It Is Finished

By Jeannine Sawall

“Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the other linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself.” 

John 20:6-8 (ESV)

I always wondered why the writer gave the small detail about the linen which had been on Jesus’ head being folded up separately. Then I heard the story of the carpenter’s cloth, and it brought understanding and blessing. In the first century, a carpenter did not have the convenience of a cell phone or text message to let the contractor or the next worker coming to the job know when the work was finished, so a “signature” was created to indicate it was complete. When the carpenter finished his job, he would take his carpenter’s cloth, a small square of linen, fold it neatly and place it over his finished work. This told the next person who saw it, “my work is finished.”

When Peter came running to the tomb that Easter Sunday, he saw the linen cloths lying there in a pile, but he also saw that folded square. He got the message. Jesus was saying to those coming to the tomb “My work is complete.  It is finished.” When the message registered, Peter’s sorrow was replaced with hope and he ran to tell the others the good news.  

That folded cloth leaves a message for us as well that lasts long after Easter celebrations are complete. Jesus’ death on the cross, days in the tomb and triumphant resurrection tell us the work has been completed for all people and for all time. All that is left for us to do is receive the good news and believe. With Christ’s completed work on the cross and resurrection, we no longer work toward  victory, but from  victory. Jesus lives on the victorious side of the tomb, and offers us that same victorious life through Him! 

Because of His victory, we no longer have a long-distance relationship with our Creator. We can speak to our Father as our friend; we have become His children. Revel in that fact! Because Jesus finished the work, we can boldly enter into the Holy Place. Consider that privilege! Because it is finished, we no longer have to be slaves to sin, live empty lives, or work toward our salvation. Count the many blessings! While the cost of victory was dear, Christ paid the price for us. He folded the cloth and left the tomb. His work is complete. Hallelujah; it is finished! 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What areas in your life do you need to stop working towards victory and accept Christ’s victory?

2. How can you live out Christ’s finished work?

Further Reading:

Romans 8:37; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 6:4

 

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

I Didn’t Marry the Perfect Person

By Lexi Ellis

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28

I accidentally freaked out my husband. I was reading an article a friend had posted. Seeing the title as he walked by, Andrew said, smiling, “Nine months in and you’re reading that!”

The article was “You Never Marry the Right Person” by Timothy Keller.[1] His premise is that our culture believes in perfect soul mates  - - ideal companions - - and therefore love comes naturally, without work. Keller suggests, rather, we must recognize and embrace our “messy-ness” and believe it’s a beautiful thing. It’s “painful and yet so wonderful…because it is a reflection of the Gospel, which is painful and wonderful at once. The Gospel is: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared to believe, and at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”

My husband is an incredible man of God. He’s not perfect…I’m really  not perfect! If there’s anything we’ve learned from others, it’s this: Marriage takes work, it takes investment. And it’s one that’s incredibly worth it.

While marriage is a unique relationship, we experience the reality of “un-perfect-ness” with other relationships. My best friend, my sisters, my parents aren’t perfect. And yet, I am so grateful for those relationships because through them, there are two non-perfect parties striving to share God’s message and love like Jesus loved.

It’s the non-perfect times that draw us closer in our relationships. My sisters and I have the intimacy we do because we’ve been vulnerable with each other. Keller writes that it’s the hard times that “drive us to experience more of this transforming love of God.”

How powerful that God uses selfish, self-serving people to accomplish incredible things! How wonderful that we can approach the throne of God (because of what Christ did) and come as we are![2] How awesome God can use un-perfect us when we allow Him!

Keller writes, our “conviction and repentance move us to cling to and rest in God’s mercy and grace.” Our “un-perfect-ness” in our relationships means we desperately need our God. I’m thankful for the reminder that God uses the mess in our relationships, and uses that mess to compel us to relish in His mercy and grace.

I didn’t marry the perfect person (neither did Andrew) and I’m so glad I didn’t.

GOING DEEPER:

1.    How has God used “un-perfect-ness” for His glory in your life?

2.    Visit http://bible.org/illustration/god-can-use-us-all. What biblical example do you relate to?

FURTHER READING:

2 Timothy 2:20-21; Psalm 27:1-5

[1] Timothy Keller. http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/features/27749-you-never-marry-the-right-person. It’s an excerpt from his book, The Meaning of Marriage. 

