Did you know I am an ordained pastor? Well, I believe I would officially be called a minister by the group of churches who ordained me. It’s true! One of my aunts even calls me Rev. Campbell. (In written correspondence.) If I was to take a pastorate somewhere, you might see on the sign out front…

First Church of Somewhere

Pastor: Rev. Greg Campbell

Wouldn’t that be odd???

There is a road in FL where literally every third building is a church. That could be considered overkill. 🙂 They definitely have that road covered….

But I was noticing as we passed all the cleverly frocked marquees that usually placed somewhere in plain view was (or were) the name(s) of the Main Dude. The senior pastor, minister, reverend, head apostle, or what have you. There was even a billboard advertising one church that had a photo of a glowing husband and wife team with the name of the church at the top and “Rev. _______ & ________ Smith” in big bold letters at the bottom. Even the church vans are not immune as one church proudly proclaimed the name of their pastor on the side of their moving advertisement.

What are we doing? Why do we so long to glorify people? To place them on their high pedestals? To elevate them above ourselves so that we can feel privileged to follow?

Perhaps that is it? Perhaps we need to quasi-deify our leaders so that we can feel a greater desire to follow them. Perhaps it is even a prestige thing. To claim the name of some great leader as “our own”.

Whatever it is, Paul addressed it in 1 Corinthians. The church had begun to proudly post the names of their pastors. “One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas” or “I follow only Christ”. (1 Cor 1:12 NIV)

Paul’s question immediately following that verse is “Is Christ divided?” And of course, the answer is no. There is one body, one Head. But we are so good at lifting up and exalting our leaders. After these couple millenia, we not only follow men, but we segregate into larger denominations. Many with the names of men attached to them. Lutherans, Wesleyans (many follow this man, including many branches of Methodists), etc.

Paul even sends a sharp remark in the direction of the people we would think have it right when he says, “or, ‘I follow Christ.'” What’s wrong with that? Isn’t that the right answer? Yes, but when used as a delineator, no. That is Paul’s point. We are not to separate ourselves. We are one body. We all follow one Head. (And not divisively as though another faction who thinks otherwise is wrong.) From my reading of the new testament, unity was a main concern of our Father.

I wish we could eliminate our names altogether. Our names are not needed. They are not important. In fact, you could even say they are dead. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” I am no longer just Greg. I am Christ-In-Greg.

There is one Name. Let’s stop pretending there are others and help everyone focus on that name.

“I’m not that religious…”

Have you heard people tell you this before? I have. If you are a Christ-follower I bet you have as well. Usually if people know that we have aligned ourselves with Jesus in some way, they often will offer that information.

One recent weekend past, I met a fellow named George. I was setting up to do my thing, singing some of our songs. And George was hanging around and chatting, and offering the occasional help. He was a cool guy… told me he was 78. I asked how long he’d been part of the church I was at and he said sheepishly that he was not, that he was there with his wife.

I sang there two days, and continued to have conversations with George. And I forget now what the specific trigger was, but at one point I said something about lif in Jesus that made him state matter-of-factly, “I’m not that religious.” My somewhat cryptic retort to such a phrase is usually, “Neither am I.” (That usually gets a funny look…)

I am not. I do not observe rituals or practices or traditions (except fun ones!) that in any way might curry favor with God. To my knowledge, he is not like that. I don’t even think you have to go to church on Sundays! (GASP!!) It’s not about religion. It’s not about what we do, or any attempts to maintain a pure and holy facade.

HE is my holiness. HE is my purity. I have none without him.

My life is about knowing and living with the One True God. I have often quoted John 17:3 here, so I will not again, but Jesus said it himself. And he lived it. Life is about knowing the One who gave it. Not really about serving him. (GASP AGAIN!!!) He said, I no longer call you servants… I call you friends. (Again, recently expounded… check recent posts.)

If you happen to be reading this and have ever felt that you were less “religious” than your pious neighbor… GOOD!! Now, if you also felt that made you less worthy of a relationship with God… you could not be more wrong.

Jesus said he has not come to call the righteous, but sinners. His love is for you. And for me. Anyone pretending to be righteous will probably miss that. Those of us who know we are “not that religious” can experience the freedom of a relationship with Love.

So, drop the heavy weights of religion if you are carrying them, and take Jesus’ yoke upon you… and he will give you rest.

The final corrected proof is done and will be submitted today. Thanks to my awesome sister-in-law for helping with the final proof read. (But she’s a little too good, if you ask me… a writer’s self-confidence sure is precarious in the hands of an eagle-eyed grammatician. Is that a word?)

Once that is done, they will finalize the website in order to sell them, and send me the author copies, and list the book with the other book sellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble and more).

Stay tuned! Should be available within a month or so!

Have you ever read Frank Peretti novels? We have read several, and they are all great. Very well written, the draw you into the world he creates… and what a world it is! Most of his novels that we have read deal with the unseen spiritual world, and specifically the battle for the souls of men. Very interesting, mostly taken from Paul’s assertion that, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12 NIV) There are many fascinating ideas presented of how all that plays out. And Holy Spirit is the general commander of God’s armies, while Satan is the big cheese on that side.

Great book. But I have just been thinking as I read… I don’t think this battle is so intense. I don’t think that God relies on the “prayers of the saints” for his plan to unfold. Perhaps I am incredibly naive. But, I really think that God is far more in control. He is not Satan’s opposing general… he is The General. Over all. Including Satan.

Peretti’s view makes for a better book, though.

🙂

So anyway, we rented the audio book from the library, and I must confess, it’s been taking lots of my free time – and thus many chances at blogging away here. Well, I have some time this morning, and am going to try and put my thoughts and our stories to paper.

(Well, to your computer screen…) 🙂

Just thought I would let you know, we did not dissapear off the face of the earth… nor did we get lost in the hurricane damage down here in FL… nor have I had ANY time to do any blogging 🙂

I have lots of ideas for blogs, so as soon as I get a chance, there should be a flurry of ideas posted here. But for now, let bring you up to speed on what the last week has been for us…

Wednesday, Feb 9

We left for Florida at 7:20am (EST). Had a fairly uneventful trip, except for a bit of snow on our way out of the wintery northeast. Got to spend the evening with my (Greg’s) parents. And they gave the boys one of those PacMan 5 in 1 video games you plug into your TV…

Thursday, Feb 10

7:00am was the departure time once again, and this time, the trip was an 830 mile non stop trip to FL! (Well, OK, we did stop… but did it all in one day.) We arrived, quite tired, at 10:30pm CST.

Friday, Feb 11

Woke up at my cousins’ house and got some work done in the morning, and then played with them in the evening. Fun!

Saturday, Feb 12

Another day to hang out with cousins, and prep for the Sun morning event in Alabama. Played a bunch outside (it’s warm here!) and went to a Saturday evening service with the cousins.

Sunday, Feb 13

Yet another early morning, up at 6, left by 7:30am. We drove about an hour and a half to lead worship for a church near Mobile, AL. Was great to see all of them again, and a good morning despite some nasty sinus stuff in my head! Then had lunch with our friends out there. 4 adults and 5 kids under ages 6 and under!! Ahhhh!!!! 🙂

Then the trip back was across a one-lane bridge thanks to the hurricane. Took 45 minutes of mostly not moving to get across! When we returned finally, we got to play some more baseball, and had dinner with both of my cousin’s families. Very cool.

All went to bed by 8:00pm… which is WAY too early for us… so we stayed up a bit, till our kids would be able to go to sleep. 🙂

Monday, Feb 14

And here we are today at 7:56am (CST) packing up and heading to Jacksonville, to prepare for tomorrow morning’s concert. Right after that, we head to Tampa for an evening event at the Univ of South Florida. Busy days! Visit our calendar for more.

So… more blogging to come perhaps by the middle of this week. The book is back in my hands, and awaiting final approval from me. It’s coming soon!

Hope you are well and enjoying where Father has you.

So, it’s 5:37am… and I am awake! That deserves a what-in-the world! 🙂

We leave today for Florida… via Ohio and a visit with my parents. A whirlwind tour of sorts… as we will perform in 5 cities in 10 days. (Actually, that’s not bad for us!) 🙂 We do have two concerts in two different cities on one day (Feb 15). That should prove interesting.

You can visit our online calendar for more:

http://basicmm.com/calendar

I just can’t believe I am up this early.

