Tag Archives: Bible

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Standing in Nothing But Your Underwear

arrowwood-2016

 

I interviewed for a job last week.

The most daunting task on the entire schedule?  The candidates were assigned a topic for a 30 minute presentation.  All members of the university family were invited…students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.   The auditorium would be filled with people.

The presentation would be fun.  What followed was the interesting part.  There would be an additional 90 minutes of a question and answer period.  Any audience member could come forward and ask questions of the candidates.  The comments did not have to relate directly to the presentation- but could focus on any aspect of the candidate’s career, background or thoughts on issues of the day.

I asked a few trusted mentors how to approach this portion of the interview.  They provided some advice, but basically told me that there was no real way to get ready.

One even remarked, “there will be a time during this process that you’ll feel so vulnerable and exposed…sort of like standing in public with nothing on but your underwear.”

He meant that when we subject ourselves to public scrutiny- there’s risk involved.  You might get asked a question or to comment on something that you normally wouldn’t discuss.  It’s the ultimate in transparency.

It wasn’t all that bad, as it turns out.

What if we approached our relationship with Jesus with the same view?

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.  Psalm 139:1-4

Think about it.

Jesus knows everything about us. Every thought, every word, every action.

I rarely think about that.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:8

Even though He knows all our flaws- He loves us anyway.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

We have unconditional love and support from our Savior.  We need to let go of our fears and relentlessly pursue a relationship with Him.

He’ll never leave us feeling bare or exposed.

Please pray for me to seek the relationship with Jesus that He desires and deserves.

And let me know how to pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

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Fear

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“One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.” Henry Ford

My youngest son, Britton, faced his own fears this past month. It’s his first year of “big boy” football…full pads. 

His fifth grade group didn’t have enough players to make a team- so he was asked by his coach to join the seventh and eighth grade team. 

He worried about his ability to play with boys much bigger, stronger and faster…more experienced. But with the encouragement of his coach- he decided to try. 

It’s been four weeks and he’s loving it. His coach has eased him into the action and Britton is getting better with every practice. His confidence level has increased with every practice.

I can learn a lot from my 11 year old. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us... Hebrews 12:1
We are called to cast aside all the obstacles that are keeping us from living lives of hope and honor. 

We need to run unincumbered toward Jesus. 

So, what’s holding you back?

Whatever it is…pride, envy, greed, addiction or fear…we need to pray for the strength-the endurance- to give it over to God. 

Please pray for me to face my own fears- fears that distract me from a closer walk with Jesus. 

And let me know how I may pray for you. 

God bless. 

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Award winners

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Last night I attended the awards dinner for the Tennessee Press Association.  The majority of Tennessee’s leaders from the news industry were present…from Memphis to Mountain City.

We celebrated excellence in media across Tennessee.  I presented awards for captivating photos, insightful editorials and quality writing.  It was a fun night.

What impressed me the most were the photos, articles and pieces that DIDN’T win.  It’s obvious that we have some talented media professionals in state- and unfortunately only the best of the best could be recognized as a “winner.”

Everyone enjoys being recognized for their work.  A life with Jesus gives us that opportunity.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  Colossians 3:23-24

You might teach, you might build, you might work in a service industry…but whatever our vocation- we are commanded to do our best.

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9

The world may never recognize our service, but Jesus grants us an “inheritance as your reward.”  And that, my friends, is the ultimate prize.

Thank God.

Please pray for me to do my best for my workplace and my family everyday.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When you don’t have a prayer

Dad and B Chicago 2016

I’ve been struggling with my prayer life.

I think it’s fatigue.  Maybe it’s my schedule at work.  Perhaps it’s life events surrounding my friends and family that have brought me down.

Regardless, prayer hasn’t come easy lately.

I was reading C.S. Lewis this morning.  There’s a section from Mere Christianity that reads:

“An ordinary simple Christian kneels down to say his prayers.  He is trying to get into touch with God.  But if he is a Christian he knows that what is prompting him to pray is also God:  God, so to speak, inside him.  But he also knows that all his real knowledge of God comes through Christ, the Man who was God- that Christ is standing beside him, helping him to pray, praying for him.”

