I have a deep passion and commitment to the ongoing development of spiritually strong and emotionally healthy individuals, marriages, families, leaders and cultures, helping you achieve your God-designed and appointed destiny.
All in Challenge
“Most Christians take just enough snippets of Jesus to make them feel good, but not enough for true transformation.” Not only does this statement speak truth, but it defines a very real predicament within Christianity, particularly in America, as it seems many of us are running from true transformation.
I seemed to have arrived at a destination, not even realizing I was on a trip. When did things get so dull, tired…routine? Where’s the pizazz? Where’s the fun? Why’s everyone so sensitive? What can I do to make it right again? I force myself to ask a personal question that may seem completely unrelated to the situation, but in reality, can hold the key to returning things to where they should be. This question requires humility, extreme honesty, and a great deal of introspection and willingness to take responsibility. It holds the power to unlock doors to a happier marriage, a more satisfied spouse, and a life-filled home. What’s it like being married to me?
Hello. My name is Cammie and I’m a sinner. I know it and I own it. I try not to sin, but inevitably, it happens. Whether it’s something I say, watch, or do, no sooner does the action take place than I know what’s transpired. Sometimes I sin deliberately. Sometimes it’s an honest mistake. Regardless, I know that I’m a big fat sinner…and I think that’s a very good thing.
Thanksgiving is officially over. I’ve eaten way too much. I’ve talked politics with family members till I’m blue in the face. My house is a total disaster. My checking account has taken a serious hit, and my body has officially nose-dived from all of the sugar I’ve consumed. I weighed this morning and I just about died. It’s been great, to say the least. Settling back into reality is quickly approaching, and Christmas is merely weeks away.
My prayer is that God pours out His greatest, most outrageous, and biggest blessings upon you and your family during this Holiday Season. I pray He gives you great peace and joy. I pray that your house literally overflows with laughter. I pray He gives you great opportunities and even greater courage to do them. I pray your relationships with those you love are deepened and strengthened. Most of all, I pray you hear Him, experience Him, and also see Him more than you ever have before - more than you can even imagine.
Have you ever been struck by a feeling of angst, the source of which is completely unknown? “What the heck is the matter with me?” runs through your mind. You try to "snap out of it," but no go. It's still there. Sometimes I can assess and figure out such a dilemma within minutes. Other times moments can turn into days before I’m able to acknowledge my lack of peace, provoking the question, “What in the world is causing me to feel this way?” It’s then that I must stop, look within, attempt to identify my emotions and events of past hours or days.
What happened to “agreeing to disagree,” allowing each other the freedom to express a contrary opinion, without someone else hurling hurtful and downright abusive comments? Why are we seeing friendships literally destroyed right before our eyes, as insults are slung in contrast to previous professions of love? Or better yet, what happened to keeping our opinions to ourselves? Do we really have to react by voicing EVERY SINGLE THOUGHT that comes into our minds?
I don’t want to start out on the negative, but if I asked you to recall a time when you knowingly did wrong, resulting in extreme guilt and shame, you’d be able to identify the offense(s) right away, wouldn’t you? Trust me, when I asked myself this question, I remembered my top five in about ten seconds flat, resulting in my shoulders and hands actually tensing, as I recalled not only the pain inflicted upon myself, but others. Memories of extreme guilt and shame were close behind, causing me to ask the question...what am I going to do with this?
We LOVE the promises of God’s Word, don’t we? We love to hear about how good He is, how much He loves us, and the blessings He has in store for us. The thing is, we often miss out on all that stuff because we neglect to take into account our part of the deal in obtaining all of the good stuff. Then we wonder why we aren't being blessed. As I discovered 20 years ago, we have a say in whether or not we’re going to do what He says in order to obtain the Good Life.
So what’s your “crazy”? If you believe you have no “crazy,” can I respectfully challenge you? All families have it, because we’re human and imperfect. By taking the time to identify the crazy, we can then take it to God, allowing Him to heal and restore – showing and enabling us to live a new and better way. It is then that the power of the past, even if it is that of our great-great-grandparents and beyond, is broken.
I would like to talk to talk specifically to all of the Ladies today, however, Men, please read on, as I really want to hear your thoughts on this matter. What I have to say will very possibly either cause you to go “Yes!” or “Cammie, you’re crazy!” Whatever the outcome, as I used to tell my kids when they were younger, “I love you enough to make you mad at me.”
All too often, the greatest "Naysayer" isn’t someone from without, but rather someone from within – ourselves. We can be our own worst enemy, self-sabotaging any "God-ideas" that appear in our hearts and/or heads by disqualifying ourselves before we've even allowed God Himself to qualify us. This scenario has played itself out in my life way too often. I cannot even tell you how many times I've been guilty - disqualifying myself, or the dream I've been given, within mere minutes of receiving such a vision. I don’t even allow the dream to take flight before I’ve grounded it to utter failure.
"Now is the Time" Women's Conference, March 1 - 3, 2017, in Ashville, NC!
During one particular gathering, approximately one year ago, our Senior Pastor spoke of the concept of our personal view of our Heavenly Father being molded and shaped by what we have experienced with our earthly father. Probably, like you, I’ve both heard and read this viewpoint many times.
"Being a Pastor's Wife is like watching your husband get the crap beat out of him in a boxing ring. You're outside of the ring watching the entire thing happen, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it." Chuck, our spiritual father and counselor had seriously nailed it. That was 1999. Stan and I were in the middle of the most difficult season that we had ever or would ever experience in ministry.
As parents, whether it's intended or not, we pass along certain values to our children. My parents did it to me, I did it to my children, and I'm sure Adam and Zach will do it to theirs. I love it when I get it right, and of course, regret when I see I've done it wrong.
The most favorite part of my job is calling-out the gift of music that God has placed in kids and adults," my oldest son, Adam, declared. Wow! Who raised this kid and where did he come from?! You see, Adam, is a musician. He's actually an employed musician, believe it or not, which is a rare and beautiful thing in today's world.
