Checed

By Lexi Cole

 

“Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. For your loving-kindness is before my eyes and I have walked in Your truth.”

Psalm 26:2-3 (NASB)

 

My family and I were having a blast watching old home videos. At one point in the video, my much-younger sisters started bickering. Right away, my much-younger mom looked at them and said, “Girls! Loving-kindness!” We all burst into laughter because my mom always said this to us growing up and it’s something we tease her about now!

While this is certainly proof that some things never change, it got me thinking. At first glance, this phrase seems redundant. I’m not an expert in Hebrew, but loving-kindness translates to checed (hesed). It’s used 246 times in the Bible, translated to loving-kindness 183 times - - the majority being in Psalms and describing God’s loving-kindness to His people,1 with a strong connection to His unconditional covenant loyalty to them.

That being said, I still wondered: What’s the significance of the “loving” in loving-kindness? Do we really need it? As I thought about it, I realized it’s very possible to be kind without loving. Lots of times we are selfishly kind to get something we want or something in return. An employee is kind in order to get a promotion. A child is kind to avoid getting in trouble. The difference between loving-kindness and selfish-kindness is the heart attitude and motivation.

All 183 verses that refer to God as loving-kindness show God displaying His kindness over us  - - not because He wants us to follow and worship Him robotically, but because He desires to have a relationship with us and gave the ultimate sacrifice to restore it. The book of Psalms talks of God’s endless and unfailing loving-kindness in times of trials. In addition, Christ is the epitome of selfless and endless kindness. He endured excruciating pain (physically and spiritually) and yet did it to restore relationship with us. He paid for sin in our place. This is ultimate checed  - -  unselfish kindness rooted in love.

As His followers, we’re called to do the same. Loving-kindness moves far beyond nice for our own gain to a selfless kindness even when it is really hard or undeserved. Because of this, what’s my response? What is my heart motivation in my relationships? Is my kindness rooted in love or is it selfish? Watching these home videos was a lot of fun (as is teasing my mom about her timeless “catch phrase”!), but I love that God is our checed and that we are called to display it, as well.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Thank God for His example of checed. 

2. Are there relationships in which you have been kind for your own gain? What you can do to change your selfish-kindness to loving-kindness? Will you?

FURTHER READING:

Psalms 13:5-6, 17:6-7, 25:9-10

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. She is currently the Interim Children’s Director at Oakwood Church…and is busy planning her 2012 wedding to fiancé Andrew.

[1] Brown, Driver, Briggs and Gesenius. "Hebrew Lexicon entry for Strong’s Number 2617". "The NAS Old Testament Hebrew Lexicon". 

Think Happy Thoughts
By Jennifer Pierce

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8

In the movie Hook, when Peter Banning finds himself back in Neverland, the race is on to save his kids. The trouble is, it won’t happen unless he can fully convince his own self that he truly is “The Pan.” The Lost Children are convinced that if he could find his one happy thought, surely he would fly again. After many failed attempts, Peter, in his exacerbated state, focuses his mind on one very precious thought: his kids! And Peter begins to fly.

Until Peter found his happy thought, he was frustrated, confused, angry, and even scared. Amazingly, when he changed his thinking, he was ready to take on the world (or, in this case, Captain Hook and his alligator).

The Scriptures remind us of the importance of right, healthy thinking. You see, it’s not just a matter of “having” right thinking; it’s a matter of shaping and developing right thinking. It doesn’t necessarily just “happen.” Philippians 4:8 says to “think on these things.” That’s a present active command. Not only should I be doing it, but I should be doing it constantly. Anything that does not pass the eight descriptions listed in that verse should not hold our attention. If we follow this command, there is no room for hosting thoughts that are negative, condemning, unholy, unpleasant, false or evil.

The Psalmist David longed for this to the point that even his very thoughts were found pleasing to God (Psalm 19:14). Too often we focus on our actions, all the while forgetting that God sees and knows our thoughts, too.

The challenge is a proactive one. How can we intentionally and purposefully train ourselves to think on things that would be God-honoring? A few tips may include: listen to encouraging music; post a Scripture verse on the bathroom mirror or kitchen cupboard where it can be seen daily; pray for the person who irritates you; read your Bible on a regular basis; look for something positive to say about a negative situation; memorize Scripture; walk away from gossiping friends; or exercise regularly.

Unlike Peter Pan, it’s time to grow up…and dwell on the praiseworthy thought!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Does your thinking pattern match the description in Philippians 4:8? If not, confess that to your Heavenly Father and make purposeful plans this very day to change.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 1:2, 19:14, 63:6; Joshua 1:8

Jennie is a wife and mother of three. She is at the beginning of a brand-new faith adventure as the Pierce family moves to Crook, Colorado in two weeks to serve Jesus together as Dale becomes the new pastor of United Church of Crook, part of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

Out of the Whirlwind

By Elin Henderson 

“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind…”

Job 38:1

Do you ever get the feeling that “We’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy!”?  That life has been nothing short of a tornado or whirlwind that picked you up and transported you on this crazy adventure/crisis you weren’t ready for?  You just want to click your ruby red stilettos together, say the magic words, and find yourself back in your safe and sound comfort zone! 

