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.