Tag Archives: Christian life

Uncategorized

A ruckus in Starbucks

IMG_2587

She bolted in the door looking for a fight.

I issued a warning for the other customers to get out of her way. Seconds earlier I had seen (and heard) her yelling at the server in the drive-thru window of the crowded Cookeville, Tennessee Starbucks.  Her order had apparently not been prepared to her satisfaction.  She had received a drink she didn’t order- and loudly stated that the server was “apparently so stupid that he couldn’t hold down any other job…and should be fired from this one.”

As the server tried to apologize and make the order right, she yelled at him again.  “Are you making fun of me?  Don’t speak to me in this tone!”  With this she raced her car to the front of the store- then ran inside looking for a confrontation.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  James 1: 19-20

To his credit, the store employee remained calm.  He apologized for any misunderstanding and politely asked if he could try again.  She wouldn’t listen….instead demanding that she speak to the manager and that she would expose him for the rude behavior he had exhibited.  He calmly gave her the information she requested, apologized again and returned to work.

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4: 31-32

I learned a real lesson from that young man in Starbucks.  We cannot control the actions of others, but we can control our own response.

Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. For the evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.  Psalm 37: 8-9

May the spirit of Jesus guide us in our responses to others…and give us the endurance to remain calm during life’s storms.

Please pray for me to hold my tongue- and let me know if I may pray for you.

God bless.

Standard
Uncategorized

Turkey, travel and turmoil…a Thanksgiving tale

IMG_0167

Last year’s Thanksgiving holiday was one of our most memorable ever.  We had planned to leave Knoxville late Wednesday afternoon in order to join our extended family in Memphis.  Hollianne and I had signed up to run in the Turkey Day 5k in Germantown.  We were all ready for three days of relaxed family time.  Then life happened.

Carson, our daughter, woke up at 2 am with a stomach virus.  After getting her back into bed and resting (somewhat) comfortably, the virus hit me.  Like a hammer.  Carson and I were both in bad shape…and certainly in no condition to travel over to West Tennessee.  The decision was made that we would all stay home.

Hollianne had made an adjustment, however.  After we cancelled our trip she made an unplanned run to the supermarket and bought a small turkey.  She cobbled together some side items and created a small, intimate Thanksgiving celebration for just the five of us.  Carson and I had sufficiently recovered enough to eat a (light) Thanksgiving meal.  While we missed the larger celebration, we did have a family gathering after all.  Hollianne made the best of a bad situation.

While last’ years experience wasn’t ideal, the illness did give me ample time to reflect on my blessings.  I have many reasons to smile, but I’ve come to the conclusion that every gift in my life can be narrowed down to one simple act.  And that’s the redemption, forgiveness and hope that Jesus gave all of us on the cross.

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21

Who deserves such a gift?  Not me.  Jesus came to earth to die for all of our sins.  He bore all our guilt, transgressions and shame on Calvary’s cross that day.  And while I don’t deserve it, I appreciate it.

Be sure to take some time tomorrow to reflect on your many blessings.  I just hope it doesn’t take a stomach bug to force you to do it…

God bless- and let me know if I can pray for you.

Standard
Uncategorized

Changes

Early fall is my favorite time of the year. The chill in the morning air and the brilliant colors in the trees signify a gradual change of seasons. Summer is a fading memory.  Lake trips and afternoons at the pool are replaced at the Carver home by backyard bonfires, football games and Hollianne’s famous white chicken chili.

Like the seasons, change is an inevitable part of our lives.  Whether it’s our health, job situations, family structure- the only certainty in our earthly lives is that our lives will change.  It’s sort of disconcerting, isn’t it?  What’s accepted as a reality today can be gone tomorrow.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8 We have a great promise from our Lord and Savior.  A promise of hope, forgiveness and love.  Jesus Christ is the constant in our lives.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

With change all around us, we can be comforted to know that we may always call on our Lord for comfort and strength.

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

The Lord knows our past, our present and- most importantly- our future.  He knows our anxieties related to change.  Best of all?  He cares about us…more than we can ever imagine.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.  Deuteronomy 31:6

Embrace change.  Wherever it takes us- God is already there. God bless.

