Character Development

Bedtime Virtues

Dr. Mike 2025 , , ,

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.   1 Peter 1:5-8

How did your day go?

What standard of measurement do you use to determine how your day went?

Or do you just live serendipity and it doesn’t matter?

In my youth, I was introduced to Benjamin Franklin and his end of day evaluation habit. Though not a Christian, he had the habit at the end of each day to review certain virtues. His chosen virtues were areas he considered important in his daily life.

History doesn’t reveal to us the depth of his spiritual relationship with God. But his focus on spiritual formation is one habit that is known. That caught my attention.

Peter writes this letter to us in a similar way. His focus is for faith-keeping Christ-followers to exercise our effort toward certain virtues. The goal of practicing these virtues is to keep us always aware of Jesus being the center of our lives.

Peter starts with the importance of acquiring knowledge. To fill our mind with everything we can about God. From Scripture to creation, everything you can learn about HIM.

Then practicing self-control in all areas of one’s life. Learning to discipline oneself in regards to food, work, relationships, desires, and attitudes. The ability to say NO to the self and follow through.

Being steadfast or unwavering. Stay focus and finish what you start. To follow through on a matter no matter how hard or cost.

Choose to be clothed in godliness. Allow God’s Spirit to influence your heart, mind, and soul. Align yourself with the Creator’s character.

When relating with others, treat them with brotherly affection. Care for them as a family member.

And above all, let love bloom. Be willing to sacrifice for another. Show them the love and grace that God bestows on you.

So, if you want a bedtime checklist to determine how your day went, why not use these verses? There are others you can also include. But when you measure your day as a Christ-follower, you are evaluating the walk with the talk.

The day may have been a physical wreck. You may be dealing with financial challenges. And of course, these you are conversing with your Lord for help. But meanwhile, you need to remind yourself that you are following the steps of your Rabbi. You want to become more and more like HIM. Thus, the day’s priority is to review how you are managing your entire kingdom. The good with the bad.

Bring it all and place it before your Savior and Lord. HE will help you carry it through. HE wants you to become the person you were created to be. It takes two; our effort, and HIS grace. Together you and HIM will make the journey more than worthwhile.

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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The First Time

Dr. Mike 2025 , , , ,

Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse—some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn’t touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don’t throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It’s still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion. It won’t be long now, he’s on the way; he’ll show up most any minute. But anyone who is right with me thrives on loyal trust; if he cuts and runs, I won’t be very happy. But we’re not quitters who lose out. Oh, no! We’ll stay with it and survive, trusting all the way.  Hebrews 10:32-39 (MSG)

What first time experience do you most often recall? Is it: The first time you had a crush on a person? Your first romantic kiss? Your first time away from home?

The first time you bought a car? Your wedding? Your divorce? The birth of your child?

The first time you saw death? The death of a family member? A friend? The ugliness of surviving a war zone?

There are many first in all our lives. Some bring a smile to our face. Others make our heart heavy. Yet all are experiences that have molded and shaped us into the person we are today. For most of us, the first time is a learning experience. It usually ends in failure. No musician plays their instrument perfectly the first time. It takes repeated practice to perfect one’s play. Most professionals recall the struggle and failures of those early years. In hindsight, they can laugh at their ignorance of the first time. The pain, the setbacks, and the emotional roller-coaster rides is the price of admission. It made them into the person they are today. Some would rather forget those days. Others keep those thoughts in their memory. It keeps them humble and grateful for today.   

Some people seek out a new first experience every day. They consider it an adventure. Others like to sit back and repeat the same experience over and over again. That is the makeup of our character and personality. We all choose the ways and methods which produce those dopamine hits.

Our walk with God in many ways is included in those first-time experiences.

The first time we became aware of a possibility of a God. The first time we experienced an invisible hand intervening in our life. The first time we met others who were seeking to know more about HIM. The first time we broke in totally surrender to HIM. The first time we experienced a miraculous answer to prayer. The first time we recognized HIS presence in our inner being. The first time we became aware of HIS involvement in leading us through life’s jungles. The first time our mental capacity tilted over the edge due to HIS creation. The first time we experienced peace and joy through severe trials of life. The first time our pain and suffering found comfort in HIM.

Yes, there are many first-time experiences we can recall. But there is one first time experience I still await. I long to hug Jesus and thank HIM for all HE has done and is doing for you and me. 

What is the next first-time experience you long for?

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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Happy Food?

Dr. Mike 2023 , , ,

Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. Romans 14:20

Food makes me happy. Yes, I have a food obsession.

I eat when hungry. I eat when stressed. I eat when lonely. I eat when bored. I eat when emotionally tanked. I eat when having a bad day. I eat to reward myself. I eat when the goal is accomplished. I eat when I fail to hit the target. When I eat, I am comforting myself for the short term. Yes, I am a food addict.

Been one most of my entire life.

Because of my addiction, I battle to maintain a working weight. The multitude of diets under my belt resemble a train chugging up and down hills. The sweat and energy left behind at the gym is always rewarded with an apple fritter or pound of chocolate. If it wasn’t for the focus and energy expended at work to solve problems and achieve goals, I would weigh three times more. Now retired from the corporate world, the battle continues. Yes, I am a food addict.

Of course, I understand the importance of nutrition. My body type requires a good balance of protein, fiber, and fat. But satisfaction only comes from refined carbs, sugar, and starches. Yes, I’ve tried everything under the sun not to surrender my desire for these. Why can’t I have my cake and ice cream? Why do potato chips and cupcakes taste so good? Why must I deny myself?

Why must I choose?

Yes, I know food is the nutritious fuel the body needs to properly operate. But what is wrong with having an occasional treat?

Nothing unless one is an addict.

God created food for our good. Food is needed to sustain the human body. The problem is not food, but me. There are deep, emotional strongholds buried in the darkish parts of my human psyche which need addressing. Been there most of my life. God knows. The question is do I now confront them or continue to ignore them?

This is not a salvation issue. But a quality of life issue. This is a personal issue between our Lord and myself. His grace is sufficient to carry me through until this race is over. But do I risk the cost of being overweight? The cost of excess fat around my bones? The hardening of the arteries? The numbing of the nervous system?  Why bother? Are we not all going to die once?

But we all know the value of a healthy life until then. To be full of energy. To have a fully functioning mind. To cherish each day without battling the pain and limitations caused by neglect. Why is it so hard to do what you know is best? Why must we battle between short-term pleasure versus long-term gain. Why sacrifice now for a better future that is not even guaranteed?

Yes, I am a food addict. I finally admitted today. They say admitting to the problem is the first step toward healing. We shall see.

For now the journey continues. Let’s see how the Holy Spirit restores these holes within my soul that need healing with His presence.  I’ve tried everything else known by mankind. But now I’m serious. I’m calling on my Creator and Lord to direct my steps, channel my focus, and cleanup my soul. I want to experience life the way HE designed the human body to fully function. Food addiction and all, the battle continues.

I share this with you because we all have deep seated strongholds. Whether its food, relationship, or something else. Now is the time to deal with it. Don’t wait until you are old and regret the price you didn’t pay earlier. I know many people who are retired and paying a deep price for the poor decisions they made earlier in life. Nip your problems when young. Better to sacrifice in your youth. Lay the good foundation. Your future will be much brighter. Your life more enriched. Ask God to direct your steps. He longs to join you on your adventurous quest to the promise land. Just always remember, HIS Grace is always available and enough.   

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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