[2] A website of examples in Scripture of un-perfect people God used: http://bible.org/illustration/god-can-use-us-all

Lexi recently married Andrew, serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood, and is a fourth grade teacher at Lake Country Christian Academy.

EXTREME Impossibilities!
By Elin Henderson

“For with God, nothing will be impossible!”
Luke 1:37 (NKJV)

We have all heard of extreme sports. People go to all lengths to prove their might, speed, even foolishness at times. And, if you are like me, you really enjoy watching Extreme Makeover, where they do miraculous wonders and change someone’s complete appearance. But, you know, God delights in extreme impossibilities!

In I Kings 18:20-40, we find poor Elijah doing battle with the prophets of Baal. They have set up a “test” for their gods to see who is the most powerful. What is interesting in this story is that God wasn’t satisfied in proving Himself in just an “impossibility” - -raining fire down from heaven to burn up the offering. Instead, He told Elijah to pour water on the sacrifice, soaking it completely, not once, not twice, but three times! Like the fire wasn’t enough, he added layers to the impossibility.

There are multiple examples throughout Scripture: God weeded Gideon’s army down from hundreds of thousands to a measly 300 to defeat an impossibly large army. Jesus waited until Lazarus was dead for three days before raising him. Do you see a pattern? I do! God loves the impossible, but really delights in the extreme impossibilities.

When I was in Mozambique, I found myself asking God for the impossible and even the extreme impossible a lot. Not only was I trying to learn a virtually impossible, unwritten language, but I got to live with the constant stresses that life brings: a solid week of rain which results in moldy clothes, centipedes crawling into bed with me…all sorts of added “buckets of water” being poured on top of an already impossible task. And then, lest I forget, I was reminded of the more impossible task at hand of seeing the lives of hundreds of thousands of “resistant” peoples brought from darkness into light. Yes, the task before us was, and is, pretty extreme…extremely impossible! Yet, in the end, the God of extreme impossibilities will be victorious!

So, next time you feel like “it can’t get any worse!” and it does, just think of it as another bucket of water onto the quest for the impossible. When your day meets obstacle after obstacle and your goals seem totally unattainable, remember, God delights to show Himself strong on our behalf, going above and beyond what we could ask or think. Not only will the outcome be amazing, but it will be totally His doing! In those extreme impossibilities in Scripture, was there any way, humanly speaking, that victory could have been achieved? I don’t think so! God delights in the work He does and He specializes in Extreme Impossibilities!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What seemingly impossible task or situation is God asking of you? Give it to Him and expect His extreme provision!

FURTHER READING:
Judges 7; John 11:1-44

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 twelve-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Washing Feet and Flipping Pancakes
By Peggy Kleckner

“…so he [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
John 13:4-5 (NIV)

What a picture the above verse brings to mind. The teacher humbly serving His students during the last meal they would share together before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. He goes on to explain that in doing this, He was setting the example for His disciples to follow…an example of servant leadership. So, what would that look like today? Have you seen a leader washing feet lately?

I haven’t seen a leader washing feet, but I have seen one flipping pancakes! It was a cold Monday morning. My start time at work is later than most of the other employees. I came in the back door, walked down the hall, turned the corner and headed for the time clock when I saw tables set up in the hallway. And, behind the first one was the CEO of our company. In fact, he was the only one behind the table. He was stirring the pancake batter, pouring it out and flipping pancakes on and off of the griddle. What a wonderful surprise! Hot, fresh pancakes on a Monday morning. Our leader seemed quite at ease and happy with the work. I asked him why we were being treated to pancakes and he said they were a thank you to the employees. Work had been a bit tough lately…hours had been shortened and some perks had to be cut as the company tries to weather the unsteady winds of the economy. Apparently, he saw this as a way to encourage us. There was no prior “hoopla” about how management was going to cook for us. It wasn’t even a team effort. It was just one man’s way of saying, “We’re in this together.” It was his way of making the workday a bit brighter than expected.

Looking on this scene, I couldn’t help but think of Jesus wrapped in a towel washing the disciples’ feet. My leader chose an apron and pancake batter, but he was still serving.

What about us? Are we willing to don an apron or a towel to be a servant leader to those around us?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life do you recognize as a servant leader? How does that person demonstrate this kind of leadership?
2. How can you be an example of servant leadership to those around you?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 20:25-28; Philippians 2:1-11

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. She serves as the Coordinator of Fresh Start.

A Common Misconception
By Susan Klein

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him...”
Romans 8:28a

One of the most common misconceptions about the verse above is that some believe it to mean, “God makes all things good in the lives of those who love him.” Not quite! Though He is good in nature, and works for good in our lives as well as for His perfect will, He most definitely allows bad things to happen. Sometimes, in His “working for the good,” He allows us to endure hardships.

For example, a woman suffers from years of anxiety and depression. Her family is neglected, her health is poor, and she suffers from a loss of hope. One may question, “Where is the good in this?” Many years later, she recovers, and God uses her to minister to other women who are suffering in the same way. Her family learns compassion and long-suffering.

Another woman’s husband loses his job. After several months of unemployment, they cannot afford to pay the bills or make their monthly mortgage. All seems hopeless. Then, God gives other people the opportunity to reach out to this couple and share what they have with them. The givers and recipients alike see the loving hand of God’s provision and goodness.

Then there is the woman who loses a child in an accident and is grief-stricken. How can God possibly work something good from this? Her heart will always ache with the wonder of what would have been, but now cannot be. Perhaps she will not even see the good work that God does through this. He may have used the tragedy to touch a different person’s heart. It could be that her faith has led another to Christ without her ever knowing this side of heaven. His goodness in this may only be visible to Him, but it is there. He promises it!

God does not promise everything will be good. But He does promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us in our time of need. He does promise that His grace is sufficient for us and His power is made perfect in our weakness. And, He does promise us an eternal glory that far outweighs all of our troubles.

“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9). Now that’s a promise we can cling to!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you questioning God’s goodness in a difficult situation you may be going through? Are you willing to put your trust in the promise that He is “working for the good,”   even if you cannot see it?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 12:2; Psalm 34:19, 100:5; 2 Corinthians 1:20, 4:17, 12:9

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband, Mark, enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

Drip, Drip, Drip

By Jeannine Sawall

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

Colossians 4:6 (NLT)

I’m sitting at the table enjoying the view of majestic snow capped mountains in the distance. Spring is coming as I see the snow drip, drip, dripping from the trees and the eaves. It’s a wonderful reminder of the newness that is just around the corner as the snow-covered landscapes give way to fresh, green grass and leaves. A refreshing blast of cool water as it splashes and sparkles in the sun.

I’m picking up laundry downstairs as I hear an annoying drip, drip, drip. Where is that noise  coming from? Suddenly, I see a puddle of water where water should not be. There on the windowsill: we have a leak.  Now I have to get a towel and clean up the mess this unwanted drip has left and report the leak so that it can be repaired before it causes more problems. This is not the same kind of refreshing drip bringing newness; rather, it’s an irritating one that can bring serious damage.

As I sat down after encountering these two drips - - so similar, yet so different - - I thought about how our words can either be refreshing like the dripping from the spring thaw, or a nagging annoyance like the drip from the window. When we use our words for gentle reminders or encouragement, to build up our family and friends, we strengthen them and bring them joy. We are showing our appreciation and make them feel valued and loved. Encouraging words bring refreshment!  However, when we use our words to nag them into submission, we are anything but refreshing. Nagging words build walls and resentments, stirring up strife and causing potential damage to relationships.

So how do we become more of an encourager and less of a nag? First, we need to start kneeling in prayer and stop needling with nagging. Before speaking, ask the Lord to help us choose words that come across as loving rather than discouraging. Seek to use words that convey a caring heart, rather than irritation.

We need to be purposeful, and find opportunities to build up our family and our friends with our words. Surprise them with a small note of encouragement, give them an unexpected phone call, or pray for them and with them! We have the power to be an encourager with our words, or to be a discourager. The Bible is replete with hundreds of words of encouragement. We are called to be refreshing encouragers and to always have a positive word to share.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What do you think a nag sounds like? Does it sound like you?

2. How can you be more encouraging to your family and friends?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 19:13; Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 16:24

 

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

Listen…Plan

By Lexi Ellis

“Good friend, take to heart what I’m telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding.” Proverbs 2:1 (MSG)

I pass it every day on my way to work: suited women and men sitting in fancy chairs. And on this billboard, in large letters it reads, “Before we plan, we listen.” The billboard is for a law firm. From a marketing standpoint, it employs the powerful tactic of appealing to the innate desire to be listened to. Stephen Covey, in Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, addresses this art of truly listening rather than just hearing.(1)

Despite the humanistic and marketing draw, I realized this phrase is one applicable to my relationship with God. How often have I planned and forgotten that imperative first step of listening to God? How often I stress and schedule and skip being still, or asking the Holy Spirit for guidance, or reading His Word to allow Him to speak to me.

This is hard for me. I am a planner. I loved the planning part of my wedding; I jump on a chance to plan our vacations; I think and prepare for my students’ learning each day. I thrive on the planning. And I do work on truly listening to others. Yet, it’s so hard to listen first to God, then submit to His plan.

There are countless biblical examples of the essential “listen…then plan.” Scripture is filled with men and women who chose to stop, take time to pray, and listen to God’s direction before planning. And Scripture is equally filled with those who chose to go with their own self-sufficient planning, and we’re able to learn from the havoc and consequences that resulted.

The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning He awakens; He awakens my ear to hear…The Lord God has opened my ear.” (2)

God has an amazing plan when we choose to listen to His way before making our own plans. God has incredible things when He has our ear to hear. God does remarkable work in our lives and advances His Kingdom when we don’t jump straight to planning without first listening.

I pass it every day on the way to work. “Before we plan, we listen.” May that be true of us today and every day.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What parts of your life do you need to surrender, lay in front of the Lord, and listen to Him before you continue planning?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 2:1-5; Psalm 85:8-9; Matthew 6:33

(1) Stephen Covey’s chapter “Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then be Understood” in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. ©1989 Running Press.

(2) Isaiah 50:4-5 (ESV) 

Lexi recently married Andrew, serves with Children’s Ministries at Oakwood, and is a fourth grade teacher at Lake Country Christian Academy.

This Changes Everything

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.”

2 Timothy 1:12

If you could be any animal, what animal would you be? I know what my answer would have been many years ago, because I was always imitating it…the chameleon. Why? Because the chameleon can change its colors based on its surroundings, in order to blend into its environment.

I was raised in a Christian church from early on, young enough that I cannot really remember “coming” to a faith like a switch had been turned on, but instead, always feeling that I had a faith growing up. I believed in God, in Jesus, in my salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross. But by my teenage years, my life resembled that of a chameleon. Leaving all of my friends in a move from Illinois to Wisconsin, the killing of my cousin at 14, and the death of my aunt as a passenger of a drunk driver the following year, all left me feeling lost and angry. Each member of my family was reeling from all that we were enduring, but not letting people from the outside into our pain. My response on one hand was to be the “good girl,” seeking approval in my grades and activities. On the other hand, outside of school, I was doing my own thing, in control of what my image was to whomever happened to be my audience. Inside, though, I was a tangled mess of turmoil and questions. My colors changed depending on whom I was around.

By my senior year, there was a battle going on inside. Which person did I want to become? My heart led me to a small Christian college, partly to get away from my family, and partly because I had to settle this issue once and for all, and thought this was the best place to do it. When I was there, I found genuine people, both classmates and professors, who showed me what it meant to follow Jesus - - to have a relationship with Him - - not just follow a set of rules and make it look good to others. They showed me that Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” I had always known that Jesus was the way, and that following Him was the truth of God’s plan, but I had not put into practice making Him my life.

Trusting Him with my life changed everything.

Making Jesus my life has been a journey since those college years. My issues of hurt and anger over those teenaged events, while healed, still have their scars. Jesus has helped me to accept these things as part of what makes me…me. I’ve learned to stop playing the chameleon. He wants me to be the same person, no matter whom I’m with or what my circumstances are.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are you “putting into practice” making Jesus your life?
2. Who needs to hear how knowing Jesus has changed everything?

FURTHER READING:
John 14:6

Along with caring for her husband, two children and the dog, Carolyn serves Oakwood Church in Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries. 

My Heart’s Response

By Peggy Kleckner

“I will…rejoice in your love…”

Psalm 31:7a (NIV)

As I was listening to Christian radio, I caught these words, “faith is the heart’s response to God.” It is my heart’s response that pleases God, not my doing out of duty or fear, but my heart’s response.

God is a lover.

Many of us have abandoned our hearts and are living our lives from our head, our mind. I think God wants more, for He says in Matthew 22:37 that we are to love Him with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. How well can we do that if our hearts are broken or shut off?

