Race Encouragers

By Karen D’Amore

“…I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

Romans 1:12 (NIV)

Watching my co-worker train for her first half marathon has drawn me to reminisce about my  race days, many years ago. I recall the energy and enthusiasm of the spectator-lined streets, with race supporters clapping, cheering and chanting: “You can do it!” “You’re almost there - - KEEP GOING!” Initially, I planned on being my co-worker’s race day “spectating-cheerleader,” until she encouraged me to train and run the race with her.

To aid in my training, I purchased and activated a Fitbit. Worn on the wrist, this high-performance wireless device tracks steps taken, distance traveled, calories burned, very active minutes and quality of sleep. With my pre-set fitness goals programmed into the application, my Fitbit buzzes when I’m close to reaching my goals and displays vivid fanfare when I’ve reached my goals. My Fitbit has been my perpetual cheerleader and encourager throughout my training. With every “buzz” of encouragement…I’m compelled to “KEEP GOING!”

In my early race years while living in Southern California, training/running conditions were optimal year round. Now in the Midwest, winter weather hinders my training/running capabilities. Though environmental obstacles threaten to discourage my training, my Fitbit’s goal-achieving alerts inspire and encourage me to persevere and stay on course with my training, even amidst ice and snow. Being impacted by the encouraging power of this little bracelet-like device, I pondered the possibility of such a device for spiritual training.

Scripture likens our faith-walk to “running a race.” That racecourse is inundated with obstacles and hindrances which impact our endurance and perseverance. While we wrestle with the internal hindrances of sin, we also encounter external hurdles like sickness, death, betrayal, injustices and hardships. And while, as believers, we’re responsible for running our own personal race, we’re not called to run alone.

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another…” (Hebrews 10:24-25a, NIV).

To be successful in our race as believers, we need to be one another’s “cheerleaders.” We need to applaud each other when we’re doing well, and pray for one another when we stumble and fall. And when obstacles become sources of discouragement, tempting our teammates to quit the race, we need to be their “race encouragers!” We need to function like Fitbits - - “buzzing” with encouragement, urging our fellow believers to “KEEP GOING” and finish the race!

GOING DEEPER:

1. How can you function like a “Fitbit” and become a race encourager?

FURTHER READING:

Acts 15:32; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and a Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility.  

Free

By Lexi Ellis

“With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.”
Romans 8:1-2 (The Message paraphrase)

Four years later, I can still distinctively remember it…feeling hopeless and just staring at my laptop’s blank screen. Writing a paper wasn’t usually difficult. For a class, I had to analyze a societal message and its effects in my life. Originally, I had a researched, beautiful outline in which I wrote of my struggles with having a healthy relationship with food. It was a comfortable vulnerability, un-messy. And yet, my professor wanted me to re-do it. After lots of tears, I was convicted I needed to address issues beyond my simplified outline. I had to ask questions with unknown answers…or ones I might not like.

So after processing and praying, I approached the blank screen and wrote how my food issues were a coping mechanism for a simple reality: I struggle with self-hatred. It takes work to overcome a flood of critical, self-deprecating thoughts. But even after I learned the tools to help manage this, I felt guilty. For some reason, the guilt from struggling with self-hatred was worse than acknowledging the “food stuff.” Here I was with this struggle that seemed so stupid. It was terrifying to realize that acknowledging it through writing would force me to address it.

Part of the enormous beauty of the Cross is that Christ conquered guilt and shame. Paul writes that in Christ “there is no more condemnation.” A synonym is criticism. There is now no more criticism. What Christ has done for us (and our acceptance of His gift along with an ongoing relationship with Him) means we are free.

How powerful that He freed us from the bondage of hell and the bondage of guilt!  In John Bunyan’s classic Pilgrim’s Progress, the character Christian has been carrying a heavy, horrific burden. When he encounters freedom in Christ, this immense baggage drops, “loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble; and so continued to do…and I saw it no more.” [1]

While life doesn’t always get easier, we are free from shame. When life is hectic, it’s important to be aware the Cross also released us from guilt. I’m thankful that a blank screen caused me to recognize - - while it was hard to process how gripping that guilt was on my life - - I serve a bigger God who has freed me. 

