Spiritual Intimacy: Lover of My Soul

It's funny really. As I was preparing to open up and write about what is truly the most important subject to me.... I went out onto myspace. Yes, I have one. There's this worship leader and singer that I have come to truly find myself identifying with. As I went to her page, I found this song for the first time. With tears streaming down my face... it reminds me all the more of why He is the lover of my soul and about the intimacy that I know with Him.

I've often been asked, "Camey? How can you believe in God... in Jesus.. when you have had the kind of life that you have?" Or of course there is the other response, "WOW! I can see why you believe." While there is so much talk these days about husbands and wives having real intimacy... I submit to you that it is only possible with Him. He must be the head of the relationship... the very foundation. Yet, that is not possible if He is not the lover of one's soul, of their very heartbeat.

In this crazy world we live in, we are bombarded with images and messages that tell us that we as an individual are the most important thing on this earth. Numeral Uno! There's this commercial where the "man of the house" gives a cell phone to each member in his family; his wife, his daughter, and his son. He tells him that he giving it to them because they are his #1. When he finally walks out of the house... he says something to the effect of "Now for the real number one. Me." That's not what I believe God had in mind when He created us. That's not what the Bible is about. It is The Real and True Love Story.

While there is no doubt that I love my husband and he loves me.... That is not all God intended. For God is the real lover of my soul. It is because of Him that I breathe. It is reading His Living Word that life really flows thru my veins. It is in Jesus that I am complete. Not in my husband... or in my children.... or whatever job I may have or do. Only because of Him... and with Him... through Him.

While others may be willing to die for me... for you..... They cannot truly sacrifice alone what He did. Their deaths cannot provide the type of security that He can. That is a strong statement for me to make given what is taking place in our world today. And before you go giving me a piece of your mind about our men and women... we have one who has been serving for years now literally in the thick of things. Yet, I submit to you... It is just as thick wherever you are reading this from... and from where I sit as well... There is a war raging in each of us.

And that is why Spiritual Intimacy is all the more the most important subject one can ever explore. For no one knows except Him what the next moment holds... or what tomorrow will bring. There is no one who can be closer than Him. And no matter what any one else says... No one who loves you more.. no matter where you may be or have been.

Who is the lover of your soul? And how long has it been since you've sat at His feet and been engulfed in the deepest of the deep that can ever be? Or have you ever even called Him by name?

More to come.. Stay tuned.

This Question.

What Would You Be Willing To Attempt For God If You Knew You Could Not Fail?






Thanks alot Perry Noble.

Changing Roles: Today's Tidbit

This is one of those times when the changing roles are evident.

My mom actually drove today outside the highly secure gated community.

I drove past her going the other direction. And we both just looked at each other.

I felt like a proud parent and not just her daughter.

She is now sound asleep here in the living room.

She is totally exhausted. Her caregiver is just a few feet away.

Signed,
A daughter, proud parent and caregiver

Answers.

1) What was the subject? Discipline versus Punishment. Yes, spanking was covered.

2) Why do I call it highly secure gated community? Because it appears to be but obviously isn't since there are human beings inside.

3) Who is Randal? The associate pastor of our local church body.

4) Am I always so long winded? Nope.

5) How is Austin? His toe is healing nicely. Thank you for asking.

Questions? Answers? Prayer Requests? The lines are open. Leave a comment or send via email to cameybelieves@charter.net

Happenings in the G.

The Cranny:

Jeffrey Cranford rocked yesterday. Who is Jeffrey Cranford? Well, he is a guy with a testimony that includes some balls (golf) and sharing Jesus with individuals in highly secure gated communities around the US - particularly ones with courses attached. He is a Pro-Golfer and a Golf-Pro. He is also the son of some great people who love others because of Jesus.

One of Jeffrey's main points yesterday to the crowd was that Jesus should be talked about whether on the course or sitting around a Bible study group of men in the clubhouse. That anyone... any one... can have a golf ministry that plays golf and knows Jesus. Jeffrey knew my dad. They were buds. My parents had a golf ministry. Well, let me rephrase that.. my mom sort of still does and we do given where we live. Yes, I know.. I still don't have a golfing bone in my body and Brother G is not allowed to play golf. (Read: His back; not me.) Yet, where we live for the moment is where we live... For the moment at least. And well, there are two golf courses and plans for a third in this highly secure gated community.

It was obvious that Jeffrey rattled some cages yesterday. Hopefully, some stones realized they could be moved into action if they would just be willing to. By stones I mean those individuals who have been so stuck in playing golf for the sake of playing golf only... Hello, People? Mission field and you get to whack things.

Jeffrey will be speaking to two different Bible study groups on Sunday morning at our local church building. Give him a listen if you live here locally. Oh, but don't miss hearing Randal during one of the three worship services! You can do both.

Open Eyes:

Talk about information city! The meeting last night at the American Town Hall scored big time. Meth. It is a huge problem here in the G. That is clear when eyes are truly open. More to come. Thanks to all involved with getting the info out.

Friday Night:

Homecoming game for public high school! Everyone be safe out there.

Love G-Town:

Saturday, October 27th, 9:00 a.m. - Noon.

This event is church wide.

Meet at our local church building for the scoop.

Head out to Wal-Mart or on the highway to show some LOVE!

Who's Preaching:

Brother Randal is preaching during all 3 services Sunday. As Randal says, "Are you listening church body? Our best days are ahead."

Parents! Heads Up:

Sunday, October 28th, 10:50 a.m. in The Attic (Student Wing)

Special Speaker: Sandi Black - Licensed Adolescent Counselor

Some of the topics Sandi will be covering...

- How do I help my child when they experience grief (death, divorce, etc.)

- How teenagers grieve differently than adults

- Signs my child may need counseling

That's it for happenings in the G for the moment. Or at least the ones that can be talked about.

You're loved and prayed for!

Local Announcements.

The following are local announcements for today, Thursday, October 25th, 2007.

1) Jeffrey Cranford will be speaking this morning at 9:30 a.m. at the main club house in the highly secure gated community. Men and women are both welcome.

2) A national crime watch program is coming to address the methamphetamine epidemic. State Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland), the DPS and other officials will present the issue at a town hall meeting tonight from 7 to 8:30 at the American Town Hall, 220 N. Travis St.

3) Fire officials are asking all residents to take necessary precautions to help prevent fires.

Changing Roles: Grown Children and Their Parents

Changing Roles: Grown Children and Their Parents Part I

If we stop and look at the make-up of today’s world, the fact that there are now more senior aged adults cannot go unnoticed. This trend, will, of course, only increase over time. We must be willing to talk about these difficult subjects and be prepared to make the hard decisions in life with God’s guidance, grace, mercy, and love. Roles can and do change over the moments, even in the blink of an eye. This is a fact. It cannot be escaped.

As some of you know, this is close to our hearts as we have had and continue to live this subject on a daily basis. For whatever the reasons, I was always a daddy’s girl. While he was consistent in reminding me that he was not my real Father… that was/is God, he was the next most important figure in my life until my husband came along. This is not meant in any disrespect to my mother; I will get back to her as this goes along. It is due in part to daddy’s story and ours as to why I was asked to write about this.

My daddy was a real man. He didn’t need others to help him. He was the one that offered the help and would give you the shirt off his back if that was needed. So when Parkinson’s disease and Diabetes came calling on his body, and therefore, his life and ours, the fight for the real man inside of him was at stake. My daddy commanded attention and received it for his mercy and love for Jesus was unending. And yet, being all things human, what the world says comprises a real man lingered in his thoughts and heart as well. It was a struggle until he totally surrendered to God and let go. He gave me permission to share in an effort to help others. That was daddy.

There came a time when the Parkinson’s disease and its affects blinded daddy to the truth of what was happening to him and his body. He could not understand and fully accepted that his need to be able to drive a moving vehicle did not go hand in hand with reality. He could not drive in a straight line. He was, more times than not, unaware of how fast he was driving. He was clocked going 85 in a 35 zone one day on the way to meet us. It was not an emergency situation that was requiring the speed. He simply couldn’t keep his lead foot under control. The only thing that kept him that day from losing his driver’s license was the grace of God and also the fact that the Lord had already been working on our hearts and in our lives.

We wonder at times why we go through the various trials in life that we do. There are moments when they become all too clear and are somewhat explained; most of the time these explanations require us to get out of our comfort zones and truly be laid open to bearing our souls for the sake of others and His kingdom and requires actions not just words. This was our case. This was mine. Like I said before, I was a daddy’s girl. This apple didn’t fall far from the tree or so I’m often told whether for good, bad or even at times downright ugly; truth being told.

In 2005, it became clear after seeking the Lord’s guidance through prayer, conversations between various individuals, that not only was an intervention needed but hard core life changes. This was not merely for the sake of daddy, nor mom, but for others that he might come in contact with as well. This is real life. At times it stinks. At times it hurts. But it is what it is. So, we (my husband, my self and our three sons) gave away or sold almost every single thing we had the blessing of calling ours and walked away from our life as a family of five. We joined our lives with my parents after I had the undeniable privilege of telling them we moving in. Given the fact that I, at one time, my self had been unable to legally drive, daddy knew that I could understand in ways that most might not. Granted, I am a female and not a male, but being like daddy, I too loved to be behind the wheel of a moving vehicle feeling the wind in my hair. Talk about humbling, a sense of humiliation, and a real ego buster. It definitely goes against most individual’s grain.

In comparing our lives and theirs, it was clear that the best decision was to join our lives together in their neck of the woods instead of in the bright city lights we called home. This was where one of the most difficult decisions for us came. G-town was a place where I had said I would never live. It was not my cup of tea. I am and have always been a city girl until God said, “Get your butts to G-town now.” Funny enough, I have come to hold G-town close to my heart, as have my country/city husband and our three city sons. When individuals surrender to the call that God places upon their lives in regards to ministry as a vocation especially, turning backs on family can truly grate one’s very being. How could we say we had surrendered to full-time ministry and say “Sorry, God, you’ve called us to minister to others, family does not count. You can just have someone else’s daughter and son-in-law do that.”

In moving in with daddy (and mom), the roles were definitely in the process of changing. The real man who once didn’t need help, truly started requiring more and more of it as his fight with Parkinson’s and Diabetes grew harder and harder. He was the man of the house, the king of this castle, my husband was not. Yet, over time, what he had once been able to take care of, he no longer could. My husband was given more and more responsibility for the household upkeep and daily running as was I. God called us to serve Him by serving my parents as well as being parents to our three sons and working in and through the local church body. I’ve often been asked why did we become active parts of our church that very weekend we moved in. The answer is simple. Given the fact that we were doing all the driving, we would have been driving them there any way since that is where they had been active for years. We listened to the Spirit’s guidance that our “family” was not to be divided. My husband has been called to pastor. Please do not lose that in translation. He was being a pastor and still is, it is evident in our home and in the lives of our three sons. And yes, even in our marriage. One does not need to stand behind a pulpit to truly fulfill God’s call as a pastor.

More to come. Stay tuned.

Strange Bonding Moments.

Every now and then, when you live in a house like ours... Strange bonding moments are bound to occur. We just had one... Three generations worth: Grandma, Mom and Austin.

Although we may use different terminology - our thoughts were still the same.

She wanted to "be sick". I wanted to "hurl". Austin just thinks it's "gross".....

Thanks, Austin for that strange bonding moment.



Warning: First post tomorrow will be one of the five previously listed.

Lord, I Feel You in This Place.

It's week 7 in the parenting class that I am teaching. This morning after hubby and I had our prayer time together, he said to me, "Oh, it's going to be good. You're gonna to be attacked." He was right.. I went to the physical church building looking forward to what was about to take place instead of wanting to climb back into bed and hide under the covers. Thank You, Lord, for that man.

This was an especially difficult subject today. It is one that I have struggled with over the years. It is one that individuals usually fall on one side or another. It can bring out heated opinions, lead to arguments, and create division instead of unity. Not today....

One thing that I am continuing to learn as a teacher is to listen. Really listen to the individuals in my class... Yet, most importantly of all, listen to the Spirit's guidance. Whether it be in prayer, preparing the lesson, in the class itself, or in conversations and through actions in-between.

My hubby and I haven't always had a prayer time together in the mornings. It is something that we've been convicted of and trying to consistently do over the last few months. Not for the sake of checking it off the list of "Things To Do" or even so that we can say we do it... It is one way that our marriage can grow stronger and truly be what God intends for it be.

Lord, I feel You in this place. And with You, I can stand even if my knees buckle.

Can you feel His presence wherever you are at this moment?

Specific Prayer Requests

These are in no particular order...

1) Those dealing with abuse; whether now or long ago

2) Those dealing with taking care of parents

3) Sick children and adults; whether sick spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally.. or combinations.

4) Those taking care of sick children

5) Those in transition

6) Churches and their staff

7) Those dealing with fires in California

8) Marriages

9) Families

10) Whatever is on your heart this moment.

Feel free to leave a comment or send requests to cameybelieves@charter.net

You have been prayed for. You are loved.

Beautiful To Him

Austin had another appointment at Dr. Adams' office today. I picked him up from the little store at 1:15 p.m. and we headed on our way into town. As our sons can attest, I am singing fool when in a vehicle especially. He asked me to stop a couple of times. I kept singing.

Austin has had several appointments at Dr. Adams' office since we have lived here. Every single time, I miss the turn into his office parking lot because I'm carried away with whatever song that I am singing to. And every time, Austin just has to laugh at his mom...

Little did we know today that Austin was going to end up having surgery again... on the same toe that he had it on just 2 months ago. Fortunately, Dr. Adams and his staff had it taken care of quickly. And we were on our way before Austin could break my hand because of squeezing it so hard.

As we were heading back to the highly secure gated community.... one of my favorite groups came on... I started singing right along. For even when things in our life do not go as we expected, we can still praise Him and give thanks. I wouldn't trade one drop of rain.......

And I know my voice is beautiful to Him.

I'm Just Sayin......

The highly secure gated community is open today for the twice annual garage sale Saturday.

Anyone else see why I call this a highly secure gated community?

I'm just sayin'.......

Real security doesn't happen this way.

Warning: Danger Will Robinson!

In the course of the next couple of weeks, I will be tackling some rather difficult subjects on lifeinthemoments. I've been accused of playing it safe in written form here, when in face to face situations, I tend to be more of a straight shooter. After much prayer... and having to ask for forgiveness... I will be submissive... (and no... that's not a dirty word to this female.)

Difficult subjects that will be tackled?

1) Changing Roles: Grown Children and Their Parents.

2) Sex: Dissing Some Myths. Pruning the Prude. Reclaiming Sexy.

3) Spiritual Intimacy: Lover of My Soul.

4) Marriage: It Takes More Than Two

5) Parenting: Who Runs Your Life?

As always... You've been prayed for and you are loved.

More to come... Stay Tuned... and Remember: You've been warned!

Good. Bad. In-Between.

Venturing out to get the mail, I stepped on a pecan. It wasn't green like the ones that we've seen so much of lately. I cracked it open, and sure enough... oh, it tasted so good. The green ones? I wouldn't suggest trying to eat one of those. Don't know exactly what the pecan harvest will yield yet... Good. Bad. In-between?

Isn't that how the moments of our lives are? We can plan all we want to and yet.... things change in a moment and most of the time without any real notice. Or perhaps... there were signs along the way and we were so blinded that we didn't even see them or we did and just didn't want to.

It is what we do with the good, bad, and the in-between that truly shows where we stand. Are we on sinking ground or is our foundation solid? Is our faith in God just a Sunday morning show or is it alive even in the midst of the storms or sunny skies?

It is harvest time here in the highly secure gated community. Yet, I submit to you that the real harvest is found wherever you and I walk.... and the places we do not want to go but at times are taken to...

God can and does use the good, the bad, and the in-between.

