Mike Sansone

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Funeral for a Friendly Neighbor

June 2, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

squirrel

Maybe you’ve seen a game of tag among the neighborhood squirrels. I think it’s a game they play. Sometimes, there is much noise and it seems at times some tempers flare when things get a little rough. When the birds join in, it can get kind of ugly.

As I was driving home recently, I saw one of our furry friends in the road, run over. I paused on the quiet road. I watched as other squirrels came over to the one that passed. Birds landed and watched from the sidewalk as other squirrels gathered on the street.

It was like a service for the one that passed. Those that played and fought stopped for a moment. Something to behold. A funeral for a friendly neighbor. It’s as if the birds supported the squirrels with Rom 12:15 in heart.

I looked up from my teary eyes and saw a lady standing still along the sidewalk, her dog sitting at her side.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

If the animal kingdom can do this (squirrels and birds and dogs together), can’t we too, we people?

Remembering My School Days – and My Mom

May 26, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

old-photos

Maybe it was because of recent graduations. Perhaps it was remembering my Mom’s upcoming birthday (Arrivederci, Mama). It was probably a home video of my childhood, sent by my younger brother.

The video includes many scenes from my early childhood, back when we kept waving because there was no sound and we were taking moving pictures. Included were a few birthday shots with cake and cousins. And my Mom.

From the video, I captured a still of me and my cousin, Al, posting it on Facebook. That’s probably how the rapid flood of memories began. A few friends from decades ago caught a glimpse and liked the picture. The reconnecting began.

I remembered a certain girl from early childhood. I didn’t know what a crush was back then, but my Mom told me I had one.  I connected with my first “crush” on Facebook. There is gladness in my heart for this memory. She is still a beautiful girl. She is also part of a Facebook group from our graduating High School Class. I joined in (with permission).

My face was painted with smiles, then tears. Sorrows, followed by laughter as I went through the posts. Remembering places and faces.

I’ve never been too nostalgic, until this past weekend. I no longer have possession of any of the photos or documents from my past. I have the memories.  While hesitant to re-connect with some classmates who hurt me – or with those whom I had hurt – I began to realize how important each and every one of these people and memories are in my life.

I’m glad the reconnecting has begun. I’m glad to look back on these school day memories as valuable. I’m glad for these people and how they’ve grown.

Facebook, to me, is as much a prayer list as anything else. As I scroll through updates, I find myself praying for the person rather than reading their update. I’m grateful my prayer list just got bigger.

Special people, those I grew up with. And my Mom.

What I’m Looking For In My Church

May 24, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

country church

I’ve been in plenty of boring church services. I’ve probably led my share of boring church services. 

With as much traveling and moving as I’ve done in life, I’ve visited churches all over the country, coast-to-coast and border-to-border. Recently, we attended five churches in five different states, in five consecutive weeks (busy month).

I’ve seen and overseen many different styles of church services. I know what I want in a church service I’m attending. I want the same thing Christ wants. It’s His church.

That’s what He says in Matt 16:18:

“…upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

He brings me to a place. It’s not my church. The church belongs to Jesus.

If I’m not getting fed … if it’s not my style of music … if someone was a bit aloof or obtuse … if the preaching wasn’t positive … I’ll turn my attention, worship, and prayer to my Lord and heavenly things. As for my presence and attitude, I pray my behavior and conversation is contagious to attract others to Christ. Nothing less.

The church is Jesus’ bride. If I love Jesus, I’ll love the church. Each one I enter. Today, it’s in South Dakota.

 

Photo on Pixabay by cgcowboy

And Then, I Remember the Foundation of God

May 19, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

El Capitan

Headlines are becoming more and more amazing, epic, superfluous, and grandiose. They are clickbait headlines. They are written to get you, the reader, to click it, to share it, and to talk about it.

Around water coolers and coffee tables, conversations seem to echo the magnitude and marvelous majestic-isms made marvelous to massage your merriment or misery. Just remember this:

Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure.

The foundation of God stands sure. You can find that in 2 Tim 2:19

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

With all the worry, the angst, the anger, the rumors, and the reports:

  • Nevertheless, the foundation of God stands sure… – 2 Tim 2:19
  • … a precious corner stone, a sure foundation… –  Isa 28:16
  • … a stronghold in the day of trouble. – Nah 1:7
  • … and the gates of hell shall not prevail… – Matt 16:18

Fret not (Psa 37:1). The foundation of God stands sure.

 

Photo on Pixabay by TipKilby

Love Aware Update – Day 41: Completion and Consistency

May 16, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Heart shades Bible

It began as a 100-day project. As a mark of completion (40 days) and consistency (41st post in the series), the Love Aware poems will now be occasional, rather than daily.

What a fantastic experience it has been to wake up daily and rely on the Holy Spirit to provide the guidance to pen the prose of love to God. It’s been a touching and tender experience to grow closer to God in love and fellowship through these love letters. In no way has there been any stress or pressure to come up with words.

I truly believe each day, in and with prayer, the words came into my head and heart as I put them down. There was never a struggle. I was amazed at how easy words came, which is why it is so easy to give credit where it is due, and reflect upwards.

Love Aware will continue to be a category on this site, with more poems to come in the future – just not every day. I see 41 as a mark of consistency, as modeled by one of my baseball heroes, Tom Seaver.

There are more topics and items I believe need to be written in this space. Additionally, there is a mission I have to launch later this summer. The poetry exercise may come into play for the project ahead.

I love the Love Aware project and The One who called me to the project. I will be making it available in book form soon.  Thanks for bearing witness to this exercise.

Your Word – The Bible – Love Aware 40

May 15, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Holy Bible

Your Word, O God,
Is a beacon of light,
Rescuing me out of dark places
Amidst shadows and fright.

How I love to dive in,
Soaking with tears I get wet,
Whether joyful or sad,
A cleansing I so often get.

From stories and parables,
Foretelling and song,
Clinging and caressing,
Guided right from wrong.

As I pray for wisdom or guidance,
You seem to allow me to find,
In my daily reading,
You speak to my heart and mind.

Thank you for my Bible,
and for teachers who,
can add perspective,
even an alternative view.

Even if I read the same passage,
Over and over I might see or hear,
An unction from the Holy Spirit,
Something new whispered in my ear.

Through thousands of years,
Protected and preserved,
Such a wonderful gift you’ve given!
Thank you, God, for your word.

 

Photo on Pixabay by T3W_CS

Turn to You – Love Aware 39

May 14, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

long road

With a question on my mind,
With a battle at my hand,
I shall turn to you, Lord.

With a burden upon my heart,
With envy in my eyes,
I shall turn to you, Lord.

With words upon my lips,
With gossip in my ears,
I shall turn to you, Lord.

From my own selfish desires,
From my prideful, sinful ways,
I shall turn to you, Lord.

Not for my sake, O God,
But for others I might meet
With Kingdom truths I share, so
They shall turn to you, Lord.

Thank You, Jesus – Love Aware 38

May 13, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

thank-you-jesus

Thank you, Jesus,
for your:
Example of living,
Blood washing me clean,
Constant giving of self,

Knowing my pain,
Healing my hurt,
Forgiving my sins,
Showing me love,
Always being with me,

Bearing my burdens,
Giving me rest,
Taking on my suffering,
Setting a standard,
Remaining patient with me,

Extravagantly loving me,
Teaching me with your Word,
Life-giving sacrifice,
Saving my eternal soul,
Thank you, Jesus.

Enormity and Eternity – Love Aware 37

May 12, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

enormity sky

As I consider the enormity of Your creation,
Your brilliance and purpose divine,
Breathing it in with all my senses,
No reason for my complaints or whine.

From all of history before this time,
And for all eternity henceforth,
Nothing has ever occurred to You,
All of it planned, foreseen, and on course.

Such beauty comes from only Your design,
With majesty, all stories do testify
Of your wonderful loving kindness,
In prayer and study, draw me nigh.

In your Word I find great comfort,
Often, easing me into peaceful rest.
With prayer I seek, to my heart please speak,
The story of Jesus, I do love best.

 

Photo on Pixabay by MarcoRoosink

Battles Within – Love Aware 36

May 11, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

knight grounded

My head has occasion to be noisy,
At times, my heart let’s out a wail,
My imaginations run amok,
If it goes on too long, I’ll surely fail.

Take these thoughts away, Lord.
At your feet, these burdens I put,
Embracing your long-lasting peace, God,
Keep my troubles under your foot.

Lift me up against these storms,
Which haunt my mind and heart.
Protect me from my sin against thee,
Never again, do I want to depart.

Let me be a light to others,
Forgive me of dark periods past,
Have mercy upon me, Father.
These troubles to you, I cast.

The enemy is fighting fierce.
Battles within are waged in my mind,
Search my heart and spirit, Oh God,
At its core, I hope you will find:

That I sing a song of Glory!
Praising your character, true.
Of your love and enduring faithfulness,
My greatest hope and trust is because of You!

 

Photo on Pixabay by jaymethunt

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