GOING DEEPER:

1. What guilt/shame do you struggle with?

2. Take it to the Lord - - He has conquered guilt.

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:1-4 (The Message paraphrase)

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

[1] Bunyan, Pilgrim’s Progress, chapter 3 (http://www.learnthebible.org/c_p_pilgrims_progress_chapter_3.htm)

A Tragic Tumble
By Elizabeth Cole

“So then, let us stop judging one another. Instead, you should decide never to do anything that would make others stumble or fall into sin.”
Romans 14:13 (GNT)

Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water.
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
And Jill came tumbling after.

I’ve always felt so sad for Jack and his friend Jill. On what seems to be an appropriate and well-intentioned mission, Jack falls. After considerable thought and pondering, I’ve come up with a number of questions about this tragedy:

1.Did you carelessly wander off the path, Jack? No map? Is that what caused you to fall down?

2. New shoes? I’ve noticed in the church nursery that new shoes are a guarantee for at least two falls per hour.

3. A little too chatty to pay attention to that turn in the road?

4. Or maybe someone had strung a line across the trail to trick you?

While Jack’s fall is certainly concerning, especially the part about his broken crown, it’s Jill who gets my particular sympathy. Apparently, she was just innocently trekking along—doing her best—when all of a sudden Jack’s fall tripped her up short and sent her tumbling too.

Yes, it’s Jill who has my heart. The Jill who’s struggling with an addiction and is invited out for “just one” with the girls. The Jill who’s trying to figure out what godly “wife-ing” and parenting looks like, but encounters consistent criticism, husband-bashing and harshness. The Jill who’s new to following Christ and experiences rejection by a fellow believer for being a little too authentic. The Jill who’s getting ready to give up trying to make a friend at church. The Jill who thought that love, surrender and obedience to Christ really matter.

Being in Christ means being in Christ together. What we think and what we do matter, not only in our own walk with Christ, but in those lives whom God has placed beside us on this part of the path. May we choose this day to be women who grab a hand and help another woman along the way. May this be a day of deciding to lay aside what could cause a sister in Christ to stumble and, instead, to intentionally “walk in the Spirit.” May we live in such a way that others see what we do and give praise to our Father in heaven.

Walk well today, Jack.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Whom has God placed in your life right now to influence her spiritual walk? How are you doing with that divine privilege?
2. Take a moment to thank the Lord Jesus for those He’s placed beside you to influence you for His good in your life.

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 5:16; 2 John 6

Elizabeth is a wife with three grown daughters and two sons-in-law, and is the Director of Connecting at Oakwood Church.

Tangled Trees

By Elin Henderson

“…the genealogy of Jesus Christ the Son of David, the Son of Abraham…”

Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

Let’s face it, most of our family trees are interesting sights to behold. There are some straight and lovely branches, and then there are the gnarled branches, and the ones you wish you could snap off and hide. Usually, our trees are a tangled mess of the good and the bad.

Jesus was no different than we when it comes to tangled family trees. On his mother’s side, there were more than a few gnarled branches. The first chapter of Matthew does a great job of listing out the key characters in Jesus’ family tree.

Among the many names there are a few that stand out. He had many upright and godly men in His tree: names like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and Solomon. Then there are the lesser known Uzziah and Jotham, both who “did what was right in the sight of the Lord” (II Kings 15:34).  BUT, there are a few shady characters as well. Do you remember Rahab? She was the prostitute (not the best career choice) who hid the Israelites who came to scout out Jericho. Next someone named Abijam. I Kings 15:3 says, “…he walked in all the sins of his fathers…his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God…” Then Ahaz, who was so bad, he made Abijam look good (II Kings 16:3)!! On and on it goes through the list - - some good, some bad.

Jesus truly had a controversial family tree. It was part of His identity, but He didn’t live in relation to that. He was a Branch that stood out among all the others. Jeremiah 23:5 calls Him the “Branch of Righteousness.” Why? He lined Himself up with a different point of reference: His Heavenly Father.

I find hope in Jesus’ tangled tree. It reminds me that my past does not dictate my future. Yes, there are some great things in my family tree, but you know, there are some pretty ugly things, as well. My hope and prayer is that as I look to Him, He will continue to make all things new in my life, including my branch of the family tree.

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1. As the holiday season has wrapped up, having brought relatives from far and wide to remind us of our tangled trees (!), what can we learn from the good and even the bad that make up our family trees?

