given - JESUS CHRIST. When we focus on the true Present of the Savior's birth, we will really begin to feel the Magic of Christmas.
Let me say without any reservation - I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I LOVE the giving of gifts. I like receiving gifts. I LOVE watching the kids with their gifts. I LOVE the lights! I LOVE the trees! I LOVE the music. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Let's focus more on being in the presence of the Savior and less on the presents. If we will all commit to that, I think we will all find that we LOVE CHRISTMAS!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I see people fret about what they are going to buy, how much they are going to spend, how disappointed they are that they don't have enough to spend. Everyone seems to get so wrapped up in the commercial part of Christmas that they forget what CHRISTmas is really about.
Today's word is, "The Magic of CHRISTMAS is not in the presents, but in His presence."
The Magic of Christmas isn't in what you get or what you give. The Magic of CHRISTMAS is found in what has been given - JESUS CHRIST. When we focus on the true Present of the Savior's birth, we will really begin to feel the Magic of Christmas.
Let me say without any reservation - I LOVE CHRISTMAS! I LOVE the giving of gifts. I like receiving gifts. I LOVE watching the kids with their gifts. I LOVE the lights! I LOVE the trees! I LOVE the music. I LOVE CHRISTMAS! Let's focus more on being in the presence of the Savior and less on the presents. If we will all commit to that, I think we will all find that we LOVE CHRISTMAS!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, December 1, 2014
Alabama Auburn 2014
I'll try not to get into the negativity that surrounds all of the deep-seeded rivalries in college football but I am a fan of college football, and Alabama in particular. While I am sure others will disagree, there are few rivalries better than Alabama vs Auburn. Throughout this rivalry, there have been big finishes - BIG!
Last year, Alabama tried a last second field goal, which came up short and Auburn returned for a game winning 109 yard touchdown. This year, at halftime, it appeared that Auburn had Alabama on the ropes but Alabama proved resilient and came back to score five touchdowns in a row and won an amazing shootout. You have to play to the end...
Today's word is a quote from Napoleon Hill, which says, "Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting."
Victory isn't always easy. As in football, there will be times when things seem to come easy and everything is rosy, then, there will be those times when anything that could go wrong does and you can't win for losing. For the most part, though, we often lose because we give up. Once you give up, it's over.
Whether in sports, in UNO, in a friendly game of horseshoes, or in life, victory is possible if you refuse to stop fighting. You may still come out on the short end of the scoreboard but you will be a victor for refusing to quit.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Last year, Alabama tried a last second field goal, which came up short and Auburn returned for a game winning 109 yard touchdown. This year, at halftime, it appeared that Auburn had Alabama on the ropes but Alabama proved resilient and came back to score five touchdowns in a row and won an amazing shootout. You have to play to the end...
Today's word is a quote from Napoleon Hill, which says, "Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting."
Victory isn't always easy. As in football, there will be times when things seem to come easy and everything is rosy, then, there will be those times when anything that could go wrong does and you can't win for losing. For the most part, though, we often lose because we give up. Once you give up, it's over.
Whether in sports, in UNO, in a friendly game of horseshoes, or in life, victory is possible if you refuse to stop fighting. You may still come out on the short end of the scoreboard but you will be a victor for refusing to quit.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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