In the dark

It's National Flashlight Day! It is a good day to make sure that all your emergency lights have good batteries and are in good working order. There is nothing like needing a flashlight and having fifteen, and all with dead batteries. So, check those flashlights so that they will be ready when needed.

Why is today National Flashlight Day? Good question. Today is also Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. It makes sense, with all that darkness, that we ensure that we have light if needed. Lots of folks are scared of the dark, not because there IS something out there, but because they can't SEE IF anything is out there. It's a great representation of where we were without JESUS - in the dark.

Today's word is a very familiar passage from Luke 2:9 & 10, 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. 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 out in the dark, the very dark, and were quite startled at this marvelous light that appeared. I am sure I would have been too. But, the light was shining the glory of the LORD all around them. The light was there to prepare them to receive the greatest news mankind had ever heard - we no longer have to be bound in the darkness of our sins, GOD had made a way. 

Are you walking around in the dark? Are you trying to keep all your transgressions hidden from the world? Are you afraid of the light that reveals all sin? There's no need to be; the light comes to bring good tidings of great joy! Salvation is available to all people! Come to JESUS and you will no longer be walking in the dark.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Your name is Mudd

Today is National Mudd day. After assassinating President Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirator rode to Dr. Samuel Mudd's home for treatment on Booth's fractured leg. Mudd provided the treatment, and was found guilty of conspiring with Booth. He was sentenced to life in prison, missing the death sentence by one vote. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson in 1869 and released from prison. However, his conviction has never been overturned.

Did Dr. Samuel Mudd conspire with Booth? I guess we will never truly know, for those who would really know are gone. From this incident, we gained the saying, "Your name is mud," which is used when someone is about to go done or is about to get what is coming to them. Wouldn't it be bad to have your name associated with such heinousness if you didn't have anything to actually do with it?

Today's word is Ephesians 4:25, NLT, which reads, "So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body."

It is important for each of us to be truthful and honest to one another for more than one reason. We need to be truthful and honest to prevent hurt feelings. We need to be truthful and honest to prevent confusion. We need to be truthful and honest to protect our reputation. We need to be truthful and honest to not bring reproach upon our SAVIOR. We need to make sure we prevent our name from becoming Mudd.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

A Little Bit More

I would venture to say that if you were to ask, "What does Christmas mean to you," you would get as many responses as respondents. In Junior Church yesterday, I asked the children what they loved about Christmas, and the overwhelming majority was PRESENTS! As children, there is nothing better than presents at Christmas.

I also think, sometimes, as adults, we put way too much emphasis on the presents too. We have a tendency to get into the challenge of having the best and out-giving the giver. We seem to almost take Christmas as a contest to see who can get the most, and who can give the most. Absolutely nothing wrong with giving (or getting) if it is done with the right heart.

Today's word is a very famous quote from a very famous Dr. Seuss character. The Grinch said, "Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more."

Our kids, five and four, have really enjoyed the animated "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" this year. We have probably watched it half a dozen times already, and I am sure we will watch it again. While there are questions about Dr. Seuss's religion, I can tell you that we have used the Grinch's story to explain to our kids how GOD can change one's heart; the Grinch's problem was that his heart was two sizes too small. But, in the end, the Grinch realized that Christmas isn't about stuff.

As we begin this week before Christmas, let's take the time to consider all the good things we already have. Let's take the time to think about the precious gifts we already possess. Let's look around and take in the beauty and splendor all around us. Take the time to breathe in the Christmas spirit. Take the time to really ponder what Christmas truly mean to you. I think you'll find that Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

No Remote

Growing up, we didn't have remote control television; we were the remote. When Pops wanted to watch one of the three channels we received, he would tell one of us children to change the television to whichever channel he wanted to check out, usually, only to change it back to the channel he was watching.

Even today, we are prone to spend twenty minutes looking for the remote instead of getting up and changing the television manually. It is in these instances that we realize that the television doesn't change itself, you have to change it.

Today's word is something I came across, which reminds me that I have to do something: "Life has no remote: you have to get up to change it."

We can continue to sit on the couch and complain about how bad things are and continue on the course we are on. You know the old saying, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting." The only way to change what's going on is to try and change what is going on. If you continue to wait for the channel to change, you're going to be sorely disappointed.

If you are tired of seeing the same things happen in your life over and over like some rerun of a really bad movie, get up and change the channel. The challenge is for us to trust in GOD, to rely on His guidance, and to get up and do something, for life has no remote.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

A partridge in a pear tree

The "Twelve Days of Christmas" is believed to derived to call to remembrance the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany, which is when, it is believed, that the wise men arrived upon the scene. Each of the twelve days in the song has a biblical significance that the Catholic church used as a memory aid to teach the Bible to children.

So, the "partridge in a pear tree" isn't just about a bird in a fruit tree. It is nice when someone gives you something useful and tangible such as food -  a partridge and fruit. But, the significance of the partridge in the pear tree in the song is that it represents JESUS CHRIST, the ONE TRUE GOD, Who died upon a tree for us. But, there's more...

Today's word is Psalm 91:4, NLT, which reads, "He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection."

The more...a mother partridge will feign injury to decoy predators away from her young nestlings; she is willing to sacrifice herself in order to protect her young. You see how the "partridge in the pear tree" is a representation of the sacrifice JESUS made for us? He willingly took on our sins and transgressions in order to make a way for us to become a part of His family.

