In The Huddle

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here were only 30 seconds left on the clock.  The crowd in the stands was on its feet and the noise in the stadium was deafening.  On the field, both teams gathered for final instructions, developing their strategies before the last play of the game.  On the sidelines, Rick, the team’s quarterback, conferred with the coach.  After a flurry of hand signals and a quickly sketched play, Rick headed back toward the field and gathered his team into a huddle.

Although the shouts and jeers from the fans on both sides of the field continued to crescendo, the players in the huddle concentrated on every word coming from Rick’s mouth. These were their final instructions, the words that would determine the outcome of the game. To this point every man had done his job, they had played hard, they had executed all the coaches instructions, and now they stood only yards away from victory.  However, if they blew the play and failed to score, the other team would carry the day and all their effort would be a fleeting memory, a mere byline in tomorrow’s newspaper.

Rick’s instructions were very simple.  One man would carry the ball straight up the middle and into the end zone for a touchdown.  There would be no fancy footwork, no reverse handoff, and no final pass.  Both Rick and the coach knew that the only way to win this game was to charge right into the defending team’s line and score, slugging and pushing their way through until the game was won.

The men broke the huddle and approached the ball.  As the two teams faced each other across the scrimmage line, the crowd fell silent. Everyone waited with baited anticipation to see what the next few seconds would bring.  Rick called the signals, the ball was snapped, and he handed it to one of the players behind him.  As soon as he received the ball, the player tucked it into his gut, put his head and shoulders down, and hit the opposing line.  His teammates ran ahead of him, blocking, pushing, and hitting, creating a hole just big enough to allow entrance into the end zone.  As he crossed the line, the final gun sounded, the crowd went wild, the team broke into a victory dance, and the scoreboard changed over, revealing that all their effort during the last play had paid off.

This could be the scene all over the United States on any Friday night at high school football games.  It could also take place on college and university campuses as well as in the professional football stadiums that dot our country. In fact, this story could take place in many countries involving many different kinds of sports.  The most important element of the story however, is not the final play but the final instructions given in the huddle.  It is there that the team makes the decision about winning the game.  It is in the huddle, when the team comes together, that the plan for victory is given.

Jesus and the disciples spent many long hours huddled together.  Sometimes Jesus told them parables, stories using every-day situations to reveal God’s truths.  Sometimes, he would reveal great secrets to them, and sometimes he asked them very important questions about their faith and who they believed he was.  However, the last time they huddled together was just before his ascension.  It was during this time that he gave them the final instructions for continuing his work, for winning the game.

Matthew 28:18-20 says, “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Please notice that Jesus’ final instructions involve no fancy footwork, no razzle-dazzle, and no glitz or glitter.  The command is simply take the message, run right into the opposing line, and push forward until they achieve victory.  Moreover, Jesus included both you and me in that huddle.  Although we were not physically there at the time, the command still comes to us today to take his message and run with all our might, pushing into the opposing team, heading straight for the end zone.  The only thing upon which we must concentrate is Jesus’ directions.  He calls all the plays, he tells us what to do, and he knows how we will achieve victory.

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he command is simple.  We are to make disciples as we go forward in life.  We are to take every opportunity we have to tell others about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Although the noise of the world is deafening, although the movement in the stands and on life’s sidelines can distract us, we must remember Jesus’ instructions and press on toward the goal.  Have you spent time in the huddle with Jesus today?

Fire Starters

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chool children, it seems, are always selling something.  No sooner does the school year begin than students are out in droves, peddling their wares from home to home like door-to-door salesman.   The merchandise varies from fruit, to doughnuts, to cookies, to flags, to popcorn, to wrapping paper for the holidays.  I remember selling, candy, spices, and magazines to help fund various projects for the different schools I attended at home.

While most of the merchandise is designed to grab the buyer’s attention, very few of these products are created with long-term usefulness in mind.  The candy is meant to be consumed, the wrapping paper can only be used during a particular season, and knick knacks for the home soon find their way onto back shelves in closets or are boxed up in the attic until a “place” can be found to display them later.

But every once in a while a useful product comes along that is both practical and designed to make life just a little bit easier.  This small miracle occurred at my sister’s school.  Each year her school, like all the other schools in all the other counties, sold items to raise money for certain needs not addressed by the school’s allotted budget.  Instead of going door-to-door, however, the school held a bazaar where people visited and purchased items, most of them made by the students themselves.

One of the biggest hits at the bazaar was fire starters.  These were simple and useful little gadgets that made building a fire during the winter months much easer.  The students simply took a small milk carton, cut off the top, filled it with paraffin wax, and inserted a small piece of twine in the center.  When the wax cooled, it conformed to the shape of the milk carton and provided enough fuel to last until the wood in the fireplace grew into a warm, glowing blaze.  All you had to do was arrange the wood and the kindling, place the fire starter underneath, light it, and voila!  Instant fire!  As the fire starter burned and used its fuel, it ignited the wood in the grate which grew from a small, single flame into a roaring, blazing fire that gave light and warmth to everyone in the room.

Do you realize that Christians are to the world what the fire starter is to the wood and kindling in the fireplace?  Did you know that Jesus commissioned us to be spiritual pyromaniacs with the sole purpose of intentionally setting the world on fire for him?  It’s true; and we need look no further than one of the last commands Jesus gave his disciples before ascending into heaven.

Matthew 28:19-20 is generally referred to as The Great Commission because it is in this passage of scripture that Jesus instructs his followers to go out into the world and conquer it for him. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Not only did Jesus command his followers—and that includes us today—to go out and set fires; he gave them the necessary tools with which to do it.  Notice the distinct similarities between believers and those fire starters my sister’s school sold.  First, they were small compared to the task.  Second, they had a distinct shape and were filled with fuel and a wick.  Third, once they were lit, they gave of themselves totally until a roaring fire was set ablaze.  Fourth, they received their fire from another source. Fifth, had it not been for them, there would have been no fire.

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t doesn’t take much to understand the comparison, does it?  The world is a big place filled with billions of people.  By ourselves we are not match for the challenge, we are very small when placed side-by-side with Christ’s command.  The scriptures tell us that we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, taking on his shape, and we are to be filled with the Spirit which produces in us the means of sharing the gospel message with the world.  However, unless we give of ourselves totally and unselfishly, we are of no use to God.  The fire starter is no good without a flame and it will not achieve its purpose if it goes out before the task is completed.  But when we allow God to work through us so that we share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world, we can truly ignite a flame in those around us.  How many fires have you started lately?  

Walking In Daddy's Shoes

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addy’s closest was always the most fascinating place to explore!  For a little guy, that closest was as big as a house.  There was room to enough to play in and room enough to hide in if the situation ever called for it.  The closet was divided into two different levels with a huge shelf separating the upper portion from the lower.  The upper part of the closet contained all of Daddy’s shirts and the bottom part held his suits, jeans, work pants, and his shoes.  Daddy kept his ties and belts hanging on a rack attached to the closet door so when the closet was open, everything was readily accessible, even to little hands!

Now daddy’s shirts, ties, and belts were always out of reach.  It’s hard for a little tyke to reach up and grab stuff off of a high rack on the door or to remove a shirt from way up high.  However, the lower level was in full reach and easily attacked!  I remember climbing into the closet, using it for a neat place to hide from my mom or my brother.  I also remember how daddy never liked for us to play in the closet because we always rearranged his shoes.  But I paid very little attention and hid in the closet anyway.

On several occasions I would select a pair of daddy’s shoes, put them on, and walk around the house.  They were obviously way too large for my little feet so I shuffled more than I walked, dragging my feet and the heels of those shoes all over the house.  I would leave scuff marks on the kitchen floors, something my mother always fussed about, and you could hear me coming from a mile away.  But it didn’t matter to me.  As long as I was wearing daddy’s shoes, I felt all grown up, I felt as if nothing was impossible, and daddy’s shoes gave me the right and the privilege of being just like him.

Ah, how often the joys and lessons of childhood soon escape us!  Not long after children enjoy walking in daddy’s shoes, enjoying the thrill and happiness of that moment, they grow up and begin stepping on his feet!  Instead of walking like daddy and walking with him, they get shoes of their own and they walk another path.  Sooner or later, though, they realize that daddy’s shoes represented more than just bigger feet, they also represented a deeper understanding and appreciation for the important things in life!  The bigger the shoes, the bigger the responsibility and the more need there is for a personal walk with God.

1 John 2:6 is a very short verse, but it gives us a great insight into being a Christian and walking with God on a daily basis.  John writes, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”  Pay very close attention to the two claims John makes in this passage.  First, this passage is addressed to those who “claim” to be followers of Jesus Christ.  Many of us invoke the name of Jesus Christ or use the term Christian whenever it is convenient to do so.  We are quick to assure others that we are Christian but we need to understand exactly what that means.

John finishes his thought by emphatically stating that if we claim to be a Christian, we better “walk” like a Christian.  In other words, we better walk just as Christ did.  How did Jesus walk?  He walked in utter obedience to the commands of God.  His walk did not deviate from his words but it was in line with everything he claimed to be.  Every step Jesus took, every thought he had, every motive of his heart, and every word from his mouth had but one purpose—to glorify God. 

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his is how Jesus walked.  This is how Christians must walk.  However, it is impossible to walk like this on our own.  We must get into the prayer closet and hide, closing out the world and opening ourselves to God.  We must then emerge wearing, not our shoes, but our Father’s shoes.  They are too big for us, but they give us the strength we need, the confidence we desire, and the wonderful knowledge that there is someone much bigger than we who can take care of every need we have.  Are you walking in daddy’s shoes today?

On-The-Job Training

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hen I was sixteen years old, my dad agreed to let me hold a job.  There were certain parameters I had to observe and as long as I remained within them, I could hold the job.  Daddy wanted to make sure I made school work a priority so I could only work on the weekends.  However, in the summer months, he said I could work as much as I wanted.  The trick was finding a place that matched my dad’s requirements for a job.

One of the local hospitals was advertising for a weekend receptionist/data entry clerk in the x-ray department.  I went for an interview and the supervisor offered me the job.  My main responsibilities were locating patient records and updating them whenever an examination was performed.  The job put my typing skills to good use.  In fact, that job greatly improved my typing and enhanced my computer skills as well.  I had acquired both of these in high school but instead of using them for a grade, I was using them to help people get well.  It was very rewarding to know my typing and computer skills were actually being used for a much higher purpose.

Before I was ready to run the front desk on my own, I had to undergo training.  All the training was done on the job because that was the best way to learn.  By working with patient records, I soon learned how to locate any file in the department quickly and efficiently.  The computer soon became a joy to use instead of something to be feared and the filing procedure became second nature to me.  Everything I learned in school helped me in my job but I never dreamed I would use these skills to potentially cure someone or save his life.

Jesus knew the value of on-the-job training for his disciples.  In fact, when he calls Peter and Andrew away from their life’s work, on-the-job training is exactly what he had in mind.  Look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 4:19, “Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."  This one statement speaks volumes to us and it should encourage us in our daily walk with the Lord.

First, this statement tells us that Peter and Andrew were both fishermen by trade.  In fact, the Scriptures teach us just prior to this verse that these two brothers were indeed fishermen.  They know how to catch fish, how to choose the appropriate bait, where to find the best spots to fish, and they knew how to care for and repair their nets.  Yet when Jesus finds them, he begins teaching them where they are.  He uses the abilities they have but he applies them in a completely different way.  Notice that Jesus promises to make Peter and Andrew fishers of men.  The Greek text reads very interestingly here.  It says that Jesus will teach them to become fishers of men.

Although they knew a lot about catching fish, Andrew and Peter knew precious little about catching and winning souls for Jesus.  Nevertheless, Jesus took what they knew, and through careful teaching and hands-on instruction, he taught these two brothers to catch the souls of men.  Everything Peter and Andrew had learned through fishing was of use to them.  Now, however, they were to apply their knowledge of fishing to harvesting souls for the kingdom of God.

This is one of the most encouraging passages of Scripture I know.  No matter what my background, no matter what I have learned, God can use it for the furtherance of his kingdom.  Even when my attempts seem so feeble and so ineffective, God uses them to achieve his purposes.  God gives me on-the-job training every day because every day is different.

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o, wherever you are today and whatever your assigned task, know that God is working with you and through you, teaching you how to win the souls of those around you.  Not all of us are called to the pulpit, or the mission field, or the Sunday school classroom.  But all of us are called to share our faith with those around us and to live a life that indicates the presence of Christ.  

Remember, God called Andrew and Peter to on-the-job training and he taught them how to accomplish the goal he had in mind for them.  The same is true of you today.  God knows what he wants to do with you and your life.  All he needs is for you to trust him, to be willing to learn how to be an effective witness to all those around you today.  So, what are you waiting for?  Throw out those nets.  The fish are waiting!

Air Freshener

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his past Saturday I was in the grocery store making my weekly purchases.  Not watching where I was going, I ended up on the aisle where the cleaning supplies were kept.  There were so many products to choose from.  There were different detergents for clothes, several brands of furniture polish, all kinds of bathroom and household cleaners, and air fresheners that could be placed throughout the house or used on the carpet with a vacuum cleaner.  I stood there for what seemed like hours just trying to take it all in.

What caught my eye and mesmerized me the most was the display of products for cleaning the air.  These came in solids, liquids, aerosol sprays, candles, and powders.  Sitting there on those few shelves seemed to be every scent known to man.  As I stood there looking at the array of products, my attention focused on the powders destined to be spread over carpet and vacuumed up with the dirt.  The vacuum cleaner sucked up the dirt and the powder but left a wonderful aroma behind. In a home, that pleasant odor serves as a reminder that the dirt has been removed and that everything in the house is clean. Isn’t it amazing what a small odor can tell you about a home and about the persons who live there?

The same is true in the life of the Christian.  We are constantly giving off a fragrance to those around us.  What does the fragrance of our lives communicate to others?  Does the aroma of our witness testify to the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood in our lives?  When people encounter us at work, in the shops, or anywhere in between, can they tell that we’ve been with Jesus?

The Apostle Paul in his second letter to the believers in Corinth addressed just this issue.  In 2 Corinthians 2:15, he writes, “For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”  Three quick truths glare out at us from this passage.  First, Paul states categorically and with out reserve that our lives are a constant aroma before God.  The aroma our lives are to put forth is that of Christ.  We can only have his aroma if we follow him and spend time in his presence.  Yes, only in his presence can we ever hope to obtain his aroma in order to share it with all those around us.

The second truth is that we share the aroma of Christ among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Who among us has not been in need and been encouraged and strengthened by a fellow believer?  Who among us has not given thanks to God that one of our brothers or sisters in Christ prayed for us or visited us in times of great need or distress.  They shared with us the aroma of Christ and reminded us that our source of strength was in Christ alone.

The last truth is that we spread the aroma of Christ among those who are not saved.  People may receive the odor of our lives long before we have the opportunity to speak to them.  Through our actions and our attitudes we demonstrate our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.  The way we lead our lives is in itself an aroma noticed by the world.  Paul is clear; we are to share the aroma of Christ with unbelievers, encouraging them by our actions and demonstrating the power and love of Christ in our daily lives.

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o, are you giving off a pleasant aroma today?  When people meet you do they see evidence of Jesus in your life?  Do your actions and your attitudes provide an inviting odor to those who are seeking Christ?  Is your life a source of strength and encouragement to those serving Christ?  Paul reminds us that our lives must give off the aroma of Christ.  What does the aroma of your life say about your relationship with Jesus today?

Weightlifting 101

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he weight room in our high school gym was one of the most popular places on campus.  This was especially true for the guys training for football, basketball, track and field, or baseball, a sport for which our town remains well-known and respected.  However, the weight room was not only used by student athletes.  Some of the teachers and coaches used the facilities to remain in good physical shape.

Each day after school, guys would pour into the gym, dress out, and begin their exercise routines.  Some would use free weights, others would use the available machines, and the rest would do exercises or spot for those lifting. All those using the weight room had one goal, to increase their strength, reduce their body fat, and build muscles.

The results of their labor were evident.  Not long after they started training, all the guys began taking on a different appearance.  They grew bigger and stockier.  Their increased size and strength evidenced their dedication to become physically fit.  However, there was another by -product which could not be seen but was just as real.  That by-product was pain. 

Before entering training, everyone knew that pain would be a part of the process.  In order to build muscle, you have to tear muscle.  Tearing a muscle is never fun and it is never done without pain. But without pain, without constant training and stretching, muscle does not grow, strength is not increased, and it is impossible to maintain good physical condition.

This same principle applies to our spiritual conditioning as well.  If we intend to grow spiritually, we must exercise our faith.  This is never easy and it is never pain-free.  If you've ever tested your faith, if you've every increased your ability to trust God, chances are you've paid a visit to God’s weight room.  The only way to grow more faith is to be torn, stretched, and strained so that your faith in him can grow.

This is what the Apostle James had in mind when he wrote the following, “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:3-4).  

Just as an athlete’s goal is to perfect his body, so the goal of spiritual training is to perfect our souls.  Notice that James says that the goal of the spiritual workout is perfection.  He does not mean we will be perfect, we’re human.  However, he does suggest that we will be complete, lacking in nothing. 

God’s goal for us as Christians is to be complete in him.  We achieve this only by increasing our faith and our trust in him.  In order for our faith to grow, it must be tested, stretched, and strained.  Only when this happens can new and stronger faith grow. 

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od does not leave us to go through this alone.  He is there beside us, watching us, making sure the load does not over burden us.  He knows just how much weight is needed to make us stronger in him.  So, are you up for some spiritual bench pressing today?

Backup

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Today's Title: Backup

Today's Scripture: John 3:30

Most people would agree with the idea that the manner in which a person handles adversity speaks volumes about his/her character.  All of us know at least one person who serves as a beacon of inspiration and hope during the trying and difficult times of life.  But it is also true that how a person handles praise and notoriety speaks equally loudly about his/her personal integrity.

I was reminded of this late last week.  Like most people, as soon as I get behind the wheel of my car I reach for the radio controls, tuning in my favorite station, setting the volume just below “eardrum-shattering level” (those of you with teenagers are all too familiar with this setting) and drive to work.  Yesterday, however, instead of listening to the radio, I popped in a CD I hadn’t listened to in quite a while.

The singer is very famous and has produced untold hits in several genres.  As I sang along with the music the lyrics stopped and a beautiful orchestral interlude took over.  The music was very light and happy and actually quite beautiful to the ear.  In a few seconds, the lyrics began and my focus turned to the singer and away from the orchestra.

I listened to the song at least 5 times on my way to work and each time the same thing happened. My focus was more on the singer than on the orchestra and yet the orchestra was an integral part of the song.  It occurred to me that the members of the orchestra playing the background music were content to play while the artist basked in the light of fame.  After all, no one buys concert tickets or an album to hear the orchestra; they buy them to hear the artist.  No one waits in line for hours to see the background singers and the shouts and screams when a concert begin are not for the technicians but are reserved for the singer.

As I thought about this, I began to wonder about my own life and my own walk with the Lord.  Am I content to let him shine or do I want to make sure people see me?  It seems that in present-day Christianity Christians want to be in the limelight and give Christ second billing.  We see this in our churches as one body of believers has to have the latest innovation simply because another church down the street has installed it.  We build huge facilities and plaster our churches’ names across billboards.  Yet, the name of Jesus Christ and His kingdom are not given their proper place.

We can learn a lesson from John the Baptist who, when his followers approached him with a concern that Jesus was growing in popularity, made the following statement found in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  John, the forerunner of Christ, the Elijah who was to come, was content to play music in the background.  Jesus said that of all men born of woman none was greater than John the Baptist.  Now I ask you, if John was content to be in the background, to let Jesus shine, to give him all the glory and the place of honor, where does that leave us?

The music of our lives is constantly playing.  The question we must answer is this, are we out front during the performance or are we playing music in the background?  The answer to this question speaks to our understanding of Christ’s place in our lives.  Where are we on life’s stage?  Are we playing music in the background?  Shouldn’t we be?

All In!

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, March 9, 2015

Today's Title: All In!

Today's Scripture: John 6:8-9

Friday! It was finally here and Jim was so excited.  Tonight was the company’s charity poker night when the employees would gather to raise money for several worthy causes to help those less fortunate who lacked shelter, clothing, or something to eat.  If Jim had had his way, they would have done this every Friday evening; not playing poker, but raising money to help others.  Jim, as well as several of his friends, thrived on doing this.

At seven o’clock sharp the festivities began.  Jim took his usual place at the large round table in the center of the room.  He was joined by nine other members of his office and, of course, his old nemesis in the game sat right across from him.  Sam worked just two cubicles down from Jim and they were the best of friends.  However, when it came to poker, they were bitter rivals. 

The company had been holding these events for the last eight years and during that time both Jim and Sam had won the poker championship four times each. So the competition this evening was particularly spirited. All week they had bragged how one of them would trounce the other underfoot, raising more money than ever before.  Now the time was at hand to see just whose claim would prove to be true.

The game began and progressed slowly with all the players carefully sizing up the competition.   It didn’t take long, however, for Jim and Sam to take charge.  They exchanged a few hands with Jim winning some and Sam taking the rest.  But as the game proceeded toward the final hand, things grew serious.

Finally, the two men remained at the table with everyone else having folded.  The stack of chips in the table’s center was huge and the entire room held its breath as Jim made his final move.  He took one glance at this cards and shoved his remaining chips to the center of the table and shouted out, “All in!.”  Everyone’s attention was focused on Jim because he had just bet it all, everything he had on one card, betting that his decision would result in meeting the needs of so many.

Ok, ok, just hold on a minute!  What does a poker game have to do with today’s devotional?  Well, let’s look at the life of a small boy who went all in to help so many others.  There is more application in our story than you may realize.

In John 6:8-9 we read the following passage, “Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"  You want to talk about a gamble?  Here was a small boy, whose name we do not and will never know.  Yet, because of him five thousand people ate to their fill and there was an abundance left over. 

There are two quick truths in this brief statement by Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.  First, this small boy seemed to be the only one prepared that day.  The disciples weren’t and they spent time with Jesus every day but that is a topic for another Tidbit.  Notice also that Simon doesn’t believe this small investment will ever meet the present needs of all the people.

However, the little boy went all in, giving Jesus all he had, holding nothing back, never questioning, never hesitating, and never doubting.  He simply pushed his chips to the center of the table and said, “I’m all in!”

The results of his investment were incredible.  Jesus took those five small loaves and two fish and fed five thousand men, not counting women and children, with twelve basketfuls left over.  What that small boy did that day is still producing results in our time.  What an investment!  What a reward for going all in!

Are you living your life today as this small lad?  Are you serving the Lord with everything you have, holding nothing back?  Are you, like this boy and Jim, all in?  If we are not all in, we are being left out!  By the way, Jim won the game!  Let’s go all in today!

Out Into Nothing

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Monday, March 2, 2015

Today's Title: Out Into Nothing!

Today's Scripture: Luke 9:62

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages….” The Ring Mater’s voice boomed from center ring and reverberated from the walls and ceiling of the Charlotte Coliseum where my parents had taken me and my brother to see the circus.  It was everything they said it would be.  There were animals from all over the world—my favorites were the elephants and the lions.  There were clowns, jugglers, fire eaters, magicians, and something I had never seen before nor expected.

High above the circus floor, flying through the air, defying all laws of gravity were acrobats.  I was mesmerized from the moment I saw them.  The Ring Master walked the audience through their entire performance, telling us about the impossible feats they were conducting high above our heads.  I remember shuddering with fear and excitement as these men and women sailed through the air, turning somersaults, hanging upside down from the trapeze, and trusting the other members of their troupe to catch them.  It was an amazing sight and one I never forgot.

The moment of truth, however, came when the Ring Master announced that one of the acrobats would be performing a difficult maneuver high above our heads.  He would swing out on the trapeze several times, do a combination spin/somersault, and land in the outstretched hands of his partner who would deliver him safely to the other side of the arena.  As if this weren't adequately heart-stopping for the audience, this last feat would be performed without the added safety of a net!

The two acrobats began their performance.  The gentleman who would perform the maneuver began swinging back and forth, faster and faster, and higher and higher.  His partner also began swinging but he was not in sync with his partner.  From the ground, it looked as if the two would never be in rhythm and I became very worried.  How would the one acrobat catch the other?  Would he be in a position to catch him when he released the trapeze?  Would the other acrobat release the trapeze and trust his partner?  What would happen?

Finally, I got the answer to all of these questions.  The two acrobats approached each other.  The one performing the spin/somersault had his back turned to his partner.  He swung out, released the trapeze, performed the trick and landed squarely in the hands of his partner who delivered him safely to the other side.  The audience breathed a collective sigh of relief and applauded thunderously.  What was so amazing to me was not so much that one partner caught the other.  What impressed me as a young child was that the first acrobat, without being able to see his partner, had the guts to let go of the trapeze in the first place.

The Scriptures are filled with examples of men and women who exercised great faith, trusting God to catch them when they stepped out into nothing and had no net catch them.  This is the type of faith God wants us to have. It is the type of faith that only comes from experience, from learning that no matter how high the trapeze, no matter how out of rhythm life seems, and no matter how difficult the maneuver, God will always be there to catch us! 

But there is one proviso in all this, one requirement which we must meet, we must be willing to let go of the trapeze.  We cannot put our hands into the hands of God if our hands are full.  We cannot reach out and take hold of the things God has for us if we continue to hold fast to things in the past or present.  In order to experience God’s wonderful grace, in order to understand what it means for Him to care for us, and in order for us to truly know God in all His fullness, we must let go of the trapeze.  It’s just that simple.

In Luke 9:62, Jesus, himself, gives us this requirement for being servants in God’s kingdom, “Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Look at the first two words of this passage. The words no one are all inclusive, they leave no one out!!  In order to be servants in the Lord’s kingdom, we must let go of all we hold dear, be that a job, a home, a stock portfolio, a friend, or a family.  This does not mean God will take them from us, but we must be willing to release our hold on them so He can give us His best.

Like the acrobat, we must be wiling to let go of the trapeze, knowing there is nothing below us to break our fall.  With our backs turned, without the luxury of sight, without being able to hear, we must let go in faith, knowing God will catch us.  Has your walk with God prepared you for the moment when you must let go?  Are you ready and willing to let go of the trapeze today, to step out into nothing except the hand of God and experience the joy that comes from landing squarely in His arms? When you do, you will find that it truly is the “greatest show on earth” or anywhere else for that matter!

             

On Your Way Home...

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Friday, February 26, 2015 

Today's Title: On Your Way Home… 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 28:19

Warm, sunny, summer afternoons were perfect for riding a bike.  This was one of my favorite past times in the off-season from school and I spent hours riding around with my brother, my friends, or just by myself.  Since our town was small and relatively safe, I was free to explore all its different areas and visit with friends and acquaintances. Sometimes I would leave in the morning and spend the entire day on my bike, returning home only for lunch, dinner, and bedtime.

We lived on Main Street and my jaunts usually took me toward town.  I would ride my bike up Main Street, passing Cone Street (named for my paternal grandfather), Depot Street, Pink Street, Jacob Street, Oak Street (where I would eventually buy a home), Mountain Street, Mulberry Street, and making a left turn onto Elm Street.  My rides usually took me in this direction because my mom’s parents lived at the end of this street. Their home was the next-to-the-last house on the left.

Elm Street was (and still is) a beautiful street lined with huge trees, nice houses, sprawling yards, and very little traffic.  On my way to my grandparents’ house, I crossed over Academy Street, Carroll Street, Ballard Street, and Old Post Road.  The last stop was grandmother’s house where a cold drink and plenty of cookies, ice cream, and candy were just waiting to be eaten.  I always loved going to grandmother’s and spent quite a bit of my free time there just visiting, talking, and being with my grandparents.

It wasn't uncommon for my mom to call me while I was visiting my grandparents and tell me to pick up a few things at the grocery store on my way home.  I made sure I left in plenty of time and stopped in to pick up the items she needed for dinner.  The grocery store was on the way home so I didn't have to exert any special effort or alter my route.  Stopping by the store, while requiring a little of my time, did not affect my destination and it didn't cramp my style. It was just part of the trip home.

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus makes the following statement, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” This is a very famous passage of scripture and is usually referred to as the Great Commission. Most of the time we view this passage as Christ’s command to do foreign missions, citing his directive to take the gospel “into all the world.”  But there is also another application, one that is closer to home and one that applies to every believer and follower of Christ.

One possible rendering of the Greek in this passage could be “As you are going…”  Now let’s stop and think about that.  What exactly does that mean to me and to you today?  Simply this, we are to take the good news of Jesus Christ with us everywhere we go.  As we are going to work, Christ should be with us.  As we are going to school, Christ should be with us.  As we are going to lunch, Christ should be with us. As we are going to these places, we are to make disciples.  In other words, we are to teach others what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

That makes it a little more personal doesn't it? Jesus didn't say to make disciples while we were on our way to Borneo or to the outer reaches of Mongolia, did he?  No!  He said for us to make disciples while we are on our way to the office or simply to the grocery store.  We will meet people everywhere we go who need to know Jesus Christ and we will teach them about our savior by our words, actions, and thoughts whether we want to or not. This means the way we live becomes the message of what we believe about Christ!

The Great Commission of Christ is given to all of us, whether we are going to the far reaches of the globe or riding our bike to the grocery store on Main Street.  Where are you going today and what message will you send to the people you meet along the way?  Are you stopping along life’s path, picking things up on your way home?  Think about it today?

Constantly On The Move

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2015

Today's Title: Constantly On The Move

Today's Scripture: 2 Chronicles 27:6

Every evening when the lights are out and all is quiet, I lie in my bed listening to the sound of the ticking clock that hangs on the wall in my living room.  All through the day and night, this vigilant sentinel keeps watch over my home, faithfully marking the passing hours.  While the pendulum swings back and forth, the hands move around the clock, marching through the hours with a determined and steady cadence.  This dance of time occurs whether I am present or not.  The clock continually fulfills its purpose, no matter what!

Clocks have always been a part of my life.  Our house was filled with them because my dad loved, and still loves, listening to a ticking clock.  What continues to amaze me is the precision with which these wonderful instruments work.  The most important part of the clock is the pendulum because without its faithful back and forth motion, the clock would not function.  As the pendulum swings through space, it causes the hands of the clock to move around the dial at a steady pace.  Each swing of the pendulum results in the forward motion of the hands as they mark the passing seconds, minutes, and hours.

The real secret of the clock lies in the fact that its parts are constantly on the move.  The visible motion of the hands and pendulum belie the intricate dance of the clock’s wheels, springs, and gears.  Yet the very fact that the hands move with such devotion indicates that the steadfast march of time moves forward from one passing moment to the next.

The Old Testament book of 2 Chronicles reveals the importance of being constantly on the move in God’s service.  2 Chronicles 27:6 is a brief passage about a man named Jotham, King of Judah, who walked in a manner pleasing to God.  “Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the LORD his God.”  But who was this Jotham and what do we know about him?

Jotham’s name appears 28 times in the Old Testament.  His father was King Uzziah who had leprosy.  Uzziah could not enter the Temple and he lived in a separate house, relieved of his responsibilities.  Jotham represented the people and ruled for his father.  When his father died, Jotham became King of Judah.  He rebuilt the Upper Gate of the Lord’s Temple.  He was 25 when he became king and he reigned for 16 years.  He conquered the Ammonites and they paid a tribute to him for 3 years.

But what we know historically about Jotham does not compare to our scripture passage today.  Notice that there is a direct correlation between Jotham’s power and his walk before God.  In the Old Testament, walking before the Lord meant to please Him on a consistent basis.  Like a clock’s pendulum swinging back and forth, walking also requires constant movement, placing one foot in front of the other. The goal of walking is to move forward, to go from one place to another in a methodical and determined pattern.  Walking before God is a commentary on a person’s life and Jotham’s life was pleasing to God.  We know this because the Scriptures also say that Jotham increased in power and that his walk was steadfast.

This is always true of a man or woman today who walks with God.  The word steadfastly means determined, continually, and consistently.  God wants us to walk with Him on a daily basis, always looking to Him for all our needs, always communicating with Him in every situation, and always walking forward with Him as we mature in our faith.  When we walk with God in this fashion, we find that our spiritual lives become more powerful, that our relationship with God grows ever deeper, and that our faith and trust in Him grow ever stronger.

What do the hands of your spiritual clock tell you about your walk with God today?  Is your pendulum swinging, marking out a constant rhythm, making the spiritual gears of your life turn?  Are the hands of your spiritual clock indicating that you are moving forward, growing and maturing in your walk with God?  Or do the pendulum and the hands show no movement, showing that your forward momentum and your walk with God have stopped?  If this is the case, don’t rest until you talk with God and have your clock rewound.  Remember, in order to please God, you must spend time with Him.  Are you constantly on the move today?

You Sound Just Like Your Dad

 Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Today's Title: You Sound Just Like Your Dad

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 10:24-25

 “Hello.  No, this is Blake.  May I help you?” 

            “Blake, you sound just like your dad on the phone….”

This conversation takes place on numerous occasions when I am visiting my parents in North Carolina, usually for one of the holidays.  So many people call our house looking for my dad that naturally they just expect him to answer the phone.  What a surprise they get when they realize that it’s someone else on the other end of the line.

Sometimes, I have been engaged in a whole conversation before I could stop the other person to convince them I wasn't my dad.  To the person, everyone says we sound alike on the phone.  Personally, I don’t get it.  My dad and I sound nothing alike.  Our voices are different, our mannerisms are different, and our personalities, while similar, are not exactly alike.

However, there are some indisputable facts about the relationship I have with my dad.  I belong to him even though I am now 49 years old.  I am his biologically and genetically.  His genes are a part of my make-up and he gave me life 49 years ago.  I am his emotionally and relationally.  We share a bond and a closeness that no one else shares.  There is no other tie in the world, nor has there ever been, like the one I have with my dad.  I am his volitionally.  He chose to have me; he was certainly under no obligation to have any children. I am his forever, as long as I live.  No matter where I go, no matter what I do, no matter how far away we are from each other, I am his son and he is my dad.  Frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.

So, when people mistake me for my dad on the phone, it is a real compliment to me.  Although I am different from him, people always think that he and I are the same person when they hear our voices.  That is amazing isn't it?  That means I have a great responsibility to speak very carefully because I represent my father to so many people.  The words I speak, the tone of my voice, the quality of my speech, all reflect on him.  As far as those on the phone are concerned, they are speaking to him directly and they take the words from my mouth as though they were coming from his.

It is not a far stretch to apply this to the Christian life.  While it is obvious that we are not God; we are His representatives.  Jesus reminded his followers of this fact in Matthew 10:24-25, “A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master.”  Instead of the student being the teacher—which is impossible by the way—he is to be like the teacher.  The teachings of the master should be evident in the student and those who learn from the student should in fact be learning from the master.  The student’s words, actions, thoughts, and example should mirror those of the master exactly. 

This can only happen in the Christian life when we remove “self” from the equation.  We must share God’s word with those around us.  By God’s word, I mean just that.  We are not to water it down, sugar coat it, or alter it in anyway just to please or appease those around us.  The words we speak should reflect the very truths of the Scriptures.  Those who hear us should be hearing what God has to say instead of the message we want to get across.  We can in no way improve upon God’s word; we must simply share it with all those we meet.

 In a few months, I will be home again for a visit.  No sooner will I be home than the phone will ring.  I’ll answer it and someone will accuse me of being my father and we will start the conversation all over again. It will be a good feeling.  As a Christian, are people confusing you with your father today?  Does the sound of your voice convey His love, His grace, His mercy, and His truth to all those who hear you?  Do you sound like your father today?

Equal Installments

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Thursday, January 22, 2015

Today's Title: Equal Installments!

Today's Scripture: Luke 9:23

The year was 1987.  I had just returned from France and had started teaching in a local high school.  For the first time since college, I had a steady job and a steady paycheck.  That’s when it arrived.  I came home one afternoon to find a small package, wrapped in a small white envelope, addressed solely to me.  I checked the return mailing address and, although I recognized the name, I wasn't sure why I was receiving mail from this location.  As soon as I opened the envelope, however, I became painfully aware of the sender’s intent.

Inside were a letter and a booklet of coupons with my name and address printed on each one.  The letter informed me that the payment book for my college loan had arrived and that the fist payment was due!  Furthermore, the letter instructed me to flip through the payment booklet to verify that my personal information was correct.  I quickly flipped through the coupons and, as luck would have it, all the information was correct.  That meant I could start making payments right away.  The lending company had even done the math for me, dividing my entire loan into 120 equal installments!  That’s 10 years for you math whizzes!!!

I stared at that payment book for what seemed like the longest time.  How in the world was I going to pay that back?  For the next 10 years of my life, a certain chunk of my paycheck belonged to a company hundreds of miles away.  After the shock wore off and reality set in, I shrugged my shoulders, took out my pen, wrote the check, sealed it and the payment coupon in an envelope, and sent them on their way.  For the next several years, I did the same thing, finally paying off the loan with help from my parents.

I’m sure that many of you reading this Tidbit can identify with the story above.  All of us, it seems, are making payments for one thing or another in our lives.  We are either purchasing a house, a car, or furniture, and we are making payments on a monthly basis.  Our payments are divided into equal installments and we make them an integral part of our budgets, making sure our money is used wisely so we can meet all our obligations.

Do you realize that God also works on the installment plan?  That’s right!  Now, I’m not saying that God is a mortgage broker or a lending institution.  He isn't!  However, the principle of making equal payments does apply to our spiritual lives.  Jesus addressed this in a conversation with his disciples concerning the cost of becoming one of his followers.  Luke 9:23 records Jesus’ words concerning the cost of discipleship. "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

Look very carefully at the fourth word from the end of Jesus’ statement.  Did you see it?  Did you take a good hard look at the word daily?  Yes, you read correctly.  He said daily! These are the terms Jesus set forth as a requirement for following him.  However, unlike a bank or savings and loan, Jesus doesn't want us to communicate with him monthly.  Instead, he wants us to relate to him on a daily basis.  He doesn't want just a part of our lives, he wants the whole thing!

Some people, even believers, think this is a high price to pay.  However, when it comes to buying a house or a car, they are willing to sign a contract obligating them for several years, or a lifetime, in order to buy something. Making payments becomes a way of life for them, and they diligently and faithfully meet this obligation.  If we will adjust our lives to purchase something that is not permanent, doesn't it make sense that we would also arrange our lives in order to gain that which is eternal?  God is not selling us anything.  Instead, He is offering us eternal life and, more importantly, a loving and daily relationship with Him.

So we must ask ourselves some hard questions.  How much of our lives is God getting?  As we spend our lives, do we remember to make our daily payment to God?  Do we spend time with Him by reading His word and praying?  Are we budgeting our time and resources in accordance with His will and commandments?  Are we willing to give God the payment due Him, namely, ourselves and to do this on a daily basis?  Are we living our lives on the daily installment plan, seeking God’s will and obeying Him?  Think about it, won’t you?  Have you made your payment today?

Through The Kaleidoscope

Carp's Daily Tidbits

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Psalm 103:2

Date: Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Today's Title: Through The Kaleidoscope

Today's Scripture:  Matthew 4:18-19

Like most people, I have several important things in my home that I simply will not part with.  Some of them I purchased on my trips to Europe.  Some I have come across in little shops or in out-of-the-way places.  Some of them are gifts from dear friends and others are moments captured with the aid of a camera.  But perhaps the most precious items are ones that my parents have given me over the years.

There is the clock that hangs in my living room which was a Christmas present from mom and dad.  There is the clock hanging in my bedroom which they presented to my brother and me as a house-warming present when we moved into our home on Oak Street.   There is the silverware in my kitchen that mom brought and when I moved into my first apartment. It is the same silverware I used growing up and I love it.  I also have my great grandfather’s ice cream scoop and the scoop my mom used to measure sugar when she made cakes.

There are several little knick knacks around the house that mean very little, if anything, to my visitors but they mean the world to me.  One of these items is a small kaleidoscope that resides on my coffee table.  Mom and dad found it in an antique store in Ohio and brought it back to me.  It is very simple, made of three mirrors joined together to form a triangular tube.  At one end is a piece of metal that securely holds one of four differently colored marbles that rest in holes cut in the wooden base that holds the kaleidoscope.

The marbles are very unremarkable.  One is blue, one is yellow, one is red, and one is light orange.  Taken by themselves they aren’t very inspiring but once placed in the end of the kaleidoscope, they spring to life with unimaginable shapes and patterns.  What was a few seconds earlier a commonplace marble changes into a vibrant splash of color that changes formations as the marble is turned around and around.

The secret of the kaleidoscope lies in its ability to make us see an image, not for what it is, but for what it can become when seen from another perspective.  This idea was not lost on Jesus.  In fact, when calling his first disciples, he saw them not for what they were but for what they could become.

In Matthew 4:18-19 we find these words, “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.”  Here is Jesus walking along the shore when he spots two ordinary marbles, Peter and Andrew.  They have been fishing all of their lives and have earned their living from the sea.  They are like so many others who ply their trade on the Sea of Galilee.  But if we look closer at this passage, we see that Jesus sees so much more in these brothers than is visible to the ordinary eye.

Notice Jesus words, “I will make you…”  These men are fisherman, anyone can see that.  But Jesus sees so much more. He sees them not as fishermen, but as fishers of men.  When seen through the eyes of Jesus, Peter and Andrew are no longer men who catch fish; they are men who catch souls. What they can become is unimaginable to them but is crystal clear to Jesus.

Is it any different with us?  God sees deep into our hearts and souls.  He sees us not for what we are but for what we can become through a relationship with his son, Jesus Christ.  What may seem ordinary to us becomes alive once we are placed in Jesus Christ and our lives are viewed from God’s perspective.  Wherever you are in your walk today with the Lord, rest assured his plans for you are beyond anything you can imagine.  Only when we are placed in Christ can we ever fully reveal what is inside.  What does God see when he looks at your life today?  Are you willing to see yourself from his perspective?