Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Lightning Bug
By Peggy Kleckner
 
“....let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
 
I am always delighted when I notice God’s encouragement in my day. Sometimes, it is a large display and some days it is simple and very small. The other night I looked up just in time to spot a firefly outside the bedroom window...just one going by lit up. I smiled in secret joy, knowing that He knew I had noticed.
 
So, what’s the big deal? I mean really, a firefly is just a beetle. Ah, but a beetle with the gift of light! Who hasn’t been tickled by the display of fireflies lighting up the night? Perhaps you have even taken a mason jar out at night and chased after them, collecting them and then setting that jar on a picnic table to watch the display of God’s splendor in the body of a bug!
 
I have to tell you that I have enjoyed thinking about that bug all week. I was struggling with some discouragement that particular day, and that little light was enough to remind me that I serve a very BIG God. The bug’s light isn’t constant - - it flashes on and off - - but it still lights up the night around itself. I am lit up by my BIG God and my little light might be used by Him at just the right time to encourage someone. I don’t have to be perfect to be used by God to point others to Him.
 
I couldn’t help giggling when I thought of the worship song with the line that says, “He has told every lightning bolt where it should go.” So, I have been singing to myself, “He has told every lightning bug where it should go.” [1] Yep, right past my window in order to encourage me!
 
The funniest conclusion to this story is that about two days later, I came back from a walk to have my husband tell me of his encounter with a firefly right in the den of our house! He was watching TV when he noticed a small green light....that moved. He had to wait a minute for it to fly away from the light of the TV in order to catch it and release it back outside.
 
I am hoping that he too was encouraged that God indeed does tell every lightning bug where it should go!
 
 
GOING DEEPER:
1. What or whom did God use to encourage you this week?
2. What small thing can you do to encourage a friend or neighbor?
 
FURTHER READING:
 
 
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. 

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Impersonating "The King"
By Karen D'Amore
 
"Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
 
Elvis Aaron Presley died on August 16, 1977 at the young age of 42. An American singer, musician and actor, "Elvis" was one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. Referred to as the "king of rock and roll," many called him..."the king." Since his death, Elvis has remained one of the world's most popular music icons, as well as, one of the most popular celebrities impersonated. [1]
 
During my brief residency in Las Vegas, I quickly learned that "Elvis" was synonymous with "Vegas!" The streets, The Strip and entertainment stages were saturated with Elvis impersonators. Truly a one-of-a-kind with distinct attributes! His curled lip, gyrating hips, jumpsuits, colorful collared shirts, long sideburns and famous phrase: "thank you, thank you very much" were (and still are) his commonly mimicked characteristics. Some of the impersonators I witnessed were ridiculously poor; others bore so close a resemblance, one would think "the king" was still alive.
 
Thirty-six years after his death, millions of devoted followers and thousands of impersonators actively seek to keep "the king's" memory alive. This, to me, is a powerful testament to the multitude of lives touched by Elvis.
 
Researching the life of Elvis Presley, I found some interesting parallels to the life of Christ. Those close to Elvis tell of his passion for the Bible and fervent pursuit of God. Later in life, he became a prisoner to success and appeared to wander from The Truth. [2] In hindsight, one might conclude that Elvis (in a convoluted way) was attempting to model his life around spiritual truths and impersonate the Jesus he longed to know. It's reported that when fans acclaimed Elvis as "the king," he would reply, "I'm not the king. There is only one King." [3]
 
Scripture refers to Jesus as "THE King." As Christ-followers, we are exhorted to impersonate Jesus... "THE King!" With His distinct virtues and attributes poignantly revealed throughout Scripture, we need to meditate on The Word to learn how to imitate Him and follow in His footsteps.
 
Considering the range of poor to excellent Elvis impersonators, I'm drawn to reflect on myself as a "Jesus impersonator." Do I walk like Him? (Colossians 2:6) Do I talk like Him? (Colossians 3:17) Do I think like Him? (1 Corinthians 2:16) Do I love like Him? (Matthew 22:37)
 
As those impersonators who look nearly identical to Elvis draw people to believe "the king" is still alive...we as Christ-followers should so closely impersonate Jesus that we reflect to the world... "THE King" is alive in our lives!
 