Are you available to let Him use you?

Specific Prayer Requests.

1) Briggs - a young boy who is in a struggle with his life. His parents.. his brother.. all involved.

NOTE: There will be a prayer vigil for Briggs at the front doors of Cooks Childrens Hospital on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

UPDATE: You can visit Briggs's CaringBridge site at http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/briggsberry

2) The P family - a young girl who is struggling with seizures. Her whole family... all involved.

3) The S family - as they learn to deal with caring for one of their own.

4) The List - that they will be seeking God's will....

5) Dr. David Kirkpatrick as he comes to preach this Sunday.

6) Our local church body - that we will be seeking God's will... May we be face down.... Pray....

7) YAMS - each girl/woman involved. And their families.....

8) John, Judy, and the girls as they transition from our town/church to their new one.

9) For their new church body.... What a testimony that they have grown while not having a senior pastor!

10) For whatever is on your heart at this moment......

Parents. Teachers. Pink Peep.

It was dark this morning as Parker's dad and mom, with Parker in tow, headed to the intermediate school outside the back gate of the highly secure gated community. His teachers are in the process of having a conference with each child's parent(s), guardian(s).... or whatever/whoever the case may be. We weren't sure what time the conference was to be... If only I had checked the school's website recently... The time was clearly listed there.

While waiting for the conference time.... I found one of my sweet friends who works for the school district. We sat down and had a bit of a heart to heart right there on the spot. Her daughter is one of the girls in YAMS. To say that we love their family would be an understatement.... the same can be said of them with ours.... Park came and got me when it was time to head down the hallway. His smile brightened our sweet friend's day... right when her clock was set to begin.

Parker has two fabulous teachers.... we are blessed to have them as a part of his education team. We have an understanding with all of our children's teachers that it is not their job alone to educate our children. Parker hugged and kissed me on the lips right there in the hallway with many of his peers around.... Mrs. Thomason said, "Mom? That's real love right there." He told me he loved me as he waved goodbye while walking into the classroom. We were headed out of that particular school before we knew it.

"A work in progress"..... is what kept ringing in my ears as we drove home. Soon it was time for me to get ready for the parenting class that I teach... it is Tuesday after all.... By the time I got to the physical church building.... it was clear... I was sick. Fortunately for the class, the tables had been rearranged and I was able to sit clear on the other side of the room. Today's lesson was huge and truly built upon other times we had had together. I kept praying, "Lord? Just help me through this without hurling." I told the class if I got up and ran out of the room to not come after me... it would be alright... I would be back. I couldn't have asked for class to go any better than it did. Of course, we all had to laugh that I had more make-up on one side of my face than the other... and frankly? you could hear my stomach from one end of the room to the other.

Sitting here, right now, in the quietness of the moment.... I look like a pink peep in my comfy robe. There is not one single hair in place... and at any moment... I could hurl (oh... throw up)... I came home after the parenting class and crawled into bed and stayed for several hours. While it may appear that I am alone in the house..... I am more at home than ever....

I am a work in progress sitting in her Father's lap thankful for each classroom and the lessons that are taught.... and even caught.

Mixed Emotions.

This morning, it was pouring buckets. It looked more like the dead of the night than 8:30 a.m. when I arrived. As I took my shoes off outside the front door and started walking into the house.... even darker. I called out, "Mae? Anyone here?" In a whisper she said, "I'm here."

Off to my right, I could see a light shining through under one of the bedroom doors. A couple of minutes later... he came out - her youngest son. We stood in the kitchen catching up with all that has taken place the last couple of days. He is also a minister... we always have lots to talk about. This morning was no different. Mixed emotions was a common theme. Then, he was off until time to relieve me again.

Mae was more asleep today than she was awake. I couldn't help but have mixed emotions about that... Neither could she. She was eating breakfast... suddenly she was asleep again. Later in the afternoon, fell asleep while eating jello. When she was awake, I would ask her certain questions trying to get her to tell me stories... At one point, she said to me, "Cameydear, do I have three children or four?" I replied, "Four, Mae. Four. Two daughters. Two sons." I was thankful that none of her children were there with us at that moment. This is natural - no doubt... but still... mixed emotions for sure.

