The Dream That Got Away

What ever happened to that dream, that grand plan you had for your life?
You see, at some point in your life you had what is called "Child Like Faith." God gave you a vision and a glimpse of what you could do in your life. You used to imagine it, daydream about it, you may have even written it down (this is important and we'll talk about it shortly), and you probably told people about it. So what happened? Well, there could be a number of reasons you quit or put that plan on a long pause: Friends and family gave you their "reality check" out of  "concern" and told you to QUIT DREAMING; An impoverished environment took its toll on you; A bad marriage hindered you; teenage pregnancy; molestation; depression; oppression; and so many more circumstances. I have experienced some of the hindrances I've mentioned so I empathize with all of you who have been victims as well.

I have good news for all of you though- It ain't over! According to 1 Corinthians 1:27 it says:  27 [No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. So if you feel severely flawed or under qualified, you are the perfect person to shut up the naysayers and circumstances in your life that stole your dream.

So how do you get it back?  You get back to the basics. Go back to that youthful passion, that  impulse you had in your gut and do this simple thing that Habakkuk 2: 2-3 instructs: 2) Then the LORD answered me and said: "Write the vision And make it plain on tablets That he may run who reads it. 3) For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak and it will not lie. Though it tarries wait for it; Because it will surely come. It will not tarry.

No matter what line of faith you're in, this is applicable to your spiritual goals and business goals. When you don't literally write down your DREAM, you create traffic jams and grid-locks in your life, as well as the people who are attached to you. Notice that verse 2 says "write the vision down." The word write used here is the Hebrew word kathab which means to describe in writing, decree, engrave, and continue writing. So be descriptive with your vision (which translates to dreams in the Hebrew), engrave it on your heart so it can't be erased by doubt, then decree it, and most importantly CONTINUE to write it down. This gives you perspective, clarity, then something to focus on and be accountable for daily.

The next key phrase is: make it plain. In the Hebrew that means to make it clear, distinct, and to declare it. Why?... so that he may RUN who reads it. For example, did you ever experience looking for a particular house party late at night and the numbers aren't clear and the porch lights aren't on, and you have to creep real slow and even stop and get out and run up to wrong houses? Then you get frustrated, especially when the 3 cars behind you start honking and giving you fancy finger gestures. That eventually leads to you throwing your hands up and saying, "I just give up, forget it!" Then you watch the jerks behind you speed by you as they yell out obscenities. You also notice that the car is full and festive so you deduce that they are going to the party too so you follow them at FULL speed and freely straight to the destination. Wow! They knew the plan and they were able to RUN there and lead you.

When your dream/goal is written down and clear you can finally RUN towards it and obtain it FASTER than you would have normally done - no more traffic jams! Don't slow yourself and the people behind you down by giving up. You have children, peers, friends, family, and even strangers attached to your destiny. I think they all wanna get to the party too, ya feelin' me?

It may take a moment to get there but it will surely come according to God.... if you don't quit.

Posted by Travis "T~Rev" Carter | at 1:27 PM | 0 comments

No Whiny, Bratty, Poutful Requests of God

One thing that I've been guilty of, along w/ many other Christians and ALL religious people who pray, is throwing up "wishes," and prayers motivated by fear, selfishness, vengeance, and greed- all of which none of get answered. In turn, we then get mad at God, or worst, choose to doubt the existence of God. We need to pause, assess a few things, then... chill with that. I'll explain why after a brief story.

When one of my nephews was 3 years-old he was acting a tad bit spoiled in my mind. At that time his mother told me a story that made me cringe and sparked me to write this message for adults. 



One typical morning she made him a bowl of Life cereal, which he enjoyed mind you, to fulfill his needs like a good parent. He then, in a pretentious, bratty, and whiny manner refused it and demanded Cocoa Puffs. Are you ready to cringe??? She then succumbed to his demands, dumped the Life cereal and milk and exacerbated his spoiled behavior by preparing the Cocoa Puffs. Guess what happened next? ...He became even more indignant by yelling, screaming, and demanding Life cereal, AGAIN and defiantly pushed the freshly made Cocoa Puffs away. Needless to say, she wisely ignored his demands and he went to daycare with out breakfast or a so-called "need."

Are you starting to see the parallel I'm trying to make? God is our parent and won't succumb to even our needs if we ask with a bad heart or improper motives. God is not moved by our needs, crying, yelling, and anger. He is moved by OUR FAITH and confident bold (yet reverent), prayers which are in line with His Word. 



I write this to ALL, with emphasis to: "big" stars, stars on the rise, and aspiring stars particularly. We pray intently to "make-it" and for more money but we must question our approach, our motives, and our heart when our prayers go unanswered. If any of your motives are of the following or similar then it's time for a heart change: To rub success in some one's face; Money and fame will solve all my problems; I want people to serve and cater to me; I need to keep up with the "Jones"; I want certain people to fail or get hurt because they hurt me; Someone else's spouse "needs" to be w/me. The list goes on and on and God doesn't answer those prayers!

In conclusion, I'll back all of my counsel with Gods' own Words, not that of my own:
James 4:2,3 (Amplified Version) (2) You are jealous and covet what others have and your desires go unfulfilled; so you become murderers (to hate is to murder as far as the "heart" is concerned). You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain the gratification and happiness that you seek so you fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. (I love this next part!)- (3) Or you do ask God for them and yet fail to receive, because YOU ASK WITH WRONG PURPOSE AND EVIL, SELFISH MOTIVES. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures...

Hello! That says it all! 

Can I get a "SO BE IT?"
I love you all. Just take time to pause, assess your heart, then pray...or not. LOL, You may need to forgive someone or get some things straight with "you" first. Ya' feelin' me?
Be Blessed
- T~Rev

Posted by Travis "T~Rev" Carter | at 11:03 AM | 0 comments