Why is a Ninja Turtle in the Mick’s up?

I know two little girls, who rescued a little Red Eared Slider, and took care of it like a pet. They researched online how to give “Freddie” the best chance at survival.

These little girls nurtured the turtle, by providing shelter, food, water… you know, the necessities… plus what his little heart might desire, like walks, swim time and lots of love and attention.

Even with all this care, the turtle was still skeptical, non-trusting, even scared.

In a way, that sounds like us.

God is a loving Father, and He adores us.

He blesses us with all our necessities, plus the desires of our hearts.

Even with all this care, we are still skeptical, non-trusting, even scared.

We try to do things on our own, trusting in our own abilities, instead of trusting the One who knows what we truly need for ultimate survival.

Is that where you are today?

Are you terrified, confused, trying to make sense of it all?

Stop.

There is a Rescuer.  
("Like a hero in a dream, Christ came, and He rescued me." from "Tell the World" by Lecrae)

There is a Comforter.

Look for His hand.  In it, you'll find peace, blessings, guidance.

Trust Him.  He knows what you need.

Tell Him you will trust Him.  Tell Him you will let Him take care of you.

Once you do, you can rest.  You can enjoy being His child.

"Shout for joy, you heavens;
    rejoice, you earth;
    burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
    and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

Isaiah 49:13 (NIV) 

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A Thankful Mick’s up

I like what I heard this week:  We should have a spirit of thankfulness all year long, so that this upcoming week is just an extension of that attitude.

That is so true.    

In addition, our pastor at church said it in a catchy way this morning:  Thanksgiving is thanks living.  Hear the rest of our morning service at: NazCentral's podcast

Leave a comment below, describing some things you’re thankful for this year.  It would be a blessing to all of us readers.  Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving!

Also, enjoy my 2011 Thanksgiving posts:

Mick's up Turkey and Exercise
Why the Mick's up of Thanks

"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

'He is good;

    his love... endures forever.'

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord..."

Ezra 3:11 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with Peanuts



It's a Wonderful Movie - Blog

“The more we count the blessings we have, the less we crave the luxuries we haven’t.” - William Arthur Ward

Yes, how true.  If we will just stop and be grateful for the things we’ve been blessed with, we might actually stop being so greedy.

Can you tell I am a bit frustrated with a conversation that happened in our house today?  Just when you think you’re raising your kidderz right, something like this hits you.  I can see we have a few more lessons to learn.

Why is it we allow ourselves to get so caught up in receiving gifts at Christmas time, that we push the purest and most valuable gift aside.  Does it get old after a while? I don’t think the true Christmas story can ever get old.  It’s been more than 2000 years, and like the bumper sticker I saw today says, Jesus is “still saving lives!”

Jesus Christ is the real reason we celebrate this beautiful holiday.  Sure, the gift-giving (and getting) is great… but what we are celebrating is even greater!

We all know what really happened that day long ago.  A wee little baby came into this world for you!  He’s your very own Savior!  No matter what you did over these years of your life, He loves you dearly.

I have an old tract from American Tract Society called “What Christmas Is All About.”  Highlighting Linus and his speech that answers that question of Charlie Brown’s, the tract states, “The Bible says that without Jesus, we are separated from God forever.  We can never be as perfect as He is.  Our sins, those bad things we do and say and think, go against what God wants for us… and like all bad things, our sins need to be punished.  So God sent Jesus to save us from that punishment.”

If you have never thanked God for that baby Jesus, who grew up to be your Knight in Shining Armor to rescue you from eternal torture, and if you have never allowed Jesus to be that Knight in Shining Armor for you, then what better way to celebrate this Christmas than to talk to Him right now.  Admit to God that you need to be rescued.  Believe that Jesus is that rescuer.  Claim the gift He has offered to you.

Yay!  Wooohooooo!  We’re celebrating with you! 

Forget about the list for Santa or wishlistr.   The freedom you’ll feel now is better than any gift anyone can give you for Christmas. 

“Indeed, there is no one on earth who is righteous,

no one who does what is right and never sins.”

Ecclesiastes 7:20 (NIV)

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”

1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)

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Mick’s up with Emotional Toxins

We have learned that stress can come from all different areas, and it can affect our health.

We kind of touched on this with Mick’s up with Accountability, but let’s take a look at how the people we hang out with can be toxic.  Not only can they influence us in our eating patterns and our fitness, but they can also influence our attitude.

I’m sure you’ve heard about it.  A very popular topic that has been around is Toxic Friendships.

Like I’ve said before, I do believe that God wants us to be a blessing to everyone we encounter.  So, I’m not saying you should be selfish and think only of yourself and your own well-being.  However, it is important for you to stay as healthy as you can, so you can keep on efficiently doing work for God as long as possible.  You do not want to have to take time away from what God wants you to do, all because you didn’t take care of yourself to begin with, and then you have to concentrate on yourself more, so you can heal from being sick.

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“Those who fail to take the time to be healthy

will ultimately have to take the time to be sick.”

(Dr. James Chappell)

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You know all the warnings we give our kidderz about being careful in choosing the types of people they hang around.  Why should it be different for us?  We can be bombarded by emotional toxins (negativity, discouragement, pessimism, worry, fear, put-downs and verbal abuse, etc.), just as easily as chemical toxins. 


At the same time, true friendship can be a great antidote to what ails us.  What a blessing!

Be a friend to those who need a friend, but make sure your relationships remain healthy, so that you can remain healthy.

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 (NIV)

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Why the Mick’s up of Thanks

"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill…

there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings."

November 1623, Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony

“Plymouth Plantation” in Plymouth, Massachusetts


Remembering the 1st Thanksgiving

 

For those of us from the United States, this week is a celebration of Thanksgiving.  It’s wonderful to think back to the origin, back to the Pilgrim times, when they endured so much hardship, but still found energy and reason to be thankful.

I am thankful for leaders with wisdom enough to remind us to be thankful:  Henry Laurens, President of Continental Congress 1777; President George Washington, National Thanksgiving Proclamation 1795; President Abraham Lincoln, first annual National Day of Thanksgiving 1863, “It has seemed to me fit and proper that God should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged, as with one heart and one voice, by the whole American people…” (Catherine Millard "Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day")

I am thankful, also, for a God we can trust to place us right where we need to be, even when we don’t see it.  Squanto found that out, over his life, and we are thankful God placed him where he could help the Pilgrims. (Squanto--God's Special Indian a Thanksgiving Story)

Finally, I am thankful for creative artists who are able to get the point of the holiday across to us in a way we understand and remember:
“In the year 1621, the Pilgrims held their first Thanksgiving feast.  They invited the great Indian chief Massasoit, who brought ninety of his brave Indians and a great abundance of food.  Governor William Bradford and Captain Miles Standish were honored guests.  Elder William Brewster, who was a minister, said a prayer that went something like this: ‘We thank God for our homes and our food and our safety in a new land.  We thank God for the opportunity to create a new world for freedom and justice.’” (Linus Van Pelt – From a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving)

 

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.

In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this?

Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.

1 Chronicles 29:12-14 (NIV)

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