Monday, December 24, 2018

Receive the SAVIOR

During our Sunday School lesson yesterday, the question was asked, "What decoration, what festivity, what song, makes it feel like Christmas for you?" My reply was, "Wrapping that first gift makes it feel like Christmas to me."

There is just something about wrapping that first present that makes it feel like Christmas. Now, with our two little ones, wrapping is more of a covert operation than it used to be but, even then, it is a fun, or should be, activity. It is fun to wrap something for someone else and knowing what it is but they don't have a clue.

Today's word is Matthew 2:2, NKJV, which reads, The wise men said, "Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

Of course, we know that the wise men brought gifts to the baby JESUS: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But, it wasn't about the presents - it was about the gift. GOD had come in human flesh, incarnate, in order to make a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and to be able to spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

If you don't know JESUS as your LORD and SAVIOR, what better gift could your receive this Christmas? To have the assurance and the blessing of knowing the SAVIOR is something that will not only change your life, it'll change your eternity. He came as a child; the wise men sought Him. Unwrapping gifts is nice - receiving the SAVIOR is the GREATEST.

Merry CHRISTmas!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Listen

I admit that I have a tendency to hear but not listen. How about you? I mean, I hear people when they say things but I don't really take it in, I don't always listen. And, I will admit that it is frustrating to the person that is talking, and to me, especially when I do something I wasn't supposed to do or I don't do something I was supposed to do. Things could go so much smoother and easier if I would just listen.

I think we often go through life hearing only what we want. However, if our child makes a sound in the night, a really small sound, we hear. If there is a creaky floorboard in the hall, we hear it. When we were younger and our Mother called us by our full name, we heard. Aren't you glad that, at least, when it is really important, we can focus and hear?

Today's word is Psalm 40:1, ESV, which reads, "I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry."

We need not wonder if GOD is listening; He not only hears, He listens. The psalmist wrote here that GOD "inclined", which means He fully listened with intent and interest; He "heard my cry". Aren't you glad that GOD isn't just a hearer? He is a listener and a doer.

I read somewhere that we don't always listen to hear, we more often listen to respond. If all we are doing is thinking of our next response, we may miss the most important details. I want to listen. I want to listen with the intent to understand. I want to hear what Trish tells me. I want to hear when my kids call to me. I want to hear the voice of GOD, really hear. Pray that I will not only hear, but that I will also listen.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

We walk by faith

I have a couple of family members going through some really difficult times right now, as I am sure we all do. We just never know when something is going to happen in our lives that changes everything. One moment we think we have our priorities in line, the next everything that seemed important five (5) minutes ago are no longer important.

I will never say that I know how you feel. Again, no one knows how anyone feels. We can empathize with one another. We can sympathize with others. We will never know how someone else truly feels. What I can do when things aren't going the way I thought they should, when things aren't going the way that I feel is right, is pray. GOD is the source of my strength.

Today's word is 2 Corinthians 5:7, KJV, which reminds us to keep trusting GOD: "For we walk by faith, not by sight."

If we focus only on what we see all around us, all the negativity exploding all around us, we will be so overcome with defeat that progress will halt. But, the Bible tells us in Hebrews that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We may not know how everything is going to turn out, and it may be going completely opposite of anything we ever envisioned, but we can rest assured, we can have faith, that GOD has it all under control.

Let's pray for one another; life can be very difficult and changes quickly. Please pray for my family. Pray that GOD will remind us that He is GOD and He is good. Pray that we will all see Him working in our lives, and that we will not be overcome by all that we see. For, we walk by faith.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Monday, December 17, 2018

The beauty of music

I LOVE Christmas music. There is nothing like hearing a Christmas tune to put you in the Christmas mood. I like to hearing and singing (or, trying to sing) Christmas music even in July. When we remember what the Season is truly about (the birth of our SAVIOR), how can it not make you happy and joyful.

Our choir has had the opportunity this weekend to sing at a couple of locations. We have some really talented people in our choir, me excluded, of course. But, it isn't about the talent; it is about the spirit and the willingness to share that talent with others. It was a lot of fun to sing at these venues and see others enjoy the Christmas Season a little more.

Today's word is Ephesians 5:19, NIV, which reads, "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the LORD."

Paul was telling the Ephesians something we all know: there is just something about singing that puts you and others in a good mood, especially when we do it with the right motivation and from the correct location. Our music must come from the heart, and it must be to the LORD. While we have tried our best to sing at a couple of locations this week, it wasn't about the place; it was about the SAVIOR.

I hope you are enjoying the CHRISTmas Season. I hope you are listening to some really great CHRISTmas music. More important, though, I hope you are singing from your heart to the LORD. It is only when we do this that we can really enjoy the beauty of music.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Thursday, December 13, 2018

Actively Seeing

It is never lost on me that our little ones are watching everything I do. I have seen them imitate several things they have seen me do, some good, some not so much. It is absolutely amazing to me how much they soak up, mostly anything bad that I do. IF I have any good qualities, I pray that they eventually mimic those as well.

