No Way Out

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

In each of our lives we come to points of deep crisis and trial. These points take us to our “limits” and most often far beyond those limits. These times come in all shapes and sizes…financial hardship, relationship difficulties, critical health issues and teenage rebellion to name a few.

At times like these we often find ourselves crying out to God for some relief. We may question why He doesn’t simply remove us from the situation or make the situation go away? The longer these situations go on the more desperate we often become.

Using the backdrop of these points of crisis and trial we have the opportunity to see something about God’s activity in our lives. Let me share a few examples with you from scripture:

Daniel 3:19-22 (NLT)
Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. [20] Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. [21] So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully clothed. [22] And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames leaped out and killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in!

Daniel 6:16-17 (NLT)
So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you worship continually, rescue you.” [17] A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel from the lions.

Luke 22:39-44 (NLT)
Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. [40] There he told them, “Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation.”
[41] He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, [42] “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.” [43] Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. [44] He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow to the idol that King Nebuchadnezzar had built. Their commitment to honor God left them in the face of peril and certain death. Daniel had refused to forfeit his devotion to God, even in the face of a royal decree. Daniel also found himself at a place of personal peril. Jesus would soon be handed over to His enemies. He prayed for God to remove the coming pain of torture and crucifixion, but above all He was resolved that God’s will be done.

In each of these situations the road led to a place of apparent ruin and death. There was no hope of escape. No opportunity to go back and make different choices. The outcomes were already set in motion, but wait…the outcomes of each of these events is much different than anyone would have guessed. Take a look:

Daniel 3:24-27 (NLT)
But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”
“Yes,” they said, “we did indeed, Your Majesty.”
[25] “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire. They aren’t even hurt by the flames! And the fourth looks like a divine being!”
[26] Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. [27] Then the princes, prefects, governors, and advisers crowded around them and saw that the fire had not touched them. Not a hair on their heads was singed, and their clothing was not scorched. They didn’t even smell of smoke!

Daniel 6:19-23 (NLT)
Very early the next morning, the king hurried out to the lions’ den. [20] When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you worship continually, able to rescue you from the lions?”
[21] Daniel answered, “Long live the king! [22] My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
[23] The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him because he had trusted in his God.

Luke 24:1-7 (NLT)
But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. [2] They found that the stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside. [3] So they went in, but they couldn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. [4] They were puzzled, trying to think what could have happened to it. Suddenly, two men appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. [5] The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive? [6] He isn’t here! He has risen from the dead! Don’t you remember what he told you back in Galilee, [7] that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?”

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out of the fire unsigned and without even the smell of smoke. Daniel exited the lions den without as much as a bite mark or claw mark. Jesus stepped forth from a sealed tomb, death could not hold Him.

So what is the point of all of these examples? More often than not, God doesn’t remove the source of your crisis, nor does He take you above it. God’s glory is best revealed by taking you through it. You become stronger and your faith is much deeper, because you have gone to the depths of despair and found God waiting there for you.

Psalm 34:19 (NLT)
The righteous face many troubles,
but the Lord rescues them from each and every one.

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

Carl

A Beautiful Mosaic

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

We are surrounded by people. People of all sizes, shapes, colors, beliefs, habits, abilities, quirks, etc…. Even though we say we appreciate diversity, when we get honest with ourselves we generally appreciate diversity as long as it fits our values, thoughts and ideals. Those that don’t quite fit our mold raise suspicion within us or tend to rub us the wrong way.

Romans 15:7 (NLT)
So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified.

Along those lines I would like to share some thoughts that came to me during one of my recent prayer times:

Today I was in our auditorium praying. I found my focus fixed on the stained glass window at the front of the auditorium. As I looked at the glass I listened to what the Lord had to say.

The stained glass is a uniquely created mosaic of shapes and colors. Each pane of glass is different from the one next to it. Each of these panes is joined together to form a beautiful picture in light. The job of each pane of glass in this particular window is to bring the beauty of the cross prominently into focus.

