by Kimberly | Apr 4, 2012 | Books, ethics
I think the first boycott I remember is the Disney boycott years ago when I was in high school (or sometime there about). Something about their movies…I think. It was such a big deal back then and I know to some people it still is, but honestly don’t remember the real reason that Christian’s boycotted Disney. The latest boycott is Starbucks (where I’m sitting right now, sipping on a Vanilla Bean Creme, just ate a blueberry scone, been borrowing their wifi all morning) because they promote gay marriage as a company. So much time has elapsed between high school and now, but the problem still remains…
How should Christians respond to companies who don’t line up exactly with Christian beliefs or biblical practices? Should we boycott or should we keep using their products?
I can’t say I’ve always come down with the same position, but lately I’ve been thinking more about this. How should we voice our opinions in this world that will most decidedly be against everything that is Christian?
As I was reading D. A. Carson’s Scandalous in light of Easter, I came to this excerpt that is mainly on the persecution of Christians and how we have triumphed because we know that Christ has triumphed. I loved his thoughts, especially in light of Christians and our boycotts:
“Do not misunderstand me. We live in a democracy, which is a different form of government from Paul’s, and our Christian responsibilities in this kind of context may mean that we should give a lot of thought as to how to be salt and light in a corrupt and corroding society. We dare not withdraw into a little holy huddle. But we must recognize with every ounce of our being that what finally transforms society is the gospel. There are responsibilities to legislate correctly and pass good laws; God loves justice and holds every nation to account for justice. Promose the well-being of the city. Of course we are responsible to look after the poor. But at the end of the day, what transforms society is still the gospel.
How does the gospel advance? By the word of our testimony: Rev 12:11. This does not mean that they gave their testimonies a lot. That may be a good thing to do, but that is not what their verse means. It refers to Christians bearing testimony to Christ; they bear witness to Christ. They gossip the gospel. They evangelize. That is the central way by which they bear witness to Christ.
Forbid, Lord God, that we should rest so comfortably in our easy and restless society, that we forget that one of the driving dimensions of Christian experience is warfare – not against flesh and blood but against all the hosts of darkness who are filled with rage against us. Help us, Lord God, to see the enemy and then to deploy the gospel answers, the gospel arms, the gospel solutions, which alone are sufficient in this conflict. So return us to the cross, to faithful, glorious, grateful proclamations of the gospel, to self-death that we may follow the Lord Jesus, who died and rose on our behalf.” (Scandalous, pg 104-105, 111).
So, application:
1. If Christians stopped going to Starbucks, what good will that do? Even if all the Christians in the world quit going to Starbucks, would they close their doors or change their stance on gay marriage? (Hint: NO!).
2. If you stopped going to Starbucks, never to walk in their door or buy their coffee again, would that local manager and the baristas know your heart for the gospel and Jesus and love for your neighbor or would they just know what you are against?
3. If we boycott everything that is against Christian beliefs or ethics, we might as well just hide away in our little dirt hut in the middle of nowhere, with no electricity, no food except for what we grow, but where would you buy seeds and fertilizer, and what would your kids wear?
We can’t live apart from this world. God put us here in this world to be a light to it. If someone asks you about the stance that Starbucks has on gay marriage, you can tell them lovingly that while you disagree on the stance and believe that God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman for life in a covenantal relationship with God the Father, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy good coffee. Maybe even have a date night there with your husband or wife!
by Kimberly | Mar 26, 2012 | Uncategorized
I know – here is a girl who doesn’t like multi-site churches (just the focus of the entire multi-site not the churches or the people in the churches) and has been in a large church ever since 10th grade. What am I thinking with a title like that.
Community. Life on life. And no, it isn’t a given for every church that is small or every campus of a multi-site church, but it seems to be more prevelant than in larger, commuter or regional, multi-service churches. Let me explain my reasons:
1. Proximity helps with life on life living. Since I have moved several times since being an adult, I have friends all over the place. Having friends who are missionaries helps in knowing people all over the world. But, it is harder to keep in contact with and build community with people who live far away. Not impossible – just harder. Some of my dearest friends live in KY or FL or TN, and when I see them it is a great joy and benefit to my soul and life, but day to day life on life living is impossible. With smaller churches, it is easier because mostly these are community based churches that all come from a small town or a part of town in a larger metro city. At campuses from multi-sites, these campuses are usually positioned in different areas of a region or city that make it easy for community to form around the location. My husband and I desire to live life with people who know us genuinely and can pop over for dinner or a movie night or breakfast or a walk without having to clear schedules and plan something for next month.
