John 19:16-42

(NIV)

¹⁶ Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified.

So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. ¹⁷ Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).¹⁸ There they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

¹⁹ Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. ²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. ²¹ The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews.”

²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

²⁴ “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.”

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled that said,

“They divided my clothes among them
    and cast lots for my garment.”

So this is what the soldiers did.

²⁵ Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. ²⁶ When Jesus saw his motherthere, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her,“Woman, here is your son,” ²⁷ and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

²⁸ Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

³¹ Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. ³² The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. ³⁵ The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. ³⁶ These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken,” ³⁷ and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”

³⁸ Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹ He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. ⁴⁰ Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. ⁴¹ At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. ⁴² Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Defining Words

By Karen D’Amore

A good name is more desirable than great riches;

To be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)

As a writer I have an insatiable appetite for words! Words are powerful in their capability of communicating, hurting and healing, inspiring, teaching and…defining. As an instructor, I use word-themed icebreakers in my classes to get acquainted with my students. As each student introduces themselves, I have them share one word they’d use to define themselves. While these descriptive word associations help me learn the students’ names, they also provide valuable insight into their self-perceptions. As I draw my students to reflect on their “defining” words, I exhort them to become the best version of themselves by striving to live their purpose.

In light of evangelist Billy Graham’s recent death, I gained an insightful, in-hindsight  perspective. During an interview on The Today Show, Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, shared a conversation he’d had with his father regarding what inscription he wanted on his headstone at the time of his death. Billy Graham responded with one word: “Preacher!”

A preacher is defined as “a person whose occupation or function is to preach the gospel.” [1] From what I know about Billy Graham, I believe the world would concur that he embodied the defining word he chose to be remembered by: “Preacher!”  In retrospect, as multitudes of stories and video footage emerge honoring and chronicling the legacy of this memorable preacher, it’s extraordinarily evident that this amazing man of God…faithfully lived his purpose.

Upon considering the one word that I’d want inscribed on my headstone, I wrestled with conviction. When reflecting on the God-honoring words I’d select from, I had inadvertently illuminated and magnified my own shortcomings. Throughout the course of my life, with my purpose drifting to and away from God, there are people who only knew that “old me.”  Due to those God-rejecting years, I didn’t feel worthy of choosing the one word I wish I’d been faithful in consistently fulfilling. As my critical spirit began spiraling into self-condemnation, God shifted my focus to Romans 3:23.

“…for ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Even…Billy Graham! And though I can’t go back and change my rebellious godless years, Romans 3:24 assures me that my past does not define me now.

“…and ALL are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.”

Now, I passionately desire to live my purpose as a God-honoring platform and testament to the power of redemption. Because of Jesus, the one word I feel confidently worthy of having inscribed on my headstone is…REDEEMED!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What’s your one defining word?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 71:23; Ephesians 1:7

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and as an instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also serves on the Welcoming Team at Oakwood.

[1] dictionary.com

God Alone
By Steph LaCasse

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Ever have one of those days that’s going great and then suddenly….bombshell. You never see it coming and when it drops…it ruins your day. That happened to me recently. To state it lightly, I got some very bad news, and I felt really bummed. On my way home from grocery shopping, I heard the song “God Alone” by Phillips, Craig and Dean. I was praying for peace: that God would show me His place in this. He rose to that challenge.

“You are God alone. From before time began, You were on Your throne. You are God alone. And right now, In the good times and bad, You are on Your throne. You are God alone.” [1]

The phrase “You are God alone…” that keeps repeating throughout the song was a gentle reminder that this wasn’t a surprise to the Lord. The King of kings knew this was going to happen. Nothing is a surprise to Him, and it is not out of His control. I began to feel a tingle of peace in my soul as I drove home.

Over and over again in Scripture, we hear God tell His people not to be discouraged or feel abandoned. God tells Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” [2]

DON’T be afraid when things are unfamiliar. DON’T be discouraged when things sway you from the path you had planned. His plan is so much better. DO be strong and take courage. John 16:33 states, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We WILL have trouble. It’s a promise. But GOD WINS. If we are faithful to listen and obey, He WILL use us to accomplish His plan. It isn’t our plan, but it is His plan. And it’s so much better.

