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Tired & Ready
Dad, can I be honest and tell you that I am struggling to feel your presence this morning? I have read my Bible. I have prayed. I have watched podcasts. I have sought and listened to Billy Graham vids. I just feel empty.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 (NIV).
Father in Heaven, thank you that you assure me that my emptiness is okay. Thank you that you empty me only to fill me again with renewed focus, purpose, energy, commitment, value. Thank you for confirming in the emptiness how you value me.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)
This week has been so good and so trying. I have tried. I have tried to encourage the many men that you have allowed me to sit with and share and listen and love. Thank you for the truth that I receive so much more that I can ever give. Thank you for removing the burden of exceptionalism in me by revealing your immeasurable love for me. Exactly as I am.
Dad, the battle continues and empties me. Yet, you refill. You marvelously refill. Thank you that I am okay to be tired and questioning your purposes for me. Am I having any impact for the You? Does it matter? You tell me in Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (NIV)
This week you gifted me with sitting across breakfast and lunch tables, meeting with men desperate for hope and men walking in courage and trust that is you, Father. I have sat across from good men leading quiet lives, sold out to you, shepherding your flocks in bi-vocational churches scattered throughout East TN. I have sat in a room with men so much more accomplished than me. Yet you placed me there. Thank you.
Lord, thank you for being my Lord. My Father. Thank you for patiently growing such an imperfect man with so many limitations. I don’t know what tomorrow brings, but I do know that you are already there, preparing a way. ‘Use me,’ I ask.
Father in Heaven, you are so much more than enough.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
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Landmines or Land Mining
Wikipedia defines land mines as “A land mine, or landmine, is an explosive weapon often concealed under or camouflaged on the ground, and designed to destroy or disable enemy targets.” I believe this is how Satan defines those of us who are sold out to Jesus Christ. We are, or certainly should be, Satan’s greatest threat.
Wikipedia further defines land mining as “Mining is the extraction of valuable geological materials and minerals from the surface of the Earth.” In Matthew 9:38, Jesus told his disciples that “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” As Believers, we are called to the purpose of mining the land that God has prepared. A distinct and easily definable purpose opposite of landmines!
The paradox of mines is that one mine, created by humans for the destruction of humans requires hard work to deploy, buried under the surface of what appears to be beautiful land for purpose of death and destruction. While another type of mine is for the purposes of ‘harvesting’ minerals needed for life and life’s support in the form of heat, materials, medicines, food and on and on. One designed for destruction and the other for sustaining. Both requiring use of earth and soil.
There is an old hymn that says, “wherever he leads, I’ll go.” Great! Really? What if this old hymn’s lyrics were changed to “whatever the task, I’ll do it?” I ask this because I am finding most Kingdom work does not involve bright lights, lavish stages, loud bands, controlled environments and eloquent speakers. I find myself in rooms with eyes looking back at me with expectation and sometimes desperation. With needing on top of wanting. I often find myself across from brothers of the faith, desperately clinging to landmines buried under the dirt, meant for their destruction, being interpreted as minerals for life.
Sometimes we’ve got to be a minesweeper, using caution to not explode what God created for good while accepting the call to “Listen! It’s the voice of someone shouting, “Clear the way through the wilderness for the Lord! Make a straight highway through the wasteland for our God.” Isaiah 40:3 (NLT)
I certainly don’t consider myself a farmer, but I have had some experience in harvesting. I have walked behind my papaw with a metal bucket, picking up the harvest as he guided his mule with a single blade plow, turning the dirt to reveal the potatoes that lay under the ground. I always marveled at what lay inches under the surface of that dirt. Potatoes were a staple in those Southeastern Kentucky hills of Appalachia and they were buried as cut up pieces with the faith and expectation of the harvest to come.
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character. Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning;…” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
I am learning that maturing spiritually involves growing in discernment. And I am finding that my personal discernment depends wholly on my understanding of who God says that I am and what His plans are for my life. I do know that I see fields ripe for harvest and have a difficult time separating the wheat from the chaff. Meaning the good and fertile soil from the temptation of the Worldly mirage of fields filled with “happiness” that are laden with life landmines designed to “steal and kill and destroy.’ (John 10:10)
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:2 (NLT)
Use caution and faith to land on the mine that God desires for your life. Be bold in the harvest “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
Let’s go! You’ve got this.
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The Bible Tells Me So!
If a train was barreling toward your car while it was stuck on train tracks, would you want me to pull you from the stuck car or helplessly try and push your car off the tracks?
If your house was burning with flames breaking through the windows and roof, would you have me save you and your children, or grab the water hose and try and put out the fire?
