Struggling Well

I think this past year we have all had our personal struggles. Today I heard an amazing message from Pastor Billy Hornsby on Struggling Well. I thought that was a unique title for a message because most people do not rejoice in their struggles. It is no secret that I have had some personal adversity in the last three or four months. I was faced with yet another mental challenge and have in some ways leaped forward into action relying more on God’s Will than my own. Sometimes you just have to let go even in the midst of struggles. When you let go of everything and realize all you need is God, that is usually when He gives you everything in return for realizing this truth. You give it all to Him for His Glory, and then He shows up in the dreams you have in your heart.

We must struggle to find our way sometimes. Only after we struggle do we find what it is we are truly looking for. We survive the struggle to see another day, a better day with new beginnings, and with a new year, I plan on beginning anew to pursue my dream of writing and then also starting a nonprofit. The dreams will fall into place because I have laid those dreams down at the cross where only then can they become what they are, a reality.

When we surrender in our struggles, we gain whatever it is we are/were looking for. Hornsby pointed out that our struggles include fear, pain, fatigue, dread, and doubt. I admit that fear and doubt have been the crippling crutches of the enemy with me. When I am fatigued, I am really grumpy. Sometimes you do not want to be in the same room as me. These five areas define our struggles and with these five things we grow closer to God. We struggle well to rejoice in the fruit those struggles are producing. You find the Lord’s Will when you search endlessly seeking him in the midst of the struggles that prevail.

In the midst of struggle, we must take a stand in faith with God. Stand up for what you believe. If there is something you believe the Lord desires, pursue but do so patiently. The Word is our cure. The Word of God is living breath within our bodies to find Him in our struggles. The Bible is a cure to stay grounded in the middle of a storm with fear, pain, fatigue, dread, and doubt. You must focus on today before you focus on tomorrow. Take one moment at a time, but remember to give thanks for every moment in giving it to God. Surround yourself with family, friends, and intercessors. I personally only enjoy being surrounded by those who positively influence my life. Positive energy builds a person up, and if surrounded by an amazing team, you truly will build a future for success in the dreams that unveil before your eyes.

If you go to Church of the Highlands, it is no secret that Billy Hornsby and his wife have serious cases of cancer. I am inspired by this man’s faith in what he does. I only hope that in my writing and my ministerial outlets that I am able to follow this man’s life ambition. He started the ARC, Association of Related Churches where mega churches are planting several campuses for this communal type of worship in building relationships. Saving souls is about numbers, and this man has a lived a legacy where numbers truly count. So remember when you are in the middle of struggles, facing adversity is well-seaming forms means that God has a big future planned for you. Rejoice in the fact that He has you exactly where He wants you to be.

What's A Christmas Without Second Chances?

Sometimes the worst part about life is losing relationships you cherish. You look back and wish you would have done some things differently even if things were beyond your own control. In a split second, you could have done this, or you could have done that. Rethinking the moments, they roll through your mind like an automobile accident wrecking into a tractor trailer in a severe thunderstorm. It’s like a horror film that never stops playing. I truly believe you should not live with regrets, but that does not mean you will forget what went wrong.

I accompanied a friend this week to see the movie Fighter. I am a guy who just lives for and absorbs the hopes of a Rocky Balboa equivalent. I love to think that we all get second chances in life. Christmas rolls around at a certain times, and you are almost instantaneously reminded of broken relationships or perhaps restored relationships from broken relationships in the past. Christmas is either the best time of year for people or the worst time of year depending on what people remember. This has been kind of a rough year for me. And so this year I have been remembering the good with the bad. I remember, analyze, and try my best to rely on God, but the memories just keep rolling through my mind like a bad nightmare.

I believe this is the best time when God shows up for second chances. Babies are born in mangers, and a Messiah is delivered into the world that changes everything for the rest of history to come. You are broken in surrendering to Jesus, and all you can do is spread arms for the everlasting love that a Savior brings into Bethlehem.

All his life Mickey Ward, depicted by Mark Wahlberg, in the movie Fighter was given a bad hand of cards over and over again as a boxer getting raw deal after raw deal. Finally as a late bloomer God shows up and gives Mickey a second chance and blessed opportunity in a championship match that purposively came his way to bring glory to God. As we all face a new year, let’s make 2011 the year of second chances. Let’s aim for higher heights because when you are down on your knees reverently begging God for mercy the only way to go is up. You move upwards because God lifts you in the cradle and palm of his hand. You fall down, but you get up again because that is sometimes all we can do. We fall to pick ourselves back up again.

I have been learning recently to simplify things. Before in life, I had thousands of goals and still do to an extent. But this year I am focusing on three goals that will overall affect my spirituality. I am giving my all to God to do these three things. This is not my usual “lose ten pounds” goal that no one ever lives up to. These are things that will make not only a difference in my life but also a difference in the lives of people around us.

I am building a foundation because this is my year for second chances. This is my year to bring Glory to God. We can make a difference if we seek to. Know that we worship a God who gives a fresh opportunity with each new day. When New Year’s Day rolls around, realize a fresh beginning has been given. Like Mickey Ward and James Cartee, you may be the champion with a second chance to make things right and to change the world for the betterment of Christ. You do have a second chance after all. And that is something we can truly be thankful for.

Cartee is about to hit up the best Christmas party of the year! Let's go!

To This Day

To this day I have searched the still moments of clock’s time

To find the beloved one who I wish could be mine.

Second by second in the stillness that speaks I wait

For His voice to know I am caught in the calmness of my own fate.

Chaos and confusion circle my external appearance,

But because of strength and faith within my own disappearance

I stand unmoved, unearthed in the securities of His arms.

I let go because I know I will not be without you.

Anxious and worrisome I am not

Because I know in my arms you I’ve got.

It has been said. It has been written.

It is done. It is predestined in confidence of what and when I secure.

It is innocent in His firmness of affinities so pure.

I sleep in peace because I know what has been shown to me is true

In the stillness of knowing I will be with you.

To this day I have searched the still moments of clock’s time

To find the beloved one who I wish could be mine.

JLC, 12/6/08

Dr. Karev.....Just Who I Hoped to Be! Written by Jim Cartee

James “Karev” Cartee

There is a character in the show, “Grey’s Anatomy”, whose name is Dr. Alex Karev. Most of the other characters on the show simply call him Karev.

Karev is a doctor in training or a surgical resident, who is still attempting to find his calling regarding a sub-specialty. However, based on the shows to date, it appears that pediatric surgery may be his calling.

Like all of us, Karev’s personality has been shaped by his past. His difficult childhood with little love carries over into his relationships with other people. In short Karev finds it difficult to love and accept love leaving him emotionally disabled. While Karev struggles with close personal relationships, he is, however, able to connect with children. It would seem that his difficult childhood with all that was lacking provides him with a unique ability to connect with children. Karev doesn’t deceive or lie to his patients. Karev is brutally honest and children respond to his directness and honesty. Because of his “tell it like it is” mentality with children he often gets patients to do what needs to be done, when everyone else has failed.

So, how does the character of “Karev” relate to James?

James’s personality has been shaped by past events, namely his illness. He is often brutally honest, especially, with those that are closest to him. Unlike Karev, I believe that James knows he is loved. However, like Karev, he does have difficulty in close personal relationships with the opposite sex. Like Karev, James wants to go from 0 to 100 and bypass the milestone relational steps in between. This presents problems for both Karev and James.

Like Karev, James, has a soft spot for children….particularly children with disabilities. While Karev is emotionally disabled in relationships, he is able to give children what he never had, honesty and adult guidance regarding their medical care. This gives Karev an uncanny ability to connect with those kids for which he provides care.

James has a mental disability, which gives him a unique perspective in connecting with those that struggle with various disabilities, particularly the hearing impaired. Many of the hearing impaired children have difficult family relationships at home. Since James has been loved by many despite his disability, James attempts to do the same with these kids. Because of his no nonsense approach and his ability to love, the kids usually are responsive. Like Karev, James has a “soft spot” in his heart for kids living out difficult situations.

Karev has immense talent, as does James. Karev seems to be on his way to becoming a very good surgeon and he may be on the brink of discovering his talent & passion, pediatric surgery.

There are many things for which James is passionate. However, he is still trying to find that(those) thing(s) that he is both passionate about and keeps him clothed, housed, and fed.

AS a parent of a very talented son, I look forward to seeing all James Cartee III will accomplish.

Jim Cartee Jr.

D’Artagnan I Am

I have recently been lifted by three amazing authors and what I believe are becoming three amazing friends. They are much older and wiser than me, and they deal with me! I have made some stupid remarks and mistakes for that matter, but they have still stand by me. Now I am writing bigger and better than ever. I hope to have a full manuscript with three more book proposals in the spring. I am not quite sure where all four books will sign, but I am confident they will be published. My agent will decide where they go from there. They are all good ideas, but someone told me to focus on the writing and only the writing. If the books are not with only one publisher, then I will sign the first two and save two for later use. I am only one person after all.

If you remember in the movie, D’Artagnan was the stupid, foolish one, but he saved the king in the end large in part because of his stupid and foolish behavior. His passion fueled his unique rebellious of getting into trouble but also being delivered from trouble. I am young, foolish, and stupid in some of the things, but at the same time I am bold enough to do them. I am bold enough to live big. I am bold to try and live the dream. What is funny about all of this is I am.

My first book of 23 poems and 23 photographs will be published in March. I already have a signing set up at the Gnu’s Room April 23 with a root beer keg party to follow that night with more signings. I am excited about this! I did not sign with a major publisher, but I am still getting my name out there. I took the best of both worlds, self-publishing and traditional publishing, and decided to do both. Now if that is stupid and foolish I would like to know who thinks so.

So consider me D’Artagnan. I am constantly learning, but I am also constantly growing along the way. Maybe in the end I will be that hero that helps others pursue dreams because three musketeers are helping me to pursue my own. God had a sense of humor in that way. But I guess it is safe to say in the Christian church, all for one and one for all!

Bible Study Fart....Laugh Your Head Off!

There is a guy at Church of the Highlands who has taken me under his wing, and I went to his Bible study this morning for the first time. I had a little gas apparently from eating too many late night snacks again. I farted in the middle of the Bible study. It was one of the silent but deadly types. I was sitting next to my new mentor and praying that he did not small it, but he must have. I did all I could not to smile and bust out laughing. One of my sister's boyfriends in high school use to fart on her wrestling around. I use to laugh my head off at his idiotic ways in the past too. It was so funny. I do not know what makes humans laugh at farts, but in the past, present, and future I will always smile and laugh if someone farts. And yes, I am the only twenty-eight year old who has two farting apps on my phone. I set it off at Christmas dinner last year....hilarious! Check out these babies....so funny!

The Truth of a Moment

The Truth of a Moment

So sometimes in regards to myself,

I do not know how to express my feelings

To the person I wish to be with.

You become mesmerized by the thought

Of being with someone,

But then you don’t know what to do and say

To be with that person.

To simply tell her that you want her

Is a statement that society looks down upon.

You may pray for her every second

She comes to mind

Only to realize it is in her thoughts and presence

That with you she becomes blind.

To keep a secret quiet

May cause more harm than would cause good.

When inside it has been hidden truth exposed

Is perhaps the true meaning of affection

For another person who could be more

Than you ever expected.

You may lose that which you desire,

But you then live with the choice

Of truth that you stood to take.

In the reality of a moment

You decided to take a risk with honest feelings

Asking for an honest reaction.

The moment can go one way or it can go another,

But sometimes the risk is well worth the reward

That could potentially be attained

If something is meant to be,

It will be without any force able to stop it.

What one considers best is not always best

For the life of a certain individual,

But it is the risk to test what might be best

That makes the journey worth living.

When you risk all that you have to give,

You realize that pain may be inevitable,

But if you are willing to risk the hurt for her,

Then in the eye blink of a moment,

Your know your feelings were true in purpose

And intention to be with her.

Your judgment is not cloudy.

In fact, it has never been more exact

When you realize she is worth

The pain it took in the risks

It took to be with her.

JLC iii, 3/24/07

PLEASE BELIEVE!

I actually spoke with Andrew Mannheimer tonight, aka YT (Young and Talented) in the Hip Hop industry. I will never forget one of our conversations when I told Andrew I wanted to publish books similar to Donald Miller’s writing, but I was not sure if I could do it. Andrew told me, “He’s just a man. You are just a man. You’re really are one in the same. You can do it!” YT had a good point here. Donald Miller and every other author before him are only men. God uses average people to do incredible things. Moses might be the classic example of this. How many times did he ask the burning bush if God had the right guy? Me….huh…..are you sure? I can just see why God may have been a little perturbed at such skepticism, but eventually Moses became the chosen one who led God’s people out of Egypt pushing through the Red Sea. He was an average man who did incredible things because the Spirit of the Lord led him to do great things.

Greatness is defined by the measure of God’s Holy Spirit within you. This is a concept that nonbelievers will not understand because they look at the world from a unicellular, earthly perspective. They have trouble seeing what visionaries see because they lack the faith to see that the impossible is really not all that impossible. Every dream can be achieved. You just have to create a plan of action, and stick to the plan! Stay the course! Do not be affected by the criticism of others! What I have found is that people who criticize are often the people who are jealous of what you do because you succeed. You have a silent confidence that they have never had. Some individuals are jealous of other people’s success because usually these types of critics are miserable with their own lives. So when they see someone passionately pursuing happiness and becoming successful at doing whatever they love so much, they typically resent the pursuit of the other person. I guarantee that every leader has been criticized, cut down, and discouraged by other people, even within their own family. Some of my family members literally think I am crazy, but what’s funny about my craziness is that when I achieve a goal they told me not to pursue they jump on the bandwagon because they want to be a part of your success. Your cynics then sometimes become your largest supporters. I think that is funny how that works. Your cynics receive hope that maybe dreams are possible because they did not believe until they saw and believed in you with what they originally doubted. You silently pursued something they thought was impossible. People are inspired by your actions, not by your how much you talk. This observation is extremely evident with one of my family members. He has never learned to control his mouth. He always hurts people’s feelings, and he thinks he knows everything about everything when in fact many times he doesn’t. Unfortunately from his example and others like him, I have realized what I do not want to be like with my own family. When someone teaches you what you do not want to be that may not be the best legacy to leave when you die. At least I do not want people to think that about me when I die.

I do not want to be a know-it-all with a mouth that never stops running. First of all, other people like to talk, and sometimes they would like for you to listen. I want people to be inspired by what I do, not by what I say. Arguing never helps any situation. It seems like some of my family enjoys arguing just for the sake of a good ole’ boy Democrat and Republican rendition of an ineffective political agenda. Tony Dungy would argue that we must do what we do without questioning ourselves cognitively. Silently we must walk forward with strength where the criticism simply falls to the ground like stones hitting a steel wall. If your path is geared a 100% towards the Lord, you will soon learn that you really do not care what other people think because you only care what He thinks.

Even in my own family, all my life I have been told I would not surmount to the level of a national ministry leader. I hate to disappoint my most supportive critics, but I am well on my way to helping several hundreds and possibly thousands of people. I do not say this to brag but rather to show that anger, frustration, and hurt feelings if channeled in the right direction can be used to do incredible things. When I remember my favorite relative’s comment “you can’t have it all” from his wonderful weekend visit, I love it! I relish those words because he will see that he was wrong at the finishing line. I do not have to tell him he’s wrong. My actions will silence the haters because eventually they will ask, “How did he do that?” The answer is rather simple: “God.”

I have thoroughly enjoyed YT’s outlook on life. He believes in the infinite, and he really seems to have this one audience mentality of rapping because the Lord has clearly called him to do it. The Lord has called me to do some writing, to take some photos, and to do some event planning. My projects and my ideas are large, but more and more people are seeing that God is honoring my path to serve him. Everyone is attached to a dollar bill, but what I am realizing is that the more you give to God the more his blessings fall upon you.

So my request for the haters is simple: Please believe….not because I don’t believe but because you don’t!

You Get One Chance….Don’t Waste It!

Now I have been given a gift….the gift of life….the gift to live and serve others in distinguishable acts of kindness. When you die, I want you to picture a Christ-centered homecoming of sorts. You finish the race. As you awake into the eternal bliss of angelic presences and God inspired light, a heavenly voice welcomes you into a realm of newfound joy. The joy tingles your heart with comfort unlike any felt before because Christ wraps his arms around you to welcome you home after a long traveled journey on another world known as earth. You see we truly are heavenly creatures visiting another world where we are meant to travel through on passage to the next. When I pass, the words I hope to hear whispered are that “I am of proud of you.” Those are naturally the words that every son hopes to hear from a father.

While I know confidently that I am saved by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, I do not want to waste my life in a mediocre existence of survival mode. I want to live! I want to achieve! I want to experience! I want to love! I want to make a difference serving other people!

Find your reason for living and pursue with every drop of earthly water and blood within your being to seize what is yours. Take what is yours in the calling of your dreams and fulfill them with Spirit-filled power. As believers, we have one weapon that is unstoppable. We have Christ within us to overcome evil and triumph in achievement that make observers wonder, “How did he do that?” The answer is rather simple. I believed that God would fulfill the calling of my life and with faith the Spirit blessed that internal belief.

I will publish. I will fulfill my call to inspire those who society labels as disabled. You will find if you embark on my journey through my first book that what disables me enables me to live passionately for God and nothing else. I was given a gift to write, to speak, to network, and creatively infuse all my talents into one so that I may serve a Higher Power. I intend to make the most of it. I have one opportunity….one chance….and one life to demonstrate that what constitutes as my disability serves to ignite a passion unlike any experienced ever before. To live is Christ, and to die is gain. I will live knowing that my limitation has become my greatest asset and my greatest strength. I cannot be stopped. I will not be stopped. There is only room for success because only Good Things can be found in the God I love, worship, and praise in Whom I truly call my Heavenly Father. So go. Live. Dream. Love. And believe that God created you for great things!