We all have circumstances crop up from time to time that are completely and totally unexpected and unnerving. It never seems to fail that when one thing tears up at the house, it seems to take several other things down with it. Let's take for example that you are late for an appointment. Every traffic light that you come to will change to red, every slow driver in town will get in front of you and turn at the next driveway, every possible hindrance will arise.
I watched a football game with an acquaintance once. His team lost on a last second field goal, and he lost it. He went into another room, came out with a rifle and shot his television. Yeah, I know! Then, he commenced to throwing the television, the stereo, the clock/radio, the walkman, every electronic device in the house out in the yard. Every electronic device, I hear, I left after the television shooting.
Today's word is a quote from Stephen Covey, which says, "I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."
Our circumstances do not define us; they change from moment to moment, from one situation to another. It is our decisions during these circumstances that define us and make us. In our example of things tearing up and taking other things down with it, when this happens, we can either try to repair and replace that which has failed and be grateful for its usefulness. Or, we sulk and decide we are angry and let one bad thing lead to another; like a leaky roof leading to ceiling staining, leading to rot and decay. The leaking roof is a circumstance; not fixing it and preventing further damage is a decision.
Same with the guy shooting up the television. His team lost. The television had nothing to do with it, nor did the stereo, the clock/radio, etc. His circumstance was that his team lost on a last second field goal. His decision was to be STUPID. Don't blame decisions on circumstances. You are not a product of your circumstances. You are a product of the decisions you make in those circumstances. I pray I make good decisions.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Monday, June 8, 2015
Happy Memories
We are just a couple of weeks from another Father's Day, and it'll be my second since Pops went to be with the LORD. I think about Pops A LOT; I miss him everyday. There are times when just the smallest, simplest thing brings back a fond memory. He was a great Dad; he was Pops.
Now, Pops never had a whole lot, never made a lot of money, but he knew what life was and how to live it. Yes, there were arguments and disagreements and worries and concerns but there was also lots of laughter and joy and hugs and love. Pops won't be remembered for the grand house he built; he'll be remembered for the great home he made.
Today's word is Proverbs 10:7, NLT, which reads, "We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away."
One of the things I remember most about Pops that I have always tried to adhere to is, "A man is only as good as his word." If you say you're going to do it, do it. If you commit to something, see it through. If you make a promise, keep it. In today's society, this does not seem to be a common practice anymore. Pops knew the value of a good name; people remember what you do - good and bad.
I certainly have happy memories of Pops. No, he wasn't perfect - far from it. But, he taught me more about making memories than about making money. He taught me more about being about it and not just talking about it. People remember good people. I pray that I can continue that legacy.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Now, Pops never had a whole lot, never made a lot of money, but he knew what life was and how to live it. Yes, there were arguments and disagreements and worries and concerns but there was also lots of laughter and joy and hugs and love. Pops won't be remembered for the grand house he built; he'll be remembered for the great home he made.
Today's word is Proverbs 10:7, NLT, which reads, "We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away."
One of the things I remember most about Pops that I have always tried to adhere to is, "A man is only as good as his word." If you say you're going to do it, do it. If you commit to something, see it through. If you make a promise, keep it. In today's society, this does not seem to be a common practice anymore. Pops knew the value of a good name; people remember what you do - good and bad.
I certainly have happy memories of Pops. No, he wasn't perfect - far from it. But, he taught me more about making memories than about making money. He taught me more about being about it and not just talking about it. People remember good people. I pray that I can continue that legacy.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, June 5, 2015
How do they know?
Look, I want to preface the next sentence by saying that I am all for education; the more you know, the more you know. But, some of the smartest, wisest people I have ever met didn't have a formal education. Yet, I could ask them some life question, some financial solution, some complex dilemma, and they would always have sage advice.
I have truly been blessed in my life to have the resources of wise people. They directed towards a better end, a more popular solution, a wiser decision. I didn't, and don't, always follow the advice of these wise people but it doesn't lessen the fact that they are truly wise. How?
Today's word is the beginning of Ecclesiastes 2:26, KJV, which reads, "For GOD giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy..."
The reason these folks are so wise is because GOD gives them wisdom and knowledge and joy. All these people, these super intelligent people are GOD'S people, and He rewards them with wisdom and knowledge.
It makes me think of the disciples. As they were preaching, someone made comment that these men of Galilee were unlearned and ignorant men. How could they know so much? Then, they remembered that they had been with JESUS! Want to be wiser? Stick with JESUS! Want to have knowledge? Stick with JESUS! Want true joy? Stick with JESUS! That's how they know!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I have truly been blessed in my life to have the resources of wise people. They directed towards a better end, a more popular solution, a wiser decision. I didn't, and don't, always follow the advice of these wise people but it doesn't lessen the fact that they are truly wise. How?
Today's word is the beginning of Ecclesiastes 2:26, KJV, which reads, "For GOD giveth to a man that is good in His sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy..."
The reason these folks are so wise is because GOD gives them wisdom and knowledge and joy. All these people, these super intelligent people are GOD'S people, and He rewards them with wisdom and knowledge.
