“You Bad Christians” — A Lesson in Christ-Control

Posted on May 2, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

This week I came across an article ranting about bad things Christians do or say and hurling damning generalizations at the lot of us. If I’m being transparent here (which, painfully, I feel called to be), I have to admit that I had a visceral, negative reaction to this when I scanned through it. I mean, I’m so tired of people focusing on the negatives of Christians and Christianity while ignoring the innumerable things done, great and small, in the name of Jesus for the benefit of the world in general and our cities and neighborhoods specifically. Aren’t you?

But…before I get you too fired up, let me fill you in briefly on where this journey has led me. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end with me posting an angry response, feeling vindicated by my witty yet scathing words.

So here’s the thing. After I went back through the list of 8 awful things Christians do or say, as I was formulating what I would say back, I heard this annoying voice in my head ask a couple questions: Well, is it true that Christians have done or said those things? Have you ever done or said things like this?

Ugh.

I really hate to call the voice of God annoying, but I think that’s what it was–God’s voice. I think God can take me referring to his voice as annoying since it often takes me being annoyed before I will learn and grow, and that’s what he wants from me.

Being honest (which, let’s face it, you might as well be when you’re talking to God!), I can’t really answer “no” to either of his questions. So now what?

I’d like to say I exercised self-control and didn’t write a witty yet scathing response. Well, I didn’t write any such response, but it would be disingenuous for me to refer to my restraint as “self-control”.

Hence the term: “Christ-control”, since he is really the one who saved me from myself.

This doesn’t mean that I have to be OK with the things said in the article I saw. It only means that I have to respond to hate and vitriol the way Jesus did–with love and prayers for the offender. I only have to live and interact with people in such a way that reflects his love for them, thereby glorifying his name.

Ugh. “Only“?

Doesn’t God know how hard it is to love people who don’t love me? But what about…?

Hmm. Well, yes, I guess he does. There are no “But what about”s in his Kingdom.

He never said it would be easy–he only promised he would there with us through it all. And he showed us the way.

Borrowed from YouVersion: https://my.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/MAT.5.44/710?version=111

Darn you, Jesus! But also, thank you.

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Trail’s End

Posted on April 25, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter
Trail’s End – (c) Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved
Trail’s End

Hiking through woods,
Golden autumn day.
Shadows cool, 
Sun longing for summer
Now past.

Trail ends,
Not what I expected, not
Where I expected.
Where did I miss a turn?
Me longing for summer
Now past.

I am drawn forward,
Toward what, I do not know.
The end, maybe?
One more step, another.
Round the bend and I find
You waiting here.
Just waiting. No impatience,
A slight smile.
I got here just in time.

How you knew I would
Come to this place and
Need a way out, I do not know. But
You are here, 
Making a new way.
Not the end, after all.

Not what I wanted or planned, but
Not something to change, either,
To find you finding me
At trail’s end,
Waiting to make all things new.

And so my journey goes on.


David K. Carpenter
April 25, 2021

© Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter, All Rights Reserved

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Strength for Today — But What About Tomorrow?

Posted on April 18, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter
Sunrise over Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO – (c) Copyright 2021, by David K. Carpenter Photography

Right at the beginning of the Bible, when God is running around making the earth and stuff, one of the first things He does is place the sun and moon in the sky, dividing the way we will experience life into the 24-hour chunks we call days.

Autumn in Woodland Park, CO – (c) Copyright 2021, by David K. Carpenter Photography

Why do you suppose He did that? Was it some sort of arbitrary decision? (“Hmm, how long should we make a day? I know, let’s all 3 of us put our favorite number in a hat, and whichever number we pick…”)

Well, I don’t think it was random or arbitrary. God had a plan to create us, and He knew we would only be able to carry one day’s worth of burdens before we would need to rest and rejuvenate. He also intended that this rejuvenation would require us to turn to Him each and every day. This was His plan–that we would need Him for strength and nourishment, and He would freely give it, whenever we ask.

But only for one day.

There is abundant evidence of this throughout the Bible. He gave the Israelites manna to eat when they were wandering in the desert, but they could only gather enough for one day. When Jesus gave us an example of how to pray, he modeled the idea that we need to ask for sustenance every day:

Borrowed from YouVersion: https://my.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/MAT.6.11/29993?version=111

“Today,” and “Daily bread”. Also, there are plenty of reminders that God helps us carry our burdens day after day–not in any bigger chunks than that. He gives us our strength in daily doses.