The Lord shared with me that His church is much like this window. Each person is uniquely made, each one having different gifts, skills and abilities. When we are all put together we form a beautiful picture that brings the beauty and glory of Jesus into focus to the world around us.

This week as you are noticing the differences in the people around you, take a step back and see the bigger picture. A beautiful picture is being formed by this tapestry of uniqueness, and through that picture the glory of God is on display.

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

Carl

Critical Decisions

Good morning! I hope your weekend was refreshing.

Many times in our lives we come to critical decisions points. These may be a financial decision, a career decision, a relationship decision or some other issue that has far reaching effects. Some decisions would seem to be “no-brainers”…one outcome has positive implications, while the other outcome has negative implications. The no-brainer decisions would seem to be the easy ones. Other decisions are a little more complicated as both outcomes have positive implications or both outcomes have equally negative implications.

The danger in decision making lies in the basis of those decisions. Let me explain this idea further. There are many decisions facing me these days that would be very easy to justify. These same decisions would also be very easy to spiritualize. What I mean is that I can find a Biblical basis for making a decision one way or the other and on the surface it sounds good. However, let me challenge this thought process with scripture:

2 Samuel 2:1 (NLT)
After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to Judah?”
And the Lord replied, “Yes.”
Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?”
And the Lord replied, “Hebron.”

The Bible shows us that we need to take one step above all others…an inquiry of the Lord and His will for our lives. All too often we settle for what we think is best or what others suggest we should do. Don’t get me wrong these are helpful and often God will use them to help answer the dilemma at hand, but ultimately we need to ask ourselves: “What is God saying to me?”

One of the things I admire about King David is his constant asking of God’s direction in his decisions. It is no wonder that when all was said and done that David was counted as “a man after God’s own heart.”

Today you may find yourself at a point of decision. Your head is full of thoughts; your ears are full of advice and counsel. The real question for you today is this: “What is God saying to you?” I would encourage you to get alone with God …seek His heart on the matter. Stay there until you have a certainty of His answer.

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

Carl

Victorious Underdogs

Good morning! I hope you have come away from your weekend refreshed and well rested.

Like many of you, I spent yesterday evening with friends watching Super Bowl XLII. The underdog New York Giants faced off with the seemingly unstoppable New England Patriots. The Patriots were expected to win after a stellar 17-0 run through the regular season and playoffs. The Giants on the other hand were not seen as consistent and quarterback Eli Manning had struggled some during the season.

When it was all said and done the Giants came out victorious. Their defense had risen to the occasion to shut down the high powered offense of the Patriots. Eli Manning came through by pulling away from what seemed to be a certain sack and throwing a game changing pass late in the 4th quarter. The quarterback who had previously been called “inconsistent” is now the Super Bowl MVP.

This game makes for great thoughts about the way God works in our lives. Consider the following passage of scripture:

Instead, God has chosen the world’s foolish things to shame the wise, and God has chosen the world’s weak things to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 (HCSB)

Time and time again throughout scripture we see God using the most unlikely of people to accomplish the most extraordinary of things. Those who society would consider ordinary become so much more in God’s hands.

Think of some of the people who have had the greatest impact on your life. If you are like me, these people were not the movers and shakers of the community, but instead quiet, ordinary people. The thing that made them extraordinary was the way they allowed God to use their lives.

Today, take time to reflect on this thought:

Others may label you an underdog…but with God on your side the label “champion” is just around the bend.

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

Carl

Bubbles on the surface

Good morning! I hope you had a relaxing weekend and have hit the week with your batteries recharged.

A few months ago, I began to notice something happening to the paint on my truck. On the top of the fender a bubble and a crack had appeared. I began to look around the truck…bottom of the tailgate, bottom of the doors, wheel wells….more bubbles.

A little sanding revealed the terrible truth, years of road salt had taken a corrosive hold on my truck. What had previously been hidden under layers of paint and clear coat was now exposed.

A similar thing happens within the life of a person. Notice what the Bible says:

Mark 4:22 (NLT)
"Everything that is now hidden or secret will eventually be brought to light.

