The Tooth Fairy and Prayer Problems

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

Dear tooth fairy I have two huge favers. May I have a animal toy instead of dollars.

And may I keep my tooth and still get a toy.

If thats toatley not posbul I’d rather keep my tooth.

Best of luck with your dilvers. (Child, Age 6)

While this honest letter to the Tooth Fairy is cute, I have to admit that sometimes my prayers to God sound a lot like it. One of my prayer problems is that I politely approach Him with my earnest request, already working out all the angles of how I would like to receive my desired outcome and suggestions on an alternative course of action. All the while, keeping my fingers crossed that God actually is listening in the first place.

How easily I can overlook that our God is the Creator of the universe, from the tiniest molecule to the vast galaxies above. Nothing is beyond His capabilities!

Other times, my prayer problem is the opposite…He is SO big, why would my situation matter to Him at all? That is wrong thinking, as well.

In The Message’s paraphrase of Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus says, “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?”

Unlike the Tooth Fairy, God is our Heavenly Father, caring intimately about our needs and want. He is the Creator who loves His created. Unlike that letter to the Tooth Fairy, we need to 1. be aware of how we bring our requests to God and 2. trust that He always cares. Jesus’ command to be direct and trust Him for what He does is good advice to put into practice.

GOING DEEPER:

1. This week, make the commitment to examine how your prayers to God sound. What changes do you need to make?

2. Change up your prayer time. If you normally pray silently, try praying out loud, or writing/typing out your prayer.

FURTHER READING:

James 1:17; Philippians 4:6

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Active Love

By Jen Wollner

“A friend loves at all times…”

Proverbs 17:17a (NIV)

Several years ago felt like a roller coaster ride for me. I had faced one trial after another, including medical problems of my own and my children. It was difficult and I 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 supported and loved me through the worst of times. They rejoiced and cheered with me in the best of times. They 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 showed 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 elementary aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

Faith Hero

By Susan Klein

“But the righteous will live by faith…”

Galatians 3:11b (NIV)

Who immediately comes to mind when you hear the term “faith hero”? Maybe it’s Abraham for being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac when told to by God. Or perhaps Noah. Can you imagine spending years building a large boat for an impending flood while all your neighbors look on in ridicule? It might even be someone in your own life who has exhibited great faith. But, I’ll bet it’s not Ananias!

Ananias is mentioned in the book of Acts (chapter 9). His whole story only amounts to eight verses. But what a story! He is a disciple of the Lord in Damascus. Admirable, but not necessarily “hero” material. We also learn that God spoke to Him in a vision. In fact, He gave him one very specific assignment: to go find Saul of Tarsus and lay hands on him so his sight could be restored. Hello?!! We’re talking Saul here. You know, the guy who just went around killing and imprisoning people who professed to be Christ-followers. Yeah, that’s the guy. Go “lay hands on him,” and restore his sight.

Imagine the scariest, most notorious person you’d ever dread to encounter. That was Saul to Ananias. Saul ate people like him for lunch! Now, imagine you are told to go and not only speak to that person, but to actually touch him, and heal him! Here he is, a mass murderer and you have to aid in his healing so he can become an instrument of God. Ananias, likely scared out of his sandals, obediently and faithfully did what God asked of him. He’s a faith hero in my book.

Okay, so not many of us are put in positions like that. But what if God asked you to show kindness to that difficult person who has always belittled or bullied you? Or, how would you respond if He told you to physically care for that neighbor who is dying of Aids or alcoholism? Perhaps He’s just telling you to love on your sometimes unlovable spouse. Like Ananias, it may be the one important task God has for you to do. Are you willing to obediently take a step of faith, and by doing so, perhaps be a hero in someone else’s eyes?

GOING DEEPER:

1. When was the last time you did something scary/out of your comfort zone that you felt God calling you to do?

2. How did you feel afterward? Was your faith strengthened?

FURTHER READING:

Spend some time in Hebrews chapter 11 reading about more faith heroes.

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

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 4:5; Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 31:26

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to thirteen-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

The Old Receipt

By Lexi Ellis

“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another - - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way...”

2 Timothy 3:15 (The Message)

There’s an old receipt in my car. It’s from Culver’s and on July 11, 2012, I bought a small chocolate milkshake and fries. But I intentionally keep that receipt.

Why? Because while I was filling up my car with gas, my husband (then fiancé) grabbed a pen, scribbled on the back of that receipt and left it on my seat for me to find. On the back, he wrote, “I love you. Let’s get married in 3 days.”

The receipt isn’t treasured because of what I bought or the paper it was printed on. It’s invaluable because of the note written to me by someone I love. It’s the words on the back that are important. It’s the “meaningful-ness” of what was written directly to me.

I think God’s Word is like that old receipt. At first glance, someone might assume the Bible is just a book or a free app on our phone. It’s easily accessible and not of extreme monetary value. BUT God’s Word is more meaningful than my old receipt. It tells a love story…one that’s been going on for thousands of years. A story of an all-powerful God who has been reconciling the relationship with His creation back to Himself. It tells of a redemptive Savior who came to restore that relationship. It proclaims a Holy Spirit who lives in us as we choose to put God first in our lives. That book of words or app on our phone has incredible “meaningful-ness” because of what God has done for us. “Yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8) How powerful the words in John 3:16 that God loved…God gave...we believe…we receive eternal life.

For those of us who have been followers of Jesus for a while, it could get easy to forget the power and “meaningful-ness” of the words in Scripture. How incredible that God uses His timeless and true Word to communicate with His people. God has written directly to us!

I keep my old receipt because it’s a reminder of the love my husband expressed to me in words. But I’ve realized I also need to remember the “meaningful-ness” of Scripture. May we never devalue the love expressed in God’s Word!

Going Further:

1. Take the time to reflect on what God has done. Thank Him!

2. Reflect on the awesome-ness of Scripture. What meaningful verses come to mind?

Going Deeper:

Proverbs 7:1-3; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 119:148

Lexi is married to Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Back to School Prayer

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.”

1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)

September is nearly here, and that means “Back to School”…new beginnings, filled with challenges for our students. What better way to impact the next generation than to be praying for them? Even if you don’t have children in your home, we all have a responsibility to support and love future generations. After all, the schoolchildren of today are the pastors, presidents, and parents of tomorrow.

Here are just a few ideas of how we can pray for our students:

1. Pray for their friends. “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray” (Proverbs 12:26, NIV). Pray for godly friends, and separation from ungodly influences.
2. Pray for a close walk with God. “…And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).
3. Pray for your child to feel God’s love. “Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39, NIV).
4. Pray for joy for learning. “Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights” (Proverbs 18:15, The Message).
5. Pray for good relationships with each family member. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NIV).
6. Pray for wisdom to meet all of the challenges ahead. “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding” (Proverbs 4:6-7, NIV).

GOING DEEPER:

1. Commit to praying daily for a student for this school year.

2. Send an occasional note of encouragement to this same student.

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 1:9-11

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

What Does a Miracle Look Like?

By Lisa Boyer

“Ask and it will be given you”

Matthew 7:7a (NIV)

Several years ago, 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.

There’s 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 had been 66 months since her surgery and she was still with us. And not just with us, she looked great, had gained weight and had more energy than I did! Bottom line, she was 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 more than 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

Desert Lessons

By Karen D’Amore

“I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!”

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

Everything was new and unfamiliar: newly married…newly retired…and newly relocated to a state distant from my family and friends. This new land was dry, dusty and desolate; a stark contrast to my lifelong coastal paradise. Moving from my California beach-town to the Las Vegas desert was God’s plan…not mine!

Following God’s call into full-time ministry, my new desert translated into a “spiritual desert,” a wandering wilderness for my soul. For four years in that barren desert, I never once felt at home and experienced heartache, loneliness, betrayal, persecution and serious illness. The testing process stripped me down to the bare emotional essentials, where I could no longer hide from personal truths. But it resulted in a deepened faith and renewed inner life that clung to God in total dependence. Parched…I hungered and thirsted for Him, like never before. I was no longer in control. Choosing to let go and let God deepen His purifying work, I gradually  responded in surrendered obedience.

Biblically, the desert is not a place to stay forever, but rather a process of pilgrimage, a journey we must travel through. My desert experience was a time of spiritual purification, preparing me for a new life of freedom and love, in a land that God would eventually reveal.  The wilderness drew me to discover spiritual vitality in the depth of my heart - - a hidden oasis - - planted by God. An obedient heart was the necessary component for responding to God’s plan and mission for my life. Hindsight clarified the purpose in those desert lessons, revealing the necessity of each and every difficulty and hardship, as God’s testing and refining tools.

Now, on the transformational end of that desert journey, God has called me to that revealed  land. And as I’m living out God’s mission and plan in this new land, I am overtly aware of my inability to have fulfilled His mission without responding in obedience to those invaluable desert lessons.

Jesus spent forty days in the desert, where He obeyed the Father through testing and suffering. This is equally true for us. Through testing and suffering, we are challenged to obey and choose between God and evil. Jesus emerged from the wilderness, prepared for His ministry and mission… obediently proclaiming the Kingdom of God all the way to the cross. As Christ-followers, our desert lessons prepare us for our God-ordained missions: to ultimately draw others to Jesus!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you resist or respond to your desert experiences?

 

FURTHER READING:

Mark 1:12; Deuteronomy 8:2-3

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and  Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  She also serves on Oakwood ‘s Women’s Special Events team.

Weep With Those Who Weep

By Susan Klein

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

Romans 12:15 (NIV)

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, NIV), 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, NIV)

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 a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Divine Romance

By Brita Crouse

“I will make you My wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you Mine, and you will finally know Me as LORD.”

Hosea 2:19-20 (NLT)

“I felt really romanced by God tonight,” said my college roommate as she walked through the door of our apartment one evening. She sat down in the middle of the floor and began doing some post-run stretches. I stared at her trying to figure out what on earth she was talking about. My silence gave her the hint I was a little confused about what being “romanced by God” entailed, so she kept talking to give me some clarity.

“Have you seen the sunset?” I had not. I had been studying or cleaning or doing something that did not involve looking out the window that was only a few inches from where I was sitting. She stared back at me, waiting for me to turn my head, making sure I actually did see the sunset. 

When I looked out the window, I got why she said she “felt romanced by God.” The sky looked like it was on fire. Pink, red, and orange hues splashed across the sky, giving everything the light touched a warm glow. I’m not a runner, but I have never wanted to go for a run more than I did at that moment, just so I could be outside and feel romanced by God, too.

I could not believe what I had been missing by not turning my head even once to look at that beautiful sunset. It got me thinking about what other things I was missing because I was unwilling to pay attention.

In life, it is very easy to have tunnel vision; to be so focused on one thing that you miss out on everything else. I especially experienced that as a college student. But, I realized that I was missing out on things - - things my Savior was doing to grab my attention.

I think, as women, we have an innate desire to be pursued. Guess what. This happens daily.  Jesus is always in pursuit of our hearts, always showing us His love and faithfulness. He gives us tokens of His love throughout the day, but it is up to us whether we are willing to receive His gifts or not.

This week, literally take time to stop and smell the roses. They were made for you.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Look for evidence of God’s love for you this week, whether it’s through a sunset, a song or the words of a friend.

2.  Take the extra time to listen to Divine Romance by Phil Wickham. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlsIwmtb0U8).

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 9:2; Isaiah 55:3

Brita recently graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Psychology, has been attending Oakwood for sixteen years, and is currently ministering with Oakwood’s Quest 56.

If I Could Tell You

By Lexi Ellis

”If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Galatians 5:25 (ESV)

I recently re-read prayers and journaling I had written a while back. Some were written after a friend confided in me she was struggling with eating issues, despite our thinking she was doing great. My heart was aching and, in this specific situation, I couldn’t talk to anyone about it…except my all-knowing God. I asked for the right words to say, if any, and for the Holy Spirit living in her to convict her to do the hard work and get help. I wrote:

You told me your secret today. I’m not going “to tell.”  But if I could tell you, I’d say it’s much easier “getting by”  than joyfully living, because real living requires encountering scary things. It requires dealing with this stuff. It requires surrendering the control of “I-can-do-this-on-my-own”  and recognizing there’s life beyond this. If I could tell you, I’d talk about God’s command to “address”  our struggles - - that sometimes we need to work and wrestle with hard things. So right now, I’m praying for the Holy Spirit to speak into your life. I’m praying the Holy Spirit speaks to me about what words and when. If I could tell you, I’d say I’m heartbroken for you and I want you to address this because I love you like crazy. [1]

In Hebrews 12:1-3, the author acknowledges sin that “so easily entangles.” Because of this, we need to “throw off everything that hinders.” By addressing struggles and sin in our lives, we become available to “fix to our eyes on Jesus.” Our entangling sin and struggles can’t separated from our relationship with God. We need to reject complacency - - a much easier choice - - and choose an active-ness to identify struggles and sin and do something about them. It’s not to try to achieve perfection, but to continually be working on “our stuff” to remove barriers in our relationship with Christ.

My friend recognized her struggle prevented a closeness with God and others. I’m so thankful she made the hard choice to address it. As I read through my journal and prayers for her, I went back to give Him prayers of thanks.

My friends, what obstacles in our lives inhibit our relationship with our Creator? If I could tell you, we need to address them. If I could tell you, a deep relationship with Christ means we release our control and continually deal with our struggles and sins.

GOING FURTHER:

1. What sin or struggle is inhibiting your intimacy with God? How do you need to address it?

2. For whom can you be actively committed to pray?

GOING DEEPER:

Hebrews 12:1-3; Galatians 5:15-25

[1] edited for privacy and space

Lexi is married to Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

PRIDE Detector

By Elin Henderson

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

Proverbs 16:18 (NIV)

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:

Philippians 2:5-11; I Thessalonians 5:19; Isaiah 57:15

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to thirteen-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

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 (NIV)

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; Hebrews 10:22-25

[1] © 1982 Addax Music. Written by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo. Performed by Portnoy.