Borrowed from YouVersion: https://my.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/PSA.68.19/17053?version=111

Sometimes life is a struggle, like a difficult workout. One good analogy is a local hike known as the Manitou Incline. It’s “only” about 1 mile, but it seems at times to be nearly vertical. There are railroad ties arranged as steps–about 2744 of them–enabling you to ascend about 2000 vertical feet in that “only a mile”. And keep in mind, you start at an elevation of 6500 feet (about 1300 feet higher than Denver) and end at an elevation of about 8590 feet. It takes “normal” people an hour or two to make it to the top, although the record for the fastest time up was set by Joseph Gray in 2015–he made it in 17 minutes and 45 seconds (I know, it makes you want to punch him…if only you could catch him!)

Manitou Incline Reservation
Manitou Incline – Borrowed from https://cityofcoloradosprings.aluvii.com/store/shop/productdetails?id=1&productId=1

I have done this several times. No matter how fit I am, by the time I’m about 3/4 of the way to the top, it starts to feel like I’m not going to make it. The sun’s baking down on me, feeling light-headed, maybe a little dizzy, questioning my sanity… So then I start to make little deals with myself: I don’t have to make it to the top, I just have to go up one more step. When I do that, I find I have a little more left in me, so I repeat the deal.

Just one more step.

And then another and another. Next thing I know, I’m at the top.

That’s how God nourishes and strengthens us–He gives us just enough to get through this day, and no more.

Borrowed from YouVersion: https://my.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/MAT.6.34/1753?version=111

When tomorrow becomes today, He’ll give us just enough strength to get through that one more day. And then one more after that.

But then again, we don’t need to worry about that day after that, at least not until it becomes today.

This is how we live in the moment, built on a foundation of trusting that God is enough, and He will provide. It’s how we live life well, walking with God, allowing Him to lead us through our darkest days and basking in His illumination of the brightest ones.

Golden Afternoon in Ouray, CO – (c) Copyright 2021, by David K. Carpenter Photography
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Light 100 More Candles

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

At church today (and at the other services over the weekend), we welcomed 100 more new followers of Christ into God’s family through water baptisms. For some reason (probably something to do with God), a couple years ago, whenever people were being baptized, I would say this simple prayer for each person:

Father, let him/her be a light in the darkness.

Or even, more simply:

Another light in the darkness.

So there I was today during our baptisms, whispering that prayer for each person as they rose up out of the water, and tears started rolling down my cheeks. I don’t know where they came from. I mean, I didn’t know any of these new brothers and sisters in Christ. Why would tears flow today?

100 more lights in the darkness.

Candles in Notre Dame I – (c) Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved

Any one or all of the Holy Trinity could easily create enough light to illuminate the earth brighter than all the sports stadiums in the world combined. But they don’t. Instead they choose individuals to be their light in the darkness. You, me, your neighbor, that odd person at work, the lady ringing up your groceries.

We are, each one of us who call Jesus Lord and Savior, holding a dim, flickering candle.

We may not provide much light on our own–maybe just enough to illuminate the path for your child or parent or friend or sibling who is struggling.

But what about when our lights join together? Last weekend, for the Good Friday service, they gave each of us a candle and dimmed the lights. Even though we have a huge sanctuary, it set the place aglow when a thousand points of light combined together to overcome the darkness.

And when you put the 2.5 billion of us believers on the planet today together, we can and should shine light into the darkest corners of the world. That’s just the way God works. Looking around in the world today, it might be easy to think the evil one is winning–he seems to have control of so many famous individuals, so many countries and leaders, people lurking in the shadows thinking the light can’t reach them.

But this is how Love and Light will win: by each of us being enough Light in the darkness that there is no escaping it.

Candles in Notre Dame II – (c) Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved

OK, one last cool thing to mention, another little God coincidence that may not be a coincidence at all. The song the praise band was playing during the baptisms was “Way Maker.” And here are the lyrics for the chorus, which we reached just as the first new believer arose from the waters of baptism:

“Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness, my God, that is who you are.

From “Way Maker” (emphasis added), written by female Nigerian songwriter, Osinachi Okoro, stage name Sinach

We got to “light in the darkness” just as I was saying that prayer for the first new family member. I think that’s when the tears came, and I think I know who they came from.

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I Know That You Are Looking for Jesus

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings, ”he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

Matthew 28:1-8 (NIV, emphasis added)

Jesus Christ has risen from the grave! We have not hoped in vain! A bright light beckons in the darkness, new life is there for the asking. Praise God, who makes all things new!

I wish you a blessed, happy Easter!

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Tetelestai – I’ve Done What I Came Here to Do

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

As recounted by the Apostle John, the last thing Jesus says on the cross before he dies is the Greek word tetelestai, which is commonly translated as, “It is finished” (John 19:30). What did he mean by this? That this terrible ordeal was finally over?

