Bible

Life Lessons in Puppy Managment

I would have never thought that being awakened at 2:30 in morning by two puppies needing to go out would change my view of how I live life. The normal, the mundane, the backdrop of our daily lives not to inspiring or uplifting, unless.

They are only 8 lbs. Clooney and 12 pounds Rosie respectively but run our lives as if they own Vilma, and me. Now 3 years old they have found ever changing ways to get us to do what they want. If it’s not right or interesting were not doing it that seems to be their code. Raw hide must be the right size and texture or it’s not worth their time. And oh by the way, it has to be new. No old rawhide for these ladies. They know I don’t know how, isn’t rawhide all the same, apparently not. We have several packages in our pantry of different brands shapes and flavors. Unless it right they won’t have anything to do with it. But when it’s right they will spend hours chewing until their exhausted.

Back to the 2:30 wake up call. Clooney usually stands at the end of the bed and makes a sound like someone clearing there throat. It’s a bark but muffled, you know like hello excuse me are you awake. Thankfully they apparently learned this on their own after being shuffled off to the back yard each night any time they moved. There’s nothing in writing but Vilma and I know when its our turn to let the puppy’s out if we get the late night call. They have taken over our king size bed, and sleep anywhere they want. Different positions under the cover, on top of the cover on the pillow or not. I have even seen them upside down paws in the air sound asleep. It changes from night to night. Do dogs have preferences, I think they do. They even snore the little one sounds like my dad, go figure.

I rolled out of bed and the puppies were up and looking towards the door. That’s the “sign” we need to go out. I distinctly remember saying “come on lets go outside” several times. No movement. I picked them up and sat them on the floor and said again “let’s go outside”. Still no response. I walked down the hallway to the back door opened the door and said loudly “come on lets go outside” It’s just me in the kitchen with the back door open and the puppies are no where in sight. In the past if they didn’t respond I just carried them to the back door while saying those words I don’t say anymore in my head, you know swearing!

I am up and it’s my turn so I walked back down the hall to the bedroom, the puppies were standing by the bed. Vilma sat up in bed and said very dramatically “honey you have to say it more enthusiastically”. I said Vilma its 2:30 in the morning and enthusiasm is asleep. Vilma got out of bed and enthusiastically began saying ” come on, let’s go, outside, outside, outside, come on”. I headed back down the hallway looked behind me and to my surprise the puppies coming down the hall almost running with excitement all in their little bodies. All of that effort and motivation just to heard two puppies to the back yard to go to the bathroom. This is their response for just about anything when it’s exciting, fulfills a need, or contributes to there wellbeing. The difference “enthusiasm” just that little bit of motivation that moves us and puppy’s forward in life.

We all have preferences and sometimes just need a little enthusiasm or motivation to get us moving forward to where we need to be. To avoid accidents, getting into trouble, or even messing up our lives. Often times its fear that stops me/us from moving forward or quashes or enthusiasm. It seems over the last few weeks the words “I don’t know” have become a consistent part of my vocabulary. Not knowing how to fix the problem we all encounter, finding the right job, or not losing the one we have, maintaining good health, completing an overwhelming task, or staying focused and committed to our goal and purpose in life. Afraid of not being enough, having enough, providing enough or doing enough.

Psychologist tell us it is fear and the subsequent anxiety associated with it that is one of the most debilitating challenges for all humans. It affects our thinking as well as our physiology. Numerous books have been and continue to be written on the subject. One of my favorites is Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer Harrison House Inc. 1995. Another is Unlimited Power The New Science of Personal Achievement by Anthony Robbins Simon and Schuster 1986. Truly useful information and direction yet in my experience and my family’s, the single most powerful resource for leadership, encouragement and direction is God’s Word.

I keep a note book with scriptures from Gods Word that I read to strengthen, encourage, and often times defend myself from stress, worry, and anxiety. A few of them are listed below,

2 Timothy, 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, and love, and of a calm and well balanced mind and discipline and self control.

Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageas. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

John 14:Peace I leave with you, My own peace I now give and bequeath to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid, stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed, and do not permit your selves to be fearful, and intimidated, and cowardly, and unsettled.

1 Peter 5:7 says casting the whole of your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all, on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about “you” watchfully.

Our two puppies trust Vilma and I for their wellbeing. They have learned that trust through their daily experience of their needs being met. That certainty that they are cared for and by following, will always be rewarded. Preferences or what they want can be satisfying and yet in the larger picture following brings the greater reward.

Vilma and I encourage you to trust and follow your Heavenly Fathers guidance and direction in all things both great and small. The road ahead will not always be clear, or the path without challenges, yet be confident that following and trusting in Jesus Christ always leads to reward. The normal, the mundane, and the backdrop of our daily lives not to inspiring or uplifting, unless….!

Proverbs 3 5-7
Lean on trust in and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight and understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him and He will direct and make straight and plain your path. Be not wise in your own eyes, reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil.

May God bless your life as you pursue Him. May Gods love and kindness direct you as we are renewed and strengthened as he does a new thing in our lives, the journey to our new life is on foot, led by the Spirit and Gods Word, to serve Him, and others.

Dwight L. Carter Sr.

Tellthemyourstory.org

dwightspeaks@gmail.com

The Right “Tuff”

Ryan is ready for some football. This is a shot of him at ...

I played quarterback on the 6^th grade football team at Bullock Elementary School. Mr. Shearer was our coach, I have not forgotten his wisdom and leadership. I am amazed how the today me is often built on the lessons learned by the past me. Something I have learned to remind myself of often.

There were 2 teams in my 6^th grade class, the A team and the B team. There were so many of us that wanted to play, and apparently that was the case at other elementary schools as well, we even had our own league. The A team had the bigger faster 6^th graders. My B team buddies and I were the ones who were not as fast or as big or supposedly as tuff. I my self however was fast and tuff “thank you very much” just not as big and tall as my best friend Mark Mayfield who quarterbacked on the A team.

We practiced on the same field as the A team and sometimes scrimmaged against them. On occasion one of us would be out matched and over powered by one of the A team guys and some level of pain or humiliation would have to be endured. Coach Shearer would always somehow end up at your side or looking over you as you lay on the ground from such an event and would loudly and vigorously say “tuff-it-out, tuff-it-out you’re ok, catch your breath, get back in the game”. Toughing it out or toughing up were the ways Coach Shearer recommended to overcome and endure challenges and pain on the playing field. I haven’t thought about that for a long time.

I have found over the years “since the days at Bullock Elementary” that occasionally I have been run over, knocked down, humiliated, and sometimes just plain stepped on in my adult life. The playing field is a lot larger now; the competition sometimes faster, the pain more intense and not winning can have far reaching consequences. Yet like Coach Shearer there has been someone at my side to encourage me, pick me up, dust me off, and say “tuff-it-out, tuff-it-out, your ok, catch your breath, get back in the game”.

Having the right tough is important in life. Those challenges and unexpected bumps and bruises are oftentimes Gods way of bringing us closer or refocusing our priorities on Him. A greater understanding of life and our purpose can be found through a personal relationship with God. Out of that flows everything else, family, friends, and your life’s work.

The next time your find yourself being knocked to the ground and its third and long, and you just don’t know how to you will reach the goal line, ask your heavenly coach to give you the right tough.” tuff-it-out, tuff-it-out, you’re ok, catch your breath, get back in the game”! Good advice from the past for today, wouldn’t you agree.

Psalms 28:12 Who is the man who reverently fears and worships the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way that he should choose.

Pslams27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall I fear or dread? The Lord is the refuge and stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid.

Psalms 91:2 I will say of the Lord He is my refuge and my fortress. My God on Him I lean and rely and in Him I confidently trust.

May God bless your life as you pursue him! May Gods love and kindness direct you as we are renewed and strengthened as he does a new thing in our lives, the journey to our new life is on foot, led by the Spirit and Gods Word, to serve Him, and others.

Dwight

Fake or Real?

/fāk/ adjective – not genuine;

re·al adjective – actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed.

Clarification -(adjectives are words used to describe nouns.)

/tro͞oTH/ noun that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality.

More and more there are those who espouse their disdane for the fake and use the standard of “themselves” as real. The “REAL” standard is “reality” based in “fact”. Tattoos and a penchant for alcohol and no boundary’s as opposed to the well groomed, all things in moderation, following specific standards for life are ” both real” based in fact.

Purposefully Walking In Different Directions.

Genuine, occurring in fact, no judgment just

“It’s just words”.

Dwight L. Carter Sr.

Writer, Speaker, Author.

www.tellthemyourstory .org

dwightspeaks@gmail.com

“Never let what others say be your truth.”

I recently in a very proud grand dad moment posted photos of our grand children and noted the t shirt one of them had on as “covering his angels wings”. I said nothing of the t shirt or that it had a skull on the front. It was of no concern to me only using what I thought to be humor, noting that great grandmother and grandson were plotting to reveal his angel status at a later date. What I received from someone very close to me was an email saying “its just a t shirt get over yourself”. Huh, first off the response made no sense and was not what I expected. It was more the get over yourself than anything

With more than 60 years of experience at living life, I am still often stunned by comments from those I have know for years. Often judgmental for all the wrong reasons and sure that they need to keep me in my place. I cant began to tell you how many times over the years someone I trust or I am close to has flippantly tossed out a derogatory, unexpected, clearly unfounded, and blatantly untrue comment. Let me give you a couple of examples.

While playing of all things Foosball more than 30 years ago a competitor across the table who I had know at that time for more than 10 years said “Carter just not that good”. This after through finesse and skill cleaned his clock two games in a row in front of more than 10 people that were watching. I barely had time to celebrate my victory before “your just not that good”.

Sevaeral years later, yet again, playing racquetball with a friend and delivering 3 games in a row of defeat to my then friend I heard, “Carter your just not that good”. I quickly reminded him “I just beat you 3 games to zero, so clearly one of us is that good. From where I am standing its me”.

Why would a man with significant life experiences and interactions with a broad range of people, places and things be concerned, offended or just down right hurt by the voice of so very few. Its because when it comes from someone close, someone you trusted, invested in, counted on for direction friendship or leadership your view of what was “so” is dramatically impacted. Change and the perspective and the assumptions there in of beliefs, security and comfort of the known is shattered. Often resulting in gut wrenching pain and heartbreak.

Over more than 40 years I have sat across the table form men and women who were often significantly above my educational, social and economic standing as well as many who were quite possibly my junior in those standings. My best conservative count is at least 19,000 people, not including seminars, training, social clubs, speaking opportunity’s, as well as general conversations with friends and family. In a majority of those conversations my purpose was to inform, challenge or to establish a call to action, or to assist them in making a decision. In the majority of those interactions my experience and professional delivery of that information was accepted, appreciated, and used for the purpose it was intended. In others not so much.

My point, I do have some experience in the matters of life and so do you! Don’t let others take your well earned wisdom and understanding away. And never let them derail you from that calling and purpose God has given you. The hard reality is, now is the time to break free from those concerns of what others think. DLC

” We fear the judgments of others, even though those judgments are rarely valid or significant. The biggest problem is that we tend to forget that people judge us based on a collection of influences in their own life that have nothing to do with us. Basing your self-worth on what others think puts you in a perpetual state of vulnerability- you are literally at the mercy of their unreliable perspective”

My hope is you and I will began to let go of those thoughts, people, places, and things that habitually drag us down. “There is much to learn that will take a willingness to not know.” Thoughtful instruction given to me in prayer more than 18 years ago. A confusing yet profound reassurance of what was ahead. A simple yet explicit instruction. So what to do. Well if I am to follow the instructions then learning is the object then a lack of knowing “faith” must be the key. Well that’s the complete opposite of everything I know. How do you learn without knowing?

start by taking action, or what might be referred to as blind faith, step out, without confirmation, trusting your instinct or heart, that internal thought process or drive.
Continual prayer asking for guidance and direction beyond your ability, knowledge, and expertise.
Having done all stand. Not like do nothing but like in firm confidence of the outcome. “For your good and Gods glory”
Never forget that what others “think” is really of no concern, and beyond your control. What they do is where our purpose to encourage and instruct lives.

“There is a peace that comes with surrendering self to Gods will and not our own that is miraculous.” Courage and obedience produce great rewards” DLC Sr.

Isaiah 43: 18-19

Do not remember the former things; neither consider the things of old. 19. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it, and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

May God bless your life as you pursue him! May Gods love and kindness direct you as we are renewed and strengthened as he does a new thing in our lives, the journey to our new lives is on foot, led by the Spirit, to serve Him, and others.

“It’s just words”.

Dwight L. Carter Sr.
Writer, Speaker, Author.
www.tellthemyourstory .org
dwightspeaks@gmail.com

“A trust broken cannot be repaired, but does provide a new beginning.”

A simple yet profound phone call changed my life. Little did I know I was about to experience a betrayal I could not have ever imagined. An offer to resolve a problem, a need fulfilled at an opportunity of vulnerability, words from a trusted source.

Words are powerful, they have influence, especially coming from someone in authority or someone who fills a respected role. An experience that changed my thinking, willingness, and how I process information before I allow someone into my circle of trust. A change that has made its way to the roots of my mental, physical, and spiritual way of life.

Growing up it was easy to trust the people around me. My Father, Mother, Sister, Grandparents, Aunts, and Uncles. My well being was at the heart of their concern, evidenced by what they did or didn’t do, or said, or didn’t say. The clarity of their actions matched the words they expressed. If I was told an action was going to be taken it happened? Whether it was punishment, reward, instruction, or support, I could count on it. No manipulation, half-truths, or blatant lying. Just the truth, truth you could count on, and most of all trust

I have experienced 3 layoffs, and let go without cause twice in my work life. The layoffs were over a 22 year period as a sales rep in the ever cyclical oilfield. I loved that line of work. The other 2, one by a sales manager that took my efforts and applied them to her boyfriend, my coworker to boost his sales. They did marry after I was let go but I also learned they were both fired not to long after that. Him for code of conduct violations namely paying someone to inflate his sales numbers and her after being demoted for participating in the scheme, decided to retire and become a minister. I didn’t see that coming. The second was either my age, or my salary, my performance, or maybe she just didn’t like me. I had been top perform the 5 years prior to joining her team. After 40 years as a professional in the workforce, numerous life experiences, and conversations with other professionals, I guess that’s just about par for the course.

Oh I have also been kidnapped at gun point in my own car, survived a major Automobile accident, had a 10,000 lb. blowout preventer underneath a drilling rig, being held by a hydraulic support system slip 6 inches (another few and I would have been a spot in the mud), survived a brain tumor after 9/1/2 hour of surgery and back at work in 6 weeks. My point in all of that is, at this point in my life as they say, I am a seasoned veteran. The people, places, and things in life, the good, the bad and the really bad at times have broken me. Yet provided an opportunity to rebuild, and thankfully, made me stronger.

So I have some experience in the difficulty’s of life, and let me just say it’s worth remembering, who our Heavenly Father is and the purpose He has for our lives. Luke 4:18:says, “He has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor, He has sent me to announce release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth delivered those who are oppressed, who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity. ”

Encourage others as a way of L. I. F. E. this is my purpose, and opportunity’s to fulfill that purpose are presented daily. Transforming the past, present, and future by the renewing of the mind through stories, true story’s that challenge the heart and engage the mind.

Start today to let go of the past, but don’t forget the lessons. A greater vision of ones purpose is available through Gods word and prayer, in spite of what ones day, to day circumstances in life may be. Look for those opportunity’s to set self aside and surrender to Gods perfect will for your life. Manage your thoughts and focus on His will and plan for your life. Opportunity’s to serve and “trust” Him and others will show up unexpectedly with purpose. Those divine appointments that minister to you and encourage others.

“Eyes and heart open, there is no better way to live”.dlc

May God bless your life as you pursue Him! May Gods love and kindness direct you as we are renewed and strengthened as He does a new thing in our lives, the journey to our new lives is on foot, led by the Spirit, to serve Him, and others.

Dwight

And We Are Changed

In Priscilla Shirers book” And We Are Changed Encounters with a Transforming God’ ( Moody Publishers 2003) she asks the reader to remember when God performs a “Lazarus miracle in our lives, we should be changed and drastically different”. She asks the reader to remember when;

He:
Resurrected my hope -2006
Resurrected my marriage -2/18/09
Resurrected my finances -09/ 2006
Resurrected my children’s spiritual life -2008
Resurrected my career -01/2006
Resurrected my health -03/2002
Resurrected my heart for him -2002

I wrote in my copy the dates above when those important needs became answered prayers. Encounters with our Heavenly Father are often dramatic life changing events. Yet more time than not a result of an unexpected opportunity to minister to serve to stand in for someone in need. I am always amazed at those divine appointments that show up unannounced yet with an impact as I travel on business. It often happens when my self is tired, or struggling with my own challenge.

I had the opportunity to share this with a housekeeper at the hotel I was staying at several months ago. I had been staying in the same room for several days on business. I was early getting back to the hotel and she was just coming out of the room. She had tears in her eyes and quickly wiped them away as if embarrassed and explained she was leaving me a note. I am sure she saw my bible open in the room each day while I was out and as she was going about her work. She told me the note just said “would you pray for me”. I don’t recall a time that has ever happened.

I talked with her a moment and found that she had something stolen from her and was not sure how she was going to resolve it. It was clear to me that many things had been stolen from her; it was evident in her expression. I have seen that expression in my own mirror, on several occasions.

I started to say “I will keep you in my prayers” yet found my self saying “would you mind if I prayed for you”. Her surprise gave way to tears, both she and I, and standing in the hallway, I said a simple prayer for guidance, direction, and a resolution to her trouble.

She had lost $80.00 as a result of trusting a co worker to borrow something out of her locker. The co worker took the $80.00 she found in the locker and then left and quit. I asked her to pray about it for 24 hours and then leave me a note and I would leave $80.00 at the front desk in an envelope if it was not resolved. She thanked me.

I did not hear from her and did not see her again before I left a couple of days later. I choose to believe that God answered her prayer in a way only He can. That missing $80.00 affected three people that day. One who trusted and then was in need ( her), one who deceived and stole from another ( the coworker), and one who had, but needed to give ( my self).

“There is much to learn that will take a willingness to not know.”
It has been 18 years ago those words came into my thoughts while laying face down on the carpet in my small apartment. Praying and crying uncontrollably for something, someone had stolen from me. I was angry when those words registered to my mind. I stopped my crying to yell out “what does that mean”. I have learned that not always knowing the why, but always obeying is sometimes the better choice. I left a note for the housekeeper at the front desk on the day of my departure and is attached below.

Dear Carole,
David was just a Sheppard boy and yet God used him greatly as a result of his heart. The bible says he was a man after Gods own heart. As I see it, he had an openness to Gods will and a willingness to set aside self. He became king and yet made mistakes that cost him dearly. We are all human with all that comes with that. My mistakes have been many. I have had numerous challenges where someone, something or even my self has caused great pain or insurmountable challenges in my life.

Forgiveness of self, others, and our sins is a part of a greater closeness to our Heavenly Father. There is a peace that comes with surrendering self to Gods will and not our own that is miraculous. Even when things do not look any different at the moment, there is a knowingness in your heart. Sometimes the challenges in our life are Gods way of binging us closer to him. We sometimes have to fall flat on our face with no where to go or turn within ourselves. Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day”. At that point our heart becomes willing to surrender to God and his perfect plan for our lives.

The Christian Life is not an easy road but then life is not easy. 2nd Corinthians 18:9 We were under great pressure far beyond our abilities to endure. So that we despaired even of life. In our hearts we felt death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.

Dwight