by Kimberly | Aug 8, 2012 | Uncategorized
One of the first fashion rules we learn as women as to not let your undergarments show. I remember standing in front of my mom or dad when I was would finish getting dressed and ask them: is my slip showing? Some of the “rules” for dressing modestly is not to let your bra strap show, have no seen panty line, and make sure when you raise your arms that your stomach (or maybe that belly button ring) doesn’t show. Same goes for guys: no girl in their right mind would want to see your butt crack (even if you were fixing their dishwasher) and we don’t want to see your boxers. That’s why they make belts. Now they make really cool fashion tape that allows women to get away with wearing shirts that are too low cut and they shouldn’t be wearing anyway – but hey, if you have fashion tape, doesn’t that make it ok?
Think along these lines for letting our sin show? We are so careful to act holy around other people. When a circumstance brings out our less-than-best Christian behavior, why are we sorry? Are we sorry that someone found out that we weren’t perfect or that we sinned?
Yesterday as my husband and I were talking, I tried to blame my egotistical attitude on everything but what it was: a non-gentle and quiet spirit. When I awoke this morning, that was the first thing that came to my mind, and I didn’t want to face him. Being married to someone doesn’t allow much time for you to hide your sin. So, I stayed up in the master while he had his quiet time on the couch, I didn’t talk to him much, because I was so sorry that he had again seen a non-beautiful side of me. Someone once told me years ago that gentle and quiet was simply not me, I wasn’t that, and wouldn’t be that. Moments when pride and control come out in me are times when I believe that.
Then today, my sweet husband, as he usually does, reminded me that grace is given. Grace upon grace, He gives more grace. I need much more grace than my husband does it so seems in our marriage. I actually asked him yesterday if he could mess up more so that I wouldn’t seem so bad. I know the poor theology/sanctification thought there. And I said it with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes.
Obadiah 1:3
The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock,
in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?”
I had to wonder though: was I more upset that he saw an ugly side of me or was I more upset that I had sinned against him and a holy God. God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is the only person who doesn’t need grace given. He is the dispenser of grace – much needed grace.
So, my question: when others see your sin: does pride well up in you because someone saw that you aren’t perfect, or are you grieved by the presence of indwelling sin in your life? Ask forgiveness (for both the sin and the pride), repent, receive grace, and move on. Don’t live in the failure of that past sin. 
by Kimberly | Aug 6, 2012 | Uncategorized
This year has definitely been one of writing many thank you notes! From the wedding showers to the baby showers and all the gifts, birthdays, and traveling in between, we are definitely keeping the USPS in business!
Lindsay, over at Passionate Homemaking, one of the best blogs I read for Christian women, wrote today:
How often do I take a moment to write a thank you note to one who has blessed me recently? This practice is such a edifying habit to get into. Why should we write thank-you notes? It is to acknowledge our appreciation for the love of others! It tells others we are blessed by their fellowship, the way they served us or others, their giftings, etc. It encourages them to continue in the calling that God has placed on their lives. It is so easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed, this is true especially for those who are in places of authority in your life (church, parents, leadership). They need a little note now and then just letting them know you are praying for them or that you are blessed by their service.
My desk is now in our living room with all of my stationery and pens. I do love writing notes and sending packages! It blesses me to get them and I hope in turn it blesses others when they receive something in the mail other than a bill.
If you think about it Paul the Apostle wrote in letters. He would send the letters with others. There was not postal service back then. The letters were cherished. He didn’t use email or twitter to get the Word of God to the churches. He loves those churches. He wanted his letters (breathed by God the Father through the Holy Spirit) to be read, kept, and obeyed.
In a similar vein, I have every note or card that my husband has given to me – and have all of our texts. I enjoy looking back at those and to see the journey that God has taken us on over the last 18 months or so.
If you need some great writing notes, I sell my photos as notecards. You can choose from any of my FB photos or ask me for a particular set or photo card. Wanna set up a photo session with your family then you can turn that into your Christmas cards – let me know. You can find some of them already posted at https://kimberlycampbellhome.co/kcs-cards-and-more/
Whatever you use to write a note…just WRITE!
by Kimberly | Aug 2, 2012 | Uncategorized
Gospel. Jazz. Two great pairings. And the lyrics of Stuart Townend make this a go-to song.
This is actually one of my husband’s favorite songs and I heard it on Sunday and it had me in tears by the end of it. Wherever you are broken – look to the Healer to be mended.
