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Enjoy the latest video blog from Pastor Chris Chadwick, recorded 2-26-10.

Pastor Chris Chadwick’s latest video blog can be viewed by clicking here.

I get airsick when I fly-at least during takeoffs and landings. Every time the nose of that aircraft tilts skyward and the ground begins to fade, I lean back, close my eyes and thank God I’m not a pilot. Once the plane levels out, I’m fine. I can read, sleep, drool, what have you.

The last time I was on a plane, I sat next to a copilot traveling home to San Diego. Little did I know that just saying “hello” would result in an hour-long conversation about God and our relationship to Him! What a privilege it was to share with my new friend about my Savior and about how to know Him through His Word, the Bible.

We discussed the origins of the Bible, other religions, cults, why we to church, how to know God, and much more.  As I think back over that flight, I can’t help but remember the words of Christ Jesus: “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63)

Did my friend realize how important that conversation was?  Was he just being polite, or was he truly interested? Did my friend understand the most important truth-that he, too, can have a personal relationship with the God who made him? I told him several times that you don’t have to be an expert to make a decision. You have to know facts, but you don’t have to know all the facts! All you need to know is this: God cannot overlook sin, but his love provided a way to grant us mercy! As it is written in Romans 3, God is “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3:26) We can be saved from sin–now and forever–and live with God in heaven if we believe!

I can’t tell you how excited I was to share with the truth of God and His saving power. I pray that he makes the choice soon.:)

Sincerely,

Burnie Lund, Assistant Pastor

“There’s TOO MUCH on my Plate!”

“What do I do with all of this?  I feel over whelmed!  I’m wearing so many hats I can’t keep them all straight!”

We’ve all heard someone say it, or maybe we’ve said it ourselves – “I have too much on my plate right now!” Canyon Ridge Baptist Church’s Ladies Retreat 2009 was themed “What’s on Your Plate?” and with the help of our guest speaker, Judy Greer, we learned keys to having a “Well-Balanced Plate.”

We opened with a surprisingly practical exercise. You can try it too. Find a blank piece of paper (a “Plate” to draw on ), then take 3 to 5 minutes to write down all the things “on your plate” right now: Job, Husband, Kids, Pets, Guilt, Projects, School, Health issues, a Sunday School class, a Church ministry–things to which you devote your time and energy. This is a great brainstorming exercise.  It gave me real perspective as I sought to re-prioritize my life.

During the retreat, we heard teaching from the Word of God that helped us to define the “Dirty Plate,” the “Fun Plate,” the “Fast Plate,” the “Sweet Plate,” and the “Well-Balanced Plate.”

I realize we don’t have room to share each of these lessons in this format, but I would like to share with you some of my favorite truths from this life-changing weekend.

1. “Kindness doesn’t come from us, it comes from God.”
2. “Thorns prevent the Word of God from being absorbed into our hearts.”
3. “If you are not participating in church, it is not the Pastor you are rebelling against -it is God.”
4. Proverbs 16-3- “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
5. James 4:17- “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
6. God, Family, Church, Responsibilities, Fun.
7. The testimony of the church is comprised of the testimonies of its members.
8. What use are you to God?

As we finished the weekend, each lady was asked to take another “Plate” to draw on – Many had acted on I John 1:9 and asked God to give them a CLEAN Plate, so it was time to take a second step and set some goals.

What things did we learn that we could KNOW, according to God’s Word, that God commands to be on each of our “plates?” Many things can be added later, but this is a good start.

Here’re some brief notes as to what I added to my plate:

God -

1. Bible time – II Tim 2:15 – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God….”
2. Prayer – Phil 4:6 -” Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer….”
3. Kindness – Eph. 4:32 – “Be ye kind one to another….”
4. Pure thoughts – Phil 4:8 – “…think on these things.”

Family & Marriage -

1. Wives – Eph. 4:21-24 – Proper place of authority.
2. Children – Deut. 6:4-9 – Teach your children daily – consistently – the truths of God’s Word
3. Prov. 31 – the Virtuous woman – a Godly example to all women!

Church -

1. Faithfulness – Heb. 10:25 – “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together….”
2. Loyalty – Heb 13:7,17 – Honor the Pastor and leadership of the church
3. Ministry – I Cor. 12 – You ARE a part of the Body of Christ – What use are you to God?

Responsibilities -

1. Prov.16:3 – “Commit thy works unto the Lord….” A Daily, Individual task

Fun -

1. Does it meet the Phil 4:8 test?
2. Eph. 4:29-30 – Remember the Holy Spirit dwells within you – Will He enjoy the fun, or will He be grieved?
3. Proverbs 17:22 – “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine….”

With these notes, I had a great start on filling my plate out.  “Be not weary in well doing – for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.”

Sincerely,

Debbie Chadwick

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Have you ever put something away for so long that you actually forgot that you had it? In fact, did you ever forget about it so long that you went out and bought another one?

Once, the legendary William Randolph Hearst decided he wanted a rare painting for his massive art collection.  Upon hearing the painting was in Europe, he sent his art buyer to purchase it.  After a diligent search, Hearst’s buyer sent word that he had indeed found the painting… in a warehouse owned by Hearst.  Hearst wanted to buy a painting he already owned!

It struck me recently how often we do the same thing with our love for Christ.  In Revelation 2:4 Jesus said to the Church at Ephesus, “…I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”  The preceding verses are filled with outstanding qualities about the Church at Ephesus:

-    They were diligent in their work of the ministry.
-    They didn’t quit while going through serious trials.
-    They lived holy lives.
-    They committed themselves to the Word of God and made sure their leaders were as well.

The Ephesians were awesome Christians–matter of fact, they were some of the best in the New Testament.  But there was a problem, and it was so daunting that if something wasn’t done God would no longer consider them a church.  When God Himself takes the title ‘church’ away from a church, there is definitely a big problem.

But what was the problem? The Bible says they “left” their first love. They simply quit loving Christ.

This thought really impressed me this week.  I can really be engaged in the “Work of the Ministry” and I can do it all without loving Christ.

Think back to those early days of your Christian journey, when you first accepted Him as your Lord and Savior.  When I first became a Christian, I just wanted to tell everyone about Jesus.  I didn’t know near as much as I know now–I was ten years old–but I wanted to tell everyone about Him.  I would take Gospel tracts and hand them out everywhere I went.  I would talk to friends in the neighborhood, people at the airport, the grocery store, the park.  I just wanted to share the love of Christ with others.   No one told me to do it–I just wanted the world to know about Christ.

But the more I learned, the less I loved.  The more I was taught the less I shared Christ (NOTE: I’m not against learning and study.  I believe it is warranted and beneficial.  We are to “study” to show ourselves approved unto God.  I’m simply commenting on my own personal drift away from nurturing the love of Christ in my heart).  Before I knew all the techniques people use to lead people to Christ, I simply told people how great He was for dying for my sin and giving me heaven as my eternal home.  I learned how to preach, counsel, lead, plan a service…but over time, I lost my focus.  I couldn’t see the forest for the trees.  I took my eyes off the love of Christ and focused on the work.

There is a call today: rekindle your “Love” for Christ!  Take some time and meditate on what He’s done for you.  Grab your Bible and a cup of coffee, go to the beach, and read Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 19–the accounts of Christ’s death on the Cross.  Remember He did all this because of love–love for you and me.  Paul said to the Roman Christians in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

But wait–should I dial it back a notch?  Should I stop doing ‘the work’ until I’m sure I have the love of Christ in my heart again?  No.  Instead, make the choice to do what you do because you love Him.  Let our motivation be that of “Loving God!”  Tell people about the One you love!  Serve the One you love!  Love the One you serve! 1 John 4:18-19 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.  We love him, because he first loved us.”   You had it… You can have it again!

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Sincerely,

Pastor Chris Chadwick

The CRBC Youth group visited Tyler in the hospital this past Sunday, and it was insanely fun.  See pics below!

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