The Testing of Our Faith
By Karen D’Amore

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
James 1:2

In Greg Laurie’s book The God of the Second Chance he shares the tragic story of a car accident which took the life of his assistant pastor’s 14-year-old daughter. Greg spotlights the response of the child’s mother as she chose to cry out to God and give thanks with a grateful heart. Though grieved by her loss, her faith in the Lord enabled her to trust in His plan and thank Him for the time that she had had with her daughter. Greg was both blessed and amazed at this mother’s response.

In another chapter he references the fact that the world watches to see how Christians respond in the face of hardship and adversity. He directs the reader’s attention to Acts 16 where Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for teaching about Jesus. In the midst of a deplorable situation they chose to sing praises to God. Impacted by their response to adversity, the Philippian jailer hungered to know their God.

Eleven years after publishing this book, Greg Laurie—author, pastor and well-known evangelist—would be called to live out the words he had preached to his readers. On the morning of July 24, 2008, Greg’s 33-year-old son Christopher was tragically killed in an automobile accident. Three weeks later, Greg fulfilled an earlier commitment to preach to over 100,000 people at a local crusade.

The headlines read, "In the midst of personal tragedy, Pastor Greg Laurie urges readers to put their faith in Christ." The articles went on to quote Greg’s message to those at the crusade: "I’m preaching to me as much as I’m preaching to you—I know God is here no matter the circumstance." Greg evangelized for three nights with a broken heart. At the same time, his faith in Jesus enabled him to preach about THE cure for a broken heart.

Greg was correct…and the world was watching to see how he would respond in the face of his personal hardship. Everyone saw in Greg the strength and comfort that only our God can give. They saw that he was trusting in God’s purpose for his pain.

As unpleasant as they are, trials are necessary to test the genuineness of our faith and to shape us into mature Christ-like believers. May we encourage one another during times of persecution, illness, suffering and sorrow to dig deep into our God and to look for His purpose in our pain.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Why is perseverance so important? What is the reward for perseverance? (See Scripture references below for more answers.)

FURTHER READING:
Romans 5:3-5; Romans 8:18; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Peter 1:5-8

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

A Thankful Heart
By Shelly Schumacher

“We ought always give thanks to God for you, brethren, as it only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3

I am a runner. Not a good runner, but a runner nonetheless. And, like most runners, I have days that I dread putting on my shoes and heading out the door. On one of these unmotivated days, I decided to institute a new regime in my running. I now call this training tool my “thankful run.” On this day, I started my run and immediately developed a cramp in my side. I began a breathing technique to rid myself of the cramp and tripped over a pothole in the road. This trip triggered a twinge in my knee that ran right up to my brain, which was screaming, “GO HOME NOW!”

I was ready to throw in the proverbial towel when I decided to recount all the things in my life for which I am thankful. I started with the traditional, “thank you, Lord, for my family” and “thank you, Lord, for my home,” but soon my thoughts were racing and I was spouting out praise for everything I saw. I ran past a cute red house and I thanked God for the color red. I took a deep breath and I thanked Him for fresh air. And, after three miles, as I rounded the corner to my house, I gave thanks for my mailbox being in sight and that my run was over.

My thankful runs are now a tradition on days that I am lacking motivation. They give me a chance to reflect on all that God has provided for me. I am always refreshed with renewed faith at the end of the run and I am awestruck at how much I have been given by my loving heavenly Father. Much more than I need and most assuredly not what I deserve.

The Apostle Paul consistently demonstrated this practice of giving thanks in the letters he wrote. He used his thankfulness to encourage the church at Thessalonica, which was enduring increased persecution because of their faith. In addition, he encouraged them to give thanks so that their faith and love would continue to grow.

We can give thanks to the Lord no matter what we are doing—whether it’s running, cleaning the house or going to work. And, the best part is, in giving praise to Him, we receive the blessing.

GOING DEEPER:
1. When is the last time you gave thanks to God for something in your life? Find something in your field of vision to thank Him for right now.
2. Is there something that keeps you from having a spirit of thankfulness?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 92:1; Ephesians 1:16; Romans 6:17

Shelly is wife to Nick and mom to her two girls. She spends her time freelancing as a writer/PR professional, and is active in Oakwood's worship and drama ministries.

