Have you ever charged your phone overnight only to wake up and find that your phone hasn’t charged at all?

🔌The cord is plugged in to the phone, but it’s not plugged in to the wall. This happened to me today.

I was about to open my bible before a busy Sunday. But I had already been up for 45 minutes doing busy work around the house. And I felt my flesh starting to rise up in worry and doubt. So I came into my room to have a moment of renewal. That’s when I found my phone not charged.

Just like our phones, we need charging. Our charge comes from the Holy Spirit, which comes from Jesus, which comes from God.

The Bible tells us that they are 3 separate entities in 1.

Pretend with me that, If we are the phone, the cord is the Holy Spirit, and if all of the adapters are Plugged in, then, Jesus, and all the wiring that gives it energy, the breaker box, is God. When we’re all plugged in the right way, have faith and believe, we get a charge that lasts all day long.⚡️

Jesus tells us in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”🙏🏻

God talks to you and me when we are fully plugged in and charged. The Holy Spirit leads us and speaks on our behalf. The Bible says he “Intercedes” for us.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, he said, “Our Father who art in Heaven, holy is your name.”⛪️

Shortly After this prayer, he told them in Luke 11:13, ” If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”🕊

We can’t just say we are Christians without being fully plugged in and charged. The bad news…God + You does not equal Christian.

The Good News is that God IN You = Christian. May we be fully charged today!⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

Carrie On and Stay High on Him who is higher!⤴️

Colossians 3

And Remember that Jesus Loves you a lot! ❤️

…. says my 9 year old quietly in a room full of 4th grade students and parents.

With little quiet time and a lot of busy “Week of Christmas” business, these words hit me like a ton of bricks!

I had to stop, look him in the eyes, and say, “You’re right baby, HE DOES! He fights for me too. ”

Hello from your local 4th grade Room Mom.

Crafts, thanks to my mom, are enjoyable for me. In an effort to keep our 4th grade Christmas Craft Christ centered, I asked the students to think of an adjective to describe Jesus.

I told them that the angels worshiped him, the shepherds, and the wise men worshiped Him, so we should too.

I wrote the alphabet in the chalk board and asked them to give me a word that starts with ‘A’ to describe Jesus. “Amazing!” Shouted a girl. “Brilliant!”, my son said. ‘C’ was hard. I had to help them with that one. But we made it all the way to the end of the alphabet.

Then I told them to pick their favorite word to make a bracelet with. I encouraged them to be creative, and if their word wasn’t on the board, they could use any word they wanted to.

As I was measuring wrists and cutting string for them to thread the letter beads on, a mom said that my son needed some help. And in a concerned tone she said, “He chose ‘FIGHT’ as his word.”

I was a little confused as to why he chose that word. So I asked him why he chose ‘FIGHT’.

In my mind I was asking myself, “Was he even listening?”, “Is he just trying to show off in front of his friends?” Or “Does he fight with the thought of Jesus?”

So I asked, “Foster, why did you choose the word ‘FIGHT’?” He said very matter of fact, “Because He FIGHTS for me!”

My heart swelled with relief and joy that he’s retaining the knowledge that he’s learning at home, school and at church.

In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that, in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Your work on this earth, For Him, will be blessed! Keep up the GOOD FIGHT!

So Stay High and Carrie On!

Jesus Loves you!

Merry Christmas! ❤️🌲🙏🏻

Carrie

Do you remember a day, long ago, when you looked up in your daddy’s eyes and begged, “Daddy, will you carry me?”

I do! And I remember the first day he said, “I can’t carry you any more, you’re too big.”

Well, there’s a Heavenly Father who can carry you and me forever. And we, in turn, can “Carry” out His Commands.

In Isaiah 63:9, Isaiah praises and prays, ” In all their distress, He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them; He lifted them up and CARRIED them all the days of old.”

Isn’t that beautiful!?!?! He carries us!

When He carries us, we should do as it says in verse 7, “I will tell of the kindness of the Lord, the deeds for which He is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us-Yes! The many Good things He has done..”

We may feel tossed about by the waves of the world’s uncertainty, but God is carrying His people. He says so. He promises to. He was, is, and will be because He is who He says He is.

So, if we Love Jesus, in turn, we must be faithful to carry out His Commands. I John 5:1-5 says, “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves His Father, loves His Child as well. This is how we know that we love the Children of God: by loving God and CARRYING out His commands. This is Love for God: to CARRY out His commands. And this is not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only He who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

So, whether we are in distress or just need to feel His protection, Cry out to God and ask Him to Carry You.

“Daddy, carry me!”

And, in Praise, We shall carry out His commands.

We Love, Because He first loved us. We carry out His commands because He carries us.

So Carrie On! Remember! Jesus Loves you!

Stay High! Colossians 3

Have you ever seen the miracle of someone dying and being raised back to life?

I have. Just a couple of weeks ago, while my dad was in the hospital recovering from a stent placement. While waiting on the discharge instructions, we were talking , when all of a sudden, he gasped for breath.

He was having a heart attack. His heart stopped. I called for help. I prayed.🙏🏻

The nurses and respiratory staff performed life saving measures. God intervened.

His heart started again.

Praise God! 🙌🏼🙏🏻🙌🏼

When they removed the intubation tube the next day, he ask me what happened. “Why did I have that tube shoved down my throat? That was the torture chamber!”

I explained to him what happened the previous day.

He said, “Why didn’t you let me go? I’ve had a good life. Y’all would be celebrating either way.”

My dad is a Godly man. He knows that he will be spending eternal life in heaven. He’s not afraid to die. He’s right. We celebrate his living. But, when Christians die, we celebrate living forever in heaven. So either way, we get to celebrate.

“It’s not your time yet, dad”, I replied.

Do you have that assurance? Do you know where you’ll go when you die? That kind of eternal confidence comes from knowing the God who made you. The God who sent Jesus to save you.

If you don’t know him yet, you can. It’s never too late.

Jesus Loves you! He invites you and me daily to have a relationship with him.

As for my dad, he is now, 2 weeks later, at home recovering and grateful for a second chance at life.

God is not done with him yet. He has a purpose and a plan for my dad that is yet to be known.

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future. May God bring you and your loved ones to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

So for today, I will Carrie On and Stay High on Him who saves! I hope you will too! ❤️

And remember, Jesus Loves you!❤️

Carrie

Today, July 4th, we remember. 🇺🇸

At least we should remember the men who risked it all. They knew they may lose their lives and they took that chance. They hoped to build a better future beyond what they would ever know or experience. They honored those that would come after them enough to say, “enough is enough!” They put their signature on the Document that is the foundation of our great country. 🇺🇸

It’s called courage. They made the sacrifice. They had grit. They were mentally tough. They suffered for what was right. They paid a price. Some of them experienced financial distress, loss, heartache, and even death, so that we could live in this free country. Did they really know the wealth and opportunities? No, that they would never know.

These men trusted in God. They had a higher calling. They moved ahead regardless of the haters. They were valiant in their mission. They were warriors for a cause. They were our Founding Fathers.

I’m thankful for them. 🙏🏻

May we have such a passion for what is right and true. May we build a better country for those who come after us. It’s not about us. It’s about our calling. What is your mission?

He’s calling us to to something bigger than ourselves. There’s a man named Jesus who made a sacrifice. He too was courageous to fight for what was right so we could experience freedom.

So today, remember those who came before us.

And keep fighting the good fight.

Carrie on and Stay High!

Jesus did. He loves you! ❤️

Happy Fourth!🇺🇸❤️

What’s yours? If you haven’t read Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages for….” couples, kids, teens, etc. Then, let me go ahead and say it…You should.

I always thought my love language was obvious. However, after dropping hints, being brutally honest, and whining that mine weren’t met, then I gave my husband the test. I wanted him to see that I was meeting his love language so that he would meet mine. After all, I was doing all those things that I was taught to do in premarital counseling 20 years ago, right? I knew him well.

Guess what!?! I was wrong. This journey to get him to meet my needs helped me to meet his needs too. 👍In fact, isn’t that how relationships work? As soon as selfishness and blame sets in, its time to look in the mirror.

As Michael Jackson says, “If you want to make the world a better place, just look at yourself and make that change.”

Or as the Bible says in Matthew 7:3-5,

“Why do look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

When we took the test together, both of our eyes were opened to the truth. See, I had no idea that his love language is “receiving gifts”.

“Wait! What?!?” Whoops! 😆 Problem!

The Light bulb moment!…”He doesn’t need gifts! But, he wants them.” Small tokens of appreciation in the form of a box or a bag make him happy. Especially when it comes from me.

Here’s what happens in marriage, time passes, comfort sets in.

Side note: In case you’re interested, my best marriage advice after 24 years of marriage….DON’T EVER get comfortable! Spice it up! 💃🏻

Here’s what happened….When I had my first child, after I stopped working, I stopped spending money frivolously on gifts and such because I didn’t feel like I was contributing. And because we had a joint account that he checked in on daily, he would never be surprised. Therefore, he wasn’t receiving gifts from me. I was a failure at meeting his love language. 😩 This was a huge “wake up call” to reality for me. It’s tough to admit when we are wrong. But we have to. And ask for forgiveness so we can be forgiven.

I had to figure out a strategy to get enough cash put away to get unexpected gifts. It’s a little tricky, but I’m figuring it out.

There are other ways that he loves to be loved. I had to adjust my schedule and routine also. I got so caught up in being a good mom, that I was a bad wife. It’s common. But moms have to find a balance. Leave those kids and get out to enjoy life. That life that God gave you before kids is a good life. Don’t leave it in the past. Dig it up from the grave. Dust it off and shine it up.

Now, we even communicate differently. We have text capability that we didn’t have 24 years ago. Cell phones weren’t as popular and text wasn’t out when we got married.

But now, we even have our own love (text ) language. I make up acronyms to text to each other that we know between the 2 of us exclusively. And I like it when he remembers to text them to me.😍

Don’t let your marriage get boring. Figure out your mate’s Love Language and Speak that love language as often as you can. ❤️

Let me know how it goes. 😊

And Carrie On, because marriage can get hard if you let it. Stay High and don’t ever stop being the best spouse you can be.

Colossians 3

And remember, stay close to Jesus! He Loves you both!❤️❤️

Carrie

I must confess, I’m a mean girl sometimes. It’s usually in my home. I’m most mean to the ones I love the most. I have a quick reaction and can be mean. …..As if that helps!🙄

On the good days, I have another reaction.

… to Be Nice!

Here’s how….Ask God for help, and ask, “What do you want for me here?” He will help and guide you. Trust in Him.

So I’m writing this to remind myself too, “It doesn’t matter how you feel, Be Nice!”😬

Smile, 😄hug, 🤗look them in the eye, 🤓be gentle, 🤚🏻and be nice! 😘

In my opinion, if the Fruits of the Spirit (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self Control, Gentleness, and Faith) could be bound up in 2 words, it would be these 2, “Be Nice.”

Even though you’ve been disappointed, misunderstood, forgotten, disregarded, ignored, hurt, or just had a a bad day, be like Jesus, Be Nice.

After all, its not about you and me. It’s all about sharing God’s love. ❤️

Are you feeling mean?

The Bible prepares us for days such as these. God’s word compares Christians to fruit 🍇🍎🍑and temples. ⛪️🕍💒

Fruit: He is the Vine and we are the branches. Branches get pruned. We get the selfishness removed. We get the bad cut out. It’s not pretty at first, but in time, with God’s help, we bloom. 💐

Temples: He also tells us that we are His temple. The Old Testament temple started in a tent, then was extravagantly built, knocked down, and rebuilt. Then, Jesus came to make us a temple. 💒

Now, with New Testament teaching, we are a bunch of little temples walking around praising and worshiping Jesus in our hearts. May we be a beautiful temple inside and out. May we be worthy of His worship.

I’m no theologian, but I can guarantee that, if you are a practicing Christian, you are growing and changing, so you have had your heart pruned. If your are a Christian, maybe your heart has been recently updated. Out with the old! In with the new!

The growing, pruning, rebuilding process isn’t easy, but oh so worth it!

We don’t invite these seasons into our lives. No, sometimes we even reject them. But we can’t prevent them. In fact, we may not want it, but we need it. So, allow God to make you, mold you, prune you, remake you into the Christian he has purposed you to be. And Be Nice.

Don’t let your witness suffer during the process. Oh, but if you blow it, make a mean face, or lose it all together, just ask for forgiveness. Readjust your attitude, and Carrie on. In fact, turn those thoughts up to heaven and Stay High! Colossians 3 says you can!

He Loves you! Jesus really loves you so much, that He showed you the Best Nice. When we lay down our life for one another, we are like Him. So, crucify your desire to dish out mean, and, instead, be nice.

We can, because He did!

Carrie On and Stay High!

In His Love, Carrie

All my Cheer friends!….Sing it!

Elevate Your Mind, Whoo! Get Yourself Together! Whoo! Elevate Your Mind! Whoo! Get Yourself Together! Whoo!

As I was journaling my prayer today, I thanked God for lifting my mood and my attitude.

Thank You Jesus! 🙏🏻

To be honest, I have serious issues with negativity. I can find all the possible wrong in a good situation.

Before I leave to go out of town, I’m a complete worry wart!

Of Course, I am on the beach with my favorite peeps. The weather is nice. I really have nothing to complain about.