2. How can we stand out as branches of righteousness in the midst of it all this new month…and throughout the year? 

                                                           

FURTHER READING:

Zechariah 3:8, 6:12; II Corinthians 5:17

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

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

A Thousand Thanks

By Susan Klein

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

A few years ago, I gave a small journal to a young woman leaving for college. I told her to use it as a Gratitude Journal. I exhorted, “When things get tough at school, or you’ve just had a bad day, take time before you go to bed and journal something you are thankful for. It’ll really help!” My intent was to help keep her focus on the Giver of all good things and not on difficult circumstances.

This past year, in our family and friend circle, I’ve seen several people die and know some who are just clinging to life. There have been a few too many “bad days.” Around Thanksgiving, I decided to heed my own advice and start a Gratitude Journal. My goal was to write one thousand things that I am thankful for - - without repeating any. It didn’t seem like such a daunting task at first.

Most days I’d open the journal and easily come up with a dozen or more. As time passed, and not wanting any duplicates, I found I had to think a little harder in order to come up with new ones. Admittedly, some days I wasn’t “feeling” the gratefulness, and the journal remained out of sight. But on those days when grief was most consuming and I made the effort to pull out the journal (in spite of my feelings), it became a balm to my soul!

The enemy has a hard time doing his work when our minds are fixed upon the God of compassion who gives good gifts to His children. Even if I struggled to think of something new to jot down, just reading over the things I had previously written was encouragement for my weary heart.

I’m still working on that journal. I actually have a long way to go yet, but there is great joy in the journey! I’ve become much more attuned to things (and people) in my life which invoke thankfulness. When I see something new, I tuck it away in my mind to record the next morning. Truthfully, while I’ll definitely celebrate reaching the goal of one thousand things, I don’t know if I really want to reach it. I kind of like keeping this mindfulness of “looking for” things to be grateful for.

I suppose the journey could continue indefinitely…want to join me?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Will you commit to being more mindful of things God has blessed you with, and then will you share them with Him?

FURTHER READING:

Colossians 1:12, 2:6-7, 3:15

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

The List
By Lisa Boyer

“Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (NIV)

When I’m stressed, I make a list. The list helps relieve my stress by taking an overwhelming project and breaking it down into several do-able items. I then work my way through the list crossing things off as I get them done. The idea is that when everything is crossed off the list, the overwhelming project will be done.

A couple years ago, I named a list “To get ready for Tuesday.” Tuesday has now came and went, and I was happy that the event I was getting ready for was a success! Or at least I thought it was until I found my “To get ready for Tuesday” list and discovered that I hadn’t done everything on the list!!! One third of the items on the list weren’t crossed off! Was it possible for the event to have been a success if the getting ready for it list was never finished?

Using the marvels of hindsight, I reviewed the list again… oh yeah, that probably didn’t need to be on the list, um, neither did that, whoa, that either, wow, what was I thinking when I put that on there? No wonder I had been so stressed! I had taken a simple event and created a monster! Not only was the event a success with one-third of the list unfinished, it would have been a success even if I had left one-half of the items on the list unfinished! Better yet, I should have left those things off the list completely.

I’ve always (secretly) prided myself on being like a woman named Martha in the New Testament, a person who gets things done. But there’s a downside to being like Martha… “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made” (Luke 10:40, NIV). I had certainly become distracted, and sadly, not all the preparations had been necessary.

How often do I add to my list (and my life) things that aren’t essential? I still want to be a “Martha,” but I don’t want to be worried “about many things” (Luke 10:41) and miss out on important moments.

The next time I am stressed and make a list, I’m thinking it’ll be a whole lot shorter!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have non-essential things distracted you from what is important?

2. What steps will you take to correct that today?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:38-42

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

The Transformer

By Vernette Kureck

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God‘s will is - - His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Was I going to be conformed or transformed? That was the question I was asking myself as I prepared to be baptized back in 1977. Baptism by immersion is a picture of the old life being buried under the water and rising up in new life with Christ. I had selected the above verse as a life verse since it was one I could use to gauge how I was doing in the Christian walk. I also loved the word “transformed”… this was the era of the new Transformer toys and our sons really enjoyed converting the many moving parts of some sort of vehicle into a disguised warrior. They quickly found out that if they didn’t follow the directions to move the parts, there could be breakage or malfunction.

Thankfully, I was not left alone in my transformation. Jesus gives us the Spirit of Truth, and He guides us in all things, as He tells us in John 16:13-15. The more I poured the Bible into my mind and responded to His counsel, the closer I was to His good and perfect will. The more I adhered to God’s way and followed His direction, instead of following my way or the world’s way, the more encouraged I became that I was pleasing Him. And as I tested God’s will in Christian service, I realized more and more that He was strengthening me, and He continues to do so. The renewal process began.

