Standards

Yesterday's Sunday school lesson came from 1 Timothy 3, where the qualifications for church leaders are expressed. It is not a complete or exhaustive list of requirements but certainly a good place to start. The gist of the lesson was that every church member should strive to meet those same standards set forth for pastors and deacons; there is absolutely nothing wrong with doing right.

We seem to often try and put pastors and deacons on a different playing field than, and hold them to different standards than we hold ourselves. And, allow me to say, they should be held to a high standard. However, as a child of GOD, we should all hold ourselves to the highest of standards.

Why should we expect more of our church leaders than we expect of ourselves? Do we think that GOD differentiates between sins? NO, GOD sees sin as sin, whether it is a pastor, a deacon, a teacher, or any other Christian. We should, as Christians, hold ourselves to high standards.

Today's word comes from Titus 2:7 - 8a, NIV, which reads, "In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned..."

So many people are looking for Christians to mess up. Trust me, they have to look no further than right here at me, and they probably don't have to look very long. However, we should concentrate on doing what GOD wants us to do, in the way He wants us to do it.

I really like the first part of today's word, "In EVERYTHING set them an example by DOING what is GOOD." It is so easy to not do anything. It is so easy to do what is easy. It is not always easy to do what is right. Let's strive to set an example by doing what is good!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Rear view Mirrors

I am starting today's post with the word for the day, which is Philippians 3:13, NIV, which reads, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead."

You do a lot of looking back? There are some times it is necessary to look back and remember the inappropriate actions, and consequences, we have taken, and received. However, continuously looking back is not what we are meant to do.

Have you ever noticed how large the windshield is and how small the rear view mirror is? Obviously, if the mirror was as large as the windshield, it would impede vision and cause accidents. But, I think there is something to be said for the size of the windshield compared to the rear view mirror. Maybe we are supposed to look forward and see more ahead than we are to look for what is behind.

There is a big world out there that GOD wants us to take part in and work in and worship in and play in and laugh in and enjoy. It is hard for us to see all that is ahead, including Heaven, when we seem stuck looking back. You can't see a whole lot looking back in that rear view mirror. Plus, everything reflected in the rear view mirror is already behind us. We need to look forward and concentrate on what lies ahead.

Yes, we do need to reflect on our past. We need to remember our errors and ensure that we don't repeat them. We certainly need to remember those that may have passed on and the sweet and wonderful memories they have given us. But, we don't need to concentrate on our failures - that will drag us down and cause us to run headlong into something else.

Here's the deal...yeah, you screwed up. We all have, and we all will. I am not proud of that fact, nor am I making light of it. What I am saying is continuously looking back in our rear view mirror is never going to help us accomplish what GOD has for us to do. Yes, the rear view mirror is important but, obviously, looking forward through the windshield is more important.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Better than Jet-Dri

Alright, I have to admit that I have never used a dishwasher. I mean NEVER. I don't know how they work. I have never loaded one; never unloaded one. I wouldn't know the slightest about how to add the cleaning agent, what cycles there are, how much cleaning I have to do prior to placing the dishes in the dishwasher, nothing.

I do, however, know a little about washing dishes. I have washed a few in my life, and I bet I will wash a few more. I try to do a really thorough job of cleaning the dishes I wash. I don't like washing dishes, especially those pots and pans with baked on gunk; that stuff is just nasty. Sometimes, try as I may, I miss a spot when doing the dishes.

Also, I have seen the Jet-Dri and the Finish commercials that promise cleaner, shinier, streak-free dishes from your dishwasher. I would bet that no matter what cleaning agent you use, there will still be spots missed from time to time.

Today's word comes from 1 John 1:7, KJV, which reads, "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of JESUS CHRIST, His Son, cleanses us from ALL sin."

I like this verse. I especially like the part that JESUS'S blood cleanses me from ALL sin. When GOD cleans me, He doesn't leave any spot; there is no streak, only a spotless forgiveness. Of course, we must be sincere and walk in the LIGHT. But, if we will turn to GOD, He will cleanse us COMPLETELY.

