Availability

Good morning! I trust you had a very Merry Christmas and were blessed by your time with family and friends.

Each year in the days between Christmas and New Years, I take a prayer retreat. Some years I have been able to go deep in the woods to a secluded cabin, other years I stay close to home, but seclude myself. It is during these times that I reflect on the year past and listen for God’s direction for the year ahead.

One of the issues that surfaces often during these times is the issue of availability. It is so easy to become worried about my abilities and how God is going to use them, but what God is truly interested in is my availability. Take a look at this passage from Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to my people? Who will go for us?”

And I said, “Lord, I’ll go! Send me.”

More than God cares about my leadership skills, my speaking ability or my people skills He most cares about my willingness to go. Many of us say that “Wherever He leads I’ll go.”, but would we really? In one of the books I read on a past retreat the author mused that for every person who says they will go “wherever”, how many of them have their passports stamped and active? Do their actions really bear out their words?

There are many reasons that we unfortunately say “no” to God. God leads in a certain direction and we begin to withdraw our commitment. “I can’t afford it!” “I don’t know enough!” “I couldn’t leave my friends and family!” Do any of these sound familiar?

To follow where God leads requires complete surrender and a sold out commitment. In the story of Jesus’ birth, the shepherds were compelled to see Jesus. Nothing else mattered at that point. Are you in that same place, where following Jesus is the greatest passion in your life. I sometimes wonder what blessings I have missed out on by not going where I have been led.

This week I want to challenge you to be available. Are you willing to truly say, “Wherever He leads I’ll go?” Make yourself available to God and His purposes. Ask Him to invite you into the midst of His activity.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Don't Forget

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Luke 2:8-11 (NASB)
8 And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people;
11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

This morning you may find yourself having trouble focusing on the work in front of you. For many of us, our minds have already drifted to our travel plans, incoming guests and the plans of the Christmas holiday. The busyness of last minute shopping, hosting and wrapping of gifts occupies our time. If we are not careful, it can even become a Christmas without Christ.

The message of Christmas is the greatest message the world has ever known. God sent Jesus, His one and only child, to offer himself as an atoning sacrifice for all men. Jesus was born to do that which you and I are incapable of, by bringing us into a right relationship with God. The sacrifice of the manger foreshadows the sacrifice of the cross, where Jesus would complete His atoning work for you and I.

This Christmas season take time to reflect on the One who stepped away from the glory of heaven to take upon himself human flesh. He wasn’t obligated to enter this scene, but He willingly chose to do it out of love for you. You’ve been given the greatest gift man has ever known, the gift of new life, clothed in the righteousness of Christ.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Examining Your Foundation

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past week I spent some time with a man who is both a friend and trusted advisor. He has taken a great interest in my work over the past 18 months, but has taken particular interest in the church planting ministry that I launched in November. As we were talking, he addressed with me his concern over my foundation. As I probed into his statement, he accurately assessed that I was beginning to rapidly put together a structure, but my foundation was not set. He further elaborated that I may even need to pull back the reigns on the ministry, because the monthly provisions for my family were not fully in place.

There was great wisdom in those words. A structure is only as good as the foundation it is built upon. The foundation determines to what degree and at what pace the structure can be erected. It also determines the longevity of what is built, and the types of adversity the structure can withstand.

This conversation has had me thinking about the following passage of Scripture:

Luke 6:47-49 (NASB)

47 "Everyone who comes to Me, and hears My words, and acts upon them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood rose, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49 "But the one who has heard, and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house upon the ground without any foundation; and the torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great."

The greatest detriment to the lives we are building is the poor foundation work, we all too often settle for. We may hear the words of God, but how often do we fail to implement those very things into our lives. We know we are cutting corners, but we don’t think anyone will ever notice the shortcuts. Unfortunately turmoil has a way of exposing our frailties, shortcuts and shortcomings. The places we chose to hear, but not obey become glaringly obvious as we watch the structures of our lives come crashing down on the shifting foundations upon which they were built.

Today, I encourage you to evaluate your foundation. Have you taken the time to dig deep and lay your foundation on the bedrock principles of God? If you have, the storms may be fierce, but they will not topple the things God has directed you to build. In the end the structure will stand, unmoved by the tempest, because the foundation never shifted.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Living a Life of Honor

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and find yourself fully energized today.

One of the things my dad instilled in me growing up was the importance of a good name. I watched him over and over again make choices that were not always the easiest, but were the choices that were honorable. When opportunities were presented to compromise his principles, he always stood his ground on the convictions that were deep within him.

In one of our most memorable conversations before I left home my dad told me: “I may never leave you vast wealth, property or fortune, but I will leave you a good name.” Those words penetrated deep within me and have taken up residence. I have tried diligently to pass this same value of integrity on to my children.

Every day we are bombarded with opportunities to compromise our principles. People ask us to stretch the boundaries or turn the other way. At first glance it may seem harmless enough, but ultimately those compromises have a lingering effect on our character and reputation. The stench of compromise stays around long after the compromise has been made.

It is no wonder that God led the writer of Hebrews to pen these words:

HEBREWS 13:18 (NASB)
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.

One of the most valuable assets we have is our reputation. A reputation can open doors of opportunity or slam them just as quickly. A reputation may be the difference between advancement and resistance and our reputations move beyond us. Our spouses, children, co-workers, employers and even the God of our faith are labeled by our integrity or lack thereof. It is no wonder that the writer of this verse requested prayer over this issue of honorable conduct.

Today I encourage you to evaluate your own conduct. Would you be described as a man or woman who operates with honor and integrity? Perhaps you find yourself this morning being faced with an opportunity for compromise. Consider the cost, shore up your defenses and remember it is your reputation at stake. Ask God to direct your conduct that you may always be known as a person of honor.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Preparing for the Unseen

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with friends and family.

The talk on the lips of the American public these days is the economy. I’ve been chuckling every weeknight during The Tonight Show as Jay Leno breaks into a short burst of one-liners that begin with “The economy’s getting bad I tell you…” The forecasts for the next 18-24 months do not look good for the American economy to say the least.

So the question becomes this, “what preparations have you been making with the resources God is making available to you?” This question got me reflecting upon the story of Joseph this morning. Joseph was sold into slavery, jailed under false accusation and generally mistreated, but Joseph never lost sight of God. Joseph’s faithful service to those who held him captive ultimately led to his rise to prominence in Egypt. It was through this rise to prominence that Joseph was able to provide for his people during 7 years of famine. Look at Joseph’s words as recorded in Genesis:

Genesis 45:5-7 (NASB)
5 “And now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life.
6 “For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
7 “And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance.

Sometimes in life we get so self-absorbed with what is wrong in our own piece of the picture that we fail to step back and look at the bigger picture. Joseph heeded the warnings of famine and made adjustments in the land of Egypt that ended up being the provision for the inhabitants of the land when food was scarce. He got beyond the “wrongs” of the past and turned a negative into a positive.

So what has God been doing to prepare you and your family for the things that lie ahead? Perhaps it is time to step back and look at the greater picture. God may have allowed you to go through a job change you didn’t want, because your industry was getting ready to fold. He may have moved you to another part of the country, where the provisions of life are not as difficult to come by. He may have denied you the loan, so you wouldn’t be weighed down by a debt you couldn’t maintain. Of course the preparations are not all negative. Perhaps the bonus or raise you received was given so you could build a cash reserve if things get lean. Maybe that same windfall was given so you could provide more fully for those in need.

Whether the worst fears of the economic forecasters come to pass remains to be seen, but no matter what the outcomes may be, God is already putting the resources and people in place to see His people through the lean times. Today, I encourage you to evaluate the tools that God has given you for provision and care. Thank Him for already making the adjustments in your life that are needed to whether the storms of the future.

Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Being Transparent

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past week, I was asked a question that on the surface didn’t seem that penetrating, but in the end was life changing for me. The question was simply: “What do you need from me this week?” Now this wouldn’t seem like a difficult question to answer, but for me it was. After a few seconds of thought I gave the standard surface answer: “You can pray for me.”

It was from this exchange that God began to unravel my inner wiring and identified a short circuit in the system. The friend who had asked me the question seized the opportunity to speak truth into my life. He elaborated that his prayer for me was a given, but that his question was an offer to walk beside me as a brother.

