Are You a Basket Case?
by Barbara Chadwick




"Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case." from Nubiagroup.blogspot.com/

Some of the best things come in a basket:
Nut bread, a collection of teas and cookies, sewing notions, bathing lotions and then of course there's Moses.

I like baskets. There are a myriad of styles, sizes and colors. Michaels store once had baskets on sale at an incredible price and I looked at as many as I could dig out of the bin, but since I couldn't make up my mind I walked away.

I know. You're remembering the issue with the purse and thinking, "She's blonde." But sometimes it's good to walk away. I once heard of a woman who bought 40 light sabers because they were on sale for 1$ each. She had two sons. I was told that every time someone came to visit, the boys would ask, "Hey, do you want a light saber to take home with you?" She should have just walked away.

Well sometimes my worries accumulate. I suppose I should write them down and put them in a basket. Henry Blackaby says in his study, Experiencing God, that worrying is really unbelief. Probably so.

Moses. What an incredible story. Don't you just wish you could have been up there with God watching it all unfold? ...the basket, the burning bush, his question (we could call it his whine), "Couldn't you just send someone else?", the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, Mt. Sinai and the Ten Commandments, his face as he came down from the mountain after being with God.

Your face. What does it show? Sorrow when the cancer returns. Anger when you've been treated wrong. Unbelief when a friend maligns you. Worry when there's not enough money to last until the next paycheck.

But when you've been with Jesus, then your face glows with the light of His Presence, Peace because He has promised to walk with you and Joy because He has chosen you for His own.

Henry Blackaby says that God develops character to match the assignment. He certainly did that in Moses case. Moses was uncertain, hesitant and sure that he could not speak up. But God took him one step at a time. God was holding the basket. Moses couldn't do it. But God could.

Nothing to Offer but Jesus

by Audrey Wauson


Dear Tammy,

Regarding your inquiry about being involved in prison ministry:

I go to the Detention Center (DC) on Sunday nights from 7-9pm. After I committed to that so many fun things have come up on Sunday nights that I’d like to be a part of, but I KNOW where I'm supposed to be so that makes it a LOT easier. Once I'd made a connection with these women and saw their desperate need for Christ, it just feels right.

The procedure is that I go into the DC itself near the front where the classrooms are. After a guard escorts me in they bring the women from one of the pods. There are three pods that are allowed to go out to the classroom. Each pod can hold 32 women but there’s only room for 15 women in the classroom. We never know how many will come.

When the women first come to the DC they are often still cocky and full of themselves, eager to make someone else as miserable as themselves. But after they've been there for awhile they begin to see the seriousness of their situation and that they need someone. My job is to show them who God is and what He'd like to do in and through them. Not many of them will choose to follow Him but, as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become "daughters" of God". Jn 1:12

Please understand that I don't want to 'talk you into' coming to the DC because it is a place where spiritual battles are fought and you shouldn't go because of any reason other than ... you can't be satisfied doing something else. You absolutely have to know that's what God is leading you to do. I personally wrestled with the decision of whether or not to go for over six months.

I didn't want to go in by myself. So finally, I told God if you will send someone who's willing to go in with me, I'll go. When I called my friend Mari, she said that God had been pestering her about going as well. Then the first time we went in God gave us a boldness that is simply unexplainable, a confidence that we could never have mustered up on our own. And, because we know that He wants us to be there, we feel like whatever happens (and you and I both know that bad things happen to good people) we can have confidence like Steven, Paul and Silas and Peter and other greats like Corrie Ten Boom, that our God will protect us and give us the strength to do His will. However, the chances of anything bad happening are pretty remote.

In order to get in at all, you have to get a background check and go through the prison training. The training alone will turn away any of the 'faint of heart' cuz they show & tell some of the worst case scenarios. The people who work at the DC want you to be afraid of what these people are capable of so that you won't break their rules, so that you will understand the reason these rules are in place. Many people who start volunteering become so burdened with these people's troubles and hard life that they start trying to do 'favors' for them and it's just not safe. However, IF you remember that you have NOTHING to offer these people but Jesus and His word then you'll be fine.

