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Pastorcarl
I'm a 30 something minister from South Texas. I am married with 3 children, 2 dogs and 2 cats. I have prior career experience in law enforcement and financial services. This blog is a collaboration of my thoughts, fears, uncertainties and the occasional bit of insightful wisdom. I am a man who values authenticity and transparency. I try to draw deeply from my faith and my own experiences as I speak and write. I hope that as you read my writings and hear my messages you will find strength, encouragement and insight for your life.
It's all in how you look at it
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
This week all eyes will be on the American economy, in particular
the financial markets. Over the past several weeks the Dow Jones
Industrial Average has fallen nearly 2,000 points. For many this has
led to a state of panic as they are overtaken by fear, worry and host
of other unpleasant emotions. Their current state of emotion is of
course grounded in their choice of perspective. For many, this downturn
of the market is no different than a red-tag clearance sale at the
local department store…a buying opportunity.
Ephesians 5:20 (NLT)
And you will ...<< MORE >>
Journey into the unknown
Good morning! I hope your weekend was restful.
There are times in life when we find ourselves setting sail in faith
for unknown destinations. This may come about through disaster, illness
or other means. The optimist in us says this is an opportunity for me
to spread my wings, but the pessimist inside of us wonders how we will
make it.
This brings me to one of my favorite accounts of a journey into the unknown:
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.”
Abram was plugging along ...<< MORE >>
Drowning in Circumstances
Good morning! I hope you had a terrific weekend.
Each of us has encountered situations in our lives that were “over
our heads.” More clearly stated, we at times are faced with
circumstances that are beyond our ability and resources to change. Life
has been moving along at a normal pace when all of the sudden your
reality changes. The doctor says the tests came back malignant; the
boss gives you a pink slip on Friday afternoon; the police show up at
your door; you come home to find your house full of water and in those
moments your whole world changes.
Our positive outlook now makes ...
In the Wake of Disaster
Good morning! This past weekend the Texas
Gulf Coast was ravaged by Hurricane Ike. My family and I were blessed
to be spared; however, many are fighting for their very survival as a
result of this devastating storm.
Many of us have been glued to our televisions over this weekend
watching the devastation and suffering. So what is our response
supposed to be when faced with these types of needs? Does the Bible
offer any guidance?
Matthew 25:31-40 (NLT)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with
him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. [32] All the nations
will be ...
Change of Plan
by looking at your calendar, day planner or Outlook™ to formulate your
game plan for the day and possibly even the week. Depending on your personality
type you may be so detailed that nearly every minute of your day is charted out
before you, with little room for flexibility.
Today I want to talk about divine interruptions to your schedule. When we
choose to walk daily with God, we need to understand that our ...<< MORE >>
Time = Distance
Good morning! I hope your Labor Day weekend has been refreshing.
This past Saturday my brother-in-law and I went on a 5 hour fishing
charter into the Gulf of Mexico . Our boat captain took us a few miles
out from port and had us drift fish next to several large tankers that
were anchored in the open water. The open water is an amazing reminder
of perspective. Next to one of these massive oil tankers, our fifty
foot fishing vessel seemed like a toy in comparison; however, as you
drifted away from the tanker and began to see the open water, the
tanker itself became ...<< MORE >>
Wonder and Amazement
Good morning! I hope you had a wonderful weekend.
This past week my family and I welcomed Elishba, a friend of mine
from India, to our home. I have done ministry work with her family for
the past few years during my visits to India and was thrilled to have
her join us this year for an internship.
One of the fun things about this visit is the opportunity to learn
about a new culture. Over the weekend we introduced Elishba to the
local shopping mall, the supermarket and a minor league baseball game.
It was fun to see her amazement over things we take ...<< MORE >>
Your actions define you
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Every one of us leaves a lasting impression. Others define us by
what they see in our actions. A good reputation is something to be
treasured, while a bad reputation is difficult to put to rest.
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the following names:
• Abraham Lincoln
• Richard Nixon
• Vince Lombardi
• Mike Tyson
• Judas Iscariot
• Jesus Christ
The Bible reveals to us a simple truth:
Proverbs 20:11 (NLT)
Even children are known by the way they act, whether their conduct is pure and right.
The question becomes ...<< MORE >>
There is no "I" in "Team"
Good morning! I hope you had a great weekend.
Over the weekend, the world turned its attention towards Beijing,
China and the start of the Olympic Games. Here in the United States our
eyes have been on the waters of the swimming competition, as we watch
to see if Michael Phelps can break a nearly 40 year old medal record.
One of the lessons that have come out of Michael Phelps quest for
gold is his need for others. Last night America held its collective
breath as the men’s 4 x 100 relay team narrowly beat the French for a
gold medal. In this particular race, ...<< MORE >>