This week God spoke to me in many ways. I think the thing that stands out the most is the continued reminder that sometimes God leads me into the wilderness, the desert places, or the trial that I am not happy about.
Last year was horrible for me. But, through it, God has brought me to the other side of something wonderful. He has allowed hardship and illness to deepen my faith in Him. He has allowed hardship to help teach me the principle of Looking Up!
Last week my youngest son experienced the release of his first full length 
album. It was a celebration because this was a boy who felt that God was leading him into music when he was 15. That was 10 years ago.
At 15 he didn’t play an instrument or write songs. It was surprising that at 15, with no seen talent, he was willing to give up everything to focus on learning music. He also felt that God would have him in the secular market and that was shocking to me as a Christian mom.
Soon, I began to realize something that maybe no one else did…this kid did not want to be a rock star, he legitimately felt God’s leading in this. And, because he did, he worked hard at it, prayed regularly for 3 things:
- Talent
- Open Doors
- Connections
God faithfully began working, and it all initially started with meeting Busbee 
who ended up mentoring Cameron. Busbee now writes for many top artists like Raskel Flatts, Lady Annebelum, Katy Perry, Timbaland. He also ended up producing Jaymes Reuinon Album and co-writing a few of the songs.
It took some time to for Cameron to develop the gifts, but he ended up playing guitar, keyboard and writing his own songs. He now has a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing as a song writer.
But, he went through many desert places in the months and years that led up to any album release. Faithfully he prayed God would open doors if it were God’s will. Then, a few years ago he was discovered poolside in Beverly Hills, during Grammy week. This led to meetings with music executives and an eventual development deal with Zomba Publishing/Sony BMG. Soon after he signed a a record deal with a CCM label that would understand his vision to be in the secular market place.
Yes, he and the band are all Christians. No, the songs they perform are not all about Jesus. But, to them, ALL of life is about Jesus, so their songs are songs about life and love, the genre Pop/Rock
.
There are many things on the horizon, and I hope you will take a listen to their music. You can hear samples on itunes or amazon, and then get your own…and tell a friend. Support these young Christian men who are being called to play their music in Colleges, Clubs and Radio.
Why does this relate to this week?
I watched my son go through disappointment and desert place after desert place. My heart sunk over and over again for my boy. But, God used all the hard stuff to shape him into a young man of strong faith. The hard times made him stronger, worked for him and shaped him in Christ.
How about you?
Are you hard times viewed through a negative lens?
Might be time to change the lens and get a scriptural focus…
Truth for Today: 1 Peter 1:6-7, 4:19
“though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith, of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire, may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed….so then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful creator and continue to do good.”
Are you suffering? Is life hard right now? Are you disappointed?
Commit yourself to the God who loves you…and continue doing the next thing He asks. Continue looking up, continue trusting, continue working at that very thing that you believe He has called you to.
We have a faithful God!
have a great weekend.
Debbie
Oh you can check out the Jaymes Reunion Myspace page and see their music video to fine, or go to youtube to see some live music performances! Enjoy…and pray for these young men! The song Fine is starting on College Radio, so pray for God to continue opening doors, giving them talent, and connections…according to the will of God.
Not to late to be in this week’s drawing……prize winner reveal on Monday AM.
Cameron’s story always reminds me of God’s timing and the scriptural truth that “He will promote [us] at the right time.” It’s so neat to have been a participant and witness in his calling and now to have the new cd! For the record, Livi and Emma’s favorite is Trouble and I’m still stuck between Fine and Shine for my favs! I get lots of “play number 2 agains” from the back seat!
Beautiful! Another reminder that He is always taking care of us. All things DO work for good, we just have to keep believing and know it is all in His timing. Papa knows best 🙂 Congrats to Cam & the guys!
it is often harder to see those we love in their time of wilderness and dessert. but what a joy to see them come forward from the wilderness a changed person because of God and His love. great random blog thoughts today – thanks debbie. have a great weekend in santa cruz.-sheli
Hi Deb.. just a quick Congrats for Cameron!! From one Mom to another.. seeing our children succeed is so AWESOME!! Especially after they have poured their hearts into something as it sounds Cameron has done with and for his music. I pray he leans into Jesus with each note..
Your sister in Christ..