2010 May » PWOC International Blog

Beholding the Beauty of the Lord

May 312010

Since January the Lord has directed me to change the way I study the Bible each day. I learned that the goal of reading God’s word is to behold the beauty of the Lord. What I learned came from a study I participated in at PWOC a couple of years ago by Tim Keller; which is a series of studies on prayer.

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the deeper truths and as you listen to God’s word write down the answers to the following five questions. The first three ask questions of the text.

1. What does the passage say about God/Christ?
2. What does it say about yourself/mankind?
3. What is the most compelling truth you learned?

The last 2 questions are the reflection portion of God’s word where you allow the verses to ask questions of you. This helps what you learned drop down from your mind into your heart.

4. How would you be different if this truth were explosively alive in your inmost being?
5. Why is God showing you these things today?

The key to reading scripture and meditating properly on God’s word is to keep Christ central. When you read a verse such as “the Lord watches over the way of the righteous” it can be very discouraging because realistically who is righteous enough for God? Constantly pointing to Christ and saying “He did it!” brings the fire of God’s love to bear on every word. Jesus made it so our sins are credited to His account and His perfect righteousness lived for us is credited to ours. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

As time goes by, I have seen God’s beauty and I praise Him for the lessons I learned about Him during my prayer time. As you get used to studying the Bible this way, the amount of time it takes to do this process can be decreased by 5 or 10 minutes. Try it out on Psalm 1. You’ll be amazed at how the Holy Spirit can make even one verse explode truth and God’s beauty before you. Especially in light of what He’s done for you in Christ.

Prayer Points for May 30th - June 5th

Prayer Points

May 282010

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy Ones bring understanding.

Proverbs 9:10

This is a passage we could pray daily. Wisdom in a time of peace is good, bringing wholeness. Wisdom in a time of war is necessary, giving us what is necessary to overcome terror and to look to a Holy God who Himself is The Answer.

Dear God,

We need wisdom. We ask you for wisdom to govern ourselves, to love and train our children, to honor our husbands. We need wisdom for everything: to love, to forgive, to worship, to know You, to solve problems and to bring your message of restoration to those hurting around us.

Please cleanse our hearts from fear: fear of man, fear of failure, fear of the dark, fear of loss and grief. Set us free from control, the fruit of fear. Heal us from trauma. Scoop out the fears that cause us to keep you at arms length. Melt away our fear of intimacy with You. Set us free from presumption, of going our own way.

We want to make room in our hearts for good fear, the fear of the Lord. We want to worship you with awe. God we want to know You: the Holy Ones, the whole trinity, and be filled with Your Spirit of Understanding. We love you and long for You.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Journey of Transformation, Part 24

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies, Uncategorized

May 272010

God and Doctors

God doesn’t often heal people on the spot. He usually heals them through the skilled hand of a physician or surgeon, or he takes them home which is the best healing of all, or he provides other wellness professionals to combat their afflictions.

My mother introduced me to the world of natural medicine through a naturopathic physician who was knowledgeable in nutrition, holistic medicine, and homeopathic remedies. His recommendations helped her so she thought he could help me too.

Upon his first examination he concluded that dermatomyositis seemed like a possibility in a mix of connective tissue diseases. The challenge at this point was nailing it down definitively. That would require additional blood tests performed by my other doctors. But they had either done all they could within their scope of practice or refused to do more. Because the rheumatologist was stuck on lupus based on basic lab tests, he wasn’t willing to test for anything else. So we went with the lupus diagnosis which really didn’t make that much of a difference to the naturopath. Different autoimmune diseases are treated in similar ways. With a blend of multivitamins, powders, liquids, and other healthful substances I launched an attack on the disease from a different angle.

In the meantime, my primary care physician referred me to a nutritionist who concurred with the naturopath that I needed to eat more protein and healthy fats to lower my triglycerides, thereby lowering my heart disease ratio which shot off the chart. Of course this had nothing to do with my autoimmune condition but it was an important piece of information that affected my overall health. In addition, the primary care physician prescribed prednisone which seems to be the go-to drug used for autoimmune diseases. I dreaded its side effects and hoped the supplement program suggested by the naturopath would lessen the effects of the drug. I even hoped the supplements would be effective enough to control the disease so I could quit taking prednisone. That remained to be seen.

Through December and January I continued my treatment plan. By the time February 2002 rolled around Steve made plans to come get me. Turns out he didn’t end up going to Afghanistan after all. So my visit with Judy and the folks would come to an end and my care would be interrupted. At least I wasn’t attached to my rheumatologist. That was no loss. Maybe I would get a new one.

Steve and I stayed for a few days before returning home. On our road trip from Colorado to Tennessee I indulged in Goobers and Raisinettes, crackers, chips and nuts. Hey, the nutritionist and naturopath told me I needed to eat more fat and protein to lower my triglycerides. What better way is there than eating chocolate covered peanuts! I took their advice to heart. It was the yummiest and most painless remedy I’d ever have.

The ensuing months at Fort Campbell would prove interesting. Prednisone damage would show up. The disease would take a new turn. An appointment with a new rheumatologist would be missed. And a compassionate reassignment would be necessary.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES:

As I reflect on the events of those years I see clearly how God had everything worked out ahead of time. He does go before us preparing the way. Keep checking in each week to see what He does, how He leads, how He provides. And yes, how He takes me deeper than I’d ever gone before. There’s nothing like constant companions Sorrow and Suffering to take one deeper into the realm of inner change and surrender.

If you are enduring, or have endured, an extremely rough season in your life and you’ve never read the book Hinds’ Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard, I recommend reading it. Watch how the Chief Shepherd transforms little Much-Afraid on her journey to the high places. It will touch your heart.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights (Habakkuk 3:19).

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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

A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books

Real life stories, Testimonies

May 262010

Submitted by Nancy Sheridan, San Antonio, TX

When I was in grade school, I used to go to my father’s deli/coffee shop downtown in San Francisco afterschool. Sometimes, after my homework was done, I would go down the street to a bookstore called “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place for Books,” and browse and read in the aisle for as long as I could before we went home. My mom bought me my first book on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table there (which I still have), and I got hooked on my first Greek mythology there, getting lost in fantastic adventures while my parents closed up shop. That bookstore was a happy place for me, and though I don’t have a lot of specific memories, I just remember going there and having peaceful, solitary moments where the wearying reality of life didn’t intrude.

Last night, a guest pastor at our church spoke on weariness as the enemy’s strategy to wear us down, make us lose our identity and sense of purpose. Weariness, as opposed to tiredness from a day of hard and productive work, is not alleviated by rest and a good night’s sleep. Weariness is a battle for our minds so we cannot see where God’s Word sustains us and guides us and we begin to trust our feelings more than God’s faithfulness. This teaching brought some truth into focus for me and I was strangely reminded of that bookstore long ago.

Now, as a grown woman, I am better equipped to face the onslaught of everyday life: the needs of four children, a husband deploying yet again, friends in dire need, and family members dealing with their own trials. I don’t need to go to a bookstore to find my peace…I can carry it with me now that I know my Lord more intimately. But when I don’t invite Him in to my clean, well-lighted soul, and leave Him at the door, my soul darkens and my peace flees and weariness overruns my emotions.

That happened during the first deployment which kept us apart for almost 2 1/2 years. I lost sight of God’s promises and succumbed to the weariness agenda that made me lose hope and believe lies about my husband and myself. It was a dark and lonely time and it took the encouragement of friends who love me and mentors who set me straight as to the love and grace of Christ in my life. They served me and loved me and reminded gently and with their actions how God sees me and how God sees Steve. God even gave me my own bible passage that describes my husband when I prayed for one.

Now, my identity is wrapped up in the truth of who God is. Who I am doesn’t matter so much, because feelings ebb and flow. But God, unchangeable, everlasting, full of goodness and mercy, HE is my peace, HE is my safety, and HE is my comfort. When I spend time with Him, in my closet, in my bed or on the couch with my kids, the light brightens, the calm magnifies, and hope envelopes us all. Then there is no room in my soul for the disarray of my fickle emotions and unreliable feelings. There is only room for Jesus, solid. And He goes with me everywhere and we have amazing adventures together!

PWOC Logo Use Guidelines

Tech Tuesday

May 252010

The PWOCI Graphics Team has supplied our local and regional leaders with a new resource!

The PWOC logo is available and free to use for any PWOC group operating under the authority of the Chief of Chaplains Office. Graphic files may be downloaded from the PWOCI site. HOWEVER, before you rush over there, you’ll need to read the new PWOCI Logo Use Guidelines document that sets out the guidelines for using the logo properly. The most common mistake made, perhaps, is stretching the logo. Since this is a no-no, please review the Guidelines before using it.

PWOCI Logo Use Guidelines

PWOCI Logo Download page

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

Childish Dependence

Devotions

May 242010

by Laura Firtko

As the youngest in my family by eleven years I was always surrounded by adults. I enjoyed the company of people older than me. I thought this meant I had increased maturity. Actually, I’ve realized that older people made me feel safe and secure.
It never occurred to me that this could have a negative side. God showed me that I developed a childish emotional dependence on my family members and even some of my friends. I had established a deep seated belief that I needed them to take care of me. This remained throughout my life until God recently opened my eyes.

My mother is 77 years old and her physical ailments keep mounting. My aunt just turned 80, and although she’s doing well, she’s at one of those “time bomb” ages where anything can happen. My sister has progressive multiple sclerosis and her symptoms continue to worsen. Each time I hear something new – another symptom, another fall, another trip to the emergency room — I get frustrated, anxious, angry, and ask God why He continues to allow these things.

His answer had less to do with them than it did with me. He said, “You need to let them go. Not only do you need to open your hands and stop clinging to them, but you need to open your heart and release them to Me.” As always, He was absolutely right. If I continue clinging to people like life preservers several things will happen:

1) I will crash and burn when God takes them home.
2) I will not be completely free to become the person God designed me to be.
3) I will not be totally free to engage my calling and live out my destiny.
4) I will be hindered in my spiritual and emotional development.
5) I will not be free to fulfill God’s plan and purpose for me.

That’s a ton of bondage from one seemingly simple attachment. Anything that interferes with God’s dominion will hinder me in some way – no matter how apparently small. There’s no denying the impact of childish dependencies, mindsets, beliefs, attitudes, and fears.

As God revealed this life-altering truth to me I remembered 1 Corinthians 13:11, When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

It was time for me to put childish ways behind me and depend solely on Christ. As much as I love my family, they don’t belong to me. They belong to God. They also deserve to be set free from the burden of taking care of me.

In the process of casting aside childish dependencies and other things that hinder me I like to quote Hebrews 12:1 out loud: . . . let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. I personalize it and claim it as my own.

Are you ready to throw off everything that hinders and embrace the freedom God has waiting for you?

Prayer Points for May 23-29

Prayer Points

May 212010

Memorial Day

We remember our heroes today. We thank God for men and women from the past who have sacrificed for this nation.

“LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

Dear Father,

We thank you for heroes who stood tall, paid the price, and gave everything for a cause they believed in. Thank you for the incredible heritage America has. Thank you for the many ways you have preserved America. Thank you for your mercy on us through many struggles for freedom. This week, we remember our heroes. We remember their words of devotion to You. We remember the way you sustained them. We have heard of your fame, Oh God! We stand in awe of your deeds. Please renew them again in our day. We are in need. In wrath, remember mercy.

We honor those who have gone before. We honor our righteous heritage. We honor those who stand in harm’s way today. Protect them, and protect our nation from within and without. Thank you for your mercy toward us.

Renew your awesome deeds in our day and turn us back to You. We love you, In Jesus Name, Amen.

Journey of Transformation, Part 23

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

May 202010

Clash of the Specialists

It was November 2001 when I landed in the dermatologist’s office. Dr. Honl was kind, compassionate, professional, and deeply concerned about me. Days later I ended up in the rheumatologist’s office. Dr. Linney (name has been changed) wasn’t so concerned.

The battle of the specialists began.

The first time I visited Dr. Honl she carefully examined my skin. When she noticed my shins she asked, “Do you ever use lotion?” I replied, “Yes, but it takes too much energy to get down there and apply it. I don’t do it often.” The skin looked dry and scaly, almost with a marbled, shiny appearance.

She looked at my fingers and toes. Apparently the ulcers that were forming on the bottoms of my big toes did so because circulation was lacking. The Raynaud’s Syndrome was kicking in more and my hands and feet often turned purple. It was hard to keep them warm. The calcifications and burning sensations on my knuckles and finger tips definitely suggested a serious autoimmune problem.

After assessing me completely Dr. Honl announced, “I think you have a connective tissue disease called dermatomyositis. The skin lesions and muscle weakness are consistent with that.” I told her that other doctors stood firm on the diagnosis of lupus. She was certain that these new eruptions were not signs of lupus although there could possibly be some lupus mixed in. Was she correct?

An official diagnosis had to come from a rheumatologist – a specialist who deals with autoimmune diseases. I’d been here before. The rheumatologist I saw in Bowling Green, Kentucky, who seemed more interested in collecting his fees than he was in helping me, was the guy who gave the “official” lupus diagnosis. But now maybe I would have a doctor who would exert some effort in nailing down this mysterious disease process.

Tri Care assigned me to a rheumatologist named Dr. Linney who happened to be the same one my sister saw. Some doctors are better than others and both of us struck out with this one. After examining me he affirmed the standing diagnosis, “You have lupus.” I said, “Dr. Honl, my dermatologist, thinks that I show definite signs of dermatomyositis.” How did he respond?

Dr. Linney’s cold demeanor nearly made me shiver. There wasn’t a hint of warmth or concern in his expression. With a determined arrogance he refused to give Dr. Honl’s diagnosis a second glance. Something was wrong. I sensed in my spirit that this guy was putting his pride before his patient. It was clear to me that he stood firm on his opinion because he couldn’t handle conceding to a dermatologist – a female dermatologist at that. After all, he was the big rheumatologist and he had to be right! But was he?

Power and control. That’s what it was all about. Where did that leave me? I revisited my Merck Manual and read about dermatomyositis. It sounded scary. It could put me in wheelchair. It could take my life. But for the time being, lupus reigned.

A year from this point I finally would have the right answers, but until that time God had more things in store for me – a visit with a naturopathic physician was on the horizon.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES:

Through life’s uncertainties I have learned to lean on Christ. If I never had any problems, if I got all the answers I wanted, and if everyone agreed and got along . . . I’d be living in Pleasantville where everything is black and white. Boring! I want color! I want vibrancy! I want to live.

Regrettably, living involves pain. Living involves unanswered questions. Living involves power struggles between people who won’t agree. Life is a big mystery held in the hands of a big God who has something bigger in mind than we can comprehend. Trusting and waiting are hard, but they are what I must do.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him (Isaiah 64:4).

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The Reality of Mommyhood

Real life stories

May 192010

Submitted by Nancy Sheridan, Fort Irwin, CA

I ran into a friend of mine while I was out with my family and it was a sweet run in…when we were parting she said I don’t know how you moms of multiple children do it! Well…for those of you who see me smiling with my children looking clean and behaving somewhat well, here’s the reality.

The toddler and preschool years were incredibly tough! I was grinning ear to ear when you saw me because I was so THANKFUL to God that I actually made it to the church! My kids behaved well because they knew they were under DEFCON 4 alert! I’ve had a child scream for 3 hours because she wanted her own way and I wouldn’t let her. I’ve had to drag a child to the bathroom at church after he threw himself on the ground to protest potty training (for 6 months). I homemade all their baby food, then went on a Wendy’s drive-thru stint (raising my cholesteral count for the first time in my life) when Steve deployed. I felt that God made them beautiful just so they would live long and prosper! I cried and gnashed my teeth. I had children that didn’t like wearing their poopy diapers! I had a child that clung to my leg and whined. I had one that touched and tasted everything and REALLY enjoyed crawling on the floor of public bathrooms…WHOAAAA!!!!

Then…they all hit at least 4 years old. And the world slowed down. The birds sang. And I could breathe. When the three turned 4, 5 and 6 I thought I had gone to heaven. The issues didn’t happen at breakneck speed and I wasn’t scrambling all over the floor. I made peace with my mommy brain or lack thereof. My children began to listen and some of my hard work started paying off. My husband came home from Iraq. I began to cook again. Our family was reunited and mending. Then along came my son Nathan and a house addition. In actuality, peace came to our home. God granted it to us and I receive it with open arms. We made it through some storms!

So when you see me smiling and floating on air as I show off my chubby bundle of joy…know that this season I’m thoroughly enjoying came with a price…a lot of hard work, a lot of time flat on my face before God, and a lot of blood sweat and tears. Literally. And yes, now I am having the time of my life! I can certainly do all things with Christ who strengthens me!

Headers and Footers

Tech Tuesday

May 182010

The last time you had to think about headers and footers was back in high school or college, right? Not so fast. Headers and footers aren’t just for research papers. If you create any type of document that spans multiple pages, particularly more than two, you should make it a habit to include a header and/or footer and yes, that does include a typed letter. More often in PWOC, though, it will be in the form of meeting minutes.

Have you ever held a stack of paper in your hand only to see it fall to the floor in complete disarray? It’s happened to me and the most frustrating is when the stack included minutes from more than one meeting and now the pages are all mixed up on the floor. Here’s the challenge: in under an hour, organize all of the pages back to their original order! Can’t do it, can you?

A simple header or footer including the document title, date when relevant, and page number will go far in keeping your sanity in check in the most trying of times. When inserting the page number, go ahead and add the symbol for total number of pages, as well. It’ll only take a fraction of a second to do so but could pay off in dividends later.

Don’t know how to add these elements? No worries. Using your preferred Internet search engine, enter the program you’re using and the term ‘insert header,’ ‘insert footer,’ ‘insert page number,’ or ‘insert total number of pages.’ For example, if I were using Microsoft Word, I would enter ‘Word 2007 insert header.’ There are tutorials for anything you can imagine on the Internet so put them to work for you.

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

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