"Whatever It Takes."

That statement is being heard in and throughout our local church staff and body.

Whoever said that it is impossible to implement the kind of improvements needed should have been a fly on the walls of the physical church building the last couple of weeks. Things are moving fast; definitely bathed in prayer first!

It is no secret that Brother G and I love our church. These improvements have been a part of our prayers since first coming to this local church body in 2005. I know we are not alone in prayers being prayed for years for our body to catch on fire for the Lord and His kingdom. That it would stop being a country club. (Yes, I just said that in print. Many of you know we've said that to your face even.)

It is wonderful to watch the local church body rise for Christ. To stand up and say, "Count me in on whatever it takes." Yes, it does indeed get us more than misty.

When we stop to think that there is no price we can pay that can compare....

Whatever it takes should come as free as His love, mercy, and grace.

If it is truly in and through Him alone and not of our own strength.

Brother G and I are on our knees and ready to move.....

Are you living proof today of whatever it takes? Are you ready to be counted?

Would you clean a toilet if it needed it? Or hold a baby? Or give up your seat?

May "Whatever It Takes" become our motto for living as Christ-followers.

From the Front Desk..

Please pray for our local church body...

There are so many who are ill with the flu and various other illnesses.

Continue to pray for Joshua P. and his family. He is on his way back to Cooks.

Also... as we prepare for Sunday and all of the new improvements....

Let's not forget that every day is a great day to worship and serve Him!

Be Careful What You Predict.

So....... at the beginning of this new year... I made a prediction that Brother G would not do something...

I was wrong. Very very wrong. Our sons are shocked. They are freaked out. My mother's knees got weak and she almost passed out.

Funny enough? I'm thankful to be wrong.

Be careful what you predict. You might just get taught a lesson or two.

Signed,
Schooled in G-town

Can you guess what I was wrong on? Anyone?

ANSWER: Yep. He shaved off his goatee. Shocking. He looks so much younger. ;)

Prayer Requests For Various.

1) Please pray for a man who is 46 and in the hospital on life support. He has had 2 kidney transplants over the years and now it is failing again, he has a bacteria infection throughout his body, gout, inflammation of the pancreas, and the doctors told them he will NOT survive. They are trying to keep praying and hoping for the best, but it is difficult when everybody at the hospital says there isn't any hope. He has 3 kids ages 10,12,& 14. (from a spacer and local)

2) Please pray for James' dad (little store and local body). He is having a quad. bypass right now. James is unable to be with him.

3) Please pray for a family dealing with issues regarding a child. (email)

4) Please pray for a family regarding an adoption. (email)

5) Whatever is on your heart this moment....

Our prayers may not be answered how we want and/or when...

Real HOPE is only found in Him.

Prayer Request...

Please pray for Joshua P and his family. His mom was instructed by the doctor to take him to Cook's Children's Hospital immediately.

Thank you.

Changing Roles: The Eyes Have It.

It was dark and warm this morning as we left the highly secure gated community to head for the big city. Hoover picked us up at 6:30 a.m. and the three of us were off for her right eye surgery. Conversation flowed between concern for Sylvia, Parker's birthday, yesterday's SOUPer Bowl service, and the Super Bowl. Only this drive was different than before. My only sibling, my older brother, was going to be meeting us.

Mom and Hoover went on in while I waited for him to arrive. Miscommunication had taken place... These things happen in changing roles. He did not realize it would be the boyfriend, the live-in daughter/sister, and him. Fortunately, they allowed him to go back and see her before the surgery started. I am so grateful.

So, while she was back in surgery.... the three of us sat.... me in the middle. The conversation flowed with ease at times and others - silence was spoken. Quickly enough, she was done and I was allowed to go back and see her. They both sat there - each loving her and wanting to go back and be with her. Love is a hard thing at times.

The post-op nurse remembered us...as had the doctor who put her to sleep... At times, laughter is a gift at awkward moments. Hoover went to go get his car, my brother- his as well, while I waited for her to come out in a wheelchair. The post-op nurse wanting to know whose car she was riding in this time. The boyfriend's won out given it was a car and easier to get in to.

The four of us had breakfast together at an IHop there in the big city. Soon enough, it was time for us to head back home. As the server started to hand the bill, I kicked my brother under the table.... Hoover insists upon paying for meals and gets insulted easily when challenged on it - a generational thing no doubt as well as loving her and wanting to provide for her in his own way. I've been down that road before. I should have warned my brother before we sat down... His leg survived though... as did Hoover's ego.

The three of us headed back to the highly secure gated community and my brother back to his house since he had taken the day off. And while he did not come here to take care of his mother - he is at home taking care of his daughter who is sick and at home today instead of at school. Hoover is at his house doing his Monday chores. Mom is fast asleep in her bedroom with her live-in caregiver listening for her call.

Tomorrow morning, the son-in-law is on duty while I teach a Bible study class on marriage. In the afternoon, Hoover is taking her to the follow-up eye appointment and will take notes for us... Mom does not always hear all the doctor says. And I will be at upstairs desk at the physical church building doing whatever needs to be done. Again, I am grateful.

Changing roles includes having more than one person being a caregiver for someone. The better individuals can work together for the good of all involved - the smoother things can go even when the waves are not always easy to navigate.

It is a privilege and a blessing to help someone else meet their most basic needs and even the more complex ones. Is it easy? Not always. Is it worth it? Yes, she is. The lessons are... And the fact is serving her is serving Him. That is more priceless than gold.

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve others.

Who do you need to show His love to today?

Life's Moments Continue II

This morning my cell rang. It was hubby. He and Austin had just passed a wreck on their way to the physical church building. He couldn't make out the person's face - too much blood. I started praying.... on my knees praying....

A few minutes later... my cell rang again. This time a name was attached to the person's face and the fact that she had to be care-flighted to a hospital in the big city. My prayers from earlier made sense now. I had prayed specifically for her... for her husband, children, family and friends. Her... I knew she had a husband, children, family, and friends. I just knew...

In Life's Moments Continue... , I talked about one of my prayer partners. It was her who was now needing my prayers. As I sit here thinking of her..... I can see her smile. I can see her eyes. I can feel her hand in mine as we've been there with each other through the thick and thin of life's moments especially through prayer. Some times together... others miles a part. Still connected.

I ask you to join me in praying. Her name is Sylvia. She is Jon's wife. The Cranny and Julie's mom. And a dear friend to countless individuals. She loves Jesus.

I also ask you to consider the following.....

How do you respond when His Spirit prompts you?

Do you trust and obey? or do you merely say, "No, not today."

I believe in the power of prayer.

And you.... yes, you.... have been prayed for this moment.

Dream. Prayers. Nineveh. Note.

In 1997, I had a dream. I was pregnant with a boy whose name was Parker.

On February 2nd, 1998 - that dream became a reality. Our third son was born. Parker Reed.

His arrival to us was too early... 2 months early.. and yet no doubt it came as no surpise to God.

Numerous prayers were prayed as he clung onto life. Blue in color. Lungs not fully developed yet. Transported to another hospital in another city from his mother in an effort to save his life.

10 years later.... You would never know he had been born a premie.. His intelligence keeps us on our toes frankly. He uses words like "fathom" and "probability" like his mother uses "......."

His overall health - not a thing wrong with him like the doctors thought would be. Thank You Lord!

At dinner one night at a Dairy Queen when we were in East Texas, I asked the boys a question.... "Where is your Nineveh?" Their dad had just preached on it.

Parker responded, "The school bus." The next day - when his dad went to pick him up from school, Parker was not there.

After calling the school bus - it was clear... Parker was in his Nineveh.

He has said he will ride that school bus unless there is some specific reason he needs to be picked up. He no longer has a reason himself.

He is on mission.

Parker had a student teacher (in her 80's) one day this week. She sent a note that said in part:

"Parker was such a help today! He is so courteous, generous, willing, and kind."

Thank You Lord for Parker and his life thus far.

Signed,
A Grateful Mother and Parker's sister in Christ

Loaves & Fishes NEEDS

Cereal
Jelly
Canned Tomatoes
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Canned Chili
Spaghetti
Corn Bread Mix
Rice
Dry Milk
Peanut Butter
Juice
Tomato Sauce
Canned Tuna
Canned Beef Stew
Instant Potatoes
Crackers
Macaroni & Cheese
Toilet Tissue
Shampoo
Soap
Toothpaste

One SOUPer Sunday Service.

One SOUPer Sunday Service at 10:00 a.m.

Bring your canned goods to restock our Loaves and Fishes ministry.

Be prepared to worship Him through prayer, music, opening of His Word, and etc.....

Witness the baptism of a student who said she would never come to church. She came DNow weekend.

This is a time to bring the whole family together.

There will be no Bible study classes meeting.

Come just as you are....

Walk away changed.

Hope to see you there!

EPR Update.

David will be back in the states by the weekend. He is going to Bethesda. His wife will join him there..

Thank you for your prayers and please keep praying.

Change. Change. UPDATE.

Part of the changes happening with our local church body includes that of one of our staff members leaving to answer a call elsewhere. She had been on staff for 7 years with a variety of titles and job descriptions. I was privileged and honored to work with her. And still will be working with her even though no longer at the same physical church building. She is an amazing woman and I have learned so much from sitting at her feet.

With her leaving, we have broken down her job amongst several of us. So, that will mean that I have more hours and responsibilities.

I was asked to post my schedule in an effort to help ease some of the confusion.

Ms. E. still works her same days at the downstairs desk with added responsibilities as well.

Here's my schedule...

UPDATE...

Monday:

8:30 to 2:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.

Tuesday:

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Teaching a marriage class. Spots still open. 14 women so far.
12:00 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.

Wednesday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the upstairs front desk.
6:30 to 8:00 p.m. - Co-teaching a parenting class with Brother G. Spots still open.

Thursday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the downstairs reception desk.

Friday:

8:30 to 4:30 p.m. - Working the downstairs reception desk.

Sunday:

Whatever is needed.


So, there's my physical church building schedule.

Remember though that ministry can take place wherever one is at.

Necessary Losses... All Gain!

Yesterday was it...

We said goodbye to our old ways of doing worship services and Sunday morning Bible studies.

They were necessary losses. Gone are the days of services at 8:00, 9:25, and 10:50 a.m. with different worship styles. They have and will continued to be grieved as they should... And then we need to truly get about moving on....

The changes happening with our services are yet another example of how God is working in the hearts and minds of our leadership, members, attenders, - the whole body.

The G family can't wait to see who is yet to come..

Can't wait to see their faces and say, "Welcome."

There are times when we experience necessary losses that truly are all gain.

We walk with you knowing not how long we will stay and yet thankful for the journey thus far.

Life's Moments Continue...

Thank you for all the prayers and messages in regards to our EPR. While we would like to be with him in person - by his side..... life's moments continue.....

Yesterday morning as I drove the 25 minutes or so to get to the place where the retreat was being held... I just knew I was going to be receiving some kind of information during the time I was to be speaking/teaching.. As some say, "Camey's weird like that." (I'll take being weird like that....) What? I did not have a clue..

Sure enough.. I had said maybe two sentence when hubby started texting me about his brother. I told the women I simply had to stop right there and pray or I would not be able to move on. Meanwhile back in G-town, one of my prayer partners was walking. It came upon her to pray right then for me and for whatever was going on. That's what can happen when individuals know each other so deeply through honest communication, prayer, and are open to the Spirit's moving.

The title was "Overcoming Depression"..

The description - "Open dialogue on a subject facing so many Christians today. Time to stop sweeping it under the rug and be the church HE has called us to be."

I shared with the women there the story about how I was not scheduled to work the day that Janie called the physical church building to speak to me about the retreat. And yet there I was answering the phone. I had been called to fill in for another staff member. Janie had a list of things she knew I could speak/teach on.. but what she really wanted to know was could... would I do depression. Funny enough? Depression is in part what brought us to G-town in 2005. My mother has been diagnosed with clinical depression since I was a little girl. She had been crying out to the Lord for help. She could no longer live with daddy by herself due to his declining health and ultimate passing on. Depression does not just affect the person who is depressed. It affects all they are in contact with in one form or another.

It was clear that the Spirit was moving amongst us. Women who had never said to anyone that they suffered from it currently or in the past or a family member did were raising their hands. Church staff members from all over were saying, "Yes. I'm depressed. I've been too afraid to let others know. I'm a Christian. I'm supposed to be happy all the time." I'm so grateful that the dialogue was indeed open. It was in fact raw and beyond real. And I could feel the prayers of all whom had been praying and were praying. "Happy all the time?" Can you show me in His Word where it says that please?? Anyone??

