Keep Moving

We have known several families that have experienced the loss of loved ones recently, which has caused our two (2) children to ask why so many people are dying. It is easy to say that it is something that we will all face, that every family will experience it, that we are just in a really trying season. The truth is, though, it is difficult to explain.

There are lots of things in life that are difficult to explain. I don't know why bad things happen to good people. I don't know how people can go out and intentionally hurt others. I don't know why, even when you are trying your best and working hard to do the right things, that something unexpected happens that knocks the wind out of your sails. Oh, it is because we live in a broken and fallen and sinful world, and we are all going to face adversity and challenges.

Today's word is a quote from Lisa Lieberman-Wang that says, "When life puts you in a tough situation, don't say, 'Why Me?', say 'Try Me!'"

Nothing about this world exempts any of us from experiencing pain and suffering. NOTHING. JESUS told us that in this world we will have tribulations, we will have hard and difficult times. We can wonder why it happened or we can put our heads down and keep moving toward the goal, the calling that GOD has given us. We can faithfully finish the race.

Times of trouble and trying will come. It is okay to get mad and angry and sad. Then, focus on GOD, take the next step and keep moving.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

You are worth it!

We played a youth football game last night that didn't go the way we would have liked. While we lost, the boys played about as hard and about as determined as I have ever seen them play. However, the final score indicated that they hadn't done enough. Now, there were some other happenings that contributed but, we will stick to the narrative.

It is tough to take when you do all you can and realize that it may not be enough. Not because of effort. Not because of determination. Not because of not giving it your all. You do all you can and you still come up short. It is a tough pill to swallow.

Today's word is 2 Corinthians 3:5, NIV, which reads, "Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from GOD."

In life there will be times when we do all we can and it just won't be enough. However, if we have done our best, we are still winners. When it comes to salvation, though, there is never anything that we can do ourselves that makes us good enough. The only thing that makes us good enough for Heaven is accepting JESUS as our SAVIOR.

LORD JESUS, thank You for making a way for me. In ALL my incompetence, You still find me worth it.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Use your head

So, we have a couple of great kids, the best kids in the world! They are kind and honest and loyal and loving (sometimes) and generous and just great kids. However, they aren't always that into school work and learning. As a matter of fact, they will tell you that they have learned all they need to learn, in third and fourth grade, respectively.

I try to remind them and encourage them that I learn something new every day. Sometimes, it may some little something, and some days it may be something pretty big to be learning. GOD has given us brains and we should use them to their fullest capacities for His honor and glory and in order to do His good and perfect will.

Today's word is Proverbs 16:16, NIV, which reads, "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver."

Gold and silver are nice to have: you can buy things with them; they can give you a certain amount of comfort. But, they are easily lost, and the little joy that they bring us are temporary. But, having the ability to comprehend and learn is something that not everyone has, and certainly not everyone uses. When you learn something, that is a deposit into a reserve that no one can ever take.

And, when we use our brains, our intellect to learn more about JESUS, we truly do acquire knowledge like nothing else. So, use that space between your ears that GOD has given you. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Sing Praise

Last night, after rehearsal, our music leader told us the story of how when he rides his bike, which he does often, he has a worship song playlist just for bike riding that he listens to. He went on to say that even if he is not in the best of moods, listening to music that is praising GOD eventually lifts his spirit. And, when he completes his bike ride, he is in a much better mood.

I love to sing. I have mentioned before that I am not a great singer but I will, and do, sing almost constantly. There is nothing that moves my soul quite like music. The old saying is that "music soothes the savage beast". The truth is, though, that music soothes us all, especially when it is the right type of music.

Today's word is Psalm 9:2, NKJV, which reads, "I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."

What or Whom do you rejoice in? The old song reminds us that the "Only real peace that I have, dear LORD, is in You..." We can rejoice in what GOD has done for us, in what He has given us, in what He has prepared for us!" There is so much to rejoice in GOD about. If I were to sit down and start writing out all the blessings He has bestowed upon me, I would be writing from now until He calls me home. Rejoice!

