“Sin Stinks”

By Jeannine Sawall

"For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing."

2 Corinthians 2:15 (NIV)

Once as I was standing by the kitchen sink, an overpowering stench filled the room. It was bitter and smelled a bit like burning rubber…SKUNK!! I ran to the door to let the dogs in, hoping they were neither the cause nor the victims of this tremendous odor. Too late. Once Google did its job and gave us a recipe, it was off to the bath for them both. While the formula we used helped quite a bit, it took several washings of the dogs to remove the smell.

As I have continued to deal with the “de-skunking” of my home and pets, I’ve thought that if we could truly smell the sin in our lives - - like the odor of a skunk - - we would be repulsed by it, as well. My dogs got into trouble because they didn’t heed the skunk’s warning; they continued forward, and not only did they pay for it, it affected everyone around them. When we continue down a path toward sin, the Holy Spirit is always prompting us to turn the other way. He warns us that trouble is ahead; however, if we insist on going down that path, we will eventually get our own way and the stink of sin will cling to us. If only we could see and smell sin like we do a skunk, we would not want to get anywhere close to it.  

The problem with sin is that it lures you in with a sweet fragrance. Only once you’ve indulged, can you smell it for what it really is. Fortunately, when we turn from trouble and repent of our sins, the blood of Jesus washes us clean and makes us sweet-smelling. Yes, sometimes we are left with consequences after poor decisions, but there is no lingering odor of sin that clings to us. Jesus makes us fresh and clean. 

The next time sin comes to tempt us with its sweet smell, let’s remember that’s only its disguise: Sin stinks! It will take us further than we ever wanted to go, and cost us more than we were willing to pay. It will affect those around us, even if we don’t want it to. We need to heed the Holy Spirit’s warnings. When we allow God’s grace to triumph over our human frailty, we experience the sweet fragrance of God in our lives and become sweet-smelling to those around us.  

GOING DEEPER: 

1. Where in your life is the stink of sin clinging? Ask the Lord for forgiveness and experience His sweet fragrance of forgiveness.

2. What type of odor are you leaving in the lives of those around you? Ask the Lord help you leave a refreshing fragrance everywhere you go.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 38:5; 2 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 5:2 

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

Missed Opportunities

by Becci Terrill

 

“Live wisely among those who are not believers, 

and make the most of every opportunity.”

Colossians 4:5 (NIV)

 

Today started out just like every other day - - read my Bible, shower, get ready for work, let the dogs out, eat breakfast - - the typical routine, until one of my dogs decided he was going to give me some love, and put his paws on my lap. Now, those of you who love dogs are thinking “Aw... how precious,” and the rest of you are wondering, “Okay, where is this leading?”  Well, the dog had just come inside, and his paws were covered with dirt. To make matters worse, today was the day I thought cream-colored trousers would be the perfect thing to wear, and they were...until their contact with dirty doggy paws!

 

Fortunately, when paws met pants, I didn’t yell...but even Champ knew he needed to vacate my lap IMMEDIATELY!  Questions raced: “Is this dirt going to come out?” “What can I wear now?” “How late will I be for work?” 

 

It wasn’t until I was driving to work that I saw the big picture and realized I’d missed an opportunity. My devoted friend had made a special effort to show his affection to me, and I, caught up in selfish concerns, had missed the meaning of the moment and an opportunity to respond to his love.

 

The situation made me stop and think: How many other opportunities do I miss during the day?  I get so caught up in my life, activities and business. Unlike faithful canine companions, people aren’t always as forgiving of my selfish behavior. Colossians 4:5 instructs us to “live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.” Instead of being wrapped up in my own life, I want to be aware of the people around me and intentionally share the love of Jesus with them. Sometimes all we have is the moment - - one opportunity to respond or reach out to another individual. We may never know how impactful a smile, a kind word, a listening ear or a hug will be in the life of another, but God does. I don’t want to look back on a missed opportunity with another person and think, “I should have done this, or said that...”

 

God got my attention with some dirty doggy paws and cream-colored pants. My attention is focused in the right direction now...I don’t want to miss an opportunity to impact a life for eternity!

 

GOING DEEPER:

1.      Who or what has God placed in your life right now that is pleading for or demanding your attention?

2. Instead of considering this an “inconvenience,” consider:  How might God use me to minister to this individual or group?

