Chance Encounter

Yesterday, my family and I went to a Japanese restaurant for lunch.  It was one of those places where you watch them cook in front of you.  If you have ever been to one of those, you know that it is community seating, meaning you sit beside strangers.  We sat beside a lady named Rosie.  As it turns out, Rosie is from New Orleans.  She is staying in the area with her sister, as she evacuated ahead of the Gustav.  Rosie’s husband, August, is a firefighter for the city of New Orleans.  I promised Rosie that we would pray for August as he serves his community.  We took a moment there at the table to ask God’s protection upon August.  Will you please help us pray for the safety or August?  Not only August, but all those in the path of this fierce storm.  

Pray for Protection

I know that many of you have been watching the weather and the intense storm that is approaching south Louisiana. May I beg you to please pray for the protecting hand of God during all of this for those folks? This is not looking good. Please join me in praying for the area, that the Lord would watch over them and protect them.

Exciting Times

I must confess, I am a political junkie. I love politics, especially presidential politics. This time of the year is so interesting to watch. I enjoy watching all the maneuvering and positioning that everyone does. I confess, I even watched the Democratic Convention, nearly every night. I look forward to next week and the Republican Convention. This is truly an historic election. I don't go around telling folks how to vote. I only want to encourage you to pray and vote as you feel the Lord would have you to.

Awesome Thought

In the past month or so, we have had a number of people email and write us to let us know that they are praying for us. What an awesome thought, to know that people are praying for our family. I have even had people that I have never met email me to let me know that they are praying that God would get us to the field. I don’t ever want to take lightly that Christians would care enough to pray for us. Thank you all for the prayers that have been offered up on our behalf. We need it. We are so close, we just need you to continue praying that God would send in the remaining few churches so that we can be on our way.

Time Flies

It’s hard to believe it has been so long since I posted.  I know that is a pattern for me.  I am still trying to get in the habit of writing more often.  I did want to drop a quick note to let you know that since our last update, we have had a couple of new churches take us on and still have promises from several more.  PLEASE help us pray that we would see the churches we need take us on soon.  We are so close.  I feel like the Lord is working on our behalf.  We are trusting the Lord to send in these last few churches.  I know that He can do it.  God can do all things.  Please help us pray. 

Getting Closer

Thank you to all who take the time to visit the blog.  I know I often have difficulty keeping it updated, mainly for wondering if I have anything interesting to say.  Today I wanted to ask you to continue to pray for our goal of 20 new churches.  We have seen four new churches take us on so far and have three promises of churches that will begin supporting us.  This takes our goal down to 13.  We must have those 13 churches before we can move.  Please help us pray that God would supply as only He can.  It is only God that can lay it upon a church’s heart to begin supporting us.  We realize that we do our part, and He will do His.  Keep praying and as the Lord sends those churches in, we will begin packing and getting ready to go.

 

It's The Soldier

I heard this the other day and finally found it online.  I thought you might enjoy it.

 

It's not the reporter who gives you the freedom of the press, it’s the soldier.

It's not the poet who gives you the freedom of speech, it’s the soldier.

It's not the campus organizer who allows you to demonstrate, it’s the soldier.

It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves the flag, whose coffin is draped with the flag, that allows the protester to bum that flag!!!!

 

I for one want to say thank you to the brave men and women that serve our country so admirably.  Remember, it is the soldier that gives us the freedom to enjoy the wonderful liberties we enjoy.  

 

Memorial Day

It is just a little after 3:00 p.m. as I write this and our country has just observed a moment of silence to show our gratitude for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  I would like to publicly thank all the brave men and women who have served our country.  I also thank the families of those brave soldiers.  I understand that it is a family affair.  I know that without those sacrifices, we would not have the freedom to stand and boldly proclaim the Word of God.  Thank you, soldiers, for your contributions to our freedom.

However, as we think of sacrifices for freedom, we must remember the One who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could have the ultimate freedom.  Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins on Calvary so that our souls could be set free from the penalty of sin.  No more does sin have to rule and reign over us.  Jesus Christ laid down His life so that we could be free.  As we thank the soldiers who made our country free, let us also remember to thank the Saviour who set our souls free.

 

His Grace Is Sufficient

This afternoon I had the privilege of going to visit with Bro. Roger Blevins for a few minutes.  Many of you no doubt have been praying for Bro. Blevins since his accident in early February.  This was the first time I had been able to visit with him and boy was I thankful that I was able to.  It was a tremendous blessing for me to stand there and listen to Bro. Blevins explain how that “God’s grace is sufficient.”  Just to make sure we understood exactly what he was saying, he raised one hand in the air and proclaimed again, “God’s grace is sufficient.”  He told us how that he had been through things before in life, but nothing quite like this.  However, he was glad to report that God’s grace is still sufficient.  What an encouragement this was for me.  You see friends, I don’t know what difficulty you may be facing as you read this, but I can assure you, that God’s grace is sufficient for your needs right now.  If you don’t believe me, just ask a man who has spent the last nearly three months in ICU and the hospital fighting for his life.  God’s grace is sufficient.

Keep Praying

I just wanted to drop a short note and ask you to keep praying for our family as we strive to get to Covington, LA.  We are getting closer.  I look forward to sharing some exciting news with you in a few days.  I would ask that you continue to pray for 20 new supporting churches.  I believe this would be what we needed to get us to the field.  Thank you for the prayers that you have already offered on our behalf.  I know that the Lord is hearing and answering these prayers.

 

Pray for 20

            Most of you know that we are getting close to finishing deputation.  Currently, we are at 75% and hope to have our support raised before too much longer.  Of course, our heart’s desire is to be a blessing to the churches which allow us to come by, but we also have a burden for southern Louisiana.  We are very close to completion.  I would say that if we had about 20 more churches take us on for support that would be enough for us to leave for the field.  This is not a large number.  We have probably been in over 175 churches that do not yet support us.  Therefore, I am asking you to join me in prayer.  I am praying and asking God to give us 20 new supporting churches in the months of April and May.  This is a large request, as we have never had that many churches take us on in a two month span, but I know that our God is able.  I know the Bible teaches us that nothing is too hard for God.  We need your help.  Would you please intercede for us that God would give us 20 new supporting churches in the next two months so that we may soon get to the field?  It would certainly be a blessing.  As God begins to answer our prayers, I will certainly keep you updated on the blog.

Housing Needs

            A few weeks ago my family made a trip to Covington, LA to begin to scout out a place to live.  Seeing as how we are just a few more churches away from being able to move, we are getting excited about getting on the field.  Of course, in order to be able to do that, we must have a place to live.  After scouting out the area, it was clear to us that the effects of Hurricane Katrina still linger.  The housing market in Covington, LA is quite expensive.  Even apartments seem to be priced well above what you would expect.  Now, don’t misunderstand, we knew that the housing market had gone up since the storm, but we were reminded of it again as we drove around and looked.  Please help us pray that the Lord would provide a home for my family in Covington, LA.  We know that God never guides where He does not provide.  We are excited about seeing Him work on our behalf.  Thank you in advance for your prayers on our behalf concerning our housing needs.

Just Part of the Ministry

A few days ago I had the privilege of meeting a national pastor from the country of India.  What a great joy it was to be able to talk with this gentleman.  During the course of our conversation, he mentioned that he had a good number of young people who had gone out of the church and Bible College to start churches.  He was glad to report that only 13 of them had been arrested and were currently in jail.  He then made the statement, concerning the 13 in jail, that it is “just part of the ministry.”  WOW.  Can you imagine if we were the ones that had been jailed for preaching the Gospel?  We would be crying and pouting and telling everyone that would listen how unfair life is and how we are so persecuted.  Yet for these precious saints of God, it is merely part of the ministry.  I admire the bravery and courage of these men, the sacrifice and the willingness to do something great for God no matter the cost.  My prayer is that Jesus would give me a greater love for Him and His ministry.