GALATIANS 6:2 (NASB)
Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

My friend was seeking to help me carry the burdens of my life, there was just one problem. I was not allowing him to walk with me through my journey of life. The truth of the matter was that I had many needs. Let’s be honest, I just left a salaried ministry position to start a church and live by faith. The problem was, I didn’t want to be totally transparent. Something inside of me wanted to hide the fact that I had needs…some of them pressing in quickly.

When I got home that afternoon, my wife could see I was grinding on something deep within me, so she asked. I told her about my interaction earlier in the day and she immediately informed me that I had taken the easy way out. She elaborated that God was trying to provide for our needs, but I was allowing my pride to thwart those very provisions. Ouch! She was right; my pride was hindering the very thing I was seeking from God. I wanted to simply tell God all of my problems and sit back and wait for the provisions to flow in.

Unfortunately, that is inconsistent with the way God chooses to work in our lives. He has joined us with others who were put into our lives to help us carry our burdens. The channels of blessing are those who walk along side of us. We are truly dependent upon the other members of Christ’s body, if we are to function at a peak level.

The next time you are asked “what do you need from me?” Don’t pass off the question with a quick “pray for me.” Choose instead the route of transparency; allow others to see you needs and burdens. You will find that their presence beside you brings God’s comfort and blessing. God never intended for us to walk alone, so take joy in those who care enough to ask the “tough” question.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

In Christ,
Carl

Under Your Nose

Good morning! I hope that you had a refreshing weekend.

I meet with a friend of mine every Thursday for lunch. During our time we talk about life and he allows me to challenge him in his Christian walk. Often times I am the one getting challenged as we dialogue back and forth. This week was no exception, as our dialogue helped me to see an opportunity right in front of my nose.

Two weeks I ago I began a new ministry called Simplicity. The basic concept of Simplicity is to develop a network of groups that meet in homes, offices, coffee shops, etc… as macro level church bodies. As my friend and I were talking I was discussing the groups that we have already established and the opportunities we had on the horizon. As part of that conversation I mentioned that I would like to have a group going in the downtown area for business people by January of 2009. That’s when I had my “duh” moment. My friend said, “Why don’t we make our meeting that group?” My friend was seeing the obvious that for some reason wasn’t even crossing my mind.

Numbers 22:31 (NASB)
Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand; and he bowed all the way to the ground.

There are times in our life, when we simply don’t see the opportunities right in front of us. I find that the reasons for this come in a variety of forms. At times it is my preoccupation, tunnel vision or lack of awareness of my surroundings that is the issues. Other times it is not the right time for God to reveal those opportunities, or, as in the case of my friend, God wants to use someone else to speak into my life.

The truth of the matter is that we are surrounded by opportunities every day. These opportunities have the potential for lasting impact on our lives and the lives of others. The only barrier is our ability to recognize them. Unfortunately we miss some of our best opportunities, simply because we are not looking for them.

This week ask the Lord to open your eyes, so that you see the landscape of your life and surroundings as God sees them. Listen carefully to the conversations that you find yourself involved in and listen for the open doors of opportunity. You will be amazed at the opportunities you have been missing that have been in front of you all along.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Grounded in Faithfulness

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past week we finally brought the 2008 election process to a close. Over the past 20 months we have heard candidates making pledges and promises on a wide variety of issues ranging from the economy to the Iraq war. Unfortunately, every campaign season brings promises that for the most part will never be realized.

The weakness of a campaign promise is the ability of the candidate to bring it to fruition. A politician is always dependent upon the consensus of others. Even if consensus is given, it is often given with compromise and strings attached.

The strength of pledge, promise or covenant lies in the ability of the promising party to deliver on the promise. As we see from the political process, even an upstanding candidate has at some point failed to deliver on a promise. Ultimately the credibility of a promise is grounded in the prior faithfulness of the one making the promise.

Deuteronomy 7:9 (NASB)
“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments…”

Prayer is a place of covenant relationship. You and I come to God with our petitions and requests, because we trust in His ability to meet the needs in our lives based upon the promises of scripture. We come to God with the confidence that because He has been faithful in keeping His covenants throughout history, He will continue to be faithful to His promises in our day.

The power of prayer is not based on your ability to pray eloquent prayers, but instead it is based in the very character and nature of God. It is God’s faithfulness to His character that allows His promises to be rock solid. God does not have to compromise on His promises, for they are complete in every way.

This week as you pray over the concerns and cares of this life, remember that your prayers are anchored in the foundation of faithfulness through the ages.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Misunderstood

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This week is an exciting week for me and one of the milestones of my life at the same time. This next Sunday I will be launching a new church and church planting ministry. For me the opportunity to turn my entrepreneurial leanings towards greater purposes than simply making money is a thrill.

There is a flip side to all of this excitement though. It is the misunderstanding of others who do not see the picture as you see it. This past week I had emails that questioned the wisdom of my walking by faith in this venture and even one that accused me of starting a cult, sent by a man who has never even met me or known me.

I find it interesting that Jesus encountered the same types of issues in His own ministry.

Mark 4:21-22 (NASB)
21 And when His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.”
22 And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.”

Misunderstandings are often not borne out of ill will or malice, but instead are birthed out of the compassion and concern of others. In Jesus’ case his family and friends were concerned because He was so busy ministering to others He was not even allowed to eat. His family and friends didn’t want to see Jesus trampled on by the demands of others.

On the other hand, the scribes wanted to discredit Jesus, because they could not explain His actions without attributing His work to God. Jesus’ “brand” of religious practice was not comfortable for them, because it challenged their methodologies and practice. In their ignorance they made false accusations towards Him.

Today you may find yourself in a place of being misunderstood. Remember God hasn’t given everyone around you the same picture that He’s given you. Be patient with those who don’t understand and answer gently those who attack out of ignorance. In the end the course God has put you on will be revealed. The picture once obscure to others will come sharply into focus. What once was viewed as foolishness, oddity or rebellion will finally be seen as it has always been….simple obedience.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

It is well

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

This morning I woke up with a song playing over and over deep within me. The song is actually on old hymn entitled “It is Well With My Soul.” The words were written by Horatio Spafford in 1873. Spafford was a wealthy American businessman who went through a series of devastating events. In 1871 Spafford was financially ruined by the devastation of the great Chicago fire. Within a few months Spafford’s family was crossing the Atlantic when their ship collided with another vessel. Spafford’s wife survived, but his four daughters perished.

It was only a few weeks later, as Spafford’s own voyage across the Atlantic neared the spot where his daughters had died that Spafford was given these words:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

So how does a man like Horatio Spafford come away with the strength to say “it is well with my soul?” Look at the following promise from scripture:

Psalm 34:17-18 (HCSB)
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.

You see Spafford realized that God was much bigger than fortune, life or even death. Spafford knew that his current lot in life was not the end of the story. His soul could rejoice, because eternity was before him. There would come a day when money would no longer be needed and death would no longer separate him from his loved ones. All was well with his soul, because he walked day by day with God, the one who transcends time and place.

Today, you may be facing peace like a river or perhaps it is the sea billows of life. So I ask you the question: “Is it well with your soul?”

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours today.

Carl

Throwing Out the Clutter

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past week I began packing up my office as I enter into the final few weeks of my current pastorate. It is interesting the things you accumulate over time. Professional journals with an article you intended to read, but never got around to. A marketing piece from a company that may have something beneficial to your work environment, but there never seemed to be an appropriate time to follow up. Memos of decisions already made and acted upon.

In time, as the seasons of life change, these items simply become clutter. They take up space, but no longer hold significant value or meaning. Our lives can also become cluttered, hindered by things we no longer need to carry. Notice the words of scripture:

Hebrews 12:1 (HCSB)
Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that lies before us…

Clutter…we all have it and if we don’t do something about it, we eventually have to move it. The reason I’m cleaning out the clutter from my office is to save me the exertion of lifting unnecessary boxes. I will need my strength for greater things than moving my clutter from one location to another.

In your life you are carrying some clutter too. The memory of a conversation that didn’t go your way a few years back; the flicker of that dream you had back in high school or the resentment over the promotion that passed you by last year. Each of these things was at one time deeply personal and fresh, but now these things have cobwebs on them and haven’t been utilized in years. Every day you choose to carry them, you are working harder than you need to. The effort required to move these extra boxes prevents you from performing at your optimum level in the things that really matter.

