I have it all

We are so very blessed in so many ways. I tell our kids that they get to experience a lot of things that others don't get to. They have a lot of really cool things. We have been blessed to take some really nice vacations. We have never experienced hunger the way many others have. We have always been blessed with enough.

Even with all that they have been blessed with, though, they seem, sometimes, to want more. A better this or a better that. A faster this, a nicer that, the latest thing that "everyone else has". Part of that can be contributed to their ages, 8 & 9; part of it, though, is a good reminder for us all that we can all suffer from the fear of missing out (fomo).

When I start to get in the mully grubs because someone else has something that I feel that I "deserve", I have to remind myself that I have far more than I deserve and I live a life that countless others would love to live. I am blessed with the greatest wife any man has ever had, two (2) healthy, active, adorable, kids, good health, a job, a home, and when this is all over, I will spend eternity in Heaven!

Today's word is a good reminder for us all: Luke :15, NLT, reads, "...Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own."

Today's word reminds me that when my life on earth is over, all this earthly stuff will remain just that - earthly stuff. What will matter, first of all, is that I have accepted JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR. Then, what did I do with the life that GOD allowed me to live? Not, that it is bad to have stuff; it is bad to love stuff more than we love GOD. With GOD, there is no need to suffer from FOMO. For, with GOD, I have it all.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

No Limits

We are entering Easter Week, some call it Holy Week, some call it the Great Week, for GOD did great things during His final week. The events that occurred during the week between Palm Sunday and Easter are astounding and very humbling.

As JESUS entered Jerusalem, the people laid palm branched for Him and they shouted Hosanna, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD." They proclaimed to love Him and proceeded to honor Him. Yet, just five days later, they crucified Him. Now, it was GOD'S plan to buy us back, but, isn't it amazing how quickly folks can turn on us? It shouldn't surprise us, though; they turned on GOD, Himself.

Today's word is a reminder that while we may have betrayed GOD at one time or another, He never leaves us. Psalm 27:10, NLT, reads, "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close."

We will experience betrayal in our lives from time to time. We will have those that claim to be friends that will prove otherwise. We will have those that will betray our trust and do something that violates what relationships are built upon. We will have those that will betray our confidence and tell something that they had sworn to secrecy that they would never tell. But, the LORD will NEVER betray us.

When I think of how much I fail, I am amazed that GOD doesn't give up on me. I am amazed that GOD would come in human form and die a horrible death, suffer persecution and betrayal like no other, just so He could save me. I am not worth it, yet He felt I was. This week is a reminder of GOD'S love for us and the fact that He proves that His love for us has no limits.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Let Others Know

 So, our son gave me a pretty good compliment, I guess, last night. He was asking me all kinds of questions about the military, which he often does. He loves the military and all things military, and the fact that dad was in the military is something that he is always interested in. Anyway, he said, "You were in the military but you don't yell at everyone like others do."

What he meant by that is that he has seen others that were former servicemembers that seem to always be yelling and screaming. What he doesn't know, though, is that there are just as many folks that were never military that yell and scream all the time. But, a rather nice compliment coming from a son to a father, that I don't yell at everyone.

Today's word is Philippians 4:5, NASB, which reads, "Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The LORD is near."

There is an old saying that goes, "People don't care what you know until they know that you care." I readily admit that I am a complete and total failure on my very best day, but, I want people to know that I care. I want others to know that GOD loves them and cares for them, and how will they know that if they don't see His children expressing and modeling that same care and concern?

We get a chance to display the character of our SAVIOR every day to someone, and, a lot of times, our true character is displayed the most to those that live in our house. I want my wife and children to know that I love them and that I care about them. I want others to know that GOD loves them and cares about them. Let others know.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Knowledge

We have a finished basement, which is nice, that we have been updating since we moved into our home almost five (5) years ago. When I say finished, it was finished but it was pretty basic. We have painted, added window blinds, updated a few things, and three (3) years ago installed some lvp flooring.

If you don't know, lvp flooring is 100% waterproof, which I thought meant that water wouldn't affect it. So, I installed the lvp directly on top of the concrete floor. Over time, though, minute amounts of moisture seeps up through the concrete slab. And, over the three (3) years, caused some of the flooring to "cup" or "bow". Apparently, you need to use a vapor barrier, a thin sheet of plastic, between the bare concrete slab and the flooring.

Today's word is Proverbs 19:2, NKJV, which reads, "Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet."

It is not good to be without knowledge. If I had done a little research and asked a round, I bet I would have found out that I needed to put a vapor barrier over the concrete slab prior to installing any flooring. But, that is minor when considering the lack of knowledge that those who live without JESUS have. Not knowing about vapor barriers might cost you some time and money. Not knowing about salvation through JESUS CHRIST will cost you an eternity in hell separated from Him.

If you don't know JESUS, please ask someone! There are lots of decisions that one will make in this life that affect a lot of things. The decision to accept JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR affects eternity. Knowledge is a valuable thing.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Allow Him to direct

There is no doubt some things going on in our world and societies that is really troubling. You don't have to look too hard or listen too well to know that we are a nation that seems to be pulling further and further away from GOD. I am not judging anyone, we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD.

I admit that I have had times in my life that I have chosen to "take my own path", which was filled with potholes and troubles and problems, but, it seemed to be the right thing to do. I have taken those paths without praying about it, without seeking GOD'S will, without asking GOD what He would have me to do. Been there?

Today's word is Proverbs 14:12, NIV, which reads, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."

I have chosen my own path countless times because it appeared the right thing to do. I have chosen to use my own opinion, my own wisdom, my own evaluation rather than seek wise counsel, especially the wisdom and counsel of GOD. While the decision I made seemed right to me at the time, it ended up being an absolute and total failure.

