Tag Archives: Jesus

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Fishers of Men

The lake is one of my favorite places to visit.  We are blessed to live just a mile from Duncan’s Boat Dock on the Tennessee River, and within a few minutes our family can be fishing, kayaking, or enjoying a boat ride.  We do this often.

The water is a place where we can unplug and truly relax.  Fishing gives me time to think and reflect.

Do you ever think about the situation described in Matthew chapter 4?  Peter and Andrew were fisherman.  They made their living on the waters of the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus approached them from the shore and invited them to follow Him.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew.  They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.  Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.”  At once they left their nets and followed him.  Matthew 4: 18-20

Can you imagine the excitement Peter and Andrew must have felt?  Jesus was no stranger to these two brothers, as He had been preaching in the area and they knew of his life and message.  They immediately left their nets and boat and started their new work- fishing for souls.

I sometimes wonder what purpose God has for me.  We live in a busy, noisy society.  It’s often hard to focus on discovering God’s specific purpose for our life.  I struggle to focus on what God is asking me to do while here on this earth.  Discovering God’s purpose for my life is within my grasp, I just fail to truly seek the instruction.

Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46: 10

Be still.

He has a plan for us.  We have been given gifts and we are called to use our gifts for the benefit of glorifying His holy name.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.  Psalm 62: 5

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  Romans 8: 28.

This week I will try to earnestly seek God’s specific purpose for my life.  I will be still, ask and then listen for instruction.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last.  John 15: 6

May we all clearly hear our call to be fishers of men…and have the courage to accept it.

God bless.

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Election Day

“If I were President of the United States I would:  make some new laws, no drugs and no smoking, give soldiers medals, and make the world a better place.” Britton Carver- kindergarten (2011)

I am grateful for the opportunity to live in a democratic society.  It’s a blessing to be able to vote and participate in the election process.  Hollianne and I don’t take this for granted- and we stress the importance of voting to our kids.

As much as I enjoy the political process, I am happy that this election day has come and gone.  It was a particularly ugly campaign season in East Tennessee.  Negative ads littered our mailboxes, radio speakers and televisions.  Many candidates not only wanted to tell prospective voters about their credentials and accomplishments. but also went on the attack.  Anything to earn a vote, it seems.

Unlike this somewhat tough political realm, we are blessed to have already been elected.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.  John 15:16

Jesus elected to be persecuted and die on the cross to take away our sins.  His decision afforded us with the opportunity for the ultimate freedom.  Freedom to live with our Lord and Savior.

But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.  2 Thessalonians 2:13

We have been elected.  It is our choice whether to accept this appointment or not.  Will we accept or reject this generous gift?

Behold I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  Revelation 3:20

We have already been given the benefit of a win in the world’s greatest election event.  Jesus paid the ultimate price on that cross to give us victory.

Thank God.

 

 

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Gators, darkness and the ultimate flashlight

I believe that heat and humidity come to die in South Carolina each July. I have been working in the Palmetto State for the past two days. It’s a beautiful place, especially the coast. But the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

I had to be at a breakfast meeting today at 6:45 am. I had decided to get in a quick run around the hotel before breakfast, so I headed out of my room around 5:00 am. I was taken aback at the humidity even at this early hour, but I was even more surprised by the darkness. Pitch black. There wasn’t a hint of sunrise as I started my run, but I eventually found the pathway that circled the hotel complex and began to plod down the trail.

It was dark. There were very few lights along the trail, so each step was taken with caution and a bit of trepidation. The hotel had placed small guide lights along the trail about every 1/8 of a mile, so my strategy was to simply run- carefully- from light to light.

About a ½ mile into my run I spotted a sign that warned visitors to watch for alligators crossing the path. This was a bit unnerving- as I was now painfully aware of the opportunity to run upon a reptile in the darkness.

It was a dark world this morning. There were numerous obstacles along the pathway…fallen limbs from yesterday’s winds, large pools of water from an overnight downpour, and the threat of angry, hungry reptiles. It probably wasn’t smart for me to venture out into the darkness, but I went anyway.

I was reminded about the larger, greater darkness we encounter in this world each day. Stress, strife and sin can cloud our judgment and keep us from seeing (and thinking) clearly about our purpose and our daily walk with Christ.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

The Bible. God’s own word. We’ve been given this ultimate guidebook to navigating our way through life. We have the ultimate light to help us focus on how to live our lives, how to treat people and how to persevere through tough times. It’s up to us to seek this wisdom. The more we read and study- the more clear our path will be.

Let’s encourage one another to read and reflect on the wisdom of the Bible. It’s the ultimate illumination device.