A Friend Without Question
By Susan Klein

“My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God…”
Job 16:20

Several years ago, the Lord took me through a particularly long and painful time of discipline and refinement. Since it was a direct result of personal sin in my life, I did not choose to share it with anyone other than my immediate family and my pastor.

But soon, people began to notice my absence at church. My husband usually fielded phone calls for me as I felt incapable of even holding a simple conversation. Some friends brought meals and others watched my children for me. Most wondered what was wrong, but I just couldn’t bring myself to talk about it.

One night, a dear friend called. My husband answered, prepared to deliver his customary response. But oddly, he came into my room and said, “It’s Jamie. I really think you should take this.” I nodded my head vehemently, not wanting her to hear my refusal. He held out the receiver with pleading eyes. I resignedly took the phone from him. I feared her well-meaning questions and was not ready to deliver any answers.

What happened next was totally unexpected. She said, “Hi sweet Susan, I just called to pray for you. Would that be okay?” She didn’t ask any questions, she just spent 10-15 minutes praying for me over the phone. As I listened with tears streaming down my face, she spoke all the words that my own tongue could not utter. She truly interceded for me at a time when I most needed it. As she concluded, she asked if she could call me again the next night around the same time and pray for me again. And she did! In fact, this went on for weeks. This dear woman who worked during the day, cared for a husband and four children, and was involved in several ministries at church, wanted to take time out of her busy schedule just to call me and pray, no questions asked. What a precious jewel God had placed in my life to intercede for me!

Paul exhorts us several times in Scripture to keep on praying for the saints. Even if we don’t know what they are struggling with, we can hold them up in intercessory prayer. God hears, and He promises to answer. I’ll never forget what this friend did for me in my time of need. What a wonderful example she’s given me to follow!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a friend who needs your intercessory prayers right now? Take a minute to pray for her now.
2. Remember to pray for your sisters-in-Christ on a regular basis, even if they are not struggling.

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; James 5:13-16

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Miriam
By Elizabeth Cole and Becci Terrill

“Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses…”
Numbers 12:1a

It’s a heartrending scene, to say the least. The Israelites, once honored guests in Egypt, have become the slave backbone of Egypt’s economy. Despite their bondage, the king of Egypt fears their numbers and ruthlessly devises a plan whereby every newborn Israelite boy is thrown at birth into the Nile River. Enter a godly man and his wife, who hide their newborn son for his first three months of life, then strategically place him in a basket in the river near where Pharaoh’s daughter bathes. His sister stands at a distance to see what will happen, and upon his being found by Pharaoh’s daughter, she promptly speaks, offering her assistance in finding an appropriate wet nurse for the baby. (Actually, an ideal wet nurse…his own mother). So we see the beginning of the story of Moses…and the story of his big sister, Miriam.

In chapters one and two of the book of Exodus, we get a sense of Miriam’s loving care for her brother, as well as her youthful ability to form decisions, and speak and act quickly. Fast forward to a point right after Moses has led the Israelites out of Egypt through a dry corridor of the Red Sea, and you’ll see Miriam, now a prophetess, using her mouth to lead worship (Exodus 15:1-21). Once more, if we push the “fast forward” button to Numbers 12:1-15 we see that God has generously provided over and over for His people as He’s provided them with commandments for living, a template for their tabernacle and even daily food. It’s here that our precious Miriam begins to lose it. You can’t help but think she was a little weary of all the travel, maybe a little grumpy from eating manna day in and day out, a little too impressed with herself and her prophesying, or irritated with her baby brother’s high profile. Regardless of the reason, that gift of voice which had served her oh so well yanks her to her knees. Talk about a good time to keep your mouth shut…

The choice exists for us even today, and continues to be a daily choice. My choice yesterday is no guarantee over my choice today. God has richly blessed us with gifts and designs that are awesome. How will we use them this time, this day? In a self-centered way, highlighting our own accomplishments? Or in a redeemed way, with care to spotlight only One?

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you relate to Miriam’s story?
2. Can you see how Miriam allowed pride to creep into her life? What was the result?

FURTHER READING:
James 3:1-12; Ephesians 4:29

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Becci is a wife and mom to two daughters. She manages volunteers at Ten Chimneys and is the Special Events Coordinator for Oakwood's Women's Ministries.