As we speed towards another Christmas, I am reminded that it isn't about the hoopla and commercialization that Christmas has become. While I thoroughly enjoy the blessing of giving, and watching kids and loved ones enjoy gifts, and spending time with family, I am forever grateful for my SAVIOR, Who is represented by a partridge in a pear tree.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Self-Condemnation

No one condemns me more than I do myself. I am sure that is probably true with the majority of us. No matter how much I think others would condemn me, their condemnation pales in comparison to mine. Now, I am not talking about sins that we think of as heinous and deplorable. What I am talking about is any sin; GOD sees sin as sin, and no one condemns me for my sins more than I do.

Do you find yourself there? Do you think you have to be perfect for GOD to really love you? I think we all feel that way from time to time. However, the truth is that even while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. GOD loved us, when we were the vilest of sinners, enough to send His Son to die for our sins; that is LOVE.

Today's word is 1 John 3:20, NIV, which reads, "If our hearts condemn us, we know that GOD is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything."

GOD knows EVERYTHING. We can try to cover it up, but GOD knows. We can try to justify it, but GOD knows. We can try to sugarcoat it, but GOD knows. We can try to convince ourselves that it is okay, but GOD KNOWS. And, once we realize that GOD knows, we begin to condemn ourselves. BUT...

But, if we will truly repent and turn from our sins, GOD will forgive us. He is greater than our sins and greater than our hearts that condemn us. It is He, and He alone that can cleanse us and mend our hearts. We will all fail from time to time. We will all make huge blunders and sins from time to time. However, if you are GOD'S child, and IF you will ask His forgiveness and turn from your sin, He will forgive. And, we can rid ourselves of our self-condemnation.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

The Right Words

I have probably shared before that I have a tendency of only opening my mouth in order to change feet. I seem to have an innate ability to put my foot in my mouth, to trip over my own tongue, to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I would love to say I have learned to control it but it really seems to get worse all the time.

I mention this because I try to remind myself about the power of words. So many problems and contentions and troubles have come over words. In my case, I have caused problems not by what I said but by the way I said it, or by the way the person hearing it took it. Words are extremely powerful, and we should always be cognizant of that.

Today's word is a reminder of the power of our words. Proverbs 18:20, NLT, reads, "Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction."

Have you ever had the opportunity to say something to someone that ended up being the exact thing they needed to hear? When this occurs, the look of satisfaction and contentment that comes across their face is an expression of the fullness within their soul. The right words at the right time can nourish the soul as much as a good meal nourishes the body.

I really try to think of how my words will impact and affect those hearing them. While I have a tendency to say the wrong things at the wrong times, I am more cognizant each day of the power of my words. I want GOD to use me to help others. I pray He will always help me say the right words.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Freedom has to be achieved

Today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Just before 8 AM on December 7, 1941, Japanese fighter planes attacked the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While the attack lasted only about two hours the devastation was astounding: nearly 20 naval vessels, including eight battleships, destroyed, over 2,000 American soldiers and sailors killed, over 1,000 more wounded. More than two years after the conflict had started, we entered World War II.

We have seen the results of countless skirmishes and wars in our time. We have been drawn into the majority of them and have entered others to protect our freedoms, or the freedoms of others. I think we often think that what we have, the freedoms we enjoy, are just by chance - they are not. GOD has certainly blessed us with great freedom, and that freedom is protected and ensured by the sacrifices and achievements of brave men and women the world over.

Today's word is a quote from former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was in office during the attack on Pearl Harbor and petitioned Congress to enter World War II in order to protect our American freedoms. Today's word is FDR's quote about freedom, which reads, "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."

While we enjoy the freedoms this great country affords us daily, we should remember that we enjoy them because others have been willing to ensure them. While it may seem that these freedoms have been bestowed upon us, that we were just blessed enough to be born into it (and, GOD has certainly blessed us with freedom), again, we remember that it is because others have fought to achieve the freedom that we enjoy.

So, today, as I remember those that fought so hard and sacrificed so much to ensure the freedoms that we have, and those that continue to fight to protect them, I say, "Thank You!" May I never forget that the blessing of freedom is enjoyed only because others fight to achieve it.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

He sends rain

We have been abnormally dry around these parts for a majority of this year. We have experienced a severe drought, though GOD has provided us with a very ample supply from which to produce potable water.

Everyone's grass has withered, we've been under a "no burn" order for months, which is absolutely necessary. When I mowed the leaves that had fallen a few weeks ago it looked as if I was Pigpen, with a cloud of dust following me all over the yard. It was during this long, sustained drought that many wondered if it would rain again...and, if so, when.

Today's word is Job 5:10, NLT, which reads, "He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields."

We are now experiencing some rain. In the last few days, we have had several inches of rain, and it won't be long before everyone has forgotten about he drought we experienced this past summer and fall. Why? Because we take for granted the goodness of GOD and all His provisions.

Isn't it amazing that He sends the rain exactly when we need it? The grass that withered is now receiving the necessary nourishment for it to come back strong and full next spring. The trees that struggled to keep leaves through the last few weeks of autumn are now receiving the necessities to grow new leaves next year. Just as GOD provides for the leaves and the grass and the birds and every living creature, He provides for us - exactly what we need, exactly when it is needed. He sends rain...

Be Blessed,
Mickey T