Expectancy
By Barbara Chadwick


Yesterday I went to the symphony with a friend. As the conductor lifted his baton I held my breath in anticipation, the musicians held their instruments, ready, expecting the downbeat. The music began, filling the concert hall with glorious sound. The instruments interplayed, some made their musical statements while others waited in anticipation to make their statements.

A man held the cymbals in his hands, leaning forward with his knees slightly bent and when the conductor gestured toward him – Pow! We could almost feel the reverberation.

Sometimes the conductor shook his clenched fists with grand gestures and the musicians played with all their might. Other times his hands were gentle, swaying, and the musicians played soft, lyrical phrases.

The last piece was The Planets by Gustav Holst. As they played the first movement entitled, War, we heard the clash of cymbals, the drone of the basses and the boom of the drums. The hurry, the push and the chaos of war was evident.

The second movement called, Peace, was exactly that. It was placid, quiet and restful. The third movement, Messenger, was a skitter, a run. As the other four movements continued I was reminded of our Sunday School lesson that morning from II Kings chapters 6 and 7. It’s a story of war and siege, starvation and hopelessness, then grand deliverance.

In capsule form: The king of Aram held the Israelites captive, under siege. They were starving. The king of Israel gave up any expectancy or hope of deliverance and said, “Why should I wait for the LORD?” (II Kings 6:33) Four lepers at the city gate also had no food, no hope and no expectancy of deliverance. They decided to go to the Aramean camp. Maybe those foreigners would give them some food. Entering the camp they discovered it was abandoned, “for the LORD had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army” (II Kings 7:6), so this huge army had run for their lives. The messengers, the lepers, ran back and reported to the king of Israel who thought it was a trap but sent a few men to investigate. They discovered it was true then the Israelites were saved by provisions the Arameans had left behind.

Over and over in the Bible God tells us to not be afraid because He will rescue us. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

We do get weary but as the musicians kept their eyes on the conductor expecting their cue, let us keep our eyes upward, our focus in expectancy on the LORD. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:23)

Forgiveness: It's is a tricky thing..

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And after all the things He created He said, “It is good.” Except man, when He created man He said, “It is not good … it is not good for man to be alone.” So, God created Eve and then He said, “It is very good!” Relationships are very good. And Adam and Eve walked and talked with God in the garden and they enjoyed sweet and precious times together.

Until … The Day … that horrible day … the day they will never forget … the day that everything changed for them forever … Adam and Eve disobeyed in the garden. Do you have a memory of a day or a series of small days, small events, that looking back now you realize that they changed the direction of your life forever? Ever sat around and wished things could’ve been different? Ever wished you’d made different decisions, you know, like the saying “hind sight is 20/20”?

You see in relationships there’s always some kind of give and/or take. Because we keep doing things we shouldn’t OR other people in our lives do things that they should’nt’ve done and we’re suffering for it … shoulda, woulda, coulda.

This whole train of thought started yesterday when I was talking to an old friend and he was asking me about an incident that happened almost a year ago between me and someone else. I had made up my mind that I was going to follow the Biblical principal of forgiveness and either not speak about it OR only speak those things that build up and I’d done pretty good up till then. But I don’t know, maybe he caught me when my guard was down, or maybe I was just feeling a little low, or a little insecure. But have you ever noticed that sometimes when we’re down we “step” on other people in order to get “up” a little? Ever noticed how people who are secure in who they are don’t “step up” on other people? (Ponder Romans 8:31-39)

Dave Ramsey, popular “get out of debt” guru, replies “better than I deserve” when people ask him how he’s doing. When I was younger I used to get SO impatient with other Christians who kept talking about the cross, and pastors who kept teaching on it. I thought, “Ok, ok He died, He rose again, He’s forgiven us, now let’s move on I want to learn something else.” But the truth is there’ve been a few times that someone’s done something so remarkable, so amazing for me that I just can’t seem to ‘get over’ it. I’ve noticed that when I’m very aware of the cross and how it ‘should’ve been me’ there that I don’t struggle so much with what other people do … do to me … because I truly do have it ‘better than I deserve.’

I pray that today as you ‘think of the cross’ that you will be so filled with the glorious riches of His love for you that you will press into your relationships, that you will be filled with love, compassion, and forgiveness towards those around you and that the sweet aroma of Christ will follow you wherever you go.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

More Than Conquerors

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Clean Out Your Closets
by Barbara Chadwick


On my To-Do List for today is “Clean out the closet in the back bedroom!”

You know that we are here at this church as Interim. That is, until the church finds a full-time pastor. Well, recently the church had a candidate come to preach in view of a call. We invited them to come and see the parsonage. As they walked through they opened the closet doors. This was a natural thing for them to do but I hadn’t thought of this part of the tour! I was embarrassed. We’ve been here two years and - well – stuff accumulates. What can I say?

I had been putting off cleaning because I hesitate to get rid of some of the things in there. Also, I can’t decide where to put some of those things.

There are some shabby clothes that I’m keeping in case one day I should have to paint or clean up the garage, or do yard work.

There are some good clothes I can’t wear any more. I need to give them to somebody who can. There are several pairs of good shoes that I bought. They felt fine when I tried them on in the store but they hurt my feet now. (Age does something unexplainable to feet!) They would look nice on someone with strong, younger feet.

There are travel bags that need to be put where the suitcases are. A pile of scarves sits on the third shelf. They need to be put in a drawer. Three pairs of pajamas are sort of wadded up on that shelf also. Why aren’t those neatly folded in a drawer?

There are empty boxes that held gifts of jewelry. The jewelry has been put into the jewelry roll but I save these boxes in case I craft some item of beads or some such that I can give to someone. However, in order to do this kind of thing a person would have to either have a gift of creativity or take a class in something or other. Alas…

Receipts, scrapbooking stuff and calligraphy stuff go in a closet designated for that genre of “stuff.” Books and papers from seminars need to be filed. Cobwebs need to be swept down and scrapes on the wall need to be fixed. One day we moved in and the closet was clean and the next (well, actually two years later) it's a mess! How did this happen!

Little by little my heart gets full of “stuff”, cobwebs and scrapes, too. I have closets in there that are full of jealousies. There are closets where I'm hoarding anxieties. There are cobwebs of prideful issues and scrapes of slights I'm nursing - holding on to. I go along and things pile up in there.

When I stop to think about how God sees it I’m embarrassed about the mess - the pride, selfishness, judgmental attitudes, etc. and ad nauseum. It all needs to be cleaned out. Renewed. Filled with the love, joy and peace that only God can give.

I need to ask as David asked, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

Crystal Clear Evidence of His Work in Our Lives

At my school we take the first week of January and use it as a time to explore fun new ways to teach and to learn. So teachers are encouraged to teach anything they want. This year, Mr. Frisinger and I decided to lead a mission trip. We went to the Western Indian Ministries Private school with a group of twelve students grades 7-12. The focus of our mission trip was to bring encouragement and help them in whatever way we could. We had a fantastic time and were SO blessed to be able to serve.

On Thursday morning we were doing our group devotionals when I got a call from the principal asking me if my girls would like to substitute teach the kindergarten class … and could we be there at 8am … it was 7:15am. I said I knew they would and hung up and told the girls they would get to be substitute teachers for the day in the kindergarten. They were thrilled. What a treat for them.

As we were walking down to the school the sun was just coming up over the hill and shining up through the frozen branches. What a treat for me. God reflecting His glory through His creation … just like my girls did while they were teaching that day, and while they were cleaning out the closet the day before … just like my boys did while they were shoveling snow, and entering data into the library’s computer, and giving guitar and drum lessons … just like the whole group did at Awana’s on Wednesday night and especially how they did on Fun Day Friday when they taught a Bible story, played an indoor game, and helped build igloos out on the playground.

Looking at those branches giving clear shiny evidence of His glory, watching those kids give clear shiny evidence of God in their lives … now that’s inspiration!

A New Year
by Barbara Chadwick



Wow! A brand new year. A year to travel, play, learn, grow (hopefully not wider!) but grow in Christ. - in knowledge of Him and experience with Him.

Kenneth just read to me that to lose a pound a week I would have to eat 400 less calories PER DAY! In addition to that fact is the knowledge that it takes 100 calories to walk one mile. So just think, if I would walk four miles a day that would take care of that 400 calories!! Hmmm, that might not happen every day. Actually, that might not happen ANY day!

Another topic of discussion this New Year's Day was the old wive's tale that whatever you do on New Year's Day is how the year will go. So this year should be filled with Turkish Delight kinds of things because I made Pumpkin Pie and Kenneth made Peanut Butter Fudge with sugar free marshmallows he made. We might have to buy another journal just to log in all the calories we'll have!

Well, I was thinking that I really don't want to major on desserts this year. I'd really like to accomplish something - something significant, something of value.

What would you like to accomplish this year? You could:

• learn a new language
• study to play the harp (or any other instrument)
• build a house
• complete a year of study into getting an advanced degree
• take tennis lessons
• travel to a third world country and minister in Jesus' Name

Or you could minister in Jesus Name in your own country. I know a lady who delivers "Meals on Wheels" That is, she takes a noon meal to shut-ins (people who can't leave their homes) She delivers it with a smile, a hug or a pat and a few minutes of positive conversation.

We visit a lady in a rest home each week. We talk and pray with her. She tells that our visit encourages her. A group of people from our church go to the Pioneer Home once each month and lead the people in singing their favorite songs then serve Birthday cake and ice cream. They love it.

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18

Henry Blackaby says we should stay alert to what God is doing around us and join Him. I like that. However, so often I'm more dull than alert! I pray that God will nudge us all when He has words for us to say, love for us to show, meals for us to give and smiles for us to share.

