The End of An Era

After many faithful years and hundreds of thousands of miles, I will be saying good-bye to my green van (Jean Claude). It’s weird, but I am going to miss the little guy. As my new van sits in the driveway, I still feel a little loyalty to Jean Claude and he will always hold a place in my heart. Sort of like a dog, but one that drinks oil and smokes. The good news is that his ministry career is not over. Another ministry minded band, called One Foot Forward, who will use him to travel the country playing music, purchased Jean Claude.
I know he will serve them well, since he is a servant minded van, and a Christian.

Bon Voyage mi amigo...may your windshield see many miles and may you always stay between the ditches.

The Latest News from Camp Carl...

Good news people! Lots of cool things are coming down the pike from us here at international ministry headquarters. I am excited about the next 12 months as they promise to be the most productive in a while. Here is a little list of what’s cooking in the Pot O’ Ministry here @ International Ministry Headquarters in Nashville, TN

I just signed with Blair Artist Management. This is killer news because it means I have help with so many things that have fallen by the wayside. Praise God for BAM!

Look for a new CD out in late May or early June. It’s going to be one of the best ever because I am excited about the songs and what God is showing me.

I am writing my first book! It's a cookbook with creative recipes for presenting the Lord’s Supper. Not really. I am creating a resource for worship leaders to be spiritually equipped for their jobs...Am I serious? You bet I am. Some would say I’m not old enough or smart enough to write a book, but that’s what the enemy says to everyone who tries anything. I have to stop listening to those lies. Insecurity is such a sissy little attitude.

Inspire 08’! Our first annual worship conference to be held February 21-23, 2008. Worship leaders, songwriters and musicians, mark your calendar and check myspace.com/carlcartee and carlcartee.com for soon coming details!

Challenge

Cracker Barrel. What a place. Good pancakes, of course, but since yesterday it will hold a different meaning for me. It will now be a reminder of something quite bigger than gift shops and pinto bean plates. It’s now the place where I was challenged to a fight. Called right out and asked to put up my dukes.
While having dinner with a friend, he told me that God had given him some words for me. He wanted to ask me about some things. This guy is one of my closest friends in the world and I trust him completely. If he has something to say to me, I listen. I invited him to speak freely, so he began. Challenging me, he asked questions that were hard to hear and even harder to answer. He asked questions about my life and where it was heading. How I planned to live the next few years and what were my God sized visions? Did I have objectives inspired by pure and uncorrupted faith, was I willing to stop making excuses and do what ever it takes to see them realized? Was I going to remain the same, or stretch toward greatness for the glory of God?
Boom...right upside the head. I won’t ever forget that moment. It’s one of the first times in my life someone has asked permission to say something to me and then deconstructed everything that I have been feeling for the last 10 months. It was unexpected, threatening, but so refreshing. “Don’t waste your life. Your anointing is too great and your ministry to valuable for you to rest on talent and personality alone. Get help and equip yourself to win. Fight against mediocrity. Fight against apathy, laziness and insincerity. Push yourself in faith, passion and purity. God is worthy of your best!”
Hebrews encourages us to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Have you ever been spurred? It’s not meant to tickle. It hurts. It cuts. It’s uncomfortable. It sends a message that makes you want to jump into action so you don’t have to get it twice. But thank God for someone who obeys the Spirit and says the hard things to a dear friend. Thank God for one who sees potential greatness and calls it out of you.
Needless to say, I am accepting the challenge. I have let disappointment and fear hit me enough. I throw my hat in the ring. Bring on the destiny. Best shots welcome. Please pray for me. Cheer for me. I’m all in
If I see you at Cracker Barrel, watch out. I’ll be in a mood to fight.
More to come.

(Thanks buddy...)