John Michael's Thoughts
February 2012
In the Blink of an Eye Ministries, Inc.
Providing families care, comfort and solutions...

1001 West H Street, Suite B
La Porte, TX 77571
Texas: 281.515.6673
Maryland: 301.237.4086






February 6, 2012

I have been researching a little on the worst drugs out there
these days. I went to many sites where people ask questions
and I was not surprised that most people don't even know
which questions to ask, and those that answer site references
that have many different ideas, theories or scientific discovery
over any given drug.

Want to know what the worst drug known to mankind is
really? The worst drug is the drug that enslaves YOU or one
of your family members.


January 30, 2012

Thought for Today
I cannot imagine what it is like to be a person who is not an
addict. No matter how much I learn about them, understanding
eludes me. What I can understand is that a person who is not
an addict, cannot understand me.
Bible Says
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Plea
1st of the month and in addition to funding our fundraiser, the
monthly bills are due. Just sending a reminder to invest a few
dollars in us that we may invest a lot of time for those in need.
The dividends are fare reaching for us all.

January 17, 2012

Thought for Today

I have learned many things in my time on earth. I have learned
that problems come at times. I have learned that if my reaction
to a problem is to drink to forget said problem, it is most likely
a worse problem when the alcohol wears off. I have never
improved a situation by drinking and the only way to handle a
problem is to face it and work through it.

Bible Says
Philippians 2:14-16

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you
may become blameless and harmless, children of God without
fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the
word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I
have not run in vain or labored in vain.”


January 5, 2012

More on Passion
by
John Michael Weber

If you feel a passion down in your bones
Fear it not don’t leave it alone
Bring it on out and make it your own
Let it blossom, that seed was long ago sewn!

Look up and tell God, “I wanna!”
He’ll nod his head and say “well when are you gonna?”
Only thing between you and your dream is air and opportunity
Go for it, shoot for it, rely on God’s divinity!

I can do it, they can do it, we can do it, those say you can’t
they can just screw it
If you wanna play drum play it rat-a-tat-tat
And before you know it they’ll say “Dude where’d you learn
that?”
If you wanna be a lawyer don’t let anyone object
If you wanna be builder then become the greatest architect!
If you desire to be a gymnest, get yourself upon the beam
If you wanna be a rock star don’t hold back your vocal scream.
If you wanna be political, then in school join debate
Learn to drive your point home, not how to aggravate.

A dream is only a dream when you are being still
But when you act upon it, it’s not a dream it is the real deal.
Take your passion from a dream to reality
No shame if you fall short, only if you refuse to be
Everything and all the things God intended you to be
You can do it, what you waitin on? Right now is your
opportunity!

Bible Says
Matthew 17:20

So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for
assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it
will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.


January 2, 2012


Thought for Today

Since I began walking with Jesus, my life has improved with
each page that turns. The world has not changed around me,
but Jesus changed what was within me, so that no matter what
storm I face in the world, I get increasingly better at
navigating through the bad weather of life.

Bible Says
Matthew 14:29-31

So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of
the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when
he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and
beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him,
and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”








December 8, 2011


Note from Santa

Just wanted to send a note from the North Pole
Greetings one, greetings all
We’re busy as one might imagine
Preparing for the night I come to call.

The elves are whistling while they work
Mrs. Claus is making my favorite cookies tonight
I of course am checking my list
I want to make sure I get everything just right.

So I write you now, just wanted to share
How Christmas affects me each year
When I see those kids smiling so bright
Well my joy is expressed with tears.

I am honored you know
To have my night of giving wonderful toys
On the very same night
Joseph and Mary prepared for the arrival of their boy.

I am flattered that I am so liked
For the gifts that I give once a year
But that boy, born in a manger
Gives much more than me let’s be clear.

I give toys and I think that’s good
The boy child gave his life for us all
I will never out give, what Christ gives to us
But I will continue to answer the call.

So on the night before Christmas
Please leave cookies and milk just for me
And I will leave the toys as I do
But the real giver of gifts is HE.