Learning to trust God when we can’t see what He’s doing is true faith. Difficult… but so worth it.

GOING FURTHER:

1.    Listen to “God Alone” by Phillips, Craig and Dean. Think of a time that God was faithful in the end, even when you couldn’t see it in the middle of the trial.

2.    Pray that God would give you peace and a gentle reminder that He is always there.

FURTHER READING:
 Isaiah 41:10, 1 Peter 5:7

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.

[1] https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/phillipscraigdean/youaregodalone.html

[2] Joshua 1:9

Imperfectly Perfect!

By Susan Klein

“…but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.”

1 Corinthians 13:10 (NIV)

Waiting for the jeweler to replace my watch battery, I browsed the jewelry cases. Nothing really remarkable caught my eye in this tiny shop tucked almost unnoticeably in a back corner of a strip mall. That is, until I approached the discount case. This was where the less-desirable or imperfect pieces found their last chance to go home as someone’s possession. That’s where I saw them.

As the jeweler approached, taking notice of where my gaze was focused, he began to educate me about the “Keshi pearls.” Unlike natural or even cultured pearls, Keshi pearls are often considered “mistakes,” or “rejects.” In typical pearl formation, when an irritant or small piece of debris is introduced into an oyster’s shell, it produces a substance called “nacre,” which surrounds the irritant, making it the “nucleus.” Many layers of nacre eventually cover the nucleus forming the pearl. Occasionally, the oyster will reject or expel the irritant, but produces nacre anyway. When the nacre has no nucleus to cover, it forms very oddly shaped pearls. (1)

No two Keshi pearls are identical, making it impossible to create a set of matching jewelry. Thus, they are less desirable than their spherical counterparts. While considered “imperfect,” Keshi are really quite rare and have a beautiful lustrous sheen to them. Some jewelers desire their acquisition to create very unique and unusual pieces of jewelry.

As I admired the imperfect pearls in the case, I couldn’t help but see a beautiful analogy coming to light. Like Keshi pearls, every single one of us is imperfect. We may even be labeled “mistakes,” or “rejects” by some. Yet, as our divine and purposeful Creator is working through His Holy Spirit to rid the sin and junk from our lives, He continues to produce a lustrous nacre to our characters. The longer the Keshi remain in the oysters, the larger and more brilliant they become. Similarly, the more we abide in the Lord’s perfect will, allowing His sanctifying work to take place in our lives, the more we will shine for His glory.

Like the Keshi, no two human are exactly alike. And just as some jewelers desire their idiosyncratic qualities to create rare pieces, so God desires to use our imperfections, as well as our uniqueness, for His sovereign purposes.

In case you were wondering…the Keshi no longer reside in the discount case. They belong to someone who will forever appreciate their uniqueness.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What “imperfections” might God be using in your life for His creative purposes?

2. Do you see yourself as the rare gem that you are?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 139:13-16; Romans 8:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

(1)   https://www.purepearls.com/keshi-pearls-info.html

Wonder of Wonders, Miracle of Miracles…
By Elin Henderson

“He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.”
Job 9:10 (NIV)

Okay, for all of you musical aficionados…what film does this title come from? If you guessed Fiddler on the Roof, you are right! It is sung by Daughter Number One’s fiancé-to-be. He is expressing that of all the great miracles of God, the greatest is that He has given him this wonderful girl to be his wife. It is all quite touching and romantic!

As I think on the miracles that God performs throughout Scripture, I wonder, what is the greatest? God defeating an army of hundreds of thousands with Gideon’s small army of 1,200, or the miracle that took place in Gideon’s heart to trust in the Lord? Is it Jesus’ healing the ear of the soldier or the work of the Holy Spirit that changed Peter from a sword-wielding dynamo to a humble servant of God?

Truly, I think the work that takes place when a heart turns to the Lord and says, “Take me, use me, I am yours” is the miracle of all miracles. It’s even beyond the feeding of five thousand and the dead coming back to life. While we are created by God, we are not robots…we can still choose to walk with Him or to turn away. He does not pre-program our wills and make us follow Him. Otherwise, we would be like computers that just do exactly as He says. But rather, He sends His eyes over all the earth, seeking those whose hearts are open to Him. Why? To “show Himself strong” on their behalves. WOW! That is the wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles that He is after! A heart that is open to Him. Then, He says to that person just as He said to Moses before He began a whole series of amazing miracles in Egypt (both physical and spiritual), “Stand back, and watch the wonders I will do in your midst!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What wonders has He wrought in your life that you can rejoice about?
2. Are His eyes upon you? Are you open to Him? If not, why?

FURTHER READING:
Exodus 3:20; 2 Chronicles 16:9

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

Responsibility
By Lexi Cole Ellis

Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
1 Corinthians 7:24 (NIV)

I recently read a fascinating article about mental illness on Facebook. Normally, I steer clear of reading the Facebook comments on articles but for whatever reason, this particular time, I clicked on the comments. A woman whom I don’t know (let’s call her Sally) wrote this: “I may not be responsible for my mental illness, but I’m responsible for my recovery.” She went on to say that she would most likely struggle with mental illness for the rest of her life, but learning tools to help her manage and live in freedom meant she could continue to move forward.

I was taken by Sally’s view of responsibility. There were pieces outside of her control and hardships that made wellness difficult. And yet, those challenges didn’t stop her from pursuing freedom and fighting for her health. By accepting responsibility for what she could control - - her learning to manage her mental illness - - she was owning her story. It makes me wonder if Sally knows Jesus, because I see such a parallel in what she posted. There may be things outside of my control: situation or circumstances I didn’t choose…

•          But I’m responsible for my responsiveness and keenness to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
•          I’m responsible for loving a broken world and actively being Jesus to all, regardless of how uncomfortable or inconvenient it may personally feel.
•          I’m responsible for acknowledging the weight of my own sin - - realizing I’ll never be “good enough” to redeem myself  - - and that accepting an active love-relationship with Jesus Christ is the only way to release myself from the bonds of sin and condemnation.

I love how 2 Peter 1:10-11 is paraphrased in the Message: “So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, His choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.” We are responsible to actively pursue repentance, to be a light to others, and to serve and closely know Jesus.

There is plenty I can’t control, nor can I claim responsibility for, in this world. But I want to be like Sally, and recognize what I am responsible for… following my Savior and being His hands and feet to a broken world.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  What are some of the responsibilities God has called you to? What needs to change so those responsibilities are a high priority in how you live your life?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 28:13; Galatians 6:8; 1 Timothy 6:12

Lexi and her husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin and are expecting their first child in June 2018. She teaches sixth grade Reading & Writing, serves with Children’s Ministries, and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

Comfort Zone or Character Shaping

By Karen D’Amore

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives,

 and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.”

Genesis 12:1 (NLT)

A recent date on the calendar drew me into reflective introspection - - even the weather mimicked that pivotal relocation day twelve years earlier. I recalled my husband’s and my trekking through McCarran Airport hauling four suitcases, two dogs and one-way tickets to Milwaukee…and I remember questioning, “What in the world am I doing?” As a Southern California native and nearly-lifelong resident, the fundamentals of Midwest living (including ice, snow and the diverse elements accompanying those phenomenon) were distinctly foreign to me. Needless to say, since my arrival in Wisconsin transpired in the dead of winter, my “comfort zone” was catapulted into instant culture shock!

Like Abram, I was responding obediently to God’s call to leave behind everything familiar: family, relatives, friends, jobs, church, property and possessions….and move to the land He’d revealed. This Divine-detour wasn’t a route I would have personally chosen! The elements in store were unfamiliar, unknown and “uncomfortable”! However, I recognize that God is more interested in our character than our comfort, and hindsight now reveals the framework and boundaries of my comfort zone being stretched beyond recognition. These past twelve years have required me to continuously exercise blind-faith while navigating within God’s character-shaping obstacle course.

With this journey perpetually stretching and challenging my comfort zone, I’ve learned the value and necessity of living Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.” I learned to trust God for a home, friendships, jobs, church, my purpose in this new land…and contentment with the uncomfortable. Paraphrasing Isaiah 58:11, I’m a testament to the truth that “…where God guides, He provides.”

God’s relocation plan has taught me countless, invaluable faith-lessons! I’ve learned that faith isn’t grown within the security of our comfort zone, where it’s easy and natural to trust in our own abilities…minimizing our need for God. Stepping out into the unfamiliar, unknown and uncomfortable propels a constant need for dependency on God…and a trust that rests in His direction along the path.

After meeting me in the Midwest, God awakened hidden heart-chambers where I’ve experienced Him in a deeply intimate, personal relationship. Like soothing balm for the soul, the Master Comforter embraced me in the depths of the “uncomfortable.” Retrospect affirms that leaving the security of my comfort zone yielded the richest character-shaping, faith-changing experience imaginable! And as “uncomfortable” as this process has been, I wouldn’t trade it for anything…not even a chance to return to my “comfort zone!”

GOING DEEPER:

1. What hinders you from leaving comfort zones?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:29; Joshua 1:9

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and as an instructor in the Cosmetology Department at WCTC. Karen also serves on the Welcoming Team at Oakwood.

Choosing to Look Forward

By Jeannine Sawall

“Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And he overthrew those cities, and the entire valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground. But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.”

Genesis 19:26 (NIV)

The Lord had provided a way out for Lot’s family. He had instructed them to flee from the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as judgment was imminent. Lot and his family were told to leave everything behind and to go and do not look back. Lot loved the Lord more than he loved the world and when commanded, he fled and did not look back. Unfortunately, Lot’s wife chose to identify herself with the city coming under judgment. In choosing to focus on what was behind her, she missed what God had in front of her and gave up the salvation the Lord had provided for her.

We might look at Lot’s wife and think turning into a pillar of salt is definitely Old Testament stuff, yet the lessons remain the same. Oftentimes, we are tempted to look back at our sinful life and think of it nostalgically - - “the good ol’ days,” so to speak. Yet, as new creations in the Lord, we are to look to God for His salvation and not yearn for the days in which we were still in bondage to sin. There’s no getting around the fact that sin can be pleasurable…for a time. But sin eventually shows itself for what it is, with damaging consequences.

There may also be times when the Lord is moving us into something new, yet we don’t want to leave what’s behind. Satan brings doubt into our lives by making us question God’s good intentions. Those questions can pop up when we are being taken into a new life, new place, new ministry or anything else that takes us out of our comfort zone. Our natural inclination is to be fearful, to want to stay put, to be like Lot’s wife…we like what we know: It’s comfortable and familiar. However, our God will never take us where His grace can’t keep us. If we choose to stay focused on what we’ve left behind, we will miss an opportunity for blessing. The alternative? Choose to look forward and trust God to bring about His good works.

When we decide to walk with the Lord, we need to be purposeful in our choices to go forward with Him, no matter where He’s taken us from or taking us to. He always has a better plan and all He asks is that we choose to trust Him and go forward.     

GOING DEEPER:

1. Where is God asking you to trust Him as He moves you forward into something new?

2. Is there an old habit that continues to draw you back into sin?  Ask the Lord to help you see His way out.

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 43:18-19; Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 3:13-14  

Jeannine is a wife and mother of four great boys. She works in the property management business. Jeannine serves in several behind-the-scenes ministries at Oakwood and has a heart for those who are grieving.

Lost
By Peggy Kleckner

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)

When you are lost, the best plan to follow is to be still, stop walking and wait to be found. Spiritually the answer is the same. When we are still, God finds us and He draws us up into His lap to comfort us, to take away our fears and to bandage our wounded places.

Henri Nouwen, a Catholic theologian, writes, “Can I accept that I am worth looking for?”[1] Some days, we really struggle to answer that question with a “yes.” To be still is to believe that someone will search for you, to trust someone else to be doing the work of rescuing you. Our stillness says to God, “Yes, please come for me.”

When we choose to still our hearts in the midst of our trials, we invite God to meet with us. We affirm again that we trust Him and are willing to surrender to His will. Stillness is not a “do nothing” mentality. It is a moment of surrender. It is the waiting to meet with the God of all creation. It is the pause, before the most beautiful music. Truly “knowing” that He is God comes from being still and waiting for Him.

I once was lost, but now am found!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What situation in your life has you feeling “lost”? Is your spirit still running? Are you willing to tell your spirit to sit down and be still?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 3:5-6; Zephaniah 3:17; Isaiah 40:28-31, 41:10

[1] © 1992. The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri J.M. Nouwen, published by Doubleday

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.

