Author: Dr. Mike

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)

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Why Be Thankful?

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,


“…give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Ever notice how difficult it is to be thankful in all circumstances? Especially in those hard times when your world is broken. When the people around you don’t even know you exist. When you are in pain. When you are physically, mentally, and emotionally drain. Those times when you don’t want to speak with anyone. You only want to withdraw and cry. Those are the times when you feel no one seems to understand what you are going through. You are in a self-pity party and no one else wants to show up.

We have all been there. If not yet, wait. One day you will find yourself at the end of yourself. In need of a savior.

The apostle Paul writes here that we all need to give thanks in all circumstances. Why? Because that is how the Triune God acts.

Through the incarnation, you and I are now buried and resurrected in Christ. Baptism reminds us of this. When we surrendered to Jesus, we committed ourselves to follow HIM. Our responsibility today is to learn to live the way Jesus lived. We don’t become like HIM via fiat. It is a process of transformation of the mind, heart, and will.

Every watch how parents struggle to teach their child when and how to express the words “thank you?” It doesn’t happen naturally. When someone gives their child a present, the parent coaches the child to say thank you. Most often, the child is repeatedly reminded. Then one day the words come out without the parent’s nudge. The entire process of learning may take years. Yet this is only behavior modification.

How much longer do you think it takes for the Holy Spirit to train our emotional heart to be thankful? Where our spirit is thankful without any coaching. And not only thankful, but with loving action. Where we follow through with our willpower to act like Jesus in the circumstances we face.

When we are thankful from the heart, we are expressing love in the situation. We are acknowledging our humanity and appreciation for what we gracefully receive. We are also focusing on God who is the ultimate giver. In a sense, being thankful is a mode of repentance. We are refocusing our mind toward Father-Son-Spirit. The giver of all good gifts.

When we are truly thankful, our attention is focus on others and not ourself. We find in so doing God’s love is extended toward others. The giver shares in their act of giving. They are being blessed. Jesus reminds us (Acts 20:35), “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” The cycle of giving and receiving allows both to enjoy the experience.

Thankfulness is the starting gun of every race. It leads one into putting everything in perspective. It allows love to lead. It focuses on God and others before self. It allows our spirit to align with God’s Spirit in the moment.

Learn to be thankful and you will learn to be more like Jesus.

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)

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Thus Says the Lord

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”  Hebrews 1:2

“Thus says the Lord” is a phrase you will come across many times throughout the Old Testament. The prophets and judges of the nation of Israel spoke to the people as God instructed them. They were careful to speak only what God instructed them. For a prophet was recognized by their words coming true. When Moses spoke, people listen. When Samual spoke, people listen. But when prophets spoke without fulfillment, they were to kill such false leaders. This is the seriousness God places on people representing HIM.

So, when Jesus came along, the religious zealots at times wanted to kill him for blaspheming God. Yet they failed. His life and teachings were constantly being tested. But the Holy Spirit always produced results for Jesus to highlight HIS ministry. Father God was always with HIM and HE supported HIS Father in heaven with the work given for HIM to fulfill.

There are ministers today who prophesize falsely in HIS name. What they say are their personal dreams, not God’s word. They are exploiting their hearers. They are using God’s name in vain. What they say and preach fails to come about. Their charismatic ministry is built on a lie for self-aggrandizement. In the Old Law they were to be stoned. Today, their seems to be an acceptance of false rhetoric among their congregants. But God is not fooled. HIS name is being abused. How much longer they survive and continue down this path only God knows.

HE has the last word. HE gives us all a rope to either hang ourselves or lasso HIM in repentance. The Bible states that those of us who teach are held in a higher standard by God. What standard does God give those who prophesize in HIS name? I would not want to stand before Jesus and give an account of leading HIS siblings a strayed. So be careful and wise. If a so-called prophet gives a prediction that fails to come about, put them in the ignore pile. If what they say comes about, proceed with caution. Pray, verify, and confirm with our Lord that they are the real McCoy. Let the fruit in their lives confirm they are who they say they are as 2 Peter instructs us.

Yes, God speaks through people. But we need to confirm what they say agrees with HIS Word and Spirit with concrete results.     

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

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved