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Then You Will Understand

March 2, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

The Fear of the Lord.

For many, this topic is so clear and yet, so confusing. Some will say it is fear as in reverence. Others will say fear is fear.

The Bible I read says there can be an understanding of “the fear of the Lord.” In Prov 2:5

Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

This might cause a journey through the Bible, studying the word of God. Such study would be a proper thing according to the immediate preceding verse of Prov 2:4, searching for her (wisdom) as you would seek hidden treasures.

In Prov 15:33, we find

The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

What is the fear of the Lord? It is the instruction of wisdom. AND before honor is humility. If we are to receive the honorable instruction, from the Word of God – The Bible, we first must humble ourselves in our approach and attitude, right?

In Prov 9:10 we see

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Wisdom. Understanding. How about that? Prov 3:13 would describe such a person to be happy to find those things:

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

Here’s to Fear of the Lord; seeking treasures in God’s word; finding wisdom and understanding; and happiness.

Probably in that order.

A Proverbs a day, keeps evil at bay.

Stay Off Their Path

March 1, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Some think it’s cool to be cool. To be part of The In Crowd. It’s a seductive invitation to be popular for popularity’s sake. Maybe you’ve heard the alluring call at some point.

“Ah, c’mon. It’ll be alright. Everyone’s doing it.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don’t pass it by!”
“Listen, friend – I wouldn’t lead you astray. What, are you chicken or something?”

There have been several times in my life that such words led me down the wrong road. More than once, I knew in my gut that following would be a bad choice.

The Bible I read tells us, in Prov 1:15 (context Prov 1:10-19 )

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:

If an enticing call is delivered and causes a pause – trust the pause. Don’t go check things out to see if it’s a good idea. Why get close to the edge? If your gut says doubt, it’s probably dirt. Keep off that path; Stay the course.

Happiness is for the Birds

December 19, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Happiness is for the birds.

For the river running downstream.

And for breakfast with Angela T.

Some might see their own day as rote or mundane. But it’s all in how you look at it, really.

Happiness resides in the new. In jaw-dropping experiences. With moments of out loud laughter. Times we wish we could rewind and replay over and over. But we can’t. And there is the separation between us and the birds.

Birds flying high, they know what I mean …

Many are averse to change, don’t like it when their routine is interrupted, yet complain about the same old-same old. Maybe they are spending too much time on the rewind of happiness past and missing out on the incoming new.

One reason I practice Early to Rise is to experience the freshness of a new day.

Butterflies know what I mean.

Have fun. It’s a new day.

Happy Life Anniversary, Angela

November 14, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Happy Life Anniversary, Angela Jane Thye Sansone

Awesome
Noble
Generous
Enduring
Loving
Adorable

Joyful
Amazing
Narnian
Enthusiastic

Truth-Teller
Hero
Youthful
Extravagant

Strong
Adventurous
Nice
Smiling
Organized
Nimble
Extraordinary

Wearing Black and Blue

October 3, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

My closet is filled with blacks (slacks) and blues (shirts). Occasionally, I get a glance or a question about my color choices. I offer this explanation:

Wearing Black and Blue

I often wear a uniform of Blacks and Blues
Just an anecdote in a story full of Good News.

In this world, we will get hurt, maybe even bleed
But there’s more to this story found in the Bible I read.

Living in this world presenting its troubles and woe
In times of both better and worse, to the Rock I go.

For there I find His promises: faithful, true, and tight
Washing away blacks and blues, turning them to gold and white.

If you find you’re at a junction, not knowing what to do
Fix your thoughts and focus on Jesus: Faithful, Sufficient, Everlastingly loving you.

John 16:33

Faith is a Muscle

October 1, 2014 by Mike Sansone 2 Comments

Cross at Fire Pit - Wind River Ranch Last year, Angela and I attended a conference at Wind River Ranch in Estes Park, CO.

The flood stopped the conference short, but what a wonderful time to witness the power and presence of God – in the earth that moved and in the people that served. The testimonies of the event were and are numerous. The transformation of grounds at Wind River continue.

At this year’s conference, we saw new faces AND new places. Simultaneously, my jaw dropped and my cheeks smiled wide at seeing the beauty of what took place in just a year.

I shared the testimony of the event and God’s work often at this year’s conference. Someone mentioned that it must have been a scary time. I smiled and shook my head. Scary? Perhaps. But that’s where faith comes in. Faith is a muscle.

