Created in Love

In the beginning God created …

Mural Mosaic: Lavoie and his partners Phil Alain and Paul Lavoie began the Mural Mosaic journey to bring communities together using their murals as examples of "Unity through Diversity". This is represented by bringing the uniqueness of individual creative styles together on numerous panels to create one united image. The most unique aspect of this artistic process is that artists are given an individual panel with the freedom to paint what they want within the "theme" of the mural subject, however, the final image created by Lavoie is kept secret until mural unveiling.http://www.muralmosaic.com/cpaws.html

God created us and has given us the freedom to “paint” … to create … to live within the “theme” … within the boundaries that He has set for us. God created us different and unique … no two alike and yet we need each other. We were created to flourish in community. And one day we will be able to step back and look at the whole picture, the complete picture, and we will be amazed at what we were allowed to create that fits into His overall creation.

Here’s what God says about how we are to be with one another.

John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands. … 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.”

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept 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: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.

Unity and Diversity in the Body 1 Corinthians 12: 12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. … 14 … so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “Yes, I see that I need to love others, but what would that look like?” Paul gives a great description in 1 Corinthians 13 Love is …

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

In This Life Something Happened!

By Barbara Chadwick



On a walk in San Pedro, California my husband and I saw several plaques that described something historic that happened there then we passed a driveway with this plaque in the cement, “On this site in 1897 nothing happened.”

Kenneth said, “That statement would make a good introduction to a sermon.” I asked, “How would you develop that?”

“I’d start with that statement then say, What if you got to the end of your life and someone put the words on your tombstone – In this life nothing happened.”  That would be a sad statement indeed.

My 93 year-old mother is living her last days. My daughter called and asked me to ask her grandmother, “Is there anything you would like your grandchildren to know?”

When I posed the question to mother she replied, “Tell them, Old age gets here quicker than you think, and it’s not as bad as you think it will be.” Then after breathing a few deep breaths, “Tell them to make a lot of sweet memories.”

In the past few weeks she has talked about how gratifying it had been to serve the Lord throughout her life and how she had loved every bit of it. She remembered life with our Dad and how wonderful that had been. She related that her best accomplishment had been having five beautiful children. She didn’t talk about accomplishments . . .

- Getting a GED

- Owning her own Beauty Salon

- Being the Director of a Baptist Concern Center

- Being the Girls Auxiliary Director for a State Convention

- Finishing a Writing Course

Her example was to be a blessing to others. Her hospitality reached out to hundreds of people. Her love was poured out on one person after another, year after year. In her life so many beautiful things happened!

When I sing Make Me A Blessing by Ira B. Wilson I think of my mother:
Verse 1
Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
Verse 2
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love. Tell of His power to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true every moment you live.
Verse 3
Give as ‘twas given to you in your need. Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed. Unto your mission be true.
Refrain:
Make me a blessing. Make me a blessing. Out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing O Savior I pray. Make me a blessing to someone today.

Do it Royally!

How important is it to KNOW what the end result will be when you start something? I guess it depends on what you’re doing. If you’re just making yourself a snack it doesn’t really matter what you throw together, especially if you have plenty of food and it won’t matter if it’s a flop or if you’re able to eat it regardless of what it tastes like. However if you’re making the food for a wedding … like say a royal wedding … it might make a huge difference … like whether or not you’re able to continue doing business as a cook or if your business fails because you become known as the person who ruined the wedding. I guess it also depends on what you want to be known for.

Inspiration is what we get when we just sit and doodle. Genius is what happens when we work at and perfect our inspirations. God has gifted each of us with so many different gifts and talents. We need to hone the gifts He’s given us and we need to spur one another on to good deeds. We need to encourage one another to do the best that we can with the gifts we’re given.

1 Timothy 4

7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. … 11 … Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. … 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

(Picture taken from DailyMail.UK

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1381944/Royal-Wedding-cake-Kate-Middleton-requested-8-tiers-decorated-900-flowers.html )

What If God Says NO?

One year ago today, she got the call
That stopped her life
And ever since that moment,
He prayed God would heal his wife
She got weaker by the minute
In that hospital bed
And she could see that he was mad at
God, so she took his hand and said

Chorus
What if God says no
It don’t mean He loves us less
It just means He knows what’s best
What if God says no
It’s enough we have His grace
So don’t let go of your faith
What if God says no

Just south of Atlanta,
It’s been slow out on his job
But now he’s lovin on his family
And has time to talk to God
He’s prayin that a miracle
Will turn his business back around
But what if God gives him the answer
That His grace is good for now

Jesus prayed on the last night
Before He was crucified
And said, “Dad if there’s another way,
Could you let this pass me by?”
But God saw the big picture,
That it had to be done
So as much as it hurt,
He couldn’t say yes to His Son

“I just listened to the song What If God Said NO?...” said my husband. "One line of the song talks about how Jesus asks His father to take it all away, but God couldn’t … He had to say no … God saw the bigger picture and said no. I’d ever thought of it that way before. The fact that God could’ve said yes to Jesus … but it would’ve cost us all.” My husband just sat there with a look of wonder on his face. And I, like him, began wondering about the times that God said “No.” … the times that God said “No.” throughout the Bible … the times that God has said “No.” since Jesus rose again; the Crusades … the holocaust … the plagues … the times that God has said “No.” in my life …

In the week leading up to Passover, Jesus continually tells them that He’s leaving, that He’s going soon to be with the Father. And the emphasis seems to be on the reunion with His Father and on encouraging His disciples that it will be for the best. And John 17 is the culminating prayer:

“Father, the hour has come … Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent … And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began … I will remain in the world no longer … “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one … “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world …”

It got me to thinking that it’s easier to think about the end than it is to think about how you’re going to get there. Isn’t that why kids sit in the back of the car and ask “Are we there yet?” and “How much longer?” and “Why … ?” But when the time comes … it’s just hard to enjoy the ride … it’s just hard to wait until it’s over … it’s just hard.

In the garden of Gethsemane (when His life is about to get squeezed out of Him) Jesus prays “Please take this cup from Me … nevertheless, not My will but Thy will be done.” Even while He’s thinking about the up-coming pain … He decides to do what God has told Him to do.

And after it’s all over He reminds his disciples of “Why … ?”

Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24: 45-49

And what good did it do?

Do not the books of Acts through Revelation record how His message is proclaimed throughout the whole world?

What good did it do?

Is not your very life a record of His great love towards you?

What good did it do?

Do not His last recorded words in Revelation 22:20 say?

“Yes, I am coming soon!”

If God says “NO.”

we can be sure that it is because

He is going to give us a glorious “YES!”

Opening my mouth

and speaking worthless, foolish words

that were …

looking for APPROVAL

looking for ATTENTION

looking for ACCEPTANCE

… elusively finding it …

… reaching down …

… grabbing a handful of sand

only to watch …

it slip …

… through

… my

h ….

a …

n …

d ..

.

.

.

.

.

This is what the LORD ALMIGHTY says:

The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well.

All their captors hold them fast

Refusing to let them go.

YET … their REDEEMER is Strong;

The LORD ALMIGHTY is His name.

He will vigorously defend their cause

SO THAT … He may bring rest to their land,

But unrest to those who live in Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:33, 34

Once again I’m faced with the challenge, the dilemma …

If I can’t get freedom and walk in victory

Then what am I talking to other people for?

God, I need help and forgiveness

Feelings of inadequacy and rejection

Are giving me a sense of vertigo

Causing me to reach out and grab at & for things that aren’t there

NOT trusting the truth

NOT asking for help

NOT obeying

LOSING insight

& influence

& impact

GOD ... have mercy on me !!!

But this is what the Lord says:

Yes, captives will be taken from warriors,

& plunder retrieved from the fierce;

ì will contend with those who contend with you,

And your children ì will save.

Isaiah 49:25

Therefore instead of grasping & thrashing

i WILL cling to Your hand!

i WILL repeat Your truths!

i WILL encourage myself with Your words!

i WILL listen for Your voice!

i WILL fear You!

i WILL trust You!

i WILL trust in the name of my LORD & rely on my God!

THE HOLY ONE of Israel!

Where Are You?
by Barbara Chadwick



"Where are you?" my 93 year old mother asked.

"We just passed through Boise, Idaho going toward Utah" I replied into my cell phone."