If you were 10 years into sobriety and you find yourself waiting for a ride sitting on a stool in a bar, would you want me to buy you a drink or walk with you out of the bar and into the adjacent diner?
“Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” Revelation 2:10 (NIV)
We are barreling toward eternity. The true and simple fact is that this short life is the predecessor to the eternity we choose. I want you to know that Jesus died for my sins and he died for you and your sins. The better news is that he arose from the dead and invites us to spend eternity with him in Heaven. Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess Jesus as Lord and that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. We are given the right to choose because God loved us so much that he made us in his image. With the ability to choose.
I saw a video of Penn Gillette from Penn & Teller, an avowed atheist, and he asked the most compelling question. “How much do you have to hate someone if you believe that everlasting life is possible, and not tell them about it?” Gut punch here!
“But whoever denies me before others, I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:33 (ESV)
There is an old saying, “they talk a good game,” with the inference being that their walk or abilities do not match their talk and actions. What a tragic statement. The burning of the Believer’s heart should be to share the hope and truth that is Jesus Christ.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)
So today, let others see the hope, the joy, the calm, the confidence, the gratefulness that reflects the daughter or son of the Most High God. Offend someone’s sensibilities by showing you care more about where they will spend eternity than their ‘personal space.’ God loves the person coming in your path today as much as he loves you. Perhaps we should love others enough to be offensive.
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Are the headlines troubling or promise affirming?
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” Matthew 24:6-13 (NIV)
I was reading this morning of China taking very provocative actions regarding their export policies, resulting in jolted financial markets and reactions from the U.S. and World. My first thoughts were ‘I hope this can be resolved peacefully and to everyone’s satisfaction.’ Then immediately I was drawn to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 and his confirming that things such as this will happen. So, instead of concern and anxiety, I choose to lay another situation beyond my control at the feet of my Father in Heaven and trust. I choose faith, laced in trust with the knowledge of a benevolent Father who tells me these things must happen. Okay, bring them on!
I was having a wonderful conversation with the chairman of a small bank in Monroe County, TN yesterday after we discovered we were brothers in Christ. He made the comment that he had grown up in one Protestant religion and was a part of another that he feared was moving away from the veracity of scripture. Then as we were discussing this he beautifully said, “I live in the knowledge and truth of a never changing God, who said these things must happen.” Awesome!
So I began to think, ‘why do you allow your heart to be troubled by things that Jesus said would happen 2200 years ago?’ Do I reflect hope? Do I assure promise? Do others see in me the confidence of the truth of Christ and the assurance of eternity in Heaven with the Savior of the World? I hope so. I pray so.
A few years ago I was struggling with the unfair treatment of Paul when he was unjustly imprisoned. As I tried to reconcile this, the Holy Spirit said to me that Paul’s unjust imprisonment resulted in the letters to the early churches that resulted in significant portions of the New Testament. The Good News that billions have read and has caused millions upon millions to surrender their lives to Christ. Was it worth it to Paul? The Holy Spirit told me that it was and that I should ask him when I get to Heaven. Wow! God uses all things for good…
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
So in a time where God knew that his beloved son, Charlie, would be publicly executed to the horror of all who witnessed that terrible microsecond, the plans for good were laid. The decades of hijacking of the minds of our youth through higher education were refuted and transformed in an instance. Life trajectories filled with purpose instantly confirmed. Who would have believed 60 days ago what is occurring in college campuses across our Country and the World? Who could have seen the rallying cry of our youth transformed from narcissistic pursuits to eternal purpose. When King Hezekiah was facing the limitless forces formed against his army, who could have seen God’s angel destroy 185,000 of them during the night? No one…but faith reigned. Hope prevailed. Promise of everything working for good proved itself yet again.
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. My God tells me tomorrow is not promised. So the knowledge that the Omnipotent Creator tells me tomorrow is not promised but that eternity is assured is enough. China, take your toys and leave the sandbox of Worldly cooperation. These things must happen. My Savior tells me so. Your actions are not a surprise and will not determine my life’s joy. My joy is controlled by the Maker of Joy.
Let’s be the source of calm, hope and truth to those around us.
That is enough.
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Ready?
Are you ready when your ‘Stephen’ moment happens?
One of my favorite people in the Bible is Stephen and the recounting of his story in Acts is so, so powerful. We don’t hear a lot about Stephen but we do know that he was one of the first deacons, and man filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit and the first recorded Christian martyr. In that seminal moment when he was brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin on false charges of blasphemy, he was ready. Undoubtedly knowing that his fate of death was already determined, when given the chance, Stephen spoke of Jesus and salvation and hope and also exposed the hypocrisy of the people he was standing before. He was ready. He spoke bold truth.
