Feed Me
By Elizabeth Cole

“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

It started out innocently enough. The flower shop was doing poorly, but Seymour had come across a most unusual plant. Convincing his employer, Mr. Mushnik, that this flower could be just the thing to turn business around, Seymour displays “Audrey II” (named after the girl he loves) in the window of Mushnik’s Flower Shop. And the customers stream in to see the beautiful oddity.

All’s well at this point in the story. Audrey II is the best thing that’s ever happened to Seymour. But late one night, alone in the dark of the flower shop, Seymour discovers what his beloved plant really wants from him: his blood. At this point, Little Shop of Horrors turns into a classic, dark tragicomedy. At first, Audrey II is satisfied with just a manageable amount of nourishment, but soon a band-aid isn’t nearly enough to cover the evidence. And her pretty little silence becomes a loud, booming bass voice shouting, “Feeeeed Meeee!” Shortly after that, the truth comes out: Audrey II’s intention is to completely consume both Seymour and everyone he cares for…which she proceeds to do quite successfully by the end of the musical.

Ever notice how small secrets in our lives don’t stay that way forever? Isn’t it interesting to note what we do in the darkness of night, or in the darkness of privacy? How habits that begin as easy to hide behind a “band-aid” start requiring more and more and more of our lives? Like a big, ol’ alien vampire-plant, they call out “feed me” and start consuming all that matters most.

I don’t know a single person who purposefully set out to become addicted. Addictions are insidious, seeming just fine…so manageable…at the onset. But make no mistake, when fed, they will eventually kill. Kill innocence, trust, relationships, health, hope.

Makes you glad to have a Savior who’s all about rescuing, doesn’t it? A Friend who gave His blood so you wouldn’t have to. A Deliverer who sets us free. Scripture makes it very clear that we have access to a power that breaks bondage; a power that can starve an addiction and feed a life of soul-freedom. No addiction…ever, anywhere…is beyond the reach of our Redeemer.

It is for freedom that you have been set free.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you feeding today?
2. Envision a life of soul-freedom. What will you do today, in Christ’s power, to live it?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 6:19-23, 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17

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

What’s Your Story?

By Lexi Cole

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there."

Psalm 139:7-8

My fiancé and I just finished our wedding website. We chose the layout, verbiage, pictures and colors. It’s a reflection of who we are and the process has been fun! One part of the website is “our story.” Here, we were able to tell the complete, “full-detailed” version of how everything happened – from how we started dating to how he asked me to marry him. While it was time-consuming, it’s been fun to have friends mention that they loved reading “the whole version.”  

We all have a story. We all have happy parts of our story - - times of joy, abundance and blessing; we all have harder parts of our story - - times of struggle, trials and pain. And yet, while our stories may look different one from the other, the God we share doesn’t change. He is faithful in the joyful times, and He is constant in the trials. I’ve seen this in my own life - - my own story - - but we can also see this same truth in the story of Scripture. The Bible is filled with stories of people who celebrated what God had done for them, as well as people who cried out to Him in times of pain. And yet, through these hundreds of stories, we see a constant thread of God’s being there in every story. He is faithful and constant in His presence with us…in the good times and bad.  

Psalm 139 sums up so much of what Scripture tells us about our God’s involvement in our lives. He’s with us in our stories of blessing and in our stories of struggles. He is there with us in heights and the depths. And because God is there with us in our story, He knows us. He created us - - we are fearfully and wonderfully made. The psalm ends with the declaration, “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand – when I awake I am still with you.” [1]  

What’s your story? Are you in a time of blessing? Are you in the midst of a storm? We’re all in spiritual process, but no matter where we are in this journey, we serve a God who doesn’t change, who is there with us, and who knows us intimately. Writing Andrew’s and my story on our wedding website was a lot of fun…but I love that it was a reminder that, in the midst of our story, God is there with us.  

GOING DEEPER:

1. What’s your story?

2. How have you seen God work through the good times and the struggles?  

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 139 

Lexi is a senior Elementary Education major at Bethel University.

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[1] Psalm 139:17-18

There’s no Escaping the “Son”

By Jeannine Sawall 

”Suddenly God, your light floods my path, God drives out the darkness.”

2 Samuel 22:29 (MSG) 

While laying on my beach chair, enjoying the warm weather, the crash of the waves and a good book, I was doing my best to stay in the shade of my beach umbrella. I had enjoyed just a little too much sun the previous day and some shade was in order if I didn’t want to end up with more sun burn than sun tan. 

