Mike Sansone

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Write That, Right Now – Love Aware

April 18, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

100 Days of Love Aware

I recently began a project on Instagram, #The100DayProject. It was a nice idea at first. But God took hold of my heart and it became a Project with a capital “P”. It’s called Love Aware and the project centers around becoming more aware of God’s extravagant love.

This daily practice is to be a day-to-day practice.  In my work writing, I’ll often outline or at least think about what I’ll be writing in the near future. During the Love Aware project, it became clear right away that this would be a day-to-day – and on the very day – writing project.

I’ve been blessed by experience to have such reliance on the Holy Spirit in some of my previous works.

When I was active in a pastoral role, as Assistant Pastor at a Baptist (Independent) church in Maryland, I was often asked to fill the pulpit at the last moment, whether on Sunday morning at our place, or at another gathering in the area.

More recently, my work at a Rescue Mission often had me deliver the evening message if the scheduled preacher didn’t show up. I was “Plan B” and was blessed at its frequent call (2Ti 4:2).

It’s amazing to wake up (or walk up), not knowing what to write (or say). While in prayer, it’s like a voice inside me (is that you, Holy Spirit?) says, “Write that, right now.” (Luke 12:12)

There are other requirements for this project:

  • Always write with an Audience of One (Gal 1:10). Each day’s entry is a love letter to God. They are never to be a preachy note to any human reader (except for myself, I guess).
  • While each entry is addressed to God, I’ll be sharing on Facebook, Instagram, and occasionally, on Twitter. If no one ever likes it or shares it, I’m to continue posting the entries. God will provide the increase (1Co 3:7).
  • Instagram is for the visual journey – and I’ll be finding new ways to visually compliment the work.
  • At the completion of 100 days, publish the work.

The project is just starting, but in the first two weeks, I’ve been able to draw nearer and nearer to God, and his love. I am more Love Aware than ever before.

If you’re alongside during the journey, I hope God blesses you with this work. And thank you for your prayers.

Love Aware Day 1

Love Aware – Day 13: Thank You, Holy Spirit

April 18, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

man on balcony giving praiseThank You, Holy Spirit

Thank you, Holy Spirit:
For your guidance,
For your counsel,
For your intercession.

My faith strengthens,
with your continual presence.
My hope brightens,
as you draw others near.

With each passage of Scripture read,
Some already familiar and known,
You bring new light and understanding,
In my life to apply.

I want never to ignore your tug,
Nor to turn away from your whisper.
Keep my mind and actions focused
On the righteous paths you lead me.

Guide me through Scripture,
to better understand.
Guide me through the days,
so stronger I withstand.
Guide to ones in need,
for me to offer a helping hand.

Thank you, O Holy Spirit!
My God and wise teacher,
for bearing witness,
and enveloping me in prayer.

 

Photo on Pixabay by lholtz1023

Love Aware – Day 12: A Jesus Lens

April 17, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

bird on a branch in springLet me see, as best as I can,
With perspective from a Jesus lens.
Loving others regardless of means,
Status high or low, opponent or friend.

To notice beauty and blessings,
in the simplest of things:
the bud of a flower blossom,
the sound of dawn as birds sing.

To pause and look around,
and wonder at the work of your hand;
And see amazing testimonies,
of your design throughout the land.

Let me see as best as I can,
And look after things with Jesus eyes.
While gathering with others,
Loving them without disguise.

Seeking You first and always,
in every thing and situation to find,
Your Glory, presence and majesty,
At times overpowering my mind.

Rather than asking you to show yourself,
I need only to open my eyes to see:
The miracles of life and living
Thank you, Lord, for setting me free.

 

Photo on Pixabay by Gellinger

Love Aware – Day 11: Into Joy

April 16, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

lonely boyInto Joy

Your wonderful Word guides me into joy,
Yet I stumble at points now and too often, again.
Let me hide behind you, Lord
Protect me from my own selfish vain.

It sometimes seems like a constant fight
My enemies and opponents in numbers grow
I feel their gossipy and flattering lips,
At least in my silly mind I think it is so.

In my weakness, I dishonor you,
In my shining moments, I neglect to credit you,
In my boasting, I shame you,
In my shame, I hide from you.

Forgive me my sins, my errors so plenty.
Mold me into the man you’ve designed me to be.
Create in me a beacon for others,
to look right through me unto you, Lord.

As I recall things I’ve done or thought,
My stomach turns at those words or deeds.
Not to crucify Christ twice on the cross,
Yet forgiveness, I once again plead.

With thanksgiving for your tender mercies
Your enduring love, Your amazing grace.
And as I read Scripture with diligent study
Your wonderful Word guides me into joy.

