The Hand of God

 It is a memory that is etched in the frontal lobe of my mind and will forever haunt my thoughts and dreams. A minute incident, that lasted for what seemed like an hour, causes me to shiver at just the mere reoccurrence of that day in my mind. I've been kayaking more than two decades now with most of my paddling being done on the bountiful river options of East Tennessee. The Nolichucky, French Broad, Clinch, Holston, and Pigeon Rivers have all provided a respite from the hustle and bustle of life. For the most part there hasn't been what I would label as a dangerous situation since most of the paddling has been in either flat water or at the most some small class I or II rapids and current. That all changed when my son, Ethan, and I decided to hit some faster moving water with more technical rapids on the Hiwassee River in Southeast Tennessee near Chattanooga. 

The Hiwassee at that time, was a definite step up from what Ethan and I had been used to paddling. As a matter of fact, this was the first time that we had been required to wear a skirt around the mouth of our kayak to keep the rapids from flooding our boat, and helmets on our heads in case we capsized and while under water engaged rocks or other hazardous obstacles. In particular, the skirt being new to us ended up being a critical component of the issue we encountered. If you aren't familiar with the skirt it is in most cases a black elastic water barrier that the kayaker pulls up around their waist and then after entering the kayak you stretch the deck around the mouth of the boat making for a tight water sealant as you encounter rapids and waves on the river. As we were fitted for our skirt we realized there was really only one thing that stood out making the front different from the rear. There is a small grab loop on the front of the skirt which offers a release from the kayak when you need to exit. Without the grab loop the kayaker is snugly encased in the boat with no other method to exit. 

For the most part we had never needed a guide on a river float, but in this case, with the water moving a great deal faster and the rapids being much more technical it was a must for us to travel with a group and a river guide. After a brief safety and instructional tutorial from our guide we plunged our kayaks into the chilly river depths. It didn't take long for us to begin encountering white water and it was definitely exhilarating. We had been white water rafting numerous times on some of the best rivers around, but being on the same level as the white water made it so much more real. Things were going well and we were definitely enjoying the trip, that is until we came upon our first 2 to 3 foot wall drop resulting in a fairly deep hole. It is important to add that most of our group, including Ethan and I had not mastered the technique of Eskimo Rolling in case you end up capsized which in our case was all but inevitable. I ventured through the rapid soon after the guide and a couple of others passed through before Ethan made his way to the shoot. Ethan made it through the drop and out of the hole adequately, but as he maneuvered the last portion of the run he lost balance and his boat soon capsized. At the moment it created a small chuckle since he was out of the rapid and sat in a bit more tranquil water, but the brevity of the moment soon dissipated when Ethan didn't surface. Time froze, along with my mind. I could not figure out why Ethan had not pulled his grab loop and popped up out of the river's murky water. All I could see was the hull of his kayak and I really didn't know what to do next. I was more than twenty yards down current and any attempt to enter the water would have resulted in me being pulled downstream further away instead of closer. That visual is what makes me shudder, seeing the bottom of a kayak, knowing that your child was on the other side and that he wasn't surfacing made for a horrifying memory that you wouldn't want to relive, ever. At that moment, the guide's kayak darted alongside Ethan's hull and he thrusted his arm down into the water and suddenly the kayak flipped back carrying Ethan up to the surface. Honestly, it felt like a long time to me, but I know he could not have held his breath much longer even though it was probably less than a minute. With Ethan now topwater again and our crew drifting down the main channel, the guide blared out, "Hand of God!" to which Ethan most definitely could relate. Ethan escaped what could have been a tragic whitewater accident and as later revealed he could not have escaped the tragedy without a hand from above reaching down to rescue him from drowning. What we soon found out was that Ethan had inadvertently tucked his grab loop under the skirt deck as he stretched the rand of the skirt around the kayak. He literally had no way to make a wet exit when he capsized his boat. It took the Hand of God technique to save Ethan's life. How many others are even cognate to the fact that they too have experienced the hand of God reaching down to save their lives figuratively or literally? 

