By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

On the east coast of the state of Oregon, just off Highway 101, sits the town of Cannon Beach.  Just off the beach at Cannon Beach sits this very large formation called Haystack Rock.  It is a sight worthy of beholding.  Compare the size of the rock itself to those people walking the beach.  It is indeed majestic.

Haystack Rock got its name, of course, because of its shape.  The smaller rocks situated around it are known as “The Needles.”  Haystack Rock’s shape makes it readily recognizable in person or in movies and on film.

This made me think about the shape I’m in.  If I was given a name according to my shape, it might be “bowling ball Brad,” so thankfully, that’s not how I was named.  We may think about our shape.  Physically, some are in bad health and can no longer do as they once did.  Mentally, we may or may not be in a shape that is very healthy for a good lifestyle.  And then there’s our spiritual shape.  Has that ever crossed your mind?

What is my spiritual shape?  Am I a milk-bottle-fed baby?  Am I growing and feasting on the meat of His Word daily?  Am I downhearted and discouraged due to seemingly unanswered prayers?  Am I one to whom others look for encouragement and prayer support?  What is my shape?

The world will recognize us by our ‘shape.’  More times than not, they see us at our worst and not the best.  So that is the picture we portray, and we must be ever mindful of our shape because of that.

Standing there, beaten by the waves of life, unmovable and strong is the shape that encourages others — and ourselves.  In your week ahead, will the world see you and know the Godly shape you try to share daily, or will it be like looking for a needle in the haystack to see any good in us?  Stand strong, in whatever shape you are, and His love will see you through.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Hurry up and wait.  It can sometimes feel as if we spend half our lives waiting on something or someone.  We sit in traffic waiting to see if the red light will ever turn green.  We show up for an appointment only to wait in a room specifically designed for waiting, before we move on to another little room and wait some more.  We wait on the oven to heat up so we can cook dinner.  We wait on the car to cool off so we don’t blister our hands on the steering wheel.  We wait on things to happen.

You’ve probably, at one time or another, used the phrase, “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” meaning, “Let’s wait and see how the situation turns out, and then we will make a decision on what to do.”

The particular bridge in my photo spans the Columbia River and connects the towns of Hood River, Oregon, and Bingen, Washington.  It is a toll bridge, meaning you wait in line, out on the bridge, to pay your toll.  And, this bridge also happens to be a drawbridge.  A drawbridge is designed to open up near the middle, raise up out of the way of passing boats, and allow them to pass.  But that means the vehicles attempting to cross the bridge must wait yet again.

Do you ever get tired of waiting on God?  Perhaps you’ve asked Him for answers to a question, for healing of yourself or a loved one, for guidance in upcoming circumstances, for wisdom to train your children, or for any number of things.  We ask.  Then we wait.

Why do you suppose He lets us sit and wait on Him?  Perhaps it isn’t that He is not ready to answer.  Perhaps it’s because we aren’t ready for the answer He will provide!  The more we wait on Him, sometimes the more our true desires, wants, and wishes may change.  That waiting period may also be God’s way of telling us to slow down, to not focus so much on the future and its problems, but focus on the time we are granted today.

Maybe you’ve anxiously awaited what this coming week will bring.  Wait on Him.  Perhaps, just perhaps, it’s today He wants us to focus on and experience.  Good things really can come to those who wait.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

I am not a fan of heights.  I have climbed a few ladders, but I always find it easier to go up than to come back down.  As a young teen, I was on my grandparents’ roof many times cleaning off debris or taking care of some such item on my grandmother’s to-do list she mentally prepared before I arrived.  And yet, getting from the rooftop back onto the ladder was often the scariest part of the job.  I’ve climbed pecan trees in the fall to shake the big limbs, allowing the nuts to rain down.  Thankfully, this ‘nut’ never fell out!

Why do I tell you that?  Well, strangely enough, I find that very high places wherein I can be safely enclosed don’t bother me in the least.  I’ve been to the top of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, a few times.  I can see for miles across Missouri in one direction or Illinois in the opposite direction just across the river below.  In this view, I was facing eastward, downtown St. Louis in the foreground.  

