"Situational Christianity"

Over the course of the last few months, this is a term I've used more and more to relate to various things happening with individuals.

What does it mean?

That a situation in an individual's life has changed; and, therefore, they have changed their thoughts and beliefs on Christianity to try to justify their actions.

This is especially true of a growing generation of ........

Senior citizens.

Ex: A man or woman who was married for years. Their spouse passed away. They had a good marriage and took care of their spouse in sickness and health. Now, they believe they are entitled in a sense to do whatever they feel like doing with another individual that they claim to love and care about. To quote an individual: "I've graduated from being married in the traditional way. I did my time. Now, I'm free to live with someone and we can consider ourselves married without all that other hassle. I do not care what any one else thinks about it."

Situational Christianity....

His Name is Stephen

Last night hubby, the boys and myself went to the big city. We did a little shopping and then went to a restaurant for dinner. That's where we met Stephen. He was our server.

It was very obvious that he was having a difficult night. The table to my left, he give them our ticket by mistake. He forgot to order our appetizer and never brought hubby his soup. Hubby ended up eating only salad for dinner. The couple behind us were there with their third child... a baby just a few weeks old. He brought them their food before he ever brought their drinks. His pain was more than evident.

Hubby, with the same mercy and grace he showed last Saturday night with dinner, never mentioned to Stephen about the appetizer or his soup. Stephen realized about the soup when he was starting to clear dishes from our table. He kept apologizing over and over. Hubby told him not to worry about it, that he wasn't all that hungry when we came in any way.

Early on in our time with Stephen, I had mentioned that we do not have one of those restaurants where we live. Stephen had asked what was the special occasion that brought us out... family time was our answer. He smiled. As he continued to clear some of the dishes and had taken care of our ticket..... he told more of his story to us.

He has only been in the big city for a month. He followed his x-wife and their two children there. They've been divorced since June, but have started dating each other again. She got a great paying job, and so there he was as well. When I asked how could we be praying for him specifically, he almost fell over the chair he was leaning against. He asked for us to pray for him..... he wants to get his act together not just for her and the kids but because he realizes he needs to for himself. "I'm 31. I've always had a mother, a girlfriend or a wife to do every single thing for me. I need to learn how to take care of myself and stop being like a child."

He also would love to own, operate, and cook for his own restaurant some day. He said he realized that he needed a lot of help to ever come any where close to that dream. He thanked us and looked a bit more refreshed as we were leaving. Truth is... we did not need the appetizer to begin with either. And he did not charge hubby for his salad.

His name is Stephen. Please pray for him..... his x-wife and their two children. Let us serve up some prayers on their behalf.

Stay Out of that Box!

unChristian: The book by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.

Oh my. I'm only page 55 and can see why this book needed to be written. It reminds me of some of the lives I've come in contact with the last two years in particular. It definitely reminded me of two individuals yesterday.

I went to where one just started working not long ago to get myself and Brother G some lunch. Hoping to see her still working there. The manager looked at me and said, "She only lasted a week." I cannot tell you how many jobs she has had since I first met her. I hear from her from time to time but, in other ways, she has cut off contact with the church.... She doesn't want to change her lifestyle because she sees nothing wrong with it. She loves me, as do I her, and yet..... she has looked me in the face and said, "Camey? I do not believe in God like you do. You can be a Christian but, I'm not sure I can believe that stuff. Jesus sounds kinda cool but I'm the only one who can save myself." She is one whom I pray every day that I do not hear about in our local news or her baby girl.

There's another twenty-something that will call when she wants some thing from me. Normally it's just to see if I can babysit her baby boy so she can go out. By going out, I mean, getting so drunk that she does not care whom she has sex with. And no.... I haven't babysat her little boy because it would be an all niter. She has looked me in the face and has said, "Camey? I am a Christian but, I'm still young. I need to have my fun now. I'll take life seriously when I'm older and ready to settle down." If no one will keep her son.... she doesn't go out... at least as far as we all know.

Like the individuals that unChristian represents, it matters what they think about Christianity. One grew up in the church and the other did not. It's individuals like these two that causes me to stay out of that box.... and to fall face down on the floor crying out to Jesus.

Times have changed. We, as the church, must be willing to change as well without trying to compromise the Word of God. And we must also remember whose house it really is.

Books. City. RQM. Rumor Control.

