I read Radical by David Platt a few weeks ago, and I have been processing it. This book has seriously changed my life and my way of thinking. I encourage you to read it.
The book is about how we, as “followers of Christ”, haven’t been following the real Christ. We have been following our own, Americanized Jesus that we have crammed into our quest for the American Dream. We have molded Jesus into our own image and rationalize his words in order to fit ours.
When Jesus called his disciples, he called for them to drop everything and follow him. People would come up to him and ask, “What does it take to follow you?” And Jesus would tell them to sell all of their things, leave their careers, not even go back and tell their families goodbye, and completely leave their whole life behind. We read these stories and go, “Yeah, Jesus, I could do that for you!” However we know that Jesus would never ask us to sell everything to follow him. Jesus doesn’t want us to be poor and starve to death! And Jesus would never ask us to leave our families behind. Who else is going to take care of them? Jesus would never ask us to be uncomfortable.
Lies.
Jesus constantly told them that they were going to endure hardships in order to follow him. They had to suffer if they were going to follow him properly. But do we? I wrote a post a year ago (exactly) entitled, “Finally Understanding What it Means to Die to Self,” and although my insight was good, and I was learning a lot at that time in my life, I did not indeed fully understand what it meant.
What are you going to have to do in order to follow Jesus? What is it going to take? Is Jesus really asking all of his followers to become hobos and forget their families in order to follow him? Surely not, at least that’s what we hope. So then no one steps up and lives radically so that another person might live eternally. We have grown up being told that we must attain the highest status of money, status, and material things possible. But that’s the complete OPPOSITE of Jesus’ message!
So what are we to do? What are you to do? I can’t tell you what you specifically are supposed to do. I encourage you to read the book and read the Gospels and have a serious talk with the Lord about what it is going to look like for you to live radically. I am going to share some of the things that I am going to do:
Sacrifice my money. First and foremost, I’m going to make sure that I tithe, no matter what. Secondly, I am going to refrain from buying things that I do not need. I have never had very much money; by America’s standards I am classified as low-class and always have been. If you know much about how I grew up, you would know that my dad has not had heating in his house for the last 3 years (including when that foot of snow hit there last week). But even though I am considered dirt-poor by our American standards, I am still richer than 75% of the world just because I have a roof over my head and clothes on my back. What am I going to do in order to sacrifice my money–sacrifice it, meaning giving it in a manner that hurts me in order to glorify the kingdom? I sponsored a child last year through Compassion, but had to give it up because I couldn’t afford it anymore. But I cut down on my phone bill and now have an itty bitty plan, and I am going to go deeper. I’m not sure what that looks like completely. I’m thinking a few things–donating my money to people’s mission trips, starting random acts of kindness for people, keeping money for when someone I know needs money and just giving it to them (paying it forward; I can’t tell you how many times I have been blessed by anonymous donations when I was strapped). I’m also going to put a lot of money into my next point:
Go overseas. I have made up excuses for a long time on this one, and I am honestly still terrified (and this is coming from someone who loves learning about other cultures!). I am going to go on a mission trip overseas. Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he said, “Go and make disciples of all nations…” I have always read this and added at the end, “if you’re called!” and I know many who do the same. But I am convicted that it is my responsibility to go overseas and preach the Good News. Does this mean that I am abandoning my calling to innercity ministry? No. It means that I am going to other nations and not just sticking in my comfortable bubble. In order for me to leave my comforts and follow Christ in a radical way, I need to go overseas.
Leave my family. I read this book while I was visiting my family for Christmas, and it convicted me and caused a week straight of crying while I was home. My family has been a stumbling block for me for a long time now. My parents do not have relationships with Christ, as far as I can tell by their fruits and lifestyles. I am constantly being weighed down by them. I have noticed for the past few years that when I am around them, I get the most selfish and most “un-Christlike”. This is due to their lifestyles’ impact, as well as the pressure of being Christ-like, as well as many other factors I’m sure. I have realized that it is almost impossible for me to be a “good Christian” around them. I try so hard, but I can’t do it. In order for me to follow Christ, I need to leave my family. This doesn’t mean I’m never going to talk to them ever again, that’s not what I’m saying. I need to become completely dependent on God and quit being dependent on them. Luke 14:26 says, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. ” As much as I love my family, my love for them needs to look like hatred compared to my love for Christ. Am I willing to take a bullet or a beating for my little sister? What more am I prepared to endure for Christ? That bullet needs to look like I’m getting a daisy compared to what I’m willing to go through for my Lord. So I’m going to detach myself. I’m going to focus on trying to figure out what it looks like to follow Christ. I’m not going to base my identity on how often my mom doesn’t call me, or trying to win over my grandma’s love, or being my sister’s parent. This is the hardest decision I have ever made, but it is necessary for me to follow Christ.
This message of “Give up absolutely everything that is comfortable in order to follow me” is completely different from “Admit, Believe, Confess!” that we hear in our churches. We read the gospels and say to ourselves, “Jesus didn’t really mean that we have to give up everything. Just that we should be willing to. It’s figurative.” Oh, is it? Are you willing to bet on it? Is that a risk you are willing to take?
Author: Heather Lea Campbell
This Semester…and other rambling! :)
Blogs about Heather, musicWell, this semester is going to be very interesting, very difficult, and very worth it! I’m taking two upper-level Bible courses, Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ and Pentateuch. I was convicted to take Pentateuch after realizing that some of my students probably know more about Genesis than me (they are also focusing on that in Sunday School, so that adds to it!). I love Dr. Bayer, he is one of the funniest professors I have ever had! He’s very intelligent, yet funny at the same time. And scatter-brained. I bet that if I were an old man who taught Old Testament and knew Hebrew I would be just like Dr. Bayer. pahahaha. As for Life and Teachings, I’m pretty pumped and rightly nervous. I heard this class is going to rock my faith and cause me to ask a lot of questions. I’m excited to learn about what Jesus was really like, not the Jesus that we have fit into our Americanized Christianity.
Speaking of, here is an image that I found today and thought was interesting:
I’m also taking Principles of Teaching, an easy yet informative class; Camp and Retreat Administration, which I heard mixed things about but am excited about; Guitar, enough said pahaha; History of Christianity 2, which I’m getting used to Dr. Bass so I’m sure I will do well; and Apprenticeship. Apprenticeship is a class where I document every single little thing I do with my youth group. Dr. Jones, beware. I do a lot. I don’t think he understands exactly what he is asking of me. But I am excited to learn how to baptize people and all that other cool stuff that you don’t learn in theology classes.
Which also brings me to another ramble, I’m officially a theology minor. Oh yesh. I’m getting smarter by the second. And more arrogant. Which reminds me… please pray for me, that I will be more humble. I’m really struggling with my pride. The only pride that I want to have is a pride full of lion’s (Lecrae song reference!). Thank you guys for affirming me privately about who I am in Christ. It means a whole lot.
Mirror, Mirror
christianity, god, identityWhat if my relationship with the mirror “reflected” my relationship with God?
(hahahaha, I had to make that pun)
I was thinking about this tonight as I was preparing to go out–how many times do you look in the mirror? When you get up in the morning and get ready, you spend a good thirty or so minutes in front of the mirror. When you brush your teeth that two or three times a day, you look in the mirror. How about each time you use the bathroom, do you check yourself out in the mirror while washing your hands? Before you leave to go somewhere, quick look in the mirror to make sure there are no blemishes or marks or food on your face? And even when just passing one of the many mirrors around us, take a look? Pull out your phone to look after eating to check your teeth?
The point is, we look in the mirror NUMEROUS times throughout the day, even if you are not particularly narcissistic. You spend a lot of time in it the morning, and probably quite a bit before going to bed at night. Throughout the day you are continuously interacting with the mirror. What if our relationship with God was the same? What if we interacted with God and “checked in” with him all throughout the day instead of compartmentalizing him into one part of the day?
How about this–what if we relied on God like we do mirrors? When you look in the mirror, do you ever doubt what you see? What if you thought about God like this? And when you look to God to give you truth about who you are, whether it’s to affirm your identity or reveal blemishes, how do you react? Do you believe him and do something about it, or act like the mirror is a funhouse mirror?
I pray that I might spend as much time with God at least as much I do in front of the mirror, and certainly as often. I pray that I might rely on God like I do mirrors to reflect my divine image and to reveal my blemishes and the areas I’m screwing up in.
Happy Birthday to the King
social activismToday is Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday. A random fact about me is, I LOVE Dr. King. He was a Baptist minister, a civil rights activist, and an amazing speaker. He mixed politics with religion in a healthy way. He was amazing. This is one man that I cannot wait to meet in heaven.
[For you debbie downers out there who are going to comment on this and tell me that Dr. King was a terrible human and cheated on his wife, please remind yourself of the sin in your life. Kthanks.]
Also, the national holiday is on my birthday this year! Growing up I’d have the day off from school, but I’m not taking a class so I’m going to sleep in and make an omelette! Or something. I don’t know. I’m just making this up. I really don’t have a birthday. Who is Dr. King? Just kidding. Just kidding. Just kidding. bahahaha. :)
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.
History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period of social transition was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people.
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.
I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
I submit to you that if a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
That old law about ‘an eye for an eye’ leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.
We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.
We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
A Birthday song for me :)
UncategorizedMy friends Kim and Jess wrote this song for me for my birthday :)
LYRICS:
Well it dawned on me when I logged onto Facebook
It’s Heather’s birthday, I knew with just one look
it had to be something great
that’s why we showed up late
a Redford lady straight from the hood
man i really wish that I could dance just like she could
and she really likes to laugh
and probably take baths
But we won’t hesitate
to celebrate
this day with you
it’s true
you’re turning 21
it’s so much fun
now you can drink
but you can’t cause you go to SBU
if there is a craft you bet she’ll be there
she’d probably take you up on any triple dog dare
her name is Heather Lea Campbell
and one thing she’s not is dull
But we won’t hesitate
to celebrate
this day with you
it’s true
you’re turning 21
it’s so much fun
now you can drink
but you can’t cause you go to SBU
—–
I love my friends :)
My Visit to Seminary
Blogs about Heather, college, youth ministryI had the opportunity this week to visit a seminary. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to think. Going into college, I was just excited about getting an undergrad degree. As college progressed, I began to think more and more about seminary. Seminary is basically grad school that is only focused on theological degrees.
The same concerns that I had before visiting seminary are the same concerns I have now. Which is discouraging, but at the same time all my questions were answered and now I have a lot to think about.
Here are some of the things I’m thinking about.
- Seminary seems like an extension of my undergraduate degree in ministry. Most of the people who attend seminary have their undergraduate in something completely unrelated to ministry or theology. Most of the classes they are taking I have already taken. Granted, they are at a much higher level of difficulty, but they are similar. A lot of churches require for youth ministers to have a seminary degree, but I wonder if, because my undergrad is essentially the same thing, if it really matters.
- If in fact it does matter, do I want to be in a church that requires seminary? I know that it’s extremely important to have training in theology and such; that is why my undergrad is in ministry. Duhhh. But I don’t know if I desire to work in a fancy-pants church. I honestly would rather just go to the inner-city and live among the desperate and give them the raw gospel. You don’t need seminary to do that. Heck, you don’t need college to do that. Yet I am in college trying to make myself smarter. I’m afraid that if I get any smarter, I’ll become super-arrogant. I’ve exhibited the signs. There may be no turning back.
- Also, what is more important, education or experience? I’m completing an undergrad in ministry, a program similar to many seminaries. I am also already a youth minister while in college. Who will someone hire, a person who graduated from seminary, or a person who has already served as the head honcho of a youth group for a few years? I’m just saying.
- Am I going to be able to use the extra theology in ministry? Again this comes back to arrogance. I don’t want to make myself so smart, that I’m not able to relate to teenagers anymore (especially inner-city teens). There was one guy that I talked to this week, and he has a similar path that I’m taking-undergrad in youthmin, youthminister at a church, attending seminary. When I asked if he’s applying seminary, he didn’t convince me with his answer. He then revealed he’s thinking about becoming a head pastor one day, and then it was clear to me that his seminary classes were more for that.
- I’m a girl. *shock* From what I hear, the girls on a seminary campus are one of two breeds: super-shy awkward girl or super-crazy liberal feminist. I’m neither. My theology is surprisingly to some not feminist (even though I’m a female in ministry) and I’m not shy and not awkward by accident. I also heard that females on campus are like cars-taken or broken. Soooo basically…… well I don’t have to say how that makes me feel (pretty self-explanatory).
Readers, don’t think that I’m saying seminary isn’t important. I’m just orating the thoughts sprouting into my head so that I can iron them out. Any feedback would be nice :)
Oh, also, if you are a youth minister who went to a seminary, you mind giving me your outlook?
Jonah the Crybaby
bible, godWell, I told myself I wasn’t going to post another blog until after I got back from Kentucky. But then I remembered a few things:
- When I get back from Kentucky, I’m going to want to post about Kentucky.
