Living In View Of Eternity

By Susan Klein

“He has also set eternity in the hearts of men”

Ecclesiastes 3:11a (NIV)

The news today seems to be filled with validations of our living in the “end times.” Rivers and lakes around the world mysteriously filling with blood-red waters, cataclysmic natural disasters, decaying morals, wars and factions…and yet, if you take a look at Scripture, all these things were happening 2000 years ago as well. Paul, Timothy and Peter were among many who proclaimed the end times being near. In fact, 400 years before our Lord Jesus Christ was even born, the prophet Malachi felt the Lord’s coming was imminent, stating, “Surely the day (of the Lord) is coming” (Malachi 4:1a, NIV).

We read in Scripture that no one knows the exact moment of our Lord’s return, but that each one of us should be prepared. So, how might we live in view of eternity without getting caught up in all the signs and wonders going on around us? Perhaps we should take our cues from some very wise men.

 “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess…let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - - and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:22-25, NIV).

“…keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5, NIV).

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Peter 3:15-16, NIV).

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself” (Romans 14:19; 15:1-2, NIV).

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men (women) of courage; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13, NIV).

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances…do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold onto the good. Avoid every kind of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, NIV).

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you focusing on the troubles/signs of the moment, or maintaining an eternal perspective?

2. What are you doing to share the eternal hope you have with others, especially those who are perishing?

FURTHER READING:

1 Thessalonians 5: 1-11; 2 Peter 3:10-18

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark are part of the leadership for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Shelter from the Storm

By Jen Wollner

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are safe.”
Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)

When my son, Clayton, was young, he was extremely afraid of storms. Flashing lightning, crashing thunder and pounding rain literally made him tremble and weep. A couple of years ago, we had several days of thunderstorms in a row. We were all on edge and my husband and I were getting used to one kid or another running to us or crying during the night as the various sounds echoed around our home. One morning, when it was already light out, the rain woke me up and soon thereafter I saw a huge flash of lightning. The thunder followed immediately behind it and shook the whole house. I cringed and braced myself for what I knew I’d hear next…frantic feet running down the hall to my room! I waited…and waited…but no one came. No feet. No crying. No panicked calls for Mommy and Daddy.

Hmmm…that’s strange, I thought. There’s no way none of them heard that, especially Clayton. Is it possible that he slept through it?!

As I lay in bed, my mind turned to other things and soon I drifted back to sleep. Not too long later, Clayton came into our room and jumped in bed with us, just as he did most mornings. He seemed particularly excited and pleased with himself, though, and the first thing out of his mouth was, “Mom, did you hear that loud thunder?” “Yeah, did you hear it, too?” I asked him with much shock. “Yep!” he said. “And I was really scared at first, but then I remembered that God was with me and I wasn’t scared anymore!” Well, there’s nothing that gives me more joy then when my children trust in the Lord and look to Him to fill their needs. And, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that God would so quickly and supernaturally meet that need. What a promise-keeping God!

We all struggle with fears and worries, don’t we? Maybe it’s a health issue. Maybe it’s a financial dilemma. Maybe it’s a difficult relationship. Or, maybe it’s something more tangible like spiders, heights or, like my son, severe weather. Whatever it is, it fills us with panic and all we can think about is getting away…being rescued…finding shelter.

The Lord is that place. He’s the place of security when the storms of life crash down on us. He’s a strong tower when everything is falling apart around us. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer.

Run to Him…

GOING DEEPER:
1. What causes you to tremble? From what do you need protection? Seek the Lord and expect Him save you and fill you with courage!

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 18:2; Psalm 91; Isaiah 41:10-14

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

The God Who Sees
By Carolyn Hulliberger

“…You are the God who sees me…”
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)

Imagine a young, unmarried, pregnant woman with no home, no family, and no future. She has no education, no means of providing for the child she carries. She has been used and abandoned emotionally by the child’s father, treated harshly by his family. Seeing no other options, she runs away. The future is bleak…there is no one to help…what will become of her?

When all appears hopeless, an angel of the LORD comes to her. He speaks to her…the unwed mother…the homeless wanderer. He has specific instructions from God himself. She is to name her son “God hears.” God will make her descendents too numerous to count. He has a plan for HER! Her response, in what I imagine to be an astonished whisper, is, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” She has not been abandoned….she has been seen by a God who cares deeply about her and her unborn child. And while the angel instructs her to return to her child’s father, she is no longer alone.

This is no “Movie of the Week.” It is the story of Hagar, an Egyptian slave and the mother of Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. The culture of the Old Testament book of Genesis allowed masters to keep slaves, to treat the slaves as they wished, and for female slaves to bear children in place of their master’s wives. On the ladder of society, these female slaves were the bottom rung. They were given no rights, no freedoms, no opinions. Surely God would not take notice of one such as this.

Have you ever felt like God doesn’t notice what’s going on in your life? That you couldn’t be important to Him? “Hagar’s God is the One who numbers the hairs on our heads and who knows our circumstances, past, present, and future.” (1) In our places of desolation, God is intimately aware of our hurts, our troubles, our sorrows. His care for us is personal, intimate and individual. The psalmist writes, “I lift up my eyes to the hills…where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth…The LORD will keep you from all harm…he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121: 1-2, 7-8, NIV)

Know today that God sees you, He cares about you, and you are never alone.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Are you feeling weak in the face of today’s challenges? Pray for strength to keep your eyes fixed on the One who sees you.
2. How have you experienced God’s watchful care?

FURTHER READING:
2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3

(1) © 2004. Praying the Names of God, Ann Spangler, page 27.

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

“Do You Love Me?” 
By Elizabeth Cole

“Again Jesus said, ‘Simon, son of John, do you truly love me?’”
John 21:16a (NIV)

I’ve been thinking about that poignant moment in the second act of Fiddler on the Roof  where Tevye asks Golde, his wife of 25 years, if she loves him. Tevye is intrigued by his daughter’s love for a young man and it causes him to tentatively ask, “Golde…do you love me?” She quickly brushes off the question as simply a sign of indigestion, given all the stress and trouble that’s taking place in their turn-of-the-century village. But he persists…“Golde, I’m asking you a question…do you love me?”

And here’s the part that has caused me to dwell on this scene lately. Golde answers, “For twenty-five years I've washed your clothes, cooked your meals, cleaned your house, given you children, milked the cow…” How quickly her mind moves to actions…good actions, for sure. Basically, she’s replying, “Good grief, look at everything I’ve done for you! I’ve spent my whole adult life doing things for you…”

How often does that become our answer when we stop to think about how we love Jesus? “Lord, of course, I love you. Look at everything I’ve been doing for you. In fact, I’ve spent my whole adult life doing things for you…” The tone of voice in my mind uncomfortably echoes what I imagine Martha’s to be when her friend Jesus came to visit. While her sister Mary sits with Jesus, Martha does things for Jesus. Martha’s about accomplishments and results; Mary’s about first things first.

Love is first. Henri Nouwen writes of Jesus’ exchange with Peter as He restores him, “He whose only concern had been to announce the unconditional love of God had only one question to ask, ‘Do you love me?’ The question is not: How many people take you seriously? How much are you going to accomplish? Can you show some results? But: Are you in love with Jesus?” (1)

Am I in love with Jesus? Am I in love with One who laid aside every divine right in order to obey the Father and drag a way-too-heavy cross up a hill? Am I in love with the One who calmly tells the wind to cool it, tenderly holds a child, and speaks unvarnished truth for the sake of Love? Do I love Him as my First Love, with fervency and passion…with all my heart and soul and mind and strength?

Actions matter…for sure. But His question’s got to be answered first: Do you love me?

GOING DEEPER:
1. What will you do today to be with Jesus?

FURTHER READING:
Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10; John 21; Philippians 2; Revelation 2:1-7

(1) Henri J.M. Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus, The Crossroad Publishing Company, New York, p. 37

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

Mountain Moving

By Elin Henderson

“So Jesus answered…them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” it will be done.’”

 Matthew 21:21 (NKJV, emphasis added)

         

After living on the flat coast of Africa and then in Florida, I am always overwhelmed and amazed to travel into “mountain” country. Whether it’s the Drakensburg Mountains of South Africa or the Rocky Mountains here in the US, I am awed by the size and magnitude of these seemingly immovable landmarks.

           

So, when Jesus says to the disciples, “If you have faith, you can tell that mountain to be removed and cast into the sea, and you know, it will happen,” the impossibility of the task from a human perspective isn’t hard to imagine. Granted, most of us aren’t needing actual mountains moved, but let’s face it, we all have some pretty BIG mountains in our lives. Mt. Fear, Mt. Insecurity, Mt. Hurt, Mt. Unforgiveness, to name a few. The size and magnitude of these monsters in our lives can be overwhelming and lead us to despair or despondency.

Jesus is calling us like He did His disciples - - to face our mountains with faith and not doubt, not because we  can move that mountain, but because HE CAN !  Is He bigger than our mountains? Is He stronger? Is He able? The answer is always YES! When we believe that He is able and have faith in His ability, then the ground starts to rumble and the mountain begins to move. 

Look again at this verse. It isn’t just removing the mountain. It is casting it into the sea. There is closure when something sinks beneath the waters. Then, when we recall the mountains, all we’ll see is a sign floating from God reading, “No swimming and absolutely no SCUBA diving permitted.” So, let’s start moving some mountains, and when the sea swallows them up, let’s obey the signs and stay out of the water!

GOING DEEPER:                                             

1. Are there any mountains you can “name” in your life today?

2. How does seeing that “no swimming” sign in the waters help us have victory?

FURTHER READING:

Matthew 17:20 (same concept, different illustration); Luke 3:5

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to thirteen-year-old Callie and eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

We Don’t Have To Have All the Answers

By Susan Klein

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

Proverbs 17:28 (NIV)

Usually when I need an example of perseverance through trial, I go to the book of Job. Here was a blameless and upright man who suffered extreme personal loss, while also enduring ridicule and shame by those who supposedly loved him the most. Yet, while he is the model of perseverance, I’ve come to learn another lesson from Job that I want to emulate: “I don’t need to have all the answers.”

After his period of grieving, Job’s friends started to pummel him with questions as to why God would allow such a travesty to occur to such a godly man. For awhile, Job accepts his lot, defending his Creator to those who are making accusations. But, eventually his despair gets the better of him and Job starts to question God as well. “What did I do to deserve this? Why have you made me your target?” (paraphrased from chapter 7)

Eventually, we read that God speaks. He’s heard enough of accusations and questioning from Job and his friends. Beginning in chapter 38, He reminds Job that He alone is God, Creator of all, and He decides what will happen to whom. Job does not know the things that God knows and has no business questioning His ways. After being rebuked, Job replies, “I am unworthy - - how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer - - twice, but I will say no more” (Job 40:4-5, NIV). Job got the message.

Similarly, who am I to question what God is doing in my life or in the life of someone else? Why do we always feel the need to have answers or know the reason for our plight? Is that walking by faith or by sight? Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:45 that God causes His sun to rise on the good and the evil, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. No one is exempt from trials, and no one has the answers to all of life’s questions. No one, except God.

Like Job’s friends, when others begin to question God, we should not join in on the questioning nor should we always strive to have an answer for them, other than: “Our God is in Heaven; He does whatever pleases Him” (Psalm 115:3, NIV). We don’t need to know, we just need to trust!

GOING DEEPER:

1. What questions might you have that seem to be going unanswered? Are you willing to let them go, and “just trust”?

2.  Spend some time with the Creator and marvel at His sovereignty.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 135:5-6;Acts 17:24-26 ; Romans 9:14-18

Susan enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and tutoring with the Literacy Council. She and her husband Mark are part of the on-site small group leadership for Oakwood's Wednesday Night Community.

Joyful Concert
By Peggy Kleckner

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn  - -  shout for joy before the LORD, the King.”
Psalm 98:4-6 (NIV)

I have been enjoying a concert since early spring…right outside my front window! First came the tips of daffodils boldly proclaiming their presence, followed by their bouncy yellow blooms. Next came the tulips spattered about in different colors…a few here, a few over there. Each type of plant showed up for its part in displaying His splendor. Each group proudly pushing up past the dirt, taking time to sprout leaves and set down roots before producing its blossoms.

Oh, but the wonderful sway of the most recent music! Triumphal shouts of irises boldly proclaiming their colors. Big leaves followed by tall shoots that burst into blooms! This year was the first for some of those colors. What a treasured surprise. To add to the fun, they showed up while my mom was visiting from Florida. Each day we viewed yet another added color. We enjoyed the playful staccato notes of daises, as well as the wispy featherlike tinklings of paper irises. How like God to add joy to my days. What a delicious experience to share with my mother.

Some days, I wonder what the music is. I think of all of the instruments in an orchestra or a band and I imagine which ones would play the part of the tulip, the daffodil, the daisy. Are my irises trumpets? Are the daisies piccolos? It just sets the mind to giggling. Oh, how He must delight in my delight!

May each of us also be willing to bloom for His glory and the delight of those around us!

GOING DEEPER:
1. What joyful surprises has He placed in your days recently?
2. Are you blooming according to His timing, or are you trying to compete with those planted around you? Who plans the concert, you or God?

FURTHER READING:
Isaiah 61:11; Genesis2:4-9; Jeremiah 17:7-8

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult children - - two sons and two stepsons, and is an active encourager at Oakwood Church in Delafield. 

Déjà vu
By Karen D’Amore

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver.”
Psalm 66:10 (NIV)

The experience of déjà vu is accompanied by a compelling sense of familiarity in a present situation. In the movie Groundhog Day we see the essence of déjà vu personified. Cynical, self-centered TV meteorologist Phil Connors has been sent to Punxsutawney, PA to broadcast the annual Groundhog Day festivities. After grudgingly covering the event, he awakens the next day to find himself trapped in an endless cycle of Groundhog Days. When his self-indulgent behavior fails to change, events repeat themselves in the same way they occurred the original day. Given opportunities to learn from the previous day’s failures and to respond to others differently, Phil continues to fulfill his own self-seeking pleasures, at the expense of others. As desperate attempts to change the events or escape the cycle of the time loop prove futile, Phil grows increasingly despondent. Eventually, he comes to the realization that he is powerless to change his circumstances…the only thing he can change is himself. When a transformed Phil emerges as a thoughtful, caring, selfless new man, the time loop is broken and he is set free from Groundhog Day.

This fitting cinematic compression likens itself to the refining process of a believer. As Christ-followers, every detail of our lives falls under God’s scrutiny, as He purges out remnants of our carnal life. Oftentimes, He will bring us back to the same point over and over again; leaving us in that place until the desired lessons are learned and His finished product has been produced. Whether it be lessons in forgiveness, loving the unlovable, selfishness, pride, or lack of trust…the refining process continues as impurities are eradicated from our character.

Just as silver is refined by being held in the middle of the fire, where the hottest flames burn away the impurities, the Lord will hold us in that “hot spot” until the desired transformation takes place. And while the silversmith knows the silver is completely refined when he can see his image reflecting in the metal, the Lord will rejoice in His completed work when He sees His reflection in our lives.

Do you find yourself stuck in a place of Déjà vu, wrestling over and over with the same familiar lessons? Lend yourself to God’s refining moments…He may not move you forward until you do!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Is there a stronghold in your life in which God is continually re-testing you? Surrender to His character refinement today.

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 10:22-23; Jeremiah 9:7

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.

Words From My Friend

By Vernette Kureck

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

Zzzzt  went the notification on my cell phone. I had just played the word “bible” for 70 points and was waiting expectantly for a response from my opponent. Yes, I really enjoy playing “Words with Friends.”

It is challenging, fun and nourishes my competitive spirit. But even more challenging and enjoyable is to be in God’s Word - - the Bible - - and have my spirit enriched, encouraged and edified.

• To be enriched like Paul when he says in Colossians 3:16 (NIV) to “Let the message [the Word] of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns and songs from the spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Collective, good Bible study and worship nourishes the soul to overflowing and promotes a thankful attitude, making you rich.

• To be encouraged with King David when he says in Psalm 37:4 (NIV) to “Take delight in the Lord [the Author of the Word] and He will give you the desires of your heart.” When you commit your ways to the Lord, your heart desires things that are pleasing to God and you will be blessed and be a blessing.

• And lastly, to be edified like Jesus. “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (Psalms 119:89, NIV) We can be strong in our beliefs because what we have is Truth and Truth is unchanging. Jesus came as the Living Word and now we have the Bible as His living Word. Before Jesus began His earthly ministry, he was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where He was tempted for forty days. Always His answer to the devil began with “it is written.” Yes, we can be firm when we have His words in our minds and hearts.

The old hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” shares all the friendship qualities we have in Jesus. He is not my competition but He is challenging, enjoyable and nourishes my heart, soul and mind. And I don’t have to hear Zzzzt  to be notified He has made contact. All I need to do is open and read the Word from my Friend and be expectant as to what Truth He has for me now.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Google the lyrics to What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

2. How are you being enriched, encouraged and edified?

FURTHER READING:

John 1:1; Luke 4:1-14

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

Face Value

By Elin Henderson

“…while we don’t not look at the things that are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

2 Corinthians 4:18 (NKJV)

         

We are so quick to judge things at face value. What you see is what you get…or so we think.  But, we all know that this isn’t the truth.  If you don’t believe this, then watch “Antique Roadshow” and you’ll soon find out that the little old lady who has this old vase on her dining room table is actually putting flowers in a Ming Dynasty 14^th century urn! 

The disciples in Jesus’ time had to learn some hard lessons in taking things at face value. He rarely spoke straightforward to them, instead He used life experiences and parables to teach principles. We see this clearly in Mark 6:30-44 where Jesus feeds the 5,000, then appears to them in verses 45-52 walking on the water and calming the seas. Mark tells us that the disciples were astounded, “For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened” (v. 52, NIV). They were taking His first miracle at face value, but there was more that Jesus was trying to teach them. He had a deeper lesson of His sufficiency, His power and His ability to take care of them. 

This was just one example of many which Jesus used to teach His disciples to stop taking life happenings at face value but to look beyond to what HE was doing!  Isn’t that the same challenge for us today?  He is calling us to go beyond life’s circumstances, even the miracles in our lives, and see His under-workings and marvelous power on our behalf. Not just so we can be amazed at the work, but at the WORKER behind it and that we might grow in our knowledge and love of Him!   

GOING DEEPER:                                               

1.  What circumstances have you been in recently where you might have been looking at the “face value” and missed the lesson?

2.  What other stories from Jesus’ ministry to His disciples can you think of that show this principle?

FURTHER READING:

Romans 8:28; 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to thirteen-year-old Callie and eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Change the Storyline

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!”

Psalm 32:1-2 (NLT)

I have a Confession to make.

Do I have your attention? As any writer of crime shows or soap operas knows, the Confession is powerful. The storyline changes once the Confession happens. 

Jesus knows it, too. During the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6, Jesus instructs His followers how to pray. Very specifically, His example of speaking to God includes a request for forgiveness of our debts/sins. 

This is a part of prayer that can be hard. I don’t like to discuss my daily (hourly!) shortcomings. In prayer, so often I want to accentuate the positive and ask for my requests.  Here’s the problem…

When I neglect to confess my sin, I diminish the power of God’s grace in my life. 

Without seeing my sin and the darkness of my human condition, I ignore the beauty that is the relationship with my Savior. Without professing my issues to the God who adores me, I gloss over the call to turn to Him in dependency and need. Without the daily realization that I am a ragamuffin human completely undeserving of the love and attention of the God of the universe, I begin to believe that I can do this Christian life on my own.

A paraphrase of 1 John 1:8-9 puts it this way:  “If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins - - make a clean breast of them - - he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.” (The Message)

Confession is pivotal. With Confession, God is able to clean out the wounds we have from our own sins, and those others created. When we confess our fears and failures and shortcomings, we become vulnerable and teachable. When that happens, God can change our storyline.

Do you have a Confession to make?

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Spend time in thoughtful confession with God today.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 32:5; 2 Chronicles 7:14

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

Focus

By Tracy Smith

“Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you. Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations - - that's what I had in mind for you."

Jeremiah 1:5 (MSG)

It is so easy, as women, to have our focus in the wrong direction. The world bombards us with images of all we should or shouldn’t be, and many times the messages oppose each other. It’s impossible to figure out which message to listen to, and more impossible to live up to the expectations. Then we see that woman that has what we want. Jealousy sets in and we think, “I want to be like her.”  I cannot tell you the number of times I wished I was the more “prim and proper” sort who did more listening than talking and when she did talk, used a quiet, reserved voice. Those who know me are chuckling as they try to imagine that  scenario - - it’s just not me.

While reading the magazine Just Between Us, I came across a couple of truths that I have been unable to get out of my mind. “Getting a New View of You,” was an interview with Andrea Stephens, founder of a ministry called B.A.B.E.™ that reaches out to “teen girls to help them see themselves as God sees them - - beautiful, accepted, blessed and eternally significant. She teaches them they are created on purpose and for a pur-pose.”[1] Wait a minute - - God created me the way I am -- loud talking, not prim and proper personality and all? I’ve been learning this lesson slowly over the past five years as God has been using various people and events to show me that He created me a certain way for a reason, and that I should embrace that and thank Him for it. 

Then, Andrea was asked:

“JBU: It is so easy to compare ourselves with other women. How do we keep from being envious of others?

Andrea:  It takes concerted effort. Someone else’s looks, talents, or personality is not better or worse than ours - - just different. When we start thinking we wish we had someone else’s thick hair or winsome ways or ability to be organized, that is the time to stop and thank God for giving those things to her. Then ask Him to bless her. This helps guard our heart from jealousy.”[1]

Wow! That just spoke to me and is something I have not heard before. In order to not be jealous, pray for the person and thank God for giving her those things and ask God to bless her. Amazing insight!

Taking the focus off of ourselves and putting it onto God and what He has done for someone else is a wonderful concept I cannot wait to try!

GOING DEEPER:

1. If there is someone you know whom you have jealous feelings toward, will you take the time to do what Andrea suggests and pray for her?

2.  Think about something you do not like about yourself and think about how God could use that for Him.

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 139:1; Romans 12:4-8; Isaiah 64:8

[1]  Fink, Constance B. “Getting a New View of You.” Just Between Us Summer 2012: 18-21. Print

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

Note to Self
By Lisa Boyer

“…but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.”
2 Corinthians 10:12b (KJV)

Dear Self,

When your loving heavenly Father gently points out some area in your life that He wants you to work on, it’s because He knows you are ready to deal with it, change it and move on. The other day when God tapped you on the shoulder and pointed out something that needed attention, you took it and ran with it. But you ran in the wrong direction!

You immediately began beating yourself up for how you’d been handling it and then you proceeded to make a list of everything that you don’t do right in that area of your life. The result wasn’t pretty. In fact, it was downright ugly. You became completely defeated…before you could even begin to take the journey God wanted you to take.

What happened? The area God pointed out wasn’t that major. It was such a simple thing; not a sin issue, a self-improvement issue. And when it comes to self-improvement, nothing can make you spiral out of control like…oh yes, others. Is that where your mind went? Is that how your list became so long? God showed you one thing He wanted you to improve and your problem-solving mind looked around to see how others do that one thing. But instead of finding solutions, you compared yourself with them and saw more and more problems; things others handle better than you do. The Bible makes it very clear that isn’t the route to take. Comparing yourself with others is not wise, and look where it landed you!

Can we please start over? Whatever area God wanted you to begin to work on, He knows you’re ready to deal with it, or He wouldn’t have brought it up. He wants to gently lead you down a better path. Trust Him.

Love,
Me

PS: One more thing: Get rid of the list. The list didn’t come from God…you made up that list. While it is true that there will always be someone who does “it” better than you, that same someone will always be able to find someone who does “it” better than she. Comparing never helps.

GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you tend to spiral down the wrong path when God shows you an area to work on? Next time will you sit quietly before Him and let Him show you His solution?
2. Are you in the habit of comparing yourself to others? Today, will you begin to measure yourself by God’s standard?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 10:18; Proverbs 3:5

Lisa has been married to Ted for more than 20 years and they have two teenage sons. Lisa administers Fresh Start’s Facebook and blog, and loves hanging out with and impacting teenage girls for Christ.

Don’t Miss Him!

By Elin Henderson

“…Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.”

Mark 6:48b (NKJV)

         

They almost missed Jesus??!! Really!! We ask ourselves, “How?”! It’s not like there are many pedestrians wandering about on the water in the middle of a stormy night!  Of course we will give them the benefit of the doubt, because if you have been following the news lately and watching the story unfold about the missing Malaysian airliner, then you might understand how difficult it can be to see things on the high seas when the waves are rough.   

The disciples were no doubt focused on the storm, the waves, the water, the wind and the last thing that crossed their minds is that Jesus might show up walking on it all!  Then, when they finally did see Him, they completely freaked out. 

Let’s not be too rough on these guys though. We all find ourselves at times out on life’s stormy seas and when Jesus comes into view, we are so focused on the wind and waves that we often miss Him. We are more worried about how to get out of the mess we are in than who is there with us. Of course. He has been there all along, but we can easily miss Him even when He makes Himself very visible, because our human eyes can’t see past the storm. 

Give us eyes of faith, oh Lord, to not let You pass by unseen…to not miss Your presence even in the midst of the storms of our lives. Help us not to be so surprised at finding You walking on the waves but to expect You there. Help us to fix our eyes on You until YOU settle the storm! 

GOING DEEPER:      

1. Have you ever missed Jesus in the storm?

2. How can we sharpen our focus and search so that He won’t pass by unseen? 

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 12:2; 2 Kings 6:17-23

Oakwood’s missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa.  Elin is mother to thirteen-year-old Callie and eleven-year-old Elias. They are currently in America on Home Assignment.

Behind the Scenes (Act Three)

By Karen D’Amore

“…Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

Luke 6: 27-28 (NIV)

Feeling safe within the confines of the retreat walls, I didn’t want the day to end. With God’s protective presence oozing from every corner, I longed to linger in that protective bubble. My still-raw emotions weren’t ready to re-emerge into the battlefield of life. But as I reflected on and basked in God’s work behind the scenes, I felt empowered and safe to face my abuser. With confident assurance that God was standing in the gap, I could trust Him to help fight my battles.

With a heart saturated with valuable “take-a-ways” gleaned from the retreat, I would prayerfully cling to every word of encouragement. When weeks later, I crossed paths with my abuser, I was eased by her subdued countenance. I would later learn that others who were also victims of her abusiveness had called her out on her behavior. They’d made it clear that slander and other such abusive behavior would not be tolerated.

Personally, I was exhausted and preferred to wash my hands of her, but…God had different plans! He’d commanded me to love her in the past and God was calling me to continue loving her. On that first encounter, following the retreat, I could feel God nudging me to “tell” her that I loved her. And so, in obedience to that nudge, I cupped her cheeks in the palm of my hands and told her that I loved her. Sobbing, she collapsed into my arms, begging for forgiveness. I assured her that all was forgiven, just as Jesus has and continues to forgive me. I encouraged her that the past was behind us, never to be discussed again and that we would move forward into the future…stronger and better than ever.

I once read that the true mark of maturity is that when someone hurts you, you try to understand their situation instead of trying to hurt them back. We never know the history motivating the actions of those who wrong us. And though I don’t believe God calls us to be anybody’s “punching bag,” He does call us to respond in love.  Sometimes that love must be tough…and other times that love must be merciful, but true, godly love must always be Holy Spirit-empowered.

With love standing the test of time, Jesus was glorified through the loving of my abuser. Yes, He empowered me to love and love and keep on loving…and I’m blessed to share that love finally  reaped redemption!

GOING DEEPER:

1.  What ways can you show love today…even when it’s hard?

FURTHER READING:

 Philippians 1:12

Married to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.