A Gentle Answer
By Susan Klein

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Proverbs 15:1

In the movie Australia, there is a scene where a young native boy has just witnessed the brutal death of his mother. He is sad, alone and angry. A lovely, but rather stiff young British woman wants to console him, but has no experience with children. She offers her brief, formal condolences, but they do nothing to curb his anger or bring him relief from his pain. She hesitates a moment, then sits on the ground next to him and very softly begins to tell him a story. He warms to her gentle words, eventually producing a smile of gratitude as he is slowly comforted.

Scripture tells us that gentle words turn away anger. They are like a soothing balm to the soul. They sustain the weary. In an article produced by Ethical Communities Council Gold Coast Inc., an interview was conducted with Bosnian refugees who had been physically tortured and verbally abused. Being treated for their injuries, one woman was quoted as saying, "We have a saying that doctors help with gentle words, not with medication only. Our people need a nice word." They craved a spoken ointment for their hurts. Don’t we all have a need for gentle words?

Even our Lord, when He walked this earth, used gentle words to comfort His people. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29) Would it have been as soothing if He had said, “Just buck up and be tough?”

I have had to learn from my own difficult experiences that harsh words have absolutely no value. When I respond harshly to my children or my husband, it usually provokes them to anger. When I can remember to use gentle words, it reaps the blessing of a peaceful household! I’m sure we can all remember a time when someone chose to respond to us in a kind way when we were expecting the opposite. Didn’t it feel great?!

Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, exhorts us to let our gentleness be evident to all. Let’s make a conscious choice to imitate our Lord, and be a comfort to those around us with our gentle words.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life could use a gentle word today?
2. The next time you are tempted to use harsh words in responding to someone, take a deep breath first and ask God for a “gentle answer.”

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Proverbs 16:24

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

God is Good in the Midst of the Storm
By Shelly Schumacher

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28

To say that 1999 was a tumultuous year for my husband and me would be an understatement. January started with the announcement that we were expecting a second child, but our joy quickly turned to sorrow when I suffered a miscarriage early in the pregnancy.

By late April, we learned I was pregnant again. We were cautiously optimistic when we saw the baby’s heartbeat, but the next day our hopes were dashed again, when Nick was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The following week, he underwent surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, and in early June, his radiation treatments began just days before I was diagnosed with a low-lying placenta. Our summer was spent taking turns throwing up.

Have you ever had a season in your life where you could barely keep your head above the water before the next storm threatened to take you under? Perhaps like Nick and I, you have found yourself desperately clinging to God. There are times when we cannot see through the fog as we wrestle with the fears that come from “what if…” questions: “What if I lose the baby again?” “What if we can’t pay the bills?” “What if he dies?” In those dark times, it is important to remember that God’s Word promises us that He will cause all things to work together for good—not just some things. Despite the trials we encounter, we can take comfort in knowing that He is in control and He will see us through by giving us encouragement and respite from the storm at just the right moments.

1999 ended with a brand-new baby girl, our 5 pound 13 ounce, 17 inch miracle. As we rang in the new millennium, we took some time to reflect on the blessings our difficult year had produced—a stronger marriage, larger family, a good prognosis for Nick and a renewed sense of the awesome power of our God.

As we all take a look back at 2008 and a look forward at 2009, let’s remember that God really does work all things for our good. Let’s praise Him for His faithfulness in keeping this promise!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What trails have you faced in your life? Take some time to count the blessings that have resulted from these adversities.
2. If you are in the midst of a trial, use this time to cling to God…or when you can’t even muster that, ask Him to hold you in His hand. Allow Him to minister in your suffering and in His mercy.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 11:2; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Eph 1:11

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.

Dying to Self
By Jen Wollner

“…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23

In the movie Valkyrie, Tom Cruise plays Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, a German Army officer during World War II. Col. Stauffenberg was born into an aristocratic family and taught from an early age the importance of serving his country. He was a loyal soldier and quickly rose through the Army’s ranks. But, as the war progressed, he became increasingly convicted about the immoral brutality of Adolf Hitler’s regime. Even though his life and the life of his family would be in danger, he eventually joined the German Resistance Movement and its attempts to assassinate Hitler. On July 20, 1944, Col. Stauffenberg’s efforts to kill Hitler and end World War II failed. He and thousands of others involved in the plot were quickly arrested for treason and executed. They made the conscious decision to do what they believed was right and it cost them their reputations and lives.

Throughout the history of Christianity there have been numerous accounts of martyrdom. Many individuals, even in recent days, have died because of their faith in Jesus. While we probably won’t be called to give up our physical lives for our beliefs, we are commanded by Christ Himself to die to our selves and take up our cross daily and follow Him.

So, what does this look like for a believer living in the United States in 2009? I believe it means the same thing it’s always meant, regardless of place and time. It means loving God with all we are and have. It means loving others and considering them more important than ourselves. It means giving up our own comfort, pride, insecurities and personal rights to do what will best serve the Lord and His purposes. It means embracing suffering as a normal part of the Christ follower’s life. And, it means leaving selfishness and fear behind and proclaiming the Truth unashamedly.

Like Col. Stauffenberg’s decision to turn away from that which he had previously been wholeheartedly committed to—serving Hitler—when we accept Christ as our Savior, we, too, are called to cut ties with former loyalties—activities, material possessions and even people. It’s not an easy process, though. We will oftentimes fail to live out this command, choosing our own way instead of His. And, when we do boldly live out our convictions, we will sometimes suffer rejection or be ostracized because of our choices.

The calling of Christ to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him is a difficult task, but the eternal rewards of a life lived unashamed of Him are priceless.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What have you had to sacrifice in your life to follow Christ?
2. What does “deny yourself and take up His cross” mean for you personally today?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 10:27; Philippians 2:3-4

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

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

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

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 and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to nine-year-old Callie and six-year-old Elias.

Black Ice
By Susan Klein

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105

Anyone who lives in Wisconsin will understand me when I say that “snow” is a four-letter word! We had over 100 inches of the wet, white stuff last winter in our area of the state! During one of those blustery days, I had the opportunity to be out shoveling our driveway. Now, I don’t usually mind shoveling, but this was a particularly dangerous day to be out because it had rained the day before. Overnight, the temperatures plummeted to below freezing which turned the rain into a thin layer of black ice. With fresh snow now falling, the ice was not visible to the eye. When I proceeded to shovel, I was met with unseen slippery spots that caused me to lose my footing. I had to stop, retrace my steps back to the garage, and grab a pail of salt. As I sprinkled the salt ahead of me, I could anticipate where the ice was by watching it form little pits as it melted. This would prevent me from slipping as I inched my way forward.

While I sprinkled and waited, I was struck by the parallel of God’s Word to our lives. As we walk the paths set out before us, we are often unaware of those unseen slippery spots of temptation and trials lurking around the corner. We forge on ahead in our own power, and BAM! We slip and fall into sin or into discouragement over our troubles. After we fall a time or two, we realize we need help. We cannot do this on our own. We need God’s Word to be a light for our path to expose the slippery spots before we reach them. We must know God’s Word, we must store it in our hearts and we must live it in our daily lives. David explains it well in Psalm 119: 9-11. He says: “How can a young man (a woman) keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”

Let’s not be unprepared for the slippery spots on life’s path. Let us move forward with the salt of God’s Word in our buckets, prepared for the black ice that lies ahead!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How much salt do you have in your bucket? Do you need to add a little more of God’s Word to your daily life?
2. Spend some purposeful time in Scripture this week. Ask God to show you which passages you will need to be prepared for this week’s trials and temptations.

FURTHER READING:
James 1:5, 22-25; Psalm 119:33-37; Proverbs 2: 1-15

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

Concert of Gifts
By Peggy Kleckner

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering god’s grace in its various forms.”
1 Peter 4:10

I was quite excited to be invited to a Christmas brunch held at our church last December. Not only would I have a relaxing time with a friend, I would also feel pampered. This women’s event is very special. Each table is laid with fine china brought from a woman’s home and that same woman sets the table and decorates it for the event. As you might imagine, each table is unique and pretty to look at, much less sit at! How could I not feel pampered?

As I delighted in the morning, I realized I was witnessing and enjoying a “concert” of sorts. It was a concert of gifts being played to God. There were women who had envisioned the day and created the atmosphere of warmth—from the invitation to the decorations. There were women who baked, women who laid out the tables, women who performed in the play, women who sang, women who played instruments, women who cleaned afterwards, women who helped in lots of different ways. Even the men were part of the concert as they willingly served as the event’s waiters. One of the cutest gifts was the young girls who flitted and twirled on cue between the tables as angels, fitted with wings and white garments. I sat back in my chair and enjoyed the concert. Each gift coming on to the stage of the event playing her part, not jealous of the others, just playing to an audience of One. They used what they had been given and played out the joy in their hearts.

I love to watch the body of Christ work in harmony. What a joy, what a pleasure! Imagine the joy it must bring to the Father. Imagine what the music sounds like to Him. As everyone played out their gifts with the grace that was given to them, the concert was heavenly.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What gifts have you been given by the Lord? How have you been using them?
2. Are you using your gift in concert with others, or do you always want to play a solo?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Romans 12:1-8

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.

Is What You See What You Really Get?
By Karen D’Amore

“If someone claims, “I know Him well!” but doesn’t keep His commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s word is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure that we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”
1 John 2:4-6 (The Message)

On the surface, the lump in my head appeared small and insignificant. But given my history of cancer, I opted to have the lump examined. The doctor concurred with my thoughts, but ordered a pre-cautionary biopsy. Surprisingly, the biopsy exposed that the lump was a cancerous tumor. Based on the external appearance of the lump, the doctor felt confident that we were catching the cancer in its early stage.

Awake for the entire surgical procedure, by the seventh hour, I was physically and emotionally…DONE! My sense of humor dwindling, I still managed to chuckle as the exhausted, perspiring surgeon announced, “It’s a boy!” as the large tumor was finally extricated from my head.

In the post-op follow-up, the surgeon shared the technical intricacies of the surgery. Referring to the abnormal tumor as an “anomaly,” he was taken aback by what he discovered under the skin. Based on his external findings, he was stunned by the size and complexity of the tumor, which had attached to the skull. Truly, his internal findings did not align with what was visible on the surface. Both myself and the doctor learned a valuable lesson: "What you see is not always what you get!"

As Christ followers, we must examine our hearts and lives and ask ourselves, "Is what people see, what they really get?" Is our outer life a true reflection of the inner Jesus? Though our hearts are not externally visible, out of our hearts our lives should speak! Scripture tells us that if we have allowed Jesus to take up residency in our hearts, the fruit of that intimate relationship will be visible in our external lives. What do others see when they look at our outer lives? Will people know that we belong to Jesus by the way that we act and speak? Does our lifestyle align with the type of life that Jesus lived? A routine "spiritual biopsy" is a healthy practice to incorporate into our daily lives; a precautionary check that the Jesus in our heart…is the Jesus our lives reflect.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What inner fruit is growing in your character and what outer fruit is evident in your life?
2. How can you better allow God to work through you to bring Him glory?

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 7:16-20; Philippians 2:5; John 15:4; Galatians 5:22-23; Proverbs 20:7; Malachi 3:18

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.

You are the Aroma of Christ
By Elizabeth Cole

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
2 Corinthians 2:14-15

My daughters and I were in the Godiva chocolate store recently, and I got to talking with the store manager. I asked him if he ever smelled like chocolate. He said that after a whole day of working in the store, he was told that he did.

It makes sense. This past summer, I sat at a bonfire for a long time one weekend night, and the first thing I smelled the next morning was the aroma of my hair on my pillow…and it made me smile, because I loved those hours I’d spent at that bonfire. I was glad that I smelled like where I’d been.

Scripture says that we are the aroma of Christ. As we spend more and more time with Jesus, getting to know Him through His Word, the Bible, talking with and listening to Him through personal prayer, doing what He asks us to do, relying on His Spirit to empower us…I just wonder how much more the scent heightens.

There’s a precious verse in the New Testament book of Acts that describes the reaction of an audience that has observed and heard the apostles Peter and John: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

This day, He’s calling us to be with Him. To put aside the tasks and distractions of the day, sit at His feet and delight in His intimate, constant presence in our lives through His Spirit. To share time and life with Him. To talk to Him; to listen to Him.

Oh, to be known as one who has been with Jesus…who has lingered with Him, bearing His scent.

You are the aroma of Christ.

GOING DEEPER:
1. How might you be able to build intentional time alone with Jesus today…to be with Him, enjoying His intimate presence through His Spirit?
2. If someone were to ask your family members about your “spiritual aroma,” what would they say?

FURTHER READING:
Acts 4; Ephesians 1:17-19; Colossians 2:6

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

Casting off Cares
By Jen Wollner

“Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:7

It seems as if the economic woes of our country are affecting all of us these days. People are losing their jobs or having their hours severely cut because of a lack of work. Others have taken huge hits to their retirement savings accounts and pensions. And still others who, while trying to sell their homes, either can’t find a buyer or have had to settle for much less than they had hoped. Not only that, but amidst these losses, so many of our prices are rising—groceries, school tuition, airline fees and the national debt, just to name a few! All of this turmoil is extremely unsettling. The situation feels so out of our control—and to a certain degree, it is.

But, there is Someone who is in complete control of our lives—Jesus. Scripture tells us that we can totally trust Him because He cares for us. He loves us deeply. He knows all that we need and promises to provide for us. In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?” Birds and other animals don’t ever worry about how they will get their next meal because the Lord takes care of them. We are so much more valuable to Him than the rest of creation and yet we often doubt and fret about how our needs will be met. More times than not we rely on ourselves to “make ends meet” instead of looking to Him for provision, don’t we? And while we certainly are called to do our part, it’s about His plan of provision…not ours. We get so wrapped up in our problems that we forget that He is on His throne. We forget that He is completely sovereign and nothing is out of His control.

Today, instead of worrying and being fearful about our financial situations and other troubles in life, let’s focus on Christ, casting all our anxieties on Him, so that we can have peace and comfort in these trying times.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What is causing you the most anxiety and fear during this financial crisis?
2. Are you finding it difficult to take God at His Word regarding His care for you? Do you believe that He will provide for your every need? If not, spend some time today asking Him to fill you with faith and peace.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6-7

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

Resist the Roaring Lion
By Susan Klein

“Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8

Set in 1898, Tsavo, Kenya, the movie The Ghost and the Darkness was based on a true story about two lions that killed over 130 people during a nine-month period. Lt. Col. John Henry Patterson was commissioned by the British East African Railway to complete the Uganda Mombasa Bridge, allowing the railway to pass over the Tsavo River. During the night, two lions would slip into the camp, swiftly take out their victims, and leave unnoticed. Because of their sneakiness, many locals didn’t believe they actually existed at first, thus dubbing them “The Ghost” and “The Darkness.” As more and more men died, many workers fled for their lives on trains that passed through the area.

While we do not live in Africa, nor do we have to fear lions sneaking into our homes at night, we do have an enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking to devour. That enemy is Satan. Scripture calls him an accuser, an adversary, a tempter, a deceiver and a murderer. He is invisible like a ghost, and he is sneaky. He knows just when and how to attack us when we are most vulnerable. Many men and women have fallen victim to his schemes and have died a spiritual death as a result.

So, how are we to defend ourselves from this roaring lion? There are a few things we must do. First, the Apostle Paul tells us several times in Scripture to “be alert.” We must be on the offensive, always watching for his tempting ways. Secondly, we must “resist.” Unlike the Massai people, who could not resist the lions, we can resist the evil one and he will flee from us. If we come near to God, He will come near to us. And thirdly, we must put on our spiritual armor, for our battle is not against the fleshly lions, but against the spiritual forces of evil and the powers of this dark world. We must stand firm in our faith, believing in the Word of God, and utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within us.

Unlike the many men who fell prey to the ghosts in the darkness, we do not have to be our enemy’s next victim!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are you staying “alert” to the prowling and scheming evil one? Are you resisting his attacks and temptations when they come knocking at your door? Call upon the power of the Holy Spirit to help you when you see him coming.

FURTHER READING:
1 Peter 5: 8-11; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, 13; James 4:7

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

Godly Tests
By Karen D’ Amore

“Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character,
and to find out whether or not you would really obey His commands.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NLV)

It was New Year’s Eve morning and as I excitedly anticipated the evenings’ festivities, my excitement suddenly turned to gloom. Following my normal morning routine of inspecting the large “railroad-track-like” scar racing across my forehead, I was disturbed by what was staring back at me in the mirror. A small lump had surfaced near the old incision. Like deja vu, it took me back a couple of years prior, when the cancer first appeared in the exact same way.

The sinking feeling in my stomach nearly capsized my spirit and threatened to sink my day. Distracted by the possibility of a returning cancer, I was no longer looking forward to the holiday festivities. Curling up by the fire, the Lord met me in a quiet corner of my heart. I was reminded of the lessons He had burned deep within my being through that first painful trial with cancer. I recalled how I initially chose fear over faith and how that fear drove me into hiding, denial and the avoidance of medical attention, thus prolonging the cancer detection. But most importantly, God reminded me of how He faithfully carried me through that fiery trial.

In a moment of intense soul-searching, I had to ask myself some important questions. Had I truly allowed Him to refine my character and my faith? Could I look back and draw strength from the lessons learned? Could I trust Him to carry me now, as He faithfully did before? The answer was most certainly “yes!” And as I now chose faith over fear, I was able to embrace the New Year with hope, encouragement and strength.

The next morning came quickly and I awoke ready to see a doctor, and to face this new trial head on…in the strength of my Lord.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What difficult trials have you faced in your life? In what ways did the Lord carry you through them? What did you learn from Him as a result of that painful time?
2. Think of a struggle that you are dealing with today. How can you apply “old” lessons learned to your current situation? What encouragement do you get as you remember God’s faithfulness of the past?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 3:13; Proverbs 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:4

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

The Flouride Mom
By Becky Morrow

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’”
Matthew 9:10-11

My daughter and I went to our first story time at the library last spring. I made small talk with another woman as the carpeted area began to fill with moms and kids. I always enjoy people watching, and story time at the library offered plenty of opportunities. One woman really stood out. Among the quiet chatting and polite introductions, the “Fluoride Mom” could be heard going on and on in a really loud voice about the pros and cons of fluoride. The woman she was talking to looked like she was desperate to talk about anything but fluoride. The Fluoride Mom was clearly the awkward person in the group.

When Leah and I came to story time the next week, I purposely sat away from the Fluoride Mom. She had brought pictures of her son to show to anyone at story time who would look. I purposely didn’t put myself in a position to engage her at all. I was basically acting like I was back in junior high, not wanting to be seen with the girl who isn’t cool.

Did I think I was too good for her? I didn’t even know any of the other women and haven’t seen any of them since then, so I’m pretty sure I didn’t impress anyone. Would it have killed me to sit next to Curt’s mom (her other name) and ask her questions about her pictures? No, and I can bet that she’s the one Jesus would have sat next to. He would have looked her in the eye, asked her good questions and loved her.

Jesus is really clear about how we are to treat the unlovely. When He walked this world, the unlovely included the tax collectors. In my little world, the unlovely aren’t necessarily the starving, physically broken and homeless; they are the awkward and overly opinionated, hungry for someone to talk to and aching to be understood. Oh, am I glad that our God loved me enough to be my friend in the midst of all my unloveliness.

I’m on the lookout for The Flouride Mom…she has some pictures I’d love to see!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who are the unlovely people in your life? Why are they unlovely to you?
2. What are a few specific ways that you can reach out to them? Even friendliness can open a door to share your faith with another person.

FURTHER READING:
James 2:1-5; Matthew 8:1-3; Mark 7:31-35

Becky is a wife and mother to her two-year-old and newborn daughters. As Oakwood-supported missionaries, she and her husband Aaron serve with InterVarsity at UW Platteville.

Set Apart
By Karen D’Amore

“…but now your sins have been washed away, and you have been set apart for God.”
I Corinthians 6:11

Morning had birthed a fresh batch of snow, rendering the view outside my window drab and colorless. As fog drips from the heavens and hovers atop the snowy landscape, the boundaries between heaven and earth become indefinable. The dense, leafless forest casts the illusion of army stickmen standing stiff at attention. As a mix of colorless birds play chase in the stick forest, they become camouflaged by their matching backdrop. Suddenly, a bright red Cardinal swoops through the game of chase and perches atop a mound of fresh white snow. His bold red coloring sets him apart from the colorless flock, drawing my attention to his every move.