My God
My God, full of mercy,
Heard our weeping,
Came to bring us home again.
My God takes the broken and makes them whole.
My God touched the leper,
Raised the lame man,
And He caused the blind to see.
My God takes the broken and makes them whole.
My God stood for justice,
Shamed the prideful,
But He called the sinner friend.
My God takes the broken and makes them whole.
My God felt the anguish of the soldier,
Made his child to live again.
My God takes the broken and makes them whole.
My God, mocked and beaten,
Crushed and bleeding,
Yet crying, “Father God, forgive.”
My God became broken to make me whole.
My God on the third day, in the morning,
Broke the shackles of the grave.
My God took the broken and made them whole.
My God knows my failures,
He speaks forgiveness,
He gives me strength to try again.
My God takes the broken and makes them whole.
Words and Music by Stuart Townend
© 2006 Thankyou Music
by Kimberly | Aug 1, 2012 | World Events
I wasn’t going to enter this conversation, but thought I would after reading a few of the blogs out there on it.
1. I go to CFA a few days a week. The town I live in has 2 CFAs and the busiest fast food restaurant in our town is the CFA closest to our home. I go there because they have CF Diet Coke, a fabulous unsweet tea, and the best chocolate chunk cookies. And they have free wifi. They have free refills. Need I say more? I don’t go there because the food is cheap (because it isn’t, in fact I think it is overpriced for the most part). I don’t go there because I will only support “Christian” companies. I go there because it has what I need and it is convenient.
2. I love listening to the workers interact with each other and the patrons. Tony, the manager at the one I frequent, was having a training conversation with an employee the other day and was sharing life-leadership lessons from his own life, not just what was in the CFA manual. I love hearing management pour into their workers life-long lessons that can be used outside of the workplace. That’s just good management and leadership.
3. I have known several CFA employees and I know every CFA is different, but I hear things about what goes on and what is said and there seems to be just as much disrespect for authority in CFAs as there is in any fast food restaurant. And not every employee they hire is a Christian who lives a Christ-centered life. They may be the majority – but it isn’t the exact way it should be.
4. I am not going to CFA today. I went yesterday. Does that make me a person who doesn’t believe in what they are doing? Ha – I support CFA. But, I just don’t like crowds or bandwagons.
5. What is this boycott really about? Here are some ideas: 1. Some business leaders don’t like the success of other companies above their own. 2. No one likes being told they are wrong (any one not in favor of biblical family values would not agree with Dan Cathy’s statement). 3. One leadership of one company should not be able to influence city management on whether or not to have or build new CFAs in their towns. 4. This whole thing will blow over. 5. CFA may take some hit on their books for July – but they are still standing behind what they said. 6. We have no reason to discriminate against gays and lesbians or folks who just don’t like other people telling anyone else they are wrong. Truth will win out (and that truth is found in the Word of God). 7. As far as I know and have read Scripture, having unbiblical family values or a different sexual orientation isn’t the unpardonable sin. There are many other sins mentioned in the Bible – ones that I do and many other believers who are eating 3 meals at CFA today do: lie, gossip, gluttony, pornography, not go to church, not witness to their neighbors (eating 3 meals at CFA today and not mentioning Jesus is not witnessing in my opinion), debt, consumerism, etc.
6. If you are eating 3 meals at CFA today, think about these things: what are your motives (is it to be right or is it done out of love and faith – since things done without faith is sin), are you spending more than you have budgeted for your food this week, is it gluttonous for you to be eating 3 meals there, and have you told anyone that Jesus loves sinners. We were made to glorify God – not Eat Mor Chikn.
by Kimberly | Aug 1, 2012 | Books
July was one month of much traveling and tiredness due to pregnancy. August will be one of tiredness as I wait for baby to arrive (so might as well have some easy reads).
Two Cookbooks:
Everyday Italian and Giada at Home – Giada DeLaurentiis – both of these were given to me and I’m making my way through them. So far I really like her writing style. Thankful for free cookbooks!
Two Fiction:
Remember Me – Wilcock – this is my Crossway book of the month to review
The Covenant – Beverly Lewis – picked up this book at Goodwill
Christian Living/Ministry
Finding Faithful Elders and Deacons – T. Anyabwile – I am reading this so I can better pray for my husband as he is an Elder in the the church he serves in and also he is called to be a servant in our home (Eph 5).
