Thirsty

By Elizabeth Cole

“ ‘…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”

John 4:14 (NIV)

Imagine a young girl named Jill who wakes up after a terrifying experience, dull with grief and horribly thirsty. She becomes simultaneously aware of a gurgling stream and a huge Lion nearby:

“Are you thirsty?” said the Lion.

“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

“Then drink,” said the Lion.

“May I - - could I - - would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and very low growl…

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

“Will you promise not to - - do anything to me, if I come?” said Jill.

“I make no promise,” said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer…

“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”
“There is no other stream,” said the Lion.[1]

The invitation to come near...to drink of a singular life-giving water...to be changed. It's a poignant moment when Jill is introduced to Aslan the Lion in The Silver Chair. 

Envision a not-so-young woman who finds herself dull with the ache of bad life-choices and horribly thirsty. She comes to a well and to a Man who engages her in conversation, knows everything about her disappointments and pain, and invites her to drink of a water like no other. A water that deeply satisfies, that brings ever-abundant springs of living water and life everlasting. The Scriptures show us that not only does she accept the Man’s invitation, she is changed (John 4:4-42).

What about you? Have you woken this day after another life-draining experience…dull with grief…aching from the life-choices that now rule you? Or are you flat-lined, simply and completely parched to your very bones? Listen for its echoes as you long for a delicious rippling stream for your soul. He is here.

Jesus invites you to come, “to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” There is no other stream...it is He whom you long for. Come and be changed. Come and drink deeply. Come and be satisfied.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Where are you in your spiritual quest for soul-satisfying water? 
2. If you know Jesus, how are you drinking deeply of Him today? If you don't, what would one step closer look like?

FURTHER READING:

John 7:37-38;Revelation 7:17, Revelation 21:6

[1] C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair (New York: HarperCollins), 20-21.

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Stillness

By Peggy Kleckner

“He says, Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

What does God say? He says, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted in the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Dwell there for a minute. Let those words settle into you. Let them wash over the rocks of your worry, the boulders of your cares. Let them refresh your weary spirit. His words are life.

Take and eat. Let them nourish you.

Now, breathe in His life. Look into God’s heart. Sit down as you would with your closest and dearest friend. Put the phone away. Turn off the noise. Yes, this will take more than a moment. Just focus on the first two words, “be still.” Two words, two short words and yet this will take great effort on your part. Keep breathing. Let your worries down onto the floor for now. Let all the “have to’s” and the “but, I don’t have time” excuses go and give God this moment of stillness.  Step out of the fast waters of life by taking His hand and allowing Him to seat you beside Him.

Breathe deeply of His grace and His compassion; release yourself into His strong arms. Let stillness be a priority for this moment. Let it be your gift, your gift of obedience to Him. Let yourself relax in the stillness of His strong embrace. Trust that He is welcoming you with open arms and great joy at your gift.

When you begin to feel the pressures lessen, focus on the next phrase, “know that I am God.” To know is to “be well informed about, to be aware of, to be acquainted with, to be sure of” [1] Think through each of those definitions and ponder if you really “know” that He is God. Are you acknowledging His supremacy in your life? Are you spending time getting to know this God whom you serve or are you just following along? Are you busy doing for Him but setting little time aside to be with Him and hear His heart?

Stillness is a difficult practice it is very much against the tide of our culture, but we are called into it by God Himself, so most assuredly He enables us to do it. This week purposefully practice being still as your gift to Him. As you practice, continue to grow in your knowledge of Him. He delights in you.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Will you commit to setting aside a few moments for stillness every day for this season of lent as a gift to God?

2.  In what way do you want to know God better?

FURTHER READING:

1 John 4:8; Joel 2:13; Philippians 1:6

[1] Webster’s New World Dictionary

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.

Take Off Your Shoes

By Elin Henderson

“…Take off your sandals for you are standing on holy ground“

 Exodus 3:5b (NLT)

One of the things I got used to quickly living among the Mwinika people here in Mozambique was the need to remove my shoes when sitting down on their mats. When you arrive for a visit, a woven mat is quickly set out, you remove your shoes and sit down. It’s not so much that the mats are so clean or dirt free, but it’s an act of respect. I also learned quickly that flip flops are the way to go. Dealing with a bunch of ties, buckles or Velcro every time, is just a pain!   

Here in Exodus we find Moses being told by the Lord to take off his shoes because the land he was standing on was holy. It wasn’t that the land itself was anything special, it was just an ordinary piece of land, but the presence of God made it holy.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of the presence of God turning the ordinary piece of land on which we are standing into a holy place. We aren’t alone; God is there with us. Wherever we find ourselves, whatever struggle might be upon us, whatever challenge lies before us, God brings His presence to that piece of land and makes it holy. We don’t stand alone!

In order to remind ourselves of this, maybe we need to start taking off our shoes more often. It’s a good way to remember that God’s presence is there with us. Of course depending on where you are, you might have to do a little explaining as to this odd behavior.

So, the next time you are feeling overwhelmed and all alone, kick off your shoes and remind yourself: the ordinary ground you are standing on is holy because God is standing there with you!

            

FURTHER READING:

Psalms 37:7; Psalms 21:6; Psalms 139:7-12

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias. 

Sacrifice

By Tracy Smith

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

John 3:16 (NIV)

His only Son. Think about that for a minute. Growing up attending church, I took for granted that Jesus came to earth as a baby, grew up, had a ministry, and died for our sins. I knew it was an awesome thing for the God of the Universe to allow Himself to live life here on earth and to die for our sins. I think that because I had heard this since I was a small child, I accepted it and believed it, but never really processed what it all meant to God the Father and to God the Son.

My focus was always on what Jesus did for us. There is nothing wrong with focusing on that, as His sacrifice is what allows me to have communion with God again, but I never really thought long and hard about how what He did impacted His Father.

Then I became a mother - - of sons. Suddenly, it was much more real. As Easter rolled around one year when my oldest was a toddler, it suddenly hit me what God the Father had sacrificed in His love for us.  I sat there looking at my son sleep and thought of all the people in my life whom I love and came to this conclusion: While my love for them is strong, I would never (strong word, but true) willingly sacrifice my son for them.  Not only that, but can you imagine telling your son that you would be sacrificing him for a bunch of sinners?

Thinking through that brought new meaning to Easter for me. Even though it’s still cold outside, the season of Easter will soon be upon us. Taking time to reflect before the holiday has caused me to really think about what Easter means…not only to my faith, but to my God.

GOING DEEPER

1. Will you commit to spending some time this week focusing on the incredible sacrifice that was made by God, just for you?

2. As we begin to approach the Easter season, with whom will you share the real meaning of John 3:16?

FURTHER READING

1 John 4:10; John 14:6; Romans 5:12-21

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.

The Importance of Eli
By Lexi Cole Ellis

Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’”
1 Samuel 3:8b-9 (NIV)

I have a platonic crush on Samuel! This Old Testament prophet spoke the Lord’s Word with conviction, led God’s people with compassion and trusted God without compromise. In 1 Samuel 3, God speaks to Samuel in an unfamiliar way. Scripture tells us, “In those days, the word of the Lord was rare: there were not many visions.” So when God calls, Samuel thinks it is his mentor and teacher, Eli. But Eli has no clue what Samuel is talking about and sends him back to bed. This happens two more time until Eli realizes it is God speaking to Samuel and instructs him to listen to God, to surrender to God and say “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Samuel does exactly this and God does amazing things through Samuel.

My understanding of this passage came from an excellent Bible study by Priscilla Shirer entitled He Speaks to Me. In it, she talks about what Samuel did to hear God’s voice - - how Samuel was still, how he surrendered and listened. Therefore, my personal application has always focused on what Samuel did to hear God’s voice.