I’ve made prayer too hard.

I’ve been thinking that I have to be perfect in prayer.  I’ve pressed to think that God needs my heart and mind clear.

But the truth is- God already knows what I need.  He already knows my confusion and pain.

Like Lewis writes, it’s God that’s prompting me to hit my knees and pray.  He wants me humble and repentant.  He wants my effort- even if I don’t know exactly what to say.

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

Let’s don’t wait until we’re “ready.”  God is there to receive our prayers…we just need to engage.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  Philippians 4:6

Please pray for my prayer life.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

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Homeless outside Starbucks

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I’d seen him eating breakfast at Starbucks several times over the past couple of months.

I stop in for coffee each Saturday morning.  He is always sitting in the same corner nursing a cup of coffee and a muffin.

We spoke last Saturday morning- both acknowledging that we had noticed one another with each visit.

His name is John.

He’s my father’s age.  John has a big smile, a hearty laugh and an engaging disposition.

And he’s homeless.

We talked at length last Saturday.  He confessed that he’s been living in his car since 2011.

A series of life events have led him to this situation.  He makes enough money through his social security checks to pay for a membership to the YMCA (for showering) and to keep a Post Office box for mail.  He budgets the remainder of his income to pay for gas, toiletries, washing clothes and meager meals.

His splurge each week is a hot cup of coffee and breakfast muffin at Starbucks.

John has simply fallen through the cracks.  He’s not completely on the street, but he’s awfully close.  He’d love to have a regular job, but his age and health have made employment difficult to find.

Despite all of this, John has a positive outlook.

And my God will supply every need of your according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19

He has a vibrant faith.  He has hope for a home in Heaven.  He is optimistic for his future.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

Pray for John to stay strong and to be safe.  Pray for those trying to help him get back on his feet.

And let me know how I may pray for you.  God bless.

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When your truck gets towed…

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My truck got towed this week.

I was eating breakfast at my favorite spot downtown- Pete’s Coffee Shop.  I’ve been going to Pete’s for the past twenty years.  If you and I have ever met for breakfast…there’s a good possibility that it’s been at Pete’s.

And for twenty years I’ve been parking in the same place.

But this week I walked outside after breakfast and couldn’t find my truck.

At first I thought it had been stolen, but a few quick calls around the city confirmed that it was safe and sound….in the city’s impound lot.

It’s my own fault.  Just a few yards away from my favorite parking space is a sign warning that cars parked along the street might be towed.  It’s as plain as day.

I had been warned by the signage.  I had seen it for twenty years, so  I knew the consequences.  I had become complacent.  “They’ll never tow me…”

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  Hebrews 2:1

I tend to get complacent in my spiritual life too.  I get busy at work or at home.  Prayers get rushed and Bible study gets overlooked.  I start thinking less about my loved ones and neighbors and get consumed with self-interest.

And then I get towed.

The unexpected happens.  I am hit with a crisis that’s completely unexpected.  And it brings me to my knees…and back to Jesus.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.  2 Timothy 2:15

Please pray for me to not get complacent in my walk with Jesus.

And let me know how I may pray for you.  God bless.

 

 

 

 

 

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Wrecked on I-40

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Her Dodge Charger lunged off the interstate- slamming into the guardrail at over 80 miles an hour.  The car spun around three times into incoming traffic, narrowly missing our vehicle.

I had noticed her minutes earlier.  I looked over at her passing car and saw that she was texting on her phone.  She almost hit an eighteen-wheeler before slowing down.

Minutes later she flew past me in the right lane- again…texting.

I swerved to avoid hitting her wrecked car in the aftermath.  From my rear view mirror I watched her safely emerge from her totaled vehicle.  She was lucky to be alive.

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”- Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.  What is your life?  For you are a mist that appears and then vanishes.  James 4:13-14

I don’t know why that young woman was in such a hurry.  I do know that she wasn’t paying attention to the road.