The "Hand of God" technique that rescued my son from potentially drowning from underneath his kayak, may be one of the most appropriately named white water rescue techniques ever named, but it is also quite transferable in life as a high school student I shared this story with reminded me. I can't remember why I was actually sharing this particular story, but as I did Nathan commented, "There's a lot of that happening every day." All I could think about for some time after that was how true his comment was. I'm not sure how much at the time Ethan thought about the concept of God's hand reaching down to save him that day, and I'm not so sure any of us, give a great deal of thought to those instances when God has in one way or another reached down to save us from some form of tragic adversity or affliction, but rest assured it happens around the world, and right next door to you every single day. Many times rescue appears to be pure ole "good luck" or possibly a coincidence that the right person was in the right place at the right time. Well, I'm here today not by coincidence and luck has had nothing to do with it at the end of the day. I was saved from my own "life at risk" situations over my sixty plus years of life. Too many to list in my own estimation, but enough to reflect on and to give God the credit for saving me from the situation in which I was drowning. There is no such thing as a coincidence, and luck is just another name for hard work in my opinion. God has a purpose for your life and sometimes He has to reach down and pull you out of the water before you drown. The problem as I see it is you have to be willing to take His hand and allow Him to pull you up. God is in the business of saving, that is why we are about to observe Easter next week. God saw mankind drowning in sin and He thrust down His hand and gave us His only Son Jesus to pull us up out of the depths of our sins. It is our job to take God's offer and hold on to Him and receive the rescue from our sins. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but instead gain everlasting life" John 3:16. God is reaching down for you today!

As we end our time together, I'd like to ask you to read the following scripture from Psalms 18:16-19 and wherever you read pronouns replace them with your own name. The powerful message I received was that God is reaching down for me, personally reaching down to save me from this world and the attacks of evil that exist each day we live and breathe. That day on the Hiwassee River, Ethan grabbed the Hand of God that saved his life. I'm certain God has reached out His hand numerous times beyond that instance in Ethan's life. He has done and continues to do the same for you and I today. Have you grasped the hand of God as He reaches out to save you? If not you can reach out today, His hands are open and He invites you to enter into His peace and presence each and every day. 

Coach Carter

"He reached down from Heaven and rescued me; He drew ________ out of deep waters. He rescued ________ from _____'s powerful enemies, from those who hated _________ and were too strong for __________. They attacked _________ at a moment when ______________ was in distress, but the Lord supported ____________. He led ____________ to a place of safety; he rescued _____________ because He delights in ____________." Psalms 18:16-19

Growing Through What You're Going Through

 Change, that word conjures up varied emotions for men and women, young and old alike. Some talk about changing jobs, others talk about changing habits, while other conversations circle around changing hairstyles or colors, changing the flooring in your house, or any other in a myriad list of trivial "things" we may want to change in our lives. We tend to get a little fidgety though when we start talking about changing our minds. Our mindset is what shapes our day in and day out walk. I'm not talking conservative or liberal viewpoints, and I'm not referencing changing from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active lifestyle. What I am suggesting today is that we must be willing to change our mindset in terms of how we perceive the hardships, struggles, or challenges that we encounter in our walk of life. The more we view ourselves as the victim the less we will be able to see the opportunity to grow through whatever it is that we are going through. 

I had started a completely different topic for today's message, and honestly it just wasn't flowing the way most of my writing sessions go. Now I know why, it wasn't the message to be shared today. This morning as I started my devotional time the verse of the day was Philippians 3:10-11 which reads "I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" It is important to remember that a majority of Paul's letters to the different churches he wrote while being imprisoned. Wrongfully imprisoned, beaten often, and persecuted as he traveled about sharing the good news of Christ, it is safe to say Paul's life wasn't a bed of roses. Based on what Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi, it doesn't sound like he is crying out for freedom from his wrongful imprisonment, but instead Paul wants to benefit himself by knowing more about the suffering of Christ and then living his life in a manner that allows him to grow through sufferings similar to what Jesus endured here on earth. 