I have always liked Marco Rubio from a distance. Never too hot or too cold toward him. But watching him, as Secretary of State of the United States, boldly and so accurately preach the gospel during Charlie Kirk’s memorial service was incredible. It still is! He was ready. In all of his World travels and political speeches, he never impacted the World like he did on that day. This moment. This seminal moment when God assigned him his largest audience, Marco delivered.
Are you ready when your moment comes? It will and those on the receiving end of your gift of hope will desperately need the gospel delivered boldly and accurately by you into their life. Paul, the man who held the coats of those who killed Stephen writes in 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV), “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Imagine, God using Stephen’s chief accuser as his most impactful vessel for his Church. Nothing you have done disqualifies you from God’s forgiveness and his deliverer of hope to a hopeless World.
You’ve got this! Someone is depending on it.
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Irrational Forgiveness
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17LGGQqjqK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.” Romans 13:11 (ESV)
While teaching, I often reference how Potipher must have relayed to his wife that the Jewish boy she had falsely accused of sexually assaulting her was now the number two head of all Egypt. Second only to Pharoah. I wonder in those first days and weeks after Joseph’s promotion, did they sit and live in fear awaiting, his revenge for her lie that left him unjustly imprisoned for as many as 10 years.
Joseph’s revenge never came, or at least was not significant enough to be recorded in this incredible story of hope and purpose in the Bible. I believe in the instance that he went from the outhouse to the corporate penthouse of Egypt, Joseph’s clarity of purpose and understanding of his past became clear.
I don’t know if Erika intended to forgive her husband’s killer when she stepped in that stage yesterday afternoon. I do believe that as she stood before a stadium filled with like-minded Believers, the purpose of the event that took her husband’s life became crystal clear. And in that moment of clarity, God told her ‘there is no time for anger and revenge.’ In that moment a mourning wife and sweet mother was assigned a purpose far greater than she ever could have imagined in her life. The years of studying to know the Bible made sense. Being Charlie’s closest confidant made perfect sense. Listening to countless speeches made by her husband made sense. Shaking the hands of the World’s most powerful and holding the most needing blended in perfect harmony of her calling. I believe Erika Kirk’s ‘Joseph-like’ moment was witnessed by millions in the way that only the King of all kings could cause.
As we watched yesterday, the clarity that the Creator’s plans were once again too marvelous to understand and His Omnipotence never in question, again became clear. I pray that we put aside pettyness for purpose. And we accept purpose above all else. We are called to be the light in this World. Forgetting what is behind and focusing on what is ahead…let’s go! The harvest never more plentiful and the workers grew exponentially yesterday.
Thank you, Erika. We mourn with you. We accept your Spirit-filled leading. Let’s go!
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Vigils Calling Us to Vigilance
“O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see. There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”
I remember my mother telling about being pregnant with me and ironing clothes on that fateful day when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. A seminal event.
I remember when I was on Spring Break in the Smoky Mountains of East TN with my friend and we heard that President Reagan had been shot. A seminal event.
I remember being in Cincinnati, Ohio for a trade show, when thousands of innocent lives were taken in those horrible hours of the morning of September 11, 2001. A seminal event.
I remember the news on September 10, 2025 that Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA was assassinated. A seminal moment.
As I see the vigils honoring Charlie Kirk’s life, I wonder what he would say? Having watched my fair share of his videos these past few days and then watching with awe as his wife paid tribute to him, giving glory and honor to God and showed a steely resolve to continue to work of Turning Point USA, I wondered how would Charlie respond?
I believe he would say “Heaven is more marvelous than I could have ever imagined.”
I believe he would say “the sacrifice was worth it.”
I believe he would say “stay the course.” “But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours.” 2 Corinthians 11:12 (NLT)
I believe he would say “fight with love, with hope, with commitment, with a fire that cannot be extinguished for the very souls of our children and our Country.”
I believe he would say “the Enemy (Satan) is a very patient foe, whose evil can never be properly defined.” “But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-14 (NLT)
I believe he would say that “we forget too soon and fall back into the apathy of quiet contentment while the Enemy continues to seek, kill and destroy (John 10:10) in our homes, our schools, our sports and yes, our churches.”
I believe he would say “you’re looking in the wrong direction. Look up with expectant eyes and arms raised in holy indignation with hands open to help, hold and lead those to our left and to our right.” “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV
I believe he would accept his death as a seminal moment, worth the cost if one more person comes to know Jesus and live with him eternally in Heaven. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (KJV)
I believe he would have immeasurable joy knowing that his death caused people to return to churches and to seeking a deep, lasting, sold out relationship with Jesus Christ. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)
I believe he would say: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.But the greatest of these is love.” John 13:13 (NIV)
I believe we are in a time that requires laser focus.
