Mike Sansone

To Love, Live, Learn, and Lauch

Because I Am Fragile…Trusting God

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Road To SomewhereWe’re on the move again. With God guiding our steps (Prov 20:24 & Prov 16:9).

While we have an outline and a map, an itinerary and a plan – we will always be ready to pivot on God’s command for the sake of Christ.

Some people may not understand – and sometimes, I’m not sure I do either. It’s not wanderlust. It’s not fear of commitment (to people). It is our life.

The confidence and trust we have is this: If our journey takes us in a direction we think is right, and it doesn’t turn out the way we have planned, we trust in God. Paul had a vision to build a church, got thrown in jail, and trusted in God. And the jailer and his family became members of the church (See Acts 16).

We have a vision. And yet, there is a possibility of something else.

“Because I am fragile. And I don’t know God’s plans.” – Susie Davis

That quote rung true and comforting, sending me to James 5:13-15 this morning as a reminder to always trust God, no matter the circumstance. For what is my life?

We soon depart for South Dakota as our next short-term mission. After South Dakota, the vision is in process of definition and preparation. If these planned paths get diverted for some reason (and also if they don’t), we look towards God – even if a diversion seems to be bad news. 

Photo on Flickr by Stuck in Customs

 

Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is.

Johann Von Goethe

Slow Teaching – The Mask of Zorro

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This scene from Mask of Zorro shows an example of “slow teaching”

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; – 2 Tim 2:24-25

Audience of One

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Audience of One

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. – Gal 1:10

Like a performer might feel receiving a standing ovation. Adoration and compliments coming in floods. Tangible. Exciting. Addicting.

When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Prov 16:7

I dropped the ball. By pleasing others first. Stretched too thin, overwhelmed, joyless, rushed … One would think that pleasing others is better than pleasing self – but at its core, isn’t pleasing others a somewhat selfish act?

God is pleased when you set aside parts of your life for others ( John 15:13 ) – but do so for the glory of God, the sake of Christ, being led by the Spirit.

An Audience of One. There is both less pressure and a more profound obligation.

And Then …

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What's Your Testimony?

If someone asks you “How have you been?”
What an opportunity to share about the time when
From the depths you cried out to God, and then …
Let the redeemed of the Lord, Say So (Psalm 107:1-43)

What’s your testimony?

 

Not Enough

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Enough by Will Davis, Jr.This time last week, we began our trek to Colorado.

We had a sense of the size of our living quarters, but not an accurate measure. So, we took just what we could fit in the car and would return for the rest of our stuff later.

In a week, it’s easy to tell we don’t have enough. We have too much. We’re only using a small percentage of what we packed. In the car. Not enough, too much.

Just before our move, I started reading Enough: Finding More by Living with Less by Will Davis, Jr. and it helped prepare my heart and mind for this season. We’re still “Moving Toward Enough” though we’re not there yet.

I’ve adopted this prayer from Prov 30:7-9

Two things I ask of you;
deny them not to me before I die:
Remove far from me falsehood and lying;
give me neither poverty nor riches;
feed me with the food that is needful for me,
lest I be full and deny you
and say, “Who is the Lord?”
or lest I be poor and steal
and profane the name of my God.

We are loving Colorado, and loving this living for the Lord. We are richer than we’ve ever been. Thank you, Lord, for our daily bread.

You Never Know What Events will Transpire

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Sometimes, along life’s journeys, all we see is black before us. We don’t know, really, what tomorrow will bring.

I’ve learned that there may be multiple journeys in each of our lives. There are right paths (plural), says Ps 23:3 .

And that’s where faith becomes the foundation of our footstep.

You never know what events will transpire to get you home.

Expectations Unrealized or Blueprints Unrecognized?

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DisappointedMath or Myth? If there is no expectation, there is no disappointment.

Many of us embark on a journey or launch into a project, a day, a relationship with high expectations. When it doesn’t work out, we might become disappointed. That’s alright, We’ll get ’em next time! But maybe too much disappointment leads to lowering the expectations.

Does “Disappointment” come from Expectations Unrealized or Blueprint Unrecognized?

I dunno. Maybe I used to start lowering expectations so not to be disappointed, but that seemed like I was giving up before I got started. As if Expectations become replaced by Excuses.

One morning, I began wondering about “expectations” not as a thing, not as a noun – but as a verb. I’m still noodling this one around in my head and heart.

As Angela and I launch out on a new mission (more on that soon), my expectations are great, though not rigidly defined. I don’t know exactly all that God has in store for us, but it will be good (Rom 8:28). I expect wonderful and great things – according to His purpose.

He is after all, the Master Planner.

photo credit: Close to Home via photopin cc

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If You Focus on the Problem, You Can’t See the Solution

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By focusing on the problem, we often fall short of seeing the solution. Rather, by looking beyond the problem we might see what no one else sees – and maybe what God wants you to see.

Here’s a scene from Patch Adams starring Robin Williams:

As Angela and I face a challenge, we consistently practice looking beyond the problems for solutions we cannot yet see (and rely on God for many unseen solutions). Here’s hoping you see new beginnings to old problems.

“Eight is a good answer.”

Chilly Days Call For Soup

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Bean and Mushroom Soup

We occasionally gather around Netflix or Hulu on a Thursday night. With today’s fall temps below 50, I’m slow cooking a three-bean and mushroom soup.

A few carrots, some celery, red onion, and black, northern, and pinto beans. Some tomatoes, garlic, and mushrooms. Oh, and chicken broth.

Is it too early for dinner?

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