God bless.

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Who’s in charge here?

IMG_2665We’ve been at the beach this week. It’s been great to have all five of us together with some interrupted family time. No meetings, schoolwork, teleconferences, trips, scrimmages or practices. I have had a wonderful opportunity to recharge with the family.

Today there was a young couple sitting near us on the beach. They had a little girl that must have been about three years old. Seeing her enjoy the beach and the ocean brought back great memories of our daughter’s first trips to the beach years ago. It’s hard to believe that Carson will be a sophomore in high school this fall. It only seems like yesterday that we were carrying her into the water in our arms, helping her build sandcastles and applying sunscreen in generous amounts to her small arms and legs.

It hit me. According to my calendar, that means that she’ll be with us 148 more weeks before heading off to college. 1,038 days. That’s going to pass by quickly. Where has the time gone? I’ll admit it. I’m worried about it.

Where will she go to school? What career path will she choose? Who will she choose as friends? Where will she settle down? Yeah. I worry about all of that. I guess that in my eyes- Carson is still that three year old on the beach.

I have to remind myself that while Hollianne and I have great responsibilities placed on us as parents, there is someone else- much more powerful than us- concerned with our children.

Therefore I tell you, be not anxious about your life, what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: They neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6: 25-27

Our Lord is already there. He knows our future- and the futures of those we love. We can’t worry about it. While we need to do our jobs as parents, we also need to trust and know that He is there and will provide for us.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I need to remember that I’m not in control.  While I need to be concerned, I do not have to worry.

For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:18

God bless you.

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Unique, thank God

Brittons tieLike millions of other men across the world, I truly look forward to Father’s Day.  It’s a great event for me, as I get to celebrate being Hollianne’s husband and the father to our three children.

This year brought a special surprise. Our youngest child presented me with a gift that I’ll never forget. Britton obtained a paisley-patterned tie for me to wear. While the tie was wonderful, it’s what Britton did with the tie that made it extra special. Britton took brightly-colored paint pens and personalized it! He drew three children on the tie (representing the Carver kids) and wrote “Happy Father’s Day” across the top. He proudly told me that it was the only one like it in the world…it was unique. He beamed with pride when I wore it to church that morning.

Just like my special gift from my son, we as Christians should celebrate our uniqueness. We are carefully made by God our Father.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

God knows everything about us. He knows our strengths and shortcomings. He knows our past and our future. He uniquely made us for His service.

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. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

I cherish my Father’s Day tie…and am so thankful for the son who created it for me. But we are infinitely more cherished by our heavenly Father, and I pray that we will all continually work to use our unique gifts and talents to glorify His holy name.

God bless you.

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Cleansed from the Inside Out

Carson

I had the honor of a lifetime late last night.

My daughter, Carson, called us from church camp in Nashville to let us know that she was ready to accept Jesus as her Savior and be baptized for the remission of her sins.  Hollianne and I rushed over to middle Tennessee to be a part of this special event- and I even had the great honor of baptizing my little girl.

We are born sinners, but we do not need to die in sin.  The death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross has blotted away our sins- and has cleansed us from the inside out.

Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?  Who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.  Psalm 24:3-4

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  Hebrews 9:14

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.  For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  1 Peter 1:22-23

True cleansing comes from within.  It’s a matter of the heart.  We experience grace and salvation through contact with Christ’s blood.  Our transgressions are blotted out…our sins are forgiven.  What a glorious gift.

I told Carson last night that her obedience and outward commitment to God had given us a new relationship.  She woke up on Thursday morning a daughter, but she went to sleep as my sister in Christ.

What a great feeling.  God bless.

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Worry like the Philippians?

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Giving up our anxiety is easier said than done, isn’t it? We face an enormous amount of pressure each
day, whether it’s from work, home or society.

Stress can cause us to turn inward for answers…a reliance on self to
“fix” whatever situation we find ourselves facing. The Bible gives us great assurance that God
cares- and wants us to present Him with our worries. What a comfort to know that the same God that
created the heavens and the earth is also interested in our worries and
concerns!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

The next time you go to God in prayer- thank Him for the blessings you
have received in this earthly life. Also present your concerns to Him. Give your
worries over to God and ask for His wisdom and guidance in assisting you
through life’s valleys. We’ve been promised comfort and help. What a blessing!

God bless.

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Old-school boldness: Be like Joshua

“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

Can you imagine how Joshua must have felt upon hearing this? Moses has just died and Joshua has been chosen to finally lead his people into the Promised Land. Joshua knew that this part of the journey would be filled with conflict and fighting, but God was with him- and the promises He had made years ago to Abraham of obtaining a land, a new nation and a blessing (Genesis 12:1-3) were finally coming to fruition. After years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites were to obtain their home.

