Where He wants us

Years ago, in a moment of weakness or poor judgement or complete unintelligence, I ran for a seat on the city council. I was a first time candidate, with no name recognition, with no prior experience of any kind. I had a lot of help getting flyers out and we canvassed the entire district; we worked really hard. And, on election night, in a five-person race, we found ourselves in a runoff against a former council member.

So, we campaigned for another three (3) or four (4) weeks. I made it a goal to personally knock on every single door in the district, which we did. Then, on the night of the runoff election, we lost. In hindsight, it was the biggest blessing I could have received, though I didn't know it or understand it at the time. 

Today's word is Lamentations 3:25, ESV, which reads, "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him."

While I didn't understand the blessing of losing nor the blessing that not being on the city council was at that moment, I have since come to realize that GOD was protecting me and keeping me in ways that I could have never imagined. He knew that I wasn't ready for something like that. He knew the plans He had for me, and that was not part of it. I am grateful that He led me to do it, and more grateful that His plan was executed.

Sometimes, we have difficulty trying to figure out why things are happening the way they are. But, if we are faithful and wait for GOD to reveal His plan, in His time, we may just find out that we are exactly where He wants us to be. 

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

Freedoms

I have been a really poor example of so many things so many times before. I have failed at more things than I care to remember or talk about. I have let people down more times than I could ever possibly count. Yet, GOD still finds a way to make use of me and has allowed me opportunity upon opportunity to serve Him.

Years ago, seems like a lifetime ago now, I was privileged to serve GOD by serving my country. Again, I wasn't the best at it, yet, He allowed me that blessing. I look back at it now and am humbly honored to have been allowed to serve this great country. I am more humbled that there are still others that are making those sacrifices every day.

We have the great freedoms that we enjoy because men and women volunteer to step up and stand up for those freedoms. The sacrifice is great. My appreciation for that sacrifice grows deeper each and every day. I will forever be grateful and indebted to those that have been so willing to make those sacrifices to allow ME the freedoms that I have. THANK YOU!

The ultimate sacrifice that has been made for me, and ALL of US, is JESUS CHRIST dying for our sins and making a way for us to be a part of His family. And, we are allowed to learn about Him and to serve Him and to live for Him because others sacrifice to preserve that freedom of worship. Thank You, JESUS, for Your unspeakable gift!

John 15:13, NKJV, reads, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

Be Blessed,

Mickey T 

What is right and true

I am not a good liar. I did not say that I am not a liar; I have lied many times, I am just not good at it. Before you get the wrong impression, I am not proud or boastful about lying.  I am just admitting that I am not good at it. As a matter of fact most of us aren't.

Once you start telling a lie, it is hard to keep up with what lie you have told to what person. Sooner or later you are going to get the lies mixed up, then, you have to tell another lie to try and make the first lie seem plausible. When this begins, it is just one lie after another, after another. So, it is simpler to just tell the truth, which is what I am working on, no lie.

Today's word is Psalm 34:13, NIV, which reads, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies."

Today's verse reminds us of what we are talking about - don't lie. We are instructed to keep our tongue from evil: causing discord, being mean, saying ungodly things. And, to keep our lips from telling lies, which can be hurtful and harmful and more destructive than we often admit or can fathom while we are telling them.

I am going to work on being more truthful all the time. Pray for me that I will do exactly that. Then, pray about joining me, as we seek to stop lying and to start standing for what is right and true.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

That doesn't make it true

My kids, like everyone else's, and like we were when we were children, will allow other's words to affect them. It is difficult when people say things that hurt our feelings, or they say things that are completely untrue just to make others think differently about us. This tactic has been utilized for centuries and is still a very common weapon of haters today.

We have mentioned it before that some folks just love to hate, and there is very little you can do about it. People are going to hate us for everything we do, and for everything we don't do. People are going to hate us for everything we say, and for everything we don't say. Then, when they hate us, they are going to go and tell others things that aren't true just to try and bring us down.

However, there's an old saying that goes those who really matter don't care; and, those who don't care, don't really matter. Another thing I tell the kids all the time, and I have shared it here, is that just because someone says it, doesn't make it true. Don't let their hate, their jealousy, their envy bother you. Don't allow someone else's opinion to occupy any space in you.

Today's word is simply this: "Don't let someone's biased opinion define you."

There will always be those that look to spread venom and hatred. Don't let them bother you. You are a child of GOD, valued so dearly that JESUS died for you! That fact alone should tell you your true value. People can say what they want, but, that doesn't make it true.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Submit to His calling

I have always had a bit of a rebellious streak. I don't know why, it has just always been there. I haven't done anything drastic and life changing. However, there have been many occasions when I have done things just to be doing them, just to let others know that I am a man and I make my own decisions.

Sometimes, I have been rebellious towards GOD and what He would have me to do. I would love to deny that, too, but, the facts are facts. He has led me to divine appointments, to opportunities to be used by Him, and I have refused to do it. Maybe it was out of fear, maybe it was out of insecurity, maybe it was out of stubbornness, maybe it was a combination of it all, but the end result was rebellion.

I have prayed hard that GOD would be able to use me and that I would do as He led. I want so much to be useful to Him, and used by Him. First, though, I have to get rid of that rebellious nature that will arise from time to time. How about you? Do you have a rebellious nature?

Today's word is Psalm 39:8, NLT, which reads, "Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me."

Our rebellion isn't only not doing what GOD wants us to do, not only steals our joy and opportunities to be used by GOD, but, also, opens us up for ridicule from those that we need to reach the most. BUT, GOD can remove the rebellion and make us useful for His purposes. Let's pray for GOD to help us submit to His calling.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Keep me focused

It is the time of year when football, especially college, is in full swing and we are starting to see who has a legitimate shot at a championship. We also have the MLB season wrapping up, with the Braves and Astros playing in the World Series for a chance at the championship. And, if you are a NBA and/or NHL fan, those seasons have kicked off, too. Lots of sports going on.

But, it is not just the sports world. It is the time of year for fall festivals, when everyone gets to enjoy some outdoors time in a milder climate (we hope). Halloween is coming up, and regardless of your take on it, Halloween is a pretty exciting time (we have kids). Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas are just around the corner, and we need to start making some plans. 

With all these things going on, coupled with everyday life - work, school, obligations, etc. - it can seem a little overwhelming at times. It is easy to allow ourselves to get distracted and lose sight of what really matters. As we all know about CHRISTmas, it isn't about the presents - it is about the Gift, the Gift of salvation through JESUS CHRIST.

Today's word is a quote that I came across. I don't know to whom to attribute it, but it says, "Don't let the noise of the world keep you from hearing the voice of GOD."

With all the distractions that this world can bring, even good ones, it is easy to lose sight of the things that really matter. Even in the midst of all the busyness, GOD still has something for us to do and things that He is telling us. However, if our focus isn't on Him, and listening to Him, we will miss what He is saying. So, my prayer is, "Dear LORD, please keep me focused."

Be Blessed,

Mickey T

Turn to Him, Do good, Seek peace

This morning, as I sat, turned on the computer, and prepared to write this short blog, I see all the headlines. It is hard to see any headline that is encouraging, ANY. We have people saying things that are bringing reproach. We see horrific personal attacks on people. We see stories of tragedies all over the world. We see where the politicians are fighting against each other instead of trying to make things better for us all.

There is so much evil in this world, which should not surprise us, but, man, there is a lot of it. I don't know how people can be so evil, except they allow satan, the prince of evil to direct them. And, we all know that, if we allow him, he will take us down paths we don't want to go and ultimately destroy us and those around us.

Today's word is Psalm 34:14, NIV, which reads, "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

This verse seems to have some pretty simple advice that we should all try to heed: "Turn away from evil and do good." I could be completely wrong but that doesn't seem overly difficult - stop doing bad things and work on making things better for everyone. Again, we don't have to condone wrong doing but we can love each other despite our failures and differences.

There is a lot of people in today's society doing anything but turning from evil and doing good. There are many more that refuse to seek peace. BUT, our GOD is abundantly able to bring peace in the worst circumstances. Let's pray to Him, the One and Only, True and Living GOD, to help us turn to Him, do good, and seek peace.

Be Blessed,

Mickey T