A NEW YEAR!
A NEW SONG!
by Barbara Chadwick

52 matches. That's how many matches the ESword Bible program gives (in the Holman version) for "Sing a new song"

That's what I'd like to do in this new year of 2012.

The stanzas for my song in 2011 included grief, change, frustration and illness. There were blessings to be sure - but I didn't pay as much attention to the blessings as I did to all the rest.

Some of the old songs bless my soul and fill my eyes with tears.  I will always return to them. But somehow, I sing them - then return to discouragement, depression and disillisionment.

But in my everyday life this new year I'd like to make stanzas of encouragement, love, positive words and hope.

God, I will sing a new song to you. I will play on a ten-stringed harp for you. Psalm 144:9 (HCSB)
(I will probably play my new song on the 88 strings of my grand piano though!)

The Most Wonderful Event In History!
by Barbara Chadwick




Today is Audrey's birthday. What a treasure she's been. What a gift!

One week before she was born I felt - well, fat mostly! - but also I felt an inner joy for the life I was carrying inside of me. I felt an awe that I would soon hold in my arms this treasure growing in me. I was excited and a little impatient. But there was a calm assurance that God was in control.

I wonder what Mary felt the week before Jesus was born?

In the beginning the angel Gabriel had called her, "favored woman" (Luke 1:28)  Her cousin, Elizabeth, had called her, "blessed" (Luke 1:42)

I believe she also felt - well fat mostly! - but above all, awe, wonder and a calm assurance that God had orchestrated this most wonderful event in all of history!