Today, I encourage you to begin sorting through the boxes and desk drawers of your life. Keep those things that add value to your life, but commit right now to throw out the clutter. After all do you really need those old business cards anyway?

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

It's all in how you look at it

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This week all eyes will be on the American economy, in particular the financial markets. Over the past several weeks the Dow Jones Industrial Average has fallen nearly 2,000 points. For many this has led to a state of panic as they are overtaken by fear, worry and host of other unpleasant emotions. Their current state of emotion is of course grounded in their choice of perspective. For many, this downturn of the market is no different than a red-tag clearance sale at the local department store…a buying opportunity.

Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)
And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A few weeks ago I attended a 3 day guided prayer retreat. One of the exercises we went through went something like this. Our leader asked us in 2 minutes to write down everything we were thankful for. The list flowed with things like friends, family, health, etc… When the 2 minutes was up, the leader asked us to go to another page and now for another 2 minutes list the things we were not thankful for. This list didn’t flow quite as readily, but there were still many things listed. When the time was up, the leader inquired why we weren’t thankful for the things we had just listed. My list of unthankfulness was marked with such things as pain, loss and circumstances that I couldn’t control.

The more I studied that list, the more I realized that there were many issues to be thankful for, but it would require a change of perspective. With God’s help, I made an adjustment to the picture in my soul. This internal cropping of the frame helped me refocus the image of the experience. For example, a time of loss is now seen as a time of knowing God’s miraculous provisions. A time of deep pain is now seen as a time of experiencing the depth of God’s love. A time of failure has now become a great teaching experience.

You get the idea. The experience itself is permanent, but the angle and perspective I view it from are fluid. Today you may find yourself flooded with a sea of emotions over the circumstances in your life and the world around you. I encourage you to step back from the canvass and readjust the frame. Once you bring the lessons, strength and presence of God back into the picture; the picture will take on a whole new appearance and meaning.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Journey into the unknown

Good morning! I hope your weekend was restful.

There are times in life when we find ourselves setting sail in faith for unknown destinations. This may come about through disaster, illness or other means. The optimist in us says this is an opportunity for me to spread my wings, but the pessimist inside of us wonders how we will make it.

This brings me to one of my favorite accounts of a journey into the unknown:

Genesis 12:1 (NLT)
Then the Lord told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you.”

Abram was plugging along through life, minding his own business when the Lord made a course correction. Notice the wording of the Lord’s directive. Abram is instructed to leave the familiar surroundings of home and family to undertake a journey with no clearly defined ending point.

Now let’s be honest, most of us would stop right there and say something along these lines: “Ok, God so you want me to go on a road trip. How many days does this entail? Have you already booked my airline reservations? What about the hotel? By the way, where am I going? What is the purpose of this journey?”

Notice that God didn’t provide an itinerary, only an opportunity to trust and walk by faith. Abram had a choice to make at this point. Would he trust the God whom he worshipped and claimed to follow?

We find that because Abram had taken the times to not only know about God, but to develop intimacy with God, he was willing to launch out in faith. In the New Testament book of Hebrews, Abram is counted as one of the heroes of the faith, an example for others to follow.

Today you may find yourself setting sail to a destination unknown. Take heart, God has already selected your place of arrival. Trust Him with your heart, even when you don’t see with your eyes.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Drowning in Circumstances

Good morning! I hope you had a terrific weekend.

Each of us has encountered situations in our lives that were “over our heads.” More clearly stated, we at times are faced with circumstances that are beyond our ability and resources to change. Life has been moving along at a normal pace when all of the sudden your reality changes. The doctor says the tests came back malignant; the boss gives you a pink slip on Friday afternoon; the police show up at your door; you come home to find your house full of water and in those moments your whole world changes.

Our positive outlook now makes a sharp 180 degree turn and our confidence quickly becomes helplessness. We’re no longer interested in achieving; prospering or winning…surviving has now become the order of the day.

Today I want to encourage you with Peter’s story from Matthew 14. The disciples were out in a boat late at night fighting hard to row through the waves. About 3AM they observed a figure walking towards them on top of the waves. As the figure came closer they learned it was Jesus. Peter called out and asked Jesus to verify His identity by commanding Peter to come to Him on the water. So Jesus did just that.

So out of the boat Peter goes. Not sinking, but walking towards Jesus on top of the waves. This was truly a milestone moment in Peter’s life and most certainly a story that would trump any other. Unfortunately for Peter, his circumstances changed. He began to notice the churning sea around him. As his eyes shifted to the waves and away from Jesus, he began to sink.

Matthew 14:30-31a (NLT)
But when he looked around at the high waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
[31] Instantly Jesus reached out his hand and grabbed him.

So what does this have to do with you? If you are like me, when crisis hits, you are frantically searching for a way out. How can I get away from the danger, pain, turmoil, etc…? Peter gives us a great pattern. He didn’t pray a long flowing prayer. He didn’t try to justify how he got into this mess. He simply shouted (literally yelled) “Save me!”

Save me, these two words are probably the most powerful words anyone could ever pray. These are words of complete helplessness and complete dependence. In these words is an acknowledgment that you need something greater than yourself and your resources if you are going to make it. These words also bring about a refocusing. Peter knew his help could only come from the one who was walking on the waves. His circumstance required him to once again fix his eyes on Jesus.

Take not of how Jesus responded. The word “instantly” or “immediately” is used in this verse. Jesus didn’t make Peter wait until the Coast Guard could send out a rescue boat. Jesus didn’t tell Peter to swim back to the boat or tread water. Jesus didn’t even tell Peter to “hang on.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and grabbed Peter, lifting him to his feet again.

Today you may find yourself sinking in circumstances. Perhaps you need to follow the example of Peter and simply yell out to Jesus, “save me!”

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Time = Distance

Good morning! I hope your Labor Day weekend has been refreshing.

This past Saturday my brother-in-law and I went on a 5 hour fishing charter into the Gulf of Mexico . Our boat captain took us a few miles out from port and had us drift fish next to several large tankers that were anchored in the open water. The open water is an amazing reminder of perspective. Next to one of these massive oil tankers, our fifty foot fishing vessel seemed like a toy in comparison; however, as you drifted away from the tanker and began to see the open water, the tanker itself became somewhat less overwhelming. Before long the tanker was just another small dot on the horizon.

This reminds me of a principle of motion that I learned in school, time = distance. Today’s giant of a problem, may consume your entire field of vision, but with each new day you gain distance. As the days go by, the separation from the enormity of the problem increases. Slowly, but surely the bigger picture begins to come back into view. No longer are you staring at the broadside of an oil tanker, but you are now seeing that oil tanker in the vastness of the Gulf of Mexico . What once seemed insurmountable, now seems somewhat insignificant and ultimately becomes a “mile marker” if you will of a greater journey.

The only problem with the time = distance principle is that it requires patience. Patience does not come naturally for most of us. In fact, patience requires tremendous self control and commitment. It is our hope of better days that fosters this commitment to patience. For me that hope comes from the following promise:

Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)
But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Today you may find yourself staring at the broadside of the most colossal challenge you’ve ever faced. I encourage you to return to the basic principle of motion, time = distance. Put things back in perspective. Today’s problem will be tomorrow’s tale of surviving in the face of impossible odds. As time goes by, that same problem will become next year’s source of strength and encouragement to someone else, or the motivation for you to persevere in the face of another adversity. Don’t get swallowed up by what is directly in front of you, remember at just the right time you will find new strength.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Wonder and Amazement

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

This past week my family and I welcomed Elishba, a friend of mine from India, to our home. I have done ministry work with her family for the past few years during my visits to India and was thrilled to have her join us this year for an internship.

One of the fun things about this visit is the opportunity to learn about a new culture. Over the weekend we introduced Elishba to the local shopping mall, the supermarket and a minor league baseball game. It was fun to see her amazement over things we take for granted as being common and everyday parts of our lives.

This got me to thinking about the danger of familiarity.

Luke 5:26 (NLT)
Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe. And they praised God, saying over and over again, “We have seen amazing things today.”

