Mike Jr | My thoughts on life, business & technology.

I grew up listening to Petra. Whenever I need a shot of reality and to remember what life is all about, I enjoy going back and listening to those albums. God has come through lately with the “This Means War” (1987) album. I’ll share some clips of the lyrics with you.

Get on your knees and fight like a man
You’ll pull down strongholds if you just believe you can
Your enemy will tuck his tail and flee
Get on your knees and fight like a man

Under the gun, you’ve got no place to hide out
Backed in the corner on your own
This is one storm you are destined to ride out
One way to leave the danger zone

You’ve got the backbone to fight this tide
You’ve got the will to survive
You’ve got the weapon, it’s at your side
You’ve got to learn to confide

I am available
I don’t have much to offer you, I don’t have much to give
There’s so much I may never be as long as I may live
I may never be all I want to be although I’ll always try
But if you choose me, to use me, there’s just one reason why

I am available, I am available
I will go when you say go
I am available, I am available
I will stop when you say no
My whole life was incomplete till I laid it at Your feet
So use me as You will
I am available

You are my Rock
You are my rock, my fortress, my shield
You are my rock, let Your strength be revealed
My rock, my comfort, my peace
My salvation, my refuge, my God
You are my Rock

Don’t let your heart be hardened – don’t let your love grow cold
May it always stay so childlike – may it never grow too old
Don’t let your heart be hardened – may you always know the cure
Keep it broken before Jesus, keep it thankful, meek, and pure

Let His love rain down upon you
Breaking up your fallow ground
Let it lossen all the binding
Till only tenderness is found

Ephesians 6:10-18
This means war!

“December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” – President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Today is the day we honor the men and women who served and died during the surprise aerial attack largely on Pearl Harbor.

“I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.” – Isoroku Yamamoto

Today, I had to have my car towed up the road to a mechanic who replaced my starter.  FYI, the starter in my car has been giving me problems for the last two weeks and I basically put off replacing it until today.  I replaced it because the starter gave out last night and rendered my car useless. Talking about waiting until the last minute!

So anyways, I’m talking to the tow truck guy and hear an accent.  Almost anytime I hear someone with an accent, I ask them questions about their nationality.  Well this guy, Vic, was from Iraq!  He said it with hesitation; however, after I responded with enthusiasm, he quickly opened up.  He told me he had been in the states for 32 years and got out of Iraq at the beginning of Saddam’s reign.  He eventually got his dad out too.  Unfortunately, a couple of his cousins have died over the last few years.

We talked a bit more and I asked him if he spoke Arabic.  Since I’ve been to Egypt, I know a couple words in Arabic so I spoke to him in Arabic, “Thank You.”  He was a bit shocked and returned “Thank You” in Arabic.

I enjoyed that interaction more than he did I think. With the exception of taking a beautiful young lady out on a date, that was probably one of the most rewarding hunks of cash I have spent in the last few months.  No regrets.

Next time you meet someone, say an encouraging word.  You might make their day… or they may make yours!