"Trey Tuesday" - April 16, 2019

Once and For All

Maybe this saying reminds you of a threat a parent issued to you as a child.  "Dad decided once and for all that we will not have ice cream for dinner!"  Or maybe it was a boss telling you he/she would tolerate a discussion for the very last time. "Once and for all, we are NOT moving to a 4 day work week."

However, this Trey Tuesday, I'd like you to stop and consider the finality of personal things.  The finality of life....losing Trey.  The finality of seasons....winter willllll be over soon!  This Easter season, consider that Jesus took allllllllllllllllllll your/my/our sins - for allllllllllllllllllllllll time - and paid the penalty between us and God forever!  He cleared the Way for us to stand faultless before God!  Once and for all!  :)  

Consider the finality of Jesus' love for you:
Once Forever
The Final Act
Finally
Permanently
Settled
Conclusively
So as to end uncertainty.

"We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."  Hebrews 10:10

"Trey Tuesday" - April 9, 2019

A Challenge

As Easter approaches, I offer you a challenge:  Will you consider this passage of Scripture - one section per day - as we look toward Palm Sunday this weekend? 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...." You don't need to face life alone.  Are you surrounded by those who keep you close to God?

"let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles."  Do you throw off temptations?  Or do you dance with them?  Do you try to stay far from sin, or do you tiptoe as close to the line as possible?

"And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..."  Do you run YOUR race?  Or do you measure your life against others?

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith."   What is your focus?  Who are you listening to?  Who are you living for?

"For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Where do you find your joy?  Temporary happiness or true, eternal joy?

 "Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Consider Jesus.  His love for you.  His sacrifice for you.  That's a challenge you can take to heart every day!

"Trey Tuesday" - April 2, 2019

Confession Time

OK - I admit it.....I have an obsession....with open tabs on my devices.  I have more than 20 windows open on my phone...ok...more than 30....ok...between my lap top and my phone I have 73 tabs open!  Phew!  :)  That felt good to admit!  Now I don't have to hide as I scroll through endless screens!  And I don't have to edit my screenshots to crop my tabs!

Imagine a child with a secret.  Or an adult with a hidden habit.  Or a burden too heavy to share.  It is overwhelming.  Buttttt.....as soon as the truth is revealed, real life can begin!  :)  Trey's body carried cancer around before he was diagnosed.  As soon as the doctors revealed the true situation, the treatment could begin.

Is this true of your faith in Jesus?  Are you tiptoeing around avoiding living life out loud for Him due to a hurt or fear?  We have about 2 1/2 weeks before Easter. Wouldn't this be a great time for you to consider your own confession time with God?

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed."  Isaiah 53:5

"Trey Tuesday" - March 26, 2019

Donkeys

Such funny animals!  And ones with a bad rap when it comes to nicknames!  And a reputation of being beasts of burden!

Buttt.....did you know that donkeys are used to defend livestock from coyotes?  God designed them to kick and bray to scare aware fierce predators!

God also created donkeys for His special purpose!  Jesus instructed the disciples to select a young donkey to bring to Jesus for Him to ride as He entered Jerusalem on "Palm Sunday".  A beast of burden?  A donkey!?  Really?  How about a regal stallion or a chariot for our King!?

"If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs it,"  Matthew 21:3

If Jesus can say that about a donkey, what do you think He says about YOU and your life?

I can just imagine Jesus saying to Jay and Rachel and Joe and Bella:  If anyone says anything to you about Trey having to battle cancer, say that the Lord needs it.

What is going on in your life?  "If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs it,"  Matthew 21:3

"Trey Tuesday" - March 19, 2019

March Madness and Your Job

Well, the brackets are in - let the basketball games begin!  Millions of dollars are spent/invested/lost on this basketball tournament.  Emotions run high.  Lives are rearranged to accommodate travel plans.  Next month the NFL Draft will consume us.

Allllllll in the name of sports.  

Did you ever wonder if those athletes stressed so much about your job?!?!  Can you just imagine it?  Accountant Madness:  Which Accountant will survive this year's tax season without needing intervention?  Sales Draft:  Which rep will be chosen by which business?  Stay tuned for the final results at your local car dealer!

I get it - it's fun to be distracted by reality TV and sports.  It's a step away from the stresses of our daily situations.  But let's not forget the reality of the lives that God has given to each one of us.  Do you feel the stress of your coworker?  Do you feel heartbroken when your family member has a losing streak?  Do you celebrate when someone at the store or restaurant does their job well?  

Before your blood pressure soars about a stranger, let's remember to love our neighbors well.

" I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love"  Ephesians 4:1,2

"Trey Tuesday" - March 12, 2019

Lost and Found

Trey treasured his, "Taggie".  Jay and Rachel kept close tabs on that blanket, making sure it was never lost or forgotten.

But have you ever checked out the Lost and Found Table at school or church?  Typically, by this time of year, there are a dozen winter coats, toys, water bottles, and even shoes!  How do these families function without their favorite - and basic - necessities!?

Maybe they are too busy to realize that these things are lost.

Or they don't even realize they ever had them.

Or they have too many things to even miss them.

Is a relationship with Jesus among your Lost and Found items?  Have you gotten too busy to realize your time spent with Him is lost?  Do you have too many other "things" in your life, crowding out time in the Bible, time with Godly people, time in prayer?

Imagine the joy of a child (or parent) when the favorite item is found!  :)  A new priority is set in order to never ever lose that item again.

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."  Luke 15:5-7

"Trey Tuesday" - March 5, 2019

I Love Me!

I taught Trey a cute little song:
Oh, how I love Jesus - because He first loved me!
Trey, being Trey, added a plot twist to the song:Oh, how I love Jesus - because I LOVE ME! (shouted and giggled!)

This is cute coming from a charming little boy.  We expect and accept children wanting what they want, when they want it.  How does it sound (and feel) when a grown adult shouts, "I LOVE ME!"  Not quite so cute, huh?

But what about those times when we feeeeeel that selfish sense of entitlement?

"I deserve this....I earned my status....I don't want to be bothered.....Why can't someone else take care of that?"  We may not be shouting it, but those closest to us are hearing us say loud and clear, "I love me!"

What are your actions saying?  How do you spend your time?  What goes through your mind and heart at work?  at home?  on the internet?  at the store?  on the field?

"I love me"  Or "I love you"?

"value others above yourselves" 

"have the same mindset as Christ Jesus" 

"He humbled Himself"

Philippians 2