Not a “Ten”

By Susan Klein

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

“There’s a link at the bottom of your receipt for a survey. We’d love it if you could give us a perfect score of 10!” The clerk rattled off her spiel with added enthusiasm as she finished bagging my items. I was slightly put off by her presumption that I’d give her a score of “perfect.” About to leave, I inquired, “Why is it so important that you get a 10?” Her reply startled me. Apparently, at this particular place of business, the ratings the employees receive on the surveys influence their pay increase at review time. It can even be a determining factor if they keep their job. I left feeling incredulous at the thought that my comments on a survey could have such a powerful influence on this young woman’s (whom I knew nothing about) future. I chose not to take the survey.

Living in a culture that embraces achievement, it’s no wonder people feel compelled to meet, as well as expect, such high standards in their work and personal lives. However, reality can put a quick end to this ideal as even the most seemingly-perfect individual, job, family…has flaws/imperfections. Constantly striving for “perfection” is not only detrimental to our well-being, it is not God’s desire for us. Let me repeat that, “it is not God’s desire for us to strive for perfection.”

God knows how He has designed each of us. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. He has created us for His purpose, to glorify Him. He may, and often does, use our weaknesses/flaws to accomplish His will, as evidenced by many examples of imperfect people throughout Scripture. While we all ought to strive to better ourselves, we must recognize and be comfortable with our own limitations. We must also seek to know and value God’s will and expectations for us over society’s standards. Besides, His sanctifying work in our lives is really what produces fruit, not our own strivings.

I’m not a perfect “10” at anything in particular, but I am “good” at many things. I definitely don’t want the stress of having to attain perfection. The only one whose approval rating I want is my heavenly Father’s. And, since He’s already equipped me to do exactly what He wants me to do, I am confident that it’s “good enough.”

Our goal should not be “perfection,” but, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

GOING DEEPER:

1. By what standards do you measure personal achievement/success?

2. Can “being flawed” and being “confident” coexist in your life?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 1:6, 3:12, 4:12-13

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 small group.

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 with 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

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.

[1] Webster’s New World Dictionary

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 and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

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

Who Knows?

By Susan Klein

 “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”

 Romans 11:33-36 (NASB)

As our church reads together through the first five books of the Bible, we revisit the God of the Old Testament. Clarification: He is the same God in the New Testament, and He is also the same God today (Hebrews 13:8). That said: How do we wrap our little pea brains around some of the things we find recorded there about Him?!!

Just when I think I have a comfortable grasp of God’s character, I read things like, “I will harden his heart,” which God said of Pharaoh, or “I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”  And, how about, “He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.”  WOW! Doesn’t that seem a tad unfair?

Therein lies the predicament; we believe God to be “fair,” as we define fair. We conceptualize Him by human standards, wanting to accept the aspects of Him that make us most comfortable and explain away those that leave us unsettled. Who doesn’t love to read, “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6)? But, how do we feel about, “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies…but not if the slave recovers…since the slave is their property” (Exodus 21:20-21)? Even our cultural norms can be stumbling blocks to our understanding of this.

Not just once, but four times in the Old Testament, we are reminded, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him” (Job 23:13; Psalm 115:3, 135:6; Daniel 4:35). That is “sovereignty.” That is having supreme authority to do what glorifies Him, having ultimate jurisdiction, dominion and control.

As Job came to understand, we don’t have to (nor do we) know everything about God. We just can’t explain some of His ways, though we feebly try. We must accept them in faith, believing He is rightfully doing what He deems necessary.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Which passages or aspects of God are unfathomable to you?

2. Are you willing to “let go” of the struggle, and be at peace with letting God do His thing?

FURTHER READING:

Exodus 4:21; Exodus 33:19; Exodus 34:7

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 small group.

Unbelievable!
By Stephanie LaCasse

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Romans 2:1 (NASB)

“Ugh! Get off your phone and drive, lady!” I honked my horn angrily at the driver sitting at the stoplight ahead of me. I was in a hurry - - as I often am - - and had no patience for that kind of inattentiveness.  But not even a moment later, the Lord brought it to my attention that I had just looked up…from looking at my phone!

Okay, Lord…You have my attention.

A verse came to mind.  “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” [1]

Stephanie, you were just looking at your own phone!

The rest of the way home, I thought about the woman in front of me. Where was she going? Did she have something on her mind? Perhaps she was missing her children after a long day at work? Maybe she was looking down at her lap because she was waiting for a call from a loved one overseas? Or maybe she was simply caught up in prayer and didn’t see the light change?

There’s a good chance she was on Facebook or checking her texts as people often do at red lights. Don’t deny it - - we all do it. So was it really my place to judge?  Today’s key verse is sobering to me. “You, therefore, have no excuse…” We really don’t. But as believers, we are not called to judge; we are called to listen, understand and bring others to Jesus. That’s it.

We will all stand before God’s throne one day. We will all have to give an account for our lives and our behavior…good and bad. I’m grateful my entrance into heaven is based on what Jesus did…and not on what I’ve done! [2] Right then and there, I apologized to the Lord for my judgment of the driver in the car ahead of me. I’ll leave the judgment to the Judge!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Have you ever caught yourself mentally judging others?
2. What is a way you can change your behavior today?

FURTHER READING:

James 4:11-12; Ephesians 4:29; 2 Corinthians 5:10

[1] Matthew 7:1-5
[2] Ephesians 2:8-9

Stephanie is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a law firm

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 teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

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)

Four years 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.

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 is married to Ted and they have two sons in college. Lisa serves as an event photographer at Oakwood and wherever else she is needed.  

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

Vessels of Mercy

By Susan Klein

“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction?  And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us…”

Romans 9:22-24a (NASB)

I’ve been camping out in the book of Romans lately. Our pastor is preaching from it and our small group is delving into it. As often happens when immersed in God’s Word, a passage that I’ve previously read a number of times suddenly comes to life. In chapter nine, Paul is expressing his despair over Israel’s rejection of the Messiah. Being a Jew himself, he goes so far as to say that his great anguish has made him wish/pray that he, himself, could be cut off from Christ if it would lead to the belief of his Jewish brothers. Wow! I desire to see the lost come to know Christ, but would I be willing to give up my salvation in order for it to happen? My life, maybe. But, my salvation?

Fortunately, God does not call us to do something so extreme. Paul knows this to be true. He himself advocates God’s grace as being irrevocable. But Paul makes another good point in the above text. While we can’t trade places with someone who is perishing, we are to be “vessels of mercy.” Have you ever thought of yourself in this way? If you’ve accepted God’s  gift of grace and mercy, you are a vessel of His  mercy! Let me gently paraphrase the above text:

God is just, and is rightfully capable of exercising His powerful wrath on those who deserve it. But, He is also long-suffering (desiring that no one perish) toward those who reject Him, exercising great restraint so that His glory may be shown through us, His chosen ones, prepared in advance to share His mercy with others.

You may think of yourself as a “cracked pot,” a “broken pitcher,” or even just a “lump of clay,” but The Potter desires to use you just as you are to be His “vessel of mercy” to those around you. You don’t have to get your cracks filled, your pieces glued back together, or be molded into a beautifully crafted urn before He can use you. Whether you’re battered and broken, or a mere piece of greenware, you’re filled with the riches of His grace and mercy. Are you a willing vessel, ready to be poured out on someone?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you giving more thought to the condition of your vessel or what’s inside?

2. What are you pouring out?

FURTHER READING:

2 Corinthians 4: 7-10; Jude 21-23

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 an on-site small group.