Our Forever Family
By Jen Wollner

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

Galatians 4:4-5, 7 (NIV)

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

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

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

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 1:3-14

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.

No One Mourns the Wicked

By Vernette Kureck

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

She was different. She was born green and green wasn’t normal. Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West wasn’t normal. In the Wizard of Oz she died of an allergic reaction to water. A literal meltdown! Glinda, the Good Witch, asks in the theme song from Wicked, “Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? After all she had a father. She had a mother, as so many do.” As she sings about what goodness knows concerning wickedness, she claims her good news: “No One Mourns the Wicked.” [1] Is that true? I say, Glinda, you need to hear the really Good News!

What does the Bible have to say about wickedness? Generally those who are opposed to God and other humans are described as wicked. Its way is dark and its desires evil. Adam and Eve opposed God’s plan in the garden. Because of that sin we are naturally turned away from God and under eternal wrath. We are corrupt and make wrong choices; we are even inclined to do “bad” things.

The Good News is that God still loved us and sent His Son to pay the price for our wickedness, for our sin. Jesus lived a perfect life. He entered this world to give His life as a ransom. Jesus came to teach God’s truth about Himself, about God, about our sin and what we must do in response. The torturous crucifixion of Jesus displayed the self-giving love and grace of God as Jesus bore the penalty of God’s wrath for our wickedness. On the third day, Jesus was raised from the dead. God showed His acceptance of Christ’s sacrifice for all those who would repent and believe. Our basic way of life will either be oriented toward God and His light or toward the darkness of sin. God’s plan is to save His people from their sins and to bring His people to Himself. Believers have been saved from the penalty of their wickedness and are currently being saved from the power of sin. And, someday in eternity, we will be saved from the very presence of wickedness and sin.

So Glinda, let me proclaim what Goodness knows concerning wickedness. Wickedness is conquered. Evil is vanquished. Someone does mourn the wicked. He is God in the Person of Jesus Christ…and He is Goodness.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How have you responded to Jesus Christ?

2. With whom can you share the Good News?

FURTHER READING:

Genesis 6:5-6; Mark 10:45; Romans 3:23-24; 2 Peter 3:9

[1] No One Mourns the Wicked,” from Wicked, lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married over 45 and have 2 sons. They have been blessed with eight gradnchildren. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain.

Pick Up Your Mat and Walk!
By Peggy Kleckner

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

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

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

1. What part of your past is still trying to define you?

2. What action step is God calling you to take?

3. Who can be encouraged by your story of Jesus’ grace?

FURTHER READING:

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

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

Follow the Recipe

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.”

Deuteronomy 4:2 (NIV)

I once attended a kitchen demonstration by an “Iron Chef” from the Food Network©. The recipe for each dish was handed out to the audience beforehand. At the top of the main dish ingredients was listed “2 tablespoons Ararat.” Now I know my way around a kitchen, but I’m by no means a gourmet. The ingredient “ararat” is NOT in my food vocabulary. I was determined to pay extra attention when this dish was put together so I would know what I needed. The chef came out and eventually started working on the entrée. No “ararat” appeared. One brave audience member finally asked, “What’s ararat and when do you use it?” To which the chef replied, “I’ve never heard of ararat  - - what are you talking about?” Turns out the ingredient listed doesn’t exist, and was an error made as files were exchanged in cyberspace!

If I take a recipe from an “Iron Chef” and add or subtract ingredients, it is no longer the chef’s recipe, it’s my own concoction. The same thing applies with God’s Word. God didn’t leave anything out when He inspired the writers of the Bible. He didn’t “forget” parts of the recipe. In spiritual principles, we are supposed to follow what is written...in the Bible, not our own ideas. Likewise, as His followers, we aren’t supposed to ignore any “ingredients”…His instructions for living His way. Adding or subtracting from the recipe might get you an edible meal, but it won’t be the same dish that the Chef wanted you to make.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Do you find yourself believing something about God but you don’t know why you believe it?  Look to His Word today to make sure it’s actually in the Bible. If you’re not sure where to start, try www.biblegateway.com/topical for a keyword search. 

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 30:5-6; Deuteronomy 12:32

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.

My Wasteful Speed Radars

By Lexi Ellis

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:9-10 (ESV)

There once was a portable speed radar placed right in front of a stop sign. As car after car approached, the device kept blinking zero. While amusing, it seemed a complete waste and misuse of resources. It wasn’t needed and it wasn’t doing the job it was designed to do - - to slow speeding people down.

I realized there are many things in my life like that could be wasteful speed radars sitting next to a stop sign. First, what do I worry and dwell on - - spend all my time and energy and resources on - - that are really a complete waste? What anxieties actually prevent me from doing the job I was designed to do - - to proclaim the saving grace of my Savior, and love others like He loved. These things I spend so much time and energy on…could they potentially be used in a better way?

