The Testing of Our Faith
By Karen D’Amore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Thankful Heart
By Shelly Schumacher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Friend Without Question
By Susan Klein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Miriam
By Elizabeth Cole and Becci Terrill

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Follow the Leader
By Jen Wollner

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

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

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

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

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

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

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 23; 2 Thessalonians 3:3

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

The Story of Mothers and Daughters
By Susan Klein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please Sir, I Want Some More
By Elizabeth Cole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A New Dance Step
By Peggy Kleckner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hearing God’s Voice
By Karen D’Amore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thoughts on a Well-Traveled Road
By Elizabeth Cole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God is Food
By Jen Wollner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Dyeing” to be Famous
By Karen D’Amore

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What’s in a Word?
By Susan Klein

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Our Life - Seasons

By Susan Klein 

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

Ecclesiastes 3:1 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What a Friend
By Elizabeth Cole

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, what a Friend we have in Jesus.

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

FURHTER READING:
John 15-16

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

Spa Day
By Jen Wollner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRESH!
By Peggy Kleckner

“His mercies begin afresh each morning.”
Lamentations 3:23 NLT

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

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

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

GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you received God’s fresh mercies today? In what specific area of your life do you need them most?
2. What could you do right now to make sure you’ll meet with Him tomorrow?

FURTHER READING:
Romans 8:1; Titus 3:4-7; Isaiah 30:18

Peggy is a wife and mother of four adult sons, two of whom are her step sons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Sweet Treat
By Jen Wollner

“…his love endures forever.”
Psalm 107:1

In my opinion, October is one of the best months of the year here in Wisconsin. The air is crisp, the leaves are colorful and fall festivities are in full swing. I look forward to our family tradition of going to a farm to pick out pumpkins, eating caramel apples, drinking cider and riding in a wagon full of hay. Actually, I’m not sure who loves it more…my husband and I, or our kids! There’s another October tradition that kids love. It comes at the end of the month and involves costumes and candy. Children of all ages get to dress up as their favorite superhero or princess or animal and run around the neighborhood in the dark, ringing doorbells and collecting candy. What’s not to love, right?

For a lot of us, though, pretending to be someone we’re not doesn’t end with childhood trick-or-treating. Many of us wear costumes of some kind or another throughout our whole lives. This seems particularly prevalent amongst us women. We often feel that we won’t be liked if we aren’t wearing our June Cleaver pearls and housedress. We wonder if others will accept us if we haven’t put on our Martha Stewart mask. And we fear that if people knew that we were really more like Peg Bundy than Claire Huxtable, they would look down on us. So, we carry on the charade, hoping that no one will discover the real us…or should I say, the vulnerable, imperfect side of us.

How good to know there’s Someone who doesn’t care what we look like without our make-up and hair done (or house clean, or kids perfectly behaved or marriage without kinks or…). As a matter of fact, He created each of us and knows exactly how many hairs we have on our beautifully-styled head. His name is Jesus. He can see right through our get-ups of perfection and poise…and He loves us just the same. His affection for us is higher than any mountain, deeper than any sea and wider than the heavens. His desire to have a relationship with us took Him to the cross. He simply adores us! That’s just the kind of unconditional love we are longing for, isn’t it?

No matter what kind of costume we’ve been hiding behind, today is the day to take it off and be real with the Lord. Let’s admit our struggles and imperfections and find freedom in His love and acceptance. He’s crazy about us, just as we are. No tricks here...just sweet treats!

Going Deeper:
1. What kind of “costumes” do you put on each day? Why?
2. Do you believe that the Lord loves you unconditionally and treasures a personal relationship with you? Do you seek Him and His acceptance or rely on the approval of others?
3. What are some ways that He demonstrates His love for you each day?

Further Reading:
Psalm 9:10; Psalm 45:10-11; Psalm 108:4; Romans 5:8

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

Keeping Anger in Check
By Susan Klein

“In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:26-27

When my son was a little boy, he struggled for a period of time with angry outbursts. As a young mom, I wasn’t quite sure how to deal with this flaw in my “little angel’s” character. Surely my sweet five-year old son couldn’t be exhibiting selfishness or pride, could he? As I pored through many well-meaning parenting books trying to decide the best way to handle this undesirable behavior, my son developed a unique way of his own to deal with his anger. Whenever he felt the rage coming on, he would go outside, jump on his swing, and pump as hard and as high as his little legs would take him. As I’d sneak a peek out the window, I could always gauge the intensity of his anger by how high and how long he swung. Only when he was physically exhausted, and his anger depleted, would he come back in the house.

I remember sharing this with another mom one day while our boys shared a play day at the park. Her response caught me a little off guard. She told me her boys were taught that anger is sin. She also said that she did not allow them to express their anger, not even in a positive way. If they felt angry about something they were told to confess that anger to God right away and ask for forgiveness. While I understood her desire to avoid wrong behavior and teach them about repentance, I couldn’t help but wonder if she might be somewhat mistaken about what Scripture has to say about the emotion of anger.

Nowhere does it say that we are being sinful just by feeling angry. Scripture tells us that God created our inmost being which includes a full spectrum of emotions. He expects us to experience anger just as we experience joy or sorrow or any of our other emotions. The Bible does, however, tell us that we are not to sin in our anger. It’s our response to it that determines whether or not we are sinning. If, when we are angry, we respond by striking out verbally or physically, bringing harm to someone or something, then our actions (and the thoughts behind them) are sinful. If we take rightly-motivated anger and channel it positively like exercising, journaling or trying to promote change, we have not sinned. Let’s keep our anger in check by finding God-honoring ways to respond!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what areas of your life does anger become a problem for you?
2. What are some tangible, positive steps you can take the next time you feel angry?

FURTHER READING:
James 1:19-20; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 29:11; Ephesians 4:26

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

His Workmanship
By Shelly Schumacher

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:10

Ask my parents and they will surely tell you, Shelly Connors was not created as a quiet and demure little girl. As a child, I was loud, boisterous and was often scolded for talking in class. My mouth regularly got me in trouble as I often said the most inappropriate things at the most inopportune times.

When I first became a Christian and started attending Bible studies, I felt like a fish out of water. As a young mother, I sat around the table with a group of wonderful women. Each seemed to have just the right thing to say and knew exactly when to add it to the conversation. I felt that every time I opened my mouth, I spewed forth the most uninspired drivel. I honestly believed that in order to be a true Christian woman, I must fit into a mold of quiet, soft-spoken and reserved.

As I have grown in my faith, God has clearly showed me that He wants me just as I am. He created me to fill a part of the Body of Christ and to complement the other parts. My personality is not a coincidence – it is exactly the way I am supposed to be. With that being said, God has also taught me that within my personality there is a gentle spirit. And he has shown me when this quiet spirit should be utilized.

When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, his goal was to build them up in their faith. He wrote to encourage them and let them know of the great love that God has for His creation. Paul spoke of God as a master artisan. Like any artist, God’s work is inspired. Each thing He creates has its own unique attributes and characteristics. The plan for creation, however, is not haphazard. God creates each person with special gifts and abilities so that he or she can serve the entire body of believers.

As I learn about the gifts that God has given me, I have become more comfortable in my “less than dainty” Christian womanhood. I realize now that God desires to utilize me just as I am, loud mouth and all.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What special attributes has God given you that don’t seem to fit the “Christian mold”? How do/could you use these qualities to serve God?
2. Praise and thank God for your uniqueness.

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 139:14; Psalm 40:5; Job 5:9; Isaiah 55:8

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.

Friends Don’t Let Friends…
By Elizabeth Cole

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”
Hebrews 10:24-25

One of 1991’s highest grossing films, with six Academy Award nominations, was Thelma and Louise. Billed as a female road movie, the story follows the liberation of two repressed women who begin the movie going on a fishing trip, but end up on the lam. One critic waxes, “Thelma and Louise become fully realized human beings who share a powerful and authentic friendship. Their transformation into two outlaws is also made entirely believable by the actresses…” In the end, cornered at the Grand Canyon and wanting to avoid capture, “they make a final decision to drive off the cliff into the canyon. The film ends with a freeze frame of the car in midair and the credits begin over a montage of their happiest moments together during the weekend.” The movie has become an iconic classic celebrating friendship between women. My response? You gotta be kidding…give me a break!

As we read Paul’s letters in the New Testament, we learn a lot about how to build real friendships and godly relationships. To the Thessalonian believers, he writes, “Encourage one another and build each other up.” To the Colossian church: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom…” When he addresses the Ephesians, he writes, “Be kind and compassionate to one another...”

The kind of relationships God calls us to develop includes extending “kindness with a backbone.” True kindness in friendship means we wouldn’t dream of looking the other way while a precious friend heads down a path guaranteed to cause her heartache. True kindness means being willing to gently ask the “hard question.” True kindness prays diligently for a friend’s heart-change. True kindness risks being misunderstood, and sacrifices being “nice” for being loving.

A real friend models her kindness after God Himself: It’s the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). She humbly evaluates her friendship on the basis of whether her actions and words help her friend move closer toward the Lord Jesus.

Listen, according to Scripture, friends don’t let friends drive over cliffs!

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways has God’s kindness led you to a greater awareness of your sin and its potential consequences? Thank Him.
2. Are you resisting the Holy Spirit’s prompting to extend “kindness with a backbone”? Ask Him for His compassion, strength, timing and words.

FURTHER READING:
Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:1-3,32; I Thessalonians 5:11; Colossians 3:16

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

Fixing our eyes on Jesus
By Susan Klein

“But my eyes are fixed on you, O Sovereign Lord”
Psalm 141:8a

I pulled into the parking lot of the grocery store the other day, dreading the task at hand. “Fill a few bags with groceries, pay an arm and a leg, and return next week to do the same. Ugh!” As I shifted into park, I noticed the approaching black clouds in the not-too-far distance. My already sour attitude was rapidly heading south! “Great! It’ll be raining by the time I get back out to the car to load up the trunk. I’ll be soaked and so will all my bags!”

I reached over to feel for my umbrella under the passenger seat when I noticed the red pickup truck parked in front of me. Actually, it was the Golden Lab in the driver’s seat of the pickup that caught my attention. Though it’s hardly unusual to see a dog in a parked car, there was something about his demeanor that caused me to stop and take notice. He was sitting, statuesque, with his eyes fixed on the front door of the store. Not a muscle twitched in his perfectly-still body. Every person coming out met with his watchful gaze. Occasionally his eyes would turn to look in the direction of some unfamiliar sound, but only for the briefest of seconds, always returning immediately to the store’s entrance. At one point, a man even got into the car next to the truck but the dog never flinched. Faithfully he watched, patiently he waited, eagerly anticipating the return of his master. He never left the driver’s seat, he never stopped watching the door. His eyes were fixed!

As I pondered this scene before me, I realized that my eyes had been fixed on everything but my Master that morning. The grocery shopping, the expense, the coming rain...I was letting every little irritation cloud my vision. How could I be so blind? “Oh Lord, forgive me for fixing my eyes on the insignificant things, and not on you!” I took a deep breath, sat back, and said a little prayer before leaving my car:

“Thank you for putting this dog in my path today, Lord. I’m sorry I haven’t had my eyes on you. Help me to not get distracted by life’s little issues. But even when I occasionally do, like today, let me turn quickly back to focus on You. May I be reminded of this faithful canine, casting aside all other distractions and eagerly awaiting the return of his master.”

GOING DEEPER:
1. What are your eyes presently fixed on?
2. Do you need to clear the haze of distractions so that you can see the Lord more clearly? If so, what can you do today to be more focused on Him?

FURTHER READING:
Hebrews 12:1-2

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

Living in True Unity
By Susan Klein

“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1

Imagine my delight when I opened my email to find an adorable photo of two young girls playing on the porch with their dolls! They looked so precious in their summer dresses, feeding their babies like any proud mother would. Now, imagine my surprise when I read the caption below the photo: “Sophia and Kadynn crushing up a beetle and feeding it to their babies.” Yikes! You’re probably asking, “What would make them do this?!!” Well, these two girls are daughters of tribal missionaries in Papua New Guinea. The tribal women there crush up toads, boil them, and feed them to their babies when they are sick. The girls couldn’t find any toads so they used a beetle instead.

Recently, our pastor preached a sermon on walking in unity, and the importance of unity in our church body. Some definitions of unity that he took from Scripture were: maintaining the same love, being united in spirit and intent on one purpose (Philippians 2). Webster’s Dictionary includes those mentioned above, but adds, “harmony, agreement, a union of related parts.” Interestingly enough, neither source listed, “always agreeing with each other,” or “being conformed to the same customs” in their definitions. Achieving unity with others means loving each other regardless of differences, living in harmony with one another and regarding one another as more important than ourselves.

These dear missionary families go into the tribes desiring to establish unity with the tribal people, while leading them gently to Christ. They don’t try to conform them to American standards. They simply share the love of Christ. Missionaries show love and respect for tribal customs and traditions, just as the tribal people show them love and respect in return. They are united in a team spirit of building relationships, learning together and worshiping together. They are intent on one purpose: to glorify their Creator. It takes great courage and selflessness to live in unity amidst a culture so vastly different from ours. What a wonderful example they are for our local church to follow!

By the way, if the boiled toad is not soft enough, the mother will chew on it first before giving it to her baby. A custom this missionary mom made sure her girls didn’t follow!

GOING DEEPER:
1. If you’ve ever experienced disunity in a body of believers, you know how much it can hurt! Ask God to show you tangible ways to help build unity in your church.
2. Perhaps you have disunity in your family, or in another relationship. Ask God to show you what is causing it and how/if it can be resolved. Seek guidance from your pastoral staff if necessary.

FURTHER READING:
Philippians 2: 1-11; Ephesians 4: 1-6; Colossians 3: 12-14

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

Believing Prayer
By Peggy Kleckner

“So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.”
Acts 12:5

The church was praying for Peter. They couldn’t physically free him, but they could pray to the One who could. They probably had their own ideas of how God would answer and none of them included Peter knocking, angel-released, at the door (Acts 12:13)! We read through this account and think, “That’s nice, Peter is free.” But if we take the time to really enter into the situation – WOW! He was chained to two guards, there were sentries at the entrance and an iron gate to get through…but earnest prayer to the One True God freed him from his captivity.

Have you ever been faced with an impossible situation, and then just known in your heart that you were to believe God would answer your earnest prayer? I have. I was sitting on the couch with my husband, when I realized the diamond was missing from my wedding ring. Now, this is no small annoyance for any woman, but our marriage had just survived some very dark waters (by the grace of God!), and this seemed to be just too much to bear. So I prayed, and I called on my family and my friends to pray. I knew that our God is the God of the Impossible. Finding a loose diamond is hard enough when you know where you lost it, but I didn’t even know that! Since a clean home is not where I live, that just added to the impossibility of the situation. So, we hunted and we prayed and I just kept believing that God was going to put that diamond in the palm of my hand. It was almost a week later that my son bent down in the kitchen, picked something up off the floor and placed it in the palm of my hand – yep, my diamond! What a joy to share answered prayer! Not only was my faith stretched and confirmed, but so was the faith of all of those who had joined me in prayer.

Over and over again prayer seems to be the Lord’s lesson to me. No matter the dire circumstances – God says pray. When we see no way out – too many guards and iron gates – He tells us to pray…and trust His sovereignty. He is looking for those who will believe, for those who have the faith to cry out in earnest prayer for Him to act on their behalf.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What impossible situation are you ready to turn over to God?
2. What friends and relatives do you have who are being held captive physically or spiritually? Are you praying for their release?

FURTHER READING:
Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:13-18; Matthew 21:22

Peggy is a wife and mother of two sons and two step-sons. She is the Co-coordinator of Oakwood’s Wednesday p.m. Bible Study.

Remarkable Devotion
By Karen D’Amore

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t ask me to leave you and then turn back.
I will go wherever you go and live wherever you live. Your people
will be my people and your God will be my God. I will die where
you die and will be buried there. May the Lord punish me severely
if I allow anything but death to separate us.’”
Ruth 1:16-17

Our first glimpse into the life of Naomi looks something like the famous opening line from Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Naomi and her family were living in a season of plenty. When her sons both married, life was even sweeter. But tragedy loomed around the corner and a dark season dawned with the death of her husband, followed by the death of her two sons.

Bereaved widows, stripped of the earthly security of husbands, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, found comfort in sharing one another’s sorrows. Their lives became so entwined that it is difficult to focus on one without touching upon the life of the other.

As Naomi returned home to her friends and family in Bethlehem, Ruth chose to journey with her. Leaving the comforts of her own family, Ruth sacrificially chose a road leading to a new life of hard work, uncertainty and unforeseeable dangers. Ruth and Naomi’s cultures, family backgrounds, and ages were very different. As mother-in-law and daughter-in-law they probably had as many opportunities for tension as for tenderness. And yet their commitment to each other and to God kept them bound to each other. Though they depended on each other greatly, they also gave each other freedom in their commitment to one another. Ultimately both widows found joy—Ruth in remarriage and motherhood and Naomi in her role as a grandmother.

We live in an age that promotes individualism and independence; Ruth and Naomi’s relationship of selfless devotion serves as a remarkable role model for us to emulate. In the worst of times…born out of adversity…an unlikely friendship formed by the hand of God, left two women sharing…the best of times!

GOING DEEPER:
1. Who in your life, like Ruth, has been loyal to you in times of need? Have you expressed your gratitude to her?
2. How can you be like Ruth to someone who needs your support and devotion?

FURTHER READING:
2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Romans 12:1; Proverbs 17:17; John15:12-13

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.

Seeing Clearly
By Jen Wollner

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
Psalm 119:18

A few years ago, my husband had Lasik eye surgery. There was a lot that needed to be done to prepare for the procedure, including checking, re-checking and triple-checking his eyes. But none of that compared to the intensity of the surgery itself. Although it was completed quickly, it was traumatic for his eyes. But, as they healed, the results were unbelievable! I was blown away on our drive home as I listened to my husband explain that he could already see better than he ever could before. We were both in awe! But, it didn’t end there. As the days and weeks passed, his vision became crisper and more refined until, eventually, it was better than 20/20.

The decision to have this procedure has proved to be life-changing for my husband and, literally, affects him daily. It’s like the process we experience when we come the point in our lives where we realize that we are sinners and in need of a Savior. We reach out to Jesus and express our need for Him and our desire to belong to Him. Although that time of confession and acceptance of His gift of salvation is short, the results are dramatic and miraculous. It’s a decision that is life-altering.

See, just as a laser re-shapes the lens of an eye to correct the vision of that eye, the Holy Spirit begins changing the “eyes” of our heart the moment we accept Jesus. There is an immediate change in our vision as we start to see ourselves and the world around us differently. But, that’s not where it ends. As our relationship with Him becomes stronger, He changes our heart, mind and soul to be more like Him. As we study His Word, fellowship with believers, have intimate prayer time with Him and serve others, our focus changes – our opinions and priorities become clearer and our vision is slowly refined so that we see life from His perspective.

Now is the perfect time for us to praise Him for the work He has done on our vision and thank Him for the precious gift of clarity His truth brings. But, we shouldn’t stop there. Let’s allow Him every opportunity to continue to re-shape the lens of our hearts. Let’s get to know our “surgeon” intimately so that our vision can be refined…by His grace and for His glory!

GOING DEEPER:
1. How has your heart changed as a result of the Holy Spirit? How do you think or act differently than you did in the past?
2. What sin areas does He want to continue to work through in you so that your heart, mind and soul are more like Him?

FURTHER READING:
Psalm 119:33-37; Psalm 139:23-24; Hebrews 12:2

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

Lonely, but not Alone
By Elizabeth Cole

“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.”
John 14:15-16

When I watch Spiderman II, I’m touched by the loneliness Peter Parker feels day after day. He’s not like those around him. While his childhood friends chase financial and theatrical success, Peter’s busy chasing bad guys. While his peers enjoy fame, he hides in the night’s shadows with a strange-looking mask over his head and no money to pay the rent. Very little in common with those around him. Thinking thoughts no one can understand. Choosing a lifestyle others find odd at best, or freakish at worst.

Not so far off from the life of a Christ-follower, is it? Becoming a citizen of God’s heavenly Kingdom turns everything upside-down, making us “aliens and strangers” no longer of this world. He calls us to spend our time differently, to spend our money differently, to fill our thoughts differently, to care about others selflessly, to step out beyond our own comfort, to take daring risks for His sake and for His glory…the list goes on. It can be a place where we’re misunderstood, mistaken and subtly maligned. Ever spent time with old friends from years ago and you have nothing to add to the conversation at hand? Ever sat at a family Christmas gathering wondering if anyone even knows it’s Someone’s birthday? Ever been surrounded by a crowd of people and felt completely, utterly alone?

Praise God, we are not alone in our loneliness. Most importantly, praise Him as He makes it clear that His presence is with us “forever.” There is nowhere we go that He is not there. There is no cry of our hearts that He does not hear. There is no point at which He doesn’t understand our thoughts before they’re formed. We are not alone.

In His precious generosity, God goes even further and gives us His people, the other citizens of His Kingdom, as our encouragers. Listen to Paul in his letter to the Romans, “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” And to the Thessalonians, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” You are not alone…We are not alone.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What could you do today to enjoy the companionship of the Holy Spirit?
2. Who, in your life, needs your spiritual encouragement today?

FURTHER READING:
II Corinthians 1:22; I Peter 2:11; John 15:19; John 17:16

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

Reflection
By Shelly Schumacher

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”
1 John 2:17

Being female in today’s culture can be a difficult task. When my daughter was in second grade, one of her classmates told her she probably should not eat dessert during lunch and she could stand to give up a few sweets. While she does not turn down an ice cream sundae today, she does compare herself to those around her. Today’s girls long to measure up, to fit in and to be just like the airbrushed images they see in the pages of a tabloid. Even at the tender age of eight, it seems so much better to be Hannah Montana than the person God created.

As an adult it is easy to see folly in this childlike longing. I know it is not likely that they will be rock stars (if for no other reason than their father is not Billy Ray Cyrus!). However, as I examine my own behaviors, I see that my daughters are simply a reflection of the woman modeled before them.

How often do I desire to be someone else? Not necessarily a different person, but a better form of me. I yearn for the legs of an Olympic runner and the toned body of an elite athlete. When I examine it based on my example, my daughters’ desire to change their personas simply shows the discontent I mirror in my own life.

In his first letter, John is writing to fellow Christians in an effort to build up their faith in Christ Jesus. Much like the Christians today, they struggled with worldly values and found it hard to be set apart. In a gentle and fatherly way, John reminds them that this life is temporary and fleeting. Instead of focusing on the pull of the world, they should set their sights on eternal things, knowing that the rewards of doing God’s work will last forever.

As my husband and I guide our daughters in their faith, I often need to remind myself to look in the mirror to see the example with which I am leading. My hope and desire is that, as their mother, I will help them to see their actions with an eternal perspective knowing that they will find prizes far greater than front row seats at a Hannah Montana concert.

GOING DEEPER:
1. In what ways do you measure your life against the barometer of the world?
2. Do you struggle with being content with who God created you to be? If so, in what area(s) of your life do you struggle?

FURTHER READING:
1 Corinthians 7:31; Mark 3:35; Ephesians 6:6; Hebrews 10:36

It All Goes Back To The Tree
By Susan Klein

“And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.’”
Genesis 2:16-17

When my husband and I used to teach Sunday school to young children, we often sang songs with them. One of my favorites went like this: Oh, be careful little eyes what you see, oh be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see. Another verse started with: Oh, be careful little ears what you hear...

We were trying to convey the message, even to little ones, that God doesn’t want us to intentionally expose ourselves to things that are bad for us. As children ultimately turn into adults, this concept, if firmly cemented in their minds, promotes good decision making when faced with the world’s constant temptations. As a teen, I made some unwise decisions, including horror movies and books which portrayed evil images. I didn’t know at the time that those evil images would remain in my mind and cause me to have disturbing thoughts and dreams for many years to come.

When God told Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He didn’t say, “sometimes eat...” or “only eat if...” He said, “You must not eat...,” and with good reason! God created Adam without the knowledge of evil because He wanted to protect him from it. He loved him so much that He did not want Adam to have to be exposed to all the hurtful things that come with knowing about evil. The same is true for us today. Granted, we are born into a sin-filled world, but we don’t have to purposefully expose ourselves to things that are evil. Yes, some exposure to evil will always be unavoidable: the news, conversation and real-life experiences. But given a choice, we don’t have to choose to “eat of that tree”!

God wants to protect us from evil, but at the same time to be informed about evil. We can do that through the reading of His Word. We don’t need to look elsewhere to be informed about such things as there is plenty of wisdom to be gained from the Scriptures. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. I will have nothing to do with evil. Psalm 101: 3a, 4b

GOING DEEPER:
1. How are you protecting yourself from what God has said is evil?
2. Are there any areas of your life that need to be spiritually reinforced so they don’t become a door for evil?

FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 11:27; 1Thessalonians 5:21; John 17:15

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

Just a Spoonful of Sugar
By Elizabeth Cole

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24

Do you know any woman anywhere in your life that didn’t at least once pretend to be Julie Andrews singing in Mary Poppins or Sound of Music?! I don’t. And one of the most beloved of her songs is “Just a Spoonful of Sugar.” Remember how sweetly she sang that to the Banks children right before she gave them their medicine? My recollection of performing that song (and many others) was standing on her living room hearth with my best friend Kristen, using hairbrushes as microphones, while we sang along with the record. Girls, for your historical knowledge: a “record” was followed by a “cassette tape,” which was followed by a CD, which was replaced by your itty-bitty Ipod.

“Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down…in a most delightful way.” I wonder if Ms. Andrews knew she was singing a basic biblical principle of parenting and relationships and life. Without our bidding, a whole lot of circumstances have come into our lives that we didn’t choose. And, in fact, as we look back on past circumstances, we often change their names from “problems” to “healthy opportunities” – quite a bit like medicine. Nonetheless, a goodly number of those circumstances were completely outside of our control. But, according to Scripture, one of the things we do have control over is our attitude. We do get to choose whether we’ll sing, “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and, snap, the job’s a game.” We do get to decide which part of the circumstance is going to get our fullest attention: what’s wrong, what doesn’t please me, what isn’t according to plan, what’s drudgery...or where there’s hope, where God is clearly at work, where I can smile and add a bit of delight.

We also have control over our words. Hmmm. We do get to choose how we’ll deliver the “medicine”: with an emphasis on my rights, with harshness, with shaming…or with lovingkindness, with gentleness, with a heart focused on God’s best. I can’t help but wonder how many conflicts we’ve had with others that would never have occurred if right and accurate content had been delivered with a “spoonful of sugar.”

So, please pass the sugar…and while you’re at, could you grab a hairbrush and join me and the perky nanny in a rousing musical rendition…

GOING DEEPER:
1. Think about a time that someone’s loving words made all the difference for you in a given circumstance.
2. Identify a specific circumstance in your life right now that needs an attitude sweetening, and then ask God for His guidance and power to make the change.

FURTHER READING:
Colossians 3; Proverbs 15:1

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