Mela Kamin – What I Say in between Songs

a book by Max Lucado

The subject of fear keeps coming up … in the media, in blogs I read, in songs I write and during Sunday worship and all those days and hours in between. I’m taking notice, because when I see a reoccurring theme, it usually means God wants to tell me or teach me.

When I had the opportunity to read Fearless by Max Lucado, I was excited, because I want to take in all I can about this subject. Who isn’t affected by fear? This seemed like a perfect way to learn some tools to share with others. Fear is everywhere, but so is God.

Ellie Lofaro, another great Christian writer said, “We have to stop telling God how big our storms are and start telling our storms how big our God is.” Amen to that! I loved that so much I wrote a song about it, called “You Belong to Me.” This is the same with fear . . . after all, storms and fear go hand in hand. One feeds the other. Storms roll in and all of a sudden, we’re filled with anxiety, worry, doubt, dread, heartache, FEAR.

I recently did something fearless. A year a half ago, I took my life in a new direction. I stepped out in a big, bold way. How? I used my fear for good. I fought off fear to find God’s favor. With the faith only God could provide, I decided the fear I had of not following His leading to impact His kingdom, was greater than the simple fear of trying. Fear was the enemy’s way of trying to halt what God was trying to do in me and through me. I let God have the final say. Did I stop being fearful? Of course not – fear has a sneaky way of finding another entry point, another weak spot. But, each day through prayer and the Word, I could be ready to go another round if needed. “Be prepared” and “Don’t be afraid” are big themes in the Bible. God knows what we’ll face and He wants us to be armed.

When I read Fearless, it wasn’t just encouraging . . . it was validating, reassuring, and most of all, right on the money. I enjoy the way Lucado writes – metaphors, anecdotes, colloquialisms, vivid imagery. I found it a very easy, enjoyable read. But, don’t be mistaken at its size or light-heartedness – that doesn’t take the power out of Max’s punch. This is still preaching the good news of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as our one way out of fear. Life has its own storms and fears will come and go. But, what about the BIG fear – the fear of death, the fear of being ultimately separated from God? Jesus fixed that too – His death and resurrection built the perfect bridge for us, so that we can be children of God, holy & blameless in His sight, able to spend eternity with Him.

“Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I AM HERE.” Matthew 14:27 – I love that it doesn’t say, “Have courage” or “Be courageous.” It says, “TAKE courage.” If you take something, you probably don’t already have it. Or, if you have it, you need to pick it up and take it with you before you leave. Where can you get courage if you don’t have it? From God – take courage from Jesus and He will be with you always.

I think this book is a great evangelism tool. You might not be able to give someone a Bible and expect them to dive right in enthusiastically. But, this book, with its timeliness for a culture spinning out of control with fear (fear of terrorists, fear of disease, fear of bankruptcy and foreclosure), keeps the cure right out in front for everyone to grab – Jesus. Share the hope of Christ, whether someone’s in need economically, emotionally, physically, spiritually. This is a great discussion starter. In fact, Lucado built a study guide right into the book. That extra step makes it not just a good read, but a catalyst for telling others they don’t have to let fear stall their plans. They don’t have to let fear win. The more we pray, the more we trust in Jesus and His promises, the more we step out in faith, the less we have to fear and the less fear can do with us.

I am a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program http://www.booksneeze.com

How I almost missed JOY.

5 is a significant number – we’re a family of 5 and our youngest just turned 5. I thought it fitting to focus this post on him. Our “Gus,” as we like to call him, is a smiley, rather animated little guy. He has big, green eyes (like his Dad) and always has something funny to say. He likes to make faces, run with the big dogs and be fast, wild and loud – it is, after all, the Kamin way.

For his birthday, we spent almost the entire day at the MOA (Mall of America). We don’t go there very often – too big, too expensive. But, this was different. Because it’s his birthday, he got a free unlimited ride wristband for Nickelodeon Universe (we had to sign up online, bring in the email with UPC to scan and his birth certificate. But, to save $30, it was worth it). We bought a package of points so our other two could ride some as well.

