Category Archives: Walk with Jesus

Spiritfire Proverbs 26:27 “Rock & Roll”

“If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it;
If a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him.”
 
Oh this was a fun one!  We said our prayers inviting the Holy Spirit to teach us and show us how Jesus fulfilled the book of Proverbs.  We boldly said our declaration of: “I am a child of God!  He loves me, so I love me!”  We then took a moment and said our introduction that we’ve been using for at least 10 years and read our next verse, Proverbs 26:27.
 
Immediately we were confronted with a popular scene in many Western movies, when the antagonist makes his victim dig his own grave.  The footnote in my Bible compares it to Psalm 7:16, “The trouble he causes recoils on himself.”  If not for a villain’s command, why would anyone dig a pit?  Was it like the Psalm inferred or was it for a trap?  For us, we looked at it like ‘the more you keep on talking, the deeper you dig.’  The point was, “Stop digging!” For whatever the plan, it will not turn out like you think it will.
 
The next part of the Proverb came out as a scene from an Indiana Jones movie, The Raiders of the Lost Ark.  But instead of Indiana rolling the stone in place, it was rolling after him!  What does the stone the Proverb mentioned represent?  Unlike for a boobytrap to protect a religious cultural artifact, the rock can represent regrets the man would rather hide.
 
We ended with our favorite question, “How did Jesus fulfill the book of Proverbs to make us into new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17?”  We were brought right to Jesus’ empty tomb, John 20:1.  Here the rock didn’t roll back upon us, for our trouble was removed by the Blood of the Lamb, Hebrews 8:12.

Jesus Called It Agape Love

Following Jesus Gently: A Disability Perspective
https://share.dropinblog.com/s/qwgk6y

Through this read, I heard a voice that doesn’t seem to struggle with personal worth.

The ‘game’ of society is often played in how we establish value.  How do we attain it?  Jesus included people that most excluded.  It is this Way that we, disabled and non disabled Christians, need to master.  If we do not, our citizenry of God’s Kingdom resembles that of a popularity contest held in high schools across America.  Only the beautiful, the talented and wealthy have our attention because that is what is mostly desired.  Envy is then what runs the body of many churches.  While those that ‘have’ give glory to God, honestly that is what they are supposed to do, they then paint a path to success that they took to get there.  There are many habits and financial advice that people can follow that can lead to achieving goals.  When followed, is faith even necessary?

If given a choice, it is my initial thought, nobody would choose a life of disability.  I write that knowing of those who have given up on their physical beauty, riches, or fame/charisma–– because there are truly dark forces at work that they would rather avoid.  But there is a difference between purposely losing independent function and having it taken from you, or even just being born with it.  And much like, “None of us chose to be born”, at those times when physical/mental/emotional disability finds us, the best my finite mind can come up with is, “Very terrible things happen.”

Even so, every time my family leaves the house and gets into that two ton vehicle filled with flammable liquid to drive speeds mankind only recently has ever achieved, meanwhile trusting that everyone else will follow the prescribed laws to create a safe driving environment, I still pray for their safe return.  Amidst that level of tomfoolery, I believe in Jesus who walked on water and calmed the storm.  Now, whether we caused the storm or not, how we as God’s people respond is the secret in the sauce.  Jesus called it agape love.

Celestial Events around the 182

Last week had a total lunar eclipse, (When the earth gets in the way) and was mostly noticeably seen by the East coast.  Recently, there have been other planetary events happening as well.  If you have joined with my family and I as we begin our 6th edition/journey of the 182 this week, then you’ll know it has been a very exciting allotment of time.  The 182’s 6 month tour beginning in April and ending at the close of September has given us very spectacular celestial views, maybe even apocalyptic.  It makes me think January is a rather boring way to begin the year…

Well, you can celebrate it with me as we start with ‘A’.  Please think of an ‘a’ word that either reminds you or makes you think about God.  Then write a septet explaining how it does, if you want.

