Wound Check

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

Sandy was an incredible young lady with a memory like a steel trap. She loved hugs, never met a stranger, and was always smiling.

Sandy had another remarkable trait:  she could literally feel no pain.

Born with a cognitive disability, the “wiring” to the pain center in her brain was affected. As a result, her sunny disposition was never impacted by headache nor heartache.

Sounds great, right? But if Sandy was hurt, she couldn’t tell anyone. As a young child, an unknown burn became severely infected and could have killed her. After the incident, her parents instituted regular “Wound Checks” to identify any unknown injuries.

We don’t like it, but pain is a necessary component to our lives. Pain tells us to remove the hand from the hot stove, to stop the knife when the finger gets in the way, to draw fresh boundaries in a hurtful relationship. 

Pain also moves us to look for comfort from the hurt. When the ache takes over, it is natural to look to someone who can help us. Someone who has been there. A person who has faced the diagnosis, survived the divorce, or mourned a similar loss. Those who have gone before can provide the much-needed “Wound Checks,” because they know the pitfalls of the journey.

God sent us the Ultimate Comforter in Jesus. He came to earth as a human, willing to experience all of the emotions that come with that. He knew the betrayal of a friend (Judas), and wept with those who grieved for a loss (Lazarus). And let’s not forget the physical pain of the torture He endured at the Crucifixion. 

Isaiah 61 says the Messiah has been sent to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, …to comfort all who mourn,…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.” His very mission includes performing Wound Checks with us. 

Like Sandy, there are times when we need to submit to the Wound Check and listen to Christ and those He uses. Like Sandy’s parents, sometimes we need to love someone enough to do the Wound Check for them.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Who can you help with his/her Wound Check?

2.  How is Jesus, the Ultimate Comforter, helping you with your wounds?

FURTHER READING:

Isaiah 61:1-3; Psalm 119:76; Ephesians 3:16

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

Thirsty

By Elizabeth Cole

“ ‘…but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’ ”

John 4:14 (NIV)

Imagine a young girl named Jill who wakes up after a terrifying experience, dull with grief and horribly thirsty. She becomes simultaneously aware of a gurgling stream and a huge Lion nearby:

“Are you thirsty?” said the Lion.

“I’m dying of thirst,” said Jill.

“Then drink,” said the Lion.

“May I - - could I - - would you mind going away while I do?” said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and very low growl…

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

“Will you promise not to - - do anything to me, if I come?” said Jill.

“I make no promise,” said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer…

“I daren’t come and drink,” said Jill.

“Then you will die of thirst,” said the Lion.

“Oh dear!” said Jill, coming another step nearer. “I suppose I must go and look for another stream then.”

“There is no other stream,” said the Lion. [1]

The invitation to come near…to drink of a singular life-giving water…to be changed. It’s a poignant moment when Jill is introduced to Aslan the Lion in The Silver Chair. 

Envision a not-so-young woman who finds herself dull with the ache of bad life-choices and horribly thirsty. She comes to a well and to a Man who engages her in conversation, knows everything about her disappointments and pain, and invites her to drink of a water like no other. A water that deeply satisfies, that brings ever-abundant springs of living water and life everlasting. The Scriptures show us that not only does she accept the Man’s invitation, she is changed (John 4:4-42).

What about you? Have you woken this day after another life-draining experience…dull with grief…aching from the life-choices that now rule you? Or are you flat-lined, simply and completely parched to your very bones? Listen for its echoes as you long for a delicious rippling stream for your soul. He is here.

Jesus invites you to come, “to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.” There is no other stream...it is He whom you long for. Come and be changed. Come and drink deeply. Come and be satisfied.

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Where are you in your spiritual quest for soul-satisfying water?

2.  If you know Jesus, how are you drinking deeply of Him today? If you don’t, what would one step closer look like?

FURTHER READING:

John 7:37-38; Revelation 7:17, Revelation 21:6

[1] C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair (New York: HarperCollins), 20-21.

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

Live Your Purpose

By Karen D’Amore

“….whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31b (NIV)

The primary focus of the two-day work conference was to educate and equip salon owners and employees with innovative ways to grow their business. With the course material bearing a distinctively “worldly” perspective, I wrestled to find balance between growing my business “their” way…and growing it God’s way. After a two-day immersion in semantics like success….prosperity.…power….and money….I found myself growing resistant to the material and my attention fading. Fortunately, I perked up and re-engaged when one presenter grabbed my attention with the exhortation to... “Live your purpose!”

For days, following the conference, I pondered that exhortation, while questioning… “What is my purpose?” While searching through Scripture, I prayerfully sought God’s perspective on the subject. As I considered our key verse, I recognized that as a Christ-follower, everything  in my life should bring honor and glory to God. So, in my roles as a wife, friend, family member, employee, co-worker…and nail technician…my purpose is to glorify God.

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward” (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV). Relating this Scripture to my position in the workplace, I acknowledged that I need to perform my job as though I’m working for God Himself. With my supervisor expecting each employee to incorporate the conference material into their business plan, I vowed to “live my purpose” by growing my business “God’s way”! I explained to my boss, that if I attempt to grow my business through self-focused efforts…God will not get the glory for what “I” do. However, if I exercise faith in God and strive to glorify Him in every aspect of my job, growth in my business will be unexplainable…except for Him.

While coworkers stressed to shine and hustled to produce with implementation of those conference growth strategies, I worked to exercise faith in growing my business God’s way. Praying for empowerment to do the “unexplainable,” God exceeded my requests, enabling me to defy logistics and produce record personal sales. When asked how I did it, I threw up my hands and replied, “Jesus!” Aware of my personal limitations and weaknesses, I was strengthened as I experienced God’s power and accomplished that which I deemed impossible. Glory to God for making the impossible Him-possible!

“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8, ESV). Christ-followers: what’s your purpose? To bring glory to your Heavenly Father! Now…GO…be His disciples…and live your purpose!

 GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you living His intended purpose?

FURTHER READING:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; Revelation 4:11

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

The Dry Tree

By Susan Klein

“For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
 Luke 23:31 (NIV ‘78)

Have you ever read a familiar passage of Scripture only to have it jump out at you in a new way? When I read through Luke recently, the above verse did just that for me. After consulting a few commentaries, I discovered more than one school of thought regarding the “green tree” and the “dry tree.”

In this passage, our Lord was hanging on the cross as He addressed some women in the crowd who were mourning and wailing over the horrific scene unfolding before them. He told them not to weep for Him, but to weep for themselves and their children, adding that the time would come when they would wish they were like the barren women, not having any children to weep over. [1] He then spoke the words above about the tree.

The more I read the words, the more I pondered. Here was our Savior, the green tree, being rejected and tortured unto death by His own people. Did His words mean that even as horrible as the scene was, it would only get worse? Was He pointing them to future events?

In John’s Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the True Vine and we (Christ-followers) are His branches. If we, His branches, are to remain green, we need the Master Gardener to nourish and prune us. If the branches of the tree become dry and bear no fruit, the Gardener will cut them off. [2]

I surmise we are living in a time where many of the tree branches have become dry and are in jeopardy of being cut off. God’s Word is viewed as archaic and not relevant for today. People are turning away from truth and toward “what their itching ears want to hear.” [3] On occasion, I’ve found myself sympathizing with people who choose not to bring children into a world that is turning farther and farther from our God, and becoming increasingly difficult to live in. It’s easy to slip into discouragement while watching a tree dry up!

However, I believe Jesus’ words here are not meant to discourage us, but rather to warn us. To exhort us to remain green and growing in His Word. To be steadfast in our eternal hope. And especially in these trying End Times…to cling tightly to Him, our Ripe Vine. Let us be thriving branches that bear ripe fruit and encourage new growth!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Are you thriving and bearing good fruit, or do you need a little pruning?

2. If you’re feeling kind of dry, what can you do to refresh your faith?

FURTHER READING:

[1] Luke 23:27-30; [2] John 15:1-5; [3] 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

Dedicated

                                                By Vernette Kureck

“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, ‘Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord’) and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord, ‘a pair of doves or two young pigeons.’”

Luke 2:22-24 (NIV)

Child dedication at my church is always a joy-filled Sunday. There’s an excited buzz as extended family members and friends fill the chairs, and parents prepare their infants and themselves for the presentation of their precious child to God and to the congregation. This is the day that promises are made to rear their child to know Jesus as their Redeemer and Rescuer. After parents commit to this journey to honor Him in their family, the child is walked around the worship center for all the congregation to pray for and admire.

It makes me think about the infant Jesus. Can you imagine being in the temple when he was brought by Mary and Joseph? A very righteous, old man named Simeon was waiting there: He had been promised he would not die until he had seen the Christ/Messiah. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God for allowing him to see God’s salvation who would be a light for the Gentiles and glory for the Israelites. There was also an old widow who came up to the parents, giving thanks to God for the redemption of Jerusalem. The temple must have buzzed with excitement.

Jesus was likely about six weeks old when Mary and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem to consecrate the baby. The levitical requirement was to bring a burnt offering and a sin offering to the temple. Usually the burnt offering was a lamb, but those who were poor could offer one bird for the burnt offering and one for the sin offering.

Also, according to the Law of Moses, all firstborns (including animals) were considered to belong to the Lord. Here’s a beautiful foreshadowing: Firstborn children were to be redeemed by the sacrifice of a lamb. As they grew older, the parents would explain how this represented Israel’s rescue from Egypt.

At the time, Jesus’ parents marveled at what was said about Him. But I wonder: Did they really understand what it all meant? This child was to be the Redeemer of the world…the Rescuer of all mankind. Now that (was) is something to get excited about!

GOING DEEPER:

1. Ponder the responsibility of raising Jesus.

2. Encourage parents who are dedicating their children to know the Lord Jesus as their Redeemer and Rescuer.   

FURTHER READING:

Exodus 13:1,11-16; Leviticus 12; Luke 2:21-40; 1 Peter 1:18-19

 Vernette and her husband Ken have been married 50  years. They have been blessed with two sons and eight grandchildren. She serves Oakwood on the prayer chain and with Family Promise.  

Deconstructing

By Lexi Ellis

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
Psalm 127:1 (NIV)

A friend of mine is in a time of deconstruction professionally. Programs and procedures she’s built in the past need to be reorganized, revamped and simplified. She completely understands the necessity of restructuring to be more efficient and effective, but there’s almost a sense of mourning over the initiatives previously constructed…great for then, but now not best. There is a clear need to simplify… but wow, is it hard.

God sometimes calls us to deconstruct spiritually. In the chaos of busyness and extensive to-do lists, God invites us to deconstruct. Sometimes there comes a time to “go back to the basics.”

In the midst of all the “stuff” we have designed and chosen (which often isn’t in-and-of-itself bad), there are moments we need to stop and examine what we’ve built or elevated. And within them, we need to deconstruct:

·         our expectations. Unrealistic expectations hinder our relationships with others and with our God. They also commonly lead to bitterness when our expectations aren’t met. These need to be identified, torn down and shifted. 

·         our self-righteous or self-centered attitudes. The focus on exclusively ourselves, or our accomplishments, rather than oneness with God is something that desperately needs to be taken apart, replaced by a spirit of humility. 

·         our trust and dependence on ourselves. This one often regularly needs to be deconstructed. When we exclusively pursue our own ability rather than seeking God’s best, we miss out on the privilege of being part of God’s plan.

Oh, but the work it takes to spiritually deconstruct! And the struggle to simplify or get rid of the things we’ve accomplished “on our own.” But when we build up unhealthy expectations, self-righteousness, and self-dependence, it becomes more difficult to pursue an active relationship with Christ. Deconstructing is imperative because it allows us to simplify and fully embrace the “great love the Father has lavished on us so that we could be called children of God” (1 John 3:1, NIV). 

My friend is deconstructing and simplifying programs and initiatives in her job. It’s hard, but needed. May we likewise tear down the things we’ve built up that shift our dependence away from God and hinder an active relationship with Him. 

GOING DEEPER:

1.    What have you built up in your life that prevents you from the simple, incredible gift of Christ?

2.    What do you need to do to deconstruct unhealthy expectations, self-righteous or self-dependence?

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 27:4; Hebrews 12:1-2; Isaiah 57:15

Lexi’s family consists of her, her husband, Andrew, her daughter, Sloane, and her dog, Calvin. She teaches sixth grade Reading and Writing and serves with Children’s Ministries.

“Look for the Helpers”

By Tracy Smith

“..not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Philippians 2:4 (NIV)

It’s been six years since the Boston Marathon bombing. I remember finding out about the bombing and seeing story after story on the news. After the tragedy, it was so hard to continue to hear the awful details of what happened that day. It was so very sad. Through Facebook, I was reminded of a quote by Mr. Rogers:

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

Those were the stories I focused on and the stories I continued to read and watch. Over and over again, you would hear stories of people running towards the danger to help others - - with no regard for their own safety. You heard stories of runners finishing a 26.2 mile run and continuing on to local hospitals to see if they could donate blood, and average citizens giving first aid in order to save a life. Boston locals stepped up in many ways also: offering a place to stay for stranded runners, feeding them and offering the use of their phones to runners that were lost after being diverted off the course of the marathon. Amazing.

While this particular tragedy occurred years ago, sad and scary things continue to happen in our world and this quote applies to all of them - - there are always helpers to focus on.

Those examples showed how people responded in an extreme circumstance. What can this look like in our everyday lives? Luke 3:10-11 (NIV) says this, “‘What should we do then?’ the crowd asked. John answered, ‘Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.’” We can do this by looking out for people in need, and when we see the need, try to find a way to meet it.

There are so many options: volunteering at a non-profit that helps those in need, helping an elderly or disabled neighbor with yard work, offering a glass of water or a cup of coffee to the person fixing your washing machine, giving a frightened child a hug, or just smiling at the cashier who is having a rough day. The opportunities are endless, if we just take the time to slow down and look. I hope someday that someone remembers me as the helper who made a difference.

The next time the news shows something scary happening, take the time to look for the helpers.

GOING DEEPER

1. Is there someone in your world who needs a helper? If so, are you willing to pray regarding what you can do to be a helper?

FURTHER READING

Matthew 25:35-40; Hebrews 13:16

Along with being a wife and mother to two teenage sons, Tracy is a ministry assistant at Oakwood and works with a great group of High School girls.

Sistering

By Elizabeth Cole

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV)  

What do you do when something needs repairing in your home? Buy a how-to book at Home Depot? Call your friend Dan? Check the yellow pages? (Do those still exist?!)

No…you “youtube” it. Case in point: my dryer stopped working a few years ago, so I searched Youtube for the most likely reasons, googled the nearest repair supply store, and installed my new part…with success that every single loved one heard about for the next two weeks…or months!

So, I was on youtube recently and found a fascinating video on repairing sagging joists. Essentially, the best way to fix a joist that isn’t functional alone is to affix another joist alongside it, nailing the two together in such a way that the old joist and the new joist together are functional and useful, being what they were made to be.

That, in and of itself, is pretty great. But want to know the best part? It’s called sistering. Yep, the common construction definition of sistering is “To strengthen (a supporting beam) by fastening a second beam alongside it.” [1]

Sounds a lot like intentional, relational disciplemaking to me.

I have this dream that the sisters I love and lead would be in the business of sistering: of coming up alongside another in long-term, intentional relationships for the purpose of spiritual strengthening, developing and building up, supporting and living out what they were made to be. That we’d be willing to say “no” to other pursuits that have no eternal value to open up the space and time to invest in another woman’s life…in the lives of children, in our husbands’ lives. To see value and potential…to love as Jesus loves.

The Apostle Paul was a master at sistering. He writes to His Roman brothers and sisters, “I long to see you 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” (Romans 1:11-12). That second part of his longing expresses a profound truth: the one discipling grows right alongside the one she’s discipling…the act of sistering is mutually encouraging, each becoming more of who she was made to be, side-by-side the other, strengthened for God’s call on her life.

Are you up for some sistering today?

GOING DEEPER:

1.  Whom has God purposefully placed in your life for you to sister…and are you?

FURTHER READING:

Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:2; 1 John 3:17

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

[1] http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/sister. The concept of spiritual sistering is in Women of Influence: Ten Traits of Those Who Want to Make a Difference by Pam Farrel (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press), 2006.

Crazy Faith

By Susan Klein

^“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”  Hebrews 11:32-34 (NIV)

Imagine a famous speaker/physician is coming to your town. He is meeting with some dignitaries and influential leaders in one of their homes. You’ve heard amazing things about this man! You believe in your heart that he can cure your brother who is terminally ill, but you’ve not been invited to the event. After discussing the matter, you and a few friends decide to go to the home where he is speaking, determined to somehow get your brother in to see him.

As you arrive, you see others have had the same thought. People are lined up out the door and down the street in hopes of seeing this great man. No one is getting near the house and some are hopelessly turning around to leave. Refusing to be discouraged, you formulate a plan. It is a crazy plan - - involving property damage and trespassing. It could get you imprisoned, but your faith in this man is so strong you are willing to risk everything. Sound familiar?