Alrighty… we’re trying to leave in an hour and a half to beat the snow! Next blog will be from somewhere on the road! 🙂

Did you know that today is Fat Tuesday? I always thought that was a rather amusing name for a holiday… 🙂

Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, or where I used to live they call it Carnival… whatever you call it, it is the one day of decadence before you fast for Lent. During Lent, you give up some worldly pleasure that the other 325 days of the year you are a bit more free to indulge in. So, in bachelor party style, you “live it up” the day prior to such a holy, self-depriving pilgrimmage.

It makes me laugh, the thought of such revelry being acceptable, since “Tomorrow, we fast! We will beat our bodies and spirits into submission to the Holiness of God!” We are such funny creatures.

The biggest of these celebrations of the pleasures of life in our country happens in New Orleans. (N’awrlins… not NEW Orleens) But I found out today there are similar celebrations all along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. When they mentioned one in Mobile, AL, I chuckled, thinking of our friend who is a Methodist pastor in that area. I wondered in jest if he was heading out to the parades and the drunken festivities…

Then it hit me.

Why am I still such a line-drawer? I personally would not join in such festivities because I know that none of that is good for me… but I think I was going a tad too far and drawing lines, erecting fences between me – who does it right – and them – the spiritual weaklings who are lost in the darkeness of their own worldly gluttony.

Would Jesus be at those parades? The sinless One? If somehow there were some festivity where everyone was indulging wildly in the pleasures of life, would he be there? Or would he quietly avoid that and then rejoin everyone afterwards?

Careful now… this may be a bit radical for you…

I think he would be. I think we see Jesus hanging out with the seedy crowd. Not in church, mind you… after they have cleaned up from all their filth. No, he went to their houses. He went to their parties. His first recorded “miracle” was at a wedding – HE MADE WINE! (And good wine, at that…) 🙂

Jesus said, “For John the Baptist didn’t drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, `He’s demon possessed.’ And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, `He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by what results from it.” (Matthew 11:18-19)

Neither of those guys were fully what they were accused of, but I think it can be inferred that Jesus was comfortable hanging out at a party where alcohol was served. 🙂

So would he be at the Mardi Gras celebration? I don’t really have an answer. But I know my thinking was challenged once again today. I don’t think Jesus had an “off-limits” sign posted on any one, or any place. He was not offended by our sin (as I spoke of in the last blog). He was not wishy-washy, either. He spoke plainly about choices in life that will ruin us and those around us. But while he condemned sin, he never condemned or even avoided the sinner.

So, more lines continue to fall in my mind. Perhaps that will translate to my steps, and perhaps my feet will continue to fall more in the path of my Master. I am so glad he leads the Way. He IS the Way.

I have been trying to process some thoughts all day. Thought I would air them out here, and see if I can figure something out that way.

I have mentioned before that I have a friend who has been raked through the coals for a few poor decisions he made (that he admits), and even more so for several that were labeled poor by his accusers, but are definitely in more of a gray area. Well, he is still dealing with fall-out from a series of clashes with his immediate family-of-God regarding all of that, and, so am I.

You see, I am confused. I thought I figured out another piece this morning. I was just thinking about the whole idea again of excommunication, and how silly that is – giving a brother or sister the “cold shoulder” until they right their ship and do things the way you see fit. I am not sure that is what Paul meant when he said “hand them over to Satan”. (Though that phrase is definitely strange…) I don’t see Jesus treating anyone that way.

And then I realized, I think I am treating his accusers that way. (At least the organization of accusers, if not the individuals.) I am still just baffled at what they call love… it makes no sense to me how they can not see it my way – and for a while, I have not had much contact at all with them. They hurt my friend. They are acting stupid (according to my standards…) and so… I don’t want anything to do with them.

Isn’t that what I am accusing them of doing?

Jesus was so amazing. How did he sit with the people that everyone knew were sinners, and the people he knew were even more messed up – the self-righteous – at the same time? Remember??? He ate at the tax collectors’ houses. Bad PR move. He was also sitting at a table of Pharisees – having a meal with them, like good buddies – when a prostitute came and showered his feet with expensive perfume. At every time, in every place. Jesus was always comfortable, and treated everyone the same.

The part I think I understood today was that we really need to let people make their own choices. I think it is our responsibility to encourage each other, and admonish and teach… but it stops there. We can’t call, or IM, or e-mail or even worse, ignore or look away, until the object of our wrath turns from their evil ways. Even if he knew someone was in a destructive pattern of behavior, Jesus did not try to fix everyone.