What a powerful picture God gave me that morning. The red Cardinal represents the blood Christ shed on the cross for our sins. The white snow represents the cleansing of our sins through His sacrifice. And the colorless flock of birds depicts the unbelieving world. Webster’s Dictionary defines “cardinal” as…“an essential component.” Christ’s death on the cross was the essential component to our salvation. Through Christ’s precious blood, our sins were washed as white as snow. This provision gives trusting sinners a righteous standing, making them fit for heaven. As Christ followers, we are to become new people in Christ. We are also called to be separate from the world. The bottom line is that our lives should look different from those in the unbelieving world around us. We make it our goal to live righteous lives out of love and gratitude for what Christ has done for us. As Christians we have been set apart for His special use. We have the privilege of living lives that are vibrant and colorful, victoriously depicting the presence of God working in and through us.

Through the eyes of redemption and sanctification, the view outside my window takes on a new perspective. The leafless forest no longer appears as an army of stickmen standing stiff at attention, but rather a congregation of joyous believers, lifting hands of praise to the Lord.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What changes could you make in your life to set you apart from the unbelievers around you?
2. What area of your life do you need to surrender to the Lord to be more effective for His use?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 7:26; 2 Corinthians 6:17:1 Corinthians 4:16

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

Unchanging Love
By Jen Wollner

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8

I read a story recently about a woman who struggled for years with infertility. She desperately wanted a baby, but because of physical obstacles, it was proving to be a difficult goal to achieve. She went through tests and fertility treatments and nothing worked. At the beginning of the journey, she was very positive and hopeful that the Lord would answer her prayer for a child and she waited patiently, trusting Him for it. But, as the months and years wore on, she became weary and doubtful that it would ever happen. She was angry and bitter toward God because of the pain she had to endure. Just when she was about to completely give up, she became pregnant…and delivered a healthy, full-term baby boy. It was truly a miracle considering her circumstances and health problems!

As she reflected on her journey to becoming a mother, she said, “Even amidst my ugliness, and questioning and hatred I was expressing toward God, His plan still stood…He didn't let go of me when I let go of Him. He didn't change His mind or take away this blessing because of the way I acted. To me, that is extraordinary love. Extraordinary grace…He didn't take back the gift He had in store for us because of my actions…I realized in a fresh way how very much He loves me. In all my ugliness and in all my shunning and mistrust, He gave me what I didn't deserve.”

What profound truth! He never leaves us. He never changes. His will always comes to pass…it is always because of His faithfulness to us. There is nothing we can do or not do to change the unconditional, deep love He has for us. He isn’t even capable of loving us any more or less than He already does.

When we doubt Him, He is there. When we question Him, He answers. And, when we shake our fist at Him, He loves us. What incredible security we have in Jesus—who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow—and whose love for us can never change!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you believe that God loves you deeply and that, no matter what, that love can never change? If you struggle to believe this, ask Him to show you His unwavering love today.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 13:5; Psalm 36:5; Psalm 40:5

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

God Given Gifts
By Karen D’Amore

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”
I Peter 4:10

“Is a caterpillar ticklish? Well, it’s only my belief,
that he giggles as he wiggles, across a hairy leaf!”

I was five years old when I wrote this poem. As a young child, writing was to me what doodling was to others; it was just something that I did. As a youngster I never looked at it as a God-given gift. Growing up in a strained relationship with my father, writing became an instrument through which I could escape from that painful relationship. Writing became my private world…a place of refuge where I could safely express myself. It was a way for me to take my thoughts and feelings about life, and color outside the lines.

Forty something years after writing my first poem, my father asked me to write something for him. Initially unnerved by the request, which reopened some very old wounds, I was tempted to refuse. My “paintbrush” was stiff and dried up as I hadn’t verbally painted anything in over twenty years. But God began to tug at my heartstrings, pressing me to use His gift to bless my father.

Prayerfully, I committed a day to writing for my father. In my own strength I would have choked on the words that God would have me share. With the help of the Holy Spirit I wrote from my heart and framed a manuscript dedicated to my dad. It was a Christmas gift unlike any other I had ever given to him. But it was a gift that gave even more…back to me. Responding to my expressions of love, my father broke down in tears as he read my words. Seeing his brokenness flooded my heart with healing and forgiveness.

We can’t know or even image how the Lord wants to use the gifts He gives us. Let’s not hide them because of shame or insecurity. Let’s use them as He directs us. We will be blessed and He will be glorified!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What special gifts or talents has God blessed you with? How can you use these gifts to minister to others?
2. If you aren’t sure what your gifts are, prayerfully ask God to reveal them to you.

FURTHER READING:
Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 14:12

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

Snowflakes and Snow Piles
By Jen Wollner

“For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created by him and for him.”
Colossians 1:16

There has been an abundance of snowfall already this winter. And I’m sure there is more in store as these next few months progress! One recent snowy day, my husband and I were out running errands. We got into the car after one of our stops and as I put my seatbelt on, I looked down to see one lone, pure white snowflake on my coat. It caught my eye because I rarely see a single snowflake by itself. It was beautiful, and so small! The intricate detail of its design was amazing. I showed my husband and we both marveled at it before it slowly melted in our warm car. We were reminded of our Creator and the care and precision that goes into all of His creation…aspects that aren’t always seen by us…they are simply for His pleasure.

As we drove away, I looked out the window and saw nothing but piles of snow everywhere. It suddenly struck me that all that snow consisted of millions and billions of those tiny individual flakes. God had created each one to be just as unique as the one we had been admiring. I was overwhelmed at the massive-ness and creative-ness of God. He knows the number of snowflakes that fall…past, present and future. Our minds can’t even begin to grasp the enormity of it, but He has each flake counted and accounted for.

The snowflakes and the snow piles are evidence to us that all things were created by Him and for Him…including us. God is in the big picture of life and yet He cares for the tiniest of details, too. Whether it’s a huge pile of snow or the smallest facet of our lives, He’s there. He loves all of His creation equally and it’s all important to Him. What a personal Creator!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What large or small detail of creation amazes you? Take a moment to thank your Creator for sharing it with you.
2. Do you believe that the Lord cares equally for the big things and tiny things in your life? If not, ask Him reveal to you today just how personal His love is for you.

FURTHER READING:
Job 38; Psalm 19:1

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

Imitation
by Becky Morrow

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved chidren and live a life of love…”
Ephesians 5:1-2a

Taking a 20-month-old to a game night with friends isn't tops on my list of good ideas, but we couldn't find a babysitter for Leah, so she came along to play Settlers of Catan at our friends’ home. Josh and April had the IBC Root Beer that comes in bottles. The edges of the bottle tops are kind of sharp, so to spare my hands, I grip the bottle with the edge of my shirt to open it. As the evening wore on, Leah began to play with the empty bottles."Aaron, what is our daughter doing?" I asked. Leah was sitting on Aaron's lap and sticking a bottle up the front of her shirt."Why do you think she's doing that?" Aaron wondered.

