Enjoy some chocolate milk

Well, I can hardly let today go by without acknowledging, according to the National Day Calendar, that today is National Chocolate Milk Day! Man, I really like me some chocolate milk. Anyone who really knows me or has been around me very much will attest to that fact.

There is something special about chocolate milk, and I don't necessarily mean the sweetness nor the chocolate per se. But, I have always enjoyed taking a glass of cold milk and mixing in chocolate mix. It will surely make you happy, happy, happy. However, as I have grown in my Christian walk and life, I have come to realize that even that simple glass of chocolate milk that I enjoy so much is a blessing from GOD.

Today's word is Ecclesiastes 2:24, ESV, which reads, "There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of GOD."

Solomon reminds us in this verse that there are few things better in this world than to eat, drink, and find enjoyment in our work. Now, he did not mean to be gluttons or drunkards. No, he simply meant that GOD has given us good food (enough food) and drink. How often, I complain about what we are having for dinner, when I should be grateful to my Father for providing such good food for my family and me. How often we complain about our jobs, when we should be grateful that we are able to work and that we have somewhere to work. It all comes from GOD, and we should be thankful and express our thanksgiving to Him.

So, even a simple glass of chocolate milk should remind us of how blessed we are through our Father in Heaven. He has given us exceedingly, abundantly above anything we could ever think, dream, or imagine. Give Him thanks, then enjoy some chocolate milk.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Times that we shouldn't speak at all

Ever heard the old saying, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt"? It is really good advice; sage advice that I would be wise to remember. Often, I find myself willing to speak before I really need to, before I even think about what I am going to say, before I even think about the fact that the best thing I can say is nothing.

I think most of us have a tendency to want to communicate. And, I think most of us have a desire, while communicating, to appear reasonably intelligent. Yet, if you are like me, you may find yourself engaging mouth way before engaging brain, which will land you in one uncomfortable position after another.

Today's word is Proverbs 17:28, NLT, which is a good reminder of how we, sometimes, need to remain silent: "Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouth shut, they seem intelligent."

This verse, from which the saying probably originated, reminds us that the best things we can sometimes say is nothing at all. I like the fact that it says, "Even fools are thought wise..." So, anyone can appear to be wise if they follow this advice - "when they keep silent.." Then, it goes even further: "...they seem intelligent." When? "...with their mouth shut..." Wanna look and seem intelligent - keep mouth shut.

I guess the truth to be taken from this, and so many other things, is that there is a time to speak. And, there are a lot more times that we shouldn't speak at all.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Go out and vote

It's Register to Vote Day, and I think, if you are not registered to vote, that you should go out and register to vote. Then, you should vote. You shouldn't stop at registration; you should continue on and cast votes. Voting is one of the greatest privileges we have as Americans and so few people take advantage of it.

I will never tell you who to vote for or what not to vote for; that is between GOD and you. However, I will say that we should pray and seek GOD'S will and, then, cast our votes. I mentioned to someone once, that I voted for a certain third party candidate. This person asked me why I would go and "WASTE" a vote. To which I replied, "If I vote my conscience, my vote is never wasted."

Today's word is Proverbs 29:2, NKJV, which reads, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; BUT when a wicked man rules, the people groan."

The only way we can ensure that we are led by good, righteous, godly people is for us to go out and elect good, righteous, godly people. If we don't go out and vote for good people, we have cast a vote for the other party. Again, one of the greatest privileges we enjoy here in America is the freedom to vote and elect.

Register to Vote Day; take advantage of it. So many people have sacrificed to give us this privilege to elect good, righteous, godly leaders. Let's make full use of it. Register to vote, then, go out and vote.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Truth will Prevail

Can you control what people say think about you? Or, just as important, what others say about you? Goodness no. People are going to think and say whatever they want to think and say. Now, I try to do the right things and be respectable and respectful but, man, there are those who will talk about me like I am the biggest waste going, and they are usually the ones closest to you.

You know what I can do about what others think or say about me? Not much, other than to try and live a life that disproves all they are telling. So, I have this saying: "Think what you want to think, believe what you want to believe, and say what you want to say. BUT, I know the truth."

Today's word is just something I came across that says: "The Truth shall Prevail." Amen.

This simple sentence is telling us that JESUS, the TRUTH, will triumph. No matter the circumstance, no matter how awful or stressful it is. No matter what others think. No matter what others do. No matter, come what may, JESUS is in control and He will prevail. We can trust that He will fight our battles, defeat our enemies, and bring us to a good end.