I don’t think so. His whole life had been pointing to the cross. This was not something to be over with in one horrible day.

(C) Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved

Jesus had previously clarified that nobody takes his life from him , but that he willingly lays it down (John 10:18). Similarly, here I doubt he would end his earthly life by saying something like, “OK, now that’s over.” Rather, I think he would mean something more like, “I did what I came here to do.”

And what is that, exactly? What did he come here to do?

Start a religion? Nope.

Give us a reason to feel special and better than those people? Nope.

Give us a rule book? Take away all our fun? Make us get a haircut or squirm when someone drinks or dances or plays cards? Not even close.

The Beautiful Exchange

Jesus came to offer us a great deal.

Early in this season of Lent, it occurred to me (and so I posted about it) that as we grow in deeper relationship with him, we shouldn’t focus on the paltry things we give up by choosing to follow him. Instead, we should focus on what Jesus freely gives us in return.

Nowhere is this beautiful exchange more starkly contrasting than in the sacrifice Jesus makes for us on Good Friday.

Evil can flow all too easily through the dark rivers of our hearts. But just like the priests with Joshua stepping into the Jordan river (Joshua chapter 3), Jesus puts one foot into those rivers of darkness and stops them from flowing.

Jesus takes the punishment we deserve for a lifetime of evil thoughts and actions. In return, he gives us life eternal in paradise.

Jesus takes the curses we’ve hurled at him and his sons and daughters, and gives us blessings in return.

Jesus takes our fear, uncertainty, and doubt. In exchange he gives us hope and peace and joy that should baffle those around us. He takes our burdens and gives us rest.

Jesus takes our grumbles and replaces them with gratitude.

(C) Copyright 2021 by David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved

Consider the Cost

I can’t imagine why I ever thought it would cost me too much to follow Jesus. Look at how much it cost him to have me as a follower. Sitting at the foot of the cross, I can’t escape the fact that it cost him everything to pay my debt. But thanks to him, it is paid in full, now and forever.

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Who Do You Say I Am?

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Jesus is hanging out with his friends in Caesarea Philippi when he asks them, apropos of nothing, “Who do the people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13, NIV)

They provide a variety of answers, so he turns the question directly to them.

 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Jesus, in Matthew 16:15, NIV

Now picture him leveling his gaze on you and asking you the same question.

“What about you, Dave? Who do you say I am?”

He continues, a bit more pointedly. “Who does your life say I am?”

Hmm. I have to think about that one, every dumb thing I did or said, just in the last week, flashing through my mind….

But just when the silence becomes awkward, he smiles, a twinkle in his eye. “Here’s who I say you are: my beloved, my friend. Someone I choose to give my life for.”

Oh my. What can you say to that? If you think deeply about it, does it change your answer to his questions?

“What about you, <your name here>? Who do you say I am?”

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Hosanna! God Save Me from Myself

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter 
Palm Sunday

And so the journey
To the cross begins with
A choice:
You climb not on a
War horse, but an
Animal of peace. But really?
A donkey? This isn’t
What I expected. A god made in my image
Would win the war and save us all.

Ugh. Turn over this table
In my heart—disappointments, not
Meeting my expectations of You.
Disrupt wherever I hold fast to
Cheap imitation truths.
Take out the garbage—anything
Not from You.
Kill it on a cross, like I
Did to You, and will do again this Friday. 
Break me, make me 
To be what You expect from me.

Hosanna! God save me from
Myself,
You know I can’t do it on my own,
Even though I never stop trying.


David K. Carpenter
March 28, 2021
(c)Copyright 2021 David K. Carpenter, All Rights Reserved
(c) Copyright 2021 David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved
Posted in Christian, Faith, Poetry | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Lest We Forget: He Did This for You…and Me

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

As we head into Holy Week, we start off with the massive celebration commonly referred to as Palm Sunday. Getting caught up in the festivities, we might be tempted to think that Jesus could have enjoyed this moment of notoriety. After all, who wouldn’t like to be greeted upon their arrival into a new city with shouts of “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”?

However, Jesus knew exactly what was waiting for him on the other side of this triumphal entry…

Many of these same people would be standing by the side of the same road in 5 short days watching him drag his cross out of Jerusalem toward Skull Hill.

One of his disciples would sell him out for 30 pieces of silver. His closest friend would act like he didn’t know him.

Probably worst of all, he knew God himself would turn his back on him–the only thing he complains about throughout the entire ordeal we refer to as Good Friday.

