By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

It’s another Monday morning in a month of many new “firsts” for a lot of folks.  New schools, new college experiences, new adventures, perhaps even new jobs that all begin this month are each bringing with them new challenges for which we must all be ready.

Failure to prepare for school or work will likely lead to some disappointment sooner than later.  And yet, some days we prepare, we study, we pray, we talk to the Lord, and it still seems as if nothing goes right, and we catch ourselves wondering if He was listening.

We arrived home one day recently to find this little fellow on the edge of the carport – either exploring on his own or unwillingly drug up by the cat.  It doesn’t matter the size or color or countenance of a snake – NO ONE is prepared to walk up on their own turf and encounter one.  And yet, there they are.

The dangers, disappointments, and difficult days will still be there.  However, we are to prepare as much as possible anyway.  Preparation lets you know when the snake is poisonous or simply a cat-snack.  Preparation helps you determine that even through difficult days, it can still be very good beginning to a very good adventure.

Talk to the Lord.  He IS listening.  Prepare your heart for whatever He allows to come your way this week, trusting Him to always go ahead of you and take care of you.

Blessings on those new beginnings!

 

By Ryan Kelly –

We as Christians know that evangelizing to non believers is part of our joy, privilege, and responsibility. There is a huge number of people in our land that do not place their faith in Jesus. Some know of the Bible, some  may even know who Jesus is, but many are waiting to receive the Word of God

Jesus illustrates the reaction to the Word in the parable of the sower in Mark 4. Some will reject the Word on the outset (birds devouring the seed), others will see the seed produce a good work but not saving faith (rocky soil), and others will receive the Word but will have it drowned out by distraction and conflict (seed among thorns). But, some will have good soil and will grow the seed. This good soil represents the non believers that accept Jesus and worship Him as a result.

It is not up to us to cultivate someone else’s soil. We are to take the perfect Word of a God (the seed) and scatter it to everyone. Then, as we see in Galatians 6, it is God that will water the seed and produce fruit.

So, scatter God’s seed in our land and watch Him produce a great harvest in the name of  Jesus!

By Brad Campbell –

Hi all.  Just a thought to help start your week.

My family considers the acclaimed Newseum to be a “must-do” when visiting our nation’s capital.  One major exhibit there is dedicated to the news about the attacks of 9-11.  Most of us will forever remember where we were and what we were doing when those horrific events took place.

Here you see what is left of the base portion of one of the large radio towers that stood atop one of the World Trade Center buildings in New York City.  It is massive.  And it is mangled – part of the wreckage.

Each person has in his or her past some event, some challenge, some thing, some wreckage of which we are not very proud.  And yet it remains there as somewhat of a memorial to times past when things weren’t what they should have been.  These things – these memorials – are difficult to see because they bring back awful memories.  And yet, these memorials need to remain, because they also remind us that, thank God, we are not where we once were!

Think on the wreckage in your past, forgiven and left behind, but wreckage nonetheless. And thank God for those things that will forever remind us of His goodness, His grace, and His merciful forgiveness in your life.  And on those days when you catch yourself in the cockiness of the “I-can-do-all-things-by-myself” attitude, visit your memorial and be thankful.

 

Just a thought.

By Ryan Kelly –

The glory of God is magnified by your holiness, and it is dishonored by your lack of holiness.  It is essential that we grow in holiness by leaning on God and following Him. 

Our Christian walk is not a solo mission, for when we listen to ourselves we listen to sin. When we listen to and follow God, though, we work toward perfection and bring glory to our Lord. 
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

On our recent family trip to Washington, D.C., we again took advantage of a trolley tour company which we really like, and we got some great insight from each of our drivers into the specific oddities of the city.

One of our drivers told us that his day had been made when he saw the Oscar Mayer Weiner-mobile in town!  (You know, it’s the “car” that is shaped like the giant hotdog!)  Anyway, he said folks had laughed at him for stopping to take a picture of it.  But, he said, “I live here.  I get to see all these magnificent buildings and memorials and monuments every day.  But how often do you get to see the Weiner-mobile?!”

I agree completely.  And we actually saw it later, along with the new Planters Peanuts vehicle, too.  In a world full of odd quirks — people included — stop to enjoy your surroundings.

So many things we take for granted because they are around us every day — like so many of God’s blessings.  But then, every once in a while, along comes that Weiner-mobile.  Be alert for the unusual.  Enjoy those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to bring joy into someone else’s day.  After all, how many chances do you get?!

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

What do you see in this picture?  White snow-capped mountains after a blizzard?  Ice bergs floating in the frozen Arctic Ocean?

