Find Fun

Today is Fall Fest for Blake and Olivia at their elementary school. Because of the rain, it has had to be scaled back but it should still be a fun time for everyone. They will have booths set up in the gym, along with games and chances to win prizes. Most important, they will have the opportunity to share some fun time with others.

I really like this time of year; there is so much to do. Our church had a fall festival for everyone this past Wednesday night, which was a huge success, I hear. We plan to go to a pumpkin patch this Sunday after church. Of course, trick or treat is just a few days away. The beginning of fall is a fun time. However, every day can be fun, if you want.

Today's word is a lengthy verse from Ecclesiastes, which reminds us to have a little fun. Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT, reads, "So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work GOD gives them under the sun."

If we allow it, the every day wear and tear of this life can beat us up and bring us down. Solomon reminds us that we need to enjoy life. The Bible tells us that JESUS came to give us abundant life. Yes, there are going to be hard and difficult days - lots of them. But, there will also be lots of fun and exciting days. We just have to choose to have a fun day from time to time.

You may not be heading to a fall fest today but it can still be a day of fun. Look for something that makes you smile today. Look for something that will make someone else smile today. Listen to a child's laughter. Watch someone accomplish something difficult. When we take our focus off of ourselves and all the things that are wrong in our lives, we may just begin to see the good things GOD has given each of us. And, you may find fun.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

I want to work for Him

I had a businessman tell me a story of an employee he had. It seems that this particular employee had been hired in as a lab assistant, helping the chemist prepare samples for analysis. One day, this business owner walked through the lab and noticed that some things needed tidying a bit so he asked the lab assistant to get some cleaning supplies and freshen the place up. The lab assistant told this man, who had hired him, that that was not in his job description. He continued by informing his boss that he was a lab assistant, not a janitor. In just a few minutes later, this man found out that he was neither.

We have to remember that we work for someone else. Even if you are a business owner, you work for your customers. We, Christians, have to remember that beyond our immediate, human, earthly, bosses, we work for GOD. We are a direct reflection of His attitude, His humility, His servitude.

Today's word is a very familiar passage from Colossians 3:23, ESV, which reads, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the LORD and not for men."

As Christians, we work for our LORD, through those that employ us. Yes, they are our bosses, our supervisors, our superiors, but ultimately, we work for the LORD. GOD has given us the ability to work and to work where we do. How we perform our duties is a reflection of our appreciation to Him.

JESUS sacrificed everything to bring us eternal life. He left it all to come here and save us. While He walked the earth, He was the greatest servant anyone could ever imagine. His example of humility and servitude should be seen in His children. I admit that I don't always have the right attitude: reading today's word reminded me of that. It also reminded me of the story with which I began today's post. I never want to feel as though something is beneath me. Because, I am so unworthy and so beneath my SAVIOR, and yet He came to seek, to serve, and to save me. I want to work for Him.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Turn to the Son

I, as I am sure many others, know people who complain about everything and do nothing to change any of it. As we have discussed before, we are all going to experience bad things, challenges, situations, and some people can do nothing to change their situation. And, there are countless others that will do absolutely nothing to change theirs.

For those that cannot change their situation, I humbly pray that GOD will make a way. For those that refuse to do anything to change theirs, I want to talk to you for a moment. The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. IF you want things to change, you have to change what you are doing.

Today's word is a quote from Guy Finley that says, "If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining."

If you are complaining about your plight in life and how difficult it is and how hard it is to meet new people, while you are sitting on the couch and haven't gone outside in three weeks, nothing is going to change. If they haven't shown up at your house in the last three weeks, they probably aren't coming. However, if you go outside, there is a world of people, places, opportunities just waiting.

What I am trying to say is that GOD will provide everything we need. However, we have to do our part. I call it putting feet to our prayers. If you are walking around in a dark room, and you want light, you have to flip the switch. If you don't feel the sun shining on your face, you have to turn into the sun. If you want a closer walk with JESUS, turn to the Son.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

A plan to keep me alive

I'm a people watcher. I don't know about you, but, I sit back and watch folks. Not like some weirdo, just staring and making folks uncomfortable; more of someone who just observes how people interact and react. You can learn a lot from watching how others respond to things.

I have seen people go through some really difficult and trying times. I have seen perseverance and resilience and toughness that seems beyond human capabilities. I have seen folks push through when others would have dropped into the fetal position and given up. While some folks are just mentally stronger than others, I do think, for GOD'S children, there is a certain something that can make us stronger than others?

Today's word is Psalm 54:4, NLT, which reads, "But GOD is my helper. The LORD keeps me alive!"

When we know that GOD is on our side, we need not fear anything or anyone. We can rest assured that He is working all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Does that mean that we shouldn't go through bad things? No, we live in a completely broken and fallen world. It does mean, though, that we do not go through it alone - He is our helper. We can also rest assured that the LORD keeps us alive. He provides everything we need to make it through this life - food, shelter, family, etc. - but, most important, He has made a way for us to live eternally with Him!

