phillipmccart.com

Raw Honesty....Hopefully

I'm not sure when it started. 

I can only tell you that it's still going on.

Tears.  Sorrow.  Weeping.  Loneliness.  Heaviness.  

I've been trying to figure it out on my own for a couple of weeks now.

I considered that I was due.

Could it be from working out so much lately?

Is it sympathy hormones for my beautiful pregnant wife?

I thought it was just stress.

Maybe the announcement of a son uncorked some emotional bottle...

Perhaps the responsibilities of family, work and friendships has finally been felt.

The truth is that for about two weeks I have either flat out cried or been on the verge of crying at least once a day with the exception of a two day dry spell.

I've talked to a select few about this and now I turn to you.  

Please pray.

Pray that this is a good thing.

Pray that it is leading me to God in a deeper fashion than I've experienced before.

Pray that God wouldn't let this pass without using it in a powerful way for His Kingdom.

Pray that as I'm away I will pour my heart and soul into my first calling.

I find myself in Psalm 6:6.

This is who I am; where I am.

Hi, my name is "Yours."

How Beautiful Is She?!

Anita and I haven't had a baby in three years.  That doesn't seem real.  My youngest daughter is about to turn three.  We celebrated her birthday a little early since we'll be in Disney on her actual birthday.  How beautiful is she?!

 

Hi, My Name Is

Originally planned for only two weeks, our Wednesday night series at The ELEMENT has had so much response that we at NSM are considering extending "Hi My Name Is" for another week or two.  This series is based on the huge issue of prejudice and labels.  Week one was focused on the fact that we all label others; many times without even really knowing them.  Week 2 was teaching that when we label ourselves we're actually labeling God.  Please continue to pray for NSM and all that God is doing at Northwood Church.  Enjoy the series bumper below.

Hi, My Name Is Bumper from Phillip McCart on Vimeo.

A Letter

Dear Gov. Sanford,

My name is Phillip McCart.  I'm a thirty-one year old husband, father and student pastor.  Years ago I went to vote for the very first time and I shook your hand.  I was impressed.  As I moved all over the Southeast I still followed your success as a politician and was encouraged by your walk with God.  

Yesterday I heard your most recent news.  Today I watched your press conference.  I couldn't watch yesterday due to busyness and frankly, I just didn't want to believe what I'd heard.  Unfortunately in my circles (that being the circle of Southern Christian Church people) compassion is in low supply.  While we live and preach a life covered by grace and forgiveness, we are slow to extend the grace we have so freely received.

As I watched your press conference, my heart broke.  My hopes for your future and the high place of honor I'd given you fell.  My heart broke for your wife; for your children; for your closest friends; for the thousands of people you have influenced.  But mostly my heart broke for you.  I'm hurting for you.  I'm not hurting because of you.  I'm hurting for you.  I know you must feel lower than you ever have.  You are still God's child.  You are covered in His grace.

Lately there have been many public announcements of infidelity.  I'm sorry you are one of those many.  I'm sorry that you will be made fun of; ridiculed; outcast; shunned; forgotten.  I want you to know that I believe you are truly repentant.  I saw an honest heart of brokenness as you spoke.  I'm choosing to believe the best in you not because of your former reputation but because our Father chooses to believe that about you.

As silly as this might sound, I would love to meet you and shake your hand once again.  I would like to in some small way begin to change the reputation of the American Christian Church.  I would like to pray for you and with you.  I'd like to share a cup of coffee and hear you laugh at a joke.  As I imagine there hasn't been much laughter for you lately.  I'd like to see you holding on to the promise that He will "never leave you or forsake you."  Thank you for your service to our State.  Please do whatever God calls you to do to reconcile yourself to Him, your wife and your children.  As a Student Pastor in Charleston if there is anything I can do to assist you and your family, please don't hesitate to ask.  You are loved.

In Christ,

Phillip McCart

I'm a Mess

Over twelve years ago a woman walked into my life.  Twelve years of friendship, ten years of marriage and three children later I can't make it through five days without her.  I love this woman.

I Love This Woman from Phillip McCart on Vimeo.

Amazing Moment

I'm still in awe of God's answer to our prayers.  And while we're currently trying to figure out how to come up with $2200 for another new transmission for our Ford Explorer (replaced it less than a year ago), nothing can steal my joy from this amazing moment and the expectation that I'm filled with these days.  I hope you enjoy the video.

Mac's Big Announcement from Phillip McCart on Vimeo.

I Can't Say It Without Crying

We had a baby doctor appointment this morning.  I'm having a son.  I'm having a son. I'M HAVING A SON!!!!!  I can't say it without crying.  Thank you God for answering my silly selfish prayer.  Thank you Anita for caring about this so much for me.  Thank you everyone for praying that God would grant our request. 

I'M HAVING A SON!!!!!!

It's Been A While

Sorry folks.  It's just been a non-blog season for me.   But my attention was recently steered to this incredible video that once again reminded me that "Phillip's not creative."  So without further ado...I give you "Her Morning Elegance."

Officially Freaked Out

As my first year at Northwood draws to a close I'm surprised by the emotion and attachment I have with the outgoing seniors of NSM.  As best we can count, NSM has at least nine different schools represented in the class of 2009.  I sat through Awards Day at Northwood Academy and came to the realization that as I watch tomorrow's graduation ceremony, I will be crying.  Call it sympathy emotions for Anita and her pregnant hormones but I am getting seriously sad about seeing these seniors leave.  

However, my emotion isn't what has me officially freaked out.  Today was the day Northwood students received their yearbooks.  Aside from looking at the beautiful and handsome pictures of my students (and finding the only place in which I, in "Where's Waldo" fashion, appear), I saw what I wasn't prepared for: a picture of my child.  

That's right, I have a child who has a yearbook photo.  We even ordered her own (with name) yearbook.  So far the thirties are sending me for a loop.  I swear I was 22 yesterday.  The fatter I get and the frequency of injuries I incur is reminding me how quickly I'm becoming one of the older guys at the table.  Having a kid old enough for a yearbook just sends me right off the deep end.  I need to quickly do something young and dumb.  Maybe I'll have my chance soon.  For now I've got a couch to sit on as I watch the History Channel special on WWII.....

DANG IT!!!

Follow Me Series

To end the 2008-2009 school year we decided to do a series for our High School students built around Spiritual Disciplines.  In our creative meeting we came up with a Twitter-esque packaging.  I decided to take it easy on the bumper and went with a pretty simple style.  Enjoy!

Follow Me Bumper from Phillip McCart on Vimeo.