Books:

There are two books that I am currently reading. Consider this fair warning for when I'm done..

1) unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

2) REVEAL by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson

City:

Austin and I just returned from shopping in the big city. WOW! Talk about in-depth conversations going to and from. And we did go to Guitar Center. We've definitely got a guitarist on our hands now. Awesome! And shopping is a lot more fun when he spends the money he has worked hard to earn.

RQM:

Yes. Most of my RQMs come from all the talk about sexual issues I have with people. Aren't you thankful I don't blog about all those? (Yes... yes... you are.... it's not just teens my friends.)

Rumor Control:

Yes. I am now the Thursday/Friday downstairs receptionist and/or whenever Ms. E. is unable to work. I am incredibly blessed to be working in yet another way with such amazing individuals.

As always... feel free to email at cameybelieves@charter.net and/or leave a comment and/or prayer request. You've been prayed for!

Prayer Request in Sam's

Brother G just called. He ran into a church member while shopping at Sam's in the big city.

Please pray for their grand-daughter S.... She does not live here but comes and stays during the summer months.

This is a life on the fringe.....

Public School Lessons.

Parker and his mom just got back from the public school he attends. He was relaying to her about a younger boy he saw today. It was a child he had helped back when the younger boy was in pre-kindergarten. According to Parker, "He was really struggling with school then. So.. when I saw him today, I had to ask how things are going for him now. He said he is doing much better and thanked me for asking and for even remembering him."

We're not always fans of public schools. And yet, this with Parker today served as a great reminder of why two of our three sons are even in public schools still.

There is A reason.

Oh... About Parker being hurt on the school bus. He did not want the older boy to be punished. He just wanted for someone to find out what was going on in the boy's life that was making him want to physically hurt others and get him some help.

RQM. Rumor Control.

RQM.... really quiet moments. My response is simple. If you could hear some of the conversations I have with individuals.. you would understand why I have RQM. They are necessary.

Rumor Control:

Yes: It was Brother G who got salsa spilt all over his suit jacket on Saturday evening at the new restaurant in town.

No: We are not suing even if the suit jacket is ruined.

Yes: It did happen while we were on our date. Talk about a date to remember!

Yes: We will be going back there.

Persuasive Conversation

To quote Parker: "It still has educational properties."

Now THAT'S the way to try to have a persuasive conversation with a parent. That nine-year old keeps me in stitches.

And at this moment he is hugging me and kissing me because he wants something... And laughing at himself as I'm typing this....

I've never been so thankful for a rainy Saturday morning.

Weather Changes. Seasons.

This morning's plans have already changed. Our local church was scheduled to work along with TxDOT cleaning up the highways around our town. Of course with the rain and cold temperatures, that has been canceled for today.

This afternoon, a young woman is getting married. Hubby and I are going to the ceremony. I must confess to having mixed emotions about this. She knows I do. And yet, she also knows that I love her beyond words. She will make a beautiful bride. Her little boy is going to be all smiles I'm sure for he loves dearly the young man who wants to be his daddy and who loves him and his mommy. With her getting married, obviously, that takes her out of the Sunday group. She was one of the original ones. She is also one of the ones that has stretched me so much in my calling. And yet, I would not trade one moment even when it has brought pain and tears and dropped me to my knees hard. And this afternoon as she says her vows and he.... his.... I will continue to offer love and support. It is after all, not mine alone to give or keep. I pray this next season for her will bring more growth and will bloom into a garden to be cultivated for His glory.

This evening, hubby and I have plans to go out on a date. Yet, one thing I can say without reservation is that we have had the opportunity to spend a good amount of quality time together this week. That did not happen by accident. It was very intentional. It had nothing to do with the holiday even though we are exceedingly thankful. For under God, our relationship with each other falls in-line next. I am a blessed woman to be married to a man who loves God more than he does me, and yet, because of his love for God, loves me all the more.

Weather changes. Seasons come and go. One thing that remains the same..... His love. "For God so loved the world in this way... that He gave..."

What are you are giving this season that takes more than you to give?

For The Love of a Hug

Yesterday was a beautiful day as we traveled to and from a couple of different homes. The 80's that we had known just a couple of days before were transformed into snow and sleet. That is what happens here in Texas.