2. Zip codes help you do ministry better. I just didn’t know of a better title. Living in North Durham is hard for me because some of the different parts of this area of town are not really safe for a female to go through at different times of the day (or any). But, I have a sticker on the back of my car that says I Heart Durham. I love where I live. It is so neat to be able to drive 2 miles to my local coffee shop, hang out with friends who live the next street over, shop at local grocery stores, or actually pop in to my women’s clinic instead of calling them because its quicker. But, here’s the thing – the friends that I have in my “neck of the woods” all go to different churches. That is why I love the bigger idea of the body of Christ. When I was growing up in north Lakeland, we went to a church in Plant City ( a 15 minute drive). It was a small church and outside of school friends, these are the people we did life with. But, our lives consisted of church camp, 5th Sunday dinners, and church services. We didn’t do much else with them. I long for the days that we have people in our home that are our friends and don’t have to drive an hour to get here. I long for authentic community. I do have it with friends who go to various churches. What would it take to make that happen? I know friends that attend a campus of a local multi-site church that have owned their street. They have bbqs with both neighbors that aren’t Christians and church members. They love their street! They live down the street from their campus. I know other friends of same multi-site church that pray for the teachers of the school their church meets at because that is also where their kids attend school. What an impact they can have!
3. Don’t neglect the neighorhood around your church. There is a local church I drive by often that is made up of a certain type of people who don’t fit that neighborhood at all. It is a commuter church by all means. But, there is no real ministry going on in that neighborhood by that church. Our churches suffer when its members don’t live within proximity of its locale. When members are spread everywhere (whether in large metro cities or probably even in “olden” days when you had to travel by horse and buggy to get to church) it is very hard to have authentic community with its members because you only see each other on Sunday. Your kids don’t go to the same school, don’t play on local sports teams together, you don’t visit the same library or coffee shop or local eatery. It is very much a spread thin, segregated life.
Do you like authentic life on life living or does that scare you because of its intimacy or the fact that you might have to always have your home clean just in case someone pops over. I LONG for it. I love the dear girlfriends that I have and couples that I know that when I see them you know the friendship is rich and authentic and they pray for you. It would be much better if we all lived in the same zip code and attended the same church!
I think of Acts 2 for this but also just remember deep thriving times of life on life living:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
(Acts 2:42-47 ESV)
Authentic community in the life of a church is something I think that is crucial to the proclamation of the gospel. Just my two cents worth this Monday afternoon!
And to all my friends out there that live life with me, pray for me via text or email or phone call or blog, thank you. You are loved and cherished!
by Kimberly | Mar 7, 2012 | Uncategorized
There is some exciting news in the Campbell home to share:
1. As of mid-April I will be a stay at home wife. This decision was made with prayer, wisdom, seeking advice, and just knowing that it is time. My job, which I love, as a writer of curriculum for a local church, was demanding in the deadlines. It has been a wonderful two years of launching Treasuring Christ with a group of great people at Providence. But, now is the time to call working for others quits. I will be grateful for time to spend in quietness and reading and also planning meals, cooking more, cleaning the house better, serving my husband, discipling girls, showing hospitality!
2. The other piece of exciting news is the main force that prompted #1: E and I are expecting! That is right…there is a little baby growing in my uterus right now. Seems kinda strange – but it is a miracle from God the beautiful Creator. This first trimester has been one in teaching me faith and sharing in this journey with my wonderful husband who will get me pb toast at 3am. Blessed man! 🙂 He has dealt with having clothes that lay un ironed for weeks on end and a kitchen that’s not spotless!
Before I was married I would have said that I would have liked to have stayed working, thinking it was possible. Then as a mother, sure, I know others who do it, why can’t I? But, (actually I’m sitting in the same coffee shop that E and I had that first conversation about this subject less than a year ago) I could dream of not doing what I do. Now with many changes, the Lord has pried my hands off of this and giving me something so precious: a husband, a baby, and a home to care for. I need more sleep than 6 hours, I multitask, I don’t want others having the main influence of my child during most days of the week (at least in the preschool years, since we haven’t fully decided on schooling yet), and I don’t have more than 24 hours in the days to care for my husband, cook meals, clean the home, sleep, care for myself, and care for a baby. Sorry – I’m not that skilled. I know others do it and as a wise woman told me about a decade ago: its all about priorities. A wife’s main priority is her husband, home, and children. If you can work outside the home and keep those as a main priority without them suffering, then do as the Lord leads. But, like I said, I’m not that skilled.
