Love – Page 4 – Nickcarnes.com

October 29, 2009

I Consider Love as Wealth

I met today with George Robertson, the pastor of First Pres, where I work my day job. I asked him if he came across anything of value for a new, young pastor in his reading to feel free to recommend it to me.

He immediately grabbed something from his desk and said he did have something. He told me it dealt with handling criticism, which he was sure I had not heard any, but told me I could make a copy. I read it as soon as I got back to the office and thought I would post it hear on my blog for you all to read.

Now, I will be the first to admit. Okay, maybe my wife would be the first to admit about me and then I would be the second, that I am no stranger to being a critic. I feel I have made great improvements in keeping my mouth shut and my heart right towards people, but there are times I allow myself to be critical of people; so I am a work in progress and I know first hand that this practice is much easier said than done. I thought this would be healthy for anyone, check it out:

Handling the Criticism of Others That You Hear

Charles Simeon, Anglican Minister of the Holy Trinity Church in Cambridge, England from 1782 to 1836, speaks to the issue of protecting another’s reputation by the things we say and the things we believe. He wrote in July of 1817, “The longer I live, the more I feel the importance of adhering to the rules which I have laid down for myself in relation to such matters. First, to hear as little as possible what is to the prejudice of others. Second, to believe nothing of the kind until I am absolutely forced to it. Third, never to drink into the spirit of one who circulates an ill report. Fourth, always to moderate, as far as I can, the unkindness which is expressed towards others. Fifth, always to believe, that if the other side were heard, a very different account would be given of the matter. I consider love as wealth; and as I would resist a man who would come to rob my house, so would I a man who would weaken my regard for any human being.”

A huge task, but one I want to Conquer.

Join the Conversation…What’s your Thoughts?

August 19, 2009September 23, 2009

Love is Tough

I read the Bible and it makes love sound so easy. “Love God,” Love your Neighbor,” “Love One Another.” After all, love is a good thing, its one of those words that when you hear it, you think happy thoughts, right?

I think love is tough. Probably the toughest things to do. Its natural to be self absorbed but unnatural to be selfless. I don’t think you can have love without becoming selfless first. At New Passion Church we are emphasizing to our team that a part of our HEART is to have Authentic Community through Genuine Relationships. Its one of those spiffy sayings that can easily be said but overlooked. I know there have been many times that my intentions have been to love someone, but when it becomes difficult my natural tendency is to take the easy way out, give lip service but refuse to face or go through the difficulty to truly love an individual or a group of people.

I think God would agree with me that love is tough. I wonder if He ever had a conversation with himself about sending Jesus to die on the cross for people like us? I believe Jesus would agree that love is tough. Look at all He endured, yet on the cross made a plea for his father to forgive those who were murdering him. I think love is so tough and having authentic relationships is so difficult that God knew he had to keep it in front of us. “Live in Harmony with one another,” “Don’t let their be divisions in the body,” “Love your enemies.” Etc… Over and over again, we are being reminded to love each other. Why would we need reminding if it was such an easy task.

All of these things are easy, until you are faced with them & the difficulties & struggles that come along with them. However, I do not believe that you can truly have authenticity until you are willing to not only face those tough situations, their difficulties & their struggles, but to overcome them. We can emphasize our desire to have an authentic community all that we want, but it will never happen if we as individuals are not willing to actually love. Its not just a word…its a very difficult action. We cannot take the easy road of avoiding the struggles and difficulties in relationships, we have to choose to engage them head on.

I believe love is tough…what do you believe?

November 24, 2008August 19, 2009

Brenden Foster Dying Wish Update

11 year old Brenden Foster is no longer with us on this earth, but his legacy will live on. He lost his battle with cancer since I posted the first story about him HERE. As you can see in this new CNN Report, Brenden inspired several groups, including some schools to get involved in helping the homeless who are less fortunate than any of us who have the capabilities of viewing this blog right now.

I wonder how many of us would lie in a hospital bed with only a few days left on this Earth and instead of thinking about the sad state we were in, would spend our time thinking of others and how we could help them? I can’t help but to be inspired by Brenden. I can’t help but to ask myself, “What’s my excuse for sitting still?” I can’t help but to ask, “What’s your excuse for sitting still?” Shane preached this morning about “The Kingdom” and his main point was, The Gospel is lived out with your hands and feet, not your body in a seat.

If you live in the CSRA, especially if you attend The Church @ Greenbrier, you can join us at The Augusta Rescue Mission, this Thursday (yes that is Thanksgiving) to serve the poor and homeless a Thanksgiving meal. It starts at 9 a.m. and most people are working until 2 p.m., but you are free to leave earlier if you need to. Join the Conversation, What can you do to make Brenden’s dying wish come true?

Video URL: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2008/11/22/jaffe.wa.boy.dying.wish.obit.komo

November 21, 2008

Adoption Rocks with Long Sleeves

Look what I can do!

The cold weather is coming in, and I can still wear my “Adoption Rocks” t-shirt. My white thermal long sleeve shirt fits perfectly underneath and I must say they go perfect together!

Are you looking for a way you can be a help to someone this holiday season? Looking for a great Christmas gift for that friend or loved one? The Adoption Rocks t-shirt is that perfect gift. Not only are you giving someone a great gift they can use over and over again, but you are helping provide a new home for a baby girl or for two siblings.

My friend Neely and her husband Josh are on the waiting list to adopt a little girl or siblings from Africa. She had these t-shirts made up to help raise the money its costing them to make the adoption happen. You can go to http://www.onemomtrying.blogspot.com to read about their adoption journey, but also most importantly to help them make it happen. When you go to Neely’s blog, look to the right hand sidebar and there is an order form, select your size and color and then select the “Buy Now” button to place your secure order.

Don’t let the cold weather be an excuse not to help someone! Help provide a baby girl or siblings the warmth of a home and a loving family by buying a shirt today. In fact, I think it would be ok to buy 5 for Christmas gifts too! 🙂

November 4, 2008

Married for 8 Years Today

Today is a big day for me. I had the awesome responsibility to vote for our next President of the United States. I did so as a free man, there was no military presence at the voting precinct and I was not forced to vote against my will under threat of death. Today marks an even bigger day for me, it marks the day that 8 years ago my life was changed forever. It does not matter what direction our country turns in or if I had to live in a land full of oppression, I would still be the happiest man on earth, because I have the priviledge of being married to the love of my life and my best friend, Nicki. So today, this is a little of what I want to say to my wife…

On this day 8 years ago, you made the decision to start a new life journey with me. The many roads that we have traveled in these short 8 years have been full of twists and turns, hills and mountains, pot holes as well as smooth straight paths. I would be inaccurately describing it if I said it’s been anything short of an adventure.

Some of our roads were surprises while others have been of our own choosing, but no matter which road we’ve traveled we’ve come to the end together, and still we have many to complete.

I can easily say that after these 8 years we have a successful life. No we are not the wealthiest people on earth, ok, wealthy is not even in our dictionary, but we made decisions for our family that in 8 more years we will be thankful for. I cannot put a price tag on a loving wife that has sacrificed career and personal dreams to ensure that our children had a positive influence at home before being shipped off to school. The intelligence that our children have because of the influence of their mom is truly priceless and could never be copied by an outside daycare or child rearing source. I know at times its seems that your hard work making purses to help make ends meet goes unnoticed and is unappreciated, but I thank God for your dedication to our home, to our marriage, and to our children. In a self-serving and self-pleasing world I know that I have found a treasure in a woman who will put self aside for the good of her family. We are successful because we have 3 beautiful, healthy, smart, and loving children. All of them are growing into children, one day teenagers, and eventually adults who will be a blessing to the world around them; we’ve already seen this in their character and personality as they get older. I would trade riches any day for a beautiful, loving, healthy, and dedicated wife and for the three greatest children a man could ask for. This is just one of the many roads we are on, and when we get to the end of it, we will be a stronger couple, we will be stronger parents, and we will be stronger candidates for God to use. This 8 year journey has quickly passed us by and I can only hope that the next 8 will not be in such a rush to get here. Let’s not look too far in to our tomorrows, but savor all that God has blessed us with in all of our todays.

So, at the beginning of this new day together I thank you for sticking with me through all of my bone headed decisions; some turned out great while others made us dig to the surface just to get air. I thank you for being the best mom I could ever dream up for our children, for being a great influence on them, one that will lead them after Jesus throughout their entire life. I thank you for being dedicated to us, your family. I thank you for being you, and not anyone I may have tried to make you into over the years. I thank you for breakfast in the mornings and dinner in the evenings. I thank you for your creativity and allowing God to use those gifts He has given you. I thank you for allowing me to travel and experience some of my dreams while you hold down the fort at home. I thank you that you have given me the confidence and the trust that no matter where God leads us, whether it is a new town or just down the street you are going to be there with me when we get to the end of that road. Most of all, I thank you for loving me more than anyone ever has, more than anyone ever would, and more than anyone should. You are my very best friend…my everything! Happy 8^th Year Anniversary!

I Love You,

Nick