You may know Jeremy Camp for his hit Christian Contemporary music– he’s got twenty-four! No. 1 hits and has won several major Dove Awards. He’s spending time with us at Bloom (in)courage to share his inspiring story of Discovering hope and healing in the midst of life’s deepest valleys—all chronicled in his new book, I Still Believe. Jeremy will be back again tomorrow with more of his story and a giveaway of his new book.
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I think one of my greatest desires for writing I Still Believe and having people read it would be to show that I’m just an ordinary person like you.
People say to me
“You must best a great man of faith to go through this.”
Or they say,
“I don’t know if I could handle that and continue to walk through proclaiming God’s goodness.”
When I hear these comments, I always tell people that first of all God will give you the same grace, ability and strength to walk through whatever He has laid before you because we all have the same Spirit. I’m not this great, awesome guy — well hopefully my wife thinks so — but I desire to grow more just like each of you.
For me this book was an amazing opportunity to share deeply about my story and in that process show you how the Lord has taken me from a life of faith with my childhood and observing how as a young child, God has instilled strength in my life to endure what I went through.
At a young age in California, I met the love of my life- her name was Melissa- she was an amazing woman. She loved Jesus more than anything else in this world. I quickly fell in love with her because of her heart for The Lord. I quickly told her, “Hey I think I’m in love with you.” My quick proclamation of love caused the relationship to kind of go south a bit. It was a little too soon at the time to share my love for her, but I for sure knew she was the one. To make a long story short, we ended up getting engaged. However, before we got engaged, I found out that she had cancer, so we were walking through that at the time.
During her treatment she lost all of her hair, and I used to call her my beautiful, bald-haired, brown-eyed babe. She loved that. It was one of our little things we had together. I was so thankful that God prepared me for that time, but you can never really prepare fully for that type of thing yet I know God had prepared my heart in the beginning.
We were married and when we got back from our honeymoon, I remember us going to the doctor to have her re-tested to see how the progress was coming with the cancer treatment. The doctor pulled me aside and he said, “Jeremy, it has come back. It has spread rapidly and there is nothing else we can do for Melissa.” And I was like, “What do you mean? What’s the next step?” He then shared that she had weeks to months to live.
Melissa & Jeremy, October 2000
This was the most devastating thing you could ever hear being 23 years old and your wife is 21 and you just got married. It was such a battle — having everybody in the world praying and really seeking The Lord. I remember one time Melissa asked me when she was very weak from the cancer – she said, “Jeremy, let’s worship The Lord.” And so I pulled my guitar out and here we are singing, I cry out for your hand of mercy to heal me, for You are good, for You are good, You are good to me.
This moment meant so much to me. In the midst of no matter what kind of hardship, what kind of trial, He is still good. We still cry out. We cried out until the day she went to be with The Lord.
I remember that day when she took her last breath. God spoke to my heart and said I want you to stand up and worship me. And I did. I stood up even though it was the hardest thing I ever did. I lifted my hands – at that point, I remember understanding obedience. Even in the midst of hardships. And understanding that no matter what we go through, He is worthy to be praised.
So, I hope you can see that no matter who you are, God will give you the grace and the strength to go through whatever trials you may be going through. And He loves you.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17,
He says- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We are a new creation so we can walk through those things together as the Holy Spirit has given us this time.
There is also a scripture in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 that says:
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
What He has in store for us is such a beautiful thing. I pray that you are encouraged, you’re comforted and that others will come to know Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through my story. And I tell people, give it [the book] to someone that doesn’t know Christ or someone that is going through a difficult time. And I pray that they come to know Christ through this.
That’s my heart, that’s my desire. So, I pray that God ministers to your soul through I Still Believe.
By Jeremy Camp
Shari~Rain into Rainbows says
I need to hear more of your story. Boy, do I ever need to hear it. I know that there is purpose in my given diagnosis; it’s just that at times, it’s so incredibly difficult to see the rainbows through the rain.
“What He has in store for us is such a beautiful thing.” That resonates with me. I cannot wait to hear more.
Jennifer Roth says
This is such a powerful story of God’s great grace. I look forward to reading more about it. Recently one of my dearest friends, Christen (http://christenringle.blogspot.com), was called home to be with Jesus at the young age 29. Her husband shares a similar story of God’s goodness in suffering at his blog: http://joeringle.blogspot.com. His desire, like Jeremy Camp’s, is that God would be glorified, even in the most difficult of situations.
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jeremy. What a beautiful story of love and faith.
“So, I hope you can see that no matter who you are, God will give you the grace and the strength to go through whatever trials you may be going through. And He loves you.”
This is so true! And yes we have a very loving and faithful God!