No matter how adept we think we are at pushing down and burying the problems of our life, at some point the evidence of those things will rise to the surface. Bubbles and cracks will begin to form in our calm, cool and collected façade. The pain of our past hurts, the darkness of our deep rooted bitterness or the anger of our unforgiving spirit begins to show. With a little rubbing and friction the ravages of our soul are exposed.

Today, I want to encourage you to examine your exterior for the bubbles of hidden sin, unresolved anger or forgiveness withheld. As you locate those bubbles, ask God to reveal root cause and let Him begin the process of restoration and healing.

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

Carl

Journey into my heart

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

This past week my wife and I took a few days away in the Texas Hill Country. Each year we try to take a retreat for our anniversary. This is a time to reconnect as a couple and to keep our marriage in its proper place with the other demands of life.

For me, this retreat was unlike any others we had gone on before. Not only did I take a journey with my wife, but God took me on a unique journey into my heart. This journey was unlike any journey I had ever taken before.

Psalm 139:23 (NLT)
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.

God began the journey by taking me through the unhealed wounds to my heart. There were things revealed that I had never truly accepted as injuries to my heart. Words that had cut…insults that had hit their target…difficult season of life still remained unreconciled.

God next showed me how guarded I have become. In my days as a police officer, I lived by the 6 foot rule. The 6 foot rule was a radius of controlled space that I kept around me when conducting business. To enter that space uninvited was considered a breach of personal safety for me and my fellow officers.

What God showed me was that I have brought that guardedness into every area of my life. I am not a natural hugger…I dismiss compliments or redirect them altogether…there is always a 6 foot ring of emotional distance. Sadly, I came to realize on this journey that I do the same thing with God. I have not allowed Him to express His love for me in the manner that He has wanted to and in doing so I have missed out on His best for me.

So this past week, I made a choice to drop the protective barriers of my soul. I invited God to show me His love in whatever ways He chose. I invited Him into my wounds, my sorrows, my disappointments and any other closet that I have kept securely locked throughout my life.

As the week went on I began to experience a new intimacy with God, unlike any that I have experienced before. This new level of openness spilled over into my time with my wife and we too related on a much deeper level than either one of us ever remember relating.

Maybe this week you need to take a journey with God. Invite Him to give you a tour of your own heart. You too may be missing out on God’s best.

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

Carl

Lessons from a heron

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and are starting off refreshed and energized.

This past Friday, I took some time to enjoy one of my favorite pastimes…fishing. One of the things that make fishing special along the coast is the wide variety of birds, fish and other assorted land and sea dwellers that will show themselves during the day.

About midway through the afternoon, I was joined by another fisherman. Now this fisherman is not like most fishermen. He did not come with a rod and reel. There was no tackle box or bait. Instead this fisherman came with a keen eye and patience.

You see the other fisherman was no man at all, but instead it was a heron. The heron sat across the waterway from me. As I would reel in fish, he would fly over next to me looking for an opportunity for a free lunch. Over the course of the afternoon, the heron and I worked out a deal. I would catch bait fish and throw them his way. Pretty good return for his patience and careful watch.

This got me thinking about the opportunities God puts before us:

Ephesians 5:16 (NLT)
Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days.

Have you ever been driving along absorbed in a train of thought only to realize you have driven right past your exit or destination? Most of us have had this type of experience before. We get so preoccupied with what is going on in our lives that we miss the opportunities that surround us.

I find that when I open my eyes and began to look around me, I see the opportunities of God all around me. That may be the chance to say a kind word to someone who could use a boost, the opportunity to lend a hand to someone in need, the opening to pray with someone who needs God’s touch….and the list goes on.

This week, I challenge you to be like the heron. Keep a watchful eye on all that is going on around you, and seize the opportunities that God throws your way.

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

Carl

The Joy of Commitment

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and that you have hit the ground running this morning.
Today is a special day for my wife and me. On this date 19 years ago my wife and I exchanged our wedding vows. 19 years and three kids later, she is still the love of my life and the person who makes me a much better man than I would be of my own accord.

