Déjà vu
By Karen D’Amore

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.”
Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

The experience of déjà vu is accompanied by a compelling sense of familiarity in a present situation. In the movie Groundhog Day we see the essence of déjà vu personified. Cynical, self-centered TV meteorologist Phil Connors has been sent to Punxsutawney, PA to broadcast the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After grudgingly covering the event, he awakens the next day to find himself trapped in an endless cycle of Groundhog Days. When his self-indulgent behavior fails to change, events repeat themselves in the same way they occurred the original day. Given opportunities to learn from the previous day’s failures and to respond to others differently, Phil continues to fulfill his own self-seeking pleasures, at the expense of others. As desperate attempts to change the events or escape the cycle of the time loop prove futile, Phil grows increasingly despondent. Eventually, he comes to the realization that he is powerless to change his circumstances…the only thing he can change is himself. When a transformed Phil emerges as a thoughtful, caring, selfless new man, the time loop is broken and he is set free from Groundhog Day.

This fitting cinematic compression likens itself to the refining process of a believer. As Christ-followers, every detail of our lives falls under God’s scrutiny, as He purges out remnants of our carnal life. Oftentimes, He will bring us back to the same point over and over again; leaving us in that place until the desired lessons are learned and His finished product has been produced. Whether it be lessons in forgiveness, loving the unlovable, selfishness, pride, or lack of trust…the refining process continues as impurities are eradicated from our character.

Just as silver is refined by being held in the middle of the fire, where the hottest flames burn away the impurities, the Lord will hold us in that “hot spot” until the desired transformation takes place. And while the silversmith knows the silver is completely refined when he can see his image reflecting in the metal, the Lord will rejoice in His completed work when He sees His reflection in our lives.

Do you find yourself stuck in a place of Déjà vu, wrestling over and over with the same familiar lessons? Lend yourself to God’s refining moments…He may not move you forward until you do!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a stronghold in your life in which God is continually re-testing you? Surrender to His character refinement today.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 10:22-23; Jeremiah 9:7

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.

Straighten Up & Walk On

By Elin Henderson

“…I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.”

 Leviticus 26:13b (NKJV)

         

Anyone who has been set free from the bands and burdens of the yoke of bondage know the immense elation and sense of victory that comes with it. The weight is gone, the bonds are broken! But, it is another thing altogether to walk in that freedom, to straighten our crooked backs that have been bent under the strain and weight of the yoke. This process of straightening up takes a lot longer. A pattern has been set of a downcast head and hunched shoulders, but now is the time to lift up our head, straighten our shoulders, stand tall in the power of His might and walk on!

One of Satan’s strongest weapons is to keep us ineffective even after freedom and victory has been won over strongholds in our lives. We can break free but live a defeated life and never learn what it means to walk victoriously in Christ. God is calling us to walk upright with our heads held high, confident in who He is and what He has done, and will do, in our lives. 

As we allow God to break the bonds that bind us, we must also go to Him to relearn what it means to stand straight and walk upright. Our tendency is to hunch over and walk like we are still carrying a phantom burden. Over time though, He is able to slowly straighten our spines so that we can carry ourselves in the victory and confidence we actually have. It’s time to walk tall and walk on!!  “Be Strong (Stand Strong) in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10, NKJV) that you “Might walk worthy of the One who called us” (1 Thessalonians 2:12, NKJV) because “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed!” (John 8:36, NKJV)

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1.  Make a list of the areas you feel God has set you free from yokes of bondage. Now, ask yourself, “Am I walking upright and tall in these areas or still hunched over?”

2. What promises in His Word can you remind yourself of to help you walk confidently and tall in Him?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 84:11; Psalm 125:4

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 eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Great Expectations?

By Susan Klein

“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little.”

Haggai 1:9a (NIV)

I’ve been listening to a friend share her woes. She is (understandably) discouraged by the behaviors of some of the teachers and coaches in her child’s school. She is also heavy-hearted about her job situation. No amount of consoling from friends can lift her from the valley she is in. However, there is One who can.