This is actually a picture I took from an airplane window a couple of weeks ago.  You are seeing the tops of clouds and some of the strange formations in them.  Ever since I was a small boy, I’ve appreciated the beauty of God’s creation.  You see, I had parents and grandparents who made an effort to point out these things to us – to show us the flowers, the rock formations, the beauty in the clouds, and the majesty of it all.  And it still amazes me.

That’s funny, isn’t it, that even after all these years I’m still amazed by the beauty of it all? But that’s the point.  God’s grace to me is amazing every day because I don’t deserve it. Always amazing, never diminishing, and new for every morning!

Look up, look around you, look beside you, look within you this week to see the true beauty of God’s creation, and then acknowledge it for what it is!  “Mountains” in the clouds don’t make much sense to me, because I don’t know how that works.  Well, God’s grace to me – an unfinished sinner – doesn’t make much sense either.  I’m just grateful for it!

Instead of getting so caught up looking down at that calendar, cell phone, or to-do list this week, take a look around you and thank God for the mountains in the clouds and for the clouds on the mountains.  He made it all.

Just a thought.

By Ryan Kelly –

Fear. It’s something that everyone has felt, and it’s something that no one wants. It causes us to doubt ourselves, doubt where we are, and doubt what we are doing. Fear is damaging to the core.

Satan uses fear as one of his greatest tools. He uses it to keep people from looking to Christ as their savior, and he uses it to keep Christians from growing in their deeper relationship with Jesus. But, fear cannot keep us from God. Rather, God’s love conquers fear. 

Paul tells us in Romans 8:38 that, “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

If you are experiencing fear now, remember that God’s love for you is far more powerful than the fear that ensnares you.

Trust in Jesus with all of your heart, and do not fear anything in this world or the next. God is with you and for you. Never forget this. 
 

By Brad Campbell –

Happy Independence Day! (As I type this, tomorrow is July the 4th)  For 28 years in a row, both sides of our family have celebrated the 4th with a cookout at our house, and we love it.  We also love visiting Washington, D.C., and were there just a week or so ago again.

I took this photo of parts of Arlington Cemetery from the airplane as we were preparing to land at Reagan National Airport.  For us, nothing has been more sacred in any of our D.C. trips than our visits to Arlington Cemetery to watch the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier.  And you also see in the photo what is known as Arlington House, the former residence of General Robert E. Lee, upon whose land the cemetery was begun and has remained.

That house, sitting high on that hill, can be seen for miles around, and it stands as a testimony and a reminder of times past, as do the graves of former President John F. Kennedy and his wife and two children whose graves are very near the house, lit by an “eternal flame”.

I think it’s a very neat thing that this simple but astounding place reminds us Christians not just of times past, but of glorious times to come.  You see, I’m looking forward to my mansion on the hilltop!  The Lord is preparing a place in Heaven for all of His saved ones.  And yet, on the other hand, an eternal flame awaits those who have refused to place their trust in Him.

As you celebrate this week, thank Him for the freedoms we have in this country, the freedoms we enjoy in His family, and the ultimate freedom we look forward to one day!

By Brad Campbell –

Hi all.  Just a thought to help start your week.

I don’t think I’ve ever shared with you a picture of the whole group of us – my wife, our three daughters, the eldest’s beau, and then there’s me.  I’d like to share a little something different and a little more lengthy with you this week – a couple of days later in the week than normal, for a good reason.

The majority of folks don’t realize that the Lord dealt with me for many years before I accepted His call to pastor.  My Dad has been a pastor all of my life, and growing up as a P.K. (preacher’s kid), you are given a different perspective on things.  And I had that perspective — seeing the world from inside the preacher’s family.  Two many details to mention here will limit my wording to say that I promised myself I would never do a job like that.  And yet…  Doesn’t God have a grand sense of humor?!

Fast forward almost twelve years now, and the Lord has blessed our family in ways that leave us in awe sometimes.  And that brings me to my point in sharing this picture.  The youngest has finished school, and she and the middle one will now be in college at the same time.  The eldest is on her own with a brand new house, and her great “friend-boy”, as I call him, has been a wonderful addition to our family.  You see, the only way I would introduce those kids to the “preacher’s” family was by first going to them and asking their permission for this role I’ve taken on.

God first, then family, then the job.  The trouble is, some pastors get that first one and the last one sandwiched together and leave out their family.  My family is my life.  My family is my reason to go on every day.  And this email is late this week, because my family (everyone you see here) just spent a week rambling the streets of beautiful Washington, D.C.

You see, even our great nation was founded on the belief in and worship of God Himself.  What better place to take the best bunch of preacher’s kids that ever was?  I know you are blessed by your family.  You can share that with us sometime.  But for now, understand that my family is a blessing, and I am forever grateful.  Love your kids this week – no matter how old or young, no matter if they’re your blood children or not.  Love your spouse this week.  Show God He is most important by taking care of the most important treasures you have – your family.