Follow the Leader
By Jen Wollner

“…I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go…”
Psalm 143:8

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, many of us have “turkey” on the brain. Well, at our house, we also have a few in our backyard! One day I noticed a small group just outside my window, so I stopped to watch as they peacefully wandered around, picking at the grass for food. Almost immediately, I took note that one of the turkeys wasn’t like the others. She stood out because she was slightly bigger and she didn’t have her head down looking for food—she was standing tall, slowly gazing in every direction, keeping a close eye on the other turkeys. I soon deduced that she must be the mommy turkey!

After the little turkeys had gotten their fill, they headed in the direction of some tall grasses that separate my property from my neighbor’s. Suddenly, they all stopped. They were waiting for their mommy! They stood at the edge of the grass, looking for her signal. After many minutes, when she was sure it was safe, the mother turkey entered the grass first, with all the little ones following behind. They didn’t stray as far as they had in the short grass and they didn’t have their heads down the entire time. They stayed close to her, constantly looking up to see where she was going. At last they got to my neighbor’s lawn on the other side, and they went back to their carefree grazing.

It might sound crazy, but I believe that our Heavenly Father is a lot like a mother turkey! When our life is calm, we might not pay much attention to Him, but He’s always there, just a few steps away, gently guiding us and staying alert to danger. And, when our lives turn upside down, He, again, leads us, until we make it through the valley and come out safe and sound on the other side. I wonder, though, do you and I respond to our Heavenly Father the way the young turkeys did with their mother? Do we trust Him to protect us and guide us, in good times and bad? Are we always aware of His presence and do we constantly seek Him for direction, whether our path is smooth or rough?

As I walked away from the window, I couldn’t help but think: How did this mother turkey know where to go and how to protect her children? And then it hit me—she was simply following her Leader.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What situation in your life do you need to follow the Lord more closely and trust Him more fully to take care of you?
2. What steps can you take to make sure you keep your eyes on Him?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; 2 Thessalonians 3:3

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

The Story of Mothers and Daughters
By Susan Klein

“May He give you the desire of your heart...”
Psalm 20:4a

One of the greatest joys a woman can have is becoming a mother to a daughter! The powerful bond that develops the instant she looks into her precious newborn’s face is magical! Watching her grow, learn, and develop into a young woman becomes a priceless experience that can be compared with nothing else.

One of the deepest sorrows a woman can know is the loss of a daughter. Missed opportunities to play dress-up, attend mother/daughter events, helping her pick out her first prom dress...

In my story, I have experienced both of these. God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed me to go through the trial of losing a daughter a number of years ago. He also graciously chose to bless me with a beautiful, healthy and happy daughter a couple of years later. Knowing what I do now, I am thankful for each of these life experiences. God showed me His love and His blessings in the good times and the bad.

Every mother and every daughter have a story to tell. Each relationship is unique. Many stories are filled with joyful events and happy memories; others contain times of deep sadness or struggles. Most stories hold chapters of both. Some mothers and daughters are blessed with strong, lasting relationships that gradually mature into a sweet friendship. Others have to work very hard at getting through their differences and maintaining a relationship. And sometimes, tragic circumstances can even separate a mother and her daughter for a time.

Whatever your story is, take comfort in knowing that God is the Author. He knows the pages before they are written. He is purposeful in choosing our mothers, and our daughters. He sends the sun into our lives and He sends the rain. He loves us when we draw close to Him, and He still loves us when we mess up! He knows we aren’t perfect and we’ll make mistakes, but He cares for us so much that he uses those trials in our relationships to refine us and draw us closer to Him. He desires to walk alongside each of us, holding our hands, guiding us through the crises, and dancing with us in our moments of joy. He knows the end of our story before we even turn the first page.

Whether your story is a tragedy or comedy, novel or short story, poetical or mysterious, God knows every word of every chapter. Look for Him in the pages of your life. Let Him show you the blessings He has in store for you both!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reflect on your relationship with your mother and/or daughter. What blessings do you see? What struggles?
2. Ask God to show you how you can strengthen your relationship.