All good things,
Charina
Kristin Smith says
I too needed this reminder today. I have been struggling with God’s plan and not feeling His presence. I recently lost my job due to outsourcing and now my husband has been given 2 weeks at his. We moved here (MN) 7 months ago on what we felt was God’s leading….and now we both end up unemployed? I just don’t get it. I can’t see the big picture and I feel desperate and hopeless. I am trying to hold onto Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.
Thank you for the reminder that we need to be praising God in all things!
Barb Wall says
Thank you for sharing your story. My husband went home over 8 years ago.I pray daily for our Dear Lord ‘s guidance and strength!! Blessings, Barb
Carrie says
Beautiful!
Rose C. says
I could not stop reading the “free” first chapter. I’m buying the book. Your story is powerful and I think it can translate to any age group. Thank you for sharing your painful, yet beautiful story of faith.
Jennifer says
So powerful!
Becky J. says
Thank you for this powerful testimony…the Word says “we defeat the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony”….you have encouraged and touched my heart! Thank you!!
Anna D. says
I so needed to hear this. So true and beautiful. I have several of your songs and done some at church but I never knew this. I wish I could afford to buy this book.for my husband I think it would be perfect for him at he is going through and him being a musician I think he could relate. I would like it too. Wow Jeremy, thank you for sharing!
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
Thank you Jeremy,
For your worship and praise, and for your obedience to proclaim,
“no matter what we go through, He is worthy to be praised.”
Those words bring our healing…they rain down His sufficient grace
Christin says
You shared your story years ago at a Cornerstone concert my husband and I took our youth group to…merely a few years after it happened. Praise God for you, Jeremy. You display His glory beautifully.
Kristin says
I do agree and am so thankful for your testimony! We lost our newborn son around the time when the song “I still believe” came out and it was powerful to sing along with and still believe… God’s Spirit and his grace are great enough to get us through the most devastating of circumstances. He provides in every way. I can’t imagine going through any loss without Him.
I love that you are sharing this story here on (In)courage with women. It is your wife’s story too and honors her deeply. How encouraging that she lived her life in worship to God all the way to the end!
Blessings!
Kristin
John Elmore says
Ive seen Jeremy in concert 5 times and he always gives the testimony about his deceased wife. I love Jeremy’s music but I’m just wondering if this constant testimony bothers his present wife .
Anonymous says
John, Im glad you asked that question too because I wonder the same thing? I love Jeremy and understand this is why hes in the position hes in now but I do kind of feel bad for his wife:( I just hope she feels special too. I admire her for not getting jealous and hurt. I dont think I coukd do it.
Shelly says
John, Im glad you asked that question too because I wonder the same thing? I love Jeremy and understand this is why hes in the position hes in now but I do kind of feel bad for his wife:( I just hope she feels special too. I admire her for not getting jealous and hurt. I dont think I coukd do it.
Anonymous says
Adie is a really special lady and although as a family, they have moved into a new season of life, she has always said that she wanted to be a part of the story God is telling and the ways He is using Jeremy to tell it. Both Adie and Jeremy are pretty extraordinary.
Erika says
I read your book and it has helped me in so many ways. I really like how you refer to changes in life as seasons. My heart is finally healing. Thank You!!!
Janelle says
I just wanted to take a moment and Thank You. I believe you are the reason I found my way back to GOD. I’m so grateful for you and are such a greatexample of how amazing god really is. I was in a bad place no job, no place of my own, and just got out of nasty relationship my mom gave me your Cd We Cry Out and I haven’t removed it from car’s Cd player. The Cd made me re-evaluate my life and brought me to tears because I knew the changes I had to make. Now I am going to church volunteering and involved in a life group at my church. I’m understanding andhave it
is the small things that matter most. I picked up book when it first came out and it was so moving and brought me to tears numerous times. I’m so grateful you were moved to share this part of your life with all of us. All of us go through this everyday. Your first wife was such an amazing strong women when she was dealing with her cancer and I look up to her and I hope I can have a strong faith in god like she did. You and your wife now seem to have such an amazing faith in God and I love it. It is people like you that makes me believe with God on our side we can do anything. I just hope one day in my life or to see you in concert but it doesn’t seem like you don’t like to travel to Ca. I also shared my book and gave to someone in need to help spread the word. Thanks Jeremy for sharing and giving me hope when I was I’m my lowest place. God is amazing and as long as we still believe we will be okay.
Katherine says
Your story here reminded me of the times when I sat beside my fiance’s bedside and we prayed and worshiped and he rested while I read scriptures. God is ever so faithful. My fiance went to be with the Lord 6 1/2 years ago… and I am so grateful for the 6 1/2 years we shared together, for the good time, the hard times, and especially (not that I could see it then) for the times we shared as he battled kidney cancer. They are all precious memories. One of the last things he told me was “thank you for loving me and showing me Jesus” I will see him again! PTL!
It’s never something we’d wish on anyone but the lessons and the growth and the reliance on the Lord to see us through and his mercy and compassion we feel ever so near are treasures in the storms of life.
So many need to hear that we truly serve a faithful God who doesn’t give us more than we can handle, but handles what he gives us as we walk with Him.
Stephanie Spencer says
“I remember that day when she took her last breath. God spoke to my heart and said I want you to stand up and worship me. And I did. I stood up even though it was the hardest thing I ever did. I lifted my hands – at that point, I remember understanding obedience. Even in the midst of hardships. And understanding that no matter what we go through, He is worthy to be praised.” WOW. I cannot fathom that moment. That you were able to worship IN THAT MOMENT. That is beautiful faith. Thank you for sharing your story.
Gerry says
May God continue to bless and use you Jeremy, you are such an encouragement. I remember you at Calvary Chapel Huntington Beach..may God wrap His arms around you and keep you in his care.
Vanessa says
I’m from Brazil and found the free chapter book on the internet and simply loved it. When I went to USA in September I got the hole book!! It’s amazing how God uses that to talk with me.. I shared with all my friends and we are sorry it doesn’t have a portuguese version!! Bye, God bless u and your family with all kind of blessings!!
Stephanie says
I still believe too…….thanks Jeremy Camp. I give all my Praise,Honor,and Glory to Jesus Christ our blessed Hope even when the hurts of this world make it hard to just breathe.
Jess says
This is why Jeremy Camp was #1 on my “people I want to meet in person” list. So glad to have that wish granted in August! This story God has given you has power, keep telling it!
Kayla Eads says
Hello jeremy…. I had the pleasure of meeting you and your family back in 2006 at one of your fathers sermons.. I just want to say thank you for being an inspiration to millions and for praying for my sons father jake Lewandowski even through his bad choices.. I wish you and your family all the best and may god bless you wherever life takes you….I look forward to seeing you,your wife, and your children again in the future …..
Michelle Smith says
Thanks so much for sharing your story Jeremy. I think that it is often in our darkest moments, that we really come to know Christ, and to learn to rely on only Him. I know how hard that lesson can be. I am still learning it – regularly!!
LouAnn says
I am anxious to read your book and hear what God has been teaching you. I remember going through the 6 weeks that followed my moms cancer diagnosis until she went to heaven — and seeing God’s hand over and over in putting the pieces together before we even knew that we needed those puzzle pieces. God was faithful in that time and it helps me to remember that today.
Bits & Pieces (1/31/12) | Better Things Ahead says
[…] I Still Believe – Jeremy Camp shares some of his story about worshiping amidst the trials of life. […]
Avitac says
I have read your book Jeremy, and my heart has been touched in more ways than you will ever know. Through the tears and laughter, I have gained a greater understanding of God’s love. when you are His, you are His there’s no changing that. Problems, heartaches can overwhelm us and can cause us to feel that God is far from us, but God our creator is eternally with us. He keeps His promise and will see us through no matter how difficult life is. You are indeed blessed and so is everyone who obeys Him.
Rebecca from France says
Jeremy is so inspiring!:) ThanKS for sharing jeremy!
Melissa’s testimony is also such an encouragement!
My brother lost his wife at 23 from Cancer a few years ago , the fact that God blessed Jeremy with his ministry, with a new amazing wife in Addie , and 3 beautiful kids gives me hope for my brother.
And guys , Addie is certainly special to Jeremy , he’s saying that at the time it was the love of his love , and Addie knows what Jeremy went through and knows Melissa will always hold a special place in his heart forever, it’s a complexe place to be for Addie I’m sure but she’s a gracious one just what Jeremy needed.
I haven’t read the book yet though , will soon hopefully!:)
In Christ,
Becca
Andrea says
“I remember that day when she took her last breath. God spoke to my heart and said I want you to stand up and worship me. And I did. I stood up even though it was the hardest thing I ever did. I lifted my hands – at that point, I remember understanding obedience. Even in the midst of hardships. And understanding that no matter what we go through, He is worthy to be praised.”
In the midst of our troubles we sometimes forget that they are always for our good and His glory. Thank you for staying obedient and doing the hard thing, and especially for sharing your story. Thank you.
saturday surfing | not consumed says
[…] Does your heart want to hear a beautiful love story? Grab a box of tissues and read this interview with Jeremy Camp…I still believe. […]