Your Words Will Steer Your Ship

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James 3

The tongue is one of the smallest body parts yet like a rudder it has the power to steer our direction.  Our words have this same power in them.  In the beginning when God created the earth he SPOKE things into existence and it was his word that set it all into motion.  We are created in God's image and can claim the authority that his son Jesus offers us.  With the authority that comes with being a son / daughter of the King of Kings, also comes great responsibility.

Our words will either build up or break down, they will either move us forward or backwards.  We have all experienced words of encouragement and of discouragement, and both have the power to move the ship north or south.

Your words will encourage others and yourself.  You don't have to be like the little engine that could and think you can.  Have the confidence to say "I know I can" and offer that same confidence to others who think they are not good enough.  Its not about failure or success, but instead about your valiant effort you leave on the field or in the arena painted with blood, sweat and tears.

Use your words today as that mighty sword an shield to barrel the enemy over and claim victory an authority to encourage a discouraged world.

In His Grace,
Brendan

#FaithFocusFinish

A New Creation : Jackie Hill-Perry

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation

 has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Vikings Country

Lions, and Packers, and Bears oh My!
Were not in Detrayago anymore
You won’t find Lombardi on this yellow brick road
or behind any green curtain
Raise the sails, hoist the anchor and sound the horn
Vrooo!
Prepare t0 conquer more than seas
But Divisions, Conferences and Leagues
Tearing Lions
Treading Packers
Trapping Bears
Sailing forward to victory
with unstoppable winds inflating the sails
until the bow crashes the shores of Houston 02-05-17
Viktor planting that flag, claiming Vikings country
SKOL, Vikings, Lets Go!

The Greenwich Gangster, Stands with Swagger

In college my roommate Rich and I would use the word Gangster in many different scenarios and context.  But we didn't intend its meaning for the way Merriam-Webster defines as; violent criminal or member of group of criminals 

We used it to describe something a cool / relevant / classy / swagger

I remember one evening when Rich and I were in downtown New Haven waiting to get into an event.  We complemented the doorman on his jacket saying it was "Gangster".  His reaction was unpleasant to say the least, and added that white boys cant be gangster.  I guess he defined the word gangster different than us.  We tried to explain the swagger that the word now carried before we were cut off an quickly ushered in the front doors.

In short, I think that our words carry weight but who is to determine how to measure the weight and its worth.  I think with some words it is creative to give it new meaning!  New life!

GANGSTER did that for Rich and I, and I still use it to this day.  If I see you dressed to the 9's around town this week there is a good chance that your are gangster.

Redefine a word and redefine your life.

Faith Focus Finish
Bern

Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy 4 Mile Run/Walk Around the Lake June 25th, 2016

Yesterday Connor Barton, David Micik and myself made the trip to Long Island, NY to participate in Navy SEAL LT Michael P. Murphy  4 Mile Run/Walk Around the Lake June 25th, 2016 and the weather was perfect.  

2000 + runners engaged in a race that would honor LIEUTENANT MICHAEL P. MURPHYUNITED STATES NAVY and the heroes from Operation Red Wings  

• The event started @ 0800 with registration in front of Lake Ronkonkoma 
• followed by the 0830 1 Mile Walk/Run 
• and then the 0900 4 Mile Walk/Run

I was encouraged by the amount of participants and the wide spectrum of different ages.  It was great seeing young kids pushing their bodies to get a little uncomfortable for a change.  Pushing yourself into the uncomfortable zones are what spark growth, change and thanksgiving.  In the absence of freedom, you can truly appreciate its value. You don't know how precious something is until it is taken.  Spend one day in Syria and let me know when you wake up in the morning if your thoughts and appreciation on freedom have changed. 

My late grandfather 
John A. Micik, U.S. Army, 818th Tank Destroyer Battalion, Company A, Private served in WWII under General George Patton.  Pepa told my brother and I many stories of perseverance in the war.  One story that stood out was on D-Day 

"scared and petrified but we knew we had to do it for the sake of winning the war. There was much nervous chatter and many prayers recited as we approached the beach under heavy gunfire. There were many casualties but we were confident we would win the battle. Morale was mixed but overall, it was good. We just kept moving forward."