God keeps His promises to us today- just as he did to Abraham and Joshua. His promises are realized today and will be here tomorrow. We must be faithful, diligent and bold- because we have been promised that “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Let His light shine within and around you today. Be bold and confident.

God bless you.

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Hit and Run

I was hit this morning in Memphis.

I was stopped at a traffic light along Riverside Drive. I casually glanced up at my rear-view mirror just in time to see a red Toyota compact bearing down on me quickly. The driver was obviously distracted, probably checking her iPhone for a text message or changing her radio dial.

I braced for the collision- knowing that the impact was only moments away. The driver looked up at the last instant, applied her breaks, and then slammed into my bumper.

Before I could gather my thoughts, the light turned green and traffic started moving again. The driver behind me had her head in her hands- looking straight out her winshield to survey the damage to her hood.

I slowly moved forward and looked for a place to pull over. I turned on my signal to indicate a right-hand turn on Jefferson Street, hoping that the lady behind me would follow. I wanted to make sure she was o.k., survey the damage to our vehicles, and exchange insurance information if necessary.

I was glad to see that she had decided to follow me on Jefferson. I looked at her car in my rear-view mirror, but I could not see the severity of the damage. I looked for a good place to pull over and moved toward a lane of parking meters. Unfortunately, the woman behind me quickly changed her mind….turning and making a hasty retreat back toward Riverside Drive. She made a quick right-hand turn and was gone in an instant.

I was stunned.

Why did she drive off?

Why wouldn’t she want to see if I was o.k.?

Why wouldn’t she want to immediately check on her car?

My shock soon turned to frustration. My truck was o.k. (just a few scratches) and more importantly- I was o.k. I’m sure that her grill and hood were extensively damaged.

I thought about this incident- and the woman involved- all morning. Why did she drive away? She was obviously scared. Scared of my reaction. Scared to look at her car’s damage. Scared to look at the damage to my truck. She had a split decision to make a decision- and she decided to run. Away. Afraid.

My frustration turned in to sorrow later in the day. Did she not have insurance? How would she pay for the damage to her car?

It made me think about how many times have I participated in a ‘hit and run’ in my daily life. I have sprinted away from a relationship that desperately needs repair. I’ve ignored someone who desperately needs help- but it’s out of my comfort level to lend a hand. I make sure that I get in that last, painful verbal shot during an argument and walk away. I know that I fail others each and every day, and I pray that I can take a lesson from the accident this morning.

We are all going to fail. All of us fall short- even on our best of days. The true test of character, however, is how we respond and learn from our mistakes. Our eternal Father offers us a sense of peace if we are willing to own up to our mistakes, confess our transgressions and work to become a more complete person. He offers us a fresh start each and every day.

I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Psalm 32:5

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32: 1-2

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. I Peter 1:23

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the rusurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I Peter 1:3

I’m sorry that I reacted the way I did this morning. I pray that the woman who hit my truck is o.k. I also pray that the next time I am faced with an opportunity to ‘hit and run,’ I have the courage, wisdom and strength to make the right decision.

Have a good day- and God bless.

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Persistence

And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

I’ve often heard it said that life is all about “Plan B.”

Carson, our daughter, was excited about her freshman year of high school basketball. She worked hard all summer on her conditioning and shooting, and she was able to secure a spot on the varsity team. By late September, however, Carson developed an injury in her foot that required her to miss the entire season. She was crushed- all that time preparing over the summer was wiped away with one trip to the orthopedist.

Carson struggled for a couple of days, but her mood eventually changed. Determined to be on the court in some way, she decided to help coach a basketball team of second grade girls. She immersed herself in drills, motivational ploys and teaching the basics of basketball. Her crew of young players had a rough start, losing their first three games. But Carson was determined to make this thing work. And they all improved…the girls became better players and Carson became a better coach. By midseason these young women had turned into a confident, skilled group of players. They improved each game and eventually made a deep run in the city recreation league championship. Best of all? Carson had channeled her frustration into an opportunity to continue with basketball- and make a positive impact on the lives of some special kids. She turned her hurt into something good by attempting to help others.

We are all faced with tough times Plans don’t go as we had hoped. Unexpected obstacles pop up. Life just happens. We can’t control our circumstances, but we can control our attitudes. The Bible gives us numerous passages focusing on pressing on through tough times, including:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

By standing firm you will gain life. Luke 21:19

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:3

Endurance. Patience. Persistence. May you never “tire in doing what is right.” God bless.

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