For example, mine for today was:

Ardor
Your sacrifice speaks of Divine passion unequaled.
Beyond question of merit or just deserts, the concept of fairness never entered the room.
Your Love for us does not fade, as does all else here.
There should be anothter term to define it, but saying such a word should extend life, such is Your power.
For words here barely scratch the surface of true depth and meaning.
Questions of Truth are left open-ended as are of Your actual existence.
“To be or not to be?” is lesser than “To be loved,” and Your answer leaves no question. 
 
John 3:16

10th Anniversary of briancarter.link

This year marks the 10th since starting this website back in 2015.  Wow a lot has happened in a decade!  God has been very faithful to my family and I and has marked our days with His blessings.  I hope this website is proof of that.  The biggest “Wow!” or SMOT – Special Moment of Today (or rather Decade), has been how the 182 was used throughout my and my family’s life.  From being the reason for songs I’ve written, discovering a gift idea, uncovering how an international community can interact with the Divine, to growth in personal faith and vocabulary, the 182 is more than Coconut Cove’s backstory or a connecting theme for random stuff I just made up (like “Sign Spotting Day”.)  

 
I’m excited to see what God has in store for my family and I as we are daily carving out our path with Him.
 
Another big “WOW!” or SMOD – Special Moment of the Decade, has been Spiritfire.  Uncovering the ‘why’ behind the teachings of Jesus has been so unbelievably powerful.  Every time my family gathered around God’s Word, we witnessed literally ‘how’ through Jesus’ work fulfilling the book of Proverbs (The wisdom of God through which He created the heavens and the earth), we are made into new creations, 2 Corinthians 5:17.  Another Way apart from the Law has been found to communicate the power of the Gospel, (I think Paul would’ve approved had he seen.)  Can this bridge the gap between ‘wisdom’ based religions?  Can Jesus’ fulfillment of Proverbs bring together future generations distanced from Christianity by the sacrificial system?  Or maybe letting pastor’s talk about their relationship with God through the 182 can be a helpful dialogue as sin is dismantling the unity of the Church?
 
I’m excited to see what God has in store for my family and I as we are daily carving out our path with Him.
 
It is no secret I am not interested in revivals.  They are too easily forgotten.  I am interested in opening a door, one that will change the system we’ve become too comfortable with.  A new door never seen before or even whispered about, from academic towers to poverty’s hovels and holes in the ground.  There is more than we will ever know and only seeking eyes will see it.
 
The 182 has always been a path of suffering leading to glory.
Spiritfire has been a path of becoming leading to new creation.
 
As you follow my family and I as we ‘walk on water’ after Jesus, may you also be blessed and…  excited to see what God has in store for you and your family as you are daily carving out your path with Him.

182 Converged with a Gift Idea

The word was yesterday’s ‘V’ word: Voyage.  I had no idea what I was in for as looked up for a verse.  I was immediately sent to a website called “Voyage & Verse”.  A book was on the front page by Jessica Watson, who at the age of 16 sailed by herself around the world.  I thought, “Hey, my daughter’s 16, and she likes to read.”  Watson’s book titled, ‘True Spirit’ seemed full of grit and guts to do the incredible.  I can’t wait for her to read it!

 

https://www.voyageandverse.com/book-collection/true-spirit-the-true-story-of-a-16-year-old-australian-who-sailed-solo-non-stop-and-unassisted-around-the-world-by-jessica-watson

Last Night: God’s Planetary Septet

Last night, 7 planets were in alignment.  If you were able to see them:  knew where to look and knew what you were looking at, then you had the honor of viewing a celestial highlight.  My wife and daughter went outside and took a look.  My wife said, “The stars were very bright.”  I, however, missed it entirely.  

Today, as I think on it, I am reminded of witnessing God do amazing things.  If we are in alignment with His will, we get a chance to witness His heavenly events around the world.  That is where I want to be, and the 182 is helping to keep my gaze upward.

 

https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2025/02/28/the-planet-parade-tonight-february-2025/80725459007