God has a way of upending our little comfortable worlds at times with His whirlwinds.  Maybe it’s a family crisis or a crisis at work. Maybe it’s your health that for so long was cruising along so beautifully, only to find out one day that everything isn’t alright in Kansas anymore!  Sometimes these come in the form of little dust devils that just kind of shake us, while others of these crises thoroughly uproot us. When the dust settles, we aren’t even sure where we are…and sometimes even who we are. It seems that our life as it was, is now in a state of ruin and will never be the same again. 

Yet, even in the midst of life’s whirlwinds, there is the still small voice of God that never leaves us nor forsakes us.  Sometimes He takes away the whirlwind and sets us down nice and easy. Other times, He simply speaks in the MIDST  of the whirlwind, when things are in chaos and everything we “know” is spinning around us out of control.

In the first 37 chapters of the book of Job, he’s endured quite the whirlwind and has been eating the dust of so-called friends who, instead of comforting him, were stirring up his already shaky world.  But, I love how the narrative brings God on the scene. It could’ve just stated, “And God said to him…” but it reminds us that He answered out of the whirlwind!!  And not once, but TWICE (Job 40:6). He was there with Job the whole time. He met Job in the midst of the craziness. He didn’t necessarily remove the craziness! It was from this answer that Job found the strength and hope to rebuild his shattered world. 

So, the next time you find yourself spinning around in one of life’s whirlwinds, remember you’re not alone!! Listen carefully for the answer of the Lord in the midst of your crisis.  He is there, ready to hold you until the storm is over and help you just as He did Job, to reconstruct your upside-down world.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Can you think of a time when you heard God’s voice in the midst of the whirlwind?  How can that help you as you face future whirlwinds and/or help to encourage others who are in the midst of their own personal whirlwind? 

FURTHER READING:

Nahum 1:3; Isaiah 25:4

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to eleven-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

Take Off the Mask
By Elizabeth Cole

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:3

Have you ever noticed how many of the superheroes put on masks when it’s time to do their “superhero jobs”? Maybe you haven’t meditated on that thought lately, but think about it…there they are, coursing through the air with their colored masks hiding their true identity.

I’ll admit it. That’s one of the reasons I like Superman so much. When he’s doing his thing, being who he truly is, he takes OFF his mask…those big ol’ black-rimmed glasses. When he’s doing what he was made to do, he’s doing it fully revealed, more himself than any other time.

Today, there is a heart-cry in our society for authenticity. We’ve been disappointed over and over by those who, come to find out, aren’t who they said they were. Certainly that’s the case on the national Christian scene…but, if we’re honest, maybe it’s true in our own relationships with other believers. If we’re even more honest, maybe we’ve been the cause of another’s disappointment. And perhaps that disappointment wasn’t due to something unsavory revealed in our lives, but because we were unwilling to reveal anything real in our lives. Why the masks? I wonder sometimes if, as women, our very DNA includes the chromosome labeled “image.” And behind image lies the word “pride.”

A precious friend and I were talking the other day about this weird phenomenon that sometimes  happens where Christ-followers tend to get less willing to be real the longer they follow Jesus. Isn’t it supposed to be the opposite? And I wonder if it’s that ol’ image/pride thing that keeps us from setting aside time to share our lives one-to-one with each other at the kitchen table…church programs can be so much “safer” and more convenient, yes?

Dream for a moment. What would our lives look like individually if we took off the masks and relied solely on God’s power to do what He’s planned for us to do? It would mean hopping off the pedestal…it would mean being just the “signpost”….it would, indeed, be humbling… Think further: What would be the impact of God’s women in the world if, once and for all, we chose to remove the masks and crusade against our own pride and fight for truth…real, authentic, life-sharing, relational, humble truth.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What area of your life are you hiding behind pride? Would you be willing to share that area with another believer whom you can trust and who will hold you accountable?

2. Consider what you do in ministry for God. Is pride hampering you in any way? Will you surrender your image over to God for His safekeeping?

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 5:5-7; Ephesians 4:1-7

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

Metamorphosis
By Karen D’Amore

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you in to a new person by changing the way you think.”
Romans 12:2 (The Message)

A metamorphosis process begins the moment that we choose to follow Christ. Metamorphosis is defined as: a transformation; a marked change in appearance, character, condition or function. The most familiar illustration of this process is seen in the life of a butterfly. Beginning its life as a caterpillar it crawls up on a branch in its own “death walk” and attaches itself to a leaf through the spinning creation of a cocoon. Hidden within the cocoon, the caterpillar enters into a tedious time of rebuilding…the metamorphosis process. During this process its old nature falls away and a new one - - the butterfly - - emerges. As the butterfly breaks out of the cocoon, the struggle within the process is necessary to strengthen its wings, enabling it to fly.

As Christ-followers, we must go through this same transformation process. A life-long process, it requires willingness to die to our self-will and our old way of thinking. God desires to bring us to a place of relationship and total trust, where we will come to see and know Him as He is. This is not a process built with human hands, but through unconditional surrender. Spiritual transformation is God’s primary goal for our life, as He actively and progressively shapes us into the image of Christ. His emphasis is on changing us rather then changing our circumstances. And His changes are always thorough - - affecting every aspect of our being - - our thoughts, attitudes, values and actions. It is a transformation of character at a very deep level.