The last home we were at was filled with children of various ages. One child in particular really stood out to me. When he and I were talking, I made a point to tell him that I had been praying for him since we last saw each other. We talked about his daily life. A life that I won't go into detail here except to say.... pray for him and his family.

One of the other children made a comment about me being like their mom. He was ribbing me and giving me a hard time. The one child in particular walked up to where we were standing and hung onto every word. We then started talking about the various ways we communicate. Something was said about one way that surprised the one child. I told him that he could communicate with me that way as well if he wanted. He smiled from ear to ear.

When we were leaving, hugs were given all around. When I came to hug him, he hugged me first and hugged me tight. And told me thanks for spending time with him and for even caring. Oh, it is times like that especially when tears well up within me.... And I was thankful that we had included this home in our day. As we walked out the front door..... the snow was coming down even heavier than before. White snow falling.......

This child is actually a teen by age. He has already communicated with me in the way he hadn't known he could before. He reminds me of one little boy from years ago. I was saying goodbye to him as we were preparing to move. He told me thank you for all the hugs I had ever given him. That it was because of those hugs that he came to know Jesus was real. He was a child that had known me when I couldn't move my arms or even a finger.

The point of this story is..... you never know what a hug might mean to another. You might be the only person who ever really hugs them. Can you imagine going through life without hugs? I know I cannot. I know I can remember what it was like when someone was hugging me but I could not actually feel it and yet I still knew they loved and cared for me. Can you imagine wanting someone to love you, hoping that they do, and yet.... they never give even the hint of wanting to put their arms around you? There are those who do know... They don't have to imagine.

A hug can be simple. Or it can make a difference in a person's life... Not because of you or me... but because of His love alone. He loved first after all....

Signed,
A Hugger Without Apology

More Than The Sum of Life

More than the sum of today
More than the cost of yesterday
More than the price of tomorrow
None can compare
To Him

No coffee to drink
No food to eat
No other love to know
No other place to call home
It is only Him

His love is more than the sum of life

Thank You Father for the gift of every day

Proof. Absolute Proof.

How do I know we live in the country? Here's the proof:

"With traffic clogging up and accidents hither and yon" - quote from our local newspaper

Now, that's what I call absolute proof.

Funny enough? I thought yon was on the other side of town.

Signed,
You Can Take The Woman Out of the City But She Still Knows Real Traffic When She Sees It

No Ordinary Wednesday.

The temperature here in G-town has drastically changed compared to this time yesterday. It actually looks and feels the way that most say November should. As I sit here looking out the window, I can see the limbs on the trees moving due to the wind blowing. The 80's are a memory of a day gone by...

I had a hot date earlier for lunch. Brother G was out making a hospital visit. I invited my date into the kitchen to cook with me. I watched his every step... and he mine.... until there were noodles on my foot and the floor. We laughed. We sat at the bar and just talked. Our subject matter varied from the housing market to how well we cook together. His kisses either make me smile from ear to ear or make me bust out laughing. At times, I have to remind myself he is only nine.

Austin is at work today at the little store inside the highly secure gated community. I took him his jacket just as he was getting ready to take a lady's groceries out to her car. It may be cold outside and yet, I know each person that Austin takes their groceries out for will feel warmth... He closes their trunks with "God loves you." I thought that maybe his bosses might get some complaints about this. Quite the opposite has happened.

Travis spent time with his Gma today on the fairways and greens. Her boyfriend is under the weather and wasn't up to a game of golf. When they came in, I offered them some lunch. They had already eaten. They had shared a hamburger and fries together up at the club. There was a hilarious story about the clubhouse guys having to come to the rescue in regards to the purple golf cart. Trav's face is red. He said that if he knew he was going to be playing more golf this week... he wouldn't have gotten a flat-top. What a pair they make... A 65-year old woman and a 13-year old boy who plays better than some men.

Brother G is out being the lawn pastor at this moment. He has a major paper due here soon that he had planned on working on when returning from the hospital. And yet, as so often, his plans changed. How could he tell the man lying in the hospital bed with pneumonia, heart problems, and cancer that his paper was more important than taking care of his lawn? His paper is after all on ministering to the elderly.

As I look back out the window, it appears that the sun is now peaking out a bit more than before. I don't know what window you're looking out this moment.... I pray you are more hot than cold... And if you are just taking a peek... may you see a glimpse of fallen leaves worth jumping in and throwing up in the air.

