Thursday, March 6, 2008

Lost Friends and Lost Sight


Most recently I have found myself on the backside of the mountain. I initially thought that the reason for such experience was to basically deal with my family concerns surrounding my father and the terminal illness he has been battling. At second glance, I realized that my experience is more multi-tasked than that. I now conclude that my desert experience is first in existence because I am Gods child; secondly due to the fact my Father is my hero; thirdly I have friends that I now say “lost friends and lost sight.” I write about the title of this blog because I really care about people and how people perceive each other. We better learn how to allow God to move without our interference; weeping will last for nights and not a night, and joy will be here some morning rather tomorrow morning.

When I think of all the things that matter, I realized that when anyone or anything is pressured by pressure what is on the inside usually flies out into the open. Most people seem to amaze me with how once they are in the tightest of jams, they say or do something to their surprise.

For instance, when I stomp my toe I usually would say “Damn it,” followed by a shit that hurts. But the other day a self examination came upon me through circumstance; when I was flying on my way back from Alabama visiting with my father and our aircraft dropped suddenly in the clouds about 200 feet I called out His wonderful name, Jesus! I guess I am improving, right?

Now I know we use the name Jesus as we use the phrase I love you. It is almost like it has no meaning after a while. The word Jesus can be used as a term to insult someone or make someone feel really good. For instance, “Darrin you are an idiot, Jesus Christ!” or as a term of endearment , “Oh Darrin Babe I love you so much, Jesus Babe, you mean the world to me Boo.” In that last sentence Jesus does not mean the world to the speaker, instead Darrin does although the name of Jesus is used. My point is just because we say the right things do not make us in the His right-eousness. All who name the name of Christ are not His; this brings me to my last of scattered points.

I have been watching friends totally spas over me not being online or even able to talk and visit with them a bit strange; these are the newbie’s as my friends really know and understand process. At any rate some of my new friends and acquaintances have even decided to move on, or question my intentions of our friendship. I often say if we had to sit in a room with a monk or a Buddhist I know who would win that debate.

You see we as Christian do not do well with silence. I recall in radio early on when I was a substitute for some local ministries on the then 92.3 WYCA Christian network radio station, silence was a bad thing. This makes a lot of sense on radio airways as your listeners can’t visualize what you are doing except that they hear what you are saying.

In Church I’ve notice this same attitude towards silence; I have been guilty of this in times past making certain something is going on-- it’s just natural as humans to be busy all the time especially in Western Society. For instance, if no one is speaking and if the spirit isn’t moving and really moving, the music should be playing or a Hallelujah should be pronounced from a far corner. In the more conservative circles of Churches I’ve witness the same thing as people sophisticatedly try to have announcements, anecdotes, dramas from the theatre club, or something to take place to make certain there are not any dead spots where silence prevails.

Maybe while you are sleeping you need something to noise/amuse you to sleep. When you awake maybe you need coffee or something outside of Jesus to get you going; needless to say business and dependence seems to push us on our downward tail spend away from God.

The prophet was looking for God in the world-wind because that is a pretty dramatic introduction and God is dramafied, correct? He also looked for God in other loud forms found in the weather but God was not there; thus God did appear in a still small voice. Whispering is not what most of us are accustomed to. In order to hear a whisper one must be still, quiet, and attentive. Well, I certainly hope that I could hear God if He whispered, don’t you. He said my sheep knows my voice and a stranger we would not follow. I have to be honest, it’s so noisy in my life at times if I don’t get to the dessert I will never hear Him (Jesus) speak, let alone know what He sounds like.

Jesus came into town with screams showered all about Him (Hosanna Hosanna) but He Himself was really calm cool and even laid back, chilling on a donkey; so much so that many said this is not or could not be the King of Kings. Paul said that I did not come with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but I did come with demonstration and power. So I suggest, keep the fete extravaganza for Carnival, Caribana, and Mardi-Gras…But when I need answers, give me Jesus and the sands of the fields.

Today I ask you and some of those who are confused about desert experience a few questions: Have you ever been alone with God? Do you understand what worship is? Jesus walked away to be with God in the garden, all who were with Him fail asleep. Moses went into the mountains to be with God alone, when he returned to the people the erected a golden image; this said Moses was there alone with God at least 2 days…lol ha ah ha. Enoch walked with God and he was no more. Abraham only took Isaac with him to go and worship God alone. The children of Israel were in the desert, but they all would not see the promise land because they murmured; this says to me go by yourself mane for real though! David was out with sheep when Jesse was asked about another son who would eventually be King! Point has been expressed.

What I am saying to all of my “Lost Friends” who feel that one of us have lost meaning or “Lost Sight,” when you are dealing with God you are better off by yourself until He has appointed ones to be in your world for that season.

Nothing is wrong with the meditation of one’s heart…

Love you much,

darrin carter

Thursday, February 14, 2008

What Are You Trying 2 Say?


1 Corinthians 13 (The Message)

"1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. 2If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. 3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn't want what it doesn't have. Love doesn't strut, Doesn't have a swelled head, Doesn't force itself on others, Isn't always "me first," Doesn't fly off the handle, Doesn't keep score of the sins of others, Doesn't revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end."

You can't love me like you say if you keep records of my wrong doing, always looking back at past failures, flying off the chain when I disappoint you or let you down, and endlessly forcing your wells upon me.

Many of us try to distinguish God’s love from the way of man. But if you really want to know God’s love, then look at Jesus actions! Love is not love until you give it away…wait hold up, and someone has to receive it folks. I know we don’t think of that side of love.

Can I declare that I’m patient, yet have not one person to testify about the patience that Darrin Carter demonstrated to another? Understand this, fruit is essential.

One must not just repent, but must also bring fruits of repentance.

Matthew 3:7-10 7-10When John realized that a lot of Pharisees and Sadducees were showing up for a baptismal experience because it was becoming the popular thing to do, he exploded: "Brood of snakes! What do you think you're doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskin’s is going to make any difference? It's your life that must change, not your skin! And don't think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as father. Being a descendant of Abraham is neither here nor there. Descendants of Abraham are a dime a dozen. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.

One must not only hear the Word, but must also be doers.

James 1:22-24 22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

One must not only profess that Jesus Christ is Lord, but must show to everyone by their lifestyles.

John13:34,35 34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."

When you say you love me, I see your mouth moving, but you aint saying nuttin--aint nuttin coming out…

Love and peace/darrin carter