I’m guilty of the same thing, I’m afraid.  I can lose sight of the path I’m on.

I spend too much time chasing “things.”

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  Colossians 3:2

These earthly pursuits can be distractions.  They can make me careless.

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.  Proverbs 4:25

When I’m not concentrated on Jesus, I can wander into trouble.  How about you?

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Matthew 6:33

Pray for me to keep Jesus the priority for my life.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless.

 

 

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My daughter is gone

Carson HollianneMy daughter leaves tomorrow morning…for a month.

Carson is going out west to serve as a counselor for a YoungLife camp in the Colorado Rockies.

Carson is truly excited is the opportunity to work with the campers. They’ll come from all over the United States to experience life at a beautiful, rustic camp in the Rocky mountains.

And each night she’ll have her Bible open. Carson will read and study with the campers. She’ll pray with the guests.   She’ll get the opportunity to talk about Jesus Christ- and share the impact that He has made on her life. She’ll answer questions and have to defend her faith.

She’ll be a witness.

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers as an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.  1 Timothy 4:12

Carson isn’t letting her age be a factor in serving as a witness for Christ. In fact, she sees it as an opportunity to work with peers who haven’t had the opportunity to form a relationship with Jesus. And she’s excited about it.

She’s not perfect, but her brokenness inspires her to study, learn and witness more.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Philippians 3:12

You can learn a lot from your kids.

I wish I had her courage.

I struggle with opportunities to share my faith with others- even when those opportunities are made clearly apparent. I need a child-like faith.

Please pray for Carson to be an effective vessel for Jesus this summer- and for me to have the courage to share my faith when given the opportunity.

And let me know how I may 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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Skipping Thanksgiving

FullSizeRender[1]I think that we’ve skipped Thanksgiving this year.

If you’ve walked into a large retail store or shopping center since Labor Day, you’ll know what I’m talking about.

We’ve jumped from Halloween straight to Christmas.

Last year Americans spent $7.4 billion on Halloween.  That’s billion with a B.  Empty stores are rented and filled with Halloween costumes and decorations for two months following Labor Day.  It’s a big business.

And before Halloween is over, the Christmas push begins.  Holiday songs hit the radio airwaves and decorations take over as much as 25% of the space on retail shelves.

And somewhere sandwiched in-between is Thanksgiving…although you wouldn’t know it by the commercials, advertisements and store aisles.

Thanksgiving.  The holiday that’s traditionally been about friends, family and fellowship.

Thanksgiving is my favorite time of year- as I’ve been blessed in many ways.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  James 1:17

I’m grateful for Hollianne and my children.  My mom and dad are both still living and available for guidance and counsel.  We’ve been blessed with good health in 2015.  I have a fulfilling job and a supportive, loving group of friends and family.

Take a minute and do an inventory of the good things in your life.  We all face difficulty and strife, but there are blessings for all of us.

I urge us to a couple of things before the Thanksgiving holiday.  First, write down three things for which you are grateful.  Then take the time to write a note (or two) to those folks who have assisted in these blessings.  Maybe it’s your aunt or a former teacher.  Perhaps it’s an old friend.  Write them a short note and let them know how much they mean to you.  Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude to others for helping you along the way.

Next, think about those who need a lift this time of year.  Maybe it’s your neighbor who was widowed last year.  Or perhaps it’s a single parent from your office…or seniors who are unable to leave their homes because of health reasons.  Reach out to them and provide some cheer.  Invite them to eat with your family on Thanksgiving day.  Or perhaps they just need a phone call of encouragement or a visit to provide dinner.  We can help by lightening a burden that they are carrying inside.

I pledge to do these things in the week leading up to Thanksgiving.  I hope that you’ll join me.  Perhaps we can provide a blessing to someone- just as we’ve been blessed.

Give, and it will be given to you.  Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.  Luke 6:38

Pray for me as a husband, father, son, friend and worker.  Help me be a blessing to someone this week.  And let me know how I may pray for you.

God bless you.  Happy Thanksgiving.

 

 

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