My wedding anniversary has me thinking about the issue of commitment today. Commitment is an outward reflection of our underlying love and loyalty. We commit to those things that matter most in our lives.

Deuteronomy 30:20 (NLT)

Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Commitment is also a choice. Every day we choose whether to honor the commitments we have made or whether to ignore them. We live in a world today where commitment is a rarity.

Commitment requires a deep resolve. For me faith is the centerpiece of my commitments. I have to draw upon the strength of my faith to keep me committed on those days where I just don’t want to. I have to allow God to hold me accountable for those promises and vows that I have made.

This week you may be working through your New Year’s resolutions. I want to challenge you to go deeper than resolution this year and instead choose deep commitment. You will be glad you did.

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

Carl

Year End Inventory

Good morning! I hope you had a great Christmas holiday and are looking forward to the New Year with great anticipation.

At this time of year business owners are closing out their financial books and taking year end inventory. During this time of inventory supply is accounted for and demand is evaluated. Based on this information the business owner will determine items that require greater or less inventory in the year to come. The business owner will also use this process to make decisions about those things that are profitable and those things which are not.

On this last day of 2007, I would encourage you to also take inventory:

Romans 12:3 (NLT)

As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you.

People also need to evaluate the shelves of their lives. What unnecessary inventory is aging in your soul? Are there old hurts, doubts or fears that are hindering you in your daily life? Are there new habits or lifestyle changes that need to be added to improve your quality of life?

Take time today to evaluate the success, struggles and failures of 2007. Take note of the common threads that are seen and the gaps that are visible. From this information you can develop your plan and goals to make 2008 the best that it can be.

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

Carl

Nothing Better to Do

Yesterday I came down with a nasty case of the stomach flu, so today I sat around with soup, crackers and 7Up. Days like today leave me lots of time to accomplish worthwhile things like finding this video. You Journey fans out there will enjoy this one I'm sure.

Merry Christmas

Good morning!

We live in a time when political correctness has gone to the extreme. The celebration of Christ’s birth has now become “happy holidays.” Give me a break! I didn’t grow up celebrating “happy holidays.” Never did I bound down the stairs of my boyhood home to see what I had received on “happy holidays” morning. I don’t recall gathering with my parents around the family Bible to read the “happy holidays” story. Nor did I join friends and family at church on “happy holidays” eve.

I for one am proud to celebrate Christmas. I’m not ashamed of my faith in Jesus Christ…in fact it is central to who I am as a man. Why would I run from that? I believe that God sent His one and only Son to save my soul…it is the foundation of my life.

So today, I am going to keep it short, sweet and simple! I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May the joy of Jesus be yours today.

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

Carl

Awesome rendition of Little Drummer Boy

I have always loved this White Heart version of the Little Drummer Boy. I found this video set to it and wanted to share....enjoy!!!

Taking the Journey

Good morning! I hope your weekend has been a refreshing one.

Over the weekend I was talking to a man in our church about the journey of faith he has taken over the past 6 months. His journey began when he made himself available to the Lord for what he thought would be a very temporary assignment. Over these last six months, the Lord has accomplished much greater things through him as he took each days step in trusting obedience.

A life of faith is a life of incomplete pictures:

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.

Only today’s portion of the picture is revealed. Only after we have completed the step for today is tomorrow’s step revealed. In many ways this is done for our own protection. If the Lord revealed the whole picture at once we would be overwhelmed. I have said many times: “If I knew what I was going to encounter along the way, I would have never agreed to take the journey.” Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the journey for the world, but on the front end I would have said “impossible.”

With each day’s steps, God reveals His ability to the “impossible” in and through us. The only requirement is that we keep walking as He is leading.

Today you may find yourself on a journey with no clearly defined ending point. Don’t lose heart! The blessings of the journey await you, and the end result will be much more than you ever dreamed of.

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

Carl

The Greatest Gift

Good morning! I hope you recharged your batteries this weekend and are fully energized as you start off your day.

This week many of you, like myself are busily working to wrap up your Christmas shopping. You’ve already spent hours in the stores and online trying to find the perfect gift for the loved ones in your life.