In the early days of Jesus’ ministry the crowds followed Him everywhere. They were amazed by the miracles He was doing. They were astounded by His teaching. The people had never seen anyone like Jesus or anything like His deeds. As time went on, the tide shifted, before it was all over with the crowds were no longer cheering Jesus, but instead calling for His crucifixion.

We really are not much different. We were so excited when we got the opportunity to work for the company, but over time the wonder and amazement turns to dread and resentment. The person we couldn’t wait to be with is now the person we want away from.

So what happened? How did our heart do such a complete turn in the opposite direction? At some point, we lost our sense of wonder and amazement. We quit discovering the opportunities of our work and became entangled in the minutia. We quit discovering what made that special person so special and turned our focus back towards our expectations.

It has been eye opening to hear Elishba’s observations of American culture, retail establishments and even our church. She is seeing things I don’t even notice anymore, because her eyes are wide open taking in every experience with newness. Her observations have helped me see things, I haven’t thought of, because my lens of evaluation is clouded by my experience and familiarity.

Today I encourage you to take off your lens of experience and look at your surroundings once again through the eyes of a stranger. Take note of the wonders and amazements that surround you. Reacquaint yourself once again with the people and places that have become way too familiar. You will be surprised at the new wonders you discover.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Your actions define you

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Every one of us leaves a lasting impression. Others define us by what they see in our actions. A good reputation is something to be treasured, while a bad reputation is difficult to put to rest.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the following names:
• Abraham Lincoln
• Richard Nixon
• Vince Lombardi
• Mike Tyson
• Judas Iscariot
• Jesus Christ

The Bible reveals to us a simple truth:

Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and right.

The question becomes quite simply: “What are your actions saying about you?” Have your actions earned you the classification of selfish, arrogant, insensitive, bully, drunkard, etc…? On the other hand maybe you have been rewarded with the description of kind, honest, generous, capable or trustworthy.

The great thing about a reputation is your ability to change and improve that reputation. If the choices of the past have labeled you in a less than flattering light, you can simply commit to a change of behavior and in due time find that you are re-categorized. Your greatest tool to changing your label is to choose actions that demonstrate something different.

Recently I participated in a conference call with noted leadership trainer, John Maxwell. During that call John shared with us this thought that drives him every day of his life: “Your life will be summed up in one sentence, determine today what that sentence will be.”

Today as you consider your reputation, determine the sentence that will be written about you in the days to come. Your reputation is a statement of character, so handle it with care.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

There is no "I" in "Team"

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Over the weekend, the world turned its attention towards Beijing, China and the start of the Olympic Games. Here in the United States our eyes have been on the waters of the swimming competition, as we watch to see if Michael Phelps can break a nearly 40 year old medal record.

One of the lessons that have come out of Michael Phelps quest for gold is his need for others. Last night America held its collective breath as the men’s 4 x 100 relay team narrowly beat the French for a gold medal. In this particular race, Michael Phelps played his part, but the victory was attained by Jason Lezak. As the anchor of the relay team, Lezak has the most critical role in the water. A gold medal performance of his teammates can be rendered meaningless if his performance is not the best. Lezak had been a part of two previous relay teams who had been unable to obtain gold in this same event during the 2000 and 2004 games. Lezak’s entry into the water was later then his toughest opponents, but using sheer strength and determination, he made up a deficit of nearly half a body length to bring home the victory for his team.

This display of reliance and fortitude got me thinking about the body of Christ.

Romans 12:4-5 (NLT)
Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, [5] so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.

Whether it is competition swimming or the Christian life, the understanding of cooperation becomes critical. Without the efforts of those God has put around us, our efforts for Him would fall short. We need the strength, wisdom and life experiences of those near us. There is a mutual process of learning that takes place through our interaction.

Sometimes we feel as though our past failures have disqualified us from accomplishing anything of meaning. This is a place where we can take a cue from Jason Lezak. Our past failures and shortcomings are not reason to quit and give up, but instead are sources of inspiration and determination. Our story of disappointment not only drives us in our quest for victory, but it also becomes a source of motivation for others who hear it.

As you examine your role in the body of Christ, you may see yourself as the gold medal favorite or a veteran with little to show for your efforts. In either case, you are equally important. Neither of you can be all that God has intended you to be without the gifts, talents, abilities and experiences of those you have been joined with.

So this week, step up on the platform, put your focus on the far wall and when the gun sounds dive in and swim with all of the energy God has given you. The race of life is short, the rest of the body of Christ is cheering you on. Seize the victory!

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Reliable Directions

Good morning! I hope you had a fantastic weekend.

This morning I had the privilege of praying with a group of girls who were getting ready to leave for a week of camp. The leader was a little nervous about the trip, because she had never been to this camp before. I reminded her that she could rely on her map and that she could always call if she found herself off course somewhere.

Life is no different than the trek these young ladies are taking. We know that God’s best lies ahead, but we also know that there are many potential detours and hazards along the path as well. Our unfamiliarity with route at times causes great amounts of discomfort and anxiety. At times like these we need to return to some simple truths:

Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you and watch over you.

God knows every twist and turn that awaits you on your journey. He knows every mountain pass and valley along the way. He knows the stormy days and the cloudless stretches you will encounter. You can take confidence in His ability to guide you, because He knows the course.

To help you along, God has also given you a “roadmap” through scripture. This map not only helps you plot your course, but it also guides you through those roadside emergencies of life (conflict, guilt, sadness, worry, doubt, etc….).

There will be times on your journey where you just need to talk to someone. You may be experiencing difficulty in applying the direction of scripture to your particular situation or just completely turned around and confused. God is ready to assist you. You can call on Him at anytime for guidance and clarification and He will freely give it.

Today you may be experiencing a difficult stretch of road. Your surroundings may be very unfamiliar to you. Take heart, God has plotted your course and given you a guidebook to see you through. He is always available to hear your concerns, fears, doubts and worries. All you have to do is call on Him.

Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Preparing for the Storm

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

As I write this morning, I have one eye on my computer and another eye on the Gulf of Mexico. A low that has been moving towards the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico over the last few days has developed into Tropical Storm Dolly. The tracking forecasts show this storm strengthening into a low-level hurricane before it makes landfall somewhere near us later this week.

Having lived a majority of my life in “tornado alley” where devastating winds fall from the sky with little advance warning, I much prefer the ample warning of tropical storms. Of course, ample warning is of no use to us if we don’t make proper preparation. The storms of life are not much different.

Jeremiah 46:3-4 (NLT)
“Buckle on your armor and advance into battle! [4] Harness the horses, and prepare to mount them. Put on your helmets, sharpen your spears, and prepare your armor.

Once the storm arrives, it is too late to begin the process of making preparations. Proper planning and preparation must be made long before the storm arrives. I find in my life, that God often gives me advance warning of approaching danger. These times of prompting are a call to action. My preparations may include additional times of prayer, fasting, meeting with wise counsel or other strengthening type activities.

Not all storms give advance notice of their arrival. It is at these times that the preparations become all the more critical. It is during these unexpected storms that I draw from scripture I have memorized, reflection upon God’s previous work in my life and the principles of God’s word. Once again, the preparation in advance of the storm is what sustains in its midst.

Today you may see storm clouds forming over the “Gulf of Your Life.” Now is the time to take inventory. Have you made adequate preparation sustain you as you go through the tumultuous blast? Ask the Lord to show you those areas that need to reinforced so that you can effectively weather any storm that comes your way.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Elephants, Acrobats and Life

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Over the weekend, I had the privilege of going to the circus with my wife and two of our children. I have always enjoyed the variety of the circus with its various animal acts, clowns and displays of human daring. The physical capability of many of these performers is simply astounding.

One of the intriguing things for me was to see the children of performers I had watched nearly 30 years ago performing. These acrobats and daredevils have grown up in the life of the travelling circus. Their unique feats of human ability have been passed on from one generation to the next, but these abilities didn’t just happen because mom and dad had those abilities.

From a young age these performers are taught the fundamentals of their particular skill set (trapeze, tightrope, juggling, etc…). Once the fundamentals of balance, hand-eye coordination and timing were mastered other components of the act could be added. As these more difficult components were mastered they were enhanced with other feats of daring. Our lives operate in a similar vein:

Philippians 4:9 (NLT)
Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

The Bible instructs us to put into practice what has been learned. Our knowledge of God and His ways is of little use if we do not transfer it into our daily lives and apply it. It has been said that “knowledge without application is simply information; however, knowledge with application brings about transformation.” An amazing transformation takes place when we put into practice the principles of Scripture and the example of those God has placed before us. We move from a place of inability to a place of victory, because we have followed God’s timeless principles for life.