He knew all this was going to happen before he even headed for Jerusalem one last time.

So why did he do it?

Because if he didn’t, he knew you and I would be eternally separated from God because of all those times we’ve screwed up. Someone had to pay the price for the sins of the world, and he knew it could only be him.

So he went.

I can’t think of a better way for someone to show me how much he loves me–for Jesus to lay down his life willingly for me so I can live; for God to allow the sacrifice of his only son so I can run into his arms instead. This is grace; it is Love in action.

I don’t mean to dampen the celebration that is Palm Sunday. I only suggest that we all take a moment amidst waving palm branches to ponder that Jesus’ sacrifice for you and for me began the moment he climbed onto the donkey’s back to begin his long ride into Jerusalem and toward the cross.

(c) 2021 David K. Carpenter Photography, All Rights Reserved

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Oops, We Lost Jesus

Posted on March 21, 2021 by Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter

Anyone still journeying along on this wild ride through Scripture in one year has most likely encountered this odd little story at the end of Luke’s second chapter–the one where Mary and Joseph lose the Creator of the Universe when he was twelve years old.

They were in Jerusalem for the Passover, which they attended every year. When it was all over, they packed up all their stuff and left to begin their 90-mile trip home. Except they forgot one little thing: Jesus.

And it’s not like they just got to the corner and quickly saw he wasn’t there–it took a full day before they noticed he was missing!

I can only imagine the uncomfortable conversation between Joseph and Mary when they realized this.

Mary: “Uh, have you seen Jesus?”
Joseph: “What do you mean? Of course I’ve seen him. He hangs around my workshop all the time. He hardly ever stops talking.” Shakes his head. “Oy, so many questions.”
Mary: “No, I mean today. Have you seen him today?”
Joseph: “I thought you had him.”

And so on–I suspect Mary’s response to Joseph at this point may not be fit to print in a Christian blog.

To be fair, they made this annual trek to the Holy City with a large extended family group, and undoubtedly the kids hung out together and drifted between the different families. It could happen to anybody, right?

On a more serious note, after the extraordinary lengths they had to go to just to keep Jesus alive for the first couple years of his life, this must have been terrifying for these parents. On top of that, it was another four days before they found him:

When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Luke 2:45-46 (NIV)

Another day’s journey to get back to Jerusalem, then three days looking for him. They probably looked everywhere before they checked at the temple. I mean, what kid voluntarily goes to church?

When they finally found him there, they paused being freaked out just long enough to be astonished that everyone in the temple courtyard–which would be all the really smart religious leaders–was amazed by his understanding and answers. But then mom got hold of herself and asked Jesus what the heck he was thinking and how could he do this to them.

Jesus’ answer to her was as baffling to his parents as this story may be to us:

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Luke 2:49 (NIV)

At least this little episode has a happy, if not a little confusing, ending.

It may be both tempting and appropriate to ask why this little story is here. Luke’s is the only gospel that mentions it. So why did he include it? As with most Bible stories, there are probably several reasons, and at multiple levels.

One possible answer is that it shows us it’s OK to lose Jesus. I know I did at one point in my life, when I wandered unsuspectingly into the desert only a couple years after finding myself in the verdant pastures of rebirth. I believe all three of my kids lost Jesus, but my oldest has found him again. And so have I.

It’s OK to lose Jesus as long as you never stop looking for him again.

Oh, I know, when you’ve lost him, you wouldn’t say you are looking for him. You’re looking for something, you’re just not quite sure what it is or where you’ll find it. So you look in all manner of strange places that this world has to offer. Escapism, like alcohol, drugs, sex, music. Career success. Enlightenment (how ironic that most who call themselves enlightened are often as far from the truth as you can possibly be!). Family, friends. The mall or Amazon. And so on–the list is as long as the human mind is creative and depraved.

But not all of these things are bad in and of themselves. They are just ersatz answers, cheap knock-offs of the true peace and fulfillment that can only be found in the Source of All Answers.

It’s important to note, though, that there’s good news for us when we lose Jesus, or when someone we love has lost him:

  1. The “Hound of Heaven”, as Francis Thompson referred to God in his 1890 poem, will never stop looking for us even while we’re looking for answers in all the strange places we are able to dream up.
  2. God the Father and God the Son have promised us that if we look for Him with all our hearts, we will find Him.
Copyright (c) David K. Carpenter
Borrowed from YouVersion: https://my.bible.com/verse-of-the-day/JER.29.13/418?version=111

So if you’ve lost Jesus, just keep looking like Mary and Joseph did and you’ll find him. He’s really not so hard to find, after all.

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