I was holding the door and greeting folks as they entered church yesterday morning. As one of our younger couples walked up, I said, "Good morning young folks." To which they both replied, "You are one of the young ones too." Trish was standing there with me and said, "We are much older than you think." When Trish told them our ages, they both said that they couldn't believe it, that we looked and acted so much younger. Now, don't forget we are at church, which could explain the nice compliment. Plus, they may have meant that Trish looks much younger, and I act much younger.
So many people worry about growing older and the things that advanced age will bring along. Don't get me wrong, there are those concerns but I don't dwell on them. GOD will not bring me to it without bringing me through it. Growing older is a natural part of living, a natural part of life.
With those thoughts in mind, today's word is an anonymous quote about aging that really resonates with me: "Don't regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many."
We often worry about growing older and miss the joys of growing older. I will never be twenty-one again, but I can be the best whatever-year-old that I can at whatever age I am. Living a little longer allows us the opportunity to share experiences and joys and memories. Living a little longer allows us opportunity to share with others the knowledge and wisdom that life has taught us along the way. They may not listen but it is why we are here.
Instead of worrying about another gray hair or another wrinkle or another ache or pain, let's enjoy the life GOD has blessed us to live. Will every day be good? No. Will there be ups and downs? Plenty of them. Will there be pain and regret? You bet there will. Will it be worth it all? Absolutely. Long life is not a privilege that all get to enjoy - enjoy it. You are privileged.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, October 31, 2016
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
She's to be praised
Well, I know some may find this post a little mushy but, on some calendars, it is "National I care about you Day", and, I just felt it time to sing the praises of my lovely and wonderful wife. She is absolutely the greatest! Period. I began praying for GOD to bring me the lady I would marry when I was twelve; I wanted to be sure that I found the one that He had made for me, and He certainly provided more than I could have ever thought, dreamt, or imagined.
Trish is a beautiful lady - BEAUTIFUL. She has grown more beautiful with each passing day, and I am amazed each day that I am blessed to spend with her. I am sure that when people see us together that they wonder what is wrong with her. I can tell you there is nothing wrong with her, other than GOD made her to love me. (I know, bless her heart).
Today's word is a tribute to all those lovely, godly, devoted women from Proverbs 31:30, ESV, which reads, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
Trish is beautiful on the outside; she is even more beautiful on the inside. I am amazed at her giving spirit and her unselfishness. She is the greatest wife I could ever imagine. Yet, she is also the best Mom, the best friend, a devoted and hard-working employee, a confidant, and so much more. Where does it all come from? First and foremost, Trish loves the LORD and strives to do His will.
If you are blessed to have someone in your life that is beautiful inside and out, please let them know. I know how blessed I am. I thank GOD every day for the lovely and loving wife He had blessed me with. She is one who fears the LORD, and I just want to praise her.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Trish is a beautiful lady - BEAUTIFUL. She has grown more beautiful with each passing day, and I am amazed each day that I am blessed to spend with her. I am sure that when people see us together that they wonder what is wrong with her. I can tell you there is nothing wrong with her, other than GOD made her to love me. (I know, bless her heart).
Today's word is a tribute to all those lovely, godly, devoted women from Proverbs 31:30, ESV, which reads, "Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised."
Trish is beautiful on the outside; she is even more beautiful on the inside. I am amazed at her giving spirit and her unselfishness. She is the greatest wife I could ever imagine. Yet, she is also the best Mom, the best friend, a devoted and hard-working employee, a confidant, and so much more. Where does it all come from? First and foremost, Trish loves the LORD and strives to do His will.
If you are blessed to have someone in your life that is beautiful inside and out, please let them know. I know how blessed I am. I thank GOD every day for the lovely and loving wife He had blessed me with. She is one who fears the LORD, and I just want to praise her.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, October 24, 2016
As you please
It seems that we have a couple of paths that we can take. We can choose to please the world, which is what is often expected of us; or, we can choose to please GOD, which is what is best for us. When I say that it is best for us, I do not mean that GOD is going to send lightning to strike us because we disobey. If we are His children, He will correct us, but, He isn't going to strike us with lightning.
What I mean by it is best for us is that it will lead us to peace, happiness, fulfillment, and contentment. Walking the path GOD has established for us may not always be easy but it is the best path for our lives. The more we walk it, the more we become more like the creation we were intended to be and the closer we draw to the FATHER.
Today's word is a reminder about Whom we should try to please: "Decisions become easier when your will to please GOD out weighs your will to please the world."
When our focus is more on pleasing GOD and doing His good will, we find that we are making better decisions. And, the longer we walk His path, the longer we make decisions based on His principles and His will, the easier each decision becomes. We can continue to try to please the world and find ourselves making the same difficult decisions or we can rely on GOD to direct us and help us with our decision making.
I still make a lot of mistakes and a lot of poor decisions. Most of the bad decisions come from the fact that I was more concerned with what someone might think of me and allowed my desire to please the world to influence that decision. I pray that I will be earnest in my desire to please GOD, and that will make my decisions easier.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
What I mean by it is best for us is that it will lead us to peace, happiness, fulfillment, and contentment. Walking the path GOD has established for us may not always be easy but it is the best path for our lives. The more we walk it, the more we become more like the creation we were intended to be and the closer we draw to the FATHER.
