Monthly Archives: August 2025

Following Christ

H.D. McCarty — Following Christ

I attended my first board meeting this week of Ventures for Christ. The meeting was lead by the 92-year-old H.D. McCarty who is still leading the way in exalting Christ, pleasing Christ, and becoming like Christ — for the joy set before him and all who believe.

H.D. McCarty’s mind is razor sharp. His heart is ablaze with passion for the King and His flock. His vocal cords, and his ability to speak or communicate this reality and passion, are affected by the polio he experienced in his youth.

This week he assembled a group of men, spiritual and distinguished in their careers and lives, for lunch in order to exhort them to follow Christ in a disciplined, sacrificial, “lay down your life” way — the way of the cross.

All of the men are older. About half are in their 80s and about half are in their early 70s or late 60s. All are successful doctors, lawyers, businessman, bankers, even a rogue pilot, who could go their own way, so to speak, and live lives of relative ease.

Indeed, there was small talk before and during lunch at Noodles restaurant about golf courses, vacations, and health discussions typical of retirees. But there we sat, loving the one who called us together, admiring him, and wanting to be loyal to him to the end — and as devoted to his Lord as he is.

He shared a few things with us as best he could. His beautiful and precious daughter Karen joined for a brief time and helped us understand some of his utterances that were unclear. But his main focus was that we get to know each other, and love each other like he loved us individually. And that we all pledge ourselves anew to die to ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ, Who is worthy and still showing Himself to H.D. in his 90s as ever before and as never before. His name be praised.

He left us with three sheets of printed material to read and meditate upon, after holding up a book by Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest. He intimated the book was special to him among the hundreds he has read.

One sheet was selected scriptures, front and back, that expressed the spirit and vision of Ventures for Christ, his ministry moniker in this chapter of his life. The other two sheets were copies from the Chamber’s book for November 1 through November 3, with H.D.’s personal notes scribbled around some of the text with insight and feeling.

I think you could sum up this unlikely, unusual, and sacred meeting like this:

“Rise up, O men of God! Have done with lesser things; give heart and soul and mind and strength to serve the King of kings.” (William Merrill, 1911) Or in the words of Jesus of Nazareth, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me (Matthew 16:24-26).

I wrote on the bottom of my copy, “if you don’t first pick up your cross, there is no need to follow.” This truth came to me in the moment and perhaps has been lost on our affluent culture with a lukewarm church in many quadrants. May the Lord help us. He will, IF we do what He says. Amen.

H.D. wants us to be points of light for others, and disciple them in the way of the cross. I found on his website where he expresses this sentiment and passion in his own words:

“We are all to be men and women sent from God.” II Corinthians 2:17b
Our Ventures for Christ Mandate
The Ventures ministry is our Spirit led attempt to shepherd as many Christians as the Lord might give us into a Cross Disciple life! Our efforts are aimed at those who hunger to be contented warriors for Christ. Our goal is to teach others to continuously practice thinking, feeling, and acting with the Mind of Christ. We must grasp and internalize the practical presence of the Godhead ─ our triune Creator, Redeemer, and Perfecter ─ and respond increasingly, urgently, and precisely to the mystery of our New Creation birth in Christ. This can be done as we bring His thoughts into our minutes and learn the empowerment of His perceptions and promises! We “capture” His Mind, then “embrace” His Heart, and then “sacrifice” for His Will!
Carrying the Savior’s Cross for our individual earth adventure begins with a passion to live out one’s life increasingly directed and consumed with the Mind of Christ.

Get to know H. D. McCarty — An interview with a curator of the Arkansas Air and Military Museum in Fayetteville, AR. [Photos above were taken in his office during this interview.]

A good many things could be said about H.D. McCarty, but to those who know and love him and have had their minds, souls, and spirits directed up to Christ by him, certainly these verses come to mind.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history…” (Acts 17:26 NIV).

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation …” (Acts 13:36).

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 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 40:28-31).

“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

In my latest book, God Stays Near, there is a chapter called “Grey Eagles” about aging with the Lord. In the board’s estimation, H.D. is the grayest and the greatest we know. May our gracious God continue to be the wind beneath his wings.

Quickly approaching ninety-three, he’s working on a second book. His first came out last year, His Cross and Ours. It’s a needed word in our generation and culture.