So, I have some books in my head, some blogposts that desperately need writing, and it will be nice to freelance and speak more because I’m not writing on someone else’swork schedule (though I know a baby and husband have their own schedules)!
by Kimberly | Jan 31, 2012 | photo shoot, Uncategorized
I remember the day I got engaged…a dear friend called and told me that she was dating this guy…and she was excited about it! Well, this past weekend my husband and I got to hang out with this fun couple and take their engagement shots. It was a lot of fun: a lake, a guitar, coffee, nutella, and waffles. Makes for a great day: and hopefully a start to a wonderful marriage! May God bless yall. I look forward to the wedding next month!
by Kimberly | Dec 7, 2011 | Uncategorized
Christmastime is a little frazzled isn’t it? Lines are longer, traffic is more congested, seems like everyone is a little crankier, money is tighter (oh, but the credit cards)…my friend Abbey Cooler wrote a blog post about balance: especially for wives and mothers, but you can take the principles and use them no matter what stage of life you are in. Be encouraged, friends.
Finding Balance
Laundry, dishes, meals, playgroups, date nights and time with family and friend..how do we maintain the balance? Who in scripture can we look to for direction and instruction?
Like many Christian women, I grew up in the church and grew up hearing about the great Proverbs 31 woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). This seeming perfect woman has been drilled into my head. . I grew up going to Sunday School, choir, GA’s, Wednesday night supers and youth retreats. I was saved at the age of eight but I have been a Baptist since birth. Every year on Mother’s Day I heard messages on “her”. Every youth trip and college retreat I ever attended would have a “girls only” session, and we were given instruction on how to become the Proverbs 31 women. During my single days in my twenties I read every book that Lifeway or the Family Christian Bookstore carried on becoming the Proverbs 31 women. Then in 2006 I became a wife and in 2008 I became a mother. Then all my knowledge I had and all the plans I had made about being the perfect woman went out the window!
Before I had my daughter I always said that when I become a mother, my house will stay spotless, my child will follow every word of Babywise and I will NEVER leave the house without looking like I just walked out of an Ann Taylor catalogue. I was never going to be one of those “frumpy, stay at home moms”. Then I actually had a baby, who was premature, on a three hour feeding schedule, and who had gas, constipation and reflux! One afternoon I realized we were out of diapers and formula and I needed to run up to the local grocery store. I got dressed, got my daughter ready, and headed to Kroger! I took my time in the store, bought the formula and diapers, and went back out to my car. As I was about to pull out of the parking space, I looked in my review mirror. That is when I notice the dried sweet potato in my eye brow! So much for being the perfect, Proverbs 31 woman who has her life balanced and figured out!
After that embarrassing but funny incident at the local Kroger, I thought to myself, “It’s time to regroup”. How can I can I complete everything on my “to do list”, spend time with my friends, family, husband and child, and maintain a dynamic walk with the Lord. As I thought about and prayed about my “regroup”, three “P’s” came to my mind. Even though it has been eight years since I finished seminary I have a hard time giving an explanation without using three points (or four points in this case) and alliteration!
1. Plan: Plan meals, plan your grocery list, plan your days, plan when you will do housework, put plans on your calendar and plan ahead for all things unexpected. By making plans you can take the seemingly endless to do list that we all have in our lives, and break it down into smaller chunks of times, so we do not get overwhelmed. Like my mother always told me, “Plan your work and work your plan”!
2. People: It is so very important to maintain the relationships with those special people in your life. They are your family, friends, husband and children. Make time in your daily, weekly and monthly life in order to grow, nurture and invest in to these relationships. This can be a playgroup with friends, date night with your husband, or celebrating special occasions with family members.
3. Perspective: At the end of the day, have the right perspective. When your child is eighteen, graduates from high school and moves from under your roof, what will they remember? Will they remember your house being spotless, eating organic, homemade food for every meal, and their clothes always being perfectly pressed or will they remember that you loved them unconditionally and invested in their lives?
4. Pray: Above all, cover your family, friends, household, spouse, children, with prayer. God has commanded us to pray without ceasing. You can pray at each red light, over your children while they sleep, at mealtime with your family, and all throughout the day. By seeking God and His will first, everything else in your life will fall into place.
So while you and I continue to try and strive to become a well balance woman, like the the Proverbs 31 women, we need to give ourselves a break. It is okay to stop and have a cup of coffee and read a book during naptime instead of making, cleaning or picking up something. It is okay after a difficult day, to run by Little Caesars and pick up at $5 pizza. You and I need to remember that God’s grace is sufficient and we need to give ourselves some, each and every day!
