Local Update!

Yes, the physical church building is open today.

If you have damage and are in need of some help, please call us.

We will be getting some teams together as we determine what the needs are.

If you know someone who needs help and they are not a part of this body. Call us.

Trouble, The Mayor, and Lester are already here. What an example they set of how one never retires from serving our Lord.

Serve God. Serve others because of His love for you and yours for Him.

Praising Him in the Storm

Last night Granbury and the surrounding communities had major storms. Funnel clouds were spotted.... Our local body was gathered in a couple of areas of our physical church building.

I've written about Trouble before. As we stood in the foyer.. she said, "I'd rather be here with people I love than at home by myself. If I can't be with my kids, I'll take being with my other family."

As I went around to various areas checking on different individuals, I was deeply touched to see how they were interacting with each other. Young, old, and in-between like me.

I could not help but praise Him in the storm.

Is there damage? Yes. How much? Yet to be determined.

Where does my help come from? The Maker of the Heaven and the earth.

Stay tuned today for our Servant Evangelism tip from Micky!

Make today count!!! And as always, you were just prayed for no matter where you're at this moment.

Prayer for a Friend...

One of the biggest joys that I've shared about here on Life in the Moments is walking through life with others - the seen and unseen as I call them.

Tonight my mind is on one such friend. A friend that most would assume is seen given how public their lives are. And yet, as surely as I am sitting here - I submit this friend is very much unseen in some ways.

And as I lift this friend up in prayer, I am reminded that God sees this friend. God knows this friend's pain. While we cannot begin to understand why this pain is necessary, we know and trust that on the other side of this storm, the sea will be calm yet again.

I ask for you to pray for this friend. This friend has been a tremendous blessing in my(our) life. This friend has been there for me and it is my privilege and countless blessing to be there for them.

To this friend.... My lack of response to you today was met with groanings on your behalf.

Sometimes words are not sufficient. Fortunately, God understands it all even when we do not.

And one thing this friend has helped teach me - sometimes listening is better than any thing we can say.

Signed,
Open Ears Closed Mouth

Unending Gratitude.

Today was the last meeting for this particular Tuesday morning Bible study group. It has been my sheer pleasure in being their teacher and walking along side of each one. It has also been one of the biggest growth times for me as a teacher and as a Christ follower. I am in a constant stage of learning - I remain a student. I am grateful.

Each week I asked the women to dig deep with me but more importantly in their walks with Him. The Sermon on the Mount was met with a variety of responses. Most of which I will keep quiet for the purpose of this post. There needs to be safe places for individuals to share. One thing I know for sure as a teacher - your students will not go where you are not willing to go yourself first. If you're relying on your self - you will miss the mark every single time. If you ask His Spirit to be your guide - let go and watch! Talk about freedom....

For those of you who have been praying for me as their teacher... for each one of them...

I am met with unending gratitude. And honestly, no words could ever do it justice.

If I could ask one thing more - keep praying. God is moving here in Granbury!

Today was absolute proof.

Testimony - Michael S.

Last weekend we did several service projects around all of hood county. We were at the schools, churches, other big businesses, parks, ball fields, and communities. We passed out water, food, healthy kids fliers, car washes, cookies, we helped do yard work, bagged groceries, pumped gas, etc. We were all over the place doing so many things and helping out so many people. I have been involved in every Love Granbury, when we do the monthly ones and i was involved last year in the really big one that we did. But this year more churches were involved and thousands of people were affected by our efforts. That is nothing short of God's handiwork because there is absolutely no way that we could have accomplished all that we did on our own. God was and is moving in Granbury, He was with us on Saturday and provided in abundance so that we could accomplish the task that He had set out for that weekend. My group was in for the long haul and i really appreciate them for that. Love Granbury was scheduled to be over at 2:00. We grabbed a quick bite to eat then we were back to work. After the official Love Granbury was over we worked on a lady's yard, trimming bushes and hauling off a massive tree branch that had fallen in her yard. When we finished there we went on to another lady's house and she needed her yard mowed and weed eated, so we jumped on that. We worked until it was time to go to the church for the evening service and finally made it back home to get cleaned up. Love Granbury was very successful and i look forward to all the other projects we will do in the future.

