by Barbara Chadwick
Psalm 46:10a
"Be still and know that I am God"
February is a cold month in northern Colorado. On this particular Sunday there were patches of snow on the ground. The trees seemed to be hovering, their branches fluttering in the wind, nude. All the wildlife we see in summer were in their holes or dens. It seemed as if all creation was waiting for the breath of spring. We were on our way to church, fifty-three miles away, down the mountain. We began on the dirt road out of our community, progressed to a two lane paved road which dead-ended on the highway leading to town.
We saw a hawk sitting on a top branch of a tree, very still, watching, waiting and listening. God seemed to say, "Look. You need to be like that hawk listening for My voice, waiting for My leading and watching to see what I am going to do in your lives."
At this time the church, where my husband has been serving as interim pastor, is about to call a full-time pastor. We are ready. We have been blessed to be here but now it's time for the next step.
Some days I feel anxious because we don't know yet where God wants us to serve next in our retirement. God brings the hawk to my mind - still - waiting, watching and listening. He seems to say, "You are not at a dead-end but I am about to bless your lives in a wonderful way. Just be still and know that I am God."
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Fixing Wrinkles
by Audrey Wauson
Some things don’t need ‘fixing’ as much as they need accepting.
So you know, there’s some things that you shouldn’t worry about ‘fixing.’ Sunday morning I got out this skort, that goes with the Hawaiian shirt that follows the theme of the service (a surfing VBS thing) and the front of the skort is a bit wrinkled. Not a problem, I get out the ironing board and proceed to look for my iron. I can’t find it anywhere. Larry can’t find it anywhere. Okay… I’ll just dampen it and toss it in the drier. Problem is, it’s the only thing in the dryer and it clumps up and comes out wrinkled worse than before. Ugh…. So I dampen it again, (no I do not have several Hawaiian themed outfits in my closet) and use the hairdryer on it. Now it looks somewhat like it looked before I started the whole process of ‘fixing’ the wrinkle.
There’s this verse that says these things happen so that you can encourage others… “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” 2 Corinthian 1:4NIV
So Sunday night we had our small group over and we were waiting around for the last couple to show up. (this is the wrinkle) So I think to myself, “I’ll just give them a call to see if they’re coming or not.” Which is cool, but I make the phone call in front of everyone, and since we’re all hungry, everyone’s watching me. When they answer, she says, “Oh, you know we got busy, and there’s other things we’d rather do, so no, we won’t be there tonight.” (at least that’s the way I received what I heard) So now I’m having to do some self-monitoring (a word I’m learning in college;) I’m trying really hard not to be offended and struggling to think of what to say. So my husband calls out from the other room, “Well?” and I say, “Oh they’ve got other things they’d rather do, so let’s go ahead and eat.” But I know that my body language is really struggling to keep everything neutral. The problem is, this isn’t the first time that they’ve had other things to do when our small group met, and not the first time that they couldn’t come to our house for similar reasons. (additional wrinkles) The problem is in trying to ‘fix’ the problem I created many more wrinkles, because the couple is our pastor and his wife. So now, because of my hurt feelings, I’ve created some negative impressions that maybe completely unjustified, and may never get completely ironed out. Ugh!!! Thoughts are NOT neutral. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says we should “….take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” Here’s the original wrinkle, when I was offended the first time I allowed myself to justify my negative reactions and didn’t really take it to God. Then as other experiences came along they stuck to the original offense. Then when I got caught off guard those ‘wrinkles’ that I had been collecting really showed up, and they showed up in a way that wasn’t flattering to my brother and sister in Christ. Ugh!!!
I believe God would have me to encourage you to not allow little wrinkles to bother you, don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is full of wrinkles and life goes on. You and I can have a wonderful time with our brothers and sisters in Christ if we focus on each other and NOT on the external ‘wrinkles’ that need ironing.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Weeds
by Audrey Wauson
So one of the very neatest things about having a new house is how wonderful it feels, how much space there is, how great it is to have a place for everything. One of the not so neat things is all the things that can go wrong, not work, need fixing, have to be cleaned. Well, the house was not what got my attention this morning, it was the weeds. Now that we’re watering the grapes, the fruit trees, the sod (new Lawn), the garden, we have weeds, weeds everywhere of all kinds and sizes … ugh. So the sun’s coming up and it’s shining gently on the beautifully green grass, and peaking through the trees, and bathing the grapes, and warming the garden … and all I can see are the weeds.
Well that got me to thinking about how some days I can’t see anything beautiful or wonderful in my life, I can only see the weeds. This morning was one of those days. As I was squatting down to pull up a section of weeds, I just felt God gently nudging me to lift my eyes and look at the sun peaking up over the mountains, streaming through the trees and resting on the grass. Then later when I was reading in Psalms, again I felt like God was reminding me, “Keep your focus on me. There will always be some weeds, some you will be able to pull up, others you will struggle with for awhile. But I am here now. I am your life. I am your salvation. If you will come to Me I will show you what to do and where to go. I will live through you and you too will reflect My glory.”
So this morning, I just want to encourage you to keep your eyes on the Son. He will help you with the weeds. And He will also show you great and mighty and wonderful things that you have never seen. I pray that the God of all comfort will bless you and keep you this beautiful day that the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it and I hope you will too!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
God Will Make Something Special Out of You
by Barbara Chadwick
Exodus 24:18; 25:10-15
Moses was on Mt. Sinai with God forty days and forty nights. I wonderwhat that was like? Oh the wonder of it all. Awesome!
God told Moses to make a chest. The people were to bring offerings ofgold, silver, etc. to use in making this chest that was to besomething very special, the Ark of the Covenant.
Now, some, maybe all, of this gold and silver and so on had come fromthe Egyptians. Isn't that interesting?
God is going to make something special for His people, His chosenones and He asks them to bring the stuff the Egyptians had just giventhem before they left Egypt. He's going to make something Holy andHe's going to use not new gold and not gold held only by pure hands.
Isn't that just like God? He takes us human beings - not pure butvery common and blemished and wraps us with His cloak ofrighteousness, made possible by Jesus death on the cross; then Hedraws us to Himself in fellowship.
Awesome!
Exodus 24:18; 25:10-15
Moses was on Mt. Sinai with God forty days and forty nights. I wonderwhat that was like? Oh the wonder of it all. Awesome!
God told Moses to make a chest. The people were to bring offerings ofgold, silver, etc. to use in making this chest that was to besomething very special, the Ark of the Covenant.
Now, some, maybe all, of this gold and silver and so on had come fromthe Egyptians. Isn't that interesting?
God is going to make something special for His people, His chosenones and He asks them to bring the stuff the Egyptians had just giventhem before they left Egypt. He's going to make something Holy andHe's going to use not new gold and not gold held only by pure hands.
Isn't that just like God? He takes us human beings - not pure butvery common and blemished and wraps us with His cloak ofrighteousness, made possible by Jesus death on the cross; then Hedraws us to Himself in fellowship.
Awesome!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
I Wouldn’t Have Done It Like That
by Audrey Wauson
The other day we were listening to one of our favorite preachers, Bob Coy. Actually we were watching him online. We have just discovered that we can do this, so we picked a random sermon to watch. Wow, God is so sovereign He can even cause us to pick sermons that hit right at the heart of an issue that we don’t know is an issue. This one hit us both, but me most I think.
He began talking about how we don’t like authority…in any area. Well here’s what I found. This one statement, “I wouldn’t have done it like that.” is my most prideful and rebellious statement and I make it all the time. Here’s how it goes. I go to the ER, they are incredibly disorganized and I immediately have a thought (more like a complete plan) on how they could improve things. That thought affects my attitude. I begin to fill with pride. Then they take me back to one of the rooms and I immediately notice the color of the paint and think, “Why don’t they paint this place some color that would inspire wellness?” Pride is now blossoming. There is not enough space to write all of the things that I notice that could use improvement or change. Then the Dr sees me and I’ve been so busy noticing all that’s wrong that I’m very pleased because she matches all my expectations. However, I begin to project all of my frustrations (You know frustrations that things aren’t going exactly like I would do it.) onto an internal dialogue regarding how incompetent this place is. By this time I can barely hide the disdain I’m feeling from my face. And I know what an ER should be run like because … I’m a professional and have run ER’s before? … NO-o-o … Because I’m a know-it-all and am full of myself? … much more likely.
Well, here was Pastor Coy’s point. God in His sovereignty sets up kings and queens, rulers and authorities, and other things and people … like ER’s, like school administrations, like realtors, like everyone. I mean He is the one who set up the chessboard. He is the one who moves the pieces. He is the one who decides. There is really very little that I get to decide, thank God. I mean really, you should thank God that I don’t get to decide how everything is run. So any and all statements should be sent directly to Him, something like, “God, what were you thinking?” or “Why in the world do You allow this person to work here?” Wow, that sounds a bit presumptuous … that’s because it is presumptuous. Unbelievably, God can handle it. He wants to dialogue with us. He wants to share with us His thoughts. Perhaps He would say, “I allowed that person to be working here so that when you came in they could see what I’ve been telling them is true, Christians do have a hope and a future and a plan. They are not abandoned orphans by a distant god. And they don’t try to run the universe themselves.”