We will all find ourselves in the midst of decisions on a daily basis. We can rely on our own personal, limited wisdom and knowledge and take paths that will end in trouble. Or, we can seek GOD and allow Him to direct us. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

GOD will see us through

We have experienced a fairly significant storm overnight, and, if you don't really know me, I will share that I am not a fan of rain events, especially at night. As a child, I was terrified of thunderstorms. When a thunderstorm arose, I would go and hide in a closet or under the bed, wherever I could find my "safe place".

As a father, I have two younger ones that don't like thunderstorms. They are not to the extreme that I was but they are definitely not fans. And, I don't really like them, now, either, but, I have come to realize that they are a natural part of the weather cycle that we experience on this earth. And, while I don't really like them, I know that GOD will see us through them.

Today's word is Ecclesiastes 3:1, NIV, which reads, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."

As much as I like bright, sunny, calm, mild days, there have to be thunderstorms occasionally. How would I ever know how nice the good days are, if I never had to experience days that weren't so nice? While I don't like the stormy days at all, they remind me that the nice, calm, sunny, mild days are also ahead, just as they are in life.

In our lives, we will experience the nice, calm, sunny days. We will also experience those days that just seem to never end and try us from daybreak to sunset. On those stormy days, we can know that there are better days ahead, the sun will shine again, GOD will see us through.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Worker or Whiner

 As those who really know me will tell you, I am full of theories and useless quotes. I have quotes and rules and theories about most everything. Now, many have proven themselves to be less than correct but they are mine, and like the blue jeans I still wear from high school, I don't let go of things that I truly believe.

Also, as I have mentioned before, we have family laws - fifteen (15) laws that we try not to break and to liver our lives by. And, number 11 simply states, "Whining will NOT be tolerated." Whining for whining's sake has never accomplished anything other than to gratingly get under other people's skin.

Today's word is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt that says, "Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining."

We have discussed before that, sometimes, life just sucks. We can be doing all we can, trying the best we can, behaving in our best way, and things will still go wrong. Why? Because, we live in a broken and fallen world, and, sometimes, good things happen to not so good people, and, unfortunately, just as often, bad things happen to really good people. However, wallowing in it and whining about it accomplishes nothing.

So, I want to work harder at finding the solution(s). I want to be someone that is trying to make things better and not just complaining about how things are. I want to be someone that understands that life just sucks sometimes. I want to be a worker, not a whiner. Pray for me that I can be.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Lead us Home

It isn't always easy to just keep on keeping on. This world has a way of wearing you out, wearing you down, and kicking you at your lowest. It seems, sometimes, that the only reason to get back up is just to be knocked down again.

But, we all know the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." And, there is certainly some validity to that. It is certainly true that each trial we overcome, each challenge we pass through makes us more ready to face the next. But, I also think there is more...

Today's word is Hebrews 10:36, NIV, which reads, "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of GOD, you will receive what He has promised."

We will face those times of struggles and constant challenges in our lives, and we will need perseverance to make it through. And, the only way to have the strength, stamina, and perseverance to make it through the challenges of tomorrow is to get through the ones today. It is just like building physical muscle, you have to push through today and build it up for tomorrow.

I feel as though I have really rambled today, and I apologize. I simply want to say that trials will come. We need perseverance to get through them all. We know GOD is with us each step of the way, which gives us strength. And, each time we push through, with GOD's strength, we are more prepared for the next trial. And, one day, that perseverance will lead us home.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Go ahead, make someone's day!

According to the National Day Calendar, today is National "I want you to be Happy Day". Today is a day that we should try to do something nice for someone else that will make them happy, which I hope that I try to do every day. I like doing things for those that I love, and, not only might it make them happy, it makes me happy. 

Have you ever noticed that one (1) of the best ways to get yourself out of the doldrums is to do something for someone else, especially someone that cannot return the favor and do something for you? Being able to help someone else reminds me how blessed I am. GOD has been and is so good to me. He has showered me with blessings that I do not deserve, and I bet you can say the same.

Today's word is Philippians 2:3, NIV, which reads, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourself."

I think it is easy, at times, to allow ourselves to feel like the victims. It is easy to allow ourselves to think that we are always doing for others and that no one is doing for us. And, trust me, we can all feel that way from time to time. But, I have to try to remind myself that, if I am able to be a help to someone, GOD has provided me the resources, which means He has done for me.

And, when I consider ALL that GOD has done for me, none of which I deserve, I am incredibly humbled and amazed. The reminder is an acronym for JOY - JESUS, Others, You. If we do things in that order, we will find we are happy, no, joyous. Go ahead, makes someone's day!

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Through every storm

We had a pretty good storm blow through our area this morning, downpour and wind. It was strong enough to awaken me, which allowed me to look at the radar on my phone and see how long it was going to last. Like most storms, it was intense but, eventually, it passed.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a "radar" to let us know how long we would be experiencing the storms of life that we find ourselves in from time to time. It would be nice to pull out the phone or whatever and see that it is short lived and we should be able to get through it in a matter of minutes. However, the storms of life don't work that way. We have talked before that we are either coming out of a storm, going into a storm, or in the middle of the storm. Storms are ever-present, and so is GOD.

Today's word is Psalm 46:1, NKJV, which reads, "GOD is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

We all know that storms come and go. We all know that some storms are short-lived, while others seem to last forever. We all know that some storms are a minor downpour, while others are torrential rain and wind and go on and on. While storms are all different, GOD is always the same.

Whether you are in the storm this morning, coming out of a storm, or headed into a storm, you can rest assured that you are not going through it alone. GOD will be our protection and strength through every storm that we endure. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T