But isn’t that how Satan tries to steal our joy? He puts these negative thoughts in our head like, “You’re only going to be there a couple of days.” “You’re not pretty enough to wear that bathing suit.” “You didn’t have time to get your nails done and they look aweful!” “What? You want to wear that old thing?!? It’s so last year!” “You can’t even get outfits together for a family photo!” “You’re going to blow it!”

Before I know it, I’m ready to throw in the towel, quit, cancel my reservation, and go hide under a blanket!

I’m so thankful for Jesus and the Holy Spirit, because, if I stop long enough to get my head straight, He whispers sweet love to me. God did not give us a sprit if fear, but of power over Satan!

Satan out! Jesus in!

Remember! Jesus Loves you! He loves you a lot! He wants to prosper you! He wants you to enjoy His creation! He made it for you! so pack that bag! Get out of town! Write that book! Call that friend! Whatever it is you know God wants you do, but Satan discourages you from doing, do it! The blessing is waiting for you.

He loves you! So Stay High! And Carrie On!

Love,

Carrie

As I sat listening to a local hometown hero giving my boys hitting lessons, I realized, I got more out of his hitting tips than they did.

As I usually do, I applied it to life.

⚾️💥Baseball Connection: They have to see the bat hit the ball every time they step up to the plate. Visually, mentally, and physically, they have to connect.

🙏🏻Life Connection: We have to connect with the Trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) every day they we wake up. Praise, Prayer, and adoration aren’t natural at the beginning of a Christian’s life, but we can make it so by daily practice. Then, over time, it becomes habit and as natural as talking. Thus, we can hit a daily life “Home Run”.

We were created to connect with one another. Fellowship with one another is so key to getting through this life. Friends carry one another, encourage, support, laugh with, and help one another. We aren’t meant to battle this life alone.

⚾️💥Balance: A baseball player must keep his balance from hip – leg – torso proportion to Connect well and hit it hard in order to get a base Hit or a “dinger” ( as my guys call it).

🙏🏻Life Balance: We all are Physical, Psycological, And Spiritual human beings with needs in all 3 areas. We need balance in all 3 of these areas of our lives.

I was in Nursing School at Mississippi College in the early 90s. Our professors would encourage us to tend to the whole patient. We would exam the patients from head to toe. Therefore, physically, we could help them. We would ask open ended, objective questions. Therefore, the psychological person was included. We were reminded to listen well and consider the patient’s emotions. And then, they would encourage us to “Ask them if they would like for you to pray with them.” They are, and we all are, spiritual beings too.

⚾️💥The baseball “Wait for it”: Wait for the ball. If a player swings too early, the bat will miss the ball entirely or hit the ball wrong. There will be a foul ball off to one side. If the player can wait just a second more, the connection, and the balance, with that little bit of time allows the batter to make a beautiful hit off the “Sweet” spot of the bat. The crowd and his team will cheer him on as he runs the bases. The player himself will feel the sense of confidence in his efforts. The ballgame will be in his favor.

🙏🏻The Life “Wait for it”: Gods timing is not our timing. We want what we want immediately. But, if we are patient to pray and wait on God, our outcome is so much better. Our lives will benefit from the blessings that only flow from heaven above! And there’s no better life than that which is in connection, balance, and patience with the God everlasting.

I pray that we can all find Connection, Balance, and Patience when we step up to the home plate. What is your home plate? Your mission? Your calling? I pray we all hit a “Home Run” in this game of life.

Remember: Jesus Loves You!

So Carrie On and Stay High!

Love,

Carrie

Do you enjoy a good run? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Yes?

Oh good! 🙋🏻‍♀️

Me too! Let’s talk.

There are so many analogies in scripture to life and running.

In the Bible, Paul talks about running.

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, ” …all runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run such a race as to get the prize.”

Philippians 3:12b states, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Just like running a race, the Christian life requires confidence and trust in the process. It requires faith. We have to believe in the end result. We have to possess hope that, what we may thought impossible, is possible.

When we get tired, we nourish ourselves with His word. He is like refreshing water to the soul. When we don’t think we can go any further and we want to quit, He carries us.

I am a believer that Jesus allows the Christian who endures the trials of life and presses on through the hard times to enjoy the benefits of the “Runners High”. Those of us running with Him do get a prize. We get to enjoy a taste of heaven on earth. We get the hope of eternity.

First, We have to commit to His plan. Then, we train. We have to do it right. Obedience has rewards. It takes discipline, sacrifice, prayer, and self control. In Philippians 4:13 Paul tells us that “We can do everything through Christ who strengthens us!”

Have you run a race? Are you running the Christian race?

You can! With Jesus, you can!

….step by step.

So Stay High! And Carrie on!

Jesus Loves you!

Carrie