Today you may find yourself high above the arena floor stepping out on the tightrope of life. Remember walking the tightrope is no different than every other step you’ve taken in your life, it occurs one step at a time with one foot going before the other. Trust the foundation that has been developed in your life and step forth with confidence. Keep your focus on fixed point in your life…the very presence of God.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Life's a beach

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Over the weekend we went with some friends to the beach. This was a milestone event for their family as their 2 year old daughter, Brooke, made her first visit to the beach. As they arrived, Brooke saw the waves rolling in and declared that she would stay in the car.

After joining up with us, Brooke got excited watching my kids play in the surf. Then her mommy & daddy went out into the water. It wasn’t long before Brooke transformed from reluctant beachgoer to seasoned beachcomber, but there was a catch. Brooke entered the water safely in the grasp of her parents. Even though she was overwhelmed by the waves, she was confident in the safe grasp of her parents. Before long Brooke was staring down waves twice her size, but confident that she would not be overtaken.

This event reminded me of a passage of scripture I had read recently:

Isaiah 41:13 (NLT)
I am holding you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I am here to help you.

Many times we are like Brooke. The Lord has guided us to a new place in our lives. A place with great uncertainty that reminds us just how small and fragile we truly are in comparison to the circumstances of life. We see the waves of challenge and difficulty as they crash down on the shore before us. We watch as the landscape changes with each new wave. The shells deposited by the last wave are now swept out to sea and even the sand under our feet is shifting.

As we stand there looking at the intimidating surf, a reassuring voice says: “Come on, lets go.” You feel a strong hand grabbing hold of you and before you know it you are no longer on the shore, but now bouncing around in the surf. You see the waves breaking in front of you, but the strong hand lifts you up at just the right moment and the wave passes by never overtaking you. By the time it is all over this “beach” experience has become a special time in your life and you are almost saddened that you have to leave it. Your Heavenly Father has not only kept you safe, but He has enlarged your understanding and appreciation for the experience gained.

Today you may find yourself chest deep in the pounding surf of life. Follow Brooke’s example and place your hand into the strong hand that will never slip, never leave and never fail. Take confidence in the fact that your Heavenly Father will not only hold tightly to you, but He will lift you up at just the right moment so that no wave overtakes you.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Disappointed but safe

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and feel energized this morning.

This past Saturday my daughter and I had tickets to a baseball game and were so excited about our daddy/daughter date. My wife and two sons were away from the house, so this was a great opportunity for bonding. We both grabbed our baseball hats and she grabbed our stadium cushions. We prepared by having a wonderful meal of hot dogs and we were on our way…or so we thought.

As I stepped on the brake pedal to start my truck it went all the way to the floor. Immediately the ABS warning lights came on. I got out opened the hood and saw the brake fluid reservoir was down. “Ok, I can salvage this,” I said to myself. I pumped the pedal a few times and had pressure again…wonderful! So I drove 1 block and immediately could not stop, so I nursed the truck back to our house and broke the bad news to my daughter.

As we went back into the house she went to her room and within a few minutes I could hear her crying. I called her into the room with me and she sat on my lap. I told her that I was sad too and that we should pray and let God know that we were hurting. The prayer that came out of my daughter’s mouth was one of the most touching I have ever heard: “Dear Jesus, I’m very sad that I didn’t get to go to the baseball game. Thank you for giving me a daddy who wants to keep me safe.” Now if that doesn’t make you want to cry, I don’t know what would, but it also was a very teachable moment for me and it is that thought that I wish to convey today.

I can think of many times in my life where my plans have been interrupted, sometimes very painfully. In many of those instances I have later learned the reasons why, only to find out that I would have been devastated had the Lord allowed me to proceed. One of the greatest examples in my life occurred as I was first entering the ministry. I had been interviewing with a church in Dover, DE. Everything seemed like a perfect match. The church was vibrant and healthy, the pastor was also a former police officer and our philosophy of ministry was nearly identical. His health was failing and he wanted to groom a successor to take on the ministry over the next few years. My wife and I were ready to go, but during our last interview we all came away with a lack of peace. I ultimately took on my first pastorate at a much smaller church in Hoisington, KS. I learned a year or so later that the pastor in Dover had died a few months after our final phone conversation and that the church had disbanded. Had I taken that position we would have been stranded away from family and friends with no means of financial support.

God had to dash my hopes and dreams that day, but ultimately He was sparing me even greater pain and hardship. These things are reminders that we have a loving Father who sees much more than we do. He knows the events of tomorrow while we are confined to the present.

Psalm 4:8 (NLT)
I will lie down in peace and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

This week you may be experiencing events in your life that are disappointing and even devastating as you watch your hopes, dreams and aspirations fall by the wayside. Take comfort that God sees the pitfalls and dangers that you do not. Be thankful that He would rather see you disappointed than see you severely hurt.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

A trip through time

Good morning! I hope you are well rested after the weekend.

Last week my son Collin began a road trip adventure with my dad. He has been very excited to call each night and tell us some of the things he has gotten to see. As part of this trip my dad has taken Collin to see his boyhood home, my boyhood home, my first school and a variety of other nostalgic places.

The importance of a trip like this is the insight into the experiences, places and people who shaped you and your family. These are the places where what was and what is come together once again to weave a beautiful tapestry of life. This is also a place where the lessons of the past are taught to the generations of the future.

The Bible speaks about this intergenerational sharing as well:

Deuteronomy 4:9 (NLT)
“But watch out! Be very careful never to forget what you have seen the Lord do for you. Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.

The greatest institution of learning established on the face of this earth is still the family. I have forgotten many classroom lessons over my lifetime, but the lessons of the home still stick. The importance of faith, the value of integrity, work ethic and the dynamics of relationships are all life lessons that were learned in those times of sharing. My grandfather birthed in me a love for fishing; my dad a love for flying and my mom a love for reading and cooking.

Take a look around at your children and grandchildren they are young minds still exploring their true identity. Seize the moment and help them unlock the doors of their heritage and the frontiers of their imaginations. Share with them your own stories of God’s providence and movement in your life.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Get a clue America

If My People

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and are starting your week off with renewed energy.

Over the past few weeks we have seen our nation and different parts of our world rocked by serious natural disasters. This tornado season has been one of the worst on record, the Midwest has been ravaged by floods while other parts of the nation face a serious drought. In China the earthquakes continue and in Myanmar the devastation of the cyclone continues to take a human toll. The stock market is a roller coaster ride and the price of oil is making families choose between food and gasoline.

So how do we handle such crisis situations? The answer is simple; we need to get serious about renewing our intimacy with God. What I am going to say next may not be very popular, but the Bible makes it clear that it is accurate. The wickedness of men does not go unchecked. Just as God prevents and protects, He also chooses at times to allow. I am amazed so many times that we want God to be “Almighty” and able to move mountains, but we don’t want Him to be holy or righteous. We expect Him to just bless and bless and bless without any regard for our actions. That is utter foolishness!

God gives us the antidote for those times that He is allowing difficulty to break our rebellious spirit:

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.

What a promise…the only “if” is us. Please understand God is a loving Father who disciplines those He loves, not to bully them, but to better them. His actions are no different than any parent who molds their child’s will and behavior.

This week take a few moments, assume a posture of prayer and ask God to show you the areas of your life that need to change course and claim this promise that if we will all commit to doing this their will be forgiveness and healing.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

More than you can handle

Good morning! I hope you have rolled up your sleeves ready to face the challenges of the week.

At different times in our lives we all face challenges that push us well beyond the limits of human capability and understanding. The circumstances that are thrown before us are immeasurable and seem nearly impossible to cope with, much less overcome. These are the times when we feel like giving up. The times when the nights are sleepless and the voices in our head only offer greater anxiety.

In all honesty, these things truly are greater than our ability to cope with them; however, we were never meant to cope with them in our own strength and abilities. Notice the following verses from Proverbs:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths.

Our understanding comes primarily from what we see and hear and by nature offers a very limited scope of understanding. We can only see that which is directly in front of us or that which is behind us. God on the other hand sees eternity. In His economy there is no past, present or future, only what is.

