"Trey Tuesday" - October 17, 2017

You Too?

There is a lot of hurt in the world today.  A  lot of painful experiences and a lot of painful judgments.  Human nature causes a fight or flight instinct in us.  BUT>>>>Good News!  Jesus Christ offers us Super Natural power to rise above the norm!  :)

I've had opportunities to minister to people from around the world.  One group in particular was a group of women from Africa.  They didn't even speak English, yet I was to help meet their needs?!?  What could I do?  Panic?  Fear?  Dread?  Yep!  Of course, all my human instincts came to the top first.  Then...I asked God for His perspective.  My eyes cleared.  What did I then see?  Women.  Mothers.  Moms - like me - who wanted to provide for and nurture their children.  We had so much in common, the differences faded away!

Trey had cancer.  Yucky, nasty cancer.  However, cancer didn't define Trey.  Trey was a typical charming, sweet, lovable, adorable little boy!  Just like your son/grandson/nephew/neighbor/friend/etc.

Next time you are tempted to judge, take a deep breath and find something in common with your competitor.  Put on the lens of love.  Ask God for His point of view.

"All of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."  I Peter 3:8

"Trey Tuesday" - October 10, 2017

An Exciting Blessing

A precious friend was just told that she has cancer.  Such devastating news to this beautiful young mom and her family.  A few days later I heard her explain her journey to some friends, "We have been blessed to be chosen for this journey.  We're excited to see what God is going to do!"  Blessed?!!?  Exciting!?!?  Not my first choice of words.......but Wow!  What faith!  What grace!  What hope!  :)

Faith

Grace

Hope

Such common words, yet they can bring huge comfort to each of us.  And an eternal perspective that helps to dispel some of today's heartache, pressure, and stress.  When you can't emotionally see the next step in front of you, look to faith, grace, and hope as only God can give!

Faith = Forsaking All I Trust Him

Grace = God's Riches At Christ's Expense

Hope = Hanging On Promises Everyday

"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

"Trey Tuesday" - October 3, 2017

Shadows!

Scary stories always include a dark shadow looming....!

Tree branches and windy nights cast shadows which stir a vivid imagination.....!

And a sleepless child frightens by the shadow of familiar objects in skewed lighting!

Shadows - dark areas produced by obstruction of light

Texas

Florida

Puerto Rico

Las Vegas

cancer

divorce

evil

poverty

abuse

loneliness

bitterness

fear

Each of these areas may be considered "in the shadows"....seemingly dark areas missing out on the light of God and all things good.  But please do not despair.  Things may seem dark for a little while, but trust and know that the shadow is actually God's protective hand surrounding you, causing His shadow to fall on your precious life.  You are not alone in your pain....God is providing His shadow over you to protect you, guide you, lead you and show you His love.   

"In the shadow of His hand He has concealed Me"  Isaiah 49:2

"The LORD is your shade on your right hand."  Psalm 121:5

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  Psalm 23:4

"Trey Tuesday" - September 26, 2017

Present

Remember many, many years ago when teachers would take attendance at the start of each class?  Today kids probably check in online.  My generation would utter, "Here" when the teacher read our name from the roster.  My parents' generation would respectfully reply, "Present."

Ohhhhh, if only we were more "present" today:

Present in the moment - without handheld devices

Present in our family's lives - slowing down enough to listen and love

Present in the world - knowing, realllly knowing what is going on around us - across the room, across the street, aaaaaaand across the globe

Present in our work - giving our all and trying our best - and not taking anything home

Present in our play - investing in exerting our muscles - and our funny bones!

Present in our rest - turning it off - allllll off!

And present with the Lord - praying, reading His Word, and waiting on Him.

"Be still, and know that He is God"  Psalm 46:10

"Trey Tuesday" - September 19, 2017

Mountains and Waves

The Poconos....Appalachian Trail....Rocky Mountains....Mountains of Maui...oh the majesty and grandeur of God's beautiful creations!  Couple those with surfing and relaxing beside the waves of the mighty oceans!  Sheer delight!  :)

Mountains of debt, anxiety, disease, disability, and trials are never chosen as weekend getaways.  We endure these mountains.  Limp up them.

Waves of doubt and fear, anger and mistrust ruin lives.  And waves of hurricane force destroy the tranquil scenes we treasure at the beach. 

We all face mountains and waves of varying degrees....at many times throughout life. Hopefully, your friend can take the journey with you, yet in Christ, you are never alone.  Keep your eye on God. He will carry you up the scary, difficult mountains, He will show you a beautiful view from the peak, and then He will let you ski down to safety.

"Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.  Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth,"  Psalm 48:1,2

"Trey Tuesday" - September 12, 2017

WWTD?

Next time you are in a pinch, take a deep breath and ask yourself,
"What Would Trey Do?" in this situation.  More often than not the answer would be: sing, dance, shriek, jump, run around naked, call for Rachel, bug Joe, or tease Bella!  :)  Where is Jay in this equation?  Probably taking a picture or cheering Trey on!  :)

There is a lot of weariness in our world today.  Everyone seems to be carrying pretty heavy loads.  And lots of heavy loads.  Burdens that can't be fixed, changed, healed, bought, sold, moved, answered, calmed, united....unless God Himself intervenes and provides a miracle.  The need for prayer and companionship has never been greater.  We all need a little/a lot of TLC.  We need to receive it and we need to give it.

Aaaaaaaand maybe we need to don our Mickey ears and sunglasses, grab a saltine, and take a little time out with a friend.

"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement"  Philemon 1:7

"Trey Tuesday" - September 5, 2017

Waders, Watchers, and Warriors

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

And it is Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) Awareness Month.

And the month of weddings and anniversaries.

And birthdays.

And back to school.

And graduations.

And many other celebrations of life.

Many hardships of life, too.

Unemployment

Floods

Heartache

Sickness

And much, much more!

God probably hasn't called you to each one of the above mentioned major life events at the same time, but you most likely know people in the heat of the battle right now.  So, what is your role?  Are you less important because you don't have a BIG issue going on in your life?  God answers this question in I Samuel 30:24: "The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike."

You see, God can use you right where you are. God needs you right where you are.  No waiting for further training or preparation  It's GO time!  :)

Some of you may be Waders - feeling like you are drowning, trudging through the thick of your trials.  You are deep in the situation.

Some of you may be Watchers - close to, but not in the center, you are standing on guard for your family, friend, neighbor, or coworker.  You provide a meal, a shoulder, a praying emoji on Facebook, a random card or call.

And some of you may be Warriors - praying fervently from a distance, maybe not ever meeting all the people involved.

Team Mitlo One was - and is - a beautiful example of Waders, Watchers, and Warriors. Thank you for hearing God call you - and answering in a big way time and time again!

  

Have great confidence in knowing God can use you to love others.....yes, even you!

"God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another."  I Peter 4:10