The air is filled with the sounds of ringing bells and Christmas carols. The streets and sidewalks are busy with the buzz of holiday traffic. The colors of red and green dot the landscape while yet another “today only” sale is announced.

I am afraid that in all of this commotion and emotion we forget the things that really matter:

John 3:16 (NLT)
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The greatest gift the world has ever known has been given. God loved you…God loved me…God loved all of us so much that “he gave his only Son…”

In the midst of the carols, nativity scenes and gift wrap have you stopped to consider the fact that God gave his Son for you. Without Jesus there would be no hope. Without Jesus there would be no grace. Without Jesus there would be no forgiveness. Without Jesus there would be no intimacy with God.

Isaiah 7:14 (NLT)
All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel—’God is with us.’

Jesus…God with us!!! This Christmas season take time out to celebrate the one who loved you so much that he gave his life for yours. Despite all that Madison Avenue tells you…Jesus is still the reason for the season.

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

Carl

Appreciating the Giftings of Others

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and that you are off and running this morning.

This weekend was a great time for me. I had the privilege of spending a good bit of time with the people from our church. Over the weekend we decorated our sanctuary for the Christmas season and last night we shared a meal together and kicked off our celebration of the Savior’s birth.

What made this time special for me was the opportunity of seeing others utilize their gifts, talents and abilities for common purposes. This is a real life demonstration of God’s divine makeup of our lives and the lives of those around us.

1 Corinthians 12:28 (NLT)
Here is a list of some of the members that God has placed in the body of Christ:

first are apostles,
second are prophets,
third are teachers,
then those who do miracles,
those who have the gift of healing,
those who can help others,
those who can get others to work together,
those who speak in unknown languages.

On Saturday night, I watched as those with a gift for design and visual aesthetics guided those with a gift for serving and doing decorate a sanctuary, while those with a gift of hospitality made sure there were refreshments for everyone. On Sunday morning I watched a 10 year old girl share her singing abilities while those with a heart for missions encouraged us to be apart of international mission efforts. Last night we culminated with a mixture of another diverse group of people decorating, serving and sharing.

Whether it’s a church, a business or simply a family, we are at our best when we take note of the gifting of those around us and create an opportunity for those gifts to flourish.
This week I encourage you to observe the gifts, talents and abilities in those who God has placed around you. How can their unique abilities mesh with yours to make everything you undertake that much better?

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

Carl

Alternators, Wrenches and Other Life Lessons

Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with joy, laughter and a grateful heart.

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to partake in the time honored Willis tradition of teaching the next generation of Willis male how to perform vehicle maintenance. This weekend’s project was the removal and replacement of the alternator on my son’s small, late model Japanese import.

I would point to the different bolts and nuts. We would find the correct size socket and wrench for the particular bolt being tackled. Within a matter of hours we had removed and reinstalled his vehicle’s alternator. Sadly, his alternator was not the problem, so we chalked this one up to experience.

For me this exercise in father and son bonding brought back many memories. The year was 1985 and my dad had me out in the driveway with a book called “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Honda repair.” My dad helped me identify the bolts, the necessary tools and the proper order of removal. Those lessons of basic automotive repair have stayed with me through today, and they were the basis of my instruction this past weekend. Of course, my dad was involved too (he drew a diagram and had a step by step list for my son).

There is something to be said for wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation. Look at the following quote from the book of Job:

Job 8:10 (NLT)

But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations.

Auto repair was only one of many things that were taught to me by my parents. Matters of faith, integrity, interpersonal relations, parenting and perseverance were taught daily by my parents. Many of these lessons they had learned from their parents and grandparents before them.

The joy for me is the knowledge that someday the roles will change. It will be my son or daughter looking over the shoulder of their child as they teach a skill or model a behavior. We sometimes forget just how much our influence will affect generations to come. Our great grandchildren may know very little about us, but they will know our values our skills and our talents that we have passed down.