Paul’s charge to Timothy is: “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). The daily battle is who to listen to…the world or the Word. To malfunction or to follow His guidance. For me, the old life is dead, so the choice is clear. I prayerfully commit to do His will, and ask for forgiveness when I do malfunction. (That is another whole devotional!) As believers in God, we are being converted and transformed into spiritual warriors. In order to be effective in the battle, we need to follow the Master Transformer and allow Him to do His work in us.

With His love and guidance, the battle will be won…and we will no longer be disguised. We will be renewed. We will be transformed. Approved, and pleasing to God.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What sources and resources are you using to renew your mind?

2. Is the world or the Holy Spirit counseling you?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 19:7-14; Colossians 3:1-17

Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 46 years. Their two married sons have blessed them with eight grandchildren.

A Mix of “Mattering”
By Lexi Cole Ellis

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

A couple months ago, I was driving, listening to a local Christian radio station. As the song ended, the radio host jubilantly proclaimed, “Isn’t it nice that yesterday doesn’t matter? Yesterday…does…not …matter.” [1]

I see his point. There’s something biblical about this idea of a fresh start.  Acts 3:19 tells us to “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”  God’s Word says that when we accept God’s free gift of salvation, we are given eternity in heaven. Scripture says that nothing can separate us from God’s love…no matter what we’ve done. [2]

And yet, a part of me immediately questioned that statement when I heard it. Consequences still exist. How I treat the people in my life today will certainly affect my tomorrow. And Scripture talks about this idea of “…whatever one sows, that will they also reap.” [3]  The Bible also shows, over and over, that there are sometimes long-lasting consequences for sin that extend beyond the day.

So on the issue of “mattering,” where is the line? If we relish exclusively in the mentality that every day is a fresh start, we are more apt to be reckless in our relationships and our choices. If we stand firm on consequences, we miss out on the incredible grace that God has so freely lavished upon us.  Clearly, there’s a mix. There remains consequences for sin and disobedience in this world, but there is freedom that God has rescued us from eternal separation from Himself.

And while that seems obvious, I’ve recently realized that I sometimes tend to camp on one side or another, instead of living life like there’s a mix of both. Sometimes I justify my bad attitude with the “yesterday doesn’t matter” mentality. When I do that, I miss the opportunities of being Christ to a broken world. Sometimes I get legalistic, focusing on doing the right thing and hyper-aware of what I do and don’t accomplish. When I do that, I miss out on continually basking in the freedom that comes with God’s unfathomable grace.

As we continue into the New Year, I’m thankful for that reminder on the radio.  A reminder that, in my life, there needs to be a mix of both a fresh start and a beyond-today thinking.

GOING DEEPER:
1.  What “side” do you tend to focus on more in your study and thinking?
2.  What do you need to do in order to have a better mix of God’s grace with God’s consequences?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 43: 19; 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

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

[1] July 18, 2016. Life 102.5, mid-afternoon

[2] Romans 8, NIV

[3] Galations 6:7, NIV

Sifted Like Flour
By Elin Henderson

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But, I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’”
Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

There is a common joke among missionary women. I call it the phases of “becoming.” Phase 1: You find bugs in your flour, completely freak out, and promptly throw out the entire bag. Phase 2: You are still freaked out by the bugs but you have learned that you can carefully sift the flour and get them out. Phase 3: You move past serious sifting and just look for the major bugs and pick them out by hand. Phase 4: You have “become” and you see the bugs and say, “Good, bugs! More protein!” and just leave them in there.

God uses Satan to sift us and remove the bugs in our lives! Satan came asking for Peter and God said, “Go ahead, have at it.” We see this with Job in the book of Job and with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. And, interestingly enough, it isn’t always through the victories that we win. It isn’t always in the overcoming that we grow, but sometimes in our failure, as well. “When you have returned to me,” Jesus says to Peter, indicating that He wasn’t necessarily walking with the Lord all the time in His trial of sifting.

But, Christ gave him two wonderful promises that are reflected in our own relationship with Christ as well: The first and most significant is Christ prays for us when we are in process of being sifted…“But, I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail.” We are not alone, despite how we feel. Satan is only given so much “rope,” so to speak, and no more. We are God’s and He watches over us. Christ prays for us and the Father knows our limits. The second promise is that when it is over, we will be able to strengthen, encourage and comfort others with what we have learned…”But, when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren.” What a privilege to be able to show compassion and love to others in their time of need.

