Memorial Day...

Today is a special day that has been set aside to remember and honor those individuals who have given their lives in the service of our country.

I think this is a great institution. Certainly, the gallant servicemen and women of today and from bygone eras deserve to be honored.

I am extremely grateful for those who have come before me and served and protected my freedom and the freedom of my family. While I am very concerned for the future and the situation of the world abroad, I understand that thousands of men and women are placing themselves in harm's way right this very second in the name of the United states of America and our way of life.

The political climate these days in the world is a very complicated one. There are situations and implications going on behind the scenes that I know nothing about, and don't want to know...

I just thank God for America. I stand in the gap in prayer today for my country, and the military of the United States of America and her allies.

Dear Heavenly Father,

God, You are My God. And You are a Good God. You are righteous and holy. I love You Lord. I thank You for my country and the service men and women who stand ready to protect the interests and way of life of America.

Lord, I just pray that America is worthy of good people fighting and giving their lives over. Our Country seems to be rapidly decaying. I see a steady decline in morals, standards, pride, and patriotism. The world is becoming more and more 'worldly'. Everything is about 'Oil', 'Money', 'Power", 'Sex', and other lusts of the flesh.

Sigh... I just pray for peace. I pray for Your will to be done. I pray for my role and my family's role in all this. I know we are called to be in the world but not of it. We are called to be obedient, faithful, and true. We are called to love one another.

I suppose that's my role. That's the role of my family. -To live Godly lives and be Godly witnesses to those around us. My role is to give credit where credit is due. -And that's to You, my Lord. I am nothing apart from You.

On a day set aside to remember our fallen countrymen who have given their lives for my freedom, I also recognize and honor THE ONE who gave HIS LIFE for the ETERNAL FREEDOM of My Soul.

Thank You Father God. And I pray theses things in the power of Your Precious Son's name: Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Giving HIM Praise...!

I am just so in AWE of my creator and this precious life HE has given me...! Oh there are times that I'm challenged. There are times that I stumble and fall... -And sometimes there are times when it's difficult to get back up, too.

But God is Faithful. God Provides. HE Restores me. He Sustains me. He is My Deliverer...!


Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You Lord for all my Precious Blessings. I have already been blessed so far above my expectations that I do not dare to ask for anything for myself except that You help me to be obedient and faithful in all circumstances.

I want to present a faithful witness and to give You the Praise and the Glory, my King.

I love You.

Amen.

Giving The Day Up For God's Glory

Father God,

Lord I acknowledge that I can accomplish nothing under my own power. Alone I am Nothing.

BUT IN CHRIST I CAN DO ALL THINGS...!

Why would I ever want to do any thing under my own power...? I don't know, I'm just stubborn and stupid that way, I guess.

I Thank God for my dear sweet wife who covers me in prayer every day. I am truly a blessed man. My wife and family are most dear to me. They are precious gifts from God.

I'm learning to surrender every thing to God on a daily basis. Jesus gave His 'All'... He gave his very life for my sins. -I've got to be willing to give everything up for HIM, as well.

Father God,

I love You. And I want my life to be a reflection of that love. I pray that my witness today is pure and encouraging. I pray that my interaction with the world today leaves the world wanting what I have. Thank You for my life, Lord.

But I would willingly give up everything for You. Thank You Father for being such an awesome God.

I pray these things in Christ Jesus' precious name, Amen.

Starting The Day Off Right...!

I awakened at 5:15 AM... That's a little late for me considering I was up until after midnight. But none the less I watched an episode of Dr Charles Stanley's Sunday sermons. We've got probably about 40 sermons recorded on our DVR. The plan for my new morning routine is to listen/watch Dr Stanley every morning. He has walked with the Lord for over 65 years and has preached for over 50 years. I am so grateful for men of faith like Dr Charles Stanley.

I used to listen to his radio broadcast every morning as I was commuting to work and I've really missed that study time the past year and a half.

Starting every day under the direction of a great man or woman of faith is my new world class training approach to spiritual discipline.

-So Far So Good...

Discipline

For years I would describe myself as disciplined. Even as a young boy I always wanted to be the best I could be at what ever I did. I was driven. (I still am, by the way...)

I used to exercise and train virtually around the clock. I approached everything I did with the attitude of a professional athlete. But the last seven or eight years I've really let my physical state slip. If anyone was ever a shadow of their former self, it's me. I'm in the worst physical condition of my life. I'm weighing in right now at around 230 lbs... I could safely stand to lose 50-60 lbs... Aaagh...

And those who know me well know that I've been writing about this for a long time. Two years ago I got down to 200 lbs... But I could never drop back into the 100's... I really want to regain my health... And I know what I need to do. I've got to really watch what I eat, and exercise more... Plain and simple. And somehow I've got to regain that discipline I had as a professional athlete.

I honestly think that the true key to my success is dependant upon my becoming more disciplined in my spiritual life. And If I can approach my spiritual life with the discipline of a professional athlete first then it will better enable me to be disciplined in other areas of my life.

A New Routine...

In case you've never noticed it, I'm really into 'routines'. For instance, I like the discipline of getting up early and spending time in the word. Over the past two years, as I've fallen farther and farther behind in my work, I had fallen into the routine of working pretty much around the clock, Even family time of watching a tv show together involved my laptop glued to my lap.

Ahhh... Multi-tasking...!

Well, I'm trying to carve a new routine... And I think I'm making headway. I'm determined to agree to let God manage my day. My operating hours of being awake are now roughly 4 AM to 10 PM. That's only six hours of sleep a night, I know. But I also plan to sneak some naps in here and there, as well. -That's the plan.

Of course, I plan to start every day off with exclusive time with Jesus. Praying, studying, and being quiet and still. Yesterday went off according to the plan and today has started off well, too.

But the thing is... It's not Sam Chadwell accomplishing anything. It's my Lord and Savior allowing me to get things done. Thank You, Jesus!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Lord, I proclaim You as the Lord of my life today and every day. Thank you Father for being such an awesome God. You are my Rock and my Fortress. I lean on You, my King. I can accomplish nothing apart from You.

Father God, I lift up my sweet wife today. Thank You for her witness and her prayers. She is such a blessing in my life...! My life is good. It is so good. Lord, Thank You for Elijah and Connor. Thank You for all the opportunities to effect this world for Your Kingdom.

Lord I love You. And I pray these things in Jesus' name.

Amen.

Surrender

Lord I surrender to You. I pray that every ounce of my being gives You glory today. Father God only You can work the miracle of sanity in my schedule. I can not serve both You and the world. I choose You my King. And I shall not worry about tomorrow.

I love You Lord. I trust You. With the help of thy Grace I will over come.

Lord I lift up my wife, my family, and my church this morning. Bless them Lord. And I pray these things in Jesus' name,

Amen.