Some of the biggest messes in life come from people deciding things for their friends and family. “Here’s what I think you should do…” or “Well, if you ask me …”
God, please help me to keep my mind, my thoughts directed towards You. If I’m struggling with incompetence remind me that I can talk to You directly about the problem, that I can trust You to know what You’re doing. Help me to still and quiet my soul like a weaned child with its mother.
The other day we were listening to one of our favorite preachers, Bob Coy. Actually we were watching him online. We have just discovered that we can do this, so we picked a random sermon to watch. Wow, God is so sovereign He can even cause us to pick sermons that hit right at the heart of an issue that we don’t know is an issue. This one hit us both, but me most I think.
He began talking about how we don’t like authority…in any area. Well here’s what I found. This one statement, “I wouldn’t have done it like that.” is my most prideful and rebellious statement and I make it all the time. Here’s how it goes. I go to the ER, they are incredibly disorganized and I immediately have a thought (more like a complete plan) on how they could improve things. That thought affects my attitude. I begin to fill with pride. Then they take me back to one of the rooms and I immediately notice the color of the paint and think, “Why don’t they paint this place some color that would inspire wellness?” Pride is now blossoming. There is not enough space to write all of the things that I notice that could use improvement or change. Then the Dr sees me and I’ve been so busy noticing all that’s wrong that I’m very pleased because she matches all my expectations. However, I begin to project all of my frustrations (You know frustrations that things aren’t going exactly like I would do it.) onto an internal dialogue regarding how incompetent this place is. By this time I can barely hide the disdain I’m feeling from my face. And I know what an ER should be run like because … I’m a professional and have run ER’s before? … NO-o-o … Because I’m a know-it-all and am full of myself? … much more likely.
Well, here was Pastor Coy’s point. God in His sovereignty sets up kings and queens, rulers and authorities, and other things and people … like ER’s, like school administrations, like realtors, like everyone. I mean He is the one who set up the chessboard. He is the one who moves the pieces. He is the one who decides. There is really very little that I get to decide, thank God. I mean really, you should thank God that I don’t get to decide how everything is run. So any and all statements should be sent directly to Him, something like, “God, what were you thinking?” or “Why in the world do You allow this person to work here?” Wow, that sounds a bit presumptuous … that’s because it is presumptuous. Unbelievably, God can handle it. He wants to dialogue with us. He wants to share with us His thoughts. Perhaps He would say, “I allowed that person to be working here so that when you came in they could see what I’ve been telling them is true, Christians do have a hope and a future and a plan. They are not abandoned orphans by a distant god. And they don’t try to run the universe themselves.”
Some of the biggest messes in life come from people deciding things for their friends and family. “Here’s what I think you should do…” or “Well, if you ask me …”
God, please help me to keep my mind, my thoughts directed towards You. If I’m struggling with incompetence remind me that I can talk to You directly about the problem, that I can trust You to know what You’re doing. Help me to still and quiet my soul like a weaned child with its mother.
Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, (O Audrey) put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, (O Audrey) put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Excuse me while I go and apologize to my family and friends for getting in their face, for telling them how I would do it … wow, I may be busy for awhile ;)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother’s Hands
By Barbara Chadwick
I remember my mother’s hands. They were the hands of a Proverbs chapter 31 woman. They were mostly gentle. However, when there was a need for discipline they became stern.
I saw her hands gently cleaning the blood off of Mrs. Shanahan’s head and face one day when her husband had beaten her and pulled out some of her hair.
I remember those hands hugging Maxine when her daddy had died and her mother had to go to work to care for the family of five. Then when Maxine would come early on Sunday morning, those hands would wash her face, put one of my dresses on her and feed her breakfast before we would leave for church.
With her hands she ironed for others so we could have piano lessons.
Melodically her hands played a little pump organ for a service once a month at a ranch in New Mexico (about two hours drive from our home in Roswell) where my daddy had been asked to preach.
A year or so later she would pack our clothes and bibles to go to El Paso Gap (up in the mountains from Carlsbad, NM) Every other weekend my daddy was to preach at this little mountain community. Even in the early 1950’s some people came to the school house for service in a horse drawn buggy or wagon. They often paid him with milk and eggs.
She combed, braided and cut our hair. Four girls. Every day. I can still feel the comfort and warmth of her hands touching my face while arranging my hair.
