My Last Blog Post

Tonight I asked myself a simple question... 

"If this were the last post I ever made, what would I say?"

Here's the real answer..

Don't waste your life. 

1.) Spend every moment of it seeking to love people, especially those around you. You never ever know when they might not be there.

2.) Don't spend your life posting pictures to social media sites to show others how amazing your life is. Instead, let the most beautiful moments in your life happen without a camera. Just enjoy them, take them in, and remember them forever. 

3.) Avoid burning bridges at all costs. Spend time with people from all walks of life. People that are similar to you, smarter than you, prettier than you, scarier than you, and make totally random friends. Build bridges everywhere you go.

4.) Always look for a chance to help those around you, and total strangers. You have no idea how much joy this brings to the people you help, and to you :)

5.) Find joy in EVERYTHING. In the good and the bad. And focus on that joy. Hold tight to it! Let it fuel you forward.

6.) Money and Recognition are fun. But being care-free about both is even more enjoyable. Find you own ways to achieve this. Don't ever let these rule your life.

7.) Live every single day as one big adventure!! Go exploring, try new things, do good to those around you, make the world more epic!

8.) Always remember that IF YOU PUT GOD FIRST, YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

9.) Don't take yourself so seriously. Learn to laugh at yourself. There's so much happiness that can come from this.

10.) Treat yourself to things once in a while. Do things you enjoy, and find ways to utilize your passions and talents. 

11.) Stay humble. Consider others as more important than yourself.

12.) Focus on the present. Look forward to the future. Leave the past where it belongs. 

13.) The most important relationship you can ever have is with God. He loves you, created you and wants to know you. There is no mistake you can make in life that will cause His love for you to fade.

14.) Remember that you were made in God's image, for His glory. 

:)

Two Empty Boats

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. 2 He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish.”

5 “Master,” Simon replied, “we worked hard all last night and didn’t catch a thing. But if you say so, I’ll let the nets down again.” 6 And this time their nets were so full of fish they began to tear! 7 A shout for help brought their partners in the other boat, and soon both boats were filled with fish and on the verge of sinking.

8 When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, “Oh, Lord, please leave me—I’m too much of a sinner to be around you.” 9 For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. 10 His partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were also amazed.

Jesus replied to Simon, “Don’t be afraid! From now on you’ll be fishing for people!” ¹¹ And as soon as they landed, they left everything and followed Jesus.

- Luke 5:1-11 (NLT)

When I read this, I am reminded of the times in my life when I experience "Peter moments." Those moments when I realize who Jesus is, and how insignificant I am compared to Him. The part that really blows my mind is that even though I fail and mess up every day, He still loves me. And He wants me to leave everything behind and follow Him.

Tonight I want to remind you that He loves you too! Not because of who you are or what you have done. Thats just who He is. He created YOU specifically for a purpose and He wants to know you more and more. Nothing else is worth more in this world than to leave everything behind and follow Him.

Cloudy Vision

You can achieve MORE than you think you can achieve. 

You can become MORE than you think you can become. 

The secret involves your vision. 

Often times our vision is clouded by our sinful desires and the influence of this world, whether we realize it or not. So to achieve success and to carry out what God has planned for us, we have to get our vision right every day. 

We have to clean the windshield. 

We have to put the contacts in.

The BEST way to do this is by spending time alone with God every day. Getting in a quiet place, clearing your thoughts, praying to God, and filling your mind with the wisdom found in the Bible.

By doing this consistently EVERY DAY (even if its just for a few minutes) our vision is lifted. And instead of focusing on whats in front of us, our vision will be shifted up to God. 

THATS WHERE CLEAR VISION COMES FROM. 

You see, we are never going to be able to predict what will happen each day. We will never be able to see the whole picture from our little place on this earth. 

SO, STOP TRYING... and instead, leave whats in front of you, to God. Look up to Him instead. Let Him guide you. Let Him prepare you. Let Him lead you. And Trust Him. Because heres a secret... He can see the bigger picture.  

So get clear vision. 

Spend time alone with the God that is giving you the breathe you are breathing right now. 

Spend time alone with the God who gave you eyes to read these words.

Because He has so much planned for you to achieve

And He loves you more than you know. 

Look to Him.

:)

Walk Across The Room

Today as I was eating Easter lunch with family at a restaurant in Houston, I was reminded of something very important.

Halfway through the lunch, I had gotten up to go over near the salad bar, and as I did, I noticed that the music which I had been enjoying was actually being played by a man with a saxophone in the corner of the room.

As I walked closer to him, I noticed that he was playing his heart out, and yet no one else seemed to notice or pay him any attention.

I slowly approached him, and as he lowed his sax I smiled and told him how incredible he sounded. Thats it. A simple smile and a short sentence of encouragement. As I walked off, I didn't think anything else of it.