In my fifty-plus years, I’ve become a seasoned veteran of having unmet expectations. We will all disappoint and all be disappointed. After all, every pair of feet on this planet holds up a sinner. So, why do we expect a ragamuffin to act like a princess? Why do we expect a person who has no hope in Jesus to behave like one who does? We carry unmet expectations in our pockets everyday. We have expectations that our teachers will give the best quality of education to our children. We expect the clerks at the grocery store to greet us cheerfully. We expect our children to do what we tell them to do, and our husbands to love us like Christ loved the church. Admit it, you have expectations!

And, what about God? We go to Him with our pleas, expecting answers that we’ve already determined are the right ones. If He met our limited expectations, we’d miss out on seeing His amazing hand at work in the most unlikely and powerful ways. We expect Him to eradicate all the suffering in the world. If He did, how would His strength be made perfect in our weakness? We’d be self-sufficient sinners, not needing a God to turn to.

Yep, in my estimation, expectations are overrated. They tend to end up in the trash like so many other products that promise and don’t deliver. There are, however, some expectations we can confidently bank on. We can expect that all of God’s promises are “yes.” We can expect that no prayer will go unanswered, and that God will provide a way out when we are tempted. We have the assured expectation that if our hope is in the saving work of Jesus Christ, we will spend eternity with Him in a better place, and in a new and glorified body. We should  expect that evil is present on this earth, and that Satan is attempting to thwart God’s plan, but we must  expect that Jesus has defeated death, and victory is His, as well as ours!

Instead of filling your pockets with great expectations, fill them with God-expectations!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What unmet expectations of others might you need to let go of?

2. Are you placing your trust in God to meet your needs, or in others?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 145:13; Hebrews 5:16-20, 10:23; 2 Peter 1:3-4

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark lead an on-site small group for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Pondering

By Peggy Kleckner

“….and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured  up all these things and pondered  them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

Luke 2:18-20 (NIV, emphasis added)

Motherhood…what a job! It brings to mind babies, cooking, dishes, carpooling, homework wars, constant motion and little rest. But here at the beginning of Mary’s motherhood role, we find her treasuring and pondering. Not just that, but she was doing it “in her heart,” that deep-seated place of our true self.

I love the two concepts God chose here: “treasured” and “pondered.” Just sit with those words for a moment.  What happens when we “treasure” something? What happens when we “ponder” something? I may see my child every day, but if I stop to “treasure” him, what changes? What happens when I linger to “ponder” on his growth and change, or my own?

Concerning each of her children, how much time do you think your own mother spent in doing these two things, treasuring and pondering their life-circumstances from the time of conception to the present?  If you are a mom, how often have you found yourself treasuring or pondering specific moments and happenings?

Life seems fast-paced, hectic, ongoing. We rush. We fuss. We do. How much do we “treasure” and “ponder”?  How much time do we spend in the secret recesses of our hearts? What moments, what “things,” do we take there to ponder on?

Since God chose to mention this in Scripture, might He be confirming this practice? Shouldn’t there be time set aside in the rush to step aside in wonder at life? Shouldn’t we ponder the workings of His mighty hand in our lives, and in the lives of our children?

Stop the motion today, if only for a moment, to practice the art of treasuring and pondering….

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Consider where in your week you might make the time to “stop” and engage in some treasuring and pondering of your own.

2.  If you’re able, how about asking your own mom what she has treasured and pondered about your life, as well as her own?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 64:9; Psalm 111:2; Proverbs 2:1-5; Luke 2:51

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

Remembering the Sacrifice

By Tracy Smith

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 (NIV)

With my kids excited to celebrate an extra day off of school today, it occurred to me that we’ve lost the meaning of the Memorial Day holiday. We plan for the day off and all that we will do: have a picnic, sleep in, work in the yard or just nothing. Yet, the reason for the holiday gets lost in the shuffle and in the busy-ness of the day.

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those in our nation’s history who have sacrificed their very lives to keep us free. However, we get so preoccupied with utilizing our extra day of “freedom” from our normal, daily responsibilities, that we forget the purpose for the holiday: to remember and thank those that have sacrificed everything to keep us free.