Ho, ho, ho!
I gotta run, have much more to do
Have a very Merry Christmas
And know that God loves all of you!
Your friend,
Santa

Bible Says
Luke 2:14
“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

December 6, 2011

Merry Christmas Mom
In Memory of Miriam Jones Weber

Red and green were the colors of our tree lights at home
We might have tried blue but Mom said leave ‘em alone.
The stockings always got hung and the wreath on the door in
place
And Mom would make sugar cookies with a smile on her face.

And we three kids were up at dawn on Christmas morn
And mom and dad were never forlorn
For if the Weber’s had but one good day
It was because Mom had Christmas her way!

That all changed one December 6
In the year of our Lord 19 and 76
That Christmas was quiet, somewhat like a dream
And this Christmas I think will be all red and all green.


I know you’re smiling at your boys at last Mom.
We miss you and now when I think of you, I smile.








November 25, 2011


Thought for Today

When I think of the miracles and wonders as a result of God’s
hands here on Earth I am truly amazed if not mind-boggled. I
have no idea what awaits me in Heaven but I do know one
thing for sure, I don’t want to miss out on being there.
The best Earthly comparison I can make concerning going to
Heaven would be it is like when I was a kid who knew
tomorrow I would be going to Six Flags. My excitement was
uncontainable. So it is that I am very excited about Eternity
with God.

Bible Says
Matthew 18:3-5

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one
such child in my name welcomes me.”

November 21, 2011


Thought for Today

Cause and effect is an interesting study. One small decision
can change the course of one’s life. When faced with a
decision, it may at the moment seem inconsequential only to
prove an enormous catalyst for a later revealed life changing
moment. If I look at my past in detail, the domino effect is
quite evident i.e. this move caused that and that delay allowed
this and so on. It is also easy to recognize where God
performed miraculous moves on my behalf. For good, bad or
indifference, every move led me to this moment, ever
reminding me that our God is an Awesome God!

Bible Says
Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and
this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by
works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared
in advance for us to do.


November 9, 2011

Thought for Today
Faith and gratitude are easy to hold on to when things are
going well. It is the trials and tribulations God walks us
through that strengthen our faith and make us grateful to
begin with. Praise the Lord with joy when times are good.
Praise the Lord with knowledge when things are bad, the
knowledge that God is there in the good times and there in the
bad.
Bible Says
Job 2:7-10
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted
Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown
of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and
scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity?
Curse God and die!”
He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we
accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Prayer Request:
Please pray for Karen, that God would lessen the burdens she
now bears. Pray for her mother who is being released from
the hospital today. Pray that she be given strength and that she
gets some peace through these trials she is standing.

November 1, 2011

November. At this time ten years ago I was in West Baltimore.
I did at least three shots of heroin a day and shot coke and
smoked crack and drank Mad Dog 20/20 wine and whatever
else I could get my hands on to change the way I felt. I slept in
cars jacked up in alleys with no tires left on them. I got beat up
and dodged bullets, literally and the most painful of all,
alienated my entire family. That was about to all change in a
couple of weeks and I had no idea that it would and if I
romanced the idea that a change could take place, I quickly
reminded myself what a no good loser I was and hope was
quickly replaced with dope.
So when I go and visit a 16 year old girl who cannot get a
grip, I see me and my heart bleeds. When I talk to a parent of
a son or daughter that is turning into my past life, my heart
bleeds for the pain I brought to my own parents. When I see a
child that has an addicted parent and no matter their age they
have sensed the wrongness and you can see it in their eyes, my
heart bleeds for the fear I caused my daughters. Then when I
think of God, watching and thousands upon thousands of His
children that He created with love, squander their lives to a
state of existing, my heart bleeds for I must have made my
Father sad.
This is gratitude month and I can safely say that God’s Grace,
His undeserved Blessing bestowed upon me, far outweigh my
past and anything I might try and complain about today. Our
God is truly an Awesome God!

