Author Archives: kcarver1970

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Doubts

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I’ve got a good friend that asked for prayer last week.

He had a friend who developed a life-threatening illness.  His friend was facing death in his mid-40’s.  His friend had doubts…doubts about his mortality…doubts about his treatment.

My friend was heartbroken.  How can this be fair?  Why could this happen to someone so young?

John chapter 20 chronicles the empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus.  It also described doubt and the need for faith.

Thomas, one of the twelve Disciples, hadn’t been around when Jesus initially appeared to a small group of followers.  As a result, Thomas publicly voiced his doubts about Jesus being raised from the dead. A week later the Disciples, including Thomas, were gathered and Jesus appeared again. This time he asked Thomas to feel the holes in His hands and the scar in His side.

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27

We have to do that too. We have to pray for our faith to increase so we can stop doubting.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Through prayer and study, we can grow our faith and experience Jesus.  Faith brings assurance over doubt…and confidence over fear.

Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’   John 20:29

That’s faith. When we can believe in that which we cannot see.

Please pray for me to have an increase in my faith.  I want to feel, experience Jesus more.

And let me know how to pray for you.

God bless.

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Now that I know how you really feel…

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I experienced a tough situation recently.

I was forwarded an email by a friend.  As I read through the email, I realized that there was a large portion of the message that I probably wasn’t supposed to see.

Near the bottom, there was an exchange between my friend and another person that wasn’t flattering toward me.  This third party (also a friend)  was venting about a decision that had been made, but it got a bit personal.  I realized that a) our relationship wasn’t what I thought it was and b) she was freely sharing her opinion with a large audience.

At first I was frustrated.  Why hadn’t she called and let me know how she felt?  We interact often, so the opportunities to talk were frequent.  Frustration then led to disappointment.  I wished that my friend would have talked to me rather than airing it to others first.

But I’m truly no better than her.  Truly.

Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.  Psalm 139:4

While I might not write it down, I have those same thoughts from time to time.  I’m frustrated with the actions of others…disappointed…and let my emotions get carried away.

But God knows.

In 1 Chronicles chapter 28 the writer tells us that God searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.  We don’t have to write down our thoughts- God knows what’s written on our hearts.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32

I’m called to forgive.  I need to forgive, because God has forgiven me- a chief sinner.

Please pray for me to be a better example of grace with others.  I need it.  And let me know how to pray for you.

God bless.

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Extra Steps

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The Carvers have started taking extra steps each day.

Call it fitness or competition, but all of us have become increasingly aware of how much we walk.

We’ve all gotten activity trackers, and while some of us are more obsessive about the numbers than others- all of us are working hard to move more often each day.

We’re parking further away from buildings.  We’re taking the stairs at school and work.  The little things add up quickly.

I need to take extra steps in my spiritual life, too.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Romans 12:12

I’m not constant in prayer.  I’m not even consistent.  Some days are filled with rushed prayers…quick words offered up as I drive to work, tuck the kids in bed or rush toward a deadline or meeting.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Psalm 119:105

God’s word is to be used to illuminate our daily walk.  A lamp.  Unfortunately, I don’t study the Bible as much as I should.  Work, activities and even family get in the way of my personal study.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:11

It’s hard to love the unloveable.  I don’t often have the patience or desire to truly love those difficult people in my life.  And if I’m completely honest with myself, I know that I’m often perceived as the unloveable one…and need to be given grace.

I need to be diligent in my prayer life.  I need to be more disciplined in my personal Bible study.  And I need to be more forgiving of others- just as I need to seek forgiveness.

Pray that I work harder to make the extra steps in my spiritual life.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

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Anchors

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Britton was chosen by his school to participate in the Knox County Elementary School Track & Field competition.  B’s teacher selected him for the tug-of-war team.  While B is just 10, he’s a solid little guy…with broad shoulders, strong arms and powerful legs.

B was told he would be the “anchor” for the event.  He was happy with this role, as his teacher explained that he would be the critical support at the very end of the line.

The role was simple.  He was told to not let go of the rope- no matter what.  He had to keep moving his feet backward against the opposing pull.  He was instructed to keep the line tight and encourage his teammates to pull with him.

The stabilizer.  The base.  The anchor.

The book of John discusses an anchor that we have available every day- the Holy Spirit.  In chapter 14 Jesus was comforting the disciples.  They were worried about his upcoming persecution and death.  Jesus told the disciples of a counselor that would be present to bring them peace:

All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  John 14:25-26

When we are distressed and hurting, we only need to pray and ask for help.  It’s there.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26

My prayer this week is for awareness to call upon the Holy Spirit to provide an anchor for my life.  Please let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

Britton dad

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Favorite things

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The countdown has started.

Carson is finishing up her junior year of high school and is making decisions about where she’ll attend college.

It doesn’t seem possible.  This little girl has become a young woman overnight.  Hollianne and I are trying to enjoy every day with her before she leaves for college in a year.

I’ve realized how much I’ll miss having her in our home on a daily basis.

To celebrate this milestone, I’ve started collecting a list of the little things that I’ll miss about Carson.  Included on my list are:

  • watching her compete on the soccer field
  • enjoying her homemade chocolate chip cookies, often made late at night
  • watching her build the perfect s’more in our backyard fire pit
  • experiencing college football and basketball with her.  Her commentary is always insightful and hilarious.
  • seeing her enjoy her Bible studies with her friends
  • hiking new trails with her
  • attending music concerts with her

Jesus has his favorite things that He loves about each of us.