Do you find yourself fighting through some things? Don't worry, we all are. And, we are here to help one another as we go through this life together. Find some folks that will help you walk through this valley to the next hilltop. Find some folks that will remind you that GOD is our Helper, and He is working even when we can't see it. Then, remind yourself that not only does He have a plan for you in this life, He has made a plan for eternity, a plan to keep me alive!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

When we least deserved it

Have you ever been given a gift, an award, a honor, a designation that you didn't deserve? All you have to do is look at my life to see someone that has been blessed abundantly above anything I could ever think, dream, or imagine. I have a godly wife that is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside. I have two beautiful, healthy, funny, loving kids. I have a great job that I like, with folks I like working with. I have good health, a great place to live, and the list goes on and on. BUT...

But, it doesn't stop there. When this life is over, I am going to spend eternity with my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST forever in Heaven. There will be no more pain, no more suffering, no more heartache, no more loss, just eternity with the LORD. And, I don't deserve that either.

Today's word is Romans 5:8, NLT, which reads, "But GOD showed His great love for us by sending CHRIST to die for us while we were still sinners."

We were not deserving of GOD'S grace and mercy but He loved us enough to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him, His Son, JESUS. And, JESUS didn't come because we were good people, deserving of a SAVIOR. No, He came just because He loves us. Deserving it or not deserving it had nothing to do with it; it was all about love.

As we progress through this life, we will have countless occasions when we receive things that we in no way deserve. When this happens, it is humbling; or, it certainly is to me. My prayer today is that if you don't know JESUS in a real and personal way that today will be the day you accept His gift of salvation, by grace through faith. You can come to Him just as you are. You see, He gave us the greatest gift, when we least deserved it.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Keep It

According to the National Day Calendar, today is National Be Smart about Credit Day. It is easy to get trapped by the credit bug. We see things we want, we apply for credit, they let us have it, then, we have to pay for it over time. There are things that this is absolutely necessary for (houses, cars, education, etc.) but, we get ourselves in trouble when we use credit for things that are not essential.

I know A LOT of people that really don't care how much something costs; all they care about is how much does it cost per month? How much is the payment going to be? The care can cost $95,000 but, if they can get payments for $200/month FOREVER, they are okay with that. We really have to be careful when it comes to what we owe, and to whom we owe it. Because, and here is the kicker, we are EXPECTED to pay it back.

Today's word is Ecclesiates 5:5, ESV, which reads, "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

There are lots of folks out there that will make a promise to pay back what they owe but end up defaulting on that promise. Every time we sign papers to borrow the money to purchase something, we have vowed that we will pay for the item(s) we have purchased. There are times that defaulting can't be helped (sickness, loss of employment, etc.), there are many other times, though, when we just don't fulfill our promises, and that is not pleasing to the ones we owe nor to GOD.

Today's verse is a great reminder that we need to mindful of our good credit. It is easier today to get things that we don't really need than it has ever been. It may cost you five times more than it is worth but you can still get it. Just remember that if you choose to buy it on credit, you are expected to pay for it. We, Christians, are to display the attributes of our Father, Who has always kept His promises. It is better to not promise than to make a promise and not keep it.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

True Strength

Have you ever watched The World's Strongest Man competitions? They used to come on ESPN and I would watch some of it occasionally. These guys were extremely strong - extremely. And, if I were ever to find the need to have someone bench press a refrigerator, these men would be at the top of the list; they were as physically strong as humans could be, I suppose.

However, I was watching an episode once, where the challenge was a 100 yard dash, while carrying a refrigerator on their backs. As they were quickly walking down the track, one of these guys' leg bent at a 90 degree angle at the knee. Of course, ligaments gave way under the extra weight he was carrying on his back. It reminded me that physical strength is only as strong as the weakest ligament, tendon, muscle, bone.

Today's word is Proverbs 11:7, NLT, which reads, "When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength."

Now, I am not indicating that the participants in The World's Strongest Man competition were evil. I am just saying that it is great to be super strong physically BUT physical strength will not go with us into eternity. We must have our spiritual conditioning done; we must be saved through accepting JESUS CHRIST as our LORD and SAVIOR, which will make us stronger than anything physical could ever do.

It is super good to take care of our bodies, temples of the Holy Spirit, but it is far more important to take care of our spiritual selves. One day the physical strength will all be gone. One day we will see that all the physical strength truly is feeble. One day we will stand before the One and Only Holy and Just GOD and give an account. And, we won't be judged on whether we can bench press a refrigerator or run a four minute mile or climb a slick building. All that will matter that day is whether we have true strength, which only comes through JESUS CHRIST.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T