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