Look, there is absolutely nothing you or I can do about what others think or say. We can ask them not to say it, but, that often does very little good. What we can do, though, is rely on GOD to see us through. To know that He knows the truth, is the Truth, and that Truth will set us free. Not only that, the Truth will Prevail.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Through our faith

Have you ever overcome a major obstacle in your life? For some, it may have been trying to go to school, or go back to school, while raising a family and working a full time job. For others, it may have been a physical challenge that required a lot of time and effort. For others, it may have been letting something go and knowing that GOD was going to take care of it.

We will all have obstacles in our lives, obstacles that need to be overcome. Each time we overcome a challenge, each time we find ourselves persevering, each time we defeat an obstacle, we grow a little more in our faith. Faith gets stronger when we exercise it.

Today's word is 1 John 5:4, NLT, which reads, "For every child of GOD defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."

If you are a child of GOD, you can know that, come what may, you already have the victory. We know that JESUS defeated death, hell, and the grave; and, so shall we. We know that difficult times will come but ultimately, we will be victorious. And, where does that victory come from? Our faith. We know that GOD is on our side and that He will lead us safely through.

Got an obstacle that needs tackling? Got a challenge that needs to be overcome? Got some persevering to undertake? We can rest assured that GOD will faithfully help us to do each and every one of those, and more. Not faith in ourselves, but, faith in the One that will lead us through. For, we, His children, will defeat this world through our faith.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Your heart's desires

Well, today is our two little ones' birthday, seven and six today. It is amazing how fast the years have gone and are going. The old saying, "With children, the days are long but the years are short," is certainly true. It is hard to believe that they are seven and six.

So, what do I really want for our two children? I want them to know that they are loved and that they are safe. This summer, they both prayed to receive CHRIST as their Savior, but, I want them to be safe in this world, too. I want them to be successful and thoughtful and giving and caring and kind. I want them to do GOD'S work.

Today's word is Psalm 20:4, NLT, which reads, "May He grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed."

Today's verse is my prayer for our two children; that GOD would grant them their heart's desires and help them be successful. Now, of course, all the desires and success will come from them following GOD and doing His good will. I want them to be successful in all the right ways.

As you go about your daily duties, remember that GOD has a great plan for you. He wants you to be successful and useful. More than anything, though, He wants you to be His. Because, every father wants to give his children nice things; this is even more true of our Heavenly Father. Happy Birthday little ones! May God grant your heart's desires.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Never Forsaken

As I type this, Hurricane Florence is on our minds. I pray for those that will be affected by the devastation that will be wrought by this force of nature. I can't imagine what must be going through the minds of those that are in Florence's path. Even if you have the best homeowner's insurance in the world, there is still probably great concern.

Of course, for me, as long as everyone is safe, everything else can either be repaired or replaced. However, it takes years to build what they have; it takes years and time and hard work to get something the way you want it and love it. It must feel as though there is no hope. However, for those who seek the LORD, there is always hope.

Today's word is Psalm 9:10, NIV, which reads, "Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You."

There will be times in our lives when we feel as though we have been abandoned or forsaken, but, as a child of GOD, we can rest assured that the LORD is right there with us. Not only is He there, He has always been there, He will always be there. There is no place we can go that He does not go before us, and that He is not there with us.

We pray for those who are in the path of whatever is coming. I pray that GOD gives me peace and grace to withstand whatever storm comes my way. I pray that I will recognize and feel His presence and His power as we weather those storms. I pray that I remember that He has never forsaken those who seek Him.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Wait in Anticipation

As I looked at our bank account this morning, I couldn't help but rejoice that tomorrow is pay day. I don't know about you, but for us, there are times that we seem to run out of money way before we run out of month. I am awaiting the deposit going into our account tonight/tomorrow morning at midnight. It's anticipation.

Anticipation means to expect something; to await some occurrence with expectation. Now, I needn't worry about payroll going into our account, it has every week for my entire career. But, there are countless other things that we anticipate; that we expect. I seem to always be anticipating something.

Today's word is Micah 7:7, NLT, which reads, "As for me, I look to the LORD for help. I wait confidently for GOD to save me, and my GOD will certainly hear me."

There are those anticipations that are not very encouraging, not very comforting. The anticipation of a test result that we didn't study for. The anticipation of correction for some misdeed that we have perpetrated. But, there are other anticipations that excite us, that we expectantly, hopefully await.

In today's passage, Micah tells us how to joyfully and peacefully anticipate. First, we look to the LORD. We can rest assured that He is working all things for our good. No, all things aren't good but all things work for our good, when we are His. While we wait, we can wait CONFIDENTLY. GOD is on our side and He will see us through. And, we can know for certain that He hears us, as we wait in anticipation.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Be the Encouragement

According to the National Day Calendar, today is "National Day of Encouragement". Life is hard, difficulties arise, and we all need a little encouragement from time to time. When things are rocky and trying, there is little more invigorating than to have someone come along and encourage you.

I couldn't count the times that I have been encouraged by someone or by something that someone has done. We all need that little boost every now and then. We all need someone to give us that shot in the arm. How about you, have you had folks encourage you? Have you been the one that brought encouragement to another? We should.

Today's word is 1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV, which reads, "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

The Thessalonians were taking the time to encourage one another and build one another up. There is a time to correct and really get in the face of someone. I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of the verse that tells us that "Iron sharpens iron". We need folks to get in our face at times and straighten us out. We also need someone to get behind us and encourage us, too.

So, on this National Day of Encouragement, try to find a way to encourage someone. We will all encounter a number of people today that just need a little pick me up - be the encouragement that they need.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

I pray that we always remember

Today is the 17th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil. I, as I am sure others do, remember it like it was yesterday. There are still images etched into my deepest psyche that will never be erased. We can never forget or suffer the chance that it will happen again.

Now, don't get me wrong, I don't dwell on the events of that horrible, terrible day. But, I also never forget what happened. We can't afford to let our guard down because the enemy is still out there; there are those who would love to destroy us just because we are Christian, just because we are American. My prayer is that we always remember that these enemies are alive and well.

Today's word is Psalm 25:2, NIV, which reads, "I trust in You; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me."

David was a mighty warrior, GOD'S warrior. When something needed to be taken care of, David was the man for the job. Yes, David did a lot of things wrong; he made a lot of mistakes. But, when it came to doing GOD'S work and will, David seemed to be always ready, always vigilant, always prepared to face and defeat the enemy. Why? Because he knew Whom he served.

I remember all those brave men, women, and children that lost so much seventeen years ago. I pray for those who are still affected by those loses. I pray that GOD will be close to them today and always. I pray that they KNOW that GOD is close and that they can put their trust in Him. I pray that we always remember.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Our Father Does Not

I don't know about you but our lives seem to be an endless flow of changes. Of course, with a soon to be 7 year old and a soon to be 6 year old, we see the grow almost overnight. It is amazing at how rapidly they are changing: getting taller, enlarging vocabularies, etc.

For Trish and me, of course, there are changes. As we get a little older, the endurance that we once had seems to be harder to find. Aches and pains that we used to not know are very well known. There have been job changes, address changes, even church changes. It seems, as I said, that something is always changing.

Today's word is two parts: Malachi 3:6a, NLT, and a quote I came across. So, Malachi 3:6a, NLT, reads, "I am the LORD, and I do not change." And, the quote by Bradley Paul is "Just know that when life changes, GOD never changes."

So, no matter the changes that may be going on in your life right now, no matter how uncomfortable and unsettling they may seem, just know that the same loving, caring, eternal, all-knowing GOD of yesterday is the same loving, caring, eternal all-knowing GOD of today. He knows what the future holds, knows what we are going to need to overcome the obstacles that may arise, and knows how to see us safely through.

Life is inevitably and constantly changing, and there is really no way to stop it. However, we also know that our GOD is working all things for our good, and that HE NEVER CHANGES. We can rest safely and securely in the fact that while everything around us may be changing, our Father does not.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

All He has done

As I have mentioned previously, we are on the brink of playing our first game tomorrow. We coaches have done everything we can to try and prepare these young boys for this upcoming season. We will see what we have and adjust the best we can. The boys, of course, are a little anxious and nervous, rightfully so.

We all get anxious from time to time. We all get a little nervous about situations and change and things that are potentially around the corner. Yes, we are considerably older than these young boys we are coaching but, I too, am getting a little nervous and anxious about the game tomorrow, and the upcoming season. Paul instructed the Philippians on what to do when they are feeling anxious.

Philippians 4:6, NLT, reads, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell GOD what you need, and thank Him for all He has done."