GOING DEEPER:
1. How well are you impersonating Jesus? 
2. Are there attributes being poorly imitated?
 
FURTHER READING:
 
 
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.

Monday, September 28, 2015

Feed Me
By Elizabeth Cole
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
 
It started out innocently enough. The flower shop was doing poorly, but Seymour had come across a most unusual plant. Convincing his employer, Mr. Mushnik, that this flower could be just the thing to turn business around, Seymour displays “Audrey II” (named after the girl he loves) in the window of Mushnik’s Flower Shop. And the customers stream in to see the beautiful oddity.

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

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

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

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

It is for freedom that you have been set free.

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

FURTHER READING:
Romans 6:19-23, Romans 8:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:17
 
 
Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Comfortable Cross
By Elin Henderson

“…Come, take up the cross and follow me…”
Mark 10:21b (NKJV)
           
We sing about the “wonderful cross,” the “glorious cross,” and the “cross of victory.” But do we really understand, in full, what the cross signifies? What it means for our lives when we are called to take up that “cross” and follow Him? Yes, it is wonderful. It is glorious. It does bring victory over death. But what about when Jesus carried His cross? It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t comfortable!

We see Christ bearing up under the strain of a heavy, cumbersome rough-hewn tree, but then we somehow envision our cross in a different fashion. We see something small, manageable, possibly made of balsam wood, sanded and varnished till it shines. Maybe there is even a little cushion in the crux of it for ease in carrying?!

We want to serve, and we want to follow His example in cross-bearing. But we often shy away from the suffering and struggle it entails. “I’ll go where you want me to go, Lord! Anywhere…as long as there is running water, electricity, people who love me, easy communication.…” Of course, this applies to those in overseas ministry only, right?

What about those at home? “I’ll serve where you want me to serve, Lord! Anywhere…except in the dangerous   inner city, or among those who might be resistant to the Truth, or…” And the list goes on. We pick and choose the cross we want to bear. But there is no window shopping for a comfortable cross. There is one cross, and one cross alone, that brings life!

Ministry, anywhere, brings along with it the cost of sacrifice. The cross isn’t meant to be comfortable, but we are also not meant to bear it alone! (Matthew 11:29-30) He knows the weight of the cross we are called to bear, and He will carry it along with us.  Let’s not shy away from what is hard and instead look for a comfortable cross. Rather, let us embrace the true cross of Christ: heavy, rough and uncomfortable, yet all the while wonderful,  glorious,  victorious  and life-giving.

GOING DEEPER:                                                       
1. Is there a cross that God is calling you to today? What steps do you need to take to embrace that cross?
2. What things do you need to let go of in order to do so?

FURTHER READING:

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.


Thursday, September 24, 2015

Perfect Pieces
By Lisa Boyer

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

It began with a mom on her knees whose daughter would be in junior high in the fall. She was concerned (perhaps worried) because the small group leader for the junior high girls was leaving the ministry (and the state) to go back to college and there didn’t seem to be anyone in the wings to take her place.

While she prayed, I was contently serving in the same ministry for the 13th year at the same church I’d attended for 19 years when God made it clear we were to start attending another church.

By fall, I was happily serving in a new ministry with the most incredible group of junior high girls in the world, including that mom’s daughter! I loved (almost) every minute of it and walked away each week feeling exhilarated by what God was doing in that group, and humbly privileged to be a part of it.

Looking back on the transition, it makes so much sense to me that there was someone on their knees getting things in motion. Although that mom wasn’t designed to be a junior high leader, she was designed to set the foundation of prayer for the group she couldn’t lead. As for me, working with those junior high girls fit me like a glove. It was as though my temperament and personality were designed specifically to meet that need.

She and I were total opposites, who fit together perfectly in God’s plan.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  Have you found a place to serve in your local church? If not, would you prayerfully consider where God may want to use you…working with children, teens or adults, on your knees praying for those volunteers, or in the church kitchen?

FURTHER READING:

Lisa has been married to Ted for 23 years and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood.


Wednesday, September 23, 2015

In Harmony
By Susan Klein

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”

I have a valued friend who, among many things, is also my “iron-sharpener.” Recently, we were engaged in a discussion about “being in harmony” with one another, particularly with a spouse, and what that looks like. For many, being in harmony can mean being similar in our thinking, agreeing on major hot-button issues, or even just looking at things from similar perspectives. If this were the absolute definition, I would fail at being in harmony with my husband much of the time. We often view things from opposite perspectives and seldom think the same way. We are cut from different cloths!

My friend was quick to point out what harmony looks like in musical terms, which is the simultaneous blending of different sounds or notes to make chords that render a pleasing sound. The notes can actually be (and usually are) quite different. Yet, when carefully considered and chosen, they complement each other in a beautiful way. I’ve come to appreciate that God, in His infinite sovereignty, has chosen to create all of us with uniquely different notes. I’d even venture to say He did this intentionally so that we might be a beautiful sound to His ears. If we all had the same notes, there would be no harmony at all. It is the careful considering and blending of those different sounds together that make such beautiful music.

Biblically (as in the verse above), the word harmony carries the concept of reconciling and of cultivating peace. It assumes there will be conflicts where there are differences, but it is when we choose to not let those differences breed arrogance and conceit that true harmony reigns. When I use my notes (words) to encourage my husband rather than to tear him down, that is cultivating peace and resulting in harmony. When my husband chooses to confront me in love over a conflict, it leads to a harmonious reconciliation of our relationship, with each other and with God. Even something as simple as overlooking a minor offense can be harmonious.

It takes thoughtful, careful and intentional choosing to blend our differences in ways that bring about true peace and harmony. What a pleasing melody it will be to the One who created us - - in our uniquely different ways!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you out of tune with anyone you are close to?
2. What intentional choices might you make to ensure harmonious interactions with those who are very different from you?

FURTHER READING:


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.

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Thick Darkness
By Peggy Kleckner

“The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.”
Exodus 20:21 (NIV)

I have often found that we, as a people of God, want to shy away from “darkness,” especially “thick darkness.” We want to talk about God’s light, His joy, His provision. Somehow we just can’t seem to associate God with darkness. Why not?

Is God not sovereign over light and  darkness?

The people of God remained at a distance, but Moses was willing to approach the thick darkness because that is where God was. He didn’t fear the darkness, because his focus was on wanting to be where God was. He was willing to plunge into the darkness in order to meet with God.

How about us? We know that God has taken up residence in our heart once we have accepted the gift of His Son Jesus for our salvation. I believe there comes a day when God calls us to meet Him in our very hearts. We don’t want to answer His call because we know the thick darkness that we have allowed to reside there. The darkness of un-forgiveness - - of guilt, old wounds and painful memories - - frightens us. We cry out for Him to meet us somewhere else - - in His Word, in ministry, in busyness- - but not in the dark corners of our hearts. Yet, He bids us, “Come, I am here.”

Facing the darkness of our own hearts and allowing God to heal our hidden pains gives Him more room to display His glory. Our lives begin to change from the inside out. By facing our own darkness, we encounter His strength, His provision, His love, His faithfulness; our faith blossoms and we begin to display His attributes. It is His love that overcomes our darkness.

How can we be available to boldly approach the darkness of our neighbor when we have not faced our own? How can we testify to the fullness of His grace when we have not let Him pour it out into the deep wells of our own woundedness?

We are children of the light because we boldly face the darkness of our own sinful nature and allow Him to liberally apply the salve of His great and glorious salvation. This is the gospel. Christ came into the darkness and brings His great light.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there an area of your heart that you have not allowed Him to heal?
2. Will you trust Him to lead you even if He leads into dark places?

FURTHER READING:


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.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Where’s the Devo?
By Lexi Ellis

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.”
Proverbs 3:5-7 (The Message)

Everything was ready…Bible opened, a new Word document, the apartment to myself, phone on silent. For the next hour, my objective was clear: it's devo-writing time! One idea started and I typed. About halfway through, it wasn’t working too well. I saved it for later. New document 2…I started typing and didn’t even bother saving it.