Just off to the left, you see Busch Stadium, the home of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Down that main street, about three-quarters of the way, one can spot Union Station which was once a grand hub for transportation.  And near the bottom right is the museum referred to as the “Old Courthouse,” where the first two trials of the Dred Scott case took place in 1847 and 1850, part of a decade-long fight for freedom by an enslaved man.

On the ground, I have walked to all of these places, and I have seen the architecture, the height, and the intrigue of each.  However, by looking down from above, I have a completely different vantage point and can see so much more.  Because I rose to heights that challenged my idea of safety, because I stepped out of my comfort zone, because I did something I sometimes fear, and allowed myself to be many feet into the air, I received the benefit of the fantastic views.  And, those views added to the knowledge I already had of each place.

Sometimes changing our physical perspective can positively influence our spiritual perspective.  By stepping out of our comfort zone and going someplace we might not normally go, we gain a new perspective on other God-loved people around us.  By visiting and ministering to those we normally haven’t, we can see beauty we’ve not seen in our regular routines.

I challenge you to channel the inner “Star Trek” in you.  This week, go somewhere you’ve never gone before, either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and allow yourself to meet and see others from God’s glorious vantage point.  Once there, you’ll find it isn’t nearly as scary as you thought!

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

It seems to be that time of year when the animals are running amuck.  Perhaps they sense that the heat of summer may soon ease up, giving way to cooler months.  Whatever it is, there is certainly activity in the air in the animal kingdom.

Just a week or two ago, I and the car just ahead of me had to stop on a local road to allow at least a dozen or fifteen turkeys to make up their mind which direction they wanted to go.  One day this past week, my wife and I experienced the very sudden erratic road-crossing attempts of two separate groups of raccoons.  Unfortunately, I must report that at least one of those pretty creatures in each of the two groups failed to make up their minds in time to avoid tragedy.

And then I’ve seen several deer lately, like the ones in my picture here.  Momma and baby deer were out for an afternoon stroll.  I snapped several photos in which Momma deer was very keenly watching her surroundings, me included, in order to make sure everything was safe for the little one.

The Lord certainly takes care of His creatures.  He provides their meals, shelter, and safety.  But alas, each animal must make up its own mind about the way it will go.  Those turkeys finally gave up the group decision making process, leaving the road in at least two different directions.  Those ‘coons had no idea which way to run, and this indecision inevitably led to death.  Momma deer was ever watchful of all her surroundings, making sure everything was safe.

We are all beloved creatures of the Lord.  But in His goodness and grace, He allows us to make our own decisions.  Some of those are life-changing.  Some of our choices result in splitting from the rest of our group.  Some result in safety and beloved protection.  But, sadly, some of those choices in life can lead to our destruction.  We must always be on guard.

Just as the Psalmist wrote, as a deer pants for the water, so I long for the Lord’s presence.  May we, as His little creatures this week, pay very close attention to the paths we travel, the obstacles and dangers that will most often come our way, and the reality that He longs for us to look to Him for guidance and protection when we have no idea which way to go.  May we be faithful to follow in His paths this week.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

One of my favorite sights in New Orleans would be the trolleys running up and down Canal Street.  Although I’ve never ridden one, I’ve watched many.  They are identified by the red paint color and the ringing bells.

New Orleans can provide a sensory overload of sorts.  There is so much to see.  Now, granted, I have seen some things there that should never be seen.  There are so many sounds, too, especially the loud jazz music played on the street corners or by a group of individuals marching down the middle of the street, oblivious to the vehicles trying to make their way through the mobs.  But I’ve also heard some things and had some things said to me there that should never be said.

I’ve witnessed the throwing of the beads during the parades, I’ve felt the downpour of drenching rains while caught walking through the French Quarter, I’ve seen the public drunkenness and all states of dress or lack thereof.  I’ve also been witness to the smells of New Orleans, from the wafting odors of fresh beignets, very strong coffee, and fried alligator to the very unpleasant smells of public nastiness unworthy of mention.  And yet, through it all, it is such a fascinating place to visit.