Standard
Uncategorized

Comfort zones

Our son, JT, found himself in an interesting spot last week.  He was one of several hundred participants in a local cross country competition.  Soon after the race began, one of the other runners accidentally stepped on the back of JT’s running shoe- causing it to slip off.  The shoe disappeared in a heap of competitors.  JT had a decision to make. Would he quit running and look for his shoe or would he keep competing?  He quickly slipped off his other shoe and finished the 2 mile course barefoot.  He ran over rocks and asphalt but kept going.  I snapped this photo of him as he crossed the finish line…with one of his best times of the year.

Life presents us with many opportunities, but to take advantage of them we need to get out of our comfort zones.

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.  Luke 14:27

Opportunities to witness for Christ are often uncomfortable.  It causes us to engage with others who have different backgrounds, interests and lifestyles.  But discipleship demands action and encourages us to approach others when presented with opportunity.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16

We are asked to be a light to the world.  Don’t hide your talent or your excitement for Christ.  Witness to others and don’t wait until the “perfect” opportunity.  Get out of your comfort zone and get on the field of play.  Who knows?  You might run your best race of a lifetime.

God bless you.

Standard
Uncategorized

Walking off

I’m not a huge Yankees fan, but I have enjoyed watching Derek Jeter play during his final year as a major league professional.  On the field, Jeter has done things the right way.  Five World Series Championships.  20 seasons in the majors and 3,463 hits (and counting)…sixth all time.  But it’s how Jeter finished in his final home game in Yankee Stadium that caught the eye of America last week.

In the 9th inning of a tie game, Jeter- in what would be his last at bat of his home career- slapped a single into right field for the game-winning run.  On baseball’s biggest stage- with millions of viewers across the world watching- Jeter delivered a dramatic walk-off hit.  What a way to exit your professional career.

Don’t we all dream of such moments?  Finishing strong and going out a winner.  Wouldn’t we love to finish our earthly life in such a dramatic way?

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’  Luke 14:28-30

Jeter worked hard daily in his quest to become the ultimate shortstop.  Our goal should be to live a life that reflects Christ. It’s a task that deserves daily preparation, work and refinement.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.  Phillipians 1:6

This isn’t easy. The world wants us to fail. We are filled with self-doubt, but we can be confident that God has supplied us with everything we need to finish strong.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20

We can never be too spiritually mature.  Nor should we ever seek to be finished in our effort to spread God’s word.

Jeter retired from baseball on a glorious note.  While we should never retire from doing the Lord’s work, we know that we will have the same opportunity to walk off the field to glory.

God bless.

Standard
Uncategorized

Running on empty

B dawg football

I love this picture of our youngest child, B.  It was captured at one of his flag football games a couple of years ago.  He was running down the field as fast as he could- trying to make something happen.  B was trying to set a block for his teammate, but ended up plowing into his friend and knocking him down!  Hollianne caught the moment perfectly…eyes shut, teeth clinched and hitting his buddy with reckless abandon!

Ever feel like this?  I do.  Work projects, deadlines and daily life have us often scurrying around at breakneck speed.  Many times our projects or priorities change so quickly that we slow down just enough to change direction- and then hit the treadmill again.  Full speed ahead.  Eyes shut.  Teeth clinched.

It isn’t enough to just run.  We need to pursue a true purpose.  If seeking God is our goal, then we can’t afford to run with reckless abandon and a lack of focus.  We need focus and fuel to provide power and direction for our lives.

But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and all your soul.  Deuteronomy 4:29

Our lives should include daily time with our Lord.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!  1 Chronicles 16:11

Continually.  Intentionally.  Each day should include time in prayer, meditation on God’s inspired word through the Bible and reflection on our true purpose- seeking the will of the Lord our God for our lives…and fueling this search with all of our being.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.  Proverbs 8:17

With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments.  Psalm 119:10

Let’s pledge to spend more time on focusing on our Lord.  Let our study, prayer and meditation be our fuel.

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

My prayer at this moment is this…

Dear Father- may we take time from our busy lives to reflect on Your goodness and mercy.  May we intentionally and continually seek Your guidance for our lives while on this earth.  There are distractions, but we ask for moments of clarity when tempted to lose our focus on You.  May we have the presence of mind to run toward You- and to realize that You will sustain us and provide for our every need.  It is through Christ Jesus we pray- Amen.

God bless you.  Let me know if I can pray for you- and as always, please pray for me.

Standard
Uncategorized

What’s your Goliath?

