"Trey Tuesday" - July 28, 2015

Today's "Trey Tuesday" is brought to you by my amazing brother/Trey's dad Jay Mitlo - http://jaymitlo.com/moving-on/

"Trey Tuesday" - July 21, 2015

He's Not Surprised...

Do you ever think that God isn't watching?  That He isn't aware of every detail of your situation?  That He just doesn't understand what you are going through?  Sometimes it is even too difficult to put your thoughts and feelings into words....how can you begin to pray about them and surrender and entrust them to the King of all creation?!?

God, your Creator, who formed you for His purpose, cares all about you - even the number of hairs on your head!  (Matthew 10:30)  He is never ever surprised by what you are enduring.  Even though it may seem like the pain in your heart is too much to bear and life seems so out of order, God indeed is in control.

Ask Jay and Rachel.
Or Joe and Bella.
Imagine Daniel in the lions' den.
Or Jesus in the garden.
Row the boat with the disciples on the stormy sea.
Or talk to Jonah in the belly of a large fish.

God is forever listening and watching and loving you!

"The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior"  Isaiah 43:1-3

"Trey Tuesday" - July 14, 2015

Labels

No, I'm not talking about trans fats or cholesterol, sugar or fat labels.

I'm also not talking about ability, size or status.

Let's talk about labels which clearly define God's calling on our lives.

John the Baptist's looked like this:

"for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

to give His people the knowledge of salvation

through the forgiveness of their sins" Luke 1:76,77

Jesus: "came to seek and to save the lost."  Luke 19:10

And Moses:

"so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt.”  Exodus 3:10

God has a very special label/calling/job that He has prepared for each one of us!

What do you think Trey's calling/purpose/mission was/is?

What is yours......l?

"Trey Tuesday" - July 7, 2015

Don't tolerate intolerance!

Every time we turn on the news, (regardless of the platform/source we use) there always seems to be another new instance of the violation of someone's beliefs.  Our culture is either tolerating anything and everything or not tolerating anything at all!  Education, government, economics, entertainment, world affairs, religion, health care, relationships...even poor little gluten and lactose don't stand a chance!  Everyone has an intolerance to something these days.

Much more importantly though, it also seems like almost everyone has an intolerance to someone these days!  That is where we must draw the line.  We cannot tolerate the intolerance of God's people, His creation.  When Trey was diagnosed with cancer we didn't fight Trey...We fought the battle with the weapons of faith, hope, love and prayer.  When Trey finished his battle with cancer we didn't fight the funeral director...We fought (and still fight) that heart wrenching battle with the weapons of faith, hope, love and prayer.

Scripture is very clear on this one. 

Read this verse. 

Memorize it.

Use it to help you tolerate God's beloved people!

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."  Romans 15:7

"Trey Tuesday" - June 30, 2015

Hey you!

Sometimes God speaks in a whisper (I Kings 19:12)

Sometimes He speaks through His Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21)
Sometimes God speaks through Jesus (John 10:32)

Don't you wish God very clearly spoke to us like that personally? 
He does!  God speaks directly to:  Y-O-U! Yes, You!  :)

You won't find your name written in God's direct words to you, but if you remember anything from your grammar lessons you will find His direction implied there: 

"(YOU) Come, follow me," Jesus said Matthew 4:19

"(YOU) Be transformed"  Romans 12:2

"(YOU) Keep my commandments”  John 14:15
"(YOU) Rejoice, and be exceeding glad"  Matthew 5:11

When life's circumstances leave you confused, upset, disappointed or wandering for direction, open your Bible and find God speaking directly to you!  :)

What is He saying to YOU today?

"Trey Tuesday" - June 23, 2015

Nice Try!

We try so hard at being good and doing good and looking good...yet we all fall short.

Imagine facing God with our lame attempts at being "good enough" to deserve His favor.

Would you present God with your sports car?

Your diamond ring?

Keys to your home?

Your college degree?

Your IRA?

Your week's paid vacation?

Even in the Bible, people tried to "do it all."
A rich, young ruler tried his best...HIS best...to impress Jesus with his outstanding track record of goodness.  What was Jesus' reaction?
"Jesus looked at him and loved him."  Mark 10:21

Wow!  When was the last time you gave love and compassion when someone totally missed the mark?
When was the last time your coach, parent, boss, spouse offered you that much grace and love when you tried but failed?
Just by His look, Jesus loved that young man.

You may not be called to give your first born Son...

You may not be called to give your second born son....

Yet each one of us is called to give...our all...

Jesus is waiting - with love.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."   Mark 12:30

"Trey Tuesday" - June 16, 2015

Google It?

Look it up!

How many times a day do you think, hear, or say those words?

And then you faithfully proceed to your electronic device and Google the topic.

Need a recipe?  Look it up!

Want to find the latest celebrity gossip?  Look it up!

Wondering about the ballgame score?  Look it up!

Need marriage advice?........(screeching sound!)....

Do NOT look it up!  FIRST - LOOK Up!

Worried about your health?  Look Up!
Seeking wisdom about dating or college?  Look Up!
Afraid you might be replaced at work?  Look Up!

As one of the doting aunts of Trey, I spent many hours "looking up" Trey's condition and treatments.  It felt good to "do" something about Trey's diagnosis.  Google, however, never ever ever replaced, "Looking Up!"  Our help and strength and guidance and comfort and wisdom and hope were (and still are!) found in believing and following God and His Word!  Google is a wonderful tool, but it is no substitute for searching the Maker of Heaven and Earth for help!  :)

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

He who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

He will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore."  Psalm 121