About 30 minutes later I was in the middle of telling a story to my family when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and to my surprise it was none other than the saxophone player. 

He looked at me with excitement and said, "I just wanted to thank you for your encouragement. It really meant a lot." He then handed me his card and he was gone.

That really made me stop and think about life.

There are so many people all around us who are playing their hearts everyday, and yet, many of us never even walk across the room and give them a compliment, a pat on the back, or even just a simple sentence of encouragement.

I'll tell you this, I will never forget how heartfelt and honest that man looked as he thanked me for a sentence that took me 3 seconds to say. I wouldn't be surprised if that was the only compliment he got all day.

Today reminded me that we should look for people to encourage every day. The truth is that we all need encouragement. Everyone does. It can change a whole attitude and brighten someones whole week.

Let's encourage more people this year.

Psalm 34

I will praise the Lord at all times.

    I will constantly speak his praises.

2 

I will boast only in the Lord;

    let all who are helpless take heart.

3 

Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness;

    let us exalt his name together.

4 

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

    He freed me from all my fears.

5 

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

    no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

6 

In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened;

    he saved me from all my troubles.

7 

For the angel of the Lord is a guard;

    he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

8 

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

    Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!

9 

Fear the Lord, you his godly people,

    for those who fear him will have all they need.

10 

Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry,

    but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.

11 

Come, my children, and listen to me,

    and I will teach you to fear the Lord.

12 

Does anyone want to live a life

    that is long and prosperous?

13 

Then keep your tongue from speaking evil

    and your lips from telling lies!

14 

Turn away from evil and do good.

    Search for peace, and work to maintain it.

15 

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right;

    his ears are open to their cries for help.

16 

But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil;

    he will erase their memory from the earth.

17 

The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.

    He rescues them from all their troubles.

18 

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted;

    he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

19 

The righteous person faces many troubles,

    but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.

20 

For the Lord protects the bones of the righteous;

    not one of them is broken!

21 

Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,

    and those who hate the righteous will be punished.

22 

But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.

    No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.

Beautiful

Some of the most beautiful people that I have ever met have been the ones who might not have seemed beautiful to the world's eyes.

Friends, I beg you tonight to stop looking on the outside so much and start looking on the inside..

Look at the heart, not the body.

Look at the mind, not the face.

Look at the soul, not the race.

So many times we make decisions about people based on what they look like on the outside.

STOP looking just on the outside and START Looking at the inside.

Because that outer beauty eventually WILL FADE.. which is when the real love is revealed..

Don't let your future turn out disappointing because of how much you valued someones outer appearance..

LOOK PAST THAT. Stop treasuring their body & start treasuring the person for who they are!

Don't let a person's attractiveness determine their WORTH..

Think about this..

-Carter

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT I COULD EVER SAY IS THIS

NOTHING in your life matters,

except what you do for God.

Never forget that.

Learning

Life is all about decisions.

Who you are going to hang out with.

What you are going to watch.

What you are going to listen to.

Where you are going to go....

And its just crazy how many decisions we make on a daily basis whether we realize it or not....

Tonight was one of those nights where it all kind of hit me at once.

Have you ever felt like that?

Where all of your worries and things that make you stress come at you all together?

It happens to me every once in a while but tonight I decided to write about it.

I decided I want to as real as possible with you all.

After all, many of you guys have been so real with me.

Recently I have had a lot on my mind.

There's a lot of stuff that I wish I hadn't done and a lot of stuff that I wish I had done over the past few months.

It almost feels like time has escaped me somehow..

BUT what has happened has happened and I must look ahead and learn from the past.

Not necessarily DWELL on the past but indeed learn from it.

Recently one thing that has been bothering me is my relationship with some of my friends.

They are SO great but it seems like I have been so busy lately that I haven't made the time that I should have made for them.

And a few of them are moving away to go to college out of state now..

I just want them to know that I wont forget them <3

There is a lot of people that have been so great to me and I wish I could spend more time with them before they leave.

But I have HOPE.

That I will see them again soon and that they will go on to be happy and healthy.

May God bless them so much.

Its jut so interesting how time flies like that.

How people just move on..

How people that you were once so close to can be so far away before you can even blink an eye...

Life is crazy.

Make good decisions and treasure the moments that you have with your loved ones.

Be there for your friends..

They need you just like you need them <3

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Goodnight everyone.

- Carter 

FIRM

This life will come at you hard, like a tornado.

It will push you and push you until you are so far away from where you started that you won't be able to get back.

That is unless you stand FIRM on the ground..

Standing FIRM isn't just about standing in one place, its more than that.

To stand firm against this tornado of bad influence that some call "the world" you must have something to keep you FIRM on the ground.

You MUST place your feet not in sand but on ROCK.

The ROCK represents God's strength that will withstand ANYTHING that life throws at you.

