Active Love
By Jen Wollner

“A friend loves at all times…”
Proverbs 17:17

The last several years have been a rollercoaster ride for me. I have faced one trial after another, including medical problems of my own and my children. It’s been difficult and I have had many moments when I felt completely alone in my struggles. Of course, I wasn’t really alone. The Lord was always right there with me. He encouraged my heart and showered miracles and blessings upon me. His wonders were too many to recount!

One of those wonders is my girlfriends. They have supported and loved me through the worst of times. They have rejoiced and cheered with me in the best of times. They have overwhelmed me with calls, visits, hugs, meals, gifts, tears, laughter and, most importantly, prayer. They couldn’t ease my pain, but they knew the One who could, so they prayed to Him on my behalf when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own. I will never know how many hours they spent on their knees, beseeching our Heavenly Father to rain down His grace and mercy upon me. These women were, and still are, priceless and irreplaceable in my life.

Scripture tells us that when we go through trials, God himself comforts us and shows us His compassion, so that when others go through difficult times, we know how to comfort them with that same godly love. The Lord definitely filled my girlfriends with compassion and used them to comfort me in my time of need. I have experienced His love through them and, consequently, I am learning how to better extend that love to others. They have shown me what it means to actively love someone…just as Jesus Himself demonstrated time and time again in His life here on Earth.

God promises to be with us always…in good times and in bad. His love for us is higher than the heavens. And one way He demonstrates His kindness is to use our girlfriends to touch our hearts and lives. God IS love…and godly girlfriends are living reflections of it.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a girlfriend in your life who has loved and supported you during difficult circumstances. In what ways did she meet your needs?
2. Ask God to show you who in your life needs you to be His love and compassion to them. What specific ways could you reach out?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 1 John 4:7-8, 12, 16, 19

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

God’s Masterpiece
By Karen D’Amore

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10 NLT

One of my favorite pastimes is strolling through art exhibits, marveling at the creative works of the Michelangelo’s of this world. When I lived in California, I spent many a summer’s day at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival. This popular art festival drew hundreds of local artists who displayed their varying and unique forms of arts and crafts. Many of the artists were also onsite creating their works in the presence of the spectators.

It was amazing to watch the artists transform their “raw materials” into one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Transformed from blank canvases were beautiful paintings, from pieces of scrap metal, bold sculptures, and from blocks of clay, brilliant vases. To an artist, each creation is unique, formed within the artist’s mind before it is actually produced.

There is another Artist—a Grand Master—who from the dust of the ground formed you…His masterpiece. You are a unique work of divine art, and like an original painting or sculpture, you are a one-of-a-kind. The Psalmist wrote, “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! You watched me as I was formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.”

The Bible says you are a special creation of God Almighty; made in His own image so that your life could make a significant difference for His Kingdom. God doesn’t create anything without value. He is the ultimate Craftsman. And He has a unique and custom-designed plan in store for all of those who have put their trust in Jesus.

When I reflect on my own flaws and imperfections, it is difficult to see myself as God’s masterpiece. But I am encouraged when I realize that when God looks at me, He sees the finished product. As no masterpiece is created instantaneously, we too are a work in progress. In this life here on earth, God will act as the painter who wipes away colors that don’t belong on the canvas and the potter who molds and shapes the clay into the desired shapes. He will labor to transform us into works of “notable excellence.” And on that day when we arrive in heaven, we will see ourselves as He sees us…His Masterpiece.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you struggle to see yourself or your purpose on earth as special? Ask God to reveal to you the unique plan He has for you.

FURTHER READING:
Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:13-16, 138:8; Philippians 1:6

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

If I Could Write The Script...
By Susan Klein

“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21

Did you ever wish your life were scripted a little differently? Perhaps things haven’t turned out quite like you had hoped they would. Maybe you couldn’t have the children you so longed for, or perhaps you’ve suffered the loss of a spouse or the heartache of a wayward teen. Or, maybe you struggle to make ends meet every month. If you could write the script for your life, would it be different?

If I could write my script, I’d have a much healthier body and a great singing voice! I’d be the perfect June Cleaver wife and be married to a perfect version of Cary Grant, with three angelic children. We’d be sufficiently wealthy so that we could spend all of our time and money helping the needy and going on short-term mission trips all over the world. We would all get along perfectly and never want for more!

Sounds a bit unrealistic, doesn’t it? It reminds me of an “Outer Limits” episode where a man received a magic lamp with a genie inside. He was given three wishes. First, he wished for $1,000,000, but after giving some away and paying taxes, he was left with nothing. He also wished for power, so the genie turned him into Hitler! He realized his life hadn’t been so bad after all so his last wish was to go back to his former life again.

God didn’t create us and put us on this planet without a plan for our lives. His Word tells us that all of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be. It also states that not only are we predestined according to His plan, but that He created us to do good works which He prepared in advance for us to do. He’s had a plan for us all along! Yet, so often, we think our plan would be much better. Didn’t Jonah choose his plan over God’s, only to end up in the belly of a fish? And, Adam and Eve thought their plan to eat the forbidden fruit would benefit them more than God’s plan.

God is the Author of the script. Of course He encourages us to cooperate and engage in His plan, but we don’t need to exercise our artistic liberties by re-writing it. He has the perfect plan for our lives and we need to put our trust in that, especially when things don’t seem to be going as we think they should be.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Next time the going gets tough, instead of “wishing” for change, trust that God is working out His perfect plan in your life. Take it to prayer and ask Him to give you peace and contentment.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139:13-16; Ephesians 1:11, 2:10; Jeremiah 29:11-12

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Rescuer
By Karen D’Amore

“He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.”
Daniel 6:27

It was a sultry summer night when his fierce green eyes first pierced through the darkness meeting mine. Wanting nothing to do with me, he bolted back into the woods. Like clockwork, each night he returned to my doorstep hoping to mooch food. “Black Cat” became his well-suited name and it was visibly clear that he was wild, not domestic. Challenged by his resistance to me, I anxiously awaited his nightly visits, hoping to someday win his favor. Greeting me through the glass door with an occasional hiss or growl, he eventually grew tolerant of my watching him dine.

Summer faded into fall and my night visitor never missed an evening meal. Winter arrived with a vengeance dropping over a foot of snow. As that snow fell relentlessly, “Black Cat” failed to visit. My fears deepened as he went missing for several stormy nights. Finally, I heard a piercing cry at the door. His limp body lay shivering on the doorstep with blood oozing from his back. Attacked by a wild predator and barely clinging to life, he fell helpless before me.

After months of intense medical treatment and an outrageous vet bill, “Black Cat” was re-named “Slate.” Instinctively, Slate knew that he had been rescued and saved from death. Responding to the love and compassion of his rescuer, his wild, independent nature transformed into a spirit of tender submission. Now, Slate follows me around like a puppy dog, clinging to me in total dependency. Through his unending affection, he seems to speak a wordless form of appreciation.

Reflecting back on my own life, I see strong parallels to my relationship with Christ. Living a wild and rebellious life, my sin separated me from Jesus. In spite of my rejection, Jesus continued to love me unconditionally. Just as I patiently waited to win favor with Slate, Jesus patiently waited to have a relationship with me.

Finally, on the brink of destruction and death I fell helplessly at the Lord’s feet. I cried out to Him and He rescued me. He saved me from my sins and ultimately, eternal death. My reckless, independent spirit was broken and tamed, transformed by His love, grace and mercy.

Like Slate, who clings to the one who saved and rescued him, I cling to my Lord…my Savior and Rescuer.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reflect on the times Jesus has rescued you and express your gratitude to Him.
2. Who do you know that needs to be rescued from a life without the hope of heaven? What can you do to steer them to Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 3:18; Psalm 68:19; Daniel 6:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 1 Corinthians2:2; Romans 5:8

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

The First Christmas
Luke 2:1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them,

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reflect on the story of the first Christmas. What stands out as you read the account? What’s the reaction of your heart? What emotions are you experiencing as you ponder the birth of Jesus?
2. Ask the Lord to reveal to you His Glory and Joy this Christmas.

It’s all about THE GIFT
By Janet Byrne

“…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23

What did you get for Christmas last year? My husband was asking me if I could remember my Christmas present from him. I had to be honest, I couldn’t. We laughed because he also forgot what I had given him. Neither of our gifts had left a mark on us. Maybe you are like us. Maybe you got that gift that you thought you couldn’t live without. And, two months later you had forgotten all about it. We know that Christmas isn’t supposed to be all about the gifts. But, Christmas is all about THE GIFT.

God’s Word tells us that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Christmas is a time when we get to remember the best present God would ever give to us—Jesus. If there were a present, a gift, that could leave a mark on us, it would be Jesus. Jesus is THE GIFT.

Jesus is the only gift that does not wear out, grow old, break down, become obsolete or need batteries. Receiving Jesus as a gift has nothing to do with our being “naughty or nice.” God gave us Jesus because He loves us unconditionally. There is nothing we have done to earn the gift of Jesus. There is nothing we could ever do to have God deny us the gift of Jesus…except refuse it ourselves. The gift that Jesus is to us is perfect, beautiful, comforting, empowering and awesome.

Christmastime can be tough for people who are hurting. It can be a time of feeling extreme sadness, but God blesses us with His son, Jesus, no matter how we are feeling. Jesus is the only gift that knows our hearts. The only gift that can mend our hearts. The only gift we need at Christmastime.

Many of us love giving that perfect present to somebody we care about. We take time to be certain it is exactly what was wanted. Then, we wrap it nicely and set it under the tree carefully. We give it to the person with great joy, anticipation and hope. There is something special about knowing that person loves the gift. It is a beautiful feeling, isn’t it? God is just as delighted to give us HIS gift. And, He wants us to be excited to receive it.