All of the sudden it hit me! She was pretending to open the bottle like all of us did. We never have IBC Root Beer at home, so she was imitating what she saw us do just that night.

When I notice Leah imitating me (which is pretty much a daily occurrence) I am reminded of our Scripture for today. I am amazed by the way Leah imitates me with startling accuracy...my actions, my words, and even my facial expressions. She sees something once and it becomes a part of her little life. I wonder why it can be so hard for me to imitate my heavenly Father. I think a lot of that has to do with time. Leah is constantly around me. She gets ready with me in the morning, she follows me while I make the bed, she listens when I read to her or sing little songs. Sometimes I think it's easy to lack the awareness that we are always in the presence of God and could see Him at work so easily if we had eyes to see it. Additionally, the more time we spend in God's Word, the more we know what He says about things, the more we see how Jesus responded to others and to life's difficult situations. It would be amazing if we could become sponges just like we were when we were toddler girls, because we'd soak up life-changing knowledge from our Father. And that is preferable to safely opening bottles!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How can you increase in your awareness of what God is doing around you? Remember, God can often be seen the most clearly in little things.
2. What are some things from the teaching or life of Jesus that you want to imitate? See the verses in "Further Reading" for some ideas.

FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:30-31; Luke 6:27-31; John 13:1-17

Becky is a wife and mother to her two-year-old and newborn daughters. As Oakwood-supported missionaries, she and her husband Aaron serve with InterVarsity at UW Platteville.

Yes, We Can
By Elizabeth Cole

“I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13 NCV

Today marks an historic milestone in our country’s history. As Barack Obama becomes our 44th president, we see a moment unimagined and, in fact, impossible a little over one hundred years ago. On this day, we can rejoice in seeing another barrier to racism broken, as well as commit to wholehearted prayer for him, his advisors and his decisions.

President Obama used a phrase throughout his campaign that climaxed in his winning speech delivered in Chicago last November. That speech ends with “… while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.”

Yes, we can.

It’s a phrase that can’t help but capture the believer’s imagination. We have the privilege of an “internal resident,” of the Spirit of Christ Himself, who lives within our being, giving us His power—the same power that bodily raised Christ from the dead. Through no strength of our own, and yet completely through the strength God gives us, we are optimistic overcomers.

Can we replace destructive habits that have bound us for years? Yes, we can.

Can we take a risk and try something for the sake of Christ that is well beyond our own capabilities? Yes, we can.

Can we reorder our finances in a way that puts Kingdom-building first? Yes, we can.

Can we become a people known for blessing the poor and needy? Yes, we can.

Can we dream of making a godly difference in our homes, our work, or neighborhoods, our world? Yes, we can. In fact, the God within is He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. Or as the Amplified Bible expresses it, “He is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we dare ask or think—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desire, thoughts, hopes or dreams… (Ephesians 3:20)”

While we breathe, we hope. And to those who cynically tell us we can’t, we respond, “Yes, we can…because HE can!”

GOING DEEPER:
1. Where are you hesitating to obey God’s call in your life? What would it take for you to believe that you “can do all things through Christ” who gives you strength?
2. Spend some time dreaming this morning. What would you love to do for God? Commit to asking Him for His approval, affirmation and empowerment.

FURTHER READING:
I Corinthians 2:9; Ephesians 1:18-20

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

Precious in His Sight
By Susan Klein

“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth…”
Acts 17:26a

If you are an American, you are most likely familiar with the words, “I have a dream...” spoken by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the famous speech he gave in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. Dr. King was a God-fearing man with a belief that since all men were created in God’s image, they should all be treated the same. Unfortunately, many at the time did not agree, and Dr. King was martyred for his beliefs.

Dr. King spent his life serving God and His people. He pastored a church, led peaceful organized protests against racism, and even won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. In his book, Strength to Love, he taught about “loving your enemies,” and “being a good neighbor,” always quoting Scripture and using Jesus’ teachings from the gospels as an example of how we should live. In this book, he also acknowledges that we need the love of God to live in peaceful unity, stating, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction...The chain reaction of evil—hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars—must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.”

In his “I Have A Dream” speech, he says, “I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” This is Israel’s dream in the book of Isaiah. This was the dream of a people group in 1963. And, it is still a dream for many today.

Scripture tells us we are all born of one man, Adam, thus, making us all brothers. Brothers created in the image of a holy and loving God. Just as our heavenly Father loves us, we are to love our brothers as ourselves. Let’s honor Dr. King today by showing that love to someone. Let’s be proactive as we wait for the day when all mankind will see it together!

...red, brown, yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight...

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who outside of your immediate circle of friends and family can you show love to today?
2. In what ways can you better live out Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:29-31; Matthew 5: 43-45; 1John 1: 9-11

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

A Precious Pearl
By Susan Klein

“A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.”
Proverbs 18:16

Several years ago, I received a very special gift: a pair of Mikimoto pearl earrings. Kokichi Mikimoto is credited with producing some of the finest cultured pearls in the world. He was once quoted as saying, "I would like to adorn the necks of all the women of the world with pears." He recognized the beauty and value of the pearl.

At the time, however, I was too young and naïve to appreciate how special the gift was, and how generous the giver of the gift had been. A genuine pearl, harvested from the sea, is formed inside of a clam or oyster. As the mollusk opens its shell to take in food, a small particle of organic material may enter and act as a painful irritant. Its natural reaction is to secrete a substance called nacre that covers the irritant. As several layers of this nacre build up, the pearl grows in size and takes on an incredible iridescent brilliance! Then comes the ultimate sacrifice. The mollusk must die as it is pried open by human hands to receive the precious pearl inside. (Cultured pearls go through the same process, but the irritant is injected into the tissue of the mollusk.)

Now that I’m older, and hopefully wiser, I am filled with gratitude every time I wear my pearl earrings. It also serves to remind me of another, even more precious gift that I was given many years ago. The Giver of this Gift was more generous than the giver of the earrings. He had offered me the Gift many times, but I was, again, too young and naïve to appreciate this Gift, so I didn’t accept it at first. Fortunately, He didn’t give up on me! Like the pearl-producing mollusk, this Gift also had to endure pain, suffering and death before it could be given to me. And it was much more valuable than any gemstone.

This Gift was Jesus Christ. The Giver was God. The cost was great! A sacrifice of life was made on my behalf so that I might receive the most valuable gift ever known to man—Heaven. The Giver is so generous that He has made this Gift available to everyone, and He would like to adorn the lives of all the women of the world with His very precious Pearl! Have you received this gift yet?

GOING DEEPER:
1. If you have accepted this Gift from God, thank Him for adorning your life with Himself.
2. If you’ve not, are you able to articulate why? If not, commit this week to trying to discern your reasons and weigh them against the value of the Gift.

FURTHER READING:
Matthew 13: 44-45; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8; James 1:17

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

Fullness of Grace
By Peggy Kleckner

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:14

Have you ever heard and enjoyed the song that includes this line, “I look upon His countenance and see the fullness of His grace”? Have you wondered what that would really look like? To look into the face of Jesus, the one who came to redeem you? Would you be willing to look into His face?

John wrote that Jesus was full of grace and truth. I guess I have always dwelled too much on just the truth side. Perhaps you are the same. We want to know the rules and work really hard to follow them, so that He will be pleased with us and we can earn His love. Well, that doesn’t fit with the fact that He is also filled with grace—unmerited or unearned favor.

So, again I ask the question—what would it be like to look into the countenance of Jesus and see the fullness of His grace? Allow me to share my encounter with a face full of grace. I went to church one morning hurting from an argument. The wound was fairly fresh and I was afraid that if anyone looked too closely they would see my pain and it would all spill out, so I headed to my seat alone. A girlfriend caught up to me, realized my pain, didn’t ask me to explain, but took my face gently in both of her hands, tilting it up toward hers until I was making eye contact with her, and gently said, “I love you.” What did I see? I saw warmth and understanding. I didn’t see pity. It wasn’t a quick look. It was one of those “reach down into your soul” moments. She followed that with a warm hug. She was so gentle, so full of grace. Without her being aware of it, God was using her to take another brick out of my self-made walls and I would never be the same.

So, that’s what the fullness of His grace looked like to me that day. I wonder what it will look like for you…

Let’s be willing to receive God’s grace, His unearned and unmerited favor.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What in your life are you ashamed of? Are you willing to ask Him for forgiveness, knowing and believing that you will be met with grace?
2. Who has God placed in your life to help you to look up into His face? Are you allowing that person to help you?

FURTHER READING:
John 14:8-14; John 8:1-11; Matthew 9:20-22

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.

Counterfeit or the Real Thing?
By Karen D’Amore

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing,
but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Matthew 7:15

A routine night on patrol was interrupted by a peculiar dispatch. FBI agents were requesting a patrol car to assist with busting a counterfeit purse party. The crime scene was cluttered with hordes of women gawking at affordably priced knock-off Prada’s, Louis Vuitton’s, Gucci’s and more. Unfamiliar with the crime-in-progress, I was humored by the next day’s local news headlines: “Harmless Hobby or Fashion Felony?” and “Purse Parties…An Accessory to Crime!”

Not being a connoisseur of designer handbags, when put side-by-side with the counterfeits, I could not distinguish the fakes from the real thing. Educating myself on the elements of the crime, I learned that manufacturing and distributing counterfeit merchandise is a violation of registered trademark laws. The key issue is that the counterfeit product cheapens the value of the authentic one. Advanced technology has empowered manufacturers to produce near-identical copycats, thus casting confusion amongst consumers seeking authentic merchandise.

As Christ followers we face a similar battle with Satan…the master deceiver and genuine copycat. He has never specialized in originality, so he is quite accomplished in the art of copying and confusing issues. Wherever we see the genuine work of the Spirit of God, Satan will manufacture his own imitation. Satan’s business tactics are to flood the market with cheap counterfeits in order to cloud discernment between truth and lies.

Today, more than ever, we must be wary about deceptive doctrines being taught under the guise of Christianity. Satan uses false teachers as his accessory to counterfeiting and deception. As Christ followers we are called to test and examine all teaching according to Scripture. For our spiritual health and safety, we must grow in understanding and application of the truth of God’s Word. This requires us to be perpetual students of the Word and to seek constant spiritual discernment.

Whether it is designer handbags or the Truth of God, the only way to recognize the counterfeit is by truly knowing the real thing. Let’s “purse-u” a close relationship with the Designer, guarding ourselves from the “clutch” of counterfeits!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you examining all teaching against the Word of God?
2. How well do you know the Real Thing? Can you spot the counterfeits?

FURTHER READING:
1 John 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; Acts 17:11b; Mark 13:22-23; Proverbs 2:11

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.

Dimmer Switch
By Jen Wollner

“…his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead…”
Ephesians 1:19-20

Many of you probably have dimmer switches on one or more of the light fixtures in your home. If you do, you know that when the light is on very dim, you are able to function and accomplish things in that room, even with just a little light. You can eat, work on a project or read. But, we would all agree that doing those things with the light brighter, utilizing the full power and electricity coming into that switch, would be better. Our eyes wouldn’t have to strain as much and we could complete our tasks more effectively and efficiently. We wouldn’t even hesitate to turn the lights up and take advantage of that power, would we?

If we are a child of God, this is similar to the power we have in the Holy Spirit. We have an endless supply of power available to us at our fingertips…all we have to do is crank up the dial! I, for one, will oftentimes forget about that power and rely on my own instead. And, you guessed it, I fail miserably.

So, what would a life look like if it was more controlled by the Spirit? Well, God promises us in His Word that some of the results of a Spirit-filled life are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time mustering up much of any of those on my own. I would treasure the ability to love those who are unlovable. I would give anything for joy and peace when facing a trial. And, if I had more self-control with my tongue, there would be an abundance of blessings coming from my mouth.

The power that we have access to through the Spirit of God is the same power that the Lord used to create the world…and raise Jesus from the dead. Can we even begin to imagine the change that could happen in us if we utilized that kind of power in our lives? Can we comprehend the incredible wonders He wants to accomplish through us? Let’s stay close to our power source through His Word and prayer. Let’s turn up that switch by calling on the Holy Spirit to fill us daily and watch in amazement as He pours His power upon us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Which one of the nine “results” of the power of the Holy Spirit do you need most today?
2. Do you believe that if you ask God to fill you with that quality, He will? Why or why not?

FURTHER READING:
Job 32:8; Isaiah 11:2; Galatians 5:22-23; Matthew 7:7-8

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

Orphan and Queen
By Becci Terrill and Elizabeth Cole

“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: ‘Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?’”
Esther 4:12-14

There she stands: The next contestant. She’s spent untold hours preparing for this moment, heeding her counselors’ advice, beauty treatments, makeup. Who would have thought she’d be included in this selective group of stunning women -- an orphan with only one relative to champion her, a woman with an untold secret, a legal alien far from home. Sounds like Miss USA with a great back story, or a soap opera, or an episode of Dr. Phil, perhaps? Nope, it’s far better. Take a moment today to skim, or re-skim, the book of Esther in the Old Testament. (Really, put this down and go take a look. You’ll love it!)

Theologians regularly note that one of the outstanding characteristics of this book is its relative lack of explicit references to God. As you read Esther’s story, you’ll quickly see that there’s no place in it where God ISN’T! Start with Chapter 2 and her preparation for the king. See God? Move on to where this woman is blessed with a mentor and an opportunity to act in Chapter 4. See God? Keep reading in chapters 5 and on into 7. Talk about a woman who knows how to party with a purpose! See God?

Esther’s life reminds us in such a powerful way that God is intimately involved in our lives, through seemingly insignificant moments to unmistakable timing. Let’s walk through today with a sense of wonder…knowing that our God is a God actively at work, orchestrating and timing our lives -- even what seems unimportant to us -- for His purpose.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a situation you’ve been in where you knew you had to act, but you weren’t sure what the results would be. How did God show His purpose and plan?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:28

FOR FUN: Watch Esther’s story in the movie One Night with the King

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.

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

He Gives A Song In The Night
By Susan Klein

“By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me – a prayer to the God of my life.”
Psalm 42:8

One of my favorite stories in the Bible comes from the book of Acts. The Holy Spirit has just worked through Paul and Silas to heal a demon-possessed girl and how are they rewarded? By being stripped, severely beaten by an angry mob, and thrown in jail! (Imagine if they had actually done something wrong!) It’s now about midnight; they are lying in their own blood in a cold dark cell, emotionally and physically crushed. Are they moaning and groaning in agony, crying out against this hideous injustice? No, they are SINGING! They are singing a praise song to their God, and He is listening. The other inmates are listening, too. And they get treated to the awesome display of the earthquake-mighty hand of God as He opens the doors of the cells to free His faithful servants. All are amazed and many come to believe in the One true God. He has provided them comfort through song and escape through His miracle. What an awesome God!

Charles Spurgeon says, “It is easy to sing when we can read the notes by daylight; but the skillful singer is he who can sing when there is not a ray of light to read by...Songs in the night come only from God; they are not in the power of men.”

Several years ago I went through a challenging time in my life, and sleep escaped me. One particularly difficult night, I was determined not to fall into the pit of despair and got up to find a distraction. I saw the keyboard sitting in the corner, one on which I’d just started taking lessons. I desired to be praiseful like Paul and Silas, though as yet I couldn’t even plunk out an actual tune, let alone complete a whole song. But God was listening, and He heard my heart’s cry. He gave me a song in the night. My fingers started to flow gracefully over the keys while words of praise poured from my mouth. Over and over, I sang His song as a gentle peace settled over me.

The next day I could not remember a single word or note. The song was gone. It had accomplished its purpose that one night—to offer praise to Him and bring comfort to me.

Worship in the midst of worry, praise in the middle of pain…God’s song in the night.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Has God ever comforted you during trying times by bringing the words of a familiar hymn or praise song to your mind? The next time you are distressed, ask Him to give you “a song in the night.”

FURTHER READING:
Job 35:10; Psalm 77:1-6; 149:4-5; Acts 16:16-34

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

Can You Spare Some Change?
By Karen D’Amore

“But seek first His kingdom…”
Matthew 6:33a

The central hub of my police beat was a posh business district lined with upscale shops and restaurants. Merchants regularly complained about a perpetual visitor who loitered in front of their restaurants. His deep-set blue eyes stood out against the canvas of his dark, weathered face. And his nappy blond hair and gnarly beard were his most distinguishing attributes. His name was “Tommy” and the streets had been his home for over thirty years.

Day after day, Tommy solicited passing pedestrians with the same mumbled plea: “Can you spare some change?” Put off by his foul stench and unconventional appearance, most people passed him by, ignoring his requests. Occasionally, someone would stop and hand him a few spare coins or a bag of leftover food. For most of Tommy’s adult life, he survived on other people’s leftovers, scraps and spare change.

Reflecting on Tommy’s life drew me to consider my life with Christ. Am I giving Him my scraps or my “first fruits”? Do I truly seek first His Kingdom? And if not, who and what do I put first? I once heard a pastor say, “Show me a person’s calendar and their checkbook, and I’ll know the truth about her priorities.” OUCH!!! Too often the responsibilities of day-to-day life compete for first place in my life. And there are times I have been guilty of only giving God the scraps and leftovers of my heart…my time…and my finances.

How it grieves my heart to picture my Lord having to even ask: “Can you spare me your ear? I have much to share with you! Could you stop and talk to me for a moment? I haven’t heard from you in awhile! Could you come and visit me soon?”

Our key verse instructs us to put first things first…seeking God’s Kingdom and glory in every area of our lives. As Christ followers we are called to live our lives in submission to Him. If Christ is Lord over us, then we will acknowledge that life revolves around Him and we exist for His purposes; not the other way around. We’ll make His priorities our own, giving the Lord’s plans precedence over all others. Our choices will reflect the desire to be a living testimony to His Lordship in our lives.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Has God been given first place in your life? If so, pray that he will teach you to be a good steward of all that He has given you.
2. Is there anything in your life that takes precedence over the Lord’s plan? How can you align those things with Him?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:30; Isaiah 55:2

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.

Choices
By Peggy Kleckner

“This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…”
Deuteronomy 30:19

The weathermen had been predicting deep snow. By morning, my husband had to clear the driveway before leaving for work. They said the worst of it was to happen right during my part-time work schedule. I hate making the decision of whether it is wise to stay home or not. As a woman, I analyze everything, but as a perfectionist, my decision has to be right!

So the tug between home and work began. I listened to some of the storm watch news, but they like to sensationalize, or so it seems. Next, I took the dogs for a short walk. The roads were slippery under the snow, so maybe I really should stay home. Oh, I forgot to check to see if I have any vacation days left. Oooh, is worrying about the money a “not trusting God” issue? Maybe my husband will call and tell me to stay home. Then I will simply submit and not have to make a decision. Of course, work has been slow so I don’t have much to do there and home, well, there is always plenty to do! I think I’ll take my shower, maybe he will call.

After going back and forth in my mind, I started to justify going to work and I thought, when I look outside, it really doesn’t look so bad. That’s when it hit me. The truth was, I had already been warned as to the reality on the roads and the severity of the storm. Was I going to heed this warning or ignore it?

In His infinite kindness, God gives us warnings about the realities of our lives. He has chosen to clearly communicate to us what day-to-day decisions are in our best interests, and even more importantly, what specific decision will affect our true destination beyond this life. The world wants to believe only what it sees, but God has set eternity in our hearts. Scripture teaches the stark fact that we are all sinners, destined for a real place eternally apart from God—unless we choose Christ. Acts 4:12 says of Jesus, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” The only way to eternal life is through Him.

I took the newscaster’s warning seriously and stayed home that snowy day. Will we take God’s warning seriously and choose Christ and His ways? And do we care enough to lovingly tell someone else?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Would you be comfortable explaining to another person what salvation through Christ means? If not, what could you do about becoming more confident?

FURTHER READING:
Luke 16:19-31; Revelation 21; Romans 1:16

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.

My Constant Companion
By Susan Klein

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5b

Recently, a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie entitled Front of the Class aired on television. It was based on a book by the same title, and was a true story about a man with Tourette Syndrome. The subtitle was: “How Tourette Syndrome made me the teacher I never had.” As a boy, he struggled with his symptoms of jerky movements and uncontrollable noises for many years before being diagnosed. Teachers and peers were especially hard on him, thinking his behavior was deliberate. Once he understood his disorder, it eventually drove him to become a compassionate teacher and a spokesperson for Tourette Syndrome (T.S.).

As an adult, he referred to his T.S. as “my constant companion.” He claimed that it was always there teaching him to not give up on his dreams, to not give in to the disorder, and to not judge others with impairments.

I would venture to guess that the majority of people on Earth today suffer from some sort of physically or mentally limiting impairment, be it back problems, arthritis, chronic headaches, ADHD, OCD ... But do they refer to them as their “constant companions”? I know I certainly don’t! I tend to think of mine as more of a nuisance or hindrance, or as the apostle Paul put it, “my thorn in the flesh.” While I’ve never considered my impairments to be “companions,” they have taught me to rely on the One who is my Constant Companion. God, in His Holy Word, has promised to never leave my side. He knows all about my inner workings and the things I struggle with on a daily basis and He has not left me alone to deal with them. He says His power is made perfect in my weakness. I don’t have to be discouraged by my impairments because He will use His power to be glorified, in spite of my weaknesses.

Let’s use Paul’s example to live by: “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9b-10).” Let’s not see ourselves as impaired, but as made strong by the power of Christ!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What impairments are you struggling with today? Ask your Constant Companion to show you how to be strong through these impairments, and then trust that He will empower you to do so.

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 42:16; 2 Corinthians 12: 1-10; Deuteronomy 31:6

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

Backseat Driver
By Jen Wollner

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

My three-year-old is what you might call a “backseat driver.” Whenever we go somewhere, he’s got a million suggestions and comments about the drive. “Where are we going?” “Why are we slowing down?” “Turn here!” “Hey, this isn’t the way.” “Mom, this road is too bumpy.” And the list goes on. After a few minutes I find myself saying, “Just relax and enjoy the ride!”

It’s human nature to want to know everything there is to know about a situation. We desire to have some sense of control, especially when we aren’t the one driving. This is oftentimes how we are with God, isn’t it? On the journey of life, we’ve got a million questions and suggestions about which way we should go, at what speed we should travel and how smooth the road should be. Unfortunately, like my son, we don’t have enough experience or knowledge to be the driver. We don’t know what’s up ahead or even how to handle it on our own. What happens when we run into a torrential rain storm or construction or black ice on this road of life? How do we deal with these unexpected and unwanted trials? Do we reach over from the backseat and try to grab the wheel? Or, do we trust our Driver to get us through it?

Scripture says that the Lord works all things for our good. It also says that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. He is sovereign and in control. He has infinite knowledge and wisdom. He knows our past, our present and what’s coming in our future. And, most importantly, He loves us. There’s nothing wrong with asking Him for direction or consulting Him about where our lives are headed, in fact we’re encouraged in Scripture to do so. But, ultimately, our job is to trust Him…even when the road is rough and we are tempted to steer ourselves. Okay, especially then!

Let’s sit back…relax…and enjoy the ride. We’ve got the perfect Driver.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What in your life feels out of control right now? Are you reaching for the wheel or letting the Lord handle the burden of the tough terrain?

FURTHER READING:
Job 42:2; Proverbs 2:6, 3:19; Isaiah 55:8-9

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

Friends for a Season
By Susan Klein

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” I think we can all agree that it takes much time and effort for good friendships to develop. That’s why it’s especially difficult, after we’ve cultivated and nurtured a relationship, to have someone move away or exit our lives.

Two of my dearest friends have moved. One is only about an hour away and the other is about 2,000 miles away! It hurts not having them near. I’ve questioned God as to why He would take these friends away from me. He reminded me that, though our relationships are long-distance, we are still friends. He also placed each of those women in my life at times when He knew I would really need them.

One of those dear women needs a heart transplant. I know that each day that she is still alive is a blessing from the Lord. When she lived nearby, she taught me so much about the importance of living everyday for the Lord. God also used her to teach me about compassion and unconditional love.

The other precious friend taught me about laughter. God placed her in my life during a time of despair, when her cheerful heart was like a medicine to my soul. Now we maintain our friendship mostly via email. When she writes, I can still hear the laughter in her voice as if she is in the room talking to me!

Then there are those friendships that just sort of fade as our children grow up, or we change jobs, or other circumstances of life interfere. But I truly believe that God places each of those women in our life for a reason, if sometimes only for a season. He is weaving a beautiful tapestry of friendships for us to learn from and to grow by. The bright orange in my tapestry is the friend who delights me with her humor. The deep crimson is my friend who needs a heart transplant. The earthy grey is my friend who is a spiritual rock and has challenged me to stand strong in my faith. The sunny yellow is the cheerful friend who spent many enjoyable hours on the beach with me in the summer when our kids were young.

As I reflect on the tapestry that God has yet to finish, I am not saddened. Instead, I am filled with anticipation as I look forward to each new season of life and the new vibrant colors God will weave in!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Reflect on the friendships God has woven into your life. What He has shown you through each of them?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 17:22; 1 Corinthians 16:13

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

Measuring a Life
By Elizabeth Cole

“Teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:12

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Matthew 23:37

A popular musical was a huge hit when it debuted on Broadway in the 90’s due in large part to its dark, gritty, “in-your-face” portrayal of AIDS and young moderns in New York City. The characters are tragic representations of the hopelessness that life becomes without a Savior. In the midst of such bleakness, the friends sing this question: “525,600 minutes, 525,600 moments so dear…How do you measure a year in the life?”

The suggestions are offered: in daylights, in sunsets, in cups of coffee? In miles, in laughter? And the final suggestion soars in rich harmony, “How about love?”

Listening to the song, I find myself marveling at biblical truth found in a most unexpected place. Indeed, how about love?

In his psalm, Moses highlights both the value and the limit of our days, our years and, ultimately, of our lives. The Message paraphrases verse 12, “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”

An honest query responds. What is a life lived wisely and well? The Lord Jesus gives us His answer when asked about the greatest commandment. In one word: Love.

Love foremost for the God of the Universe; love for every single individual we meet; love that distinguishes us as followers of Christ; love that compels us daily; love with our actions and our material possessions; love that is willing to be inconvenienced for the sake of another’s good; love that points to Love Himself.

In the song, the soloist adds, “Remember that love is a gift from up above.” Hmm…imagine that: Truth on Broadway.

How will you measure this year in your life? How about love?

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God your First Love?
2. What changes would you need to make in your life to put Love at the top of your to-do list?
3. What individuals need you to live Christ’s love in their lives? What one step would you take in that direction this week?

FURTHER READING:
John 13:34-35; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Revelation 2:4

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