Josh Cameron

The Rich People Under The Bridge

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:00:43 -0600

A couple of months ago, I would describe a “homeless” person much different than I do today. I would have said that a homeless person is well, someone without a home and most likely without a job. God has captivated my heart in the past few months with UHBC’s Bridge Ministry. The third Friday of each month, myself, a bunch of college students, and a group of adults drive to downtown Houston to feed and clothe the homeless. We hope that while encountering these people that we have an opportunity to share the Good News. For the longest time, I thought I was going to Bridge to help people and to be the one teaching them about Jesus Christ. This past Bridge, I was the one being helped and the one being taught about Jesus. From who? A homeless guy.

Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. - 2 Corinthians 6:10

This man understood all three points of this verse Paul is writing. I want to introduce you into these three points. That though are hearts may ache, we always have joy. Though a homeless guy may be poor, he gives spiritual riches to a guy like me. Though he may own nothing, because he has Jesus Christ…he has everything.

The first part of the verse is “Our hearts ache, but we always have joy.” This homeless guy didn’t have a lot to be happy about. After all he’s homeless right? He can’t provide for his family. He’s hungry. He’s cold. And…he always has joy. How? A month ago, if you told me I had to live on the streets of Houston, could not provide a family I love, be super hungry, and then be cold too, I can asure you that I would not be a joyful guy. But this man understands the gospel. Happiness is temporary. Joy is eternal. How to we obtain eternal joy? By putting our faith and hope in Jesus Christ (see John 3 or Romans 10). This homeless guy is a joyful man because he knows that he has eternal life is Jesus Christ. Yes, his circumstances are unfortunate and maybe not the most happy situation, but he understands that God has given him a joy because He has redeemed him, He has saved him, and He has given him eternal life. Maybe you’re going through a phase in your life where your not “happy”. In fact, your “heart aches”. But you can have a joy. You can have an eternal joy in Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us in John 6:35: “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”

The second part of the verse is “We are poor, but we give spiritual riches.” This homeless guy was obviously poor. But the moment he encountered me, he was ready to tell me about the “spiritual riches” in his life. He has Jesus Christ and he is definitely not ashamed of it. In fact, he’s ready to tell anyone in the downtown area. He will even invite them to church (he continually invited me during our conversation). I’m not a poor guy…but I am a college sophomore that doesn’t have a lot to offer, except one thing: Jesus Christ. I am on a campus with thousands of college students with their hearts aching and they are feeling poor. They are lost and feel as they have nothing. This homeless guy reminded me that night that having Jesus means having everything…which will lead us into our next part of the verse.

“We own nothing, and yet we having everything.” This homeless man didn’t own a lot. Maybe the clothes on his back and the bible he kept on him. But this man has been adopted into a family. God has adopted this man as his son. God has given this man life. God has captivated this man’s heart. Because of what Christ did on a cross for me and this man, we have everything. Here’s a homeless guy that has everything and can minister to the thousands of homeless people throughout Houston. Here’s me, just a college student, and I can minister to the thousands of college students around me at least 5 days a week. I can’t give them happiness, but I can lead them to an eternal joy through Jesus Christ.

Yes, Houston has many homeless people. But some of Houston’s homeless are richer than any millionaire or billionaire in Houston because they have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They follow Him. They are adopted into His family. They have eternal joy. They are poor, yet they give spiritual riches to others. They own hardly anything, and yet they have everything. Come join us next month on February 17th as we go to the downtown area to share our eternal joy, give spiritual riches to others, and help homeless people learn how to have everything in the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2).

"The brilliance of a star, like a tabernacle lamp in the sanctuary of God’s creation, beckoned them..."

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:10:38 -0600

“The brilliance of a star, like a tabernacle lamp in the sanctuary of God’s creation, beckoned them on to the stable where the star seemed to lose its light in the unearthly brilliance of the Light of the World.”

- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

"Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own..."

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:47:56 -0600

“Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”

- 2 Corinthians 6:10

Sufficient Grace, Intro

Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:57:00 -0600

I want things. That’s common, right? Everyone is bound to have one thing they want. In fact, everyone is likely to want a lot of things. A lot of those things are good things. Single people want a relationship. People that are ill want to get well. People that are overweight want to look better. Some of us even have certain clothes we want. Today, I saw a Gap jacket I wanted so bad! I even tried it on and gave a few poses in the mirror in the fitting room. You know what, I thought I looked pretty good in that jacket. I thought it was “date-material-clothing” and that’s when you know you look good in something. I then whopped out the iPhone, clicked my Bank of America app, and did some math in my head. I could afford the jacket! Easily! But…I have other things I want to use that money for this month. Then I asked myself the hardest question we all hate, “Do I really need it?” No. But I looked so good in the jacket! It was a nice jacket! I could afford it! But did I really need it? No. Now I am not saying it’s wrong to get things we might not really need. Hopefully sometime soon, I can maybe go get that jacket I really want, or better yet…go on date with that jacket!

Jesus + Nothing = Everything (Tullian Tchividjian). Say it a few times (You don’t have to say Tullian’s name, it’s just the name of his new book). Then ponder on “Jesus + Nothing = Everything” for a few minutes. I can have Jesus, and nothing else, and have everything? Well the Sunday School answer is of course “yes”. But I still want want other things other than Jesus sometimes! I wished I had a Ryan Gosling photoshopped body, could win Dancing With the Stars, and I wished I had that jacked from the Gap store that I could maybe wear on a date someday (I guess the first step would be me asking girl on a date, and she having the generosity to go on a date with me? Most likely.). But is Jesus and my punny (if that’s a word) weak body, poor dancing skills (pray for me, folks), and me not having a date = everything? Yes. It has taken me 20 years to get to a point where I could say yes, but the answer is without a doubt yes. His grace is sufficient for me.

I’m writing this to you because I want you to know that Jesus really equals everything. You don’t need anything else. You don’t need to match up with Bradley Cooper as the sexiest man alive or appear more beautiful than any girl that Ben Flajnik will have on the upcoming season of “The Bachelor” (yes, I had to google his name). You don’t have to win anything. You don’t need that jacket. You don’t even have to have that date (woah, yeah, I said it). That doesn’t mean you can’t be sexy (like me…..bahahaha…..NOT!), have Footloose dancing skills, look good in that jacket, and it definitely doesn’t mean you can’t have that date you really want. Jesus + Nothing = Everything means that Jesus is enough.

I want to try and explain to you over the next few weeks why Jesus is enough for me…and how He is truly enough for you. Sure, maybe you will still want jacket or the date. And that’s fine. Maybe you will get jacket, and, just maybe, you will get that date! But at least if you don’t get it, you can say, “Because of what Jesus did on a cross at Calvary, I have everything.”

Josh Cameron

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 10:50:32 -0600

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"Beauty has many faces. It is difficult to define objectively. Anything beautiful reflects the glory..."

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:59:55 -0600

““Beauty has many faces. It is difficult to define objectively. Anything beautiful reflects the glory of God in some way and inspires us to worship. With that description in mind, the most obvious object of beauty that comes to mind is Christ. He defines and demonstrates true beauty. And not because he was easy on the eyes… his sacrificial love and service, humble heart and righteousness are the source of his beauty. Because he is beautiful, we can be also. Our ability to have inner beauty cost Jesus his life.””

- Jen Smidt

Jesus + Nothing = Everything

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:22:10 -0600

victorialeighinspiration: lets change it.

Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:42:56 -0600

victorialeighinspiration:

lets change it.

Photo

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:29:57 -0600

My Love Letter to Japan

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 18:16:21 -0600

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Japan,

First off, a song by Phil Wickham for you: You will be safe in His arms, because the hands that hold the world are holding your heart. This is the promise He made: He will be with You always. When everything is falling apart, you will be safe in His arms.

To the one who’s dreams are falling all apart, and all you’re left with is a tired and broken heart. I can tell by your eyes you think your on your own, but you’re not all alone.

Have you heard of the One who can calm the raging seas? Give sight to the blind, pull the lame up to their feet. With a love so strong he’ll never let you go, oh you’re not alone.

Did you know that the voice that brings the dead to life? Is the very same voice that calls you to rise. So hear Him now He’s calling you home. You will never be alone.

These are the hands that built the mountains, the hands that calm the seas, these are the arms that hold the heavens, they are holding you and me!

These are hands that healed the leper; pulled the lame up to their feet. These are the arms that were nailed to a cross, to break our chains and set us free!

You will be safe in His arms, because the hands that hold the world are holding your heart. This is the promise He made: He will be with You always. When everything is falling apart, you will be safe in His arms.

Lyrics are from “Safe” by Phil Wickham

The past few days have made me think of this song. I cannot begin to imagine the devastation you have faced in the past week. My heart breaks every time I turn on these news.

Japan, you are so special to me. You are not just a country half-way across the world to me. You are the beautiful home to a chunk of my heart. When I as preparing to go to your beautiful nation two years ago, it never crossed my mind that I would fall in love with you. God designed such a marvelous masterpiece on your large island.

I remember after I first landed in Japan, I got onto the trains to head to Tokyo. It would only take that ride to Tokyo for me to be in awestruck wonder of the beauty and God’s creation of Japan. The countryside was so green. It seemed as if I was seeing shades of green that I had never seen before.

I know this must sound crazy, but I can honestly say I don’t think there has been a single day since I got home nearly two years ago, that I have not thought about you. God broke my heart when He put me in your country. He broke off a whole piece of my heart to give to you, and I don’t think I’ll ever get it back. The reality is though, I don’t want it back. I want it for you.

If there is one thing I have learned about Japan, it is that the sun will always rise. Your great nation is at a point where it is searching for hope. I know a little thing or two about hope.

Psalms 10:17 states “LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely, you will hear their cries and comfort them.”

Here is the amazing thing about the God I love: when you’re helpless and all you want to do is cry, you can craw up onto God’s lap and hear the Father say to you, “My little child, rest your head upon my shoulders while I sing a lullaby to you. Everything is going to be okay.”

To the mother in Japan searching for her children, to husband searching for his wife, to the adorable Japanese child who no longer has any parents, and to anyone in Japan who is just broken and ready to craw up onto God’s lap, you will be safe in His arms.

Miss and Love You,

Josh Cameron

P.S. I will leave you with one last song.

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small;
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

The guy on the bachelor just said "what relationship is a fairy tale?" Well, God writes fairy tales :)

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:22:22 -0600

Sure they can be hard at sometimes, but they are everlasting fairy tales. The Bachelor doesn’t show fairy tales, it just shows temporary romances. God is the Author Romance, try Him out instead of the Bachelor.

"The reality is that the only way to discover the true beauty of a God-written love story with..."

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:07:13 -0600

“The reality is that the only way to discover the true beauty of a God-written love story with another person on this earth is to delight in Jesus Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength-to find our security and joy in Him alone. Rather than focus all our efforts on the pursuit of a human relationship, we must center our life on the pursuit of intimacy with our true Prince. Only our of intimacy with out heavenly Lover can the beauty of a God-written love story be experienced.”

- Leslie Ludy, Authentic Beauty

A Love Letter to Jesus

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 16:19:06 -0600

Dear Jesus, I need to give myself up. I am not strong enough to love You and walk with You on my own. I really want to but, I need You to be strong enough for me. I need You deeply and desperately. Jesus, I believe you are worth it. I know you are worth it! You are better than anything else I could ever have in this life. I want You, Jesus. And when I don’t, I want to want You. If that makes any sense at all. Be all in me Jesus; take all of me. Jesus, have Your way with me. Love, Joshua Cameron

"Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into..."

Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:55:52 -0600

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

- Ephesians 3:17

The Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 18:01:36 -0600

The Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan

More by Matthew West

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:11:33 -0600

Take a look at the mountains

Stretching a mile high
Take a look at the ocean
Far as your eye can see
And think of Me

Take a look at the desert
Do you feel like a grain of sand?
I am with you wherever
Where you go is where I am

And I'm always thinking of you
Take a look around you
I'm spelling it out one by one

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more

Just a face in the city
Just a tear on a crowded street
But you are one in a million
And you belong to Me

And I want you to know
That I'm not letting go
Even when you come undone

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

Shine for Me
Shine for Me
Shine on, shine on
Shine for Me

(Chorus)
I love you more than the sun
And the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you yesterday and today
And tomorrow, I'll say it again and again
I love you more 

(Chorus)
Than the sun
and the stars that I taught how to shine
You are mine, and you shine for me too
I love you, yesterday and today
Through the joy and the pain
I'll say it again and again
I love you more
I love you more

And I see you
And I made you
And I love you more than you can imagine
More than you can fathom
I love you more than the sun
And you shine for me

I feel like I was packing a bag for Super Summer last week. This summer has gone by so fast and is...

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 22:01:00 -0600

I feel like I was packing a bag for Super Summer last week. This summer has gone by so fast and is almost over. I am packing a bag tonight for the EIGHTH time this summer. I think that’s a personal record for me. I have one more big pack to do, the hardest pack, and I know the most difficult pack for my parents. Packing for Sam Houston State University! Oh wow, it’s here isn’t it. College is just a couple weeks away. I can’t express how excited I am for it because I know in the next four years, God is going to do some great things. Some extraordinary, amazing, and life-changing things. College is where God is going to RUIN my life. This is where God kicks out all my plans and put’s His plan right in front of me. For the past month or so, I have been praying for God to ruin my life.

Honestly, I am a little nervous and scared about it because I know I am praying that prayer to a big and powerful God. Though a little nervous and scared about it, my heart is shooting fireworks!!! I know God is going to call me to do some great and mighty things for His glory. Some, I might be uncomfortable with or not ready for. Some people say “God is never going to put something on you that you can’t handle”, well my saying is just a tad bit different: “God is never going to put something on you that HE can’t handle.” There are going to be some things God puts in front of me in the next 4 years, I might not be able to handle on my own but, I know God is calling me to be used for His glory. Though some amazing things are about to happen, I know that some tough times are bound to lie ahead. Casting Crowns puts it perfect in the song “Who Am I?” when they sing, “Who am I? That the voice that calmed the seas, would call out through the rain, and calm the storm in me.”

My prayer to God is that I will follow Him into the world and be used solely for His glory. I am not going to college or doing anything in college for my own fame, I am going because I was created to give it all to the King and to put myself in the background. God continually shows me, that what I really need is less and less of Josh and more and more of Jesus. For me, college is about: Humility.

Humility: the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion orestimate of one’s own importance, rank, etc. (from dictionary.com).

More Like Falling in Love Lyrics by Jason Gray

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 12:02:05 -0600

Give me rules
I will break them
Give me lines
I will cross them
I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet
It ought to be

More like falling in love
Than something to believe in
More like losing my heart
Than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out
Come take a look at me now
It’s like I’m falling, oh
It’s like I’m falling in love

Give me words
I’ll misuse them
Obligations
I’ll misplace them
‘Cause all religion ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free
It’s gotta be

CHORUS

…It’s like I’m falling in love, love, love
Deeper and deeper
It was love that made
Me a believer
In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me

Tokyo:) I miss it :(

Fri, 04 Jun 2010 23:36:43 -0600

Tokyo:) I miss it :(

ailovejapan: SHIBUYA 雨 (by syunsune1206)

Mon, 17 May 2010 19:07:22 -0600

ailovejapan:

SHIBUYA 雨 (by syunsune1206)