 

FOR FURTHER READING:

Matthew 14:13-15; Acts 8:25-40

 

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

Despair to Praise

By Tracy Smith

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Psalm 13:1-2 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like David did in the verses above? I have, and it’s not a fun place to be. Living with an anxiety disorder sometimes means time of wrestling with my thoughts and feeling like the enemy is triumphing over me. Discouraging, to say the least. David doesn’t stop there, though; he finishes his psalm this way:

But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me. (vs. 5-6, NIV)

That is the part I forget when I am discouraged and wrestling with my thoughts. I forget to stop the worrying, stop the despairing, and rejoice in the Lord that has been so good to me. I forget to stop and rejoice in the Lord, His salvation and His unfailing love for me.

This is a common pattern in the psalms David writes - - he starts out struggling, discouraged and questioning where God is, but he ends those psalms with rejoicing and expressing his trust in the Lord.

I want to follow David’s example: When I am feeling discouraged and feeling like God has forgotten me, I will praise His name and remind myself how good He has been to me!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What situation in your life makes you feel like David in the beginning of Psalm 13?

2. What steps can you take to get to the praising of the end of Psalm 13?

FURTHER VERSES:
Psalm 22; Psalm 3

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood, serves on the Women’s Ministry Special Events Team and works with a great group of Junior High girls.

Without You

By Lisa Boyer

“Dear Friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God...”

1 John 4:7a (NIV)

I met her when I was 11 years old… she was teaching vacation Bible school at the church camp our youth group went to, and I was in her class. I don’t know why, but she loved me.

For the next 14 years or so, we kept in touch through old-fashioned letter writing and almost every year, I returned to camp (for many years as a camper, but then as a counselor). Not that I want to explain it, but for at least five years, my nickname at camp was “camp brat.” I don’t know why, but she still loved me.

We’ve been completely out of touch for all of the last 15 years and most of the last 20. Yet, once every year, I wake up from the same dream: that I’m back at camp looking for her, but can’t find her anywhere. So this year, I made plans to return to camp for a day and see her again. Unfortunately, I became sick and was unable to go.

The Sunday after camp was over, as I sat down to finish a letter I’d begun to her, I decided instead to pick up the phone and call her. Sure I wanted to know how life has been and what her kids were doing, but mostly, I just wanted to thank her… thank her for her investment in me, because knowing her was instrumental in what God would do in my life!

I can’t say for sure what the exact impact was, but I know this - - being loved changes a person from the inside out. That’s probably one reason I wasn’t the “camp brat” every  year I was there! I also wonder if hers is the example I follow when I reach out to teenage girls with God’s love.

Loving is so important; the phrase “love one another” is stated as an instruction 15 times in the New Testament. I cannot begin to express how thankful I am to God for placing a woman in my life when I was 11 years old who lived out that instruction of loving.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Has God been prompting you to reach out to someone with His love? Today, will you prayerfully begin taking that journey?

2. Call someone who has impacted your life, thank him or her, and share what God’s been doing in your life.

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 25:40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-37

Lisa has been married to Ted for over 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa serves in Quest 56 on Sunday mornings at Oakwood.

My Friend for a Season

By Susan Klein

“A friend loves at all times.”

Proverbs 17:17a ( NIV)

Sitting across from a dear friend at the coffee shop, I was burdened with conflicting emotions. Here was someone I’d known for nine years but as more of an acquaintance than a friend. Only through a recent tragic event in her life had our relationship taken on deeper roots. I was savoring the sweet sharing time we were having, yet simultaneously dreading the thought of having to say good-bye to her. She is moving to another state in a couple of weeks.

More times than I care to count, this seems to be the case in my life. God brings me into sweet fellowship with someone, then He removes her from my life. While technology makes it easier than ever to remain somewhat connected, it doesn’t replace actually doing life together. Like most women, I immensely value good, long-lasting relationships. God knows this about me, yet He often seems to have other plans for the people He places in my life. Perhaps you’ve experienced how it feels to invest in a deep friendship, become transparent and real, and share in the messiness, only to have that person abruptly uprooted and deposited elsewhere. It can be gut-wrenching!

While steeping in my silent pity party, I asked God why He’d allowed for us to become such good friends so late in the game, knowing it would be short-lived. His answer came while she and I prayed together. As she spoke to God, thanking Him for placing me in her life at just the right time - - a time when she needed a friend who could truly understand and empathize with her circumstances - - I realized how selfish my perspective had been. This friendship wasn’t about me and my needs, it was about how God had equipped me to provide for a need in her life at a time when she really needed it. It was a divine appointment, by God, to be a friend for a specific season of this woman’s life.