How many of us thank Christ when we are enduring or suffering? Not a lot of virtual hands going up I would presume. Suffering and hardship are not comfortable, as a matter of fact they are both equally uncomfortable. When we pray, do we ask God to remove the sickness and provide answers to our dilemmas, or do we ask God to show us how to grow through the difficult, and challenging instances we are traversing through in our daily lives? That my friend requires a major change in how we think about hardship. Paul's perspective isn't common, that is why it isn't the predominant manner in which the average person perceives the difficulties in their life. At times some people, a large percentage of people, start asking, "What have I done to deserve this to happen in my life?" Instead of being the victim to our circumstances what if we became the beneficiary of those moments or chapters in our life where we actually grow closer to Christ through what we are enduring. Mainly because it isn't easy. In the very next verse of Philippians 3 Paul lets us know that he struggled with this shift in mindset just like anyone else might, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." Philippians 3:12.

Other than being the exact message that I myself needed to hear today, I'm not sure why I felt so inclined to change directions in the thought to share today, but I do not feel this message will have to travel far before it lands in the lap of someone that needs to embrace their current circumstances and dig deep to see how they can grow through what they are going through. Doing a little self inspection this morning was all I needed to see that I am guilty of playing the poor me card more often than I would like to admit. I want to be more like Christ, I want to grow in Christ, and if that means I must go through some not so comfortable situations along the way, then so be it. We have no further to look than the example that Paul provided. His choice to focus on the growth through his circumstances was based on the pain and suffering Jesus endured for us to be saved. Over and over again, Paul encouraged the early Christian churches to endure, persevere, and to hold tight to the hope that can only be found in Christ. Through the persecution and pain that Jesus Christ endured on the cross, Paul found strength to share with us that what we will endure here on earth will never compare to the reward we will receive if we do not give up or lose our faith in God, "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. 

The world will tell you to blame someone for anything and everything you go through that isn't comfortable and pleasing. The world will tell you to do whatever it takes to remove the pain and suffering you are experiencing, the "there's a pill for that" mentality. Trusting that things that are not comfortable to us can be good for us isn't an easy mindset to adopt, but if we begin to look for ways to grow through adversity, we may just find that the outcome on the other side will make us a bigger, stronger person. And if we are growing through our adversities, what we are going through suddenly begins to look completely different as we move confidently forward with Christ! Bring it on!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18. 

Coach Carter

 

How Green Is the Grass?

 We've all heard the expression, "The grass isn't always greener on the other side". I'm pretty sure that when this old adage was first coined there was no such thing as artificial turf in existence. In its early days, some of us remember artificial grass being referred to as "astro turf". That term became popular because there was one leading supplier/installer of this year round, lush green, artificial grass and their company's name just happened to be "Astro Turf". In the 70's and 80's artificial turf became the popular way to go for major league athletic fields especially in football due to the potential for mud laden messes as teams battled for yards, feet, and many times inches during rain and snow covered conditions in our college and professional stadiums. Today, artificial grass has been infused with computerized technology, allowing digitized advertising, pinpoint accuracy in measurement, and the potential for an increased artificial intelligence presence in our sports arenas. It would appear that the grass is most certainly greener where  natural grass has been replaced with a maintenance free, greener than green artificial option. I would like to offer a conversely different opinion, I'd like to suggest that even if it is greener on the other side, that doesn't necessarily guarantee that it is better.

