2010 February » PWOC International Blog

Prayer Points for February 28-March 6

Feb 262010

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

II Corinthians 2:14

Dear God,

We thank you for leading us together, in a big triumphant parade of joy in the victory of Jesus Christ. Lord God, I pray that everywhere we live, work, play and serve we will spread the fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus. God, we are the fragrance of life to those who are being saved but to those who are perishing we are the smell of death. God, lift the veil that blinds the minds of unbelievers to the glorious light of the gospel. I pray today for awareness of the lost around me. Let my fragrance today smell sweet because of your goodness shining through me. Let me be the fragrance of life, the life of Christ shining through every surrendered place in me. It’s not about me. It’s about the harvest. We cry out to you to send workers into the ripe harvest fields of our posts, bases, and communities. We love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Journey of Transformation, Part 12

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

Feb 252010

Sovereign Comfort

Once the hospital admission process was complete, I was escorted to a private room for final surgery prep. My friend never left my side from the moment she arrived late that morning. While I changed into a lovely hospital gown her husband went to find out if Steve had received the Red Cross message.

Across the room I noticed a table covered with a variety of reading materials including a Bible. I went over to pick up the Bible and underneath was a stack of small booklets. I thumbed through them and one in particular caught my eye. The title was How Can I Deal with My Loss? — A very appropriate title indeed. However, something else jumped out at me from the lower half of the cover. A white Avery label about one inch wide and four inches long displayed the following:

Compliments of:

CH (CPT) Steven Firtko and the 7-101 AVN BN UMT (Unit Ministry Team)

My heart nearly stopped. All I could think was, “No way!” Apparently my husband had been in that same hospital room ministering to a woman who also had lost a baby. Holding that booklet in my hands was like having Steve’s spirit in the room.

This sweet little gift from God proved His sovereignty and omniscience. It was all part of His grand plan for me to be in that particular room. Knowing exactly what I would need, He prompted my husband to plant a booklet with his name on it in the right place at the right time. My God shows up. When He brings or allows something difficult, He also provides a soothing balm to ease the pain.

While my friend and I marveled at God’s handiwork her husband returned with news. Steve had finally received the Red Cross message, but only after it floated around Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, for a while before reaching him at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Overwhelmed by the blatant stupidity of this, I felt the anger phase of grief rising up.

My emotions were getting a little more unpredictable. Along with the emotional upheaval came hormonal upheaval. I had a good attitude one minute and anger the next. Clearly I was no longer operating on autopilot. Reality came out to bite me once again. But when my friend’s husband got Steve on the phone my fury had to wait. Our conversation went something like this:

S: How are you? Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant? What a shock.

L: I wanted to tell you in person and I fully expected to have an opportunity. This was too significant to share over the phone.

S: You know how I found out? I was sitting in class and the class leader gave me a note that said Your wife is in the hospital due to complications of pregnancy. He told me to go see the Chaplain teacher. So I went to his office, he asked me to sit down, and he closed the door. Then he spoke, “I’m sorry I have bad news. Your wife had a miscarriage.” My mouth dropped open and I exclaimed, “What? I didn’t even know she was pregnant.” Then he excused me from class to get a plane ticket. I’m in Nashville now waiting for my ride. I’ll get there as soon as I can. Love you.

L: I’m going into surgery soon. I’ll see you when it’s over. Love you too.

So he finally knew. What a horrendous shock . . . for both of us. After the surgery I would be glad I persuaded the doctor to make arrangements for me to stay overnight. And God would show up again.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES:

Dear women of PWOC, I pray and trust that the Lord is using this story to encourage and perhaps challenge you. This isn’t for me or just about me. It’s for Christ and all about how He wants to use it. Please stay connected for more. As always, you may access previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “Categories.” Have a Christ-filled week.

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Life Happens – Jesus Answers is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

Ask the Lord of the Harvest

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Feb 242010

It’s nearly March and soon PWOC chapters all over the world will be announcing their executive slates for leadership. It’s an exciting and pivotal time in the ministry year and we have a role in it. Jesus, the most amazing leader that ever walked the face of the earth, asked His Father to send out workers. What a lesson for us to follow in over the next several weeks.

Matthew 9:35-39 reads, “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Let’s be found faithful and continue to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers in PWOC for this upcoming ministry season. And not only that, let’s ask ourselves, “are we the worker sent out into the harvest field?” What are you harvesting today? Let’s step out in obedience and faithfully pray that women listen to His voice and answer His call to serve for the harvest is plentiful.

Blessings,
Christine Young
Europe Regional President

Combining PowerPoint Slideshows

Tech Tuesday

Feb 232010

Does your local PWOC use PowerPoint for announcements or worship? Do you have multiple contributors to this process? If so, you’ll want to know how to combine slideshows. It’s super easy if you know the right steps to take.

Open all PowerPoint files that are to be combined and switch each file to the Slide Sorter View. You can do this by clicking the icon in the bottom left border of your window that looks like four squares or by choosing the View menu and selecting Slide Sorter View from the drop-down menu.
From the file that you want to collect slides from, Control+Click (Command+Click on a MAC) each of the files that you want to copy and choose the copy command from the File menu (or Control/Command+C).
Navigate to the file that you want to paste your slides to and choose the Paste command from the File menu (or Control/Command+V) to place them into your slideshow.

It’s that easy!

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

Casting Down Our Crowns

Devotions, Uncategorized

Feb 222010

And so the story went…..

The beautiful princess, with her hair wet, matted and stuck to her face, stood silent staring at the huge altar before her. Her golden scepter in hand was of no use here, and she knew it. She fell to her knees in shame and despair. How did she get to this place, this point in her life? Exhausted from her weary battle, she realized this was it; the moment of truth was upon her. The enemy destroyed her kingdom, and she narrowly escaped her demise.

Her gown of elegance was now torn and battered in the wind. The sparkling material that once flowed was ripped to shreds, laying in pieces around her. Really, all she had left of her deity was her crown–oh yes, her crown of glory! The crown that displayed her purpose, her agendas, her power, her authority and her life, became the symbol of her identity and was now the sad display of indignity.

Somehow, the crown seemed heavy now, and it felt awkward on her head. She reached upon her head and felt the sharp edges of metal that always displayed the royalty and power of the kingdom she built, an inheritance from her father. She began to weep, realizing that her crown became her downfall. No longer did it represent supremacy, but rather places of shame, guilt, inadequacies, failures and fears, and most of all, a heart of stone. Her crown became her idol as it allowed her the excuse to not trust in anything but her own self righteousness.

She began to shake violently in anger and rage as she realized the longing of desperation in her heart that was never fulfilled. The reality of a lifetime of mistakes and disappointments hit her heart like a ton of bricks as she fell prostrate on the altar of grace.

Sitting up, she took a deep breath and violently cast the crown down with such a force it knocked one of the sapphires loose.

It shimmered in the moonlight on the altar in front of her, and its radiance danced in her eyes. Closing them, she took a deep breath and prayed that one day God would bestow her with a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of despair. Her desire now was to be a display of splendor and be planted by the Lord, to instead serve under His crown of humility and grace, where she knew she would find peace and love. She could only hope that her stony heart would become flesh once again.

Like most princesses, there comes a place in our walk of faith where we learn to put those crowns down–the crowns that once represented pride, control, selfish ambition, and much more. As those of us who have walked there realize, like the princess in the story, our kingdoms are not built on truth but on pride. They slowly crumble under our own demise. However, God promises us in Psalm 103:4 that He will redeem our life from the pit and crown us with love and compassion. This is what true royalty is about, wearing the crown of righteousness that is not of our own but from the Highest King in the land, Jesus Christ.

So, today, are you willing to lay those crowns down that display false power, shame, envy, self pity or fear in your lives? Are you willing to let God crown you with His righteousness and not your own?

His desire is to bring us a crown of love and compassion that will shine throughout His kingdom. This is by far the highest crown we could ever wear, holding power and authority that could never be compared. It has the power to transform not only our own lives but the lives of others. Make the great exchange today and once again walk as the royal princess you were meant to be!

Kimchi Lya Blow is a proud military wife and mother of 4 beautiful children. She is also a free lance writer, and has been a contributing author to a women’s devotional called Life Savors for Women and other Christian publications. Her other gifts include speaking and teaching Bible studies.

February 21-February 27

Prayer Points

Feb 192010

Dear God,

I pray for my sisters around the world. God write on our hearts your message of love to be read with great joy by those who are struggling to find The Way, The Truth, and the Life of Jesus Christ. Shine through us that the world may know we are a letter from Christ, the result of ministry not written with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but a love letter written on human hearts. (from II Corinthians 3:3) God, You have engraved us on the palms of your hands (Isaiah 49: 15-17) Make covenant with us, put your law in our minds and write them on our hearts. Be our God and we will be your people. (Hebrews 8: 9-11) We love you. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Journey of Transformation, Part 11

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

Feb 182010

Contradictory Doc

The ob/gyn who discovered my miscarriage had contacted my friend, called the Red Cross, and sent me to a different ob/gyn who would perform the D & C. This new doctor explained the importance of getting it done immediately to prevent complications over the weekend. So, there I was on Friday, April 20, 2001, undergoing the first phase of preparation. I won’t bother describing it here. It’s a tad indelicate.

While I finished getting dressed my friend arrived. She pulled back the curtain, hugged me, and I let out a brief sob. After exchanging a few sorrowful words, we took a seat on the brown leather couch in the doctor’s office. While he was filling out paperwork I gazed at the décor on his walls and desk. It suggested he was a Christian; and this was enough to ease my anxiety since I was about to go under his knife. But it wasn’t long before my encouragement degenerated.

I don’t recall our conversation exactly, but as we chatted about the procedure he said something that sent my heart plummeting: “It was only a blob.” I could feel my face stretch lengthwise as my eyebrows rose, my eyes grew larger, and my mouth fell open. I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t audibly question his ridiculous comment. My innards stirred. If I hadn’t been so stunned I probably would have broken into another atrocious wailing episode.

What’s the deal? Was this guy a Christian or not? Doesn’t he understand that a human life begins at conception? My brain shouted, It wasn’t a blob! How can you say that?! Images of that first sonogram raced through my mind as I recalled the head, the heartbeat, and the clearly formed arms, legs, hands and feet. The baby kicked vigorously. “It” was not a blob. He was a baby!

The doctor’s hand was busy writing and his eyes followed his pen. My eyes glared at him with disgust. The contradictions between his apparent beliefs and his words astounded me. Could it be that he was in the habit of making this offhanded comment to women who had miscarriages just to minimize their loss? Was this his lame way of attempting to assuage their pain? It did the opposite.

When he was finished with the paperwork he handed it to me and told me to go to admitting where I had to fill out more paperwork. What a weird feeling. I still couldn’t comprehend what was happening. My friend and her husband sat with me as I completed the forms. I valued their presence. My mother and sister were in Colorado and they still hadn’t heard. Neither had Steve but he wouldn’t be able to fly from Kansas to Tennessee in time to be with me anyway.

Sitting in the waiting area anticipating the procedure made me restless. I felt so many emotions I wasn’t sure which one to pick. Yet, despite the emotional upheaval, I sensed an inner stability and courage that couldn’t have come from me. God was strengthening me with His special brand of peace that defies explanation. And that wasn’t all He did. Awaiting my discovery was a gift He planted in my hospital room months before just for me.

TO BE CONTINUED:

Stay connected! In the next installment God displays His compassion and sovereignty. Even when He allows hard things in our lives He reveals His loving kindness. As difficult as it is to accept sometimes, Romans 8:28 really is true. This week reflect on what God has done in your life and let Him show you where He has brought good out of hardship, sorrow and pain.

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Life Happens – Jesus Answers is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

Taking it Back

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, President's Pen

Feb 172010

Dear Beloved of God,

I absolutely love gathering information about women. It gives me a better understanding of who we are and how we can minister to one another. However, I haven’t loved the dismal statistics, which tell me that many women don’t understand who God is. They don’t recognize His power to transform their lives. And they are even less aware of who they are in Him.

I have often asked the Lord, “Why don’t I see transformation in lives today like those I’ve read about in the Bible?” Sadly, as I’ve minister to women over many years, what I’ve seen for too often is:

Many seek after knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but don’t really know or seek Him.
Many do not have a solid foundation of the Word of God on which to base their lives.
Many have little to no trust that God wants to unlock them from self-protective boxes.
Many don’t understand how to pray effectively, or how to forgive offenses. They don’t know how to confess and repent, or how to function in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Many embrace the dysfunction of their past and believe the lies of the enemy—lies that become more magnified when military deployments loom.
Many incorrectly perceive God’s character through difficult, sometimes abusive or non-existent authority figures, such as fathers, mothers, teachers or church leaders.
Many lean on human understanding and wisdom instead of God.
Many either like their sin or simply don’t recognize it.

I fear that the Spirit of God has not been welcomed and allowed to minister in women’s lives like He wants to. I wonder if fear, pain, guilt, shame or rebellion has caused some to block His help and transformation. And I wonder if sometimes we have ignored the work of the Holy Spirit all together.

Could it be that a generation of women have seen so few instances of the power of God to transform another’s life, that they don’t believe it is possible for them?

The Word of God says…“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7 NIV)

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever –the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you… “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:16-18, 26 NIV)

The Good News…The Lord wants to release His power to transform lives through the work of the Holy Spirit. He wants to restore what the enemy has stolen from us. He wants to give us beauty for ashes. He wants to teach us how to have a pure heart before Him.

He wants to transform us through a deep, intimate relationship with Him as we welcome Him to do His refining, restorative work. And He greatly desires to empower us to stand firm and proclaim the Gospel message that will bring healing and restoration to others. The captives have been set free through Jesus Christ! I believe God for it. How about you? Let’s agree together for God to do big and wonderful things within PWOC and our chapels this year.

Forever Changed by His Love and Transforming Power,

Brenda Marlin, President, PWOC International

What does BETA mean?

Tech Tuesday

Feb 162010

BETA version: a website or software project released to users for testing before its official release. Source: Wikipedia

In the world of technology development, brainiacs are always pushing the envelope and trying new things. The only way to know how these new ideas will work ‘in the real world,’ however is to test it, well, in the real world. Going in to this process, developers anticipate bugs, glitches and errors, which is the whole reason they go through the process.

Whenever developers place a new technology or website ‘out there’ for testing, it will be labeled BETA. BETA versions of software applications tend to be free of charge but users must anticipate glitches in the program and should be willing to report their experiences back to the developers for product improvement. These BETA packages will most often have expiration dates, meaning that the software will cease operating altogether on a predetermined date in time. At that point, the developers anticipate the final retail version will be ready to release and to continue using the program, the user must purchase the retail version.

If you are an experienced computer user, testing out BETA software applications can be quite fun and rewarding. However, if you are a novice computer user, I would recommend avoiding such releases as they are likely to cause more frustration than reward. Users should always anticipate the possibility of data loss when using a BETA product and should never rely on a BETA product for deadline or client work. Remember, the objective of BETA releases is to find and report the bugs in a new product. Don’t set yourself up for a catastrophic failure in an effort to save a few coins.

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“Tech Tuesday” is published every Tuesday. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

THE ANSWER!

Devotions

Feb 152010

One beautiful Tennessee morning in fall 2001 my parents and I encountered something unusual on the highway heading toward Clarksville. Through the peripheral vision in my right eye I saw something speeding past us. It maneuvered forward, then into our lane, then back into the right lane and disappeared. This 18-wheeler with a flatbed hauling a long stainless steel cylindrical tank was on a mission.

Despite the speed at which it traveled, we couldn’t have missed the bold message written on the back and sides: JESUS IS THE ANSWER! I hollered, “Look! Look at that!” Tears filled my eyes. Stunned silence filled the car. I already knew that Jesus had all the answers, but the Father wanted me to know that Jesus was, is, and always would be THE answer . . . to everything. It was as if He was saying, “Pay attention! You’re gonna need this!” He certainly was right about that. I desperately need Him.

• John 14:6 — ‘Jesus answered,’ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

• John 14:13 — And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father (emphasis added).

“Where did that thing come from and where was it going?” we mused. Was it part of some big tent revival somewhere? Or was it someone’s clever way of proclaiming the ultimate truth to U.S. drivers? No other writing or identification appeared on that semi. It sped past so quickly we couldn’t read the license plate, but I wondered if it might have read, “Angel at the Wheel.” I still imagine it racing by like it was on its way to heaven, or on a mission to get another soul saved. Whatever the case, and whoever the driver — angel or not — I’ll never forget that sight.

JESUS IS THE ANSWER! Those words were burned indelibly on my mind. Their truth holds everything together when life tosses treachery my way. To whom do you turn when storms rage around you? There’s only one answer. On that day, it was larger than life.

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Over the years, in addition to regular soul-cleansing journaling, Laura Firtko has written for the Azusa Pacific University campus newspaper The Clause; World Vision Public/Media Relations department; Focus on the Family Brio, Breakaway, Clubhouse, and Youthwalk magazines; and she currently writes a weekly blog column for PWOC.ORG titled Life Happens – Jesus Answers which posts on Thursdays.

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