Category: Seasonal

The Joy Set Before: What’s Driving You Forward?

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Written on 3/30/2026

I’m cruising at 31,000 feet, overlooking the spine of the Appalachians. Heaven knows I’m still stunned by this career page turn – relieved and excited as I may be.

Am I anxious? Sure. After all, this is only my second week at a new job, with many faces to meet and much to learn. At the same time, I’m reminded of why I’m in this situation – and, in four words, why any of us are here at all:

The joy set before.

For some of us, we read these words and instantly think of Hebrews 12:2: “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Fair enough as apart from foreshadowing samples in Psalm 16 and Psalm 110, this is the only direct mention of the phrase in Scripture.

Still, we must be careful with context. For instance, as a younger Christian, I often misinterpreted this passage, thinking the cross – the fruit of Christ’s mission – was the joy set before Him; however, as I now understand, the joy set before Christ was exaltation with the Father in the presence of a redeemed people.

You see, the ultimate sacrifice – the necessity of reconciliation – is only half the story. The other half is the eternal invitation we have with God, in the presence of Jesus, who endured the cross as a prerequisite.

Accordingly, the joy set before us should not be limited to our sins being atoned for but should extend to thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Understandably, there is a temptation to base Easter joy primarily on the freedom we have in Christ because of His death and resurrection. Yet, if we are to grow into the likeness of Christ – if we desire to deepen our gratitude for that freedom – we must celebrate where it ultimately leads: the throne room where Jesus resides today and will forever.

What about the part where we “despise the shame” of the cross?

Again, referencing Hebrews 12, we find the answer. Christ did not detest Calvary but rather anything that threatened the joy of redemption – the public humiliation, disgrace, and intense suffering of crucifixion. In full submission to His mission, Jesus never faltered in obedience to the Father or in the intimacy that obedience required. In all He accomplished – in heart and in word – Jesus not only kept joy at the center of His hope but expressed love as the currency of every cost He counted.

Even as a child, Jesus knew where He was going. Unlike most journeys with a fixed endpoint, Christ’s destination was less static and more perpetual, saving those He loved and sanctifying them from His Father’s right hand. In essence, the joy set before Christ was His Father’s house: a dwelling from which He could save from an exalted place, draw near to the brokenhearted, and prepare a place for them.

Yes, Jesus anticipated completion (i.e., “It is finished”), but what He truly desired was to give people the opportunity to experience what He knew – to invite them into a place where pain and strife fade into glory.

My question to you, my friends, is simple: Is joy set before you? If not, what is? What is driving you, calling you, fueling your purpose?

Whatever your answers, let the cross be a prompt to recalibrate your perspective – your heart, and all the aims and burdens you carry. Do not let them drift. Instead, let them compel you to look to Jesus, not just as the founder of your faith, but as the restorer of your faith, who purifies your sin and shame, from where joy was, and still is, set before you.

Selah.

Cover photos creds: Shutterstock

Key to Freedom: A Farewell to Mercy Multiplied

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My mind is racing as I behold a cherry blossom shower outside my office window. Heaven knows I will miss this visual as long as I have a career and a nameplate. With whom I’ve conversed with and to what I’ve learned within this space, I will always be grateful.

Still, the bell tolls for transition. There’s so much I wish I could say, so little time. But with wisdom in tow, often less is more. After all, this isn’t the same Cam who left his prior gig, who crashed out under the weight of burnout and bereavement grief. No, this is a new day fueled by fresh perspective and humble beginnings having aged well. With broadened scope, I proceed with gratitude, praising God for what He has done and how He has led.

Granted, this doesn’t mean I’m unruffled within the timing. After a decade in state government and four years at a private nonprofit accounting firm, I expected this season to last longer. Considering my vocational arc, an Accounting Manager opportunity in a ministry non-profit setting made sense. Yet, as I’ve sought the Lord, He has settled and focused my mind onto a critical concept – His use of the ‘lifeboat’ season.

What is a ‘lifeboat’ season? In short, it’s a relatively shorter stretch of time when God moves and matures us from and/or through chaos to sharpen our reliance. Like a bridge or connector between longer, more pronounced periods, a lifeboat season is more than a transient résumé stop but a recalibrating place where God purifies, rehabs, and in some cases, accelerates us to higher ground. If you’ve ever experienced a two-in-one type year with accelerant meeting the growth track, chances are you were in a lifeboat, a gifted opportunity to discover and recover.