So, next time you feel like you are being tossed to and fro in Satan’s sifter, remember that you are prayed for and when you come out of it, you will be strengthened in your confidence in the Lord, able to encourage and support others in a deeper way…and hopefully with a few less bugs!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What kind of “sifting” have you endured in your life?
2. Who do you know who is facing something similar? How can you encourage that person? 

FURTHER READING: 

Luke 22:54-62; 1 Corinthians 1:3-5, 10:13; 1 Peter 4:13, 5:10; 1 John 5:18-19

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

The Right Help

By Susan Klein

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘go, I wish you well; keep warm and fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?” 

James 2:15-16 (NIV)

I was stuck! Having almost finished my grocery shopping, my loaded cart decided it was no longer going to move. In the very back of the store, I wondered, “How am I going to make it all the way up to the check-out?”  I inspected all the wheels, but I couldn’t find anything wedged in that could be the cause. The handful of shoppers in the area took no notice.

With seemingly no options, I shoved the cart across the floor, which was no easy task. An employee came by and I quickly voiced my predicament so he might offer help. He checked the wheels, got the stuck one to move a tiny bit and then said, “That should help.” I moved a few inches and the most ear-piercing screech came from the bum wheel. He just chuckled, shrugged his shoulders and walked away. A few inches more and the wheel not only screeched but then froze up again.

As I heaved the cart forward, many heads turned to see what the screeching noise was, but none offered assistance. “Really, couldn’t someone just get me a new cart?!” I muttered under my breath. Eventually, I turned the cart around and pulled it backward the rest of the way. The wheel remained stuck, but at least the screeching stopped.

Driving home, I mulled (stewed?) over the situation. To his credit, the worker had at least made an attempt to help. But when his effort failed, he simply walked away. I had to wonder…how many times might I have offered the wrong kind of help to someone? Worse yet, did I ever turn a blind eye to the needs of a person right in front of me? How many moms with screaming toddlers have I passed by in a store? How many times have I said, “I’ll pray for you,” when I could have easily done something tangible to help?

I don’t typically make New Year’s resolutions, but I think I can/will resolve to be more aware and more compassionate. As a child of the God who IS LOVE, and has imparted to me that very love, I will resolve to be more actively mindful of those around me.

“Lord, give us eyes to see, hearts of compassion, and hands that help.”

GOING DEEPER:

1. In what ways have you been shown “the right help,” when you really needed it?

2. How might you be a vessel of compassion to someone?

FURTHER READING:

Proverbs 11:25; Luke 10: 30-38; 1 John 3:17-18

Susan is married to Mark, and has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.

Are You in Need of a Head Lift?
By Elin Henderson

“…My glory, and the One who lifts up my head.”
Psalm 3:3b (NIV)

I recently came across this verse during a particularly down  time in my life. We all have faced times like these and I can think of no better word picture then to say my head was hanging low.

Let me ask, though, what is so wrong with our heads hanging low? Nothing in itself—we all face down times. However, how would you live if your head literally hung low all the time? Imagine looking down and trying to walk around a busy street. Your sense of direction would be way off and you would risk hurting yourself and others around you. You would only see one thing—yourself. Would you be aware the needs of others around you? Would you know where you were going or how to get there? No! Your focus would be you!

The world offers all sorts of solutions to the very common problem of a downcast mood: exercise, caffeine, sugar or NO sugar, movies, coffee with friends, or my favorite, “Lay down and relax…imagine you are on a tropical island. Listen to the waves upon the shore and the breeze blowing through the palms…” I have found that this technique only works when you don’t live in the tropics with breezes blowing through your palms night and day! What they fail to add to that picture is the heat, humidity, mosquitoes and lack of privacy!

The word picture found in Psalm 3:3-4 is one that we can and should meditate on, though: “But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head. To the Lord I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.” Wonderful hope lies in these verses. What we are most in need of in low times is a “head lift”! God alone can lift our head and help us to look upward and outward, keeping our eyes off of ourselves and on Him. When we cry to Him, we can know that He hears us and will answer with His free “head lifting service,” placing us on solid ground with a good view of the road before us and the world around us.

Now, I am not saying that other “coping mechanisms” aren’t helpful. A hot bath, a good chick flick and dark chocolate are all helpful sidekicks. Of course, if you live in the tropics, the hot bath is kind of out and dark chocolate is not found at the local market—but at least we’ve got chick flicks! No matter our coping preference, may we never lose sight that He alone is the true lifter of our heads!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What in your life is bringing you down today, causing your head to hang low? What can you do to re-focus on the One who is the lifter of your head?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 24:7-10

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

Live Like the Lid is Off

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

John 10:10 (The Message, paraphrase)

A number of years ago, Sony made a commercial for a game system that depicted fleas in a jar. The fleas were shown to be jumping all around in the jar, some even soaring out of the top. A lid is put on the jar for three days, then removed. The fleas no longer have the limitations of the lid. But guess what? The fleas no longer jump higher than the height of the lid. They have been trained, and don’t bother to attempt to go beyond, although no restrictions remain. And their offspring? They stay at the lowered height, never venturing above the top of the jar.

Sometimes, we humans are no smarter than the fleas. We put restrictions on ourselves and our lives, never venturing beyond the familiar. Or perhaps we did try something new, only to bang our heads and simply gave up. Maybe we were even told by others there was a limit, so instead of pushing at a boundary, we took their word for granted and never attempted to venture out.

But what if we were smarter? What if we lived like the lid was off of our lives, similar to:

-      Peter and Andrew, the disciples who left their family fishing business to train with Jesus

-      Ruth, who left her homeland to support her mother-in-law

-      Esther, who was bold enough to approach a king, risking death

-      The boy with a lunch, who handed it over to be the source of feeding thousands

-      Paul and Barnabas…leaving Jerusalem and taking the message of the Messiah to the world

I don’t know what the label says on your lid…what might be containing you. There are lots of lids. Some are labeled “condemnation”...”victim”… “stupid”… “fat”…“ugly.” Mine is labeled “fear.” Fear of ridicule, or losing someone I love, or losing personal safety. But like the paraphrase of John 10:10 above says, Jesus Christ came to give us life.  It is a precious and important gift. Don’t let your lid keep you from exploring life.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Does your life have a lid? What label is written on it?

2. Think of how you can help someone struggling to remove their own “lid.”

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 10:39; Luke 9:24

Along with caring for her family, Carolyn works as an insurance representative, serves in Oakwood Church as a Community Group leader and a High School home group leader.

To see the commercial, follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlpjA-QgmQM

More is More
By Jen Wollner

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
Luke 7:47 (NIV)

This isn’t just an ordinary woman…she has a “reputation.” Everyone in the room knows about her sinful ways. They all look on as the woman stands behind Jesus, weeping uncontrollably. Her tears fall, wetting his feet. As she cries, she crouches down and wipes his feet with her hair, kissing them and pouring expensive perfume on them. She is judged, criticized and looked down on…but Jesus honors her faith and commends her actions of love.

When I first read the story about this “sinful” woman and her worship of Jesus, I misunderstood it to mean that if a person sins more, Jesus forgives more; and if a person sins less, He has less to forgive. As I studied it further, though, I realized that the point of the story wasn’t that the woman sinned more than others or that her sin was somehow worse in Jesus’ eyes, but rather that she recognized her sin more completely. Consequently, she was more aware of the deep mercy Jesus had for her. She treasured His forgiveness because she had an accurate view of her sin. She was overcome with gratitude for His love that was freely offered to her, in spite of her shortcomings and poor choices. Because of the love He lavished on her, she was able to reciprocate and love Him in an extravagant way, sparing no expense to worship Him as He deserved. Her actions spoke volumes about her faith and love for her Savior.

What about us? Is our view of our sin realistic based on the truths of God’s Word? Do we love much because we recognize how much we are forgiven and loved by Jesus? We can’t appreciate the mercy Jesus offers unless we recognize our dire need for that mercy. We can’t accept Jesus’ grace and forgiveness if we don’t acknowledge that a Savior is absolutely essential. And we can’t reciprocate Jesus’ love for us, much less show that love to others, if we don’t confess and repent of our mistakes, humbling ourselves at the foot of the cross. Only when we know what we are saved from, do we overflow with love for our Savior.

As Easter approaches and we reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord, let’s allow the truth of His forgiveness to wash over us and fill our souls. Then, let’s pour our whole hearts out to Him and love Him abundantly and unrestrained.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever taken time to truly contemplate the depths of your sin…and the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness and love? Meditate on this two-part reality throughout the day today.

FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 John 3:1a

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three elementary-aged children. She serves on the leadership team for Mission: Hope, Oakwood’s orphan care ministry.