Mike Sansone

To Love, Live, Learn, and Lauch

Live in the Present

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We all have a past. If we try to forget it, we ignore potential lessons. If we hang on to it … well, we might miss on present and future opportunity. Acknowledge the past. Our past is important, though not as important as our present is to our future.

We have a present. An unquiet mind or an anxious spirit might cause us to miss it. We too busy worrying about what others are or might be thinking about us. We tend to become too cautious or too hurried to figure out what’s next. Live in the present. This time is a gift. For now.

We have a future. It’ll come soon enough. Having goals is good. Preparing for future times is wise. A “When Then, Then This” thought process can be helpful “So That” you’re prepared for potential surprises. Prepare for the future. 

Acknowledge the Past. Live in the Present. Prepare for the Future.

Be aware that if there is a battle — it’s the one right in front of you, not the one behind you, nor the one still a ways down the road.

Live in the Present
Past, Present, Future

Wisdom of Wooden

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I’ve read that John Wooden grew up with a mantra his father passed along to him, and then he passed along to his players:

Don’t Whine; Don’t Complain; Don’t Make Excuses

Such sage advice to be adopted at early ages will serve you well as you grow, and grow you well as you serve.

3 Wise Things Not to Do
Don’t Whine, Don’t Complain, Don’t Make Excuses

RINSE Away Your Anger

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RINSE Anger

RINSE: Anger is a real emotion. Yet, we should not let it control our behavior or control our time. We read in Eph 4:26 – “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”

That second part used to be a tough one for me. I thought that I shouldn’t sleep until a situation was resolved. That thinking often led to more frustration, hotter emotions, tired tomorrows … I was giving the devil a foothold!

I’ve learned how to leave my emotions at the cross, and end my day calmly using at least one thing from what I call RINSE:

R – Write. Get the anger out of my head onto paper. Walk away.
I – Ingredients. The kitchen, for me, is a prayer closet. I’ll often prepare foods to use for our component-style cooking, praying or singing while I prepare.
N – Neaten. Cleaning or organizing burns off the edge of an anger, plus I’ve got something positive done!
S – Shower. An actual rinse, sometimes simply standing under the water and praying (or crying).
E – Exercise. Walking, dancing, stairs – whatever I can for as long as it takes for the anger to subside.

Don’t run with anger into a marathon for resolution (sin will eventually become a running mate). Neither let anger linger for the devil to build it into something bigger. If a thing cannot be solved quick, do a RINSE. Defer your anger (Prov 19:11). Sleep well. Sin not.

The Battle Within

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wolf

I felt his presence again just the other night. It had been awhile. Time was prime for his appearance. I was tired. There was a crowd about us. In a hurry. The person before me was … in a mood. And then, it happened.

A verbal attack thrust upon me. Or so it seemed in my weak state. Calm, yet pointed. And he almost got out. My old self. My prideful self. The one quick to anger and adept with pointed words. On the tip of my tongue he sat, ready to pounce.

The battle on the outside is really a battle within.

The Holy Spirit is always more ready than I. I remembered Psalm 119:165 (no need to be offended). I recalled Prov 13:10 (contention is caused by pride) and Prov 26:20 (no wood, no fire). And 2 Cor 4:17 put things in proper perspective (this problem is lightweight compared). In my mind’s eye and ear, I watched Stephen stoned and heard his last words of forgiveness (Acts 7:60).

My old self was kept at bay. A sincere and courteous parting I offered to my opponent. I departed in victory. Yet, I struggled for a few moments as pride from the victory began to rise up within me. The wrestling match continues (Eph 6:12).

I know that only by the mighty power of God was I able to withstand these so small battle. Only because of the gift of God was I able to bear a good witness. Only because I have access to God through Christ, was I able to confess these innermost thoughts and rest assured that I am cleansed. Victory over the battle within.

Jesus knows. While hanging from the cross, innocent yet punished in the worst of ways. All the while, knowing why and for whom (for you, for me). Blameless. So that He could say, “It is finished,” and be for each who receives His gift, the way and the truth for eternal life with Him (John 14:6). Thank you, Jesus.

Escape: Transportation or Transformation?

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way to escape

A Way to Escape

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Cor 10:13

The Bible tells us God is ever faithful and will always see to it that we are not tempted above what we can bear – that with temptation, He will also make a way to escape … so that we can bear whatever temptation we do have before us.

While escape sounds like a transportation, sometimes a change of location is not immediately possible. Might there be other ways of escape?

Rather than an escape of transportation, perhaps an escape of transformation: 

  • By prayer
  • By Bible reading
  • By worship (humming a favorite hymn)
  • By witness (focus on God’s creative work)
  • By working as unto the Lord
  • By fellowship

When in private temptations, I do my best to avoid hiding in the dark but to hide in the light. Get in front of such temptation by being in public places.

And to set my mind on Godly things (Php 4:8).

Other references to escape: Luke 21:36, Heb 2:3

Photo via Pixabay

Reflecting Up

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reflective glass

It is not for modesty — but for Glory’s sake.

If there be any good that come from me, my words or the work of my hands: It is not I, but Christ from within; with the Holy Spirit as my guide.

I’ve found if compliments to me are given, I may receive them for just a bit. Then, rather than reject them, reflecting them upward to the heavenly.

For I know too well who I have been apart from God. I know the (old) man I still wrestle with inside. And, while glad for the praise, I more adore finding ways I can give proper attribution to the One from whom all good gifts come:

To God be the glory, through Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit given.

Photo via Pixabay

Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward

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Worn Bible

Giving Benefit of the Doubt Godward

Scripture, when compared to itself, is without contradiction.
Penned by many men;
Preserved over thousands of years;
Widely accepted as inspired word of God.

When I don’t understand,
or even find myself in doubt
about something within the Bible –
I pray, but more than that:

I give the benefit of my doubt to God
rather than myself and the limits of my knowledge.
To do otherwise, would like eating an apple
from a certain tree and making this choice:

Do I have faith in God to guide me
into good and away from evil,
or do I prefer my own ability
to know the difference apart from God?

I have, at times in my life, questioned
validity and accuracy of the Bible as God’s word.
And while I still have questions of the Bible
I no longer question the Bible. Or God.

And now without doubt of God or His word,
the Bible is become to me more than a book.
It is a guide, a counselor, a mirror, a sage…
The more I read, the more I love each word and page.

Image via Pixabay

As Sirens Go By – A Clarion Call to Pray

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Siren Call to Pray

As Sirens Go By

There are moments
I cannot deny.
I lose my focus,
I’ll tell you why.

A siren cries
and it’s coming near,
Its call gets louder
Somewhere there’s a tear.

This sound is a #PrayerTrigger
to the one called to pray.
Hope for the waiting,
Safety for those on the way.

Protection for those in danger.
Healing for those in pain.
Patience for those affected.
Salvation for any that are slain.

Before the echo of distance,
Just beyond it’s shrill,
Praying for all in its path and to its end:
Father, rescue them, if it be Your will.

Photo via DollarPhotoClub