daniel troy carmichael

True Loyalty: A Rare Thing

O Lord God, I pray for wisdom to know in whom to trust and the wisdom to see those who seek to deceive me and are unworthy of my loyalty and trust. --dtc

 

I have about fifty or so topics in my bloging notepad (I use Thingamablog as my notepad for drafts and editing and a customized Host Forest for my web site, which is the interface you're using now). Periodically, I troll through my notes and scraps and pull out something that interests me, then work on it. Hence today's post, one I started somewhere around July or August of this past year....

I've noticed over my short life that I tend to be more loyal to others than they are to me. Truthfully, I am unsure if I have met anyone outside of my family that exhibits loyalty to the degree I do. I'm not saying this is a good thing, but "it is what it is". Perhaps it is the way I was raised....regardless, I have found it has harmed me more often and more severely than I believe it has helped me over the years.

One of the most damaging abuses of my loyalty was in late 2002; my career was abruptly destroyed by some whom I had been loyal to, helping and protecting them in a corporate environment, doing what was best for them and not just looking out for myself. My reward (in the natural) was the almost complete destruction of my career, irreparable damage to my reputation, and a host of many other things, including the eventual loss of my home.

That painful time really identified the fact that I had thrown pearls before swine to those quite unworthy of my loyalty and devotion. It was partly the result of my naiveté, the loss of which has made me more pragmatic and practical (at best) or cynical and pessimistic (at worst). I realized then that deception is one of the most evil of sins because deception trifles with the goodly affections of those much better. It preys upon the kind, compassionate, and goodhearted.

I realize now that I cannot help but be loyal--it's my make up, how I was designed and raised. But what I realize now is that if I want to measure the worthiness of being loyal to any man I must first examine the quality of loyalty and trust he places in others. Only then I can measure what quality of man he is and the worthiness--if any--he has for any sacrifice of my own loyalty. I use this principle often now in fathoming the character of a man.

As I've watched folks through the years go through their own crises of betrayals and shattered loyalties, I find myself confronted with the example of Jesus toward both Peter and Judas. He loved them both, was loyal to both. One betrayed, and took his life in remorse, the other denied--but was restored by Him who the Bible says is always loyal, for even if we are faithless, He is faithful. God is always worthy of our loyalty.

Faith or Presumption?

"The Leap of Faith" from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

 

Perhaps one of the most used movie scenes in describing faith is the one pictured, above, where Indiana Jones, moments from discovering the Holy Grail, has to take the "Leap of Faith" across the great crevasse.  Of course, unlike in real life, the moment he takes that first step in faith, the rest of the way appears: a bridge to the other wall.

Over the past 10 years, I've had several folks mention this scene to me, to apply it in my life. From a prophecy in the Fall of 1997 to comments made to me recently, it has served as a good word picture over the years. For me, it is this action in face of doubt--faith--that I sometimes find overwhelming. During those times, I must press in even harder to God, applying anew the crucifixion of my flesh, the soul of me that seeks to exalt itself above trust in God. It sounds all neat and tidy, here in black and white text....but in reality, though, it's an organic and bloody mess.

Two years ago, a friend of mine sent me his thoughts on faith versus presumption. He did not know at the time that I was headed into a crisis of faith--one I would remain in for considerable time. With his permission, I share Britt's comments, below, from an email I have kept in my inbox for two years now. Enjoy:

 

April 2, 2006

I was praying this evening and this hit me,

What is the difference between faith and presumption, for presumption can look and feel and interact EXACTLY as faith does, however the two get different results.

Faith get God’s movement.

Presumption gets you in trouble.

Faith inspires action.

Presumption earns dishonor.

Faith saves lives and creates heroes in God.

Presumption kills, embarrasses, and emasculates.

Faith wins.

Presumption breeds false hope, and results in disappointment.

Faith sees God.

Presumption sees only the point at which it is pointed, never deeper.

Faith gives rise to grater faith.

Presumption fertilizes doubt.

Faith pleases God.

Presumption is sin.

Faith sees Jesus.

Presumption sees only the misapplied vision.

 

They seem exactly alike to the one who has them, only the results prove which is which.

What is the difference then?

 

The difference is where the inspiration for Faith comes from. Faith is inspired from the presence of Jesus himself.

Presumption is inspired from man and his kingdoms.

Presumption is a function of believing, it is just belief in systems other that what the presence of Jesus causes to be.

 

It is God who gives faith. Faith is the thing that hatches greatness in God, because of time spent with Him.

Faith reaches for Jesus, sees Jesus, obtains Jesus.