Bro. Mark Stewart

This is a prayer request that was sent out by a fellow Macedonia missionary, Mark Stewart.  Bro. Stewart is the Middle East Director for MWBM.  Some time ago, his wife was diagnosed with cancer and they have been on an up and down journey since then.  There have been times that they thought they had gotten all the cancer only to have it come back again.  Bro. Stewart sent this prayer letter out asking for everyone to remember his wife.  Please pray for this dear family.

 

This is from Bro. Mark Stewart's prayer letter:

 
To all of our faithful supporters and partners, greetings in this new year. I want to thank God that we have some of the greatest supporting churches and pastors on the face of the whole earth. It is good to know that we have so many faithful people supporting our family. I truly mean what I am about to say, without you we couldn’t do what we do. We don’t say enough how much we love and appreciate each and every one of you in the Lord.

 

FAMILY- Our girls are doing real well in the Christian school that they attend. Both of them are on the A honor roll and it just amazes me at how smart these little one’s can be. They have been an inspiration to me and my wife during these difficult days of fighting this cancer. We want to try to bring everyone up to speed on the condition of my wife. Sandra has one more treatment to go of chemo. After that we are really not sure if the doctors are going to be able to do anything else. Her cancer is still not gone but it hasn’t been growing. The everyday worry is sometimes more than we can bear. We really need a miracle from the Lord!

 

PRAYER DAY FOR MY WIFE- I am very well aware that many people have prayed for my wife and gotten under a burden for her. You don’t know how much I appreciate that. I am asking that all of you on one specific day will pray for my wife in the church. We are asking that all of you make March 2^nd a day of prayer for my wife Sandra and that the rest of the week be spent as a prayer week for the healing of my dear wife. I need her in my life as well as my two precious daughters need their momma. Please, please join us in this special “Day of prayer” for my precious wife.

 

Prayer Request

Please remember this special prayer request.  A missionary from our home church, Bro. Roger Blevins, was involved in a serious car accident this morning on his way to a meeting.  Bro. Blevins is the South American director for BIMI and is a tremendous man of God.  He is as kind as anyone you will ever meet.  Would you please pray for him and his family at this time?  I know that his family would greatly appreciate your prayers.

The World

This morning while reading in the Gospel of John, I was once again reminded of the fact that Jesus came to die for all the world.  In John 1:29, John proclaims Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.  It is interesting to note that it does not say that He came to take away the sin of Israel, God’s chosen people.  It doesn’t mention the rich, educated, poor, humble, or any other group of people as being specially elect.  It does, however, mention the world.  Jesus came to die for the world.  He came to take the sin away of every man, woman, boy, or girl upon the face of God’s creation.  The question is this, are we doing our part to share that good news with them?  Are we telling humanity that their sin debt has been settled, it’s been paid in full?  All they have to do is receive the free pardon that has been granted them.  I trust that in the days ahead we will strive to do our part to share the good news of the Gospel with those for whom Christ meant it, the world.

 

As Many As Received Him...

I have recently begun a new study in the Gospel of John and it is proving to be fascinating thus far.  I am hoping to be able to share some thoughts with you every few days from that study, things that the Lord shares with me.  This morning, as I was reading in John chapter one, I was drawn to verse 11 and the first word of verse 12.  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.  But…  Praise God for that small word but.  You see, Christ came unto His own people first, the nation of Israel.  Those same people rejected Him.  They despised Him.  They mocked Him and cursed Him.  But…as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.  Oh sure, some rejected Him, but not every one did.  Even though the Israelites rejected Him, I didn’t.  And because I was willing to believe upon His name and receive Him as my Saviour, to me He gave the power to become the Son of God.  Now I am part of the family of Christ.  Isn’t that thrilling.  He could have rejected everyone when His own people rejected Him, but He didn’t.  He still chose to accept those that would accept Him.

            Of course, my mind often takes things back to the people of southern Louisiana, where God has called us to go and be a witness.  I am fully aware of the fact that everyone there will not accept Christ as Saviour.  Some will receive Him not.  Oh, but there is good news for the ones who will receive Him.  For the people that will receive Christ, to them is given the power to become a child of the King.

