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The Lord Stood With Me and Strengthened me.....Timothy 4:17a

Oct 282011

Submitted by Gwen Scott

The end of Day 2

Our second move (without my man) in less than a year, is coming quickly. Johnny and I chose this one. It’ll be easier than the last. And once we’re settled, life will be a little simpler. We don’t have to say goodbye this time. Last summers’ farewells are still fresh enough. It’s hard to believe it has been almost a whole YEAR since God replanted us here- which is nice to think, because maybe next May I will be thinking the same thing.

As I take down the curtains and the artwork, leaving the bare walls to patch, I sense God is doing a similar thing in my soul. Like He’s whispering to me while I wash off the scuffs. He’s saying something when I empty off those shelves and purge stuff we don’t need or use. Some kind of work in me. He’s cleaning out. He’s stripping stuff away. Like a parallel in the physical and the spiritual, that I don’t exactly have words for yet. It’s about time to reorganize, to change stuff around. Maybe some new priorities? Redecorating! I don’t know what the new “place” is gonna look like completely. I have some ideas. It will definitely include some of the things I’ve acquired over the years. But it’s time to give up some junk too, get rid of clutter. Simplification. Time to make room for better things. . I’m not sure exactly what it all means, but I’m getting excited.

New strength. I could feel it rising in me as the day went on. Some hope. A bigger realization that I can do this, through Christ. His power available to me, waiting to be accessed, but also already at work. His power made perfect in my weakness. Sounds crazy, but it’s truth. God’s Word does not return void. I don’t know how He does it, but He does. It’s part of who He is. A Healer. The Healer. He can heal our hearts, even our minds, if we let Him. Just like He heals our bodies. It takes time. Sometimes longer than others. One morning the sore is still kinda raw, You try not to think about it, but an accidental bump makes it sting and reminds you it’s there. And then when you’re getting into bed that night, or maybe a few nights later, you realize, it’s not just scabbing over, it’s starting to go away. There’s a scar, but no pain.

I don’t mean that I don’t miss my hubby anymore. I DO- more than I can explain with words. And it still hurts. But the sting of him leaving does not feel the same way it did 48 hours ago. I’m not gonna stop missing him, no matter how long he’s gone. I love him too much for that, he’s part of who I am. But the rawness of reality has already started to scab over. My emotions are no longer ruling my heart. They’re still there, but I’m not letting them be in charge anymore. God made me a girl who feels deeply, and that is a good thing, it’s not a mistake. But He also created me as a daughter who understands her Daddy has planned His best for her. If this is what He has chosen, then I’m trusting it’s what’s best for me, even when it hurts. I’ll work with these emotions while I keep my gaze on Him. He’s binding up my broken heart. He’s not gonna let me sink. This story is not over, this chapter’s just getting started.

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THE LORD’S PARTY

Testimonies

Oct 112011

Submitted by Melinda Hemphill

The Bible is full of situations where bread and wine were brought to signify covenant relationships and the representative meal. Jesus Himself, on the night on which He was betrayed, took bread and broke it. He did the same thing with a cup of wine during a meal with His disciples in the culture and tradition of the day. He spoke the words that we often hear in our chapels when we participate once a month or once a week in this important commemoration. “This is My body, broken for you.” “This is the cup of the new covenant in My blood, poured out for you.”

We join others around the world as we declare our faith in Christ and remember Him until He comes again. Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus that is portrayed!

Two recent events have helped me in my lifelong journey with Christ and in the continual development of how I approach Communion. The Lord’s Table. The Lord’s Supper. Or even in some circles, the appropriate thanksgiving title of the Eucharist.

The first event was this summer. Our youngest son had the opportunity to complete a program at the local (civilian) church where we have worshiped for the past six years, and upon talking with pastors and elders, he was received as a communicant member in the church. He professed his faith publicly – as the day had come that was prayed for in his behalf at his baptism – but now as he prepared to approach the Lord’s Table for the first time, he was excited. He loves Jesus. The day he joined us there in Communion was a glorious one; he glowed! The childlike faith that takes Jesus at His word is encouraging to me; my own faith was strengthened by our son’s faith.