As I lay there reading, slowly but surely, the sun would creep around and soon I’d find myself laying in the very sunlight I was trying to avoid. I would have to get up, move my chair back into the shade and settle in again. It wasn’t long before the sunlight would invade my spot and I would be up and moving my chair back into the shade again. This went on the entire afternoon. There was no escaping the sun. 

This little dance between my desired shade and the sun reminded me how often I do a similar dance with Jesus. Sometimes I find myself being comfortable in the shade of “small” sins. In those moments, the Lord moves in to illuminate those shady areas I need to deal with. It doesn’t matter how comfortable I might feel in the shade, the Son keeps moving in to drive out the darkness. There may be times I feel I want a little space to call my own - - do my own thing - - but when I allow Jesus to work in my life, inevitably the warmth of the Son shining down moves me to embrace the light and, instead of moving back into the darkness, I look up and want to bask in the Sonlight!  

I’m so thankful Jesus does not allow the shady areas of our lives to remain in darkness. He constantly desires to share His light with us and make His presence known. It just doesn’t matter how many times we may move away or try stay out of the “Sonlight”…there’s just no escaping the Son! 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Is there an area in your life where you are trying to avoid the Son? If so, allow Him to shine in your life and remove the darkness.

2.  Have you thanked Jesus lately for bringing the comfort, warmth and illumination of His Sonlight in your life recently? If not, stop and thank Him right now. 

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 97:11, 139:7-12; John 15:9 

Jeannine is a wife and active mother of four boys. She works in property management and is a part of the Special Events team for Oakwood’s We Women ministries.

Fixing our Eyes on Jesus
By Susan Klein

“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord”
Psalm 141:8a 

I pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store the other day, dreading the task at hand. “Fill a few bags with groceries, pay an arm and a leg, and return next week to do the same. Ugh!” As I shifted into park, I noticed the approaching black clouds in the not-too-far distance. My already sour attitude was rapidly heading south! “Great! It’ll be raining by the time I get back out to the car to load up the trunk. I’ll be soaked and so will all my bags!”

I reached over to feel for my umbrella under the passenger seat when I noticed the red pickup truck parked in front of me. Actually, it was the Golden lab in the driver’s seat of the pickup that caught my attention. Though it’s hardly unusual to see a dog in a parked car, there was something about his demeanor that caused me to stop and take notice. He was sitting, statuesque, with his eyes fixed on the front door of the store. Not a muscle twitched in his perfectly-still body. Every person coming out met with his watchful gaze. Occasionally his eyes would turn to look in the direction of some unfamiliar sound, but only for the briefest of seconds, always returning immediately to the store’s entrance. At one point, a man even got into the car next to the truck but the dog never flinched. Faithfully he watched, patiently he waited, eagerly anticipating the return of his master. He never left the driver’s seat, he never stopped watching the door. His eyes were fixed!

As I pondered this scene before me, I realized that my eyes had been fixed on everything but my Master that morning. The grocery shopping, the expense, the coming rain...I was letting every little irritation cloud my vision. How could I be so blind? “Oh Lord, forgive me for fixing my eyes on the insignificant things, and not on you!” I took a deep breath, sat back, and said a little prayer before leaving my car:

“Thank you for putting this dog in my path today, Lord. I’m sorry I haven’t had my eyes on you. Help me to not get distracted by life’s little issues. But even when I occasionally do, like today, let me turn quickly back to focus on You. May I be reminded of this faithful canine, casting aside all other distractions and eagerly awaiting the return of his master.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are your eyes presently fixed on?
2. Do you need to clear the haze of distractions so that you can see the Lord more clearly? If so, what can you do today to be more focused on Him?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:1-2 

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

My Rachel

By Elin Henderson 

“Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, ‘I will serve you seven years for Rachel’… And he served with Laban still ANOTHER seven years.”

Genesis 29:18,30b (NKJV) 

This is probably one of the most beautiful stories of love and devotion in the Bible. Jacob’s love at first sight turns into a fourteen-year price to be with the one he loves! Devotion serves seven years, love and determination serves another seven.  

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you desperately want what is in front of you, but yet it is just out of reach?  You wait for the right moment, fulfill the enormous requirements, reach out to embrace your “Rachel” only to have it snatched away and another period of waiting added to your devastated heart.           

I believe we all have had to face or will face our “Rachels” at some point or another - - being told to “wait” again after fulfilling what we considered to be the agreement.  The emotions that spill out of a situation like this cannot be easily put into words.   

I am facing a “Rachel” in my life right now. After six hard years of study, I face an evaluation that could declare the end of my need for constant language study and the beginning of full-time ministry. But, God could also say, “Serve me another six years of study.” The question for me is, Am I willing?  After giving what I feel is enough  only to have God ask for more,  Am I willing?  It requires a faith that sees past the human emotion and human desire, and into the perfect will of God.   

The truth is that none of us can answer the “Am I willing?” questions until our time has come to face our “Rachel.” What will our response be when the thing we want most is withheld for another seven years?  I pray that God will strengthen the faith of each one of us as we learn more about Him, become more like Him, and fall more in love with Him. So much so that, if He gives us what we desire after the allotted wait time, we can rejoice in Him, but if He says, “Wait a little longer…serve a little longer,” we can keep on serving and rest in His timing!   

GOING DEEPER:

Can you think of any other stories in Scripture where the wait seemed interminable and the cost outrageous but the individual would not relinquish hope and faith? What does God want you to learn and apply from their stories? 

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 40:31; Psalms 27:14 

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. 

The God of Human Error

By Jennie Pierce

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

This story was shared by a dear missionary friend of mine in Poland. It’s a reminder that God doesn’t need or require perfect people to do His work - - just willing people. 

“Recently, I started an international student fellowship comprised of students from the U.S., Taiwan, China, Africa and other European countries. The American students, usually of Indian descent, are mostly Muslim and Hindu. Our fellowship has a core group of eight, mostly men, and they are excited about moving forward in Christ.

Just as the group was beginning, one of the Hindu students (V.) had an accident that resulted in a severe head injury. He was operated on, and placed in a drug-induced coma. His parents flew in, and everyone was concerned that he might not make it. The Christian students organized a prayer vigil, and asked the parents if I could come pray for him that Friday. They agreed, and then on Saturday, the doctors woke V. Over the next two days he improved rapidly, so that by Monday he was walking and talking and recognizing people.  After two weeks, the doctors released him, saying he was completely healed. The Hindu parents attributed it to the Christians praying!

The students had originally planned a prayer meeting the previous Wednesday, but when the doctors decided he’d be awakened on Wednesday, V's parents vetoed the prayer meeting. Shortly thereafter, the doctors returned to say that V wasn't improved enough, and awakening him should wait until the following week. So, when the students returned to ask if I could pray for him, V’s parents were much more receptive.  This kind of experience is rare for me - and, by human standards, I messed it up. I didn't touch him while I prayed - - and the parents expected me to, I think. I totally drew a blank on his name - - not a good thing to do when you are praying for someone, either. But God is the Healer.  He knew V's name before anyone else did, and God touched V. I'm so glad God's power and healing have nothing in common with formulas, rituals or even our ability to remember someone's name.

The whole experience not only gave a great base for our international fellowship, but it also prepared me to be more cognizant of the ways God works.” 

I’m grateful He promises not only to give us the desire, but also the ability to do His good work!  Are you willing?

GOING DEEPER:
1.  Is the Spirit nudging you to reach out, but you’re feeling incompetent and hesitant to be obedient Will you ask to be made willing?

FURTHER READING:

I Corinthians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7

Jennie is a wife and mother of three. She is beginning a brand-new faith adventure as the Pierce family leaves Oakwood to serve in ministry at United Church of Crook, Colorado.

What Does a Miracle Look Like?

By Lisa Boyer 

“Ask and it will be given you”

Matthew 7:7a 

We prayed for a miracle…we needed a miracle. My sister Shirley had gallbladder cancer and the outlook for her stage of cancer was grim. Statistically she had no more than 18 months to live. She’d already lost over 20 pounds in less than two months and now she couldn’t eat much at all before “feeling full.” She was wasting away to nothing in a hurry!  

We thought we had a miracle when she met with one of the best gallbladder specialists in the country, but for reasons he never explained, he passed her case off to someone else…who then passed it off to someone else. By the time the surgery was scheduled, we were down to someone “willing” to take her case. Obviously not the miracle we were praying for. 

Her tumor was the size of a football and we would have loved to have a stunned surgeon come running out of the operating room shouting, “It’s a miracle, the tumor is gone!!” But he didn’t…instead, he came out of surgery and said, “Well, I bought her some time.”  

A miraculous recovery after the surgery would have been awesome! But rather than the seven days she was told she’d be in the hospital, she was there for 20. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did.  

We would have welcomed any miracle during her radiation and chemotherapy treatments, but instead she was pale, thin and tired.  

Where was our miracle? Had it truly been the “time” the surgeon had bought? And could that be considered a miracle if that extra time was spent getting radiation and chemotherapy treatments?  

I’m sure there was plenty that God was doing that we didn’t see, but if it were truly a miracle, wouldn’t it be huge and noticeable to everyone? After all, isn’t that what a miracle looks like?  

Not always. 

I just returned from our annual family campout where I spent a weekend with 23 family members. It was unremarkable as far campouts go…food, swimming, rain, leaky tents, campfires, card games and laughter.  

Nothing was out of the ordinary, so I almost didn’t notice the miracle…Shirley was there! It has been 41 months since her surgery and she is still with us. And not just with us, she’s looks great, has gained weight and has more energy than I do! Bottom line, she is healthy and that is nothing short of a miracle from God. He answered our prayers…in His time and in His way. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Look around. Are there miracles you have missed because they didn’t come in expected ways?

2.  If God hasn’t answered your prayers in the way you thought He should, will you trust Him and thank Him anyway? 

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 65:24; John 11:1-45; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 

Lisa has been married to Ted for 19 years and they have two teenage sons. She serves as a small group leader at Oakwood Church in Student Ministries.

He Is Our Help

By Pamela Blattner

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32

Recently, my girlfriend and I drove to the cinema to watch “The Help.” The movie was exceptional and a call for us to remember that we are all equal in God’s eyes. Vivid memories of the pre-civil rights movement were stirred up again for me through the movie that takes place in Jackson, Mississippi.  

It was a testimony of the humor, sadness, joy and courage of girlfriends. It touched on the evil and the good done by white and black, showing the limitations of our humanity. It also spoke of what racial reconciliation should be based on: biblical truth, with a strong God-centered demonstration of the gospel and sovereignty of God. 

The movie’s characters exemplified many godly ways to confront conflict. Because disagreements have various causes, it was refreshing to see them begin with seeking God to learn the source in each situation.   

The main character maintained a quiet spirit. Often my natural response is to defend myself when I’m attacked, instead of choosing silence. By letting the other person talk, she will most likely reveal the root of the conflict. God will provide us with wise answers.  When I think of it this way, God protects me from becoming bitter with Him, or critical, resentful, and angry with others.   

At times, I have to ask the Holy Spirit if I’m at fault. When He shows me I’m wrong, I may have to ask for forgiveness. When I feel unjustly condemned, God is teaching me to say, “I appreciate that you felt okay to tell me this, and I’ll prayerfully evaluate this and ask God to show me if or where I’ve been wrong.” (Or something along those lines!)

The women who are “the help” in the movie demonstrated that humility is always the right approach to criticism. This is the hard part, ladies: forgiving the one responsible for the conflict. Even if the analysis was totally wrong, forgive him or her for bringing strife into your life. Jesus provided the perfect example of this. While being unjustly crucified, He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). 

You always can ask God to reveal His purpose for allowing the conflict. You may not know immediately why God is allowing this in your life, but in time, you will be able to look back and see what He accomplished through each situation you faced. A seasoned saint, Ken Chandler, once told me that pain, suffering, and heartache mature us spiritually and equip us to help others more effectively.   

Truth has power to change what's wrong…and God is our ever-present help in the midst of every conflict. 

GOING DEEPER: 

What principle of biblical truth-telling and conflict resolution can you apply today?   

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 46:1,141:3; Luke 12:12 

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

Remarkable Devotion
By Karen D’Amore

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and then turn back.
I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people
will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where
you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me severely
if I allow anything but death to separate us.’”
Ruth 1:16-17

Our first glimpse into the life of Naomi looks something like the famous opening line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Naomi and her family were living in a season of plenty. When her sons both married, life was even sweeter. But tragedy loomed around the corner and a dark season dawned with the death of her husband, followed by the death of her two sons.

Bereaved widows, stripped of the earthly security of husbands, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, found comfort in sharing one another’s sorrows. Their lives became so entwined that it is difficult to focus on one without touching upon the life of the other.

As Naomi returned home to her friends and family in Bethlehem, Ruth chose to journey with her. Leaving the comforts of her own family, Ruth sacrificially chose a road leading to a new life of hard work, uncertainty and unforeseeable dangers. Ruth and Naomi’s cultures, family backgrounds, and ages were very different. As mother-in-law and daughter-in-law they probably had as many opportunities for tension as for tenderness. And yet their commitment to each other and to God kept them bound to each other. Though they depended on each other greatly, they also gave each other freedom in their commitment to one another. Ultimately both widows found joy—Ruth in remarriage and motherhood and Naomi in her role as a grandmother.

We live in an age that promotes individualism and independence; Ruth and Naomi’s relationship of selfless devotion serves as a remarkable role model for us to emulate. In the worst of times…born out of adversity…an unlikely friendship formed by the hand of God, left two women sharing…the best of times!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life, like Ruth, has been loyal to you in times of need? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?
2. How can you be like Ruth to someone who needs your support and devotion?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Romans 12:1; Proverbs 17:17; John15:12-13

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

PRIDE Detector

By Elin Henderson

“Pride goes before destruction; and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 16:18

One of the most fascinating objects in our house for our workers is our smoke detector! At seemingly random times, this little white thing goes berserk and makes all sorts of racket! They don’t seem to realize it is tied to when I burn the toast or leave a pan on the stove! When I finally explained it to them, I said, “No, this little thing protects us from fire! It beeps annoyingly to tell us that smoke is around!” To which they responded, “We have one of those too, in the roof of our houses. It’s a clump of leaves from the witchdoctor that doesn’t beep when there’s smoke, but it’s supposed to protect us from our house burning down.” Well, what can you say?  Not exactly the same thing!!

This made me think: Wouldn’t it be nice if we had “pride detectors” in the roofs of our hearts?  Little white, round machines that went berserk when pride reared its ugly head, threatening to burn us to the ground.  Pride truly is a raging fire that can destroy us before we know it. “Pride comes before the fire!” Proverbs 16:18 (my version!) It’s also sneaky! It appeals to our “humanness, ” saying, “You deserve this! How dare they treat you in that way!” And, it takes on multiple forms: false humility, flattery, reverse flattery, outright slander and insinuating comments. God help us!! We need an advanced warning system!  Well, we have one…the trouble is that often we fail to hear its beeps! 

Our pride detector comes in the form of the Holy Spirit! He takes up residence in our heart and works like an alarm system, warning of incoming or indwelling issues.  He has a tough job – problems can come from without (Satan and his crew) or from within (our Flesh – PRIDE being number one on the list!). The problem is that we can quench this alarm system. Disable it enough times, the detector just stops warning us! Or worse yet, we can sear our consciences into not even hearing Him at all. 

So don’t go up in a puff of pride, keep your heart tuned to the effective Pride Detector - - God Himself in your heart! When the first fumes of pride’s smoldering fire are sensed, may we all be quick to recognize it for what it is: a tool of our flesh and the Enemy that is both destructive and debilitating. Stand ready to extinguish the fires of pride with the cooling waters of humility following our Leader, Jesus. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.    What will you do today to cool down the fire of pride with the waters of humility?

FOR FURTHER READING:

Phil. 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 5:19; Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6,10

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.

FRESH!
By Peggy Kleckner

“His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23 NLT

Fresh-baked cookies beckon us to take and eat; fresh-brewed coffee calls us to take and drink; fresh-from-the-garden vegetables call for cool rinsing for a mouth-watering snack. As a young girl, I remember coming home after school surprised by fresh-baked hot cross buns on the table. What a treat! You could smell the aroma as you walked through the kitchen door. Mom had just drizzled the icing across the tops. What a joy to be told that, yes, they were for us! Warm and fresh and just for us (I had five brothers and sisters). As we sat down to enjoy, we talked over our school day and all the “tragedy and drama” of the day fell away as our fingers and mouths got sticky and our stomachs became full.

God’s fresh mercies do the same. He invites us each morning to sit down and share our lives with Him. He calls us to take and eat of Him…take of Him and be filled when we are empty. We are to allow His mercies to rinse over us, cleanse us, refresh us and renew us. Our God calls to us each morning to share with Him our heartaches, mishaps and failures. And as we do, He reaches out to us with fresh mercies – fresh from the pot, fresh from the oven, fresh from the garden!

Our God is not a God of day-old, leftover or spoiled. He is a God of fresh, new beginnings. Are you in need of a fresh start?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you received God’s fresh mercies today? In what specific area of your life do you need them most?
2. What could you do right now to make sure you’ll meet with Him tomorrow?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:1; Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 30:18

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

What a Friend
By Elizabeth Cole

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends…”
John 15:10

In a poignant scene in a current Broadway musical, two best friends sing to each other, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” The play on words is tender: I’ve been changed permanently; I’m a better person for having known you.

Isn’t it true with girlfriends? As we look at our lives, we can identify certain practices, thought processes, even specific words that are directly from a girlfriend. Some of my yummiest recipes aren’t really mine…I got them from Patty. Some of the best books I’ve ever read, and now recommend, weren’t my find…they were Jenny’s. Some of the words I use to counsel young moms…not mine, Kathy’s. The manner of praying…Marsha. Trying to walk faithfully…Anne. A heart’s desire to serve…Ginger. Each one has contributed something of incredible value to my life. I am blessed to call each of these women, “friend.”

And then I consider the Giver of those friendships and I am blown away. The Maker of the Galaxies, the Savior of the World, the God of Abraham…desires to call each of us “friend.” He has no need for us as His friends – He just wants us as friends. While each of my girlfriends reflects a part of Him to me, HE is the sum of all those parts. Complete. Perfect. The Ultimate Friend.

Need a Builder in your life? Go to Jesus. “May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 MSG)

Need a Collaborator? Go to Jesus. “I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 CEV)

Is your heart’s cry for a Companion? Go to Jesus. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

An Energizer? Go to Jesus. “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.” (Romans 15:13)

Do you long for a Navigator? Go to Jesus. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has God specifically shown His love and desire for friendship in your life?

FURHTER READING:
John 15-16

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

A Thankful Heart
By Shelly Schumacher

“We ought always give thanks to God for you, brethren, as it only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3

I am a runner. Not a good runner, but a runner nonetheless. And, like most runners, I have days that I dread putting on my shoes and heading out the door. On one of these unmotivated days, I decided to institute a new regime in my running. I now call this training tool my “thankful run.” On this day, I started my run and immediately developed a cramp in my side. I began a breathing technique to rid myself of the cramp and tripped over a pothole in the road. This trip triggered a twinge in my knee that ran right up to my brain, which was screaming, “GO HOME NOW!”

I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel when I decided to recount all the things in my life for which I am thankful. I started with the traditional, “thank you, Lord, for my family” and “thank you, Lord, for my home,” but soon my thoughts were racing and I was spouting out praise for everything I saw. I ran past a cute red house and I thanked God for the color red. I took a deep breath and I thanked Him for fresh air. And, after three miles, as I rounded the corner to my house, I gave thanks for my mailbox being in sight and that my run was over.

My thankful runs are now a tradition on days that I am lacking motivation. They give me a chance to reflect on all that God has provided for me. I am always refreshed with renewed faith at the end of the run and I am awestruck at how much I have been given by my loving heavenly Father. Much more than I need and most assuredly not what I deserve.

The Apostle Paul consistently demonstrated this practice of giving thanks in the letters he wrote. He used his thankfulness to encourage the church at Thessalonica, which was enduring increased persecution because of their faith. In addition, he encouraged them to give thanks so that their faith and love would continue to grow.

We can give thanks to the Lord no matter what we are doing—whether it’s running, cleaning the house or going to work. And, the best part is, in giving praise to Him, we receive the blessing.

GOING DEEPER:
1. When is the last time you gave thanks to God for something in your life? Find something in your field of vision to thank Him for right now.
2. Is there something that keeps you from having a spirit of thankfulness?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 92:1; Ephesians 1:16; Romans 6:17

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.

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

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 between the ages of eight and four. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Weep With Those Who Weep

By Susan Klein

“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Romans 12:15

One of my most poignant and treasured memories is when my pastor and his wife wept with me. I had just lost a baby, one that they both had fervently prayed God would spare. In His sovereignty, He did not. The next morning, they entered my hospital room, sat on my bed, took my hands, and wept with me. They did not offer words of wisdom, or condolences. They did not quote Scripture to me. They just wept with me in my time of great sorrow. It was a balm for my weary soul and provided just what I needed at that very moment.

The shortest verse in the Bible, Jesus wept (John 11:35), shows our Lord’s humanly felt compassion for His dear friends who were mourning and weeping the death of their beloved. He knew, being God incarnate, that He had the power to change their circumstances, yet He chose first to stop and experience their pain with them. He didn’t try to bandage their hurt with well-meaning words. He did not sit back and watch silently. He saw their grief, which touched His own heart, and He wept with them.

Have you ever wept with someone? The common bond that is experienced at that very moment is unlike anything else! When a person is in the midst of her sorrow or despair, what she desires most is to be comforted, not insightful theology or the recitation of memorized verses for just such an occasion. There comes a time for that, later, when she is on the road to healing. In the heat of the grief, she just wants to know that she is not alone in what she’s feeling! And grieving with her is comforting.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

Just as we rejoice with others when they are rejoicing, so ought we take our Lord’s example and weep with those who are weeping. Don’t be afraid to let them see you grieve. They’ll sooo appreciate it!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How do you tend to respond to someone who is grieving? Do you give space, try to offer words of encouragement, quote Scripture...?
2. Perhaps you are not a “weepy” sort of person. How might you tangibly grieve with someone in her despair?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 40; Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:2

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

Can I Keep It?

By Pamela Blattner

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.”

James 1:17

It was a perfect day. Our family was spending time together on the beach in Sheboygan. My grandkids and I sat in the sand at the edge of Lake Michigan playing, the sun warming our skin and the water swirling around us. As I looked down through the water to the smooth rocks at the bottom, I saw a snail come floating into view, perfectly formed. I scooped it up and closed my fingers over it.  “Hey”, I said to my grandkids, “I have something for you.” “What is it?” my granddaughter asked. “It’s a surprise,” I said, “You’ll really like it.” I thought she would hold out her hands but she didn’t. Instead, she reached for my hand.  She wouldn’t open her own hand, but tried to open my super-tight clenched hand. 

After about a minute of her trying to pry my hand open, I gave up and opened my hand. “It’s a snail; can I keep it?” she said. Why hadn’t she been willing to take my word for it and stretch out her hand to receive it? The answer was that she didn’t trust me. She thought I was joking—that I might be trying to convince her so that I could have the fun of grabbing and hugging her like I had in the past. She wanted to be sure that she really was getting something of value before she trusted me.

How many times have I responded to God in the same way? He has promised in His Word to give me so many good  things, to pour out blessings  on me in abundance. I have to confess that I sometimes doubt His goodness. I want to pry open His hand and see what He’s giving me before  I trust Him. 

It’s true that sometimes I tease my granddaughter, but I would never draw her into believing me, only to deliberately disappoint her and laugh at her innocent trust. God’s blessings are not always what I want or understand. Sometimes, I can find myself being so disappointed when I fail to receive what I wanted or desperately prayed for. Is God good sometimes and then other times…not so much? No, God never has less than a completely loving thought toward us.  Yes, God sometimes doesn’t give us what we want. I’ve had many griefs and disappointments in my life. Some of them have been close to crushing. But it’s because of God’s goodness to me, I was not destroyed.  God is good…all  the time, and He loves you…..all  the time.  Will you trust His heart toward you, even when you don’t know what’s in His  hand? 

GOING DEEPER:

1. In prayer, affirm your trust in Him and His goodness today…regardless.

FURTHER READING: 

Psalm 119:68; John 3:16

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

Don’t Miss the Main Course
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed…’”
Luke 10:41

Imagine that you have a close friend that lives far away. You finally get the opportunity to visit her in person, for one evening. If you’re like me, you are excited. You’re thinking about what you want to talk about with her. You’ve got pictures of your family and stories in your head ready to share. You anticipate sitting down and spending quality time with your friend.

Now imagine that when you arrive, she has gotten all caught up in making everything “perfect” for your visit. She has a four-course meal in progress, is frantically cleaning the dust bunnies from under the furniture, and cutting fresh flowers for your room. She’s so busy getting everything perfectly ready that she is exhausted…too tired to enjoy conversation over the beautiful meal she prepared…too sleepy to stay up late for “girl talk.” You leave the next morning feeling disappointed. You didn’t care about how the house looked or what you ate. You just wanted time with her.

In Luke 10, the story is told of Mary and Martha. Jesus comes to visit their home. Can you imagine the thrill of that? Martha goes completely into preparation overdrive, getting all the tasks completed for hosting Jesus and the entourage that was with Him. Mary, however, sits at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He has to say. Martha gets upset with Mary and wants Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her. Jesus tells Martha, “You’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing is essential, and Mary has chosen it…it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her” (MSG).

I read recently, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.” That principle is certainly at work here. Martha wasn’t wrong in wanting to provide for her guests. She had the best of intentions in seeing to Jesus’ comfort. She just went too far and got too wrapped up in her work…and not wrapped up enough in Whom the work was for. All Jesus wanted was to spend time with her, to teach her His ways. Martha was so busy that she nearly missed the Main Course.

It is the same with us today. Jesus wants us to make Him the priority. If we are too busy, we’ll miss the Main Course, too.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you find yourself putting preparation ahead of people, or in front of God? Pray that God shows you how He would have you prioritize.

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:36-42; Psalm 34: 8-10; Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn is an Office Representative for State Farm Insurance, serves with Oakwood’s Big Tree Youth Ministry, and is the treasurer for We Women.

The Ending
By Elizabeth Cole

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6

What a washout. He’s forty years old. Adopted at an early age into great wealth, he rebels and rejects his adoptive family, murders a man, escapes with just his life and is on the lam for years…

The day before God came to him in a burning bush, you would’ve looked at Moses and considered his life all but over. Any dreams he’d had in his younger years were long buried in the sands of Egypt. Grandiose plans for a full and rich career had certainly died right alongside the murdered slave driver. But then God called his name: “Moses, Moses.” God wasn’t remotely finished with this man who “can’t talk so well.”

How often do we forget that our God…the God whom we call all-knowing and all-present…is far above our concept of time? While you and I see each other (and ourselves) only as we currently are, the Lord God sees us as we’ll be. He knows the ending of our story and what we’ll look like in all our divine, heavenly perfection. In the middle of today’s failure…He knows what we will be. Still dealing with the consequences of past sin…He knows who we’re becoming.

This God who lovingly chose you before time began, who knew right where you’d be this day, has a purpose for you both today and  tomorrow. His intention is single-minded, His power unending, His commitment beyond measure. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What encouragement do you find in the story of Moses? How does it apply to your life today?
2. What steps can you take in this season of your life to be ready for when God calls you to the next?
3. Is there a part of your past that you’ve decided disqualifies you from God’s completing work? If so, will you surrender it into His hands and trust that He’s big enough to use even that for His purpose?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 1-4; Hebrews 11:24-29

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

Wisdom Rush

By Elin Henderson

“Incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding…

if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures

Then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God,

for the LORD gives wisdom.”

Proverbs 2:2, 4-6 (NKJV)

I’m no history buff, but I do know that the Gold Rush of ’49 is responsible for the massive people movement that populated the western coast! When word first came out that “there’s gold in them thar hills!” people flocked by the score, mad with gold fever, willing to lose everything to strike it rich!! Many went, but only a few were successful in their search. Why is this? Well, I’ve never dug for gold, but from the stories I’ve read, it was no easy task. It took determination, courage, strength and persistence. The good stuff wasn’t on the surface, but way down beneath and nothing short of blood, sweat and tears, unearthed it. Everyone longed for it, but few found it. 

How many times in a day do we find ourselves crying out, “God, give me wisdom!” If only we had a Fort Knox of wisdom we could access any old time! But it’s not that way. Wisdom is available, but we have to be willing to dig for it!! It’s valuable, not to be squandered, but to be cherished and utilized to its fullest.

Job found this to be true in his search for sense and wisdom in the midst of trial. The first 11 verses of Job 28 give us a lovely word picture of a mine and the intense work that goes into finding treasure in its depths. Then Job says, “But where can wisdom be found and where is understanding? Man does not know its value…” We search blindly for it, desperate to find it, but often unsure of where to start. Before we lose heart, he adds, “God understands its way and He knows its place.” He’s got the map of the mines! Then, in the final verse (28), God speaks directly to man and reveals that map. “Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.” It’s like He’s saying, “Start here! Keep digging in this vein and you will find it!!”

Are we willing to dig, in order to find the wisdom we desperately need? It’s often in the midst of the struggle, that we come upon the rich nuggets we’re longing for. So, pick up your map, start where He says to start and keep digging!  He has a whole cache waiting for you. Are you ready for a Wisdom Rush?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Spend some time in Proverbs noting wisdom verses.
2. How much time do you devote daily to wisdom fever? 

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 2:7, 4:5, 7, 9:10, 31:26

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.