Will you participate in a gift-exchange with God this Christmas? He gives us His Son, and we give Him our hearts.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you received the gift of eternal life found only in Jesus? If not, what’s holding you back?
2. If you have, what kind of “thank you note” have you written recently to God?
3. This year you may hear people talking or grumbling…“Christmas, it’s all about the gifts….” Are you willing to tell them they are right—it’s all about THE GIFT?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 2; Ephesians 2

Janet is the Women’s Ministries Prayer Coordinator and balances her time caring for her husband Yancy and their two sons, working at Waukesha State Bank, and serving on the Moms Nurturing Moms leadership team.

His Perfect Recipe
By Susan Klein

“Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heaven.”
Psalm 119:89

I love to cook! I also like to savor a good cookbook like some people savor a good novel. I will read the whole thing from cover to cover choosing which recipes or bits of kitchen wisdom I want to implement first. I generally look for a recipe that sounds yummy, then, exercise my freedom to alter the ingredients to suit my personal tastes. I usually amp up the spices a bit or replace items I don’t particularly care for. Rarely do I ever follow a recipe word for word. But, when I make bread, or bake a cake, I have to follow the recipe exactly or it won’t turn out. All the ingredients work together in perfect harmony to create the finished product. You can’t change any of it or the recipe won’t come out right!

I find my Christian walk to be quite similar. God has laid out a recipe for my life and has given me the freedom to make certain choices. I can choose where I want to live, the type of music I enjoy, and even what church I want to attend. I can worship quietly, or I can add a little spice to my worship by raising my hands or jumping for joy! I can dress up in my Sunday finest or I can go to church in jeans. I can teach Sunday school or I can serve a meal to the needy. God loves me so much that He wants me to have the freedom to make these kinds of choices in my life.

But, there is one recipe that I cannot change, and that is God’s Word. His Word is perfect, absolute! It cannot be altered in any way. Proverbs tells us that every word of God is flawless and that we are not to add anything to His Words. We are also told by God not to take anything from His Word. If we try to change it in even the tiniest way, we will not receive the glorious riches of His finished product. Many have tried to alter His perfect recipe, only to suffer disastrous results. He is the Author of the recipe, and it doesn’t need adjusting!

As much as I love to cook, I desire to cultivate a deeper relationship with my heavenly Father even more. I am learning to savor His sweet Words more than I savor my cookbooks!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you believe that all of God’s Word is true, or do you struggle with some of it? Ask God to give you wisdom and understanding as you read and study His Word.

FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5-6; Luke 21:33; Revelation 22:18-19

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Power
By Elizabeth Cole

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
2 Peter 1:3

It’s all about God: God’s Plan….not ours. God’s Purpose…not ours. God’s Power…not ours.

True confessions: Even when I’ve really internalized and own the first two aspects, there is still that pull to act in my own power. I get that He’s the One who laid all the groundwork; I get that, when it’s all said and done, He’s the One who receives all glory. So, why am I still tempted to think that what I DO has to come from my own reservoir of power? Why do I still evaluate my availability to God based on how much sleep I got last night and whether I feel fully competent for His call? Whether I’m convinced of sure success before I even attempt to obey?

Self-absorption takes on two faces. The first is the self-denigrating face; the second is the self-exalting face. Either way, we’re looking solely at ourselves. The remedy? Look up. Look to the God of the Universe, the Savior of our soul.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever….

Colossians 1:10-11a And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, BEING STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS MIGHT, so that you may have great endurance and patience….

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Ephesians 1:18-20 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and HIS INCOMPARABLY GREAT POWER FOR US WHO BELIEVE. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Which of the above verses would you be willing to memorize?

FURTHER READING:
Numbers 11:23

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Complete Joy
By Shelly Schumacher

“I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praises to Your name O Most High.”
Psalm 9:2

I love my dog. A little Cairn Terrier named Gracie. She is such a playful and silly little dog. One of my favorite things to do with her is go for a run. Because her legs are only six inches long, I can’t take her more than two or three miles, but to see her go, you would think she was running an ultra-marathon.

Gracie loves everything about running with me. Her joy begins before we even make it out the door. No matter where she is in the house, she can hear me lace up my shoes. She comes running into my closet and dances around at my feet. She follows me from the bedroom through the house, her excitement mounting with each task in my pre-run regime. MP3 player – check, sunglasses – check, GPS watch – check, hat and mittens – check, lip balm, blow nose, windbreaker – check, check, check.

She runs around in circles with her tail wagging and ears alert until I grab her leash and collar –
FINALLY we are ready to go. The first quarter mile of every run, Gracie sings her joy as she happily barks with each stride I take. She dashes ahead to peer into a storm drain, pounce on a leaf or smell something another dog left behind. She is in her glory.

As our run settles in, Gracie and her little legs match me stride for stride as she works hard to keep up the pace, and I am humored by God’s plan when I consider that this little running dog ended up with 5’1” owner. Sometimes Gracie tires during a run, especially if it is a really warm day. But I always see her perk up when we round the corner for the last quarter mile of our three-mile loop. Our house clearly in sight, she wags her tail and joyfully presses on toward the goal of the finish line.

Running with Gracie reminds me of the joy we can to have in our Christian walk. It’s possible to face each task we are given with exuberance. Even though we may grow weary in our walk, we must press on toward our final goal and finish well. Our daily walk with Jesus would probably look much different if we approached it with the same joy that I get to see every time I am blessed to run with my special little dog.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How do you demonstrate your joy for the Lord?
2. How would your days be different if you had a daily attitude of joy?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 5:11; Luke 1:47; John 5:11

Shelly is wife to Nick and mom to her two girls. She spends her time freelancing as a writer/PR professional, and is active in Oakwood's worship and drama ministries.

The Mystery of Prayer
By Susan Klein

“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.”
Jude 20

There is so much to be said about the subject of prayer. At times it can seem overwhelming. There are books on prayer, prayer journals, even prayer beads and prayer shawls. There are postures of prayer, prayer closets, places to pray, times to pray, and attitudes of prayer. There are popcorn prayers, the Lord’s Prayer, silent prayer, praying out loud, public prayer, fasting and prayer, praying back Scripture, intercessory prayer, concerts of prayer, and devised methods of prayer. There is also the command to pray. We know it is not to be taken lightly since it is mentioned in Scripture approximately 580 times! But, there seem to be so many variables that make it hard to discern which way is the best way to pray.

After much personal study on this important subject, I have adopted a few simple ways to eliminate the confusion and enhance my own prayer times. First of all, just pray! It’s best not to get caught up in all the methods, times and places. Everyone has his or her personal preferences and we all learn what works best for us. I try to set aside a time each day for specific, intentional prayer, but if the Holy Spirit lays someone or something on my heart while I am driving or doing dishes, I don’t wait for the “right time,” I pray right then and there. Secondly, no prayer is unimportant or insignificant to God. Scripture tells us to bring everything to the Lord in prayer. Not just the really big things, but everything! And thirdly, listen. I find this to be one element of prayer that is often forgotten, yet one that is so very critical to our prayer time. Prayer is a two-way communication with God. When we are engaged in a conversation with another person, both parties speak and both parties listen. It should be the same in our conversations with God. He cannot speak to us if we don’t listen. Two of the Psalms tell us to “be still” before the Lord. The word “still” here implies a ceasing or letting go of everything, giving up all our distractions so that we may hear the very word of God spoken to our hearts. Most often, He speaks through His written Word, and sometimes He speaks directly to our hearts.

How awesome that the God of the whole universe desires to listen to our tiny voices and respond to us in a most personal way!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Spend some specific time with God this week just listening for His voice.
2. Consider starting a prayer journal to record answered prayer and God’s promptings to you.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 4:6; Psalm 46:10; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Faith like a Child
By Jen Wollner

“…Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
Mark 10:14

My son has a birth defect that affects the growth and shape of his skull. He has had several surgeries to correct this problem. One particular operation, at three years old, was so invasive and traumatic on his head and face that his eyes swelled shut for three full days. By the fourth morning, he was pretty content with his situation, probably thinking this was just how things were going to be from now on, and he began playing with his toys. He couldn’t see them, but he was determined to have fun anyway!

I knew he wouldn’t go far, so I left him alone in our living room for a few moments. When I returned, I was surprised to see that he wasn’t playing at the coffee table where I had left him, but had made his way to the adjoining toy room. I approached him and asked what he was doing and he exclaimed,”Mommy, I can see! Jesus healed my eyes! I can see!!” The awe and joy in his voice is forever ingrained in my memory…and heart. My son had experienced a miracle of Jesus, he was sure of it! Since that day, he has reminded me several times of what Jesus did for him. Both of us are filled with wonder each time we recall it.

Now, I know what you are thinking—that wasn’t really a miracle. The swelling simply went down enough for him to open his eyes again. You’re right, that is what happened. But, unlike us, my son didn’t know anything about that. He didn’t know that the swelling would eventually dissipate and he would be back to normal soon. All he knew was that he was blind—and because of Jesus—now he could see.

We can learn a lot from the faith of a young child, can’t we? The truth is that Jesus is everywhere, and everything is under His control. He performs wonders daily. So, why don’t we recognize them more? Is it because we are skeptical? Is it because we want to take some or all of the credit ourselves? Or, is it that we lack the faith and trust to really believe that He is who He says He is and can do what He says He can do? Today is the perfect day for us to start believing Him more and start receiving the abundant blessings in store for us. Now is the time to exercise faith…like a young child. Oh, what joy awaits us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what specific ways do you see God working in your life today?

FURTHER READING:
Job 38-41; Matthew 17:20; Psalm 19:1; Psalm 66

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

Refiner’s Fire
By Karen D’Amore

“See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the Furnace of affliction.”
Isaiah 48:10

The tingling in my lip had become a persistent nuisance that I reasoned, in time, would heal on its own. I blamed the dry desert heat for the perpetually dry, cracked lips, until the crack escalated into a relentless oozing growth.

The gnawing ache in my gut told me this was something more serious than I was willing to believe or allow a doctor to confirm. Slipping deeper into denial, haunting fears paralyzed my thoughts and eventually my prayers. As depression whispered from my pillow, sleep became my new best friend. After several days of seclusion and confinement to bed, I looked in the mirror and faced the inevitable. Leaving denial at the back door, I had to face my fears and seek medical attention. After a month of unsuccessful treatment, the doctor ordered a biopsy.

The biopsy confirmed what the Lord had already been preparing me to hear. It was cancer — a cancer that (due to my delays) had spread to other areas of my body. After several surgeries and three months of radiation treatments, I would eventually be cancer-free.

God does not give us a spirit of fear! But I chose to run in fear versus walk in faith. It took those dreadful words…“It’s cancer”…to drop me desperately at my Lord’s feet. His peace engulfed me the moment I allowed Him to scoop me up into His arms and carry me through the remainder of this fiery trial.

The radiation treatments were an excruciating necessity. My oncologist determined what size dosage over a pre-determined period of time would be necessary to destroy the cancer.

The radiation process kills cancer and preserves life; the Refine’rs fire results in the preservation of a refined, holy life. As Christ followers, we may suffer long and difficult trials. God will use the fires of prolonged pain, coupled with these perpetual trials, to burn lessons He wants us to learn into the depths of our being. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3),” yet He knows the specific amount of time that will be needed. Like a true goldsmith, God stops the fire the moment He sees His image in the glowing metal. He uses His refining fire to burn away our impurities and then gloriously comes to our rescue.

As the radiation treatments burned away my cancer, Jesus uses His refiner’s fire to burn away our fears and re-shape our trust and faith in Him.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there something in your character that needs refining? Surrender to Him and allow Him to mold and shape you in His image.

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

The Gift is What’s Inside!
By Susan Klein

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”
Isaiah 53:2b

I love wrapping presents. While some may groan at the daunting task of wrapping a mountain of Christmas gifts, I absolutely delight in it! In fact, one year I even volunteered at a kiosk in the mall to wrap presents as a fundraiser for my son’s school. I was in heaven! I could turn a little cube of post-it notes into a work of art if given the right wrapping tools.

A close friend once told me that she didn’t care what her family gave her for Christmas, as long as it was wrapped in gold foil paper with a big red bow on top. Isn’t it true? Don’t we love pretty packaging? Would a diamond pendant seem as special of a gift if it were delivered in a brown paper sack? But, put a cubic zirconia in a plush velvet box and tie a satin ribbon around it with some dangly charms and it becomes a gift worthy of royalty! Presentation is everything. Or...is it? Would you purchase a car just because it was sleek and shiny on the outside, even if the engine was bad on the inside?

When it comes right down to it, the package, while it might be a feast for the eyes, is not the actual gift. The real gift is what’s on the inside. Scripture tells us that the greatest gift we’ve ever received, our Lord Jesus Christ, had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him. Does that make Him any less desirable as a Savior? Does that make His gift of salvation any less meaningful? There were those who could not accept Him as Savior because He did not appear in the glory and splendor of a king on a throne. They couldn’t believe that God would send a simple man to be their Messiah. They were putting their faith in the packaging, not in the gift.

But we, who have faith, know differently. We know that He was the one true Gift sent to save us from eternal destruction. We know that God made Him appear just like any other man on this earth so He could relate to all men. And we also know that He is now crowned with glory and honor, seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven, and He will come, packaged in splendor and glory, when He returns to earth to rule one day!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What gifts do you most value or desire to have?
2. Would you be willing to ask God to show you someone in your life with whom you could share the simple gift that God offers in the form of His unadorned Son?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 2; Revelation 1:12-18; Psalm 45:2-6; 2 Peter1:16-18

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Running Toward Perfection
By Shelly Schumacher

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14

Most runners will tell you that they are constantly in search of the perfect run. I have run four marathons, each with the goal of having the perfect race. The first one was the ideal temperature but it was very windy, the second one had calmer winds but it was quite warm, the third one was a calm day with a perfect temperature, but I woke up with a cold, and the forth one was the hottest October day in the history of the race.

Just as my goal of marathon perfection has yet to be realized, God regularly teaches me that this is not the goal that I should be seeking. Instead He asks me to cling to Him so that He can be perfection in me. And the kind of perfection He gives includes wholeness, complete-ness, lacking nothing.

God teaches us that in life, as in running, “perfect” is implausible. Yet we still run towards this goal. What we often forget is that perfect is not something that can be attained here on earth. It will not be found in the most glorious afternoon run or even an Olympic dream finally realized. However, if we set our sights on things not of this world, but rather those of eternity, the goal seems conceivable.

What does that mean for our time here on earth? As we run our races of life, be they going through our daily grind or actual foot races, we can direct our energy upward. Only by focusing on the infinite prizes found in Jesus can our faith be perfected. And, while that perfect run will most assuredly elude us here on earth, when we focus on the Perfecter of our faith, even our most daunting workout will bring us closer to the perfect prize.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you struggle with trying to make your daily life perfect?
2. How different would your walk with Christ look if you focused not on the goal of perfection on earth, but in being made perfect for eternity?
3. What “prizes” do you have in Jesus Christ? Ask God to help you appreciate and develop these more in your life.

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 9:24; Hebrews 6:1; Romans 8:28

Shelly is wife to Nick and mom to her two girls. She spends her time freelancing as a writer/PR professional, and is active in Oakwood's worship and drama ministries.

The Invitation
By Elizabeth Cole

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night...So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:8, 16

It’s a night like no other…but they don’t know it yet. Ragamuffin shepherds sit in a field with their sheep. Can’t guess how long they’ve been living there…I wonder if the layers of dirt are getting deep, the smell of the sheep and of manly work are getting potent. And there they sit in the ordinariness of their lives.

What’s the word for “even beyond one’s wildest imaginings”? That’s the word to describe what happens next. Darkness broken by glorious light. Muffled night sounds broken by heaven’s harmonies. A revelation, a chorus, an invitation. Off they rush, immediately, to go see this Messiah-child, this babe lying in a manger.

Have you ever envisioned yourself as one of them? Think of the honor of receiving that kind of birth announcement. They couldn’t have run fast enough, “Hurry up…here, take my hand, watch out for that rock…where should we start?” Think of the joy of finding the right manger. The race abruptly stops; they stand still at the sight. The Savior of the world is swaddled and lies right before their searching eyes.

All I can think of at that moment is how much I would’ve wanted to shower first. I’m getting ready to enter the presence of God Himself…and I stink. I wonder if I might have paused at the entrance, suddenly panicked by my state.

Rushing right in, the shepherds had it right. Our God is a God who invites us to “come just as you are.” No requirement to take care of our “baggage” and our filth before we approach Him; no obligation to freshen up our act before we seek Him. He knows who we are, where we’ve been, and how far from clean we find ourselves. And He still says, “Come.” What He wants from us is a heart that seeks His cleansing forgiveness. A heart that commits to following and loving Him above all else. Out of incomprehensible love, He washes us as white as snow, every time we humbly come as we are and ask.

Did we blow it again? He says, “Come.”
Am I embarrassed of that habit I can’t seem to break? He says, “Come.”
Are you waiting until you look a little better before receiving Christ’s gift of forgiveness? He says, “Come.”

Just as you are.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is preventing you from enjoying the Lord Jesus and His lavish love for you today? Will you give that obstacle to Him?
2. Scripture says that we can do nothing to earn God’s love and salvation; He gives it freely. How does that fact impact your interaction with Him today?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 64:6; Psalm 51:7; Romans 3:23-24, 5:8; I John 1:9

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

© HomeWord. Used by permission.

Heart Attitude
By Peggy Kleckner

“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12

I was staying after work again to work on yet another sewing project for my husband. When will he come to understand that his wife does not sew? Oh sure, I work in a place that has industrial sewing machines, but I don’t sew! The women I work with keep trying to tell me that I should learn. Part of me would like to learn, but my pride wants me to learn it when no one is looking. My perfectionism screams, “If you can’t do it right, you just shouldn’t do it!” Anyway, I was already committed to doing this “little project” for my husband. I tried to act like it was no big deal, as I plunked myself down in the chair. I tired to look like I knew what I was doing, but then the thread came out of the needle. Which way does it get re-threaded, from the left or the right? I had to interrupt one of the women from her work in order to ask. She graciously came over and did it for me. A few minutes later, I was stumped again with another snag of some sort. This time, the other woman I work with came to my rescue. I was really feeling like a charity case, until she said to me, “All you need is a little practice. We have been sewing for a long time.”

I am sure she has said this to me before, but this time my heart heard it. My husband didn’t need to see that I don’t sew…I needed to see that I could. My attitude needed a major adjustment. All of the women in my department had been generously offering help and instruction whenever I needed it, and I had remained determined to stay ignorant. What a foolish choice! Lots of things take practice and everyone, including my husband, was supportive and patient, except me. God had finally gotten my attention. I needed a heart attitude change. I needed to not only be more gracious to my husband, but also toward myself. Sewing was going to take some practice. It may never become a favorite pastime, but it certainly doesn’t need to be a dreaded chore either.

It’s amazing what edifying words can accomplish when our hearts are ready to hear.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are there any areas in your life where you have been unwilling to receive instruction? Whose edifying words have you been refusing to hear?
2. Ask God to change the attitude of your heart.

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 2:1-11, Proverbs 16:21

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two step-sons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

True Beauty
By Jen Wollner

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment…Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4

Several months ago, I was traveling and found myself on a hotel shuttle with a group of twenty-something young men. I couldn’t help but overhear their conversation as we rode to our destination. They were talking about their plans for the evening and that they were going to meet up with their female friends later. I ascertained from the conversation that these ladies had frustrated the men because they were taking too long primping for their night out, so the guys left without them. One of the men summed up all of their feelings perfectly by saying, “They spend so much time getting ready…and they come out looking the same!”

I’ll be honest, this statement rubbed me the wrong way at first. Personally, I think I look a lot different after a shower, styling products and make-up, than I do when I first wake up in the morning. This young man obviously has no appreciation for what we go through, I thought. But, what if he was right? Women, in general, often spend a significant amount of time on their outward appearance—clothes, hair, make-up—all of which, as evidenced by his comment, doesn’t make much difference in how others perceive our beauty. But, why is that? If we work so hard, why do we still look basically the same?

And then it hit me…maybe it really is what’s on the inside that matters most. Maybe our heart plays a bigger role in our outer appearance than we realize. We can cover up physical imperfections with clothes or cosmetics, but the true condition of our heart shines through. If we are downcast or negative on the inside, it will usually show on our face, in our body language or through our words. But, if we have joy in our hearts, that’s what others see on the outside, too. Whatever is going on inside comes out in our words, actions and attitudes.

There’s only one effective way to alter our hearts and, consequently, our outward beauty: Jesus. Spending time with Him can dramatically change the way we look to those around us. Wouldn’t it be encouraging if we literally looked and acted differently after each time we are with Him? Every time we read His Word or converse with Him in prayer, our hearts should look a little more like His…and the reflection on the outside will be truly beautiful.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How much time do you spend on your outward appearance versus your heart?
2. Are you making time regularly for God? How do you look different because of your time together?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 105:3; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 31:30

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!
By Jen Wollner

“…I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:10-11

I’m not sure how it started, but somewhere along the way, the tradition of making a wish before blowing out birthday candles became popular. As a kid, I actually believed that my wish would come true. I, of course, know better now and don’t make a wish, but I can see the appeal in it. We all have a list of items that we want, or events that we would like to have happen in our lives. If only it were as easy as making a wish on our birthday candles!

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus’ birth. And, I wonder, if He had a cake, with the candles lit, what would He wish for before blowing them out? What is important to Him? What does He desire to happen in the world and in our individual lives? There are several possible answers to those questions, but here are just a few:

• Salvation for all people through His death on the cross: “…He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance .”(2 Peter 3:9)
  
• Undying love from all those who believe in Him: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)
  
• Changed lives as evidence of a love relationship with Him: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

We have the choice to make Jesus’ desires become reality in our lives. If we come to Him in faith and receive His gift of salvation, we can spend eternity in heaven with Him. And, if we live out that salvation in a deep, intimate relationship with Him—loving Him lavishly and fulfilling His purposes for our lives—we will experience exceeding blessing and joy.

This Christmas, as we celebrate Jesus’ birthday, let’s commit to focusing on His desires for us…our salvation, our undying love for Him and our changed lives because of Him. May all His “wishes” come true in our lives this year!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you had a moment in your life when you repented and asked Jesus to be your Savior? If you aren’t sure, consider doing that now. If you have, take a moment to savor that memory.
2. What’s holding you back from loving Jesus and surrendering to Him all that you are and have?
3. In what specific ways has your life changed because of your relationship with Him?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; John 15:10-12

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

True Freedom
By Susan Klein

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”
2 Corinthians 3:17

Prompted by our recent presidential election, I found myself contemplating some of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Unlike many other countries, we have the freedom to voice our opinions about our candidates and to vote for whom we feel is best for the position. According to our Constitution, some of the freedoms we have are the freedom to bear arms, freedom of speech, and freedom to worship in the manner we choose. These, however, are not universal freedoms.

In looking at the meaning of the word freedom, Merriam-Webster defines it as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action. Wikipedia says that political freedom is freedom in which members of a free society would have full dominion over their public and private lives. In other words, I can do as I please, when I please, and how I please. Hmmm...are we really free? Does anyone really have full say over every aspect of his or her life? Are we not living under ever-changing rules, and under the authority of our government, employers, and even our local church bodies? So what, then, is true freedom?

Scripture tells us that there is one freedom that everyone can enjoy: the freedom from bondage to sin. God gave Adam and Eve the freedom to eat from any tree in the Garden except one, but they made a bad choice. And because of their decision, they introduced sin into the world. As descendants of Adam and Eve, we have all been born into that sin. No one is without it and we are all in bondage to it. But, Galatians 5:1 says; it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. When we accept His sacrificial gift to us, we are immediately set free! We are no longer in bondage, but free to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are free to make choices, free to love others, free to live a new life that we could not live as slaves to sin. This spiritual freedom does not change with the times, or with different rulers or lawmakers. This is a freedom offered by God to all men, and it is one that cannot be taken from us. It is ours to enjoy!

How comforting to know that in a world where there is no universal definition of freedom, we can all be set free in Christ Jesus!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas of your life do you feel you may still be enslaved, rather than experiencing total freedom?
2. Make a list of these items and prayerfully give them over to God. Let Him set you free from their hold on you…whatever it takes, whatever He asks you to do in cooperation.