Keeping that perspective has helped me to look back at other “friends for a season” in a refreshingly new light. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to shared myself with each of them and blessed to have received their investment in me, for however short a time it may have been. I also have the comfort of knowing that while our time here on earth is but a breath (Psalm 39:5), we will all share eternity together in the presence of One who is greater than a friend!

GOING DEEPER:

1.      How are you investing in the lives of women God has in your life right now?

FURTHER READING:

 Proverbs 19:21; John 15:13; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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.

Enter the Silence

By Brita Crouse

“When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions: Wait for hope to appear.”

Lamentations 3:28-29 (The Message)

During my junior year of college, I was given a class assignment that was...difficult, to say the least. The assignment was to sit in silence. For thirty minutes. And let God speak. I’m not going to pretend here: I had a bad attitude about this one. But, I didn’t want to blow it off either. I was interested to know if I could do it.

On the floor where I lived, we had a small utility closet that had been converted into a meditation room. This is the spot where I chose to do my assignment. I felt like a fighter heading into the big fight as I walked down the hallway toward the meditation room. I was trying to mentally prepare myself for thirty whole minutes of quiet with a little internal pep talk.

I approached the tiny room, opened the door, and settled in. There was a prayer we were supposed to read through before we began, so I did that. Then I sat. I think I was so stressed out about trying to hear God’s voice that my mind began to race. It had only been thirty seconds! How was I going to do this for thirty minutes?

My brain began “rabbit-trailing.” What was for dinner in the cafeteria tonight? I’m hungry; I should’ve eaten before I did this. How long can a person go without eating food? Maybe I could sneak out for a snack. No, then I’d have to start all over again.

And, then, my heart heard a loud “STOP!” It was the Holy Spirit snapping me to attention. What had I been doing? Focusing on everything but God. At that moment, I realized how self-centered my existence was. I wasn’t thinking about God at all, even when I was assigned to do it!

With the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to refocus and concentrate on listening for His voice. You know what? The craziest thing happened. I HEARD IT. God spoke to my heart because I listened.  

Our relationship with God goes two ways; it’s a back-and-forth. He wants to talk to us just as much as we want to talk to Him. If we are constantly talking and thinking and analyzing, where is there time for us to listen to what God wants to say?

Take time to “enter the silence” and pray. You won’t be disappointed.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Find thirty minutes this week to spend listening to God’s voice.

2.  Tell a friend or family member how God spoke to you this week.

FURTHER READING:

Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2

Brita is currently working toward her Master’s in Counseling at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She has called Oakwood her home church for the past seventeen years.

Thanks to the Workers

By Lexi Ellis

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.

 1 Corinthians 12:12 (ESV)

Labor Day…that national holiday that’s the official “last weekday before school starts” or the final “summer super-sale” at retail stores. As a child, I often confused Memorial Day with Labor Day, though they are quite different. The former honors those who have served and protected our country; the latter celebrates the industrial and economic achievements of our country.

According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day “is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” [1]

The reality is, we need to celebrate both the honoring of the protectors and the achievements of the workers. Both - - in different ways and degrees of sacrifice - - contribute to the vitality and health of our nation.

For followers of God and “citizens” in His Kingdom, we’re called to celebrate both, as well. There is a time to honor those who are Protectors of the Faith, who have dedicated their lives and made sacrifices for the name of Christ. And there’s also a time to celebrate the “labor movement” in the Body of Christ.

The book of Acts chronicles the workers of the gospel - - ordinary men and women who allowed God to use them. The result? Incredible things happen with many coming to Christ rapidly. Letters to specific churches recorded in Scripture also show people, though not perfect, receiving godly wisdom and counsel to get to work!

The labor movement for the gospel continues today. We are called to continue being disciplemakers in many different ways.

This Labor Day, thanks to the workers who all contribute to the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Thank you:

§  Sunday School teachers,

§  small group leaders,

§  worship teams,

§  community volunteers,

§  parents actively working to be the faith-trainers in their children’s lives,

§  people who “set the stage” for effective ministry,

§  prayer warriors,

§  friends who allow God to use them in others’ lives,

§  pastors,

§  advocates of social justice, in Christ’s name.

