If you haven't been keeping up with it, there have been more protests and violence in parts of our country. While I fully believe that there is a place and time for standing up for what you believe, I also believe it is to be done peacefully. I don't see how you expect to gain peace by acting a fool and creating chaos.
What I have read this morning is that there were over 100 arrested last night as the protests proved, once again, to be less than peaceful. Once again, while there is a time and place for standing up for what you believe, if it's not done peacefully, all you have is anarchy, which leads to anything but justice and resolution.
With these uprisings and unrest in mind, today's word is Philippians 2:14 - 15a, NIV, which reads, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure..."
While everyone may think that the violent protests attract attention, it does; and, gets their point across, it doesn't. If we truly want to take a stand, we must do it in a way that proves that GOD is with us. GOD is not the author of confusion or chaos, satan is. So, if all we are doing with our protests is creating chaos and confusion, it is not of GOD.
So, let's do things GOD'S way so that others will find us blameless and pure and a light in this dark and evil world. If we do that, we may find that our protests prove more fruitful and actually accomplish something other than confusion and chaos.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, August 14, 2015
Life's too short
I was talking to a friend last night that I hadn't seen in a little while and he was telling me that his youngest son has started fourth grade. I would have thought the son might have been in second. Time flies!
I've mentioned before that I have a tendency at times to think about all the future things that need to happen, that I need to get done, and I lose sight of the joys of today. It is a terrible thing to get so wrapped up and distracted by future things that you miss all the goodness and blessings of today. Once today is gone, you cannot get it back!
Today's word is a reminder of this fact. It is Ecclesiastes 11:10, NASB, which reads, "So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting."
Life is short. We only have a few days here on this earth, why waste it being bitter and angry? I have a wonderfully blessed life. I have a life that others dream of having. I have been blessed with so many good things in this life that I need to enjoy today because LIFE IS FLEETING!
It won't be long before our youngest will be in fourth grade, then high school, then college. I know it may seem like a distant future right now but I know it will happen quicker than I can comprehend. Give up the grudge. Don't be angry. Enjoy today!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I've mentioned before that I have a tendency at times to think about all the future things that need to happen, that I need to get done, and I lose sight of the joys of today. It is a terrible thing to get so wrapped up and distracted by future things that you miss all the goodness and blessings of today. Once today is gone, you cannot get it back!
Today's word is a reminder of this fact. It is Ecclesiastes 11:10, NASB, which reads, "So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting."
Life is short. We only have a few days here on this earth, why waste it being bitter and angry? I have a wonderfully blessed life. I have a life that others dream of having. I have been blessed with so many good things in this life that I need to enjoy today because LIFE IS FLEETING!
It won't be long before our youngest will be in fourth grade, then high school, then college. I know it may seem like a distant future right now but I know it will happen quicker than I can comprehend. Give up the grudge. Don't be angry. Enjoy today!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Hurt or Comfort
My thoughts today concern something that I have talked about numerous times before - truth. I guess it may be the political debates starting up or some news snippet I heard or just some of the things I have been privy to lately but I wonder why some people have a hard time telling the truth.
Of course, there are the obvious reasons: to make themselves appear better than they truly are; to cover up some indiscretion in their past; to take advantage of you; to keep themselves out of trouble; etc. But, sometimes, especially with those that really care about us, people lie to keep from hurting us.
Today's word is a quote I came across that I really like. It says, "Hurt me with the truth...but don't comfort me with a lie."
There is a time and place for lying (Please don't ever tell my children I said that). I mean, use some tact and discernment; no one needs to hear that they are ugly enough to back a buzzard off a gut wagon. However, if they are doing something that could cause them or someone else harm, you need to tell them the truth.
I'm a big boy; I can handle the truth. So, if I need to hear something to straighten me out or to keep me from following a bad path, tell me! I would much rather hear the truth and hurt a little than to have someone comfort me with a lie that causes more pain once the truth is revealed.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Of course, there are the obvious reasons: to make themselves appear better than they truly are; to cover up some indiscretion in their past; to take advantage of you; to keep themselves out of trouble; etc. But, sometimes, especially with those that really care about us, people lie to keep from hurting us.