- I should talk about this while it’s fresh on my mind.
- I don’t feel like going to bed yet, even though I leave in 4 hours for a 9-hour drive to Kentucky.
So, onto Jonah. I studied Jonah last week for my Sunday School lesson with the high schoolers. We’ve been going through the minor prophets, which I have honestly loved. It’s been very refreshing to read the MPs in a new way, because I’m trying hard to understand what’s going on in order to teach it.
Anywho, so Jonah one day was eating his cereal, when God tells him, “Go to Nineveh and preach destruction to them.” Jonah drops his spoon and is all like, “Forget THAT!” and flees towards Tarshish. He pays a fare and boards a boat. So then a huge storm comes, and the sailors are automatically like, “Okay, whose god is ticked off?” They then realize that Jonah is downstairs sleeping, still running away from his problems, and ignoring a huge storm outside the boat. The sailors realize that Jonah is running away from his god, the God. Jonah’s just like, “Look, just throw me over.” (This might seem brave to the reader, like he’s coming to the realization that he can’t run away from God anymore; but I think it’s just a part of his crybaby act). I don’t understand why, but the sailors think it’s a good idea to just try to row back to land, but they realize that they have to do it–so they throw Jonah overboard. Then a huge fish gulps Jonah right up, and Jonah begins crying and praying to God. He repents, and God tells the fish to spit him up (after three days and three nights of course!). So now Jonah finally goes to Nineveh, and preaches what God tells him. And what do you know? The whole city repents. You’d think Jonah would be excited, right? His preaching and prophesying worked! Nope! He gets mad and yells at God, “I knew it! I knew you would just have compassion on them! That’s the kind of God you are!” Kind of a funny prayer to me. So he runs away and sits outside the city, waiting to see what will happen, as if God will change his mind about having compassion. He takes shade under a tree, but God sends a worm to eat its leaves and Jonah starts feeling that sun. He gets so angry that he wants to DIE. He cries again to God, and God says, “You care for that tree right?” Jonah replies, “So much, that without it I just want to die!” God responds, “Well you sure care for that plant a lot. But how much more do I care for a great city like Nineveh, with tons of animals and needy people?”
So what do we take from Jonah the big crybaby, anyway?
- We can NOT run away from God. No matter how hard we try. We can’t do it. And if we try, God will find us! Oh yeah. In all seriousness, if it is God’s will and God commands us to do something, we are eventually going to have to do it. So save the trouble and the energy and just go do what he tells you to do. Trust me; when God called me to work with youth, I ran away and got myself into a pickle myself. And God got his way in the end :)
- God is going to have compassion on all sorts of sinners. I thought about the parable of the vineyard, how each person was paid the same amount for varying amounts of work. Seems unfair, right? But we need to remember that no matter what you did, how much sin you committed, etc, the reward is the same under the grace of God. God will have compassion for you when you repent, no matter what the sin is. This is hard for me sometimes, when I think about someone like a child molester possibly getting into heaven. I would classify this man as a pedophile or sex offender for the rest of his life; but the truth is that if he comes to Christ, he is redeemed and achieves sainthood just like me. I can honestly see why Jonah was so cheesed. It’s the flesh in me that wants justice in this situation, but luckily I am not the judge.
- God cares for us DEEPLY. Jonah wanted to die, just because the plant giving him shade died. In the same way, God desires to see us growing and cares for us immensely. I think it’s funny that Jonah was like, “I knew it! I knew you’d have compassion on them! Oh God full of grace and compassion!” It makes me laugh! I think that it is our responsibility, as believers and followers, to exhibit this same kind of love to others. Jonah cared for a PLANT. What would happen if he cried over people the same way as he did a plant?
Well, I hope you enjoyed my post on Jonah, a huge cry-baby. But you know what? I’m just like him in many ways.
ps, I really like that Jonah is so fast-paced. Very different from the other prophets so far ;)
New Design? yes :) Oh yeah, and some resolutions.
new years resolutionsWell, you know me. Can’t sit still for too long. So I redid the background a little. I wanted things to look a little more polished, and I hope this accomplishes that. I hope.
So I’m normally not into resolutions, but I decided this year to adopt a “bucket list” of things to do.