 

 

Image from Pixabay by FeeLoona

Love Aware – Day 10: Praying Grace

April 15, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

GRACE by Eric EnstromPraying Grace

Lord, teach me what to pray,
Reveal to me your desire for me.
Put in my heart the want of your wants,
What to do, where to go, how to be.

Take away from me selfish requests,
That are not in your plan or will.
Remove from me the high hurdles of life,
Creating in me a battle uphill.

I don’t want or seek what is against thee,
But sometimes I don’t really know.
Illuminate me with your Word, O God.
Holy Spirit, I count on you to show,

Inspire me with song and sight,
Your wonderful creation has me in awe.
Move me into line with your way
In prayer and worship, full of joy I call.

Image via wikipeida
Original Photo: GRACE by Eric Enstrom

Love Aware – Day 9: Guide Me

April 14, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

love-aware-9Have mercy on me, Father.
Guide me through difficulties well.
Upon my lacking understanding,
Oh Spirit lead me, show me, tell.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking my burdens,
Every problem, every woe.
Quicken me Lord, remember me,
When my heart or foot is slow to go.

As I plod through life’s problems,
When opponents I must face,
Calm my nerves with Scripture,
Give my foothold a secure place.

And when your Word presents a hurdle,
When comprehension, I do lack,
Give me peace more than wisdom,
Relying only on You and the Bible I pack.

Thank you, Holy Spirit,
For through prayer and scripture you guide.
Nudge me along during my struggles,
In time, understanding please provide.

So grateful am I, O God on high,
Father, Son, and Spirit most Holy.
with Forgiving, Loving, and Enduring Faith,
Keep me humble, nimble, every lowly.

Love Aware – Day 8: Mind Echoes

April 13, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Woman Arguing With Herself

The enemy has such a distracting voice
Floods of content, or echoes of voices past
Other times in my own imaginations
It seems those especially linger and last.

Drown out those voices, Oh Holy Spirit
Bring me back to verse or song
Re-focus me on things noble and good
So I stop thinking things bad and wrong.

Bring me back to a Bible verse
I’ve written on my heart with pen
Remind me of a gospel song
Singing in my heart remembering when

How to rest and abide in Jesus
knowing all He has done for me
and rescue my mind into comfort
so again my thoughts will be free

Photo on Flickr by probablyokay

Love Aware – Day 7: Pursuit with Holy Focus

April 12, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

Goose Flying SoloAs a lone goose flies calling out,
in pursuit of the one they’ve lost.
Like a cheetah races after her prey,
with focus no matter terrain’s cost.

Much like open arms of a mother’s heart,
Yearning for her grown child’s arms.
Lead me to a full-on pursuit of your love
Without distraction, keeping me from harm

As a spouse woos their love many years
to show loves continuing flame
I seek your heart and love, Lord
Confident you already know my name.

Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Eternal Life
Thank for comforting me with your truth.
I love you with all my heart,
And in Holy Focus I remain in pursuit.

Love Aware – Day 6: Complacency Strikes

April 11, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

bible-heart-crownComplacency strikes at the top of a peak,
When things are going just fine and dandy.
It seems at these times, Lord, I think only of me
Thinking of you if and when you might come in handy.

So focused on my own well-being,
and comfortable in new found ease
Pride takes over and I let go of you
Soon and quickly I neglect to please.

Forgive me, Dear God, for being so obtuse
Thank you for guiding me humbly low.
Whether peaks or valleys, I love you Lord!
New and various ways I’ll seek to show

Photo on Pixabay by jclk8888

Lifestyles Not My Kind

April 10, 2015 by Mike Sansone Leave a Comment

working on laptop in coffee shop

I know this guy. He hunts and fishes and celebrates his bounty with boisterous excitement to all within his vocal aim. His lifestyle is not my lifestyle. When I see him, I tell him in some way, “I love you, man.” And I do. With Christ as my example.

I know this woman. Hard-working mother and wife. Except for her smoking habit, she’s in great health. She likes to talk about what she watches on television (usually reality TV) or how she did at the bingo games. Her lifestyle is not my lifestyle. When I see her, I find a way to let her know, “I love you, friend.” And I do. With Christ as my example.

I know this young guy. He has a giving heart and a contagious laugh. His tattoos are colorful and abundant. His partner doesn’t have tattoos (that I’ve seen), but he’s probably thinking about it because he’s often bragging about the other guy. He has smiling eyes. Their lifestyle is not my lifestyle. When I see them together, we laugh and smile. I want to show them, “I love you guys.” And I do. With Christ as my example.

There are many people who do things differently, living lifestyles that are not my kind of lifestyle. I want to love them. I find ways to love them. When I look for ways to love, it’s easy to find. And I do.

With Christ as my example.

Photo from DollarPhotoClub

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