"Trey Tuesday" - February 23, 2016

Maestro

Violins, trombones, flutes and cymbals - a good orchestra has them all!

Precious friends of mine are enduring one huge trial after another lately.  One unbelievable major event follows another, after another, after another.  Just when the cymbals are done crashing, the trumpets blast, the clarinet squeaks, and the bass violin announces its presence.  Where is the rest in this music called life?!?!

Jesus, the Conductor, has it all under control.  He knows what is necessary from us in order to create His beautiful music.  And He gives us help.

Prayer warriors, like Team Mitlo One, are the stage crew of life.  Wearing the headsets, supporting the musicians through their prayers, they communicate the needs and struggles of the players to the Conductor.  Jesus, our Maestro, hears the cries of our prayers and exchanges them for His beautiful music.  Keep your eyes on Him.

"I have set the Lord always before me;because He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."  Psalm 16:8

"Trey Tuesday" - February 16, 2016

Baby Jesus

Just a few weeks ago we celebrated Christmas.  Most people realize that Christmas is the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in the manger.  But then we tend to leave Him in the manger....until Good Friday or Easter Sunday.  What happened to Him in between?  A person's life tells a lot about Him.

Trey was born a cute little babe, too. Wrapped in swaddling receiving blankets. Lying in a bassinet. But boy, oh boy, Trey didn't stay that little or helpless! :) Silent Night?  Probably not! :)  Trey lived his life out loud!  Son, Brother, Grandson, Nephew, Butter Dancer, Stinker, Sweetheart, Young Warrior...Trey's names are endless!

Let's spend these few weeks before Easter reflecting on some of the names of Jesus as He intimately loves and cares for us.

Jesus is our "All and in All." Colossians 3:11

He is everything we need.

We don't need to impress Him with our busy-ness, our political party or the car that we drive.

We are complete in Him.

What can you let go of today, and release to our "All?"

"Trey Tuesday" - February 9, 2016

Want to Trade?

Donut Day is one extreme, Ash Wednesday is quite the other.  A few weeks from now we remember Jesus' death on Good Friday and then we celebrate His glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday!  These are wonderful trades!

Maybe your mind is now strolling back a few years as you remember some good - and bad - trades you made as a child: a snake for a bike, PB+J for ham and cheese, a sister for a puppy, etc! :)

God is the Master Tradesman.  With Him, we can trade in our very worst thoughts and deeds and He will give us overflowing grace and mercy and love!

Beauty from ashes,
Joy from mourning,
Freedom for captives,
Praise from despair.
Isaiah 61:1-3

Illogical? Yes!
Supernatural? Absolutely!  :)
Call it a Valentine's Day gift of love that lasts forever!

"Trey Tuesday" - February 2, 2016

I'm Dizzy!

No, not from a vertigo virus.

No, I haven't been on that spinny thing at the playground (for many, many years!)  :)

It's the news!

First, we learn that the Canadian groundhog died on Friday.

Then, the New Jersey groundhog died on Monday.

Who knew there were that many significant groundhogs?

Then, good old Punxsutawney Phil made his appearance and the announcement was made:

"There is no shadow to be cast! An early spring is my forecast!"

Early?  Really?  How early?  Haven't we already seen trees blossoming and bulbs sprouting?

And then we had a blizzard?

Which end is up anymore?!?!

Hillary, Donald, Ted, and Bernie - who is winning at the present moment!??

Broncos, Panthers, Doritos or Budweiser - what's the most important part of the game?!?

Can you feel the "just got off the tea cups and saucers" feeling?

Yes, I have given silly examples.  The intense examples don't need to be explained....the times when injustice crushes, illness destroys and violence kills.

In any and every storm, we must turn to our only Rock Solid, Never Changing Anchor:
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging...He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  The Lord Almighty is with us” Psalm 46:1-3,10-11

"Trey Tuesday" - January 26, 2016

That Hug!

Have you experienced that one hug that you will remember for the rest of your life?!

I know one of mine.  It was from Trey.  I had just given Trey a present.  Nothing big.  Nothing fancy. (Honestly, nothing even that very special - just a little token of love.) Trey's reaction, however, was worth waaaaaaaaay more than that gift!  He hugged me so hard, squeezing the breath out of me, thanking me over and over again for his present! "That hug" will be treasured forever!
​
​Another memorable hug was received at a very, very large church I visited in Brooklyn, NY.  Instead of the typical handshake greeting, we were encouraged to, you guessed it, HUG!!!! (The promise of fewer germs being passed was the reason given!)  I received some serious hugging that day!

Do you have a special moment in time when you received a hug like that?  Can you conjure up the sheer love and support you received in that hug?
The security?
The acceptance?
The support?
The understanding?

Go ahead....find someone in need....give, receive, and remember "that hug!"
It's germ-free!
And if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a hug is worth a million! :)

"comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you."  2 Corinthians 13:11

"Trey Tuesday" - January 19, 2016

Bear With Me, Please

I can't wait to see the snow!  :)  There.  I said it!  :)

Yes, I understand the nuisance!

Yes, I realize all the heavy labor involved!

Yes, I know it is cold!

Yes, I know it can be dangerous!

But.....It. Is. Beautiful!  Peaceful!  Tranquil!  Clean!

You must admit it!  :)

In the Bible we read a beautiful analogy I'd like you to consider if/when the snow starts falling this weekend:  "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow"  Isaiah 1:18

After the snow, the mid-winter drab colors and mud we see outside our windows are miraculously transformed in to a bucolic blanket of bliss.  God can do the same transformation with your heart and life.  Bliss from your mess - that's a good deal!  :)

Allow God to change your opinion of snow this winter, if but for a moment.....

"wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."  Psalm 51:7

"Trey Tuesday" - January 12, 2016

David Bowie

Let's make a list of those a little closer to home:

Trey
TJ

Ellen

Doris

Jim

Pop Pop

Allan

Nancy and Bill

and many, many others - even more added to the list just today!

The list of loved ones who have passed away is endless...

The feelings of loss and grief are endless...

The cost of love is great!

Each and every person's life is so very valuable!  (Yes, even that annoying person you just thought of!)  So, drop the baggage and the laundry list of offenses and let's just appreciate each other while we still have each other!

Let's love deeply...now.  Today.

"you are precious in My eyes, and honored, and I love you"  Isiah 43:4