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 4:8; Isaiah 66:3; 2 John 1-6; Proverbs 4

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Please Sir, I Want Some More
By Elizabeth Cole

“O taste and see that the Lord is good.”
Psalm 34:8a

The classic musical Oliver! features a scene that has captured my heart. The young orphan Oliver has just come to the orphanage. It’s dinnertime and he’s been served very little to eat…and he’s hungry. He finishes what he’s been given, gets up and walks down the drab dining hall toward Mr. Bumble. The other orphans fall silent as they anxiously watch each step. Oliver sweetly lifts his bowl and asks, “Please, sir, I want some more.” Perhaps you recall the shock and disapproval that follow the request: Oh, the audacity, the impertinence, the presumption of the boy!

Now contrast that with the God we serve. We have a God who generously invites us to taste and see that He is good. Furthermore, I am convinced through Scripture that we have a God who – when we do taste and see how very good He is and when we do approach Him and say, “Please, sir, I want some more,” – smiles and holds out a big ol’ ladle-full and generously gives us more. He is, in fact, the God of More.

More of Himself and His goodness. More of His kindness, His mercy, His graciousness.

Imagine it. This very day, we approach our Father with confidence, lifting up our lives to Him and requesting, “Please sir, I want some more.” And then we receive and receive from His generous goodness, from His mercies that He assures us are new every single morning.

We have received not only eternal life; we’ve received the very presence of God’s Spirit in our lives. Over and over again, we receive His provision, His guidance, His strength, His comfort, His power…all of it expressions of His goodness.

Are you hungry this morning? Go ahead….ask for more!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where in your life do you need to ask for more of God’s guidance or strength or comfort?
2. When was the last time you savored and meditated on the goodness of God in your life?
3. What would it take for you to proactively seek more of God in your daily life?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 3:20; John 4:7-14; John 6:26-58; Luke 11:9

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

A New Dance Step
By Peggy Kleckner

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
James 1:19

Oh, how I have wanted to incorporate this verse into my life! I certainly want the righteous life that God desires for me. Imagine me being quick to listen and slow to speak. I am sure those who know me best would say I have those two commands reversed! As I pondered this verse, I noted the tempo…quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. The three words jumped out at me: quick, slow, slow. They reminded me of a dance lesson I once took with my husband. It had a slightly different tempo, though: quick, quick, slow. Our teacher said those words aloud over the music, helping us to remember what our feet should be doing. She spoke the words at their tempo; quick was spoken quickly and slow was drawn out slowly. Since we were new to dancing, we moved pretty awkwardly, but as we practiced, it got easier and more natural.

As I think about this analogy, it dawns on me that Jesus invites us onto the dance floor…the dance floor of our lives…and He wants to lead us at His tempo: quick, slow, slow. As we take His hand, continuing to learn His ways, He will speak encouraging words in our ears. Oh, we will misstep often and tread on his toes repeatedly, but He is a very patient teacher. We must look into His face and trust Him to lead, for He certainly knows the right steps. We must make Him our focus, not looking down at our own feet! This dance may take a while for us to catch on to, but imagine the benefits that can come from practicing! I believe He invites each of us to learn from Him. And, dancing to the tempo just makes it a little more fun a lot easier to remember.

Quick, slow, slow….I better run. I think my dance number is being called!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Which part of this “tempo” do you need to focus on? Quick to listen? Slow to speak? Slow to become angry?
2. What are some things you could do to make sure you are allowing Jesus to lead you in that area?
3. If you think it would be helpful, post this verse in an obvious place today to remind you of your “dance steps.”

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 32:8-11; Proverbs 16:20; Proverbs 23:12

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - two sons and two stepsons. She is the Co-Coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Hearing God’s Voice
By Karen D’Amore

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10: 27

One Sunday, my pastor taught on John 10 by sharing a personal experience he had had on a trip to Israel. While he was visiting a famous biblical site, a group of shepherds arrived with their flocks. Three different shepherds put all of their sheep in one pen for the night. The next morning, one shepherd arrived at the pen and began calling to his sheep. One by one, his sheep (and only his sheep) filed out to follow him. The same thing happened when the other two shepherds began calling their sheep. The sheep recognized only their shepherd’s voice. Amazing!

I witnessed a similar phenomenon recently in my own yard. I have many kinds of wildlife living on my property and one day four mother raccoons, each with a litter of babies (21 raccoons total), were dining on my patio. From a treetop deeper in the woods, came the cry of a baby raccoon. Suddenly, one of the mothers darted from the group and ran to the crying baby. Calling back to her baby, the mother was able to coax her baby down out of the tree. It was incredible to observe how this mother raccoon recognized her baby’s cry for help and vice versa.