Today's word is a quote I came across that I really like. It says, "Hurt me with the truth...but don't comfort me with a lie."
There is a time and place for lying (Please don't ever tell my children I said that). I mean, use some tact and discernment; no one needs to hear that they are ugly enough to back a buzzard off a gut wagon. However, if they are doing something that could cause them or someone else harm, you need to tell them the truth.
I'm a big boy; I can handle the truth. So, if I need to hear something to straighten me out or to keep me from following a bad path, tell me! I would much rather hear the truth and hurt a little than to have someone comfort me with a lie that causes more pain once the truth is revealed.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, August 10, 2015
Set a guard
Anyone who has children will vouch for what I am about to say - they will repeat anything you say, and at the most inopportune time. Not that we have had an embarrassing moment, yet, but I know it is coming. Our two are like sponges that only seem to pick up the worst of my behavior. I pray daily that I will set a good example.
But, even the little things. For example, I apologized one evening for being a bit of a butthole during the day. Now, I hadn't abused anyone or talked down to anyone but I had been short a couple of times and not as nice as I should have been and had apologized for being a butthole, which I had been. Well, if you don't think a three-year-old and a two-year-old picked up on that, you have never had a three-year-old or two-year-old.
Today's word is Psalm 141:3, NIV, which reads, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; set watch over the door of my lips."
I don't ever want to say something that will cause someone to miss JESUS, that will cause someone to fail because I did. I will say, again, that you would be hard pressed to ever hear a foul or curse word from me but I have my slang, and our little ones eat it up. I bet that those that watch my Christian witness do too.
I pray that GOD will guard my mouth and not allow me to offend or turn anyone off from Him.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
But, even the little things. For example, I apologized one evening for being a bit of a butthole during the day. Now, I hadn't abused anyone or talked down to anyone but I had been short a couple of times and not as nice as I should have been and had apologized for being a butthole, which I had been. Well, if you don't think a three-year-old and a two-year-old picked up on that, you have never had a three-year-old or two-year-old.
Today's word is Psalm 141:3, NIV, which reads, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; set watch over the door of my lips."
I don't ever want to say something that will cause someone to miss JESUS, that will cause someone to fail because I did. I will say, again, that you would be hard pressed to ever hear a foul or curse word from me but I have my slang, and our little ones eat it up. I bet that those that watch my Christian witness do too.
I pray that GOD will guard my mouth and not allow me to offend or turn anyone off from Him.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Friday, August 7, 2015
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
Well, today, Trish is leaving her full-time, consistent, paying job to pursue the opportunity to gain full-time employment within the school system so that when our kids get old enough to attend school, we will have someone on the same schedule. It is an uncomfortable spot at times.
We have prayed and know that this is what we need to do. We know that GOD has a plan and that His plan is better than anything we could ever think, dream, or imagine. Yet, the human side of us wonders how we are going to give up a steady paycheck in lieu of picking up a substitute job here and there. The finances may prove to be a challenge but, with GOD, we are ready to accept it.
Today's word is a quote that reminds me not to miss the lesson in this decision. It says, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."
Back in boot camp, there were challenges. Each time we accomplished another obstacle, it changed us - we were physically stronger, more determined, more confident, more focused, mentally tougher. Those challenges weren't just to challenge us, but to change us.
So, too, is this new season that we, as a family, are entering into. Yeah, I am sure there will be times that we will be challenged. But, in the end, those challenges will change us into what we need to be.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
We have prayed and know that this is what we need to do. We know that GOD has a plan and that His plan is better than anything we could ever think, dream, or imagine. Yet, the human side of us wonders how we are going to give up a steady paycheck in lieu of picking up a substitute job here and there. The finances may prove to be a challenge but, with GOD, we are ready to accept it.
Today's word is a quote that reminds me not to miss the lesson in this decision. It says, "If it doesn't challenge you, it won't change you."
Back in boot camp, there were challenges. Each time we accomplished another obstacle, it changed us - we were physically stronger, more determined, more confident, more focused, mentally tougher. Those challenges weren't just to challenge us, but to change us.