Having an eternal perspective, means that God has already responded to the crisis of today and the calamity of tomorrow. God is not caught off guard or unaware in these times of challenge. Tragedy and calamity do not sneak up on Him. In light of His perspective, you can take comfort in the knowledge that He has already made provision to see you through these times of difficulty. He has released strength, encouragement, support, etc…to help you walk, when you don’t feel like carrying on.

Today I want to leave you with a couple of verses from Psalm 34. This is a chapter of scripture that speaks volumes about difficult times and God’s provision in those times.

Psalm 34:4-7 (NLT)
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me,
freeing me from all my fears.
[5] Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
[6] I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.
He set me free from all my fears.
[7] For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him,
and he rescues them.

Psalm 34:17-19 (NLT)
The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.
He rescues them from all their troubles.
[18] The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;
he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.

[19] The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.

This week you may be at your breaking point, I invite you to put your understanding aside. Ask God to take the burden from your shoulders and to guide your path moment by moment. Over time you will look back and see how each step was guided and that even through this, you have somehow made it to the other side.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Fan the Flames

Good morning! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Yesterday our family celebrated a life milestone with our oldest son, Christopher, as he graduated from high school. I was tickled last night as he summed up the experience this way: “Seems rather anti-climatic that I spent the last 13 years working towards graduation, only to sit through an hour and a half ceremony and receive a blank, rolled-up piece of paper.” In some respects there is some truth to that statement; however, it is upon the foundation that has been laid over those years that the man he is to become will be built.

This next week we take Christopher to college and move him into the dorms. He will then begin the next chapter of his life, no longer known as Carl and Carol’s boy, but instead known as a Midshipman in the Reserve Officer Training Corps of the United States Navy. It is from the foundation that has been laid within him that he will find the tools and resources to be successful in the next leg of the journey.

This process got me to thinking about our lives and the journey that God leads us on. Notice the words of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT)
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

We often lose sight of the timeless nature of God. There is no section of our lives (past, present or future) that is unseen by Him. He knows every turn, pothole, detour, washed out bridge, good choice, bad choice and storm of life that we will experience along the journey. Knowing what you would face along your journey, God saw fit to equip you with the tools and resources necessary to complete it.

The key with these gifts and resources is that we each become adept in their usage. Our spiritual muscles are not unlike our physical muscles. When we fail to use these muscles they begin to atrophy and weaken. When we take the time to fan the flames, to exercise these spiritual resources that God has given us, we find that we have exactly what we need successfully navigate the road before us.

As I have reflected on Christopher’s time in my watch care, I find myself questioning if there was more I could have done. The truthful answer is absolutely, there is always more that could have been done; however, I also have the confidence of knowing that God used Carol and me to give him exactly what he needs.

This week I encourage you not to get caught up in the “Pomp and Circumstance,” but instead be glad that you have been given a proper foundation on which to build. God has equipped you with everything you will need; now it is your responsibility to fan it into flame.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Fan the Flames

Good morning! I hope your week is off to a great start.

Yesterday our family celebrated a life milestone with our oldest son, Christopher, as he graduated from high school. I was tickled last night as he summed up the experience this way: “Seems rather anti-climatic that I spent the last 13 years working towards graduation, only to sit through an hour and a half ceremony and receive a blank, rolled-up piece of paper.” In some respects there is some truth to that statement; however, it is upon the foundation that has been laid over those years that the man he is to become will be built.

This next week we take Christopher to college and move him into the dorms. He will then begin the next chapter of his life, no longer known as Carl and Carol’s boy, but instead known as a Midshipman in the Reserve Officer Training Corps of the United States Navy. It is from the foundation that has been laid within him that he will find the tools and resources to be successful in the next leg of the journey.

This process got me to thinking about our lives and the journey that God leads us on. Notice the words of the Apostle Paul to young Timothy:

2 Timothy 1:6 (NLT)
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.

We often lose sight of the timeless nature of God. There is no section of our lives (past, present or future) that is unseen by Him. He knows every turn, pothole, detour, washed out bridge, good choice, bad choice and storm of life that we will experience along the journey. Knowing what you would face along your journey, God saw fit to equip you with the tools and resources necessary to complete it.

The key with these gifts and resources is that we each become adept in their usage. Our spiritual muscles are not unlike our physical muscles. When we fail to use these muscles they begin to atrophy and weaken. When we take the time to fan the flames, to exercise these spiritual resources that God has given us, we find that we have exactly what we need successfully navigate the road before us.

As I have reflected on Christopher’s time in my watch care, I find myself questioning if there was more I could have done. The truthful answer is absolutely, there is always more that could have been done; however, I also have the confidence of knowing that God used Carol and me to give him exactly what he needs.

This week I encourage you not to get caught up in the “Pomp and Circumstance,” but instead be glad that you have been given a proper foundation on which to build. God has equipped you with everything you will need; now it is your responsibility to fan it into flame.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Memorial Day thoughts

Good morning! I hope you enjoyed your extended Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Day is a time when our nation stops to pay tribute to those men and women who have given their lives to defend our nation and its interests. These men and women answered the call of duty placing themselves in harm’s way to ensure that we continue to enjoy the freedoms that the founders of our nation fought so hard to achieve.

Jesus spoke to this issue of selfless sacrifice in the 15th chapter of John:

John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (NASB)

Today we focus on those military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, but what about others that put it all on the line for you. As I reflect back over my lifetime, I see many who laid down their lives for me. I had parents who gave up their time, their resources and their personal aspirations to make sure I had a nurturing home to grow up in. I had teachers who gave up a few extra moments at the end of their day to make sure I fully understood a concept that had been taught. I had pastors, Sunday school teachers and youth leaders who gave of themselves to help me build strong foundations. This is just a short list…I could name many more.

Of course Jesus was the greatest example of this very concept. Jesus willingly laid down His life so that we would not have to face the righteous judgment of God for our sinful choices. Our eternal freedom was bought on a wooden cross as Jesus allowed the sin of man to be heaped upon His shoulders. His reason for doing it…love. Jesus made this choice because of His unwavering love for you and me.

Today, I want to challenge you to reflect for a few moments on those who willingly laid down their lives for you. Whose sacrifice has helped shape you into the man or woman that you are today? Secondarily, take time to consider who it is that you need to lay your life on the line for? Your sacrifice today may be the very thing that ensures their success in the years to come.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

No Longer Afraid

Good morning! I hope you had a refreshing weekend.

Every person has within them dreams of greater things. This may be a dream to own their own business, to travel the world, to settle down with the love of their life or to set out on a great adventure. So what is it that keeps so many locked in to a mediocre existence? Why do so many forsake their dreams without even making an attempt at fulfilling them. The primary reason is fear!

All of us wrestle with fear in some form or another. We fear failure, ridicule, embarrassment and rejection just to name a few. For others it is physical fears such as flying, heights, spiders or darkness. These fears are not only very real to us, but they can be paralyzing.

Today, I want to share with you a verse that can help you overcome your fears and begin the pursuit of your dreams:

Psalm 27:1 (NLT)
A psalm of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord protects me from danger—
so why should I tremble?

They key to overcoming your fears is connecting with the One who supersedes those fears. One of my favorite questions I ask those who are searching for direction and purpose in life is this: “If you knew you couldn’t fail and money were no object, what would you be doing for God right now?” I ask this question to help unlock the dreams that have lain dormant for so long. Once those dreams are unlocked, the key is overcoming the fear issues that locked it away in the first place.

Here is the great part about tapping into God’s power. The fears that have paralyzed us can be eliminated. This happens in two ways. First of all when we realize that God’s strength is sufficient to overcome any obstacle, then we can have confidence that even when we are beyond the scope of our perceived abilities, we are not beyond the scope of His true power. If God is clearing the way for you to pursue what He has put deep within you, then nothing is going to stand in your way.

The second way we get beyond our fears is dying to ourselves. The Bible says this about truly living:

Galatians 2:19-20 (NLT)
For when I tried to keep the law, I realized I could never earn God’s approval. So I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ. [20] I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, we have made a decision to die to ourselves so that Christ lives through us. Here is an amazing truth…if you will truly grab hold of it. I have done many funerals over the years and I have yet to see the deceased wrestling with issues of fear. Dead men do not fear failure, ridicule, harm, spiders, darkness or any other fear for that matter. They are dead to their fears.

