Author: Dr. Mike

Christmas Thoughts

Dr. Mike 2025, Christmas , , ,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…all things were created through him and for him.” Colossians 1:15-16

While contemplating what to write about Christmas this year, my head could not hold a thought long enough to capture the words. The mind would go from blank to overload, and than tilt to empty again. So, I reviewed past written material to help me focus. Then smiled.

Below is a link to eighteen Christmas messages from prior years. They are as relevant today as when I wrote them. Collectively, they espouse the reason for the season.  

https://radicalinchrist.com/category/christmas/

Hopefully, one of them will spark your spirit this x-mas season.

Merry Christmas!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

God is Always at Work

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , ,

But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working…”  So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. John 5:17, 19-20
 

Jesus just healed an invalid man on the Sabbath. The man was incapacitated for thirty-eight years. Instead of celebrating the healing of the man, the Jews focused their anger on Jesus. They were angry because Jesus spoke about his familial relationship with HIS Father God. To them this was blaspheme. Their understanding of Scripture did not equate how Jesus could be related to Father God.

Along with their uneasiness, Jesus also took the time to explain HIS heart behind HIS actions. HE shared the process of how HE chose what to focus on.

HIS mind, heart, and soul were focused on the work HIS Father was doing around HIM. HE was so attuned to HIS Father’s Will; HE acted and did as HIS Father did.

The relationship between Jesus and HIS Father was very close. They mutually agreed and acted in similar fashion. Jesus knew HIS Father loved him so much that HE would reveal all HIS doing to HIM.

IS this not the type of relationship we want with Jesus and Father God? To have a ring-side seat to participate in the work of God?

Imagine walking into a room of strangers and participating with the Spirit’s work in front of you? Is this not the Christian journey in Christ? To participate with Jesus in HIS work? To share our life in Christ with others?

Instead of walking into a room with a planned agenda of what you are going to do for Jesus, how about a new approach? What if you asked Jesus how you can join HIM and work with HIM? No expectations. No planned purpose? Only our heart, mind, and soul focused on the work our Triune God is doing in the present.

God is always at work. Ask HIM how you can join HIM. HE loves to share HIS plans with others. Especially HIS children as HE prepares them for eternity with HIM.        

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Would You Have Carried Jesus’ Cross?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

“And as they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and laid on him the cross, to carry it behind Jesus.” Luke 23:26

We all have a cross to carry. Jesus stated so. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

Your cross may be the responsibilities thrusted upon you at a young age. Your cross may consist of financial or relational challenges. Your cross may be the physical or emotional disability you are dealing with each day. Whatever the situation or circumstance you are facing today, this is your cross.

Many times, we feel our cross is so heavy and burdensome when compared to others and their cross. Their cross is so little that you would gladly exchange yours for theirs. Most likely, they look at yours and feel the same way.

Yet each of us has a cross we carry. You may call it a burden. It may be a heavy weight of responsibility. Or something that is preventing you from achieving your personal dreams. An obstacle that needs to be removed. How many times have we felt helpless and long for someone to help us through the pain? Jesus did.

All three Synoptic gospels highlight the story of Simon of Cyrene. A named person helping to carry the wooden cross of Jesus toward Calvary. Jesus, the God-Man, beaten and busted from all the abuse he faced up to then. Jesus, who help heal thousands during his ministry. Jesus, who was convicted and being executed by the government for being a King. This Jesus was now so broken he needed help to carry his cross.

We don’t have any details of Simon of Cyrene except he was the father of two disciples, Rufus and Alexander (Mark 15:21). Everything else is speculation. But we do know, he helps Jesus carry his cross. We don’t know if he deliberately stood before the Roman soldiers begging them to allow him to help Jesus. We don’t know if the Roman commander simply grabbed him from the crowd and drafted him to help. Either way, Simon carried Jesus’ cross when HE needed the help.

How many times have we gone through the day thinking we are the only one who has a cross to carry? That the other person has their act all together. They don’t need any help. We are so focused on our cross we don’t notice the cross they may be carrying.

What this Scripture reminds me is every single human being has a cross they carry. Though ours may be light at the moment, the day will come when it will get heavy. A time when we will be thankful someone like Simon of Cyrene comes around and helps us. Meanwhile, I pray to be more aware of the needs of others. Like Simon of Cyrene, that someone may even be Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Aspirations and Writings Neatly Bound in Book Formats:
* indicates audio version available at Apple Books

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved