A Moment of Hope

by Marilynn Chadwick "A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger quiets contention." Proverbs 15:18 Be slow to anger. The book of Proverbs has lots to say about the problem of anger. Over fifteen different verses warn of the dangers of an unbridled temper. Anger is described as foolish and destructive. Being slow to anger is a sign of moral strength. So dangerous is anger that we're warned to steer clear of close friendships with hot-tempered people to avoid letting them influence our behavior. "Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared" (Proverbs 22:24, 25 NIV). Several verses in Proverbs give us a tutorial on how to avoid the anger trap. We're encouraged to replace anger with a virtue, such as patience: Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly (Proverbs 14:29). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins (Proverbs 10:12). Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice (Proverbs 13:10). A person's wisdom yields patience; it is to one's glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin (Proverbs 17:19). That last tip in Proverbs 17:19 gives me pause. I confess I've been known to enjoy "verbal jousting" at times. And friendly debates are not all bad. But it's good to remember that debates can become quarrels. I don't want to "love a quarrel," which this verse calls "loving sin." Ancient Jewish rabbis were so aware of the potentially destructive nature of anger that they elevated the virtue of love even above the highly prized virtue of truth. Anger can be bad for our health, cause us to make rash and unwise decisions, and even lose at war. Someone once advised soldiers to "never enter a sword fight angry." Proverbs 16:32 teaches that true strength is found in controlling one's spirit rather than winning an argument and a patient person is "stronger than a warrior." Let's remember that God hates strife, especially in families and the family of God (Malachi 2:10). I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that love covers a "multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

by Marilynn Chadwick "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17 My husband, David, recently addressed Proverbs 26:17, but I find it so important that I want to expound upon it again today. Proverbs 26:11 says that if someone repeats their folly, they are fools. So, in an effort to walk in wisdom, let's look at this concept again. It is the danger of meddling in another's affairs, sometimes referring to the sin of being a "busybody." This kind of intrusion includes entering into someone else's argument. It doesn't take much imagination to see how grabbing a "stray dog by the ears," as described in Proverbs 26:17, will cause us certain pain in the end. Just as a dog will snap at you if you grab its ears, people in a fight will sometimes turn their anger on the person who meddles in their quarrel. The word "busybody" seems a bit old-fashioned. I've always thought of a busybody as a term for the frivolous but rather harmless gossip caricatured in a comedy. But the Bible paints a more serious picture. Scripture warns that being a meddler or busybody comes with its own form of danger, even suffering. "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters" (1 Peter 4:15 NKJV). Did you catch that? Being a busybody, or meddler, causes suffering. Let's look at a different version of this verse in its context: "If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name (1 Peter 4:15-16 NIV). Life is messy, and sin causes pain. But if we suffer, it shouldn't be as a murderer or thief. Or even as a busybody. The New Testament term for "busybody" is defined as "one who oversees that which belongs to another." Also described as "factious," the busybody, or meddler, causes trouble for himself or herself and spreads trouble and division to others. That's why it's not a minor offense. Proverbs repeatedly emphasizes the wisdom of avoiding the temptation to stir up strife. It warns that "fools constantly meddle and bring trouble on themselves" (Proverbs 20:3). Bottom line? Mind your own business! And when you're tempted to take charge of something that's not your own, remember the Bible's warning to avoid the suffering that's sure to follow. Next time I'm tempted to meddle, I'll think back to that image of a dog snapping at me and try to resist the temptation to "fix everybody and everything."

by Marilynn Chadwick "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." Proverbs 16:8 NIV The Bible mentions gossip and its related behaviors, such as slander, backbiting, and whispering, over 150 times. The sin of gossip is often mentioned alongside more seemingly serious sins, like theft or murder. "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy" (Romans 1:29-32 NIV). Gossip is pretty serious stuff. The book of Proverbs paints a picture of the dire consequences of gossip and gives ample warnings to avoid its sting: "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret" (Proverbs 11:13 NIV). At its core, gossip is simply another lust of the flesh. And like any lust, gossip can seem temporarily satisfying. "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" (Proverbs 18:8). The New Testament strongly warns us about the dangers of gossip. It's as if gossip is an appetite all its own. "But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another!" (Galatians 5:15 NKJV). This passage is addressed to Christ followers and warns against destructive conflict, gossip, and strife within the church. The solution is found in Galatians 5:16: "Walk in the Spirit and you will not obey the lusts of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 NIV). When we follow Jesus, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit. Living by the Holy Spirit's guidance, or "walking in the Spirit," enables us to overcome sinful, fleshly desires, like the temptation to gossip, rather than giving in to them. This requires continual abiding in Christ and trusting his power within us, rather than simply fighting the temptation through sheer willpower. Remember, the flesh and spirit continually war against one another (Galatians 5:16-17). When it comes to the sin of gossip, it pays to be alert. To realize temptation can come disguised as a "prayer request" or "verbal processing" with a friend. Walk in the Spirit daily. Keep up your guard. Be alert to the devil's methods. Don't use your freedom to "indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love" (Galatians 5:14). Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. Replace gossip with something stronger. Pray. Try fasting from gossip. Take it to the cross. Find accountability with a fellow believer. And remember, love covers a multitude of sins.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Strength and honor are her clothing." Proverbs 31:25 CSB The woman of valor in Proverbs 31:10 (CJB) is also described as a woman of "honor" (v. 25). Throughout the Bible, valor and honor go hand in hand. David's Mighty Men of Valor were an elite group of roughly 37 warriors in the Old Testament (2 Samuel 23, 1 Chronicles 11). They were renowned for exceptional loyalty, strength, valor, and honor. To honor someone is to treat them with admiration or respect. Honor conveys dignity, honesty, and integrity. Years ago, I wrote an editorial in our local newspaper honoring my husband's legendary basketball coach, Dean Smith, at his passing. Along with great basketball, Coach Smith taught David about honor. Responses to my article, some from well-known leaders in our community, caused me to wonder if our culture is thirsty for honor. Perhaps it's because honor is sorely lacking in many of our homes. Marriages are breaking up at an alarming rate. Sadly, the percentage of wives leaving their husbands has risen significantly. Over the years, I've discovered that honoring my husband in today's culture requires something of a fight. It helps to realize that we have an enemy. Not just of our soul, but also of our marriages. In addition to waging a war with the devil, our battle for a strong marriage is also against our own selfish tendencies. Honoring our husband or wife sometimes goes against the grain of our flesh. If we truly want to honor our spouse, we'll find ourselves resisting a world that degrades and disrespects marriage. I've learned I can best fight for my husband and honor our marriage most powerfully by interceding for him in prayer. The tone we set in our homes when we honor our husband or wife inspires our children to honor their parents and each other. It feels good to get respect. To be honored. But it also feels incredibly good to honor someone else. We find that as we give honor, we get it back. But giving honor, especially in a world that has largely forgotten this concept, doesn't come easy. It takes practice. David and I have written companion books exploring ways this lost art of honor can be reclaimed in our marriages, our families, and our culture. I believe our world today is thirsty for honor. Honor requires self-sacrifice and humility. I've learned that home can be a wonderful laboratory for cultivating honor. My hope is that the culture of honor we create will spill over into the culture around us. Click here to download a free copy of 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chawick and 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Every word of God is flawless." Proverbs 30:5a NIV I was around fifteen when I concluded God did not exist. I was not angry or rebellious. I simply no longer believed God was real. I had grown up in the church, attending Sunday School and Vacation Bible Schools. I was "confirmed" as a twelve-year-old. I even went on a couple of high school retreats. But over the years, I gradually stopped believing, and by college, I had stopped going to church altogether. I would occasionally attend our family's church out of respect for my parents when I was home from college. Out of curiosity one day, I picked up the Bible to try and read a few words. Nothing made sense. From then on, I saw the Bible as nothing more than a "dead book." I had a dramatic encounter with Jesus as a 21-year-old college student while reading C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. I accepted him as my Savior and have never looked back. Suddenly, when I began to read the Bible, it was as if words jumped off the page. They were true, and they were speaking directly to me. This book is alive! I began to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, engaging in Bible studies and learning from Christian mentors. One thing became clear: God's Word is the truth and every word in the Bible is true. Or as Proverbs 30:5 puts it, "Every word of God is flawless." Other versions say "tried," "tested," or "pure." A friend wisely encouraged me. You can't believe one part of Scripture but throw out the parts you don't like. If you do that, you'll never be able to confidently stand on God's promises when you need them. I began to lead a group of young wives in a Bible study, all recent college graduates like me. They knew even less about the Bible than I did but were eager to learn. "Hey girls," I said, "it says we are supposed to tithe, so let's do it!" Or "the Bible tells us to respect our husbands as spiritual leaders of our home." "Well, if the Bible says it," they chimed in, "let's do it." Thus began a life-changing Bible journey. I've learned firsthand Paul got it right when he instructed young Timothy: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Friend, it takes time to become "fluent" in Scripture. But let's remember, once we accept Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit as our indwelling teacher who promises to make all things clear (1 John 2:27).

by David Chadwick "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but if you walk with fools, you will become foolish. 1 Corinthians 15:33 has a similar teaching, which says, "Bad company ruins good morals." If you have never heard this principle before, hear it today: who you choose to work with, spend time with, marry, and be influenced by really, really matters. Once again, I have to give a nod back to my dad, who said it this way, "Your friends are like elevators; they will either take you up or bring you down." What a profound truth this is! It is so important to be discerning and careful as you choose companions. The book of Proverbs is so clear. One option will make you wiser, and the other brings destruction and harm. The people you keep company with will either propel you toward greatness or tear you down. Your friends and your companions will either make you foolish or wise. There really is not an in-between, lukewarm option to this principle. For those of you who are parents, you should seek to implement this truth with your kids and teens. Peer pressure is real, and you, as parents, have every right and responsibility to guide your children in choosing their friends. Intervene when necessary! Talk to them. Be honest with them about what you notice in other people. Use Proverbs 13:20 as a guide to help teach your children this very important life lesson so that they can lead lives of wisdom. Too often, parents hesitate to interfere with their children's decision-making because they don't know how it will be received. But healthy stewardship of the children God has given you is not control. Remember you have been called to lead your children in the wisdom and instruction of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:19). No matter what age you are, walk with wise people. Avoid fools. And encourage others to do the same. This principle will keep all of us safe and growing in wisdom.

by David Chadwick "Good sense wins favor, but the way of the treacherous is their ruin." Proverbs 13:15 Common sense is severely lacking in our current culture. One of the most dangerous parts of our modern society is that everyone is a self-proclaimed expert, but many lack common sense. There are lots of opinions, little wisdom. Many voices, few sages. If you spend 5 minutes on social media of any kind, you quickly see that there is no shortage of thoughts circulating. In fact, so many that I think many people are always internalizing, never applying. The practical wisdom found in the book of Proverbs is imperative to learn and implement; one of those truths being that it is highly valuable to know the right thing to do simply because it's obvious. Good sense, or common sense, is not just a good skill; it's a biblical skill. Treachery, on the other hand, is a destructive habit, full of deception with an aim to betray. Where common sense wins favor and grants advancement, treachery eventually brings ruin. One of my favorite quotes says, "Time and truth travel together." With enough patience and time, deception will be revealed. The truth always wins! And good sense is one of the best ways to see truth come to light. I'm once again reminded of some of my dad's wise words when he said that he often thought that great prayer was really just good old common sense. Knowing what makes sense in a situation and partnering with God to pray it into reality. I can see why he said this. When you have good common sense, you know what to pray for, and will see God's mighty answers. Therefore, see common sense. Seek to understand what the obvious right thing to do is. Then pray for that. And watch God work. After all, good sense wins favor and, I think, the blessing of God.

by David Chadwick "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17 Today's proverb gives some very wise advice: Don't meddle in other people's affairs. You'll often get caught in the middle, and your own life will be hurt or even ruined. One or both of the parties involved might even turn against you! A meddler puts their nose where it doesn't belong. Proverbs compares it to someone who grabs a passing dog by the ears. Can you picture the end result of that decision? A lot of thrashing, frustration, and chaos. A great biblical example of this truth is found in the story of King Josiah. God blessed him because he was a righteous and good king who led well. But he got caught in the crosshairs of a battle between Egypt and Babylon. Egypt's King Neco was taking his army north to battle against Babylon. King Neco told King Josiah that his battle was not with Israel, and he promised to pass through Israel without any intention of harm to Josiah's people (2 Chronicles 35). Instead of staying out of the fray of the fight, Josiah decided to take on King Neco in battle. He put on his armor and led his people into battle and ended up being killed. Had he refrained from meddling in something that wasn't his business, he would have lived. Dear friends, you are not meant to fight every battle. My dad used to say to me often, "Choose your battles wisely. Not every battle is yours." These were such wise words from my dad, and his words perfectly aligned with Solomon's wisdom. It is one of the most important lessons to learn. Every situation that arises is not your mountain to climb. Too many people get themselves in trouble when they think they are supposed to fix every problem that pops up. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to put your head down, stay in your lane, and let God be God. Surrender. Let go of control. This puts God back in the driver's seat. And choose faith! Today and every day until Jesus returns!

by David Chadwick "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12 Hope is a powerful weapon. It provides the motivation to keep persevering, keep moving forward, and keep believing. In fact, hope is so powerful that Proverbs says hope deferred makes the heart sick. Have you ever hoped for something and had to wait upon the Lord? Have you desired something that took a long time to come to pass? What do you do when God's answer simply doesn't come in the period you have wanted to see it happen? What happens when you wait and wait and wait some more? Many of us are all too familiar with this reality. So what do you do? Believe. Have faith. Trust that the delay has purpose. Know that delay does not equal God's denial. Sometimes hope must be cultivated alongside patience and endurance. When a desire takes a long time to be fulfilled, it is important to be long-suffering while contending in hope. God may be doing something in you, in your eternal character, that he couldn't do without the waiting. Do you know how to be long-suffering? If not, let me share a few tips that will help you cultivate the fruit of patience in your life. First, remain childlike. Jesus said to let the little children come to him because the kingdom of heaven belongs to people like them (Matthew 19:14). Children have pure hearts and believe that anything is possible. Secondly, memorize verses like Isaiah 40:31, which says that our strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord. Don't allow waiting to deter your faith and hope, but rather use the "wait room" much like a physical "weight room" to build your spiritual muscles of faith and hope. Third, pray and fast. The Bible is clear that some breakthroughs only come through prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). There must be a reason Jesus practiced this spiritual discipline himself and encouraged us to do the same. After all of this, when the final victory comes, you will see how much you learned during your waiting period. You will praise God not just for the prize of the "desire fulfilled," but for all that you learned in the process.

by David Chadwick "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:33 God is in control of everything. Absolutely everything. Nothing, and I mean nothing, is outside of his control. Every single part of creation bows to his authority. Proverbs says that even the drawing of straws is under the sovereign hand of God. Biblically, the number 12 holds tremendous significance. It means spiritual perfection. In the Old Testament, there were 12 tribes. Then in the New Testament, Jesus had 12 disciples, or apostles. In light of that, let me share a New Testament story with you where we see this proverb come to life. When Judas hung himself, the apostles began to look for his replacement. They decided they needed a 12th to be complete. As they waited for Pentecost, they thought this might be a reason for God's delay. So the disciples drew straws. And Matthias was selected to replace Judas. The drawing of straws may seem like a strange way to decide the 12th apostle, but God oversaw it. His sovereign hand guided and directed this process exactly as he saw fit. Whether it's a political election, a historical event, a moment of victory, or a time of loss, we must always step back and remember with full confidence that God is in control. He is sovereign in both the practical and the spiritual. God oversees all of creation, but for those of us who are called by him to serve him, he is not just overseeing our lives; he is working everything together for our good and for his glory (Romans 8:28). We can and should wholeheartedly trust him with every detail of our lives, every decision we may make, and every twist and turn along the way. We may not draw straws anymore, but we are always making decisions about our lives and our futures. Through prayer, through wise counsel from others, through the Word of God, and through the power of his Holy Spirit, we must trust that he is guiding us and overseeing everything for our good and his glory.

by Marilynn Chadwick "A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends." Proverbs 16:28 GW The Bible mentions the sin of gossip nearly a dozen times. Over half those instances occur in the book of Proverbs. Previously, I shared how one of my wise young friends is intentional to speak well of her husband when talking to others. "I try to compliment my husband in front of others when he is present, but also when he is absent. In situations where it is tempting to criticize publicly, I try to say nothing and follow up on the conversation when we are at home in private. Then, I choose my words wisely—and above all, prayerfully." The Bible cautions us about the seriousness of harming someone's reputation, warning us to "slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone" (Titus 3:2 NIV). The word translated "slander" is the Greek term blasphemeo. It comes from two words—blapto, which means "to injure," and pheme, or "speech." It can be translated as "to hurt another's reputation through slur or insult." The Anglicized version, "blasphemy," is often used to describe the offense of speaking abusively against God. But it also addresses speaking against others. "For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly" (Mark 7:21-22). Let's look at three more examples of Proverbs wisdom regarding gossip: "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much" (Proverbs 20:19) "Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down" (Proverbs 26:20). "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" (Proverbs 26:22). In the New Testament, Paul warns the church at Corinth: "I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish...that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder" (2 Corinthians 12:20). It's sobering to see gossip and slander right up there with what we might consider "more serious" offenses. That should make us think twice when we are tempted to speak ill of another person—especially a fellow believer.

