By Brad Campbell –

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

I had the feeling I was being watched.  I was walking along a narrow pathway earlier this morning.  The sun was still rising, birds were chirping, and I was all alone.  At least that’s what I thought.

I hadn’t been out there long.  I had stopped at the beautiful river-side park to stretch my legs for a bit, and it couldn’t have been more than ten minutes before I sensed that I wasn’t alone after all.  It was daylight, and no person lurked anywhere that I saw. Nothing obstructed my view, and the pathway was clear.  And then I heard it — the little clicking sound.  It was almost as if someone was enjoying a snack in the very near vicinity, and yet there was no one around.  I’m not paranoid, and I wasn’t scared or even startled.  But I was curious.

Then as I turned my head slightly to the left, I saw the beady little eyes that you see in this picture.  The critter, just finishing what must have been an extra-delicious acorn, was now watching me ever so closely, first from one side of the tree and then from the other, as if to say, “Good morning human!  What a glorious day God has blessed us with today!  Enjoy the quiet as I do, and be prepared for whomever you might meet on today’s path.  You are being watched, you know.”

As so I was — being watched, that is.  I actually turned and walked off before the squirrel did.  But whatever critter God puts in your midst this week, be aware that you as God’s child are being watched — not menacingly, not threateningly, but with just enough curiosity to incite wonder.  Whether it’s the squirrel on the tree this morning, or the snake curled up on the carport last night, God’s creatures are always near.  As so is He!

Wherever your path leads this week, may it be quiet and peaceful, may you never be alone, and may you share the love of His creation with others.

Just a thought.

By Ryan Kelly –

In preparing this week’s newsletter, I have discovered something abundantly apparent.   There has never been a greater war against our faith than there is today.  Here’s what I mean.

Simply type into Google News, “Christianity” America, and see what you find.  You will see a slew of anti-Christian articles which spew hatred for our faith, misrepresentation of Scripture, and an assumption that all Christians are fascist, hating monsters with intent on world domination by any means necessary.  You can’t even find a positive news story about Christianity without plowing through a minefield of negative or hateful press about our faith.

These articles will cite versus like John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the father but through me,” and they will say Christians are wrong because Jesus would not want us to claim anyone’s religion as being false.  Then, it will go on to deny the validity of the very Scripture that they quote.  Other articles will condemn any mention of sexual sin, and simply laugh at the possibility of creationism.

How exactly is this news?  And, how is it fair?

Thus is the problem, it is neither news or fair.  It is a direct assault on a peaceful religion that follows the teachings of Jesus Christ for the very fact that we follow those teachings.

At this moment, even self-proclaimed Christians will tout individual Bible verses and claim to know Christ, but will deny and actively oppose the very essence of the Bible and what God has done to save the world.  They will claim that Jesus is good, but other religions are good too.  They will claim that because Christianity statistically is in decline, it’s evidence that something is wrong with the church and that we need to be more tolerant and inclusive.

I’ll tell you now, if there is anything wrong with the church it’s that we are TOO tolerant and TOO inclusive.  We as followers of Christ must stand up for God’s word despite what the world says.  We must love absolutely, actively outreach and care for those around us, and tolerate absolutely no sin in our lives or those around us.   We love by showing and sharing the love given to us – the love of our God who came to this world, lived perfectly, and died for everyone who believes and trusts in Him.

Love is showing others how to save their lives through Jesus.

We must raise the bar of morality in our own lives and help others to do the same.  We must never compromise our integrity or believe the lies that are spewing from the world that there is something wrong with our faith.  The Bible has never changes, and we must not either.

There is a war going on, and the sooner we wake up to realize that there is, the sooner we can begin to fight back the evil that is prevailing in our world.  We are the reflection of the radiance of Jesus.  Follow His teachings and stand firm.  This world needs every single one of us now as much as ever.

By Ryan Kelly –

One important and distinct characteristic of  a genuine Christian is that we do not sin habitually. 

Habitual sin is when someone continues to do something that they know goes against what God wants from you, but you do it voluntarily anyway. 

1 John 3:9 says, “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.”

It is essential that we evaluate ourselves, discern Scripture, and apply it to our lives. We must reject sin at every opportunity and follow close to God. And this is not because there is anything that we can do to save ourselves from sin, but rather we do it because we love Jesus and put our faith and trust in Him. 

Evaluate if there is anything in your life that counts as habitual sin. Don’t listen to the world, listen to God. If you feel Him telling you to stop doing something…don’t wait. 

There is nothing better than growing close to God, but sin will place a barrier between you and your Father that prevents this from occurring. Remove that barrier by rejecting sin.  It’s very hard at first, but you’ll be so glad that you did!

By Ryan Kelly –

“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:15-17‬ ‭

Does the world see you as a follower of Jesus who is a reflection of His radiance, or do you reflect the world?  If we do not look vastly different than the world, something is wrong. 

Look at yourself and examine your heart. See what others see in you and continue to allow the Holy Spirit to transform you into a Godly man or woman. 

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Summertime vacation season is upon us, and many folks are taking to the highways and waterways in search of some great get-away.  There, much fun is had, lots of activities take up the day, and every day itself is full.

Do you ever come home from a vacation thinking that you need a vacation to get over the vacation?!  Rest is important, too.  Middle daughter and cat are resting here in my picture.  I’m not sure whether either of them has had an abnormally busy day, but it’s nap time, nevertheless.

Slow down before you miss the life that is flying right past your face.  Take a deep breath and realize that every day still contains twenty-four hours and not a minute less.  Look for ways to honor God with your busy-ness but also with your no-so-busy-ness.  In our down times, we can hear His voice more clearly, study and meditate more easily, and simply take a break from our self-imposed must-do life-or-death schedule of activities.