Tammy, please know that God will make your way/path clear and if you choose to follow Him you won't regret it. That may or may not include going into the DC. But here's what it won't do, it won't make you more spiritual, or closer to Him or any other thing. But if He's calling you, He won't give you the courage to go ... UNTIL you go. You won't have the courage while you're thinking about it and planning it, but when you ARRIVE at the DC to start the paper work you'll have enough courage to do that much. Later if you go in to the DC to encourage the women ... you won't be given the courage while you’re standing around waiting for the guards to take you in but AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE DOORS then the courage will come. It is in the moment that you step out in faith that the strength & courage is given. God is VERY generous, He will give you exceeding, abundantly above all that you can ask or think or even imagine as you step out in faith to do what He's calling you to do (Eph. 3:20)... whatever it is!!!!

God bless you as you start serving Him ... wherever you serve ^_^

Have you 'gotten over' what Jesus has done for you?

One of my sons and I were talking about traditions in the church, a while back, and some of the messages that we communicate through those traditions. The conversation got around the huge problem of ‘easy-believe-ism’ in the American church today. As I was on the phone, sitting in the University parking lot trying to explain my point of view to my mom, it occurred to me that our walk with God is much like university life.

1. Before anything can happen you have to apply to get in.
2. Once you’re accepted you can register for classes.
3. In order for any learning to happen, you actually have to attend class AND do the homework.
4. Then after 4-6 years (depending on the amount of energy you put into it … hehe) you can graduate

What concerns me in the church today is that there seems to be a thought or teaching, that you can just ‘apply’ … simply ask Jesus into your heart and that’s it … you’re good. You don’t have to “Do” anything. While I fully recognized that there is nothing I could do that would make me more eligible for ‘saving’ than anyone else … like if we were all lined up and started jumping up to touch the moon, from our perspective some of us could jump WAY higher than others, but from the surface of the moon, all of our efforts would be completely imperceptible. But what Jesus’ says is not only the John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will live and not die” but He also says that IF you are His you WILL obey His commands.

John 15:9-17 (New International Version)

9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 IF you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends IF you do what I command. … 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

And what are His commands? Basically Matthew 23:37-38

1. 1. Love God
2. 2. Love others

Forgive one another. “… I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?” Matthew 18:21-35 Serve one another. “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’” Matthew 25:31-46

Until we arrive at the pearly gates we will be taking ‘classes’ in how to Love God and Love Others. Those classes will take the form of unruly children, or a disagreeable neighbor, or unpleasant illness, or a cranky boss, but we will be given opportunities (tests per James 1:12) to exercise our faith. If we don’t pass the test, don’t worry we will continue to have them (tests that is) until we’re ready to move on to harder material … or until we get our diploma (die and go to be with Jesus forever).

In Jesus’ words, “I tell you the truth (He’s not lying or teasing.) anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the father.” John 14:12

Mike Napier was preaching at East Mesa Baptist Church this past week and his challenge to me, is my challenge to you. “Have you gotten ‘over it’ … have you ‘gotten over’ what all Jesus has done for you? Do you still feel obligated (in a good way, like the apostle Paul, Romans 1:14,15) to share the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?” Have you ‘gotten over’ that overwhelming desire to do anything that He would find pleasing? I pray that God will open your heart and eyes to the people around you and that you will ‘begin classes’ today, begin learning how to better serve Him and others. And may God bless your efforts!!!

Rusty

by Barbara Chadwick

Kenneth said, "Once upon a time this vehicle was new and shiny! Just think how proud they were of it. They brought it home and looked at it and polished it and showed it to their friends. They never thought that one day it would look like this."

It got me to thinking about rusty things:

• a closet door that squeaks (it could wake the dead!)
• an SOS pad used for three weeks
• a certain cookie pan if I put it in the dishwasher
• et cetera and ad infinitum

I'm sure you have your own list because we can't seem to get through life without some rust somewhere, especially here in Southeast Alaska!

There are things in my life that are rusty too. When someone asks me to play for a wedding, the first thought in my brain is, "I'm so rusty!" I have stressed daily practice with an emphasis on scales, chords and arpeggios for umpteen years of teaching piano. This kind of practice keeps your fingers nimble and responsive. When you neglect this practice your fingers act like they're rusty. You can play but the music isn't melodic and flowing. Wouldn't it be wonderful if I could just rub a little WD40 on my fingers and they would respond to my brain signals in an instant tickling the ivories as in years past?!

"If you don't use it you lose it." We often hear that phrase. It's true with a second language. After getting a diploma in Spanish at a Language School in San Antonio, Texas, Kenneth and I got to where we even dreamed in Spanish. We thought it was a milestone. We could converse fluently. But, we have not served in a Spanish church since 1982 and when we meet someone today who speaks only Spanish we can converse but our thoughts don't flow as they once did.

I'm trying to memorize one scripture verse each week. I think I'm doing well until I start to review from the beginning of the year. Then it feels like my brain is corroded. I stutter and hem and haw trying to get the right words in the correct order.

Wikipedea says that, "rust left alone will corrode, destroy, damage, degrade, disintegrate, cause collapse and breakdown."

In controlling rust every method mentioned has to do with taking some kind of action. You have to do something. In our spiritual lives we must guard against corrosion.

When you first see rust you have to scrub it away before it can do damage. Ann Graham Lotz says in I Saw The Lord, " Sin is deceptive and temptation always lurks at your doorstep. ... from time to time, I need a wake-up call to personal revival - a fresh experience and vision of Christ in order to open my eyes to His holiness and my helplessness and the eternal hope of the Cross. I need to come back to the Cross and get right with Him - not for forgiveness, since I am forgiven forever, but for sweet fellowship with Him and for power in His service. " (p.118)

We get lax and rusty in praising the God of all creation. It is easy to forget to thank Him for daily blessings. In Philippians chapter 4 Paul calls us to Rejoice. Then he reiterates, Rejoice!... in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

If We Do Not Give Up!

I can honestly say that I never really liked to exercise. It is hot and sweaty, I never really felt good when I got done, and it didn’t seem to make any difference. So, I just didn’t … exercise that is … until recently.

I have a friend who goes to the gym religiously and I had been watching her. She always has a lot of energy and she looks great. Then in the small group at our church two women have had to have knee surgeries and I know a couple of others outside of our group who’ve had knee troubles. So when I was out walking my dog and took a turn a bit sharply and my knee twinged and I thought, “Oh no, I’m old! My knees are giving out and I’m in my early 50’s! What am I going to do?” The answer was obvious … I was going to have to exercise. Ick! Or so I thought.

I joined a gym. I joined the first of June and went every day religiously for two months. Unbelievably, I found out several things about myself. First: I LOVE Zumba … it’s a kind of dance/exercise class. Unfortunately, my knees are not ready for Zumba. After three weeks I was forced to try out some of the other classes. I tried the yoga class … ick. I’m not a yoga person. I tried a cardio-kick class … ick X’s 2 … too much like trying to be the Karate Kid. But I found that I liked the Step class and Cardio Sculpt class. So, I went there for the rest of the summer. I enjoyed going to the classes because: there were other women to talk to and commiserate with; the music and the instructor kept pushing me to continue just a bit more; and when the class was over …. Well in about 30 minutes … I felt great! Like seriously, I felt better. Now my clothes fit better, I have more energy, and I enjoy the rush of being successful at something that I formerly was NOT successful at.

The Christian walk … or as the early Christians calledl it … The Way … is a bit like that sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to see the benefit or profit in what you’re asked to do … loving others, serving others, self-sacrifice, self-discipline, fasting, praying, considering others as better than yourself … but if you persist, if you find a group of people to do it with, if you don’t give up … you WILL reap a reward … and it WILL be worth it!

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus

One smile of His dear face all sorrows will erase

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time We Will Reap A Harvest IF WE DO NOT GIVE UP. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galations 6:7-10

The Purse

by Barbara Chadwick

I almost bought a purse this afternoon.

My granddaughter, Abigail, was trying on some clothes for school so I was walking around and behold there was the neatest purse! I picked it up to check if it had enough pockets for all the things I have to carry!

You know, Kleenex, 3 shades of lipstick, a notebook (in case I think of something incredible to write!) my calendar, cell phone, 2 pens and a pencil, a zippered pouch for loose change, one side for make-up and one side for cough drops, gum and Gas X, and a place for my keys. Only the essentials.

I take it with me at all times just like the mother on Golden Girls (Well, actually, I don't carry it to the living room like she did.)

Anyway, so here I am, in the purses, waiting for Abigail. I am enthralled with this purse. So I put it in the cart and start to move away - but wait - here's a different one. It might even be more sassy. I examine it, put it back and note where it is in case it might really be the one.

But lest I go away and actually miss the right one, I begin to look at all of them. I put a couple more into the cart (to be able to make an intelligent decision.) It has now been about 45 minutes since I saw the first purse.

I reach for a kleenex and my eyes see my old purse. I bought it in March. It still looks nice. There are no smudges or scratches. It is not discolored. It has not lost it's shape. In fact, it looks good. I like it.

I begin to put the purses back on the shelf.

I start thinking about why I wanted to buy a purse in the first place. Oh yeah, because it caught my eye and I do have that gift certificate from my birthday.

Jesus said, Don't collect for youselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal. But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth... Matthew 6:19-20

OK. I don't think moths or rust will destroy a new purse and probably thieves wouldn't break in to steal it. However, it also is not a treasure for heaven. Kenneth will not put it in the casket with me!

In verse 28 He says, Why do you worry about clothes? (or purses to carry) Ouch!

Verse 31, So, don't worry saying...What will we wear (or carry?) ... Seek first the kingdom of God and His Righteousness...

I don't think the Lord cares what purse I carry but I know He wants First Place in my heart. And that's what I really want - for Jesus to have First Place in my heart and in my thoughts.

The Progress of One Pilgrim

Re-reading Pilgrim’s Progress has been so inspiring for me this time around. Not sure why, but perhaps I’m just relating more closely to this particular Pilgrim’s progress J For example: Christian and Hopeful made it through Vanity Fair and though they lost their dear friend Faithful (he was killed by the people in town) they are encouraged in their desire to be more faithful. They arrive at Pleasant Meadows and are so refreshed, it’s been such a long time since they were really able to relax.

But when they leave Pleasant Meadows they find that the going is really rough. And just outside The Way … I mean it’s so close that they had difficulty telling which way they should go … they saw this other path that was running parallel to The Way and Christian is like “Look, this path is so much easier and we can still see The Way and it’s going the same way. When it veer’s off we’ll just get back on The Way.” So what could be wrong with that? The problem? Well they got to focusing on the pleasantness of their walk and soon they lost sight of The Way and when they stopped to rest they fell asleep and they awoke to Giant Despair poking them and he took them off to Doubting Castle.

My husband and I have traveled quite a bit. We’ve lived in England, Panama, California (Oh wait that’s part of the US J We’ve lived in Alaska, California, New Mexico, Texas, Utah. We (one or both of us) have traveled from Washington State to Washington D.C. and 20+ states in between as well as out of country to: France, Turkey, Mexico, Canada, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Ecuador. And in all our travels, I have never seen a map as straight at the map of Pilgrim’s Progress.

As I was reading this, it was brought back to my mind the number of times that I’ve just done something that was “easier”, “quicker”, a “short-cut” and found myself feeling so lost & alone, full of doubts & despair. And just like Christian, when I remembered that I had a key to get out of that dungeon I found that the key opened all the locks and I got free!

The Key? The promises of God. Here’s the difference between faith and religion. Faith doesn’t see how it will work, doesn’t really care. Faith knows that there’s hope and it believes. That belief is not a “head” knowledge but an action verb. Faith is NOT a noun; it’s a verb. If faith is not acted on, then it’s not faith … it’s religion. Pilgrim acted on his faith, claimed the promises of God and was freed from Doubting Castle and from the cruel hand of Giant Despair.

Today, I claim the promise of 1 John 1:9 “… if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (NLT)

What promises do you need to claim today?