Ps, the origin of the term “bucket list” comes from the term “kick the bucket”, which means to die. So essentially a bucket list is a list of things that a person wishes to do before they die. But hey, since the world is ending in 2012, I guess this list can work the same way ;)
Heather’s 21 Resolutions for 2011
(Why 21? because I turn 21 in 10 days :D)
1. Go out of the country. This is a huge one for me. I have made up excuses for a LONG time for not doing this. But I’m extremely convicted. So this is going to happen.
2. Try saurcraut. It’s my mom’s least favorite food, so thus I’ve never had it.
3. Pick up speaking Spanish again. I used to speak it all the time. There’s no reason for me to lose 6 years of classes for nothing.
4. Crash a wedding.
5. Eat pizza with anchovies. I just wanna know why everyone thinks its so fishy! ha.
6. I will regain my love for reading and read copious amounts of books.
7. I will do all my homework…………………………………….maybe.
8. Buy one of those page-a-day devotion calendars and read it every morning as I brush my teeth.
9. Blog once a week.
10. Sing a solo in church. I used to all the time when I was a kid.
11. Become the owner of Quelf.
12. I will meet my future husband. ;)
13. Host a dance party.
14. Eat healthier (had to throw a boring one in there!)
15. I will whip my hair back and forth when I encounter opposition.
16. Double the size of my small youth group.
17. I will visit a beach. I have never been to a legit beach.
18. I will sing in the shower at the TOP of my lungs when all my housemates are here.
19. Keep track of my budget and not use my debit card even half as much.
20. I will not get on Facebook in class…………..maybe.
21. I will become addicted to the show “My Strange Addiction.”
What are some of your Resolutions? :)
Way Past My Bed-Time…
UncategorizedI have spent 4-5 hours every day for the past week reading blogs by other youth ministers. I don’t know why. I don’t particularily like to read, although I am growing more fond of it as I’m reading material that I’m actually interested in.
One thing that I really like about reading these blogs is the sense of community that I feel. I feel like I’m not alone in the ministry. Sometimes it’s easy to feel that way. Today I was feeling particularily discouraged because my students really want us to get bigger and do “huge things” like go to Mexico or have a huge conference (things that “first baptist does”!).
Anywho, if you are reading this, please pray for me :) I have 2 and a half weeks left of my “break” before I start up the semester again. I have 18 hours full of some of the most difficult classes I will ever take, along with “part-time” ministry (let’s be real, there’s no such thing as part-time), and another job. This next few weeks, I need to get serious and plan out my year as much as possible, as well as start on some exegeticals that I know I will have to write.
I know this post is random, but hey, it’s 2:00 am and I have been consistently staying up this late for the past week. Probably because I’ve been reading all these blogs. See! It all connects!
Blessings, love, and sleep,
Heather
ps, isn’t it weird to say that we are in 2011? weird.
A Woman Youth Minister
women, youth ministryI think this post has been processing in my brain for the last three years, and was just waiting to bust out. What is it like to be a woman youth minister?
Well, let me tell you :)
Although I’ve only been the head of a youth group for four months now, I can definitely see the advantages and disadvantages of being a woman in a leading role of the church. I am very lucky to have a church that completely supports me as a woman in ministry, and also realizes that for the type of youth group they have, a woman leader seems to fit really well.
What are the advantages I have on men? Well, we’re gonna get pretty cliche and stereotypical here. Women are more emotional, and men are more physical. Thus, women are more relational and want to dig into students’ lives more emotionally. Women can sense when people are hurting almost instantly. Men are more physical and active, so they are more able to relate using sports and other physical activities. Once again, these are stereotypes, but most will find this to be true. I certainly think this is true for me, and that is why my ministry is so relational and discipleship-centered instead of physical team-building and recreational-centered. I found that where I have voids, I am extremely lucky to have men volunteering to fill them. I also feel that as a leader I am more organized than most men, and I also feel like I build relationships with the parents easier than I see some guys. I am not saying that it is better to have a woman minister, by any means. I can get emotional, I let little things bother me at times, and I have a hard time relating to sports (which is big for most teenage boys).
I think that the differences between men and women prove to me that it takes a man and a woman to run youth ministry. I also think it can be harder for a woman to gain respect in ministry, especially (and ironically) from her peer youth ministers. It seems to be that the most flack I get for being a woman in ministry isn’t from parents, my pastor, or youth; but from males who are in ministry. I hope to prove to my peers my passion for ministry and gain their respect.
Heather Lea Campbell 