Mike Sansone

To Love, Live, Learn, and Lauch

Write That, Right Now – Love Aware

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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

Lifestyles Not My Kind

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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

Among the “Whosever”

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Open Bible

I went to support a friend.

An Amway meeting. Not some gathering in a living room or even a hotel conference room. This was a large, 4-day weekend event at a national arena. A convention filling the arena. And I found a seat in the rafters.

Open-minded, I could see my friend’s enthusiasm and focus on his new promise for success. I also knew I was missing something, though I wasn’t sure this kind of thing was my cup of tea.

I went each day and found my nosebleed seat. I brought reading material. I did some writing. Supportive.

On Sunday morning, a star performer in the region began talking about how his front lawn had become his monument, his idol. He worked hard on his job every day, then came home and worked hard on his home and family every day. Every day. And then he found out something.

Here it comes, right? The big fireworks finale about this wonderful company on the last day of the convention, right? Nope. That’s not what he found (though he did eventually find the company).

The last two words I heard him say: Jesus Christ. I don’t know or don’t remember anything else he said, though he talked for another 20 minutes.

It was as if someone had grabbed my guts, heart, and brain and began wringing me out like a saturated sponge. I did hear the altar call and made it downstairs in the midst of my tears and spittle. They handed me a small New Testament and a sheet of paper listing a few verses I should read. Included in those verses was John 3:15 and the word: Whosoever.

That whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Whosever includes me (and you).

I took the next day off and was at the Christian bookstore early. I listened to every preacher on the radio and found some good old Southern Gospel music to calm my fears and imaginations. On fire to make up for lost time (I was 34 years old), I devoured everything I could get my hands, eyes, and ears on.

The friend who invited me to the convention may have no idea what has transpired since that day. The service I’ve been privileged to do, the preaching I’ve been honored to give, or the years of struggle and trial for His name sake. While I’ve made plenty of mistakes and errors that didn’t glorify God, I strive to learn and apply His word in my heart and my life.

Thank you Jesus, for salvation. And thank you, Ted, for that invite almost 20 years ago.

Tame Wild Imaginations with Captivating Music

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empty bench dark night

Wild imaginations. How do they take hold so fast? Past pitfalls. Present problems. Perceiving possibilities. It’s almost like the devil has a joystick controlling my thoughts.

But he doesn’t.

In 2 Cor 10:5, I am reminded:

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

As best as I can, as early as I can, I grab hold of Scripture, a verse or from a song. Music becomes a way to tame the wild imaginations of past and present and help bring focus back to those things that are good (Phl 4:8).

Here are three songs that help me most often:

More Than Ever – Gaither Vocal Band

Only a Shadow – Misty Edwards

Take My Hand, Precious Lord – Tennessee Ernie Ford

What music or verse tames your wild imaginations?

Photo on Pixabay by Desertrose7