Shhhhh……  Listen closely.  He is here.  Take comfort.  Need a hammock to stretch out in? The cat probably won’t mind.  Come on over!

By Ryan Kelly –

Lineage gives us proof of God’s grace throughout generations. Despite the ugly sin of our past, God can and does work despite our shortcomings and brings us to perfection through the blood of Jesus

This is the highlight that bridges the Old and New Testsment in Matthew 1 with the lineage of Jesus. Specifically, the last 14 versus references the time of the exile of the Israelites up to the birth of Jesus. This time is a direct reflection of our exile outside of the Garden of Eden. It puts us as truly “in the world but not of the world.”  This world is not our home…we are in exile. 

But, the good news is where Matthew 1 concludes. 

Jesus is coming for us all.  John 14:3 states, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” 

Jesus came once to die for our sins and to conquer death, and He will come again to finish off all evil and to create to New Jerusalem for His people.   So rejoice, for Scripture is clear that God has already shown how the end will come…and it will be a great revival and time of celebration for all who know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. 

By Brad Campbell –

Well, we’ve done it.  Relief and anxiety mixed into one.  The baby graduated high school this weekend!  Was I nuts, letting them grow up so fast?  How on earth did this happen?  Me – this old – this soon?!  And here we are sending another young person into this corrupt world to fend for herself. 

This squirrel doesn’t care that it lives in Nashville – one of the most famous American cities.  It cares nothing about country music.  It cares nothing about the hustle and bustle all around it.  All this squirrel cares about is a good view from a lofty perch in order to spy out more goodies upon which he can feast.

Why aren’t we the same?  Hold tight to the limb we sometimes seem to be out on.  Hold close to the Father Who created us and set us here upon this earth.  Take care to notice the little things in life – the next meal, the support system in our lives, the friendly folks around us (like the goose in the background, also minding its’ own business).

There is so much more to this life than worrying about tomorrow.  After all, God doesn’t. And He only expects us to take one day at a time.  That’s the challenge for this week. Take it just one day at a time.  Trust Him for tomorrow.  Thank Him for forgiveness of yesterday.  But live in today.  Hold close to your limb, knowing that whatever tomorrow brings, God awaits us there.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week. 

Tulips.  Beautiful flowers.  Just one example of so many of God’s magnificent creations. They are a member of the lily family.  Shaped like a cup, they generally are used to symbolize perfect love. 

Tulips.  Or two lips.  Two lips God gave me.  They are seen first when I speak.  Two lips that are not always so beautiful, so gracious, and full of perfect love.  

The Scriptures remind us that God loves us more than any of the rest of His creation.  So my two lips are more important, more beautiful, and more useful to Him than any tulips can be.  I am to use my two lips to praise Him and to tell others of His greatness.

Interesting, huh?  Maybe I should use my two lips to order some tulips to show the love my two lips just can’t seem to speak.  I know, I’m twisting my words.  If you think this was tough to hear, you should have tried listening to me as I twisted up words, thoughts, and my tongue trying to preach God’s Word yesterday.  These two lips of mine, meant to spread beauty, haven’t done a very good job of that lately.

May God give us the words our two lips should speak in order to praise Him for His creation this week (including the tulips)!

Just a thought.

By Ryan Kelly –

There are many that have a false impression of who a Christian is and whether they are one. Unlike most societies in our world, the US still claims a strong heritage of Christianity. But just because you believe in elements of faith, are you a Christian?

1 John speaks to this and articulated if-then statements about the actions and beliefs of. Christian versus those of non-Christians. 

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”‭‭ 1 John‬ ‭1:8-10‬

John goes on to say:

“My little children, these things write I unto you that you may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world. And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that says, I know him, But doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, and in him has the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:”. ‭‭1 John‬ ‭2:1-5‬ 

It all comes down to our heart. If we are in Jesus, we will have the desire to sacrifice ourselves for the sake of others and will do all that we can obey the Father. 

If you do not fit this belief, I urge you to search for God in prayer and ask Him to come into your life. He will. 

If you match this description and are following Jesus, then be the reflection of the radiance of Jesus and let everyone know of your faith in our Lord.  Let it it clear that you are a child of the living God!

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week. 

Last week, my wife and I took a trip (the reason you didn’t get one of these emails). Along with a great group of folks, we toured the “Ark Encounter” in northern Kentucky, just south of Cincinnati.  This built-to-scale and very much life-size replica of Noah’s ark is a true wonder to see.  For most of a day, we wandered the long corridors of the great ship where we learned of the Bible-time experiences of Noah and his family, visited with animals like iguanas, alpacas, and goats, and simply stood in awe in front of the massive door.

We “church folks” take time to study our Bibles, read our lessons, discuss things with one another, and listen to our pastor’s messages, and yet until we can see for ourselves, we don’t truly realize the magnitude of the story itself.  How were so many animals fed on a regular basis?  Where did all the “before-indoor-plumbing” waste go?  So many questions.

Our day’s journey left us each weary from walking, but awe-struck at the same time. God, in all His wonderful majesty, orchestrated an event so great that two of every kind of animal arrived to join the others, one family of eight people moved in with the creatures to care for them and live safely from the floods, and the rest of civilization was completely destroyed.

So what is my challenge for this week?  Don’t just read the Scriptures.  See the Scriptures. Try to wrap your finite mind around the work of our Lord God.  And as you walk among the regular worldly creatures this week, look up and take in the majesty of His protection that surrounds you on every side, guarding you from the rising waters, and carrying you to dry ground.  What a mighty God we serve!

Just a thought.