Just when we needed it most

Have you ever found unexpected riches? Oh, it doesn't have to be much, just any amount. I remember, several years ago, reaching into an old jacket's pocket and finding a twenty dollar bill. Apparently I had worn the jacket while awaiting the start of a ball game, in which I was participating, and put the money in the pocket. And, forgot about it.

Fast forward a couple of years later, and I have the jacket, reach into the pocket and pull out money. And, it couldn't have come at a better time. I can't remember what was going on at the time but I do know that that $20 meant a lot to us at that particular moment. It's usually good to find unexpected treasure. Usually...

Genesis 43:23, NIV, reads, "It's all right," he said, "Don't be afraid. Your GOD, the GOD of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks..."

Jacob's sons had gone into Egypt to buy grain/food. A great famine was continuing upon them and they had no provisions but there was food in Egypt. The sons had gone to purchase the food but they were stopped after their departure and their money was found in their sacks, as if they had "stolen" the grain. A case of found treasure, found riches, not being a good thing.Of course, Joseph had set it up to test his brothers, to see if they had changed, to see if he could get them to bring the rest of the family, which, eventually, happened. You really need to read the story in the book of Genesis, if you haven't.

Anyway, our loving Father, sometimes, will give us unexpected riches, invaluable treasures, at the most opportune times. I don't know why He loves me the way He does but I am certainly glad and grateful that He does. GOD is always providing for His children. Just as He did for Jacob and his family by sending Joseph ahead to sustain the entire family. Just as He did in allowing me to find that $20 just when we needed it most,

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

With Excellence

I was privileged to sit in a seminar once that reminded me that every day we write our autobiography, our book. We do this by the things we do - it's not what I say I'll do; it is what I do that matters. And, every day we are showing our loved ones, our employers, our coworkers, our friends, our neighbors, our world who we are and what we truly believe by the way we live.

Obviously, there are a few chapters that I would like to go back and rewrite, but, alas, that is not an option. EVER. We get one chance to write our story, one day at a time. There will be days when the story is going perfect and everything is positive and wonderful but, then, some plot twist, either created by us or this world, takes the story in a different direction.

Today's word is an anonymous quote I came across that reminds me that others are watching: "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence."

I allow myself to be distracted from time to time. I allow myself to get bogged down with the mundane at times. I have allowed myself to be less than excellent on many occasions. But, I shouldn't. Why? Because, there are others that are watching me write my story, and they need to see me doing my very best and striving for excellence.

Please pray for me to always do everything with a sense of excellency. Not so others will sing my praises but so that they will know that I serve the King of kings and the LORD of lords. I want to serve Him faithfully and fully, with excellence.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

You are chosen

Ever have those times, probably in elementary school recess, where you were one of the last ones chosen? It wasn't because you were the worst at something but mainly because you didn't really know anyone, and no one really knew you. Or, maybe it was because the most popular, the most aggressive, the loudest were always the ones choosing, and you were none of those things.

I think we have all experienced those times that we feel we should have been chosen, or at least chosen sooner. It's tough, uncomfortable, unsettling to go through the ordeal of being selected or not selected. However, if you are a child of GOD, you have been chosen to be a part of something bigger than you could ever imagine.

Today's word is 1 Peter 2:9a, NIV, which reads, "But you are a chose people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, GOD'S special possession..."

GOD has chose each of us to be a part of His family, THE FAMILY OF GOD. Now, as we discussed a few days ago, GOD'S call requires a response. But, when GOD convicts us of our sin and our need for a SAVIOR, IF we will answer His call, He accepts us into His family. He could and does choose everyone, including me.

You are chosen; don't ever let anyone tell you any difference. GOD has chosen you to be a part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation; you are His special possession. Of all the things GOD created, and He created everything, upon creating mankind, He said, "It is very good." He loves us enough to send His One and Only Son to die for our sins. We are His special possession. Don't ever let this world make you feel unwanted - you are chosen.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Holding Hands

I love holding hands with Trish; there is nothing like it. Just the simple act of taking someone's hand in yours is something that is definitely better experienced than talked about. The feeling of security, of strength, of completeness is, as my generation says, "AWESOME".

The same goes for holding one of my children's hands. This is usually done when walking through parking lots or crowded stores, and for an entirely different reason - I need to keep up with them and protect them. I want to protect Trish too, and I hope they can all feel some level of security from simply holding hands.

Today's word is Isaiah 41:13, NIV, which reads, "For I am the LORD your GOD Who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'"

Have you ever felt GOD holding your hand? Holding you up? Carrying you? There have been many instances in my life that I know GOD was helping me through; there is no other explanation. Again, there is nothing more strengthening than feeling Him take me by the hand and saying, "It's okay. I am here. I will help you." He is right beside each of His children expressing the same.

I am more grateful than I could ever express that GOD cares enough for me, His child, to take my hand and protect me and make me feel secure. While some people may not enjoy the act, while some may think it is kind of juvenile or un-masculine, I really like holding hands.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Be filled with Joy

Have you ever been full of joy? I mean, really full? As I have tried to explain, and as I try to always remember, happiness will come and go, BUT, joy comes and stays. We can be full of joy even when we aren't happy. We can still have joy even when it seems that the only thing changing is that things are getting worse and worse.Why? Because, true joy comes and stays.

We can do things that make us happy but as soon as the new wears off as soon as the new car breaks down, as soon as the Reese Cup is gone, some of the happiness goes with it. Happiness can be completely temporary, ever moving, hard to obtain. On the other hand, we can have true joy in the midst of our trials an troubles.

Today's word is John 15:11, KJV, which reads, "These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

JESUS was telling His disciples in the previous verse that if they keep His commandments, they will remain in His love. He is going to love us unconditionally, but, if we keep His commands and follow His will, we will find the joys of life, for they are not found in a bottle, a drug, a one time relationship. True joy is finding JESUS and doing what He has called us and designed us to do.

In the verse following today's word, JESUS tells us that His commandment is that we love one another. What joy it is to love others and not go around hating. It is really easy to love others when we love JESUS. We know that GOD is Love. May we always love one another, seek and do GOD'S will, and be filled with joy.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

How will you respond

Our Sunday school lesson yesterday came from Mark, chapter one (1). We studied the baptism of JESUS and the call of JESUS to Simon, Andrew, James, and John. The fact then, as it is now, is that GOD'S call requires a response. The disciples had to respond to JESUS'S call just as each of us must respond to GOD'S call to us.

Unfortunately, there will be those that will not answer the call of GOD for salvation, for whatever reason. I don't know why everyone isn't saved or why some never get saved. I don't know how you can sense the call of GOD and dismiss it. But, that is not mine to judge; I just know that JESUS called and I responded.

Today's word is Isaiah 33:5, NIV, which reads, "The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He will fill Zion with His justice and righteousness."

I think this passage is an indication as to why some respond the way they do: the LORD is exalted. Many folks don't want to exalt the LORD; they decide that they want something else more than a personal relationship with JESUS. I have heard people say that they are afraid that they will miss "something". I can tell you that the only thing you miss by being a Christian is hell.

Yesterday's lesson had a lot of depth; JESUS was baptized to fulfill the prophecies. He had not sinned in any way but He fulfilled all prophecy. Another fact that I got out of yesterday's lesson is that GOD is still calling and it requires a response. He isn't going to force Himself on anyone; He allows us to respond. The LORD is exalted, and yet, He still calls us. How will you respond?

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Pass it along

It is National Read Across America Day, a day set aside to celebrate the life and writings of Dr. Seuss. No doubt, Dr. Seuss created books that children loved then, love now, and will love forever. And, not just children; I still go around telling my kids, "I don't like green eggs and ham. I don't like them here or there. I don't like them anywhere." If I miss quoted that, I am sorry.

Reading is such a wonderful thing. I had older siblings that I watched go to school. I drove my Mom crazy about wanting to go to school. So, she and they sat me down and taught me to read, write, and count. While it is hard to believe, by the time I started school, I could read a newspaper, count to a thousand, and write sentences. Unfortunately, I didn't maintain that pace but I had a good start.

Today's word isn't a quoted from Dr. Seuss but it is about learning. Benjamin Franklin said, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn."

On this day that we celebrate reading, I thank my Mom, my siblings, all those teachers that "encouraged" me to read. While I may not have enjoyed every moment of the process, I am grateful and thankful to those who helped. Education in general, and reading specifically, is a wonderful blessing that I do not take for granted.

I am also so thankful for all those that didn't just teach but involved me, whether it was mechanics, or constructing, or cooking, or singing, or sports, or whatever. It is your involving me that allowed me the opportunity to learn. My prayer, my desire, my hope is that I can take that knowledge and pass it along.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T