Aren’t we like that with our Lord, too? We get so caught up serving Him in our church, in our homes and in our community that we forget to stop and actually thank God for all He has done for us. We forget to thank Him for the sacrifice He made on our behalf.

Today, let’s remember to just stop, be still and be thankful for the sacrifice that so many American soldiers have made for our physical freedom…and the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross to keep us free for eternity.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What will you do today to thank veterans for the physical freedoms you enjoy?
2. What will you do today to thank Jesus for the freedom you enjoy both now and for eternity?

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Galatians 5:1; John 8:36; Ephesians 5:20

Along with being a wife and mother to two boys, Tracy is an administrative assistant at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and leads a great group of Junior High girls.

Are You Thrilled?

Psalm 92: 1-4 (NLT)

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

Father, I thank You today for_____________________________.


to sing praises to the Most High.

Here’s my song for You today: ___________________________________.


It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,

Whom shall I tell today about how You’ve loved me? __________________________.


your faithfulness in the evening,

I recall that time you were so faithful to me: _____________________________.


accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre.

I don’t play the harp or the lyre, but I can use my _______________________ to honor You today.


You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me!

What really overwhelms me about Your kindness is___________________________.


I sing for joy because of what you have done.

May the way I live be a life-song of joy to You today.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Start a running list of that for which you’re thankful to our God. Consider adding to it daily!
2. How are you training gratitude in your home?

FOR FURTHER READING:
Psalm 100; Psalm 98:1-4

Repairer of the Breach

By Elin Henderson

“…And you shall be called the Repairer of the Breach,”

 Isaiah 58:12b (NKJV)

         

Anyone who turns a TV on is familiar with the recent NSA leaks. Between Edward Snow and computer hackers from the other side of the globe, there have been multiple breaches in security walls around the world. Many man-hours have been spent trying to repair the breach and reel in the information that has been released from “Pandora’s box.” As a result, people have become increasingly fearful, distrustful and there is a general lack of peace. 

While we can’t do much about government leaks, we can take Isaiah’s challenge and become “repairers of the breaches” that occur in our lives and the lives of others. We live in a world of relational breaches in desperate need of repair. Cracks become craters as relationships slowly and, at times, quickly disintegrate. The result is a leaky mess of emotions and hurt resulting in the same fear, distrust, and a lack of peace. 

God was the ultimate repairer of the breach, by bringing us into a right relationship with Him through salvation. Now, He puts us in the world to continue this pattern of being peacemakers, and unifiers.  While breaches occur and cause division, hurt and dysfunction, He desires to use His people to rebuild and repair the hurts and bring people back into fellowship with Him and with others. The restoration of peace and hope has always been His goal for our lives, both in salvation and in our day-to-day walks. So, may the world around look into our lives and call each of us the “repairer of the breach.”

         

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. Are there any breaches in our relationships right now that we can be actively repairing with God’s help?

2. What are some ways we can forge relationships that will lend us the opportunity help repair breaches?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 5:9; Psalms 133:1

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 eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Living In View Of Eternity

By Susan Klein

“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men”

Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)

The news today seems to be filled with validations of our living in the “end times.” Rivers and lakes around the world mysteriously filling with blood-red waters, cataclysmic natural disasters, decaying morals, wars and factions…and yet, if you take a look at Scripture, all these things were happening 2000 years ago as well. Paul, Timothy and Peter were among many who proclaimed the end times being near. In fact, 400 years before our Lord Jesus Christ was even born, the prophet Malachi felt the Lord’s coming was imminent, stating, “Surely the day (of the Lord) is coming” (Malachi 4:1a, NIV).

We read in Scripture that no one knows the exact moment of our Lord’s return, but that each one of us should be prepared. So, how might we live in view of eternity without getting caught up in all the signs and wonders going on around us? Perhaps we should take our cues from some very wise men.

 “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - - and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:22-25, NIV).

“…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5, NIV).

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV).

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself” (Romans 14:19; 15:1-2, NIV).

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (women) of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV).

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold onto the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, NIV).

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you focusing on the troubles/signs of the moment, or maintaining an eternal perspective?