In many ways, this is why I can smile when reflecting on my 28 months at Mercy Multiplied. Despite a decent amount of corporate transition during my tenure, the Lord proved faithful in connecting me to the right people at the right time. To the extent I endured, to that extent I sensed my contributions steadying the course during critical moments. The cross-departmental endeavors, the ability to improve systems, the capacity to learn from the past and on-the-go simultaneously, the privilege to mentor a younger associate, these are only a few of the perks I’ll miss moving forward.  

To Keli Haymes and Hanna Noel, thank you for not only bringing me on board but ushing me into a foreign culture with grace while helping me discover my voice. To Patrick Bates and Kathryne Coonce, thank you for the quality guidance and tag-teaming in helping me finish my first year strong. To Melanie Wise, Erin Gentry, Rachel Bedenbaugh, Lauren Hobar, Stephanie Levesque, Jessica Jackson, Julie Bowsher, Canaan Lucas, Caronda Williams, Wendy Nichols, Sharon Manuel, Shantray Smith, Cindi Hagen, Melody Morris, Brittany Porter, thank you for the ways you’ve encouraged me over the years while entertaining my budget/accounting inquiries. Jessica, to you especially, thank you for the patient partnering and bridge-building of late. Working together within God’s ministry of reconciliation, who knew how much adventure we’d find! To Meaghan Briggs, watching your leadership evolution has been a highlight the past year. I wish you nothing but the best as you continue co-captaining the ship!

To Danae Dalbey, Hayley Freels, Adelein Nichols, Ana Holland, Mikaela Moore, Pachion Moore, Katelyn Sehl, Sarah Vaughn, Whitney Robinson, Whitney Thomas, Kristen Mahy, Dawne Shew, Loryann Sanchez, Shakayla Hall, the CWC/KTF support staff, current home staff, as well as all California home alum, I salute you and your hustle in getting things done with professional efficiency! Your effort and the brightness through which it shines, both past and present tense, is worthy of applause.

To the few, the proud, the men of Mercy, Jim Melton, DJ Tidwell, Jonathan Myrick, Daniel Reed, I can’t thank you enough for the laughs, the lunches, and the camaraderie behind the scenes. No question, it was very much needed. Here’s to not being strangers as we voyage into the great beyond.

To Ashton Nawas, holy smokes, I could not have excelled without your ‘safety net’ presence. What a joy it was to work with you and the Inflammo team these past few years! Same shout-out to Blankenship, especially Tommy Wooten for carrying us through some grueling audits! No question, I learned a great deal from you and your teams in the realm of financial storytelling.

Circling back to Jonathan, words only go so far in conveying how proud I am of who you are and the character you’ve modeled since you joined the Mercy team. You can take it to the bank, I will greatly miss the collaboration, the troubleshooting, and serving alongside you in the trenches. Your loyalty and steadfastness tandem is off the charts and has been an inspiration to many. You’re in good hands with Danielle and I look forward to hearing how God uses you and Katy in the years ahead!

And so, there you have it. With a full heart and misty eyes, I sign off on this assignment. I’ve fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race, and I’ve kept the faith. No regrets, no hard feelings. Just love and simply Jesus. Time to flip the page and let the Master Author pen a new chapter.

For the last time on this ground, I toast in triumph…

Lord, have Mercy.

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Commit, Then Trust: A Key to Life in 2026

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Well, folks. A new year is upon us. Time to take inventory of the good, the bad, and yes, the awesome!

For some, 2025 was a rough year, easily worth leaving behind; for others, the year wasn’t so bad, perhaps the kind one can build from. Regardless of the narrative, there’s a way to find footing and advance with confidence into the new year. While the steps are unique depending on the person and situation, there exists a holy outline from which we can corporately adhere; hence, why I’m sparing no time (and expense) in publishing this post.

As always, let’s dive in…

Some of you may recall last year’s post, in which I challenged us to invite God into our midst and request a divine reset. This year, my thoughts are more centered on the notion presented to us in Psalm 37:5 and Proverbs 16:3.

  • “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” ~ Psalm 37:5
  • “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” ~ Proverbs 16:3

Assessing these two passages¹, one quickly notes how these passages emphasize ‘commit’; specifically, we’re not called to trust God, then commit our ways, but to commit our ways and let God establish our steps as we trust. To me, this order is more than significant; it’s a complete game-changer. Often, when we perceive our faith as ‘half-mast’, we assume we must raise it to ‘full’ before we can ask God for anything, be it clarity, an intervention, or a modicum of peace. However, that’s not at all what the Psalmist is suggesting.

Rather, his imploration for us is to commit our ways to the Lord, regardless of how we feel, and marvel as He reveals and straightens our paths. Granted, this doesn’t mean the journey will be easy or lack detours and scenic routes. Certainly, there may be times when we struggle out of the gate, get off track, and/or wander into uncalled/unchartered territory; however, the beauty of committing our way unto the Lord is not only its simple starting point but in its liberating follow-through. If you ever wonder what you have to lose by clinging to Jesus, the answer is always a detriment to where you want to go and, more importantly, who you are designed to be. I’m looking at you, pride, ego, fear, jealousy, and anger, just to name a few.

I don’t know about you, but I desire to tap into holy curiosity more in 2026 than ever before. Sometimes, I succumb to partial surrender and stray from steadfast belief. It happens to the best of us. Yet, as long as I have breath, I long to praise the Lord from a heart that desires integrity and congruity in all things.

God save me from the places, even curses of old, that sought to discourage me past the point of fair application. Keep me steady on the straight and narrow, so I may be vertically anchored while pointing people to Jesus as the appropriate steps are taken. I may not fully grasp how the journey has evolved, I may not know where I’m going, and I may struggle with occasional distractions. But Christ in me, the hope of glory, I will not give up on the God who doesn’t give up on me. I may not understand the next move or where I’m at; however, I can still choose to reset and abide in you as I pour out my aims, goals, and hurts.

To those who felt 2025 was a ‘step back’ kind of year, I want to encourage you not to lose hope, to seek help and wisdom, and to abandon any internal space where hate and pride may be marinating. I say this as one who struggled last year, believing the lie that God abandoned him through the saints and past vocational misplacements.

Yet, as one who is back in counseling for the first time post-Jubilee, I employ you, my friends, not to grow weary. By all means, in prayer, and with God, don’t be overcome by evil or withhold love to your brother. Instead, confess hope, encourage each other, and press onward with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. From there, pause, be still, and watch what God will do. You got this, as hard as it may be to believe right now.

He will renew your strength, revive your bones, and reset your course. All you have to do is submit and surrender.

Cover graphic creds: AI iStock/Canva

Footnotes

  1. Also see Proverbs 16:9; Psalm 32:8

Year in Review: A Look Back at 2025

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Normally, I savor the opportunity to recap a year, to recount 12 months’ worth of Fry-lights; however, so much has been hitting differently these days. Since I still believe in the practice, I’ll forge ahead, but for the record, this will likely be a prequel to a more upbeat sequel next December. Consider that a life forecast of sorts.

On paper, there’s not much to highlight, at least personally. While last year starred as a bounce-back with arrows pointing up, this year saw more of the opposite. Support systems faded, turnstiles were active, and former friends and colleagues fell off the map. Like any annual review, there’s much I could say about what went right and what went wrong. For now, less is more. I’m still standing, encouraged in how I’m postured heading into 2026 and by faith, declare it to be a banner year during which three and a half years of net spiraling will cease. A new Refuge Center odyssey awaits; heavenly Father, open up the floodgates!

For Lys and the kids, 2025 was a step-in-the-right-direction kind of year, especially on the education front. After completing a strong three-semester run at Arrows Academy Tutorial in May, we applied for scholarships to return Caeden and Everly to Greater Things Christian School. By God’s grace, we not only enrolled Caeden and Everly at Greater Things but also found the right school and accommodations for Milo to begin at Kingston Springs Elementary. A huge set of wins for our family at large!

With the older three in a Monday-Friday routine, Lys has been able to find new rhythms of her own. Despite an unexpected pregnancy, she stayed on board as a teacher at Arrows Academy while starting a TikTok affiliate marketing business in August and assisting me with the communications at our local church. As a mom, she continues to amaze me with how she enhances family morale. Like me, the bereavement grief is still active and at times, intense; however, her progression in recent years has benefited many who have engaged her story.  No question, her life continues to touch and inspire many.

