Archive for the ‘Daily Living’ Category

23 Jan

Day 23/365 – Even in the Valley God is Good

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Encouragement.

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…..” Psalm 23

The Psalmist had been there; he had walked in that valley. Have you been there too? If so, you know the pain, the hurt, the fear of walking in that valley. There are other valleys….the valley of the shadow of depression; been there have you? Here’s one many of you have walked; the valley of the shadow of cancer; scary isn’t it? Many of us have walked the valley of the shadow of despair, embarrassment, and unemployment. There is the valley of the shadow of divorce; the valley of the shadow of out-of-control children; the valley of the shadow of anger; the valley of the shadow of addiction. Here’s what I’ve learned as I walked through the valleys in my own life.

I learned that you need others to walk with you through the valley. I’m not sure if I would have made it without significant people walking with me. My family, close friends, my restoration team and my counselor walked with me every step of the way. I choose these people to walk the valley with me and they were glad to be my companions.

I learned that there is grace, peace and security in the valley. In my journey through some tough valleys, I experienced so much grace. I found peace and security in the valley. Valleys are where we do our best growing. My valley was a place where I could rest, recuperate and be renewed. It was only in the security of the valley that I was restored physically, spiritually and emotionally. Let God grow you in the valley,

So my friend, don’t be afraid of the valley. The valley can be a good place but you need others to walk with you. Don’t try to go it alone! At the same time, try to see the purpose of why God has you walking through your valley. These song lyrics say it so well….even in the valley God is good! Be encouraged today friend for the Lord is near.

Blessings, Randy

Even in the Valley
By Rebecca Peck and Amy Marie Unthank
Copyright Thomas Peck Music

CHORUS
EVEN IN THE VALLEY GOD IS GOOD. EVEN IN THE VALLEY HE IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE.
HE CARRIES HIS CHILDREN THROUGH LIKE HE SAID HE WOULD,
EVEN IN THE VALLEY GOD IS GOOD.
VERSE I
HIGH UPON THIS MOUNTAIN THE SUN IS SHINING BRIGHT.
MY HEART IS FILLED WITH GLADNESS HERE ABOVE THE CARES OF LIFE,
BUT I’VE JUST COME THROUGH THE VALLEY OF TROUBLE, FEAR, AND PAIN.
IT WAS THERE I CAME TO KNOW MY GOD ENOUGH TO STAND AND SAY,
VERSE 2
THE ROAD OF LIFE HAS LED YOU TO A VALLEY OF DEFEAT.
YOU WONDER IF THE FATHER HAS HEARD YOUR DESPERATE PLEA,
BUT THERE IS HOPE IN THE RUGGED PLACE WHERE TEARS OF SORROW DWELL.
CAN’T YOU HEAR HIM GENTLY WHISPERING, “I’M HERE, AND ALL IS WELL.”

19 Nov

Day 13/365 – A Year of Encouragement: Flowers for the Living

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Living, Encouragement.

One of my encouragers is Scott Brookshire.  I’ve known Scott by reputation for over 30 years but personally for the last 6 years since I have been attending the Men’s Tuesday Morning Bible Study at Temple Bible Church.  Last week Scott encouraged me greatly in my writing and gave me this awesome idea.  Throughout The Year of Encouragement, we’ll have a time called “Flowers for the Living.”  I’ll simply give you an idea to thank and encourage people who have made an impact on your life, then ask you to share with me and the other readers who you thanked and why.  You can respond on Facebook or on my blog.  So, for today’s Flowers for the Living Feature, I would like for you to write someone and tell them what you appreciate about them.  Tell them how they have impacted you, the neighborhood, the community, the church or on a broader scale.  I can’t wait to hear your stories!  I’ll go first…thank you Scott for being a constant source of encouragement to me.  You always have a good word for me each Thursday morning and you were the very first person to ask me to lead our group in a hymn when I didn’t know if I would ever be able to lead people again in worship.  Thank you my friend, I’m forever grateful!

10 Nov

Day 4/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Encouragement.