So, too, is this new season that we, as a family, are entering into. Yeah, I am sure there will be times that we will be challenged. But, in the end, those challenges will change us into what we need to be.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, August 6, 2015
It's okay to be humble
I have to admit that I can be downright cocky. I have probably mentioned before that I trash talk playing horseshoes. I mean, I am competitive and I love to win. Now, in my life, I have had my share of losing, which has taught me how to lose but, I can be really cocky.
However, my cockiness is a lot of show. I like to win, I don't like losing, but I am not an "in your face" type of person. If I ever win anything, it is because GOD has designed it and a lot of other people have aided in it. There are very few things I can think of in my life that I can take full credit for, very few victories anyway.
Today's word is a quote from B.R. Jensen that says, "The humble, serving heart is GOD'S home - from there His caring love can touch the world."
I have a really hard time deciphering the message of some athlete that is saying, "I praise GOD," then, goes on to say, "I am the greatest player out there. No one can stop me." Now, are they really praising GOD or themselves? Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear some athlete or musician or singer or some celebrity say, "I praise GOD for allowing me to be such a small part in His plan, and especially for saving my soul and adopting me into His family."
No one stands alone. We all have others to thank, in one way or another, for helping us become who we are. We especially have to give credit for all good things to GOD. It is when we allow ourselves to be humble that others will see the true love of GOD. I need to work on that cockiness...
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
However, my cockiness is a lot of show. I like to win, I don't like losing, but I am not an "in your face" type of person. If I ever win anything, it is because GOD has designed it and a lot of other people have aided in it. There are very few things I can think of in my life that I can take full credit for, very few victories anyway.
Today's word is a quote from B.R. Jensen that says, "The humble, serving heart is GOD'S home - from there His caring love can touch the world."
I have a really hard time deciphering the message of some athlete that is saying, "I praise GOD," then, goes on to say, "I am the greatest player out there. No one can stop me." Now, are they really praising GOD or themselves? Wouldn't it be refreshing to hear some athlete or musician or singer or some celebrity say, "I praise GOD for allowing me to be such a small part in His plan, and especially for saving my soul and adopting me into His family."
No one stands alone. We all have others to thank, in one way or another, for helping us become who we are. We especially have to give credit for all good things to GOD. It is when we allow ourselves to be humble that others will see the true love of GOD. I need to work on that cockiness...
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, August 3, 2015
Teachers
If we all look back, I am sure that we could all think of one teacher that really stood out for us. Maybe they stood out because they were nice, or maybe because they weren't. Maybe they stood out because they were easy, or maybe because they made you really earn it. Yet, I believe we can all recall a specific teacher for one reason or another.
We are about a week from schools returning from summer break. Today, I think of those who teach our children. It is often a tireless, thankless job. But, oh what worthwhile work it is. It is essential; it is a must. And, I thank those willing to instruct and teach.
Today's word is just a simple blessing to those who choose to teach: "Blessed are those who teach GOD'S children."
I am sure if you ask a teacher that really wants to teach, who is called to teach, who can imagine himself/herself doing absolutely nothing else, you will find that they will say it is such a blessing. But, the truth of the matter is that we are blessed to have people so willing to teach us. I pray that our children will be instructed by teachers that are called to teach.
And, for those of you who teach because you know that is what GOD created you for - THANK YOU! Have a great school year!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
We are about a week from schools returning from summer break. Today, I think of those who teach our children. It is often a tireless, thankless job. But, oh what worthwhile work it is. It is essential; it is a must. And, I thank those willing to instruct and teach.
Today's word is just a simple blessing to those who choose to teach: "Blessed are those who teach GOD'S children."
I am sure if you ask a teacher that really wants to teach, who is called to teach, who can imagine himself/herself doing absolutely nothing else, you will find that they will say it is such a blessing. But, the truth of the matter is that we are blessed to have people so willing to teach us. I pray that our children will be instructed by teachers that are called to teach.
And, for those of you who teach because you know that is what GOD created you for - THANK YOU! Have a great school year!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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