Love Granbury, however, was not over on Saturday. Helping out people and meeting them where THEY are and bringing Jesus to them is something that we should do on a daily basis. There will always be more people in need than there are people to help. I am very excited to see what God can and will do in Granbury, Texas, but it is up to us to be faithful and accomplish the task that Jesus sets out for us on a daily basis.

The Doctor and the Great Physician.

Yesterday, I was reading the local newspaper online just like I do every single day. As I came to a story about an accident involving a motorcyclist - I knew that there would be a connection between that individual and myself. I started praying for that individual's family.

Today, as I was reading, there was her name in print. A name that was found on daddy's prescription bottles for many years. A name that was discussed numerous times in this home. A name that I came to know with red hair, glasses, and a "How are we doing today?" A name that I called when the daughter became the caregiver those last 18 months.

One day when I was out to lunch with some of my seminary friends, I ran into this woman. Her words to me that day, I have not forgotten. They remain with me still.... even more so now.

While I believe that the doctor is now with the Great Physician, I ask for prayers for her three children. Two daughters and a son. And if you're local and run across a Shank, ask them this simple and yet profound question, "How are we doing today?" and please be willing to listen.

For in life's moments it is clear, "For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone."

Broken Pieces. Beauty Abounds.

There are people that come through life who take up residence in our very being. This morning, I saw one such person coming my way as I stood in a hallway. I had heard earlier in the week that she was hoping to be there today. This was the first time I've seen her since January. And yet, the not first time I've really laid my eyes upon her beauty.

This woman's life was changed on the last Sunday of January. The impact of what happened that morning affected more than just her honestly. Her car skidded off the road and flipped. The windshield broke into pieces and smashed her face and body. It was astonishing that she even made it out alive. Today it was clear - she is still much very living.

I've written about this woman on Life in the Moments before. Our connection is deeper than deep. We're prayer partners and do not have to be together in the same room to be there for each other. Like I said, this was the first time I've seen her since January. And yet, our relationship has grown stronger in that time.

As I stood there taking in my dear precious friend - I could not help but notice her sheer beauty. For even though she was wearing sunglasses inside the building to hide the damage to her eyes and help protect them, she was more radiant than ever. She would not trade the past few months for a new car even though the one she was driving that day was totalled in a flash.

That's what broken pieces can do when we surrender to God's healing hands to mend us. We may not look the same again. We may only be a slight resemblance to what we once were. And yet, we may be like pieces that are brought together and create stained glass that truly lets His light shine through.

Broken pieces. Beauty abounds because of Him alone. Sylvia would testify to that as would I.

We'll take being weird like that. How about you?

Servant Evangelism Tip for This Week

Hey everyone, I want to thank Camey for adding me as a contributor to her blog. What a blessing that is! Starting this week, we will be posting a new servant evangelism tip on the Life In the Moments blog each week. These will be practical, helpful little tips that will assist you with integrating the "servant evangelism" model into your regular, ongoing outreach ministry. If you come up with an idea for an outreach, we would love to hear about it! Here's this week's tip:


Learning to work together, even on a small job -- can help a group become closer. Get your small group involved in a hands-on project. The project might be in the home of one of your group members, or it might be at your church or another location where people are in need of some volunteer help. Here are some tips:


Consider the skill level needed for the job -- is it laying tile, changing or fixing a faucet, hanging window coverings, painting rooms with decorative techniques, or refinishing wood floors? If it's beyond the average person's skill, arrange for a specialist to teach on the topic and demonstrate the methods involved. Check local hardware and home improvement centers to see if you can find someone willing to teach your group.


Determine what materials your church will provide and what group members need to bring. Make sure any supplies and tools are on hand.


Present a short devotional on Nehemiah 2:17-3:5 either before or after your project. In the face of oppression and ridicule, Nehemiah led his people to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. They depended on God to give them success. They dedicated their work to the Lord, and tackled it together. Help group members understand that even when they face adversity in life, relationships, or marriage, they can depend on God to give them success. Encourage them to approach the home improvement project with Nehemiah in mind, remembering that God called them to work together.