Secondly, often my attitudes and actions are like speed radars. The way I think and act turn into missed opportunities to be like Christ. Just like the speed radar should have been placed elsewhere to be effective, my attitudes and actions are often misplaced. Is the tone I use with a student a wasteful speed radar or helpful and compassionate? Is the attitude I have towards my husband a wasteful speed radar or respectful and “partnering”? Are my actions towards my family and friends a wasteful speed radar, or uplifting and supportive?

Finally, when we enter into a relationship with Him, we are equipped by the Holy Spirit; we are given an incredible resource…God in us! And we’ve been given His timeless Word, a way He communicates to us. Yet, so often I do not yield to His guiding and allow His Word and His Spirit to work through me. These incredible resources end up like that wasteful portable speed radar in front of the stop sign if I don’t use them!

I realized there are many wasteful speed radars: my worries, actions and attitudes; my ignoring of God’s Spirit and Word. And yet, we serve a forgiving and compassionate God who desires our acknowledgement of our wasteful speed radars coupled with our repentance. While I see I have a whole lot to work on, I have a big God to work in me. I am thankful for the reminder that I need to be constantly working on adjusting my misplaced and wasteful speed radars.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What are your wasteful speed radars - - 1. worries, 2. actions or attitudes or 3. ignoring God’s Spirit or Word?

GOING FARTHER:

Romans 12:9-13; 1 John 1:5-7

Lexi is married to Andrew and has a puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

There’s No Escaping the “Son”

By Jeannine Sawall

“O Lord, you are my lamp. The Lord lights up my darkness…”

2 Samuel 22:29 (NLT)

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

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:

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

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

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 97:11, Psalm 139:7-12; John 15:9 

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four active boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves with the Oakwood Café and is actively involved in ministry to those walking through grief.

The Garden of Your Heart

By Brita Crouse

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NIV)

I read a book where the author compared the human heart to a garden. To the main character, the garden looked messy and chaotic. But when God was allowed to prune the garden and replaced certain flowers with new ones, the garden was more beautiful than ever before.

I love to be organized; messes stress me out. That’s why it is so hard for me to desire (or at times, even admit to) a messy, chaotic heart. Instead of allowing Jesus into all aspects of my life, I compartmentalize and only allow Him into certain parts of who I am.

But God hates this. In fact, He says so in Revelation 3:16: “So, because you are lukewarm - - neither hot nor cold - - I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” He doesn’t want us to be wishy-washy about our faith. He wants ALL of us. Every part. As commanded in the verse above, we are to love God with ALL of our heart and ALL of our soul and ALL of our strength.

You wouldn’t say to your best friend or husband, “I will be open and honest with you when we are together, but any time we are apart, you can’t know what I’m doing.” That sounds absurd!

The thing is: God knows everything about us. He knows more about us than we know about ourselves. Yet, He doesn’t force us to surrender ourselves to Him. He wants us to make that conscious effort and choice. He wants us to want  to give our heart to Him.

In this book I read, God says to the main character about the garden, “This mess is you!... To you it seems like a mess, but to Me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive...” [1]

We cannot surrender every part of our heart to God without His help. But this is not a burden to Him. He enjoys helping us through the process of pruning our hearts. And in doing this, not only are our hearts more beautiful than ever before, we will draw closer in relationship to our Gardener. 

God doesn’t ask us to have our hearts organized into neat, little compartments. Instead, He asks us to give Him our heart, our whole heart,  no matter the condition.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What are parts of your heart that you are not giving over to God?

2.  Ask God this week de-compartmentalize and prune your heart. 

FURTHER READING:

Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Psalm 119:10

[1] William P. Young, The Shack. Pg. 138, Windblown Media, © 2007

Brita is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past seventeen years.

Storm the Dorm?!!

By Susan Klein

“Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care…”

1 Peter 5:2a (NIV)

On some college campuses, Christian organizations will hold what they term a “Storm the Dorm” event. This evangelistic event involves a group of organized students converging upon the dorms at a designated time when many of the residents are in their rooms. Their express purpose is to hand out information about their organization and to try to share the gospel of Christ as they quickly “storm through the dorms.” While a noble tradition, its effectiveness might be somewhat limited due to the immensity of the dorms, the small amount of time available, and the receptiveness of the students.

A different method of choice for some involves handing out tracts to passers-by in the park or a venue where major events are taking place. While intentions are admirable, and may prove effective with some, most people are not attending the scheduled event to hear about the Lord, thus, may take offense at this approach. Or, like myself, some may have already placed their faith in Jesus Christ and are not in need of receiving this message again.

One technique we can all  adopt comes from Peter’s advice to the dispersed Christians throughout Asia. In his letter to them, he writes, “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” (1Peter 3:15b). Time spent in God’s Word for the purpose of “being prepared with an answer” is never time wasted. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts, and prompts, and instills in people the desire to seek out answers. We are called to be ready to give them an answer. Gentleness and respect for the recipients is a crucial element of this process. Jesus “did life” with people. He walked alongside of them talking and sharing as He went, never badgering or forcing His message. Occasionally, the crowds got so huge that He had to address a large audience, but it was mainly because they sought Him out and were hungry for His words.

While away at college the past few years, my daughter participated in a couple of dorm stormings. What she found even more rewarding, though, was building relationships with the students she tutored, sharing her own faith story when appropriate, then, waiting for them to ask her questions…questions that she was prepared to have an answer for.

Answers tend to be received better when the questions are asked first!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How prepared are you if someone asks you to “give a reason for the hope you have”?

2. Can you be bold, mixed with gentleness and respect?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 20:28; Titus 2:7-8; Colossians 3:15-17

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.

The Pace Setter

By Lisa Boyer

“Test everything. Hold on to the good.”

I Thessalonians 5:21 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lisa has been married to Ted for 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.

Words

By Becci J. Terrill

“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”

Proverbs 31:26 (NLT)

I’ll be honest. I wish this verse was about me, but sadly, it is not.

One would hope that the older one gets, the wiser one becomes, and the less of a problem words would be. I have not found this to be true in my life. In fact, I find myself struggling more and more with my words lately. Why is that?

Words have the power to heal, encourage, build up, bring joy, comfort and show love. But words can also hurt, betray, wound, ridicule, deceive and slander. James 3:10 reads, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” 

Proverbs 4:23-24 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.  Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” I’ve read the first part (verse 23) many times, but didn’t realize that it comes directly before instructions about our words. God understood that what is inside our hearts will come out in our words. (Garbage in = garbage out.) 

So, if I’m having problems with my words, it’s really a heart issue.  Am I “guarding my heart”? Am I being careful about what I am filling my heart and life with? If I want my words to build others up (Ephesians 4:29), then I need to focus on the truth of God’s Word and be filled with the Spirit. If I am filled with the Spirit, then the fruit of the Spirit will flow out of my life - - words spoken in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22-23a).

I’ve still got a long way to go. Thankfully I’m not alone in my struggle.

My prayer echoes one of King David’s, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). WARNING: If you pray this prayer, God’s Spirit will reveal offensive words! I’m grateful for the Spirit’s voice that stops me in my tracks and shows me the ugliness of my words and how they impact others. As I guard my heart and let the Spirit have control of my words, I pray these reprimands won’t come as often. 

Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord.” Amen.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How would others describe your words?

2. Study Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and allow God to speak to you about the power of words for good or evil.

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 4:29; Galatians 5:22

Becci Terrill is a wife and mom to two adult daughters. She is the Children’s Ministry Director at Oakwood Church.

Different Kinds of Change

By Lexi Cole Ellis

 “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”

 Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

Recently, my husband and I went through a change that was 100% of our own choosing. Interestingly enough, I found myself marveling at this “different type of change.” In the past, when I had thought of change, I envisioned change that blindsides us…a job loss, an unexpected relationship ending…a death of a loved one. But this particular change was one we chose to enter.

As I reflected on how different it felt, I found a part in my journal where I took notes on the speaker from Oakwood’s women’s conference, Navigate, this past spring. In Katy’s talk, “Tides of Change,” she identified two types of changes.[1] The first was pictured as a storm. This is sudden or unexpected change that seems to come out of nowhere and blindsides us. After sharing an example from her own life, Katy used the story in Scripture “Jesus Calming the Sea” as an example. Here the disciples are in a boat with Jesus and a storm comes out of nowhere and they are afraid for their lives. Unfortunately, their cry out to Jesus is not one of faith but rather one of “don’t you even care?” (Mark 4:35-41)

The second type of change - - the chosen change - - Katy called a summons. Here, the change is one where we choose to enter and receive. After sharing another part of her life where this applied, Katy used the “Woman at the Well” story in Scripture. Here, despite sin in her life, Jesus presents a women with the forgiveness and grace that comes with the gospel and she makes the choice to leave behind her old life. Her testimony leads to many to be saved (John 4).

Isn’t it interesting that often our response is different…based on the type of change we experience? For me, it was much easier trusting God’s timing and planning when it was a summons change. As I reflected on the last time we went through a big change, I would identify it more as a storm. Though I’d love to say I was an example of clinging to God’s promises and faithfulness, I confess I often chose to mope about the change rather than embrace God’s new timing and revelations for my life.

Whatever the type, we are called to cling to God…to trust Him and His timing. We must surrender our anxiety and intentionally choose peace, whether our upcoming change is a storm or a summons.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Reflect on the recent or upcoming changes in your life. Have they been/are they storms or summons? Take time to intentionally choose what your response will be…regardless of what type of change it is.

FURTHER READING:

Mark 4:35-41; John 4; Philippians 4:6-7

[1] “Navigate: Tides of Change, Harbors of Hope.” March 21, 2015. Katy J.

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

Power Walk

By Elin Henderson

“But, those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run  and not be weary they shall walk  and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV, emphasis added)

Because of a major injury to my knee when I was young, I have been officially banned by a physical therapist from all forms of high impact exercise. Although my running days are over, I have now embraced the wonderful world of power walking! Of course I encountered another obstacle when I moved to Africa. Outdoor walking is all but impossible for me here since I can’t go more than 100 feet without passing someone’s yard and answering the multitude of questions: Where are you going? Why are you walking so fast? Don’t you want  to visit with me? In the village where I live, there is no category for walking for exercise and trying to “stay in shape and lose weight,” especially when “big” is deemed beautiful! It’s just a form of getting places. So, rather than face the questions and confusion, I have turned to indoor walking - - befriending instead Leslie Sansone! [1]

God is calling us to a spiritual power walk as well here in Isaiah 40:31! For those of us low impact people, this verse could better be translated, “…they shall power walk  and not be weary, walk and not faint…” How? Leaning in on His everlasting arms and waiting/resting in Him!

So, what kinds of things can hinder us from our power walk? Distractions which turn our eyes from the Author and Finisher of our faith  - -  the source of our power walk  - - can certainly slow us down and cause us to lose our footing or just plain stop. Don’t be deceived, sometimes these distractions are good  distractions, but maybe not the best  for us. Burdens can also most certainly keep us from our power walk. Hebrews 12:1 reminds us that sin and other worries or concerns can quickly weigh us down and keep us from running/power walking the race God has for us.

 Whether you are a runner, power walker or just plain ambler, take hope! He wants to help you power through  this life He has given you. We’ve seen in other Scriptures about His “power” or “dynamo” on our behalf and can rest assured that as we wait on Him and rest in Him, He will empower  our walk and through it enable us to live powerful  lives for his glory! So, keep going, don’t grow weary, power walk  on for His glory today!!

         

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. Can you think of any other things that hinder us from our power walk of faith?

2. What can we do as believers to keep ourselves well-conditioned for the power walk He has for us?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:16; 1 John 2:6; Hebrews 12:1-3

           

[1] Leslie Sansone is a famous Christian exercise persona. She is known for her “indoor walking programs” available on DVD everywhere. 

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

Be Careful What You Ask For!

By Susan Klein

“He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Matthew 5:45b (ESV)

Have you ever prayed for God to give you a tragedy? I know, crazy, right?!! We typically pray for deliverance from our difficult circumstances, not ask for them. Who in their right mind would ever ask God to deliberately give them a crisis? I did. Once.

It was early in my marriage, and it felt as if my husband and I were in separate lifeboats, drifting away from each other. I was scared. I had heard that tragedies had the potential to bring people closer together (or tear them completely apart), so I prayed for one, hoping for the former. I was also very new to my faith and couldn’t nearly grasp the power of prayer. Maybe that’s a good thing because I prayed simply and earnestly, like a child would. That said, be careful what you ask for! In His infinite wisdom, God granted my request.

My husband and I walked through the great tragedy of losing of our baby girl; however, the amazing things God did through that trial could never have been anticipated. He brought the two of us closer together than we’d ever been, He drew me nearer to my own parents, He allowed me to give testimony of His grace to countless doctors and nurses, and He showed tremendous love through our local church body. I gained a deeper love for and understanding of God as He showed me Himself in ways I’d have never seen without walking through that painful period.

In the song, “Bring The Rain” by Mercy Me, the chorus says:

Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory

And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain [1]

Sometimes, we need a little rain to gain perspective and get our focus back on the One who truly cares. Oh sure, we all love to sing His praises during times of joy and peace, but when we can belt out praises to God during the most difficult tragedies, imagine the glory He receives!

What are you asking for? Will it bring Him glory?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Could you welcome tragedies, or even pray, “Jesus, bring the rain”? (Listen to the song by clicking HERE.)

2. Spend some time looking at the responses of people in Scripture like Joseph, or Daniel, or Paul in the midst of their trials.

FURTHER READING:

2 Chronicles 20:20-22; Isaiah 43:2-3a; Revelations 4:11

[1] “Jesus Bring The Rain,” Coming Up To Breathe, by Mercy Me, INO Records, 2006

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.