Guard your heart

Yesterday, we discussed watching our lips; we have to be careful what we say and how we say it. Today, though, my thought is about our heart. We have to really watch our heart, it can lead us in all kinds of wrong directions, if we are not careful. It often appears to me that when we think with our heart, there isn't enough blood to allow us to think with our brains.

I have shared with others that I try not to let my heart dictate my actions. Now, yes, I love (Trish and the kids are loved more than imagined), but I don't often make decisions based on how I feel. I am much too analytical and skeptical to allow myself to let my emotions dictate things. Why? Because, my heart can get confused between what we want and what we need.

Today's word is Proverbs 4:23, NLT, which reads, "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

Working with youth, we have often shared with them that GOD expects the very best from them. And, if they will love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, He will direct their paths - paths of joy and prosperity. It is when we allow our hearts to love other things, to desire things that our mind KNOWS is not good but we chase it anyway, that we find ourselves in messes that we never thought possible.

We must guard our heart. It has no mind. It cannot think. It acts strictly from emotion. We must make sure that what enters our heart is life-giving, not life-taking. We must ensure that what we allow our hearts to feel is true and pure and holy. We must make sure that we allow GOD to dictate and direct. Just as we watch what goes into our bodies and minds, we should be mindful about what we allow ourselves to permeate and prick our hearts. Guard your heart!

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Watch my lips

I've shared with others before that it isn't often what I say but how I say it that is the issue. Sometimes, the way I say things can come across as harsh or insensitive, and I don't mean it to at all; it's just the inflection and tone of my voice causes it to seem that way.

There are other times, however, that what I say really isn't a very nice thing to say. I am not saying that boastfully, just being completely transparent. There are times that I shouldn't say anything at all but I say the wrong thing anyway. There are those times when I should say anything at all, yet, I keep my mouth shut.

Today's word is Psalm 141:3, NIV, which reads, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips."

I want the LORD to guide and guard what I do. I want my words to be encouraging and uplifting, not discouraging and degrading. However, as I just mentioned, oftentimes, I allow me to control everything and I don't do a very good job. My prayer is much like the psalmist's; I want GOD to guard what I say. Why? Because what I say may be the only testimony I ever get to share.

Words are powerful - they can lift up; they can tear down. Words can encourage or discourage. Words can grow us or slow us. I want what I say to be beneficial and pleasing to my LORD. LORD, guard my mouth and watch my lips.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Peacemaker

Today is "Law Enforcement Appreciation Day", and I greatly appreciate all the men and women who serve us all in the law enforcement field. It is a tireless, thankless, often unappreciated job that so many do without any thought for themselves. I am grateful for those in the law enforcement field and those that will become law enforcement. Thanks!

We need peacemakers, peacekeepers, people who serve others by making sure that peace is protected, and restored when broken. There are so many people in today's society that their number one goal is to cause strife and discord and disharmony and disunity. Thankfully, though, we have those who have the opposite goal, and work to restore broken peace.

Today's word is Matthew 5:9, NIV, which reads, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of GOD."

This verse tells us that there is a special blessing for those of GOD'S children that strive to establish, protect, and restore peace. When we work to bring peace, we are displaying one of the many traits of our Heavenly Father, we look like, we act like, we display one of His traits, one of His characteristics. Now, is everyone who is a peacemaker one of GOD'S children? Probably not. But, they are still displaying one of His traits.

On this day that is set aside for appreciating our Law Enforcement personnel, I just want to take the time to say, "Thanks." I truly appreciate your time and sacrifice. I can never tell you all enough how much I appreciate your willingness to protect and to serve. May GOD richly bless you for being a peacemaker.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

No matter the task

There is a small plaque that hangs in our house that reminds us about our attitude. It simply says, "Attitude is everything. Choose a good one." Now, of course attitude isn't everything but it does play a huge part in everything. Attitude, and especially a purposeful attitude, explains why some companies are so good at getting people to spend enormous amounts of money for a family vacation at a location that is hot, overcrowded, and, again, expensive. They purposefully take the attitude of making it the greatest vacation you will ever have.

Have you ever noticed that even on a bad day, when things aren't going exactly the way you thought they would when you got out of bed that morning, that if you have the right attitude that things are still not as bad as they could be? Yeah, they are still not ideal, still not exactly what you anticipated, but the events of the day are bearable because of your attitude.

Today's word is a quote that reminds us that our attitude is powerful: "Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you will do. Attitude determines how well you do it."