Whether it is a shepherd and his sheep, wildlife and their young, or a Christ follower and the Lord…the ability to recognize the appropriate voice is based on the relationship. The only way that a sheep can know the voice of a shepherd or a raccoon the voice of its mother is through the intimate bond they share. Similarly, the only way that we can recognize God’s voice is through a personal relationship with Him. To truly know God and to distinguish His voice from others, we must spend time in His Word, time in prayer and time sitting quietly at His feet.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you able to identify God’s voice? If not, what steps could you take to know Him in a more intimate way?
2. Is there someone in your life whom you could help mentor as he or she builds a closer relationship with the Lord?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 46:10; Psalm 27:14; I Corinthians 2:9; Jeremiah 33:3; Colossians 3:15

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

Thoughts on a Well-Traveled Road
By Elizabeth Cole

“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:6

I loved traveling into work today. It had nothing to do with the autumn-hued trees, nor the Midwest-brilliant sky, though they’re magnificent enough to bring tears to the eye. No, I was celebrating a totally smooth, sleek, shiny-black…Highway 83. There wasn’t a single pothole or construction cone to hit the whole way from home to church.

Not so, this summer. Lake Country’s finest construction crews were out in full force doing extensive and, shall we say, bothersome roadwork. At first, I tried to avoid it, but every creative new route I attempted only led to further detoured disappointment. The “road less traveled” just meant there were that many more cars at a standstill in one lane instead of two. All summer, the construction disrupted my timing, my ingrained patterns and the way I’ve always done things.

How like our God. When we give Him our lives, telling Him we submit to His best, He takes us at our word! And the overhaul begins. I’m thinking of a time when God upended my life in a particular area, changing patterns and ways of interacting that I’d used for a long time. They weren’t very effective, of course, but they were familiar and they got me where I was going…eventually. In His kindness, though, God had a smoother way in mind. A way that would result in my looking a whole lot more like the “real me” He has planned. So the inconvenience began, the pain was no fun, I felt lost more than not…and it sure took longer than I would have liked. But what a difference it’s made in a valuable relationship, and I’ll just say: It was worth it.

Join me in celebrating that beautiful, well-constructed Highway 83 today! And let’s just agree to remind each other of this moment next summer when those orange-vested crews start in on Highway 94…

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas of your life are you resisting God’s constructive work? How might you choose to cooperate instead?
2. Take a moment to look back at the last several years of your life. In hindsight, in what areas do you need to thank God for His good work?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 5:1-5, 8:28-29; Colossians 1:10

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

God is Food
By Jen Wollner

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”
John 6:35

When my older son was in preschool, he learned a mealtime prayer that went like this: “God is good. God is great. And we thank Him for our food. Amen.” Often, he would say it before dinner and my younger son, who was two at the time and loved to copy his older brother, wanted to say it as well. The problem was that he was still developing his verbal skills, so this is his version: “God is food. Thank you food. Amen.”

My husband and I would chuckle a little when he would say, “God is food,” but as I thought more about it, I realized how profound that statement really was. Jesus calls Himself the bread of life. He says that God sent Him as “bread from heaven” and that anyone who “eats” of Him will have eternal life. He goes on to explain that if we come to Him in faith and believe that He is the Son of God, who died for our sins, we will receive the gift of eternity in Heaven with Him.

But, there is even more to the idea of God being “food” for us. We are bombarded daily by things that drain us—job commitments, family needs, household duties, social obligations, volunteer work—you name it! While many of these tasks are good things, they still wear us down and exhaust us by the end of the day. What we need is something to fill us up again. Something to refresh us. Something to restore our strength or patience or perseverance. Something to quench the hunger and thirst of our bodies, souls and minds. That is just what the Lord does for us! He meets our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs…and He meets them abundantly. Our part is to “eat” and “drink” of Him. We do this by attending church services or Bible studies. We do it by spending time alone with Him, studying His Word. And, we do it by having a continuous dialog with Him through prayer— focusing on His attributes, affirming our trust in Him, thanking Him for His past faithfulness, telling Him our needs and concerns, and then listening to His reassuring voice. A close, intimate relationship is what Jesus desires to have with us so that He can not just sustain us, but fill our cups to overflowing!

God is more than good. And, He’s more than great. He is food…for life.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What specific situations or responsibilities in your life are draining you today?
2. What do you need most from Jesus right now to make it through your day? Ask Him for these things.

FURTHER READING:
John 6:25-59; John 4:1-26

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

“Dyeing” to be Famous
By Karen D’Amore

“Now, you are no longer a slave but God’s own child.”
Galatians 4:7

Managing a hair salon affords me limitless opportunities to transform my hair. A recent color change had me mingling with several clients who were waiting for their color (dye) to process. Baking under infrared heat lamps, our little group of “foil heads” looked like some sort of sci-fi social club. My plans to spend some time reading my Bible were derailed by the gawking and giggling over the headlines from several popular tabloids. From “Babies, Lies & Scandal” to “Celebrity Feuds of the Week,” these ladies seemed to know more about the personal lives of those in Tinsel Town then I know about my own family!

Their focus shifted from their magazines to me when they learned that I was from California. Did you ever see anyone famous? Did you ever meet any stars? Did you get any autographs? Inquiring minds wanted to know everything! The truth was that I did know several celebrities, some very well, but none of us need to have a personal relationship with someone famous to see that many of these people we all glamorize and idolize have lives that are full of sadness. Just look at the headlines: Addictions, divorce, adultery, eating disorders, suicide, loneliness, emptiness and depression. It’s obvious that fame and money do not translate into happiness!

Clutching my unopened Bible, I noticed that a drop of red dye had dripped from my hair onto the cover. Sadly, no one was “dyeing” to know about THE Most Famous One…the One who had died for them. Had I forgotten to add Jesus to my impressive list of famous contacts? Had I forgotten to mention that I have been adopted into the family of God? Did I fail to share that I have a personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe, the Miracle Worker, the Savior, the Healer, the Protector and the greatest Comforter?

We won’t see Jesus on the cover of any popular tabloids, nor will we see Him walking the red carpet or receiving an Academy Award; but we, as Christ followers, have the exciting privilege of telling others how they, too, can meet and know THE Most Famous One.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you find yourself being attracted to the lifestyles of famous or worldly people? What intrigues you?
2. What steps could you take to keep your focus on the Lord and the ways in which He wants to fulfill your needs?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 2:1-5; Ephesians 1:5-8; Philippians 3: 8, 20; Romans 12:2

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

What’s in a Word?
By Susan Klein

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.”
Colossians 4:6

Growing up, did you ever hear your mother say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”? Wise woman! I think in our culture’s pursuit of “freedom of speech,” we’ve let go of that old adage. Our words, depending on how we use them, can be like a soothing balm to the soul, or as stabbingly painful as a double-edged sword. And, like toothpaste out of a tube, once they leave our mouths they can never be put back!

The book of Proverbs has a lot to teach us about our words. It says that when used appropriately, they can be pleasant as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bone. When aptly spoken, they are like apples of gold in settings of silver. We are also told that a gentle answer turns away wrath, and the tongue of the wise commends knowledge. However, Scripture warns that when we misuse our words, they can pierce like a sword, or stir up anger. And that the Lord detests lying lips, and the mouth of a fool gushes folly. We are also cautioned that a gossip betrays a confidence so we are to avoid one who talks too much.

James thought this was such an important topic that he devoted most of his book’s third chapter to it! He validates that none of us are perfect and that we will all stumble at some point with our words. He gives us a good analogy when he compares our tongue (or words) to a bit in a horse’s mouth and to the rudder of a ship. Though each item is small, the bit controls the whole horse and the rudder steers the whole ship. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of our body, but if used improperly, it can corrupt the whole person or set the whole course of her life on fire.

So, how are we to avoid the calamity of loose lips or stinging words? By guarding our tongues. We do this by first taking each thought captive to see if it is pure or poison, then by being slow to speak. It is generally when we speak too quickly that we get ourselves into big trouble!

Let’s put our mother’s advice to practice and use our words to build each other up, then we will bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you think of a situation where you used your words wrongly? How could you avoid repeating that mistake?
2. Ask God to help you be quick to listen and slow to speak.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 34:12-14; Ecclesiastes 10:12-13; James 1:26

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Our Life - Seasons

By Susan Klein 

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

I love autumn! Just the word “autumn” conjures up vivid images of sunlight filtering through color-drenched trees, and crisp breezes carrying leaves through the air. Laura Ingalls Wilder penned it perfectly when she wrote, “All those golden autumn days, the sky was full of wings.” I also enjoy driving by farm fields dotted with bright orange pumpkins, yellow squash, and gold-red apples in the orchards just waiting to be picked. What a feast for the eyes! 

I don’t get the same mental portrait when I hear the word “fall.” Even though it is the same season, it is not the same image. I envision gloomy gray skies and blustery wind as I think of the “fall” of man, the first sin in the Garden of Eden. Like leaves fallen from their branches, lying dead on the ground, man fell away from his loving Creator. And because man chose to sin, he had to experience the dead of winter. 

Winter in the north can be bitter. It is the time when the earth is barren, unfruitful. Winter can also be when a man’s heart is cold from his sin. There is no warmth of God’s fellowship. He is spiritually dead, separated from God. He cannot bear fruit when his heart is hardened like the ground. He needs spring! 

Ah, spring! A time of blossoming buds, renewed warmth and new life! Just like spring rains bring life-giving nourishment to the earth, Jesus’ death and resurrection bring us the opportunity for new life and growth. Jesus took the bitter sting of winter’s death away so that we might experience the spring of new life! As the skies freely give us their rain, so God freely gave us His Son to be the only acceptable sacrifice for our sins. All we need do is accept His gift, just as the winter ground gratefully accepts the spring rain. Then, we can enjoy summer! 

I love long summer days at the beach, basking in the warmth of the sun. I also love being in fellowship with my Heavenly Father, and basking in the love of His Son. Now, even when I come full circle and summer starts to fade, I will never again have to return to “fall.” It’s in the past, paid for, done. I’ve accepted God’s gift of His Son. I can now look forward to the wonderful feasts that lay ahead in autumn! 

GOING FURTHER:
1. In terms of this devotional, what season are you in? Do you find yourself past the fall and “winter,” having received Christ’s gift of forgiveness and new life?
2. If you aren’t sure, would you be willing to explore it with someone you trust spiritually?
3. If you are sure, with whom could you share this seasons analogy today? 

FURTHER READING:
Genesis 3; Romans 5: 6-8; Acts 3:19 

Susan is a wife and mother of two. She leads a small group and teaches for Tuesday a.m. Bible Study.

Be Careful What You Ask For!
By Karen D’Amore

“You do not have because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2b

A few weeks ago, my full schedule of plans was thwarted by a debilitating sinus infection. With a writing deadline fast approaching, I was beyond the capacity to secrete even a morsel of creative anything. Devoting Sunday to a writing marathon, I asked several friends to pray that either my clogged sinus pipes would be set free or that Jesus would enable me to cough up something from Him.

With only a sneeze and a prayer, I locked myself in my room and prayed for something “moving.” My sinuses continued to be swollen to capacity and there wasn’t even one sign of relief, but to my amazement, my fingertips danced gracefully across the keyboard. For hours, I wrote and I wrote and I wrote…as the manna of inspiration leaked steadily from the Holy Spirit. At 1:00 a.m., with my writing commitments fulfilled, I stepped away from the computer. The instant I climbed into bed my sinuses cried out “open sesame” as the clogged pipes finally broke loose. Like a vacation in Niagara Falls the gushers overfloweth…and like the Energizer bunny…they kept going and going and going!

My commitment to a writing deadline was no surprise to God. He also knew that, on my own, I was incapable of producing anything worthy of print in light of my nagging physical condition. As much as I was tempted to find an excuse to blow off my writing, Jesus wanted me to depend solely on Him for everything needed to complete the task.

God’s timing is always perfect and I believe that He allows hiccups at opportune times in order to drive us deeper into Himself. In our weakness, He shows Himself strong. Isaiah 55:8 tells us,”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” My logic would have had me in perfect health this week, but God’s way was to have me weak and incapable so that I would come to Him on my knees asking for everything I needed.

