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!