Today I am going to challenge you to pray in a somewhat unique way. Come into agreement with God that you have nothing to fear, because He is your light and salvation. Then acknowledge that you have been crucified with Christ…the things of the flesh and the fears of the past have all been put to rest. Ask God to bring the fullness of Christ to life in those areas where fear has abounded. Then stand back and watch God unlock the dreams that fear had hidden away for so long.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The Path You are On

Good morning! I hope you have hit the pavement running this morning.

Over the last few weeks the Willis household has become a flurry of activity as we prepare for Christopher’s upcoming graduation from high school and entrance into college. Christopher has been accepted into the NROTC program, his dream for several years now, and is supposed to report to school the first week of June.

As part of our preparations for Christopher’s graduation we have been going through our family photos, choosing highlights for a movie that gives his friends and family a trip through his life. Looking at these photos reminds me of the care in which God directs us in our pathway of life.

Psalm 25:4 (NLT)
Show me the path where I should walk, O Lord; point out the right road for me to follow.

My professional work has taken our family to a wide variety of places throughout Christopher’s lifetime. We have lived in major metropolitan areas and rural farming communities. We have experienced natural disasters and personal tragedies. At the time many of these things didn’t make much sense. Often we questioned, “why us?”

Looking back the Lord’s hand of direction becomes very evident. Each event, each step fit perfectly into the next steps on the journey. The building blocks of character and experience were being developed along the way. As I see the man Christopher is becoming and the doorways that God has opened to him, I see that this wide range of experience will serve him well.

Sometimes we question the appropriateness of the path we find ourselves on, but we need to realize that God has already determined the steps that will follow. The steps we don’t see today are the very things we are being prepared for.

Today if you find yourself unsure of the path you are on, realize that the Lord has not abandoned you, but is instead using these experiences to mold and shape you. Ask Him to give you a teachable spirit and eagerly absorb the experience and life lessons that come your way. At some point you will look back on the path and see how it all came together in ways that you never could have imagined.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Strength and Peace

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Life is full of adversities that can very quickly sap our strength and rob us of our peace. In a matter of moments illness can strike, the car can break down, things at work can go south and the list goes on… Most of us are living with very little reserve margin as it is, so when these types of issues begin to pile up we begin to feel the weight of our circumstances. It is at these times that we come to the realization that we simply do not have what it takes.

The truth of the matter is that we were never intended to have all that it takes to clear through these difficulties in life. God created us with a need for reliance on His unlimited resources.

The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psalm 29:11 (NASB)

I find that in those times where I am truly “tapped out” God willingly provides me with additional resources from His unlimited supply. The only stipulation is that I simply have to ask for them. It is amazing how peaceful I become when I spend some time alone with God in the midst of my turmoils and tribulations. No matter how difficult the situation is, God always calms my spirit and tops off my tank. I may have come to Him declaring that I just can’t take it anymore, but by the time I leave His presence I am ready to take the next step.

Today you may find yourself exhausted by the pressures of life. I encourage you to take some time today and get alone with God. Tell Him what is weighing you down and then sit still and allow Him to refill your tank.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Evaluating Your Foundations

Good morning! I hope you had a refreshing weekend.

Over the past four months, God has been leading me through a time of deep evaluation. This time began with a very simple question: “Am I the Lord over every kingdom of your heart?” As you might expect my immediate response was: “of course You are!” When the question was posed to me again, I knew it was time to look deeper.

As I have continued on this journey I have been led to look at areas that I would never have considered. Things like my philosophy of ministry, my traditions and even my doctrinal beliefs/interpretations have been brought into this process.

It is amazing to realize how much of our “understanding” comes from what others have told us. This is a natural process that begins in the home…it is powerful by design. Sadly, too many of us never take the time as adults to really understand the real reasons we hold these “truths” to be truth. We never really go through the process of truly understanding why we believe what we believe. Notice the following verse from Proverbs:

Proverbs 14:15 (NLT)
Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.

In this time of evaluation the Lord has led me to take this verse to heart when it comes to scripture. I was raised in, grew up in and have remained in a particular denomination’s teaching of the Bible my entire life, so naturally I look at the Bible through that lens. During this time of evaluation, God has caused me to step back and look at His word through a different lens….the lens of fresh perspective. I have been approaching scripture by leaving my understanding at the door and engaging as though I were a child reading those pages for the first time. I will have to be honest with you…my context, my understanding and my comfort have all been stretched. I find in many things, I still hold to the foundations that were laid for me throughout my lifetime, but in others I am seeing places that my understanding was incomplete.

As a natural result of this journey I also find myself stepping back and looking at my life’s work and choices through this new lens as well. Those things I don’t understand or have uncertainties with, I take to God. The real key for me is this: The choices I make in the coming years will probably be the most critical choices of my life. They are the choices that will determine my influence upon others and the legacy that I leave behind. Being one who is not willing to settle for “good enough”, I want to choose those steps that will be God’s “best.”

This week you may need to begin a journey of your own. Begin at the core of your heart and work your way outward. Allow God to ask the questions that challenge your thinking. Even if you change nothing, you will have grown simply by taking the journey.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Back to the basics

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Over the past several months as gasoline prices have continued to climb, I have been looking at some ways to be a better steward of our family finances. I love my pickup truck, but on a good day with a tail wind I can only get about 13mpg. I have an older sports car that does a little better at around 27mpg, but the parts for it are quite expensive. So after much discussion with my wife…we both agreed that a small motorcycle would be a good source of transportation, at nearly 70mpg, to and from the church and my local meetings.

It has been nearly 20 years since I last rode a motorcycle and so I am now in the beginning phases of learning to ride once again. I’m not yet ready to hit the road, I need to go back to the basics. It is with this thought that I bring you this morning’s encouragement.

Hosea 12:6 (NLT)
So now, come back to your God! Act on the principles of love and justice, and always live in confident dependence on your God.

So where do you begin. For me it began at the dealership as I had the technician walk me through the shift pattern, lighting equipment and safety devices. The next step was to read the owner’s manual, to get familiar with the peculiarities of the bike. Finally it was time to do some practical application, the place where the fundamentals get center stage. So for the past two days, I have spent a couple of hours in a vacant parking lot working on releasing the clutch without stalling the bike, balance, left turns, right turns and braking. For hours upon end I have ridden in circles first to the right and then to the left. In a week or two I will go a little further and take a basic rider’s course to further develop the fundamentals. Once those are mastered then it will be time to consider actual road usage.

What I really want to do is put on my helmet and hit the road, but I know that without mastery of the fundamentals, I am a danger to myself and others. The basics are so important. Professional athletes still take batting practice, shoot repetitiously from the free throw line and work on their three and four point stances. If the fundamentals get sloppy, the overall performance suffers.

I find that my life as a Christian is not much different. For me the fundamentals include daily time in prayer, Bible study and simple listening to God. There are many things that grab my attention each day, seeking to draw me further away from these fundamentals. I find that when I don’t take the time to work on the fundamentals my life game suffers. I have to daily make a commitment to spend time in these basics of life. The time I invest into these basics pay dividends in every other area of my life.

This week you may find that your game is not at the level it once was. If that is the case, I encourage you to return to the basics. Start with the simple foundations and work your way forward from there. The basics are the doorway to greater things.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

Are You Hospitable

Good morning from Chennai, India. My team and I made it safely here and have been met with the greatest of hospitality.

This trip has had me thinking a lot about hospitality. The people of southern India take great pleasure in their hospitality. The value of relationship is priceless. We have been invited to share meals in several homes now and we leave each one feeling that our friendship has been cherished and treasured.

So the question becomes what are you doing to make others feel welcome? Throughout life we have the opportunity to turn strangers into friends. This happens in the school, the workplace, the church and the neighborhood.

Most of us have had the experience of being the “new kid on the block.” This may have been your first day of school or a new job in a new town. Those first few days come with some anxiety. Will there be anyone here who is like me? Will I be accepted into this group of people? Is this a safe place? These are all valid questions.

Most of us would agree the transition became easier once we made a new friend. It was that person who took the initiative and introduced themselves to us; or the person who invited us to sit with them; or that person who invited us to lunch. Their willingness to break the ice was the key to relieving our anxiety.

