sripture

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

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.

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

A calling to be and do, something I would have never imagined…

It has been almost 30 years ago that I experienced my first company layoff (I have been through 3), and found it necessary to return to Dallas from Houston. I was distraught and uncertain of my future. That has unexpectedly, come to be a familiar scenario in my life. I am amazed how the Holy Spirit continues to encourage me through my thoughts, and a prompting to write them down, especially in times of distress. I wrote this while sitting in a recliner contemplating my future at my Grandparents house. It was somewhat simplistic but from my heart.

Sometimes I Forget

Can you be what you really want to be? That person in your mind’s eye that is happy

successful, steady, in need of nothing and at piece with life.

If only I could contribute in a meaningful way. To really be who it is I desire to be.

That person of great vision and unlimited resources whose very presence

adds depth and purpose to anyone and anything he is a part of.

Sounds a lot like being in the very center of Gods will.

Sometimes I forget that all that is required is a willingness

and faith

Dear God,

Please grant me the privilege of being at the center of your will and forgive me when I forget.

If in your life those troubled times sneak up on you, push you down, and at times seem to walk all over you.

Let Gods Word be your place of comfort. Your Heavenly Father may be trying to teach you that “you cannot live by all these other things; you must look to God for your daily strength. Not all the other things that keep you going”. Welcome Encouragement and direction that came to me in prayer at the height of an overwhelming event in my life.

This seemingly insignificant moment in my life where spirit and mind were in line with Gods Word has been the Genesis of where I am today. At a place not of my choosing where I realize a calling to be, and do, something I would have never imagined “writing and telling stories”

Writing did not come easily to me in my younger years. It showed up in my early 30’s. I was asked to provide an updated customer report for my manger, in regards to the largest drilling contractor in our region. In turn it was to be sent his manager, who was the regional manager for an international oilfield product and equipment company. Something I had never done before, pressure, you bet.

At first it took a great deal of thought, and revision. Then I realized I was writing to impress and out of fear of failure or rejection instead of offering a sincere, accurate, assessment of what was so. The revised document flowed smoothly, it was from my personal experience in the field as well as from my conversations and time spent with those who were depending on the product and its purpose. I received approval and significant recognition from those above me who depended on just that for their decision making process. A powerful lesson for myself, one that I rely on even to this day.

My purpose in life;

To instruct and encourage others through life experiences, the successes and the failures. To say what’s so in the world around me. To assist others through writing and speaking in not only succeeding in life but often avoiding the pitfalls I have so often fallen into. Most importantly by sharing Gods Word as the manual for L.I.F.E..

Psalms 3:5-8

5: Lean on trust 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 paths. 7: Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn away from evil. 8: It shall be health to your nerves and sinews, and marrow and moistening to your bone.

Dwight

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.

“The events of life are often surprising, shocking and often overwhelming.”

Image result for image life resurrected

Several months ago while traveling on business I met a pastor who although retired was shepherding a small church in a rural area. Our conversation began while I was inspecting the damage done to his home from a recent storm. As we walked around his property I noticed small dog on the patio deck. As we went through the gate and into the back yard this well groomed well mannered dog came bounding down the steps of the wood deck.

He came and sat in front of me, anxiously anticipating acknowledgment. Our dogs are not so well mannered, like most dogs they are jump, jump, jumping for attention. This pup was different, a seemingly calm knowingness and acceptance of what was to come. I was compelled to gently speak to him and bend down on one knee to pet him. That’s when I noticed it

Continue reading ““The events of life are often surprising, shocking and often overwhelming.””

“Just for today”

Being thankful is a dramatically powerful part of our thinking. Thankfulness in spite of our circumstances changes our physiology. Changes our moment by moment behavior. Creates a purpose and provides direction for whats next.

Just for today I will!

Give thanks in all I do

Give thanks in all I see

Give thanks in all I hear

Thank you Lord for all you have done for me!

I hope you will join me, please listen and be encouraged!

What you think about matters: ”Thoughts are our actions in rehearsal”:

What we think about most finds its way into our actions. Be careful what you think about most! Do you allow your mind to keep those thoughts that are positive, that give encouragement to you, that are worth your time and create a sense of well-being and accomplishment? Those that don’t kick um out!!!

A seemingly never ending cycle of wants, or needs driven by what I allow my mind to think about most. Its interesting to me that what “I want” often times seems to be elusive, out of reach beyond my grasp. What “I” don’t want seems to show up everywhere, easily available, promoted, and a part of everything. This same scenario, thought process or something similar shows up often, doing something or being somewhere I don’t want to be.

Several years ago I was in the Northeast on business and it was 19 deg. That alone is reason to pause and consider “what in the world am I doing hear” LOL. I am away from home, family, comfortable things and in addition not feeling well. I often times find that I allow my “self” to become agitated frustrated, wanting something more or sometimes wanting something less. A seemingly never ending cycle of wants, or needs driven by what I allow my mind to think about most.

On the other hand, it’s amazing to me that if I consider all that God has blessed me with or a specific prayer that has been answered just in the last few months it changes my outlook. I often find that out of that comes an opportunity to re think or observe what I do or how I handle something or situation. Sometimes it’s just an opportunity to say to my self “just for today” I can do this. My heavenly father knows my name, He knows my need and His plan for the life He has given me. His timing is everything His way is perfect and above all else.

I remind my “self” stay focused, move forward, don’t stop, let it in”. That ever present sense of my Heavenly Father, and His Holy Spirit, gently moving me forward, at a pace and direction led by the spirit not pushed by the flesh. His will not mine. I am nothing without Him a long over due realization that did not come easy. Flesh and bone without purpose or meaning, dust in the wind, in need of guidance and direction. I highly recommend reading the entire book of Ecclesiastes. An observation from someone with access and who experienced all the world has to offer. An excerpt is listed below (King Solomon’s wealth and wisdom were considered to be greater than any of his time).

King Solomon
Ecclesiastes 1
14. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecclesiastes 12
13. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.

I often find that a negative outlook, with ongoing comments about meaningless things, or a focus on self, things that are petty, or vulgar, seem to stifle, or block creativity, focus and strength. A person or group that is upbeat, positive, and has a more dynamic view of things gives energy. Opens up the space to contribute, look for opportunity’s to make a difference, overcome challenges, encourage others, and be excited about life’s opportunities.

The life that I desire is that, a life lived with excitement and anticipation. An ongoing determined, commitment and resolve for excellence. A love for God, my wife, my family and those I meet along life’s path to encourage or help. It is being in the very center of Gods will. A life filled with an acknowledgment and witness of Gods promises.

So whats your plan? Here’s Mine. Its time to look for those opportunity’s to set self aside and surrender to Gods perfect will my/your life. Manage your thoughts and focus on His will, and plan for you. Prayerfully ask for His will and direction each day. Opportunity’s to serve Him and others will show up unexpectedly with purpose. Those Divine appointments that minister to you and encourage others. I hope you will join me, I’m counting on it!

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