Why Do I Sing About Jesus?

by Barbara Chadwick

 

Sometimes when I think about Jesus - about His goodness to me; then about His mercy and grace to me - I try to analyze and reason it out. Here are some reasons:

He loves me:  

             We love because He first loved us. 1John 4:19   

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  1John 4:10 

He saves me:

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him

            shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16 

           The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I  

           will praise him.  Exodus 15:2

         
          But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.  Psalm 13:5
 
          The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold
          of  my life— of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm  27:1 

         Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my
         strength and my song;  He has become my salvation.  Isaiah 12:2 

         Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by
         which we must be saved.   Acts 4:12 

He knows me:
        
         But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 
         Job 23:10

         … He understands and knows me… declares the LORD.  Jeremiah 9:24 

He sees me:    

         …You are the God who sees me… Genesis 16:13

His eyes are on the ways of men; He sees their every step.  Job 34:21 

            When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me.   John 12:45 

The song, Why Do I Sing About Jesus  by Albert A. Ketchum has become precious to me. 

Chorus:
Why do I sing about Jesus? Why is He precious to me? 
He is my Lord and my Savior; dying He set me free!

Verse 1:

Deep in my heart there’s a gladness; Jesus has saved me from sin! 
Praise to His name, what a Savior! Cleansing without and within!

Verse2:

Only a glimpse of His goodness; that was sufficient for me.
Only one look at the Savior; then was my spirit set free.

Chorus:

Why do I sing about Jesus? Why is He precious to me? 
He is my Lord and my Savior; dying He set me free!

Celebrate Jesus

by Barbara Chadwick

Recently we went to Dallas Jackson's first birthday party. He is one of our great-grandchildren. What a cutie. When it came time for the cake his dad stripped him down to his diaper, sat him on a plastic tablecloth on the floor and put the cake in front of him. He put his hand on the cake and, of course, it was covered with frosting. He looked at his hand then started crying. His dad wiped his hand and the action was repeated! Lots of smiles and laughter from all of us, "how cute!" remarks and lots of pictures taken. Throughout the party a DVD showed pictures of his life and the people who surround him.

We are celebrating Jesus' birthday this week. What if we celebrated each word picture we have of Jesus instead of focusing on what presents to give or what we'll get?

     The baby Jesus in the manger
     the 12 year old Jesus in the temple
     Jesus at the wedding in Cana
     All the scenes of Jesus showing mercy and grace to people
     At the end when He promises, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you...do not let   your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

He showed us how to love and treat others through the eyewitness accounts - the word pictures - if you will, of the gospels.

Let us celebrate His life and the incredible gift He is to us. Let us use our voices to encourage as He did, give as He gave, love as He loved.

On His birthday let us recall the pictures of His life.

Love Is What It's All About

by Barbara Chadwick

 

Have you finished your Christmas card list yet?

Last night I addressed 80 cards to women inmates incarcerated in a facility. Each one has a number and their number has to be on the front of the envelope.

As I was writing I was struck by the fact that Jesus knows them by name not by this number. Because of His great love He came into the world that beautiful night in Bethlehem for each one of these ladies just as He did for me. Isaiah 43:1 says:  Now this is what the Lord says – (I am)  the One who created you, Jacob, and the One who formed you – Israel. Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; You are mine.

These ladies in this facility are kept in cells – in bondage. This is a picture of all of us before we ask Him to forgive us and heal us. We are held by the chains that bind us until we call on the Wonderful Counselor, until we give our hearts to the King of Kings and until we bow down to the Prince of Peace.

They have made some wrong choices, as we all have. But God doesn’t leave us or forsake us. He’s still there when we call on Him.

Jesus says in John 10:28 that when we belong to Him,  No one can snatch them (us) out of His hand.

We were watching a movie last night after I finished the cards and the protagonist said, “Love is what it’s all about.”

Absolutely!  It’s all about how much He loves us.

NATIVITY SCENE by Barbara Chadwick

Is the nativity scene still special to you? 

Does it remind you of all that God has done for you?

Remember when God brought the Israelites out of Egypt? Remember how He parted the Red Sea and they walked across on dry land? Remember all that God did for them?  Then He told Moses to tell them:

On that day tell your son, 'I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand.  Exodus 13:8-9

When we see a Nativity scene we can remember that God loved us (His creation) SO much that He sent His only Son into the world to save us, to redeem us, to heal us and to lead us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. John 3:16

So if your Nativity scene is one from the Arctic Circle like the one below

Or a traditional one like the following

Let it be on your lips that the Nativity Scene is a sign to remind you that He loves you with an everlasting, awesome love!  And tell your children and everyone who comes into your home what it means.

Check out this out: The Nativity as seen by children = )

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=ki8EcnVbd-Q

CHRISTMAS REMEMBERING

by Barbara Chadwick

 

Putting up Christmas decorations some years has been a chore
and other years, like this one, it was a sweet remembering.

Our first year in seminary was pretty bleak financially speaking. We got by on $300 a month – a student missionary salary that school year of 1965-66. We would not be able to buy our three children Christmas gifts nor would we be able to get anything for each other.

From the kitchen window of seminary housing I saw a car pull up. I went to the door.

“Merry Christmas!  We have brought gifts from someone who wants to remain anonymous." The couple started bringing in gifts of all sizes. Some were wrapped in towels and sheets.  My eyes filled with tears.

When I remember that Christmas day in 1965 I echo what the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 1:3, I thank my God every time I remember you – whoever you are.

Paul often remembered others and how they touched his life; Romans 1:8 …I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you; Philippians 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy;  Philemon 1:4  I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers; 2 Timothy 1:3  I thank God, whom I serve,…as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Remembering how God  has reached down and touched our lives through other people and the blessings they brought to us fills our hearts with gratefulness and joy. We can only hope that we have passed it on.

            Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the sky a parchment made
           Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade
          To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry.
          Nor could the scroll contain the whole,  though stretched from sky to sky
              (Verse 3 from the hymn, The Love of God by F.M. Lehman 1917)

Our most elegant gift was Jesus Himself. From the manger to the tomb He touched lives with blessing, grace and joy.  We could never write a thank-you note that would equal that elegance.

We are reminded by James in chapter 1 verse 17 that…Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the first fruits of His creatures.

We finished putting up our Christmas decorations Thanksgiving weekend.  The angel on the top of the tree in the living room is the one we bought for our first Christmas 55 years ago. Every ornament brings a memory of a loved one or a place where God has used us in ministry.

What a journey!  Lord Jesus, thank you for the memories, the gifts and the blessings!
 

 

How Are You Failing to Die?

“How are you failing to die?” My friend Eva was so frustrated when the Siri on her phone texted that message instead of “How are you feeling?” to a friend who had just been in a hit a run accident. In real life we have plenty of opportunities to die but God in His great mercy has numbered our days and so death narrowly misses us.

But when I heard those words it got me to thinking about the words of the apostles in the New Testament:

1 Peter 2:24 He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed.

Colossians 3:10-17 Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these things in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator … but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore as God’s chosen people holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love … let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts … you were called to peace and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Do all … in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

So I ask myself … “How are you failing to die?” or rather, in view of God’s great mercies “Why are you failing to die? Are God’s kindnesses not good enough for you? Was His death for you not enough? Is the life you have in Him not exciting enough? Do you really need your old self? When you reach the end of your days will you be happy with what you’ve done? Will you be satisfied with the words and actions you kept and the ones you gave away?”

Oh God, please forgive me. Make me aware of the areas in my life where I’m not dying to myself; where I’m not living for you. Purify my heart, make it ever true; purify my heart may I be like You! Oh grant that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart would be acceptable and pleasing to You, O God, my Lord and my Redeemer. Help me to NOT fail to die!

