I'm Fine

Throughout history, perilous events have occurred that later historians have labelled as "defining moments" in either a person or an entity's makeup. Winston Churchill's "Never Give Up" rallying cry to the people of Great Britain as the German Blitzkrieg barreled on towards their tiny island country or, Abraham Lincoln's delivery of the Gettysburg Address setting his resolve to secure the union of the United States serve as grand examples. Or a defining moment might take on the complexion of the story of Christopher Reeves (Superman), who after being left paralyzed from the neck down from a horseback accident, went on to prove that indeed he was a true "super man". The list goes on and on, men women, countries, movements, this world is full of examples of overcoming adversity and thus defining their place in history. What I would like for us to focus on today isn't necessarily the defining moment of when the cast was set, but more of the "re-fining" that takes place during the event before the person de-fines themselves in this world as an overcomer extraordinaire. 

Before a person can experience a defining moment in their lives they must first work through the refining process. Let me expand on that idea for a minute with an example. Something bad happens, well isn't that just life? We all experience adversity, but it is what happens after the adverse situation that dictates whether the event will define us or if we will take what life has handed us and work in it and through it to come out on the other side stronger than we were before the adversity ever struck. If we allow the trials and tribulations of this life to define us then that opens the door for failure to creep in. We become the product of adversity and we become something else than what we were created for. I believe that God didn't create us to fail, but He did give us free will, and unfortunately if we choose to accept the outcomes of adversity as just the way it is, then we accept defeat and that defeat may very well de-fine us as a failure. The annals of history are clear, God did not create us to succumb to challenges that stand in our way of fulfilling God's preplanned purpose for the life He created you and I to live out. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." II Timothy 1:7. We were not created to be timid or fearful when adversity lands in our lap, in this letter Paul was writing to Timothy exhorting him to be courageous in the face of persecution and to use the power which God had planted in his heart to move forward and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. The parable of the servants and the talents serves as a testament to the concept of a de-fining moment in lives of three servants. 

In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus shares the well known parable of the three servants who were given large sums of wealth, talents, by their master to oversee his wealth. The first servant was given five talents and earned five more talents. The second servant received two talents and after investing his master's wealth he doubled his master's two talents. The work that these two servants did to double their master's wealth is what can be labelled as their re-fining moment. They took a situation that held a 50/50 shot of being successful and through educated decisions and a committed work ethic they moved from being re-fined to a place of being de-fined upon their master's return. "Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master." Matthew 25:21. These two men had a choice, they could take this as an opportunity to establish themselves as trustworthy and honorable, or they could have taken the route that the third servant chose which did not serve as a refining moment in his life. 

The third servant in our parable, made the decision to not enter into a phase of refinement when given this opportunity to excel. The third servant was given one talent. Modest in comparison to either of the other two servants, yet still an opportunity to refine and ultimately define his role in the master's mind. The third servant made the decision to basically dig a hole and hide the master's talent, because he was afraid that he might lose his master's wealth that had been entrusted to him. Remember from the scripture above (II Timothy 1:7), God did not and does not give us a spirit of fear, instead God equips us with power and self-discipline through which the servant should have placed his trust and went out and invested his master's wealth. That spirit of timidity prohibited the growth that the servant needed to re-fine him from being timid to be strong and courageous, just as God encouraged Joshua as he accepted his role after the death of Moses (Joshua 1:9). Instead, his decision to not accept even a small amount of risk, defined this servant as a man who failed miserably in a situation where he could have de-fined himself as a worthy and trustworthy servant. Instead the master retorted, "You wicked and slothful servant!" Inadvertently, the third servant labelled himself as "not up to the challenge" thus defining himself to his master and others as a failure. 

What adversity are you facing today that may very well be your opportunity to re-fine yourself to become the man or woman God wants to de-fine you as in His Kingdom? Ask yourself the question, "will this adversity define me or will I take this adversity, work in it and allow God to work through me to the point that I refine myself as a servant that will not give up nor ever give in! You've got this. "For when I am weak, then I am made strong." II Corinthians 12:10. 