*** We just kept MOVING FORWARD ***

In the face of the enemy, our freedom fighters move forward every second - every minute - everyday.  

That is what I took away from today's event.  We all have different battles we are fighting in life.  We all draw fire and we all have wounds.  We all have choices 

• Retreat 
• Stand Still 
• Move Forward

The choice is yours...

God Bless,

Brendan 

Top 3 Summer Cruising Classics

Some Classic Tunes Perfect For The Summertime!

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Summertime

The Boys Of The Summer - Don Henley 

This Magic Moment - The Drifters 

The Fresh Prince, Don Henley and The Drifters top the charts on my list for the summer cruising classics.

3 Rules for The Well-Groomed Man

The Well-groomed man looks crisp and clean, his clothes fit well like a glove, his shoes are well shined and his teeth are pearly white. (Amy Vanderbilt 223)

Being a man and well groomed go hand in hand.  A well-groomed man understands that his daily routines dictate his confidence and well clad lifestyle.  He embraces the opportunities to grace others with his presence and knows that he should be considerate of those people he comes into contact with and practice etiquette to his utmost highest regard.  

Rule #1 

Develop A Grooming Routine: The well-groomed man has a routine he executes each and everyday in the exact same way.  Good formulated routines will cut down on your preparation time and your subconscious mind will automatically take the lead.  

Rule #2 

Brush Your Teeth After Every Meal:  If able and willing to pack a dopp kit at work fixed with a dental kit, brushing your teeth after every meal will separate you from the 99% and guarantee your teeth to be white and breath fresh!  The people with the best looking smiles are those willing to prepare everyday to have the brightest smile.  Be in the 1%!

Rule #3

Take Care Of That Nasal Hair: The Well-Groomed man will on occasion find himself in a conversation with another man or even a woman who has hair crawling out of his/her nose.  Don't be that guy/girl and make sure you take care of this daily to keep away the daddy long legs.   


It is not hard to be a well-groomed man.  It takes preparation and dedication.  Our habits will influence others to join the club. 

#FaithFocusFinish

Micik 






References:

Vanderbilt, Amy.  "The Guide To Gracious Living" New York: Doubleday & Company, INC. 1972. Print. 

You Were Born To Illuminate

Jesus said, "I AM the light of the world" In John 8.  In Matthew 5 he encourages us by saying :You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden, neither do people put a bowl over a lamp"

Tonight before you go to bed I want you to turn off the lights and then light one candle.  See how much light that one candle gives off.  The darkness cannot smother the light.  There are more candles hiding that need to be ignited.  They need your encouragement!

 

Memorial Day Murph

Photo Credit to Wikipedia 

Lt. Michael P. Murphy a United States Navy Seal.  If any of you have seen the movie or read the book "Lone Survivor" then you know about the operation Red Wings in Afghanistan.

Operation Red Wings took place in 2005 when I was only a sophomore in high school and I never heard a thing about the Navy Seal Team (Navy Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 (SDVT-1), based out of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Petty Officer Second Class Danny P. Dietz from SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2 (SDVT-2), based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Petty Officer Second Class Matthew G. Axelson from SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 (SDVT-1); and Navy Hospital Corpsman Second Class Marcus Luttrell, of SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 1 (SDVT-1) via Wikipedia  that were on mission to take out terrorists.  

I never even heard of Mike Murphy until I was out of college and joined a military group that trains Special Forces candidates that will go unnamed for the safety of the program.  

How is it possible that a man who receive the congressional medal of honor was not honored in every high school in America?  

It makes me sick to my stomach that the men and women who put their lives at risk every day for our freedoms receive no accreditation or valor. Michael Murphy's principles and integrity could have helped me be a better student in high school.  Knowing that as he drew fire and was making communications to save his teammates his upbringing never deserted him as he said "Thank you" as he returned to the fight before losing his life. 