We all have certain capabilities. Some are great in the medical field. Others are great at cooking and baking. Then, there are those that are very mechanical and can fix everything. GOD has gifted us all with abilities and capabilities. We use our abilities and capabilities every day to serve GOD by serving others, or we should.

The "should" comes in because of our motivation. What motivates you to get up and do what you do every day? What motivates you to use you GOD-given abilities and capabilities? Maybe it is the desire to help others. Maybe it is the simple fact that you are providing for your family. Motivation is what drives us to utilize the abilities and capabilities that we have bee gifted with.

BUT, abilities and motivation will only take it so far. If we don't enjoy what we do, it is hard to do it. If we don't take the attitude that we are doing what we do for the glory of GOD and for His service, we will find it burdensome and unfulfilling. If we approach each day with the attitude that we will do all things for His glory and that we are working for Him, we will find that it is more rewarding and fulfilling no matter the task.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Easy as Breathing

I was telling an acquaintance yesterday about Trish and me meeting at a wedding; she was maid of honor, I was best man. This acquaintance, who has had a couple of divorces, asked if I knew when I first saw Trish if I knew she was the one. I shared that on that first encounter, it was so busy that I got to talk to Trish very little. However, the night of our first date, several months later, I knew she was the girl I would marry. It took some convincing but Trish finally gave in.

My acquaintance said that it had restored her faith in humanity. I told this acquaintance that if your faith is in humanity, it is misplaced; we have to have our faith in JESUS. He will direct us and lead us to where we need to be and to what we need to do. He will direct us to whom we need to be with and to whom we don't. And, if we will allow Him to do that, we will find that we can experience a little of Heaven right here on earth through the relationship we have with our spouse and our children. GOD really wants us to love each other and to take care of our families.

Today's word is the last verse in the Old Testament. Malachi 4:6, NLT, reads, "His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse."

GOD cares so much about us loving our families. He wants us to show our spouse and our children His love through us. We can rest assured that if we truly love our families the way GOD desires us to that He will pour out blessing upon blessing. Besides, for me, loving Trish and the kids is as easy as breathing.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

Don't Tolerate It

Anyone who really knows me would probably tell you that I am a man of conviction. I am one that believes what he believes and, unless GOD changes my mind, will stick to my guns without begging or backing down. Now, I don't say this flippantly; it has gotten me into trouble from time to time. And, GOD has changed my mind from time to time and I have had to apologize for my stand on one thing or another. However, you have to stand for something.

I believe that part of the reason the world and society is in the mess that it is in is because we have been not been convicted and consistent with our beliefs. We have allowed other people's rants to convince us to remain quiet. There is a time to be quiet and there is a time to stand for what you believe in.

Today's word is a quote that I came across (I don't know to whom to attribute it): "You will never change what you tolerate."

We will never change ourselves our our society by accepting anything and everything. You will continue down the same path you are on if you don't take the initiative to change course. You will continue in a bad relationship, with a bad habit, as long as you tolerate and accept what you are doing. It is only when we decide that we will no longer accept something that we begin to change.

Look, there are lots of great things going on in our world - all you have to do is look around to see them. I am also not naive enough to think that everything is right when we compare some of the things going on to GOD'S standard. I am not judging, just saying that I try to make decisions based on GOD'S standard. If it is against GOD'S word, against your conviction, don't tolerate it.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T

A consequence

I am going back to work today after taking the last eleven days off. It has been a fun time off with my wife and children. We have had some fun, completed a couple of projects, traveled a little, visited loved ones, and really just enjoyed our time together. However, it is time to get back to the job that allows us to take time off and enjoy each other's company.

I have been very blessed to have the job I have. I like what I do. I love the people I work with. It is a true saying, especially for me, that those you work with are like family. I see those good folks more of my awake hours than anyone else, and they have certainly become like family. Plus, I am to do my best to provide for my family; GOD has created me to do just that.

Today's word is Proverbs 14:23, NIV, which reads, "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."

Hard work has a lot of different meanings to a lot of different people. To me, it simply means doing what you have to do even when you don't necessarily want to do it. We have all seen the profits of working hard: making an "A" on a test we studied for, completing a long anticipated task, earning a particular piece of paper or position. We have all seen the fruits of our labors, and the rewards of hard work.

There is also an opposite reaction for those that talk about working but don't - it leads to poverty. Now, maybe you won't be "dirt poor", but, you won't have the fulfillment that you desire. It is only when we put our very best effort forward that we will receive the reward, the fulfillment of our toil. So, as we begin this new year, as I am headed back to work after some time off, I want to remember that there is a profit to working hard - and, a consequence for not.

Be Blessed,
Mickey T