But the ROCK alone will not keep you in one place. Because you see, God gave us all free will and an option to move away from Him or to draw close to Him.

The only way to stay on to the ROCK is to build a wall around your ROCK of GOOD INFLUENCE. Friends that will help you and hold you and keep your feet in one place.

Friends that wont "experiment" in other places other than that ROCK. Friends who have their life in order. Friends that you want to someday be like. Because like many wise people have said before, your friends will either MAKE you or they will BREAK you.

Always remember, that you can never with your own might pull anyone up onto your ROCK but there will ALWAYS be people that will try and pull you down. Don't ever for one second think that you can change someone. God is the ONLY one that can. You can be a good influence with your own life but don't ever hang outside of that strong foundation of safety that God has led you to. Don't ever give someone the satisfaction of pulling you off your ROCK.

Stay put and stay ready for anything. Keep your guard up.

STAND FIRM ON THE SOLID ROCK OF JESUS CHRIST AND NEVER LET ANYONE PULL YOU DOWN.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."

- Matthew 7:24-25

Weird by Craig Groeschel

Ever since last summer I have been entranced by Christian books.
I tell everyone about my latest book finds, favorite authors & I think its safe to say that I have probably quoted more authors than I can count.

However, I wasn't always huge on reading. In fact, I used to never want to read.

It wasn't until I went on tour with Illusionist Drew Worsham last June & was given a book called "Crazy Love" by a pastor in Georgia.
He told me I "HAD" to read it.

Of course, I had no idea that when I finished that book I was going to be hooked on the incredible power of Christian authors for the rest of my life.
Not power as in some magical spell but more like a whole new way to understand Christianity & how to live a better, more fulfilled life.

So, its not too surprising to say that by now I have gathered a small library of great Christian books, whether it be on my bookshelf in my room or stored in my Ipad. (By the way, If you have an Ipad & you haven't downloaded the Ibooks, Nook or Kindle app, I HIGHLY recommend you do so)

The reason that I am telling you all of this is because tonight I literally stopped in the middle of the current book that I am reading because I felt so inspired to share this incredible novel with all of you. The book that I am speaking of is called "Weird" by Craig Groeschel.

I can honestly tell you with certainty that I have never highlighted in any book more than I have in this one. It's blowing my mind!

With that said, I think EVERYONE needs to read this book without a doubt. It's such an amazing resource for all areas of your life.
It has opened my eyes to so many things & I can barely put it down.
The best part is that its perfect for parents, teens, or anyone really!
It will rock your world & change the way that you live your life.

Even if you aren't a Christian, this book will still help you improve your life. Seriously, it is a great investment & very worth your time.

And check this out!
If you have an Iphone or Ipad you can actually get a FREE sample on Ibooks.
However, if you dont have either one of those then have no fear!
Just head to Barnes & Noble tomorrow or the next day and get this book!

OR, you can simply click this link & order it online for only eleven bucks!

My hope is that you will get just as hooked as I am & that you will truly experience how amazing the Bible & Christian books are.
They can truly change your life.

- Carter

Thank you

I'm so unworthy, yet still You love me.
I continue to fail time and time again in the presence of You.
Yet still, You bless me with more than I could ever imagine.
You are God of everything. You are Creator of everything
and through You - everything flows.

I am nothing compared to You.
I am merely an ant in the image of all creation.
Yet You still know me and love me and care for me more than I can ever fathom.

No matter how many times I stumble, Your grace continues to lift me back to my feet.
You are always there watching over me.
You were there when I thought that I was alone.
You were there when absolutely no one else was.
You were there since before I was born.
You were there before anyone was born.

You are eternity.

Thank you for making me who I am.
Thank you for blessing me with all that I have.
I could never repay You for what You have done for me.

You have given me life, a purpose, inspiration, encouragement, power & strength to press forward. You are the Alpha & Omega. Beginning and the End. You are my only source of life. I am at Your command forever and always yet You still allow me to be free. You still allow me to make my own decisions even when I make the decisions that hurt You. Then You still are right there to comfort me and to lift me back up again.

You are the sole Provider of everything that I have owned and will ever own on this earth. You have blessed me with it all.

You are the Father of all fathers. You care for me unlike any other.
You watch over me and nothing can compete with You.
If You are for me then who could ever stop me?
No one.

No one could ever stop You and yet You do not need pride to show that.
You require no boasting. You are humble in every sense.
You even sent your only son to DIE on the cross for our sins.
How could Someone so great make such a sacrifice that could never be re-payed.

Your grace and mercy is everlasting and unimaginable.

You continue to define the true meaning of love again and again.
You are always there for me.
You are Love.

Thank you God for everything.