This week I encourage you to look around and take note of the new faces in your midst. Take the initiative to offer the hand of hospitality. Your act of kindness will make someone’s transition in life that much easier….and who knows you may end up with a new lifelong friend.

Until next Monday, or somewhere near, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The power of preparation

Good morning! I hope your weekend was refreshing and filled with the presence of Christ.

This week I will be travelling to India with two other men from our church. This will be my second visit to India to work alongside a fellow pastor and dear friend. Over the 12 days of our journey we will be working with church leaders throughout southern India.

A trip such as this one is not thrown together overnight, in fact it takes many months of prayer, planning and follow through to bring it all together.

1 Chronicles 22:5 (NLT)
David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced, and the Temple of the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world. So I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death.

I am a big picture type of person. I dream big dreams and want to see them realized in the blink of an eye. For someone like me planning and preparation can be difficult, but without there is no realization of the dream once dreamed. The realization of the dream is the fruit of the labor of preparation.

For this trip, setting dates and saying “I’ll see you there” is not enough. My team and I have had to raise funds; choose flight schedules and routes; update our vaccinations, make sure our passports and visas were in order; prepare our minds, bodies and souls for the journey ahead. Those are the big things. Then there are the “minor” details like toothpaste, toilet paper, batteries, socks, a belt ( I actually forgot this one the last time), etc….

When it is all said and done the dream will be reality. These months of preparation will become a life changing experience not only for my team, but for those we spend time with in the next two weeks. All of the burden of preparation will be rewarded with the fruit of fulfillment.

So today put the ball in motion. Begin the preparation process to do something big. Stop living by the rule of “why do today what you can put off until tomorrow.” Great things can be accomplished when we set our mind to finishing one task at a time.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

p.s. You may be receiving your Monday Morning Encouragement at some unique times over the next two weeks due to time differences and internet availability.

Hidden Dangers

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

This past Friday was a great day to go fishing. We were in between cold fronts, the winds were fairly light and the fishing had been decent the past few outings. It was a perfect recipe for a great day on the water. So with delusions of grandeur I made my way to my favorite fishing hole these days, the Upper Laguna Madre.

I got to my fishing hole unloaded my rods and reels, tackle box and my new inflatable fishing vessel, the SS Youvegot2BkiddingMe. I busily got work inflating the chambers and within 20 minutes the boat was ready for the water. So I drug it into the water, secured the anchor and began loading my gear into the boat. Everything was going even better than planned….until…. That is until I heard a faint “hissssssssssss” and bubbles blowing under the bow. I moved the boat and listened again…”hisssssss” came the reply.

I picked up the boat and wouldn’t you know it a hole….the size of a pin prick in the bow of the boat. If I take the boat out, I might not get back, at some point the main chamber is going to deflate.

As I scanned the sand, I found the cause of my air retention crisis. A #6 hook was buried in the sand, with the point sticking up. Ouch!!!! A hook hidden from view had completely grounded the morning’s fishing expedition. That brings me to this morning’s thought:

Psalm 19:12 (NLT)
How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

Whether we want to admit it or not, each one of us has dark corners within us. Places where the light of God is not freely allowed to shine. These are the secret compartments of our lives. The places where sharp objects such as bitterness, hatred, envy, lust and greed dwell. At first glance these items are not readily visible, but brush against them and they have the ability to quickly puncture the soul. A bitter root deflates a potentially deep and meaningful friendship; a lustful barb reduces a beautiful human being to a piece of meat and these are just two examples of the dangers that lie within.

In my days as a police officer one of my duties was to train rookie police officers in the field training stages of their career. I used to tell them that the deadliest weapon that would be used against them over their careers was the “one you don’t see.” This bit of wisdom holds true to these areas of the soul. It is the “one you don’t see” that can wreak the greatest amount of havoc in your own life. That is why the Psalmist asked God to “Cleanse me from these hidden faults.”

This week I encourage you to ask God to shine the light of His presence throughout the landscape of your heart. Ask Him to expose those hidden dangers so that you can deal with them before they sink your ship.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

P.S. Through the power of duct tape, I was able to salvage my fishing day. 7 hours, 1 broken oar and some stiff muscles later…I caught 1 fish, but had a wonderful day.

Sermon Player -

Sermon Player - Parkdale Baptist Church

Good Job Coach!!!

Good morning! I hope you had a restful weekend.

Over the weekend I went with my youngest son, Collin, to watch his final basketball game of the season. This was Collin’s first year to play basketball, so this final game was special.

Over the last 6 weeks that Collin has been playing, I have watched him develop a whole new set of skills. Collin had never played basketball before, so things like dribbling, passing and shooting were new to him. In addition to those basic skill sets he also had to learn the rules of the game, how to defend an opposing player and how to work with his teammates on offense.

Watching Collin’s development as a player was really a greater reflection on his coach. Collin’s coach had to impart his own knowledge and experience of the game to Collin and the rest of the players on his team. Not only are knowledge and experience required, but a high degree of patience and flexibility is required as well.

The idea of coaching and mentoring is nothing new. Look at this set of instructions from the Old Testament:

Exodus 35:34-35 (NLT)
And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach their skills to others. [35] The Lord has given them special skills as jewelers, designers, weavers, and embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen cloth. They excel in all the crafts needed for the work.

Each of us has the potential to be a “coach” to someone. God has given you unique talents, skills and understandings that are not common to everyone. At the same time He has placed others around you who have a desire to learn the very things that you have expertise in.

Now you may be thinking: “I’m a jack of all trades, but an expert in none…what could I teach?” Let me remind you that you have experience. The classroom of life has been your laboratory and your experiences qualify you for the role of teacher. You are always a few steps ahead of someone on the journey of life that is looking for some guidance through waters you have already navigated.

Now Collin’s coach did not turn him into the next Michael Jordan, but he did lay the foundation for others to build on. Collin now has a love for the game of basketball and a desire to continue improving his skills. He has been given the basics of the game and in the future others will sharpen, refine and further develop those basics.

This week I encourage you consider those who could benefit from your coaching. Step out and offer to share your experience.

Until next Monday may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl

The fish had nothing to fear

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.

Most people who know me also know that fishing is one of my favorite hobbies. I enjoy being out near the water with a rod and reel in hand. I use my fishing time to draw close to God in prayer and thought.

Those closest to me also know that I am not always the most productive fisherman; however, my productivity does not affect my love for the sport. Lately I have been fishing an area that has great promise, but my results have been disappointing. I have been watching the other fisherman and have noticed a couple of kayak fisherman lately. These guys paddle out a few hundred yards and drop their lines. Needless to say their results have been much more productive than mine simply because of their mobility.

Not being one to be outdone this past week I purchased an inflatable fishing raft (complete with rod holders and gear storage). This past Saturday I took the S.S. YouveGot2BKidding out for her maiden voyage. Air pump…check, oars…check, fishing rods…check, tackle….check, bait….check, life jacket….check, competency with the craft….not even close, familiarity with the craft…you get the idea.

As I was preparing to go out on the water a front began to move through and the wind picked up. By the time I got on the water for every foot I rowed forward, the wind pushed me 2 more to the side. By the end of my maiden voyage, I had lost one inflatable cushion, one oar retention ring, a whole lot of pride and I walked my boat 200 along the shoreline back to my truck. The fish were safe that day for sure!!!

Never one to miss out on a teachable moment, I found some great lessons in this comical inaugural launching:

Philippians 3:17 (NLT)
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.

First of all, take the time to learn from those who are already doing the job well. In my case I would have been better off to have spent some time refreshing my knowledge and skills. I haven’t operated an inflatable craft on open water in nearly 20 years. My skills and my memory of my skills are two separate things.

Proverbs 16:32 (NLT)
It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

Secondarily, it is important to take your time. No matter what you are undertaking, you will not become an expert overnight. It may take you weeks, months or even years to develop new skills to the point of proficiency. Let the vision of desired outcomes be your motivation for pressing on through the process of learning.

This week you may find that your visions of productive fishing end up being a knee high romp back to shore with your boat in tow. Don’t fret, you will have more opportunities to cast out again and in due time the fish will have reason worry once again.

Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.

Carl