It gives me chills just thinking about the amount of courage all fours guys had on this mission to stare the enemy right in the face and never back down and never surrender.  To always press on and stay positive...and believe that they would get out of this 200 vs. 4 men fight.  

On this Memorial day and every day I remember heroes like Michael P. Murphy who sacrificed everything so that we might taste freedom and also say "Thank you" 

God Bless 

Brendan J. Micik 

#FaithFocusFinish 

This Memorial Day put yourself in a little pain by completing the MURPH below.  A workout he would crush in his training.  Memorial day is not about hot dogs and hamburgers....

BrendanMicik.com

I am now blogging over at BrendanMicik.com  

Please visit and subscribe via email, thank you!

#FaithFocusFinish 

#FaithFocusFinish

To many who walk this earth Discipline will remain a word or thought, an idea. To those who apply it. I applaud you. 

‪#‎FaithFocusFinish‬

Chivalry Resurrection Pt. 1

 

chivalry

noun  chiv·al·ry \ˈshi-vəl-rē\

Defined by Merriam-Webster

1. the system of values (such as loyalty and honor) that knights in the Middle Ages were expected to follow

• 2. an honorable and polite way of behaving especially toward women

There are many people who think an age of chivalry has been overthrown.  I'm here to tell you that it has not.  It only needs to be Resurrected.  There are still a few candles of chivalry burning in this dark world, and I believe that more will be ignited. 

"It denotes a man of aristocratic standing and probably of noble ancestry, who is capable, if called upon, of equipping himself with a war horse...and who has been through certain rituals that make him what he is". (Keen 1-2)

A Chivalrous man is a warrior, he is Wild At Heart ! He is Loyal yet Courteous.  He is clear about his personal and team missions.  He does not ride on the luster of his last success but instead forges on forward to secure his next challenge may it result in victory or defeat.

He is a person of influence and understands that his thoughts become words and his words become actions that will build up himself and the people he interacts with every day of his life.  His dwelling place is in the Eternal House of the Lord, the God of Israel whose holy blessed blood became an atoning sacrifice to ransomed the captive and to unleash FREEDOM.

He is a warrior who encamps in a Mighty Fortress

"The warriors, whose business it is with their swords to uphold justice, protect the weak, and defend the cause of the righteous" (Keen 3)

"He will be a man courteous and nobly spoken, well clad, one who holds grace without limit, loyalty, truth, and hardiness, largesse and humility will be the principal qualities of character that we ought to expect in him" (Keen 10)

The Chivalrous man will be a man of discipline in all ares of his life.  He will be clothed in righteousness and magnify integrity.  He will not be caught chasing the wind or the waves, but only chasing his regal virtues that are built upon a rock which is the cornerstone.

#FaithFocusFinish 


References:

Keen, Maurice.  Chivalry.  Yale University Press New Haven and London, 1984 Print

Sunday Sequence

Photo by Rab Ritchie

First The Cold Days Of Winter.....

Photo by Federico Giampieri

....Two The Warm Days Of Summer...

Imagine the order of events you are going to arrange.  You are going to make things happen.  Your dreary days of winter will transition into cozy summer days reclining on a beach chair absorbing the suns majestic light.  Relaxing with your feet digging into the soothing sand you will not remember that time you had to shovel the snow from the driveway late at night, but only the calm breeze and the endless summer ahead.  

#FaithFocusFinish 

In His Grace,

Brendan 

The Grass Is Green If You Water It

Photo By
Sujan Sundareswaran

"The grass is green if you...

...Water it!

The element which brings life.  "Water" 

We need it too!

It doesn't mater how strong you are.  

Your body is a machine that can only thrive if it is nourished properly.  

Water is the oil and food is the gasoline.  With out the oil you will burn out.  

If you want to be green and vibrant, it is imperative that you drink at least 100 ml of water a day.  I don't care what your body weight is or how tall you are.  At least 100 ml per day.

Drinking more water will;
-lubricate your joints
-saturate your skin
-increase energy
-increase focus
-promote sound sleep


If you decide to water it, you will look like a major league infield on opening day.... instead of a dead burnt out lawn that is destroyed. 

The Grass Is Green If You Water It! 

#FaithFocusFinish 

Want To See Gains? Start With the Mind

Start With the Mind

I believe that in order to grow physically, financially, spiritually, etc.  First you must grow mentally. 

Author of Think and Grow Rich Napoleon Hill Said “Whatever the mind can believe and conceive the mind can achieve”. 

It starts with the Mind!

You see growth in the gym when you can mentally overcome the barriers you set

You see growth in your spiritual life when you mentally decide to open your Bible and follow Jesus Christ 

You see growth financially when you mentally decide to invest in education 

If you can do 0 or 1 pull up today.  Accept it and then mentally decide to do something about it.  

DECIDE.  

Take authority of your mind.  

You say today I can get 1 pull up but next week I will get 2, and next 3, and so on.  

Your mental decisions will overflow into the areas you want to see gains 

Your decisions will impact your attitude and people will take notice.  

Every choice you make will be a reflection of the person you want to become.  The people who DECIDE to be great are the ones willing to PT their brain just as they do their bodies. 

It’s up to you. 

Break that Mental Sweat today and see the GAINS!

Next time Grandma asks how your doing......you know you can say I'm making gains! 

Dr. Jesus: The Divine Physician

Dr. Jesus: His Guide to Building an Eternal Temple and Unshakable Faith in 30 days Today, Tomorrow, Forever! 

Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Dr. Drew...and many other doctors who have beneficial advice.  On the other hand, Jesus Christ the prince of peace, the author of life, the miracle maker, the Nazarene, the wonderful counselor, our God who was, and is, and is to come! 

In High School and College I battled Anxiety I Battled Depression.  I remember searching, looking, digging for answers.  Hoping to find a remedy, a coping mechanism, a prescription that would heal my self inflicted hardships.  I indeed felt like the woman from the Gospel according to Mark read below;

  

"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”  “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

First we are introduced to a woman who had been suffering for many years.  She had little hope left in her life after being let down time and time again.  
Second, the author Mark states "When she heard about Jesus".  Hope was renewed in this woman after hearing the track record about Jesus.  Her faith in Him healed her.  
I too had been searching for answers and coping solutions for many years as well.  Only to be lead to another dead end leading me back to search for more.  When I had heard about Jesus I knew that He was the Answer.  I felt in my heart a peace that was ready to burn up all that was stealing my joy. 



Jesus said this, " I AM THE WAY, I AM THE TRUTH AND I AM THE LIFE"

In the Bible the number three is a number representing COMPLETION.  (3 Days, 3 Nails, 3 Denials)
We see I AM three times here in his words reminding us that he is the God of Israel who said to Moses from the burning bush tell my people I AM.

I assure you that God knows your struggles and he knows your pain.  The Bible tells us that he knows how many hairs are on our heads.  He knows what you will ask him before you do.  He wants to heal you.  He wants to give you Joy and to give you Life!  He is alive and well and ready for you to just touch his garment to receive what he has for you.  If you ask him if he is willing, I have faith you will hear "I AM".  

"I Am The Way, I Am The Truth, I Am The Life"

Read the Holy Bible, there are countless examples where Jesus Christ released healing power. Jesus healed the paralytic man who was in the temple. Additionally, Jesus healed the blind man and also removed evil spirits from many people. With Jesus's role as the Divine Physician and as the healer of all, why are other people even seeking alternative ways of healing?

Have Faith! 

Faith is THE component and essential part of Jesus Christ’s healing power. Many people are not healed, because they don't have the faith to understand that they will be healed. Jesus Christ heals in His Name. Through His Name all are made whole by accepting the sacrifice he made with His Body and His Blood as an everlasting gift for everyone. If someone wishes to be healed, all they need to have is faith. It is as simple as that.