Among the year’s milestones, two stand out: 

  1. On April 27, we dedicated Everly, Milo, and Aili at The Gate Church after years of delay thanks to COVID-19 and our year at the NICU. We are grateful to see how our kids have responded spiritually, despite the trauma they’ve faced. Much appreciation to Greater Things and The Gate’s Children Ministry for investing so much life and truth into them.
  2. On December 17, we welcomed the arrival of Jori Grace who now completes our family circle. As our second rainbow baby, we’re eager to nurture this life while watching God move through her as she grows and develops. 

Concerning passion projects, there are several big news items on the board, though currently on hold. Currently, Lys and I anticipate the launch of Jubilee’s Hope as an incorporated non-profit by this time next year. With three NICU outreaches under our belt, raising a total of almost $8,000 combined, we plan to ‘umbrella’ future endeavors by providing NICU families with resources, spiritual support, and even household support during their respective journeys. As for Jubilee’s book, I’m happy to report that after months of searching, I’ve found an editor who will help take my manuscript to the next level. A promising development to complement the nonprofit dream!

Regarding ministerial assignments, Lys and I paused our virtual While We’re Waiting support group in November to pursue greater healing. With a new lead, we hope to transition and tag-team this into an on-site group during the second half of next year. As for His Girl Fryday, we shattered our prior hit mark with ~12,750 views in 2025 and hope to build upon that momentum. With more podcasts on tap in 2026, we’re hopeful our voice will find root in other outlets from our home base in Messenger Fellowship to new arenas.

As always, to you and yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas a Happy New Year!

~ Cameron, Lyssah, Caeden, Everly, Milo, Jubilee, Aili, and Jori Fry

Cover graphic creds: Advent Transportation

Road to Closure: A Fond Farewell to Centennial

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I’m strolling this corridor at Tristar Centennial, a place I never thought I’d see or walk again. Yesterday’s arrival of Jori Grace, our Little Bag Fry, our second rainbow, reminding us that the surprises of God, regardless of how we initially interpret them, are nevertheless extensions of His faithfulness. 

Unbeknownst to Lys and I coming into Jori’s birthday was the fact she would arrive the exact place in the same room where Jubilee debuted.

December 17, 2025

August 21, 2021

As you might suspect, this entrance was deeply and multi-emotional. Practically impossible to not think where things were four years ago. So much has changed, so much has progressed, so much new, so much next. 

As I’ve considered the time warp, I’ve latched onto a single word that has a precedence of peace. That word is ‘closure’. 

What does the Bible say about closure, closed loops, closing the gap, etc.? 

When we talk about closure, we’re often discussing what it means to find God’s grace and strength to endure, to discover His power in the context of forgiveness, perseverance, receiving help, ultimately turning and realigning to Jesus. 

It’s a word that merits a Christian worldview, since the world frames peace and good tidings primarily as functions of comfort, self-preservation, even open doors to better opportunities. However, in Scripture, we find similar evidence in God guiding us not only through new doors but closed doors

For example, I know it’s highly likely I will never be a guest patient at Centennial again. A somber thought since Lys and I have experienced so much life here. ‘Tis been a place where we’ve always felt vertically anchored, even if we were compelled into the posture.  Understandably, there’s a bit of melancholia in this birthing episode as redemption arches, past and present, meet a local farewell. 

Still, I’m encouraging by a certain notion. Anytime new life is given, we’re not just obliged into exuberant gratitude but to commit/recommit ourselves to the call we have to nurture that life in the ways of God, in the likeness of Christ. We may not feel like we have what need to navigate the struggle we encounter, as this season reminds us, we still have Jesus, with us and for us. 

So, whether I reference scars with onsite origin or those fresh within Lys who fielded her third c-section in four years, we recognize this renewed race as part of God’s work of restoration. And as this special time of year reminds us, where there’s restoration, there can be anticipation for what is good, given the source and omni-nature of Immanuel, in loss and pain, to life as fresh gain. 

To Centennial, it’s been real to the sweetest effect. I bid you all the fondest adieu and to the rest of you…

Cover photo creds: The Business Journals