TUNE YOUR EARS

by Barbara Chadwick

“I've found that listening to my drill instructors has given me a unique angle to look at following Christ. Just as I need to tune my ears to hear MY drill instructor's voice out of a crowd of yelling D.I.'s and obey him, we must listen for Christ's voice and learn to tune our ears to hear the Master - out of a host of voices blathering for our attention.” Kenneth Ryan Chadwick US Marine wrote to his parents during his Boot Camp training.

 Jesus said, My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. John 10:27

 The phone rang and when I answered a voice said,

“Hi, Grandma.” 
“Hello, How are you?”
“Well, I’m not doing so good right now.”
“Which grandson is this?”
“Michael.”
“What’s up?”
“I need your help.”
“I don’t know if you knew but I’m on vacation down here in Mexico, and some of us went out for a few drinks last night and we ended up in jail and I need your help.”
“Hold on I’m going to have you talk to your grandfather.”
As I handed the phone to my husband I said, “It’s Michael but it doesn’t sound like him.”
So my husband, Kenneth, took the phone.
“Hello.”
The person repeated his story.
Kenneth said, “What is your name?”
“Michael.”
“What is your full name?”
“Michael Chadwick.”
“You’re not my grandson.”
“What?”
“You’re not my grandson.” And Kenneth hung up.

 You see, he didn’t know Michael’s full name. He didn’t know that Michael doesn’t drink and He didn’t know that we, the grandparents, take a dim view of drinking.  He didn’t know that Michael loves his wife and wouldn’t go on vacation without her. And a biggie – he didn’t realize that we know the sound of Michael’s voice. We talk to him often.

“How can we know whether we’re hearing the voice of God?”

·         Scripture  All scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may thoroughly equipped for every good work.  II Timothy 3:16-17

·         The Holy Spirit speaking to our heart  This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. Hebrews 8:10

·         The Prophetic (Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom, Personal Prophecy) Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. I Thessalonians 5:19-21

·         Godly Counsel   For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.  Proverbs 11:14

·         Confirmation  But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’  Matthew 18:16

·         The Peace of God  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  Colossians 3:15

·         Circumstance/Timing   After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them and because he was a tentmaker, as they were, he stayed and worked with them.  Acts 18:1-3 (This relationship between Paul, Aquila and Priscilla - which happened as a result of circumstances – became one of the most important strategic partnerships in the book of Acts.)”

(from Craig von Buseck, Ministries Director for CBN.com)

 

So talk to God often. (i.e. Pray) Read His word often. Know His teachings. And let us,  “tune our ears to hear the Master - out of a host of voices blathering for our attention.”

Why Were You Not Moses?

by Barbara Chadwick

I give you excerpts from two books. Both speak of being who God created you to be. We are sometimes tempted to “try on” someone’s character or personality that we admire. It never works -  try as we might. It is awkward, unnatural. The reason is because we were made to be unique and in the image of God, the Creator for a purpose. There have been gazillions of humans since the beginning of time and not one of them has been duplicated because God has had a different plan for every individual.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

From In The Eye Of The Storm by Max Lucado

 “He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the ground.

            All were silent as the Creator reached in himself and removed something yet unseen. ‘It’s called choice. The see of choice’

            Within the man, God had placed a divine seed.  A seed of his self. The God of might had created.... And the One who had chosen to love had created one who could love in return.”
         

From Living Your Strengths: Discover Your God Given Talents by Albert L. Winseman, Donald O. Clifton and Curt Liesveld

The author tells the Hasidic story of the Rabbi Zusya:

“In the coming world, they will not ask me: ‘Why were you not Moses?’  They will ask me” Why were you not Zusya?’” 

The author continues “That is God’s question to each of us as well. We are not expected to be who we are not. We are expected to be who we are.”

So with your quirks and your talents, your tics and your gifts God will use you to do just what He created you to do.

Billy Hanks said that God can use us if we will just be FAT.  That is, Faithful, Available and Teachable.

To accomplish the plan He has for you,  just be FAT. He will bless your efforts  and use you  to honor His Name.

