Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com You probably figured out by now that I see a lot of movies. I love acting and appreciate a good romantic, comedic or spiritual film. The other day I saw the new movie “I Feel Pretty,” starring Amy Schumer. It was very funny but had a great message, which is – you ARE pretty, just the way you are! I won’t give away the plot but I do suggest that you see it – mostly speaking to the ladies out there! We often don’t see ourselves as God sees us. So what do you see when you look into the mirror? When you are secure in who you are, know that you are loved and appreciated, then you can look at yourself and see your beauty! Really, it’s that simple! I am reminded of the poster where a little kitten looks in the mirror but the reflection looking back is a lion! You ARE beautiful!! Proverbs 23:7: For as he thinks within himself, so is he. Ethel
1 Comment
Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com I was talking to another mother the other day and she confessed that she sometimes doesn’t like her son very much. I think most mothers can relate to this. We feel guilty for even thinking it, but even though we love our children, we don’t always like them. It kind of makes me wonder about God. He always loves us, but does he always like us? Ouch, that kind of stings a little, doesn’t it? I want to be someone that God likes AND loves, how about you? But back here on earth -- what should we do when we encounter someone that just annoys us, disrespects us and makes our blood pressure rise? I guess the first thing I would recommend is to take DEEP breaths! Stop whatever you are doing, go outside, go into a closed room, go into your car, but go somewhere where you can be alone with God. Start praying IMMEDIATELY. Keep taking deep breaths! Ask Him to supernaturally change your heart and mind towards the object of your disdain – whether it be your child, your spouse, co-worker or friend. Repent of any anger or hatred towards this person, and PRAY for them! You may also need help with setting boundaries so pray for that too! God can change your like into love. He really can do it! (But you have to want to change). Matthew 19:26: And looking, Yeshua said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Ethel Chadwick By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com I am a sucker for a good movie – especially one that is all about redemption, forgiveness and reconciliation. Recently I went with a friend to see “I Can Only Imagine,” based on the life of “Mercy Me” vocalist Bart Millard. I am sure that many people could relate to this young man’s experience. How many of us have, at some time during our life, been abused – either verbally or physically – by someone who was supposed to love us? The movie shows how anger and unforgiveness can destroy other relationships and that submitting to God can change lives. Whether you see the movie or not, I just want to encourage you to ask God to help you forgive. Holding onto bitterness, anger and unforgiveness can block the healing that you so desperately need and want. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom!!! Ephesians 4:26: Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath Matthew 6:14-15: If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done. Ethel Chadwick By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com I have a friend who is often sad. She knows Yeshua but sometimes doesn’t feel that He really loves her. I just try to gently reassure her that she is loved by many others and me and that God is always there for her. Sometimes it seems like this isn’t enough and I feel frustrated. All I can do is pray and try to show her love the best way I know how. What do you do when you are feeling sad? Do you push people away and hide under the bed covers? Sometimes when we least feel like being around people, that’s the time we need people the most. Perhaps like me, you have a friend who is often depressed. Remember to pray, and call or text often to remind them that you are thinking of them. If appropriate, stop over with a favorite bowl of chicken soup (Jewish penicillin!) or cookies. We really do need each other. People who are hugged often tend to live longer – I think there was a study somewhere that proved this. The moral of the story is, reach out and hug someone today! We all need each other, we need to feel God’s love. They will know we are believers by our love! Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com When you read the title I bet you thought I meant “fight with another person.” Wrong! I mean fight for your faith, for love, for strength, for your very soul! If you don’t fight the negative thoughts, the depression, the anxiety, etc., then Satan wins. And we can’t let him win! So how do we fight? We make ourselves recite scripture, even when we don’t feel like it. We listen to positive, encouraging music. We make ourselves get up, get dressed, walk around the block and maybe call a friend. I know it isn’t easy. I don’t profess to understand chronic depression. What I do know is that God loves you very much and He doesn’t want you to suffer. If you need to ask for help, please do so. Let others minister to you. You will get better, slowly, if you really want to. Yes, you have to want to. So please fight. It’s a matter of life and death! This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live – Deuteronomy 30:19 Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com Several of my friends have recently broken their bones – arms, wrists, kneecaps, etc. I have been fervently praying for healing and as I envisioned the cracks disappearing and the bones becoming whole, it occurred to me that there are also many fractures in relationships. It is sad to realize that even amongst believers there are siblings who haven’t spoken in years, people who no longer speak to their parents and marriages which are fractured seemingly beyond repair. Just as God can heal the fractures in my friends’ bones (in fact, the broken kneecap miraculously healed in just 2 weeks!), He most certainly can repair these relationship fractures! The key is to have faith! Remember that faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Begin to thank God for healing, trust that He will do it, and be expectant, even when there is no sign of change! I believe all your fractures will mend, sooner than you think! With God all things are possible!!! (Luke 18:24). Shalom, Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com Have you ever left a fully cooked meal on the counter or in the toaster oven all night? People are starving in China and you go and waste perfectly good food! The nerve! I bet when that happens you get really angry at yourself. You probably call yourself “stupid” and a whole bunch more mean names. Yeah, I know, I have been there – embarrassingly more than once. Just recently I left a delicious meat loaf in the toaster oven all night long. My husband (the vegetarian) discovered it the next morning. I was mortified! And angry at myself!!! But my sweet husband just laughed it off and promptly went out and bought more ground beef. Then it clicked in my head – the light bulb went off. I had a second chance. And then I thought of God – His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). He forgives us when we make mistakes, so we should forgive ourselves. And we get another chance. So no more name calling – you are not stupid. You are forgiven. Yes, forgive yourself and do better next time!!! That’s delicious news to me!!! Bon Appetit! “Mama” Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com (Hebrews 10:25) When something bothers me I have to get it off my chest. I am troubled by folks who just don’t go to church or synagogue. I am talking about true believers in Yeshua. Yes, they love the Lord, yes, they pray and listen for His voice, but it’s not the same! Here’s why: They are missing out on corporate worship, on hugging and being hugged by their mishpochah (family). They are missing out on opportunities to bless others and receive blessings. And besides, there is safety in numbers! We need each other! We need others to hold us accountable. And we need to use our gifts to bless others in the congregation. Even if you feed the poor and memorize the whole Bible, please do not forget to attend and commit to your congregation. We won’t talk about membership here, that is a whole different discussion. Just remember that Satan likes to keep you really busy so that you just don’t have time to go to services. Your family is waiting for you. Let them love you! Mama Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com Recently I was at a prayer meeting and we were discussing the Book of Job. That poor man endured an awful lot, didn’t he? The amazing thing is that he didn’t “curse God and die” as his wife suggested. Towards the end he wished he hadn’t been born and was a bit despondent (who wouldn’t be after losing all your possessions, your family, and being afflicted with disease!!), but he never turned his back on God. This really got me thinking. How can we praise God when we are going through rough times? I lost my glasses for 48 hours and I was having a really hard time praising God! I mean GLASSES! In the grand scheme of things, glasses aren’t that important! So maybe we really need to take a step back and count our blessings, be thankful, and praise God in every situation. I mean if Job could do it, I think we can too!! Psalm 34:1: I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Blessings, Ethel By: Ethel Chadwick
bagelsandblessings.com What does it really mean to let our light shine (Matthew 5:16)? Messianic recording artist Ted Pearce has a song called "Walk in the Light." I was listening to it earlier today and it made me think about how others perceive me. As a believer in Yeshua, I realize that people are watching and listening. I know I'm not perfect and I know I'm going to make mistakes but I know that I have to be very careful because I don't want to ever lead anyone astray, cause anyone to stumble, and I want to avoid the appearance of evil. So this is not to shame anyone or scold anyone but instead it's just a reminder that we need to be very aware at all times and know that our actions and our words can have an impact on others. Let your light shine and be blessed! Ethel |
Archives
September 2022
Categories |