My youngest son, B, is a huge football fan.  B has always been fascinated by linemen.  He likes to watch the guards and tackles pull and block…opening up holes for the running backs or protecting the quarterback.  He likes to think about these massive men as protectors.  Men that provide obstacles to the defense and keep the offense clicking smoothly.

Unfortunately, we don’t always have guards and tackles in our daily lives- instead we feel like we are being blocked and pushed around.  We are all burdened by obstacles.  Whether it is a real, physical challenge or something that’s in our head…and only we know about it.  These challenges are real for all of us.

It was a scary situation.  A rough group of Philistines had settled in across from the Israelite camp for a battle.  A nine-foot mountain of a man, Goliath, had come out and challenged God’s people to a fight.  For forty days straight Goliath had taunted and insulted the Israelite army and nation- and every soldier was terrified to take Goliath on in combat.  It took a young shepherd boy…David…to answer the challenge.  David was insulted by Goliath’s taunts and threats.  He volunteered for the challenge wearing no armor, and protected by only his shepherd’s staff, a sling and some stones.

We know the outcome.  David, acting on faith, defeated Goliath with one accurate fling of a stone.  One swing of the arm felled an armored, angry giant.

It’s not that easy for us, is it?  Work, relationships at home, physical or financial stress and other daily concerns can create giant obstacles for all of us.  And the giants seem to move around.  Once one Goliath is addressed, another (perhaps bigger) giant appears in our path.

We have been given guidance on dealing with our giants.  Let’s consider Paul, our great missionary from the first century church:

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest in me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  II Corinthians 12: 7-10

Paul had a physical obstacle that he fought every day.  Paul also had to live with a horrible past- a past that included the physical torment of Christians.  But Paul found power in his challenges.  Christ’s power was “made perfect through weakness” in Paul’s life.  Weakness became a source of strength.  We have that same promise today.

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1: 2-4

Giants create incredible stress, but we have been called to look at trials as opportunities to refine our faith.  We can re-focus and call upon God for strength to handle the challenge, and try to look past the battle for the lesson it can teach us.

He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17: 20 

May we all seek the ultimate source of power when dealing with the giants in our lives.

God bless.

Standard
Uncategorized

Soybeans, sunflowers and salvation: from dirt we came

I had breakfast in a soybean field this week.  I was in Milan, Tennessee to attend the celebrated Milan “No Till” agricultural festival.  Milan, by the way, is the hometown of two notable past Presidents of the University of Tennessee- Dr. Andy Holt and Eli Fly.  Not too shabby for a town with a population of 7,800 folks.

No Till is an farming method that doesn’t disturb the soil as much as traditional methods- among other things it allows great moisture retention. The event draws hundreds of people from across the state and region to witness advancements in agricultural technology and demonstrate the latest improvements in farming methods.

I attend many events like this each year- but this one is special.  It’s a celebration of an agricultural culture.  A celebration of the soil and the fruit, vegetables and crops that come forth from it.  It’s also a celebration of people- farmers and their families.  Good, hard-working, intelligent and honest folks.

Cycles are inevitable in agriculture.  There is a time, a season and a reason for everything.  Planning, planting, feeding and harvesting are all vitally important to the farming process.

And to me- this trip back home to West Tennessee was a reminder of the temporary nature of our own lives.  Our earthly bodies, like the plants of the field, aren’t built for immortality.  We know that God formed us from the dust of the ground.

…the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.  Genesis 2:7

We are also reminded that our bodies will eventually return to the earth.

By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.  Genesis 3:19

Our earthly life is a cycle.  We are born, grow, and work.  We age and eventually pass away.  But just as our friends lay great plans for their crops of the fields, our Heavenly Father has a plan for us.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  Psalm 139:13-16

Our time on earth is limited, but we have a purpose.  We need to be fruitful and work to realize God’s will for the cycle of our temporary, earthly life.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.  Colossians 3:23

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  I Corinthians 10:31

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3

Let’s make our limited days on earth productive and eventually experience the full blessing of the harvest.  God needs workers.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  Matthew 9:37-38

While crops take time to grow and harvest- our work with our neighbors (near and far) does not have a time table.  It is immediate.

It’s time for all of us to get our hands dirty.  We need to encourage one another to do good in order to glorify God’s most Holy name while on earth.

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it.  He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  Matthew 13:21

Let’s hit the fields together.

God bless.

Standard