The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of Your hands. Psalm 138:8

SEE YOU SOON

by Barbara Chadwick

I hope to see you soon and we will talk face to face, the apostle John writes to his friend, Gaius, in   3 John verse 14.  And in 2 John verse 12 he says, I hope to visit with you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

We often say something similar to good friends or close family on the phone or in an email. The communion we have as family is sweet but when we have the additional tie in Christ Jesus it is very special indeed.  The sharing of love and faith between friends and family cannot be compared to anything else.

Gill says of this love that it is, “an evidence of regeneration; it is the bond of perfectness, and what renders the saints’ communion delightful and edifying.”

The apostle John mentions love 42 times in the books of 1st, 2^nd and 3^rd John. And Paul says in Hebrews 13:1,  Keep on loving each other as brothers. When we love someone we want to be with them. It makes our joy complete.

And now I share with you the Doxology from Jude verses 24-25:  To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!

I remember, as a child, that anticipation rising up within my heart as we would near a loved one’s home. Sometimes it seemed as if I would burst – the joy and knowledge of sharing a special bond of love. Won’t it be glorious when we come into heaven and greet those in Christ who have gone on before us?! Will we have that anticipation as we near those pearly gates? I hope so.

See you soon!

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BE A CHRISTIAN?

 

 

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts the top off and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

 

(Larry Wauson shared this with me. I like it and I share it with you.)

JOY IN SERVING

           













It’s 20 degrees and snowing today!

Have you noticed how it can be 20 degrees with
snow everywhere cold as all get out but if the sun
begins to shine, the snow begins to melt?  Amazing!

How can it melt at 20 degrees? The warmth of the light penetrates.

Sometimes in our churches we have people who seem to be living at 20 degrees! No radiance in
their faces. No joy evident.

Last week at practice the Praise Team talked about the faces they look out at on Sunday morning.

To be sure there are some whose faces shine in their worship. However, they often see scowls and frowns, bored and listless faces and people not singing but looking around, (seemingly critically) at the other people.

One on the Praise Team said she was very discouraged and didn’t know if she would continue because some of the others on the Team were not giving their best or even halfway participating.

At a Potluck dinner a woman washing dishes said that was the last time she would wash dishes because no one else bothered to help.

We must remember that if we’re doing/serving to please other people or to rack up points, we’re doing/serving for the wrong reason. If we do and serve for the glory of God it doesn’t matter what anyone else does.

So - discouragement, critical spirits and weariness. Does the Bible speak to this?

The apostle Paul said in Gal 6:9,  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

And Jesus said, As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love…. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you…You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit…This is my command: love each other. 

John 15:9, 11-12, 16-17

John Gill says in his Exposition of the Entire Bible:

Heb 13:1  Let brotherly love continue. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions add, "in you"; or among you, as a church..., and as Christ hath loved us;  when it is genuine, it is active and laborious; and shows itself in praying with and for one another; in bearing one another's burdens; in forbearing and forgiving one another; in admonishing one another in love; in building up each other in the most holy faith and in stirring up one another; this is an evidence of regeneration; it is the bond of perfectness, …the comfort and joy of Gospel ministers, and our own peace and edification: and this should continue; for the love of God and Christ continues; One of the Jewish prayers is to this purpose; "he that dwells in this house, let him plant among you  "brotherhood and love", (or brotherly love,) peace and friendship.''  

I pray that the Light of the "Son" will penetrate and melt our hearts and give radiance to our faces.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

…And It Was Very Good

By Barbara Chadwick

 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth…  Genesis 1:1

 In that first chapter of Genesis we have the account of how God began the creation.  He created the heavens and the earth and light. In verse 4 it says …and God saw the light, that it was good! Yes! My mother says that from the time I was born I would cry when the light was turned off. Light is good.

He continues. Next, God separated the light from the darkness and called the light day and the darkness night.  He made the firmament and divided the waters. He called the dry land earth and the waters seas.  Then in verse 10 we see that,  God saw that it was good!

