Be Strong!

How can we overcome intense trials and traumatic experiences? By clinging to and trusting in Jesus. God can cause good things to emerge from adversity, difficulties, and trials. Don't yield to the tendency to be paralyzed during difficult times but rise to the occasion and fight! Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, casting all your cares upon Him because He cares for you.
Confess God's word out of your mouth. Say out loud, "Romans 8:28 says that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose, and I believe that this trial will work out to my benefit because I put my faith, hope and trust in you Lord!" When we overcome adversity and overcome the trial, we become mature, complete and stronger!
Take what the enemy meant for harm and use it as a platform to propell you to the next level in your walk with God. Genesis 50:20, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good for the saving of many lives." Are you ready to go to the next level? Now stand up and fight!

Distractons in Life

Distractions in life don't occur when you're on vacation. Why? You bring exactly the clothes you want to wear. You don't have to open up your closet and see hundreds of shirts and pants and things you don't wear on a regular basis. You pair down your wardrobe to bring the things you really love to wear. You think about what you will eat, drink and wear. Maybe you just relax on the beach and read a good book.

I encourage you to start to get rid of distractions in your life, those things that clutter your life but don't produce fruit. It may seem like a simple thing to do, but it will produce profound results. I believe the reason Jesus went out early in the morning (Luke 4:42) was to be by himself without as as many distractions.

Today make your task list and do the things that are most important on your list first. Concentrate on getting rid of distractions and prioritize your time to maximize your day and increase your fruitfulness. Then relax, take a deep breathe, sit back, and sip on an ice cold glass of green tea.

"...and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25

The Simple Things in Life

Never underestimate the power of the spoken word. Proverbs 15:23 "What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Five years ago today my daughter, Amber, went to heaven to be with Jesus. When I think back about the time surrounding her passing, I remember the words of encouragement spoken to me by friends. Simple, heartfelt words and cards saying, "I'm praying for you." A phone call. A visit. It didn't take much, but the impact of these gestures was profound.

I recently helped my friend, Gail plant flowers. She is sprucing up her house to sell in a tough market. Gail and the rest of her family can't join her husband in another state until the house sells. Planting flowers with a friend may seem insignificant, but I am trusting that God will multiply what I gave and make a profound impact. I prayed while I planted, trusting that God would bring just the right people to buy the house. I encouraged Gail. Take what you have and give it in service to God. The impact you make will be profound!

The Biggest News!

The biggest news in the McCarter household took place on May 29. It was the wedding of my son, Zach, to his highschool sweetheart, Claire. Zach and Claire are passionate about Jesus. Both worked hard in school and graduated at the top of their class with degrees in political science. Zach is stationed at Scott Air Force Base working in intelligence. Claire works at McKendree University in student affairs. True love can and does still wait; Zach and Claire are proof of that! Thank you, Jesus for blessing and rewarding Zach and Claire. God has blessed them richly because they have honored and served Him. Isn't God amazing!

Stretch into It!

After recovering from a knee injury, I finished running my 10th big race, the Country Music Half Marathon. Long, steady stretching has been key in my recovery. It hurt to stretch my injured muscles, but the outcome has been profound; I can now run again! Christianity is a stretching process. Just when you think you've got it all together, the Holy Spirit will allow you to be stretched beyond your comfort zone. Without stretching an injured athlete can lose his/her range of motion and may never fully heal. Without stretching a Christian will never reach his/her full potential. Next time you feel the stretching of the Holy Spirit, lean into it! You will be able to do things you never dreamed were possible!

I Finished the Race!

I crossed "run a marathon" off my bucket list by conquering the Chicago Marathon on 10-10-10. I've since learned to have a new respect for anyone who has ever ran a marathon. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.

Starting off the race was easy, the day was beautiful and fall was in the air. At mile 9 the toes on my left foot began to throb. Around mile 13 the shade disappeared and the sun began to beat down with a vengeance. At mile 15 the pain in my left my toes moved to my knee. I prayed and spoke encouraging words to myself. I visualized Jesus carrying my daughter, Amber, across the finish line. So giving up was no longer an option.

At mile 20 I was thinking "this is the furthest I had ever run" in my training runs. It really felt like a good place to stop as runners all around me were giving up. It was then I overheard a pacer speaking words of encouragement to another runner. "If you feel like stopping, don't. Just slow down your pace and keep running." I grabbed a hold of those words.

How I finished I'm not really sure, it just happened by the grace of God. I had been meditating on, "I will run and not become weary, I will walk and not faint or fall down." I thought about raising money for Mercy Ministries and how I did not want to raise money for a race I did not finish.

As I crossed the finish line I was overcome with joy, I did not quit! I fought the good fight, I finished the race!

Carry Me to the Finish Line

Today I am quoting from Mercy graduate Kristin Johnson, who spoke to my running group before their half-marathon. "I would encourage you to think on how Mercy Ministries is a vessel of God's love that's transforming the lives of young women who desperately need hope. You are standing in the gap for them to reach that finish line that seems impossible to them.
There will probably be a moment your run that might be challenging,and in that moment the most powerful strength that God is going to give you is by envisioning Jesus carrying a weak and exhausted Mercy Ministries girl in His arms crossing that finish line with the prize of restoration and transformation for these woman who deserve their freedom, and ultimately defeating the enemy".
I will visualize this when my marathon is challenging, Jesus carrying a Mercy girl across the finish line! Thank you, Kristen, for sharing these words. You are my hero! You inspire me!