Be Prepared

Throughout my career in education I have had the opportunity to both teach in the academic classroom and coach on the athletic field whether it was a court or a mat. Over the years I have consistently drawn a comparison between the two, teachers in the classroom are in essence coaches and the role of a coach is centered around "teaching" athletes the ins and outs of the moves, plays, or skills associated with that particular sport. That being said, it only stands to reason that the athletes I've coached and the students I've taught in the classroom were both preparing for the test. In the classroom that may have looked like a pencil and paper format while in the athletic realm the test came in the form of a competition or match. That preparation is our focus today, in life we are prepping and studying for when it is our turn to step up and perform. 

 

The Apostle Paul made several analogies referencing running in his epistles to the churches in Corinth and Ephesus. Although the Olympics had not yet been established, Paul and the people of this area were familiar with the Isthmian Games, a precursor of the Olympics, which most certainly would have involved numerous track and field type events. Relating a life of committed service to Christ to the training associated with running a race would have been relatable to the citizens of the day. Hence the following call for self-discipline shared by Paul found in I Corinthians 9:24-25 "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." So, to my earlier point, whether you are preparing to take a test or if you are preparing to run a race, the training involved is the key to success on your test or race. 

 

To actually have a chance at winning a competitive race the commitment to training is essential. I'm talking Rocky Balboa style training. Up early, relentless reps, and ultimately pushing yourself beyond the limits of what appeared possible. Taking a day off is not even an option and cutting corners negatively impacts one person, you. Now compare that to studying for a test such as the ACT. To have a chance at competing at the highest level on the ACT test, you have to be committed, you study hours upon hours, and you don't take days off when you know you should be studying. I don't suppose Paul ever prepared for the ACT, but I think you get the idea, in your walk with our Creator that same type of commitment is required. 

 

How exactly do we "train" as a disciple for Christ? And what exactly is the "race" that we all must run? Good questions, to which our running coach Paul gives us the answer through two scriptures. In a continuance of the aforementioned scripture from I Corinthians 9, Paul explains how to prepare for the race that we all eventually run. "Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." I Corinthians 9:26-27. If we are in training for a race or if we are studying for a test we have a target, a goal in mind, that guides us and directs us so that we aren't just running around aimlessly. God's Holy Bible tells us how to train and gives us a study guide by which we prepare for the test. We spend time intentionally worshiping God, we actively seek His will for this life we have been given to live, and we purposefully spend time with our "life coach" through focused prayer. We practice and prepare so that when we are faced with a choice of right vs wrong we will make the right choice. We train and study so that when we are asked about our faith we won't be disqualified because we haven't prepared. Then if we have trained and studied we will be able to humbly say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." II Timothy 4:7-8. The race of life is a simple one to explain. We run the course of the life that we have been given to live. We make choices each day that impact the trajectory of the course we will run. At some point you must choose which course you will run, that is the free choice our Creator gave us and a choice that you will make and one that I must make as well. My prayer is that you will choose to finish the race that God planned out for you. Practice, study, and then run the race! In other words, "Be Prepared". 

Coach Carter

What Is Wrong with the World?

When I think about the title of today's Flat Tire Thought, the phrase comes to mind "The more things change the more they stay the same." Over 100 years ago in 1910, the London Times sent out a request asking their readers to submit essays responding to the following question, "What is wrong with the world? The responses varied, but the finger-pointing was not so very unique. The government is failing us, people are lazy, greedy, self-centered, or you fill in the ______ with whatever adjective comes to mind. You see what was going on 100 years ago is pretty much the same thing that was going on 200 years ago, 500 years ago, and honestly down through modernized history. If the truth was being told, I'd guess the caveman would have pointed his finger at the Neanderthal in the next cave over if he had been asked what was wrong with the world back then.

 

At the turn of the century the advent of television had not been achieved yet, so most people still read the paper or listened in on the family radio for the news of what was going on in the world. As do most people today, after reading the news, listening to a broadcast, or just talking to the cashier at the local grocer's checkout, folks just seem to shake their heads and lament, "What is wrong with the world today?" Well the responses to the London Times were filled with explanations of what the problem was with the world today and pretty much most everyone was able to point out who exactly was behind the downfall of early 20th century society. That is until the editors opened the letter from the English writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton. Mr. Chesterton's letter back to the London Times read, "Dear Sirs, I am." In essence his brief response was saying I am what is wrong with our world today. 

 

The world we live in today is no different from the world that had shaped the journalistic view of the London Times in 1910. Drug addictions, human trafficking, mental stability, crime, hatred of our fellow man, may come in different forms, but the fact is the world hasn't changed that much. What I wonder is, how many of us today share the same sentiments of G.K. Chesterton? "I am the problem with the world today." If I am concerned, if I see injustice, or if I just don't like the way things are headed, then it is up to me to do something about it. Shaking my head and pointing my finger will not fix anything. Blaming someone else or a group of someone elses won't help either. I'm reminded of the famous words of Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world". It is easy to ask why doesn't somebody do something about this or that, but it takes a great deal of desire to help others or step up and take ownership for the condition of the world we live in today. 

 

May I clarify one final point. It isn't about who is right or wrong on the condition of our world. We each have our own opinion and at the end of the day we are not the judge and we will not be involved in the final judgement. Our job involves what we can do to make the world in which we live a better place. If you see something that makes you shake your head, then chances are you need to do something about it other than just shake your head. And rest assured I am not pointing my finger at anyone other than myself. I've got work to do and I am thankful that God has given me breath in my lungs and ground under my feet so that I can make a difference each day. Am I doing all I can? Nope. Can I do more? Yep. Challenge for the day, what will you do when God calls on you to step up and make a difference in this world that is hurting and in need? Will you point your finger and say "What is wrong with this world?" Or will you do as the prophet Isaiah did in Isaiah 6:8 when God called out looking for someone to step up, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I; send me!’ 

 

Coach Carter

Hide & Seek

 

Sunday mornings with two of the granddaughters is definitely a juggling act! Trying to get a three and a five-year-old ready for church isn't as easy as it was back when we were younger for sure! Fixing breakfast, dresses buttoned up, and ponytails tightened, I'm not sure if it should be described as a battle royal or an episode of Survivor! Nevertheless, after getting both girls ready, Missy and I got to turn our attention to getting ourselves ready. As I was running around cleaning up and cleaning myself up, I overheard a game of Hide & Seek developing in the other room. 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10, ready or not here I come! The challenge is on, is Ella a better hider or is Cha-Cha a better finder? Back and forth, round after round all of a sudden, they were occupying themselves! Shew, thank you to whomever created Hide & Seek, it definitely makes the lifesaver category for us this morning!

 

The goal of the children's game "Hide & Seek" is to be able to hide in a way that nobody can find your hiding spot. The better you hide the more likely you will win the game. Serving as a messenger for God, the objective still has something to do with hiding, but in this case the better you hide something the more others should be able to see it! Let's dig into this paradox a little bit more and find out how it's possible to hide something deep inside us, yet by doing so, it only makes it that much more visible. 

When King David wrote the following words, he gave us the key to hiding something so well that it would be easily visible, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11. In other words, David was saying something like, "God, I'm going to tuck your teachings, your commands, and your guidelines for how I should live my life deep within my soul and by doing that I will be able to live a life that is pleasing to You and benefits others." The more we "hide" God's word in our heart, mind, body, and soul, the harder it will be to hide His love from others. 

 

It isn't a matter of trying to show our faith to others, being religious on Sunday isn't what I'm talking about at all. When we develop a true relationship with our Lord and Savior, a relationship where we spend time in His Word, listen to His Spirit, seek His will for our life, and build a relationship that models the life of sacrifice that Jesus displayed, then we will not be able to hide God's mercy and grace. It will be who we are, our new DNA you might say. Live each day with God’s word hidden deep in your heart, and the whole world will see His love in you and through you! Ready or not here I come!

Coach Carter

"This Little Light of Mine"

If you find yourself out in the woods on a moonless night, one of the first things you'll start searching for is a source of light. Flashlight, headlamp, candle, torch, or even a Bic lighter would be a welcome find and obviously a benefit in the dark of the night. Hopefully, if you are a night walker, you head out prepared with a source of light in hand. A flashlight can illuminate a dark pathway, a candle brightens a dark room, and the light that shines from you can provide God’s light of hope to others that may feel trapped in a dark hopeless place. 

 

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5. Light, in its literal sense, allows us to see in the darkest of settings. Light, in a more symbolic sense, can help others to see in times where life is dark and lonely. The important thing to remember here is that light can brighten a room to the point that the darkness disappears. Darkness, on the other hand, cannot decrease light. It should be an encouragement to understand that God's light of grace and love shining in us and through us can't be extinguished by any amount of darkness this world casts in our direction. Our responsibility is to let it shine!

 

Just as the children's song proclaims, "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine", we choose to let God's light shine in our lives. Jesus charged his disciples to be more like a city on a hill rather than a candle under a basket. Once again, the goal of light is to brighten dark places and to share light with those who need His light.  Who needs the light? "Whosoever believes in Him", would be a good place to start (John 3:16). So, I suppose the question is how do I allow my light to shine? Good question, with a great answer!

 

Isaiah 60:1 challenges us to “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."  Isaiah 60:1. If you have accepted God as your Heavenly Father then you have some good news to share. How you share the light of God's good news with the world you live in is your choice. Service to others, sacrifice of self for the benefit of someone else, giving of your time to help others, making the decision to forgive when the world tells you to get revenge, or loving others in the same way that God loves you are all ways you can be God's light to a darkened world. Waking up in the morning praising and worshiping rather than griping and complaining, stepping up instead of stepping to the side, and living out the life that God purposed you to live are high wattage light opportunities. In other words, live out a life that resembles the life Jesus modeled here on earth. You are to be God’s light to this world, let it shine!

Coach Carter

 

Details Determine Destiny

 

 If you've ever planned an event, you may have been told that the "devil is in the details", meaning that the success of your event weighs heavily on how much attention you give to the intricate details as you plan. For example, announcing that you are going to get married on July 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM at a particular venue is the easy part. Securing the officiant, ordering the flowers, picking out the cake, and getting the deposit paid on the selected tuxes may poise a certain degree of challenge, yet ultimately, a successful wedding will depend on finer points of your planning. Seating arrangements for family and friends, selecting the right items for the menu, or making sure the time of the day is going to work with the sun are details that make a huge impact. It is safe to say that if the details involved in planning out a wedding aren't given proper attention then there is a strong likelihood that the memories made could potentially be those of a catastrophic proportion. 

 

I once heard a preacher from South Korea quip that "details determine destiny". I believe that stays in line with today's idiomatic phrase "the devil is in the details". Pastor How went on to say that the "fine print" is where the real concern is in our relationship with God. We can make the decision to confess our sins, ask God to come into our hearts, and then claim God as our Lord and Savior, but that is only the beginning of our relationship with the Almighty One. Once we have given our heart, mind, body, and soul to God, then the real relationship work begins through the time we spend with God in our everyday walk. This is the detailed effort we make through reading God's Word, sharing our concerns, and seeking His guidance regularly. Praying for His direction in our lives, and striving each day to be more like Jesus, the Son of God our Eternal Savior are where the details reside. 

 

As we turn the calendar over to the new year 2024, take some time to reflect on how you are handling the finer details of your life. What is your relationship with God like? Do you have a true relationship with our Maker? Is that relationship superficial or do you pull out the magnifying glass to assure you are clear on the details of God's expectations? Today is not the day to make a New Year's resolution about your relationship, but it is the perfect day to determine that, in your walk with Our Father your attention to the details will impact your eternal destiny! “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7.

Coach Carter

Count Your Blessings

Tomorrow is Christmas Day 2023 and around the world children of all ages will scurry up under the Christmas tree to find packages with their name prominently displayed. What a fun time for parents and loved ones to sit back and watch smiles broaden and excitement peak as items that once were part of Santa's mail order list materialize, leaving mounds of shiny wrapping paper, bows, boxes, and ribbon galore. We are a blessed bunch of people, we have so much to be grateful and thankful for, if we didn't have one present under the tree would it really matter? I guess that just depends on whether you can sit back and count all that we have to be thankful for instead of looking around making a list of the things that we "need" that we may not have in our possession. 

Over the last few weeks, I've been receiving quite the blessing from a new song that's out on the airwaves titled, of all things, "Counting My Blessings", by Seph Schlueter. There are a few lines in this song that have just touched my heart and I hope that you will take the three minutes or so to listen and reflect on your own blessings throughout the holiday season and beyond!

We have so much, we need so little, yet we want more. I get it, that's human nature, get more, want more, have more, want more, get more, that cycle just keeps spinning around and around, but I do believe in my heart that if we would only pause long enough to give thought to all we have been blessed with our Christmas list might take on another shape to that of one filled with the countless blessings we want to give thanks for to the One that we are celebrating this Christmas Day. 

In Schlueter's song, the artist begins counting 1, 2, 3, and then he goes straight up to infinity, remarking that he'd run out of numbers before he could thank God for everything that He has done in his life. If we will hit the pause button long enough to do our own inventory, I believe we would find the same to be true. The gifts we will give and receive on Christmas will be tangible presents purchased and wrapped with the recipient in mind, but the true gifts, blessings, we have received come in so many common every day forms that many times we end up taking them for granted, assuming that we have received those just because we are living and breathing. If you have a relationship with Your Maker, you know that is so far from the truth. God has graciously given us so many blessings and the list just continues to grow. Count'em up!

When you get up on Christmas morning, take a minute to start making a list of all you have and see if you don't get a smile on your face even before the first piece of wrapping paper is torn. Here's a starting point, take this and make it your own. “Rest from the night, a warm bed, a temperature-controlled home, running water, electricity that provides light, the ability to get up out of bed and walk, clean water to drink readily available by turning a knob, a hot shower or a cold shower if you dare, a refrigerator filled with more food than will be consumed, a sink, a stove, a microwave, and so much more! Wow, that's just blessings in the first 5 to 10 minutes after waking. My wife, our children, our grandchildren, my family and extended family, my parents that lived their lives teaching us what "do unto others" means, and all the life skills they taught Bob, Donna, and I. The trees, the dirt that allows the trees to grow, the green grass, the myriad flowers and colors of each day. The moon shining bright, the sun rising in the east and setting in the west, the stars, the clouds, the rain, the snow, the sleet, and maybe the hail?? My education, my career in education, coaching, the jobs I've had, and the job I have. Lessons learned, and lessons shared, the ups that we have celebrated and the not so fun times that have taught me to get up and face the day. Grit, resilience, humility, and gratitude. Friends, co-workers, those that have poured in to my life, and for the mind that God gave me to determine right from wrong.” Just as the song says, I've found it to be true, "I'd run out of numbers before I could thank You for everything". 

I may not be able to give everyone that reads this message today a gift, but my prayer is that this message I have the opportunity to share will be a gift that causes you to reflect on the blessings you have been given and causes you to give thanks! Merry Christmas.

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 118:1

Coach Carter

"It's Time"

 The first verse in chapter 3 of the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes reads: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens". From there the book's author, King Solomon, shares eight verses of examples of what he was referencing when he stated that there is a "time for everything". 

 

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

 

During this year's holiday season what a better time could you find to take care of something that you have been procrastinating over this year, or in many cases over several years. I contend that "It's Time" now.

 

Fragmented relationships, addictions that have a firm grip on our daily life, or personal decisions that you have been setting to the side time and time again are three areas that I feel could relate to pretty much all of us. So, what do I mean that it's time. It's time to do something today about whatever it is you may be saying to yourself and others, I'll take care of that another day. My friend today is your day, don't put it off any longer. 

 

It is way too easy to blame the other person for a broken relationship. Family member, work associate, or longtime friend, it really doesn't matter it takes two to tango! Trust was broken, feelings were hurt, or a wrong was done to one party or the other, whatever the source of the fractured relationship, you have at your access the ability to take the first step in restoring that relationship. I'm pretty sure someone out there is saying to themselves right now, "Humph, I didn't do anything, I'm not going to do anything until insert name apologizes. Maybe you might remember what Jesus said as He hung on the cross. Beaten, tortured, and near-death Jesus pleaded, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" Luke 23:34. Does that sound like Jesus was waiting on the Roman soldiers who beat Him to apologize first? Maybe you're thinking, "Well I may do that tomorrow", I'm thinking, what if tomorrow never comes? Do you really want to leave this world or have the other person leave this world with an unresolved relationship between the two of you left on the table? "It's Time".

 

Addictions, some of our readers checked out as soon as they read that word. "I'm not addicted to drugs or alcohol so this one isn't for me." Today is definitely the right day to take the first step if a drug or alcohol addiction is your demon. The national substance abuse hotline phone number is 1-800-662-4357. It's time. Yet, not all addictions are drug or alcohol related. Some folks are addicted to material possessions, others are addicted to fame and fortune, and still others are addicted to habits that are likewise detrimental to one's health and well-being. Perhaps the person with an addiction isn't reading this message today, but you know someone that is fighting an addiction of whatever magnitude it is and they need help today. "It's time". In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus says, "Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest." Healing for your addiction is waiting. "It's Time".

 

The last area we are going to look at today that may require you to take action is in the area of decision-making. Thinking about transitioning to a new career field or maybe even a new job? "It's Time". Sitting down and having that important conversation with your son or daughter, It's Time. Or, the most important decision you will ever make, or may not make is the decision to accept God as your Lord and Savior. To do that you must believe that Jesus was and is the Son of God. You must admit that you are a sinner, lost in this world. And then you must confess that you are lost, yet now you are found! The most important decision you will ever make and you need to make it today. "It's Time". 

 

Just as Solomon stated in the book of Ecclesiastes well over two thousand years ago, there is a time for everything, I believe your time to act is today. "It's Time"! Wait and you may be able to make up for it tomorrow. I'm just saying today is the best opportunity you have to take that first step towards reconciliation and healing. May your holidays be filled with warmth, memories made, and a true appreciation for the gift that God gave each of us! The gift of eternal life!

Coach Carter