Thanks to those who ask the Holy Spirit to lead in their lives so we can proclaim the gospel. Let’s use this Labor Day not just as a last weekday before school starts, or another super-sale, but as a reminder to continue being active workers for the Good News…and thankful to those who do it along with us.

GOING DEEPER:

1. How are you currently being a worker of the gospel?

2. Is there a fellow worker of the gospel you can thank today?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 16; Acts 26:12-29

Lexi is married to Andrew, serves with Oakwood’s Children’s Ministries, teaches at Lake Country Christian Academy and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Fresh by Peggy Kleckner

FRESH!

By Peggy Kleckner

“Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Lamentations 3:23 (NLT)

Fresh-baked cookies beckon us to take and eat; fresh-brewed coffee calls us to take and drink; fresh-from-the-garden vegetables call for cool rinsing for a mouth-watering snack. As a young girl, I remember coming home after school surprised by fresh-baked hot cross buns on the table. What a treat! You could smell the aroma as you walked through the kitchen door. Mom had just drizzled the icing across the tops. What a joy to be told that, yes, they were for us! Warm and fresh and just for us (I had five brothers and sisters). As we sat down to enjoy, we talked over our school day and all the “tragedy and drama” of the day fell away as our fingers and mouths got sticky and our stomachs became full.

God’s fresh mercies do the same. He invites us each morning to sit down and share our lives with Him. He calls us to take and eat of Him…take of Him and be filled when we are empty. We are to allow His mercies to rinse over us, cleanse us, refresh us and renew us. Our God calls to us each morning to share with Him our heartaches, mishaps and failures. And as we do, He reaches out to us with fresh mercies – fresh from the pot, fresh from the oven, fresh from the garden!

Our God is not a God of day-old, leftover or spoiled. He is a God of fresh, new beginnings. Are you in need of a fresh start?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Have you received God’s fresh mercies today? In what specific area of your life do you need them most?

2. What could you do right now to make sure you’ll meet with Him tomorrow?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:1; Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 30:18

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children—two sons and two stepsons and is an active encourager at Oakwood.

So Close
By Lexi Ellis

“If you love me, keep my commands.”
John 14:15 (NIV)

When walking in the woods, I’ll have my dog, Calvin, off-leash with his correction collar on. Since he was a puppy, he’s been trained specifically that “here” means come all the way back to us. But once and a while, after hearing “here,” he’ll turn around quickly, start running towards me but stop before coming back all the way…trying to see if he can get credit for obeying. Our trainer was clear that if “here” means come all the way back to me, then halfway may be so close, but it isn’t fully obeying.

Scripture is filled with examples of men and women who were so close but struggled to fully obey God’s command because of their heart condition. Their actions resembled obedience, but their attitudes revealed pride, anger, manipulation and bitterness.

Aaron and Miriam got sick of obeying God’s call to follow Moses and turned to bitterness and gossip. God’s response was His own version of a correction collar in the form of temporary leprosy for Miriam. (Numbers 12) They were so close to obeying, but allowed title and pride to rule.

Gideon obeyed and God used him to accomplish a task only possible with God. Yet later in his life, Gideon allowed idols and pride to become his legacy. [1] Gideon was so close to obeying God fully but struggled to give God the credit and used God’s victory for his own glory and revenge.

After a correction collar that looked like a big fish, Jonah obeyed, went to Nineveh, and preached repentance, but got grumpy and angry when his version of justice wasn’t allowed by God. He basically said, “I knew you would be compassionate, God, and I’m annoyed you aren’t giving these people  what they deserve.” Jonah was so close to obeying fully but missed a deeper understanding of God’s grace. (Jonah 4)

This isn’t a problem exclusively in the stories of Scripture. We often struggle in obeying God’s call fully because of our attitude. We complain, quit or manipulate so we get more credit. While God recognizes we are selfish and doesn’t require perfect people to do His work, we are also called to pursue complete obedience. When God calls “here,” we need to refuse to come halfway but instead come to Him completely…in action and in attitude.  

GOING DEEPER:

1.      In what ways are you only “so close” to fully obeying God?

2.      What do you need to do to move closer to full obedience?

FURTHER READING:

John 15:9; Deuteronomy 11:1

Lexi teaches sixth grade and is married to Andrew. They have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh Start Coordinator.

