2025

Aim Up

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and they who dwell in it will die in like manner; but my salvation will be forever, and my righteousness will never be dismayed.   Isaiah 51:6

Whenever there is a tough decision to make, what are some guidelines you use?

Like most of us, do you look at cost, time-restraints, and sacrificial requirements? Or are you willing to accept those only as part of the package and focus on the eternal outcome?

Over the years, you will be confronted with difficult decisions. Some of these moments you may not take the godlier route. Sometimes the cost will be more than you can endure. Other times the convenience of having it now will win out. Most times, you will not want to give up anything in exchange. Looking back, you will realize the faith living in you was expressing itself through your choices.

Yet over the years, God’s grace is constantly pored upon us. We learn that aiming up rather than down may hurt in the short term, but the long-term benefits far out weight them. It took a while for me to understand this. But focusing on the eternal aspects under God’s Kingdom has proven to be the better outcome.

Now when in doubt, I trust more. When I am being taken advantage of, I learn to bless more. When someone asks a little from me, I give them more. When someone needs a shoulder to cry on, I give them that and more. When God’s peace is being stolen from me, I give more away.

My aim is to please Jesus more than myself and others. When I get distracted, iniquity seems to show up. Thus, I want to know what Jesus is doing wherever I go. Sometimes HE lets me know. Most of the time, I don’t see or hear HIM. But other times, I see the impact the Spirit is having with someone and ask for discernment to join them. Other times, HE doesn’t let me know, but HE may get others involve. Life is not solely about me. But what the Triune God is doing in preparing eternity for his children. HE knows what is best. My aim is to trust HIM, follow HIM, and support HIM wherever I go.

So, aim up. Keep your focus on Jesus. Make your decisions knowing HE is always with you. Let HIM lead you around the dance floor of life.

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 now available
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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

Surrender, Sacrifice, Service

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.   Luke 9:23

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“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”   Hebrews 13:16

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“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.” 1 Corinthians 9:19

Being an adopted child in the family of the Triune circle requires the acceptance of a new paradigm. The family culture follows the pattern of the life of Jesus. HE established the norm. Throughout HIS ministry, HE lived and practiced the Triune way. He lived a life of surrender, sacrifice, and service.

HE taught not only with words, but with HIS actions. HE didn’t ask anything from anyone that HE hasn’t already done himself.

When HE made the statement “to deny yourself, take up your daily cross, and follow HIM,” HE was already doing the same. His entire ministry was focused on following HIS Father’s Will.

When HE met people who ask for his help, HE stopped what HE was doing and obliged. When a person was tied to a rope and flung down from a ceiling in a private house, he didn’t criticize them for destroying the roof. Instead, HE healed them. When someone reached out and touched HIM in the crowded marketplace, HE stopped from HIS task at hand. HE recognized someone in pain. HE didn’t shame them but addressed the person with respect and dignity. HE gave what HE had to help solve their problem at hand.

HE didn’t lord over others, but served them. HE washed his disciples’ feet when needed. HE multiplied a handful of bread and fish to feed five-thousand hungry people. HE healed the sick. HE restored life to those who died. HE gave HIS time and attention to those who were neglected by society.

Surrender, sacrifice, and service are three amigos built from the Christ-followers spiritual DNA. They don’t naturally come. But the Spirit of God is working in us as we yield to HIM. The more we hang out with our heavenly host, the more HIS ways become the norm. The more we practice, the more HIS grace helps us through the process.

Over time we find ourselves living the Triune way. A life of surrender, sacrifice, and service without much effort. A life patterned after Jesus. The Kingdom way. A life that leads to true freedom, flourishment, and fulfillment. God’s way.

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 now available
at Apple Books)

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved

The Perfect Papa

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , , , ,


And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”   Galatians 4:6

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For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”   Romans 8:15

If you were blessed with the ideal father in your life, consider yourself especially blessed. Most of the rest of us had to deal with the dysfunctional results from the relationship.

Yes, our dads may have been a good provider, but a lousy listener. They may have protected us from outside harm, but abused us within the four walls of our home. They gave us opportunities to play sports, but never attended a game. They gave us room to grow and experiment, but never provided us with boundaries to keep us safe.

As kids growing up we saw our dad from our little viewpoint. But now as mature adults, we recognize they did their best. They also may have grown up in a messed-up environment. And like most of us, they didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes their dads did with them. So, they swung the pendulum to the other extreme.  

The fact is there is no perfect earthly dad. We are all a work in process. We all carry spiritual holes and have psychological strongholds buried deep within us. So, we do the best we can with who we are at the time.

In my youth, I was ashamed of my old-fashion, immigrant dad. He didn’t speak the native language. As kids, he rarely played with us. He was always working. He never was interested in my world. The result was built up anger that carried into a greater need of receiving outside approval in life.

Enter Jesus.

HE introduced me to HIS Father. Papa God. (Abba is the Aramaic word for our English word papa or daddy). The perfect father that every child needs. As our relationship grew, Papa God introduced me to various other men in my life. Men who reflected Papa God’s character. Men who took personal time to mentor me in business, relationships, and masculinity.

Over time, Papa God opened my eyes to see my earthly dad as the real man he is. A man who reflected the character of God in more ways than I recognized at the time. A man who trusted Papa God before I did. Yes a man with weaknesses. But a child of God with strengths. A man who trusted HIS God. A man who took the opportunities presented before HIM and built a successful life for his family. All without the worldly fanfare and noise. But now known by the personal lives he touched.

Papa God is more involved in our personal lives than we may ever know. As we lean on him in prayer, we develop a more meaningful relationship with the one who has adopted us. As we support HIM with our actions and resources, HE finds time to encourage us. Equip us. Engage us. He is always available to take our calls. Listen to our concerns. He will even give us advice when we ask. HE is the perfect father.

I hope you take time to know HIM. HE is the perfect Papa every man and woman needs.      

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 now available
at Apple Books)

Encourage a Friend…Share Today’s Message!

Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved