prayer

so, what do you do

I am often asked in social situations” so, what do you do?”

My answer,

I’m a writer, speaker, husband, father and grandfather. A servant as well as an executive.
I have succeeded greatly, and I have failed miserably. I have had much and at times very little. I have raised my hands high in worship and praise to God, cried over my situation and questioned his very existence. I have been close to those who have lost everything, as well as those who have so very much. I have been in the middle of chaos and destruction, and experienced the alternative, true peace and contentment.

I almost lost my life at 7 while riding my bicycle then again at 16 after losing control of the car I was driving. At 27 when a gun was placed at my head while sitting in my car in Houston Texas while simply writing a check, kidnapped at gun point and pushed out of my car while the 2-gun men drove off. At 37 while setting a wellhead on an oilwell drilling rig when the hydraulic system supporting a 10,0000 LB blowout prevent above my head slipped only to immediately repressurize and hold just inches above my head. At 46 during a phone conversation where my speech became jumbled, an MRI discovered a brain tumor the size of a golf ball seated in the left lateral ventricle requiring 9 and one-half hours of surgery. I returned to work in 6 weeks. Now as I begin a new phase of life, in many ways my life is just beginning.

Continue reading “so, what do you do”

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

“Called to Serve” make it a way of LIFE

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, release to the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lords favor.

Mark 10:45 For even the Son of God came not to have service rendered to him but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for ( instead of) many.

I will just confess I have become just worn down, frustrated, and dissatisfied with the way I have been going about living what I would call “my life”. At almost 60 years of age looking back I can see a few scratches in the pavement on the road of life where I may have made an impact, but nothing of what I would recognize as a real sustaining impact with long term value. I have come to realize in a dramatic way that having and acquiring things really makes no difference in the lives of the people closest to me, and certainly makes no difference in the lives of my neighbors, my community or my country.

Letting go of what’s familiar and comfortable is difficult, we all know that. Yet often times letting go of something may even be a necessity for growth. Letting go of behavior or ways of thinking that do not serve God, my family or others is critical. Stepping forward into intention, focus, effort, and purpose is necessary, but how?

First, for me it started with the realization that even as a believer in Jesus Christ obedience was not my strong suite. Sure in the big things but it became clear to me that often my self-will was placed above Gods will. Not in big bites but in small pieces. I will just tell you my stomach was upset as I began thinking about money specifically tithing. Even as a young man I understood the importance of tithing as a way of life from my family. Yet as an adult I would often convince myself the best course of action was to use what I had earned for me or my family’s needs. If something’s left then I will give that to “the church”. More times than not there was nothing left over simply because I never planned or committed to set aside anything for tithes.

Vilma and I began a few months ago to commit weekly to paying 10% of our gross earnings and pay it every Sunday. I admit sometimes my mind gave me other uses for that money but I did it anyway. For one I made a commitment not just an agreement that we would no matter what, not just if we could. For me this is that first step forward in obedience and focused on my “serve”

Next we began to look for those opportunities to serve, starting with our own family. We intentionally began to encourage them with positive input and recognition. Not just empty accolades but true recognition for the unique qualities you see in them. Character, determination, commitment, sense of purpose. Let me just be blunt if we can’t find those characteristics in our own spouse or children then we have failed to set the standard in ourselves. If that’s the case make the necessary changes immediately, and get started in the right direction.

Who, how, and what you are is noticed and imprinted in our children’s minds. One of the greatest truths in our family is from a dream my mom had after my father passed away several years ago. My sister and I were struggling with some important challenges in our lives. Mom was not only dealing with the loss of Father and Husband but concerned for her children’s well being and how to help. In a dream one night mom saw a large TV screen and on it were written the words “just be faithful and your children will follow”. A simple yet elegant direction and encouragement in a time of critical need from God. Step out and forward be an example and a leader, just be faithful. Step out, step forward, and focus on the purpose “to serve” elevated above self.

Be willing to expand outside of your inner circle of influence. What about your neighbor who’s spouse passed away, and could use a kind word, or a few minutes of conversation. A friend or coworker who is going through a divorce, or a critical heath challenge. What about those who provide service to you at the checkout counter or restaurant. Start with a smile and a warm hello, let your heart guide and your spirit lead you to those in need. The opportunity’s to serve are endless and only limited to your willingness.

You have experienced it yourself now let it be a way of “life”.

Service – it’s a way of LIFE!

L-ive like who you are and what you do will make a difference

I-nvest in others daily

F-aith in God, your purpose and in others

E-levate your thinking

It starts with that first ‘intentional motion”, stepping out and towards others, focused on meeting a need or an opportunity to intervene on someone’s behalf, “Be led by the spirit not pushed by the flesh. Reach out speak softly of those things that heal. Kind words spoken honestly give birth to new hope”DLC.

My Prayer:

Oh lord let my spirit find in The
A place to worship and in your presence be
Let me release those things held back in me
To no longer keep but trust and give to The
That which you promised in my soul to keep
A longing for your presence my soul does leap
I prayerfully ask that your Spirit be
Displayed for all and present in me
Guide me direct me to in your presence be
A vessel of kindness, prayer, and compassion from The
Let my daily bread be from the source we seek
It is you Lord the giver of all that makes us complete
I bow my head on bended knees
Even when I don’t know or see my need
Your faithfulness love and care
With joy I do share
So for others in need
At your feet may we intercede
God’s promises are true and beyond compare
Fulfillment, and peace and a heart to share
So great a salvation our sins He did bear
That you and I may in His presence be
All our days throughout eternity.

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.

DwightSr
214-360-8355

dwightspeaks@gmail.com

Thank you Lord

For those moments or days or even weeks of brokenness

Those moments of overwhelming uncertainty and distress

For providing the strength if only moment by moment to get me through

For changing my circumstance

For ministering to my spirit

For speaking to my heart and my mind

For repairing and healing all of me

For placing my footing on solid ground once again.

You have broken those chains that bound me

For through Your grace I am new

Thank You Father that you know me

You care for me

Your Holy Spirit is my treasure

Your Word is my Lamp

Your Power of prayer is within me

And I declare you as my Protector and Shepard

I give you my all and surrender my will

Please shape me and make me

Tested by your fire to purify my desire.

Necessary pain is the ingredients for change

To serve, To encourage, to challenge

To glorify your purpose you have placed in me.

Lord please make it so

My biggest enemy is my own will and my thoughts

Tame them change them and replace them

To no longer be the same but changed by your design

In Jesus Name

Amen

Author: DLCsr
tellthemyourstory.org
06/26/2019

Truth in Small Bytes

Starve your fears feed your faith!

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

Habits, That Thing You Do Repeatedly!

“Habits, that thing you do repeatedly because you gain or lose something in return for the action or non-action you decided you wanted or needed to be, do, or have”. DLCSr

Habits by definition;

Habits are routine behaviors done on a regular basis. They are recurrent and often unconscious patterns of behavior and are acquired through frequent repetition. Many of these are unconscious as we don’t even realize we are doing them.

Do you notice that the word behavior is, frequently used in the explanations above? Behaviors are tied to habits.

Habits are the way in which one acts or conducts oneself. The way in which a person acts in response to a particular situation or stimulus.

So behavior is the way in which we act or our actions as we saw in week 5. Our thoughts become our words, which becomes our actions, which become our “habits”. Our behavior changes as we manage those thoughts that helps to shape our words, that leads to our action’s, that become our habits. Ultimaly leading to the way we behave!

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines habits as:

an acquired mode of behavior that has become nearly or completely involuntary. “It is an acquired behavior”
the prevailing disposition or character of a person’s thoughts and feelings.

“A persons dominant thoughts and feelings”

a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior.

“A chosen behavior”

a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance.

It comes with frequent repetition that becomes you performing the chosen behavior.

So we can see that habits define our character, our thoughts and feelings and our ‘usual’ behaviors. We can also see that habits are behaviors that are nearly or completely involuntary and because they are repeated frequently, we become ‘better’ at them (increased facility of performance).

Psychology definition

A habit can also be thought of as a link between a stimulus and a response. It serves as a mental connection between a trigger thought or event (stimulus) and our response to that trigger (the response). Repeating this connection time and again forms a habit and affects all subsequent decisions and actions. If repeated often enough, this connection becomes near permanent unless we take conscious action to change it.

So lets rap this up by simply saying how you behave is a result of your habits. What you think leads to what you say, that leads to what you do, and the actions you take repeated over time becomes a habit, that ultimately changes your behavior, and becomes your character. “the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” Which brings us to our reason and purpose of living our L.I.F.E,

See you next week we will talk about character on our way to fulfilling our destiny!

“It’s just words”.

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

The Blessing 2019

May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

May you reach the purpose for which you were created.

May you have courage above your pears.

May you have more passion for the things of God than others think is necessary.

May you dream more than others think is practical.

May you expect more than others think is possible.

May you choose wisely without earthly biases.

You have people to in influence you have not yet not met.

You are strategically placed where ever God takes you by His grand design. Just so you can become everything He made you to be.

That place is the place you can grow best,

That place is a place you can be most fruitful.

The place where the future is changed because of your presence and His.

May you see vistas that others don’t even know exist.

May you see God in every petal or every flower and every blade of grass. For each of them are designed by His hand.

May you bless your children and they become giants in the Faith under The Mighty Hand of God.

You won’t fail, you were made by God to be hear, for such a time as this.

“Selah stop and think of this.”

“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

When this is the ongoing “result” it’s time to “let go” and move on.

When this is the ongoing “result” it’s time to “let go” and move on.

They act as if you don’t matter. Your family or a friend but your still an outsider.

What you say has no weight or concern even if there’s proof.

Prefer others over you in their actions.

Do not include you in the conversation.

Think and act as if it’s ok for you to be harmed by others “it must have been your fault”

“If you were more like us you wouldn’t have these problems”.

Your experience or expertise is of no value and often questioned. Even if there is proof!

Ignore you over others in a group.

Talk about you to each other but do not talk to you.

Invite you and then ignore you.

Call you for a favor but never reciprocate.

Listen to your concerns and then explain them away and how you misunderstood in the first place.

Talk to each other about your failure and come to the conclusion you deserved it.

Talk about prayer but never take “physical” action to actually change anything.

Ask you how you are doing only to take that as gossip to others.

………..

Quote: Marc and Angel Chernoff “Getting Back to Happy” 2018 Penguin Random House Publishing LLC

“If someone has the opposite effect on you, because they are inconsistently inconsistent, and their actions never match up with their words, it might be time to let them go. It’s always better to be alone than to be in bad company. In the end true friendship/family is a promise made in the heart, silent, unwritten, unbreakable by distance, and unchangeable by time. So don’t just listen to what they say, watch what they do. “

“It’s just words”.

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

Breaking Through: Monster Trucks and Spiritual Dreams

Dreams, I am amazed how often I have them and especially the ones I remember. For me they often seem to be meant to encourage, direct or break through. I have no scientific documentation, to base my assertion on but I do have friends and family that have had similar experiences. I remembered John Travolta played in a movie several years ago where a bright light in the night sky projected on to him, knocked him down in the street, and when he woke up he was significantly smarter and able to suggest solutions to significant problems. Just to be clear ( LOL) I have not been struck by a bright light in the night sky and my family and friends have not indicated they have seen any change in my intelligence. I do however hope that my experience just like the character in the move will help you to break through what’s been holding you back.

Recently I dreamed I was running away from something or someone and I was very agitated. I was in what seemed to be a monster truck. You know the ones that are so high you need a ladder to get in. Large tires, cramped seating space, flashy exterior, and above it all. Its all about power, brut force, and able to over power and muscle through anything. I was driving, up high, in what seemed to be a warehouse. I could see tools and materials on the ground below me. I was looking for a way out of the warehouse. I saw many open doors/exits but because I was up so high I could not get through the doors.

I saw two men outside of the truck door on the drivers side. One was large the other was small. The larger one reached inside the cab of the monster truck and grab the GPS off of the dash. I took the keys from the ignition and began hitting him on the head with them. As this was happening something with numerous legs or tentacles attached to my head. Something like a centipede but with a hard shell. The smaller man told me to dismantle the legs and pull them off one by one from the grip they had on my head. As I began doing so I noticed it did not hurt like I had expected. As I thought about this dream when I woke up I came to the conclusion this is how it applies to me.

The monster truck represented my self will and desire for significance. I had been determining my own way and direction ( the GPS) and not totally depending on Him. I desperately wanted to get out of the warehouse (where my way of doing things had taken me) where I felt trapped and frustrated and be able to use the tools that were clearly available to me. There were numerous open doors or exits but being up so high ( my own self imposed need for importance) I could not escape. To do so would require steeping down from the drivers seat and not in control of the course or direction.

The large man is my Heavenly Father reaching in to my life to take way what I had been using for my direction and purpose ( the GPS). I stubbornly attempted to hang on to the keys (control) and used them to assert my will. The smaller man is the Holy Spirit and directed me to began dismantling those thoughts, and ways of being that had become so attached to my mind. In doing so I experienced freedom and relief, not pain.

I am amazed at how this simple yet detailed dream speaks to me. I needed to understand how I arrived at my current destination and how to correct my course. Proverbs 3 : 5-7 instructs us to 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.

I hope you will be challenged and encouraged to join me in letting go, surrendering self and following Christ. Courage and obedience produce great rewards.

Dwight L. Carter Sr.