FURTHER READING:
John 8:31-36; Romans 3:22-24; Romans 5:12

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Surrender
By Peggy Kleckner

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boy's father exclaimed. "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
Mark 9:23-24

I woke up this morning pondering surrender. The picture I thought of is putting up the white flag and coming out with your palms in the air. What a vulnerable, trusting position! We have all seen that picture played out in the movies, but those people were surrendering to their enemies. Imagine trusting your enemies enough to lay down your weapons and turn yourself over to their will. What a frightening picture! It is no wonder this is done only as a final choice, when no hope is left and it seems to be the only option to save your life.

As Christians, we are called to surrender. However, we are called to surrender our lives to the lover of our souls! Why do we struggle so? Why is it so difficult to come out from our burdens, lay down all of our masks and surrender to the One who created us, knows us best, has good plans for us and has such a tender heart toward us? Is it a lack of faith? Faith is defined as unquestioning belief, complete trust or confidence. Do we trust ourselves more than we do our Lord? Oh Lord, help our unbelief, our lack of true faith! Do we think God is not big enough to rescue us from our sinful nature? Help our unbelief! Is God not big enough to rescue us from the hold of our enemy? Help our unbelief! Is God not big enough to change our attitudes and renew our minds? Help our unbelief! Is God not able to do above and beyond all that we can think, hope or dream? Help our unbelief!

Let’s take a few minutes and picture ourselves coming out of hiding with an air of "everything is fine,” out past our self-built walls of protection and throw our empty palms in the air. He is waiting for us and we will find rest in Him.

Lord, we do believe, but help our unbelief!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what area of your life are you still struggling to trust God? Can you hear Him calling you to surrender it?
2. Ask Him to help you with any unbelief, doubt or lack of trust.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 118:8, Matthew 11:28, Proverbs 3:5

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two step-sons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Is the Tank Full?
By Elizabeth Cole

“…be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.”
2 Timothy 4:2b

Have you ever noticed that Batman’s batphone rings at some of the most inopportune times? Once, it was right before his birthday gala. Other times, it’s when he’s exhausted after a long hard day as Bruce Wayne. Despite its unexpectedness, the call never seems to catch him unprepared. He finishes the call, slides down his secret pole into the Batcave, hops into the Batmobile and off he goes. Here’s the thing that gets me: He never has to stop and get gas in that car before he heads off to save the world. Now granted, he’s got Alfred (oh, that we all could have an Alfred…), but if I were Batman, my first stop would invariably have to be the Mobil station!

Seldom in our lives do we get to see what’s coming next. I think about our sister in Christ who is sharing her life with friends in a medical crisis; I think about my daughter’s friend who thought she was just going to spend a day out on her ATV, not in the emergency room with a broken back; I think about the friend who, out of the blue, says at dinner, “Something’s missing in my life…”

Will we be ready? Are we actively seeking to further understand and gain knowledge of who God is through study and application? Are we daily being filled up with the Source of our Power through reading His Word and sharing our hearts with Him through prayer? God is so very kind – He regularly blesses our private time with Him by giving us opportunity to share that very day what we’ve learned from Him in the quiet moments. What a sweet way to anticipate, be ready, filled up and available to His call… whenever it comes, no batphone needed!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What would it take for you to be more prepared for the unexpected moments God gives in which you have opportunity to affect another’s life?
2. Would you ask God for His divine help in making sure your “tank stays full”?

FURTHER READING:
Acts 8:26-40; Acts 16:16-34

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Fresh Start
By Karen D’Amore

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23

Recently, one of my employees announced that she was relocating to another state. Leaving behind a troubled year riddled with personal and relational conflicts, this move was an opportunity for a fresh start. Having recently relocated myself, I was able to write a “goody-bye” and share words of hope and encouragement, drawing from my own well of experience. A move to a new land filled with strangers provided me an opportunity for a fresh start. Starting a new chapter in my life with no “burnt bridges,” no wounded relationships, and with no one remembering the old godless me, was incredibly liberating and refreshing.

There have been moments when I wished that I could go back and re-do or re-live certain situations or relationships, knowing then…what I know now. And oh how I wish that I had chosen to live a life focused on Jesus much sooner then I did. What would it have felt like to have lived a life with “no regrets”? Have you ever reflected on your life and wished for a second chance?

The Bible brings us Good News! As believers in Christ, whether we relocate geographically or remain in our town of birth, we can have a “Fresh Start” with Jesus everyday of our life. We have the hope of knowing that if we have confessed our sins to Him, He will toss them as far as the east is from the west. We have the assurance that we are a new creation in Christ and the “old” has passed away. Whatever – and anything – the past holds, Jesus can use for our good and for His glory.

We can find rest and peace knowing that regardless of our circumstances and regardless of how badly we blow it…HIS mercies always begin afresh every morning.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What does a fresh start look like to you? If you have never found the everlasting fresh start in Jesus, what is keeping you from asking Him for it?
2. Is there someone in your life who is longing for a “second chance” or a “clean slate”? How can you lead them to a fresh start with Jesus?
3. In what area of your life do you need to apply this truth this very morning?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:3-7; Romans 6:4; II Corinthians 5:17; Psalm 103:12

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue hair salon, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.