And, sing! Sing praise to the One that has been, is, and will be. Sing praise to the One that did, does, and will do. Sing praise to the One that has provided everything and continues to meet our needs each and every day! You may just find that your song of praise will lift your spirits, and maybe those around you.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Learn Something

I love to learn. As I get older, the learning doesn't come as easy or as quickly but I still love to learn. I am a firm believer in trying to learn something everyday. Learning new things keep us young and interested and involved and focused. Even when I was in school, learning was not the problem - retaining it was, but, learning was fun.

Some folks don't seem to like learning. Everyone has probably heard his/her child say that they couldn't learn or that they didn't want to learn it or that they had learned enough. We have experienced times when our children absolutely refused to learn. When these times arise, it is frustrating and tiring. Unfortunately it seems that you can't make people learn.

Today's word is a quote from Zig Ziglar that reminds of the importance of our attitude towards learning. Mr. Ziglar said, "If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."

When people are unwilling to try to learn there is absolutely nothing you can do. It it was possible to sleep on the math book and absorb its contents, people would do it. But, you can't force the information into someone's mind who refuses to accept it. The same holds true about the truth of salvation through our SAVIOR JESUS.

On the other hand, if someone is determined to learn something, there is nothing that can stop them from doing what is necessary to learn it. Like so many other things in life, learning is all about attitude - if you don't want it, you won't get it, and if you do want it, no one can stop it. Go out today and learn something.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Sing

I love to sing. I am not saying that others like hearing me sing; I am just saying that I LOVE to sing. I have been singing my whole life. My family was a singing family, not officially or professionally, but, folks around my house were always singing. Music and singing have been a part of my life from my earliest remembrances.

There is just something about singing, about music, that moves me. How about you? I can hear a song and it reminds me of where I have been or where I am or where I am headed. I can hear a song and it jogs a memory of someone I love. Usually, if you hear me singing, I am happy. It is hard to sing if you are not happy. I am sure people do it all the time, but, for me, if I am singing, I am usually happy.

Today's word is James 5:13, NLT, which reads, "Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises."

We have discussed before that we will all suffer hardships. We live in a broken, fallen, desperate, spiritually-desolate world. Sin came into the world in the garden of Eden and it is still alive and well today. When the hardships come, we pray to the One that can sustain us and see us through.

We also have a lot of happiness come our way. Spending time with my family makes me happier than I could ever express in words. When we are happy, we should sing GOD's praises. My family hears me sing A LOT. Fortunately, they are nice enough to not complain. Why? Because, they know that if I am singing, I am happy. And, if you are happy, sing!

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

GOD'S Strength

Well, it has been a week or so since my last post. It has been really busy, and I have been really tired. I call it life. Sometimes, we have seasons that are really busy and that really wear us out, and all we can do is trust GOD and keep moving forward. If we will do that, He will give us the strength to make it through each day.

I would venture to say that we have all had those days, weeks, months that have really taken a toll on us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It seems that we can't block all the fiery darts that are coming our way. It is in those moments that we remember that LORD is our strength and our shield. 

Today's word is Psalm 28:7, NKJV, which reads, "The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped."

We will all experience times that will test our mettle and that require more strength than we have. It is in those times that we realize that it isn't our strength that will see us through; it is GOD'S strength that will sustain us and preserve us. It is in our lowest moments that we realize just how much we need GOD, and just how much He loves us and strengthens us.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

He Loves Us

The older I get, the more I wonder how my parents put up with me. I was not the best of children. I probably wasn't the worst either, but, I certainly was not the best. I had my moments that I am sure that had my parents not loved me, they would have beaten me to within an inch of my life. However, they never did.

I can say the same for GOD. I am sure there are times that He would like to really get a hold of me and correct me, times that I needed that. There have probably been times when He probably wanted to take me out of this world because I was certainly messing things up, yet He didn't.  Why?

Today's word is Lamentations 3:22, NIV, which reads, "Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail."

We are not consumed because of our sin or disobedience because GOD loves us. Just as our parents didn't take us out because they love us. Just as we love our children and show them mercy and compassion because we love them. Only more. GOD'S love for us is deeper and more pure and perfect. He LOVES US!

And, His love for us, His mercy for us, His compassion for us NEVER fails. He always loves us even on our worst day. Now, that is something to consider. We will all mess it up from time to time but we can be assured that GOD still loves us, and He wants us to come to Him with our burdens and problems. When we do that, we will find our Heavenly Father wrapping His arms around us and loving us.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T