I paused. Lord! Really? I’m here, I’ve asked. I believe Your Word when it says, “Ask and you shall receive.” I’m giving you this time. Where’s the devo?  

As I type it now, my prayer seems so childish. Unfortunately though, we often tell God what we expect Him to do. Even if it was well-intentioned, my attitude of semi-demanding that God do what I want isn’t how this relationship was created to be. 

As I thought about it, I realized this issue goes beyond my ministry. We often tell God how we want Him to handle a certain situation - - wrapped as a “request” - - while, in reality, we’ve laid out our entire roadmap for Him. How silly! God doesn’t really need our advice, and I think we’d all agree He’s got everything under control. And yet, I sometimes find myself in situations when I think ahead and, rather than trusting He’s got it all figured out, I let Him know exactly how I want the ending.

The problem is we end up removing the trust component necessary for a relationship. I think of Jesus’ words to the Father, “not my will but yours.” (Luke 22:42, ESV) What would my relationship with God look like if I truly meant that? What things could He reveal to me if I’m teachable and moldable? How do I need to give up my control and my endings to allow Him to work in my life?

The Holy Spirit convicted me of my wrong thinking and asked me to spend time just being in relationship with Him, not necessarily with my end goal. That time, without the agenda of getting a devo out of it, was exactly what I needed. Where’s the devo? Well, not exactly in my own timing, but ironically He revealed it to me after I was willing to spend time alone with Him.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  Are there things you’re telling God how to fix rather continually trusting Him?
2. Take the challenge! Choose to make time alone with God today just to be in relationship, without any other agendas.

GOING FURTHER:


Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable puppy named Calvin. She teaches sixth grade at Silver Lake Intermediate School. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Friday, September 18, 2015

A Housecleaning Parable
By Elizabeth Cole

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts…”

Once upon a time, there was a house. It was a serviceable house and, upon first glance, appeared to be tidy enough. Until the housecleaner began….with a Dyson in hand. Drawn in by the suction of the vacuum, dustballs that had hidden for weeks rolled across the wood floor like mini-tumbleweeds. A couch moved from the wall revealed a small pile of breakfast cereal. And on closer inspection, a fine layer of dog hair along the edge of the easy chair was also discovered.  Suddenly, the house wasn’t quite so tidy anymore.

For a moment, the housecleaner wished she hadn’t started. Life would be easier if she just continued under the illusion that all was as it should be. It’s just that reality’s evidence was undeniable…kind of like the mosaic of fingerprints all over the windows, uber-obvious when the western sun shone brightly.

So the choice of continuing the cleaning was made... But now another choice confronted the housecleaner.  Go it alone, or ask someone else to join her in what was decidedly overwhelming? Not a quick decision. Another set of eyes would see even more need; another gaze would highlight her deficiencies. Which choice?

I suppose the biggest factor the housecleaner faces at this moment is, “If yes, then who?” She’s not going to invite the one with the critical spirit, nor the gloating perfectionist. The one who constantly compares, as well as the achievement-oriented, are both off the list. Who? 

I am so grateful that our God uses words like “dwell” and “abide” and “in you” when He describes His relationship with His redeemed and beloved children. His Spirit lives within us and is well-acquainted with our hearts. What blessed assurance that He already knows about that dirty sock accidentally pushed under the television stand and the Dove chocolate wrappers purposely stuffed between the loveseat cushions that represent my life…He knows, and He is committed to me nonetheless.

He is the Who. He is the One each of us can confidently invite to “search me…” and “point out anything in me that offends You,” knowing that He has placed His hand of blessing on our heads and has thoughts about us that are precious. He is the One who places His hand over mine on the Swiffer and gets to work…with a single-minded and loving focus on completion.

Holy Resident of my heart,
Search me. You’ve examined my heart and know everything about me. Show me where You want to work within me. I’m willing: I’m confident that what you’re doing in my life is out of your love for me…and for the sake of others.
Amen. 

GOING DEEPER:
            1. Will you humbly say today, “Search me”?

FURTHER READING:


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

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Warped View
By Elin Henderson

“Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, ‘Go up this way…and see what the land is like...’”
           
If you live with teenagers, you’re sure to hear certain words daily. Words like…ALWAYS, NEVER, and ALL. ALL of my friends have the new I-phone.”  Really?   ALL of them do? “I NEVER get to do anything.” Really? You NEVER go anywhere or do anything? Hmmm…absolutes and exaggerations used in ways that aren’t always logical. As parents, we shake our heads and cry to God for help, right?

You’d think that the 10 spies who were sent to check out the “Promised Land” were all teenagers! Look at Numbers 13:25-33. The land is FULL of giants. Really?  Wasn’t it just one tribe of giants in one small corner? They were SO BIG that we looked like grasshoppers. Really?  As small as a grasshopper? The land was so horrible it devoured EVERYONE that went through it. Really?  How’d you 10 manage to get back?  And then their solution to the obstacles: “Let’s go back to Egypt!”

Really?  Egypt? Do slavery and infanticide sound familiar? Is the bad so easily forgotten?  How did they forget about the good that God promised: “...the land of plenty.”  Why does the good suddenly look full of destruction? How did the bad become good - - and the good become bad?

We’d say that the Israelites had a bit of a warped view of things, exaggerating and blowing things out of proportion. God proved Himself strong to them again and again in the wilderness. Each test, He provided for their every need. He led them to a place of good and plenty, and what did they do? Complain, rebel and try to return to slavery.

Sound familiar? How many times have we been guilty of the same?
Before we start to judge them (or our wayward teens!), let’s do a little introspection.

God has shown Himself strong on our behalves time and time again, providing in miraculous ways. He brings us to a place where He says, “Enter into my rest, my land of plenty for you.”  And what do we do? We see the GIANTS. We predict destruction and we hightail it back to the bondage that He freed us from! We forget just who is with us! 

How often I exaggerate reality and turn the good into bad - - and the bad into good. Needless to say, I have a “warped view” of life, and I need a divine perspective to set me straight. Oh Lord, help us to see that if You go with us, nothing is impossible. Straighten our warped view!

GOING DEEPER:
1.      How’s your vision today?
2.      What kind of giants are in your path? Through whose eyes are you viewing them…your own or God’s?

FURTHER READING:


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.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Sufficient Grace
By Susan Klein

“But He said to me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you, 
for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Although a commonly recited verse, the above Scripture’s true meaning eluded me until recently. I’ve always understood it to mean that no matter the circumstance or trial I face, God’s grace will see me through. Sounds about right, doesn’t it?

Reading the words of a respected pastor this week, I enjoyed the insight he gave into the Greek portrayal of this verse. He noted that the word order was slightly different than the English version. It reads, “Sufficient for you is the grace of Me.” See the subtle yet important difference? In other words, “I Am the grace,” not “I will give you proportionate grace.”

This seemed to open my eyes to the fact that God does more than just say, “Oh, today you are struggling with ______, so I will give you _____ amount of grace, but tomorrow will be a light day so you may not need as much grace.” Quite the contrary. He says, “I Am your sufficient Grace, and I Am always with you in every situation, being enough in all things and at all times, good or bad.”

He goes on to assure us that His power is made “perfect” in our weakness. I really don’t like this verse! Who wants to be weak?! I hate being weak and having to rely on His power. But, let’s face it. We’re all weak. We have no real strength of our own. Our only strength is Him, in us. The word “perfect” here denotes a “finished work,” or “fulfillment.” It doesn’t mean what we know of the human standard of perfection.  It means that God, in us, is achieving a finished work and fulfilling His perfect plan.

In the context of this verse, Paul is asking God to remove a thorn that he sees as an obstacle to his ministry. (Perhaps you’ve uttered a similar request of God?) God essentially says, “No, Paul, I am in you. Even in your humanly weakened state, you are perfectly fulfilled because I am in you. You have all that you need to do what I require of you.” Paul gets it! He goes on in the subsequent verses to say that he will “boast all the more gladly about [his] weaknesses.”  He will “delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.”

Paul truly grasps the concept of “sufficient grace.”  Do you?


GOING DEEPER:
1. Next time you feel too weak for the task, try boasting (out loud) about God being sufficiently enough.
2. Not sure, yet? Dig deeper!

FURTHER READING:

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.