enjoying the ride of the road...

I've had some busy days lately. Playing on the same bill with Third Day and Steven Curtis Chapman on August 19th, heading to the Integrity Songwriters Retreat last week and finishing up the week playing @ Youth Fest 06' with Tammy Trent and Todd Agnew. I've had a lot of great things going on recently. I have been around a lot of people I'd like to impress...people I hope think I’m cool and that my music was their favorite. I know you're not supposed to say things like that on your blog and you're supposed to act all cynical and snotty, but I am just being real about my thoughts. In the midst of all these goings on, I heard a profound voice of reason. Don Moen, (worship leader, songwriter and President of Integrity Music) was speaking about being "edgy". He described a story about him sharing the stage with a very popular and edgy worship band. He was going on stage after them and wondered how he could change his style to make it seem cooler... in order to impress his fellow artists. He was tempted to become edgy like them. The Holy Spirit, at work in his life said, "you be you, and let me define edgy. I'll show you where the edge is." Don felt God was telling him to redefine edgy in spiritual terms and not to let a sound or style dictate the value in his ministry. So, instead of reshaping who he was for a moment, he obediently took the stage as himself. Not as an over hyped rock star with the latest sound... just as a guy named Don who plays and sings for a great Kingdom. He was a profound success, just as the band before him had been. In light of that, I have been trying to become edgy. Living in a way that takes me to the edge of faith. Going further into a place that I have never been in Christ. I am trying to let that define my ministry and songwriting. I’d love to be cool and hip, but not at the expense of who I am. Not if I’m required to abandon my identity in Christ. So, to all the edgy & cool people I am around form this point on... I love you and please excuse the huge dork who is asking to have his picture made with you. I am just trying to be me...

the boy teaches the old man...

Oak is getting older, fast. He is growing and changing so much. He eats about every three hours and has put himself on a pretty predictable schedule; however, about 5 minutes before feedings, he starts crying for food. He gets worked up, kicks around, and makes out like he’s going to do something if he does not get to eat. But every time, right on schedule, Heather feeds him.  
I was bringing him in to her the other day and he was having a melt down. It had been almost three hours since his last feeding and he was making sure our whole neighborhood knew it. Holding him up close to my face, I asked him, “Oak, what about these last few weeks would make you think Mom and I would not feed you? You don’t need to worry, just remember that every time, no matter what, Daddy is going to help you.” Oak had no comment on the matter because right after that I gave him to his mom. But just then, I felt the Father say to me, “Carl, what about me would ever make you think I would not feed you, hear you when you pray, meet your needs, give you dreams, bless your life, protect your family, mature your ministry, or save your kids? Have I ever failed you or have I ever failed the generations and generations before you? You are my son and I’m the King. I know how to take care of my son. Don’t worry.”   
Just remember that no matter what is happening to make you have a melt down, if you call on Jesus, He listens and responds. I had forgotten that, but the Lord confirmed it with his word…
Matthew 7: 7-11  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"