The second event was also at the end of the summer when my husband’s uncle retired from the ministry. He was to preach his last sermon then there’d be a reception afterwards. His cousin’s two-year-old daughter was sitting in the church service where her grandmother had just told her, “Now, granddaddy is going to preach, and then we’re going to have a party.” As the sermon ended and the hymn was sung, there was a prayer over the elements. The trays of bread and juice were passed down each row, and little Stella asked,

“Nana, is this the party?”

Yes, Stella! This IS the party!

Oh, to come to the Lord’s Table with such childlike faith. To see His provision of His very own body and blood as a party that we should celebrate.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (I Corinthians 11:26)

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Just Take the Next Step

President's Pen, Real life stories, Testimonies

Sep 282011

Submitted by Beth Mills, PWOCI President

One of the greatest challenges of the military lifestyle is creating authentic friendships. Just when I feel like we’ve really got some solid friendships developing, I learn that either they have to PCS or we have to PCS. This is one reason why I’ve loved PWOC so much. As I’ve developed close friendships while serving with other ladies on a board at my local PWOC or while praying with them in our Bible study care group, I know the Lord will watch over us and keep us until we meet again. The regional and international conferences are so refreshing because old friendships are renewed and we can catch up with one another again, even if it is only for a weekend.

Some of you know my PWOC story. When we came into the Army, my tongue-in-cheek motto was “Make friends or die”. I took my kids to a homeschool PE swimming class. The other moms and I began to form a friendship and on several occasions they would talk about whatever was going on in PWOC. I usually tuned out during that portion of the conversation; I wasn’t interested in another Bible study, let alone a large group of women. One of my new friends was getting ready to move (of course!) and she said the first thing she was going to do when she got to Germany was find the local PWOC because she knew that she was guaranteed to have instant friends. At that moment, I decided I’d take the next step and go to PWOC that summer.

What my friend said is still true for me today. PWOC is where I find instant friends, but I have to take the next step if I want to create an authentic friendship and not just another acquaintance. Mixers and ice-breakers are not my favorite activities, but I’m learning that they’re a great vehicle to starting a friendship. We find out some pretty crazy stuff about one another-like who’s been a contestant on The Price is Right or who’s taken a journey by caravan in the Sahara Desert! We also find out some things we have in common with one another that we might not have known had we not participated in that mixer. When I find that touch-point where I have something in common with someone new, I take the next step in our friendship and engage her in conversation. I often find that we have even more in common. It becomes easier and easier to take the next steps after I’ve taken the first few-the next step of praying with one another in Bible study; the next step of meeting for coffee or lunch in one another’s home; the next step of asking for or extending forgiveness when it’s needed; the next step of bearing one another’s burdens and sharing one another’s joys. The next thing you know, one or both of you will have moved on to the next duty station and be separated for months or years. But there may be a time during one of the PWOC conferences when you’ll hear that familiar scream and run with arms wide open for the PWOC hug in the lobby! And that’s just a tiny taste of the amazing homecoming we’ll all experience together at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

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Knocking at Your Door

regional review, Testimonies

Jul 262011

Submitted by: Crystal Calloway

Do you ignore when the Lord is knocking on your door? Have you misunderstood His intention and does He knock again, but in a different way?

The other day I read a devotion regarding affliction and why Christians suffer. The scripture reference is from 2 Chronicles 33:12, “In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.” I related this to my father, who was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer, for the second time. Why do my parents have to go through this again? However, my family does realize it was through God’s perseverance to get my dad’s attention this diagnosis was made and the situation is much more manageable!

My parents and step-sister’s family had been camping for several days and were packing up to leave the campsite. My dad lifted a heavy equalizer bar on a camping trailer, helping my step-sister’s husband. Later that night and into the next morning, Dad experienced bleeding while urinating. Several hours of driving and road closures due to flooding, lay ahead of them to get to their hospital of preference but God lead them and they made it!

