Fit For A King

     Pondering the echoes of conversations in my mind from life before Christ. Some of those voices were my own intellect, some were influences from people in my life, and some, no doubt, were from the enemy of my soul. I can remember the feeling of not fitting in and the heartbreaking discomfort of not being up to par with others around me. Whether it be sports, academics, or social status, etc., there were many awkward emotions. I was acclimating toward a perception of happiness through a culture of demise exposed to drugs, sex, and rock n' roll. Rock n' roll? No, I'm not bashing rhythmic melodies, because I love music. However, the lyrical content of many of the songs I listened to were, without question, molding a personality and a mentality that was inevitably deterring me from the plans that God had for me in this life and for eternity.
     I was seeking affirmation from the things of this world that required an ever-evolving investment to feel confidence and esteem, but it was an ongoing cycle of highs and lows. I kept trying to change with the times so that people's perspectives about me wouldn't change. One day, I began to learn about a guy who never changes and His view of me is never one of worthlessness or incapability, but, rather, He views me as a beautiful creation. He loved me just like I was and exactly where I was at, but refused to leave me in the poverty of acceptance, or the seclusion of small dreams, and the belief that where I was was where I was destined to be.
     I was on my way, when I saw the signs; when the heralds cried: "Jesus saves, and He wants to save you. It doesn't matter where you've been. It doesn't matter what you've done, nor does it matter what's been done to you. You're not identified by your past, but rather in Christ." I heard them say: "The King uses foolish things to confound the wise." I laughed inside, because I had never felt so qualified for anything.
     I fell in love with Jesus. He saved my soul. He rebuilt my broken heart. He's changing my mind, and He continues to give me hope to bring excitement for a future that is ever-evolving in His favor. I dream, yet He intends to do more than I can ask or imagine. So now I have joy sustaining, because He is for me, not against me. All that was said is also true for you. Maybe you don't like the reflection you see, but I hope to encourage you today: you're worth dying for and you're most definitely fit for the King.

Reminiscing

  'Learning to Lean on Jesus'

      I wasn't raised in church, but when I finally started going, I can recall a song a lot of the elderly folks would sing. It was an old gospel hymn called 'Learning to Lean on Jesus.' Though I came out of more of a rock-genre, I still appreciated those lyrics as a newborn Christian. I remember time and time again going down to the church to pray, even when it was closed. When it was closed, I would go around back of the church and the central air unit was my meeting place with Jesus. I had no idea at that point of my life, Jesus actually lived inside of me. Every now and then, that old central air unit would start while I was praying, you might call it a coincidence, but I think the lord was trying to scare the **** out of me. It's been a journey all these years, following Christ. Many times I have failed to remember to lean on Jesus. What I have learned is that not leaning causes me to fall. I know this from hard-learned experience, and during many of those times, when I fell, I was embarrassed and ashamed and broken inside. I felt God had wasted his time on me. Still, I would feel the sweetness of His Holy Spirit drawing me. It was in those times, and even still today, that I'm learning not just to lean on Jesus, but also simultaneously He is the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3). It gives me the idea, or the picture, of a child with outstretched arms crying out to daddy and daddy comes quickly and completes the embrace.
      I don't know what you're going through in your life; what makes you happy, what makes you sad. But I assure you, if you lean on Jesus, it will be the best choice you could ever make. I know sometimes, if you're like me, you walk around broken, then bitter, and before long, you're numb to God's Spirit. Let me remind you once again: Jesus loves you, He cares for you, and He is the lifter of your head.

REALLY?

  REALLY?

     Howdy, ya'll, I've spent almost 44 years investing in this pivotal moment that, hopefully, strikes a chord with you. This is Mike/Michael/Mikey/Leslie/Tetrick/Jr. The real perfection of non-protection, a surprise, I've heard, AND is not the same thing as a gift. At this moment, I hope to inspire you with this truth: you are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God that is jealous. He wants all your attention and you have all His. When you look in the mirror, you're looking at something worth dying for; that's why Jesus did.

      Take a listen to the music TDRMusic as well as Justin Todd Herod's jthmusic.com, Jason Clutter jasonclutter.com, and McKenna Tetrick's individual music and, duh, especially mine. These are people who love God more than themselves and love you more than themselves as well. 

     Thanks for checking out the site, pay attention to the blog; it may be inspiring, it also may inspire you to pray for me. I wake up every day in love with Jesus and a life that is sometimes out of whack, but Jesus is my 'quack" ("my counselor, my helper, my comfort"). All I'm saying is we are real people, with real problems, and Jesus is the real solution!  God is good all the time, and, all the time, God is good. True story! Don't cut me off in traffic, I'll let you down spiritually! Be blessed or don't. Later taters.