Mike Sansone

What I’m Looking For In My Church

May 24, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

I’ve been in plenty of boring church services. I’ve probably led my share of boring church services.

With as much traveling and moving as I’ve done in life, I’ve visited churches all over the country, coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Recently, we attended five churches in five different states, in five consecutive weeks (busy month).

I’ve seen and overseen many different styles of church services. I know what I want in a church service I’m attending. I want the same thing Christ wants. It’s His church.

That’s what He says in Matt 16:18:

“…upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

He brings me to a place. It’s not my church. The church belongs to Jesus.

If I’m not getting fed … if it’s not my style of music … if someone was a bit aloof or obtuse … if the preaching wasn’t positive … I’ll turn my attention, worship, and prayer to my Lord and heavenly things. As for my presence and attitude, I pray my behavior and conversation is contagious to attract others to Christ. Nothing less.

The church is Jesus’ bride. If I love Jesus, I’ll love the church. Each one I enter. Today, it’s in South Dakota.

Photo on Pixabay by cgcowboy

And Then, I Remember the Foundation of God

May 19, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Headlines are becoming more and more amazing, epic, superfluous, and grandiose. They are clickbait headlines. They are written to get you, the reader, to click it, to share it, and to talk about it.

Around water coolers and coffee tables, conversations seem to echo the magnitude and marvelous majestic-isms made marvelous to massage your merriment or misery. Just remember this:

Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure.

The foundation of God stands sure. You can find that in 2 Tim 2:19

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

With all the worry, the angst, the anger, the rumors, and the reports:

Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure… – 2 Tim 2:19
… a precious corner stone, a sure foundation… – Isa 28:16
… a stronghold in the day of trouble. – Nah 1:7
… and the gates of hell shall not prevail… – Matt 16:18

Fret not (Psa 37:1). The foundation of God stands sure.

Photo on Pixabay by TipKilby

Love Aware Update – Day 41: Completion and Consistency

May 16, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

It began as a 100-day project. As a mark of completion (40 days) and consistency (41st post in the series), the Love Aware poems will now be occasional, rather than daily.

What a fantastic experience it has been to wake up daily and rely on the Holy Spirit to provide the guidance to pen the prose of love to God. It’s been a touching and tender experience to grow closer to God in love and fellowship through these love letters. In no way has there been any stress or pressure to come up with words.

I truly believe each day, in and with prayer, the words came into my head and heart as I put them down. There was never a struggle. I was amazed at how easy words came, which is why it is so easy to give credit where it is due, and reflect upwards.

Love Aware will continue to be a category on this site, with more poems to come in the future – just not every day. I see 41 as a mark of consistency, as modeled by one of my baseball heroes, Tom Seaver.

There are more topics and items I believe need to be written in this space. Additionally, there is a mission I have to launch later this summer. The poetry exercise may come into play for the project ahead.

I love the Love Aware project and The One who called me to the project. I will be making it available in book form soon. Thanks for bearing witness to this exercise.

Your Word – The Bible – Love Aware 40

May 15, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Your Word, O God,
Is a beacon of light,
Rescuing me out of dark places
Amidst shadows and fright.

How I love to dive in,
Soaking with tears I get wet,
Whether joyful or sad,
A cleansing I so often get.

From stories and parables,
Foretelling and song,
Clinging and caressing,
Guided right from wrong.

As I pray for wisdom or guidance,
You seem to allow me to find,
In my daily reading,
You speak to my heart and mind.

Thank you for my Bible,
and for teachers who,
can add perspective,
even an alternative view.

Even if I read the same passage,
Over and over I might see or hear,
An unction from the Holy Spirit,
Something new whispered in my ear.

Through thousands of years,
Protected and preserved,
Such a wonderful gift you’ve given!
Thank you, God, for your word.

Photo on Pixabay by T3W_CS