He called forth grass and herbs and fruit trees and in verse 12: God saw that it was good! Then God made the sun to rule the day, the moon to rule the night and stars in the sky and in verse 18 – And God saw that it was good! 

He put living creatures in the seas and birds in the sky and in verse 21 – And God saw that it was good.

He put living creatures and beasts upon the earth and in verse 25  - God saw that it was good.  Each time we see deer or moose grazing on our property we enjoy it as if it were the first time.

In verse 27  God created man in His own image… male and female He created them. And finally in the last verse of chapter 1 – Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good!

Did you ever wonder if He created the earth in the Fall?  There are brilliant colors across our mountains right now. It is, indeed, a very good sight!

O LORD, our Lord, How excellent is Your Name in all the earth…When I consider Your heavens and the work of Your fingers…What is man that you are mindful of him? Psalm 8:1

ENSALZAR

By Barbara Chadwick

 

This morning there was a piece of paper on my desk with the word, ensalzar written on it. (I am working to refresh my Spanish.  Ensalzar is a Spanish word meaning to extol, exalt, or to magnify.

This week-end a group called Christian Challenge from UNC (University of Northern Colorado) came to our house in the mountains for a retreat. There were 26 freshmen through seniors. So our usually quiet house was filled with laughter and action!

Since we go to bed pretty early – we were already there – in bed – when they had their evening devotional time – their singing, reading God’s Word and reflecting on it time. It was great to hear their voices ring out with enthusiasm and sweet to hear their harmonies with the guitars leading.  Some were new Christians but the desire of all to magnify the Lord in their lives was evident in their words, actions and treatment of each other. 

It is a beautiful thing to see young people – the future of our country – studying scripture together in love with excitement and enthusiasm. Paul tells Timothy to in I Timothy 4:7.

Throughout the Bible we see examples of God using young people to take His message to the world.  David, Jonathon, Samuel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Mary, and Timothy are some examples.

In I Timothy 4:7 young Timothy is told to, train yourself to be godly and in 2 Timothy 1:6,  fan into flame the gift of God… Then in chapter 2 verses 22-24, Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace…Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because they produce quarrels. The Lord’s servant must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. And in I Timothy 4:12, Paul tells Timothy to, set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 

When we do these things, regardless of our age, we “ensalzar” our Lord and Savior.

Throughout the week-end we heard these students extolling the character of God, exalting the Word of God and magnifying His Name. May their tribe increase!

GOD'S CREATIVITY IS AWESOME!

This past week I had two walks that showcased God’s awesome creation:

Wednesday:  I walked with my sister Ruth and her husband John from their house in San Pedro, CA to the Cabrillo Beach pier. Every few steps we greeted people as we passed palm trees, houses facing the Los Angeles harbor and lots of cars.  There were  people fishing from the pier and across on the jetty were hundreds of pelicans also preparing to swoop down to fish out of the ocean.  Thousands of sea gulls proudly strutted around. A huge machine raked the beach, cleaning up the sea weed and other debris the waves had washed up overnight. It was foggy so we heard fog horns in the distance and the slosh of kayaks nearby. It was already in the 80’s on the way to high 90’s with humidity at 78 percent! It seemed like I could feel the air. I was already sweating at sea level!

On the way home I commented that God’s creativity is awesome!  This busy beachfront scene contrasted sharply to the scene out our windows in the Colorado mountains and to the desert and the Grand Canyon we flew over on the flight to Los Angeles. I don’t believe a “Big Bang” could have given us such diversity and beauty!

Saturday:  My husband Kenneth and I walked up Mic Mac street to Flathead drive. (On the way back I decided they named it Flathead drive in order to keep from being overly serious! Because it is straight up!) He continued to Elk Horn drive and Ottawa Way then home.  I, however, not being conditioned like he is, turned around to come home after one mile! 