Recent Ventures for Christ Board Meeting with H.D. McCarty

Choose or Be Chosen?

We are made in God’s image, all humans, but we are not like Him — no one is. God is quite different from His creation or any created thing. He’s the paragon of power, truth, and beauty — all that is good.

I have a friend named Pablo. He says he’s “tried” to believe but just doesn’t feel what the rest of us feel in the community of faith. He also says he can’t get on board with a God who sends people to eternal damnation just because they are something like Hindus.

Well, that’s another issue with thousands of books and articles addressing it, just like the topic of this blog, “Choice.” I will say quickly and quietly, that subject may be several levels above our pay grade to understand or decide, especially at the beginning of our faith journey. Also, “eternal” damnation as described in the Bible may not be what you think it is or have been taught in many of our churches. You can read chapter 23 in my book, Puzzling 2020 or, Hell, A Final Word , by Edward Fudge, or watch the movie, Hell and Mr. Fudge for a different Biblical perspective.

More importantly, ask yourself, “Could I get on board with a God who made every human in His image, gave them breath, a beautiful earth and creation to enjoy, and the freedom to experience it all as they program their souls as they see fit? That may be the better question or way to approach God, with less pride and hubris and more gratitude. But approach Him as you wish. He allows you that amazing choice.

Ephanay? Paradox? Choice?

The Bible teaches that if you will choose God, He will choose you. And He knows your heart better than you do. He’s willing to be patient with you, to let you work out what you want to believe over time.

There is another important piece to this puzzle. There is a domain of dark, delusional, deluding spirits who fit into God’s plan in some way ambiguous to humans. They are constantly leading humans astray or deceiving us about truth, who God is, who they are, and who we are. And you? You get to decide or choose what you want to believe, as one caught up in this cosmic battle for your soul. At stake is eternal life, the ability to forge deep relationships, and know truth — also the Holy One.

Choose wisely. Dig deeply into the person and purposes of God by reading the Holy Bible for yourself with an open heart and mind to know truth if God will reveal it to you. It’s the perennial best-selling, most-widely-published book on the planet. It also makes the claim that it is inspired by the Spirit of God Himself for the purpose of making Him known to us, us known to ourselves, and us known to Him.

The Spirit and Your Faith

Now for the mysterious and mystical part of the equation — God’s Spirit. There is a whole branch of theology about how one comes to faith. It’s called soteriology. I find it as fascinating and mysteriously beautiful as it is simple. Jesus told his disciples to come to God the Father like a little child or don’t bother coming at all (Matthew 18:3). The way is simple enough for all, the young and old, the simple and wise — everyone.

It’s just that you don’t control it all. You only control your part, which is to believe and have faith like a child. Go ahead and ask the hard questions, the harder the better. Be intellectually honest of course. But be honest and respond in childlike fashion when revelation and answers come. I love hearing how people come to faith. You should ask people who believe how they came to faith when you see the Spirit of light in their lives. I tell the stories of three people coming to faith in my latest book, God Stays Near, Faith and Flight.

Landing the Plane

Read the Gospels over and over. Thomas Jefferson had only one book beside his bed, the words of Jesus lifted from the New Testament. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We have the written Word, the Bible. We have the Word of God in the flesh, Jesus the Son of God (John 1:14). He sows the seeds of faith and shows us the way to the Father, our Creator God (John 14:8-21).

Read the Gospels often and much, in silence and solitude, until you hear that still small voice that leads to faith. Reading shows your heart, that you desire to know the truth. Then leave the revelation part to Him. He will answer. But own your part and responsibility — your faith.

It’s instructive and insightful how often Jesus said, “Go in peace, your faith has made you well [or saved you]” (Luke 8:48, 7:50, 17:19, 18:42, and others). The Spirit of God does the major lifting, the heavy part, but at some point faith springs from you up to meet God, like a silent lightning strike, that seals and starts a new life — forever.

Shalom and Godspeed on your journey with Him to “Joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1Peter 1:8).

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“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

How should we view predestination? Are there people He just doesn’t call? “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29).

You must choose what you think and believe about this. Then the seeming paradox will become more clear as you journey. In the words of St. Augustine, “Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.”

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:16-17).

“The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV).

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).