Wife Props
by Paul Carr in


Most people would never know it, but my wife could possibly be the most impressive and gracious person on the planet.  If you don't know her, your missing out on an a unique opportunity to observe greatness.  While she is stunning in appearance, let give you a little idea what she is like on the inside.  This past week is just a sample of what I could elaborate on.
Starting with the daunting task of putting up with me and my schedule, you would think there wouldn't be room for anything thing else.  She also is the primary caregiver of our special needs son.  Because of his seizures, we cannot leave him alone. In case he falls we have to catch him.  Then she has Zack to contend with, who is every once of a 15 year old.  She takes him to school and picks him up every day, while trying to get straight answers on present grade averages.  (you just have to have teens to know how difficult that can be)

This past week on top of the "norm" Jeannie put together a care plan for one of our LIFE Group members who is going to Houston for chemotherapy.  She organized a game plan for all our members to make cards that would encourage our close friends.

 Last Saturday, Jeannie got a call from one of her "SToop" (church bookstore) volunteers.  This volunteers mother had passed away and Jeannie offered to keep their 3 year old for the day while the family dealt with the funeral.

Sunday night, she made dinner to take to our friends who are traveling to Houston for the cancer treatment.

On top of these things, Jeannie came across an ad online that was asking for someone who could take their disabled daughter to school at Tri-County Technical College.  You guessed it.... Jeannie contacted this mother, who works at a school cafeteria, to see if she could help.  The mother couldn't believe someone would actually answer the ad.  Her daughter was in a bad accident when she was young, resulting in 50% brain loss and disabled arm.  It looks like their schedules are going to work out, so Jeannie will be taking this girl with her on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.

If your a woman who could use some positive influence, Godly counseling, or just life encouragement ...get to know my wife.  None of us are perfect, that is for sure.  Our life has been about as dysfunctional as it can be. Props to my wife for being our anchor and amazing model of true Christlikeness.

 No matter what your situation in life, you can make it...but you can't alone.  Who are you close to?  Who is encouraging you? Who catches you?

just say'n
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Leadership Test
by Paul Carr in

It seems to me that most leaders I have worked around or with in ministry are either motivated by intrinsic authenticity or extrinsic expectations. Let me explain this a bit more. I believe that you can lead by one motivation or the other, but only one of these will result in personal satisfaction and fulfillment. There is a friend of mine in ministry who leads with the expectations of those around him in mind. Both over him and under him. He doesn't realize it, but as time has gone on the following have occurred:
-he has become more paranoid
-he has become more indecisive
-he is more self-centered than God Centered
-results driven
-listens to the wrong people
-people pleaser
-overstates results
-avoids conflict which compromises the vision
-makes decisions based on predictable outcomes

A leader who is motivated by intrinsic authenticity is a visionary beast. This motivation for leadership has saturated his soul in a way that impacts every area of his life from the inside out. His authenticity is born from years of risk, brokenness, loss, and faithfulness. The test of a leader who is motivated by intrinsic authenticity is easy to spot:
-seeks the heart of God
-inspires confidence
-clarifies the vision
-leader of leaders
-never compromises
-demonstrates humility
-models servanthood
-seeks wise counsel
-takes risks
-good listener

While there may seem to be advantages and disadvantages to both on the surface, over time one will outlast the other. I think it is dangerous to allow yourself to think that you have a leadership style if you demonstrate more characteristics of the first type of leader. That is typically the excuse of a leader whose influence is slipping. I know leaders who demonstrate characteristics of one or the other. I don't think it is a style of leadership. I think one is healthy and one is not.

just say'n
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Treasured Moments
by Paul Carr in


Yesterday I took the morning off to hang out with my boys, Andrew and Zachary. While my wife was at school, I took them to one of their favorite chicken stops-Zaxby's. While sitting in the booth waiting on our food, I was struck with one of those treasured moments that can only be experienced and hardly explained. My oldest son Andrew is a special needs child. For the most part, he is mentally delayed, autistic, epileptic, and non-verbal. There is nothing more painful than being reminded, every second you look at your first born, that you will never know what he is thinking or feeling. For a few short moments yesterday, in that booth, it didn't matter. For some reason, while sitting close to each other, Andrew caught my eye and didn't let go. He looked at me with a glowing-watering gaze....not a stare. There is a difference. I stopped thinking during that treasured moment and just accepted this 'gift'. Without being able to say a word, Andrew captivated me. As he sat still looking carefully and deeply into my eyes he somehow, for a moment, was able to let me know he was ok. It has been 16 years of impossible odds and I have rarely connected with him in this way. I feel like it was his way of giving me hug, saying he loved me, and that he would tell me everything ONE DAY. For him it may have only been about 60 seconds, but for me I will remember and treasure that moment forever.

I'm desperate for that day to come when the eternal comfort begins. I've been reminded of the words of Christ in the last two verses of the Bible: “Yes, I am coming soon!” and that until then John encourages us " May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (rev. 22:20-21)

What treasured moments might be passing you by lately? Chances are that if your reading this, there is something going in your life that could use some divine comfort. Take time to look a little deeper into the moments of your day, you never know what you might find when you gaze instead of stare.

just say'n
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True Life
by Paul Carr in

Looking forward to the weekend. I still have that childish smirk in my heart when I think about the possibility of snow coming. Just the high possibility of it puts me in a light mood. Especially going into the weekend. I got the tunes as high as I can right now in the office, at any minute the guy next door will peak in with some sort of look....depends what song is playing. I just got back from a great 5 mile run and just sent a text to my wife to see if I can go get hurt skiing tomorrow....still havn't heard back. In the meantime, I'll finish up some final things before starting the weekend. I wish the highlights of our week would never end. It seems these days, more than ever, those highlights are growing more uncommon for many of my friends. I hate that. I have to believe that somewhere beneath the veneer of predictable schedules and difficult relationships, there is our "true life". True Life is the life that we are reminded of when we have those light hearted highlight moments of our week. True Life is who you really are when that veneer is stripped away. While the world offers many temporary options to get high on life, the one high that will last is the one that comes from a genuine relationship with Christ. Depending on the day, the mood, the failures, the struggles, or the 'thorn of our flesh' there is a promise from God that can always find its way past our false front and hardening veneers to remind us of who we are. Take time to think about what True Life looks like for you today. What is in the way of living that out in every area of your life. Quit wasting time investing in the cover story of your life and begin living the life that you know God is calling you to.

just say'n
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2010
by Paul Carr in

I'm truly looking forward to 2010. I have gotten off to a good start both personally and spiritually. My boys are 15 and 16. We just got back from a trip out of town for a few days and I enjoyed our time away in a whole new way. Andrew is more compliant than ever and Zack is becoming a very strong young man. Jeannie still has her hands full with her 3 boys, but I think she finds what was stressful, now humorous. I'm hoping to get back into shape. Lost a few steps and gained some lbs during the end of '09. I'm amazed how much healthy eating habits and tons of exercise can make such an immediate and significant difference in such a short amount of time. Not to mention, I want to be healthier....longer! I ran with Zack for the first time this weekend and he kept up. I'm still digesting that. I hope to read more this year. Since finishing my masters degree, I have been a sloth. The amount of reading, memorizing, and writing during a masters program can ruin you for some time. I'm ready however to hit the books again and am playing with the idea of finishing a doctorate. I have several credits already toward it and hope to eventually find time to finish and write a book. There probably isn't anything more boring than another person saying they are going to write a book, so I won't bring it up again until I'm 75% done. Lot of ideas, thoughts, and dreams for 2010. I asked Jeannie this weekend to not stop dreaming. Keep looking, keep thinking, keep dreaming....keep on keeping on doing something. Don't GIVE up! That is what I plan on doing and I hope that you do the same.

What is your biggest attainable dream you have right now?
What is the biggest obstacle of attaining that dream?
What is your plan to eliminate or work toward dream despite the obstacle?
What are you willing to do that will be more difficult that what you are willing NOT to do? No matter what your dreams are, there are some things that you have to stop doing to make room for the things that you must start doing.

just say'n
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Reminder Part II
by Paul Carr in

Take this weekend, as you get ready for Sunday worship services, to think about the most important thing in your life. To me, it is the complete and perfect trust in the Person who said that HE was God. Every single hope and grace must rest in His unchanging character. The promises of God cannot be taken lightly. They have been given to us to hold us up when everything else may try to take you down. There is nothing more exciting and motivating than knowing your completely secure in the One who paid for that sealing.

I John 4:18
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

The CDC just came out with this years totals on the H1N1 scare. The article can be found here. That can be in stark contrast to the typical annual flu deaths of around 35,000, found here.

Imagine the impact we could have on the world if we shared the perfect cure for eternal separation from God. Imagine how different our lives could/might/wished could be if we took the time to be just as educated and proactive about this much more important disaster.

just say'n
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Reminder
by Paul Carr in

Are you tired and don't know why? Mentally worn and can't seem to pin point "it"? Think about this.
In the last 24 hours I have had to REMIND myself over and over that I cannot be driven to a particular
behavior out of fear.

1. There is a security company that continues to market themselves heavily. They will protect you. They
will protect your home. They will call you to see if everything is alright. They will divert potential intruders.
They will give you the comfort you need to protect your child when you are home alone.

2. There is a news show hosted by a well meaning commentator who, before every show, will ask you "to follow" him.
The tone is again, one of fear and wonder. While sometimes humorous, it is a subtle way of reminding you that
"it" is out of control, so YOU better be aware. For one hour you can be, if you let it, be indoctrinated in the ways
of fatalism. The hope, as presented through the show, is found in the past. The way America used to be. That our
Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence all hold the promises and hope for true happiness.
That somehow "different" people should be making decisions and "if the right people" were in charge you would
no longer have to fear the future.

3. Cell phone commercials are relentless in their pursuit for your 2 year contract. We are, (I'm the worst) still convinced
that a "free" phone is such a good deal. Anyways.....the issue being that if you don't have "their" phone, you could be
left stranded....in the rain....oh yea, the tire blew...and the phone you might happen to have is the wrong one because you
can't get service. FEAR drives the market. Whether it is trying to "fit in" or "need it for business" or "helps us communicate better"..we all use different excuses (or reasons) to "buy in" to the ploy. The idea that you cannot live without a cell phone has been clearly cultured. That is somewhat ok...my point is that fear = reliance. Reliance = bondage. Bondage = behavior

4. H1N1 Enough said. Ok, maybe not. The amount of money being made during this false front would blow you away. The more fear that can be created over this flu strain, the more money that gets pumped into the pockets of those who are creating the hype. Half way through the year, there had been 0 confirmed swine flu deaths in the U.S, according to a the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, there have been about 25,000 deaths as a result of the regular flu....and there always has been each year. Most doctors will simply NOT give their kids the 'vaccine'. Why? they are more worried about what usually occurs through regular influenza. This is sad. It plays to the depraved human emotions. It takes advantage of weakened mothers who are so worn down as it is from the 'regular stressful stuff', that they drink the kool-aid because it takes away their fear and guilt, not the swine flu. Do you realize over 4000 teenagers a year commit suicide? Over 130,000 known attempts. About 5,000 teenagers a year die from alcohol related drinking and driving. Together, that is around 52 teenagers a minute die. When is the last time you heard anything about that 'epidemic'?

5. Health Insurance. Since when is it someone else's responsibility to shoulder your health care needs? While there may be an energetic debate over who should take care of who, the bottom line is that we are not dependent on any organization. That thinking is simply wrong. BUT, if an organization can influence that thinking to believe that you should be taken care of, then you are potentially going to be held under the thumb of that organization. Freedom comes with a price, not a barter. Backing away from this hot issue, the fact of the matter that just about everyone can agree on is that we live in a system that is broken and cannot be fixed. It cannot be fixed because it is financed and managed by heavily depraved people and corrupt organizations. Are there medical procedures that cost millions of dollars that can keep people alive?....YES! Does that mean we should spend millions of dollars on procedures to keep all those people alive longer?......

I'm not going to answer that, but you can see the NEED. The NEED is and should be blatantly obvious. The NEED is that we cannot co-exist with a person, a system, an organization, or a philosophy that sells itself as the hope or answer to meet that NEED. It will fail you. There is no government on the planet that can offer the peace, comfort, and certainty that Jesus Christ can bring. There is only one answer....one hope....one healer....one provider....one care-giver.......one sacrifice that can guarantee you the freedom that we all desire to have.

Do you know HIM? What or who are you listening to? No wonder why you feel worn down like some stripped gears. We get bombarded by every known institution of our lives...financial, economic, religious, homes, car, parenting...etc.

Words to favorite hymm from the 1800's wriiten by Edward Mote
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

4. When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found,
Clothed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

just say'n
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