So grab your wrenches. Get a little oil under your fingernails. You are doing more than repairing a vehicle…you are molding a new generation.

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

Carl

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend and have entered this week refreshed and energized.

This week, here in the United States, we will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday. During Thanksgiving families traditionally come together to celebrate around the dinner table with a feast of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. This meal is generally followed up with football games, naps in the easy chair and preparation for the Christmas sales on Friday.

Could it be that we’re missing something in all of this “tradition?” The roots of Thanksgiving have always been grounded in “thankfulness.” We live in a time of rampant consumerism where provision is taken for granted, but have you really considered the source of those provisions?

If it weren’t for the gift of life you wouldn’t even exist. The sunrise every morning, you don’t control it. The moonbeam, you don’t make it shine. If it weren’t for protection you might have been a statistic. If it weren’t for Jesus, you would not know God’s grace.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT)

Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done.

When you really stop to think about it, there is much to be thankful for. This week, I want to challenge you to do just that…think about it. Take an hour or so this week, get alone with a pen and paper in hand, and make a list of all that God has done for you this year. Then take time to say “thank you.” Make prayer a priority this year and not just a meal time blessing.

Thanksgiving without true gratitude is a contradiction.

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

Carl

Cultivating New Friendships

Good morning! I hope you had a restful weekend and have hit the ground running this morning.

I had the privilege this weekend of taking part in a men’s retreat near Leakey, TX. The retreat was designed with the purpose of helping men recharge their batteries as they connect with other men and more importantly with God.

One of the greatest outcomes of times like these is the development of new and long lasting friendships. A group of men start out as total strangers or simply casual acquaintances, but after spending a few hours together the bonds begin to develop.

Look at what the Bible says about friendship:

Proverbs 17:17 (NLT)

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Our men’s retreat helped bring about this kinship of brothers. Some drove, others cooked, others cleaned, and still some organized games and competition. Each man worked side by side with other men for common purposes.

Men are not known for their openness and sensitivity. It takes these bonds of friendship to bring men to that level. It was exciting to watch this group of men bond and then open up as the days went by.

Today I encourage you to take inventory of your friendships. Are you taking the time to cultivate those deep and lasting relationships? If you find that you are lacking in friends, maybe it’s time to get away and put some time into cultivating some new ones.

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

Carl

Maintaining Your Enthusiasm

Good morning! I hope you had a relaxing weekend and have started your week off with enthusiasm and energy.

Life can be so complicated at times. We set out wide-eyed and eager on the various journeys that we are called to, but inevitably the trials and tribulations come. Even the most optimistic and upbeat person can lose their enthusiasm if they are not careful to guard their heart.

Over the last several weeks I had found myself in just such a place. My awakening point, if you will, was an email from a dear friend who simply asked: “Where has your enthusiasm gone?” My friend continued to observe that I was adrift in a sea of negativity…and she was right!!! In a recent phone call with my mentor, I asked the question: “How do you keep moving forward when there is no wind left in your sails.” Before I give you the counsel of this wise man (he once told me that he is bald, because there is so much contained in his mind), I want to share this verse with you:

Ephesians 6:7 (NLT)

Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

My mentor gave me this same advice. He helped me to see that I was basing my enthusiasm on the response of others and not on the one for whom I work. To put it simply I was finding myself worn down by the response of others to the things the Lord is asking me to do. In reality, the only thing that truly matters is that I be faithful to His leading and put the response of others in His hands.

I already knew that I “perform” for an audience of One, but sometimes the divide between knowing it and living it can be expansive. I had to readjust my focus. I had to clarify who it is that I must please. The bottom line is…it is God!!! Wow, what a breakthrough….what a relief….what a burden lifted!!!

It is so much simpler when I focus solely on Him. I am finding a renewed excitement and enthusiasm. My focus is no longer on polls and approval ratings, but is instead back on the one I truly work for.

This week you may find that your enthusiasm is a bit lacking. I encourage you to take a few moments and refocus on who it is you truly work for. When you put your eyes back on him your work will become a joy and you will once again become exceedingly enthusiastic.

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

Carl

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