            I found this illustration the other day.  It clearly states the importance of accepting our pardon, the pardon from the punishment of sin that Christ offers.  On May 1, 1830, George Wilson and James Porter were sentenced to a public hanging for six charges of robbing the US Mail. The justice system was much different then, and penalties were harsher. However, George Wilson had some influential friends who convinced President Andrew Jackson to give him a pardon.

 

Rather than being overjoyed, Wilson resolutely refused to accept the pardon. The case was sent to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshal and the rest of the court ruled that a pardon could not be forced on anyone, so the execution was carried out.

 

 

Merry Christmas from the Campbells

            Our family realizes that it is because of the prayers of many of you that we are able to do what the Lord has called us to do.  We absolutely could not do this without the help and support of so many people that we care for.  As we are in the most joyous time of year, it is our prayer that each and every one would have a joyful and Christ centered Christmas this year.  We look forward to the days ahead and the exciting things that the Lord has for us as we soon prepare to move to southern Louisiana.

 

Keep Pushing

A story has been told of a time when the Lord told a man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of the man’s cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many months he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night, the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out.

Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, Satan decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s mind such as: “You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. You are never going to be able to move it.” These thoughts began to discourage and dishearten the man even more.

In the midst of battling discouragement, the man decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which You have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a centimeter. I am failing You.”

To this the Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and sturdy, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But, son, I did not ask you to move the rock. I simply asked you to push. It is my job to move the rock.”

 

Thankful That God Knows Best

I receive a daily devotion from Pastor Paul Chappell in Lancaster, CA.  It has some great stuff in it, including some really great stories and illustrations.  I received this one this week and just had to share the story with you.  I hope that you will enjoy it and be reminded that God has all things under control, even when we can’t see how a situation would possibly work out.  If you would like to receive Pastor Chappell’s devotions, you can do that by clicking here

 

Most of us have heard the story of the first Thanksgiving—at least, of the Pilgrims, but not many have heard of all the events leading up to that first Thanksgiving. Historians believe that around 1608—more than a decade before the Pilgrims landed in the New World—a group of English traders, led by Captain Hunt, sailed to what is today Plymouth, Massachusetts. When the trusting Wampanoag Indians came out to trade, Hunt took them prisoner, transported them to Spain, and sold them into slavery.

But God had an amazing plan for one of the captured Indians—a boy named Squanto. A well-meaning Spaniard, who treated him well and taught him the Christian faith, bought Squanto. Squanto eventually made his way to England and worked in the stable of a man named John Slaney. Slaney sympathized with Squanto’s desire to return home, and he promised to put the Indian on the first vessel bound for America.

It wasn’t until 1619—ten years after Squanto was first kidnapped—that a ship was found. Finally, after a decade of exile and heartbreak, Squanto was on his way home. But when he arrived in Massachusetts, more heartbreak awaited him. An epidemic had wiped out Squanto’s entire village.

We can only imagine what must have gone through Squanto’s mind. Why had God allowed him to return home, against all odds, only to find his loved ones dead? A year later, the answer came. A shipload of English families arrived and settled on the very land once occupied by Squanto’s people. Squanto went to meet them, greeting the startled Pilgrims in English.

According to the diary of Pilgrim Governor William Bradford, Squanto “became a special instrument sent of God for [our] good . . . He showed [us] how to plant corn, where to take fish and to procure other commodities . . . and was also [our] pilot to bring [us] to unknown places for [our] profit, and never left [us] till he died.”

Only God could have orchestrated these events to preserve the Pilgrims when they landed in the New World. God in His sovereignty answered the Pilgrims’ prayers years before they arrived in Plymouth. The God that the Pilgrims served is doing the same for us as well! While we may not see how He is working, He is making provisions for us beyond what we could imagine!

It is good as we approach Thanksgiving to thank God for all He has given and done for us already, but let’s remember to thank Him for His providence and for what He is doing right now on our behalf though we may not see how He is working.

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