What might appear to be the ideal setting for outdoor athletic competitions, may in reality be blanketed with the potential for injury and limited usability. Ankle injuries, increased cuts and abrasions, and a higher risk for damage to an athlete's ACL, have caused us to raise an eyebrow to whether turf is actually greener on the other side. Beyond that the lifespan of a turf field is limited to between 5-10 years, guaranteeing a recurring expense to keep that lush, green playing surface. Lastly, of course planting flowers, shrubs, or even trees is not an option on an athletic field. But,  for that maintenance-free seeking homeowner, the allure of year round, greener than green grass that doesn't have to be mowed or even trimmed might be a temptation. That is until the decision is made to plant a flower garden or tree in their yard. See how that works with a corner to corner artificial rug. To my opening point, just because the grass on the other side may be greener, that doesn't necessarily mean it is better. 

This same principle holds true in our walk of faith today. Modern advances in technology provide us with options and alternatives galore. Morals and ethics have been placed in the backseat over the years and replaced with allowing each person to decide their right or wrong and their definition of good and evil, creating an artificial playing field of life. Just as the illustration above provides evidence that just because something is greener, doesn't always mean it is better or even good for us, I believe the same principle applies here. The old adage was that the grass isn't always greener on the other side. To me that message was that things aren't always better on the other side. On the surface, the visual appearance may be alluring, but once you are on the other side, things don't always translate to a greener, better situation. The message I want to share today is that even if our society shows us an easier way, a quicker path, or a less bumpy road to travel, that does not guarantee that any of those are beneficial to you and your journey with God. Paul shared this message with the Christians residing in Rome and it still is so applicable for us today; "... but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5. The problem is, I just don't see folks rushing to the maintenance and restoration line. The easier, "greener" path appeals because it doesn't require sweat, cuts and scrapes, or use of "me" time. It sounds like the curb appeal would make this the choice of even the Godly saints of old. 

The prophet Isaiah wrote a whole chapter with that very thought in mind. In case people started thinking that a simple, work-free day meant you were living right and under God's provision for such chapter 5 can be summed up with this statement. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet" Isaiah 5:20. In other words don't go around thinking that just because it is greener that all of a sudden it is better. There still exists today, right and wrong, good and bad, and it is our God given responsibility to hold tightly to the green grass of God's word and His guidance for this life He has given us to live. 

I'll conclude today with a thought, when you look into your neighbor's yard the grass may appear to be greener. Who knows, they could have artificial grass from corner to corner of their property and their turf may appear to be greener year round. But, keep in mind the truth we have discussed today. Greener on the other side, does not always mean better on the other side! In one of the most popular and often quoted selections from the Bible, David's twenty-third psalm shares this exact thought. The psalm starts out stating that God offers him green pastures to lie down in. But then David reminds us that at times he is walking through the valley of the shadow of death. David affirms that even though it is dark and desolate, he knows he isn't walking through the troubles of life alone. God's rod and staff comfort him and are right there with him (vs. 4). At the end of the psalm, David reaffirms that he is promised that he will "dwell in the house of the Lord forever" (vs. 6). So today, mow your own lawn, be thankful you have a lawn to mow, and give thanks that your life isn't made up of man-made artificial joy! 

Coach Carter

Right Foot, Left Foot

 Over the years, inspirations for topics to share in the weekly Flat Tire Ministries Thoughts have come through numerous paths. A song on the radio, a part of the preacher's sermon on Sunday, a devotional thought, and many times topics to cover come out of a conversation with a friend, family member, or acquaintance. With over 450 weekly posts recorded, I can honestly say, I've never had a week that there wasn't a message to share. At times the ideas come three or four in rapid succession. At other times, a scripture or story from the Bible seems to weave itself perfectly into a situation I have recently encountered and thus spurred a message to share. For me, the most important part to understand is the topics and ensuing messages aren't mine, the pen and paper, (or in this case the keyboard and computer screen) are mine, but I depend on God to provide the words He wants to share. I am grateful that God allows me to be a scribe, and I pray that He will continue to use me as He pleases for as long as I can be of use to His purpose for the life He gave me to live! 

That being said, today's message is no exception. When the topic came to mind I wasn't really sure where it was going to head. My thoughts centered around things like: "You can go for a walk on your own",  or "You can walk in the same direction or the opposite direction, but whatever direction you are walking you should be walking with God." Soon after that, I had thoughts about Jesus walking in the Garden of Gethsemane, or back in Genesis how Adam and Eve disobeyed God and then heard God walking around the garden. I wasn't exactly sure what direction the message was headed, but then as He always does, God made it clear what He wanted me to share today. 

In one of my daily devotionals, the author shared that for us to grow in our relationship with God we must deepen our ability to trust and obey Him. The devotional went on to compare trusting and obeying to walking. Right foot step / trust, left foot step / obey. Trust and obey, right foot-left foot. To "walk" with God requires us to take that first step, then we can't just stop with one step, to walk with God we must continue that right foot-left foot succession. We take our first step in faith, we place our trust in God. As sinners, we must turn from our sins and take that first step towards God. We make the decision to trust God and seek forgiveness for our sins. Trust allows us to forgo self and submit all we are to God. But, it doesn't stop there. To walk with God requires progression. A step in the right direction is critical, but if we are going to be walking with God more than a step is required. 

That is where taking a step becomes a walk of faith. We must learn to obey God which requires us to take additional steps beyond trusting in Him. First step trust, second step obey. Right foot, left foot, right foot left foot, on and on we go, moving forward and not looking back. Trust and obey. So, how do we obey God? We have to listen, we have to learn, we have to seek, and we have to follow God in all we do if we are truly walking with God. Think about it this way, if you don't know the laws of the city, state, or country you live in, how will you ever know if what you are doing is legal or illegal? Or if you don't follow the directions on the recipe, how in the world do you expect the outcome of your cooking efforts to be successful? It is the same way with God's commands. We can't obey what we don't have knowledge of, so it just stands to reason that if we are going to trust God and obey God, then we have to seek what God wants us to do for His Kingdom. That is all part of the process, we can't trust and obey what we do not know or understand. We must commit to reading His word daily, praying without ceasing (I Thess. 5:17), and seeking His will in all we say and do. 

Is walking with God daily as easy as taking a stroll in the park? Nobody ever said it was easy, there are several paths that we must choose between throughout each day. Jesus shared this pedestrian warning in Matthew 7:13-14, "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." The world offers a plethora of wide open paths we can choose to journey each day, but just as Jesus pointed out above, the vast majority of those roads lead to destruction. Addiction, dishonesty, unfaithfulness, or placing things in front of our relationship with God will all ultimately lead to destructive choices and quickly make walking with God a real challenge. Yet, when we place our faith in Christ who died for our sins and enlightens the path of His righteousness, we are assured that each step we take, right foot, left foot towards God's calling for the life He gave us to live, we will not walk alone. We can truly trust that God is in control and if we obey His commands and follow His instruction we will walk with God as we live out the life we have to live. Right foot/trust, left foot/obey!

Coach Carter

 

The Path

"Train up a child in the way that he should go: and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. It would be hard to argue that "training" or educating our children isn't one of the top priorities in any society. Primarily the responsibility of parents; teachers, coaches, and other influencers provide a mentoring role in the lives of our young people, and are tasked with preparing the next generation of leaders. Of course, as an educator that "raising" includes learning to read and then teaching students how to read to learn. Math, science, and history also rank up there as significantly important, along with all the other academic and non-academic courses our children take throughout their educational experience. Those are critical no doubt, yet there are skills and lessons that will prepare our children for life that we must ingrain in their hearts, minds, and souls. The inherent problem here is that the skills I'm talking about are tough lessons to learn and in most instances they hurt physically, psychologically, or even in both ways many times. Today's message titled "The Path" is related to a question a preacher once asked, "Are you preparing the path for the child, or are you preparing the child for the path?" That is a tough question to ask today, but even more so, it is a tougher question to answer if you are one of the aforementioned path builders listed above. 