Encouragement gives hope, courage, and emotionalstrength to those who are struggling.  Jesus said, “In this world you will have problems.”  This isn’t a threat; it’s just a statement of fact; perhaps even a warning.  Life is tough.  Disappointments come, things break, people who you thought were your friends will turn on you.  Yes, even those you love the most; your spouse and/or children will make major mistakes
and disappoint you; relationships turn sour.  When these problems come, discouragement and depression are not far behind.   When discouragement casts its heavy shadow, we need a good dose of encouragement.  Every interaction we have is an opportunity to be an encourager.  Think of those you know who are stressed, hurt, discouraged, afraid, sad and disappointed.  You can be the light of encouragement to them!  Ask the Lord to give you the wisdom to know how to be a blessing to those who need a good dose of encouragement.  Be encouraged today friends, for the Lord is near!

9 Nov

Day 3/365 – A Year of Encouragement

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Inspirational, Uncategorized.

Have you ever been at the point of giving up?  I have and I bet most of you have been there too.  What is it that gets us through those difficult times?  For me, it has been those dear saints who made it a point to be an encourager to me.  Many of them have moved away, and some have passed away.  This has caused me some sadness because I’m wondering, who will fill their shoes?  Then it hit me; maybe I’m the one who needs to be the encourager.  God puts us in situations where we need the greatest work.  If we need to learn patience, He puts us in situations where we tend to be impatient.  If we need to learn to love, He puts people in our lives that are hard to love.  Get the picture?  We all need to be encouraged, so maybe we should become the encourager.

Years ago, the great UCLA basketball coach, Pepper Rogers was having a bad season.  He was getting lots of criticism from the press, the alumni and even his wife, who was one of UCLA’s biggest fans!  Reflecting back on that time, Pepper said, “My dog was my only friend.  I told my wife that every man needs at least two friends in his life.  She bought me another dog!”  Coach Rogers needed a healthy dose of encouragement, not another dog!

Thirty-five times in the New Testament we see a recurring word pattern; an action verb followed by the phrase “one another.”  For instance, we are told to: prefer, accept, greet, encourage, forgive, comfort, wait for, and honor…one another.  Learn how to do these key verbs and you’ll learn how to relate to others in a loving, Christ-like way. 

The most frequently mentioned “one another” in the Bible is to “Encourage one another.”  Perhaps it is the most mentioned because it is the most needed!  Hebrews 3:13 says we are to “encourage one another DAILY!” 

5 Sep

Bare Feet and Burned Lips

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Living, Encouragement.

The Hall of Fame prophet Isaiah knew what it meant to have bare feet and burned lips.  He recorded a confrontation with the Lord’s angels in best seller, chapter 6.  “Then I said, “Woe is me for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips and live among a people of unclean lips for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand which he had taken from the altar with tongs.  He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away your sin is forgiven.”  Isaiah 6:5-7.

 So I’m thinking “Wow!,  if this great man of God was having some issues with personal holiness, then maybe I’m not so bad after all.”  Of course this is flawed thinking because all of us have holiness issues, right?  Just about the time I think I’m on the right track, I find myself face down with a mouthful of mud and grit.  So how do we do this holiness thing?  When the scriptures tell us to “be holy as God is holy,” who do we see about that?

 Here are a few things to ponder.

Realize what is making you unclean.  God sent his angel to put the burning coal on Isaiah’s lips.  Obviously the prophet had a problem with his tongue.  Maybe he would curse, speak untruths, or would use perverse speech.  Maybe Isaiah had an anger problem and he would lash out at the people around him.  You know where you need cleansing, so today, ask the Lord to bring on the coals!

 God initiates the cleansing.  Isaiah wasn’t looking for God when he had the vision of the Lord seating high on his throne.  This was God letting Isaiah get a little glimpse of heaven!  It was God who knew Isaiah needed cleansing to prepare him for the work ahead.  Only God is holy and only through Him can we find cleansing.

 We are cleansed for a mission.  Isaiah had a big job ahead of him.  In verses 8-12 of chapter 6 he gets his marching orders and realizes that without the cleansing of the Lord, then he would be ill-equipped for the mission.

 You only get clean when you get real close to God.  Isaiah’s personal space was invaded by an angel carrying a hot coal!  God will draw you to himself even if He has to take extreme measures to get you there!

 Many thanks to Jon Walker and his 2007 devotional on this subject.

Be encouraged today friends!

10 Jul

Psalm 23 – The Psalm of the Shepherd

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Encouragement, Inspirational.

In the original languages of the scriptures there are several names for God….Elohim, Adonai, Theos, Kurios, Despotes, Pater and Yahweh or Jehovah.  Jehovah meaning “I am the one who is……!” 

There are 9 words that describe Jehovah’s role in our lives:

In Genesis 22:14 He is Jehovah Jireh – The Lord Provides; In Exodus 17:1 He is Jehovah Nissi – The Lord is my Banner; In Judges 6:24 He is Jehovah Shalom – The Lord is Peace; In 1 Samuel 1:3 He is Jehovah Sabbaoth – The Lord of Hosts; In Exodus 31:13 He is Jehovah Maccaddeschcem – The Lord your Sanctifier; In Jeremiah 23:6 He is Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness; In Exodus 48:3 He is Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There; In Isaiah 17:6 He is Jehovah Elohim – The Lord God of Israel, and;

In Psalm 23:1 He is Jehovah Raah – The Lord my Shepherd

On Sunday, September 1, 1996 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Temple, Tx, Pastor Darryl Dunks preached a sermon on Psalm 23.  The following five-point outline is his with my own personal thoughts as to how God has used and is using this psalm in my life. 

 Psalm 23 teaches us that there are five things we can know and experience about, Jehovah Raah, the Lord is my Shepherd.

  1.  Psalm 23:1 tells us that we have a person to encounter…”the Lord is MY shepherd.”  We can know the Lord in a personal way.  As a young boy, I had an encounter with Jesus Christ and gave my heart and life to Him; I became a born again believer.  Throughout my life, I’ve tried to be testimony of the inner change that took place after I had a life-changing encounter with Jesus.  You too, can know Jesus as guide, protector and constant companion.
  2. Not only do we have a person to encounter, but we have a providence to expect.  Providence is defined as …”the foreseeing care and guidance of God.”  He knows what we need and when we need it.  Verse 2 says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul; He guides me in paths of righteousness for His namesake.  I know, in a very personal way, the providence of God.  He has seen me through some very dark days and is my constant guide every day!
  3. Psalm 23:4 teaches us that we have a presence to experience.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear NO evil; for Thou art with me.  Thy rod and staff, they comfort me.”  The good shepherd protects His sheep.  With the rod, he protects his sheep by fighting off the wild beasts that would try to get at the sheep.  With the staff, He gently guides His sheep to food, water and protection.  Throughout my life and especially these past two years, I have known the protection and guidance of the Good Shepherd.
  4. We have a person to encounter, a providence to expect, a presence to experience and also a peace to enjoy.  Verse 5 says, “Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed by head with oil; My cup overflows.”  God as a gracious host provides all that we need.  I can testify of how God has always provided every need for Pam and me. 
  5. And finally we have a promise for this life and place to enter.  Psalm 23:6 says, “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”  There’s the promise for this life of goodness and lovingkindness, and we have the promise of the place to enter as we dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  The only way that you can have the promise of goodness and lovingkindness for this life and life eternal with God is if you give your life to Jesus Christ.                                                                                                 

Be encouraged today friends, 

Randy

 

 

 

4 Jan

Tips for a Powerful New Year

Posted by Randy Carder in Challenges, Daily Living, Encouragement, Life Lessons.

We’re going to spend a little time over the next few days and learn some tips on how to have a powerful new year….not a successful new year; not a good new year; not a happy new year, but a powerful new year!   I’ve had this list on my computer for 5 years and never shared it with anyone.  I don’t know who wrote this list, where I got it or who sent it to me, but the comments under each point are mine.  It’s my hope and prayer that something you read here will encourage you to work toward a powerful 2011.  So here we go with the first 5 of 40 Tips for a Powerful New Year.

Be encouraged today friends,

Randy

40.  Enjoy the ride.  You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride. When is the last time you stepped away from the day to day grind and sat and just pondered your life?  For many of you it’s been way too long or maybe never.  You must find the time to relax, unwind, and learn to enjoy this wonderful life we’ve been given.  Remember, yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not guaranteed.

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. Stress is a KILLER!  Your body is not designed to thrive under continued stress.  Everyone has it but you must find ways to relieve that stress.  Here are a few suggestions: Exercise, sleep, sing, dance, swim, walk, read, and the very best stress reliever for you married folks…..make love to your spouse!  Kiss deeper, love longer, laugh uncontrollably, and dance with abandon!

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:   “I am thankful for (you fill in the blank.)” In 1897, the hymn writer Johnson Oatman, Jr. penned these words:  When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed, When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done. Refrain: Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your blessings, see what God hath done! Count your blessings, name them one by one, Count your many blessings, see what God hath done. 114 years later the message rings true friend….COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS!

37. Call your mom and dad. Need I say more?  I know, some of you can’t call your parents because they have passed away. The lesson here is to pick up the phone and make the call!  The reason is not important.  What’s important is that you make the contact!  Remember, tomorrow is NOT guaranteed.  Do this before it is too late!

36. Do the right thing! Peter F. Drucker wrote, “Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right thing!” Do you want to be efficient or effective?  I choose effective but I also think you can do both.  Effectiveness comes first; do the right thing every time!

MORE TO FOLLOW………..



4 Nov

God’s Prompting!

Posted by Randy Carder in Daily Living, Encouragement, Faith.

Hey Friends, for many years I have wanted to share my thoughts on a variety of topics.  I can remember 30 years ago telling my Pam that I wanted to write a book.  Well, one can write a book but getting it published is a whole other thing.  So, I never wrote my book, but for the last 30 years I have been saving up for a chance such as this.  Today, November1 , 2009 is lauch day for my writing career.  It’s my hope that as you read one of several things might happen.  Number one of which would be that you would be prompted to action!  Action to improve your own life and/or the lives of those around you.  After all, isn’t that what we all really want, to leave this world just a little better that we found it, and at the same time, experience the abundant life promised to us by God when we appropriate Christ into our lives?  I think so.  My prayer for this blog is that it encourages you to be and to use what God has probably already put in place in your life.  Here goes.

Pam and I spent time today at Scott and White Hospital in Temple, Tx.  It wasn’t my idea to visit the hospital, I wanted to watch the Dallas Cowboys beat up on the Seattle Seahawks.  Hospital ministry was the furthest thing from my mind, but God had a different idea.  Pam, my bride of 32 years, told me that God had prompted her to visit a lady in the hospital that was probably in the last days of her life and to pray for her salvation.  Being the supportive husband that I am, I told her that I would go with her and minister to this dear lady.  Being in the ministry for the past 30 years or so this type of ministry was second nature to me.  Those of you in the ministry know of what I speak, unless of course, you don’t do hospital ministry.  That’s another topic.  Anyway, we entered the room of this dear lady and her daughter, aunt and sister were present.  We introduced ourselves and asked if we could pray for this dear lady.  It was obvious that the three ladies present at the bedside were grateful for someone to come and pray.  The lady for whom we were there to pray, was non-responsive.  We would just have to pray to her spirit knowing the the Holy Spirit would and could get through to her even in her drug induced state.  Pam prayed the sweetest prayer for grace and mercy; I continued praying that God would continue to pursue this lady right up until her heart stopped beating.  When we finished, we looked up and the other ladies in the room were weeping.  We found out later, through another family member, that they didn’t know people like us existed.   People that would come to the bedside of someone in their final days and pray for healing, grace, mercy and salvation of a total stranger!   Of coures we know that the world is full of  people that when prompted by God, do exactly what He calls us to do.  Be it pray for a stranger, pick up a hitchhiker, give money to the guy on the street corner, call an old friend or family member who may be estranged, and of course share the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.  Well Pam and I were not called to share the gospel to a lost and dying world today, we were just called to pray for lady who is dying to find Jesus.  

Here’s my question to you…..What has God prompted you to do that you have not yet done?  Whatever it is, stop right now and do it!  If you don’t then you’ll find that rest will not come easy until you have done that which God has prompted you to do.

Be encouraged today my friends,

Randy

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