I moved…

My blog has moved to jermpc.com

Motion-Activated Holiday Merchandise

You know…sometimes, the good ideas are just right there in front of you waiting to be created.

I suppose that is what the person responsible for this item was thinking when he/she pitched the idea. I’ll admit…it’s funny. But come on, it’s not like it was bought at some off-color merch store; it was bought at a Hallmark store. You know, the “Hallmark card” sentimentality that is famous for its sweet, tear-jerking cards.

Anyway, if you haven’t seen it, you just have to hear it for yourself…

The Big Reveal!

For those who may have missed the “solution” of the picture, find it here.

Interesting drawing…

I go into my daughters’ room tonight for our bedtime routine and the 7 year old has a Magna-Doodle. She has drawn the following picture. Any guesses as to what it is…? I was impressed at what her mind was doing to get to this point!

We’re expecting!! (a baby, that is)

Well, the proverbial cat is out of the bag. My wife and I are expecting our next baby in May of 2011!

The Next Carroll Baby

 It would seem that the prediction at 11 weeks is that “balance will be restored to the force!”

 

I have to be honest on this point: I questioned the surety of this prediction this early in the pregnancy.
The sonographers actual words were “it’s pretty obvious.”

I had my wife ask the doctor for a percentage, to which she replied:

“We can be about 70% sure at this stage.”

 

So…we’ll see.

Regardless of gender, we are truly excited, yet, as you may imagine, there is a bit of hesitation in my heart.

As in all cases, we must simply trust in the sovereignty of God as the Creator and Sustainer of life.

“You give and take away,
my heart will choose to say

Lord, blessed be Your Name.”

“Blessed Be Your Name” by Matt Redman

3rd Anniversary @ FBC Keller

This past weekend my family celebrated our 3rd anniversary of being on staff at FBC Keller. While I am fully aware that 3 years is a short amount of time, this is a great landmark for our family, as it is the longest continuous time we have spent in any location in our almost 11 years of marriage. It bears further significance because of the road that brought us here.

January 2000 – July 2002 = M’boro, TN
July 2002 – January 2004 = FW, TX (SWBTS)
January 2004 – November 2004 = M’boro, TN
November 2004 – June 2006 = FW, TX (SWBTS)
June 2006 – May 2007 = E. TN (CBC)
May 2007 – October 2007 = M’boro, TN
October 2007 – present = Keller, TX (FBC Keller)

As I’ve reflected on the past 3 years, I am humbled by God’s sovereignty over our family. We arrived here out of one of life’s vallies having been through a very difficult ministry experience and lost & buried a child due to stillbirth just 5 month prior. As we walked through that valley, God showed us His lovingkindness and faithfulness. He continually reminded us of His faithfulness through His Word and the people He had placed in our lives, some were old friends & some new. We were comforted on all sides by the gentle lovingkindness of God through our family and friends. In in the midst of darkness, He was our Light. In no way am I saying that life, at that time, was easy. To say that many tears were shed throughout those 18 months would be a vast understatement, but I think it’s truthful to say that our faith was not shaken. The stability of our faith was, not, however, attributed to anything on our part but to God’s faithfulness and immutability. Personally, I often remembered the words of this old hymn (emphasis mine):

My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.

~ “The Solid Rock” by Edward Mote & William Batchelder Bradbury

     More than 20 years ago, I put my hope in “nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” At the time, I, of course, had NO idea what circumstances awaited me in life. What I did know was that God owed me nothing, yet, gave me everything (John 3:16). He never promised me (or anyone for that matter) an easy life…or even a circumstantially good life. What He has promised is that He will not leave me regardless of good or difficult circumstances (Joshua 1:5, John 14:16-18). John 14 holds within three verses (16-18) the summary of the hope that Christians have. Jesus said “I will not leave you as orphans, I am coming to you” and “[the Father] will give you another Counselor (the Holy Spirit) to be with you forever.” Jesus has not left us on earth with no hope of a future eternal destination, but He, also, promises that the Holy Spirit has been given to us as a Counselor to help us and comfort us during this life! After the most difficult 18 months of our married life thus far, God brought us to FBC Keller as an answer to much prayer. God has continued to be faithful to us while in Keller through provision of our spiritual, physical, financial, and relational needs. Beyond simply meeting our needs, He has graciously given us great blessings (to name a few): the opportunity to purchase our own home, our youngest daughter (and another child on the way), the most Christlike friends we could ask for, a Pastor and staff who want their ministry and the church, more than anything else, to be pleasing in the sight of the Lord…and I could go on. I hesitate to even write this because I do not want this to appear as boastful or arrogant. So, please, allow me to stop and say: we realize full well that not one of the blessings listed above (nor any not listed) was given to us because we deserved it. Whether we have much or little is a matter of God’s will. We simply strive to do our best to manage whatever portion He entrusts to us.

     My prayer, then, going forward is that I rely on His faithfulness both in good times and difficult times. We have experienced some vallies, and we have experienced some mountaintops, and I know that we can expect more of the same in the days/weeks/months/years ahead. Paul says to the church in Corinth (1 Cor. 10) that, at least in part, the experiences of Old Testament Israel happened to be examples and warnings for the New Testament Church. I do not want to misuse or abuse this text. Paul is telling the Christians in Corinth to examine the past be careful to not “slip” into sin. Verse 12 essentially says “Don’t say, ‘It could never happen to me.’ ” Not only should we examine the past in order to avoid sin as Paul instructs, but we should examine the past in order to find comfort in God’s continued faithfulness, taking special note of His faithfulness when we were unfaithful. So my prayer for me and my family is that we remember God’s faithfulness during previous vallies and mountaintops. Whether I’m on a mountaintop, in a valley, or anywhere in between, I pray these biblical truths stay with me, and I can live a life trusting in Him!

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I rest on His unchanging grace [because] He…is my hope and stay.”

Battling Immodesty

I read a very thought-provoking article today in the August 2010 edition of “ParentLife” magazine from LifeWay. The title: “The Dangers of Immodesty: An Innocent Mistake.”

Author Hayley DiMarco begins with the recent cyber-phenomenon from Facebook in which women posted the color of their bra as status updates to generate/raise awareness for breast cancer. While these updates may or may not have accomplished that goal, other potential effects exist. DiMarco’s point of bringing this seemingly innocent act to the topic at hand is to set the tone for the remainder of her article through which she implores her readers to consider how “innocent” acts of parenting impact the worldview of our children for years to come. She mentions that these ” ‘Oh isn’t that cute!’ moments” are the genesis for future struggles against immodesty.

Let me say bluntly what many men will not, “The effects of women’s choice of style can be cancerous in the minds of men.” The reason men rarely speak of this truth is partly due to the shame they feel in their own hearts and partly because women, too often, erroneously judge men who admit struggles with visual stimulation. I believe it to be false to say or think “If he were more spiritual/godly, he wouldn’t struggle with that or be tempted.” A man’s struggle with visually-provoked temptation is not a hurdle that, once cleared, men never have to worry about again. Furthermore, if the impact of visual stimulation was minimal or could simply be down-played or suppressed, the advertising industry would not use it so prevalently. In 21st Century America, dressing modestly affects boys and girls. As DiMarco writes, “Fashion is an equal opportunity offender.”

My wife and I have been increasingly convicted of the importance of modesty. Our oldest daughter is beginning 1st grade this month, and our son will start Kindergarten. Several family conversations have arisen from comments from these two such as “Why was she showing her breasts?” or “Why would she wear clothes that are too small (meaning too tight)”. As parents, we discuss the issue from both sides. Not only is it important to consider our choices of clothes to wear but, also, the effect our choices have on others. I realize that many of my contemporaries avoid this topic because many see that there are only 2 options: dress like a pilgrim or like the world. The reality, the one which the author of this article in “ParentLife” articulates very well & many parents wish to avoid, is that children/teens who dress immodestly reflects laziness and/or irresponsibility of parents.

I know some will say “I have freedom in Christ to dress however I see fit.” “I dress for comfort first.” “It’s 110 degrees outside! What wrong with wearing this?” But when discussing the freedoms we have in Christ, Paul say “But be careful that this right of yours [to freedom] in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak” (1Corinthians 8:9). In other words, if the way you dress is likely provoke men with sinful thoughts, then you shouldn’t wear it. Christians are called t live lives that are holy for the Lord (see John 14:14 ff, 1 Peter 1:16 & 2 Peter 3:11), we must “in humility consider others as more important than [ourselves]” (Philppians 2:3).”

I challenge fathers to step up & confront the flesh nature within you. You know how the male gender thinks. You know that the road between noticing an attractive girl and sexual sin is a shorter road than most are willing to admit. Let’s strive for holiness in our families! Promote a god-honoring body image. We must take seriously the responsibility we have of being the father and to train both our sons and daughters how to dress and to be aware of how our decisions affect others. 

I challenge mothers to overcome their “need” to focus on the “cuteness” of how they and their daughters dress and focus on the decision-making skills and worldview they are modeling for their daughters.

Mothers and fathers must stand unified in battle against immodesty! It is my prayer that Christian parents will begin to seriously consider the effects of immodesty and encourage one another to do the same.

A Nation in Repentance

One of my favorite books of the Old Testament is Nehemiah. I love reading about a man who, moved with compassion, sets off to accomplish a monumental “God-sized” task. While reading through the last few chapters of Nehemiah last night, some news stories I have read and heard over the last few days resonated within my soul (see links below). Beginning in chapter 8 (arguably the whole book), there is an account recorded of a revival of sorts in Jerusalem. There is a somewhat long discourse in chapter 9 which God’s faithfulness is examined. Several times statements similar to this one are made following a description of an event in Israel’s history: “In your great mercies you did not . . . forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God” What a message to Christians in America!

Though our nation’s history is being re-written, though it seems that the founding documents of our great country are, themselves, being deemed “unconstitutional,” though the tides have turned on the position of the Christian church in America, God is gracious and merciful. His love is everlasting, and “His faithfulness reaches to the skies.” (Jeremiah 31:3; Psalm 36:5)

The days of general acceptance and, if nothing else, toleration for Christians is long gone. Christians, we are losing a battle that many aren’t aware that we are in. Attacked on more fronts than we realize, the Christian community is being mocked and degraded, perhaps for no other reason than in attempt to appease a lost world’s own conscience.

I’m not suggesting that we take up arms in Washington. I’m not suggesting we buy lots of poster board and “demand our rights” in a rally. As the Hebrews did in the days of Nehemiah, we must stand up and worship the Lord God Almighty. We must dig in our heels and stand firm on the Word of God. Trust in His proven faithfulness. And, above all else, pray. (See Ephesians 6 for list of weapons of war.)

In the (baptized) words of Aaron Tippin:

You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything
You’ve got to be the Lord’s man (or woman) not a puppet on a string
Never compromise what’s right and uphold [His] family name
You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything*

Ok, so maybe that’s a stretch, but the point is: Our culture is against us and rightfully so (1 John 3:13). We must preach Christ and Him crucified regardless of the “shame” it brings us (1 Corinthians 4:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, and SBC Today article below). To that which we were called, we must be faithful. On the promises of God, we must stand firm. Or we will fall to the schemes of our Enemy!

We’ve enjoyed a “time of peace” for many years with the world on our home soil, but I think it’s safe to say that the era of American persecution of Christians is upon us. Christians, let us put on the full armor of God and prepare for the battle!

http://sbctoday.com/2010/04/16/how-lost-people-see-us/

http://www.albertmohler.com/2010/04/14/newsnote-aborting-the-wrong-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AlbertMohlersBlog+%28Albert+Mohler%27s+Blog%29

http://www.wfaa.com/news/national/90968019.html

*Lyrics from Aaron Tippin “You’ve Got to Stand for Something.”

