Mike Sansone

Love Aware – Day 14: To Church

April 19, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

To Church

As I prepare to enter your house of worship, Lord
With plenty of people in entering within:
Let me focus my whole being and mindset
seeking and praising your mighty name.

No matter what is going on with me (or others)
This is a place of refuge, a safety zone.
Remind me some arrive hurting or wanting,
Seeking … something, some even showing off.

In all the moods and purpose of others,
Keep my heart and mind focused on you.
If the preaching is dry, I will pray around the room
If my singing is off, I will sing to you in my heart.
If my mind wanders, may it wander in your direction.

Let my greetings please you,
May my singing honor you,
Hear my praying thanking you,
Allow my service to glorify you,
Make my listening wait on you,
Move my way with others to love you.

Not just on this day,
Not only with these people.
Nor because I’m in your house.
But every day, with all, anywhere.

Always, in worship of you
praising you, loving you!

Photo on Pixabay by hamist, overlay with PicMonkey

Write That, Right Now – Love Aware

April 18, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

100 Days of Love Aware

I recently began a project on Instagram, #The100DayProject. It was a nice idea at first. But God took hold of my heart and it became a Project with a capital “P”. It’s called Love Aware and the project centers around becoming more aware of God’s extravagant love.

This daily practice is to be a day-to-day practice. In my work writing, I’ll often outline or at least think about what I’ll be writing in the near future. During the Love Aware project, it became clear right away that this would be a day-to-day – and on the very day – writing project.

I’ve been blessed by experience to have such reliance on the Holy Spirit in some of my previous works.

When I was active in a pastoral role, as Assistant Pastor at a Baptist (Independent) church in Maryland, I was often asked to fill the pulpit at the last moment, whether on Sunday morning at our place, or at another gathering in the area.

More recently, my work at a Rescue Mission often had me deliver the evening message if the scheduled preacher didn’t show up. I was “Plan B” and was blessed at its frequent call (2Ti 4:2).

It’s amazing to wake up (or walk up), not knowing what to write (or say). While in prayer, it’s like a voice inside me (is that you, Holy Spirit?) says, “Write that, right now.” (Luke 12:12)

There are other requirements for this project:

Always write with an Audience of One (Gal 1:10). Each day’s entry is a love letter to God. They are never to be a preachy note to any human reader (except for myself, I guess).
While each entry is addressed to God, I’ll be sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and occasionally, on Twitter. If no one ever likes it or shares it, I’m to continue posting the entries. God will provide the increase (1Co 3:7).
Instagram is for the visual journey – and I’ll be finding new ways to visually compliment the work.
At the completion of 100 days, publish the work.

The project is just starting, but in the first two weeks, I’ve been able to draw nearer and nearer to God, and his love. I am more Love Aware than ever before.

If you’re alongside during the journey, I hope God blesses you with this work. And thank you for your prayers.

Love Aware – Day 13: Thank You, Holy Spirit

April 18, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Thank You, Holy Spirit

Thank you, Holy Spirit:
For your guidance,
For your counsel,
For your intercession.

My faith strengthens,
with your continual presence.
My hope brightens,
as you draw others near.

With each passage of Scripture read,
Some already familiar and known,
You bring new light and understanding,
In my life to apply.

I want never to ignore your tug,
Nor to turn away from your whisper.
Keep my mind and actions focused
On the righteous paths you lead me.

Guide me through Scripture,
to better understand.
Guide me through the days,
so stronger I withstand.
Guide to ones in need,
for me to offer a helping hand.

Thank you, O Holy Spirit!
My God and wise teacher,
for bearing witness,
and enveloping me in prayer.

Photo on Pixabay by lholtz1023

Love Aware – Day 12: A Jesus Lens

April 17, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Let me see, as best as I can,
With perspective from a Jesus lens.
Loving others regardless of means,
Status high or low, opponent or friend.

To notice beauty and blessings,
in the simplest of things:
the bud of a flower blossom,
the sound of dawn as birds sing.

To pause and look around,
and wonder at the work of your hand;
And see amazing testimonies,
of your design throughout the land.

Let me see as best as I can,
And look after things with Jesus eyes.
While gathering with others,
Loving them without disguise.

Seeking You first and always,
in every thing and situation to find,
Your Glory, presence and majesty,
At times overpowering my mind.

Rather than asking you to show yourself,
I need only to open my eyes to see:
The miracles of life and living
Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.

Photo on Pixabay by Gellinger