The fact is that folks are watching us constantly. There is not a day goes by, not a moment in that day, that someone is not watching everything we do. Now, this can really intimidate you, if you let it. Or, it can really motivate you to do the right things, even when, seemingly, no one is physically watching. Because, we know that GOD is always watching.

Today's word is 2 Chronicles 16:9a, NIV, which reads, "For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him..."

This time of year, one of our two will do something that the other will say, "You know Santa is watching you." To this, I always try to reply, "You should be more concerned that JESUS is always watching you." And, as we see from today's word, it isn't just to keep a list of naughty and nice things that we perform. GOD is watching us, keeping up with us, staying close beside us in order to strengthen us as we go through this life.

Yes, folks are watching; they always have, they always will. Yes, we will make mistakes and they will pounce like no ones business. But, we can also rest in the fact that GOD is watching out for us, and He is watching us and giving us the strength that we need to accomplish His good will. Everyone is looking, but, GOD isn't just watching - He is actively seeing.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

A foundation that cannot be shaken

Trish was reading a devotional this morning that stated that today was National Gingerbread House Day. I have never built a gingerbread house; I have never tasted a gingerbread house. I have eaten quite a few gingerbread men, which are quite tasty to say the least.

I have never built a house. I have had the pleasure of helping remodel or adding on an addition. I like carpentry work. Like so many things, I am not very good at it, not very proficient, but I like the art of building things. There is something about having a two dimensional plan, a diagram, a blueprint, a drawing, and making some three dimensional structure.

More important than building a house, though, is our attempts to build a home. I doubt anyone could argue that the home and the home structure is under constant, relentless attack. Every day we hear about more and more homes falling apart; we hear more and more about homes being destroyed by whatever sin arises. We have to make a conscious and concerted effort to protect our homes. We also have to make sure we build our home correctly from the beginning.

Today's word is Psalm 127:1, ESV, a very familiar scripture: "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain..."

We can build our houses on solid rock, but, if our foundation isn't on THE ROCK, we are starting out compromised. When we allow CHRIST to be the center of our lives and the center of our homes, we will find that we have a foundation that cannot be shaken.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Talk to Him

We all have problems. There is not a soul alive that, if they just think about it, wouldn't see that they have some difficulty in his/her life. We all have, we all do, we all will. Problems and struggles and circumstances are just a part of this walk. But, thankfully, we serve a SAVIOR Who has walked it and overcome it. And, He is working on our behalf, standing on our side, strengthening us so that we, too, can overcome.

I heard yesterday of a little girl that has recently been diagnosed with leukemia. It absolutely breaks my heart. I don't know how you as a parent receive and process that information. I don't know how I would handle it. Our prayers go out to this young girl and her family. Please pray for them; GOD knows who they are. And, pray for all the others that are struggling and battling. GOD is still on the throne, and He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, however He wants. Pray.

Today's word is a reminder of the healing power of our SAVIOR. Luke 13:13, NIV, reads, "Then He put His hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised GOD."

JESUS was in one of the synagogues teaching. On this particular Sabbath, He noticed a woman who was hunched over and couldn't stand up straight. Luke 13:11 tells us that she had been this way for eighteen years. I bet she thought she would go through the rest of her life hunched over and not able to stand straight. BUT, she was in the presence of the MASTER. JESUS called her over and healed her. We read her reaction in today's word - "...she immediately straightened up and praised GOD."

I don't know what you are going through today, no one does. But, I do know that we serve the same GOD, the same MASTER, the same HEALER. I don't know His process. I don't know His plans. BUT, I do know His power! He is my LORD and SAVIOR. If you are dealing with something today, talk to Him.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T 

Monday, December 10, 2018

I will sing His praise!

The weather this weekend was absolutely horrible. It rained and was cold and it just wasn't fit for anything outside. In parts of the U.S. there will be many affected by power outages, closed roads, weather-related difficulties. The kids couldn't get out and do anything this weekend. So...

On Saturday, we did something we had never done before. We took the kids on a train ride with Santa. Now, the ride itself was a very simple, really unimpressive ride, BUT, when Santa came on board, the atmosphere of the entire event changed. What a fun and humbling time to be able to see that kind of joy on little kids' faces.

Today's word is Psalm 13:6, NIV, which reads, "I will sing the LORD'S praise, for He has been good to me."

I am in no way indicating that our weekend, our weather-related challenges, are anything compared to those who have been really affected. But, to a seven-year-old and a six-year-old, it is difficult to be cooped up inside the house. What a blessing it was that we could load up and travel an hour and take a ride with Santa. What a blessing it is to have a family to do things with.