Eventually we will begin to view our time, treasures and talents differently. Our eyes will gaze on new heights and our desires will lean in new directions. We are a new creation: We will learn to live as one. But how do we get there? Erwin Lutzer wrote, “The difference between worldliness and godliness is a renewed mind.” We must be diligent to search His Word, seek His guidance, cooperate with His plan and receive His correction. We must learn to crawl before we can walk and we must walk with endurance before we will have wings…strong enough to fly.

“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.” -– Richard Bach

GOING DEEPER:
1. What old ways of thinking are you holding on to that need to be surrendered to Christ?
2. Are there areas of your life that still look more like the “old caterpillar” rather then a new butterfly?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24; Ephesians 5:1

Karen is married to Dan and is a retired police officer who is currently a Nail Technician at Craig Berns Salon. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

You Shall Rest
By Susan Klein

“Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest...”
Exodus 34:21a

Have you ever stopped to consider that God intentionally gifted us with a day of rest? When I think of the word “Sabbath,” I usually conjure up images of Old Testament Jews sitting down after a long week of planting or harvesting or whatever work they participated in. I daresay it’s not a modern-day image!

The word Sabbath means “to cease, to celebrate, to put down, to take rest, to be still.” God gifted His people with a day that they could put aside their work, their struggles and cares, and just rest…in Him. He wanted His people to have some time to relax, enjoy His creation, and enjoy their Creator! He still wants that for us today.

Most Jewish people celebrate the Sabbath from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, though most Christians observe it on Sunday. The point is, we are to set aside an entire day for physical, mental and spiritual rest. We need to look at it as not only a day, but as a heart attitude. One that says, “I will be restful, even in the midst of busyness and unrest.”

“I can’t waste a whole day doing nothing!” one might argue. That is not the point of Sabbath rest. Notice in the definition it says “to cease,” meaning to cease whatever it is you work at or struggle with all week. It also says “to celebrate.” Have some fun! Play, take a nap, worship, feast, enjoy family or friends in ways that enhance your celebration of God’s gift of Sabbath rest. Another part of the definition is “to be still.” While part of this stillness is resting, another aspect is being still before God. Be attentive to His presence. Let His perfect peace wash over your weary soul like a refreshing spring rain. In order to be productive the other six days of the week, we must take time to rest and be refreshed. If we stay on our hectic pace 24/7, we will eventually crash.

In his book, The Rest of God, Mark Buchanan notes that just as food and water are essential to our bodies, so rest is essential to our whole physical, mental and spiritual being. He states, “In a culture where busyness is a fetish, and stillness is laziness, rest is sloth. But without rest, we miss the rest of God: the rest He invites us to enter more fully so that we might know Him more deeply.”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is your current attitude about being restful?
2. What are some practical ways that you could incorporate Sabbath rest into your lifestyle?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 62:1, 5; Hebrews 4:9-11

Susan is Oakwood’s Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

LV 2 4GV
By Kari Lyles

“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13

It was a typical Monday morning. My husband was off to work. My oldest daughter had just gotten on the bus. My youngest was enjoying her toast with all her favorite toppings and I couldn’t wait to start my pity party. As I slowly walked to the sink to wash some dishes, I stewed over the circumstances that had me feeling angry, alone and misunderstood. Since a party of one is not as much fun, I decided to call a girlfriend hoping maybe she would want to join in. No luck. My wise and godly friend told me to allow the day to play out and not make any rash decisions on how I should handle my situation, but to pray about it and that we would pray together that evening.

As I drove to an appointment that afternoon, I came upon a car driving rather slowly in the right lane. A little annoyed that the car was in no way driving the speed limit, I took special notice of the license plate: “LV 2 4GV.” (“Live to forgive”)

I chuckled as I passed. “I get it,” I said out loud, rolling my eyes. I knew all too well this was not just coincidence that I passed this car, at this time, on this day, with this license plate.

That evening I picked up my Bible and felt led to read Colossians 3. And there it was, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” When the phone rang a short time later, my prayer partner asked if I was ready to pray. I told her what had taken place that day. How I prayed earlier and was still feeling hurt. How I had been convicted by a license plate and how God clearly spoke to me through His Word. While we prayed, I praised God for His faithfulness in giving me peace and freedom from my anger and especially for His forgiveness to me.

Somewhere in Lake Country, the driver of a gray Lincoln Town Car should be thanked as well.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been holding a pity party for yourself because of hurt, anger or feeling misunderstood? Allow the Lord to work in your heart so you can extend forgiveness and grace because of His forgiveness given to you.

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3

Kari is a wife and mother to two girls ages 9 and 5. She works as a regional sales manager at MAX-R in Sussex and is involved in Oakwood’s drama ministry.

EXTREME Impossibilities!
By Elin Henderson

“For with God, nothing will be impossible!”
Luke 1:37

We have all heard of extreme sports. People go to all lengths to prove their might, speed, even foolishness at times. And, if you are like me, you really enjoy watching Extreme Makeover, where they do miraculous wonders and change someone’s complete appearance. But, you know, God delights in extreme impossibilities!

In I Kings 18:20-40, we find poor Elijah doing battle with the prophets of Baal. They have set up a “test” for their gods to see who is the most powerful. What is interesting in this story is that God wasn’t satisfied in proving Himself in just an “impossibility”  - - raining fire down from heaven to burn up the offering. Instead, He told Elijah to pour water on the sacrifice, soaking it completely, not once, not twice, but three times! Like the fire wasn’t enough, he added layers to the impossibility.

There are multiple examples throughout Scripture: God weeded Gideon’s army down from hundreds of thousands to a measly 300 to defeat an impossibly large army. Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead for three days before raising him. Do you see a pattern? I do! God loves the impossible, but really delights in the extreme impossibilities.

I find myself asking God for the impossible and even the extreme impossible a lot lately. Not only am I here in Mozambique trying to learn a virtually impossible, unwritten language, but I get to live with the constant stresses that life brings: a solid week of rain which results in moldy clothes, centipedes crawling into bed with me…all sorts of added “buckets of water” being poured on top of an already impossible task. And then, lest I forget, I am reminded of the more impossible task at hand of seeing the lives of hundreds of thousands of “resistant” peoples brought from darkness into light. Yes, the task before us is pretty extreme… extremely impossible! Yet, in the end, the God of extreme impossibilities will be victorious!

So, next time you feel like “it can’t get any worse!” and it does, just think of it as another bucket of water onto the quest for the impossible. When your day meets obstacle after obstacle and your goals seem totally unattainable, remember, God delights to show Himself strong on our behalf, going above and beyond what we could ask or think. Not only will the outcome be amazing, but it will be totally His doing! In those extreme impossibilities in Scripture, was there any way, humanly speaking, that victory could have been achieved? I don’t think so! God delights in the work He does and He specializes in Extreme Impossibilities!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What seemingly impossible task or situation is God asking of you? Give it to Him and expect His extreme provision!

FURTHER READING:
Judges 7; John 11:1-44

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to ten-year-old Callie and eight-year-old Elias.

Our Forever Family
By Jen Wollner

“…God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons….So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”
Galatians 4:4-5, 7

Many years ago, before my husband and I were even married, we talked about our desire to have children one day. Like many couples, we wanted to try to have biological children, but God had also put another dream in our hearts…adoption. It was something we both felt strongly drawn to and a few years ago, God made that longing a reality when He orchestrated the adoptions of two of our children from Guatemala.

As we went through the process of adopting our son and daughter, there was one particular piece of paperwork that we found very interesting. It was a notarized document we both signed saying that our adopted children would be full heirs of ours, treated no differently than our biological son. By signing this form, we were promising that they would carry our surname… and, along with it, they would enjoy all the benefits of being part of our family, including being equal beneficiaries to our assets, both while we were living and in the event of our deaths. They would no longer be orphans, but the son and daughter of Benjamin and Jennifer Wollner…and nothing could ever change their status or inheritance. We would be a family, forever!

Just as my husband and I adopted our children, so God adopts us, paying the price of our adoption through His Son, Jesus. We become children of Almighty God—Creator of the universe—by accepting Jesus as our Savior. Our status changes from “orphan” to “daughter of the Most High”! Nothing can take away the security we have in that position. Scripture says that when we believe, we are “…marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance…” (Ephesians 1:13b-14a). In other words, when we believe in Jesus for our salvation, the adoption papers are signed and stamped official with the delivery of the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Then, we are full heirs to His Kingdom and all its riches and blessings are ours, both here on earth and throughout eternity in Heaven. Oh, what joy we find in our forever family!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Your adoption into God’s family has already been paid for…have you accepted His invitation to become His daughter? If not, what’s keeping you from doing so and receiving the incredible inheritance that is waiting for you?

2. If you are already a daughter of the King of Kings, take a moment to appreciate the gift of your identity through faith in Christ.

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 1:3-14

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Pick Up Your Mat and Walk!
By Peggy Kleckner

“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.”
John 5:8-9

What kind of hold does the past have on us? The man in this story was an invalid for thirty-eight years. That is a large portion of any life.

Previous to this command, Jesus asked the man a question, “Do you want to get well?” I have always thought that question quite odd. What invalid doesn’t want to get well? Think with me for just a minute, though. If the greater part of your life has been spent as an invalid, you would now have new expectations put on you. Great changes would be before you and you would have much to learn. And, we can all agree that learning can be challenging.

The man never does directly answer Jesus’ question. Sometimes I think our hope is just about exhausted and we are afraid to dream of a new life. Maybe that’s why he doesn’t answer out loud. Thankfully, Jesus chooses to make him well.

I find it interesting that Jesus commands the man to get up, pick up the mat that he has been lying on and then walk. To me, the mat represents the man’s past. Jesus tells him to pick it up and then walk. His past no longer carries him along…he now carries it. He may need it now and then as a history lesson, or as a testimony to God’s grace, but it no longer has the power to define him. God’s grace now defines him. Walking denotes action. Jesus cured him and now he was free to take action, free to move forward, free to grow and learn a new life.

What a picture this is of a redeemed life! God wants to make us whole. Are we willing to pick up our mat and walk with Him?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What part of your past is still trying to define you?
2. What action step is God calling you to take?
3. Who can be encouraged by your story of Jesus’ grace?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 2:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Ephesians 2:8-10

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children—two sons and two stepsons and is an active encourager at Oakwood.

The Blessing on the Ground

By Lexi Cole

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Philippians 4:19-20

I am convinced that my dog, Riley, has the best and cutest personality of any dog in the world. She’s a good fit for our family because she’s quite dramatic. As I was mowing our yard recently, she kept running up to the deck. On the table were two identical tennis balls that we use to play with her. I finally gave in, stopped the mower and gave her one of the balls to play with while I finished the yard.

After a few minutes of playing with the first ball, she stopped and ambled back over to the table, rested her nose on it and stared at the other tennis ball. As the ball she was just enjoying lay on the ground, all she could do was stare at the ball she couldn’t have…while the exact same thing lay in full sight and within full grasp on the ground.

It makes me wonder: Have there been times in my life when God has so deeply blessed, provided for, or saved me but I wasn’t able to notice because I was too focused on something I wanted and didn’t have - - the other ball on the table? How often have there been blessings on the ground - - and I haven’t recognized them or thanked Him for them because all I could see was something I couldn’t have?

We are so blessed. Are there stormy circumstances at times? Yes. Are there times where we are stretched and challenged? Absolutely. But we, as those who have the Holy Spirit living inside us, are blessed people. Recognizing the ways God has blessed us - - the ball on the ground - - doesn’t mean we “fake-ly” ignore the reality that we live in a sinful and dark world. It means we see what God has done for us and praise Him in the good times and in midst of crisis and pain. The question isn’t “Has God blessed me?” The question is “Have I recently recognized all He has done in my live and others’?”

Riley may have been so focused on the ball she didn’t have that she missed out on the joys of the ball on the ground. But we have an opportunity to see right in front of us…in our own lives, in community with other believers, through reading God’s Word…we have opportunity to see right in front of us the blessings on the ground.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Identify some of the blessing God has given you in your life.
2. What are some ways you can remember these blessings in the midst of a busy life?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 1:3-10

Lexi is an Elementary Education major at Bethel University. She is currently the Interim Children’s Ministries Director at Oakwood Church.

The Pace Setter

By Lisa Boyer

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.”

I Thessalonians 5:21

For years, there’s been a clock hanging on my bathroom wall. That clock has done more than just keep time; it has set my pace in the morning. While getting ready for work, I would keep one eye on that clock. Based on the time, I’d put more or less curls in my hair and more or less makeup on my face; all in an effort to get to work on time. But in recent years, a problem has developed. The clock is no longer accurate…more often than not, it’s running slow and more often than not, I’m running late.

Needless to say, the clock used to work perfectly. And by the time it started running slow, I already had a habit of adjusting my routine based on what the clock said. Unfortunately, that didn’t change…even when I knew the clock was unreliable.

The clock clearly had too much influence and needed to be replaced. But instead of replacing the clock, I created a backup plan. I set an alarm on my cell phone that would go off 10 minutes before I needed to leave for work, but not even that worked. By the time the alarm went off, it was often too late to adjust my schedule enough. There were days I went to work with little or no makeup and yes, occasionally uncurled hair!

The situation with my clock has highlighted the fact that even though I am pretty good at recognizing bad influences and keeping them out of my life, I may not be as quick to recognize good influences that have gone bad (the changes can be so subtle). And then I wonder, when I do recognize a bad influence, how long will I keep it in my life trying to work around its effects rather than get rid of it?

I’ve taken a couple of important steps recently. First, I have replaced the clock in my bathroom with one that keeps time perfectly. Second, I’ve taken a close look at the other influences in my life…friends, TV shows, music, reading material, etc…to make sure they are having a positive impact on my life and not a negative one.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are there influences in your life setting a pace that you are uncomfortable with as a child of God? Today, will you prayerfully consider what changes you should make to reduce their influence on you?
2. Will you take a moment to consider what type of an influence you are on the lives of those around you? Are you the influence you want to be in the lives of others?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 5:7; I Timothy 6:11-12; I Kings 11:1-6

Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. She is a leader for a Junior High girls’ small group at Oakwood Church.

What’s in a Name?

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Psalm 9:10

If you have ever been asked to give input on the naming of a child, you know this to be a great responsibility. In biblical times, names carried even more significance. Not just a label to separate one person from another, “names were often thought to reveal the essential nature and character of a person.” (1) Throughout Scripture, God uses variations of His name to reveal His character. We often lose this aspect in translating the text to our English, and end up reading the more general words “God,” “Lord,” or “LORD.” Today, let’s go back to a few of the original names and see what God reveals to us about Himself.

God, Mighty Creator – Elohim
The God Who Sees Me – El Roi
God Almighty – El Shadday
Eternal God – El Olam
LORD, Master – Adonai
The Lord Will Provide – Jehovah-jireh
The Lord Who Heals – Jehovah-rapha
Consuming Fire, Jealous God – Esh Oklah, El Kanna
The Lord Is Peace – Jehovah-shalom
The Lord My Rock – Yahweh Tsuri
The Lord Is My Shepherd – Jehovah-raah
The LORD Our Righteousness – Jehovah-tsidkenu
King – Melek
Judge – Shophet
God Most High – El Elyon
The Lord Is There – Jehovah-shammah
Father – Ab, Abba, Pater

GOING DEEPER:
1. Review the list of God’s names. Is there one that stands out to you for where you are today?
2. Just as we appreciate being called by our name, pray to God today using one of His specific names.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 91:14-15

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

(1) Spangler, Ann. Praying the Names of God. Zondervan, 2004.

Meeting God Where He Lives

By Susan Klein

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

1 John 4:16b

Her name was Tatiana. She was perched upon a low granite wall along the entrance to the park in the affluent downtown area. Her crutches were propped against the wall to her left and a cloth bag with all her earthly possessions lay open to her right. It was a warm, sunny morning and she smiled up at the sky under her big floppy hat. Tatiana was a street person, by choice.

Many businesspeople passed by this spot each day so it was a great vantage point to request money from passersby. This day, however, was a Sunday, so the streets were only dotted with occasional tourists and those seeking brunch at one of the trendy restaurants. I was one of those tourists.

Feeling somewhat dismayed that we had not gone to church that morning, I tried to take my mind off of it by focusing on the beautiful park. Camera poised, I was about to shoot some bronze statues of children playing in a fountain a few yards ahead when I heard, “Excuse me. Could you spare a few coins?” I stopped, opened my purse, and handed her a few folded bills. She graciously thanked me and put them in her bag. I moved over toward the fountain and started to compose my shot, but was unable to focus. The voice speaking to my conscience was saying, “You wanted to meet with Me this morning. Go over to the wall. I am there.” I know better than to ignore that voice!

As I re-approached her, Tatiana welcomed me to sit next to her and to inquire about her life circumstances. She shared how she lost her leg in an accident, how she came to America from Russia, how she was without her husband and estranged from her adult daughter, and how she, an artist “in need of art supplies,” had chosen this lifestyle so she could be free to paint. She pulled a small canvas from her bag upon which was painted a portrait of Jesus. She commented in her broken English that she prayed to Jesus, so she wanted to paint Him. I told her I prayed also, and asked if I could pray for her, right there on the wall. She consented. As I rested my hand on her soiled shirt-sleeve, we closed our eyes to the world around us and met with our Abba Father. In those few quiet moments, I felt a closeness to God and to this woman that had to be rooted in His love for us both. I hoped Tatiana felt it as well. As we parted ways, I knew this was a meeting with God in a place that I would cherish forever!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where are you meeting God these days? Look for Him outside the norm!

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 25:40; James 1:27

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Fire In The Hole!!

By Pamela Blattner

“John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire.”

Luke 3:16 (KJV)

We’ve just celebrated July 4th, Independence Day in America, and a time for fireworks. We actually had to have a weeklong celebration in our household because Grandma loves them so much!!

In the neighborhood where my kids grew up, traditions of launching bottle rockets back and forth between each other’s yards was great fun. We’d frequently hear the “grownups” in the backyards yelling “Fire in the Hole” before each firework was lit. My girlfriends and I watched our “manly men” become boys once again for a day with their kids and grandkids. Each celebration would end up with a bonfire and s’mores and kids wrapped in blankets.

As we consider this past week of celebrating Independence Day, we can also remember to have the “fire of God” within us! Before I knew Jesus as my personal Savior, I remember our pastor Stuart Briscoe encouraging us to be "on fire for the Lord" during the 4th. At the time, I didn’t know what it meant, but now I know: When you have the Holy Spirit within you, you have the “fire and power” of the Lord God Almighty! The ministry of the Holy Spirit is essential if we want to serve God. Every child of God is called to serve. When we were saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and began our walk with Him, His Holy Spirit began enabling us to do what He particularly calls each of us to do.

When we serve in the power of the Holy Spirit, we can get tired but won’t burn out. God provides the fire in our heart, but it is our job to keep flaming it through reading His Word and prayer. It is not just a privilege to learn the Scriptures, but a tool for wisdom that God has given us. The Spirit uses them to put His fire and power within us to serve! The Scriptures were recorded for a reason…they bring revival to tired hearts! The fireworks won’t display their beauty without being ignited. Let’s remember the light He gives to us through His Spirit as we remember those fireworks illuminating the darkness.

GOING DEEPER:
1. The God who has saved us from the penalty of sin now intends to change us--to remove the sinful habits and selfish attitudes in our lives so that we can become more like His Son, Jesus Christ. List some steps that would begin to move you toward that goal Jesus has for your life today…and then ask Him which one He wants to do in you today!

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 2:9-10; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 8:28-29

Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and three grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Prayer Ministry, Rock the Lakes, and Touched Twice Ministry.

Where’s the Peck of Pickled Peppers?

By Elizabeth Cole

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

James 2:22

Remember this tongue twister from childhood?

Peter Piper picked a peck
of pickled peppers;
a peck of pickled peppers
Peter Piper picked.
If Peter Piper picked a peck
of pickled peppers,
where's the peck of pickled peppers
Peter Piper picked?

In the midst of all the laughter at humorous mispronunciation, I’m not sure I’ve ever paid much attention to the actual words. Poor guy. And by the way, were the peppers pickled at the point he picked them, or did he pick the peppers and then pickle them? (Try that one fast and out loud!) Inquiring minds want to know because the answer places him in either the grocery store or the field. But once more, I digress…

Bottom line, here’s this man who’s spent time acquiring eight dry quarts of peppers and yet, apparently, he has nothing to show for it and nothing to share. Depending on your childhood illustrator of choice, either the guy just carelessly lost all his peppers or else he’s sitting in a corner with a stomachache, having eaten all the pickled peppers himself. Either way, it’s terribly sad.

As Christ-followers, we have access to such abundance: multiple copies of God’s Word, an endless supply of Bible studies, great teaching, small groups, stirring worship music. We spend time acquiring spiritual knowledge and experiences…and yet, it seems that so often, we as God’s people have nothing to show for it and nothing to share.

A paraphrase of what James writes in his New Testament letter says, “Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!” True confessions: I’m one of those “inquiring minds.” I love to learn, and there are times that I digress from obediently applying what God’s taught me to just being all the more prideful about what I know. According to Brother James, that’s terribly sad.

The right-hearted response to knowledge and experiences is to let the Holy Spirit use them to change us, to cause us to humbly love our God all the more, to move us a step closer to looking like what He’s always had in mind for us…and then let Him use us to give God’s love to others.

Got anything to show for your time in the Word this week? Check out those pickled peppers…!

GOING DEEPER:
1. As you look back over the first half of 2011, where do you see areas of spiritual growth in your life?
2. What would you need to change to reap and use greater spiritual fruit gleaned from your exposure to God’s Word?
3. Commit to apply one new principle from the Bible to your life this week.

FURTHER READING:
John 15:1-17; James 1:23-25; Hebrews 5:11-14

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

What Are You Waiting For?

By Janet Byrne

“In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

Psalm 5:3

One of the first questions we women tend to ask when we find out a friend is pregnant is “When are you due?” The miracle of birth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes months for a baby to develop inside her mother’s womb and to be born. Why is that? Why doesn’t God allow us to be pregnant for just a day? He could, He is God. But, He doesn’t. He chooses to have us wait. So, we wait.

There are many references in Scripture to people having to wait. Noah had to wait for the flood waters to recede. Abraham and Sarah had to wait before the birth of Isaac. Job had to wait for his trials to be over and his deliverance to come. And we see Jesus Himself waiting…for the right time to start His ministry, for His sacrifice on the Cross and for us to ask Him into our hearts.

God’s timing is perfect. He sometimes wants us to wait so that He can grow us. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…so that you may be mature and complete…” Waiting tests our faith. Waiting helps us grow in maturity. But, waiting can also hurt. It can sometimes seem unbearable. However, Isaiah 30:18 says, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” There is a blessing in the waiting! And there is blessing in waiting for HIS answers, not ours.

So, what are you waiting for today? Are you waiting for the depression to lift or anxiety to pass? Are you waiting for your marriage to change? For your financial situation to improve? Are you waiting for some kind of healing in your life? Whatever it is, we are all waiting for something.

Whether you are heading into the waiting room, are already there or are leaving the waiting room, take heart! Blessed are all who wait…

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think of a time in your life when you have had to wait for something. When you look back, are you able to see the blessings that came out of the waiting?
2. Do you know someone who is in the “waiting room” right now? How can you encourage her today?

FURTHER READING:
Lamentations 3:24; James 5:7; Micah 7:7

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

Jesus Loves Me This I Know

By Karen D’Amore

"I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself."

Jeremiah 31:1

“Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” As a child I sang this familiar song each week in Sunday school. Beyond singing about God’s love or the Bible telling me of God’s love, love was nothing more then a word to me. Growing up in a home where love was not openly expressed or professed, my perception of love was skewed. Love, as I knew it, was based on self-effort and won through perfection. Well aware of my imperfections, my defeated journey to earn love followed me deep into adulthood.

Paul wrote: “And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in Him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:17-19).”

Transformed by brokenness and surrender to Jesus, this Scripture came to life in my heart a number of years ago. Knowing me better then I knew myself, Jesus understood my struggle to comprehend love. In His own intimate way, God divinely orchestrated circumstances, answering a specific silent prayer I had hesitated to ask Him. A request significant only to me, God’s response would forever transform my perception of His love. Meeting me in a small dark corner of my heart, the truth of God’s love became real to me. Healing flooded the inner core of my heart, enabling me to fully receive God’s love and eventually extend it to others. Trust in God’s love, shaped by a pivotal prayer answered, allowed Jesus to take up residency in my whole heart.

It’s one thing to hear and believe that Jesus loves us, but we can also experience the length, width, height and depth of His love. Then we can believe and sing: “Jesus loves me this I know for He has shown me so.” How about you…can we sing it together in three-part harmony?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you struggle to comprehend God’s love? Ask Him to show you His love in a personal way that will deepen your trust.

FURTHER READING:
1 John 4:7-8; Psalm 32:10, 36:7; Romans 8:39

Karen is married to Dan and is a retired police officer who is currently a Nail Technician at Craig Berns Salon. She is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study and a volunteer at the Wildlife In Need Center.

Remember When…?

By Jen Wollner

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.”

Psalm 77:11

“Remember when we went to our Junior Prom?” I asked my friend whom I’ve known since middle school.

“Yeah, but what were we thinking with those dresses?” she replied as we both laughed hysterically at the memory of the two of us in lots of ruffles and sequins.

Reminiscing. It’s something we find ourselves doing often, isn’t it? It’s fun for us to re-live shared experiences with friends and family. Sometimes the memories make us laugh so hard we can barely breathe. Other times they take our breath away. No matter what the circumstance, talking through it again brings back all the emotions of that time and draws us closer together in our relationship with the other person. It’s a form of bonding like no other. We may also find ourselves learning life lessons together as we re-process the event, looking at it through different eyes.

In Luke 10, starting in verse 17, we read about a sweet time of reminiscing between Jesus and seventy-two messengers He commissioned to go out and preach about God’s Kingdom. When they came back together, they shared their experiences and then turned to God and praised Him for all that was accomplished. Actually, praising and thanking God is a form of reminiscing. As we recall events and give Him the glory, we re-live the situation with Him and our hearts are uplifted. I believe that the Lord delights in remembering with us, too, and finds joy in our close relationship.

God is omnipresent (always with us), but let’s not let that deter us from re-living the big and little moments of our lives with Him. Reminiscing strengthens our friendship and gives Him the opportunity to speak to our hearts in marvelous ways.

“Lord, remember the time when…?”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Find time today to reminisce with the Lord about a particular part of your day. Pay close attention to what He wants to teach you or impress upon your heart in regard to that event. Is there something He wants you to share with someone else to teach or encourage?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100:4; Luke 10:17-21

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Celebrating Our Freedom

By Susan Klein

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Galatians 5:1

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.

These familiar words are contained in the first two paragraphs of our Declaration of Independence. They were penned by men who desired to live freely; not under the oppression of a tyrannical government, and to worship God as they chose; not be told who, how and where to worship. They believed that their governing officials were to support these ideas, not be detrimental to them. Thus, they were willing to fight and die for their freedom. Because of such devoted patriots, and a loving God, we continue to be blessed with freedom today in the United States of America.

Likewise, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have been given a freedom: freedom from the bondage to sin and its eternal consequence of separation from God. We are no longer slaves to the tyranny of the evil one, nor that of our old sin nature. Unlike our forefathers, God sent Jesus to die for us so we would no longer have to fight the battle on our own. He knew that, if left to our own devices, we would lose the fight and perish in our sin. He had to be the One to provide for our freedom. Because of His great love, every man and woman today continues to have the same opportunity to experience His gift of freedom.

Today, as we celebrate our independence as a free nation, let’s also celebrate our freedom in Christ. Take a moment to say a special prayer of thanks to the Almighty Giver of those freedoms.

FURTHER READING:
Lamentations 3:22; John 8:34-36; Revelation 1:5-6

Susan is our Tuesday Morning Women’s Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She is also involved in youth outreach ministry.

Norm!

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together….but let us encourage one another.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows Your name.

You wanna go where people know, people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows your name. (1)

Do you recognize the lyrics? If you’re over age 30, I bet you do…the theme song from Cheers. The show was about a group of lonely individuals that meet together at a bar and find acceptance in relationships that, outside of this common place, they otherwise would not have. Who can forget the former baseball star, the jaded waitress, the intellectually over-stimulated postal worker and the emotionally-stunted psychiatrist? Watching the show made us feel that if we walked into this bar, we could pull up a chair and be welcomed immediately into their lives; and that we wouldn’t be considered any more (or less) messed up than this bunch. Every week, despite their differences in background and outlook, this group would find common ground and build camaraderie.

Wouldn’t it be incredible if our churches felt a bit like Cheers? We all crave understanding and unconditional acceptance from other people. Imagine church as a place to foster relationships and cultivate friendships that are safe harbors from the storms of life. A place where you’re recognized and cared for, where someone sincerely asks about your day or week, and we feel safe enough to be honest with our struggles.

This kind of atmosphere takes work from each of us as individuals. We have to show up regularly to be recognized, or to be able to recognize someone else. We have to actually step out from our chair (or pew) and take note of another person. We need to be willing to invest a bit in time and conversation. But the reward is that over time we get the feeling that we can pull up a chair and be welcomed immediately…just like at Cheers.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Make a point of meeting someone new this week at church. Take a few moments to get to know her.

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves in Student Ministries with junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

(1) © 1982 Addax Music. Written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo. Performed by Portnoy.