A Clean House

By Susan Klein

“ I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”

Ephesians 3:16-17a (NIV)

It’s still winter in Wisconsin, but I’m getting a jump-start on my spring-cleaning. I’ve never been a lover of chores, but I do love a clean house. I’m talking deep clean! You know, the kind of clean where you actually move the furniture to vacuum, clean the cobwebs off the chandeliers, wipe down baseboards, clean out the washing machine tub, organize closets…you get the picture. It’s a daunting task, but the end results are so gratifying.

I think, being created in the image of God, we were all wired with a certain desire for order. We delight in a sense of peaceful completeness when things are set aright. Perhaps you are familiar with the old adage (attributed by many to John Wesley), “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” While some claim it to be a literal interpretation, noting “clean” and “unclean” references in Scripture, I think there is a deeper meaning we can take away from this proverb.

When our hearts and minds are cluttered with unnecessary things, it can cloud our vision and distract us from what we really need to focus on. When our hearts are cleaned/set right before God, we have the opportunity to be in a closer relationship with Him. In his (older, yet still applicable) work, My Heart Christ’s Home, Robert Boyd Munger speaks of making our hearts an inhabitable abode of the Lord. Munger walks through the rooms of his heart with God, one by one, and allows God to highlight what cleansing work needs to be done there to make it a suitable dwelling place. God does not expect him to do all the work himself. On the contrary, He promises the Holy Spirit will do the work in him. (You can read this short essay and learn of the rooms of your heart below). (1)

Being at peace and having a semblance of order in our lives are things we all desire. If we can make time to deep clean the rooms of our homes, how much more at peace might we be if we are willing to invest time in giving the Holy Spirit access to our hearts, and allow Him to do a sanctifying purge of all that is unnecessary?

Are you ready for a little cleaning?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Read the pdf below and contemplate the “rooms of your heart.”

2. Spend some time in prayer asking God to show you which “rooms” need cleaning. Be willing to let the Holy Spirit do His work!

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 9:14, 10:22; Mark 7:20; Psalm 51:5-7

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

(1)   http://navigatorsdetroit.com/MHCH.pdf

Closer in Trials

By Lexi Cole Ellis

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

I recently looked up the life of St. Patrick. Because I don’t come from a Catholic background and my family is pretty ethnically mixed, this Irish holiday has never held a lot of meaning for me. All I really knew about it was that the shamrock represents the Trinity, which seemed like a cool connection to my faith, so I figured St. Patrick might be someone worth learning about. 

I learned that “Patrick’s life was marked with difficulty.” [1] He was born on March 17, 387. And when he was about fourteen, he was kidnapped by Irish pirates. As I continued reading, his life played out like a well-thought-out book.  He grew closer to God in the midst of his slavery. During his captivity, he prayed and wrote…learning more about God and deepening his faith. Even though he remained a slave until his early twenties, he never gave up on God. When he was finally able to escape, he lived his life as a bishop, preaching and building churches for the next forty years. [1]

I immediately thought of similarities in Scripture. Like Joseph in the Old Testament, who was sold into slavery and grew closer to God in spite of unfair circumstances that lasted for, not just a few days or weeks, but years. I thought of how Jesus taught that we will experience trials when we choose a relationship with God.

 I also thought of the opposite response - - that instead of drawing closer to God like Joseph or St. Patrick, some choose to complain or give up. Like the Israelites in the Old Testament who often complained about the “good old days” (a.k.a. slavery in Egypt). Or Job’s friends, also in the Old Testament, who encouraged him to just curse God and die when things got significantly difficult.

It made me wonder. Which is true in my life? Do I complain and question God’s providence in my life? Or do I draw closer to God in those times? Is my trial marked with an active prayer life, being in the Word, and surrounding myself with a godly community? 

Without negating the reality that our struggles and trials are very real and very heartbreaking, the reality remains that our God is bigger and longs for us to draw closer to Him in the midst of it.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    Reflect on the big times of trails in your life, whether they are in the past or trials you are currently going through. How did you respond?

FURTHER READING:

James 1:2-8; John 16:33

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.