Mother said, "I remember a Women's Missionary Retreat we went to in Boise. We had such a good time. Those years I lived and worked in the Utah Idaho Baptist Convention were such a blessing to me. I was Girls Auxiliary Director for the state convention and Director for the Concern Center in Salt Lake City." She was in her 70's then. "Ministering in God's Name is very fulfilling." We talked further about memories of those days then rang off.

After saying goodby I was reviewing my own memories and the ministry journey God had led us on.

Kenneth had finished the Interim Pastor position at Glacier Valley Baptist Church in Juneau and we were on our way back home to Colorado and waiting for our next assignment.

To know that God has used you to bring someone to Christ or help ease a burden or keep a church going fills your heart with gladness and joy.

A little later I got a call from a friend. "Where are you?" she asked

"About an hour out of Boise, Idaho. We hope to be home tomorrow. How is it going for you?" I asked.

"It's OK. My husband is serving as Interim Pastor and I can't wait 'til he's finished. I don't like it when he does that. It takes him away from home and he stays busy all the time."

After finishing the conversation with her I reflected on our journeys. She had often been unfulfilled and unhappy. While my mother had sometimes been mad or unhappy about a situation she had mostly been fulfilled during her journey and it had been the same for me.

It got me to thinking. Both women had asked, "Where are you?" and yet both had experienced widely different levels of happiness in the degree of involvement in ministry. Would it have made a difference if she had gone with and been involved with her husband? Maybe, but only if she was doing it, "as unto the Lord."

There are blessings stored up in heaven waiting to be claimed. I pray that we will be willing and obedient to do those things God puts in front of us to do, claiming the blessings that come from serving in God's Name.

Just Think of the Cross

“And she said …. Then I said … can you believe it? … I don’t know what’s wrong with her …!?!?!?!” And so my story went on an on describing in storybook detail every nuance of the offense this woman committed against me.

Then I remembered how God had helped me out during her offense and afterwards, so I added a small tag-line to my story to include what He did.

Then it occurred to me … God should be the center of this story … and I tried to make it so, but the offense was so fresh, so real, so …

How can God be the center of my story if my relationship to Him, my encounters with Him are not fresh and real and … ? Why wasn't God be the center of my story?

I just read The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom for the first time in years and realized that the last time I’d read this I a was a young girl … like maybe high school. I’d forgotten so many things and so many things struck me completely differently now that I’m a grown woman. For instance, Corrie was in her early 50’s during most of the book … I’m in my early 50’s. Corrie was a busy woman … I’m a busy woman. Corrie loved the Lord … I love the Lord. Corrie loved her family and did not want to lose them … I love my family and I don’t want to lose them. But I was so challenged by the love that God gave her and her sister Betsie for their persecutors … their captors.

At one point they are in line for a monthly Dr’s inspection. They had to strip naked and walk in single file past a line of male guards who leered and joked about their physical appearance. And suddenly the four months she spent in solitary confinement reading and re-reading the four gospels someone smuggled in to her, brings a scene back to Corrie’s mind and she leans forward and whispers to Betsie, “He was stripped naked too.” And Betsie replies, “Oh, and I never thanked Him for it!”

Long, long ago in a far away place …

Just to think of the cross moves me now

The nails in His hands … His bleeding brow ...

It should've been me!

It should've been me

Instead I am free!

I AM FREE!"

(lyrics from a song we sang when I was a teenager)

Then I was so embarrassed and humbled by my childishness over this petty minor offense that this other woman committed against me. Really?? The only thing I had to endure was to listen to a woman who had obviously been hurt or wounded deeply at one time or another, because she needed to try to humiliate me in order to elevate herself. Was this minor offense worthy of the 10 minute detailed story that I made it into in order to prove how worthy I was? And by the way … am I worthy? The Bible tells me that I’m not but that God loves me anyways and reaches down even though I’m not and embraces me and holds me and gives me what I don’t deserve.

God help me to give to others what You have given to me … help me to reach out and love people even when they don’t love me … help me to give them what they don’t deserve but what you long to give them anyways … forgiveness. God help me to remember that the days are evil and time is short and that my conversations are a tool to draw people’s minds and hearts to You. Help me to chose my words wisely … for they may be my last.

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:17