2. What are you doing to share the eternal hope you have with others, especially those who are perishing?

FURTHER READING:

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11; 2 Peter 3:10-18

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark are part of the leadership for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Shelter from the Storm

By Jen Wollner

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

When my son, Clayton, was young, he was extremely afraid of storms. Flashing lightning, crashing thunder and pounding rain literally made him tremble and weep. A couple of years ago, we had several days of thunderstorms in a row. We were all on edge and my husband and I were getting used to one kid or another running to us or crying during the night as the various sounds echoed around our home. One morning, when it was already light out, the rain woke me up and soon thereafter I saw a huge flash of lightning. The thunder followed immediately behind it and shook the whole house. I cringed and braced myself for what I knew I’d hear next…frantic feet running down the hall to my room! I waited…and waited…but no one came. No feet. No crying. No panicked calls for Mommy and Daddy.

Hmmm…that’s strange, I thought. There’s no way none of them heard that, especially Clayton. Is it possible that he slept through it?!

As I lay in bed, my mind turned to other things and soon I drifted back to sleep. Not too long later, Clayton came into our room and jumped in bed with us, just as he did most mornings. He seemed particularly excited and pleased with himself, though, and the first thing out of his mouth was, “Mom, did you hear that loud thunder?” “Yeah, did you hear it, too?” I asked him with much shock. “Yep!” he said. “And I was really scared at first, but then I remembered that God was with me and I wasn’t scared anymore!” Well, there’s nothing that gives me more joy then when my children trust in the Lord and look to Him to fill their needs. And, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God would so quickly and supernaturally meet that need. What a promise-keeping God!

We all struggle with fears and worries, don’t we? Maybe it’s a health issue. Maybe it’s a financial dilemma. Maybe it’s a difficult relationship. Or, maybe it’s something more tangible like spiders, heights or, like my son, severe weather. Whatever it is, it fills us with panic and all we can think about is getting away…being rescued…finding shelter.

The Lord is that place. He’s the place of security when the storms of life crash down on us. He’s a strong tower when everything is falling apart around us. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer.

Run to Him…

GOING DEEPER:
1. What causes you to tremble? From what do you need protection? Seek the Lord and expect Him save you and fill you with courage!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91; Isaiah 41:10-14

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.

The God Who Sees
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…You are the God who sees me…”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

Imagine a young, unmarried, pregnant woman with no home, no family, and no future. She has no education, no means of providing for the child she carries. She has been used and abandoned emotionally by the child’s father, treated harshly by his family. Seeing no other options, she runs away. The future is bleak…there is no one to help…what will become of her?

When all appears hopeless, an angel of the LORD comes to her. He speaks to her…the unwed mother…the homeless wanderer. He has specific instructions from God himself. She is to name her son “God hears.” God will make her descendents too numerous to count. He has a plan for HER! Her response, in what I imagine to be an astonished whisper, is, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” She has not been abandoned….she has been seen by a God who cares deeply about her and her unborn child. And while the angel instructs her to return to her child’s father, she is no longer alone.

This is no “Movie of the Week.” It is the story of Hagar, an Egyptian slave and the mother of Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. The culture of the Old Testament book of Genesis allowed masters to keep slaves, to treat the slaves as they wished, and for female slaves to bear children in place of their master’s wives. On the ladder of society, these female slaves were the bottom rung. They were given no rights, no freedoms, no opinions. Surely God would not take notice of one such as this.

Have you ever felt like God doesn’t notice what’s going on in your life? That you couldn’t be important to Him? “Hagar’s God is the One who numbers the hairs on our heads and who knows our circumstances, past, present, and future.” (1) In our places of desolation, God is intimately aware of our hurts, our troubles, our sorrows. His care for us is personal, intimate and individual. The psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth…The LORD will keep you from all harm…he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8, NIV)

Know today that God sees you, He cares about you, and you are never alone.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you feeling weak in the face of today’s challenges? Pray for strength to keep your eyes fixed on the One who sees you.
2. How have you experienced God’s watchful care?

FURTHER READING:
2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3

(1) © 2004. Praying the Names of God, Ann Spangler, page 27.

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.

“Do You Love Me?” 
By Elizabeth Cole

“Again Jesus said, ‘Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?’”
John 21:16a (NIV)

I’ve been thinking about that poignant moment in the second act of Fiddler on the Roof  where Tevye asks Golde, his wife of 25 years, if she loves him. Tevye is intrigued by his daughter’s love for a young man and it causes him to tentatively ask, “Golde…do you love me?” She quickly brushes off the question as simply a sign of indigestion, given all the stress and trouble that’s taking place in their turn-of-the-century village. But he persists…“Golde, I’m asking you a question…do you love me?”

And here’s the part that has caused me to dwell on this scene lately. Golde answers, “For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow…” How quickly her mind moves to actions…good actions, for sure. Basically, she’s replying, “Good grief, look at everything I’ve done for you! I’ve spent my whole adult life doing things for you…”

How often does that become our answer when we stop to think about how we love Jesus? “Lord, of course, I love you. Look at everything I’ve been doing for you. In fact, I’ve spent my whole adult life doing things for you…” The tone of voice in my mind uncomfortably echoes what I imagine Martha’s to be when her friend Jesus came to visit. While her sister Mary sits with Jesus, Martha does things for Jesus. Martha’s about accomplishments and results; Mary’s about first things first.

Love is first. Henri Nouwen writes of Jesus’ exchange with Peter as He restores him, “He whose only concern had been to announce the unconditional love of God had only one question to ask, ‘Do you love me?’ The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus?” (1)

Am I in love with Jesus? Am I in love with One who laid aside every divine right in order to obey the Father and drag a way-too-heavy cross up a hill? Am I in love with the One who calmly tells the wind to cool it, tenderly holds a child, and speaks unvarnished truth for the sake of Love? Do I love Him as my First Love, with fervency and passion…with all my heart and soul and mind and strength?

Actions matter…for sure. But His question’s got to be answered first: Do you love me?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What will you do today to be with Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10; John 21; Philippians 2; Revelation 2:1-7

(1) Henri J.M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus, The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, p. 37

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

Mountain Moving

By Elin Henderson

“So Jesus answered…them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done.’”

 Matthew 21:21 (NKJV, emphasis added)

         

After living on the flat coast of Africa and then in Florida, I am always overwhelmed and amazed to travel into “mountain” country. Whether it’s the Drakensburg Mountains of South Africa or the Rocky Mountains here in the US, I am awed by the size and magnitude of these seemingly immovable landmarks.

           

So, when Jesus says to the disciples, “If you have faith, you can tell that mountain to be removed and cast into the sea, and you know, it will happen,” the impossibility of the task from a human perspective isn’t hard to imagine. Granted, most of us aren’t needing actual mountains moved, but let’s face it, we all have some pretty BIG mountains in our lives. Mt. Fear, Mt. Insecurity, Mt. Hurt, Mt. Unforgiveness, to name a few. The size and magnitude of these monsters in our lives can be overwhelming and lead us to despair or despondency.

Jesus is calling us like He did His disciples - - to face our mountains with faith and not doubt, not because we  can move that mountain, but because HE CAN !  Is He bigger than our mountains? Is He stronger? Is He able? The answer is always YES! When we believe that He is able and have faith in His ability, then the ground starts to rumble and the mountain begins to move. 

Look again at this verse. It isn’t just removing the mountain. It is casting it into the sea. There is closure when something sinks beneath the waters. Then, when we recall the mountains, all we’ll see is a sign floating from God reading, “No swimming and absolutely no SCUBA diving permitted.” So, let’s start moving some mountains, and when the sea swallows them up, let’s obey the signs and stay out of the water!

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1. Are there any mountains you can “name” in your life today?

2. How does seeing that “no swimming” sign in the waters help us have victory?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 17:20 (same concept, different illustration); Luke 3:5

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 eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

We Don’t Have To Have All the Answers

By Susan Klein

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Usually when I need an example of perseverance through trial, I go to the book of Job. Here was a blameless and upright man who suffered extreme personal loss, while also enduring ridicule and shame by those who supposedly loved him the most. Yet, while he is the model of perseverance, I’ve come to learn another lesson from Job that I want to emulate: “I don’t need to have all the answers.”

After his period of grieving, Job’s friends started to pummel him with questions as to why God would allow such a travesty to occur to such a godly man. For awhile, Job accepts his lot, defending his Creator to those who are making accusations. But, eventually his despair gets the better of him and Job starts to question God as well. “What did I do to deserve this? Why have you made me your target?” (paraphrased from chapter 7)

Eventually, we read that God speaks. He’s heard enough of accusations and questioning from Job and his friends. Beginning in chapter 38, He reminds Job that He alone is God, Creator of all, and He decides what will happen to whom. Job does not know the things that God knows and has no business questioning His ways. After being rebuked, Job replies, “I am unworthy - - how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer - - twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4-5, NIV). Job got the message.

Similarly, who am I to question what God is doing in my life or in the life of someone else? Why do we always feel the need to have answers or know the reason for our plight? Is that walking by faith or by sight? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that God causes His sun to rise on the good and the evil, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. No one is exempt from trials, and no one has the answers to all of life’s questions. No one, except God.

Like Job’s friends, when others begin to question God, we should not join in on the questioning nor should we always strive to have an answer for them, other than: “Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him” (Psalm 115:3, NIV). We don’t need to know, we just need to trust!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What questions might you have that seem to be going unanswered? Are you willing to let them go, and “just trust”?

2.  Spend some time with the Creator and marvel at His sovereignty.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 135:5-6;Acts 17:24-26 ; Romans 9:14-18

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark are part of the on-site small group leadership for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Joyful Concert
By Peggy Kleckner

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn  - -  shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”
Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV)

I have been enjoying a concert since early spring…right outside my front window! First came the tips of daffodils boldly proclaiming their presence, followed by their bouncy yellow blooms. Next came the tulips spattered about in different colors…a few here, a few over there. Each type of plant showed up for its part in displaying His splendor. Each group proudly pushing up past the dirt, taking time to sprout leaves and set down roots before producing its blossoms.

Oh, but the wonderful sway of the most recent music! Triumphal shouts of irises boldly proclaiming their colors. Big leaves followed by tall shoots that burst into blooms! This year was the first for some of those colors. What a treasured surprise. To add to the fun, they showed up while my mom was visiting from Florida. Each day we viewed yet another added color. We enjoyed the playful staccato notes of daises, as well as the wispy featherlike tinklings of paper irises. How like God to add joy to my days. What a delicious experience to share with my mother.

Some days, I wonder what the music is. I think of all of the instruments in an orchestra or a band and I imagine which ones would play the part of the tulip, the daffodil, the daisy. Are my irises trumpets? Are the daisies piccolos? It just sets the mind to giggling. Oh, how He must delight in my delight!

May each of us also be willing to bloom for His glory and the delight of those around us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What joyful surprises has He placed in your days recently?
2. Are you blooming according to His timing, or are you trying to compete with those planted around you? Who plans the concert, you or God?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 61:11; Genesis2:4-9; Jeremiah 17:7-8

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

Déjà vu
By Karen D’Amore

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.”
Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

The experience of déjà vu is accompanied by a compelling sense of familiarity in a present situation. In the movie Groundhog Day we see the essence of déjà vu personified. Cynical, self-centered TV meteorologist Phil Connors has been sent to Punxsutawney, PA to broadcast the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After grudgingly covering the event, he awakens the next day to find himself trapped in an endless cycle of Groundhog Days. When his self-indulgent behavior fails to change, events repeat themselves in the same way they occurred the original day. Given opportunities to learn from the previous day’s failures and to respond to others differently, Phil continues to fulfill his own self-seeking pleasures, at the expense of others. As desperate attempts to change the events or escape the cycle of the time loop prove futile, Phil grows increasingly despondent. Eventually, he comes to the realization that he is powerless to change his circumstances…the only thing he can change is himself. When a transformed Phil emerges as a thoughtful, caring, selfless new man, the time loop is broken and he is set free from Groundhog Day.

This fitting cinematic compression likens itself to the refining process of a believer. As Christ-followers, every detail of our lives falls under God’s scrutiny, as He purges out remnants of our carnal life. Oftentimes, He will bring us back to the same point over and over again; leaving us in that place until the desired lessons are learned and His finished product has been produced. Whether it be lessons in forgiveness, loving the unlovable, selfishness, pride, or lack of trust…the refining process continues as impurities are eradicated from our character.

Just as silver is refined by being held in the middle of the fire, where the hottest flames burn away the impurities, the Lord will hold us in that “hot spot” until the desired transformation takes place. And while the silversmith knows the silver is completely refined when he can see his image reflecting in the metal, the Lord will rejoice in His completed work when He sees His reflection in our lives.

Do you find yourself stuck in a place of Déjà vu, wrestling over and over with the same familiar lessons? Lend yourself to God’s refining moments…He may not move you forward until you do!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a stronghold in your life in which God is continually re-testing you? Surrender to His character refinement today.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 10:22-23; Jeremiah 9:7

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’s on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.

Words From My Friend

By Vernette Kureck

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

Zzzzt  went the notification on my cell phone. I had just played the word “bible” for 70 points and was waiting expectantly for a response from my opponent. Yes, I really enjoy playing “Words with Friends.”

It is challenging, fun and nourishes my competitive spirit. But even more challenging and enjoyable is to be in God’s Word - - the Bible - - and have my spirit enriched, encouraged and edified.

• To be enriched like Paul when he says in Colossians 3:16 (NIV) to “Let the message [the Word] of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Collective, good Bible study and worship nourishes the soul to overflowing and promotes a thankful attitude, making you rich.

• To be encouraged with King David when he says in Psalm 37:4 (NIV) to “Take delight in the Lord [the Author of the Word] and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When you commit your ways to the Lord, your heart desires things that are pleasing to God and you will be blessed and be a blessing.

• And lastly, to be edified like Jesus. “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalms 119:89, NIV) We can be strong in our beliefs because what we have is Truth and Truth is unchanging. Jesus came as the Living Word and now we have the Bible as His living Word. Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted for forty days. Always His answer to the devil began with “it is written.” Yes, we can be firm when we have His words in our minds and hearts.

The old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” shares all the friendship qualities we have in Jesus. He is not my competition but He is challenging, enjoyable and nourishes my heart, soul and mind. And I don’t have to hear Zzzzt  to be notified He has made contact. All I need to do is open and read the Word from my Friend and be expectant as to what Truth He has for me now.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Google the lyrics to What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

2. How are you being enriched, encouraged and edified?

FURTHER READING:

John 1:1; Luke 4:1-14

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 45 years. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren from their two sons and their wives. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain.   

Face Value

By Elin Henderson

“…while we don’t not look at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)

         

We are so quick to judge things at face value. What you see is what you get…or so we think.  But, we all know that this isn’t the truth.  If you don’t believe this, then watch “Antique Roadshow” and you’ll soon find out that the little old lady who has this old vase on her dining room table is actually putting flowers in a Ming Dynasty 14^th century urn! 

The disciples in Jesus’ time had to learn some hard lessons in taking things at face value. He rarely spoke straightforward to them, instead He used life experiences and parables to teach principles. We see this clearly in Mark 6:30-44 where Jesus feeds the 5,000, then appears to them in verses 45-52 walking on the water and calming the seas. Mark tells us that the disciples were astounded, “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened” (v. 52, NIV). They were taking His first miracle at face value, but there was more that Jesus was trying to teach them. He had a deeper lesson of His sufficiency, His power and His ability to take care of them. 

This was just one example of many which Jesus used to teach His disciples to stop taking life happenings at face value but to look beyond to what HE was doing!  Isn’t that the same challenge for us today?  He is calling us to go beyond life’s circumstances, even the miracles in our lives, and see His under-workings and marvelous power on our behalf. Not just so we can be amazed at the work, but at the WORKER behind it and that we might grow in our knowledge and love of Him!   

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1.  What circumstances have you been in recently where you might have been looking at the “face value” and missed the lesson?

2.  What other stories from Jesus’ ministry to His disciples can you think of that show this principle?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

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 eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.