After my time there for today was over.... I picked up Travman and one of Lauren's brothers at the front circle of the highly secure gated community we live in. The other was already at our home with Parker. Upon walking into the front door... I could smell something coming from the kitchen. My mother, sitting in her chair in the living room, said to me, "Oh, I've made beef stew for dinner. There's enough for all who are going to be here tonight at 5:30 p.m." Then, she said, "Oh, and I invited the boyfriend over too." Ahhhhhh. Mixed emotions caught me off guard on this one.. Why? Part of our Monday routine is my walking in the door and her asking me what's for dinner. I was going to make lasagna. She cooked? Wow... I knew she had to go to the little store for some of the ingredients.... she did.. when she took Austin to work this morning in the pouring rain after I had already left for Mae's.

Lauren's dad came to pick the boys up. Standing in the driveway, mixed emotions were definitely worn on his sleeve. His little girl has had this condition since she was born. He wanted to be at the hospital with his wife and yet... he couldn't. A few doors down from us is a house for sale. It used to be theirs... well, it still is - they just don't live there any more. He said to me, "It sure was easier when we had you guys for neighbors." The boys could walk quite easily back and forth between houses. They now live on the river... in the back part of the highly secure gated community. When I shared with him that they are welcome here any time.... he said to me, "We almost moved back into that house because of your family." He had tears in his eyes as he got into his vehicle and told the boys to tell me thank you.

While eating dinner with my mother and her boyfriend... mixed emotions were a part of the discussion. He had never really experienced any thing like yesterday. He definitely had never eaten "dinner on the ground." We got to talking about this and that in life and he looked at me and said, "You know Camey? I definitely had mixed emotions. Still do."

There are times in life when mixed emotions explain things better than words ever could. And that is okay. Nice neat bows are not required on the packages of our souls when walking with Jesus. It is dark again outside... The rain has stopped for now but is expected to start again....

Be still and know that He is God.

Praises. Prayer Requests.

Praises:

1) We had three individuals get baptized yesterday!

2) Brother G was not home this morning. (Praise?) Yep... Otherwise his car would have been damaged due to the heavy rain and part of a tree that fell.

3) Cassie got married. Her and her husband are expecting twins. (keep praying...)

4) New tires. What a difference in the heavy rain!

5) Answered specific prayer requests.

Prayer Requests:

1) Lauren - little girl having surgery today. Has surgery once a year.. Her family.

2) The P Family

3) Family of a certain close friend.

4) That man.

5) Those single young moms.

What are you thankful for today?

What are your requests today?

Husbands: Word of Advice...

A man said to me today, "Have you seen my wife?" When I replied that I had but wasn't sure where she had gone off to... He said, "I ought to put a bell around her neck."

Husbands: Word of Advice..... Don't make these type of comments. Moo won't keep you warm at night.. but it might make you sleep on the couch.



This is has been a service of *keepyourmarriagealive*

Change is in the Air.

Today's plan is:

One worship service at 10:00 a.m. (Help in the preschool??)

Dinner (lunch) on the grounds immediately afterwards.

How to pray:

First and foremost.... that lives will be changed forever because of Him.

That real worship will take place in each of our lives.

For John as he preaches his last sermon as our senior pastor.... As he walks in and out the doors.. 20 years is a long time. Allow him to be sad and yet excited for tomorrow for our local church body and for the one he is going to...

For Judy and the girls...... as a wife, daughters, friends, and ......... 20 years is a long time.

For our body.... that we will show John, Judy and the girls the love that they deserve and also be willing to listen to what God has laid upon John's heart to share. That we will embrace this time of change to grow as a body of believers.... and as individuals.

For those who are coming today because the pastor of the largest church in our town is leaving after 20 years. John is known on the streets.... in Wal-Mart... and in the highly secure gated communities. May they come away with wanting to know Him.

Today's Plan:

That God will truly be worshipped... given the glory..... and that lives will never be the same.