God's Love - All That and a Bag of Chips

What a glorious sight it was last Saturday during the Love Granbury Kindness Explosion - 10 different churches outside their walls taking God's love into their communities, many of them working together in the same neighborhoods. It truly was an amazing day.

One of the most amazing things about servant evangelism is how common, ordinary items or acts become extraordinary when offered out of a heart overflowing with God's love. It's so cool to watch as a hot dog, a cookie, a bottle of water, or a bag of chips transforms before your very eyes into a tangible expression of God's love! In the same way, a simple act like pumping someone's gas and washing their windshield becomes a holy moment in time. We live in such a "nothing for free" society, that when faced with the prospect of getting something for nothing, many people become highly suspect. It's not at all unusual to hear phrases like "what's the catch" or "why would you do that"? Even after you tell them that what you're doing is completely free, many people still want to know if you're accepting donations! When it finally starts to sink in that they are about to receive something for nothing, simply as a way to show them God's love, you can almost hear the door to their heart creek open ever so slightly. What a holy moment indeed!

Those moments were in abundant supply all over Hood County last Saturday. We may never truly know on this side of eternity how many seeds of God's love and kindness were planted by the Body of Christ this past weekend, but what we do know about is phenomenal! Here are the overall stats as we have them:

Over 500 people participating representing 10 different churches
Approximately 1,350 hot dog lunches (w/chips and drinks) given out
28 vehicles washed
1,676 bottles of water handed out
Over 500 cookies home baked and distributed to local businesses
12 widows home worked on
Pumped gas/washed windshields for approximately 300 people
Distributed approximately 3000 Healthy Kids Summer Lunch Program fliers door-to-door in all of our Healthy Kids neighborhoods as well as at the Granbury City Park and at Granbury Middle School.

All this done free of charge, no donations accepted, no strings attached...all to show God's love in a tangible way! And remember that with each contact, whether it was from handing someone a free hot dog, a bottle of water, washing their vehicle or pumping their gas, each person was handed a "kindness card" with the simple message that what we were doing was a free gift...just like God's love is free! What a simple, yet profoundly powerful message!

As we talked about at the Saturday evening celebration service, the way to truly make Kindness Explosion 08 a real success, is for each of the participating churches to make the commitment to integrate some form of "servant evangelism" into their normal routine of ongoing ministry. Whether it's monthly, semi-monthly, quarterly, or whatever, there's simply nothing more powerful to a watching world than our churches getting outside their four walls and into their communities to share the love of Christ through servant ministry with no strings attached. To God be all the honor and glory!

Little Acts Add Up!

As Christ followers, we are called to be His hands and feet. That is what Love Granbury helps represent - the hands and feet in action! Little acts add up. Seeds planted.

• 1676 free drinks given out in different locations all over Granbury
• 504 homemade cookies baked, bagged and delivered to the jail, juvenile center, admin building and etc.
• 12 widow houses received services such as lawn mowed, windows cleaned, repairs made and etc.
• The houses in CC, IH, and CH received fliers with details about Healthy Kids. These are not your typical gated communities. Access was granted due to the nature of the fliers and the hearts of those delivering them.
• Full service gas station, groceries bagged and taken out for customers at one local grocery stores. 600 free gift cards were given out.
• 154 people ages 2 to 69 participated from our body alone.

More testimonies to come. Stay tuned.

My Birthday Wish List....

For those of you who keep asking me what do I want for my 40th birthday today... here's my birthday wish list:

Do acts of kindness for those you come in contact with.

Be the hands and feet of God today if you are a Christ follower.

Take time to pray with/for someone whether you know them or not.

Make today count wherever you are at!!!!!

As always - you were prayed for just now.

Unashamed. Austin's Public Surrender.

Brother G and I are thrilled to announce that Austin surrendered publically this morning to ministry as his way of living life. For to us, ministry is not a vocation alone. It is just like breathing. It is like taking one step in front of another. It is Loving Granbury (or wherever one is at) 365 days a year and not just on one weekend.

Austin is unashamed to be a Christ follower. It is evident in the moments of his very being.

I'm stopping now.... For the tears consume me. There is no greater joy as his mother... his parents.. than watching him live life for God.

We're thankful to call him temporarily ours.

Testimony - Danielle C.

"I had an awesome time even though it was just passing out water and fliers. The look on people's faces when we told them that the water was free because God loved them, one man was speechless. Another one was so happy because someone had pumped her gas and now she was getting free water! This was one of the my best memories ever! God really took over Granbury today."

Danielle C. - 15 years old

(Fliers - During the summer months we have a ministry called Healthy Kids. It provides free lunches for any one age 18 and under at designated spots all around Granbury 5 days a week whether rain or shine. That's what the flier was about.)

Note from Camey: I had asked several of the teens to write a testimony about today. Danielle had this written within the first 5 minutes we were back at the physical church building. That's how excited she was/is! More to come......

Kindness Explosion 08!!!!!!

It's here! Love Granbury - Kindness Explosion 08!!!! What a gathering we had last night at GFUMC. Just Like Jonah was fantastic. They did a great job leading us in worship. "Mattness" gave us our marching orders to remember that it doesn't end tonight. It is to continue every single day. (Actually someone else had already said it... Scripture!) Today we're going out into Granbury and the surrounding areas and sharing/showing His love through acts of kindness. Lincness is producing more videos. The body in action!!!!

If you are not able to participate with us - please pray. Last count there are 10 "churches" represented. The same God!!!!! The G family cannot wait to share His love that He has so richly given us. Huge thanks to Micky, Shelley, Ryan, Cari, Linc, and etc..... It is a sheer blessing ministering with each of you. We love you!!

Watch for testimonies to come. Make today count wherever you are!

Today - just like every single day is a great day to serve the Lord by serving others.

Please Join Us..... Prayer Requests.

Please join us in praying for the following. They are listed in no particular order. Some are local - most are not.

Andrew - 5 days old
Caleb - 10 years old
CJ - 2 days old
Kieran - 7 years old
Lillian - 16 months old
Luke - 2 days old
Qu'aniaya - 2 weeks old
Akeeb - 6 days old
Austin - 11 months old
Enrique III, 17 years old
Ford and Hayden - 2 months old
Grace - 1 month old
Jacob - 5 days old
Kayden - 2 months old
Nathan - 2 months old
Stacy - 6 years old
Zamantha - 1 month old
Alex - 1 year old
Dylan - 7 weeks old
Kimberly - 13 years old
Marcus - 19 years old

Debbie K and family
The Brooks family
Asa and family
All of those ministering through Love Granbury this weekend
All of those who will be ministered to through Love Granbury
Janie and Steve S.
Crystal and family
Joyce and family
Julie and family
Brandi's family

Please feel free to leave prayer requests here via comment or through email.

Thank you for the privilege of praying for and with you.

20 Years - My Version

20 Years Ago – April 10, 1988

I saw your beautiful smile
I noticed your flowing hair
You sat by my side while we worshiped God
You picked me over the other pursuer
I wore boots and Wranglers
My heart was changed

20 Years Later April 10, 2008

Your smile has not changed
Your hair is still long and beautiful
We worship God more intently together
I am now second in your heart – Christ is first
I still wear boots and Wranglers
I love you more now than ever.

The next 20 Years – April 10, 2018

I don’t have the gift of Prophesy so I will live each day looking forward to the future.

What a great time I’ve had being your Husband and best friend. Thanks for keeping me the second most important person in your life.


Proverbs 31:10-31 Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22 She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29 "Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" 30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. 31 Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.


Brother “G”

April 10th, 1988 - A Day in the Lives..

Some people celebrate their wedding anniversary. That's all good and fine. For hubby and I, we choose to celebrate the day we first met. The day that we walked into each other's lives and things would never be the same again. How God worked then and how He never has stopped.

This morning I am worshipping God. I am giving thanks to Him for the most incredible man I've ever known other than Jesus and my daddy. If you would have told me then that a simple act of turning around and inviting another person to sit with me and my friends so that individual would not be sitting alone would have the impact that it did ........ it would have blown my mind. Frankly, still does. A simple act of kindness.....

