THE FOOT-PATH TO PEACE

To be glad of life, because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars; to be contented with your possessions, but not satisfied with yourself until you have made the best of them; to despise nothing in the world except falsehood and meanness, and to fear nothing except cowardice; to be governed by your admirations rather than by your disgusts; to covet nothing that is your neighbor's except his kindness of heart and gentleness of manners; to think seldom of your enemies, often of your friends, and everyday of Christ; and yo spend as much time as you can, with body and with spirit, in God's out-of-doors--these are little guide-posts on the foot-path to peace.   

I stop by Goodwill or Salvation Army once in a while to go treasure hunting.  Yesterday I came across a 1905 COPYRIGHT by CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS, The Van Dyke Book: Selected From The Writings Of Henry Van Dyke

This book contains Mr. Van Dyke's signature and a 1918 newspaper clipping with a stanza from his Battle Hymm Republic.  

The Signature reads, "Faithfully yours, Henry Van Dyke" 

The Signature reads, "Faithfully yours, Henry Van Dyke" 

Mr. Van Dyke was clearly in touch with God.  His words in the FOOT-PATH TO PEACE flow like the words from one of David's Psalms or Solomon's Proverbs, feeding the heart and soul.  Wisdom comes from God, and when we spend time with Him daily out-of-doors we too may develop the masterpiece that God has put in our own hearts.  

It is encouraging and refreshing to find a piece of history like this for $2.00.  I encourage you to go out and support your Salvation Army and Goodwill by donating or making a purchase.  You never know what may speak to you as you walk around the shop.  

Go explore! Seek and you shall find! 

Faith Focus Finish,

Brendan J. Micik 

Bear Good Fruit

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law”
— Galatians 5:22-23

9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is called the counselor and comforter, because He is a person He wants to be in relationship with you.  Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit, He will not delay when you are ready to let Him in.  

The closer we get in relationship with God the more we will see these fruits appear and ripen in our lives.  They will flow freely everyday, in our conversations and the work of our hands.  

God desires us to bear good fruit!  Jesus encourages us in John 15

"I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me"
  1. People will be attracted to you
  2. You will manifest the glory of God 
  3. Your cup will overflow

With God we can be as Smith Wigglesworth said,

1884835-Smith-Wigglesworth-Quote-In-me-is-working-a-power-stronger-than.jpg

If we accept the Lord Jesus Christ and His Righteousness, there is no limit to the Spirits Power at work within us.  

Faith Focus Finish,

Brendan J. Micik 

 

Resilience: Like A Spider, Like A Son, Like A Daughter

“The ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens ”
— Merriam-Webster

Face it, bad things happen.  We can't always prevent the unexpected events of distress and hardship but we can always control our response.  

I was in the Twin Cities this past week and one day I walked into a spider web, destroying it by accident.  The web was more that his creation, but a shelter and provider.  In creation, God gave the spider the ability to create just like he did with us.  We all posses gifts or talents, an ability to create something new the will provide and dwell in.  

In a moments notice I tore the spiders house to the ground, catching him from the corner of my eye as he held onto that last thread that would lead him back to his foundation.  I sincerely felt sorry and continued to ponder as I drove to foot locker, thinking about how long it would take him to rebuild.  Driving over to foot locker I did not realize that this recent unfortunate event would lead into a lesson on resilience.  A parallel story, divinely guided to illustrate how resilient creation can be.  

Arriving at foot locker I met a team member named Tyrone, we hit it off immediately small talking about football, the Vikings and Saints.  Carrying on the conversation I learned that Tyrone had moved to Minnesota after Katrina had hit New Orleans.  He and his family had lost their home.  Much like the spider, an unexpected event had just leveled his home.  I was encouraged by Tyrone as he told me his story of rebuilding his life from ground zero and now prevailing and prospering in the land of 10,000 lakes.  

Hearing the amazing story of resilience, I was able to draw the connection and Matthew 10: 29 came to my mind.  

“29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
— Biblegateway

Yes it is true that God knows everything about us and he knows when hardships come.  He knows when the spider's web is torn and he knows when your house is flooded.  He also knows that we are resilient, sons and daughters of the most high ready to proclaim his majesty with our actions, our responses and our lives.  

I encourage you to be resilient, no matter how many times life knocks you down, I know that you have the strength and power to rise up and make that first step forward stronger than before.

God Bless You,

Brendan 

#FaithFocusFinish 

High School Handbook: For the Student, By the Student (Preface)

A Story For Starters 

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. 

As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. 

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. 

We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends thought the same of him. 

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the smiles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. 

I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak. Graduation day, I saw Kyle. 

He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. 

Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. 

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach ... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. 

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize its depth. Never underestimate the power of your actions. 

With one small gesture you can change a person’s life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other’s lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others.

 

Your actions speak louder than words indeed! Never underestimate the power of your actions, more importantly think about the consequences of your inaction.  Everyday you will come across opportunities where you have to make a decision, being passive has consequences too...in the case of Kyle...his life.  

You are worth more than you can imagine, and you have greatness inside of you.  That greatness is like a city on a hill top...a light house in the distance.  You decide the power of your light.  Will you illuminate your school, your community, the world?  Will those lost ships at sea be able to follow your lighthouse in the distance to the shores of freedom.

Your words, your actions, your deeds will either give life or take it.  When in doubt take action and if wrong apologize and ask for forgiveness.  Helping another student pick up their books is the small act of kindness that moves mountains of fear.  Your small acts will lead to larger ones.  As you grow so will your sphere of influence.  The influence will be exponential because you may never get to see the fruit of your labor, but know that it will be produced, the grain will be harvested.  My goal for this book is to encourage you to change your way of thinking, To live intentionally instead of passively, to love your peers and encourage them that they will make it to shore...they will make it!  

Faith Focus Finish,

Brendan J. Micik 

 

My Cup Runneth Over


"Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over" 
Psalm 23:5 (KJV)

What ever you fill your cup up with will overflow into all ares of your life.  It's hard to segment the overflow and command it to not splash on work but on your social life.  When the cup overflows it saturates everything beneath it.  

What does Psalm 23:5 mean to you? (Comment Below)