I'm pretty certain that most of us have heard the old adage, "the path to destruction is paved with good intentions", well that aptly fits our message today. As parents we obviously want what is best for our children. Teachers want their students to all make straight A's, and what coach doesn't want their athletes to feel successful and accomplished in the sport they are coaching. The danger therein lies in determining what is "best" for our proteges, best for their future and the progress of society. My parents grew up during the aftermath of the Great Depression, they did without, but so did everyone else. As parents they wanted to ensure that Bob, Donna, and I had a "better" life than what they experienced as children. I'd go out on a limb a little and say they actually gave us a little more than what we needed and with much less toil and sweat than what they experienced as children and young adults. Fortunately for us, we learned a great deal about hard work from both of our parents and that has made the difference in our lives. Fast forward to a more current day, and you will find a generation that wants a better life for their children, but I'm not so sure this generation wants their children to face the struggle and even disappoint that accompanies that "better" life. 

By preparing the path for the child, we remove any obstacles that lie ahead, we straighten the path so children don't have to risk wrecking in the curves, and we fill in all the potholes along the way so that the path is smooth and easy to navigate. But, how does this look in the real world of raising children you ask? I thought you would never ask! Fixing arguments between classmates, expecting our child to never make below an "A", or wanting your child to be the star of the team regardless of the effort they invest or the dedication they commit are just a few examples of paving the path for our children. Each of these would be considered commendable efforts today in the realm of parenting, but the actual price tag to obtain these should be earned and paid for by the child, and that is where our quandary lies today. If we pave the path for the child then we remove the actual things that will build up two critical attributes, perseverance and resilience. By not allowing the younger generation to stumble and even fall at times, they won't learn to get back up and to carry on even if the possibility of falling again may still exist. Think about it this way, a baby actually learns to walk by falling down numerous times. Each plop on their behind creates a neuro memory of what happened that didn't work, the child may not even recognize the learning through the experience, but the resilience and perseverance of wanting to walk around like everyone else serves as the foundation of learning through our struggles. Conflict resolution is a key life skill for us all, but often today, the term "bullying" is used to label what may actually be a lesson in learning to not get along with someone, an important skill that is expected in the world of work and in life. (Note: I am in no way disregarding the presence of bullying, I am a certified Anti-Bullying trainer and a huge advocate for those that are truly experiencing bullying and support any effort to stop bullying in our schools. There is no place for that type of behavior in this world, and definitely not in the lives of our children.)  In sports, in most cases, the victories go to the ones that put in the hard work and when they don't win those athletes don't look for someone to blame. The bottom line here is this: we can't pave out the path for our children, in doing so we do more long term harm than short term gain. I never had to worry about getting straight "A's" in school, but over my 33 years in education I have witnessed my share of exemplary students with outstanding GPAs. I would suggest that the struggle to get those straight "A's" will have more of a lasting impact on setting goals and then obtaining them than the grades recorded on their transcript. And when the "A" isn't there, that is where the resilience and grit of overcoming adversity rises to the top. I say all of this to express the thought that having high expectations for our children should be the norm, but when their best doesn't represent perfection, or when the challenge they are facing begs for us to interfere, it may be best for us to allow the struggle and thus build the path in the child. 

The psalmist's advice from the lead into our message today would probably tell us that "the struggle" is worth its weight in gold. In other words, preparing the child for the path that lies ahead will pay off down the road. The Apostle Paul commented that he learned how to be content through the hardships of life (Phil. 4:11-13) and the author of the Book of James stated that we should consider it pure joy when we face trials because those trials ultimately produce perseverance and if we persevere we will be complete and mature. (James 1:2-4) By preparing the child for the path rather than the former, we place the child in a position to be successful in life and to handle the bumps in the road along the way. By smoothing out the rough spots in their journey we unintentionally put them at a disadvantage when the stakes are much higher and we as the caring adult are no longer able to intervene and swoop in for the save. It is our job to prepare our children for the ups and downs of life, and part of that is to allow them to grow through adversity. The seed does not turn into the flower until it struggles to reach the surface and then breaks through to ultimately see its full potential. 