Mustard Seeds

Having faith is easier said than done for some. It is easy to have faith in the pews of the church. There you are surrounded by the wonderful words Jesus Christ from the Gospel, a celestial choir, faithful parishioners, and the priest guiding faith. Many people find that the thing that they found bolstered in the church, soon diminishes when they face real life situations. For example, a sick person may pray fervently inside the church on the pew. However, during the week when the same person goes to the hospital and he is facing surgery, he may not have the same faith.

Why is that? This person was praying in the pew, therefore, he is a believer so he must have faith right? The answer is yes. However, this faith is being tested. This is exactly what Jesus Christ meant when He told His disciples that if they had the faith the size of a mustard seed then they could move mountains. Many people find it easy to have faith when it is not being tested. The minute that this faith is tested, they feel unsure not so much unsure about their faith. Rather, they are unsure about whether or not they could put it into practice.

By His Stripes We ARE HEALED 

If we truly believe that we are faithful disciples of Jesus Christ that we must also believe that we are healed by His Most Holy Wounds. Jesus Christ came to save everyone from sin. In doing so, He acquired wounds through scourging at the pillar and carrying His cross to Calvary. These very wounds, for which Jesus bled, are salve for our illnesses. The key is to believe that they truly are. Additionally, we must also believe that through Jesus's Name, we could become healed.

Jesus Christ as the Divine Physician is the healer of all. He uses the knowledge from God His Father to heal magnificently. If we believe that we can be healed then we will be. Jesus Christ left the power of healing to all believers. That same power that raised Christ from the dead lives in us!  If we believe and claim God’s promises through his Son and the POWER of the Holy Spirit we can say to the mountain move…….and it will!

Knock Out Sickness, Become Superhuman

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to never have to worry about getting sick again? Believe it or not there are proactive ways to prevent illness caused by those pesky viruses and bacteria that surround us all. There are three gateways in which a virus or bacteria enter the body. Those gateways are the eyes, nose and the mouth.

The most common method of delivery of these viruses and bacteria are the hands. In fact 80% off all the infectious diseases known to us are passed on by indirect or direct human contact, and the hands are generally that main contact source. The human hand comes into contact with bacteria and germs thousands of times a day, and some of this bacteria and germs lead to illnesses that could be avoided by simply following these tips.

Wash Your Hands 

Washing hands often and correctly can significantly lower chances of getting sick. It takes twenty seconds to adequately wash your hands, using a good antibacterial soap making sure to get in between each finger, the top of the knuckles at under the fingernail bed at least one time. According to the CDC, a good rule of thumb is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice to ensure your hands are effectively clean.

Keep Your Hands Away From Your Face

Because the eyes are one of the three gateways in which bacteria and viruses enter the body, avoid rubbing or scratching your eyes, especially after contact with everyday surfaces or objects. The bacteria that lurks on the human hand is easily transferred into the delicate tissue that surrounds the eyes.

Refrain from touching or rubbing your nose. The nose, another gateway for the invasion of bacteria and viruses, contains hairs that act as a sort of air filter that traps bacteria, dirt, and viruses we breathe in daily. These bacteria and viruses are then expelled from the body through blowing the nose, sneezing or swallowing, but when you are repeatedly touching or rubbing your nose the amount of bacteria that makes it way into the nasal passages greatly increases.

Another no no is putting your fingers in or around your mouth. The bacteria and other germs that are responsible for strep throat and other bacterial infections are most commonly transferred from the hands via the mouth. Bacteria as well as most germs grow rapidly in the moist warm environment the human mouth. So it is just common sense that preventing sicknesses like strep throat, colds, flu and other bugs means keeping your hands away from your mouth.

Bottom Line 

If you keep your hands and fingers away from and out of your mouth, nose and eyes, you will significantly not only lower your chances of becoming sick, you just might discover the keys to never getting sick again. 

Faith Focus Finish,

Brendan 

Video Of The Week April 10th 2016

                                             Notable points made by Dr. Raymond Francis

#FaithFocusFinish 

Endure Hardship, Embrace Discipline"

hardship

noun  hard·ship \ˈhärd-ˌship\

something that causes pain

discipline

noun  dis·ci·pline \ˈdi-sə-plən\

training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character

Definitions retrieved from Merriam-Webster

Endure Hardship, Embrace Discipline.  This came to me when I was reading Hebrews Chapter 12 today on the train back from Grand Central Station.  The writer Paul encourages us to not shy away from these things.  He explains that hardship and discipline is for our good.  That God the father allows us to experience these short times of unpleasant circumstances in order to produce an even greater crop afterwards.  

Helen Keller said "There are no shortcuts to any place worth going"

You have to grasp and understand that your dreams are not going to be handed to you.

You are going to have to endure hardships.

You are going to have to embrace the disciplines that will launch your success.

You are going to have to drown out that voice that wants you to not just take the short cut but ultimately give up.

You have to be willing, patient and diligent in finding the path that leads you to your dream.

You must start now, why wait?

You have what it takes!

Your Father In Heaven Says So

You Were Made In His Image

#FaithFocusFinish

Bridges Are Not Built Overnight: 4 Steps To Progression

Taking the first step is always the most difficult part.  You have to create a tough decision and keep motivated to stay on focus.  But what if taking those small steps can lead to bigger outcomes?  Would you be more willing to take those steps?  It may sound impossible for someone to make a considerable impact in the society by taking those small steps; however, taking that small initial step can lead to a series of positive events in our health, relationship, financial status, careers and others.  This process is referred to as the “Domino Theory”.  The evidence of the Domino Theory can be found throughout the history.  It is that single hope of the student that stood in the Tiananmen Square that brought encouragement to all people.  It is the refusal of Rosa Park to surrender her bus seat that led to the civil rights.

 Small Steps towards Health, Encouragement, and Hope

Just like the dominos where the energy applied on the first domino will be transferred to the next domino, the series of taking small steps will also work the same way.  Just to make it clear, taking the simple step towards health, hope and encouragement will never be that simple in the beginning.  But after you managed to stay dedicated and motivated, then the succeeding steps will be a lot simpler.

Minimalism

Being minimalistic does not only specify the things that you possess.  Getting rid of the excess baggage in your life also signifies the other areas of your life such as getting rid of the clutters inside your house, eliminating unnecessary obligations which will lead to a more productive family relationship, encouragement to get rid of unhealthy foods and eating habits to optimize your health and minimizing your spending plans which hope to eradicate your debts and build your financial standing.

Awareness

Taking the small step does not really mean opting for the simple choices, but it is being aware of it.  You must be able to analyze yourself and recognize your priorities in life.  Upon knowing the things that are most essential to you, you will start to make clear choices.  The sense of awareness can be the focal point of your decision making toward a day that is healthy, full of hope and encouragement.

The Domino Effect

Taking the small steps can lead to bigger things.  Taking the stairs as a form of exercise can eliminate your expenses on costly gym equipment and membership, savings on gym membership can lead to saving more money, saving money can get you out of debt and create a better credit standing, no debt means less stress in financial aspect, and less stress means more freedom. More freedom will give you the chance to do the things you want, and doing the things you want will give you contentment and happiness in life.  This clearly shows that taking those small steps will be able to produce a life that is healthy and filled with hope and encouragement.

One Day

One Day

24 Hours

1440 Minutes 

86,400 Seconds 

It takes One Day to change your life. 

It takes One Day to turn it all around.

Imagine if everyone in the world decided today would be that "One Day"  

It starts with us...right now!

Every decision we make is shaping our future and the people in our midst.

Every time we decide to be passive 

Every time we decide to ignore the oppressed

Make tomorrow your today

Make next time THIS TIME   

In the song One Day by Matisyahu, he hammers home HOPE.  Hope that One Day the world will be a much different place.  A place of peace, A place of freedom, No condemnation 

#FaithFocusFinish