Upon arriving at the hospital and through several evaluations and procedures, it was discovered the cancer had not yet attached itself to the walls of the bladder! Because Dad has other health risks, it is necessary for him to be evaluated by his cardiologist before the bladder surgery takes place. However, the urologist will be able to remove all of the cancer! God is good!

I am so thankful for God’s “knock” at the bathroom door of my parent’s camping trailer! Thank you, Lord, for being so faithful! I pray our whole family is able to learn more of Your love and compassion through this affliction. Amen.

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Remove the Plastic Bag

Devotions, Testimonies

Jul 252011

Submitted by Muriel Gregory

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

A few years ago my kids and I took a trip to Europe while my husband was deployed. Since plane tickets are extremely expensive, I decided to take advantage of Space A flights. Space A is a benefit for military families that allows you to fly with a military plane on a space available basis. Depending on your status you are given a category. Since I was a dependent of a deployed soldier my category was a CAT IV.

So the kids and I drove to Dover, Delaware in the hope of taking a plane to Rota Spain. After we arrived in Dover, we put our names on the list and I was thrilled when they called our names to let us know that we were on the next plane leaving to Rota. Our plane was a C5, those big cargo planes that carry tanks, HUMVEES, and even helicopters across the globe. The plane was scheduled to leave in a few hours and we were all getting pretty excited. The C5 had one weak point. It’s hydraulic system. Thus because of a hydraulic problem, the plane was delayed and we were on the ground for 3 days….. Needless to say that we were exhausted and frustrated when we finally boarded and took off.

The service on the plane was very rustic. We were each issued a lunch box and the safety brief was the funkiest safety brief I have ever heard in a plane. One of the crew members (there were maybe only 20 people in the plane) announced the following: “Welcome to fight *** to Rota, Spain. Due to our hydraulic problems we will be flying at a low altitude for a while to make sure that we are not leaking pressure. In case the cabin depressurizes, bags will lower. Put the bag over your head, pull the string and wait for the “pfff” sound. If you do not hear the “pff” sound, take off the bag because at that point you simply have a plastic bag over your head.” I remember praying that the cabin would not depressurize because I had NO idea how to use this bag and would probably kill myself in the process of trying to save myself.

Thankfully we have a tool that doesn’t malfuction. Paul gave Timothy some instruction concerning this tool: “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Do you know how to use God’s word properly or do you have a plastic bag over your head? God’s word is extremely powerful. The apostle John started his Gospel with this reminder about the word of God, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:1-3. My encouragement to you (and me) is to study, memorize and meditate on scriptures. Only then will we be thoroughly equipped for every good work. I do not know about you but I personally do not want to end up with a plastic bag over my head…..

And for the rest of the story (as Paul Harvey would say), the cabin did not depressurize and we made it safely to Spain. Amen.

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Deployment: Still Day 1

Deployment, Testimonies

Jul 222011

Submitted By Gwen Scott

Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.

Psalm 116:7

Been thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for today. The fact that I miss all those crazy little things is a good sign. My man being my best friend is something to be thankful about. I have a good man. One who takes care of me in so many ways, even down to loading music on my Iphone last night, so I would have his tunes while he was gone. One who leads me well. A wise daddy to our kids. No wonder I miss him.

Been wondering what God has in store for me, for my kids this year. Kind of afraid to ask Him, honestly. His ways are so much higher than mine. His thoughts so much better. I know He’s doing a new thing, just don’t know exactly what that new thing is. One thing is clear. He’s been reminding me for months now: BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

Shhhh….Be still, cease striving. Slow down. Be quiet. REST. Gwen Rest. Know that God is who He says He is, He does what He says He will. A Promise Keeper. Peace that passes all understanding. The Comforter who Protects. My Lord Who Provides. My Refuge. My Rock. Perfect Love that casts out all fear.A Hope that doesn’t disappoint. A Joy that is my Strength. My Rescuer, My Deliverer. Without Him, it’s impossible. But not with Him. With Him, I can do all things.

He’s the one who knew me before I was born and had my days written in His book before I even existed. This deployment is not a surprise to Him. It’s part of His plan. I can rest in that. I can rest in Him.

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Blow The Lid Off!

regional review, Testimonies

May 312011

Submitted by De’Etta Goecker, Asia Regional President

“Faithful, abundant and True,” has been a timely study in Misawa.

I read as Priscilla shared – we file our knowledge and experiences with God into a box. The box is filled based on study, church traditions, history with God – it is o.k. to have a God box. It is arrogant to put a lid on the box and assume God cannot and will not ever act in a way not contained in our box. I’ve watched God move in unexpected ways in Asia region. The following quote echoes what I hear God speak to me in our trysts through the word, meditation, and the sweet confirmation of the Holy Spirit revealing His word and character.

“Our God is predictable in His character, but He is unpredictable in His activity. You cannot box God in. When you put your lid on a box, it doesn’t limit God; it limits your awareness of God. He’s still moving and speaking, yet you can be unaware of His transcendence, His greatness, and His ability because it’s outside your little box.” Page 94, Faithful, Abundant, True.

When God chooses to act in an unexpected and unpredictable way, I am forced to make a choice. Will I retreat to my comfort zone? Will I become disillusioned with God? Will I doubt His existence because He is not meeting my expectations? Will I see His activity as an invitation to move out of the box? Will I accept His loving invitation to know Him deeper? Will I allow myself to discover new aspects of His character? Will I confidently dance with him in a vulnerable place where my knowledge of His character is the only thing of which I’m sure? Will I allow Jesus, rather than my box, to be my fixed point of reference (Heb 12:1-2)?

I’ve watched God move. Local conferences were interrupted with tsunamis. Local boards suddenly scattered. Many groups saw over 70% of their women depart, many haven’t returned as of yet. Leadership selection teams were disrupted. PCS schedules were changed. Regional Conference location changed. Struggling leadership teams report full selected boards! Petty conflicts have died in the face of true crisis. Bridges for the gospel of Jesus are being laid! The body of Christ is pulling together on behalf of an unchurched nation. I see our prayer for intimacy with God and each other being answered. I see small cultural shifts as we pray for revival in the nation of Japan.

Let’s allow God to blow the lid off our boxes. I want to be fully aware of God’s activity. Don’t you? You can trust His character. I see a new desire to dance with God outside of the box. Will you join the dance?

________________

The Asia Regional Update is posted on the first Tuesday of every month. For comments click here.

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Joy and Music

Seasonal teaching, Testimonies

Dec 172010

Submitted by: Becky Shirey, PWOCI Titus II advisor

The Christmas season arrives at our house with the iPod firmly secured in the speaker system, the sound set as loud as we can stand it and the strains of Handel’s Messiah reverberating throughout the house. And this usually happens way before the first ornament is hung.

Occasionally we change things up and listen to Young Messiah, a hip remix of the original work. This classic isn’t the only selection on our Christmas play list, but it’s the first. I’m not sure how our neighbors feel about this thunderous tradition, but it sure sets our family in a joyful mood.

Our tradition is biblical because Scriptures associate joy and music. A frequent word for “joy” in the Old Testament is rinnah, and means “a shout of rejoicing; shouting; loud cheering in triumph; singing.” It’s the word used in Habakuk 3:18: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

James uses an equally expressive Greek word in James 5:13: Is any merry? let him sing psalms. The word translated “merry” describes a strong and growing passion about something. According to Greek scholar, Rick Renner, this verse can be rephrased this way:

“…Is there anyone among you who is so excited that he can hardly contain it and who feels as if he is about to burst with joy? If that person is so overjoyed and tickled that he can no longer restrain the happiness he feels, let him sing the song he feels in his heart.”

The compelling characteristic of joy is that it’s immune to circumstances. It has nothing to do with how much shopping I have left to do, the stress of Christmas visitors soon to arrive or the baking yet to be completed. In fact, I’ve noticed that sometimes I sing (or listen to music) because I’m joyful and other times, I’m joyful because I sing.

I can’t imagine that the angel chorus in Luke 1:13-14 was quiet and demure as they shouted, “Glory to God in the highest heaven…!” Their joyful expression was punctuated by exclamation points of praise. And as surely as their hallelujah song announced Christ’s first arrival our joyful song anticipates His return.

So whether your Christmas anthem is an old classic or a new song, or whether it’s loud or soft, I hope this season your heart and house will resound with joy and music.

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God's Faithfulness

regional review, Testimonies

Nov 262010

Submitted by Lori Newbauer, West Region Prayer Coordinator

“The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.”

Psalms 145:13b

A few weeks ago my family went on a camping trip to the New Mexico Mountains. We left early in the morning before the sun came up, so as we were driving it began to get lighter and lighter. My husband was driving, my daughter was sleeping in the back seat and I was in the passenger seat listening to a positive and encouraging radio station. As I was listening I was worshiping and talking with God. The sun rise was on our right side, so it was coming right into my window. As the first peaks of the sun pushed its way over the horizon a song came on the radio. You Light Up the Sky. As I was listening and worshiping God began showing me His faithfulness and all the times in my life that He was there.

So many days we are to tired or too busy to see a beautiful sunrise. We get up and run out the door to begin our day, sure some mornings we look at the sky and might say “wow that’s pretty” or “oh why do you have to be so bright sun shine”. But God gets up each and every day and says “its time to bring a new day and a new promise to My children”. He enjoys painting the sky with the dark purples, pinks oranges and yellows. Sometimes He’ll add feathery clouds or big puffy cotton ball looking ones. But each sunrise is the same and yet different. It will always rise each day.

That is our God. He will always be there in our good times and bad ones showing us how much He loves us. He comes in and paints our world in colorful hues, adds light to the dark places and shows us there is nothing He can’t do. So the next time life seems like the middle of the night and darkness is all around, just wait God will light up the sky and show you His faithfulness.

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Feed the Sheep - Love the Sheep- Part 3

regional review, Testimonies

Nov 112010

Christine Young, Europe President

In the previous articles I had shared that our mission in Europe is to “feed the sheep” based on Jn 21:15-17. In part two I had centered primarily on the importance of loving God first so we have love to give out. If we are intentional in our love relationship with the Lord we can both “feed the sheep, and love the sheep.” Actually we are feeding the sheep His love which makes all of the difference. As I continued to search out the Word and ask God for His design on our ministry, I was led to the feeding of the five thousand (naturally, more about food and feeding J) and in Mark 6:30-34, it reads:

³⁰The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. ³¹Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

³²So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. ³³But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. ³⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

This scripture drew me back to the importance of having His love for His sheep because in and of myself, I don’t have love for the sheep. Did you know sheep bite? I’ll save that for another time. J The truth is that we need the Lord Jesus and His love and compassion in order to love the sheep and touch hearts. Jesus had compassion for the sheep because they were like a sheep without a shepherd. Do you know some sheep that have no shepherd? Do you know some women who have just moved to your post and they are wandering around lost, like a sheep with no shepherd? Do you have compassion for them? If not, why not? If your love tank is empty and you have no compassion, head back to verse 31. Have you had a chance to eat at His table? And if not, maybe it’s time you receive the invitation He is giving out “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Then rustle up some sheep!

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PWOC International Blog

The Lord Stood With Me and Strengthened me.....Timothy 4:17a

THE LORD’S PARTY

Just Take the Next Step

Knocking at Your Door

Remove the Plastic Bag

Deployment: Still Day 1

Blow The Lid Off!

Joy and Music

God's Faithfulness

Feed the Sheep - Love the Sheep- Part 3

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