The limbs are really dancing with joy.

Raise Your Hopeful Voice

There are many churches that are going through difficult times right now. I know our local church body is not alone. One thing that has struck me in numerous conversations that I have been having over a period of time is that individuals are seemingly without hope about what is taking place or already has. As I sit here reading a book by Willow Creek called REVEAL, I'm struck all the more.

One thing that I firmly believe that is missing, in not only in our local church, but in most churches in general, is that of the body of believers raising their hopeful voices. We must stop constantly looking behind us and look toward today... tomorrow. Yes, it is necessary to evaluate and take inventory of where we've been. Yet, if nothing is done with that information, it might as well have not even have had time invested in it. And without hesitation... I submit that the most vital piece of information often gets completely overlooked even though it gets tossed about.

Our hopeful voices should not come from a program, a mission statement, a building, a particular personality, or even... dare I say... a denomination affiliation. For in the end and every moment in between.... hope in those things fall short. The only hope we have is found in Him. And honestly? That is enough. It is sufficient. It is every thing in life... and living.

Raise your hopeful voice. And let Him write the music that changes the notes of mere existence..... mere Christianity.

Writers and Their Forms

I’ve heard it said that writers are emotional people
That we tend to wear our feelings throughout our words
We can paint pictures with each stroke of our pen or fingers
We can take people places they may or may not want to linger

Can you recall the first time you consciously sat down to write
What was your motivation and gave your words flight
Do you write for others or more so to cleanse your mind
Or do you find yourself writing to record something in time

Whatever brought to you to the page, are you thankful
When someone else is reading your work, are you grateful
Or are you able to write and know that you may never learn
Why it is for the written form that you have come to yearn





09/21/04

My Roots

Today I climbed a tree and sat a while on its branches
While gazing upon the beauty around me – I smiled deeply
Feeling the wind blowing gently across my face – I blushed
When thinking of how you love me – I sat in amazement
Upon climbing down I realized just how often you hold me!
You are my Strength, my Deliverer, and my Song! My Roots…..


9/08/04

For those who wanted some poetry. And yes, I actually climbed a tree that day.

Guest Blogger: Leonard

Leonard is a dear brother in ministry from California. Here's what's on his heart/mind today:

Go make disciples… These are the marching orders of our friend, Jesus. On the surface it seems simple and sometimes when we read the accounts in the book of Acts the details of how disciples were made gets lost in the fact that people were converted. Of course Jesus makes it easy to understand, travel with 12 guys for three plus years and “viola’” you have disciples. I have been in ministry over 25 years and still struggle to make disciples, but here are a few of my random thoughts that I am trying to flesh out as I endeavor to carry out the marching orders of my friend, Jesus.

Make discipleship about becoming a friend of God rather than looking like a Christian. Near the end of Jesus ministry he pulls his guys together and says. I am not calling you servants anymore; I am calling you friends because a friend knows what their friend is up to. (this is the Leonard's slandered perversion) As I disciple people one of the primary truths I try to teach is what a friendship with God looks like. Here are a few of the descriptions I try to apply.

I want people to understand the size of their friend. When I was a kid I was short. I had a couple big friends. The size of my friends gave me confidence to be a bit of a daredevil smarty pants. I could muster up courage to say things I might not have were it not for the size of my friends riding backup. One reason for boldness is the size of our friend. God is immeasurable and honestly, that is cool. When faced with a tough conversation or decision I will often think, “Do you know how big my friend is? He can do anything!”

I want people to understand loyalty. Loyalty is the quality in a friendship that allows us to not understand and still remain close friends. I have to admit, sometimes it is loyalty in my friendship with Christ that holds me until the fog can clear.

I want people to understand gratefulness. When gratefulness is in a friendship, faithfulness is in a friendship. I cannot remain faithful to any friendship I am not grateful for and I cannot be grateful unless I choose humility. The key to any great friendship is putting your friend first. No greater love hand any man than this than he lay down his life for his friends. This is not just a statement about Christ’s friendship with me but a standard for my friendship with him and his frineds.

