When I first read this true story about Kevin, years ago, I missed the significance.  I didn’t wannabe like Kevin — childlike, dependent, clueless, pitiable.  Kevin is lovable, but not enviable.  I wanted desperately to be envied, though I didn’t see it at the time. I didn’t understand the benefit of being Kevin, because I…

that passes understanding, unless I’m clueless-I-know-what’s-best, clueless-I-know-what’ll-make-me-happy.  Exception is when I’m living in denial of issues inside of me, insensitive to my feelings, unconsciously suppressing. I NEVER EVER experience that peace that has nothing to do with circumstances, when I’m confident-I-know-what’s-best. –Dave McCarty, GospelFriendships, baby stepping in healthier directions when the Spirit freshly convicts him…

Contented with my health — physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially, relationally, vocationally, circumstantially, politically.  Content with everything in my life just as it is, right now, today, including the congested traffic, slow drivers, rude drivers, texting drivers.  Not needing anything more, anything different, anything improved.  Jesus is ENOUGH for me.  I need nothing MORE than Him,…

Not needing somebodiness/success.  What’s better than being respected, admired, envied?  Having a healthy-indifference to anyone’s respect, admiration, envy of me. How does one obtain a healthy-indifference to the somebodiness his flesh CRAVES?  Jesus provides this to those who are aware of the problem and want help — who want to be rescued from the prison…

Ten-minute video.  Compelling, convicting-and-therefore-faith-building, about the benefit of suffering.  I loved it.  Caused me to order her book, and I rarely buy books these days.  My ADD.  I don’t even like long articles.  Book hasn’t been delivered yet. http://www.desiringgod.org/vaneetha#modal-195039459 —Dave McCarty, GospelFriendships To receive my Tuesday posts, email me, or subscribe to my blog: dumbsheepdave.com

from the worldly brainwashing I’ve been receiving all my life — outside the Church, and INside, that humans know what’s best, that I’m supposed to be wise in my own eyes, lean on my own understanding, be confident-I-know-what’s-best.  And He’s been using my car.  Driving all alone, as I pay attention to my thoughts, feelings,…

My flesh (ShepherdDave) is suffering-avoidant, and really wants to be more Jesus-dependent/faith-filled but wants pain-free growth.  What ShepherdDave doesn’t understand, is that suffering produces perseverance, then character, then hope/faith/dependency/humility/contentment.  ShepherdDave doesn’t wanna hear about suffering.  He wants EASY.  None of this harrrd stuff.  No adversity.  Wants everything going his way. Why does ShepherdDave want to…

Tears in my eyes.  Makes me wanna move to urban St Louis and be part of Mike Higgins’ church.  I would love for Mike to be my pastor.  I would love to be a part of what Jesus is doing in this church. http://byfaithonline.com/film-about-pca-pastor-earns-critical-recognition/ I met Mike and Renee when I was their discipler at…

by my idolatry/sin, that’s pride, not humility.  Sin is to be CONFESSed, and if I’m bummed after CONFESSing, there is yet-more to CONFESS that I have not-yet seen.  When I wish I were different, better, that’s pride, not humility.  Jesus is only ENOUGH for me, when I’m content with everything in my life just as…

with a critical-judgmental spirit.  The merciful are always gracious.  The merciful see losers as having potential.  The merciful enjoy the opposition, even enemies.  The merciful have not a competitive bone in their bodies.  They never rejoice in the failure of others. —JudgeDave, a great example of a bad example, only merciful to himself and others…