While it isn't often talked about, and rightfully so. The fact is, that we have all sinned and fallen short of GOD'S glory. I can guarantee that I may be immaculately clean on the outside but the spotted inside is far more important. All the washing I do on the outside, has no effect on the spots on the inside. NONE. However, if I will only ask, JESUS'S blood will cleanse me from all sin. And, that is better than Jet-Dri.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Whatcha Need?

I am not a shopper. Maybe I should say that I am the typical male shopper. I do most of my "shopping"/research online, I choose what I am going to purchase, I go to the store that offers the best deal, I go straight to that item, pick it up, check out, and go home. Period. I do not browse. I do not window shop.

There are several reasons for this type of shopping: it is efficient, it is effective, it is economical. However, I guess one of the best things to come from my type of shopping is that I don't have to deal with overly ambitious salespeople. They may actually be making sure that I am not going to pilfer anything; I do look a little mischievous.

You know the type of salesperson I am talking about. You can't walk five feet without them asking, "Can I help you with something? Is there anything you need? Is there anything I can help you find? Are you looking for anything in particular? Whatcha need?"

That's the question for today, "What do you need?" Everyone has so much going on that no of us ever even know about. Folks are battling everyday with health issues, financial concerns, family matters; we are all going through things. What do you need?

Today's word is a Thomas Brooks quote, which says, "GOD hears no more than the heart speaks; and if the heart be mute, GOD will certainly be deaf."

GOD knows our hearts' desires. He wants us to tell Him our hearts' desires. While He knows them, He doesn't hear it from us unless we tell Him. We all want our children to express to us their need(s). GOD, too, wants His children to express theirs. If you truly need it, GOD will provide. However, He can't hear if you don't speak. Whatcha Need? GOD is listening.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Dead Weight

Have you ever tried to pick up someone that was sound asleep or, even more, had passed out. If you have, you know what dead weight implies. A little body that weighs fifty pounds, when sound asleep, feels as if it weighs a hundred.

Think if you had to carry "dead weight" around with you everywhere you went every moment of the day. It wouldn't be long before you were dead tired. Your arms would be aching; your legs like noodles; your back begging for mercy; your head throbbing. Yep, dead weight would really take a toll on you.

Today's word is an anonymous quote that I truly love. It says, "You are only as good as those you surround yourself with, so be brave enough to let go of those weighing you down."

There are times when others really need our support and we need to help them carry their load. There are other times, however, that folks will try to take advantage of our kindnesses. I am not talking about those that truly need our help; I am talking about those that just want to weigh us down.

It doesn't take long to realize that there are those in this world whose sole purpose is to wear you down and eat at your witness. If they can just keep adding a little weight to you each day, it won't be too long before you can hardly move one foot in front of the other. Don't let them weigh you down.

Once again, I am not talking about legitimate need - I am talking about selfish greed. We are only going to be as good as those we surround ourselves with, and vice versa. We are to help one another carry our burdens. No one can do it alone. NO ONE! So, we need to help each other; we all need others to help us. We need to help others with what we have. On the other hand, we don't need others helping themselves to what we have, including our sanity and our witness.

If you find that you have an acquaintance that is weighing you down, it may be time to pray about it and see where GOD leads you. If you realize that the relationship is just weighing you down, you need to seek GOD'S will. It may just be time to back away for a little while. Dead weight can wear you down. We need to seek GOD'S guidance in all our relationships. You are only going to be as good as those you surround yourself with. Surround yourself with others that will put a shoulder to the load and carry their own weight.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Just a little tickle?

I'd like to try to talk about pain today but I do want to start with the disclaimer that I have not felt the pain of so many others. While I have experienced pain, I have experienced more joy. With that being said, though, I have had some pain in my life.

