tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-106920182024-03-13T19:47:06.835-07:00carlcartee.com bloginfo, news, musings and music from Carl Carteecarlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-4568849769566524682010-07-12T20:13:00.001-07:002010-07-13T11:28:19.018-07:00New How To's for "First Love" and "Forgiven Forever"Check out these new "how to" videos for the songs <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9q-lZIB0Qc">First Love</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_GA6CscCd8">Forgiven Forever</a><div>I hope you like them and that they help you lead the songs at your church!</div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-57473010314213273912010-07-12T20:13:00.000-07:002010-07-12T20:17:37.050-07:00New How To's for "First Love" and "Forgiven Forever"Check out these new "how to" videos for the songs "<a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/user/carlcartee#p/a/u/1/B9q-lZIB0Qc">First Love</a>" and "<a href="http://http://www.youtube.com/user/carlcartee#p/a/u/0/G_GA6CscCd8">Forgiven Forever</a>"<div>I hope you like them and that they help you lead the songs at your church!</div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-36507823189166762192009-09-29T15:03:00.000-07:002009-09-29T15:13:54.556-07:00Free Stuff!!Of all the words in the english language, "free" gets a lot of face time and publicity. Well, once again, free is getting some props since greatworshipsongs.com is giving away me for free. My latest recording "Everything You Do" all the songs, all for free. (For a limited time). Have at it friends and I hope it points you to Jesus. Click the link and fill in all the blanks to get your free download. <a href="http://www.greatworshipsongs.com/carlcartee">CLICK HERE greatworshipsongs.com/carlcartee</a><div>Let me know what you think about the music!</div><div><a href="http://www.greatworshipsongs.com/carlcartee"></a>Blessings,</div><div>CC<br /><div><br /></div></div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-4322818631532675752009-07-02T08:30:00.000-07:002009-07-02T08:31:07.630-07:00Elvis and MJI was three years old when Elvis died.<br /> The First Pentecostal Church had a flat bed trailer that we pulled into the parking lots of department stores to set up a little worship service. They called it the Gospel Wagon.<br />We were having Gospel Wagon one night in the parking lot of Nichols department store in Gastonia, NC. It was the late 70’s and I was wearing polyester. At some point during the worship service, nature called and my 3-year-old bladder was filled. So, I told Mama that I had to go potty and she took me into Nichols to use the bathroom. I did my business and we started to make our way back to the parking lot. Before were able to get out of the store though, we heard the manager come over the PA to make a special announcement. “Attention shoppers, we are sad to report that Elvis Pressley has been found dead. Yes ladies and gentlemen, Elvis Pressley has been found dead. It is a sad night for all of us.” As soon as the announcement ended, a wave of emotion swept through Nichols. I was only three, but I will never, never forget it. People started running, teenage cashiers began weeping at their registers, people were buzzing everywhere but seemed lost as to what they should do. I remember really clearly my mom taking me by the hand and leading me back out to the Gospel Wagon where we just continued worshipping and having a big time there in the parking lot. For her, Elvis died but the true and living God was still the same and we were still going to worship him.<br /> Last week, just as I walked on stage to lead worship, someone whispered to me that Michael Jackson had been found dead. I loved his music so much and remembered just how amazingly famous he had become at the peak of his career. But before I could let myself get too sad, I remembered Elvis and his passing and how my Mom reacted. The moment reminded me that we’re all fragile and confirmed once again that our God is eternal. All things of this earth are passing away but not matter what, our response to Jesus is still the same, he is worthy, because he’s overcome the grave and hell. The death of MJ is sad and tragic for sure, but where else can we turn but to the Everlasting Savior when we are confronted with the frailty of life and the brokenness of sin. Jesus is our only true and lasting hope. Christ is worthy of worship in tragedy and at the highest peak of success: All of this ends, but He never changes.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-14111931033652062842009-06-20T09:35:00.000-07:002009-06-20T09:38:15.542-07:00Summer Camp SeasonThe time has come for us to leave on our annual worship leading trip around the south east. Student Summer camps have been a part of our work for nearly 15 years. I was so blessed today to hear from a friend of mine who said that he works at a church with a great worship leader. He told me this guy was encouraged to lead worship at a camp I did when he was just 14. It makes me know that this work does have Kingdom value and lasts much longer than me. So here we go: pregnant wife, little kids and a blessed worship leader, knowing that God has a plan for me and for those I get to lead. Please don't forget to pray for us.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-19047939788833407712009-05-31T21:24:00.000-07:002009-05-31T21:28:12.996-07:00For Guitar Players<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SiNYOBq9r9I/AAAAAAAAAJc/QTlc-TGiK6g/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 75px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SiNYOBq9r9I/AAAAAAAAAJc/QTlc-TGiK6g/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342210580981592018" /></a><br />Ok, here’s one for the worship leader/ guitar player goof-up files. <br />Upon finishing first service this morning, I removed my capo, which I used for the last song of the set and clamped it onto my head-stock (Note: I was playing my Tele). When the second service started, I picked up my guitar and started playing the intro to the first song when musical chaos broke out. My E string was way out of tune. So much so that I thought I was the victim of a saboteur. It was a step and a half sharp and nothing but sabotage could explain why a perfectly in tune guitar would instantly go so horribly out of tune. So for the whole first song, I played avoiding the E string. At the end of the first song, I made a joke about it, re-tuned and moved on. The rest of the set went fine until we get to the last song again. I remove the capo from the head-stock to place it on the neck. Once again, the E string is horribly out of tune. Ahhh!!! What is wrong with my guitar?! I almost speed dialed Randy Hughes right then and there. It was all one frantic, harmonic swirl of dissonance. Then it dawned on me: I was the saboteur, unaware. After the use of the capo in the first service, when I moved it from the neck to the head-stock, I accidentally clamped the capo down onto the E string, of the very narrow Tele head-stock. When I re-tuned after the second song I was actually tuning a “clamped string” (capo is still on the headstock at this point). When it was time to play the final song of the set again, I removed the capo from the head-stock to place it on the neck, releasing the E string, but now it’s sounding a half step flat. Chaos again. Ahhhh! Fortunately for me, Bill Wellons was mid-prayer and I had time to re-tune again and gather myself for the final song without subjecting the Holy Ghost and all of Brentwood to another round of tuning torture. What a funny sequence of events. I felt like I was Chevy Chase when he got his own talk show that time: Trying hard, but not quite sure what to do.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-8470309226836915512009-05-23T09:39:00.000-07:002009-05-23T12:29:15.008-07:00Inspire 09 Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOfBCWByI/AAAAAAAAAJU/EQ-GJBdJml8/s1600-h/s776525087_6877040_6476472.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 86px; height: 130px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOfBCWByI/AAAAAAAAAJU/EQ-GJBdJml8/s200/s776525087_6877040_6476472.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339103653008901922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOe22cXAI/AAAAAAAAAJM/oJaOxkPiT6Q/s1600-h/n776525087_6877041_552787.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 104px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOe22cXAI/AAAAAAAAAJM/oJaOxkPiT6Q/s200/n776525087_6877041_552787.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339103650274630658" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOe4bzXhI/AAAAAAAAAJE/Mu3gcNCpfc0/s1600-h/n776525087_6875945_6115623.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOe4bzXhI/AAAAAAAAAJE/Mu3gcNCpfc0/s200/n776525087_6875945_6115623.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339103650699763218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOet2OjtI/AAAAAAAAAI8/qXh9rJl4VGU/s1600-h/n776525087_6875930_7760920.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOet2OjtI/AAAAAAAAAI8/qXh9rJl4VGU/s200/n776525087_6875930_7760920.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339103647857807058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOekpLplI/AAAAAAAAAI0/z7n9SKGHGg4/s1600-h/n776525087_6875927_4550524.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/ShhOekpLplI/AAAAAAAAAI0/z7n9SKGHGg4/s200/n776525087_6875927_4550524.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339103645387171410" /></a><br />For those of you who were there, you already know that we had a first class time at this year's Inspire Worship Conference. Our second annual event kicked off with registrants from 18 different states and 2 foreign countries (yes, we went international this year). Inspire International, a scholarship program for worship leaders across the globe, was launched at this years conference. We extended this year's award to Mrs. Joy King from Cape Town South Africa. It was such a great encouragement to hear her testimony and see what God is doing around the planet. Dave Buehring and Dr. Pete Sanchez joined me in a little preaching and teaching, Tommy Walker, Pocket Full of Rocks and the Inspire Worship Band led worship for the main sessions. <br />Once again God confirmed what he is doing in me by the encouragement of so many and the work of the Spirit in my heart. Pastoring worship leaders and encouraging them in their ministries is what God continues to add to this ministry. I'm blessed to be walking into this calling. It feels very much like an unknown country, but there is a light and a lamp for my feet.<br />Here are a few photo highlights form the 2009 conference.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-75779084075607209342009-04-14T19:39:00.000-07:002009-04-14T19:47:30.306-07:00Our birth announcementWell, we're having a boy!! Boy number three in the Cartee household, means my grocery bill goes up, but my prom dress expenses are zero. I am so thankful to God for three little warriors in this family. Heather and I announced her pregnancy on facebook, but I thought we'd let you see our good news here on the blog too. Enjoy.<object width="576" height="324" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/120902395087" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/120902395087" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="576" height="324"></embed></object>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-29028123920973797862009-04-05T19:14:00.000-07:002009-04-06T18:44:03.431-07:00Go Heels!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/Sdqv3hTjodI/AAAAAAAAAIs/yK8a9oI2Apo/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 83px; height: 123px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/Sdqv3hTjodI/AAAAAAAAAIs/yK8a9oI2Apo/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321759278059725266" /></a><br />I have been a Carolina fan my whole life. Go heels Go!carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-33533571572224254052009-03-31T14:16:00.001-07:002009-03-31T14:21:04.664-07:00Inspire Worship Conference!!! Early Bird Rate ends tomorrow!Hey people,<br />Registration is blowing up on the site for Inspire and it's because tomorrow is the last day for you to get your registration for the cheapest deal possible. After tomorrow, registration rates increase, so if you want to come for the best price, sign up before tomorrow. This years Conference is going to be awesome...we've gone international with our first signups. We have someone coming from the Netherlands and from South Africa!! I love it! To register go to <a href="http://www.inspireworshipconference.com">inspireworshipconference.com</a> <br />See you there, CCcarlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-48825164240283190382009-01-31T06:53:00.000-08:002009-01-31T07:06:44.458-08:00Those Kids<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SYRo_GTr4EI/AAAAAAAAAIM/mRazs-YYuBc/s1600-h/IMG_6064.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SYRo_GTr4EI/AAAAAAAAAIM/mRazs-YYuBc/s320/IMG_6064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297474494928773186" /></a><br />When we lead worship at Fellowship Bible, our weekend begins on Saturday afternoon at 2:30 for rehearsal and the first service. The next morning it starts around 5:30 AM to get the boys up and ready to be at church by 7 for sound check and another quick rehearsal.<br />The last time I was leading worship, my friend John Mays (playing bass that day) looked at my boys and said what a great picture they were. I had not noticed until he pointed them out, but they were indeed a unique sight. Both sitting on the front row of an empty sanctuary watching me prepare the band for the early morning service. Ezra in his car carrier looking sleepy eyed and silent was drifting off for a little nap. Oak, still in his coat and hat was eating goldfish from a Ziploc bag and watching Cars on his portable DVD player. The way John pointed them out was saying more about who they were than how they looked. They’re cute, but they are also those kids: ones who get drug to church every time the door is open and their life is wrapped up in the work of ministry. John and I both grew up as “those kids” and his comment called attention to something that I had casually over looked. These boys are church kids. Their impressions of Heather and me will have as much to do with being a part of the local church than anything else. We are Church people. We love the Church.<br />As I looked at the boys that morning it made me think about my own life. I wonder how much hell was held back from my life simply because I was never far from the people of God, the culture of prayer and the Bible.<br />I pray that when the boys grow up and can choose where they spend their time and devote their affection, that they will still be “those kids”.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-33425533464529847032009-01-01T10:05:00.000-08:002009-01-01T14:08:31.965-08:0052 Letters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SV0-JtCscVI/AAAAAAAAAH4/pFqoD-cJ6Hs/s1600-h/John_Adams.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SV0-JtCscVI/AAAAAAAAAH4/pFqoD-cJ6Hs/s400/John_Adams.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286449874033471826" /></a><br />Happy new year! It's so much fun to see time fly while remembering that every second counts for something. I am a resolution guy. I love to make new years resolutions. I know they are targets for cynics, but I try to go about them a little differently. I like making resolutions that influence the future of other people, not ones to improve my abs or stop drinking so much Diet Coke. I am about 50 pages away from finishing the epic <a href="http://http://www.amazon.com/John-Adams-David-McCullough/dp/141657588X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1230833836&sr=8-2">John Adams</a> biography by David McCullough. As a huge player in America's fight for independence, John Adam's wrote letters to everyone. He used his pen to effect change in American leadership. He also exchanged a famously romantic lifetime of letters with his wife Abigail. Writing letters was one way he expressed his greatest passions. I love the idea of the old fashioned letter. Pens, paper, stamps and feelings are one of the best ways to connect intangible emotions with our senses. Not to mention, letters have ways of preserving sentiment and truth unlike any other communication (see The New Testament). So, inspired by John Adams and others like him, I declare 2009 the year of the letter. I'll write one a week for 52 weeks. Check the mail, you might be on the list.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-13519746621213657942008-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:002008-12-05T19:05:48.906-08:00The Christmas ConcertI am leaving in the AM at 6 to head back to my hometown to do a Christmas concert. This will be our 11th year doing a benefit for the Salvation Army of Cleveland County NC. Admission is new toys and canned food per person. I can't believe it's been going on for 11 years and almost half of them after I had moved away to Nashville. I look forward to tomorrow. Seeing my friends, hugging my grandma and showing off my kids. There is so much I have to be thankful for. I can go home and hundreds of people will show up to hear me play. Don't think that's braggy, cause it won't happen anywhere else in America, but for tomorrow night, I'll play for my friends and I'll love every second. We'll give a bunch of stuff away to make needy and poor people happier this Christmas and worship our Savior. If you can come, it's in the Dover Theater @ Gradner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC. Door @ 6:15, Show @ 7. I can't wait. Hope to see you there.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-38257791559497978892008-11-18T08:04:00.000-08:002008-11-18T08:16:32.743-08:00Leaving Something Behind<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SSLpvJ4iYaI/AAAAAAAAAHw/E17SCU8eTbI/s1600-h/guideprayerallgods.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SSLpvJ4iYaI/AAAAAAAAAHw/E17SCU8eTbI/s400/guideprayerallgods.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270031510293078434" /></a><br />My church has four worship leaders: Me, Jason Ingram, Ronnie Freeman and Jeromy Diebler. We’ve been eating breakfast together on Tuesdays at Cracker Barrell. We like to talk and get to know eachother better. A Few weeks ago, Jeromy brought all of us a copy of a devotional book that had become special to him: “A Guide to Prayer For All God’s People”. He told us about the book and that it had brought some excellent perspective into his devotional life. I loved that getting that book because, more than ever, receiving a book means my life is about to change and my mind is going to grow. I love it! This book, however, came with an extra special treat. <br />When we got up to leave the resteraunt, a lady from the table next to ours stood up, got our attention and pointed to the copies of our new book. She was beaming with a huge smile. You could tell that she had a secret and she could not wait to let it out. She took the copy of the book from my hands and said, “I heard you guys talking about this book and I just wanted you to know that my Dad is the author.” She was glowing, proud and probably filled with same emotions that all of us have when we are unexpectedly surprised with joy. That experience marked me. It made me crave to put that same expression on the face of my own sons. How many memories could I make by being a man my sons will love. How many more could I make by living a life that leaves a treasure behind. A treasure of the Kingdom , an incorruptible, eternal inheritance. I want to live that kind of life. I want my kids to hear about my contribution to God’s people from strangers. I want them to be proud of me. I want your kids to be proud of you. Let’s live so that can happen. Live to leave something behind.<br />And finally, for Mr. Ruben P. Job: Thanks for writing your exceptional book of prayer and if you were wondering, your daughter is really, really proud of you.<br /><br />Get your copy of Mr. Job's book here<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Prayer-All-Gods-People/dp/083580710X"></a>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-30168694067757982172008-11-05T05:59:00.000-08:002008-11-05T06:06:16.090-08:00Nashvegas and the Cartee’s: 5 years together!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SRGoPT9lPaI/AAAAAAAAAGI/fU5Y0ey7Wus/s1600-h/Nashville+Skyline.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SRGoPT9lPaI/AAAAAAAAAGI/fU5Y0ey7Wus/s400/Nashville+Skyline.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265174420382891426" /></a><br />I love fall in Nashville because it reminds me of a landmark in my life: the time of year when we moved here. When I left North Carolina prompted by purpose and acting on faith (2 Thes. 1:11) God said don’t make another move for five years. No matter what happens or who calls or what does not go right, this is your home for the next five years. In that time, I have turned down a ton of jobs for worhsip leader positions around the country and my reason has always been the same: “I can’t go anywhere for five years, because moving anywhere else does not fit into what God said. I’m honored that you thought of me, but I’ll have to say no.” Some of those opportunities were really amazing, dream job scenarios, repleat with everything great about employment. But they went to someone else. Now, however it gets interesting. This is the fifth year and I know now that the door is unlocked and I can go if I want. I know that I am released. With hind sight I see how moving here was not career development but God making room in our lives to see him work. I’m so thankful that my last five years have been full of more dreams coming true and God moving mightily on my behalf than the rest of my life combined. What he started here five years ago has transcended my every expectation. It’s gotten the best of my imagination and I have stopped guessing what God might do next, it’s always better that what I plan. So, here’s to my sons, my church, my friends, songs, Inspire Worship Conference, happiness, peace and hope and the million other things God has brought me through. Thanks for five years God. What next?carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-50797695984018635102008-11-02T21:16:00.000-08:002008-11-03T05:17:16.964-08:00Use your Gift!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SQ6KP2IocFI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HNILBuPK5Y0/s1600-h/GiftCards.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SQ6KP2IocFI/AAAAAAAAAGA/HNILBuPK5Y0/s320/GiftCards.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264297019277078610" /></a><br />Use Your Gift!! (1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4:10)<br />Americans spend $80 billion a year on gift cards. Over 8 billion of that goes unused and unredeemed.<br />We had the most amazing worship service last night. One of our teaching pastors, Lloyd Shadrack was so courageous to start his message on gifts the way he did. There is always an intro video that plays before each sermon to give context to the series or book of the bible that we’re studying. The video played as usual, and then nothing happened. No lloyd. No Lloyd for like a minute. When you have a set schedule and use every second of the service for everything from music, prayer, and preaching to announcements a minute feels like a long time. But not as long as five minutes which was how long it had been when Lloyd who was sitting on the front row, gets up and walks out. A few minutes after that he came back in to sit down, like he had casually been to the bathroom. He made a cell phone call to arrange dinner with a friend after the service. He chatted with the person next to him about what to do, because he did no want to teach. After thirteen minutes of listening to him do nothing, he finally stood up and asked us how this had made us feel. People were eager to say they almost left or they were frustrated or some even confessed to being angry and felt cheated. What ever the spectrum people found themselves on all of us in some way felt unsetteled and incomplete. We were short changed. Then he said…”this is how it feels when someone chooses not to use their gift to benefit others for God’s glory.” His object lesson was brilliant because it taught a very effective lesson in a concentrated amount of time. When you are not using your spiritual gifts regularly, you leave a huge void. People and the church suffer. Lloyd’s gift to teach, unused, threw all of us into a tailspin and his inaction caused a ripple through the body. <br />We all have spiritual gifts. All to be used in the measure in which we have. When I don’t use mine, you suffer. When you don’t use yours, I suffer. Be who God made you to be and do what God made you to do…I need you!carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-49937334476875180652008-10-06T11:45:00.000-07:002008-10-06T17:45:49.623-07:00Anniversaries and Holding Back the Power of Hell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SOquc6oF9QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-_paaSaIiUw/s1600-h/Wed6.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SOquc6oF9QI/AAAAAAAAAFw/-_paaSaIiUw/s320/Wed6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254203727078094082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SOquc9hr5WI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_BduwJwMolA/s1600-h/Together2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SOquc9hr5WI/AAAAAAAAAF4/_BduwJwMolA/s320/Together2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254203727856526690" /></a><br />Oct. 5, 1952 my grand parents got married. They were young, hip, well dressed and full of potential. The road laid out before them was as promising as it was uncertain but they forged ahead. They worked hard and stayed faithful. They are still remaining faithful to this very second. Not famous, rarely celebrated and certainly not making a name for themselves in a worldly sense. They raised four children. My grandfather collected a few sales trophies along the way. My grandmother taught school. They made it through all the tough times in a marriage. They endured hardships from the economy, politics, church, children, community and work. Their secret is one timeless and simple way of loving…just not giving up on each other. Never abandon the commitment, no matter what. I am not sure they ever read a book on marriage or went to a conference or took an online course, but I bet they could fill volumes on how to remain faithful. I’ve had the joy of watching them and as much as their love mystifies me, I’m am sure of this…they always placed value on each other. Each put the others interests in front of his/her own. They both contributed 100% of themselves to the relationship. Perfection eluded them like it does all of us, but their legacy is not perfection…it’s finishing well and doing the daily, little things it takes to build what I see as an empire of integrity and love.<br />Their life makes me reconsider all the choices I make that are motivated by career or money. It forces me to take stock of all that I do and ask what kind of shelf life it will have. Will the works of my hands endure? No. Will the affections of my heart and the way I love my family? Yes.<br />I just returned from a retreat where the topic was spiritual warfare. A very interesting topic, especially since the speaker did not give us ten ways to slay demons, but rather choose to focus on the little things we do everyday that hold the enemy at bay. Hiding the word of God in our hearts, preaching the gospel to ourselves and others, being faithfully and authentically involved in a church community, observing the ordinances of the church like communion and baptism and embracing joy inside this, often difficult life. All of these define the way my grandparents lived and it’s these little things that add up to a legacy. So, to my grand parents, who in their quiet and courageous way have held back hell for fifty-six years, I say thanks. Thanks for fighting such a faithful fight and doing so with such joy. I love you guys.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-31101329300748844392008-09-25T16:07:00.000-07:002008-09-25T16:11:47.093-07:00Lost Bird<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNwaJ4klc3I/AAAAAAAAAFo/ufzQjkegecg/s1600-h/IMG_0048.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNwaJ4klc3I/AAAAAAAAAFo/ufzQjkegecg/s320/IMG_0048.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250100022714135410" /></a><br />I was driving into Brentwood-Benson yesterday to write songs. I had just started to think and pray about my current spiritual situation. The last few days had been filled with this rampant attack on my mind. Temptation and distractions from ministry just started hitting me from every side. These lies came back to tempt me, calling me back to somewhere I had previously escaped from. Then I saw this sign in my neighborhood. “Lost Bird”. Wow. I do not own a pet, but of all the pets to own, I think birds might get the worst deal of all. The gift of flight is reduced to a caged existence lived only to amuse people in exchange for crackers and old newspaper. That bird is not lost, he’s free. I bet he sits up in a tree, reads that sign and laughs. He got his shot and took it…he’s free. He can fly again. He can see things from a higher place. He’s not coming back. Ever. Even though the old way of living might have been safer and more predictable, it was also the very thing that robbed him of who he was born to be. I’m not going back either…freedom is much too precious a gift to exchange for safety or comfort. I pray that when you see the sign with your name on it, calling you back to bondage, you laugh at it and savor the freedom of new life. “I have come that you might have life and have it to the full” John 10:10carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-29300778238233136502008-09-17T21:02:00.000-07:002008-09-17T21:07:24.882-07:00Old photos<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2bvjniI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/-07JggKbsjo/s1600-h/u8LRI8EzHfaxRMHseGStr8hwdItTYat7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2bvjniI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/-07JggKbsjo/s320/u8LRI8EzHfaxRMHseGStr8hwdItTYat7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247207972976959010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2lz3d6I/AAAAAAAAAFY/izVMHpbOMEY/s1600-h/vFN4HLjh9MklL09z9EXNAPNJodFQ3Ctp.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2lz3d6I/AAAAAAAAAFY/izVMHpbOMEY/s320/vFN4HLjh9MklL09z9EXNAPNJodFQ3Ctp.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247207975679391650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2rWbktI/AAAAAAAAAFg/CJmuNw4cdt4/s1600-h/j000U80QgYF3JOVQoOpoXrLGHZ8H1a7y.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SNHT2rWbktI/AAAAAAAAAFg/CJmuNw4cdt4/s320/j000U80QgYF3JOVQoOpoXrLGHZ8H1a7y.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247207977166541522" /></a><br />Historical photography restoration is cool.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-42746509546969699842008-08-13T20:17:00.000-07:002008-08-12T19:57:49.772-07:00Worship In A Box<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SJ-vpPknMGI/AAAAAAAAAFI/kDXonnrBvyU/s1600-h/IMG_4006.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SJ-vpPknMGI/AAAAAAAAAFI/kDXonnrBvyU/s320/IMG_4006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233094415117398114"></a><br />I played a gig a while back where I was without the band and flying solo. I had even forgotten some of my gear and was trying to scramble and find everything I needed. I had my guitar, but that was about it. The worship leader for the church I was playing happened to show up just in time to offer his gear for my use. It was nice enough gear, but as he was explaining the guitar pedals that I’d be using, he pointed one out in particular and said… “This’un here’s awesome. I kick that thing in and the Holy Ghost just goes wild. It’s worship in a box.” Hmm… I never knew the Lord was so fond of reverb. I got a little annoyed and took off making an internal list of ways I should confront and correct this brother’s obvious error, but before I got to the part about me being so smart and him being so not, I heard the Holy Spirit say… “He thinks I need that pedal to move, but you think I need you and your smarty pants attitude to move. The truth is, the starry hosts were made by my breath (Psalm 33) so why don’to you both just pray and ask for humble hearts as you lead people into my presence.” Lesson learned and a friend earned, I humbly borrowed his gear. I did not use the pedal however, I was probably afraid of what might happen.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-38948341501512451412008-08-10T19:01:00.000-07:002008-08-10T19:51:38.778-07:00Oak Shows Promise...Here are a couple of music videos where The Mighty Oak busts out on his "drum set". Keep rockin' little buddy!<div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyb2hIxAZ0CWiVvm4iQmkr241Kd_dYKsnSlID6h8mOe7lVQJ2LweufV-6ZTpujF7_y0AJ2K-edR6g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwGYv6t_d1FhgTPxIfOKaRt_rFnjOioo3r2j4U4IEAB3kbJsbVo8sCtZX6laThgaYoQnuLSWTeKnow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-80264753665994073742008-07-28T06:54:00.000-07:002008-12-12T20:23:12.178-08:00Called To Music Ministry<img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SI3RRBYlu4I/AAAAAAAAAEw/CueW_l6nz2k/s320/IMG_3816.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228064832806566786" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SI3R7fWdYeI/AAAAAAAAAFA/hS20-9mP-g8/s1600-h/IMG_3879.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SI3R7fWdYeI/AAAAAAAAAFA/hS20-9mP-g8/s320/IMG_3879.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228065562405200354" /></a><br /><br />We’re home from camp and after about 15 years of doing this kind of ministry; I can truly say that this was one of our best years ever. The band was great, staff was great and I personally felt so good in my skin. Leading worship is unquestionably where I’m supposed to be... In the church, on the road, in the community and around the world… that’s still my calling. In light of the kind of ministry we do, there are a lot of students who get called into ministry, many into music ministry. I get a lot of music ministry questions and requests for advice on getting started, so here are a few tips that might help some of you who are called to full time music ministry. These principals have helped sustain my passion for God’s calling on my life.<div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. Take your calling seriously.</span> Do not give yourself an out. Abandon a plan B philosophy. If you’re called to music ministry, then go for it faithfully until you cannot physically do it any more. Ignore disappointment and negative influencers. The One who calls you is faithful (1 Thes. 5:23-24)</div><div> <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Practice and pursue excellence.</span> 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. A little at a time goes a super long way. The real secret here is to use your brain. Challenging your skill on a weekly basis is essential to sparking the imagination. You’ll be amazed at how much more creative you become when you consistently practice. </div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Write your own material.</span> Learn how to write songs and exercise your imagination for the glory of God. Don’t just copy others; make something for others to look to as an example. </div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">4. Find a mentor, be a mentor.</span> Always be under someone who can pour wisdom into your life. Always be kind enough to give what you know out to another. </div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">5. Make music. </span>As soon as you can, produce a consumable music product. CD’s, mp3’s, put it up on itunes… Whatever it is, just record something and make it available. It’s the only way you can be 1000’s of places at one time and it makes your ministry grow right where people are. Technology is way too cheap and accessible for you to be telling people they can’t consume your songs.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">6. Be humble. </span>Seek first the Kingdom and God’s righteousness, and everything else will be added to you (Matt. 6:33). Jesus was not a diva, he was a servant. Don’t demand honor, let it be a reward from those you serve with your music and ministry (Prov. 26:1). You define how you’ll be known; so write that definition “servant”. There is not a better model for the Christian musician. Here is the danger in a music career…as you go “up”; God conversely gets smaller amounts of space in your life. Stay humble. So, try to be like John the Baptist. Although he had all the trappings of a famous, influential, “out there”, artsy, rock star, he said, “I must decrease and He must increase”.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">7. Plant yourself in the Church.</span> The local church is the hope of the world and the institution Christ established on the earth as his bride. Let the end game of everything you do be to serve the church. Write to her, sing to her, love her humbly. The Christian music industry is not the hope of the world, put your efforts into serving the church and it’s interests (Jesus) before you chase after getting signed by a label that might not last into tomorrow. (This does not mean I would discourage anyone from forming a mainstream band that played clubs or stadiums or Vegas. My admonition would still remain the same however…love ands serve the church.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">8. Play often.</span> Take every opportunity you are given to make music to God’s glory. Especially in the early stages of my ministry, I saw great value in taking advantage of each chance to minister, not shrinking back from the opportunities presented to me. Along with serving regularly in my church, here are a few notable gigs…grocery store openings, numerous rest homes and a show where only 1 person showed up. (I played my guts out)</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">9. Memorize the Bible.</span> There is little to explain about this, but much to be gained by the practice. Your mind, equipped with the Bible, is an amazing weapon against moral failure and other sin and a beautiful instrument of peace for the world around you.</div><div><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">10. Practice generosity.</span> This would be the same for any ministry calling, but it’s often over looked, so I mention it here. Giving and specifically giving your money is a cornerstone of biblical behavior and the doorway through which blessing walks. Don’t ignore generosity or generosity will ignore you.</div><div><br /></div><div>For other information or questions you have, please let me know. info@carlcartee.com</div><div>thanks so much for reading...CC<br /><br /></div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-14789553668269979572008-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:002008-07-21T12:03:16.824-07:00Epidemic WorshipI have recently been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tipping-Point-Little-Things-Difference/dp/0316346624">The Tipping Point</a> by Malcom Gladwell and it is a fascinating book. It has nothing to do with worship music, but it’s a study of human behavior and how the actions of a small group of influencers can tip any kind of behavior or trend into mainstream, epidemic proportions. One case study that has really fascinated me was about the horrible problem of suicide. The study found that when a suicide happens that gets front page attention in print or television, the rate of suicide in that area goes up by several percentage points (some times as many as six or seven points) after the initial “publicized” suicide. When Marylin Monroe committed suicide, the national average of self-inflicted death went up by around seven percent for a few weeks after her death. The same phenomenon happened with death of prominent rock star Kirk Cobain. The idea suggests that the public behavior of one influential person gives permission to a whole culture of people to follow suit. The actions of one influencer “tip” the actions of a culture.<br />Applied to worship teams, this concept has remarkable potential to impact the Kingdom and for the one who leads the way in expression of affection to our God this idea is challenging. Does the way you lead tip the dynamic around you? Are you the kind of influencer who carries a passion for Christ so contagious that is starts an epidemic? What about the way you lead drives people into an expression that is uniquely theirs, but has it’s roots in your influence. Sometimes all people are waiting for is the teacher to tell them it’s OK to make their move. <br />The nature of worship leadership comes with built in influence. Most musicians have been walking through the reality that such a public and people oriented gift creates. Some do it well and others do it horribly. Most of us have been in both places. Influence is obvious for leaders; the question is what are you going to do with yours? I challenge you to start an epidemic. Use the gifts of God and position of influence to tip worship over the edge in your community. The way you live your life may be the spark that lights the faith of those around you into blazing fire. Lead loud, calling those around you into the light of Christ…pointing the way from death to life. The way you worship could be the one point in time that God uses to start the next great outbreak of salvation and awakening. Be a tipping point for an epidemic of worship.carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-34267750531512261492008-07-12T06:34:00.000-07:002008-07-12T06:37:29.375-07:00Creative ChristianityYesterday I attended a seminar on this topic during the camp where I am leading worship (excellent job Jeremy, Kaitlyn and Robbie!). It got me pretty fired up about some things that have been on my mind. Living creatively for the glory of God and how that idea could give flight to the faith of millions. Here is the thought: we’re built to imagine and our brains are designed to do so much more than sustain life. They are wired to bring things into existence. Because of our unique creative and imaginative potential, we have been designed to give birth to things that never existed before. Not reproduced things, but introduced things…something from nothing kind of stuff. It is the part of us the Bible refers to when it says we are made in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). You don’t look like God so much as you might your mama, but you surely are assembled with the capacities to think like a creator. Your imagination is what sparks you to act in faith. Every “what if” starts in your brain as an imagined thought and your faith is what brings it to an answer.<br /><br />Every call of God starts with the Spirit of God speaking the rumors of potential into your mind. “Go, Send, Lead, Run, Fight, Fly, Sing, Preach, Give, Love, Plead, Risk, Change, Dance…” all of that starts in your head, and struggles toward to surface of existence, compelled by faith in the God who calls you…and remember the one who calls you is faithful (1 Cor. 1:9)<br /><br />So, consider this as you live and worship creatively today…your imagination is the place where future greatness gets planted. It’s the soil where God sows influence and hope, revival and art, community and passion, all for His great glory. Your imagination unleashed for the glory of God is the most unstoppable weapon against the forces of darkness and by the same measure the most liberating force for the worshipping Christian. Bob Pierce imagined World Vision and that compassionate thought feeds, clothes and heals hundreds of thousands every year. Billy Graham imagined an evangelistic ministry that shared the Gospel with the world…now millions know Christ because a “what if” was answered. John the Baptist believed he was the fulfillment of an ancient prophesy, was not afraid to express what he felt from the inside out and he made a pathway for Jesus to take center stage. All of these were very imaginative ideas and wildly creative people.<br /><br />Here are five tips on unleashing God’s potential for your life through your imagination.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Use it…</span>let your brain in on what your heart comes up with and see how far “what if” can take you. Write a song or a book or a poem. Build a museum. Dream something and then do it.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Feed it…</span>consume beauty. Fill your mind with things of great aesthetic value. Music, art, literature, sermons, songs, dance, heroism. Flood your mind with things already born of great imagination. Launch ye therefore from these!<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-weight:bold;">Surrender it…</span>abandon your safe places and default modes of thought. Explore new territory and test the boundaries of who you are now. Look beyond, to see a different potential for your life. Let go and fear not. (Psalm 27:1)<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Engage it…</span>your thoughts are meaningless until expressed. The old phrase, “it’s the thought that counts” was probably coined by a person who never bought birthday presents and failed to leave a mark on the world. Impact happens when what you imagine collides with how you live. That’s when you start seeing God’s glory revealed in your life for Him.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Defend it…</span>the enemy wants to kill you and I think he always starts in your imagination. Envy, strife, corruption, lies, jealousy, hatred, indifference, greed and lust are all sins sown into the mind. Planted by Satan to subtly corrupt your imagination until who you are and how you live ultimately serves his interests…to shame the name of God. Stand firm…Eph. 6:13<br /><br /><br />Think creatively. Act courageously. See “what if” happen in your life.</div></div>carlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10692018.post-48139656782501992562008-07-05T11:27:00.000-07:002008-12-12T20:23:12.362-08:00Team Mulan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SG-9rY2EGuI/AAAAAAAAAEo/M8zb2PCbI4c/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_c9lqGJKrrLw/SG-9rY2EGuI/AAAAAAAAAEo/M8zb2PCbI4c/s200/images.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219599046246931170" /></a><br />I am leading worship at Crossroads Camp in Boiling Springs, NC and I played in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament with the camp staff today. Rain soaked, I walked back from the fields of battle a defeated man. My team went 0-3 to end my day early. As a truly competitive sportsman, I hate to loose at anything, but I ain’t mad. I even wish good will and many more victories to the ones who beat us and I hope they make it all the way to the finals. Team Mulan, (every team was named for a Disney princess) my team, was full of some world-class people and I was so encouraged to hear them talk to teammates and opponents. The spirit of competition was great and bested only by the spirit of community. These were great people to be around, balcony people as Heather calls them. These are the people that lift your spirits and encourage endurance. I asked several of them who they were or what they were into and I found it so refreshing to hear them turn to matters of faith and the Kingdom within two or three minutes of talking. It was not forced, but as casual and logically arrived at as Seinfeld talking about sarcasm. It’s as much a part of their DNA as it is something they’re into. My faith in Christ’s mission and call on my life has been inspired by my 0-3 teammates. DNA makes me express things that are at the core of who I am…I have blondy brown hair because it’s an expression of my core…same goes for my light eyes and the nose I have. All are expressions that I rarely give thought to, but they manifest themselves to the world around me and express details of who I really am inside. When what you are on the inside matches what you are on the outside, the space around you gets filled with the sweetest peace. Even in deepest adversity and stress the substance of character is revealed in how closely a person looks like their true self. I was tossing pies with some “true selfs” today and I loved who they were.<br /><br />Thanks team Mulan for letting me watch you as you naturally loved, encouraged and equipped today. Nice DNAcarlcartee.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11800553388280770943noreply@blogger.com3