"Trey Tuesday" - May 30, 2017

May I Have Your Attention Please?

Do you ever feel like someone is trying to get your attention?

Maybe it's a bill collector?

Or an impatient toddler?

The guy in the car behind you?

What if it's God?  What if God Himself if trying to get your attention?

Circumstances and trials intensify, combine, and collide with our well planned schedules.

The inconvenience of stress is amazing!  Most of the time we complain it away.  We work it away.  We talk it away.  Or at least we try to.  But what if God has you there on purpose....His purpose?  Is He getting your attention?

The unpredictable battle that Jay and Rachel endured while their little boy fought cancer was huge!  They never knew when a new diagnosis or symptom would come flying at them from out of nowhere.  Regardless, they always kept themselves (and us!) focused on God's plan throughout the journey.  They stood on the Truths and the Promises of God.  Rock Solid Promises of God.

Health will fail.

People will flake.

Money is fickle.

God is Forever Faithful.

"For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding "Yes!" And through Christ, our "Amen" (which means "Yes") ascends to God for His glory."  2 Corinthians 1:20

"Trey Tuesday" - May 23, 2017

Hockey and Football - Man's Excuse

Experts have determined that there are 5 Love Languages.  Words of Affirmation, Receiving Gifts, and Quality Time are a few of them.  Physical Touch is another.  

The first few sound wonderful to many!  Accolades and presents!  Sounds good to me!  :)

Physical Touch in social circles makes us squirm.  Hand shakes are OK, but don't linger.  High fives work, but please just touch and go.  What about a hug!?!?  A  long lost friend hug is OK.  Even a joy induced hug.  Anything more than that might not be for you.  But....a hug is soooooooooo good for you!  :)

Watch any football player!  Tackles are merely hugs in disguise!  Most guys keep their distance until they play football - or definitely hockey - and then it is hugs all around!

This life is hard.  

Ask Jay and Rachel.

Or Joe and Bella.

Or Manchester, England.

Or those battling addiction.

Or fear.

Or financial stress.

Or managing a child with special needs.

Or job loss.

Offer a hug.  Receive a hug.  No, a hug won't make the problems go away, but it may offer a brief moment of distraction, comfort, and a reassurance of love.

"Be devoted to one another in love."  Romans 12:10

"Trey Tuesday" - May 16, 2017

Trey Mitlo:  Young Warrior

warrior: a person who fights in battles and is known for having

courage and skill

Trey was called our "Young Warrior" from Day One of his diagnosis of neuroblastoma, but God created Trey to be a warrior long before that fateful day.  Trey was not your typical child.  He loved going to the doctor!  His nurses were his friends!  He giggled while in the hospital!  He never ever, not for one second, knew that he was sick.  He fought his battle with great courage and skill.  Yet....sometimes his warrior-hood spilled over....over on to his sweet Grandma, "No, Grandma.  Don't sit by me.  You sit over there!"  Never with intent to harm or disrespect, but always with intent to...well....boss us around and show us who was the Warrior!  :)  Trey was a warrior, through and through.

What about you?  How has God carefully crafted you?  What are your strengths?  Can they also be seen as your weaknesses?  Consider how you can use those strengths to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  (Ephesians 4:1)

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10

"Trey Tuesday" - May 9, 2017

I Love My Toothbrush!

What a sweet way to start my day - with its gentle bristles and the minty fresh toothpaste. Throughout the day I revisit it and it takes good care of me. But sometimes after a bowl of popcorn or an order of ribs, a gentle encounter with my toothbrush isn't enough to fix my problem.  I have to work a little harder. I may even have to call in some reinforcing floss!  But, oh, what a relief it is when I am set free!

Trey was a sweetheart!  :) Aaaaaand Trey was a stinker!  :)  God used Jay and Rachel to help Trey learn and grow every day of his life....most of the times with a gentle "brushing."  But even Trey needed to be corrected, and be told that he shouldn't sigh out loud while a General in the Army was speaking!  (And they told Trey that riiiiiiiiiiight after we all stopped giggling!)  :)

You know, my toothbrush reminds me of a teeny tiny portion of the strength of God in my life. You see, God refreshes me in the morning, He encourages me throughout my day. Sometimes/often! God needs to get firm with me!  He digs in a little deeper, getting in the tight areas....but once He has worked the sinful attitudes and habits out of me, I am set free!

Isn't it time for you to "brush your teeth!?!?"  :)

"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!"  Psalm 4:1

"Trey Tuesday" - May 2, 2017

Hopeless?

Unemployment?
Divorce?
Bankruptcy?
Heartache?
Fear?
Depression?
Addiction?

Many scenarios in our lives seem hopeless.  Dead end.  No way out.  From our human perspective, yes indeed, things seem hopeless.  But how can we gain hope?  How can we turn our circumstances around and experience the hope-filled, confident life that God promises?

When Jay and Rachel received Trey's cancer diagnosis that dreadful Christmas Eve, everything seemed hopeless.  They were desperate for answers.  Little did they know the tremendous journey of faith, love, and yes heartache, that awaited them.

Today's Bible verse walks us through an interesting progression taking us from suffering to.....hope!  "we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. "  Romans 5:3,4 

Hope begins with suffering.  Never suffering alone, but in community.  Beside others.  With God's power.

"And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love."  Romans 5:5