Lavished Love

Lavished Love
By Barbara Chadwick

Let the little children come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14

I was almost asleep when the phone rang. The hoarse voice asked, “Could you sub for me tomorrow?” She sounded so bad that at first I didn’t recognize Lorraine. (A teacher in our church's Preschool, Valley Baptist Academy) I said, “Sure. You go drink lots of liquids and rest.”

She began to warn me about K. “You’ll have to watch him like a hawk. He’s like a bull in a china shop. His elbows and feet have a way of hurting the other children. Oh, and he doesn’t like restriction. You have to stay practically on top of him. The other children are afraid of him.”

I took a deep breath and said, “Okay.” I hung up and tried to go back to sleep but I kept thinking, “How are you going to have strength to do this? You’re already too tired - and 16 four-year-olds? So I prayed. “Lord, give me strength for this task and a love for the children.”

He did it!

Guess what?! K. didn’t come to school that day. But R. did! R. took up where K. left off, running, snatching, angry and roaring. When I told him to get a round disk from the box for his creation instead of from J’s hand he said, “Never!” and marched off. J. said, “It’s Okay. I can give it to him.”

C. came in very quiet and clinging to his grandmother. After a bit I took his hand and said, “C, I’m a grandmother too. Come and sit in my lap.” He did. It was Wednesday and he had had a circumcision the previous Friday. As he lay back in my arms he told me of a game he had and other important stuff. He said that when they went to Wal Mart “I went to the bathroom and my pee pee had blood on it and I freaked out!” After a time of cuddling he was ready to color his booklet about Baby Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.

B. wanted to talk to me the entire morning - Not just talk but he wanted my eyes to be on him. He explained the behavior of all the other children interspersed with stories of dragons.

A. sobbed when someone took her ball away from her. S. came and held her hand. When D. had a problem cutting his paper E. said, “I’ll help you.”

Some were selfish, angry, hurting, needing attention and needing love. Some were giving, loving and serving.

Dear Lord, do you look down from heaven and see us like these little children? I wonder, do you get exasperated with some of the things we do and clap your hands when we get it right? We are sometimes selfish, angry, hurting, needing attention and love.

Thank you for the manger and for the cross. We are so grateful that you have lavished your love on us even while we were in our sin.

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God! I John 3:1 and verse 11 – Dear friends, since God so loved us, we ought to love one another.

Come now; Let Us Leave … for Bethlehem … for Egypt … for Nazareth … for Jerusalem

by Audrey Wauson

Mary’s life would be changed completely after the angel told her she was “highly favored”.

How many times have I listened to someone share their passion for their work, their passion for serving God, or explain how God called them, spoke to them, told them what to do and thought, “Wow, I want God to speak to me, to use me like that.”

This year I joined a community choir and one of the songs we sang was Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven”. Look at these lyrics:

     I have traveled - Many moonless night
     Cold and Weary - With a babe inside
     And I wonder - What I've done
     Holy Father - You have come
     Chosen me now - To carry your son

     I am waiting - in a silent prayer
     I am frightened - by the load i bear
     In a world as cold as stone - Must I walk this path alone
     Be with me now - Be with me now

     Breath of Heaven - Hold me together
     Be forever near me - Breath of Heaven
     Breath of Heaven - Lighten my darkness
     Pour over me, your holiness - For your holy Breath of Heaven

     Do you wonder - As you watch my face
     If a wiser one, should of had my place
     But I offer-all I am - For the mercy-of your plan
     Help me be strong - Help me be - Help me

As I’ve sung this song this season it occurred to me what all Mary lived through. First of all, the rejection/pity of family and friends who could neither accept nor understand that a real live angel had spoken to her. I’m just thinking about how as communities we use stories to explain why someone did what they did, or why something happened. My guess is that Mary was never fully appreciated in her lifetime. Her price for obedience was costly. After her son, Jesus, was crucified I imagine that one of the conversations in her community might have run like this:
“Well it’s no wonder he thought he was all that, her telling him that angel told her that God would make her pregnant. It warped his brain, he got to thinking he was God’s son. It’s blasphemy it is … and it’s so sad … I mean Mary looks and behaves otherwise like such a normal sweet person. Seriously, you can never be too careful these days.”

And it got me to wondering just exactly what all would I be willing to put up with in order to be a part of God’s plan? Just how confident am I that God knows best? How long would I endure the rejection of this world in order to participate and rejoice in another?

According to scripture Mary pondered all these things, treasured up in her heart, stored these things away carefully. So when I read these excerpts from John 14, I remember why I follow Him and I ponder them, treasure them, store them away for rainy, terrible, no-good days.

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. …


6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” …

9 Jesus answered: “… Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. … The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. …

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. …

21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”…

23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. …

26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. …

29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. …

Come now; let us leave.