I'd like to tell a little dental story that is one of my most painful physical memories. I was having a root canal done, which required the numbing of the nerves of a particular tooth. The dentist kept trying to get started on the procedure, and I kept feeling pain. The dentist told me that I was feeling "pressure" and confusing it with pain. Now, I don't know much but I know the difference between pressure and pain.

After several of these "episodes" in which he told me I was experiencing pressure and I assured him I was feeling pain, he decided he needed a few more x-rays. Following the x-rays, he determined that I was, indeed, experiencing pain, because I had a lateral nerve. For those of you who may not know what a lateral nerve is, allow me to explain. Your teeth's nerves run up and down along the root. A lateral nerve runs side to side from one root to another. I had one of these rare lateral nerves, which was not deadened.

The dentist, upon understanding that I was feeling pain and not just "pressure", informed me that there was only one way to deaden this nerve. And, the nerve would have to be deadened if we were going to finish the procedure. "Well," I said, "Let's deaden it and get the show on the road." I thought to myself, "How bad can it be? Just a little tickle." Boy, was I WRONG!

Do you know how they deaden a lateral nerve? Well, let me explain...the procedure for deadening a lateral nerve is pretty simple. All you have to do is SHOVE the needle filled with Novocaine through the tooth into the lateral nerve. This would have been good information to have prior to the actual deadening taking place. Not that it would have changed anything, but it would have been nice to know.

The dentist, who was absolutely going to numb this nerve, took that needle that must have been about the size of a crocheting needle and, with great force applied, shoved it through my tooth into that dastardly lateral nerve. For about five seconds, it was the most excruciating pain ever felt.

As I levitated off the examination chair, with only my hands supporting my entire body weight, with tears streaming down the side of my face, my eye feeling as if it would explode out of its socket, the dentist calmly said, "It should start easing any moment." I knew if it hadn't eased fairly quickly, I was going to pass out and not feel it anyway.

I tell that story to lead into today's word, which comes from the New Century Version, and is found in Isaiah 66:9 - "...I will not cause pain without allowing something new to be born," says the LORD."

I don't know what kind of pain you may be going through today but GOD will not allow the pain without allowing something new to be born. The passage refers to childbirth and the context is GOD telling Israel that  there will be pain but He will help them "birth" a new nation. However, the same holds true for any pain you may be feeling. GOD will not allow the pain without something new being born.

I have never experienced the pain of childbirth (Praise the LORD) but I can tell you, looking back, that I can see what GOD delivered through my pain. I am grateful for the blessings GOD has delivered, though it may have been painful getting here.

Yes, there will be some pain but something new will be delivered. In the case of the lateral nerve, I received a root canal. As painful as it was, it was definitely worth it all these years later. GOD will deliver something good from what you are experiencing. It may be much worse than a little tickle but it will be something you never expected. Be careful, though, if you ever hear a dentist say, "Oh, you have a lateral nerve."

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Where did that come from?

I have been around people, good people, before that have said things that made them blush, and caught me by surprise. It is unfortunate that we often hurt our testimony with little things, such as words that we know we shouldn't utter. I don't deny that I really try to watch what I say and how I say it, though, I still mess it up from time to time.

What I want to talk about are those who will sing GOD'S praises one moment and then curse me out the next. I am not judging them; their relationship with GOD is between them and GOD. However, if anyone else was around to hear the conversation, I would venture to say that they would remember the cursing more than the praising. I bet that is what I would remember most, too.

Once again, we all struggle with things but we have to be really careful what we say. People are looking for Christians to fail, and we do it all the time.

Today's word comes from Luke 6:45, NIV, which reads, "A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."

I think what this verse tells us is that what we say isn't a mental problem, it isn't a mouth problem, it isn't a tongue problem, it is a heart problem. The mouth certainly does speak what is in the heart. It is sad, the sort of things I keep in my heart. I don't often know they are there until after I have spoken it.

I am going to work more diligently to fill my heart with good things. I want to bless folks with what I say. They may not want to hear it but it will be from the heart.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T