- Carter

Friends, Influences & The Holy Spirit

Temptation & bad influences will COMPLETELY DESTROY any person if they do not seek out a way of escape. That is why it is SO important to surround yourself with GREAT friends & keep in constant communication with them. Come to your friends with your struggles and seek help. We can't live this life alone.

That is why Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. So that He could rise above into Heaven & send His Spirit down to live inside each one of us. You see, that is exactly what happens when we become Christians; We say a prayer, personally asking Jesus Christ to come into our hearts & we acknowledge that He died on the cross for our sins.

From that moment on, Christ sends His Spirit to live inside us. The Holy Spirit guides us & completely transforms our life. We have the Spirit of GOD inside us.

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." - 1 Corinthians 3:16-17


Once we have the holy Spirit we must continue to surround ourselves with Christian influences who can help & encourage us grow in our relationship with Christ every day.

Remember, YOUR FRIENDS WILL EITHER MAKE YOU OR BREAK YOU...

Esther Ahn Kim

Dear friends, Last night I found myself sitting in awe of what I had read in a chapter of a book called "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan. I was in awe of a lady that I read about who is a TRUE example of a Christian. A lady who devoted her entire life to the purpose of Jesus Christ. I have taken the story of Esther Ahn Kim from "Forgotten God" and placed it below this paragraph. Please read this story with an open heart and then pray to ask God to give you the personal courage to stand up for Him every day and carry out the purpose that He has given your life :)




"Esther Ahn Kim’s biography is among the most powerful testimonies I have ever read. It was during WWII, and the Japanese occupation of Korea, that Esther’s journey of faith really began. She refused to bow down at the shrines set up in every corner of her country and was eventually imprisoned for six years, from 1939 until 1945.

Knowing she was destined for prison for refusing to bow to idols, Esther spent time training herself both physically and spiritually. Each day she would find and eat food that was decaying, knowing that was what she would be served in prison. The discipline she demonstrated is humbling; how many of us would choose to eat rotten foods?

While preparing for prison, she memorized more than one hundred chapters of the Bible and many hymns because she knew she would not be allowed to keep her Bible. She spent countless hours seeking God through fasting and prayer. These times when she read the Scriptures led to greater clarity, and she was able to surrender her fear of being tortured.

Reading her story left me wanting more. More intimacy with Christ. More love for people. More of God in my life. And to be honest, more discipline. She was a well-disciplined believer, but there was nothing self-righteous about her. Her obedience to Christ only increased her ability to hear the voice of the Spirit, and consequently filled her with overwhelming love for the people she came in contact with.

When she eventually was taken to prison, God used her in countless way. One night a young Chinese woman convicted of killing her husband was brought in. She moaned incessantly and beat on the doors until the guards tied her hands behind her back. It was this woman that God called Esther to love and reach out to. Esther held the woman’s feet at night to warm them, even though the woman was covered in her own excrement. Though food rations were small, Esther gave up her portions for three days to this woman.

Over time, the Chinese woman began to respond, carrying on conversation and eventually accepting the good news of the gospel. The woman was later executed for her crime, but she went to her death alive in Christ.

This is one of many people God used Esther to minister to. Murderers and swindlers who were utter outcasts were changed before all who watched as the love of Christ, through Esther, healed their hearts and gave them hope. Even the jailers and government officials noticed how Esther shone in that dark place. She could have just endured her suffering like a good Christian, and we would have applauded her for it. But she was not content to merely endure. She was ready every day and every moment, asking God, “Who do You want me to love for You today?”"

THE SECRET TO A PERFECT RELATIONSHIP!

Here's a few words of wisdom that I think will help you in your dating relationships:

"Learn to balance your affections toward other people because many times they will let you down. That's why forgiveness is so important in a relationship. If you make your number 1 priority a DEEP PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST then your loving, lasting relationships with people will simply be a by-product of the relationship that you have built with Christ. This is the SECRET to true intimacy and building relationships that last."

Welcome to my world

I can't even explain to you how amazing the feeling is to even have the chance to perform on stage in front of so many people! God has blessed me with so many opportunities and He continues to do so every day. When I was a kid I never dreamed I would have come this far and have performed my passion for so many people in so many places! To me, the most rewarding feeling is to make my audiences forget about all of their worries and problems. To capture their attention and introduce them to a world where anything is possible. Where there are no limitations. Where they can relax and be amazed, where they can experience the wonders that only take place in dreams. To take them away from reality and to inspire them to make their dreams come true just as I have. I have discovered that If I can successfully do this then I can bring laughter, happiness and amazement. It is a feeling that I hope to share with the whole world. Even though I do not claim to have or possess any magic powers my purpose never fails. To bring entertainment to people of all ages, backgrounds, races, lifestyles and religions. The shows are not about me, they are about YOU. I have been so so blessed and God has made my dreams come true. He can do the same exact thing for you. All you have to do is BELIEVE and anything is possible :)