Faith is a Muscle

We exercise our bodies. We exercise our minds. We know about these muscles. Is faith a muscle? Is gossip or worry a muscle?

What’s in better shape? With a strong faith muscle, peace is always present (Psalm 119:165) and you’re less likely to stumble. For me, I sometimes put too much emphasis on my doings and neglect to consider God in the matter. And that’s the starting point of my fear (Matt 8:26).

I don’t think it’s that I don’t trust God, it’s that I don’t trust myself. Focusing on my faith rather than myself is where I gain strength. not by my own doing, but simply by relying on God, abiding in the Vine (John 15:4).

My faith is a muscle. The more I work it out, the stronger it gets. No fear. Faith. No worry. Faith. No confusion. Faith.

It’s a good workout.

Enough – What is Convenient For Me

September 30, 2014 by Mike Sansone 2 Comments

Bread and Bible Most folks are familiar with the verse from “The Lord’s Prayer”, requesting

“Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt 6:11)

But is that really enough? And is it only about food?

One focus of the book Enough by Will Davis, Jr. is a powerful section of Proverbs, Proverbs 30:7-9. The writer (Agur) asks God for two simple things:

Keep lies away from his own lips
Supply him with just enough. Not more. Not less. Enough.

Our nature – my nature – is too often to be so focused on the concerns of tomorrow, I miss out on how God answers my prayers today. God is faithful to provide my daily needs (Matt 6:25-34).

Why do I have so little faith, that rather than rest in His promise, I worry about tomorrow.

Enough.

*A Proverbs a day, keeps the enemy at bay.

Never Falter, Never Fail

September 29, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Mountain Train

Life is like a mountain railroad, with an engineer that’s brave …

Our lives may have lots of turns and dips, peaks and valleys. But have courage my friend, for we have as an Engineer, the One who designs and directs our paths.

We must make the run successful, from the cradle to the grave …

When we think of a cradle, we think of birth. But it’s not only birth, but re-birth and even the dawn of each new day.

Watch the curves, the hills, the tunnels; Never falter, never fail …

If you seek Him in all your journey, short or long, you will find His faithfulness and love endures no matter what – in our successes and in our failures (learning experiences).

Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail …

Stay contagious and courageous in your forward movement. A friend recently said, See Present Future, Rather Than Present Past. Remember Lot’s Wife (Luke 17:32).

Keeper Thoughts and Wild Bones

September 8, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

While I much prefer to write first from the heart, and then rewrite with my head (Finding Forrester clip), occasionally during a quiet time I find myself writing (rehearsing?) in my mind.

As she came into the room, she asked what I was doing.

“I’m writing,” I said, and continued looking out the window.

Truth is, I had already written a draft and was simply polishing the thought, though many additions and addenda came about during this pondering.

And there was a tablet for notes on the table before me to help capture keeper thoughts and wild bones.

Early to Rise

September 6, 2014 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

As I begin to write this, I sit in a quiet dining area of a rural McDonalds. Not quite 5:30 on a Saturday morning, it will remain quiet for a time.

I enjoy the quiet of an early morning. On this morning, I’ve enjoyed quiet for a couple of hours already.

I am early to rise. It’s weird for others; It works for me.

A dozen years ago, I was a bi-vocational pastor, also serving as a property manager for a large self-storage property. Working at two full-time jobs, both of which I enjoyed immensely,

I had to find ways to carve time within time to get what needed to be done and still have the freedom and flexibility to pivot on a day’s need.

A 24-hour Walmart.
A Home Depot that opens at 5 AM.
A Cracker Barrel open at 6AM
A self-storage property with no one around until after 7 AM.

I got more work done before sunrise than most people get done all day. By doing so, I was able to answer calls that seemed urgent to others while remaining calm and patient. Able to schedule for serendipity. I got hooked on the early mornings because of the freedom to pivot. I stay with it because of the quiet.

I value the quiet of an early morning.

I am early to rise. Not so much because I can’t sleep. Not because I can’t wait to get to Panera or McDonald’s. I like the crisp and fresh feeling of the beginnings of the day. It works for me. It’s not right for everyone – and that’s good.

I thirst for the quiet of an early morning.

photo credit: paul bica via photopin cc