Some have given me the example of the woman caught in adultery and brought to Jesus as a way of saying Jesus was tough on sinners. Even in his grace, he made sure to command a sinless life from here on out. Yes, he told her, “Go, and sin no more.” But did he check up on her? Did he require that she assign herself to a more spiritual accountability partner? And what about the guy we call the rich young ruler? He came to Jesus desperately seeking the truth. Jesus knew he was on the wrong path – trying to earn it for himself – and he let him stay there! He didn’t say, “Alright… just kidding about that ‘sell all your stuff and give it to the poor’ business… come on back here, we’ll straighten you out.” (A standard, by the way, that no one else was ever held to by God… including you and me!) His timetable is just not the same as ours. We work so hard to fix people’s issues right now… and he doesn’t.

I think perhaps “hand them over to Satan”, and “treat them like a tax collector” (from 1 Corinthians) means to let them make their choices. Even if you don’t agree with someone, let them reach the end of their own decisions and trust their Father to be with them, and to help them. Trust Holy Spirit to convict and bring new life. Isn’t that right?

We have such a hard time doing that. Letting people hurt themselves. How irresponsible to just let God deal with them.

My question was, if we hound someone until they surrender and see it our way, is that help – or harassment? OR, if we do the opposite, and just let everyone go their own way, and let God do the disciplining (which I think is right) is that freedom as God intended – or just plain indifference?

I have certainly not come to the end of this. I have no idea. As it stands, I will stick with grace. It is not my position to judge someone for their poor choices, or enact some sort of punishment – including, but not limited to banishment from my presence, or my friendship. I can find no examples of Jesus doing that. He just lived life with his Father, and shared His love with all whom he met. All. No favoritism. No selection process. Jesus was a friend to all. Friends and enemies.

That is where I want to be. Now, how do I get there?

Well, I did it. I actually did it!

Last night, I clicked Finish Submission, and it was done. I got the happy little e-mail saying “Thanks!”, and it was done.

In 6 weeks or so, I should have the first copies in my hand.

A Journey Shared is now a reality! The book I mentioned a few posts back… is actually at the publisher, being formatted as I type! Whoopee!!!

It’s kinda hard to believe, but it’s true.

From theory to reality all in one week? Sometimes that is how I do things. Just ask Jen. 🙂

Well, they had a promotion going on where I could get 30 free books if the manuscript was submitted by last night. I was close, so I tried… and I did it! That means that with sales of those free books (100% profit), it will help offset the cost of publishing set-up. The rest of the books will be available through Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com and such. (Also here at this website)

This is just too fun! Got my book writing juices going. We have one other work in progress, no, two… and one other one in the concept stage. And thanks to a comment below, perhaps a fourth one in the concept stage. 🙂 So there is plenty of material… but for now, we’ll focus on the first one…

In response to a request for the origin of the word “hiccough”… here’s one thing I found. I found it on the internet, so take it for what it’s worth. Do some more research before you accept it as completely true. 🙂

Take Our Word For It

Page two, Words to the Wise:

“From Lee Daniel Quinn:

I’ve been deprived all my life.  When I get hiccups, all I do is ‘hic’!  Are there some people who actually ‘hiccup’?  Or perhaps, as in the case of ‘throw up’, it means to ‘hic’ up?

That’s a good guess!  However, if we take a look at the word’s earlier forms, we find hickock and then hicket.  These suggest a derivation from French hoquet, which is a diminutive form of of the sound made when one hiccups.  So a hiccup is, etymologically, a ‘little hic’ (the hic being imitative of the sound made when one hiccups)!  The earliest English form (1544) evolved into the current English form in this fashion: hicket, hickot, hickock, hickop, hiccup, hiccough.   

Note that hiccough is the last in the series.  It was invented, erroneously, because someone apparently thought that cough should be part of a hiccup!

The hoquet form survives as the musical term hocket.  This is where members of a group of musicians take turns in playing the notes of a melody.  Unless this is performed with great skill it sounds like a series of hiccups.”

And one more, from etymonline.com

hiccup

1580, hickop, earlier hicket, hyckock, considered imitative of the sound of hiccupping (cf. Fr. hoquet, Dan. hikke, etc.); modern spelling first recorded 1788; hiccough (1626) is by mistaken association with cough. Replaced O.E. ælfsogoða, so called because hiccups were thought to be caused by elves.

Interesting… 🙂