Mike Sansone

Tame Wild Imaginations with Captivating Music

April 2, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Wild imaginations. How do they take hold so fast? Past pitfalls. Present problems. Perceiving possibilities. It’s almost like the devil has a joystick controlling my thoughts.

But he doesn’t.

In 2 Cor 10:5, I am reminded:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

As best as I can, as early as I can, I grab hold of Scripture, a verse or from a song. Music becomes a way to tame the wild imaginations of past and present and help bring focus back to those things that are good (Phl 4:8).

Here are three songs that help me most often:

More Than Ever – Gaither Vocal Band

Only a Shadow – Misty Edwards

Take My Hand, Precious Lord – Tennessee Ernie Ford

What music or verse tames your wild imaginations?

Photo on Pixabay by Desertrose7

Spring Around, Fall Over – Mattress Turn Days

April 1, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

I’ve never really liked April Fool’s Day or Halloween. Pranks and Practical Jokes. Masks and Scares.

Some people don’t like Friday the 13th in such a way, they don’t leave their house. It’s not that bad in my case. And now, it’s much better.

When the calendar turns to April 1 or October 31, all I have to remember is to Spring Around or Fall Over. It’s Mattress Turn Days. Our mattress stays fresh and free of dips and dimples.

On April 1, we rotate our mattress around so the head becomes the foot. On October 31, we flip the mattress over. Bottoms up.

Now, instead of dreading a practical punk’d or scary synthetic spider, I look forward to #MattressTurn Days.

Remember: Spring Around or Fall Over.

Photo on Pixabay by JamesDeMers

A Virtuous Woman

March 31, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

A Virtuous Woman. One of noble character.

The Bible points out in Prov 31:10 that such a woman is more valuable than rare gems, and must be hard to find:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

We hear about “strong” women and “hard-working” women. I’m not sure I agree with the labels in blanket form. A woman is a woman. Is someone who is not a “strong” woman the opposite of such?

Much of what is written in Proverbs 31 lists some of these better traits and behaviors. Maybe the verses in this chapter are the resume of a virtuous woman. Or maybe …

After all those listed, in Prov 31:30 we read, in part:

…but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

I believe a Proverbs 31 woman (or man) is sold out, given up, and surrendered to God. Not just waiting on God with patience, but waiting on God in service.

The things a virtuous woman does, what she believes, how she behaves, what she says – are because of and in hopes to please God.

It is a blessing to be married to such a woman. She is pictured here. Praying on a rooftop, on foreign soil.

Living a life in faith and of obedience – to God. Virtuously. Victoriously.

Just Enough

March 30, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Just Enough.

In my life, there have been times when I’ve had plenty and others that I’ve been penniless. Through both kinds of seasons and all of the in-betweens, I’ve come to realize a most powerful, freeing prayer in Scripture.

Proverbs 30:7-9, which reads:

Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

See that second one? Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food convenient for me. Not more, not less. Just enough.

Too many times in life, our thinking (worrying?) might extend beyond tomorrow into months in advance.

When we learn to pray in Luke 11:3, we ask for daily bread, not an annual supply.

Just Enough.

Note: For more reading on this, I highly recommend Will Davis‘ book, Enough: Finding More by Living With Less. A humbling and freeing read.