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.

The Impossible Imposter

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“But he was pierced for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our iniquities;

The punishment that brought us peace was on him,

And by his wounds we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

In the early 1900’s, the U.S. was in a state of “Chaplinitis.” Charlie Chaplin’s silent movie character became a phenomenon and from it sprung a pastime of “look-alike” contests. Entertainment folklore says that Charlie himself dressed up in character and entered a contest in San Francisco.

He failed to make the finals.

I’m pretty sure Jesus could relate to how Charlie might have felt.

Since Old Testament times, the human race has been looking for Messiah. Prophets have foretold hundreds of details about Messiah, and dozens have claimed to be the Promised One.

Only One fulfilled them all…Jesus Christ of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) of the Virgin Mary (Isaiah 7:14).  A descendant of King David (Isaiah 9:7), he healed the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1-2) and was rejected by His own people (Psalm 69:8). He was betrayed (Psalm 41:9), falsely accused (Psalm 35:11), crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12), and mocked (Psalm 22:7-8).

Messiah would pray for His enemies (Psalm 109:4), be buried with the rich (Isaiah 53:9), resurrect from the dead (Psalm 16:10 and 49:15), and ascend to heaven (Psalm 24:7-10) as the sacrifice for all sin (Isaiah 53:5-12).

In fact, there are over 700 biblical prophecies concerning the Messiah. The odds of one person fulfilling even 48 of them are 1 in 10 to the 157^th power. Mind-boggling!

As we consider how Jesus fulfills all of these prophesies, let’s remember that everything else that He said must be true, too.

Which means He’s Coming Back!  This Easter season, as we reflect on the triumph of the resurrection, let’s also remember that, “…Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many;  and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28). Amazing!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  How does seeing Jesus as the miraculous fulfillment of prophesy affect how you see His role in your life today?

2.  How does the knowledge that Christ is going to return impact your life?

FURTHER READING:

John 14:1-3; Acts 1:10-11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church’s Student Ministries with an awesome group of junior high girls, and is the treasurer for Women’s Ministries.

Outside the Camp

By Elin Henderson

“Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.”

 Hebrews 13:13(NKJV)

Inside the gates of the Temple was a place of extreme importance for all of Israel. Among other roles, the High Priests had the essential task of the annual atonement of Israel, which depended on their sacrifices done within the safety and confines of these gates. The common people too would have to enter into these same walls and gates to offer their personal sacrifices. 

The cities and camps the people lived in, likewise, had gates and walls. Safety was found in the confines of the wall. The only ones outside the walls were the outcasts, left to fend for themselves. 

But, Jesus came and broke the molds. Where was the Lamb of God sacrificed according to Hebrews 13:12-13? Outside the gate on a hill called Calvary, way outside even the city limits, the place where the outcasts were found. 

He calls us to join Him there, outside the gates and walls, to a ministry of reproach - - not ease - - as we reach out to the lost and needy. So many of us are content to serve within the safe, comfortable confines of the gates of our church, like the High Priests of Jesus’ day in their Temple service. Others are willing to venture out into their safe and secure suburbs/camps, within the walls.  But, how many are willing to go outside the gates and walls where the needs are great, the laborers are few, and the reproach is high? There certainly are risks, but according to the next verse (14) the rewards are greater. Outside the camp is the threshold into the “continuing city that is to come.”

So, let’s break the molds and join Him in His risky endeavors “outside the camp.” 

         

GOING DEEPER:      

1.  Where would “outside the camp” be for you?

2.  What are some ways you can begin breaking down the barriers that are holding you back from joining Him outside the walls? 

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

Mark 10:21; Luke 14:23; Mark 2:17

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

Treasure Hunt

By Karen D’Amore

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

As he majestically grazes in the blizzard-draped arena, snow collects and coats his massive antlers. With his regal posture intensified by his statuesque rack, his presence personifies confidence, strength and assurance. His crooked-bent front leg - - a remnant of an old injury - - makes him easily identifiable.

 When he returned a few days later minus his stately rack, I felt compelled to search for it. Faithfully visiting my property for years, my beloved “bad-leg-buck” has consistently appeared when I needed encouragement from the Lord. Significantly precious to me, finding his rack would behold sweet sentiment.

Daily “treasure hunts” have had me traversing miles of snow-encased, densely wooded terrain, in search of the buck’s rack. Following innumerable deer tracks, I’ve searched tirelessly each day, praying that God would lead me to the rack. Though the antlers have yet to be found, greater treasures were discovered in the hunt. God’s presence boldly emanated from every corner of the woods. With the pristine snow dripping in the warmth of the brilliant sun, the essence of God exuded from every source of nature surrounding me. Though my “needle in a haystack” search may never yield the antlers…I’ll be perpetually drawn to continue the hunt.

In my most recent hunt, I was struck by a profound revelation. If I were to find the antlers, my treasure hunts would end. And though I would possess the antlers and revel in their sentiment, the daily quests amidst the awe-inspiring…God-glorifying landscape…would cease. Turning my pursuit of the antlers into a valuable object lesson, God redeemed those hunts as an opportunity to poignantly reveal Himself. He impressed upon me the importance of seeking Him moment by moment, day by day…as intently and tirelessly as I sought the antlers. In a hunt for small treasured antlers…I found a far greater Treasure. I found my endearing Lord!

When we see God as the precious treasure that He is, we will be drawn to seek Him…incessantly. The great promise to those who seek Him is that “He will be found” (1 Chronicles 28:9). And when He is found, there is great reward. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that “He rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

God himself is our greatest reward…He is our greatest treasure! Are you fervently seeking Him?

"Let me seek you in longing, and long for you in seeking. Let me find you in love, and love you in finding." – St. Ambrose of Milan 

GOING DEEPER:

1.  “Seek” is a verb, which implies action. How are you actively seeking Him?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 3:1-2; Psalm 14:2

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 at the Wildlife In Need Center.

(1)Quote-faithfulthoughtspot.wordpress.com