In Mark chapter 2, we read of some men who did just this. Cutting a hole in the roof of a home, they lowered their paralyzed friend through the opening to be healed by Jesus. That, my friends, is crazy faith! That is belief without excuse - - trust without question. That is the type of faith that we see God honor throughout Scripture.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t play it safe when they refused to bow down to the king! Even when threatened with a fiery furnace, they exercised crazy faith, confidently proclaiming their God would rescue them. The woman with the bleeding disorder demonstrated crazy faith by believing that she’d be healed just by touching the hem of Jesus’ robe. And let’s not forget Abraham! He was willing to kill his own son… But only because he had crazy faith that God would provide a different sacrifice instead.

What would it look like for you to exercise crazy faith? How much risk might you take in order to demonstrate your faith in the One who can do the impossible? Do you believe God can act in your situation, or do you believe He will?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Become familiar with the faith heroes in God’s Word.

2. Get risky in your faith!

FURTHER READING:

Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:18-30

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.

The Wait

By Jen Wollner

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”

Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)

An eight-year-old boy, abandoned by his mother, lives in an orphanage in Eastern Europe with his nine-year-old sister. His dark brown eyes sparkle with life. He desires to help people and dreams of one day becoming a policeman. He hopes for a family, though it’s an unlikely prospect. Children of his age, with an older sister in tow, are rarely chosen by an adopting family. But, God has a plan…

A young couple in America, full of life and love, desires to have children. Tears flow as they say good-bye to a baby they never got to hold in their arms. Their dream for a family burns strong in their hearts, but after many years of marriage, they still don’t see an answer to their prayers. They wonder if it’s just simply not meant to be. But, God has a plan…

As the children wait in the orphanage, God is working...

As the couple waits in their quiet home, God is working...

Waiting is difficult. Oftentimes, excruciating. I believe it’s so frustrating partially because we feel as though nothing is happening. God isn’t hearing us, much less answering. When we go through long periods of waiting, we often don’t see any movement in our situation…and we begin to lose hope.

But, dear friends, take heart! God has not forgotten you! He is here. He hears all of your prayers and collects all of your tears. And, He is working. Nothing is impossible for Him! Not rescuing two children from an orphanage and placing them with loving parents half a world away. And certainly not bringing joy and life to a home once plagued by infertility and disappointment.

You may not see it yet, but one day, His plan will unfold before your eyes. It may not look like you thought it would. The timing may be off. The answer may be very different than you imagined or desired. God may say to you, "Not this...but this instead." But, as you seek Him and surrender to His will, you will step out of the wilderness, the waiting, into the glorious promised land divinely designed for you.

God has a plan. Rest assured, He is working.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What desire of your heart are you waiting to come to fruition? Take heart in the truth of God’s Word and character!

FURTHER READING:

Psalm 5:1-3; Psalm 40; Romans 8:28

Jen and her husband are busily parenting three teenagers. She serves Oakwood in various Children's Ministry and Women's Ministry roles as needs arise.

You Are What You Have Been Becoming

By Carolyn Hulliberger

“Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. 

What a person plants, he will harvest.”

Galatians 6:7 (The Message, paraphrase)

If you had a crystal ball and could see the future, how do you imagine your life in…

10 years?

25 years?

50 years?

The funny thing about this exercise is that if I reverse it and go back in my head to the person I was 10 or 25 years ago, I wouldn’t have been able to see my life exactly as it is now. But the decisions I made in those years have absolutely impacted my reality today. You see, our future eventually becomes our present. So often, we are lulled into complacency, thinking we have plenty of time to work on that future “me.” In actuality, the only day any of us is guaranteed is the day we are presently in.

Choices matter. The media we watch, how we treat our bodies, the friends we have, are all important. Perhaps you’re like me: All too often, my choices today don’t necessarily reflect the person I would like to think I’m working to become, especially in my relationship with Jesus. Because He is not physically next to me demanding my time, it can be easy to choose checking email or catching up on Facebook over spending time in my Bible with Him, developing my prayer relationship with Him, or even writing this devotional.

I read a quote recently: “You are what you have been becoming.” It made me think about who I want to be, and to look for role models in those areas. For instance, my grandma was the definition of a “prayer warrior.” I find myself often thinking of her when I pray these days. I have other friends who have exceptional hearts of compassion. They are influencing me, as well. It can help to find a “Jesus with skin on,” a person who is demonstrating how to live out an aspect of the Christ-following life, to have as a mentor.

So, back to the original question with a twist…how will Jesus be demonstrated in your life in 10 years? 25? And what can you do today to start to get there?

GOING DEEPER:

1. Ask the Lord to show you how you can be involved in another’s life as a role model or mentor.

FURTHER READING:

Hosea 10:12

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