[1] For more on Gideon, check out Priscilla Shriver’s Bible study, “Gideon: Your Weakness, God’s Strength” or listen to Oakwood Church’s two sermons (August 9 & 16) in the “Blurry” series, http://www.oakwoodnow.org/resources/messages.html

One Handful at a Time

By Elin Henderson

“So, He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them, and they  set them before the multitude.”

Mark 8:6 (NKJV)

           

Needy multitudes. This story in Mark 8 might be thousands of years old but the needy multitudes are still with us today! Whether it is 4 or 4,000 we are surrounded by people with needs every day. People who are needy for our time, our love, our support, our finances, our counsel, and more.  We, as disciples of Jesus, are called to follow Him into the midst of these multitudes to minister. But, more so than that, He is calling us to participate firsthand in the miracles He will perform in our  midst!

The feeding of the 4,000 actually comes after what we would consider a ministry marathon. Their resources were depleted and the disciples themselves were weary and depleted. Then Jesus calls them to take the little that they can scrounge up to eat and share it with this multitude. There wasn’t enough to feed the 4,000 let alone have anything left over for the disciples themselves to eat. 

Jesus miraculously took the meager fish and bread and began dividing it and handing it to the disciples. Each of the disciples came forward, picked up a handful and started distributing it. When their hands were empty, they turned and returned to the Master to fill them once again. Jesus could have just miraculously made bread and fish appear in the lap of each person there, but He chose to use the disciples to serve the multitude. Little by little, the crowds were fed and the disciples got a front row seat to an awesome miracle. More so than that, they got a front row seat in the act of serving and giving. 

Is Jesus inviting you to participate in a miracle with him today? You might look down at your meager resources and say, “It’s not enough, God!” Then, He takes that meagerness and fills your hands with His miraculous provision. “Now, go, my disciple,” He says, “And feed that little group over there.” When that supply runs out, you lift up your eyes, find the Master and return to Him for more provisions. He gives you just what you need to reach out to the next person, then the next, then the next until the crowd is fed, one miraculous handful at a time. And you got to be a part!

GOING DEEPER:

1.      What would you say are the top 5 needs of the “multitudes” around you? 

2.      How are your resources looking? Where can you go to receive what you need to reach out and serve?

FURTHER READING:

Galatians 5:13b; Romans 12:11

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to fifteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias. 

Deadheading by Vernette Kureck

Deadheading

By Vernette Kureck

“The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of our God stands forever”

Isaiah 40:8 (NKJV)

It is time to approach my flowerpots and the garden with cutting shears and determination. The frequent spring rains and warm days of summer have created a glorious splash of colors among the perennials and annuals. However, they are looking a bit leggy and spent now in some areas, so it is time to do some pruning and deadheading, which is cutting off the dead blooms before they go to seed. This will send new vigor down to the roots stimulating new growth and more flowers. Sometimes it seems hurtful to the plant, but in the end, it creates a better specimen, hence my determination.

As I pruned, the verse from John 15:2  came into my head…“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away, and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit” (NIV). Snipping away the dead and stressed parts of the plant was providing a nice spiritual lesson. Isaiah 40:8 says the Word of our God stands forever. So after checking my concordance, I found a few things the Word says to prune.

In the middle of Ephesians, Paul writes about an edifying lifestyle. This is practical advice on how to build up the church body. Beginning in Chapter 4 verse 25, he mentions a number of things to put away, or cut off. A big one is falsehood, including little white lies - - we are to speak the truth. We are to prune anger - - not all anger is sin, but if it is consuming, it will give the devil a foothold. Thievery or dishonest work ethics need to be stopped. Unwholesome, corrupting talk or gossip…cut it off. Get rid of every kind of bitterness, which stems from lack of forgiveness, as well as rage, slander, brawling and malice. When these are pruned off, the Holy Spirit will regenerate us with kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you do not leave us in our natural state, but that You have your pruning shears sharp and ready to remove the “deadheads” from our lives. Thank you that we are a work in progress, always growing and becoming more like Jesus. Help us to relinquish those “deadheads” that are not pleasing to you, and renew us with your precious Holy Spirit through your Holy Word which lasts forever. We give You all the glory. Amen.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What other attitudes, habits or behaviors can you find to deadhead?

FURTHER READING:

John 15:1- 12, Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 3:20

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married  over 45 years and have 2 sons. They have been blessed with eight grandchildren. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain.