+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - December 30, 2000 - - - ++++++++
The Story of St. Chad
There's a great story which has come to light since we've
become so interested in "chads". I myself was quite
interested due to the fact that I, like my father before me,
was known as "Chad" during my younger years. So I
was delighted to learn that there was a Bishop in England
by the name of Chad.
In the seventh century, Theodore of Tarsus became
Archbishop of Canterbury and immediately set out to
reform the English church.
On discovering that there were two bishops in Northumbria,
he declared the consecration of one of them Chad's, invalid
because when he had been ordained, two Celtic bishops had
been involved, so the Archbishop declared his appointment
to be invalid.
Chad's reply revealed his deep humility: "If you know I
have not duly received episcopal ordination, I willingly
resign the office, for I never thought myself worthy of it;
but, though unworthy, in obedience submitted to
undertake it."
Moved by this reply, Theodore completed Chad's
consecration, and later in the same year the King of
Mercia requested a bishop and Theodore sent Chad, who
then became the first Bishop of Litchfield in the year
669.
Today, St. Chad's Church stands in tribute to this man's
faithful and humble missionary endeavors.
Taken from Christmas, the Family Celebration
Read the full story of St. Chad
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - December 23, 2000 - - - ++++++++
Mary, The Mother of Jesus - Luke 2:19
"Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in
her heart."
There seems to be a contrast between the exuberance of
the shepherds and the soberness of Mary. Obviously, both
of these modes are appropriate, and understandably, most
of what we do at Christmas is related to the "shepherd"
mode.
However, let's be sure our joy is prompted by and attached
to the right things. It should not be induced by "juice" or
just a happy response to the 'perfect' gift, but by an
awareness that through Christ, provision has been made
for our salvation.
What was it that Mary "pondered"?
Perhaps the angel who first came to her and to Joseph;
perhaps the trip ending in the manger birth. More
immediately, the report of these simple shepherds - they
told about angels and their strange, but encouraging
message.
But a good question for us is, what are we "pondering" in
our hearts? Perhaps we're not "pondering" at all; we're
too busy, there's too much noise. After all, "pondering" is
something we must have time for.
"Pondering" really is "talking to oneself". It doesn't
mean you're "crazy", or that you even have money in the
bank. Everyone talks to him/herself. What do you talk to
yourself about?
There's been a lot of interest in this these past few years.
First came the "Positive Thinking" of Norman Vincent
Peale, followed quickly by the "Possibility Thinking" of
Robert Schuller who boldly declared that he was ushering
in a new reformation, that of the "positive self image". Of
course there is some truth in this.
If you go about repeating the mantra, "I'm a nobody, I can't
do nothing, I'm a failure", it may well become a self-
fulfilling prophecy. On the other hand, if you declare to
yourself, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me
strength" it will make a huge difference in the outcome of
your day. Athletes have demonstrated this reality, if a
jumper imagines himself clearing the bar, there's more
likelihood that he will.
But we're talking about something even more important
than what we think about ourselves - our self-centered self
talk, as important as that may be. We're talking about
"pondering" the things of God.
There is the clear teaching of Scripture that if we do this,
there are certain rewards.
All that Mary hid in her heart must have come back to her
as she stood at the cross over 30 years later.
I'm sure she once again remembered what the shepherds
reported, the promise of a Savior; the visit to the temple
when she heard Simeon's affirmation, and again later
when her son declared He must be about His Father's
business. I'm sure she remembered the miracle of the
water turned to wine, and Jesus seeming preference for
His disciples over His own flesh relatives.
She remembered all this and more, "pondering" these
things in her heart, so that when the Gospel writers
interviewed her later for her account, she was ready to give
it, and share with the world the wonderful story of a
manger birth of the Savior of all man kind.
We do not place Mary, the mother of Jesus any higher
than any other person - she too was a sinner in need of a
Savior. But her example is one which we well may follow.
Let's make sure our Christmas season includes some
time for "pondering".
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Taken from Mary, The Mother of Jesus
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - December 16, 2000 - - - ++++++++
"Children Learn What They Live"
If a Child lives with Criticism,
He learns to Condemn.
If a Child lives with Praise,
He learns to Appreciate.
If a Child lives with hostility,
He learns to Fight.
If a Child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be Patient.
If a Child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be Shy.
If a Child lives with encouragement,
He learns Confidence.
If a Child lives with shame,
He learns to feel Guilty.
If a Child lives with approval,
He learns to like Himself.
If a Child lives with fairness,
He learns Justice.
If a Child lives with security,
He learns to have Faith.
If a Child lives with Acceptance and Friendship,
He learns to find love in the World.
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Quoted in Avoiding Child Neglect
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - December 9, 2000 - - - ++++++++
Whenever the subject of the "Wise Men", or "Magi"
comes up, most of the attention is placed either on the star
they saw, or speculation about where they came from.
What we want to concentrate on here is the gifts they
brought, and what they might signify for us.
Of course, the simplest meaning is that what these men
brought were those items which, in their experience,
represented the greatest worth. All of these items were
rare, precious and expensive. Whatever else we may learn
from this story, we know that they gave their best in
honor to the One they believed to be the King, the
Messiah.
Gold was the usual offering presented to kings by their
subjects, or those wanting to pay respect. It seems that the
metal we know as gold has always held extremely high
value - as long ago as 2,500 BC, gold was especially
prized, and used as a medium of exchange. When the
Magi presented gold, they were honoring Jesus with the
very best that they possessed, and they were also
recognizing that Jesus was King.
But what impresses me most about this first gift of the
Magi, gold, is that this particular substance is able to
survive the fire. The Apostle Paul uses this analogy when
he writes to the Corinthian church concerning Christian
works in I Corinthians 3:11-13.
Job is the man in the Bible who was perhaps the most
sorely tested man of all time. He lost all his worldly
possessions, his children had died, and his health was
gone, his friends made his burden heavier by trying to lay
a guilt trip on him, and his wife advised euthanasia . But
in the midst of his suffering, listen to what he says, "He
knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall
come forth as gold." (Job 23:10)
Frankincense is a very costly and fragrant gum
distilled from a tree that is found in Persia, India and
Arabia, as well as the East Indies. It is a white resin or
gum, and is obtained by slitting the bark of the "Arbor
Thurisfrom", and allowing the gum to flow out. The word
actually means "whiteness", referring to the white
colored juice which flows out of the wound in the tree.
This gum hardens for three months, and is gathered at
the end of the summer, and sold in the form of "tears", or
clumps of hardened resin.
Frankincense is highly fragrant when burned, and was,
therefore, used in worship, where it was burned as a
pleasant offering to God. Exodus 30:7,8; Leviticus 16:12).
It was also used as medicine and as perfume.
The primary lesson from frankincense is that our
worship is to be pleasing to God. Remember, this sweet
smelling resin comes as the result of the tree's
woundedness and pain. When we can worship God in the
midst of our sorrow, our brokeness, then it is a sweet
smelling offering. That's why David said, "The sacrifices
of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, thou wilt not despise." (Psalms 51:17)
Myrrh is an aromatic gum produced from a thorn-bush
that grew in Arabia and Ethiopia, and was obtained from a
tree in the same manner as frankincense. This thorny
tree, called "balsamodendron myrrha", is similar to the
acacia. It grows from eight to ten feet high, and is thorny.
When it oozes from the wounded shrub, myrrh is a pale
yellow color at first, but as it hardens, it changes to dark
red or even black color.
However, if frankincense represents sweetness, myrrh
represents bitterness, at least to the taste. In fact, the
name itself was given to it on account of its great
bitterness. (The Hebrew word is similar to the name given
the waters that were bitter when Moses and the people
were coming out of Egypt - Exodus 15:23) Hear also what
Naomi says to her daughters in law - "Call me not Naomi,
call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly
with me. (Ruth 1:20)
Myrrh was used chiefly in embalming the dead, because it
had the property of preserving them from putrefaction. It
was also used as an agreeable perfume( Esther 2:12;
Psalms 45:8; Proverbs 7:17). It's also interesting to note
that the Greek word for myrrh, "smurna", is the same as
the name of the city and church which received a letter
from the Apostle. Smyrna was the second of the seven
churches of Asia that John was instructed to write to in
the early chapters of the book of Revelation. This church
was distinguished by it being persecuted (Revelation 2:8-
11) - they understood the bitterness of being mistreated
for the sake of the Gospel.
We bring gold to honor Him as King, and to yield to the
purification process of the fiery trials. We bring
frankincense to worship Him even in the midst of our
brokeness. And we bring myrrh to recognize that He has
identified with us in our pain and sorrow.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Taken from Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - December 2, 2000 - - - ++++++++
I. Jesus Prays for Protection (v. 11)
He does not pray for us to be taken out of the world, but
to be kept from the evil one. Let's not give too much
power to Satan. Yes, he is a "lion going about seeking
whom he may devour", but nothing to compare with the
"Lion of the Tribe of Judah", and certainly, "a lion on a
leash", and God holds the leash!
Rather than being removed, or isolated from the world,
we are called to be an influence for God, for good in the
world, like "Light", like "Salt".
Jesus, the Good Shepherd cares for the lost lamb, and
goes looking for it. Why? Because the lamb will be
devoured, and He wants to bring it to the safety of the
fold.
II. Jesus Prays for Sanctification - by the truth of
God's Word (v.17)
This word "sanctify" has the same root as "saint"; so to
be "sanctified" is to be "saintified". (1 Corinthians 1:2)
We have lost not only the word, but its meaning -
generally speaking, we don't want to think of ourselves
as being dirty, and in some cases, maybe we like it that
way, like children who seem to detest having to take a
bath.
How does "sanctification" happen? By the "Word". We
know that we are cleansed through the "blood", but it is
applied through the "Word". The Psalmist says, "I have
hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin
against you". James says the "word is like a mirror", it
reveals not only the holiness of God, but the unholines of
man.
Do you wash before you eat? It may appear that there is
no dirt on your hands, until you actually get to the sink,
to apply the soap and water. If you notice carefully, you'll
see that there is dirt running down the drain. That's the
way it is when we are cleansed by the Word.
That His disciples become holy, pure in thought, deed
and word was important to Jesus.
III. Jesus Prays for Unity (v.21)
He does this with two goals in mind, unity among
believers, and unity with God and Christ.
One of the strongest messages of Jesus was His urging
His disciples to love one another. How hard this seems
to be, and frankly, the only way for this to happen is for
the "Love of God to be spread abroad in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit."
It might appear that the prayer about unity of disciples
has not been answered, even the opposite seems true.
Too frequent conflicts disrupt the harmony that is
according to God's Will. Think of the church being like
an orchestra - every instrument playing it's part well,
but keeping in time and harmony with the other
instruments. Disunity also reigns when one church
claiming superiority over others. The church too often
has been reduced to a human organization which attains
its identity and meaning by distinguishing itself from
other churches.
For some, it seems, the enemy is no longer Satan and
the forces of evil, but other churches which we think
have unacceptable doctrinal statements. We too easily
adopt the market strategy of trying to gain an edge by
our superiority. "Join our church because we do it
better, we're the New Testament church; we have the
Spirit, you don't." All these attitudes cause disunity in
the Body of Christ.
Are we praying like the Master?
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Taken from Jesus Prays
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - November 25, 2000 - - - ++++++++
The Grateful Leper
When Jesus healed the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), He
wanted to know where were the nine who did not return to
give thanks. Let's imagine what they might have said:
1. "This is fantastic, I'm just so excited."
2. "I've got to hurry home to tell my family."
3. "Well, it's about time God answered my prayer!"
4. "This is great, for the first time ever I will be able to
hug my son."
5. "This must be a coincidence; He never even touched me.
How can I know for sure it was God who did this?"
6. "I'm going to call the publisher, this story will sell!"
7. "Man, I've got a lot of making up to do, an education to
get, a business to start."
8. "Maybe this is just a brief 'remission'; I'm going to
'wait and see' if this healing really sticks."
9. "But Jesus said, " go to the priest." If he confirms it,
then we'll come back to give thanks."
10. "You can do what ever you want, I'm going right back
to give thanks to the One who healed me."
Sadly, only one in ten placed Thanksgiving as a priority.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - November 18, 2000 - - - ++++++++
Jeremiah 6:16 - "This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at
the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask
where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find
rest for your souls.' But you said, `We will not walk in it.'"
Here is some excellent advice regardless of where we may
be in our relationship with the Lord. There are decisions
being made every day - we frequently find ourselves at a
"crossroad", and need guidance and wisdom in making
godly decisions.
Stand - Look
In a moment of decision, it's important to stop and give
careful consideration. There aren't many left, but RR
crossings on our country roads say it well, "Stop, Look,
Listen". Now may be the time for an important decision
in your life. Please take the time necessary to carefully
consider the alternatives. Of course we understand that
our sight is limited and flawed, and we must depend on the
guidance of Him who sees it all. But there is a partnership,
we must use the faculties that have been given, and then
trust in God for the ultimate direction.
Ask - Walk
Men especially have trouble with the asking part. Dan
Betzer tried to help women understand their husbands.
He explained it this way, "If we're out on a trip and we say,
'I'm not lost, I know exactly where we are,' we're really
saying, 'No one will ever see us alive again.'"
We men just don't want to admit it - we don't want to
humble ourselves to ask for directions. And we sure don't
want our wives to tell us where to go!
Find out about the old paths - but we don't want the old,
we want the new. Old Fashioned, Old Foggie, Old Man,
Old Woman, Old Hat - these are all negative, pejorative
expressions. Old is passé, New is the order of the day.
This is also true when it comes to religion. The mood in
America is "Do your own thing - create your own religion."
How many times have we heard someone say, "I believe in
God, but I like to do it my own way." Now we have pinned
a name on it, it's the doctrine of the "New Age" - I am my
own god.
When we stand at the crossroads, we are called on to
consider the old paths, the ones prescribed of old by God.
Rest - Refuse
For those who take the good way, the ancient path, the way
trodden by those who have been faithful through the years,
there is a promise of rest. What we understand is that what
is available for the destination is also present for the
journey. At the end there will be complete and eternal
rest, but there's a piece of it that applies to our daily walk.
But then, on the other hand, Jeremiah's message ends with
this terrible epitaph - "We will not walk in it." What can
be of greater rebellion than this, to know the way, and
refuse to walk in it.
Once the decision has been made, there is a different kind
of "Crossroad" - it's a "Cross" road. The throngs flocked
to Jesus because He fed them, and they wanted to see signs
and wonders. But He would not submit to their "felt"
needs nor to their curiosities. Instead, He said, "take up
the cross and follow me." It's a "Cross" road we are asked
to trod.
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Taken from Crossroads
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - November 11, 2000 - - - ++++++++
Lesson of Cain
What is the lesson of Cain? According to John, it is a
message about love.
"For this is the message that ye heard from the
beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain,
who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And
wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were
evil, and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3:11,12)
But it is also a lesson about God's attempts at keeping us
from the lurking danger of sin.
Please notice the efforts God made to save Cain.
1. He let Cain know in no uncertain terms that his
offering was not accepted.
There should be no surprises at the end. Did you ever get
fired from a job because you didn't do something you were
never told to do? I almost did. I was told to go put shakes
on the exterior of a house - I had never done that before,
and had not been told how to do it. Consequently, I didn't
fold a piece of tar paper and slip it up under the window
casing, and almost got fired because of that mistake.
However, with God, He makes it clear what is acceptable
and what is not, and lets us know when we miss the mark.
2. God tried to get Cain to own up to his anger when He
asked, "Why are you angry? Why is your face
downcast?"
It is very important for us to identify the presence and
source of our anger. Too many people are going around
carrying a hidden rage - someday it will come out in a way
that's harmful to others.
3. God gave Cain the chance to retrace his steps and do
what was right when He said, "If you do what is right, will
you not be accepted?" Evil never has a viable excuse - God
has given us the power to overcome and do what is right.
4. God warned Cain about the consequences of his secret
sin when He told him it was like a wolf "crouching at the
door".
5. God gave Cain a warning and an encouragement when
He said, "sin desires to have you, but you must master
it." That's why Jesus said, "Watch and pray lest you
enter into temptation."
6. God gave Cain an opportunity to confess and repent
when He asked him about his brother.
Recently we saw a report concerning the young,
undisciplined elephants which were killing rhinos. It
was interesting in part because it seemed that the reason
this was happening was because these young buck
elephants had been reared apart from the influence of
their parents. However, in one segment of the report, an
elephant had stomped down a fence around the property of
one of the trainers. The trainer went out to meet the
elephant, waved his arms and yelled - the elephant backed
away and ran off.
But even better is the story I heard a number of years ago
about a missionary who was being attacked by an
elephant. Later the missionary learned that back in the
US, a prayer warrior had been wakened from a deep sleep
and called upon to pray. The missionary fearfully backed
away from the beast, but clumsily knocked over a table of
metal dishware. The sounds frightened the elephant
which made a hasty retreat.
Sin may be crouching at the door, but we can have
mastery over it.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Taken from Fratricide
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++ - - Dr. Chadwick's Email Circular - - ++++++
Brief comments to encourage faithful Christian living.
++++++++ - - - November 4, 2000 - - - ++++++++
The Christian's Armor
Often when we look at the various pieces of the Roman
soldiers' armor, we try to understand what each piece
means for us.
1. The belt of truth, a "girdle", was apparently designed
to hold, and keep every part of the armor in its place, and
to strengthen the soldier on every side. Perhaps it's
called "truth" because by this we come to know where
our strength lies. We must understand the truth in order
to guard ourselves against all false religion, and those
doctrines by which cunning men and insidious devils try
to deceive us. Or, "truth" may have to so with sincerity,
knowing the truth about ourselves as well as the truth
about God. We know that we are but sinners, and we
make no false pretenses, which alone can give us the
confidence we need in the battle.
2. The breastplate of righteousness protects the heart,
and signifies the principle as well as the practice of
righteousness. Jesus demands the highest level of
holiness, but He also gives us the power of the Holy Spirit
to live the life pleasing to Him, the righteous life. As the
breastplate defends the vital organs such as the heart and
lungs, so righteousness defends every thing on which the
man's spiritual existence depends.
3. The feet are fitted with shoes of preparation to preach
the gospel. As the lsraelites were commanded to eat the
Passover with their feet shod, to show that they were
ready for their journey, so our Lord commands us to be
ready to go and publish the Gospel.
4. The shield of faith has great importance, as seen in the
expression, "above all". We have not been called upon to
destroy the enemy, rather, the power of the enemy is made
impotent by the deflecting, or quenching of the fiery
darts. But we also note that the word used here for
"shield" alludes to the great oblong shield, which was
designed to cover the whole body.
5. The helmet of salvation, we have said before, is that
which protects our minds, enabling us to think God's
thoughts, and be free from depending on human wisdom
which always falls short.
6. The last item of armor mentioned is the sword of the
Spirit, which is identified as the Word of God. No one will
dispute that weak Christians are those who forsake the
reading and studying the Word of God.
7. But at the end of the list is another item in the
Christian's arsenal which doesn't have an article of
Roman armor to symbolize it. The soldier must, as Jesus
said to the disciples in the Garden, "watch and pray" - be
alert and continue praying.
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Taken from Put on the Whole Armor