As I sit here thinking back over the 20 years - half of my life now... it is no surprise that I love this man even more deeply than yesterday or the day before or the day we married. His love for God is undeniable. And therefore, it is for me as his wife as well.

We have known the depth of joy and of sorrow. We have danced in the pouring rain. We have had the talks that most never want to entertain. Done things that most never want to do. And we have grown in Christ and in our marriage in ways that are being written on the pages of our lives.... eternity.

One thing we both believe with all our hearts, bodies, souls and minds...

Surrendered to God is the best way to truly be alive and live life in His abudance of amazing grace.

All Access Pass. Be Careful What You Pray For.

There's this woman. Yesterday she asked me about the latest news in my life like she always does. In the midst of sharing with her about how God is working in my/our life, she said the following words to me...

"Camey, you have an all access pass here. Whatever stories I can help you share I will. It's no coincidence that this is happening now. That we are connected in the ways in which we are. There are individuals whose stories of helplessness to victory need to be told. You have our full support. Whatever we can do, we will."

I must confess to being a little blown away. "All access pass"..... those words are not heard often in certain circles. This woman loves others like Jesus. She is one of the kindest and compassionate women I've ever known in my life. I'm so incredibly thankful to call her my sister in Christ.

It also reminded me to be careful what you pray for. Since Sunday night a week plus ago now I've been praying for real confirmation about something new in my life and yet like breathing for me. That confirmation has definitely been given no matter who all else may be involved or how.

That's one thing about being a Christ follower... We do have an all access pass to Him. He is not closed behind some door with guards standing watch outside.

What are you praying for?

And are you trusting Him with things you've only dreamed of before?

Love others like Jesus today...

Little Girl Unseen.

There was a little girl today underneath the desk downstairs. She was hiding from her dad and middle sister. And she was talking with me all the while. I didn't mind that people thought I was talking to myself when she would hear an unfamiliar voice and would not respond back to me. It's par for her course. This little girl and I have a very tender friendship with each other for reasons I cannot explain here.

During her stay under the desk, there were a couple of individuals needing assistance out the doors. I would look at her and say, "Can you please go open the doors for them?" and out from under the desk she would come and with a smile beaming from ear to ear - would open the door for these strangers to her. That's what trusting someone can do. She knew it was safe to do so because I was asking her.

This little blond headed girl loves stickers. So, I gave her one. Only on her sticker I wrote, "Special friend to God and Ms. Camey." When I read it to her - she hugged me so tight and said, "I know you both love me." Tears came to my eyes for the little girl was quite right.

When she had a moment to think about it, she asked me if it were okay to give her middle sister a sticker too. I got another sticker out and laid it on the counter. She looked at the sticker and then me, and said, "Ms. Camey? I know God loves my sister and I know you do too. Please write on her sticker just like you did mine." So, I did.

When her middle sister, dad and baby sister came around the corner, the middle sister yelled out at me - "CAAAMMMMEEEEEEYYYY!" Then, came running to where I was at and hugged me tight. My relationship with her just as tender yet in different ways. Her oldest sister called out to her from underneath the desk, "I have something special for you from God and Ms. Camey." She then put the sticker on her middle sister. Her sister hugged her and they headed to the door with huge smiles on their faces like they were simply adored. They were quite right indeed.

The little girl unseen was heard in a loud way.

The Encourager.

There's a certain individual who shall remain nameless for the purpose of this post. Yesterday I spent some time chatting with him. One thing that rings true with this man, not long is needed to get straight to the point. He looked at me point blank and in a couple of words said more than some could say in an hour.

I believe we all need individuals in our lives who we can go to and be open with. That no matter what the conversation may be about - they always want the best for you that God would want for you. That's not necessarily saying the easiest, most fun or the ones that will make you rich monetarily.

As a Christ follower, one thing I believe is that every single day we are to encourage others. Not just those who look like us, act like us, believe as we do, and etc.

Others. Those who you cross paths with wherever you may be found. Or they might be heading.

I am grateful for the encouragers in my life. I hope each day to be so to others.

Who could benefit from your encouragement today? This moment?

If you have any encouragement inside of you... it is not meant to be kept but given away.

Pour it out lavishly on others.