Like so many others, I have walked about with a broken and battered heart. I have lost loved ones. I have felt the pain of divorce. I have walked through life and, as God says, “in this world you will have trouble” (John 16:32-33). Trouble batters the heart. Not only do we begin to wonder if others love us in tough times, but truly we question whether God loves us. Our mind and heart demand answers. What will we believe?

Sadly, many of us chose the same answer as the Prodigal Son in Luke 15; we took our inheritance and walked away. We spent it all looking for attention, looking for affirmation and affection. Then the famine came, as it did for the prodigal. We had spent it all, and yet we still didn’t turn toward God. We tried to work for ourselves, to earn our own way. In our misery and emptiness. it one day occurred to us that we could turn back home. We were finally needy enough to accept the risk.

We turn and we find Him gladly welcoming us. But although we are happy to be accepted, we stay guarded, still wondering if we are truly loved - - loved for who we are, not what we can do - - or if we are loved only as a trophy to be won and then set aside on a shelf. We struggle to believe that we are lovable.

He continues to woo us, to love us even in our guardedness. Then one day, our heart responds and begins to bloom and He is delighted. We, who were so wounded, so needy, so alone, find our hearts once again whole and alive. That is the power of Christ in us, the hope of glory.

You are loved with an everlasting love.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What dark corner of your heart is still yearning for the answer to, “Does He truly love me?”

2.  Can you choose to believe for today that the answer is “yes” and turn toward Him?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 15:11-32; Psalm 37:4

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. She serves as the Coordinator of Fresh Start.

Do You Remember When...

By Susan Klein

“...choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...”

(from Joshua 24:15)

Most people can recall exactly where they were and what they were doing when a significant event in history took place. For example: Do you recall what you were doing when J.F.K. was shot, or when the first man walked on the moon? How about when the Twin Towers in NY were attacked? I’m guessing you have vivid memories of at least one of these events!

One other significant time in my life that will be forever etched in my memory was when I came to realize that I needed a Savior! I was sitting in church on a Sunday morning in the fall of 1984. My then-boyfriend (now husband) and I had both been searching for something meaningful in our lives, but had not found it. The pastor had been preaching from the Gospels that morning and was saying that it takes more to be a follower of Christ than just going to church and trying to blend in with the crowd. “Hmm...” I thought, “Was that what I was doing?” Then it happened; that still small voice of God that speaks directly to your heart, spoke to mine! I felt as if the whole room got quiet and only His voice was audible. He spoke these words to my heart: “Susan, you’ve been sitting on the fence too long! You’ve kept one foot in the world and one foot in the church, just trying to blend in with the crowd. You need to make a commitment this day which way you will go, either follow me or follow the world, but you can’t stay on the fence. And you must choose today, or else you never will!” Those were some of the most powerful words ever to pierce my thoughts! I knew what I had to do and I did it - - immediately!

I’d love to say that it was all smooth sailing from then on. But in reality, trials still came. I had much to work through from my past, and much to learn going forward. It was downright difficult at times, but I have never been alone in my struggles. The Holy Spirit is ever-present to guide me and encourage me through each moment. I have felt the love of Jesus more times than I can count! The realization of what He has done for me makes me fall deeper in love with Him everyday! I remember my first Christmas and Easter as a child of the risen King! What glorious memories; ones that I love to share with others!

How about you? Do you remember when...?

GOING DEEPER:
1. If you have a faith story to tell, would you be willing to pray about sharing it with someone this week?

FURTHER READING:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Susan is a We Women Bible Study Coordinator and one of its teachers. She and her husband Mark enjoy tutoring and working with inner-city youth.

The Cross

By Karen D’Amore

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness…”

1 Peter 2:24a

A fugitive wanted for murder, he’d been on the run for many years. As the police officer instrumental in his capture, I was disturbed and distracted by the large silver, jewel-encrusted cross hanging from a rope-like chain around his neck. Making reference to his cross necklace I commented, “Nice cross, are you a Christian?” “It’s just a decoration,” he snapped back. It’s a conversation I’ll never forget…and one that has challenged me in the message and handling of the Cross.

Though the Cross is one of the most readily recognized Christian symbols today, many have reduced it to a decorative fashion statement. It was on a wooden cross that Jesus Christ took upon Himself the sins of the world, paying the penalty with His own blood. The Cross is not a symbol of doom, but rather a foreshadowing of the triumphant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. It points to a loving God reaching down to deliver man from the bondage of sin; it points to Jesus who willingly laid down His life for mankind. Jesus not only preached a powerful faith in God, He also lived it. He was faithful to God, and “obedient to the point of death” (Philippians 2:8). Christ crucified! Christ resurrected! A symbol of faith, hope and love…the Cross changes everything.

As Christ-followers, the Cross is a proclamation of our new identity in Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). For believers, the Cross should be reflected in our changed (crucified) lives. As the Cross stands at the center of our lives, it clarifies the purpose for which our Lord created us and died to save us. Its declaration of hope, grace and eternal life anchors our existence and motivates our responses. “Jesus lived His life for you—then He gave His life to you. Now He wants to live His life through you!” –Jacquelyn K. Heasley ! (1)

What is your response to the Cross? Is it a decoration or a proclamation?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Consider what the Cross means to you. Is it merely a decorative adornment or a symbol of your crucified life in Christ?
2. When others look at your life, do they see the reflection of the Cross?

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Acts 2:23-24

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon.  She’s on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team and a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator.

(1) Quote from Sermonindex.net

Preppers

By Elin Henderson

“ ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God is near.

Repent and believe the good news!’ ” …

Mark 1:15 (NIV)

Have you seen that new show Preppers?  It follows people who are preparing for a variety of doomsdays. Some have huge shelters built underground in which they store up food, water and supplies for months. Others are training themselves and their families in self-defense, while stocking up with enough guns and ammunition to fight off half an army!

Jesus calls us to be preppers, as well: preppers for His Kingdom. He calls us to store up treasures not on this earth, but to store up treasures for the Kingdom that is to come. He calls us to train ourselves to fight the good fight, but not for the kingdoms of this world, rather for His  Kingdom! 

This prepper mentality is not one born out of paranoia or conspiracy theories, but out of a sense that this world is not our home. It requires a GOD-focus not a SELF-focus. It’s risky business to be a Kingdom Prepper. The costs are high and the stakes are crazy from a human perspective.  “Lose your life to gain it” (Luke 17:33).  “Be last to be first” (Mark 9:35).  “Be low and let Him lift you up” (James 4:10).  These aren’t the slogans of self-preservationists. 

So…are you ready to join the ranks and be named with the crazy Kingdom Preppers of this age?! 

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1. What are some ways that you can be part of this Kingdom Preppers movement? How can you help others around you catch the vision, as well?

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

I Corinthians 4:20; Luke 12:31; Luke 4:43

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 twelve-year-old Callie and ten-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

He’s Aliiiiiive!!

By Jeannine Sawall

“The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.’ And they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.”

Mark 28:5-6, 8

My family generally camps over Easter and we aren’t always able to find a traditional church service to celebrate Easter. One tradition we’ve developed, though, is to celebrate our own Easter service around the campfire while sharing the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection using Resurrection Eggs.

Resurrection Eggs are a dozen plastic eggs, each filled with some symbol to represent a part of the Easter story. We pass the eggs out to the kids and anyone we’ve invited to join us for our celebration, and when we come to their part of the story, we let them tell it in their own words. A few years ago, as we went around the campfire circle, listening again to the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, His betrayal, trial, beating by the Roman soldiers and His death on the Cross, we finally came to my youngest son who held the last egg. When he opened it, the egg was empty, representing the empty tomb. At the time, Josh was just four and so I wasn’t sure he would understand the meaning behind the empty egg, let alone how he would explain his part of the story. As he opened his egg and realized there was nothing in it, he stood up and in a loud, joyous voice began singing “He’s aliiiiiiiiiive! He’s aliiiiiiiiive! Jesus is aliiiiiiive!!” Everyone around the campfire smiled at his enthusiasm and joined his celebration.

As I remember back to that special night of celebrating Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am amazed by the conviction and passion my young son had. He got it! Jesus is not dead; He is alive! It is something to stand up and sing about! He understood, even at that tender age, what a miracle it is. He did not hesitate or try to explain it in complicated terms. He accepted it for face value and stated it simply…the tomb is empty, Jesus is alive! It makes me want to stand up and sing and let the whole world know…our Savior is not dead, He is alive today, and we serve a living God!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Does the story of Easter make you want to stand up and sing with great joy, letting the whole world know the tomb stands empty? If not, ask the Lord to fill you with His passion for His story.

FURTHER READING:
John 2:19; Luke 24:46-47; Acts 13:30

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