Today's word is a reminder about Whom we should try to please: "Decisions become easier when your will to please GOD out weighs your will to please the world."
When our focus is more on pleasing GOD and doing His good will, we find that we are making better decisions. And, the longer we walk His path, the longer we make decisions based on His principles and His will, the easier each decision becomes. We can continue to try to please the world and find ourselves making the same difficult decisions or we can rely on GOD to direct us and help us with our decision making.
I still make a lot of mistakes and a lot of poor decisions. Most of the bad decisions come from the fact that I was more concerned with what someone might think of me and allowed my desire to please the world to influence that decision. I pray that I will be earnest in my desire to please GOD, and that will make my decisions easier.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, October 20, 2016
What are you chasing?
I may have mentioned before about my dream of being chased by a guy with a fork. It was when I was younger, maybe a tween, and I dreamt of a guy chasing me with a fork. In the dream, I knew he was going to try to kill me with that fork, and I ran and ran. To make a long story short, I made it safely back to my parents' house, just to see him kick in the front door, holding a spoon. And, the pursuit began again.
Ever feel like you're being chased? It seems that we are constantly being pursued: schedules, deadlines, monthly bills, etc. It can be overwhelming at times if we only focus on the bad things that are pursuing us. However, if we will sit down for a second and really dig into things, we will find that we are being pursued by some really good things as well.
Today's word is Proverbs 13:21, NLT, which reads, "Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous."
I can look back at my life and see times that I was being pursued by all the wrong things because I was doing and pursuing all the wrong things. It isn't hard to see that I was attracting what I was emitting. We have a saying around our house that we have really tried to instill in the youth: "Trash in = Trash out". If you find yourself being pursued by all the wrong things, maybe it is time to really evaluate what you are pursuing.
On the other hand, if you are striving to do GOD'S will, you will find good things pursuing you. Now, that is not to say that there won't be bad things chasing you, that's not to say that you won't have bad things happen, it is to say that despite that, if you will really look around, you will see the blessings that are chasing you and the ones you are chasing.
Ever feel like you're being chased? It seems that we are constantly being pursued: schedules, deadlines, monthly bills, etc. It can be overwhelming at times if we only focus on the bad things that are pursuing us. However, if we will sit down for a second and really dig into things, we will find that we are being pursued by some really good things as well.
Today's word is Proverbs 13:21, NLT, which reads, "Trouble chases sinners, while blessings reward the righteous."
I can look back at my life and see times that I was being pursued by all the wrong things because I was doing and pursuing all the wrong things. It isn't hard to see that I was attracting what I was emitting. We have a saying around our house that we have really tried to instill in the youth: "Trash in = Trash out". If you find yourself being pursued by all the wrong things, maybe it is time to really evaluate what you are pursuing.
On the other hand, if you are striving to do GOD'S will, you will find good things pursuing you. Now, that is not to say that there won't be bad things chasing you, that's not to say that you won't have bad things happen, it is to say that despite that, if you will really look around, you will see the blessings that are chasing you and the ones you are chasing.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Knowledge
I have been blessed to be around some REALLY smart people; unfortunately, they have not had the same privilege being around me. But, honestly, I have been taught and instructed by some folks that are super intelligent, especially in their particular fields. You do have to be careful, though, when they venture out from their respective fields.
We have lots of people in our world today that are super intelligent, or at least seem to be, that people will believe anything they tell say. Some of these folks aren't even smart, they are just popular and powerful, thus, we associate them with being intelligent, and we listen to what they say. It's important, though, that we don't confuse knowledge with wisdom.
Today's word is 1 Timothy 6:20, NLT, which reads, "...Guard what GOD has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge."
I really like this verse for several reasons. First, it instructs us to "GUARD what GOD has entrusted to us". We have to be on constant guard to keep the hungry wolves from trying to take and destroy those blessings that GOD has allowed us in our lives, and they will if we don't keep a diligent and constant watch. We need to watch what our children listen to, what they watch on television, who they associate with and the influence that those associates have on them. We need to protect our wives/husbands by praying for them, by nurturing those relationships, and by eschewing anything that doesn't.
Then, this verse tells us to avoid arguing with those who "think" they know everything because they are smart about something. Just because someone has success as a movie star doesn't mean they should dispense financial advice. Now, they can dispense it but we shouldn't listen to it and apply it. Don't let those who seem smart influence you with their so-called knowledge. If you do, you may find that they catch you with your guard down.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
We have lots of people in our world today that are super intelligent, or at least seem to be, that people will believe anything they tell say. Some of these folks aren't even smart, they are just popular and powerful, thus, we associate them with being intelligent, and we listen to what they say. It's important, though, that we don't confuse knowledge with wisdom.
Today's word is 1 Timothy 6:20, NLT, which reads, "...Guard what GOD has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge."
I really like this verse for several reasons. First, it instructs us to "GUARD what GOD has entrusted to us". We have to be on constant guard to keep the hungry wolves from trying to take and destroy those blessings that GOD has allowed us in our lives, and they will if we don't keep a diligent and constant watch. We need to watch what our children listen to, what they watch on television, who they associate with and the influence that those associates have on them. We need to protect our wives/husbands by praying for them, by nurturing those relationships, and by eschewing anything that doesn't.
Then, this verse tells us to avoid arguing with those who "think" they know everything because they are smart about something. Just because someone has success as a movie star doesn't mean they should dispense financial advice. Now, they can dispense it but we shouldn't listen to it and apply it. Don't let those who seem smart influence you with their so-called knowledge. If you do, you may find that they catch you with your guard down.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Monday, October 17, 2016
The value of a moment
I have been blessed to experience some very important and interesting moments in my life, some good, some not so. As time passes from some of those moments, I begin to see just how poignant they were and what they really mean. It is in the passing of time that we truly begin to see the value of each moment.
I have very fond memories of times with my grandparents, who have all gone on. They were good, honest, hardworking folks who loved me and left some eternal memories. With my Pops joining them in eternity, there is seldom a day that passes that I don't remember some precious moment with him - all so valuable.
Today's word is a quote from Dr. Seuss that serves as a reminder to cherish the moments. It reads, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
As I look back and remember things, it is not the huge events that stick out. Oh, they are remarkable memories, but it is the everyday, simple moments that most often come to mind. It is rarely a deep conversation that is remembered, but a moment of just enjoying someone's presence that spews forth a memory.
My Pops was a history guy. Not that he studied history or knew a lot of dates and such, but he knew historical moments when he saw them: landing on the moon, President Nixon resigning, Operation Desert Storm, etc. When these events occurred, he would say, "You need to watch this - it's history." Those events are certainly historical but it is the emphasis that Pops put on each one that is the memory I carry. You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
I have very fond memories of times with my grandparents, who have all gone on. They were good, honest, hardworking folks who loved me and left some eternal memories. With my Pops joining them in eternity, there is seldom a day that passes that I don't remember some precious moment with him - all so valuable.
Today's word is a quote from Dr. Seuss that serves as a reminder to cherish the moments. It reads, "Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory."
As I look back and remember things, it is not the huge events that stick out. Oh, they are remarkable memories, but it is the everyday, simple moments that most often come to mind. It is rarely a deep conversation that is remembered, but a moment of just enjoying someone's presence that spews forth a memory.
My Pops was a history guy. Not that he studied history or knew a lot of dates and such, but he knew historical moments when he saw them: landing on the moon, President Nixon resigning, Operation Desert Storm, etc. When these events occurred, he would say, "You need to watch this - it's history." Those events are certainly historical but it is the emphasis that Pops put on each one that is the memory I carry. You never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
Thursday, October 13, 2016
Face your Fears
Today is National Face Your Fears Day (on some calendars). So, what's your fear? Trish always says things to me such as, "I am amazed at all that you can do." Or, "It is impressive all the things you know and can accomplish." From this we can determine a couple of things: Trish is a really good person, and she is easily impressed.
The fact of the matter is, and I have told this to Trish each time she compliments me in this manner, is I am not afraid to fail. I tell her that what separates me from some others is that I am willing to make a complete mess of things. Now, as I have shared before, I have cost us several dollars by trying to undertake things myself. However, if it needs to be done, I will try to do it. But, what is your fear?
Today's word is a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, which says, "Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing."
We all have things that we fear that keep us from moving to the next chapter in our lives. I have shared before that FEAR has two meanings: 1. Forget Everything And Run or 2. Face Everything And Rise, the choice is ours. There's also another meaning to fear that I like to share: False Evidence Appearing Real. We are often bound up by something we believe, which is completely untrue.
So, as we take on the challenge of facing our fears today, let's keep in mind that most of the time, fear is a false illusion. And, every time we overcome a fear, each time we refuse to run from fear, each time we face our fear, we will become stronger, more courageous, and more confident. Face your Fears!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
The fact of the matter is, and I have told this to Trish each time she compliments me in this manner, is I am not afraid to fail. I tell her that what separates me from some others is that I am willing to make a complete mess of things. Now, as I have shared before, I have cost us several dollars by trying to undertake things myself. However, if it needs to be done, I will try to do it. But, what is your fear?
Today's word is a quote from Theodore Roosevelt, which says, "Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing."
We all have things that we fear that keep us from moving to the next chapter in our lives. I have shared before that FEAR has two meanings: 1. Forget Everything And Run or 2. Face Everything And Rise, the choice is ours. There's also another meaning to fear that I like to share: False Evidence Appearing Real. We are often bound up by something we believe, which is completely untrue.
So, as we take on the challenge of facing our fears today, let's keep in mind that most of the time, fear is a false illusion. And, every time we overcome a fear, each time we refuse to run from fear, each time we face our fear, we will become stronger, more courageous, and more confident. Face your Fears!
Be Blessed,
Mickey T
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