We have many contributors to our blog.  On Mondays, our devotions are written by a team lead by Laura Miller. Laura and husband Mark have been married 20 years and are stationed in Japan at Yokota Air Force base. They have three teenagers and a cute little Rat Terrier.  Laura’s passion is to encourage women to “know” God and the Truth found in His Word.  She has served on the local board as President, VP of Programs, prayer coordinator, and currently 1 VP Spiritual Life. Hobbies are Bible study, writing, traveling, and bike riding.

It’s a Wrap!

This is the final installment of Life Happens – Jesus Answers and “Journey of Transformation.” God is bringing changes to the PWOCI blog so it is time to say goodbye. Change is good when it’s God directed and I trust that He has many blessings in store for us as we Shine in the Light of His Glory.

To begin, I’m including the final paragraph from the July 1, 2010, entry for context:

By September 2002 my health disaster was out of control. Clearly, there was more than lupus ravaging my body. The time had come to take my health care to the next level. I needed answers and I needed them fast. Fortunately, God had an awesome rheumatologist waiting in the wings.

By October 2002 I was wheelchair bound. I needed assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and walking. I was carried up and down stairs. I was bedridden. The excruciating pain, weakness, and burning in my arms prevented me from using them except for balance. The slightest exertion exhausted me. Infected ulcers burrowed to the bone on my elbows. This was a new level of torment.

By the grace of God I landed in the office of Dr. Michael Baker and my search for genuine help was over. I slumped in the rented wheelchair, head adorned with a ball cap covering my unsightly mane, and tears streaking my red, swollen, disfigured face. Both Dr. Baker and my husband carefully lifted me out of the chair and led me toward the examining table. Not only was I nearly paralyzed, I was breathless from exertion, and virtually lifeless.

After a physical examination, lab tests, and a muscle biopsy, Dr. Baker concluded that I had a form of muscular dystrophy called dermatomyositis. This life-threatening autoimmune disease attacks skin, muscle, and connective tissue – basically, the entire body can be affected. Only a small percentage of lupus was present by comparison. The other autoimmune diseases were Sjogren’s Syndrome, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and hypothyroidism. Treatment was prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions derived from human plasma.

With this new information came the time to update my Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) data including the fact that I had only a five-percent chance of survival. Without treatment, or if treatment didn’t work, I would have died. Years later while my dad was dying I learned that I could have received hospice care because my diagnosis and prognosis were so critical. This is something more people should know in case they have gravely ill family members who aren’t necessarily terminal.

Once I was officially diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease I became one of “Jerry’s Kids” and received a custom-fit wheelchair compliments of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I still have it to this day and intend to keep it as a reminder of the depths to which I plummeted and the brink from which God saved me.

In spring 2003 a knowledgeable army dermatologist gave me a remedy for the infected ulcers on my elbows. One part vinegar to one part water. You heard me right. I was so angry to have suffered for eight months with this torture and all I would have had to do was soak my elbows in vinegar and water! Of course, the remedy was just as excruciating as the ulcers themselves. So I took oxycontin an hour before soaking because the burning pain was too much to bear.

By July 2003 the ulcers were gone but they left permanent, hideous scars. I was able to drive by this time and managed to get myself to PWOC. I had to sit during the entire program and went straight home and back to bed after. In March 2004 I was able to discontinue taking prednisone but continued the infusions.

The promise I received from the Holy Spirit back in 2001 about this trial lasting about five years came to pass. From the time I began getting symptoms in January 2000 to the end of 2004 the ordeal was largely over. Five years. After that the recovery process began.

In January 2005 I began weight training for the first time since 2000 and could lift only 10 pounds on the leg extension machine (quadriceps). I’m still working my way up to 90 pounds which is what I lifted before the disease set in. My quadriceps and biceps were the most severely affected muscles in my body.

By May 2005 I no longer needed oxycontin and phenergan for pain and nausea, and I finished the IVIG infusions after 27 months of treatment. It nearly took a miracle for me to receive these costly infusions but God worked it out. By August 2005 my hair had grown back completely. In 2006 I continued serving at my local PWOC.

In October 2007 my rheumatologist declared me cured of dermatomyositis. I stood in front of the PWOC body and gave an impromptu testimony about my healing, and proceeded to cut up the handicapped plaquard once displayed from the rearview mirror of my car. It was an act of faith.

As I recall 1999 when I walked around our Germany apartment praying for God to transform me by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2) I had no idea how He would answer that prayer. I certainly didn’t expect Him to take me down a dark and tangled road. Having endured all this and more, I am convinced we are far better off not knowing the future. Anticipating suffering of this nature would render many of us immobile.

Having persevered and arrived on the other side, I understand why God chose this path for me. It was effective. He used my physical anguish to produce an inward cleansing and strengthening of my heart and soul. As a result, I am free from many old habits, mindsets, and strongholds that kept me from living free in Christ.