Bible Says
Psalm 147:6-8
The LORD sustains the humble
but casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the LORD with grateful praise;
make music to our God on the harp.
He covers the sky with clouds;
he supplies the earth with rain
and makes grass grow on the hills.




October 27, 2011

My thought today is not a thought at all, it is a challenge. The
challenge does not come from me but as you will see I have
great reasons to post it to all you. I will say this, in my
experience God puts things in front of us all the time and
sometimes those things are difficult to see kind of like “Find
Waldo.” Other times like today, He puts things in our face so
as not to be missed, such as today it is like, “Here’s your
sign!”
My gratitude and thanks go out on behalf of IBE and Yes My
Kid to Cheryl & Koty.

____________
Paying It Forward
Until a year ago I was like most busy moms...oblivious to teen
drug and alcohol addiction, because as the saying goes, "out
of sight, out of mind." Addiction is an equal opportunity
disease that strikes approximately one out of ten teens who
“experiment” with drugs or alcohol. People from every walk
of life are vulnerable to addiction.
Last fall, following a sequence of tragic events, a young friend
of mine was placed in a drug rehabilitation program for the
purpose of saving his life. This opened my eyes to the
tremendous physical, emotional and spiritual battle taking
place in the lives of our children. It was then I became aware
of a program called, Yes My Kid, a Christian based ministry
to families of teens who struggle with drug and alcohol
addiction. Parents often feel paralyzed and clueless when first
confronted with the painful truth of their child’s addiction, and
the initial reaction is often, “Not my kid!” But when the harsh
reality finally sinks in, they have to admit that it’s true and
therefore acknowledge that, yes, my kid is an addict. Yes My
Kid is a support group that provides a place to begin. I
attended my first meeting last spring, at Grace Community
Church, in Fulton, MD, and I was struck by the look of
desperation on each face in that room. But with kindness,
compassion, and sometimes a bit of humor, critical
information is dispersed and a network of friends is
established in no time at all.
My reason for writing this letter is to issue a challenge.
Something kind of interesting happened last Sunday at Grace
church. There are two adult services on Sunday mornings that
I could attend. I arrived at church in time to attend the second
service, but instead I went out for coffee with another mom to
talk about our teens. When we returned to church, the teens'
service was about to conclude so we waited in the lobby for
our kids. As we were talking, my friend looked down and saw
a sealed envelope on the floor. She picked it up and proceeded
to tell me about the envelopes that were handed out in church
that morning. Each envelope contained a card challenging
people to use personal resources to meet the needs of others,
and make a difference in the life of someone in need.
Just a few of the envelopes that were distributed contained a
one-hundred dollar bill. Should the person who gets an
envelope containing the money choose to accept the challenge,
they are required to, "invest the money in a way that will
transform lives," and then let the church know how the plan
came together and exactly what happened by the end of the
year. She opened the sealed envelope, handed it to me and
said,"This is for you...it's seed money...now go out and grow
something!"
I have lamented over what to do with the money. It's only a
hundred dollars, but the responsibility of how to plant it
weighed heavily on me, so I asked my young recovering addict
friend for suggestions. Without hesitation he replied, “Have
you thought of paying it forward?" His idea came from the
movie, Pay It Forward. The premise of the movie begins with
doing something special for another person-- without any
expectation of being paid back, requesting that the recipient of
that favor do the same for someone else: ideally for three
other people.
After much thought and prayer, we decided to give the money
to IBE Ministries to be used to help support their Yes My Kid
program. In order to meet the goal of paying it forward, my
young friend and I would like to issue a challenge to anyone
who has a heart for teen addicts and those who care for them.
The challenge involves making an investment that will change
lives by matching the $100.00 found in the envelope last
Sunday. I have taken the challenge myself by matching the
$100.00, and if you would like to join me by accepting the
challenge to match the $100.00, your tax-deductible donation,
made out to IBE Ministries, Inc., may be sent to the following
address:
Yes My Kid
c/o IBE Ministries, Inc.
1001 West H Street, Suite B
La Porte, TX 77571

Phone:
Texas: 281-515-6673
Maryland: 301.237.4086
Both numbers can be called 24/7.
http://www.intheblinkofaneyemi​nistries.com/index.html
Please indicate on your check or in the PayPal message that
your donation is in response to the Grace Community Church
"Pay It Forward Challenge". Let's not ignore the problem of
teen addiction because ultimately it affects all of us.
Thank you,
Cheryl O'Neil

October 18, 2011

Thought for Today
Grace has been sometimes defined as “undeserved Blessings.”
I think that is true because it has also been said that if I got
what I deserved, I wouldn’t like it at all. There are days when
I am full of gratitude. There are days when I have to remind
myself that I am grateful. Reminding myself is easy and takes
but a moment of remembering to embrace gratitude. Grace is
a gift from God through His son Jesus. Gratitude is a verb.
Bible Says
Romans 3:22-24
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified
freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ
Jesus.

October 17, 2011

Thought for Today

Quite possibly my favorite time of year is Christmas, which
falls in the last month of the year. I cannot skip the other 11
months to get to my favorite.
My passion for helping addicts is 12 Step work. The results of
working the steps become evident when you get to 12. My
favorite step, because you have had a spiritual awakening by
the time you get there. I could not skip the other 11 steps just
to get to my favorite.

Bible Says
Revelation 7:14

I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great
tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.

October 14, 2011

Thought for Today

I remember the first beer that brought hope into my dismal
existence. I remember my last shot of heroin as a last
desperate attempt to make it through another night. Mostly I
remember the pure joy I felt when once I knew Jesus had me
and I had Jesus!

Bible Says
Romans 15:13

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you
trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power
of the Holy Spirit.

October 11, 2011

Thought for Today

No money is needed, to make a man rich
No poverty makes him poor.
To discover great wealth and riches of spirit
When Jesus knocks he need only to open the door!

Bible Says
Revelation 3:19-21

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and
repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with
that person, and they with me.
To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me
on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my
Father on his throne.

Final Thought

Whereas I do not like mentioning our financial needs every
day, I find it necessary. I watched TBN yesterday and they are
always asking for money as they should because to be aired
everyday on TV cost millions.
Perhaps one might feel that our ministry has nothing going on
that concerns them because none of their immediate family are
addicts and drugs and alcohol don’t affect them. To those I
would ask them to think about this, the next you are on the
roads taking your family to a night out or across the country
on a road trip for vacation. You are passing by a drunk driver
somewhere. The only escape from putting yourselves in
danger of drugs and alcohol is to stay home. This would be a
good idea for then you could catch the next junkie that breaks
in to take your stuff to feed his/her addiction. Just sayin.
Please help us!

October 4, 2011

Thought for Today
Since 911 the rules of war changed. The enemy is much harder
to recognize. Gone are the days of one country lining up on
one side against another country facing them. We are losing
troops everyday and we mourn their loss as we should, for
they are fighting for our country.
We have another war going on that is taking lives everyday
within our own borders. The enemy is really difficult because,
we do not want to recognize its existence. Worse, we enhance
this war by glorifying how cool life is with a cold beer. Worse
because the movies glorify the aspects of moving illicit drugs
from one country or one hood to another. Worse because we
live under the absurdity that those addicted to drugs can just
pull themselves up by their bootstraps if they have a strong
enough will to do so. Worse because we would rather our kids
have a mental disorder that supposedly be fixed by a, you
guessed it, a drug rather than admit they are addicts.
I was talking to my daughter Lauren yesterday about the death
of Nicole, and she said, “Dad, when you’re that young, it’s
like time stops and you feel like you will be stuck in that
confusion forever and nothing anyone says can change your
mind.” That is coming from someone who is not an addict
perhaps that gives you the scope of what we are dealing with
and why a young person would over dose just making an effort
to quiet the madness.
For those on the email list, I am more than likely preaching to
the choir. For those on Facebook, I might be to the point of
becoming an irritation. Either way it is my belief, my goal, my
mission to get the word out that the war we fight now is not
fixed by telling a young person to pull themselves up by the
bootstraps. The war we are now engaged in is not won by
dragging them to church and telling them “All ya need is
Jesus,” they won’t hear you. The war we are engaged in now
can only be won when EVERYONE acknowledges its existence.
Tell ya what. Tonight is the “National Night Out.” The idea is
local communities get out and meet their neighbors. Have you
heard of it? I did yesterday, not much notice but still a good
idea. This has been a rough week addiction wise so I beg you
to take a look around; it’s right in front of you. What will we
do?
Bible Says
Romans 15:1-3
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak
and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our
neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ
did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of
those who insult you have fallen on me.”






September 28, 2011

Thought for Today
Where is the Christianity, when such anger and hatred
towards each other can no longer hide? Where is Christianity
when we are not praying for all, not just the ones who agree?
Where is the Christianity, when the world needs Jesus’ love
now, not later?
Can we put aside all differences and meet at the Cross? Can
the Christians in the United States set an example for the rest
of the world by our actions and not our words? I believe, wait,
I know that we CAN achieve because we are promised that,
“We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!”
Bible Says
Philippians 4:11-14
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased,
and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I
have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound
and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me.
Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my
distress.

Speaking of Distress
We received a generous donation yesterday but are still in
need of $1400 before October 1, 2011. We have some deposits
to pay for our February event which will do much for the
community, much for parents and youth and of course much
for IBE in the way of throttling us into a substance abuse
recovery force, not just in Texas, but Maryland as well. To
sweeten the idea of donating, I am offering all four books I
have written for any donations of $100 or more. Help Us Help
Them!
Go to www.intheblinkofaneyeministries.com click on “Make a
Donation.” If you want the books just specify in the message
box. To mail a check make it payable to:
IBE Ministries, Inc.
1002 West H Street, Suite B
La Porte, TX 77571
I would like to encourage as many of you as able to set up a
monthly automated donation of $25 or more. This will be a
cash flow we can “bank” on, excuse the pun, and adjust
accordingly. Thanks to all for your continued partnership as
we continue to grow.




September 26, 2011

Thought for Today
I start each day the same way, I pray. Then I punch the coffee
maker button and wait on the sound of that wonderful elixir
dropping into the pot before turning into a smooth flow. Then,
after a sip or two, I sit here at the computer and wait.
Sometimes my mind is flooded with thoughts and I have
trouble deciding which one to write. Other times, like today, it’
s like staring at a canvas with a paint brush in my hand, with
no idea what to put on the canvas.
So maybe today, God just wants me to tell you all, Good
Morning and have a Great Day!
God loves you all and so do I!
Bible Says
Psalm 17:6-8
I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
Finally
Last week of September, bills will soon be due
Please help us help them
Every penny helps us through.






September 20, 2011

Welcome to Church
by
John Michael Weber

Welcome to the church,
Please tell us where it hurts.
We don’t expect you dear to be perfect here
That is not the way it works.
We’re all sinners and we know it
We love the Lord and dress real nice to show it.
But our insides tell a different tale
We try not to sin but always fail.
But we worship God who gives us hope
To be delivered from things like hatred, anger and dope.
Come on in and join us please
Our praying here does never cease.
Welcome to the church
Do not pretend you do not hurt.
Share your pain we’ll split it
Salvation is here you’ll get it!
Welcome to the Church!

Bible Says
Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.


First Tease
So here’s the first tidbit on the biggest event IBE has
sponsored as yet. Mark your calendar for Friday, February
10, 2012 for
“What’s God Got To Do With It?”
This will be held at the Pasadena Convention Center in
Campbell Hall
Spaces are available for booths.
We have a great keynote speaker as well as local folk,
testimonies and music.
It will be a banquet.
That’s all I can disclose as yet, more will be revealed.
Our needs right now for this mega event are:
Lots of Volunteers!
Money (that can be refunded) for Deposits to secure equipment
and materials!
It is gonna be GREAT!