I have shared before that you would have to look far and long to find anyone more blessed than I. GOD has been so good to me; He has blessed me exceedingly, abundantly above ANYTHING I could have ever thought, dreamed, or imagined. I will sing His praise!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T


Friday, December 7, 2018

Count what counts

Today is the day. Each year, for the past eighteen, every fourth grader in our county comes to a festival where they are taught about the benefits of not polluting our waters and the process of water treatment. It is a fun day.

What has been really neat about the eighteen years of training is that we now have the high school students, who have gone through this festival, teach today's fourth graders. The fourth graders love it because they are hearing from some cool, teenage, high schoolers, and not just some old fogies. It is important that we teach our children - the right things.

Today's word is something that I thought about as we have prepared for the water festival and while helping my children with math, spelling, and language this week. "Teaching your child to count is good. Teaching your child what counts is more important."

It is good that our two children can count; it is imperative. Life will be almost impossible without the ability to do simple arithmetic computations. Without the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, the world becomes much more complicated; and, you can be taken advantage of. So, it is important that we do all we can to teach our children how to count.

However, it is much more important that we teach our children what counts. Like it's not important how much money you make; what's important is what you do with it. Or, it's not important what others think of you; it's more important what GOD knows about you. Yes, friends count but eternity is more important. Especially as we enter the Christmas season, I want my children to know that it isn't the number of gifts they get. We are celebrating the birth of our SAVIOR and the gift of eternal life. Learn to count what counts.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Love is Action

Have you ever seen love in action? To be love, it has to be action. Love is more than a feeling, more than a description, more than a word; love is action. When we truly love someone, we do things for that someone. Not because we want anything in return other than for that someone to know that we love them.

I am surrounded by love. My wife and kids love me. There is not a day that goes by that I don't see the love they have for me in very tangible ways: meals are fixed, house is cleaned, clothes are washed, time is spent together.

Today's word is just a reminder that we need to be showing/doing love. 1 John 3:18, NLT, reads, "Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions."

It is really easy to say that we love someone. I remind myself all the time, though, that it is more about what I do than about what I say I'll do. Because, again, love is action. I want my family to know that I love them, not just by telling them, but by showing them. It is not a chore to go to work each day; work is a means for us to be able to have what we have but, more important, it is a way for GOD to show us His goodness and to supply our needs. Through allowing us to work, He shows His love so that we can show ours.

I want folks to know that I love them. I don't want them to just hear me say that I love them, oh, I do. But, I want them to see that I love them. I want my family to see that my love for them is more than mere words - love is action.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Happy Cookie Day

Well, today is National Cookie Day! I don't know about you but I like cookies. Now, I am not the biggest sweets eater; I prefer greasy and salty over sweet. But, I do like cookies, especially peanut butter. I have probably shared before that I really like peanut butter, especially when it is wrapped in chocolate. I digress...

Anyway, here on National Cookie Day, I began thinking about fortune cookies, which I also like. Now, I don't think fortune cookies dictate the future but they can certainly make us think. And, the fact that they can make us think caused me to think about some of the best messages I have ever seen from a fortune cookie.

So, today's word is a word from a fortune cookie: "If you wish to see the best in others, show the best of yourself."

I readily admit that I don't always show my best. Oh, I will tell my best, I will present myself as the best but that is not really showing my best. I have found myself stretching the truth at times just to make others think that I am something that I am not. Another fortune cookie message I remember says, "Never forget that a half truth is a whole lie."

I want to see the best in others. If I can live a good example and cause others to want to do so too, I would be wrong for not doing exactly that. I want to be what I should be. I want to be an example of showing the best of myself. Just as that fortune cookie doesn't dictate what happens, it can cause you to think. I want to think about and remember to show the best of myself. Happy Cookie Day!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Monday, December 3, 2018

We should

I have had the blessing lately of working on a rather large project that our church does annually. It is HUGE, and it takes a lot of people, doing a lot of things, and a lot of coordination to bring it all together. My part in it is so small it is almost insignificant but it has been a true blessing to be a part of it.

What has been truly amazing is the number of volunteers that have come out to work. The project has taken several weeks to put together and there are some that have been present at every work day, which has been a bunch. There are some retired guys that have worked tirelessly through the week! It is absolutely amazing.

So, why do they work so hard to bring this project together? Yes, it is good outreach for the church. Yes, it is an opportunity to share the Gospel with others. Yes, it is visually stunning and pleasing. But, I think the main reason is that these folks want to share the plan of salvation with others, AND, they know that GOD will reward their efforts.

Today's word is a reminder of GOD'S goodness to His children: "If GOD is my Boss, and I'm His employee, I'm very thankful for my everyday salary called LIFE! With benefits called BLESSINGS! And, a reward called ETERNAL LIFE!"

As Christians, we have already been given so much. As I like to say, "We have all this and Heaven, too." GOD has given us so much to be thankful for, so much to look forward to, that we just want others to know the Good News, or we should.