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.  Luke 12: 6-7

He knows the number of hairs on our head.  He knows our struggles and our strengths.

And he loves us anyway.  He loves us in the most personal, intimate way possible.

My prayer this week is to focus on the aspects of my life that make Jesus happy…and to have the strength to confront those things that aren’t constructive.  Please let me know how I may pray for you.

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Decisions


Our youngest child, Britton, struggles with making decisions.

It’s not surprising, as B is the youngest of three kids in the Carver house.  His older sister and brother have been making decisions for B his entire life.  It’s like he’s got two dads and two moms.  Advice abounds for the little guy.

Truth be told, I struggle with decisions too.

I often know what needs to be done in my life, but I resist.  I make choices out of selfish desires, wants and convenience.

Fortunately, Jesus never flinched when faced with the biggest decision in history.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.  2 Corinthians 5:21

Jesus knew why he was sent to this earth.

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:28

How often do we think about the magnitude of that decision?  Jesus died so that we might live.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6

My prayer this next week is to intentionally reflect the power of this one, unselfish decision- and to seek the counsel of Jesus for all the choices of my life.

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.  James 1:5

Please let me know how I may pray for you.

(Kentucky Lake sunrise; March 16, 2016.  Big Sandy, TN)

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Overpaid


My son, JT, and I recently attended an NBA game to celebrate his birthday. We loved the pagentry of the arena and the passion of the fans as their teams made a final push for playoff spots.

We investigated team rosters to better follow the action. Interestingly enough, the online information also included their salaries. These men were all earning between $1-15 million a year to play basketball.

Ironically, it didn’t seem that all of these players were working that hard. The offenses were incredible, but the defense was non-existent. Players weren’t getting back on defense and the lack of effort to guard the offensive players was startling.

JT remarked that his youth league coaches would demand more effort.

We agreed that the coaches weren’t getting their money’s worth out of their teams.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.  Ephesians 2:8-9

It’s a good thing that God isn’t so critical of my performance.

I’m flawed. I sin.

I struggle with a hardened heart.

I don’t deserve the rewards that God has promised me.

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21

But Jesus died for me. You too. He died so we could be saved from sin. And while I can never repay this sacrifice, I owe it to Him to put away all my sinful habits and to try and be the man that God desires.

I’m overpaid, but grateful.

Please pray for me to be more loving and forgiving. And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

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Kindness

  
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

It had been a really tough week. 

I felt pressure to get a project off my desk and I only had a couple of days to make it happen. I had been in the office late for several nights in a row. Tim, our nighttime facilities worker for our floor must have noticed the stressed, hectic activity over the three-day span. Usually conversational and engaging, he simply cleaned around my office and generally left me alone. 

One evening as I was leaving, I noticed a small package sitting in my outer office. It was a plate of food- leftovers from a luncheon that had occurred earlier in the day. There was a sticky note on the top of the covered plate that said “you’ve had a lot on your plate this week…hope this plate of dinner might help you. Good luck.”

This sort of thing certainly wasn’t in Tim’s job description. But Tim noticed that I was rushed, stressed and probably not that pleasant to be around. This one simple act of kindness changed my whole outlook on the project- and especially my day.

We are often consumed with our own projects, worries and thoughts. I pray for increased awareness to look around me and see how I can help others. It’s not always in those big, courageous acts either. We can lift the spirit of another with a simple, unspoken action.

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

May we all be made aware of opportunities for kindness to others. God bless.

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Flat

I’m flat right now.

Tired.  Exhausted.

Maybe it’s work.  Perhaps its the weather.  Maybe my schedule has created conflict in my attempts to be a good family member and friend.

I’m just in a bit of a funk.

Life contains peaks and valleys.  If you are like me, you don’t tend to embrace or celebrate the good times enough…but really dwell in times when life’s circumstances are kicking us in the shins.  Or the seat of our pants.

I have much to be thankful for each day.  My family.  My health.  My job.  A great circle of friends.  But the trials of life can diminish the good and cause me to dwell on the negative.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12

I sometimes forget that I have a loving God in my life.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.  This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him of all his troubles.  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.  Psalm 34:4-7

Pride sometimes keeps me from seeking God first.  I think that I can fix anything on my own.

Life soon reminds me that I can’t.

The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

My prayer is to have the humility to let go…and let God lead me when my spirit is weak.  He’s always willing.

Let me know how I may pray for you this week.  God bless.

 

 

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Not making the team

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Our (not so) little guy, Britton, tried out for a highly-competitive travel basketball team last week.  So did about 35 other kids.

Unfortunately, only 10 boys could make the team- and B was one of the 25 who were left out.

He was crushed.  He’s watched our daughter, Carson, play AAU basketball his entire life.  He knows how much fun it is to travel with team members to cities all over the South and play in fun, interesting places.  On top of it all, he just loves basketball.

The truth is- basketball probably isn’t his best sport.  He’s big, strong and smart, but his feet and coordination haven’t quite caught up to his ever-growing body yet.  Give him some time…he’ll get it all figured out.  It’ll just take some maturation.

Isn’t it wonderful that there are no tryouts (or cuts) when it comes to God’s love?

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:37-39

Regardless of our flaws and imperfections, we are made perfect through the grace of Jesus Christ.  Through His blood we are all made complete…and can all serve together…on the same team.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  Galatians 3:28

Pray for me to be a good father and help my children navigate life.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

 

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