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

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 (NIV)

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

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She also serves on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events team.

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 (NIV)

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, to share, to invest our lives in 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 two-thirds of the year, 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 and mother of three grown daughters. She is the Director of Connecting and of We Women at Oakwood Church.

Ordinary People

By Susan Klein

“He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His appearance that we should desire Him.”

Isaiah 53:2b (NIV)

Have you ever felt just plain old “ordinary”? You get up every morning, amble through basically the same routine, and return to bed at night, only to repeat the process the next day. Oh sure, there are the occasional special events like weddings, funerals, vacations, and the like… but for the most part, your life seems fairly ordinary. Do you ever dream of accomplishing something more significant, something more “out-of-the-ordinary”?

Let me introduce you to someone rather ordinary. He grew up in a small town, lived in a modest house and didn’t wear designer clothes. There was nothing significant that would make him stand out in a crowd; no fabulous looks, special athletic abilities or business accomplishments to speak of. He worked as a common laborer with his dad, hung out with common folks, and never made a name for himself by amassing great wealth or entering into politics. He got up early, worked hard all day, and retired at night, only to do it again the next day. He just lived life. Sound familiar?

For the first 30 years of His life, our Lord, Jesus Christ, was an ordinary human being much like the majority of people today. God intended for Him to be that way. Though He posessed the power of God and could perform miracles in His latter years, He still spent much of his time having people look down at His “ordinary-ness.” He once dared to speak publicly in His hometown only to have the neighbors question, “Who does this guy think he is? Isn’t he just Mary and Joseph’s son, you know that carpenter guy? Where does he get these lofty ideas? He’s nobody special.” His disciples were ordinary men, too. He chose them that way. He came to earth to live among the common man. But, in each moment of His ordinary life, He wasted no opportunity to be somebody to someone. He spoke encouragingly. He ministered to those he encountered along the way. He took time out to just “hang” with other ordinary folk. Nothing and no one were insignificant to Him.

How about you? Do you find significance in the people and things God has placed before you? Can you see God at work behind the scenes of each seemingly ordinary day? Do you sense His presence in your boredom as well as your accomplishments? Will you recognize that each moment is a significant moment, and choose to be used by God in your “ordinary-ness”?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How has God used an ordinary experience in your life to do something extraordinary?

2. Are you watching for opportunities?

FURTHER READING:

Mark 6:1-4; Acts 4:13; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Those Little Voices

By Lexi Ellis

“My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry for insight, and ask for understanding.” 
Proverbs 2:1-3 (NLT)

There are voices inside my head. Hopefully, I’m not crazy…I’m hoping it’s just like those conversations we have with ourselves, or those messages we think to ourselves! Movies portray the voices as omniscient voice-overs; books use them to give us insight into a character’s mind. Cartoons portray a little angel and demon bickering on each shoulder. Oftentimes, these messages bring emotions that may range the spectrum - - guilt, shame, heartache or joy, happiness, fondness.

The voices in my head aren’t always the same though. Sometimes one is clearly congruent with Scripture: Be still and know I am here…For I will never leave you nor forsake you…For I know the plans I have for you…you are fearfully and wonderfully made.  And sometimes the message obviously doesn’t align with Scripture: Why bother trying?...You did this, this, this and this wrong today…you’re worthless.  

But there’s a third little voice, one that’s hard to differentiate whether it’s reflecting God’s Word or not. This little voice subtly tells me I’ve failed - - that I messed up, that I let someone I love down. Is it the Holy Spirit convicting, or the devil deceiving? At times, it’s the most powerful one: the one that’s a small seed of truth with an extreme twist. Unfortunately, this little voice is hard work to recognize, reject and get rid of.  

Recently, I saw this list on Facebook. As I read through it, the ownership of that “sometimes hard to distinguish” third little voice became more clear. 

[1]

 

That little voice in my head is God’s voice when it’s Truth. When it contradicts Scripture, telling me I’m the exception and resulting in those “red” emotions, it’s Satan’s voice. I believe that’s why Satan is the master deceiver. He’s that third little voice - - taking a slight truth and infusing it with lies that lead to emotions like frightened, confused or condemned.

God’s voice stills, leads, reassures, enlightens, encourages, comforts, calms, strengths, blesses, heals. As I go through my day, I think of the voices that run through my thoughts. Are they of God and therefore Truth…or are they of the Deceiver?

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Take some time to write down messages “those little voices” tell you. Using the image above and your knowledge of Scripture, whose voice is it?

2. How can you be aware of the difference between God’s voice and Satan’s? Listen to  “The Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns to help kick-start your thoughts.

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 32:3-4; Jeremiah 33:3

[1] Seen on Facebook but found on the web at http://shareaverse.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/gods-voice-is-truth/.

Lexi is married to Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.