My sneakers crunched on the rocky dirt streets. I heard the wind in the pines and the shushing of the aspen leaves shaking in the cool breeze. I passed a brook gurgling down the hill. A deer made its way through the forest cracking a limb on the forest floor. Little chipmunks scampered over the boulders. White clouds wafted by in a deep blue sky. There was no one else walking and I heard no other voices.  It was a beautiful tranquil scene.  It was 55 degrees on the way to 65 and 10 percent humidity in this almost 9,000 feet thin air. My heart was getting a good workout but I was cool.

I reflected on the difference of this Colorado mountain morning to the walk to the CA beach.  Isaiah says,  This is what the God the Lord says – He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk on it…  Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices… Let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the Lord and proclaim His praise in the islands. Isaiah 42:5; 10-12

FRAGRANCE

By Barbara Chadwick

 

 

I opened the window the other day and said, “Oh, it smells like rain!”  I saw the rain across the valley and soon it came across to our house.  The pine and aspen trees were washed clean. Dust was settled on the road and dirt was washed off the car. The fragrance it left behind was sweet and clean.

Fragrance is one of the most acute senses in the human body.  I remember being in the canned foods section of a grocery store when I smelled an awful smell. When I went around the corner I realized it came from this man who was standing there. It was hard not to react. By contrast, I passed a woman in the frozen food section and delighted in her perfume.

We can recall particular smells that remind us of home and loved ones.  Audrey, (our daughter) called one day from England where they were stationed at RAF Lakenheath. She said she was so homesick she could even smell my perfume!

The Bible says our prayers are a fragrant aroma to God.  David Schrock says, “We do not come before God in our own name. On our own, our works are an aroma of death and dung before God. But in Christ, our prayers are a pleasing scent to God. He delights for you and I to come and speak with Him, because he ‘smells’ His Son on us.”

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.  2 Corinthians 2:14-16 

Barnes Notes (a Bible commentary) says, “the word ‘aroma’ rendered as ‘sweet savor’ occurs only in the above scripture, Ephesians 5:2 and Philippians 4:18; and is applied to persons or things well-pleasing to God. It properly means good odor, or fragrance… Here it means that the services of Paul and the other ministers of religion were as grateful to God as sweet incense… That is, we are Christ’s sweet savor to God.”

However, since we are not perfect, there are times in our lives when we are truly not a sweet aroma to anyone; times of rebellion or affliction but God does not give up on us.    …being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Charles Spurgeon said, “Unexercised virtues are like sweet perfumes slumbering in the heart of the flowers. To produce the one desired result, the great Husbandman overrules seemingly diverse and opposite things. Thus He makes both affliction and consolation draw forth the grateful fragrances of faith, love, patience, hope, resignation, joy and the other fair flowers of His garden.”

I pray that wherever we go (even down the grocery aisle!) and through all the things we do, we would leave behind the sweet and clean fragrance of Christ.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING

IN THE KINGDOM?
By Barbara Chadwick

“I wish I could have known Kathy’s dad. He could have taught me so much. I never had any training and he was a master mechanic.”  Danny’s ability to fix automobiles was limited but he’s a great leader and God has also gifted him musically.

I said, “I know what you mean about training. I wish I could have had training with a master chef. I love cooking. It’s a hobby for me but I‘ve often wished to do really fancy things.”  But God has chosen to gift me in music and I’ve been told that I’m an encourager.

On the way home from Danny and Kathy’s house I heard a preacher say on the radio, “What are you doing in the Kingdom?”

Then I thought about some people I know who could be such a blessing to others, to the church and to God’s Kingdom if only they would step up and do it.

God has gifted each person in a unique way. Paul, that great New Testament teacher wrote, We have different gifts, according to the grace given us…If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.  (Romans 12:6-8)   There’s a place for everyone to contribute in the church.  Not only are other people blessed when you do the work God has placed in front of you, but you, yourself, are blessed when you do.

Sometimes we would like to contribute in a way in which we weren’t gifted.  I would love to be a gifted speaker! But, alas, people tend to go to sleep when I speak!  However, when I use music in ministry God blesses.