The whole fam (sans me) started with the log chute. I get out of going, because I hide behind the camera volunteer to take pictures. My hubs is the pro, but after working all day with a camera, it’s the LAST thing he wants to do. The log ride looks so fun and harmless, but Gus’ face said something different as the log came careening quite rapidly down the chute. But, even after he expressed his utter disgust with the ride, he decided later to go with his Dad & brother, while sis & I watched.

After that, we ran from ride to ride, Gus looking more excited at every turn. He then saw Diego’s Safari Ride, which for the record was much cuter as a Camp Snoopy bus. The ride goes up and around and down – like a small ferris wheel. It looks like a lame ride to me, but he wanted to ride and his brother and sister joined him. They are older, so I assumed it would also be below their thrill standards. It was not. They wanted to go again – immediately. I found myself trying to steer them toward something else. “Let’s walk around and see what other rides there are,” I’d say. After all, my two older kids had only a “limited amount of points” and “they might not want to use them all up on this little ride.” My hubs scolded me. “If this is what makes them happy, let them do it.”

So, they went – several times. Later, I took Gus to ride something while his siblings were on a larger swing ride with Dad. Guess where he wanted to go? Yep. And, he asked me to go along. I wasn’t too excited, but I reluctantly agreed. I don’t generally like rides, because of a weak stomach. We got in and put the safety bar over our laps. Surprisingly, it went faster than I had predicted and my tummy did do a little flip-flop on the first up-over motion. Then, I turned to watch his face and see his excitement. That’s all I needed. I’m sorry it took me so long to notice. I wasted most of the afternoon, thinking we should be somewhere else, doing something “cooler.” Why did I feel like we’d be ripped off if he used all his time on one or two rides? Why did I practically insist that we look around before settling on what to do? Why did I not take into account his 5-year old joy?

Sometimes, we forget to focus on our true joy and we get lost in all the bells and whistles of the world. We’re so busy trying to do it all that we can’t really enjoy a few important things – laughing, smiling, being happy. We think we’re entitled to do and see it all – the biggest, the fastest, the most thrilling, when sometimes it’s nice just to sit down and see the world from a different perspective . . . even if it’s on a Diego bus ride.

Happy Birthday, Gus – I love you.

It’s 2:25 pm and as I sit here still in my lounge clothes by the computer, I’m wondering what I did all day. I look around and dishes are still near the sink, piles of unfinished/unfiled things haven’t moved once …. so, what did I do?

Here are my recollections:

1. woke up to a 4 year old asking if I could help him get dressed (he recently fractured his collarbone, so the good ole’ days of him getting up and dressing by himself are gone, which is mostly bad, but sometimes good – that wonderful little independent child now needs me to help him and I get a great satisfaction from that)

2. carefully dressed 4yo and gave him a “1/2 shower,” as we used to call it in gym class – washed him up with a soapy washcloth, put baby powder under his arm to ease chaffing
3. made 3 different breakfasts for me and two very different boys – ate breakfast with them; prayed with them
4. started the laundry
5. talked to my daughter who is vacationing at my parents’ 4 hours away
6. booked a performance for Sept in Wis.
7. shopped on eBay
8. updated merchandise inventory from last event; ordered new bracelets
9. updated my website with photos & new dates
10. uploaded product photos to website
11. installed shopping cart on my site through PayPal
12. started to grumble about said website and having to be all/do all for my music – label, webmaster, booking agent, manager, personal assistant, etc.
13. spent time reading blogs I enjoy
14. remembered a post by Jason Curlee (@JasonCurlee) about keeping things in perspective by focusing not on the HAVE to dos, but the GET to dos – I get to minister to people through music, I get to sing about Jesus, I get to impact others by the words I write
15. made lunch
16. made a chai
17. refereed several fights between my 6yo & 4yo, who are experiencing cabin fever at home
18. remembered I made a chai – microwaved it and gulped it before I forgot again
19. prayed for a friend who went through surgery this morning
20. went outside to check the weather
21. realized it’s too nice out to be inside
22. logged off and took my boys out to play