Sing It Joyfully

 So, I sing - A LOT. And, no, I am not a good singer. There are some who say they like to hear me sing, there are others that tolerate my singing, and, then, there are others that will tell you that it isn't worth listening to. But, there is ONE Who loves to hear me sing.

Singing, more than anything else, is a matter of the heart. Yeah, it is definitely better if you can carry a tune and have a nice voice. But, when we sing praise to GOD, truly singing His praise from our heart, He loves it. 

Today's word is Psalm 100:1, KJV, which reads, "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands."

GOD doesn't ask us all to sing like the angelic choir. He has gifted us all differently. I know some folks that can absolutely make a set of drums sound out of this world. I know some folks that can make a guitar do things that I can only dream about. I know some folks that, when they sing, it truly sounds like the heavens have opened up and angels are singing. Then, there are those like me that just love to sing. And, GOD loves it when I do.

We all have a song in our hearts, a song that GOD has placed there. And, when we sing our song to the One that has put the song in our heart, there is no sweeter sound under Heaven. You don't have to sing it perfectly. You just have to sing it joyfully.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

My Good Thang

I have mentioned before that I call Trish, "My Thang", which some people would find offensive but it is in no way derogatory. I call her that because she is mine, and she is everything that I desire, want, crave, etc. She is my thang. But, it is far deeper and more meaningful than mere physical or emotional attachment. I call her that because it is spiritual. 

Today's word is Proverbs 18:22, NKJV, which reads, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor from the LORD."

So, as you can see, Trish isn't just "My Thang", she is "My Good Thang". She is the helpmate that GOD meant for me, and I have certainly obtained favor from him through her. She is my biggest supporter and fiercest defender, even when I don't deserve either. She is my biggest encourager and everything I ever imagined a wife would be, and more. 

Tomorrow, I will celebrate the day that I married the greatest wife any man could ever want. I don't take that lightly and I don't take it for granted. I know how truly blessed I am and what a blessing it is to spend my life with her. Happy Anniversary Babe! You are My Good Thang!

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Bringing Peace

We had some storms pass through our area last night. I expected to hear our children get up and run into our room but they never did; they were sleeping pretty soundly, even if I wasn't. The storms were pretty loud, lots of rain, and some thunder, which can get and keep your attention.

We have storms in our lives, the weather events and the life events. There is little we can do to prevent either, they just happen. The storms that come weather wise, we watch forecasts and try to prepare but there is nothing we can do to stop them. Same with the storms of life, we try to prepare for anything that may happen but, there is little we can do to stop or prevent the storms of life. However, JESUS has control of it all...

Today's word is Mark 4:39, NKJV, which reads, "Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm."

The disciples were in the middle of a storm. There was thunder and lightning and lots of wind. They were on a boat being tossed back and forth. Things had become more than a little uncomfortable and concerning. They looked out and JESUS was walking towards them on the stormy sea. He, eventually, calmed the storm by simply saying, "Peace be still!" And, the storm obeyed.

We are going to have storms in our lives, literal and emotional. There seems to be very little we can do to stop them. What we can do, though, is know that JESUS calms the storms, and He is in the storm with us. He is holding us through the tumult and He will calm us during the storm and He will calm the storm. The next time you find yourself in a storm, look up, JESUS is coming, and He is bringing peace.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Fighting amongst ourselves

If you haven't noticed, we are in a battle. If you watch the media and the things going on around us, it would appear that we are in a battle against each other, which is unfortunate and the wrong fight. We, Christians, are in a battle against a common enemy - satan.

Christians seem to fight each other over everything. I have seen churches have major rifts and eventual splits over things such as carpet color. It ought not to be. We all know that satan seeks to destroy and devour and we are seemingly giving in to his schemes each and every day in each and every way. We have got to notice that he is trying to destroy, deter, and defeat GOD'S people from doing His work.

Today's word is Romans 12:18, NKJV, which reads, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Now, we are not talking about compromise and accepting sin. No, we are to tell others what the Bible says about sin and the fact that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD, and that sin separates us from GOD. So, no, we aren't compromising. BUT, we are talking about agreeing on the core issues and stop fighting over all the things that seem to be common sense and common courtesy and decency.

Let us all come together and do the work that GOD has called us to do. And, that is not to promote ourselves or our cause or our mission. We are called to work together to spread and share the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST to the world. And, we can't do that if we are fighting amongst ourselves.  

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Unexplainable Peace

Have you ever felt that you were being called to do something but you don't know what? I have had this feeling for a while that I am supposed to be doing something but I haven't had a peace about what it is. Of course, I have been praying about it and seeking GOD'S will, but, again, there hasn't been a peace about anything yet.

I think we all have those moments when we feel as if GOD is telling us to move but we can't figure out what or where it is He is trying to move us to. All we can do is seek His will. And, for me, I need a sign, something that assures me that I have heard correctly and understand completely. 

Today's word is Philippians 4:7, NKJV, which reads, "and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through CHRIST JESUS."

The peace of GOD is what we are really seeking, right? We want to know that we are doing what GOD wants us to do and that we are responding in the way(s) He wants us to respond, and the way we know that we are there is to completely be at peace; that is what we seek when we are faced with decisions.

We will all have moments and periods in our lives when it truly feels as though we are being moved and we aren't sure where or why. What we can know, though, is, if GOD is leading us to something new, He has already prepared the way and will continue to be with us throughout the journey. And, when we are doing GOD'S will, we will find a peace that is unexplainable. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Where are you rooted?

Well, it has been another lapse in posting. We have been really busy with some things around our house, on top of finishing the school year, working, etc. One of the things we have been working on is trying to grow some grass in our front yard. We had a project done late last summer, which included moving some dirt around, and we have been trying to get grass established in those areas ever since.

Apparently, getting grass established is a little more difficult than I ever expected it to be. While it may not have been the best dirt that was moved, I have seen grass grow in the cracks of the driveway, in between the steps leading up to the porch, just about anywhere and everywhere that you wouldn't want it but getting it to grow in the yard has proven a little more difficult.

Today's word is Colossians 2:7a, NLT, which reads, "Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong..."

The main part of growing anything is establishing where the roots grow. If there is good soil, and the right balance of nutrients, and the proper amount of water, things will grow. The roots provide the things necessary for growth and life to the plant. Whatever the root is growing in, whatever source of nutrients and water it is growing in will determine the health of the plant.

The same holds true in our Christian life. Whatever we are growing our roots in, whatever we are allowing to be taken into our minds and our hearts and our eyes and our ears will determine what kind of growth we have. We have to let our roots grow down into GOD, Who will provide what we need for proper and good growth. Where are you rooted?

Be Blessed,

Mickey T