As our time together comes to a close today, I want to be the first to admit that I was not the stellar parent in this area of life and I made my fair share of mistakes. I'm working harder in the lives of our grandchildren. We want to encourage them to attempt hard things. Not impossible things, but things that stretch their abilities and their perseverant mind sets. I don't applaud when they fall short, but I cheer when they get back up and give it another try. At the core of all of the struggle and defeat, I want to assure them that they are not alone. Just as Jesus promised His disciples that He would always be with them in their struggles, I want my children, my grandchildren, and all those that I coach or support to know that I am there for them. (John 16:33). 

Training up our kids in the way they should go since 1986 and learning something new every day!

Coach Carter

The Value of Things

Over the past couple of years I've been hearing the term Cryptocurrency more and more frequently. To be quite honest, I didn't really have a clue about what crypto cash really is, so I did a little Google search and this is what I found: 

"Mining is the term used to describe the process of creating cryptocurrency. Crypto transactions need to be validated, and mining performs the validation and creates new cryptocurrency. Mining uses specialized hardware and software to add transactions to the blockchain. But, not all cryptocurrency comes from mining. For example, crypto that you can't spend isn't mined. Instead, developers create the new currency through a hard fork. A hard fork creates a new chain in the blockchain. One fork follows the new path, and the other follows the old. Crypto you can't mine is typically used for investments rather than purchases." (Source Coursera).

Again, I can honestly say that after my Google search was completed, I still don't have a clue about what cryptocurrency is?? I guess I'm getting old! Or, is it possible that this new fangled form of currency is beyond my grasp because I really don't understand how things have gotten so out of whack with what is valued in this world we live in. I've titled today's FTM "The Value of Things" let's dig a little into the value of the things we value. 

If we followed the trail of American history to a much earlier day and time, we would most likely find people trading goods for other goods. You have a beaver pelt I want, and I have a basket of potatoes that you want so we traded. But when and maybe more importantly who made certain shiny stones of value? Why is it that diamonds are so valuable and gold became worth dying for? I get it that the limited quantity of "precious" items such as emeralds, rubies, diamonds, and gold make them more desirable, but at the end of the day, they are still only shiny rocks. 

Dollar bills, credit cards, and even coins such as nickels, dimes, and quarters are all made out of items such as paper, plastic, and copper. Yet, we do all we can to acquire and safeguard our wallets and purses to ensure our money in our pockets and vaults. I fully understand the role of currency in today's economy, but what I don't get is how we got to the place where we value rocks, plastic, paper, and metals more than the true treasure of God's purpose for our lives. 

Throughout the Bible God reminds us and instructs us to not allow the treasures of this world to dominate our lives. Matthew 6:19 lays it out there pretty simply in this directive straight from the mouth of Jesus, "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal." Later in the same chapter Jesus shared that the flowers of the field are beautifully adorned and the birds in the sky are taken care of in the winter, so why should we be so worried about what we shall eat, or what we shall wear? (Matt. 6:26-34). The Apostle Paul strengthens us with this  reassuring message, "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19.

We all know we need money to survive, and I am not really talking about the necessity or importance of a sound financial portfolio in your life. What I am really wanting us to think about is how to keep things in perspective. "But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) Our marching orders are simple in what is of value to us. Seek God, follow God, and serve God. When we do that, we will have what we need. That is His promise and I have found value in doing just that. Amen. 

Coach Carter

Price Tag

How much does happiness cost? What is the actual, non-negotiable price tag for being content? I'm not too certain that many people go around placing a sticker price on happiness, but I would say that I see a society today that is driven to have more. Buy more, attain a higher position in your work life, while the old adage "Keeping up with the Jones'" has been replaced with "Pass up the Jones' and anybody else that is in front of me!" Our society is chasing after something elusive and I'm here to share today that I just don't think money, riches, or fame can provide what a large portion of our world believes is attached to a number with several zeroes following behind. 