Our lives are full.  Parts are pleasant, but some are far from it.  There is the sweet smelling blessing but also the nose burning smell of sin.  There are the beauties in our world, such as the ornate St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square, and then there are the unpleasantries of the bums sprawled out in the middle of the public walkways.  Life brings a variety of experiences to us.  And each and every one of them make us who we are today.

New Orleans wouldn’t be New Orleans without every single one of the things I mentioned above.  Every one of those things enhances the experience.  Every one of the things we go through, or even step in, in our lives enhances our witness.  The nastiness helps us appreciate the beauty.  The sour smells help us appreciate the sweet aromas.

As you meander through the back alleyways of your week ahead, be ever mindful of the sounds you hear, the sights you see, and the places you step.  You just might not truly appreciate the beauty of life without them.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Because of a meeting my wife was attending, I got to spend some time in New Orleans last week.  While she worked, I walked.  She later calculated that I had roamed probably eleven miles by foot in a forty-eight hour period, all within one square mile.

I walked the paths along the Mississippi River and around Jackson Square, the aisles between the pews in the St. Louis Cathedral, the streets in and around the French Quarter, the sidewalks of Canal Street, and the nearby storefronts.  But one place I did a lot of walking was inside the Audubon Aquarium, where I met the little fellow pictured here.

This penguin and his buddies are used to the crowds, and they love to dance around in the water and entertain.  This one nosed up to the glass to get a good look at me.

Funny.  I paid to enter the place, to roam its halls and exhibits, staring at every creature within its walls.  And yet the tables were turned here.  The penguins seemed to be the ones staring at us.  I wonder if I had the experience backward.  Were the animals there to entertain me, or was I there to entertain them?

We get life backwards like that as well.  For some reason, we seem to think that God’s purpose is to be here for me.  He’s to be at my beck and call, to speak when I ask, to provide me with what I want, and to keep me entertained.  Actually, we are here for His purposes.  We are to serve Him, to worship Him, to bless Him, to walk and talk and live for Him.

As long as I remain here on this earth, along with all of its other creatures, I am here to do all I do for my God, Who watches me constantly, cares for me always, and will never leave me behind.

Enjoy this new perspective on your aquarium of life this week.  Oh, and keep your noses off the glass.  Somebody has to clean up behind the penguins.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

When is the last time you were truly excited to go to church?  When is the last time you dressed in your “Sunday best” and headed to the church house for worship?  When is the last time you focused on the privilege it truly is to be able to gather in God’s house, without fear, and sing praises to Him with a church full of others who were just as excited?

I don’t normally share photos of people, but the ones in this picture have long since been gone, as has the photographer, so I can’t lay claim to this one.  This photo happens to be of a Sunday morning gathering of the church family of Siloam Baptist Church near York, Alabama, where I get to serve as pastor.  These folks are posing at the first service in the brand new church building on that hallowed hill one bright Sunday morning in 1908.

They are excited to be there!  They are dressed in their best, not because they owned a lot or had much money, but because they revered the Lord enough to gather with other community believers to worship Him together!  We are told in Hebrews to not forsake the gathering of ourselves together.  Sometimes things prevent us from attending, but it seems quite odd that the same things that prevent us from getting to church somehow never prevent us from getting to work or to the dollar store.

God gave His best for us.  He expects us to give Him our best.  Part of that is gathering for worship in His house.  There truly is nothing like it.  Every church congregation is different and worships in their own way.  All God asks is for our best.

Oh, to drive up that narrow road toward the church house on Sunday morning and see people excited to be there.  Maybe you’re not excited to go, but once you get there, you hear God’s Word, sing praises to His name, and speak with others who have come to do the same, that feeling you were missing before creeps up on you!

Get excited for Jesus this week.  He deserves it.  Give Him your best.  And when the appropriate time comes this week, gather with others to do the same.  There’s nothing like it!

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

I do enjoy photography somewhat.  That’s one of the reasons why you see one of my pictures with these words each week.  So as I scan back through the photos I’ve saved, looking for another one to share, I sometimes run across some photos I’ve forgotten, like this one.