Choose to be re-fined so that you will be de-fined! 

Coach Carter

I'd Do That Again

 Think about it for a minute, can you recall a moment in your life where you spouted out a similar statement, "Man, I'd do that again!" Maybe you were just getting off the new rollercoaster at a theme park, maybe you had just finished what would probably be described as the best steak you have ever eaten,  or for me it could have been just as my kayak exited an extended run of technical river rapids. Possibly, you may have quipped, "If I had to do it all over, I'd do it the exact same way", or depending on the stage of life you are currently living you might have commented "looking back on my life, I wouldn't change a thing," Regardless of the memorable moment(s) that you would eagerly do all over again, we need to also give some attention to those things that occur in our lives that we would definitely not choose to have a "do-over". Personally, I won't be signing up for a second root canal any time soon, and I'm pretty confident there aren't many of us out there that would ask to persevere through financial, relational, or mental winters of life more than once. Ultimately, life is stocked with those times we would rank as definite do-overs, and conversely each person sharing in our moment together today could amass a list of not interested in experiencing again chapters of life. For our time together, I want to focus on a choice of sacrifice that made all the difference in the world and the somber truth that if it came down to it, He would do it again for you and for me. 

My inspiration for today's FTM came from a relatively new song that I've fallen in love with recently from the Christian artist Andrew Ripp, "I'd Do It Again" . As we discussed above there are experiences in life that we would eagerly welcome to do again and then there most likely exists a list of not so eager to experience again occurrences. The key message in Ripp's song is that Jesus went to the cross to die for our sins, and even after the excruciating pain and suffering He endured, it is paramount for us to know and understand that Jesus would gladly do it all over again. He will do that for you and He will do it for me, over and over again! Think about your own personal list of do overs, how many of those experiences that you would gladly sign up to do again caused you pain, suffering, or could have even possibly cost you your life? My guess is not too many. Those items would be found on our "not to ever experience again" list for sure. 

I mean seriously, who would want to be falsely arrested, especially when you lived a sinless life. Who would sign up for the round two experience of being ridiculed, beaten, tortured, and then ultimately condemned to be crucified although you had never committed one crime or broken any laws? Our "do it again" list is full of good for us experiences, but Jesus' list is all about this is good for you and me, which is a total mindset shift in our society today! Basically, what Andrew Ripp's song proclaims is that although Jesus died probably one of the most painful and excruciating deaths possible, He would endure it over and over again for you and for me! I provided a link to the song above, I ask that you watch the video and listen to the words, they inspire me, they humble me, they challenge me, and they help me keep etched in my memory what Jesus did for you and for me with His death on the cross. And as the lyrics offer us, Jesus will do it again and again, willingly for you and thankfully for me. 

There's no distance too far, there is no pain too great, no grave too dark, nor no evil he would not endure to be a sacrifice so we have the opportunity to live eternally! The pain of the spear that pierced His side, the thorns of the twisted crown they thrust on His head, or the blood that dripped from His nail pierced hands and feet, none of these deterred Jesus from calling out to God, "Father, forgive them,  for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34. Of course the last breath of Jesus was not His last breath. Three days later Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into Heaven where He sits at the right hand of His Father. Life is good. The sacrifice Jesus willingly made was not a one time event. Every minute of every day the Holy Spirit is whispering a direct message from Jesus to your heart and soul, He'd do it again for you and He would do it again for me. That, my friend, is love. 

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Coach Carter

                                                                                                                      

The Status Quo

 The literal Latin translation of the term "status quo" is "the state in which".  Leadership guru John Maxwell extends that definition, quipping that the status quo is best defined as "the mess we are in". I tend to agree more with Maxwell's thought over the literal definition, keeping things at the status quo level may feel safe, but if we want to grow, the status quo can do nothing more than hinder the growth and progress of any endeavor or initiative. 

Throughout my career there have been two phrases that have made me cringe as the words came out of the speaker's mouth. "Well, we've always done it that way" and "Well, we tried that once before and it didn't work", both of which are the epitome of living in the status quo. If Miracle Grow fast tracks a plant's maturity, then these two phrases are like Roundup to creativity and innovation, i.e. growth. In anything I am involved in I want to improve, improvement indicates progress, and progress equals growth.  Before we go any further, let's look at the danger of living in the status quo of our lives. 

To me the very words, "we've always done it that way" invoke laziness. In other words, why doesn't the person just say, "I don't want to change because it will mean I have to do things differently". The fear is that it might take the person or group out of their comfort zone. Sitting on a couch is comfortable, but I haven't witnessed much progress being made while someone is sitting on the couch of life. Additionally, the mindset of "we tried that before and it didn't work" reeks of conformity to the status quo of being content in the mess we are in. Of course there will be attempts in any venture that are not successful, that is the nature of innovation and any transformation our world has experienced. Growth actually is experienced in the struggles of life. Look at the transformation of a seed. After being planted the seed first dies, I suppose you can rank that as a struggle. Yet, after it dies as a seed, a small, tender plant emerges and works its way up to the oxygen and sunlight that are necessary for growth. In another example, babies transition from crawling to walking, yet throughout that transition, there are numerous plops to the ground, (explaining why God gave us extra padding on our derriere) before transitioning to a full blown walking toddler. Side note: Excited to have that experience with Baby June, granddaughter number seven, who will be making that transition sooner than later! 

Any initiative we undertake in life is going to involve change. If the world had been content with the Model T car then we wouldn't have Teslas today. Ray Kroc is credited with making McDonalds a global empire in the fast food world, but how often do you hear people talking about Maurice and Richard McDonald? The two brothers started McDonalds in the 1940s, yet it took adding the growth mindset of Ray Kroc to see what the potential was for the hamburger giant. Someone had to say we aren't going to be satisfied with the mess we are in and move the restaurant chain forward, Ray Kroc did just that. Say no to the status quo and say yes to the change in your life that needs to occur. 

I can just about guarantee that there is an area of your life that needs to experience change or growth. You may not be looking for it and you may not want it, (status quo) but with some introspection and reflection, you could identify at least one area of your world that is sitting in the status quo quicksand pit of your life. At work, in your home, within a relationship, or it could be in your daily walk with God, where do you want or better yet need to grow? Paul provided this challenge to the early church in Rome, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Romans 12:2. I don't want to crawl through life, I want to run, I want to grow, and I want to see the mess I am in, become the change I need to be in me! Say no to the status quo and live your life to the fullest! 

Coach Carter

 

Comfort-able

Comfort. There is a peace that we receive when we reach an understanding that God is in control of all things. That peace of mind provides comfort. Comfort in situations and circumstances that otherwise would certainly feel uncomfortable to most of us. Working through challenging circumstances, making difficult decisions, or losing a loved one all fit under the category of being uncomfortable. So, how does this comfort I'm describing take place when the world is compounding the stress of our life's discomfort? 

There is power in prayer. When I pray, I'm not just reading off my wishlist of needs, instead I approach my prayers in much the same way that I would talk with a friend. I spend a great portion of my morning time with God thanking Him for all He has done in my life and the lives of those I love. I give thanks to God for the blessings of health, my career, and all the opportunities that He has made available to me over the years that I have lived. I spend time each day asking God to forgive me when I fall short and I ask Him to teach me and grow me as a leader as I live out each day. And yes, there are times when I spend a considerable amount of time praying for peace in the storm I am facing, or strength to endure the adversity pounding on my door. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. At these times life may not be comfortable, yet Jesus tells us if we will bring our burdens and worries to Him we will find peace and we will experience rest. Comfort. 

For me praying is an ongoing part of my day. My morning time with God is the most important part of my day, yet prayer is not restricted or limited to a certain time of the day. God is with us and available to us 24/7. So, the question begs to be asked, "When do you find yourself praying?" For some people praying is associated with something they do when they are in need. I often say people commonly pray during hardships and heartaches, and the good news is that God is there and He hears us when we pray. Sickness, sadness, or times when we are scared make life uneasy, or un-comfortable. Even the mighty King David knew that the God who is for us is the same God who is with us. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Even when relationships are strained, God comforts us. Even when we are destitute and lost, God comforts us. Even when our health suffers, our business fails, or our lives get turned upside down, God comforts us. There is no valley too dark or too low that God isn't there right beside you, walking with you, providing peace each step along the way. Comfort.

Somebody is out there today that doesn't feel like God is there. You can't find rest and you don't have peace. Guess what? God hasn't moved and He hasn't left you alone to deal with your life's situations. If you are feeling all alone, maybe it is you who has moved away from Him? Or maybe you haven't formed that one on one relationship with God yet so knowing what and how to pray is foreign to you. Trust me when I tell you God is near and He is eager to have a personal relationship with you. As you lean into a personal relationship with God, you will find that He is always near (Psalm 34:18) and He is always available to give your tired and weary self peace. Comfort. 

When life feels like it is spinning out of control or when you just need reassurance that you are not walking alone, God is near, He is in control, and He has a plan. Trusting in God and walking with Him is the answer to your discomfort. In God you are "able" to find "comfort". Comfort-able. 

Coach Carter

Walk by Faith

 

Funny how things work. Almost exactly a year ago I wrote a blog entitled "Blind Faith" with the emphasis being on trusting God even though we can't see His plan. As I sat down to write this week's message the title "Blind Faith" was what I was thinking, but it sounded so familiar I decided to do a search of all the posts that I've been blessed to share over these past 10+ years of penning Flat Tire Ministries Thoughts. Sure enough, the April 27, 2025 post popped up on my screen. So, long story made short, I still have a message referencing blind faith, but definitely a different viewpoint for the concept in our message today. I've aptly swerved and renamed today's message "Walking by Faith", I hope it serves as a blessing to you as much as it has me! Read on. 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1. There really isn't a better title for today's message than "Blind Faith" but nevertheless the concept can still be our focal point in our time together. As we get started, I think we need to have a clear idea of what is meant when we say someone has "blind faith". The term represents "a deep level of trust, often without evidence" according to the U.S. Dictionary. Hence another term, "walking by faith" as it is often used in reference to a person that "blindly" adheres to their walk with God. If I walk by faith fully trusting in God's plan, I am in essence walking in blind faith, because I haven't seen God, so my faith in God is based not on what I have seen, but instead on what I believe. For me walking by faith is similar to someone without sight that boldly moves forward trusting that the path forward is laid out in front of them. 

Visually impaired individuals are a model of bravery to me. I can't imagine what it is like to take that first step forward with no idea of what you are about to step out to. To do so you would have to have a great deal of faith that the road ahead is there, call it blind faith if you like, but I deem it courageous and admirable. Completely trusting in God requires that same boldness. For those that place their full trust in God and the teachings of His Holy Bible choosing to follow and adhere to His commands requires a certain degree of "blind faith". 

We can see the results of God's hand. All of creation was breathed into existence by His command "Let there be light and there was light". Genesis 1:3. The miracle of a newborn child, a star racing across the starlit night, or even the roaring crash of a mighty wave as it approaches the shore. These are all visual examples of God's hand, but they are not God. Our faith, blind as it may be, trusts that God created all of the aforementioned along with everything else we see, hear, or even sense. Love is felt and experienced, we don't see "love" but we feel it and we trust in it. "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not die, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. Whosoever "believeth" shall be saved. For some people "seeing is believing" for those who trust in God and place their faith in Him, the evidence is not in seeing God, but believing in God! Hence blind faith walking!

But how does all of this apply to your own daily walk? You may be dealing with health matters that far exceed what any other person around you deals with on a daily basis. You may have hit rock bottom financially and you can't see the day of light from the pit you are experiencing. Drugs, alcohol, or any other addiction, I don't walk in your shoes, but there again you don't walk in mine. We each have to walk in our own shoes. So, not that what you are dealing with is better or worse than your neighbor, but singularly relevant, whatever you are walking through you can be at peace because you are not walking alone! Just as Hebrews 11 goes on to explain, men and women down through history walked by faith, blindly trusting that God was real and that God was right there beside them along their journey. By faith Noah, by faith Abraham, by faith Moses, by faith Samson, David, and all the others that followed up to you and I all walk blindly trusting in our Lord and Savior's plan for this life He has given us to live. 

If you are not trusting God then you are living life blindly as well, but that walk is dark and lonely. Allow yourself to develop a faith that walks through darkness without stumbling or getting lost. Walk by faith not by light and allow God to direct your path, (Proverbs 16:9). God's love is unlike anything we experience outside of Him, He has a plan for your life and He walks alongside you each step you take. 

"What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him" I Corinthians 2:9

Coach Carter

Which Way Do I Go?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6

This couplet has always been one of my favorite sets in the Bible. There are two parts to the thought, one a directive and the second a promise.  The first portion of this verse exhorts us to trust in God and not in our own abilities, thoughts, or plans. The second section of Proverbs 3:5-6 provides a promise that God will direct our steps if we seek His will and follow Him. Life gives us the decision to make on our own, we can choose the dark, bumpy and curvy road or we can allow God to lead us on the narrow but straight and smooth interstate of life. 

Staying with our analogy of roads and highways, think about your travels and the routes you have taken to get from one place to another. In my own experience I have traveled the back roads of Northeast Tennessee my whole life and I can attest to the curvy, up and down nature of the roads I have encountered. Add to that, when the sun goes down and the moon is not on full display, those curvy roads become even more hazardous due to the lack of adequate lighting and signage. If you aren't familiar with the backroads you are traveling, especially at night, drivers are forced to slow down and focus a little more intently on the curves up ahead. In much the same way, when we choose to make our own decisions in life we often find ourselves on the backroad of life experiences where things can be much more treacherous, filled with curves, blind spots, and embankments that lead to dark valleys below. 

On the other hand, when I choose to travel the highways or interstates the roads are well lit, with an abundance of signs, flashing signals, and markers that explain which way to go and how far away I am from my destination. A marked difference in traveling conditions for sure. If I again apply this to our ability to allow God to direct our way, His way is illuminated well through His guidance found in the Holy Bible and the by the nudging of His Holy Spirit. You are not alone when you choose to travel with God. 

Jesus talks about this himself in His teachings found in the Gospels."Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14. Basically what I believe Jesus was saying is there are two routes you can choose, one road is dark and if you choose that road you are basically on your own. Rarely are there flashing warning signs about the drop off ahead on most backroads just as the ways of this world don't come with warnings or "Danger Ahead" signs to help us in our times of adversity or affliction. Yet, if we choose to take the well lit path, the interstate of life, God is there shining His light and providing us with a roadmap to follow. 

That roadmap is Jesus. "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6. No one finds his way on his own. Nobody can drive blindfolded on a dark, curvy backroad and not end up at best in a ditch. The way is broad and it may feel good at first, but that way of life doesn't end well. The "way" described by Jesus is the only way to find the light we need for our travels to be safe equipped with the guardrails and well lit warnings of the danger that lies ahead. The good news is there are only two paths to choose between. The even better news is you have the opportunity to choose which road you will travel. Make the right choice today, choose His way. His way is illuminated and straight. Even when you face obstacles on His path He will be with you as you navigate and complete your journey! Drive on. 

Coach Carter

What If the Answer Is "No"?

What is the purpose of prayer? Have you ever given thought to how you pray, when you pray, or even what you pray for? To me, prayer is part of my relationship with the Creator of Heaven and earth, the omnipotent Father of all creation. Nothing that exists was created outside of His Hand, and there is a purpose to everything that happens in the world we live in. There are different types of prayers. Prayers of thanksgiving for all that God has done, is doing, and continues to do in our lives. Prayers for guidance or direction with decisions we are facing, or often our prayers can be focused on support for family, friends, or others we are directly or indirectly connected to. I'm guessing that the most frequent type of prayer is one where we are requesting help from God for divine intervention in our own adversity or affliction. In my personal prayer life, I strive to intertwine all of these in my daily prayers. I don't want my prayers to be all about me, and I definitely don't want to fail to thank God for his omniscient presence in my daily walk. Additionally, it is important to include intercessory prayers for the needs of those that I love, live, and share life with each day. Today's question isn't necessarily about what you pray about or even when you pray, today I'd like to pose a question, What do you do when you pray and God's answer to your prayer is "No"? 

I suppose you could say there is a certain level of expectancy that God is just going to snap His fingers and answer our prayers when we ask Him to come to our rescue. I mean didn't Jesus tell us in Matthew 21:22 that "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."? Well, yes and no seem to be an appropriate response to that mindset. In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus shared another thought around this idea of ask and receive. "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:24. Over the years I have struggled with understanding this concept. On the surface level it sounds like in the verse from Matthew that Jesus was telling us all we have to do is ask for whatever it is and we will receive it; pray, snap, it is done. We can all attest to the fact that that is not how it works. In the verse from Mark the clarifying phrase for me is "believe that you have received it and it will be yours." Believing that you have received it for me says ask for an answer to your prayer and accept that whatever the outcome of the situation is, God has a plan and a purpose. If we believe with that level of trust and confidence in God's divine power, then we can accept that God has heard our prayer and He is working in and through whatever is going on to a result that will carry His plan forward. That is hard for us, when we pray for healing and it doesn't happen what is our response? When we ask God to restore a broken relationship and resolution doesn't happen, do you trust that God's plan will be fulfilled and it may not be done right now? Whatever the situation or circumstance, how do you respond when the answer to your prayer is "No"? 

For some, praying and receiving a "no" response results in the person turning their back on God. "I asked and you didn't heal my family member, so I'm done with religion." Another perspective to a "no" response is that God is punishing you by not answering your prayer. That way of thinking is counter to God and His way. In the Book of Job, we are introduced to a true, blameless man of God named Job (Job 1:8). Satan seeks to discredit Job by hitting him with all levels of destruction and loss. Job loses his children, his material possessions, and even his own health and through all of that Job maintains his unwavering trust in God. As hard as it had to be, Job submitted to God and His provision. Job took the stance that "... God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes." Job 36:15. To accept an answer of "no" to our prayers is hard, yet it is possible if only we will trust, obey, and allow God's plan to be fulfilled in us and through us. 

Accepting God's wisdom and his omniscient plan for this life that He has given us to live allows us to look at a "no" response and trust that God has a plan. I can tell you, that won't happen without having a relationship with God. The two earlier responses of turning your back on God or feeling that God is punishing you for all the bad you have done are reactions that can be accomplished without a relationship with God. The only way to accept adverse outcomes to a prayer request is through a relationship with God that understands and accepts that God's response may be yes, it may be not right now, and it may end up being "no". A "no" response does not mean God has turned a deaf ear to our plea, it simply means that God hears you and He will answer your prayer, but it is our duty to trust that the outcome of any situation is going to be part of God's plan. Our humanness will not allow us to see God's plan, that is why our response has to be one of trust and faith that will see us through. One day it will all be revealed. Will it happen while you are here on this earth? I can't answer that one, but I can hold on to my faith and trust that my God is faithful and that today's "no" may be tomorrow's "YES". 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Coach Carter