On my way to work each day I pass a billboard that projects the current lottery jackpot totals. It amazes me that the prize totals at times reach upward of one billion dollars. What I really find peculiar is that when the prize is 30, 40, or even 100 million dollars there doesn't seem to be that much excitement. Wouldn't even a prize of one million dollars be grand? But as I said, the news media doesn't even give a mention of the lottery until it bounces well beyond the 800-900 million dollar range. Why? Would suddenly "winning" a billion dollars make someone happier than someone else that just won 500 million dollars? Based on several news stories about mega lottery winners who end up broke, divorced, or dead at an early age due to drugs or other vices, my guess is the answer is a solid "No". The thought must be I don't want a million dollars, I want ten million dollars, but then the next person says well I don't want ten million I want 100 million, and the next demands 500 million, and it goes on and on and on. What are all those mega winners  going to buy that someone with one million dollars can't buy? My thought is that someone driven in this manner believes they will be happy if they can just win a little more than the guy that won the lottery just before him. Point in place, John D. Rockefeller, arguably one of the richest men in history was once asked how much money was enough, Rockefeller quickly retorted, "Just a little bit more". The question begs to be asked, if riches make someone feel fulfilled, then how much wealth is required to reach that nirvana? 

Unfortunately, happiness is not found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. Unfortunately, the rise to power and fame only leads most people to want more power and more fame, never feeling fulfilled with their status as it stands. The elusive search for happiness in bank account totals or the number of Oscar winning performances isn't the only evidence available. In our daily lives the average home has 3-4 bathrooms, 4-5 bedrooms, and a typical new home is running upwards of $500,000. +. I mean the United States is labelled as one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but if that is true, why is it that the divorce rate in the U.S. hovers around 40%, and drug or alcohol addictions rank high among the rich and famous? My guess is these folks are looking for something to make them happy and they just don't seem to have enough money to get them to that happy place. Sadly, I don't believe the vast majority of our society will ever find happiness in their wealth. In the book of Matthew 16:29 Jesus asked his disciples this question, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul?" In other words, I don't believe there is a price tag for happiness. So, if we can't find happiness in riches or wealth, status or position, where does happiness reside?

 A current Contemporary Christian song by the band Cochren & Company harnessed my attention recently. In the song,  "Money Can't Buy" the vocalist lays it out there pretty quick and pretty straightforward "Oh Lord give me eyes to see that what I need don't cost a thing, You fill my life with somethin' money can't buy!" What is that "somethin'", and why can't it be bought? This song speaks to my soul, you can't buy happiness, there isn't a dollar amount attached to being content that you can set as a goal, and as Rockefeller so aptly replied, "just a little bit more" unfortunately, will never be enough. Happiness is found in the life you have been given and the people that fill that life each day. I believe Cochren & Company nailed it with the line from the song that goes like this, "It's the peace that comes from perfect love. The wonder in the stars, the beating in my heart. Sometimes you gotta stop, and look at what you got, and that's when you realize, ooh, the gift it is to be alive." For those that reach the place where they understand what true happiness is, that is the "somethin" being described in the song. 

If you aren't happy with your life, money, riches, position or status won't get you there. It is a sad state of affairs for those who are caught up in the rat race of life striving for "just a little bit more".  That little bit more just becomes a part of the never ending chase for happiness in the things of this world. Again in the book of Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus spoke about wealth and the futile efforts that storing up earthly treasures creates. Instead Jesus directed us to store up our treasures in Heaven where the impact is eternal. Don't allow the chase after shiny things that will only rust and dull to fill your days, seek the happiness that is found in knowing and serving Christ. Paul said it best in Philippians 4:11-13 when he stated that his contentment is found in Christ and the life-giving flow of love that is only found in Him. That my friend is the "somethin money can't buy". If you have it, you know what I'm talking about, if you don't have it, get it today, it is available and it doesn't cost a thing! 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"         Romans 6:23

Coach Carter