I give each photo a name of some kind as I save it.  It makes it easier for me to find later, or at least that’s what I tell myself!  This particular picture, I had labeled as “Jefferson ducks.”  Perhaps you have heard of wood ducks, pekin ducks, whistling ducks, and yes, rubber ducks.  But maybe you’ve not heard of the infamous Jefferson ducks.  Of course, if you look at the photo, then you can see why I gave them that name.

These particular ducks are at home in what is known as the tidal basin nearing the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., and in front of the Jefferson Memorial.  I gave the ducks that name because of what I saw when I looked at them.

If your name today was assigned to you based on what those around you saw, who would you be?  Sorry Sam?  Mad Melissa?  Alcoholic Adam?  Speed demon Dan?  Or perhaps others would look your way and see Angelic Amy or Brave Bob.  You and I could all probably admit that we’ve been called names we would rather not repeat.  But what name — Whose Name — will I be given this week?

As a Christian, then I have already taken His name upon myself.  The name Christian literally means to be Christ-like.  But is that what those around me will see this week?  Will my name reflect who I am and Whom I represent?  Or will my name this week come about because of somewhere I should not have been or something I should not have said or done?

Those ducks in front of Thomas Jefferson’s memorial have no idea I gave them the name “Jefferson ducks.”  We may never know the names our neighbors have for us.  But we can live so that whatever name we are given, it will not only represent us as a person, but also represent us as the Christ-follower we claim to be.

What’s your name?

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

My wife and I recently hosted our thirty-third annual July 4th cookout for our family at our house.  We started when it was just the two of us, our parents, and three siblings.  This year there were twenty of us able to attend, with at least six or eight missing.  Enjoying time with our family members is something we greatly cherish.  

There are different age brackets, occupations, and school grades represented.  Opinions are expressed and shared.  Our conversations vary as greatly as the food items we have each provided.  And we love it.  Even with the backyard slap-your-sibling-with-a-tortilla game, we laugh and have a great time together before it’s time for us all to return to our separate lives, locations, and jobs.

The goose, pony, and cat in my picture somewhat represent our family.  Diverse, yet all getting along, all loving and supporting one another.  A goose, a cat, and a pony have virtually nothing in common except for the space they occupy.  Some families are like that.  God’s family is sometimes like that as well.

I believe God loves diversity.  After all, he made us this way.  If every crayon in the box was the same color, it wouldn’t paint a very pretty picture, would it?  If every barnyard animal was alike, they wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining.  What a wonderful family we all are because of our differences.

We celebrate our great country’s birthday this month.  If only we all got along as well as these three critters.  What a wonderful world that would be.

You animals behave yourselves this week.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Progress is hard sometimes, isn’t it?  I believe that a major part of the difficulty is that progress means change.  And we don’t all adapt to change at the same rate or in the same way.

Only once or twice in all these years have I shared a photo that I did not take.  This is one of those, but it was shared with me to use.  What you see, of course, is a house.  When this photo was taken not too long ago, this house was already in the demolition process.  The 3-bedroom 2-bath home with double carport has since been torn down.  Huge oak trees, hundreds of years old, cut down and cleared away.  This is half of a city block that is being cleared off in order to build another building.

What does this matter?  It is progress, after all.  Well, as I remind us from time to time, it’s all in your perception.  You see, I have a very different vantage point here than the rest of you do with this house.  This is where my brother and I grew up.  This is where our little sister spent her first 8 years or so.  This home was the church’s pastorium, provided for my dad, the pastor, and his family.  This was home.  Seeing these photos, shared with me by another preacher’s kid who happened to live in this very house just before we did, brought a lump to my throat.  Sometimes just seeing progress is difficult.

The neighboring church, which will always hold a very special place in my heart, is preparing for their future.  They are in the plans to build a multi-purpose activity building for their growing congregation.  This means excitement is in the air for them!  And that’s wonderful!  

So, with the difficulty for some, comes excited anticipation for others.  It’s all in our perspective.  You see, God always sees things more clearly than we do.  And whatever difficulties may come this week, whatever destruction, whatever bulldozers may head our way simply represent the progress, growth, and resurgence coming right along behind!

I don’t like seeing my past erased.  But I do love to see the future grow brighter!  And that’s the perspective I choose to have this week.

Just a thought.