"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

"Trey Tuesday" - February 26, 2019

Stop It!

Our world is filled with hate.  Division.  Prejudice.  Hurt upon hurt.

How does this happen?

Everyone was nice to Trey.  How could you not be nice to a little boy with cancer?

What about the sweet little old man who sits quietly in his rocking chair on his porch every day?  Simple!

Now let's kick it up a notch!
Are you patient with the little girl who is struggling to figure out why her single mom won't/can't buy her the latest greatest clothes/shoes/phone/game?

Or the senior citizen at the store who doesn't realize the difference between swiping and a chip? 

Do you offer kindness to the slow driver in front of you when you are running late?
Or the cranky co-worker who is silently fighting a battle too intimate to talk about?

The answer is simple.  Very simple.  Remove the agendas.  Discard the phobias.

Stop making life painful for others - and yourself.  God says it verrrrrrrrrrrry clearly:

Be.  Ye.  Kind.

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."  Ephesians 4:32

"Trey Tuesday" - February 19, 2019

Enough!

When is enough enough!?!
Snow? Ice?  Rain?
Taxes?
Cable/Netflix/Hulu channels?
Presidential nominees?
Yogurt flavors?
When is enough enough?!?

How can we stop and savor the simple things in life?

Imagine you had one last day with Trey. Would you spend it scolding him for leaving the frig door open......again?  Or would you simply be still and sit beside him? - Remember: you could sit next to Trey, but just not tooooo close! - he would definitely remind you to move over! :)

God is whispering sweet secrets to you...right now. Can you tune out the screaming world and listen closely for Him?

Tell the world, “Enough!”

"The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, Jesus said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  Mark 6:30-31

"Trey Tuesday" - February 12, 2019

What are You Wearing?

I love teaching Preschool!  The eager learners and the simplified lessons are a great combination for planting the seeds of God's Word in their lives!  I vividly remember teaching the Armor of God from Ephesians 6:10.  The sword of the Spirit, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith.  It was so much fun to make a breastplate out of a brown bag and a sword out of a paper towel tube so we could pretend to fight the enemy with God's strength!  :)

That was then.

This is now.

Our families are hurting.  Our children are suffering.  Our culture is crying for God's hope.  It's time for us to put down the paper towel tubes and pick up the Whole Armor of God....and take our stand.  And stand firm.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power."  Ephesians 6:10