You May Be...

 Think about this, you may be the only Christ someone sees today. If you really think about that for a minute I hope you realize the gravity of that responsibility. At your work, in your school, out at the grocery store, or even as you are driving down the road consider all the people you cross paths with on any given day. Now, stop and give some thought to what they see when those paths cross. We all have a bad day every now and then, but overall what you see is what you get. With that thought in mind, let's give some context to the notion that you may be the only Christ someone sees today. 

As a child growing up I was often reminded that my actions speak louder than my words. Thanks mom, you were so right. We can talk about taking care of the sick, hopeless, and lost, but what do we do when our paths cross someone who falls into one of those categories? Do we cross the road so we don't have to encounter the homeless person begging on the street corner? What is our instinct when we reach a disagreement with a friend or family member? Or, what is our response when we feel like we have been wronged by someone we trusted. The parable of the Good Samaritan comes to mind here (Luke 10:25-37). In each of these and all other day to day occurances, if we call ourselves Christians, we are in a position to reflect Christ's love or we are set to demonstrate the same type of treatment that the world displays. Our job as servants of Christ is to live in His image. In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus reminded His disciples, "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven." You were made to shine so others can see an example of what it means to be a Christian. 

When you heard the premise of today's message, that you may be the only Christ someone sees today, you may have thought, "Boy I feel sorry for them." Trust me, that is the exact thought that went through my mind when I first heard this truth. I fall down so many times and I make more mistakes on a regular basis than I could ever live to make amends for. But, God is merciful and full of grace. HIs message to me is always going to be the same, I am not perfect, ask for forgiveness and give more forgiveness than you deserve.  Give more, share more, step up and step out more. Be the first to volunteer and the last to leave. Give a hand up, not a hand out. Smile when you've had a rough day and laugh when things don't necessarily work out the way you wanted them to. In other words, change who you are and the whole world will change with you!

What are the chances that you will encounter someone this week that you will be the only Christ they see that day? Based on the scripture above, I would say the chances are pretty high, almost guaranteed. So, what will that person or group of persons see? Will they be inspired to be more like you which in turn would be that they have chosen to live their life more like Jesus, or will they just see their own reflection in your words and actions? We must live in this world, but we do not have to be an example of this world. (John 17:16). 

I'll close today with a reminder that is often shared on a radio station I listen to often during my morning and afternoon commute. It goes something like this, "There are lots of great people in the world doing amazing things for people, if you can't find one today, be one." You may be the only Christ someone sees today, what will they see? 

Coach Carter

Be a Quitter

 Well, I guess today's title got your attention pretty quick. I've been writing Flat Tire Ministries blogs since 2016 and I can't recall a single message that the focus was inspiring folks to quit! I have been a promoter of the mindset of never quitting, never giving up, and always doing your best since I started coaching back in 1986, so what is going on now? Rest assured, I haven't given up and I haven't changed my message, but today I do want to encourage everyone to "quit". The question is what do I want to inspire you to quit today? 

If I have inspired anyone to never give up in spite of circumstances, challenges, opposition, or supposedly insurmountable hardship, it is my hope that today's message will inspire someone to quit. Quit smoking, quit eating unhealthy foods or drinks, quit watching so much TV or digital media, quit using illegal drugs, and quit sitting around doing nothing productive. In addition, quit stealing, quit lying, quit gossiping, quit neglecting your loved ones, quit putting yourself first in every decision you make, and quit spending your precious time on things that will have no positive impact on your life or on the life of others that you love, serve, or otherwise share life. In other words, quit disobeying the directive that Jesus shared during His time here on Earth. 

An adulterous woman was about to be stoned to death by an angry mob when one of the crowd yelled out to Jesus for his take on what they should do to the woman. Long story short, Jesus said let the man or woman who hasn't sinned throw the first rock. (See John 8:3-11). Mic drop. The crowd shamefully dispersed, realizing that they too were just as guilty of sinning and thus could be the next contestant on the  "Who Gets Stoned to Death Today Show". The woman, probably standing there awaiting a chiding from Jesus, looked to Him for His condemnation. What did Jesus say? "Quit sinning!" (John 8:11). In chapter 5 of the same Gospel of John, Jesus heals a man who had been crippled most of his life. What did Jesus tell this man to do? The only directive Jesus gave this man was to "Quit doing the things that are counter to living a Christian life" (John 5:14). Although Jesus taught His disciples and all those he came in contact with to never give up and to never quit doing the work they had been called to do, Jesus did share a clear message, be a quitter, quit sinning!

Jesus left a lasting impression on his early followers, Paul in particular continued encouraging men and women to be quitters. In Galatians 5:19-21 Paul exhorts the people of Galatia telling them if they don't quit their evil ways they won't inherit the Kingdom of God. The list is pretty inclusive: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." In other words, Be a quitter, quit sinning. And if you are struggling with the question, "If I quit doing all of the things listed above, then what will I do with all my time?" Never fear, Paul is near, in the same chapter he goes on to say instead of spending all of your time on these detrimental activities, invest your time, energy, and resources into activities that produce the following: "love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" Galatians 5:22-23. Paul goes on to remind us that there is no law or limit to the amount of time, energy, and resources we invest in these attributes. 

Today I am going to close this message with three words that I am pretty sure I have never said in my life. While I want to encourage you to do more, give more, share more, and invest more into people, projects, and programs that will have a positive impact on this world we are living in, I also want to encourage you to stop doing the things in your life that will only have a negative impact on you and your circle of influence. Stop hurting others, stop taking and never giving, and stop waiting on someone else to begin a good work before you get involved. Today my advice to you, me, and the world is "Be a Quitter", quit squandering your life away and start living the life that God purposed you to live! 

Coach Carter

Use As Directed

 If you have ever picked up a prescription from your local pharmacy, most likely you have read the phrase "use as directed" as the instructions for its use. The pharmaceutical assumption is that the prescriber has provided guidance to the recipient regarding the dosage and frequency for the medicine to be taken. Without proper guidance from the doctor or pharmacist it stands to reason that a person could overdose or not gain the full effects of the prescribed medication. Equipped with the proper instructions those risks are mitigated, we follow the "doctor's orders" and typically the condition lessens and soon we are feeling like ourselves again. Just as following the physician's instructions helps ensure we start feeling better, in life there is a Great Physician who gave us a life to live and He too provides us with instructions on how to live that life. 

As each new child is born around this world, I imagine God blessing that new life and saying "use as directed". At birth we are given a life to live which will be stockpiled with decisions and choices. Babies and young children have adults in their lives that make the majority of those decisions for them.  As we grow and learn we become more independent in our thinking process and quickly we become the one who makes those decisions, right or wrong, good or bad, we are given the free will to choose to follow the instructions or follow our own desires. 

But, how do we know what is the right choice? How do we know we are living this life we have been given "as directed"? The answer is simple, we read the instruction manual and then we talk to the Physician who gave us the life we have been called to live. What gives us the confidence to live out our life according to the instructions we have been given in His Word? The words of Jesus quickly answer that question, "For the word of God will never fail" Luke 1:37. Do not get confused, reading the Bible and building a relationship with God doesn't give us a cure for every illness, issue, or challenge that we will face in life. Just as there exists the possibility that the medicine prescribed by a doctor does not take care of our illness, there are going to be trials and tribulations in the life God gave us to live and we may not receive the answer we want just because we presented it to God and asked for the answer we want to transpire. I think of Paul in II Corinthians 12:7-10 where he explained that he asked God to take away a thorn or some sort of medical infirmity three times to no avail. Paul came to terms with the fact that the medical issue was not going to be healed, but he also had a revelation that God wanted Paul to rely less on his own abilities and lean in more on God's strength which in turn made Paul strong enough to not only endure the affliction, but to be stronger through it for the sake of God's plan for the life He gave Paul to live. 

God gave each of us a life to live, He also gave us the directions for how to use the life He gave us to live. When we attempt to live outside of the "use as directed" guidance we have at our disposal, life can get wonky and if we choose to live outside of the instructional handbook, life continues to become more and more challenging. As the Apostle Paul was training and preparing Timothy to continue the Kingdom work he had been called to do, he reassured Timothy that the Bible would be his go to instructional reference in this verse, "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16-17. 

We take the medicine that our doctors prescribe because we trust that they have the knowledge and training necessary to heal us as long as we take their guidance and "use as directed". Living life and living it to the fullest can be a much bigger challenge. Building a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior gives us comfort, strength, and encouragement that if we take His guidance and "use as directed" we will fulfill His will and purpose for the life we have been given to live! 

Coach Carter

More of These

 As we roll on into 2025 it is commonly accepted that folks will compile a short list of resolutions that they intend to apply to their day in and day out lives. Exercising regularly, changing dietary habits, slowing down on smoking, stepping up on work habits,  and turning the electronic devices off most likely top our lists. Well, I would not be forthcoming if I didn't admit that I too have set some goals for change in 2025, some physical (getting rid of about 10 lbs. and keeping it off!), and some transformative in more of a spiritual sense. Whatever it is that you have listed as a "New Year's Resolution" it will only be as successful as you make it a part of who you are and how you do you. It's kinda like that old saying, "what you put in is what you will get out". In 2025, my prayer is that you will make an investment into making goals that will not only impact you, but goals that will impact others through the work to improve you and your walk with God. 

Trimming off 10 lbs. will obviously be of benefit to me personally. The health benefits alone make it a no-brainer, but more than that the better physical condition I am in the better capable I am of working without experiencing adverse physical limitations, the better my endurance will be, and the better I feel about myself the more likely I will be to engage myself in activities and settings where I can learn, grow, and serve others. You see, if I only look at decreasing my weight for my personal benefit, then I'm the only one that I am accountable to thus lowering the stakes on sticking to my resolution. Placing the opportunities to serve others and benefit others through my service raises the stakes and increases my role and responsibility in ensuring I stick to my plans. Not that trimming off 10 lbs. isn't important to me, but my intrinsic goals far outweigh any self weight loss goals I could set anytime, beginning of the year or not! 

I have landed on two such goals as we embark on the wonder of a new year filled with myriad opportunities to serve others and provide a glimpse of the One who modeled the example on what true service looks like during our own daily walk. Kindness isn't always considered a quality that tops the list in new year resolutions, but after I heard a radio disc jockey provide the following definition I decided to up my kindness ratio in 2025. Paraphrasing the definition "Kindness is lending your strength when someone is in need." Now you can place that in simple terms such as opening the door for someone when their arms are full, that is the kind thing to do, but when I heard this definition it hit me that I need to be on the lookout each day, seeking opportunities to show kindness to someone who is in a position of need. Homelessness creates a scenario of great need. Regardless of why someone is homeless it is not my job to judge them, but it is my responsibility to show them kindness because they are definitely in need. Lending strength to a homeless person could mean utilizing my financial ability to provide a hot meal or an extra blanket, but it could also mean serving hot meals at a shelter, working to expand mental health services in my community, or just acknowledging a homeless person exists and calling out their name to God for deliverance from the situation that has created this situation in their life. That is just one example, kindness can be shown in any and all aspects of your life. On the job, with your family, or even in the passing of someone on the side of the road stranded by a flat tire or other mechanical breakdown. Mark Twain is credited with having said, "Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." May your life be filled with opportunities to show kindness to those in need in 2025. 

Coupled with kindness I want to do more to sacrifice self over others. The United States Air Force motto is "service before self", this embodies the idea that our professional and personal lives should be more focused on how we can help others rather than how we can be supported by others. We can sacrifice our time, our means, and our personal wants for the good of others. In the same vein as kindness, when we sacrifice we take our strengths, skills, and assets and lend them to someone else that is in need. Doing what is expected does not necessarily constitute a sacrifice, to sacrifice we must do something that is out of the ordinary, and in some cases that sacrifice borders extraordinary. In our reference to the USAF service before self lends itself to the ultimate sacrifice, a trait that members of the armed forces in general accept when they sign up for duty. Jesus is our true example of sacrifice. In the Gospel of John, Jesus stated that, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13. I'm not expecting anyone to go out and physically lay down their life for the sake of someone in need, but the essence of sacrifice is that we are giving something up that makes us comfortable, for the sake of someone who is less fortunate and in need of what we can offer. If we give to someone in need out of abundance that isn't really a sacrifice. If, on the other hand, we don't have an abundance and we still give to someone in need that becomes a sacrifice. 

I have chosen kindness and sacrifice as two key attributes that I want to increase in my life in 2025. Both of these are direct examples of service before self and both require giving away something to someone in need. Being nice to those who are nice to us isn't necessarily increasing our kindness quotient. And doing things that are expected of us doesn't really qualify as making a sacrifice. Both require giving of oneself out of a spirit of service to others in spite of our own needs. I am choosing kindness and sacrifice and I invite you to join me in giving more of ourselves in those areas in 2025, but please don't limit your choices to something that I feel I need to do. Whatever it is that you can do that will benefit others more than it will impact you, go for it! Find your area to serve or who knows, your decision may be to serve in 2025. My prayer is that God will give you more, more opportunities to give, to serve, and to sacrifice. Less of me, and more of these! 

Coach Carter

Mission: Possible

 The 1960's - 70's TV series "Mission Impossible" was all about a top notch team of secret agents committed to saving the world while facing "impossible" circumstances and predicaments. Peter Graves was the star of the show and each episode Grave's character, Jim Phelps, would receive a tape recorded message describing their next assignment, "if they chose to accept it" right before the recording self-destructed seconds later. The premise of the show was that this elite team of specialists would do anything, whatever it took, even at the risk of losing their own lives, to save the world. Your current mission in life  may appear to be impossible, or it may be that you haven't figured out your mission in life completely yet,  but be assured, your mission is not impossible and you are not facing it alone. 

Each year we transition from celebrating the birth of Christ with the Christmas holiday to ringing in a new year the following week. A new year offers new challenges that can be counted as opportunities depending on your mindset, but overall as 2025 rolls onto the scene, we each will face "missions" many of which will feel impossible. The question is, "Are you willing to accept the challenge?" Read on if so!

During the time Jesus spent on earth, He spent much of His time prepping His apostles for what would ultimately be the greatest mission possible. I feel certain that the disciples felt somewhat overwhelmed and most assuredly under qualified mainly due in part to their background prior to becoming followers of Christ. In Matthew 4:18-22 Jesus approaches Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew while they were preparing their fishing nets and asked them to become fishers of men. Additionally, Jesus met James and John who dropped their fishing nets choosing to follow Jesus. The other early disciples were carpenters, tax collectors, and other working class men of the time. None of the group were especially qualified to become "fishers of men" as Jesus proclaimed in His request for the men to follow Him. I'm not exactly sure how to term it, but I have to believe that their choice was one made out of pure trust and faith. Jesus said follow me and become fishers of men and they did. (Matthew 4:19)

From there Jesus spent His time here on earth living out the life of a "fisher of men" teaching His disciples how to carry out their mission. He didn't spend His days with those who were considered religious, instead Jesus spent His time with the broken, the beat down, sick, and lost. His "mission" was to save the lost and heal the sick of which there was no lack of wanting for those to help. As Jesus traveled from city to city, He shared with the disciples that there was no lack of work for them to do. During His time here on earth, Jesus challenged His disciples to pray for more help to assist in the work to be done. "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matthew 9:35-38. Sounds like that old Mission: Impossible challenge, barring one bit of vital information, if God is in it with us then there is nothing that can stand between us, or stop us from completing God's mission for the life He gave us to live. "For with God nothing shall be impossible" Luke 1:37

How am I so confident that you can and will fulfill God's mission (i.e. calling for your life)? Because you are not alone! God knew this was challenging work and He also knew you would need support along the way. In Matthew 28:16-20 Jesus shares His Great Co"mission" with His disciples. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." We may not physically see Jesus, but His promise is that He will be with us along our mission's journey. In John 15 Jesus details the types of struggles the disciples will have as they work to complete the mission He gave them to complete, but in that same chapter he reassures them that they won't be alone. In John 15:26 Jesus said "I will send you the Spirit who comes from the Father and shows what is true. The Spirit will help you and will tell you about me." All of a sudden what might have seemed like a mission:impossible, became a mission:possible, and that same mission is yours today.

Whatever you are facing in your life, challenges at your workplace, life circumstances with health or well being, relational, financial, whatever stands as a challenge to you serving God to fulfill His mission for your life, you are not alone and you will not fight the battle without support. When things look their bleakest keep this reminder from the Son of the Omnipotent and Omniscient God near. "I have told you these things, so that you may have peace in me. In this world you are going to have trouble. But be courageous! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

Whatever you are facing, whatever the challenges are that make you feel like your mission in life is impossible, remember that you are not alone, you have a constant helper, and never forget that Jesus has already overcome the world!  With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. "Mission: Possible"

Coach Carter

It's A Choice

 If you really sit back and think about it, life is pretty simple. Your life's trajectory all comes down to the decisions we make and the perspective we attach to those decisions. We are all uniquely born into the bodies we were destined to have, and each individual will have their own set of rivers to cross and mountains to climb, rain clouds and rainbows, ups and downs, victories and defeats. To some it may feel like your rainclouds are a lifelong companion following you around like a balloon tethered over your head. On the other hand, some folks have more than their share of the hardships and heartaches, but you probably wouldn't ever know it because they never complain about their life situations and they seem to just truck along on down the road. What's the difference? What causes one person to flip off the car in front of them when they feel they are cut off in traffic, while another person in the same situation drives up alongside the driver in question and throws up her hand signaling sorry about that even though they had no part in what just happened. One person is born with abnormal appendages, but thrives and pushes through, while another person with no physical conditions sits down and quits because life just isn't fair from their perspective. What is the difference? I believe the answer is a simple one, there are many aspects of the life we live that are set beyond any degree of control on our part. There are circumstances that take place throughout our lives, some good to great, others not so good, and still others terrible. You have your list and I have mine. What we all have to understand is you are in control of one thing, your mind. How you handle your life is up to you. Nobody else has that control over you, what I have learned, as simple as it is, is that it is all about what we choose to do with what life hands us. "It's a Choice".

Someone out there is already reflecting on the premise of today's message and they are thinking, "well you don't know what I've been through or what I have to deal with each day" to which I completely agree. Yet, I would counter that thought with "nor do you know mine". I have been blessed in the life I have been given to live, I am truly grateful for all I have experienced, all I have been given, and for all that I have accomplished thus far in my life. Has it all been a bed of roses with the red carpet rolled out leading me to my silver spoon and bowl full of cherries? The answer hear is a simple no. I have fallen down both literally and figuratively throughout my life, I have viewed life from the mountaintop and I have wallowed in dark, muddy valleys and through it all, how I approached my life's perspective boils down to a simple thought, "It's a Choice". 

Take this as simple as you want, or go deep and apply the concept to the most complex aspect of your life. It really doesn't matter, you are completely in charge of this one thing, you choose how you respond to anything that happens to you in this life that you are living. Eating a healthy diet, "It's a Choice". Exercising regularly, "It's a Choice". Overcoming a bad attitude about your life's circumstances. "It's a Choice". Do I choose to live life abundantly or do I choose to steal, kill, and destroy? "It's a Choice". Deciding to argue a point that does not impact your convictions or ethics. "It's a Choice". We could go on and on, but in every situation and every circumstance it comes back to "It's a Choice" and the good thing about it is, it is your choice. 

I was in a conversation with a friend and colleague the other day and during our chat we both agreed that God knew us before we were born, God has a plan and purpose for the life we have been given to live, yet at the end of the day, it is our free will to choose to seek out God's purpose for this life we are living. Joshua, who started out as second in command to Moses as they led the Israelites through the wilderness on a journey to the promised land, was thrust into the leadership role with the death of Moses. Joshua faced the same  opposition that Moses had endured, and at one point felt compelled to lay down his line in the sand. Idol worship had become an accepted way of life for many of the Israelites throughout the exodus from Egypt and as they meandered through the desert. After Moses' death, Joshua gathered his followers and presented them with this ultimatum, "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15. Basically, it was Joshua's choice and he made his choice. You have that same free will, "It's Your Choice". 

 Life can be tough, it may feel tougher for some folks, and it is tougher for some individuals. You may feel like you have a bowl full of cherries or you may have a bowl full of cherry pits. It doesn't really matter. What does matter is how you respond to any and all of life's circumstances and complications. Optimist or Pessimist, Half full or half empty, heads or tails, gazing forward or staring at what is behind, it is all a choice and the nice thing about it is the choice is yours. Regardless of life's situations and circumstances there is one choice that you will make that will determine your life's outcomes and ultimate destiny. Will you give your life to God? Will you choose to serve God or will you serve false idols? Will you look up to the mountains for your strength or will you seek pity and despair in the dark valleys of life? (Psalm 121:1-2). It's a Choice and it is yours! Choose life and choose to live it more abundantly! "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. There is no better time than the present to make a change in how you think. It may be as simple as whether to argue or not, or it may be that you need to make a decision about how you approach each new day, whatever it is, you are in control of the most important aspect of the situation, it's a choice!

Coach Carter

 

Come and Get Your Love!

 I'm an old Marvel Comics fan. I basically fell in love with reading as a seven year old immersing myself in the likes of Spiderman, Captain America, the Hulk, and the Avengers. Over the last 10-20 years, Marvel starting turning those comics into movies and that has afforded me the opportunity to revert back to those childhood memories that Stan Lee and all of his colleagues created for followers of Spidey and so many other Marvel comic characters. One of those movies "Guardians of the Galaxy" features a ragtag collection of misfit heroes destined to save the world from evil forces. In the original feature film named the same, the main character struts around on a distant planet, dancing to a tune on his Sony Walkman cassette tape player. The song on his Walkman was a oldie but goldie from the 70's ""Come and Get Your Love" by a Native American group called Redbone. I always liked that song, but ever since I saw it in that movie, it seems like I have heard it more frequently on the radio over the past few years. Regardless of the reference to this old R&B song in the Marvel movie production and not due to the overall intent of the song's origin, I recently found a message tucked deep into the song's lyrics that makes this song even more finger snapping and toe tapping when it comes across the airwaves and livestreams! For me today's message is clear; don't limit God's availability, He is everywhere and in everything and if God wants to share a thought with you it can come from anywhere. Even an old rock and roll song from the past!

As alluded to above, we shouldn't limit the ways and places that God can share a word of encouragement, inspiration, or guidance and instruction. Moses received a message from God through a burning bush (Exodus 3:1-6), and God whispered to Elijah in the midst of a storm while he was hiding in a cave (I Kings 19:11-13). To magnify the understanding that God is with us even in our struggles, it is noteworthy to point out that Saul encountered God on the road to Damascus where he was blinded and eventually converted his life to that of a devoted follower of Christ and the Apostle we now as Paul. God can and does meet us anywhere He wants to, the problem is many times we aren't looking for or listening for God's message to us. 

 I had heard the classic tune "Come and Get Your Love" dozens or even tens of dozens of times over the years, but I certainly didn't ever equate that song with an inspirational song or hymn. Why, I doubt seriously that anyone has ever listened to that song and felt compelled to raise your hands in the air in worship to our Lord and Savior. That isn't what I'm saying at all. For me, that particular song has a good head bobbing rhythm and a melodic lyrical composition that just makes me feel good when I hear it. God's reminder to me comes through the title of the song and the line that is repeated over and over again throughout the song. Come and get your love! Come and get your love! God's love is always available and it is always present, all we have to do is reach out and accept it! 

In my walk of faith, I strive to have a deeper, closer relationship with God. I want to hear His guidance as he reveals my daily purpose and calling, so I have made a commitment to meet with God early in the morning before the distractions of the day gobble up much of my attention. It is during that quiet time that I receive God's instructions and that is where He speaks to the concerns I share with Him. Over the years, I have deepened my relationship and now I wouldn't want to go into a day without first sharing my morning with God. If you don't have a morning meeting time set with God, there is no better time than right now to do just that. But... don't think that in the still of the morning is the only place that God will speak to you. "Come and Get Your Love" did just that for me. 

"Come, taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8, "Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden" Matthew 11:28, and in Romans 12:2 we are directed to "... not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will." Even in the midst of the busyness of the day, God wants us to seek Him and His will for this life He has given us to live. The last time I heard the song "Come and Get Your Love" on the radio I didn't hear any other words in the song, except God's invitation to come unto Him and accept His love. "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6. The good news is God is always near and He can always be found whatever is going on in your life or wherever we are at that particular moment. Come and get your love, God is ready to share His love abundantly and without limit today! His message was clear that day as I listened to this song in a completely different way, and it is the same message that is available to you and me today, "Come and get you love!"

Coach Carter