There is nothing like a life-threatening illness to get you in a position of dependence, humility, and focus. It creates sober reflection and laser sharp awareness of what really matters in life. The things I thought were important gradually fell away while life itself shone through as the most significant thing of all – that is, eternal life. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace …”

God taught me many things through my journey of transformation thus far, but rather than sharing some of them in my own words I’ve chosen to let the Word of God speak:

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word (Psalm 119:67).

Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being (Proverbs 20:30).

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Psalm 118:13-14).

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

(More: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 116:1-7; Psalm 119:71, 75, 92, 116-117; Isaiah 40; Isaiah 55:8-9; Isaiah 61:1-4.)

THE JOURNEY ENDS

It’s my hope that this Journey of Transformation has been a testimony of God’s ways, power, love and grace. I pray that the Holy Spirit used this story to encourage, to educate, and to challenge you. Never cower in the face of grave difficulties, but trust in God’s sovereignty, goodness, and mercy even when everything in you cries out against them. Because when Life Happens – Jesus Answers. May Jesus lead you gently through your own Journey of Transformation.

I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ!  The Messiah, Our crucified Savior, Our Risen Lord and our soon coming King!  I pray that the Lord has shown HIMSELF nothing but, faithful to you.  We are once again entering into our favorite season within the military . . . it is time to MOVE!  Many of you are experiencing the end of a deployment and the start of a PCS.  Some of you are going to exotic places like, Ft. Leavenworth, Wright/Pat A.F.B., and Rhode Island and let’s not leave out Detroit!  You guys are on the move!  During this busy season of packing and unpacking let us not lose our focus . . . JESUS.  Jesus has great plans for you and HE has already begun to put them into action.  We the NE REGION Board are working hard on your behalf to prepare a place for you once you arrive in our region.  But, know that God is preparing for you as well.  We must remember above all else we are Christians first.  As I was pondering all that is going on in my small world I began to realize that time is drawing close and we must be prepared to meet with our King.  Ladies, The King is coming and HE is coming just for you.  How delightful is that.  Below is a devotion that I wrote and shared with the ladies in attendance at Vision Week.

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME.

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME?

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME!

“Then I saw Heaven open wide-and oh! A white horse and its Rider . . .  His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns.  He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to him.  He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” . . . A sharp sword comes out of his mouth . . .  On his robe and thigh is written, KING OF KNGS, LORD OF LORDS.”  Revelation 19:11-16 (The Message)

Every time I read these verses my heart pumps a little faster, my blood starts surging and I get just downright giddy!  My Jesus is coming! And HE is coming just for me! I also find myself daily living as if HE is not coming.  I am guilty of sleepwalking through my days.  My focus being that everyone in my home wears clean clothes, eat at least twice a day and my kids receive some type of education daily.  I seldom pause to remember that MY PRINCE IS COMING! In my mind I know that I have a Savior but, how often do I allow my actions to bear the fruit of that knowledge?  I began to ponder how different my days would be if I were to dwell on the Truth of God’s Word.  How different I would become when the power of God’s Word began to penetrate my daily living.  Ultimately how different those around me would be impacted when my faith met up with Holy Ghost power and began to manifest in my life.  I believe my “problems” would not intimidate me but, inspire me to ask God, believe God then wait on God to deliver.  And when deliverance comes I would accept God’s plan instead of my own.  When asked to do what I believe is impossible I would believe what God says about impossible – He says, “All things are possible to those who believe!” When faced with sadness or sorrow I would choose the gift that only God can give, “we grieve but, not like those who have no hope!” When bombarded with uncertainty I would choose God again and the peace only HE can give, the kind that passes all understanding.  My life would change if I began to live like MY PRINCE WAS COMING.  The cares of this life would not gain a stronghold within my heart because it would be so in love with my PRINCE.

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME. – I believe Jesus is coming but, it won’t be anytime soon and I probably will not live to see it . . . people have been saying that for years!

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME? – What Prince? What we talking about? I have no idea what this talk is all about.

SOMEDAY MY PRINCE WILL COME! – Yeah Baby! Bring it! COME LORD JESUS COME!

When I embrace each new day with this attitude I will live differently.  Everyone I meet will become important to me.  I will wonder if the lady ahead of me in the Commissary knows my Jesus.  I will pray fervently for opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ.  It will become important to me to minister to as many people the Lord places in my path.  My life will take on the purpose of Christ and not just my own.  I will live a life that draws me closer to the Kingdom of God.  Those around me will be impacted and I will be changed . . . forever.  Eternity begins today and never ends. Remember to take some time and pause, reflect, and remember that you are saved not just for yourself but, for the Kingdom of God!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.)

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…..