Anxiety Attacks

That term, anxiety attacks, is not meant as a noun; rather it is a complete statement (noun + verb).

The Bible says: “How long will I store up anxious concerns within me, agony in my mind every day? How long will my enemy dominate me?”

The psalmist seems to be speaking here in immediate, physical terms. However, the reality of anxiety seems to support the notion that this can be understood in spiritual terms, as well. Our Enemy is after us (1 Peter5:8), and Paul makes it clear that we can give Satan “a foothold” in our lives through our emotions. “Be angry and do not sin…and do not give the Devil an opportunity.” (Eph. 4:26-27). If through anger we can give the Devil an opportunity, certainly, anxiety can do the same. Anxiety is, in it’s simplist spiritual terms, a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty. When I am anxious about life’s circumstances, I am essentially not trusting that God is in control. It’s quite easy, then, to see how the Devil can get a foothold here.

I have recently become familiar with the MercyMe song “Bring the Rain.” The lyrics of this song speak volumes to me because I can directly relate from my life. “I can count a million times people asking me how I can praise You with all that I’ve gone through…Can circumstances possibly change who I forever am in You? Maybe since my life was changed long before these rainy days, it’s never really ever crossed my mind to turn my back on you, oh Lord, my only shelter from the storm, but instead I draw closer through these times.”

Even in my short time on this earth, there have been times when I felt like the Disciples in the storm while Jesus slept in the boat (Mark 4:39-41) asking God “Don’t you care if I drown?” But my trust/faith in God is not, nor has ever been, an expression or result of the circumstances I am in. Even so, I find myself struggling with “control” from time to time.

I have been thinking quite a bit about anxiety over the last few weeks. My wife and I have seen some difficult circumstances in the last 10 years of our marriage. Through losing 2 children, being in a difficult church staff position (not the one I’m in now!!), living 12 hours away from all of our family, and others, we have seen God’s faithfulness both in good times and bad. Regarding anxiety, most recently, we have found ourselves in the process of searching for a house to buy and have been going through the stressful process of making an offer and waiting on the outcome, for the very first time. I know, I know…in the grand scheme of life, this is not a big deal like losing a loved one or something, but I do find the waiting and negotiating stressful.

I think Paul may have been familiar with anxiety in stress (see 2 Corinthians 11:24-27), so when he writes “do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. AND THE PEACE OF GOD…will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” he knows exactly what he is talking about (Phil. 4:6; emphasis mine). He understood that our hearts and minds need peace when anxiety is beating down the door. The only salve for an anxious, stressed-out heart is found in prayer which will ultimately lead to a submissive, humble heart that relies more and more on God’s sovereignty

Anxiety is a spiritual issue and is certainly an arena for spiritual warfare. We must guard our hearts and minds with the peace of God in Christ Jesus. This needs to be as much, if not more, offensive than defensive. Certainly when we become anxious, we should boldly approach the Throne of God per Hebrews 4:16 in response to life. However, we can be more prepared for anxiety if we have a guarded heart.

Lord, may my heart find contentment and trust in you and your unfailing love. When anxiety comes bursting through the door of my heart, may I quickly come before you laying by burdens at your feet. May a fortified wall of the peace of God be built around my heart and mind through prayer and petition.

The Caring Family

There are many things I love about being a part of FBC Keller. One of those things is how genuinly people care for each other, especially in the midst of tragedy. They truly care…emotionally, spiritually, physically. They don’t merely talk about caring, they actively, persistently, and consistently show it.

In an unexpected turn of events, a good friend (a husband & father of 7) passed away yesterday. Without delay, people rallied behind the family praying and looking for tangible ways to show support. When circumstances take a turn for the worst, this fellowship of believers become very tangible expressions of their faith in Christ and his love.

Though the circumstances are not desirable, it warms my soul to see and be allowed to participate in and be a part of FBC Keller.

Thank you, dear church, for the way you have reached out to this family! In times like these, you show that you truly are ‘the caring family!’ Keep it up!!