 

Blessings,

Britt

Why is it SO hard to trust?!

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord... Jeremiah 17:7

 

Well, I'm going through it again. The battle against the enemy Fear has been different the past several years--and especially since the fast I wrote about in this post--yet it still is a battle. (You may also want to visit this post if you are curious about my recent journey alongside fear.)

Knowing all the Words, like "God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7) or "My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19), is a good place to start, and I feel Its quickening in my soul. Yet, there is also a hunger for the changing touch of God--that moment in His Presence that changes life forever. There is something in me that longs for His Presence moreso than the words of the Bible. I need (want?) a manifestation from the Spirit into the soul and to the body.

We all have areas of weakness (at least, I want to believe that because I have so many!). Fear is evidently a big one for me, especially when it comes to providing for my family. My current struggle involves the future and what it holds: the complete uncertainty of being able to provide for my family how I would like to. You would think I should be use to it by now, as this seems to be the story of the last 17 years of my life.

It is a struggle because of the pain between where I want to be and where I am. For many years, I've tried and prayed to have my desires and ambitions stripped away and lowered--to meet the level of provision I am at. But God appears to want those desires to remain in me as they are, at least for now. And that creates the pressure from where I am to where I desire to be. Does that mean He intends to fulfill the desires I have? or that they're sin? or that they're there simply there to cause me pain? I don't know--it would be nice to have some rema Word on that.

It seemed so simple when I was only responsible for me....I mean, really, I can suffer a lot easier by myself if I have to; just taking care of oneself is a simple task: it is a lot easier to change directions, change jobs, move homes, follow God to different places, deal with the pain of life--if you're on your own. But God calls us to more than that. He calls us to take on responsibility for others and things bigger than ourselves. More than we can possibly do on our own.

For me, it is not really a fear that there will NOT be provision, but it is, instead, fearing the pain and discomfort aspect of what and when and how that provision will come. It's my flesh and soul trying to find comfort and security in things and knowledge, and not in God. I so desire to trust in my skills, talents, abilities, and bank account--all of which I realize are broken. It irritates me that my trust is not in God, where I want it to be.

My mind is unable to wrap itself around the pain, emotions, hope, fear, faith of the situation. It is beyond what my natural mind can comprehend: Is it time for action? Or for waiting to see God's deliverance? Is it the time for being extremely pragmatic and conservative? Or is it the time for unbridled optimism and audacious risk taking? Somewhere in between?

I want to move in faith, but don't know how (hello! faith is not something we "know" to do!). I could choose to reach out with my mind and just "believe" that everything will be ok--and call it faith--but that smacks to me more like presumption than faith. Yet, without a specific Word (rema) from God, I have nothing to step out in faith on. With no Word to step out on in faith, and not willing to do what I believe is presumption, then I am left with the practical alternative to use my brain and make the best choice in the situation I face--the outcome of which seems very painful!

But if that's what I must do, then my faith is simply to put trust in God that He'll move in the situation, somehow. Then why is that so difficult? Why is it SO hard to trust? Do I just let go of all reason and ignore all the world around me and believe something simply because I want that outcome? I think not. Lord teach me.... Lord, help me to trust you.

 

Thoughts?

In the Presence of Lions

Even Daniel had to spend a night in the lion's den. God wants to see if your faith is as strong in the presence of your enemies as it is in their absence. Jim Laffoon, "Our Daily Blog"

I woke up in the middle of the night this morning. It was one of those rare night terrors I have that, when waking, I know not whether it is a revisit of the ancient demonic or simply a physiological and psychological phenomenon. Regardless of the source, I was up for a while after that, praying, even calling my wife in California, who was still up at almost 3:00 AM my time, to agree with me in prayer.

With that in mind, when reviewing my long list of "To Blog" topics, I thought the Daniel quote appropriate for today. While I would take exception of Laffoon's quote being interpreted as a strict theological statement (e.g. God already knew the nature of Daniel's faith and there was an angel in the den with him), I believe the principle is often true.

God the Father, Who knows us and loves us and desires for us to become more like His Son, allows us to go through times of faith and stress in the presence of our enemies. Holy Spirit, given to us, is there as a Counselor, Guide, and Comforter. As we go through these situations, we learn more about us and of Him upon Whom we place our trust.

All this to say that I believe God gives us divine opportunities, uncomfortable as they may be, to strengthen and deepen our faith and trust in Him. He wants us to find our security not in what is going on about us or how He is moving in our life but, simply, in Who He Is. This is where I find myself today as I ponder and explore my future and that of my family. I want to find my security in Who He Is.