As I re-read this passage recently, it made me wonder…What about Eli? While I do believe we can learn from Samuel’s life in a lot of great ways, this time, I saw the important role Eli played. He helped Samuel hear God’s voice. He showed Samuel who was speaking. He gave Samuel the tools to move from an unfamiliar to a familiar. While Samuel did choose to be still, surrender and listen, Eli is the one who mentored Samuel in that experience. Scripture says Samuel “did not yet know the Lord: the Word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to Him.” It’s Eli who realizes it’s God’s voice and teaches Samuel how to listen. We can’t forget about Eli.

So the question becomes: Who is my “Eli”? Am I surrounding myself with people who will encourage a life that is in step with God’s Word and His will? Am I in community with people who will teach me to be still, surrender and listen to God’s voice? And with that, am I, in return, intentionally engaging in others’ lives so they too can hear God’s voice? I still have my platonic crush on Samuel, but I am newly thankful for the less-noticed role Eli played.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who is your “Eli”?
2. To whom can you be an Eli and how can you intentionally do that today?

FURTHER READING:
1 Samuel 3

Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School, serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood and is the Fresh Start coordinator.

The Ultimate 3-Legged Race

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Haven’t you read?” he [Jesus] replied… “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?  So they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV)

Two years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. As I anticipated the day, I realized it would be 7,306 days!  There are a lot of words that I could use to describe our journey together, but one of my favorite analogies is that marriage is the ultimate 3-legged race. 

The race is voluntary. We don’t get to choose many factors in our lives, like our parents or birthplace. We do, however, get to choose our partner in this race.

The race takes cooperation. If you don’t lock step with each other, failure is all but guaranteed. The more binds around your legs, the easier it is to keep in step. Think of each life experience shared as a strand of rope. The more stories that are common to both of you, the more strands of rope are binding you to each other. Laughter, tears, triumph, hardship…they all count.

To run the race well, both partners must face the same direction. From finances to parenting to in-laws to where you will live, being on the same page and intentional about communication will keep you pointed ahead.

Unforgiveness is equal to sitting down on the field. Every marriage has its “stuff.” As the saying goes, I am a selfish sinner, and I married one, too. Then we produced children with the same problem. When we don’t take the time to deal with the “stuff,” our legs will strain against the bonds. The ropes that serve as the ties that bind us together instead turn into shackles.

There will be times during the race when one partner has to bolster the other with his or her arms. This may entail practically carrying our partners ahead as their own strength has waned. The vows say “for worse,” “for poorer,” “in sickness” for a reason. 

After racing together a long time, the reward is that you may nearly forget that the three legs used to be Four. The muscle memory will change; the movement becomes more second nature. And those bindings on the legs only work to seal the commitment to one another.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Plan an outing with your spouse, focusing just on each other. Even a conversation over burgers will do.

2. Play a game with conversation starters like “Favorite moment while we were dating,” or “Best holiday celebration together,” or “The time you were my strength.” You may be surprised by the answers when you share with each other.

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 12:1-2

Carolyn acquired her racing partner in April 1993, complete with big hair and poofy dress sleeves (on her).  They look forward to matching their parents’ 40+ and 50+, and grandparents’ 60+ years of marriage.

Are You Living a Covenant Life?

By Susan Klein

“…for God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.”

Romans 11:29 (NIV)

Our car insurance contract is changing. One of our driver’s rates is decreasing due to maintaining a good driving record. Another’s is about to go up due to a pending car purchase. Contracts change. They can also be broken. If we were not satisfied with our insurance provider, we could cancel our policy and build a contract with a new company. Likewise, many people are employed under a contract. If dissatisfied with their working conditions, they can dispute, negotiate, or even strike over their contracts in an effort to effect change.

Covenants are not contracts. Covenants cannot be cancelled or revoked. They never have to be renewed or renegotiated. They are absolutely binding regardless of the circumstances. If one party in the covenant is dissatisfied with the other party’s conduct, it doesn’t allow for starting over and building a new one. Covenants are a done deal.

Christ-followers have a covenant (not a contract) relationship with God. We have entered into a loving relationship with Him that cannot and will not be changed. When God calls us to Him, and we accept that call, Scripture tells us that it is irrevocable. God is, in essence, saying to us, “You are now mine, and nothing you can do (or anyone else can do) will alter that in any way.” No one else can snatch you from Him, and none of your sins or mistakes will negate His covenant promise of making you His heir. His covenant is not based on His satisfaction with your performance. It is solely based on His Word, His promise. Ever wonder why David got away from Saul’s murderous pursuits so many times, or why God still kept His promise to David even after he committed murder? He had a covenant relationship with God. God doesn’t go back on His word.

Signed, sealed, secured. You are His. You are free to enter into and enjoy His presence, to partake in the riches of His grace and mercy, and to look forward to a future of eternal glory. You have a covenant relationship with the Almighty God. With security like that, we can experience peace in times of trouble, and joy in times of persecution. Are you enjoying a covenant life?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How does your secure position affect your response to trials?

2. How does your covenant with God affect your relationship with others?

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 13:20-21; Romans 11:25-32

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a Wednesday Night Community small group.

Choose Joy

By Karen D’Amore

“…whenever troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.”

James 1:2 (NLT)

My affection for words has spurred a growing collection of jewelry inscribed with my favorite  words. Aware of my collection and love of words, a friend recently gave me a necklace inscribed with the word “JOY.” Though I absolutely LOVE the necklace… “Joy” was not in my repertoire of favorite  words.

Within the month following receipt of this beloved gift, the word “joy” began popping up everywhere. From random Facebook posts to songs, sermons, emails, billboards and Bible studies. I found myself immersed in a joy-themed arena. Initially, I didn’t give it much thought until the immersion transitioned into a ridiculous (almost comical) saturation. In hindsight, I should have recognized God’s presence in the “joy”-themed saturation. Was there a message to be gleaned? Was He preparing me for something?

I was wearing the “JOY” necklace when the trial struck. Fixating on the troubling circumstances, I re-hashed the details until the trial eventually stole my joy! Defeated, I chose seclusion and isolation. In the midst of that seclusion, God - - in His innate tenderness - - diverted my focus from my circumstances to His manifestations of tranquility. Just beyond my bedroom window, in the quiet of the soft falling snow, a herd of deer lay peacefully bedded down. As I was entranced by the embodiment of serenity, God used the distraction to uplift and encourage my aching heart. Moments later, I read a Facebook post with a wooden sign bearing the inscription… “Choose Joy!”

While I fixated on my joy-robbing circumstances, God reminded me of His goodness. In the verse above, Paul writes that trials could either become an obstacle or an “opportunity for great joy.” With my favorite  word being “faith,” I was reminded trials are opportunities for faith-testing and endurance-growing. Once I stopped dwelling on my circumstances and meditated on God’s faith-building process, I worked to “Choose Joy!”

In this life we will face trials, each holding the potential to be joy-robbers or joy-growers… the choice is ours! Will you  choose to worry or worship? The source on which we fixate influences our choices. “If there is any virtue and anything praise worthy - - meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8b, NASB). Let’s meditate on God’s praise worthy virtues and…“Choose JOY!”

 “Choosing JOY is being able to see God’s goodness even when life is hard and messy!” [1]

                                                                                               

GOING DEEPER:

1. What’s affecting your ability to be joyful?

2. Where’s your focus?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

[1] https://www.pinterest.com/pin/276689970831885542/

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.

I-Trouble

By Elin Henderson

“For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.”

Romans 7:15(NKJV, emphasis added)

I feel a little I-overwhelmed these days. There’s the I-pad, I-pod, I-touch, I-phone, and I am sure they have come out with a few more “I’s” in the time I have been back here in Africa. I am going to be in some serious I-trouble when I venture back into civilization again!

         

I-trouble isn’t something new though; it’s been around for awhile. We can go back to the BC years and find all sorts of I-issues. Elijah in 1 Kings 19:14-17 had all sorts of I-trouble. He let “I” become his pronoun of choice and became very I-centered. His message was “I am the only one left and what will you do, Lord, without me?”

He wasn’t the only one with I-troubles, Jonah had his share. Towards the end of his ministry in Jonah 4, he became very self-absorbed. His message was “after all the work  I have done, this is the thanks I get? Where’s the hell, fire and brimstone?”

Let’s be honest, we all suffer from I-trouble, but take heart, Paul has some good advice for us! In Romans 7, we find all sorts of I-issues. There is a war within between the I’s. The things I want to do, I don’t. But, the things I don’t want to do I do! Count the number of I’s that Paul uses between verses 14-24. He genuinely expresses the struggle that we all face daily. But, before we lose heart completely, he throws in verse 25, “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” He can give us victory through the power of His I-Spirit!

So, the next time you are facing some I-trouble, remind yourself of these verses of hope and go from I-centered trouble  to Christ-centered victory!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can we encourage each other in our battle against I-trouble?

2. Which verse would you choose to help remind you of the victory we have in Christ? (check out Galatians 2:20 as a start or any of the other further reading verses below)

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 4:13; Galatians 5:16; Galatians 2:20

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

The Greater Truth
By Lisa Boyer

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
John 8:32 (NIV)

I am the type of person who likes to know the truth, well, most of the time… I’ve been told some truths that I wish I hadn’t known; the kind that can really devastate a person.

Maybe you’ve been told one of those truths, too. Like when a loved says those dreaded words, “I just don’t love you anymore,” or when the company you’ve invested years in says, “We don’t need you anymore,” or when a mother reveals to her child, “I never wanted you; you were an accident.”

Those aren’t the kind of truths that set you free. Those truths burden you with their knowledge. Those truths leave you hurting deeply, even crushed.

This is when it’s time to hear the greater truth - - the “capital-T” Truth found in Jesus - - the truth that really does set you free.

…That person may not love you anymore, but Jesus loves you so much He died to have a relationship with you (Romans 5:8).

…Losing that job may have left you feeling useless, but God has work ready for you to do (Ephesians 2:10).

…Your mom may not have wanted you, but God wanted you and planned for you and designed you (Psalm 139).

Some truths can damage our hearts, but focusing on the truth of Jesus Christ, and all He is and does, allows the healing process to begin so we can know Him and be set free.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you been hurt by others’ truth? Will you go to Christ today for His greater truth and apply it to your hurting heart?

FURTHER READING:
John 17:17; I Timothy 2:3, 4

Lisa has been married to Ted for over 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog and serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood. 

A Labor of Love

By Susan Klein

“…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

When my daughter went away to college a couple years ago, I started making a lot of homemade granola. She wasn’t fortunate enough to attend a school with a four-star dining facility, so it became a much-beloved staple in her diet. Making granola was labor-intensive and time-consuming. There was constant stirring involved, both in the preparation of the ingredients to make sure they are all moistened, then during the baking process to ensure the granola toasts evenly. And using good, wholesome ingredients was costly.

So why go to all the trouble? Why not just go to the store and buy her a box of pre-made granola? Making it brings no real benefits to me. It’s not exactly cheaper to make it. I also didn’t enjoy the mess in my kitchen, and it took up a good portion of time. So, why did I do it? Simple. Because I love her, and I know it’s to her benefit.

Sanctification is kind of like making granola. God could make us all cookie-cutter perfect replicas that are simple to reproduce and not labor-intensive. But He chooses not to. He fashions each person with unique qualities, characteristics, and purpose. He spends our whole lifetime working on each one of us, dealing with all the messiness of our lives while lovingly bringing us to completion, which is: conforming us to the image of His perfect Son. It’s costly, laborious, and very time-consuming. Why does He do it? Simple. He loves us, and He wants the best for each of us. I’m sure it’s not enjoyable for Him when we resist His stirring in our lives, but He does it nonetheless. And the cost…well let’s just say He paid the ultimate price.

In John chapter seventeen, Jesus is praying to the Father on behalf of the believers. He says:

 “They are not of the world even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify Myself, that they too may be truly sanctified” (v.17-18).

Jesus was setting Himself apart for God’s sacred use, so that we too, might also be set apart to be used by God. He would never ask anything of us that He Himself was not willing to do.

Appreciate the effort. Enjoy the process. Remember the cost.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you filling your heart with God’s truth so that He might show you His purpose?

2. Spend time in meditation and prayer over God’s love and faithfulness to you.

3. Read Romans 15:15-18, noting God’s active work. Thank Him.

FURTHER READING:

1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 1 Peter1: 1-2

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and co-leads a small group at Wednesday Night Community.

Free

By Lexi Ellis

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 (The Message paraphrase)

Four years later, I can still distinctively remember it…feeling hopeless and just staring at my laptop’s blank screen. Writing a paper wasn’t usually difficult. For a class, I had to analyze a societal message and its effects in my life. Originally, I had a researched, beautiful outline in which I wrote of my struggles with having a healthy relationship with food. It was a comfortable vulnerability, un-messy. And yet, my professor wanted me to re-do it. After lots of tears, I was convicted I needed to address issues beyond my simplified outline. I had to ask questions with unknown answers…or ones I might not like.

So after processing and praying, I approached the blank screen and wrote how my food issues were a coping mechanism for a simple reality: I struggle with self-hatred. It takes work to overcome a flood of critical, self-deprecating thoughts. But even after I learned the tools to help manage this, I felt guilty. For some reason, the guilt from struggling with self-hatred was worse than acknowledging the “food stuff.” Here I was with this struggle that seemed so stupid. It was terrifying to realize that acknowledging it through writing would force me to address it.

Part of the enormous beauty of the Cross is that Christ conquered guilt and shame. Paul writes that in Christ “there is no more condemnation.” A synonym is criticism. There is now no more criticism. What Christ has done for us (and our acceptance of His gift along with an ongoing relationship with Him) means we are free.

How powerful that He freed us from the bondage of hell and the bondage of guilt!  In John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Christian has been carrying a heavy, horrific burden. When he encounters freedom in Christ, this immense baggage drops, “loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble; and so continued to do…and I saw it no more.” [1]

While life doesn’t always get easier, we are free from shame. When life is hectic, it’s important to be aware the Cross also released us from guilt. I’m thankful that a blank screen caused me to recognize - - while it was hard to process how gripping that guilt was on my life - - I serve a bigger God who has freed me. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What guilt/shame do you struggle with?

2. Take it to the Lord - - He has conquered guilt.

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:1-4 (The Message paraphrase)

[1] Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, chapter 3 (http://www.learnthebible.org/c_p_pilgrims_progress_chapter_3.htm)

Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School, serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood and is the Fresh Start coordinator.

Race Encouragers

By Karen D’Amore

“…I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Romans 1:12 (NIV)

Watching my co-worker train for her first half marathon has drawn me to reminisce about my  race days, many years ago. I recall the energy and enthusiasm of the spectator-lined streets, with race supporters clapping, cheering and chanting: “You can do it!” “You’re almost there - - KEEP GOING!” Initially, I planned on being my co-worker’s race day “spectating-cheerleader,” until she encouraged me to train and run the race with her.

To aid in my training, I purchased and activated a Fitbit. Worn on the wrist, this high-performance wireless device tracks steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, very active minutes and quality of sleep. With my pre-set fitness goals programmed into the application, my Fitbit buzzes when I’m close to reaching my goals and displays vivid fanfare when I’ve reached my goals. My Fitbit has been my perpetual cheerleader and encourager throughout my training. With every “buzz” of encouragement…I’m compelled to “KEEP GOING!”

In my early race years while living in Southern California, training/running conditions were optimal year round. Now in the Midwest, winter weather hinders my training/running capabilities. Though environmental obstacles threaten to discourage my training, my Fitbit’s goal-achieving alerts inspire and encourage me to persevere and stay on course with my training, even amidst ice and snow. Being impacted by the encouraging power of this little bracelet-like device, I pondered the possibility of such a device for spiritual training.

Scripture likens our faith-walk to “running a race.” That racecourse is inundated with obstacles and hindrances which impact our endurance and perseverance. While we wrestle with the internal hindrances of sin, we also encounter external hurdles like sickness, death, betrayal, injustices and hardships. And while, as believers, we’re responsible for running our own personal race, we’re not called to run alone.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25a, NIV).

To be successful in our race as believers, we need to be one another’s “cheerleaders.” We need to applaud each other when we’re doing well, and pray for one another when we stumble and fall. And when obstacles become sources of discouragement, tempting our teammates to quit the race, we need to be their “race encouragers!” We need to function like Fitbits - - “buzzing” with encouragement, urging our fellow believers to “KEEP GOING” and finish the race!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can you function like a “Fitbit” and become a race encourager?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13

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.

Don’t Forget the First-Aid Kit!

By Elin Henderson

“But a certain Samaritan….came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him…and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine…”

Luke 10:33-34 (NKJV)

This story is a familiar one. Three men passed by the wounded man in this parable told by Jesus, but only one was ready and willing to help. The other two had neither the supplies nor the heart to reach out to a fellow human being in need. The third man, however, was not only moved with compassion but was also ready and able to serve. He had bandages and medicine on hand and that, coupled with his willing and generous heart, brought healing and hope for this stranger.

How about us? Sometimes it isn’t enough to just have compassion for another suffering soul, we have to have our first aid kits metaphorically ready to be of use. Do we travel prepared and looking for the wounded and hurting? Our first aid kits may not have literal bandages and medicine in them, but we can stock them with ample amounts of God’s promises and His Word. That, coupled with a liberal dose of prayer and the power of His Spirit, can bring healing to the physically, emotionally or even spiritually battered and torn that lie strewn across our paths.

So, the next time you are getting ready for a trip down the road from your Jerusalem to Jericho, be sure and pack your first aid kit! You never know whom God might place in your path. Keep your physical and spiritual eyes open, your compassion in ample supply, and your first aid kit ready!

         

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. What kind of things would you pack in your spiritual “first aid kit”? Are there ways we can be preparing ourselves to be more aware of the hurting around us and more efficient in the use of our first aid?

2. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a “first aid kit”? What help did you receive and how can that propel you as you pack your own kit?

FURTHER READING:

1 Peter 3:8; Deuteronomy 15:11; James 2:15-17

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 fourteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.

A Tragic Tumble
By Elizabeth Cole

“So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin.”
Romans 14:13 (GNT)

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.

I’ve always felt so sad for Jack and his friend Jill. On what seems to be an appropriate and well-intentioned mission, Jack falls. After considerable thought and pondering, I’ve come up with a number of questions about this tragedy:

1.Did you carelessly wander off the path, Jack? No map? Is that what caused you to fall down?

2. New shoes? I’ve noticed in the church nursery that new shoes are a guarantee for at least two falls per hour.

3. A little too chatty to pay attention to that turn in the road?

4. Or maybe someone had strung a line across the trail to trick you?

While Jack’s fall is certainly concerning, especially the part about his broken crown, it’s Jill who gets my particular sympathy. Apparently, she was just innocently trekking along—doing her best—when all of a sudden Jack’s fall tripped her up short and sent her tumbling too.

Yes, it’s Jill who has my heart. The Jill who’s struggling with an addiction and is invited out for “just one” with the girls. The Jill who’s trying to figure out what godly “wife-ing” and parenting looks like, but encounters consistent criticism, husband-bashing and harshness. The Jill who’s new to following Christ and experiences rejection by a fellow believer for being a little too authentic. The Jill who’s getting ready to give up trying to make a friend at church. The Jill who thought that love, surrender and obedience to Christ really matter.

Being in Christ means being in Christ together. What we think and what we do matter, not only in our own walk with Christ, but in those lives whom God has placed beside us on this part of the path. May we choose this day to be women who grab a hand and help another woman along the way. May this be a day of deciding to lay aside what could cause a sister in Christ to stumble and, instead, to intentionally “walk in the Spirit.” May we live in such a way that others see what we do and give praise to our Father in heaven.

Walk well today, Jack.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Whom has God placed in your life right now to influence her spiritual walk? How are you doing with that divine privilege?
2. Take a moment to thank the Lord Jesus for those He’s placed beside you to influence you for His good in your life.

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 5:16; 2 John 6

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.