With my sinus pressure relieved, I’m now breathing easy! And, Jesus has become my greatest humidifier! When the congestion of life clogs your abilities…how do you spell RELIEF? How about J-E-S-U-S.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are you in need of right now that you know you can’t muster up on your own? Physical health? Emotional strength? Intellectual stamina? Ask God to provide it for you.

FURTHER READING:
John 16:24; I Thessalonians 5:17; II Corinthians 12:10

Married to husband Dan, Karen manages Intrigue Salon & Spa, is the administrator for Oakwood’s Tuesday a.m. Bible Study, and co-leads a freshman girls’ small group.

What a Friend
By Elizabeth Cole

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends…”
John 15:10

In a poignant scene in a current Broadway musical, two best friends sing to each other, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.” The play on words is tender: I’ve been changed permanently; I’m a better person for having known you.

Isn’t it true with girlfriends? As we look at our lives, we can identify certain practices, thought processes, even specific words that are directly from a girlfriend. Some of my yummiest recipes aren’t really mine…I got them from Patty. Some of the best books I’ve ever read, and now recommend, weren’t my find…they were Jenny’s. Some of the words I use to counsel young moms…not mine, Kathy’s. The manner of praying…Marsha. Trying to walk faithfully…Anne. A heart’s desire to serve…Ginger. Each one has contributed something of incredible value to my life. I am blessed to call each of these women, “friend.”

And then I consider the Giver of those friendships and I am blown away. The Maker of the Galaxies, the Savior of the World, the God of Abraham…desires to call each of us “friend.” He has no need for us as His friends – He just wants us as friends. While each of my girlfriends reflects a part of Him to me, HE is the sum of all those parts. Complete. Perfect. The Ultimate Friend.

Need a Builder in your life? Go to Jesus. “May God Himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 MSG)

Need a Collaborator? Go to Jesus. “I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 CEV)

Is your heart’s cry for a Companion? Go to Jesus. “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

An Energizer? Go to Jesus. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Do you long for a Navigator? Go to Jesus. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has God specifically shown His love and desire for friendship in your life?

FURHTER READING:
John 15-16

Elizabeth is a wife, mother to three teen-aged daughters, and Director of Women’s Ministries at Oakwood Church.

Spa Day
By Jen Wollner

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…”
James 1:17

I recently received one of the greatest gifts a mom of young children could ever get: a break from my kids. My aunt knew how much I enjoyed facials, so when she “won” a gift certificate at a silent auction, she decided to give it to me—and she wanted to stay with my kids while I went to the appointment. It was two gifts in one! This was an incredibly loving and selfless thing for her to do for me, and I was ecstatic to take her up on it. Just the thought of relaxing in a quiet, serene place while being physically pampered made my heart skip a beat.

I went to the spa, ready to indulge, but something unexpected happened to me while I was receiving the facial. As I began to drift off, completely enjoying my experience, a thought came into my mind that stopped me in my tracks: This is an incredible privilege—don’t take it for granted. I was totally taken aback by the thought and, quite frankly, the last thing I wanted right then was a guilt trip. But, the voice in my head wasn’t condemning. It was a voice of gentle conviction. As I thought about it further, I began to appreciate more and more the gift of the moment I was in. Then I started to think about all the privileges I enjoy on a daily basis. I was overwhelmed with the realization that many women in the world would be thankful to have food for their children, much less a day at the spa. My mind flooded with images of these women and my heart was humbled, for I knew that I didn’t deserve the wealth of “things” that I possess. As I praised God for my countless blessings, an incredible peace came over my heart, mind and body. It was probably the most relaxed I’ve ever been.

We are blessed with so much, aren’t we? I wonder, then, why is that so easy to forget? Why do we let ourselves take it all for granted, and even sometimes have an attitude of entitlement? Let’s make a pact right here, right now: to be grateful, to be humble and to each day thank our Father in Heaven who provides so much. Let’s remember to appreciate all that we have, and offer all the credit to the One who gives it so freely and abundantly. And, may we then be filled with the peace of our God—from head to toe.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What things in your life are you grateful for today? Take a moment to thank God for those things.
2. What could you do to keep that attitude of thankfulness every day?

FURTHER READING:
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three children under the age of 6. Jen heads Oakwood’s Fresh Start ministry.

FRESH!
By Peggy Kleckner

“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 sons, two of whom are her step sons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.