As she cut cloth, and worked the sewing machine we would wait in anticipation and excitement of what new thing her hands created for us.
She enjoyed using her hands to cook. We often had a visiting preacher or missionary in our home. They always spoke of being blessed by her hospitality.
She sang from her heart in church. She would hold the hymnal and encourage us to sing. The Bible was familiar to her hands, in church and every day at home. When I would fidgit in church her hands would squeeze my knee. Ouch!
She cleaned house with her hands but what a sweet memory it is for me that she sang while she cleaned. I wish I had done that for my children. I’m afraid I did more complaining than singing!
She prepared Sunday school lessons, helped with Vacation Bible School, taught the nursery, prepared and led Women’s Missionary Union meetings. Later, after her children were grown she prepared Wednesday night meals for the church and led state Girl’s In Action conferences.
Her life truly exemplified the words in Ephesians 5:2; “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
I remember my mother’s hands. They were the hands of a Proverbs chapter 31 woman. They were mostly gentle. However, when there was a need for discipline they became stern.
I saw her hands gently cleaning the blood off of Mrs. Shanahan’s head and face one day when her husband had beaten her and pulled out some of her hair.
I remember those hands hugging Maxine when her daddy had died and her mother had to go to work to care for the family of five. Then when Maxine would come early on Sunday morning, those hands would wash her face, put one of my dresses on her and feed her breakfast before we would leave for church.
With her hands she ironed for others so we could have piano lessons.
Melodically her hands played a little pump organ for a service once a month at a ranch in New Mexico (about two hours drive from our home in Roswell) where my daddy had been asked to preach.
A year or so later she would pack our clothes and bibles to go to El Paso Gap (up in the mountains from Carlsbad, NM) Every other weekend my daddy was to preach at this little mountain community. Even in the early 1950’s some people came to the school house for service in a horse drawn buggy or wagon. They often paid him with milk and eggs.
She combed, braided and cut our hair. Four girls. Every day. I can still feel the comfort and warmth of her hands touching my face while arranging my hair.
As she cut cloth, and worked the sewing machine we would wait in anticipation and excitement of what new thing her hands created for us.
She enjoyed using her hands to cook. We often had a visiting preacher or missionary in our home. They always spoke of being blessed by her hospitality.
She sang from her heart in church. She would hold the hymnal and encourage us to sing. The Bible was familiar to her hands, in church and every day at home. When I would fidgit in church her hands would squeeze my knee. Ouch!
She cleaned house with her hands but what a sweet memory it is for me that she sang while she cleaned. I wish I had done that for my children. I’m afraid I did more complaining than singing!
She prepared Sunday school lessons, helped with Vacation Bible School, taught the nursery, prepared and led Women’s Missionary Union meetings. Later, after her children were grown she prepared Wednesday night meals for the church and led state Girl’s In Action conferences.
Her life truly exemplified the words in Ephesians 5:2; “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
God Is Not Through With You Yet
by Barbara Chadwick
Hebrews 13 :20-21May the God of peace... equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.
I call my 90 year old mother often. For the past year she has sounded a little down and maybe depressed, almost like Eeyore. But, yesterday when I called she sounded actually perky. I said, "How are you. You sound good." She answered, "The sun is shining today and I'm feeling just fine! I had been thinking that the Lord was through with me. I've lived a good life and I was ready to go home to be with Him. But this morning I'm feeling like I'll just live to be 100!" She has blessed countless people with her encouragement, her prayers, her smile and the way she lives out her faith in Christ.
God is not through with you yet. As long as He leaves you on this earth He has something for you to do. he will equip you for doing His will. So get up every morning as if the sun is shining (because His Spirit shines through you) and ask Him to speak through your words and actions that day.
Hebrews 13 :20-21May the God of peace... equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ to whom be glory forever and ever.
I call my 90 year old mother often. For the past year she has sounded a little down and maybe depressed, almost like Eeyore. But, yesterday when I called she sounded actually perky. I said, "How are you. You sound good." She answered, "The sun is shining today and I'm feeling just fine! I had been thinking that the Lord was through with me. I've lived a good life and I was ready to go home to be with Him. But this morning I'm feeling like I'll just live to be 100!" She has blessed countless people with her encouragement, her prayers, her smile and the way she lives out her faith in Christ.
God is not through with you yet. As long as He leaves you on this earth He has something for you to do. he will equip you for doing His will. So get up every morning as if the sun is shining (because His Spirit shines through you) and ask Him to speak through your words and actions that day.
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