It makes me think of the disciples. As they were preaching, someone made comment that these men of Galilee were unlearned and ignorant men. How could they know so much? Then, they remembered that they had been with JESUS! Want to be wiser? Stick with JESUS! Want to have knowledge? Stick with JESUS! Want true joy? Stick with JESUS! That's how they know!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, June 4, 2015
What's it worth to you?
I am trying to get myself in better shape, which shouldn't be overly difficult considering the shape I'm in. However, to get yourself in better shape requires putting forth some effort. There are days, like yesterday, that I just don't feel it, I just don't want to do it. Those days, more often than not, are the cardio days. People who claim to love cardio should probably be evaluated for delusional tendencies.
Anyway, I wasn't really feeling it yesterday, yet, I managed to force myself to do cardio. Now, two and a half minutes into my trek on the treadmill, I thought to myself, "I cannot do this." Then, I bolstered myself by saying, "Just do two minutes Mike!" So, I did two minutes, then, two more, then, two more, and managed to do a fairly good cardio workout. Sometimes, you have to make yourself do what has to be done in order to meet a goal.
Today's word is a quote from Andrew Jackson, which says, "You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing."
It seems that so many people want things but don't want to put forth the effort or make the necessary sacrifices to see these things through. While I didn't want to do cardio yesterday, I managed to force myself through it, and, when I finished, I was pretty proud that I had done it. I was willing to push through it for that feeling of accomplishment.
Do you have a dream, a goal, a challenge that you want to accomplish? It won't be easy. But, you've done difficult things before. DO IT! You may have to toil through it. You may have to force yourself to do it. You may have to really work to accomplish it. But, the blessing of completing it will be worth it!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Anyway, I wasn't really feeling it yesterday, yet, I managed to force myself to do cardio. Now, two and a half minutes into my trek on the treadmill, I thought to myself, "I cannot do this." Then, I bolstered myself by saying, "Just do two minutes Mike!" So, I did two minutes, then, two more, then, two more, and managed to do a fairly good cardio workout. Sometimes, you have to make yourself do what has to be done in order to meet a goal.
Today's word is a quote from Andrew Jackson, which says, "You must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing."
It seems that so many people want things but don't want to put forth the effort or make the necessary sacrifices to see these things through. While I didn't want to do cardio yesterday, I managed to force myself through it, and, when I finished, I was pretty proud that I had done it. I was willing to push through it for that feeling of accomplishment.
Do you have a dream, a goal, a challenge that you want to accomplish? It won't be easy. But, you've done difficult things before. DO IT! You may have to toil through it. You may have to force yourself to do it. You may have to really work to accomplish it. But, the blessing of completing it will be worth it!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
We must endure
There are times when it seems that we have more than our share of unfortunate things happening in our lives. Or, I know it feels that way to me at times. There's always going to be those instances when something breaks down, something needs repairing, something needs replacing. Always.
There are also those times when it seems impossible to do anything that pleases anybody. If you stop at the traffic light, someone wanted you to speed through it. If you speed through the traffic light, the police officer stops you. If you fix steak for supper, someone wanted spaghetti. If you get the project done and to your boss on time, you should have had it done yesterday. If you stand up for JESUS CHRIST, you are a bigot and hate monger. Yeah, sometimes, it is hard to please anybody.
Today's word is Acts 14:22, NASB, which reads, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of GOD."
Bad things are going to happen to everyone. It doesn't matter if you are "good" or "bad"; bad things come to everyone. Why? Because we live in a world where bad things happen. Since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden sinned and allowed sin into the world, we have and will continue to have bad things happen to everyone. However, if you are a believer, there is something to look forward to.
If you are a Christian, you have to focus, not on the bad things, but on the end results. The last part of the verse tells us that we are going to go through tribulations BUT, in the end, those tribulations are leading us to our eternal abode. When bad things happen, and they do often, I want to try not to focus on the present (I'm going to do my best to handle the situation), but, I want to focus on the fact that one day these trials will lead me home.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
There are also those times when it seems impossible to do anything that pleases anybody. If you stop at the traffic light, someone wanted you to speed through it. If you speed through the traffic light, the police officer stops you. If you fix steak for supper, someone wanted spaghetti. If you get the project done and to your boss on time, you should have had it done yesterday. If you stand up for JESUS CHRIST, you are a bigot and hate monger. Yeah, sometimes, it is hard to please anybody.
Today's word is Acts 14:22, NASB, which reads, "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of GOD."
Bad things are going to happen to everyone. It doesn't matter if you are "good" or "bad"; bad things come to everyone. Why? Because we live in a world where bad things happen. Since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden sinned and allowed sin into the world, we have and will continue to have bad things happen to everyone. However, if you are a believer, there is something to look forward to.
If you are a Christian, you have to focus, not on the bad things, but on the end results. The last part of the verse tells us that we are going to go through tribulations BUT, in the end, those tribulations are leading us to our eternal abode. When bad things happen, and they do often, I want to try not to focus on the present (I'm going to do my best to handle the situation), but, I want to focus on the fact that one day these trials will lead me home.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
It often goes unnoticed
I came across a little cartoon the other day that showed a "boss" standing behind one of his subordinates at a computer terminal. The "boss" is telling his hardworking, dedicated employee, "Rest assured that your recent accomplishments at work have gone largely unnoticed."
Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel as if what you do is never appreciated? Ever feel as if you did a thousand things, the only thing that would be noticed is the one thing you didn't do? Yeah, I think we all have. You are a parent, an employee, a dedicated member of some group, a friend, a sibling, if you are alive, you have felt unappreciated - because you have been.
Today's word is a quote I came across that says, "Appreciation is as important to relationships as respect or trust."
If you ever start feeling unappreciated, it affects everything else in the relationship, whether that relationship is personal or professional. I like to tell Trish when it feels as if I am being unappreciated in some civic endeavor, "I like being useful; I don't like being used." Some people will try to take all they can and then some from you. They can drain and exhaust you. We have to find a way to do what needs to be done, what has to be done, without allowing the unappreciation to influence us. So, how do we do that? Good question...
We have to remember why we do things in the first place. If the only reason we work is to get pats on the back and a paycheck, we may find one but not the other. If you only look at the demands of relationships, you will never see the benefit of the relationship. So, what am I trying to say? We must overcome unappreciation by appreciating what we do have. We have been given much! Appreciate it! While others may not notice our hard work, remember that GOD sees us diligently doing what He has called us to do. And, He ALWAYS appreciates us doing His will - it never goes unnoticed!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever feel as if what you do is never appreciated? Ever feel as if you did a thousand things, the only thing that would be noticed is the one thing you didn't do? Yeah, I think we all have. You are a parent, an employee, a dedicated member of some group, a friend, a sibling, if you are alive, you have felt unappreciated - because you have been.
Today's word is a quote I came across that says, "Appreciation is as important to relationships as respect or trust."
If you ever start feeling unappreciated, it affects everything else in the relationship, whether that relationship is personal or professional. I like to tell Trish when it feels as if I am being unappreciated in some civic endeavor, "I like being useful; I don't like being used." Some people will try to take all they can and then some from you. They can drain and exhaust you. We have to find a way to do what needs to be done, what has to be done, without allowing the unappreciation to influence us. So, how do we do that? Good question...
We have to remember why we do things in the first place. If the only reason we work is to get pats on the back and a paycheck, we may find one but not the other. If you only look at the demands of relationships, you will never see the benefit of the relationship. So, what am I trying to say? We must overcome unappreciation by appreciating what we do have. We have been given much! Appreciate it! While others may not notice our hard work, remember that GOD sees us diligently doing what He has called us to do. And, He ALWAYS appreciates us doing His will - it never goes unnoticed!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, June 1, 2015
There's still only ONE way
I recently saw a video telling me that I have been tying my shoes wrong all my life. I tried tying it the "new" way and I can tell you that it takes me twice as long as I normally take. Some things aren't what they are made out to be. I am not saying that there isn't more than one way to tie shoes. What I am saying is that this guys way isn't better than mine.
Now, I certainly believe that there are some things that there is only one way. For example, in a lot of towns, especially downtown areas, there are tons of one way streets. Now, can you go the wrong way on a one way street? Yes, but there are penalties if you are caught, accidents if you aren't lucky, and misdirection is the least of your concerns.
Today's word is one that I have used before but it has been brought back to mind lately. It is John 14:6, KJV, which reads, "JESUS saith unto him, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
We covered this recently, and I don't want to beleaguer the point, but we need to make sure that everyone knows. There may be a lot of roads that will get you to Georgia, but if you are trying to get to One Main Street in Newnan, Georgia, you have to get on MAIN STREET. You might take any of hundreds of roads to get to Newnan, Georgia. But, you will NEVER get to One Main Street, Newnan, Georgia without getting on MAIN STREET.
Don't let folks fool you and tell you that ALL roads lead to Heaven. As we said before, all roads will lead you to the Throne, where we will all be judged, but, ONLY ONE will get you into HEAVEN - JESUS CHRIST!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Now, I certainly believe that there are some things that there is only one way. For example, in a lot of towns, especially downtown areas, there are tons of one way streets. Now, can you go the wrong way on a one way street? Yes, but there are penalties if you are caught, accidents if you aren't lucky, and misdirection is the least of your concerns.
Today's word is one that I have used before but it has been brought back to mind lately. It is John 14:6, KJV, which reads, "JESUS saith unto him, 'I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me."
We covered this recently, and I don't want to beleaguer the point, but we need to make sure that everyone knows. There may be a lot of roads that will get you to Georgia, but if you are trying to get to One Main Street in Newnan, Georgia, you have to get on MAIN STREET. You might take any of hundreds of roads to get to Newnan, Georgia. But, you will NEVER get to One Main Street, Newnan, Georgia without getting on MAIN STREET.
Don't let folks fool you and tell you that ALL roads lead to Heaven. As we said before, all roads will lead you to the Throne, where we will all be judged, but, ONLY ONE will get you into HEAVEN - JESUS CHRIST!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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