I believe it is time to accept the calling of our lives, which is to spread the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I believe this seminal moment in history must not be wasted.
I believe our kids and those who disagreed with Charlie Kirk’s message to the point of death and celebration of death, are scared and are watching.
I believe hope trumps despair.
I believe love extinguishes fear.
I believe time provides hope.
I believe busyness and wordly success dilutes genuineness.
I believe investment in another human being is the greatest achievement of our lives.
I believe Charlie would say, “enough candles. Go be the light in someone’s darkness.”
I believe that eternal life and love await all of those who call upon the name of Jesus. Even Charlie Kirk’s assassin.
“For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”” Romans 10:13 (ESV
I believe!
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What if You Choose to Live a Regret-Free Life?
My first book officially releases today and is available online wherever books are sold. I would be honored and grateful if you would consider buying a copy. The response has been truly humbling from those who have received advanced copies.
“Rejecting regret by accepting who God says that you are is a key step in a life of impact and purpose that God has designed each of us to live.
Regret sidelines too many good people by entrapping them in the guilt and shame of their past. While not a sin, regret is a derivative of sin that may be the off-ramp of a life designed for purpose and impact. Will you consider joining me as I share personal, life-defining experiences that have led to a life of joy and purpose that my Father in heaven continues to expand every day? There is no there, only here and now and next. You are made for more.”
Available almost everywhere. Download at Apple Books or buys at these and other locations.
Thank you in advance for your support. You are made to make a difference.
Amazon https://a.co/d/gjXjfpM
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/myron%20mullins
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You Don’t Have to Fight Every Battle
Borrowed: THE ONLY BIRD THAT DARES TO ATTACK AN EAGLE IS A CROW, BUT THE EAGLE NEVER FIGHTS BACK. HERE IS WHY:
- The crow is the only bird bold enough to sit on the eagle’s back and peck at its neck.
Relentless. Annoying.
But the eagle… stays calm. - The eagle doesn’t flap. Doesn’t fight. Doesn’t waste energy. It does one thing: It rises.
- The higher the eagle soars. The thinner the air becomes. The crow? It can’t handle the altitude.
- Eventually, the crow gasps. Loses strength…And falls off. Not because the eagle attacked. But because the eagle ascended.
- Let the crows talk. Let them peck. You don’t have to respond. Just keep going higher.
- They can’t follow you forever. Your growth will suffocate their noise. So don’t engage. Elevate.
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Isiah 40:31 (NLT)
- The crow is the only bird bold enough to sit on the eagle’s back and peck at its neck.
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Cornbread, Cast Iron & Milk
Did you ever watch that cornmeal and buttermilk get mixed together while the 10” to 12” cast iron skillet was heating up ahead of the combining those ingredients into the marvelous and God-delivered concoction called cornbread?
Man as a little boy I remember hearing my mother retrieving her very seasoned 10” cast iron skillet from below the stove top, knowing what that sound meant. I would often watch as she carefully mixed that white cornmeal with buttermilk (always buttermilk!) into a fine and easily pourable batter ready for baking. She would pull that pre-heated and piping hot cast iron skillet out of the oven and pour the batter into the waiting oil covered skillet. I distinctly remember the batter sizzling as it hit the skillet, confirming it was hot enough and that the crust would be crisp on the bottom and the sides.
Did your mom or grandma turn the skillet over when the cornbread was done in order to get it out? And then cut it upside down to take advantage of the crust to provide easier cutting? Well if she didn’t, I may need to question if she was a Southern and in my case, a lady with Appalachian roots. This was a critical part of the process and when we hit this point, I knew what was coming.
That warm cornbread was broken up by hand into little pieces and placed in a glass. Now the drinking glass needs to be tall enough to hold a sufficient amount of cornbread, but not so large as to make retrieval with a spoon too difficult. Stay with me here. Then, when that glass was sufficiently full of that broken up cornbread, that cool milk was poured over the contents and the resulting joy and sensory taste and smells, well they’re just too marvelous to adequately describe.
How I love remembering my beautiful, black haired mother with those hands so chubby that her knuckles could not be seen, creating joy through the event and in the result. The cornbread and milk was the result of a process born out of love and joy. Oftentimes she would be singing and I would join in with her. Many times, our effort for two-part harmony failing miserably and cascading into uncontrollable laughter. My mother’s brown eyes would reveal the crows feet that a lifetime of smiling, caring, encouraging, loving had awarded. She was beautiful and she was authentic.
I may have to grab Megan and head to Cracker Barrel for some cornbread today. It will be good, but it isn’t ’mom good.’
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT)
Be blessed in every small thing today.
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