Downloading Files from PWOC.org

Tech Tuesday
Aug 312010

PWOC.org hosts loads of resources for local and regional leaders, from forms to videos and everything in between. For the less tech savvy among us, though, these files are only as useful as our ability to download them to our local machine.

The specific instructions will vary depending on which web browser you are using and the personal settings within the browser, but all browsers follow the same general guidelines. In most cases, simply right-clicking the file name (or download link) will produce a contextual menu (a menu relevant to the task or application being used). From this menu, selecting the item that reads Save As, Save Target As, or something similar will save the source file to the local machine. At that point, you need to know where to find the file on your local machine and this is where many people get lost. This location is one that is set in your local preferences so could be different for each user but recent browser updates have produced pop-up notices informing you that downloading is complete. Clicking the filename in this pop-up will often open the file. Given the option, however, saving to the desktop is often the easiest way of finding the file later – just remember to re-file it to keep your desktop free of clutter.

When I click the download link, the file opens on my computer and I never get the option to download it? In reality, you have most likely downloaded the file and your computer automatically opened it. Right-clicking the download link will bypass this automatic feature and simply save the file to your hard drive.

When I try to download one of the videos, I get an error message. Videos on pwoc.org come in two different formats. Viewing the videos online requires a flash player AND Internet access, which is not available to most chapel computers. The downloaded file requires QuickTime Movie Player, which is already present on most, if not all, military computers. If it’s not already there, a simple request to the agency that manages those computers will satisfy the requirement. To get QuickTime Movie Player for a personal computer, it is available as a free download here.

When I download a form, I can’t seem to open it without error. There are typically two file formats available on pwoc.org, MS Word and PDF (there are a few exceptions, of course). The most common, and most reliable, file format is PDF (Portable Document Format) and is readable using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader available here. PDF files are not editable by the user and are not dependant on the user’s local computer to display the file correctly.

This tutorial is incomplete, at best, and is not meant to answer every question nor every situation encountered while downloading files from pwoc.org. Please take advantage of the vast resources available online through your favorite Internet search engine (Google, Yahoo, Ask, etc.).

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“Tech Tuesday” is published by Tracy Hathaway, PWOCI Web Manager. To reach Tracy with comments or questions, email her here.

Posted by Tracy Hathaway at 12:00 pm Tagged with: , , , , , ,

A Leader Who Shines…Connects with Attentiveness

Leadership Development
Aug 312010

Attentiveness to our connection with Christ is called self-leadership. The term is a bit of a misnomer. In Christ, it should be less of a “self” work and truly a cooperative work with the Holy Spirit, because the most challenging person to lead is usually our self.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “The measure of the worth of our public activity for God is the private communion we have with Him.” These are challenging words for us as leaders to consider.

If the hardest person to lead is our self, then the self-discipline of keeping our self connected to God is crucial. It is an important and intricate balance between allowing God to be God in and through us – and being so self-sufficient that we don’t allow God to reign sovereignly as our Lord.

Paul told Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim. 4:16). If “doctrine” makes up the formal curriculum – God’s Word, “life” can be both the hidden side and how we live. The Message states it like this, “Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching.”

Character is defined as who you are or what you do when no one is looking – out of the sight of public activity.

But always, the One is looking. As we attend to our private communion with God and His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit, we keep connected and this relationship shapes our character.

Paul goes on to say, “Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.”

As leaders we carry the mantle of responsibility and necessity to be attentive to our connection with Christ. Our character – our self-leadership depends on it. We have a leading role in leading others to Christ and in the shaping of souls. We can’t lead others where we are not.

Posted by Cinky Jones at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Work Smarter Not Harder

Devotions
Aug 302010

Submitted by Andrea Plotner

One dynamic I’ve noticed as a volunteer is a subtle expectation that, unless I’ve devoted exhausting amounts of time and energy to a task, I haven’t done my duty. This isn’t true, of course, but it seems to play itself out time and again, even within PWOC. I’m here to propose a different ministry paradigm and that is Work Smarter not Harder. This does several things. It allows me to continually prioritize my faith and my family; affirms others as I recognize their gifts and ask for their help; and prevents burnout. I also feel more able to see others and serve from the heart.

Work Smarter not Harder sounds obvious, of course, but what does it look like in the PWOC context? Well, I’d like to give a few examples from my previous year as President here at Ft. Irwin:

• Delegation: Find a big job and break it down into as many small parts as possible, and ask people fitted to those jobs to pick up a small piece. No stress for anyone.

• Meals: For new moms or those with illnesses, etc., I often simply deliver a dozen bagels and a tub of cream cheese, a batch of cooked brown rice, or a basket of organic apples.

• Partnering: Whenever possible, I ask at least one other person to help with a task. This provides fellowship and makes me feel I have a safety net. “Two are better than one.”

• Decorations: My favorite decoration is a roll of wrapping paper and a bag of tea lights from Dollar Tree. Wrapping paper covers long tables perfectly, and can be suited to the décor.

• Food: Fresh fruit or vegetables make the perfect healthy, no-cook option when it’s my turn to bring snack. Grapes and cheese slices are lovely and tasty, as are carrots and hummus dip.

• Get-togethers: As I was discussing recently with my dear friend Dawn Galloway, most women simply want to connect, and inviting your small group to your home is a perfect way to make that happen. Simply ask everyone to bring a dish, and you provide the drinks and dishes. Just tidy up a bit and don’t worry too much about your floors: mine are always dirty again anyway after all the moms & kids have been romping around.  The beauty of this set-up is that someone else usually volunteers to host the next get-together, without being asked.

• Teaching Bible studies: Although it’s essential to be well-prepared, remember that with one well-placed question, the conversation often leads itself and women enjoy self-discovery.

• Friends: When possible, I meet friends for a walk or a run, rather than a cup of coffee (or a walk and run and THEN a cup of coffee ). This way I get fitness, friendship, and a healthy way to de-stress.

Hopefully these few simple ideas help illustrate simplicity in ministry and help you Work Smarter not Harder.

“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. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24.

Posted by Laura Miller at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , ,

What to expect

News & Announcements
Aug 272010

(( Note: This entry will remain on the front page of the PWOC blog for a few weeks. Please scroll down to see our latest entries! ))

May 2010 marked the 1st birthday of the PWOC blog, which led the blog team to ask some pretty tough questions.

  1. What do we do?
  2. For whom do we do it?
  3. How do we excel?

Out of that process, some significant changes were made that we pray will serve the women of PWOC in a more direct and relevant way. Here’s what you can expect to see in the coming months:

Devotions will continue to post on Mondays, but will now be confined to Mondays only.

Tuesdays and Thursdays of each month will bring you updates from each of the eight regions while Wednesdays will bring you updates from each of the four international executive board members. These updates will serve as a great reminder to the body that kingdom work is ongoing and prayer coverage is appreciated.

  • Week 1: Asia & Alaska regions; PWOCI President
  • Week 2: Central & Europe regions; PWOCI 1VP/Spiritual Development
  • Week 3: Northeast & Pacific regions; PWOCI 2VP/Leadership Development
  • Week 4: Southeast & West regions; PWOCI 3VP/Communications

Fridays will be reserved for You! Yes, we’d like to hear from local installations on Fridays. Tell us who you are. How are you unique? How is the PWOC in your area making a difference for the kingdom of God? Share your success stories for cool program ideas, outreach/inreach projects, ways to bless/serve your Chaplains, etc. Share your creativity!

For those of you that enjoy following the weekly Prayer Points, they aren’t going away but will move to a monthly post, the first Friday of each month.

In addition to the regular appearances described above, you can also look for irregular contributions from other PWOC leaders concerning seasonal events such as conferences, training, leadership selection, theme development, resources, etc.

Please let us know what you think of these changes and let us know what you’d like to see here, as well. We love to hear from you!

All submissions are subject to approval and must meet the published submission guidelines for PWOC web content. Entries may be edited for clarity, length or content. The PWOC Blog Manager may be contacted at Blog@pwoc.org.

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Calling for Testimonies!

News & Announcements
Aug 262010

PWOC International is gathering testimonies of how God has used PWOC to transform lives for Him around the world. Would you like to share your story? Please send it to Testimony@pwoc.org. PWOCI reserves the right to edit testimonials for clarity and length if selected for publication.

Posted by Blog Manager at 2:00 am Tagged with:

Ministering to Megan....

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Aug 252010

For over a year, I’ve been involved in something that will change the course of the PWOC ministry. Is changing the face of ministry as we know it.

It is an idea that we have a target group. A demographic. An actual person that we’re ministering to. And we’ve named her.

So these are some of the words that I shared with the PWOC local leaders in the Southeast Region on Friday night…

First of all, I read for them, Psalm 32. Read it. I read it in the ESV. I let them know they need to be right with God first. To know His love and forgiveness. Then to be sure their PWOCs are environments of that same forgiveness (thinking of the Lord’s Prayer….), to be places of deliverance for those in need…

And then I started asking the questions….and the meddlin’ began….

I want to introduce someone to you.

She’s about 23 or 24. Maybe you’ve seen her in the commissary or at the neighborhood playground.

Comes from a decent family – but very likely came from a broken home. Did well enough in high school to graduate and married soon after. She’s spent much of her (short) married life apart from her spouse. But not so much time apart. After all, they do have two kids. (I can say this. We have five…)

She finds herself alone sometimes and wonders what she’s doing on this base without him.

She has some friends, but everyone’s so focused on their own problems to really be concerned about hers.

She’s up late at night, probably surfing the net or collecting jewelry, farm animals or vegetables on Facebook games….or just trying to connect….trying to see if there’s anyone out there who might listen….

Her name is Megan.

Megan wants to know something.

She wants to know if what you say about this Jesus is real.

She wants to see it work.

She wants authenticity and simplicity yet is highly technical and receives her news and interaction with others online.

She wants to know if it’s worth it to bring her kids to a childcare room with people she doesn’t know.

She wants to know if it’s worth it to come to a building and drop off her kids and go to have coffee and muffins. Coffee and muffins? Really? She can do that at home.

Is it worth it to sit through a class on parenting or marriage or finances or deployment or worship (what was that one again?) or some guy named Matthew who writes about obscure ideas like being salt and light?

Yes, it is worth it! It’s worth it that she come to PWOC and find refreshment for her soul. It is worth it for us to pour into her life the very life of Jesus. It is our responsibility and privilege to SHINE the light of Christ. For Megan.

Here’s our challenge as leaders.

How important is it to you that she comes to your PWOC?

How important is it that she hears the Gospel of Christ?

That she sees real relationships? That she be loved unconditionally?

Please let your PWOCs be about reaching out to the unchurched.

Snacks and childcare do bring people in some people — and that is important.

But Megan’s generation wants real answers without the gimmicks.

What they really need is Jesus, even though they may not know that at the time.

Putting a face and a name on a generation of unchurched, hurting women has the potential to change the course of our Bible studies, our leadership training, our visual graphics and types of publicity, our purpose for “doing church.” I pray that this description of Megan will spread like wildfire – that it will cast vision in PWOC International and cause us to be intentional about ministering to those for whom Christ died.

(More questions or comments? Email me at communications@pwoc.org.)

Posted by Melinda Hemphill at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Sometimes we reap and sometimes we sow, but all to the glory of God!

Testimonies
Aug 242010

Ten years ago I told my chaplain in Heidelberg, Germany that I would be a better witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ if I were equipped. I told him that I did not know how to tell anyone about Jesus. He took a long look at me and said, “I can train you Lucia.” Immediately I felt the fear of God upon me. Over the next several months he and his wife trained me, equipped me and we did have the awesome privilege of leading people to the Lord. However, that is not the reason I am writing this. I wanted to share with you one of the most powerful times I was ever a witness for the sake of the gospel.

It was five years later and I was sitting on an airplane flying home after attending a PWOC conference. The rest of the board was sitting together, but I was next to a woman who was not part of our group. This woman proceeded to share with me how she had just completed a spiritual retreat and how wonderful she felt. My heart sank as she continued to share. I knew she did not know Jesus and I knew that God wanted me to share with her right then and there. I would love to tell you how I shared the gospel with her and how the flight ended with a prayer to receive Jesus, but that is not what happened. When the woman found out that I was a Christian she began to share with me every offense that Christians had ever committed against her, and they were big. I spent the rest of the flight following every one of her horrible experiences by asking for forgiveness for what had happened to her. I knew that the Spirit wanted me to humble myself and ask her for forgiveness on behalf of my Savior.

As we were leaving the plane, she looked at me and said, “You know, you really seem to care about me”. “Of course I do” I exclaimed. “Then you should know that I was baptized when I was a baby and so if there really is a God then I have my ticket punched” she said. “Oh no” I said. “It is all about that Jesus I was telling you about.”

“OK” she replied. Then as she walked down the terminal with her husband I heard him say. “So how was your flight?” “It was good, and I sat next to this Christian. This is what she said…..

Posted by Lucia Rossman at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , ,

Knowing God

Devotions
Aug 232010

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:5-7).

I want to know God. I want to know God better. Even more, I want to know God accurately.

There have been times in my Christian life when biblical truth didn’t sink in. I couldn’t accept it because I believed or felt something else. Maybe God didn’t answer a heartfelt prayer so I believed He didn’t care. Maybe I experienced suffering that seemed to have no purpose, and I believed God was cruel and unjust.

Through the course of daily living, interacting with other Christians, hearing the views of nonbelievers, and wrestling with my own fickle view of God, I came face to face with a disturbing fact: I’ve lived a large portion of my Christian life believing erroneous things about God. I let my feelings and perspectives dictate my beliefs rather than holding to the TRUTH of scripture.

God’s Word declares absolute truth about His character. The problem for many of us is that we don’t automatically embrace the truth. We read the words but they bounce off the opinions, feelings, and assumptions we form about God based on our experiences. Then we allow our erroneous ideas to define God. When our view of God is based on feelings, opinions, or assumptions, we don’t know Him accurately and the Christian life is harder than it needs to be.

My beliefs about God affect the depth of my peace and joy. They affect whether or not I trust Him, and whether or not I obey Him. My view of God affects my relationship with Him. It also affects how I view myself. What I believe about God shapes my prayer life, the amount of time I spend with Him, and whether my conversations include Him. My beliefs about God affect everything.

It isn’t enough to know about God. We need to really know Him. We must establish within our hearts a truth-based view of God regardless of our feelings, other people’s opinions, or what we experience.

Prayer Challenge:

Father, I choose intentionally to work on my belief system about You. Clear away anything that doesn’t fit the truth of who You are. Enlighten my mind when I read Your Word, and solidify Your truth in my heart so I can enjoy an unhindered relationship with You. Enable me to walk by faith, not by sight. (Hebrews 11:1; 2 Cor. 5:7)

Praying scripture aloud is even more powerful than using our own words. Add this one to the prayer above: Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell (Psalm 43:3).

Posted by LauraFirtko at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Desiring God

Local Limelight, Testimonies
Aug 202010

Submitted by Therese Ragland, Fort Bragg, NC

The other day I was watching a father and daughter walk together hand in hand.  She was no more than five years old and she was grinning from ear to ear.  As I watched her for a moment, and smiled as well, I glanced at the father.  He had a smile just as big.  They weren’t really talking or doing much of anything, just walking hand in hand and smiling. Both seemed so content and pleased to be together.

That got me thinking. What if that is a picture of how God wants to be with me?  Not just in Heaven but here on earth, right here right now.  You see, I know as a Christian I should spend time with God, read his word, and go to Him in prayer.  But what if the should turned into a desire? I desire to spend time with God, read His word, and go to Him in Prayer.  Then a really funny thought hit me.  What if God desires me?

Jeremiah 31:3 says, “The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” And 1 John 4:16 says “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

These are two verses that make the point very simple. God does desires us; the entire Bible is full these scriptures.  Not only did God create us in our mother’s womb and know every hair on our head. He desires to be with us.  When He created Adam and Eve the Bible mentions that they would walk and talk together.  They spent time together.  God did not do that so that Adam and Eve would just love Him.  He loved them.  He wanted that time with Adam and Eve.  They were a delight to Him. He loves us with the same delight.  I find it unfathomable that God wants to spend time with me. He created me and saved me through the death of His son because He desires to be with me.

At one point when I was watching the father and daughter, they stopped and looked at each other.  Nothing was said they were just there in that moment. You could tell he wanted to be there just as much as she did.  Looking at each other they were delighted to be together. What a picture of God walking hand in hand with us?

If you find yourself in a place of disconnect with God, please open your heart to Him.  Not because of the reasons mentioned here and not just because our lives are full of chaos but because the God of the entire universe desires to be with you.  Think about desire.  What do you desire?  Do you desire for God to do something for you? Do you desire to know Him by spending time with Him reading His word? Are you hungry for more of Him?  Open your hearts to the thought that God desires you.

Posted by Blog Manager at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , ,

ALOHA FROM HAWAI’I, NEAR THE MIDDLE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN!

regional review
Aug 192010

Submitted by Pam Mays, Vice President, Pacific Region

I was reminded today, by the song, “Blink” by Revive that we should enjoy each day, live for the moment.  It is a great reminder as I am blessed to live in a destination location.  Most people spend their life savings to come here for a week or two.  Those of us who live in the Pacific get to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation on a daily basis!

But each of us has beauty, grace and majesty all around us.  We each need to take a moment (or ten) each day to soak in the incredible creation that surrounds us.

I am so excited by what God is doing out here in His ocean! I feel an explosion is on the not too distant horizon.  Can you see it?  The light is growing, it is getting brighter, it is shining like the city on the hill.

God is doing great things here in the Pacific!  Our installations are fired up after our WILD weekend and are getting ready to kick off their Fall studies.  They will include studies from Beth Moore, Kay Arthur,  Judy Rossi, Linda Dillow, Priscilla Shirer, Sally Clarkson, Chuck Colson, and more.  It is sure to be a Fall that will appeal to our ladies from a broad range of ages and stages in life.  We will be praising God, enjoying food and fellowship, and hearing great speakers as we stand for Him in our cities and communities to be the lights on the hill.

The islands are also exploding with excitement over the International Conference.  We are already seeing our numbers more than double over the last International Conference.  What a testament to what God is doing here in the Pacific.

Praying that HIS excitement is igniting each of you to fuel the fires for an explosive, growing, spirit-filled year!

I look forward to giving each of you an Aloha Welcome at International Conference!  See you there!

Posted by Blog Manager at 2:00 am Tagged with: , , , , , ,
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