When I start to get anxious, and I don't mean about the upcoming youth football season, I try to remember all that GOD has already done for me. I am amazed at all the things He has done, all He has provided, all that He has brought me through. And, when I remember all those things, it gives me the courage and the strength to keep on keeping on.

Feeling anxious or nervous today? Instead of allowing it to overwhelm you, why not pray about it. Ask GOD to give you wisdom, discernment, and guidance to navigate through whatever is on the horizon. The, remember all that He has already done and rest secure in the fact that He is still working all things for your good. Then, thank Him for all He has done.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Never give in, never give up

So, I am helping to coach Blake's C-Team, full contact, tackle football team. This is a team of 5, 6, and 7 year olds mostly, with a few that turned 8 after the deadline. We play our first game of the season this Saturday, two days. We are trying to show them all we can about football, how to tackle correctly, how to maintain containment, etc. BUT, you can't coach heart. Period.

Heart/desire is something that is individual. I have seen some athletes that had been given some gifts to play a particular sport but they weren't as good as they could be because they didn't try. On the other hand, I have seen some athletes that weren't as blessed with GOD-given talent but would wear the "talented" guy out because they wanted it, and because they wouldn't give up.

Today's word is just a simple quote that says, "It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."

There are things in this life that will challenge us on a daily basis. There are things that will challenge us on a moment by moment basis. And, we can either decide to fight through each challenge and accomplish what GOD has for us to accomplish OR we can just give up. I don't know about you but I don't want to give up. I want to see things through. I want to do what I have been called to do. I want to set an example for my kids that we accomplish nothing by giving up.

The next time you are faced with a challenge, and you will be. Pray to GOD, Who will give generously, for the strength to keep on keeping on. He will help us persevere and push through if we will only ask. He will renew us daily if we will only ask. And, He will help us to never give in nor never give up.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Worth every minute

Anything worth doing is worth working for. It really is that plain and that simple. It takes devotion; you have to be committed to doing what is worth doing every day. So many people give up just when they are about to succeed. So, how do we stay devoted?

I think devotion, like most everything else, gets stronger the more you use it. We have heard all of our lives that we have to keep testing our brain, we have to keep exercising our bodies. Why? Because, the more you use it, the stronger it gets. The more devoted you are to something, the more you try to do it, the more you try to make it a priority, the more you try to nurture it and love it, the stronger that devotion becomes.

Today's word is Colossians 4:2, NIV, which reads, "Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

"Devote yourself to prayer..." We should set aside a time to commune and converse with the LORD. Not, to lay out a laundry list of wants but to draw closer to Him. We are never closer to those we love than when we purposely take the time to sit down and communicate with them. Our relationship with GOD will never be close than when we devotedly take the time to purposely have a relationship with Him.

And, when we do that, we can sit back and watch what happens. He will strengthen our resolve. He will show Himself in our lives in unimaginable ways. He will fortify us with blessings that we would normally miss. It all starts with devotion - purposely making and taking time to draw closer and to communicate with the Father. Trust me, it is worth every minute.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

He can change anyone

Have you ever noticed that it seems that anyone trying to do something good will be torn to shreds in today's media. If you are a Christian, if you try to live your life and base your decision-making on GOD'S standards, you will get ripped apart by others. We shouldn't be surprised that it happens but it most certainly does.

I applaud and pray for those who continue to fight the fight and to persevere in the path that GOD has laid out before them. It can't be easy to continue on when everything good thing you do is criticized and trampled. Especially when you see others that won't stand for our country praised. But, again, we shouldn't be surprised.

Today's word is Proverbs 29:27, NIV, which reads, "The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright."

JESUS told His disciples that the world, the "religious" folks, those that don't know Him in a real and personal way, would hate them. BUT, they need not be surprised because, the world, the "religious" folk, those who don't know Him hated Him first. As Christians, we shouldn't be surprised that others stand in defiance of everything we stand for, everything we believe in; they hated our SAVIOR first.

The difference, though, is while they stand against us (they really stand against JESUS) and hate us, we pray that one day they, too, will come to know JESUS and serve Him. And, if they ever do, it will change their world, and ours.

I think about Saul of Tarsus and how GOD transformed Him into Paul the Apostle, once Paul allowed Him in and allowed the hate to stop. We will continue to push on and to pray. If GOD could change Saul of Tarsus, He can change anyone.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T