by Marilynn Chadwick "A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger calms a quarrel." Proverbs 15:18 TLV Faith in Jesus is serious business. But God's Word also calls us to a type of "faith" in each other as members of the body of Christ. Scripture warns us that to "break faith" with one another can greatly impede our prayers. Ancient Israel had broken faith with each other and then cried out to God, wondering why he was displeased with them. The prophet Malachi accuses them of covering God's altar with "tears, with weeping and with sighing, because he no longer looks at the offering or receives your gift with favor" (Malachi 2:13 CJB). "Don't we all have the same father?" he continues. "Didn't one God create us all? Then why do we break faith with each other, profaning the covenant of our ancestors?" (Malachi 2:10). Next, Malachi addresses their marriages: "The Lord is witness between you and the wife of your youth that you have broken faith with her, though she is your companion, your wife by covenant" (Malachi 2:13, 14 CJB). Breaking faith is serious business in God's eyes. "I hate divorce," says the Lord God of Israel..." (Malachi 2:16 NIV 1984). Peter seizes upon this connection between marital harmony and answered prayer, exhorting believing husbands and wives to treat each other in a godly way as "heirs together of the gracious gift of life" (1 Peter 3:7 NIV). "Husbands, in the same way, be considerate as you live with your wives so that nothing will hinder your prayers" (1 Peter 3:7). Enkopt, translated "hinder," comes from the idea of cutting or striking. It conveys a strong interruption or stoppage. Marital strife can literally derail answered prayer. Malachi gives us a practical prescription to protect both our marriages and our relationships with fellow believers: "So guard yourself in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth" (Malachi 2:15b NIV 1984). And again, regarding fellow believers, he says, "So guard yourself and do not break faith" (v. 16b). The word translated "guard" means "to keep, preserve, protect; to keep watch." Let's be mindful and prayerful, therefore, to guard against strife in our marriages, our families, and our church family. I wonder if we'd keep a closer watch on ourselves if we truly believed that strife hinders prayer.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established." Proverbs 4:25-26 CSB The book of Proverbs is filled with tips on how to persevere as we pursue a dream or fight through a trial. James, sometimes called "The Proverbs of the New Testament," gives us similar encouragement: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life" (James 1:12 ESV). But let's face it. Waiting is hard! "How do I hold onto my hopes and dreams when God seems silent?" This question came from a sincere follower of Christ. How do we handle those times when we have prayed and prayed, but the answer is so slow in coming? Perhaps we sense that a particular dream is God's plan for us. But the days, weeks, months, and even years go by. How do we keep our dream alive? How do we learn to wait well? I think back to what I refer to as my season of "wait training." In our early years of marriage, David and I looked forward to the day we would have children. But nothing happened, month after month. Months became years, and by the end of the fourth year, waiting had become a way of life. I hovered between my dream of having a child and the dailiness of living life well in the moment. But I wanted my life to count, even while I waited. I decided to get my master's degree in counseling and spent time working in vulnerable communities. I later worked at a Crisis Pregnancy Center with young women caught in problem pregnancies. An infertile woman trying to have a baby caring for women who didn't want to be pregnant? It was an odd assignment, but strangely healing. I used to remark that I was like a recovering alcoholic serving drinks at a bar—surrounded by that which I could not have. During this time, a door was opened for David and me to go on a short-term missions trip. My first trip to Africa would be our first of many short-term missions experiences. Even after our children finally came, this lesson remained etched in my mind: When you are hurting, fight forward. We eventually partnered with organizations delivering aid, education, and hope on six continents. Some say we should live to give. I discovered that I could give to live. I would sometimes pray, "Lord, I'm entrusting my business into your hands. While you are caring for my business, I will put my hands to work on your business." Even today, fighting forward never fails to fill and heal my own soul as I give hope to someone else.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV "The Sayings of King Lemuel" is how some Bible translations refer to the famed 31st chapter of Proverbs. Scripture calls the words an "oracle" taught to the king by his mother. She begins by referring to her son as an answer to her prayer. "Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!" (Proverbs 31:2b NIV). She goes on to teach him important life lessons about the kind of king he should be and dangers to avoid. We catch a glimpse into the heart of this mother who had prayed for her son and devoted him to the Lord. Let's look closer at the teachings that were foremost in her mind as she trained this son who would be king (Proverbs 31:1-9). Like any good mother, she warned him about the dangers of immoral women and overindulgence in alcohol. But her cautions appear to have had more to do with his calling as king rather than mere morality. For example, she warns him that loose women "ruin kings" and drinking can cause a king to forget laws and deprive the oppressed of their rights. She challenges her son to use his power to help the broken, "[speaking] up for those who cannot speak for themselves" and "[defending] the rights of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:3, 5, 8-9). Clearly the queen mother saw the potential dangers of royalty. She demonstrated her foremost concern that he would be a just and kind ruler to the poor. If King Lemuel's mother prayed for this son before he was born and during his lifetime, surely, she also prayed for his wife. So, the description of the Proverbs 31 "woman of valor" (Proverbs 31:10-31) could easily reflect the heart's desire of a mother as she prays for her son's future wife. This makes her instructions about seeking a woman of valor all the more meaningful. And isn't this the prayer for every mother of sons? That he would be kind and just, a voice for the voiceless, a defender of the weak. That he would find a godly and noble wife? I'd like to think these verses not only represent a mother's specific hopes for the kind of woman her son would marry, but also the kind of woman her own daughters would one day become. We can learn a few tips from the Queen Mother in Proverbs 31 on how to pray for our sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters.

by Marilynn Chadwick "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25 NIV I love surprises. It's fun to stumble upon an unanticipated blessing. A sudden bend in the road, a departure from routine, or a change of pace. My kids were well aware of my love for surprises. They used to tease me about "Mom's adventures" and my fascination with back roads and byways. "One day that woman is going to get herself killed," laughed my youngest to the other two, as I steered the car off the main road one day to explore yet another inviting rabbit trail. Throughout many years of following Jesus, I am continually surprised to bump into what I like to call "God's odd economy." It is surprising to discover that we truly find our life when we give it away. Proverbs 11:25 promises that when we are generous to others, we will be refreshed. Here's the same verse paraphrased in The Living Bible. "It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself." Following Jesus is sure to surprise you. He asks us to serve but also to rest. "Come to me all you who labor and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest…" (Matthew 11:28). Instead of laying more pressure on our shoulders, Jesus promises us tasks well suited to the way he made us. Instead of bondage, we'll find freedom. This comes as a surprise to many religious people who have thought God calls us to live a life of exhaustion. But just when we're beginning to like the idea of resting as one of his "sheep" and hanging out with some pretty good "sheep brothers and sisters," he jolts us with this challenge: You'll only find true rest for your soul when you are willing to lose this soul of yours… You'll only find real life when you are "willing to give your life away" (Matthew 16:25). There it is again. God's odd economy. I like the way Isaiah 58:10 puts it: "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday." It's like Jesus told us. We find life as we give it away. I'll leave you with this question: Is there somewhere you can say "yes" to God right where you are today? As mentioned in today's podcast, for more information on City of Hope click here. Join City of Hope for volunteer opportunities that allow you to participate in one-time events or short-term projects, serve alongside others while building community, and get to know and support your neighbors in need. No matter your schedule, you can make an impact.

by David Chadwick "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14 God says there is wisdom in an abundance of counselors, but he also says there is safety. Without it, people are vulnerable to falling. We live in such an isolated, self-sustaining society. In many ways, I think we have lost the need for one another. We don't live interdependently. It is becoming increasingly common to only look out for yourself. To make decisions without considering others. To live without the influence, insight, and perspective of other trustworthy believers. Jesus predicted in Matthew 24:12 that in the end times "lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." We can see this happening around us now. Where wisdom is lacking, lawless behavior rises up. I see a direct correlation between a love for guidance, wisdom, and insight, and preserving the love Jesus died for us to have within the bride of Christ. There are many times in life when you just don't know what to do. A difficult decision. A troubling diagnosis. Confusing news. Bewildering interactions. Inevitably, in this broken world, someone or something will confront you that requires guidance. Yes, go to the Lord. Seek him above all else. But then what? Go to a wise and godly friend. Find someone who has walked and lived life and who knows God's Word. And then another. And another. Go to as many wise friends as you can find. How many? As many as you need to. Seek all of their wisdom and counsel. If they are all being led by the same Holy Spirit, their collective wisdom should be similar. With time, through an abundance of counselors, you will eventually find peace to move forward. Philippians 4:7 says that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." The conglomerate wisdom of many will give you a good idea of what you should do. It will help reveal God's will for you in a particular situation. This brings peace and keeps love at the center of your heart.

by David Chadwick "Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth." Proverbs 5:18 "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband." Proverbs 12:4 Philippians 4:4 says, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." The word "rejoice" means "to feel or show great joy or delight." There is a biblical command to both FEEL and SHOW joy in the Lord. The Gospel of Jesus prompts a response from us. There is a biblical command to not just declare our joy but to demonstrate the joy of our salvation! Do you know where else God instructs us to rejoice? It is a command to husbands, and he says to rejoice in the wife of your youth. That is today's proverb. A long-term marriage where two people have fought and contended for unity and closeness yields tremendous glory. Where they have shared life together over the years. Where they have together fought through and overcome multiple adversities. Where they have collective memories that are full of trials and triumphs. Where they still hold hands after decades of marriage. Where they have become one flesh! I am so thankful for my wife, Marilynn. Her love and commitment have shown me so much about the love of Jesus. After all, that's the goal of marriage. It is a physical representation on this side of eternity of the love Jesus has for his bride, the church, and vice versa. Proverbs 12:4 says that an excellent wife is the crown of her husband's life. I know this to be true as well! Marilynn is so excellent in how she loves and lives. I'm so honored to be married to her. She truly is a crown I wear in life. We know the joy of two becoming one. My dear friends, if you are married, keep working on your marriage. It is hard work, and there will be trials, but remain committed. Make sure the back door of your marriage is locked from the outside. Share your lives with one another. Care for one another. Commit to walking through life's struggles together. Situation by situation, moment by moment, step by step, life will draw you closer and closer with Jesus at the center. And your years together will be joyous!

by David Chadwick "Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." Proverbs 19:17 God loves the poor and needy. In fact, the majority of Jesus's life and ministry was spent with the least and the lost. He ran toward the sick, the hurting, the poor, and those in need. Those with no future nor hope. And encountered them with his love. There are many verses throughout Scripture that reflect God's heart to defend, deliver, protect, and provide for the poor and disenfranchised. 1 Samuel 2:8 says that "he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor." Psalm 12:5 says, "Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan, I will now arise," says the Lord; "I will place him in the safety for which he longs," and Psalm 69:33 says, "For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners." Even the apostle Paul said that his passion was to preach the gospel but made sure to remind all believers that they should never forget the poor (Galatians 2:10). I believe those who love God will serve him by serving others, especially those in poverty. This proverb reminds us again of God's heart for the poor. In fact, it says that giving to the poor is like lending to God. Today's proverb even says that God repays those who are generous to the poor! And I'm sure God's rate of return on our investment is greater than any bank's. Do you remember how Mary and Joseph had to purchase two turtle doves to pay for their purification after Jesus's birth? This verse is an indicator that they were not very wealthy. Yet God sent wise men from far away who gave them expensive gifts they could use during their years in Egypt! He is the provider of all our needs. And once you are saved by Jesus and have the gift of eternal life, may we all continue to have a heart for the poor, remembering that when we give to them, it's like loaning to God, and he will repay us with interest on our generosity to the poor.

by David Chadwick "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." Proverbs 9:10 As we have previously discussed during this devotional series, knowledge and wisdom are both very important themes in the book of Proverbs. Knowledge searches out the depth of information found through experiences, and wisdom is knowing how to, with sound judgment, apply what has been learned. Knowledge comes as you quest after truth and righteousness, and wisdom lives out what you know through good choices. Do you know the meaning of the word "sophomore"? It's used to describe a person in their second year of high school or university, this word means "wise fool." Often sophomores are just comfortable enough that they think they know the ropes but are still making unwise, even stupid, choices. They have a lot of knowledge but lack wisdom. Often it takes making unwise choices to learn how to make wise ones. That's why we should always have older mentors in our lives. They often provide wisdom to help us learn things without having to make big mistakes. My oldest granddaughter once asked me how I got so wise. I'm not sure I am, but I chuckled when she asked and said to her, "By living a long time!" So what sets apart carnal knowledge and wisdom from biblical knowledge and wisdom? Fear of the Lord and a connection to the Holy One! Proverbs 9:10 says that wisdom begins with fear of the Lord. And knowledge, which leads to insight, must be directly connected to the Holy One, Yahweh, the one true God. Both wisdom and knowledge, functioning together, derived from a profound love and adoration for the Lord, will allow a person to seek him fervently and to live life as God intended. Fear the Lord. Find wisdom. Seek knowledge. Gain insight from the Holy One. And your life should go a whole lot better!

by David Chadwick "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." Proverbs 3:9-10 Marilynn and I are continuing to go through some of our favorite biblical proverbs. The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom and insight for how to live a godly life. In a world where there are so many opinions and so little wisdom, we think it is more important than ever to return to God's Word to see what he says. Today we are looking at Proverbs 3:9-10. Did you know that wealth and money are very frequently discussed throughout the Old and New Testaments? God cares so much about seeing his people develop hearts of generosity. The message in today's verse is to always give God our first fruits. He should get our best gifts, not the leftovers. If we do, our "barns" will be overflowing! In other words, we will have more than we need. Have you ever heard the old illustration of eating a banana when it comes to biblical financial stewardship? So many followers of Jesus treat generosity like eating a banana. The first bite is our mortgage, the next bite is our car payment, then our clothes, then our enjoyment and entertainment. After filling all of our fleshly desires, we give God the banana peel! But in the kingdom of heaven, God gets the first bite. He gets the first of everything we own. He gets the best! Malachi 3:8-15 gives a profound description of the beautiful reality of living a life surrendered to generosity. God says to test him with our tithe, our first fruit of giving, 10%, and that if we trust him with it, he will "pour down blessing until there is no more need." The tithe, the first 10%, represents our first and best gift to God. Biblically, this is the gift that will open the windows of heaven for us. The tithe is the only place in the Bible where God says to test him! He's saying, "Just try it and see if my promises are true!" Marilynn and I have so many miraculous stories of practicing the tithe over the years. I would encourage you to practice this biblical command. Just try it for one year. See if God doesn't meet your every need as he promised! And as you practice, remember his promise is to meet your needs. Not your greed! Over time, I believe you, too, will have so many stories you can share with your kids and grandkids in the years to come to create generational generosity for your future legacy.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise." Proverbs 20:1 A good friend once noticed I didn't order wine at a meal. She asked me whether I ever drank alcohol. Interesting question for a pastor's wife and one I've been asked before. Back in the seventies I attended a large Southern university. I was active in sorority and fraternity life. I attended my share of parties and had occasions to drink. In those days, I didn't even believe in God. So, I obviously didn't look to him for guidance about behaviors like drinking. But near the end of college, I had a radical conversion to Christ while reading Mere Christianity, by C.S. Lewis, the famous Oxford scholar and former atheist himself. Everything changed. Soon after, I met and married my husband, David. We will soon celebrate 48 years of marriage. Over the years in ministry together, we have both come to the conclusion that it's better that we do not drink in public, so as not to put a stumbling block in front of someone who may struggle with alcohol. It's not that moderate drinking is immoral. Or even wrong. But here's the thing: I want to be alert to hear God's voice. I know this might sound silly. But I want to remain mindful of those little nudges to pray for someone. Aware of the Holy Spirit's guidance, or conviction, or instruction. I especially want to hear his whisper—that still small voice that's so easy to miss. I find even one glass of wine can dull my "spiritual hearing." Moreover, the Bible tells me that as a believer in Jesus, I have an enemy. He continually prowls around looking for someone to devour. As long as I live on earth, I'm at war. It was George Washington who once said, "To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace." One of the best ways to prepare for our spiritual war is to remain alert to the wiles of the enemy. The Bible says it this way: "Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 AMP). I want to win my spiritual battles. To hear what the Lord wants to reveal. In short, I want to stay fully awake. For me, I've come to believe it's not wise to use wine as my method to deal with worry, stress, or anxiety. For those, I think I'll choose to be "filled with the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

by Marilynn Chadwick "Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Proverbs 13:3 I have a friend who raised five amazing boys. All her sons were excellent football players, receiving scholarships to play in various colleges around the country. She also happened to be a real prayer warrior—probably a requirement for raising all those strong sons. She used to remind me that just like in football, the secret to winning in spiritual warfare is the "guard." The Bible takes the importance of "guarding" very seriously. In various places, the book of Proverbs reminds us to guard our words, our thoughts, and even our manner of daily living. It gives clues as to the root of strife, which it tells us is often driven by pride (Proverbs 13:10). Proverbs strongly warns us to guard our temper and our words—which usually go hand in hand with outbursts of temper: "A hot-tempered person stirs up strife, but one who is slow to anger quiets contention" (Proverbs 15:18 NIV). "When words are many, sin is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases" (Proverbs 26:20). In summary, the book of Proverbs teaches us that true strength is found in controlling our own spirit rather than winning an argument (Proverbs 16:32). I'm especially drawn to this convicting piece of wisdom: "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling." (Proverbs 20:3). When we let our guard down and say things that are disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning, we damage our relationships and open the door to strife. And you can be sure that wherever you find strife, you'll find many other kinds of evil (James 3:16). I guess my friend got it right. She truly discovered the key to good football and to winning our spiritual battles. The secret is the guard!

by Marilynn Chadwick "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25 One of the things I love most about my husband David is the way he would always encourage our three children to laugh at the very things they were afraid of. He referred to their fears as "fret flies." He used to say that fear and worry attract the devil, just like honey attracts flies. I've never forgotten those words. I've always been glad David is not a worrier. But that doesn't mean he's unaware of danger. He just doesn't overthink imaginary scenarios. What's more, he doesn't spend needless energy looking back at the "if onlys" or ahead to the "what ifs" of life. Like any pastor, he's had to deal with all kinds of tragedies and emergencies throughout our years of ministry. But I've seen firsthand how his faith has strengthened him. I've often told him that the greatest gift he has to give others is his faith. And sometimes his laughter! When our daughter was very young, she struggled with various troubling fears. I leaned into David's strengths to help her learn to overcome these early fears by finding ways to laugh. One evening, our family went to an amusement park. She was especially scared of riding the Ferris wheel. David challenged her to conquer her fear and told her he would ride with her. With Daddy cheering her on, she was overjoyed to finally defeat another "fret fly!" Every time she would defeat another fear, her courage muscles would grow stronger and stronger. Eventually, she became my child who would fly all over the world by herself and fearlessly tackle all sorts of challenges. If you are a parent, I would encourage you to be careful about coddling your children's fears. The Bible tells us not to fear over and over again. This is a discipline that must be developed from a young age. Like learning to walk or learning to ride a bike, we all must learn to conquer fear. David really is right. It is incredibly liberating to laugh in the face of fear. Laughter is a healthy way to lighten up. I wonder if the secret to having such strong faith in the Lord is that we really can laugh at our fears. Like our young daughter battling her fears, we may discover greater joy than we ever thought possible when we conquer our "fret flies!"

by Marilynn Chadwick "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV When I became a follower of Jesus many years ago, I was intrigued to notice how the words in the Bible suddenly made sense to me. What I had dismissed as a "dead book" in my early twenties suddenly came to life. Two verses that became anchor verses for me over the years are found in Proverbs 3:5-6. They promised that if I would trust God, something very new for me at the time, and not lean on my understanding, he would direct my paths. Since I had leaned heavily on my own mind and problem-solving ability, this was a radical shift. The Bible challenged me not only to trust God but also to depend upon his mind. The promise that followed was powerful: He would direct my path, my "way of life." Moving from an unbeliever to a devoted follower of Jesus was a huge adjustment. So, I memorized these and other Bible verses as I continued to immerse myself in God's Word. Fast forward to more than a decade later when we finally had our children. As our three children grew, I was passionate about helping them understand God's Word from the earliest days. I would find verses that were easy to memorize and make up simple songs to go with them. I happened to ask my now grown son the other day if he could remember Proverbs 3:5-6. I had to laugh when he immediately sang the verses, complete with hand motions to go with them: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight!" He knew the verses by heart. And I'd like to think he has applied them over the years when he faced decisions or needed wisdom. I know I have. But here's the thing. Since I have hidden these words in my heart (Psalm 119:11), they are ready and available whenever I need them. Just the other day, I was talking with a young technician trying to solve our internet issue. When he finished, we struck up a conversation. Turns out he was trying to decide about whether to make a career change that would involve a big move. I casually quoted these verses from Proverbs and explained how I've turned to them when needing guidance. He was visibly moved and asked if I would pray for him. I prayed a simple prayer and encouraged him to read Proverbs 3:5-6 on his own. God's Word is living and active, so you never know. Two short verses from Proverbs may just open the door for this young man to "trust God and lean not on his own understanding."

by Marilynn Chadwick "The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Proverbs 14:1 NIV Did you know that women talk more than men? It's a proven fact. The average woman speaks about 20,000 words each day to the average man's 7,000, or nearly three times as many! So if women want to use our words to build our house, we certainly have no shortage of building materials. As wives, we sometimes forget the weight our words carry. I've discovered that one of the most powerful ways to build up my husband, David, is with my words, both the words I speak to him and the words I speak about him. Careless words can easily tarnish our husband's reputation in the eyes of others. Proverbs 14:1 reminds us that "the wise woman builds her house," but a foolish one "tears hers down." In the Bible, the term "house" is often synonymous with "family." So when we build up our husbands, we strengthen our family, our "house." This principle applies to both men and women. The Bible talks about two kinds of words—words of life and words of death. It repeatedly cautions us about the dangers of the tongue and reminds us that our words have great power for good or evil. We should pause here to consider that God holds us accountable for the words we speak. Think about it. Families and friendships are broken apart by words. Wars are started with words. Our tongue "sets the whole course of one's life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell," according to James 3:6. We are warned that "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21 KJV). So it naturally follows that our words would be some of our most powerful tools for building up or tearing down our marriages. One of my wise young friends with a very strong marriage sums it up this way: "I try to compliment my husband in front of others when he is present, but also when he is absent. In situations where it is tempting to criticize publicly, I try to say nothing and follow up on the conversation when we are at home in private. Then, I choose my words wisely—and above all, prayerfully. Think about it. Our words can give life and encouragement. Or they can bring death and discouragement. Which will you choose?

by David Chadwick "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22 My wife Marilynn and I are taking a look at some of our favorite verses from the book of Proverbs. In a world where everyone has an opinion, but few have wisdom, we find this book of the Bible to be of utmost importance. What do you do when you have to make a hard decision? When you are faced with a dilemma and must act in wisdom? The first thing you should always do is turn to the Lord and to his Word. Pray for the power of his Holy Spirit to lead and guide you to truth that will encourage, strengthen, and fortify you. Secondly, you should seek the invaluable support of trusted friends and advisors who love God and seek his will for their own lives. Solomon specifically said to seek a multitude of these kinds of advisers to succeed. Do you know why he suggests this? Because sometimes it takes many different people's perspectives to give a full picture of understanding. God often uses other wise individuals to help you navigate difficult decisions because trusted people can help you discern the right thing to do. Having many advisers helps you to see through your blind spots in order to make the right choice. May I add one other insight here? Proverbs 16:31 says that gray hair is a crown of glory that comes from a righteous life. Do you know what this means? It means that people who have gray hair have learned certain things that only life could teach them. They have come face-to-face with situations, trials, and dilemmas that give them unique perspectives. They often have some of the best wisdom simply because they've lived life the longest. Glean from these people. Lean into their perspectives. They have invaluable resources. In summary, when making a difficult life decision, here are some things to remember. Read God's Word. Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring you both wisdom and knowledge. Seek counsel from a wise friend. Give trusted advisers the ability to speak into your situation, especially those with gray hair. Then with humility, make your decision. And trust God with the outcome.

by David Chadwick "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1 Have you ever had someone speak an angry word toward you? Maybe a friend? Your spouse? A boss at work? We live in a broken world where self-control is lacking and anger is commonplace. Angry words can trigger shame, condemnation, and deep pain. It can be very hard to navigate angry words. So how should you respond when someone speaks angrily toward you? The answer to this question and so many others can be found in the book of Proverbs. This book gives us practical wisdom for everyday life. It provides the answers to confusing questions and the knowledge to handle the difficult things we face. In Proverbs 15:1, Solomon gave us the best answer for how to handle an angry attack. The answer might shock you! He says that "a soft answer turns away wrath." When someone speaks an angry word against you, a gentle response without a lot of emotion is sure to confound the angry assailant. Whereas an angry response only intensifies the anger, gentleness leaves the angry person dumbfounded. A soft response almost sedates the fury coming from the other person. When you respond to someone's anger toward you with a soft answer, it ratchets down the emotion. It prevents anger from increasing. It gives the angry person a chance to calm down and engage in a civil conversation. That is always the best option to keep a relationship intact. One of my favorite quotes that I have heard over the years says, "If you fight might with might, it usually leads to trouble." Anger begets anger. Wrath begets wrath. Kindness begets kindness. After all, you reap what you sow (Galatians 6:7-9). Sow softness, gentleness, and kindness. Yes, even in the midst of anger. And watch as God works on your behalf.

by David Chadwick "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight." Proverbs 12:22 "There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood." Proverbs 6:16-17 Can a good and loving God hate anything? Yes! If you have ever spent any time reading the Bible, you know that God can, and does, hate many things! While God is love (1 John 4:8), he still has the capacity to emotionally respond with hatred. I find great comfort in this side of the Lord because in order for love to truly exist, there must be an abhorrence for everything that hinders love. Things like wickedness (Proverbs 15:8-9), pride (Psalm 5:5), evil deeds (Revelation 2:6), selfish motives (Proverbs 15:26), and those who love violence (Psalm 11:5). Take some time to read through some of these verses for yourself. As you do, you will see that even the things that God hates reveal his nature and character as a good Father and the embodiment of love. Today, let's take a deeper look at one more thing that God really hates: lying lips (Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 6:16-17). Why does God hate deception? Because God's word is holy and true (John 17:17). Jesus himself, in John 14:6, said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Because God is truth, there can be no falsehood in him. The devil, however, works in direct opposition to the truth. From the beginning of time, his native language has been "deception." He is both a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Lying lips destroy people created in God's image. It's a devious weapon to kill, steal, and destroy. Do you remember what the devil's first temptation of Eve was in the garden of Eden? He said in Genesis 3:1, "Did God really say this?" Satan is a master deceiver and has built his entire mission around deception. May we all act faithfully in our quest after the truth. And may we always bring truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). The world would be so much better if we committed to love what God loves and hate what God hates! After all, it is the truth that sets us free (John 8:32).

by David Chadwick "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." Proverbs 18:15 Knowledge is "the awareness gained by experience of a fact or situation." Wisdom is defined as "the quality of having knowledge and good judgment." Biblically, both wisdom and knowledge are frequently discussed. They are very important qualities to have in living life well. It is impossible to lead well without knowledge and wisdom. But what is the difference between the two? Knowledge gathers information and forms understanding, especially about God. It is inadequate to simply know a lot of facts. True, biblical knowledge understands who God is and forms an awareness that is centered around his heart. Whereas knowledge is the gathering of information, wisdom comes as you learn how to apply the knowledge practically. Wisdom is developed by asking "Why?" and "How?" and seeking direction. It comes as you ask why something exists, why someone is acting the way they are, why something happened the way it did. And it asks, "How do I move forward with what I know?" It is important to pursue a life of wisdom and seek to understand both the facts and the nuances of life and human behavior. When God offered Solomon one gift, Solomon did not choose riches, power, or success. Do you know what he asked God to give him? Wisdom! Solomon's request pleased the heart of God. The biblical books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes contain much of the wisdom that the Lord gave Solomon. Historically, these books are called "wisdom literature." Additionally, did you know wisdom in Scripture is often personified as a woman? Proverbs 1:20-21 is an example of this personification. It says that wisdom calls aloud and raises her voice in the street. Proverbs 8:1-3 is another example, which says that wisdom calls out. In the same way that a man seeks after a woman, we must seek after wisdom. We should desire it, pursue it, and receive its imprint on our lives. With all our hearts. Without it, we are in danger and vulnerable to deception and folly. Seek both wisdom and knowledge. Together. A fruitful and faithful life comes from rightly pursuing and rightly using both of these tools God has given us.

by David Chadwick "The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." Proverbs 18:17 Our world is full of so many perspectives, sides, and stories. And in this social media generation, opinions are running wild. Everyone is a self-acclaimed expert, and there are many different stances everywhere you turn. So, what do you do when you hear something about someone? Or when you catch someone's opinion about something occurring in the world? Or when you read a story in the news? How do you intercept so much information and so many opinions with wisdom and discernment? Proverbs 18:17 tells us exactly what to do, and it is so practical. Let's look at it today. This verse essentially encourages all of us to pause. It teaches us that someone's opinion sounds right until you hear the other side. What a powerful insight this is, especially when trying to mediate two different opinions. You hear one side, and you think you have the necessary insight to draw a right conclusion. Then you hear the other side, and you realize it's a completely different story. Most often, the truth lies somewhere in between the two sides. But it's important to always hear both sides of a story. The Bible also encourages us to have two or three witnesses whenever an accusation is brought against someone. Why? Because we all see things differently. That's why this proverb provides important wisdom before reaching a conclusion. This verse is a great truth for parents, bosses, pastors, coaches, and leaders. Anyone who finds themselves in a position of leadership must practice this principle when presented with any difficult situation. Go slow. Listen. Take in all sides. Most often, the truth lies somewhere in between, something my dad used to say all the time. Above all, pray for discernment. Sometimes you must examine to find the truth. It must be searched out. Remain shrewd as a serpent, innocent as a dove. Search out the truth with all vigilance, but as you do, keep your heart pure. Don't let your heart become hardened as you see the complexities you will inevitably witness in this broken world. One day, Jesus will make all things right. We will know his truth in all things.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Where there is no vision the people perish" Proverbs 29:18 KJV Our God-given dreams can impact the entire direction of our lives. The Bible reminds us of the importance of dreams: "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Some of the most courageous parents I know have raised their children in fragile neighborhoods. For them, dreams can divert their children from drugs, gangs, and prison. Dreams mean survival. My young friend Dominique was just ten when some gang members befriended him. "I was kind of a mascot," as he puts it. But gang mascots eventually become gang members, and he was headed for trouble. One day, Dominique discovered an online chess game. He got the hang of it and became good—really good. Before too long, he was "busy" when gang members called. Dominique was way too busy finding his purpose to run with gangs. By the time he was in high school, Dominique had become the top scholastic chess player in the state of North Carolina. In his college application, Dominique wrote, "By getting closer to the One who allowed me this chance, and continuing with the plan that we dreamed up together when I was a young child, I feel that I will be able to help someone else and make a lasting impact." Dominique didn't attend church growing up. But as a small child he had a sense of God's destiny and a mysterious awareness of his calling through his childhood dreams of playing chess. And when he heard a clear presentation of the Gospel his first semester in college, the vibrant young man accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Dominique won a prestigious Seeds of Hope Scholarship. He finished college and began to teach kids how to play chess. He met the love of his life, also a chess player. They married, bought a home, and had a little baby girl. He is now on the board of the Seeds of Hope Scholars program, opening doors to college for talented kids who simply need a financial boost and some Christian mentoring. And Dominique continues to play chess. He's made his way into the realm of international competition, competing against some of the best in the world. He continues to work in schools, helping kids learn chess. One thing is clear. Dominique's earthly dreams had eternal implications that went far beyond the mastery of chess. A good reminder to take seriously the hopes and dreams of those children entrusted to our care. Mother Teresa put it this way: "Tread gently around the dreams of a child. You might be treading on the dreams of God." Seeds of Hope is dedicated to building community and providing financial support for talented young adults. The Seeds of Hope scholars are leaders with big dreams and have a heart to serve their communities. Click here for more stories and to learn how Seeds of Hope is helping to make big dreams come true.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Humility comes before honor." Proverbs 18:12 If you want to be strong, be humble. Strength comes through humility. The Bible consistently reminds us of this paradox. As believers, we are called to be servants. To give up our rights and die to self. I'm reminded of Paul's realization that only when he was "weak" was he truly "strong" (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). We hear a lot about humility, but it seems to be the virtue nobody really wants. We admire it when we see it in others. But it's so against our nature to walk in humility that most of us run the other way. I once read a quote that said something like this: "Truly great people are also the humblest. Arrogance is the consolation prize for the less talented." I've found this to be true. The most outstanding and honorable people I've met are also humble. Bottom line? If I truly want to be strong in the Lord, I must also be humble. So let's reflect on the delicate balance in the Bible between strength and humility. The Bible is clear about the connection between humility and honor. "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he will lift you up," comes the strong admonition in James 4:10 (KJV). Humbling ourselves literally means "to be made low." Another Bible version adds weight to this promise: "He will lift you up and make your lives significant" (James 4:10 AMP). A friend of mine who has always appeared to be quite confident expressed his understanding of humility this way: "Without Christ, I am an incredibly insecure person, and so I stick close to him." Isn't that what humility really is? Apart from Christ, I'm weak, and I know it. So I'm going to make a point of sticking close to him. Sticking close to Jesus is called "abiding." Jesus himself made it clear that abiding in him is the secret to strength. "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5 ESV). If you want to be strong, be humble. More importantly, learn to abide in Christ.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6 AMPC Proverbs 22:6 became one of my "go to" parenting principles. I discovered early on that one of the best things I could do for my children was to study them. What delighted them? How did they best learn? Proverbs 22:6 reveals that every child has a "way" or path he or she should go. This path will vary according to their God-given gifts, talents, and temperament. For example, education should be a delight, not drudgery, and yet for many children, learning is a source of pain and confusion. What works for one child doesn't for another. One of the most exciting parts of mothering for me was to watch the amazing characteristics that began to emerge in each child. Ours are now grown with children of their own. But their "gifts and bent," as described in Proverbs 22:6, were apparent from an early age. Bethany had amazing people skills, a grasp of languages, and a love for learning. DB was a strategic thinker, good with math, and was shooting trash through lampshades at two, giving clues about his love for basketball. Michael was my hands-on learner; thus, he enjoyed a few years of Montessori school. Swimming became his thing and opened doors to college and beyond. Each child was created uniquely by God to fulfill a purpose. Part of the adventure in parenting was helping them discover and develop their gifts. But what about the parent who may lack resources? Maybe you are a single mom living on the edge of poverty. Is there any hope for your child? Does God have a destiny for all children? In Hebrews 11:23, we find these words about a couple of Hebrew peasants: "By faith, Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the king's edict." Pharaoh had begun an extermination of the Jews beginning with the murder of all baby boys at birth. Yet Moses' parents defied the edict upon threat of their own death. They saw a "gift" or "bent" in Moses that no one else could see. The Greek word, asteios, translated "beautiful," is used only one time in the entire New Testament and only to describe Moses. It means "lovely, beautiful, elegant, artistic" and describes one who dwelled in the city and thus was well-bred, cultivated, and sophisticated. How could two rural, Hebrew peasant slaves see this kind of "beauty" in a baby they held in their arms for just three months? I wonder if we as parents are enabled in some special way to see "into" the character and destiny of our children in ways that others might not? We can certainly pray for them. See the beauty in them. Believe in them even when they don't believe in themselves. We can look around and see the beauty in other children, too.

by Marilynn Chadwick "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." Proverbs 31:10 What does it mean to be a godly wife? As a new believer when David and I married, this question came to mind often. There were plenty of "how to" books out there, but I wanted to know what the Bible had to say. I found some practical tips on marriage tucked into the pages of Proverbs. Widely appreciated by scholars as "wisdom literature," Proverbs contains real-life advice on everything from marriage to parenting. From finances to serving the poor. But I found a beautiful portrayal of what it means to be a godly wife in Proverbs 31:10-31. I encourage you to read these verses, which are actually an acrostic poem. The poem begins like this: "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels" (Proverbs 31:10 ESV). Some translations refer to her as the "virtuous woman." The Hebrew term in Proverbs 31:10 for this famed "virtuous woman," eshet chayil, is more accurately translated "woman of valor." The concept of a woman of valor is quite common among Jews, even today. A long-standing custom the evening before Shabbat is for the husband to recite or even sing the words of Proverbs 31, "The Woman of Valor," as a way to honor his wife. The woman of valor revealed in Proverbs 31 is a wife and mother. She is also a warrior, a "fighter" at heart. She fights not only for her personal world but also for the world around her. For her marriage and family. For her community. As I listen to conversations with women of all ages, stages, and walks of life, I'm hearing a recurring theme—their heart's desire to be strong for their families and communities. In short, they long to be strong women of God who influence the world. Simply put, valor is personal bravery in the face of danger. In its nearly 100 uses in the Old Testament, the word for valor, chayil, is most often used to describe warriors, such as King David's "mighty men." Sometimes it's used to describe God himself, especially when he gives power to his people to fight a battle. I find the term "woman of valor" both compelling and poetic. Younger women tell me they like this expression of womanhood that is both kind and strong. I believe we need to become women of valor as we face our battles today. As wives, we not only nurture and care for our husbands and children, but we are also called to fight for their well-being. A fresh look at eshet chayil, the woman of valor in Proverbs 31:10, has opened my eyes to a greater understanding of the joy, fulfillment, and impact God desires for us to have as wives, mothers, and grandmothers. Perhaps it's time to reclaim this strong, brave, and beautiful portrayal of womanhood. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You, by Marilynn Chadwick. For more inspiration or to order the newly Revised Edition of this book, please click here.

by Marilynn Chadwick "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings." Proverbs 4:20 Consider the miracle of speech. Our voice sets us apart from the animals. It allows us to communicate with each other and with God. Think of the people whose voice is familiar to you. When my husband David calls, he doesn't have to identify himself. I know his voice because I know him so well. So it is with God. The better we get to know him, the more easily we recognize his voice. A recurring theme throughout the book of Proverbs is the importance of listening to God. Proverbs 4:20 challenges us to be diligent. Let's reflect on three different versions of this verse: "My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings" (Prov 4:20 ESV). "My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words" (Prov 4:20 NLT). "Listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart!" (Prov. 4:20 MSG). I like how the Message Bible paraphrase reminds us to "tune our ears" to God's voice. One way we can do this is by spending time reading and meditating on his Word. It helps to follow up with prayer—ongoing conversations with God. Training our heart to hear God's voice is one of our most important tasks as believers. Quite a challenge in our busy, noisy world! Daily, we're bombarded by so many voices. Not every voice we hear in our head is from God. God's Word promises us that listening to his voice will bring blessings and protection. "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20a NIV). Many years ago, when I decided to follow Jesus, I began to recognize his voice. Suddenly, God's Word began to make sense. I reminded our children when they were very young that when they trusted Jesus as their Savior, they, too, could hear his voice. Jesus promises, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27). Listen to the Lord. Tune your ears to his voice. He is always speaking. Will we be listening?

by David Chadwick "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." Proverbs 18:10 There is power in the name of the Lord. Today's proverb reminds us of that. The name of the Lord provides safety to all who call upon it. In the Old Testament, the Jews thought God's name was so holy they would never even utter it, but in the New Testament, all of the world comes to know that the name of the Lord is Jesus. The name that always carried such power is revealed through the life and ministry of the Son of God, who took away all the sins of the world. A strong tower. Some translations say a "fortress." This should bring such confidence to all sons and daughters of the Most High. We are impenetrable to the enemy. A place of protection and refuge. According to the Word of God, when the righteous run into this tower, they can look down on all of their enemies and be safe. Did you know that whoever has the highest position in a battle most often wins? That's why when we look at the name of the Lord and see him as a strong tower, we should walk in complete confidence that we are safe and secure. His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:9). In the New Testament, Jesus regularly instructs his followers to pray in his name. What does it mean to pray in his name? It means to pray according to his character and his will. There is something so powerful about the name of Jesus. Just the mention of his name makes enemies flee. Did you know that there are even stories of young children who have been captured and begin to sing songs in the name of Jesus, and their captors set them free? When we pray, let us pray in the mighty name of Jesus, running into the strong tower of the Lord. As we do, we go higher and higher. Our perspective will change because we will be seated with him in the heavenlies. Because of the name of Jesus, we are declared righteous once we put our faith in him. He controls and oversees all. And we are forever safe from all of the enemy's onslaughts and attacks.

by David Chadwick "The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will." Proverbs 21:1 This proverb is a wonderful reminder about the sovereignty of God over everything in this world, even rulers and kings. He rules and reigns above everything. This verse shares a similar truth to another proverb in Proverbs 16:9, which says, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Think about a stream of water for a moment; the way it flows, twists, and turns. Solomon declares this stream is directed by the Lord. The Lord directs a leader's heart in any way he pleases. Leaders and influential people in the world might think they control the destiny of the world, but they don't. God sovereignly controls his world. He oversees everything with intentionality for our good, for his purposes to be accomplished on the earth, and ultimately for his final glory. For a moment, let's jump to Daniel 2:21, which says, "He (God) changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding." I love this verse. God has raised up and lowered leaders throughout all of history. Contextually, Daniel was sitting under the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar. But according to the Bible, even this king, the most powerful man in the world at that time, was under God's sovereign power. The same is true today. There are leaders and rulers making all kinds of noise and "rattling their sabers" to flex their power and establish their importance. As followers of Jesus, what should be our response to this? First, continue to look to our sovereign God, the maker of heaven and earth, the one who controls everything! Secondly, pray for those who are in authority over us. Pray for wisdom for our president and for other leaders throughout the world. Pray that they would seek God and his will above all else. Above all, may we never be anxious, trusting fully in God's perfect plan over all nations and leaders.

by David Chadwick "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 Today's proverb focuses on the importance of having a good name and a positive reputation. In fact, terrorists and extortionists have found one of the greatest motivations for paying a large ransom is the threat to someone's good name. Interestingly, throughout the Bible, whether for better or worse, we often see how someone's name's meaning indicates their character. Let's look at a few examples from Scripture. Jacob's name means "supplanter" or "trickster," and he was the one who tricked his father into giving him the blessing that was meant for Esau, the firstborn son. Isaac's name means "laughter," and he was the child born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. I am sure he brought tremendous joy to his older parents. David's name means "beloved." He was the beloved king over all of Israel. Jesus's name means "Savior," and sure enough, he came into the world to save us from our sins. Have you ever looked up the meaning of your name? For some people, your name's meaning shows a lot about who you are. Whether or not your name accurately describes your character, we should all strive to have a good name–a reputation that points to the finished work of Jesus Christ. At the end of your life, you will not take anything with you from this world. No possessions, no power, no success. All that will remain is your name: your character, your integrity, your impact on those around you, and the reputation you established. Guard your name. Make sure it always honors God. This is one of your most valuable possessions on the face of the earth. But always remember that you have no control over what other people think about you. Ultimately, your reputation is between you and God. If you are a follower of Jesus, he is the one who called you out of darkness and into his marvelous light. The Father called you to be his son or daughter and your identity is in Jesus alone. How he sees you should be the driving force in how you think of yourself.

by David Chadwick "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23 Today's proverb tells us about the importance of guarding our hearts. Out of our hearts flow the springs of all life. There is a phrase that I've lived by for many years that I want to share with you again today: "The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart." The core of everything that you have experienced, are experiencing, and will experience is a heart issue. Your heart carries the depths of your joys, pains, trials, and victories. Because of that, it must be regularly purified (Psalm 51:10), for it is only with a pure heart that we see God (Matthew 5:8). Think of your heart as a door through which anything, both good and bad, can enter. How do things enter this door? Well, it first has to come through one of your gates. There are all sorts of gates in which things can access your heart: your eyes, your ears, your mouth, words from others, and even your mind. We need to make sure we are vigilant toward anything that could enter our heart. Think with me for a moment. What do you watch on TV and in movies? What do you listen to? What kinds of material do you read? What thoughts do you imagine and ruminate over and over again? Once something comes in your gates, it will either edify your heart or defile your heart. This is why it's so important to guard your gates. Is there anything you are letting your eyes gaze upon that is corrupting your heart? Are there any words entering your brain that are hurting your heart? If so, I pray you will be diligent to guard yourself against anything and everything that could negatively impact your wellspring of all life–your heart. People often wrongly think that feelings must be the root of our actions and wrongly believe they can only respond to what they feel. But the Bible teaches differently. It says that our thoughts are the root of what we feel, and then we respond to our feelings through our actions. Therefore, if we guard our hearts rightly, we will feel rightly and will then behave rightly. Everything flows from the heart, so guard your heart with all vigilance.

by David Chadwick "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21 King Solomon is the primary author of the book of Proverbs. Over the next few weeks, we are going to look at some of the simple truths and wise sayings from this book of the Bible. I pray that as you read each of these truths, your faith life will deepen and that you will grow in wisdom. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death are in the tongue. If you have spent any amount of time on this broken planet, you have most likely experienced the pain of slanderous words, gossip, and words of death. Some people are scarred for life because of destructive negative words. An age-old phrase says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." This is such a lie! Words are incredibly powerful and can hurt deeply. However, on the other hand, words can bring great life, produce incredible results, and often have an eternal impact. Words of life exhort, encourage, bring life-giving correction, call someone to a higher standard of living like Jesus, and give strength to the soul to keep moving forward in difficult times. In fact, James 3:3-5 tells us so much about the power of the tongue. A tiny bit in the mouth of a stallion can turn the horse one way or the other. It also tells us that a small rudder can steer a gigantic ship. A little spark from the tongue can set ablaze a forest fire. Do you get the picture? It really is sobering that such a small part of our body, the tongue, has such power. I will never forget how my college basketball coach, Dean Smith, would huddle us together during the last minutes of an important game to speak words of encouragement to our team. Time and time again, I saw how his challenging encouragement would ignite us to play harder and often bring home a victory. As we live in this broken world, may we seek to use our speech in ways that promote unity and victory instead of pain and destruction. May we seek to bring life to other people. Even in times of correction, may we allow the power of our tongues to produce life! In doing so, we are living like Jesus and revealing the love of the Father to those around us.

by Marilynn Chadwick "Honor your father and mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Exodus 20:12 NIV Dad encourages me to finish my own race strong. Live a life of sacrifice and honor. Give yourself for the larger good. Put others before yourself. Don't give up. Family is worth it. Hold onto your faith. No matter what comes your way, persevere. And always do the right thing. These are some of the messages Dad continues to teach me, even at 98. Dad has always believed in dreaming big. He encouraged our dreams. Through the years, nothing brought him more joy than to watch his children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren shine. But the last chapter of his life with Mom was hard. Doing the right thing, day after day, required endurance, faith, and sometimes a good sense of humor. I watched their courageous battle, and I agree with whoever said, "Old age is not for sissies." I watched my mom's quiet and uncomplaining spirit even when she was in pain. And I saw Daddy's cheerful attitude as he persevered day after day. "How did you do it, Dad?" I asked him. "He just shrugged his shoulders and said matter of factly, "Your mom was worth it." Their life together captures the meaning of the word honor: "To treat someone as though they have great worth." Honor by its very nature is strong, solid, and above all, enduring. Toward the end of Mom's life, she and Dad had an especially difficult morning which had stretched Daddy to practically the end of his strength. Later that day, Daddy quietly beamed as he told me about how Mom had looked at him intently and then spoke these words with perfect clarity: "You are so patient. I am so proud of you." Just a few simple words from his wife who didn't talk so much anymore. And yet Daddy wore those words like they were a medal of honor. And if you think about it, I guess that's truly what they were. Dad is truly a man of honor. Honor is a concept so simple even a child can grasp it. "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). God set the bar low so that even the youngest and weakest among us can practice honor. But God has also set the bar high. People defend freedom, fight, and die for honor. Believers around the world honor Jesus by suffering for their faith. That same honor inspires husbands and wives to love each other for a lifetime. It safeguards our families. In good times and in hard ones. Honor guards our marriages and sets them on solid ground. No wonder it's so important in our homes. God has set before us the most noble and enduring way to live together. My dad stands as a testimony that if we treat others with honor—especially those in our own family—we too can finish strong. Looking back over my life, I can see how Mom and Dad's values quietly shaped my own. Dad and I believe it's important to write down these stories for future generations. Plus, it has been rewarding to spend time together recalling the values which influenced our home. I hope you'll take time to think about your own life. What values do you hold dear? What stories of God's protection, provision, and providence, do you want others to remember? Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Eight Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to download your free copy.

by Harper Brame as told to Marilynn Chadwick "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart." Col 3:3a NIV …Continued from Wednesday… After I graduated from boot camp, my superiors discussed my next steps. They asked if I would volunteer for submarine school. "No sir," I told the officer. "I don't want any part of that." I had wanted to go to the Hospital Corps school, the U.S. Navy training facility that taught recruits medical skills for battlefield and shipboard service. At the last minute, it turns out we were not needed. So we were put on a S-Draft and sent on the Troop Train across the country. We were headed to Pearl Harbor for our assignment. I got assigned to the Submarine Tender, the Bushnell, a vital support ship in the war for submarines in the Pacific. It served as a floating submarine base, refitting subs at Pearl Harbor. The Bushnell was home base for the subs—like an airport for planes. I guess you could say we were the Mother Ship. My shop classes in high school came handy because I got in the carpentry shop aboard the Bushnell. I was in line to "strike" for a position. This meant a new sailor could seek on-the-job training in a specialized field. A sailor could learn one of many highly skilled trades needed to repair and maintain submarines. For a sailor, striking a skilled rating was a significant advancement, moving us from general grunt work to a respected and specialized role. For the Navy, using submarine tenders as training platforms was a critical strategy, allowing them to quickly train us. One day, they asked for volunteers to learn how to weld. That sounded like a good place for me to start. After four days on welding duty, over the loudspeaker I heard, "Brame report to personnel office." Now I was worried. I had gone to the movie theater on the base a few nights earlier. My friend was on deck watch. I asked him if I could sneak over and watch a movie. "Sure," he said. "Everybody does it." I was sure I was in trouble. When I reported to the personnel office, the Chief Officer said, "Brame, do you still want to get on a submarine?" I said, "No sir, I never did." I guess I should tell you that about two weeks earlier—on a whim—I had taken the physical and mental tests for sub duty. It was open to volunteers. I was more curious than serious. And taking the tests sounded a whole lot better than cleaning the carpenter shop for the upcoming Admiral's inspection! The Chief Officer in the personnel office had become a good friend of mine. He had been on submarine duty since the early 1930s, but he was too old now to serve on the sub. He looked at me and said, "Harper, if you don't take this opportunity to get on a submarine, I'm going to make your life so miserable, you will always wish you did." So out of fear alone I went into submarine service. And that was the best thing that happened to me in the navy. To watch several short videos of Harper Brame sharing his stories, click here to view "Witness to War"

by Harper Brame as told to Marilynn Chadwick "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." Romans 8:28 NIV So how on earth did I end up working on a submarine? Well, it was definitely not my original plan. The war was wrapping up after Japan was bombed, but the military draft continued because there were still many dangers all over the world, especially in the Pacific. My father was with the Army Corps of Engineers, so our family moved around a lot. I was nearing the end of my senior year. I had attended five high schools in four years. I played basketball and baseball at every high school I attended. At my last school, I realized I was too small for football, so I joined the tumbling team and marching band. I took just seven lessons on the trombone and learned how to march. My short time in the marching band turned out to be one of the best things that happened for my navy career. My draft number was really low, and I knew I would be called up. So I enlisted in the Navy, just under the wire of what was still considered World War II. We would have headed for Japan except the Bomb hit and Japan surrendered soon after on September 2, 1945. I was off to Navy Boot Camp. The US Navy Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland trained hundreds of thousands of navy recruits during the war and prepared them for service on land and sea. But I had been prepared for military life in other ways I couldn't have foreseen. Right off the bat, it turned out I had better training from my time in the marching band than we got in bootcamp. Since I already knew how to march, I didn't get fussed at and didn't get awakened at 3am to go out and learn how to march. The second-class petty officer in charge appreciated my marching ability and put me in a leading position. Plus, since my dad's work kept him away, I had learned how to help my parents and be the man of the house. I was given lots of responsibility and had even learned how to clean well. That, too, would come in handy. Inspections were a big deal in boot camp. I knew how to keep my room clean and had learned how to clean up our houses after moving from place to place. So, the officer put me in charge of inspection—especially the bathrooms. Our inspection went with flying colors. I graduated from Boot Camp and received a plaque as the honor man for my entire company. Knowing how to march and clean helped move me ahead. I found out early that if you just do what you're told, it sure was easier than doing what you're not told. For one thing, I got to sleep all night. After graduation from boot camp, they had a big parade with people from the community and all four companies. We had one honor man from each of the four companies, and I was our honor man. We received our honors alongside those who had just returned from war. Now, we awaited our orders. To be continued tomorrow… To watch several short videos of Harper Brame sharing his stories, click here to view "Witness to War"

by Harper Brame as told to Marilynn Chadwick I was barely 18 when I entered the Navy. But I have a lifetime of memories from my tour of duty as a submarine sailor. It's been such a long time since I've thought about that blue whale. It's funny how things can suddenly come to mind out of nowhere. It's sort of like the time we had a hot running torpedo on the sub. The captain quickly sent us to the front of the sub where we went below if we didn't have required duties to bring it under control. There was a very real danger of explosion, and we had 24 loaded torpedoes. If that thing had gone off, I'd have beaten the rocket to the moon! I had heard that some torpedoes, when they finished their run, would randomly explode. Or they got too hot and heated up the dynamite. But our torpedomen, doing what they knew best, got the thing stopped. In more technical language, on a World War II diesel submarine, a "hot running torpedo" was one that accidentally activated its propulsion system while still inside its launch tube. The risk of an internal explosion was one of the most immediate dangers we faced on the submarine. That was just one of the many potential problems aboard a diesel sub in that era. During World War II, the United States lost 52 of their 200 submarines. That meant about one out of four were lost, making submarine service one of the most dangerous assignments. Over 3500 sailors perished. Forty subs were sunk by the enemy, but 12 went down due to mechanical failures, including hot running torpedoes. Some were lost for unknown reasons, never to be heard from again. Submarines played a vital role in the Second World War. It took a lot of sacrifice and hard work from their crews. It was a dangerous job that left people submerged for hours to days in unfriendly waters. Somebody needs to speak about this part of our country's history. I don't know how many have seen the things I have seen, and there are not too many World War II submarine veterans still alive to tell about it. That's why I'm telling these stories. I want my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and the next generation, to hear my stories about a great blue whale. But more importantly, I want to leave a legacy of life lessons about the cost of our freedoms, and of course, the value of our family and the faith we hold so dear. To watch several short videos of Harper Brame sharing his stories, click here to view "Witness to War"

by Marilynn Chadwick "The earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small." Psalm 104:24b,25 NIV …Continued from Friday… My Dad paused before continuing the story and got real quiet. He was thinking back to the astounding size of the creature he had seen. "I was up in the shears of the conning tower. Back then, if you were on lookout duty, you had to always scan the horizon for threats like enemy ships or aircraft. You would also keep watch for any navigational hazards. We were an extra set of 'eyes' for the submarine when it was on the surface. But we never in a million years expected to see what appeared in front of our very own eyes that afternoon." "I just don't have the words to describe it." "It" was a great blue whale that had surfaced a few yards from Dad's submarine. "It was like the end of the world coming up," he said. "I think if it would have come up under us, it might have tipped the sub over. She had a calf with her that would have been huge on her own, if not next to her enormous mama. I just don't have words to describe how large it looked. The 'fountain of youth' was coming out of her breathing apparatus. I only wish she could have stayed up longer. It was a once in a lifetime experience, and I've often wondered how many people have ever seen a great blue whale." Dad had grown up on a farm surrounded by family and extended family. There was always lots to learn and someone to ask about everything. Uncle Harold, who lived to be 104, used to call my dad the "curiosity box." "So if you are a curious sort like me," Daddy told the enthralled children, "you might be interested in a few facts about the great blue whale. My interest was sparked and I have since learned that a great blue whale can weigh as much as 30 elephants—that's 200 tons or 400,000 pounds! Blue whales can grow more than 100 feet long, the largest animal to have ever existed." "Not only is the blue whale the largest animal ever to live on the earth, it's also the loudest. Blue whales are the loudest animals on the planet. A jet engine registers at 140 decibels, while the call of a blue whale reaches 180 decibels. Their 'whale language' can be heard up to 1,000 miles away!" "That was eighty years ago." Daddy told the children, "But I still can remember the awe and wonder of seeing that great blue whale like it was yesterday." This story inspired us to start writing about Dad's memories from the war*. Life lessons learned and the importance of passing on a legacy. I encourage you to find a way to capture your own memories about your faith, family, and freedom. Talk to your parents or grandparents or start writing your own memories for your children and grandchildren! *To watch several short videos of Harper Brame sharing his stories, click here to view "Witness to War"