[1] http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=89

Chasing God’s Heart
By Sarah Walker

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
Hosea 6:6 (ESV)

Do we sometimes get so caught up in “doing the things of God” and “carrying out His will for our lives” that we miss the bigger, more important thing? Do we get so carried away in our to-do checklist for God or in the “shoulds” and “oughts” that we miss the very reason for our actions in the first place? Have we gotten so caught up in our outward actions such as tithing, generosity, serving the less fortunate, participating in the ministries we are involved in, even reading and studying the Bible that we stop seeking God and a deeper relationship with Him?

No matter what outwardly good things we are doing, if we have stopped chasing God’s heart and have stopped seeking intimacy with God, we have become more like the Pharisees concerned with the appearance and cleanliness of the outside of the cup rather than the inside. [1]

God doesn’t need our works to complete Him in any way. God doesn’t require our works so that we are “more acceptable” to Him or so that we can earn our way to Him. No. God, first and foremost, longs for our hearts to be faithful to Him. He wants us to seek Him wholeheartedly. It is then from that place of love, of intimacy, that we respond with our actions. Our actions are meant to be an overflow of our relationship with God…not actions that replace our relationship with Him, or actions with the intention of being “good enough” for Him.

When we allow our checklist to get in the way of our relationship with God, heartfelt repentance and turning back to God with our whole heart resets our priorities and refocuses our steps. As we spend more time with God in intimacy, in prayer, in studying His ways in the Bible, He will reveal more of Himself to us. And in turn, He will open our eyes to the areas in need of Him where we are assigned to go. At the right time, He will show us the need, give us the proper heart for it, and He will then enable us to walk in that direction. And this time, our actions will be borne from a place of knowing God and His love… rather than from a place of checklists, of “shoulds” and of “oughts.”

GOING DEEPER:

Take some time away from the things you “should” be doing and chase after God’s heart, asking Him to give you His heart and renewed vision for your steps.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 23:23-24, Exodus 20:3-6, Psalm 147:10-11

Sarah is married to Scott and is a full-time mom to their two young sons. She and Scott are involved in a small group focused on prayer.

[1] Matthew 23:25-26

Scammed!

By Becci J. Terrill

“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around
like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Recently, I fell prey to a scam. I’m embarrassed to admit it. I’m not someone who “falls” for things. I thought I had researched everything necessary to ensure the validity of the product before I ordered. When it arrived, I was careful to read everything and follow directions - - or so I thought. Fifteen days later, when I called to be certain that everything was going as I had expected, the scam was revealed.

I was embarrassed and upset. How could a company do this without proper notification? I made a few phone calls to report the situation and it was resolved. Another life lesson learned.

The hardest thing about the whole situation was admitting my poor judgment to my husband, and asking for his help. Why is that? I know he loves me no matter what I do and always has my best interest at heart. So it shouldn’t be a problem, right? It’s not a problem for him. It’s my pride.

As I reflected on my situation, I thought of ways the devil tries to scam me; after all, he is the original “scam artist.” Since he approached Eve in the Garden and scammed her into believing that God was wrong (Genesis 3), he has been scamming people ever since. Me included.

Throughout Scripture, God warns us to watch out for the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11) because he is prowling around like a lion looking for someone to devour (I Peter 5:8). We are also warned to watch out for teachers who look innocent on the outside, but are really wolves in sheep’s clothing - - aka scam artists (Matthew 7:15). Just when we forget to consult with the Father because we have done the “research” and have the answers, that’s when we let our guard down and get scammed. It’s Eve in the Garden all over again.

When I do get “scammed” in my spiritual life, I need to humbly admit my failure to the Father and ask for His help with the situation. I may have scars or consequences to pay, but I can be confident that in all things God works for my good (Romans 8:28) and that He will complete the good work he has begun in my life (Philippians 1:6). I’m so grateful for His unconditional love!

It was an uncomfortable lesson to learn. Fortunately, all I’ll end up with is product that doesn’t work and a meal of humble pie.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What “scam” has the devil been trying to pull on you?

2. How will you respond?

FURTHER READING:

Ephesians 6:10-18; I Peter 5:8 & 9; Genesis 3

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