Saying Goodbye

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Carl

Tonight I was helping to load a moving truck and for once it was not my own. This time, I was helping a lady who has been apart of our ministry since we arrived in Corpus Christi. She had the opportunity to retire and move closer to family in Louisiana and so today we loaded her home into a 26′ U-Haul and savored a few final moments of Christian fellowship with one another.

The Lord again showed Himself faithful today, as I had a small commission check arrive from my financial advisory business, enough to pay two bills. This evening a friend and his family we hadn’t seen in a number of months showed up where we were helping load the moving truck and handed my wife and I a gift that had been impressed on his heart. The Lord is showing us daily that if we will “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,” that all of our needs will be met.

In the Presence of Witnesses

Posted on April 2, 2009 by Carl

Today, I found myself wrestling with the question of mycall and my role in it. The Lord has been calling me to focus more attention on the call, but I have been fearful that because of our current difficult circumstances, I was being neglectful in my role as a father and husband.

This morning I was ministered to by a council of Godly co-laborers. One dear brother, as he was leaving looked at me and said: “1 Peter 5:10.” One of the other men asked, “Why did he say that to you?” I responded, “We’re about to find out…”

1 Peter 5:10 (NASB)

10 And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

We then began to talk about our yoking to Jesus and how our burdens are lessened as we work in tandem with Him. Another man then shared a story of a friend who followed the Lord’s direction, but continued to miss what he thought he was looking for. It was pointed out that faithfulness and obedience was what the Lord was seeking…not the completion of a task. Many times the difficult places and circumstances we find ourselves in are not due to bad choices, sin or any other heinous action. The real reason we find ourselves in that place is because we have simply followed Jesus there.

Over the course of the afternoon, I found my resolve being wishy-washy. Carol began to speak to me about the refinement process and its preparation of my life for the things ahead, but she emphasized my calling and my work were already clearly defined. During our Organic Group tonight, I asked “Where do you most need to experience the powerful presence of God in your life tonight?” Carol’s answer once again returned to the refinement process and call of our previous conversation. Carol asked the Lord to empower me with a committed Spirit that would not waver under an adversity to the work He has already laid before me.

As we spent a few moments in silence, I was reminded of Elisha:

1 Kings 19:19-21 (NASB)

19 So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, while he was plowing with twelve pairs of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth. And Elijah passed over to him and threw his mantle on him.

20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”

21 So he returned from following him, and took the pair of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the implements of the oxen, and gave it to the people and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah and ministered to him.

It was very clear to me as the old hymn says: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.” With this prompting from the Lord I made a public commitment to throw myself wholeheartedly into the task He has given me and to discontinue asking about other “work.” The Lord impressed upon me that I needed to have the group annoint my head with oil and pray over me in affirmation of this commitment.

By the way, today’s miraculous provision was the bed of my pickup full of groceries while I was praying with the council of Godly men.

At Least the Rent is Paid

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Carl

Today was another day of seeing God’s amazing provisions at work. We woke up this morning unsure of whether or not we would be able to pay the rent and God provided. There are still needs that are before Him in prayer, but hey at least we can continue to enjoy the provision of a home.

Over the past few days the Lord has been giving me a vision for South Bluff Park and the neighborhood in which Simplicity is located. I had the opportunity to share these thoughts with a like minded acquaintance and his eyes lit up as we talked.

The principles of the vision are pretty “simple”…imagine that. First and foremost is the need to live out authentic Christian community in front of the neighborhood. My thoughts are gravitating towards weekly worship in the park, led by a variety of churches. Each week would conclude with a meal and then care and maintenance of the park.

The second part of this vision is revitalization of the area through volunteerism. My thoughts here are to join with the city to form an enterprise zone. Any business that is willing to located in this part of town would be offered tax incentives and volunteer help for cleaning, painting, sheet rock, etc… by local church volunteers.

These thoughts are very much in their infancy, but the Lord gave me an example to pattern after when I was in Pittsburgh, through the ministry of John Stanley and the Uncommon Grounds Cafe.

The weekend in review

Posted on March 29, 2009 by Carl

Yesterday several of us returned to South Bluff Park. The need to return for more ministry in this park was laid heavily on the heart of one of our ladies. She ended up being ill and unable to make it, but she lovingly prepared sandwiches for the hungry wanderers who frequent the area. Others who participated provided chips, drinks and a desire to let Christ be seen in their lives.

Our time in the park was a time of contrast. We met and prayed with folks like Adam, Will, Smiley and Jenny. Each one with a unique story. As we were praying and serving one group of people, 100 yards away another group actively utilized the men’s restroom for illicit activities that involved a steady stream of customers. As we took note of the contrast, we asked the Lord to pierce the darkness with the light of His love.

Yesterday was also a day of provisions for my family. A check was received that will allow us to pay one or two bills. Money was also received that covered the cost of a month’s supply of my medications. When we returned home an envelope was found in our mailbox with the following words: “You have been on my mind lately and I felt that you might need this.” Inside the envelope was a gift card to a local grocery store. Last night we welcomed friends into our home to celebrate with us our ability to call a place home after 2 1/2 years. The provisions for the meal came from friends and the fish caught on our wedding anniversary. At the end of the night we were blessed with our latest need…toothpaste and an additional package of toilet paper.

Today during our Sunday worship gathering, we were treated to the gift of music as the Holy Spirit led us through songs about God’s faithfulness and the firm foundation of His presence. He allowed us to sing a new song that a couple of teenagers had written after a church camp nearly 6 years ago. The Lord’s presence was strongly felt throughout the morning.

This afternoon, I received a call from a man in Rockport. He had seen our ad on Craigslist for the house church we are working to launch on Padre Island. This man has worshiped in a house setting since 1971 and recently moved to Rockport. He and I agreed to work together with Holy Spirit’s guidance to form a group in his home.

Through all of these things the Lord has continued to affirm the decisions made on Wednesday. My efforts of laying a financial foundation had caused me to neglect the very call that they were meant to support. The Lord is helping me to define a proper balance in my life. The work of the Kingdom is much to0 important and the time is much too short. This week I will be seeking to further clarify God’s balance for vocation and ministry.

The journey of faith is a crescendo as the house payment is due in two days and there are still bills in arrears and needing to be paid. The lesson of this past week has been the power of God to maintain joy and peace even when circumstances are not in your favor. I find that this critical place is refining me in ways that can only be described as tremendous.

My late friend Daniel Trickey made a sign for me nearly a decade ago that has hung in my office ever since. The sign simply says “Tumultuous to Tremendous.”

God even cares about toilet paper

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Carl

Ok, so God has us on an incredible faith walk at the moment. Unpaid bills, half empty cupboard, no clear answers…just faith in daily doses. The most powerful thing that has been visible thus far is the unshakeable joy and peace that Carol and I have.

Last night when Mike and Kim were over for Organic Group they both commented on the night and day contrast in us compared to our anxiety levels when our housing was up in the air in late January. They said we were almost like different people from who were just 60 days or so ago. This in itself was a huge answer to prayer. I had asked God, to change me, even if you don’t change my circumstances. I want to be “ok” no matter what my circumstances say.

For the past week or so, we have had less than $10 to our name. Today we were down to $4 and out of toilet paper, kleenex and anything else that could be used on the daily necessities of the human digestive system. We were also down to our last package of meat.

This morning as Carol and I prayed, I made a specific prayer for toilet paper along with the other needs in our life. This morning we received a call from one of the ladies in our church who is moving next week. She had a refrigerator full of food she needed to give away before she moves. Later in the afternoon another friend called with a supply of groceries for us. Not only did God provide basic staples in these provisions, but He even provided the kid’s favorite brand of macaroni and cheese.

Along with the groceries, my friend gave Carol $20. This $20 was just enough to buy toilet paper, dishwashing soap, trash bags, paper plates and styrofoam cups. This provision met the basic needs we have for the next 24 hours.

I still don’t know how God will choose to provide for those things that are currently past due, but I know if He cares about toilet paper, He also cares about our financial obligations.

Out of Order

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Carl

Tonight I had an awakening in my soul. I have been wrestling with confusion about who I am supposed to be at this moment in time, knowing the greater call on my life, but trying to decipher it in light of my circumstances. The Lord turned the lights on for me this evening while my wife and I were talking.

Several months ago the Lord began speaking to me about needing to have my foundation set. I took that to mean my financial foundation, but I realize now that was only a small piece of that instruction. My call in life is the planting of churches and raising up of church leaders, but I have neglected laying those foundations, because I have been consumed with trying to get a financial foundation built.

The Lord helped me see tonight that I had taken on the wrong role. I am to walk alongside those who have been called to marketplace ministry, helping them to maximize the effectiveness of their businesses for the purposes of the Kingdom of God. It is through these relationships and my “supporting role” that the Lord will support my ongoing work, which is not to run companies, but to plant churches and raise up church leaders.

Commerce is meant to be a tool of support for the ministers that I raise up, but not their primary focus. The Lord has not delivered me from my circumstances, because my priorities were not squarely in line with His. Additionally, the Lord has given me the release to shut down my financial advisory practice…a place of trust, a place of putting my focus in order.

Matthew 6:33

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…

Untangling the Mess

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Carl

As those closest to me know, I love to be near the water with a fishing rod in hand. To me there are few things more relaxing than being out on a sunny day, listening to the birds and catching a few fish. One of the most important things I have for these times is my tackle box. Within this box are lures, bobbers, leaders, sinkers and hooks of every size, shape and color imaginable.

Unfortunately in the bottom of my tackle box is also a “rat’s nest” of rattling floats that have become hopelessly intertwined with each other. A few weeks ago after nearly an hour’s worth of tracing one line with my finger I was finally able to free one of the 5 floats; however, the rest is still a tangled mess.

Today my thoughts are much like my tackle box. There are some areas of my thoughts that are fairly organized, close to the top and easy to grab a hold. On the other hand, I am also finding many areas that are tangled and difficult to follow today.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am at a place right now, where I am backed against the wall and beyond my means of rectifying. This time the situation has been different, as the financial deadlines have come and gone. The provisions I have come to expect at just the right time, didn’t arrive this time. I now find myself in a place of financial delinquency and uncertain of the answers.

A few nights ago, the Lord had me wrestle with the question: “Will you be content and at peace, even if the bills remain past due?” “Will you be content and at peace, even if the collection calls begin to come?” “Will you be content and at peace, even if…?” My immediate answer was NO! This is my reputation, my credit, my character we’re talking about; however, the Lord reminded me that dead men are not troubled over such things. Before it was all over I found myself saying these words: “Lord if where you have me today is a place of delinquency and no provisions are to come…I’m ok, because it is the place you have called me to. Change my view of the circumstances around me, so that I am truly content, no matter what state I am in.” Those words are much easier said than lived out.

I have also been trying to untangle my role these days. My calling is a call to raise up those who will take the gospel around the world, teaching them the truth of God’s word and encouraging them in the faith. Right now I also have the role of “commercial minister” in the marketplace of America. This role has come about through the need to care for my family, but I have yet to see fruit in these endevours (as is evidenced by my current state of affairs). At the same time the Lord has been removing many of those who walk closest to me, during these difficult times. This is truly a time of walking alone with the Lord.

As I have been praying and others have been praying with me, a couple of things have been said:

To stand firm in faith
To go to all kingdoms of earth and proclaim His word
Release

So here’s were the tangled mess of thoughts all come into play. Each of these could be applied and interperted many different ways in my life. Here’s what I think I understand, but I’ve been known to be way off base before too:

These are lean and lonely times…the kind of times when the enemy comes calling with his latest book 101 reasons why you should give up. Standing firm in faith means pressing on, even when you don’t see where the road is leading, looking with eyes that are not your own and trusting nothing beyond what is revealed to you.
My greatest influence is not in my own backyard, but on the other side of the world. Pastors in India and Uganda have sought me ought for the past few years and the Lord uses me to inspire and strengthen them in powerful ways that are absolutely mind blowing. I am scheduled to be in Kenya and Uganda in about 7-8 weeks. A trip that I have thus far raised $100 towards, but yet know I need to be there.
Everything in my life has to be held with an open hand…nothing is allowed to be mine. What I have been given I merely have stewardship of for the moment. Included in these things are things like my monthly bills…they are now obligations of my Father, I need to learn how to hold them as His child.

The tangles come in with the roles of my life and the principles that are so deeply engrained within me. For example: I work hard to try and support my family, because they are my primary ministry. Yet the work of my hands does not prosper and in the long run I end up letting the “Kingdom” things go. My reputation amongst men taints the way they see my Heavenly Father, if I am not living up to my obligations… These are the things tying up my mind at the moment.

Tonight I fnd myself asking the Lord for wisdom in multiples and an illumination of my understanding.

Desolate Places

Posted on March 22, 2009 by Carl

About 6 weeks ago, the Lord began to speak to me through several people of lonely times ahead. The main thrust of the message was along these lines: “Even if it is just you, keep pressing on and don’t give up.” I am so thankful that the Lord was preparing me for such a time as this.

In these last 6 weeks I have seen people move on from our ministry, I have had others act as though they never even knew me and my greatest well of strength was capped off and sealed. Financial deadlines have come and gone with no answers revealed and everything I have set my hand to could best be described as barren and lacking in fruitfulness.

Sounds pretty dismal doesn’t it? It certainly is not much fun, but it would have been much worse without the warning.

A few days ago, I was really struggling as I watched a financial deadline come and go without deliverance for the need. I often discuss that in my life God tends to operate on the 11:59:59 principle…arriving at the last second, but right on time. This time however, there was no deliverance…the deadline came and went. So I retreated to a quiet place and poured my heart out to the Lord. His instruction to me…go to the beach.

As I followed the Lord’s prompting, I drove to the Padre Island National Seashore. I parked my truck, kicked off my shoes and began walking along the water line. After nearly 45 minutes of walking began to see a figure in the distance that I at first thought was a radio antenna. As I drew closer I found that what I had been seeing was not a radio antenna, but a barren tree. Actually it wasn’t even a barren tree, but instead was a 12 foot tree limb that had been planted in the sand.

Under normal circumstances, this tree limb would not even be noticed. In fact, it would be dismissed because it was barren and distressed; however, on the seashore this tree limb is magnetic. It is the only thing standing for miles of shoreline, and because of that distinction you are drawn to it. You find yourself wondering what it is, and on closer inspection you find that it has been planted in the sand.

As I looked at this scene the Lord began to speak to me about my circumstances. He pointed out that my life is much like that branch. He has planted me in a place of isolation and loneliness where my life becomes magnified to all who see it. The sight of a man standing under such difficult circumstances draws them closer. As they come closer they see the establishing work of God taking place in my life. If I had been planted in a lush, fertile environment, God’s work in my life might be overlooked; however, it is through my unique presence in such a barren place that His work become prominent.

I must admit, I didn’t at first find much peace in those words…in fact, they were somewhat difficult to hear. Then the Lord showed me something else. He had me turn around and look out at the waves as they came ashore. He had me take note of the pelicans flying over the water and the crabs in the sand. He reminded me that this sad looking tree had something no other tree had…a front row seat to the beauty of the Gulf and all that comes with it.

This morning, Mike led us through the transfiguration. The Lord again spoke to me some deep truths during this time. The two men who appeared with Jesus were Moses and Elijah…two men who knew what it meant to go it alone. We speculated as to what the conversation might have been, and I felt impressed that some of it was a reminder that the path of glory often includes extended visits to desolate places.

The Latest Buzz

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Carl

I really feel as though I’m dropping the ball on blogging. My business pursuits have taken the majority of my time and they still don’t really provide for our family, but if I have learned anything over these last few months it has been the necessity of casting the nets again and again, even if you don’t see the catch. The Lord has taught me that sometimes the provisions come through the sweat of my brow and many times they come from the unseen riches of heaven.

As I mentioned a few posts ago, we are going through roster changes right now in the ministry. Baby Micah was born a few weeks ago, some who started with us have moved on, two more will be moving out of state in the coming weeks and Carol and I are now in a different geographic and cultural setting.

We were hoping to launch a Wednesday night Organic Group at the first of March, but the enemy began to rear his ugly head in the lives of those who were to host it. That group is currently on hold and we are praying for a deliverance to take place in this family’s life.

Carol and I have begun to make some new acquaintances here on the Island and have decided to launch a new Organic Group starting this Thursday. We are excited about returning this home to the Lord for His use and glory. We have already had opportunity to bless the kids in our neighborhood by having them over to swim.

The Lord has been speaking to me about my call to the nations for the past few years. In May, I will return to that call as I spend May 6-19th in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. I will be teaching pastors and church leaders during my visit, plus I have been invited to speak in a large prison in Kenya. The highlight of the journey will be the oversight of the graduation ceremonies for Redeemer Bible College, which Simplicity became the sponsoring ministry for last year. The 28 students graduating will be the first Bible College graduates in the Bukwo District of Uganda. This is such a big event that several high ranking government officials will be in attendance. The Lord has been building my contacts in Uganda for the past 3-4 years, so I am excited to begin meeting these men of God face to face.

In October, I will once again return to India to work alongside my dear brother Paul in Tamilnadu. In addition I will be working with another dear co-laborer, Santhosh, in Andra Pradesh. My trip to Andra Pradesh has been in the works for a number of years as well, so the opportunity to bless these workers in the Lord’s fields is a great honor.

This past week also allowed one of the core values of Simplicity was seen working as it is intended. We learned of a dear brother and sister in Christ who had a pressing need that required financial provision. We were able to make a large donation in conjunction with other believers to meet this need. Our part was made possible, because we don’t pay salaries, cell phone bills and other staffing costs. Working in this bi-vocational capacity is tough, uncertain and at times down right hair raising, but this week the value of the sacrifice was played out and Jesus was seen in His body.

Right now, I find myself waiting upon the Lord’s revelation in a few key areas.

Allowing the Lord to show me the true nature of my call at this point in the journey
Allowing the Lord to provide the financial provisions for the work that He has called me to
Allowing the Lord to show me His ongoing source of provision for our family

Getting Used to My Skin

Posted on March 10, 2009 by Carl

The Lord has been speaking to me about the call on my life for the past few years. It is a big picture I can see, but I have trouble at times discerning the finer details and especially connecting the dots that move me fully into that role. I

I was sharing with a friend today, that I have trouble seeing where the role of struggling entrepreneur on March 10, 2009 fits into the picture at the moment, but I know perseverence is the key. There are times you wished that God’s vision came with Mapquest type instructions, but ultimately faith would never be built if it did.

The Lord has shown me the importance of tent making in my call, I just wish I was more adept at it.

Journey To Simplicity