Max Lucado says that he loves to sing. “Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn’t give the same satisfaction to my audience!”  My husband Kenneth also loves to sing. He says, “I was cut out to be a singer but I was sewed up wrong!”   Both of these men would love it if God would use them as musicians, however, God planned to use them in a different way. God has put into them an uncanny ability to lead and both are gifted speakers.

“In other words, be aware of your strengths. When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow? When you administer, do things improve? Where are you most productive?  Identify your strengths, and then…major in them…Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique tasks God has called us to do.”   (from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado)

God does not expect us to have great training in order to use the gifts He has entrusted to us. Do you remember how God used Moses even though he stuttered and Timothy even though he was young?

Danny has repaired many a vehicle with his limited knowledge and experience and people were helped. I have prepared many a meal and people were blessed. Ask God to show you what He wants you to do in His Kingdom work. He will bless it.

BAGGAGE

By Barbara Chadwick

We waited for friends at baggage claim – hugs all around when they came. While we waited for their bags they told us about the English camp where they had taught in Slovakia. The crates came around the baggage belt.  They weren’t crates, of course, they were just very big suitcases. J The girls, Katie and Colleen, hefted them out to the car. With quite a bit of rearranging we got them in the trunk. It was quite a ways to the car in the parking garage and they were glad to be free of that burden.

 The next morning I cleaned out my purse. The receipts from the airport trip had to be filed. The apple slices and almonds had to be put away. (It is a 2 ½ hour trip to the airport!)  Empty wrappers from the cough drops, breath mints and gum wrappers, used Kleenex, a note with time and flight #, Gas X  (you can’t leave home without it!)  Then I rearranged my wallet, date book, cell phone, scripture cards, travel toothbrush and toothpaste and make-up items and shook out the lint, etc. You can clearly see that the purse -  the bag is vital.

So then I began to think about the baggage we carry around inside our heads. Heavy things - hurts like parental neglect or mistreatment (may have been unintentional but there nonetheless), children who have gone astray, slams by friends or relatives, lost opportunities, and shattered dreams. Or it might be our own sin that burdens us. These kinds of things stay in our minds and grow like mold. They wreck havoc with our health and emotions. They become crates in our mental and emotional psyche. Most of the time we feel that we have them buried. Out of sight - out of mind we say.

Not so. They keep going around in our sub-conscious mind like the crates on the baggage belt. We have to find a way to throw them out. Shake them out, if you will, like the trash in the bag. One great way to do that is to write it out. The whole thing. Every detail. Every nuance. Then burn the paper! That's right. Burn it up. Because if you continue to carry it, you will experience stress, illness, cynicism and a heavy heart. Let it go! Be free of it! Let God fill your life with freedom and abundant joy.

When I put the trash from my bag into the trash compactor, take it to the dumpster where it is taken to the dump. I will never see it again. It is gone!

You know, that is what God does with our sin:  He forgives all your sins…redeems your life from the pit (where you’ve gone with your baggage!) …crowns you with love and compassion…satisfies your desires with good things so that your path is renewed like the eagle’s. (Joy!)  Now look at verse 12: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (Freedom!) Psalm 103:3-5;12.

FRIENDS ARE COMING!
by Barbara Chadwick

Friends are coming from Alaska for a visit! What joy!

I have cleaned the house, made up the beds and baked a pie. I brought some daisies from the yard to brighten the table. I cleaned off various tables putting away old books and magazines. I looked around and smiled in anticipation.

Then the thought came to me, "What things would I do if Jesus were coming?"

Well, I would have dusted more - behind the bookshelf in the den for sure!  I think there are some spider webs in there. There are weeds in the corner of the yard that should go. Also, what about the Solitaire game on my computer - I wonder if He thinks I spend too much time on that? I could delete it.

But you know what?  All this activity is really futile because Jesus knows what we're doing at all times. He's omniscient - all knowing.  Besides that, Jesus is more concerned about what's in our hearts than dust behind the bookshelf.

Look at I Samuel 16:7 - The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Like David, I would like the Lord to,  Create in me a pure heart...  Psalm 51:10.   Verse 7 says,  Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

When He cleans my heart and my life there will be no weeds in the corner or dust behind any place. I will be whiter than snow! What joy!

PERFECT

PERFECT   
by Barbara Chadwick

Did you ever notice how often we use the word "perfect"?

When Katie asked if I would help with the Vacation Bible School in Haines, Alaska I said, "Sure" and she answered "perfect."

Java Rush says they offer the "perfect cup of coffee."

When Kenneth asked how my birthday was I said, "It was a perfect day."

When each of our children were born we ever so tenderly touched their cheeks and examined their fingers and toes. In awe we said, "She/He is just perfect!"

The dictionary says the word "perfect" means without defect or fault. So it could be that sometimes we stretch the meaning a little with our use of the word.

We talk of our house, job, dress etc., as perfect meaning it fits our needs.  In some ways our house is perfect for us. It has the amount of space we need. The mountain location is beautiful. It is very quiet.
So many things are "perfect". On the other hand, it is too far from town (53 miles), doctors and stores.  Quite often something has to be fixed or at best tinkered with. Our closest neighbor comes up from Arizona once or twice a year. so we sometimes get lonely.  So not exactly perfect by the dictionary standard.

Then there are the people who are "perfectionists".  They want things to be done in a certain way and look just so. In their minds anything less is slovenly and without merit. It drives other people crazy! But in truth if we examined every single thing in their lives we would find things that were not "perfect"; that is to say, "without defect or fault." In this life we cannot be perfect.

Because I Corinthians 13:10 says, When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part will be done away.  When we get to heaven we'll know what "perfect" is. Hallelujah!

May the God of peace...make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21

The Wilderness

The Wilderness Experience
A book review
by Barbara Chadwick

Have you ever been in a place that you recognized as a wilderness? We have been hiking sometimes in places that seemed like a wilderness. But my wilderness -es have usually been mental and spiritual.  Times when I desperately wanted God to speak aloud to me but He seemed to be silent.

So this is a book review. I want to quote some things that impressed me from a book called The Wilderness Esperience by Robert W. Bailey (Broadman Press)

     A tourist visiting an apple orchard noticed some trees so weighted down with fruit they had 
     to be propped up. He asked of the orchard owner: "What is the secret? How do you grow them so 
     successfully?"
          The grower responded, "I can't explain why, but I can tell you what happened."
          He pointed to the base of one of the largest apple trees and indicated an ugly scar that had 
     partially healed during the past years. The owner explained, "In the beginning, too much of the 
     tree was going to wood and not into fruit. We found that if we scarred the tree, we got less wood 
     and more fruit. And we're in the fruit business."
         We are a people who avoid linking pain to growth.

          The wilderness is an experience of contrasts,
     It is an unsettled, barren, perilous area, but
          it is also a place where God is!
     It is a difficult, lonely, unnerving site, but
          it is also a place where God dwells!
     It is a draining, exhausting, discouraging situation, but
          it is also a place where God heals and strengthens!
     It is a remote, desolate, debilitating condition, but
          it is also a place where God moves and loves!
     The shadows and darkness of the wilderness we do not seek for ourselves, but we need not fear to 
     advance on our wilderness journey, God is there! He goes before us!
                                                                                     He comes behind us!
                                                                                     He journeys beside us!
                                                                                     He dwells within us!

          God allows His children to walk through the dark valleys and to journey through the wilderness
     The scars we encounter result in our lives being:
            more fruitful for Him.
            more sensitive to Him.
            more obedient to Him.
            more loyal to Him.

     The outcome of our wilderness experience depends on
        our attitude toward life
            our choice of response
                our relationship with Christ
                    our openness to growth
                        our desire for obedience
                            our sensitivity to support systems
                                our responsiveness to the Spirit

     Many people have gone into the wilderness and died there! Others have gone into the wilderness
     and come alive there! Enter boldly, thoughtfully, openly, carefully, and may you emerge stronger
     than when you entered! Brave Journey!