Here and There

As some have probably guessed, we are in the process of evaluating whether to move or not. It has been a tough evaluation. I REALLY like where we are, but, I also understand that once the children start to school, we need to be closer to where everything will take place. We need to be closer to where every school even in their lives isn't followed by a thirty minute drive home.

So, we have looked at several houses, put our house on the market, and have left the rest to GOD. He knows what we need. He has it all planned out. He will decide if and when we move; we would really prefer our current home sell before we take on the next. Yet, I find myself really trying to influence the entire process. And, it can be stressful.

Today's word is a simple quote from Eckhart Tolle, which says, "Stress is caused by being 'Here' but wanting to be 'There'".

Isn't it true that we seldom stress because of what we do have or because of where we currently are or because of what is presently happening. We usually find ourselves stressing about things we don't have or because of where we want to be or because of some future event that may or may not happen. We are here but we want to be there.

I am truly trying to let GOD direct this decision and trying to allow Him to do it in His time. Of course, He will do both of those without my release or blessing. It is He who directs things and not I. For, it is when I try to take over that the stress occurs. I pray that I can just let GOD handle things; I pray you can too. Right here is a great place to be.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Fruit bearing

Olivia, our three-year-old, is impatiently waiting for the pear trees to produce ripened pears. Each day, out in the yard, she will say, "Are the pears ready yet?" And, Trish or I will have to reply, "No, baby. They have just started producing the fruit. It'll be a couple of months."

There are few things that compare with watching the trees go from dormancy, to full of blooms, to putting on the first stages of fruit, to producing ripe, delicious fruit. It's a lot of fun to gather the fruit with the kids. The fruit-producing cycle is also very spiritual.

Today's word is John 15:5, NIV, which reads, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing."

The more we abide in JESUS, the more we rely on Him to provide what we need when we need it, the more we will grow and ripen and produce. Being attached to JESUS, abiding in Him, drawing closer to Him will provide us with the spiritual nourishment we need to become the product that He has planned us to be.

Then, comes the last part of the verse, "...apart from Me you can do nothing." Fruit cannot grow, limbs cannot grow, if they aren't attached to the tree. Once a limb falls off a tree, it dies. Once a piece of fruit falls from the tree, it begins to die - growth stops. If you want to grow and become more like CHRIST, you have to remain attached to Him. If we will do that, we will bear much fruit.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

How did that happen?

Ever seen a historic event and wonder how it happened? Ever see deceit finally come to the surface and wonder how it ever got that far? Ever been involved in something that you thought you could or would never do and lie awake at night wondering how you ever got yourself into the mess in which you find yourself? I think we all have seen or been involved in some sort of at least one of those scenarios.

It all begins with a little bit of relaxing our standards. And, when I say our standards I really mean GOD'S. We know not to get involved, we know not to allow ourselves in those types of circumstances, we know that what we are doing is wrong, yet, we do it anyway. Why? I'm glad you asked...

Today's word is Malachi 2:8, NIV, which reads, "But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble..."

While this verse is speaking about the priests, the Levites, it rings true for us all. We find ourselves in our self-made predicaments because we turn from the way. We begin to dabble a little with this or a little with that thinking that it is just a moment and just a little fun and it isn't hurting anyone. Yet, it is hurting everyone - everyone involved. It may seem as if we aren't hurting anyone but ourselves but, like second hand smoke in a tightly closed room, the toxins are affecting everyone else. We can only hope that because of our poor decisions, because of our sins, we don't cause someone else to stumble.

I pray daily that I will walk in the paths that JESUS has prepared for me and that I will not do or say anything to cause someone else to lose faith or to lose sight or to lose ground. There is a lot going on in this world that can be distracting and, at times, appealing, but, I want to be found doing GOD'S will. Pray that I will always be diligent to follow GOD so that I don't cause someone else to stumble. Because, that it can happen so quickly and so easily.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Do something

Ever been in a situation when things weren't going exactly as planned (remember, yesterday was about the plan coming together)? Things aren't going exactly as planned and someone will look at you and say, "Do something!"

Now, there is no direction, no instruction, no detail to what they want you to do. They just want you to do something. I have a saying (I have a lot of sayings) that goes, "Doing something just to be doing something might be the wrong something to be doing." But, we are all here to do something.

Today's word is part of something I heard once and I have modified it. I apologize for the lack of citation but, after my modification, I don't rightly remember who said the original. Anyway, today's word is "GOD gave you a life to live. He has a plan for you to follow and a purpose only you can fulfill. You are here for a reason. Do something."

So many people walk around wondering what they are supposed to do and how they are supposed to do it. All I can tell you is that I don't know GOD'S plan for your life; that is between you and GOD. You're going to have to ask Him to direct you and to lead you in His plan for your life.

The point that I want to get across is that we have been given such a gift - LIFE. GOD has given us this life to use to glorify Him and to point others to Him. You are here for a reason. Do Something.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

When the Plan comes together

We are in the process of purchasing a home, while waiting for the home we are in, which we are still paying on, gets sold. It can be a little unsettling, wondering when it will all come together.

It is at these times that I remember that GOD has a plan. Now, I ALWAYS know He has a plan but I have to remind myself that He has a PLAN. All you have to do is look at some of the plans GOD has implemented: the great flood, the Exodus, Ruth, Esther, The Plan of Salvation. GOD has a plan.

Today's word is just a word about GOD'S plans: "I know GOD has a plan. I pray for direction to follow it, patience to wait on it, and knowledge to know when it comes."

Everyone is going through something right now that may feel a little uncomfortable and we are all wondering when what to do will become clear. GOD is working on and for us simultaneously to prepare us for what He has prepared for us. While it is difficult to see where we are and what we are supposed to do and how we are to get from point A to point B, we rest assured that GOD has a plan. And, His plan is AWESOME!

I pray that I will always remember that GOD has a plan. I pray that I will follow His plan for my life, that I will patiently wait for the next direction, and that I will discern the route He has laid out for me. With GOD, we can all easily say, "I like it when a plan comes together."

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Me, Defined

If you had to define yourself what would you say? I don't mean describe yourself, define yourself. A description is more of an expression of how something, or someone in this case, presents itself. A definition is more about what a person does and what drives/motivates them. I am a pretty average male, which is a description. I am a Christian that relies on GOD to guide me is a definition.

What got me to thinking about this this morning is something a guy at church asked Trish and me to do yesterday. He asked each of us a question. Trishia's was, "What is a wife?" And, mine was, "What do you expect in/from a wife?" Really good questions.

Today's word is taken from the Message. Romans 1:6 from the Message reads, "You are who you are through the gift and call of JESUS CHRIST."

We, Christians, are only Christians through the gift and call of JESUS CHRIST. Being a Christian should define us. I am an average male - description. But, because I am a Christian - definition - everything I do and the way I present and behave myself should be based on Christian fundamentals.

Now, let me tell you what I expect in a wife. First, I expect her to be a Christian. Then, I expect her to be loyal and faithful, a confidant, an advocate, and encourager. I expect her to be devoted totally and completely to me. But, I didn't stop there. I finished by saying that I expect me to be the same for her.

As Christians, we are the bride of Christ. The way we behave and the way we conduct ourselves should be based on that fact.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

You never know

I have heard countless stories in my life of folks that were in need of something big to happen and it was humanly impossible for it to happen and yet it happened. When they needed it most, someone came along, an opportunity presented itself, the very impossible became possible.

I remember a quote from Dr. Seuss that says, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory." It is those little things that we so often look over that in time, as we look back, really stand out. Some little something that someone did or said or just the fact that they were there when you needed it the most.

Today's word is one that reminds me that you just never know. It is Hebrews 13:2, ESV, which reads, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

You just never know when GOD is going to bless you with an opportunity to really experience one of those little things that will become a valuable memory. Yet, if we are only focused on our life, on what is missing in our life, on what we are missing out on in life, we will miss the blessing that GOD is sending our way.

Next time you find yourself in a moment that might seem unimportant, try to fast forward a few years and see if this might be one of those moments that will become a favorite memory. Not because you did something good or noble or kind but because you listened to GOD'S beckoning and followed His nudging. And, you never know, you may just entertain an angel.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T