Familiarity is huge in a great friendship. I have a buddy and we simply know. I know what he is thinking and he knows what I am thinking. This has made for the best in our friendship. We rarely have to apologize to each other because we rarely offend each other. We talk for hours on end, repeating stories because we know we love to hear each others thinking. We know exactly how to encourage each other because we are aware of each others strengths and weaknesses. This has happened by logging the time necessary to be familiar. Familiarity breeds contempt only when humility is absent.

I want people to understand love. Love is the action word for all friendships. Love is what causes me to live out the desires of my friend’s heart. In other words I love what my friend loves because I love my friend. Love is what drives remembering the values of friendship and of my friend in the middle of life. Here is another one of my slanderd perversions of scripture.

Love is the act of kindness; love is patience applied; love is the enjoyment of my friends success (does not envy), love is the sharing of my success; (does not boast), love is seeking others first, love is choosing to not let hurt turn into anger; love chooses to erase the chalk board of offense; love holds on to holiness while being embarrassed by sin; love shields friends and friendship from harm; love starts every conversation believing the best; love is confident love is the best path; (love hopes) love hangs in and love holds the line when nothing else will. 1 Corinthians 13 kind of…

I want people to understand sacrifice. Great friendships are never based upon doing the minimum but upon sacrifice. No friendship ever grew deep without generosity. This is really the premise of “we love because he loved first.” God’s sacrificial, generous investment of love into my life is why I love.

Here is the impact. When friendship is a primary value, the tools for friendship are not burdensome. Church, the bible, prayer, giving, witnessing, serving are all on the list of good Christians but in reality these do not make me a good Christian, they are how I express and build friendship. Because I value my friendship with Christ these become no brainier’s to me, not burdens of being a Christian.

For discussion: How do you build your friendship with God? How do you teach others to build a friendship with God?

Cheese - Local News.

"Cheese" will be discussed Tuesday (November 20th) afternoon from 1-4 at the American Town Hall next to the library on Travis Street.

I first posted about Cheese in June...

Cheese? A Warning!

Hello. You've Reached The....

If you were to call the number we give as our home phone.. you would think you've dialed the wrong number unless you know my maiden name or my mother's name. The voice would be that of the man who was my dad and had been her husband and etc.... Time marches on....

This morning, the woman of the house gave her son-in-law and daughter (me) permission to now change the message on the phone. We've been waiting for her to make the decision in her own timing. This is one area where life has been a little strange for the past year plus. And yet, it has served a great reminder in so many ways....

Our Father longs for us to know and recognize His voice.. For it to bring us comfort and all that should be associated with a father's love. I can still recall the sound of my daddy's voice. And yet, today just like yesterday.... and God's will permitting... like tomorrow.. it is not my favorite voice to know or have known.... There is only One Real Father.

Whose voice would answer your inner phone?

"Letting It Roll."

As someone told me last night, "Camey? Your family lives the weirdest life. I'm not sure how you guys keep up with it all." This morning, I definitely have to agree. Back when we surrendered to full-time ministry in 2004, we knew we were in for a wild ride... Little did we know. And yet we suspected....

This morning my hubby said, "We're letting it roll." This statement comes after the wildest day in ministry yet. And given a few of the ones we've had thus far... that's saying a lot. My long gray brunette hair feels like it is has been in an electric socket. And yet, I'm having to laugh. More than any thing else... praising God and seeking His face.

As I said yesterday.... we're in transition. That was never more clear than on November 14th, 2007. It's like we're standing on the edge of today... of tomorrow.... the very next moment. It is one of those times in life where God is more of a mystery to me than normal. If you were to see the map of my/our life up until now.. you would know that is huge statement coming from me. I am a woman who wasn't supposed to have children. We have three sons.... one of which almost died three times in his first month of life and is as healthy as a horse today. I've known what it is to be fed, bathed, unable to move due to being paralyzed from the neck down and told there is no hope. I've seen the doctors faces when a complete healing with no medical explanation has taken place. Mystery.....

Before my hubby and I surrendered to full-time ministry, he was all set to be a life-long employee of the company he was working for. In 2005, he/we walked away from the benefits of full-time employment with a major company for 17 years. We gave away and/or sold almost every thing we've had the blessing of calling ours.... All because of this mystery.

And letting it roll never sounded so good. Never sounded so freeing. Because one thing we've come to feel in our bones is that this life is not ours..... and as much as we think we know we can determine what tomorrow will hold... it remains a mystery... as does today.. this moment.

How are you letting it roll?