One thing that I shared about my mother was that even though she does indeed take medication for it.. she also prays and reads her Bible every single morning. That is just as vitally a part of her treatment as any pill she might ever take... or not.. She belongs to the Lord. And He does take care of her.... even if we do not always understand how that all works.

Like I told the women, when I speak/teach... I do not do all the talking... I want and expect those with me to participate. That is a part of hearing, learning, taking it all in, absorbing it so that it can take residence and then be lived out... poured out... I also shared one other important fact at the end of our time together....

I am an exceedingly shy person. Camey... the person is shy.... What anyone reads, hears, and/or sees is not me... on my own... it is the Lord at work in and through me. The Spirit alive and breathing as one dear woman said to me afterwards. Wow.... Talk about being speechless at that... It dumbfounds me still...

This morning... I shared with my mom where I had been and what I had spoken and taught on. As she laid in her bed .... tears filled her eyes and started rolling down her checks. The subject was not overcoming depression.. as in ten steps and poof it's gone. As in snapping ones fingers. It was in overcoming the stigmatism that still exists today all these years later in the church...

People = church.

Part of being the church HE has called us to be is to take off those blasted masks.

For underneath them is beauty amongst the ashes.

And if HE can see every single part of us and loves us enough for Calvary....

Long suffering should not be some thing we Christians try to deny and sweep under the rug.

Life's moment continue... Are you hungry for Him this moment?

Are you crying out to Him and knowing it is only in Him that you can go on?

That does not make you weaker... It makes you strong in His strength.. No matter what the world says.

EPR Update.

Hubby's brother David has been transported to Germany. He will remain there until they determine he can be moved to Bethesda here in the states.

His wife was not notified until hours later due to being on her way to the states from Japan to spend time with her mother. She will join not be able to be with him until he gets to Bethesda.

He was 3 feet away when the bomb went off. Needless to say, he is in serious condition but we're thankful he is alive and no one else was injured or killed.

Please keep praying for all involved. Not just for David, Nancy, and our family but for all involved.

Thank you.

Emergency Prayer Request...

Hubby's brother David was injured in an explosion and is listed in serious condition in Baghdad.

Please pray for him, his wife, and all of our family and those close to him...

Please pray for his relationship with God first and foremost.

Thank you.


Note: Yes, I received word from hubby about this while speaking on Depression at the retreat this morning.

Prayer Requets.

Please pray for the following.. They are in no particular order:

1) Mary - she is talking about her journey with God. Talk about joy in ones voice. (Jack's grandma)

2) Joe & family - he is in ICU currently after having a setback. (not local)

3) Cassandra - her overall life.

4) Those who have walked in today needing assistance in whatever ways. May their Real Help come from above.

5) Those who are participating in the retreat tonight and tomorrow in another town close by. May they hear the words the speakers have to say with open ears as well as hearts.

You, dear reader, have been prayed for wherever you are this moment.

All Are Welcome Here...

We just had a man come straight from jail to the physical church building this morning.

All are welcome here... (Two straight from jail within two weeks)

Please pray for him... His name is John. And we will definitely be following through.

Thank you.

Depression.

This Saturday, I have the incredible privilege of being a breakout speaker/teacher for a retreat.

The subject is Depression. The description is: Open dialogue on a subject facing so many Christians today. Time to stop sweeping it under the rug and be the church HE has called us to be.

I'd greatly appreciate your input... thoughts? stories?

Help me help others...

Feel free to leave a comment here or email me directly at cameybelieves@charter.net

Reflections. Looking Ahead.

Reflections:

Yesterday was an amazing day! Individuals and their lives being changed. His Word was taught, caught, and lived out... WORSHIP was alive...

One said she would never come to a church... she did Thursday night. She gave her life to Christ over the weekend! WHOA!

Pastor Jackson was seen taking his shirt off during the service. Totally cracked me up. I knew he had to have had his timing off. He did.... Fortunately, he had on his "dress" shirt underneath his DNow. It is okay to laugh church. Really.. it is...

Derrick rocked. Shelley brought it home. DNow has truly just gotten started.

I joined the Facebook world in yet another way to connect and network. HT to Bryan and Heather!

Hubby and I had a date last night. We did not even leave home. Cheap and yet priceless.

Looking Ahead:

This week is going to be wild to say the least..... More to come on that later...

Saturday I'm teaching/speaking on Depression at a retreat. Time slot: an hour.

Any thoughts? Comment or email me at cameybelieves@charter.net