From Moment to Moment

I asked my son what he did at camp last week and he replied “I preached.”

“You spoke in front of 500 plus kids?” I clarified.

“Yep.”

“Were you afraid?” I asked.

“No.” he said in a matter of fact way. “I just spoke from my heart.”

Parker is our athlete. He makes his dad and me proud. His dad is probably a bit more proud of his skill than I am. That or my husband is reliving his days through our son. Don't think bad of me for writing that. It's not like he denies the allegation. In fact he adds, “When Parker has a son of his own, he can live through him.”

Whatever!

When Parker said he “preached” in front of a large number of his own peers, it blessed my heart beyond measure. For a minute, I got that same feeling my husband gets when Parker hits a home run, makes the tackle, or swooshes the ball through the hoop for 2 points. I had to know more details.

It started when Parker decided not to play summer baseball this year. Doing so means he would have to miss church and other activates such as church camp from time to time. In our opinion, playing ball over going to church is an unhealthy priority. However, once you enter Jr high and high school, playing is almost a must. We decided to take the summer off and trust God.
At camp, one of the youth counselors asked Parker to share his priority to attend church over playing ball at the campfire service.

Parker used the campfire as a visual. He shared how his relationship with God is like a fire. To keep it hot, he has to fuel the fire. Each log represented that fuel. One log symbolized his prayer time. Another log represented worship, and yet, another log stood for his bible reading. Parker explained that when he neglected any of these logs or put other priorities before God, his fire went out.

I don’t know about you, but I thought that was pretty creative! Of course, he said it only took him about 5 minutes to share, but still. I was blown away. In fact, I asked him if I could use his analogy.

I don’t know why the counselor felt led to ask Parker to “preach.” But this I know. God is in all and in control of all things good and bad. Somewhere in the future, this moment of training and preparation will have prepared Parker to fulfill his purpose on a grander scale. All of our moments are building for the next one. Take my friend, LeAnn.

LeAnn loves to cook. She often makes food for the gals in the office. Many of those recipes are found in her fabulous cookbook. It only took a moment to cook for the girls. Another moment to create a cookbook, and now, today at this very moment, LeAnn has launched a cooking blog called, She Cooks, where you can get great cooking idea’s, tricks and tips! Who knows what the next moment for LeAnn will bring. Perhaps a cooking show!

Be sure and stop by. This might be the moment you discover the best cooking tip you've ever had!

This weekend, make the most of every MOMENT!

Restoring Godly Fear

Welcome to my blog. I'm so glad you stopped by.

What does it mean when God reveals himself to us as Father and adopts us into His forever family through faith in Jesus Christ? It means you and I should have a childlike reverence for His age, wisdom, power, and authority. We can look to Him as the source for all our needs and feel safe and secure in His love and care. We honor Him as Father by exhibiting the same godly fear that Abraham and Isaac revealed.

Today, the emphasis on honoring fathers is much different than in Isaac’s day or even 100 years ago. No longer do we acknowledge the command, “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12), which also applies to the relationship we have with our heavenly Father. Rodney Dangerfield is not the only person who suffers from “no respect.” These days our society has a general lack of respect for fathers. Perhaps, it’s because we have fewer godly fathers who have won the admiration of their children. Have you noticed that fathers are depicted as idiots in movies, television, and even in cartoons? In the sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” the character, Debra, degrades her husband by calling him an idiot whenever he makes a bad judgment. No doubt her action has influenced female viewers to use name calling when displeased with their spouse.

On the other hand, a person with godly fear would never act in such a way. That person would heed the command of God, 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18). We show honor to God by displaying reverential esteem of others. Godly fear should motivate us to offer grace by extending an encouraging word instead of thrashing another with a rude comment. Generally, those who tear down others usually have little respect for themselves. Their rude comments are a desperate attempt to make themselves look better. Sadly, the results usually turn out opposite.

To have respect in any relationship you have to be worthy of honor. Where there is abuse, apathy, domineering, or controlling behavior there is no respect. While we may have experienced this type of behavior in relationships where trust should have abounded, this is not the behavior of our God. The bible tells us that people who practice these things don’t know the love of God, nor do they fear Him. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). Because God has demonstrated His love for us by sending His son, He is more than worthy of our respect. (Romans 5:8, paraphrased).

That’s not all. God is worthy of our honor because He is the creator of heaven and earth. He is Lord over all. He is the King of Kings. He is the beginning and the end. He is Everlasting. His glory fills the whole earth. He is grace, truth, love, light, and life. He doesn’t change and He needs no help. His greatness is unsearchable. He is the judge of righteousness, the one and only lawgiver. He knows our secrets and examines our hearts. He sees everything and knows all about us. He is full of loving kindness. He was moved to save us from sin. He is merciful. He has incomparable power and strength. Nothing is too difficult for Him. He is everywhere. The highest heaven cannot contain Him. He calls the stars by name. He has unlimited understanding. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. He’s slow to anger and abounds in love. He lives with the humble and does no wrong. No one can stop Him nor flee His presence. He is ruler of all things. He alone is God and there is no other. (excerpt taken from, An Untroubled Heart)

Micca Campbell--Helping women live carefree in God's care

Tuesday Tip

I was twenty-one when my first husband died. Mostly likely, I would marry again. Since I had a infant son, I knew that my choice of when and who to marry was very important. I began to pray for God to protect me from the wrong mate until the right mate came along. He did exactly that. I have a wonderful husband and family for which I’m extremely thankful for. This experience opened my eyes to how important marrying the right mate is. So, I began praying for my children’s mate too. Here’s my list. I hope you’ll make it yours and add to it along the way.

1. Help my child’s spouse to remain a virgin. Guard him/her from "outer-course" (petting experiences); abuse; harassment; and pornographic content in music, photographs, and movies (Col. 3:5).

2. Make my daughter’s spouse a man after God’s own heart, a maturing Christian who can take a spiritual leadership role that encourages my daughter toward deeper spiritual growth (Eph. 5:25-28).

3. Develop in my child’s mate a desire to seek and ask forgiveness when wrong from both God and man (1 Jn. 1:8-9).

4. Show my daughter’s spouse do what you want him to do with his life. Help him to seek your purpose for his creation (1 Tim. 4:12).

5. Teach my child’s spouse the basics of spiritual warfare, how to flee temptation, how to take thoughts captive, and how to stand firm against the devil’s schemes (1 Pet. 5:8-9, 2 Cor. 10:3-5, Jas. 4:7-8).

6. Help my child’s spouse to become a master of good, uplifting communication. Protect him/her from foul language and angry response (Col. 3:8).

7. Give my child’s spouse deep, satisfying personal relationships that will prepare him/her for marriage without compromising his purity (1 Thess. 4:3-8).

8. Teach my child’s spouse to be a good parent. Give his/her parents good parenting skills, and, if not, provide him with a godly role model. Be the Father to the fatherless if he has no father (Ps. 68:5-6).

9. Give my child’s spouse a hunger for God through prayer and Bible study (Mt. 13:23).

10. Help my child’s spouse to make a commitment to the truth, to choose honesty in every situation, even when tempted to lie to lessen punishment or consequences (Eph. 4:25).

11. Give my child’s spouse a proper attitude toward money in giving, receiving, and working. Help him/her learn how to budget, save, and tithe (1 Tim. 6:6-11).

12. Make my child’s spouse considerate and sensitive, a giving, loving Christian who can place others needs before his/her own without losing his/her personal identity (1 Jn. 3:16-18).

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

The Benefits of Waiting On God

Most of us hate waiting whether we’re waiting for a traffic light, to see the doctor, or for the movie to start. We want what we want and we want it now!

However, God has created us to live differently. In order to grow spiritual, we must learn to wait on Him. When we yield to His timing, God can do mighty things in us and for us. We must not have our own agenda but allow God to guide our lives. Only then can we receive His best.
What does “waiting” do for us?

1. It teaches us patience as we practice willing ourselves to “wait” on God.
2. It purifies our motives. Instead of acting out in lust, we learn to act out of love and obedience.
3. It protects us from unseen danger. God knows what’s down the road. We don’t. Giving us what we want now may not fit into the bigger picture of our lives. Sometimes, that can be a danger instead of a blessing.
4. It makes us great witnesses of God’s faithfulness.

You and I have 3 choices when it comes to waiting on God.

1. We can manipulate our circumstances to get what we want. However, this robs us of God’s best and could end in disaster.
2. Walk away from God when we allow our disappointment to turn from God.
3. We can wait and trust God has our best interested at heart. Waiting on God requires faith, patience, and humility.

It’s hard not to grow impatience while waiting on God. We tend to fall for the lie that he is unaware of our struggles. But rushing ahead of God is never a good idea. My prayer for you and me is that we would wait on God with joy and anticipating—trusting in His best for our lives. The bible says that He acts on the behalf of those who trust Him. It may not be our timing, but God’s provision will eventually come—if we wait.

Now for the winners of my book, An Untroubled Heart, are…

Heidi and Shawn Marie! Congratulations, gals!!

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

When the Cookie Crumbles

In my devotion today, Casting Your Cares, I ask this question…

"What’s the point of giving my burden to God in the first place if he wasn’t going to make it all go away?"

Have you ever asked yourself that same question? In reality, what you and I are wondering is, How do I pick of the pieces when the cookie crumbles? David wondered the same thing. He worded the question this way.

“When all that is good falls apart, what can good people do?” (Ps 11:3,4).

David asks this question as if he knows the very concern of our hearts. He seems to understand that even Believers are constantly battling for the reassurance of hope. Surprisingly, David doesn’t provide us with an answer. Instead, he reminds us of God’s sovereignty.

“The LORD is in his holy temple; the Lord sits on his throne in heaven.”

When life seems hopeless, we can rest in this truth. God is in control. He cares. I am not forgotten. I have not escaped His attention. God knows where I am and He knows my struggles. These truths feed our faith during unfaithful times.

If you’re facing adversity of some sort, God may not have caused it but He has allowed it. Not for your harm, but for your good and mine.

For example, when someone says something that hurts my feelings, I know that they couldn’t have done so unless God allowed it. And because God is love and everything He does comes from love, I can be certain that what may be meant for evil, God will use it for my good—to make me stronger, kinder, aware, … Whatever the work God is doing, it’s a good work.

Whether turbulent times are brought on by an unexpected illness, a strained marriage, a bad choice or some other challenge, knowing God is in control provides peace under pressure. You may have lost hope, but the God of all hope has not lost you. He’s aware of your circumstances and He’s allowed them for one reason---to give you more---more of Him, more patience, more faith, more love and compassion for others, a simpler life, or a better life. Whatever the “more” may be, rest in Him who loves you too much to leave you the way you are. In fact, every time your cookie crumbles, God is picking up the pieces and remaking you into something far better than you were before.

If you’re seeking an untroubled heart, hold on to this promise: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

Also, leave a comment or prayer request and enter to win a copy of my book. I’m giving away two signed copies. (Be sure and leave your email address so I can contact you.) I'll announce the winner on Monday. And, throughout the weekend I'll be praying for you to rest in the One who sits on the Throne!

Micca Campbell--Helping Women Live Carefree in God's Care

Tuesday's Tip--Fun Idea's for Summer

School’s out…now what??

Most kids want to “veg” out in front of the TV. But growing sofa roots isn’t the best way to spend a summer vacation. Exercising the brain muscle is.

Ever heard of myelin? Myelin is a gel-like substance that grows along brain cells when learning takes place. Imagine dipping a fishing net in jelly. That's how a memory for life appears in the neural networks of our brains.
Children's brains contain 10,000 miles of neural network for every cubic inch of cortex. That's a lot of potential real estate in which to install knowledge. So, don’t let a sunny summer day go to waste. Our children's chances of myelinating fresh neural nets soars every time we turn off the TV and challenge them with a new activity.

Here are some summer-time Tips to kick off your child’s neural network and are fun too!

1. Hold the video games, board games, and movies for rainy days-they will enjoy them more!

2. Take your camera for a walk. Make a collage or scrapbook of your adventure.

3. Make homemade ice-isles and ice-cream sandwiches. Pour Kool-Aid (or your favorite drink) into ice cube trays. (Experiment with flavors.) Next, insert sticks that you can purchase at craft store or use toothpicks. Freeze and enjoy! To make ice-cream sandwiches, use two cookies of choice. Insert a scoop of your favorite ice-cream and press together. Wrap in plastic-wrap, freeze. Enjoy!

4. Take a trip around the world without leaving home. Each member of the family takes turns choosing a place they want to explore. Personally, I would choose Italy. It would be my job to gather info to share about the country with my family along with picking a few everyday phrases in Italian to learn and teach the rest of the family. The next day, the entire family dresses like the Italians, eats Italian food and speaks in as much Italian as they can.

5. Make a flower, herb, or veggie garden

6. Take a one-day trip to the zoo, aquarium, or museum

7. Have an old-fashion bloc party. Let the kids do the planning AND preparing.

8. Go roller-skating, bike riding, or take a hike at a NEW park

9. Eat outside as often as you can. As your food digest, lie on a blanket under a tree and see how many hidden objects you can find in the clouds. My dad and I use to do this when I was a little girl.

10. Enjoy sundown. Have a contest in catching fireflies or make homemade ice-cream. You might enjoy a game of “kick-the-can.” Remember that one?

11. Join a book club

12. Check out the activities at your local community center

13. Get involved. Volunteer at a Nursing home or hospital

14. Write a play and perform it

Add a summertime activity of your own to the comment section! I'd love to read your idea's!