The Great Redeemer, in spite of.....

Lord, please use me because of me, not in spite of me.... dtc

 

Recently I was thinking of several of the Christian men in my past who treated me wrongly, in a manner that was not Christlike. I was thinking of them without the need to forgive and without bitterness because most (if not all) of that junk has been dealt with.

Theses men, to various degrees, have been used greatly in ministry. One of these men I hear of almost weekly and of how many thousands of lives have been affected for the Gospel through his ministry. It is true. Regarding this man, I have for twenty years believed the Scripture's truth that God's Word never returns without affect. I've also believed that, like this man, there are plenty of examples throughout Scripture of God using people not BECAUSE OF their great walk with Him, but IN SPITE OF their poor walk with Him.

All this thinking, at a weekly prayer meeting no less, led me to thinking about some prayers I have prayed over the years. I have always prayed that God would use me in spite of myself, and I still ask that. I know I am fallible and so I desire to never be that Christian man in someone else's life that has hurt them so much or exemplified a life contrary to Christ.

Yet now, on top of that prayer, I am asking that God would use me in this life out of a place of strength in Him, not weakness. I want to be faithful and diligent in His character and I desire that He never again need use me in spite of my moral failings, but because of His great Power and Spirit in me that leads me to live a righteous life, unashamed in its scrutiny.

My prayer is now beyond, "Lord, please use me in spite of who I am," and on to, "Lord, please use me because of who I am in You!"

January at a Glance: Photos

Well, it's that time of the month, again! I enjoy putting these Month-at-a-Glance posts together because it becomes my memory bank of family events and activities. These pictures begin the day after these last ones were taken.

 

NEW YEAR'S DAY

We were down at Dellmont and Loch Haven with the grandchildren of the Deakle's and lifelong friends, next-door-neighbors, and pastors the Binegar's. The Binegar clan, unlike the Deakle Clan (my family and nieces from Ashley's side of the family), had never been to Dellmont and, hence, were interested in some of the old Plantation-era structures....

 

The menfolk siting in the 5-Holer (ahem, that's a five-hole outhouse for those of you too civilized-like to know). We got to sit where my forefarters sat well over a century ago.....

 

 

Not to be outdone, the ladyfolk in the 5-Holer. I had to explain to them the Sear's catalog, red corn cobs, and white corn cobs thing. And, if you don't know what I'm talking about, I double-dog dare you to leave a comment below and ask!

 

They say that the sum total of teenage brains being used is inversely proportional to the number of teenagers in the group. In this case, there were seven so only one-seventh of a brain was being used by the group! Elizabeth Grace (Campbell) and Lauren Claire decided to jump off the floating dock--in their full clothes--on a cold, cold New Year's Day....

 

 

Of course, Ben Hightower (of the Binegar clan) decided to follow the girls in...... He's a bit cold, now that he's out!

 

 

After jumping in, they had to paddle themselves back in the paddleboat....you can tell the wiser ones, they're dry! Hmmmm, with that look on Ben's face, I almost expected him to say, "Honey, I'm home!" (ala Jack Nicholson, I'll say no more....)

 

 

Of course, Loch Haven and the wood-burning stove was a great place for the first cousins to get warm, and dry a bit.

 

 

Back at Maran Place, LC got her jacket on and Elizabeth took her picture.

 

 

Sisters and good friends.

 

 

HUNTING SEASON

The remainder of January was mostly uneventful for our immediate family. I went hunting of course and found Bob and Buck.

 

Troy and Bob (Cat)

 

Troy and Buck.

 

 

FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Coming back from the Buck trip, it snowed in Birmingham. Which doesn't mean much--it melts by the afternoon.

 

 

Looking downhill beside our house.

 

 

Elizabeth in the snow.

 

 

Cold weather and a jacket makes Gracie look like she would be comfortable in Russia.

 

 

Laurie Moy, our good friend and world traveler from Berkeley and Harvest Valley Christian Church, came to visit us!

 

 

LC is enjoying her friends. Here she is with Stephanie, showing off their tin grins.

 

We ended the month with the annual Daddy-Daughter dance at the Country Club. My Dad and youngest brother, Beatty, were unable to make it.

 

Best friends and first cousins, Gracie and Don's youngest, Victoria, at the Daddy-Daughter Dance.

 

 

Elizabeth and I had a great time, too, at the Daddy-Daughter Dance!

 

Well, that's January at a glance! I'm already looking forward to next month and some of the pictures we already have! Leave a comment if you want! Oh, and for those of you who may read this, Ashley is in California later this week!