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From Death to Eternal Life

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, Seasonal teaching

Apr 132011

On February 17^th I attended an Ash Wednesday service at a local church to begin the season of Lent. The minister had burned the palm branches from the previous year, mixed them with water, and administered ashes on the worshipers’ foreheads with these words: “Turn away from sin, and be faithful to the Gospel.”

While not specified as a feast day in the Bible, the seasons of Lent and Easter are part of the historical Christian calendar. Our Aim 2 gives us freedom and guidance in teaching ladies the history and programs of the church along with Bible study.

Some Christians traditionally give up habits or drinks or foods during Lent; others focus on adding something to their observance. Working at an assisted living facility or a soup kitchen or homeless shelter – or helping other less fortunate people in the community – are ways to add acts of service to your Lenten activities.

The first two days of Lent this year were focused on my Dad’s last two days on this earth. After a yearlong battle with lung cancer, Mom and I were privileged to usher Dad into Glory on the evening of February 18^th. It is something that has changed me, and I hope that as I grieve in a healthy way, the change has been for the good.

I find it interesting – providential – that during a season of preparing my heart and mind to celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ that I have been in a period of intimate mourning. My focus during Lent this year has been death. As I witnessed those last struggling breaths, I thought about how Dad would see Jesus soon. I thought about what Jesus’ last day on earth was like. It wasn’t in the privacy and comfort of a home. It was public and controversial and bloody.

While our identity as Christians is all wrapped up in the Christ’s resurrection, this year I’ve been forced to consider the extent to which He went to seal and secure our eternal life, i.e. His physical departure from this earth. While His mother and friends watched. As they prayed and cried.

I’m sure they were changed as well. And what a glorious day it was when He came back from the dead!

I pray your Lenten season has been one of great reflection on Jesus. Look for blog entries that reflect that last week that Jesus walked on the earth – from His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem to the long road that carried Him to the old rugged cross. Come, be part of this journey that begins with death but ends in eternal life!

Developing Life Skills

Local Limelight, Resources

Apr 012011

His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.

2 Peter 1:3

Many women today are hungry for practical, hands-on skills, as evidenced by the resurgence in trends such as canning, bread baking, organic gardening, knitting and more. The women of PWOC have a lot to offer in these areas. In lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional monthly program with a guest speaker, consider hosting a “How To” workshop in a community location. This will provide an opportunity to serve the surrounding community, and let a broader audience meet the women of PWOC.

Tell us what your local PWOC is doing!

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Local limelight is published every Friday. For comments and submissions please email the Blog Manager.

This Bible

Devotions

Sep 202010

My Bible is falling apart. This burgundy, thinline, bonded leather New International Version Bible is more than 15 years old. Bonded leather is worthless in my opinion. Recently I considered replacing it with a genuine leather version that wouldn’t fall apart.

Searching my office bookcases for Bibles, I hunted for the one I had in mind. I found it. A burgundy, genuine leather, New American Standard Bible lay in my hands. But it’s thicker and heavier than my NIV and not the version I’m accustomed to.

I began to contemplate what it might take to repair my old NIV where a piece of the binding tore off; where worn edges, a bent cover, and loose pages reveal years of use; where smudged pen notations betray tearful reading sessions; and where the shiny gold edging, now dulled from handling, faintly glistens as I flip the pages. What would a Bible repairman have to do to fix my beloved but tattered Text?

As I considered more carefully the prospect of using a different Bible, I felt a hot tension squeeze my heart. What about all the markings I put in it? Carefully drawn underlines, dates indicating significant events in my life, notations made while listening to life-changing sermons. How would I replace those?

Tears trickled down my face as I recalled the moments that this worn NIV had provided comfort, strength, and encouragement. Gazing at it with tenderness, I gently picked it up and held it to my chest. This Bible is historical. It carries my life and breath and tears within its pages. I know exactly where to turn for every verse I seek.

This Bible is the one . . .
I use for every PWOC Bible study;

This Bible is the one . . .
I have carried to every church and chapel service in the last 15-plus years;

This Bible is the one . . .
My silly beagles lick when I’m sitting on the bed reading it;

This Bible is the one . . .
I reach for when I need a Psalm to calm my heart;

This Bible is the one . . .
I hold in my hands while sitting on the edge of the bed sobbing;

This Bible is the one . . .
I held open to Romans 12:1-2 while pacing the floor begging God to transform me;

And, this Bible is the one . . .
I read every day as I sit with the Lord eagerly anticipating a timely word of wisdom.

This Bible is my source of Truth, Light, and Life.
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Today I was struck by an image on the cover of the September 2010 issue of The Voice of the Martyrs. A young Christian woman named Somchi, from the communist nation Laos and the people group Khmu, holds a charred Bible in her hands. The Laotian villagers said the Bible was responsible for her mother’s illness, so they burned it along with other Christian literature they found. Fortunately, Somchi got a new Bible at the house church she attends.

After seeing the burned Bible, I thought of my precious, well-worn and well-loved thinline NIV. It has never been confiscated. It has never been shredded. It has never been burned. And, it doesn’t need to be replaced.

Here in America I don’t need to fear someone coming into my home to destroy the Word of God. At least, not now. So while I still have my religious freedom intact — and I hope that I do until I die or until Christ returns — I intend to cherish my ragged Bible with gratitude and remember God’s faithfulness as I read every page.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . In Him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:1 and 4).

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!

Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow

Devotions

Apr 052010

Submitted by Laura Miller, Yokoto AB, Japan

Isaiah 45:8
You heavens above, rain down righteousness;
let the clouds shower it down.
Let the earth open wide,
let salvation spring up,
let righteousness grow with it;
I, the LORD, have created it.

Song of Solomon 2:12a
Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come,

Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow was the theme of the Yokota PWOC conference held on March 19-20. The theme and decorations were planned around the season and colors of the Sakura Tree. Sakura means Japanese flowering cherry (cherry blossom) and it is a beautiful season to observe in Japan and Washington D.C. too. The Sakura tree has the appearance of a dead tree during the winter months and in late March it springs to life (blooms) with delicate white or pink blossoms. The tree branches become loaded with these lovely blossoms; but within a week, they begin to float to the ground, dropping their seeds upon the soil, and the branches are replaced with light green leaves. As the tree grows, the branches develop more leaves that take in sunlight and by summer the tree is filled with dark green leaves that reveal a mature tree with abundant life. Under the tree the roots are taking in nutrients from the soil and water that nourishes the tree and makes it flourish above.

As I reflect upon the cycle of a Sakura tree; I compare it to the life of a Christian. Do your branches appear dead? What is the condition of the soil of your heart? A fertile heart is created my allowing the Holy Spirit to plow deep into the heart to reveal sin and strongholds that leads to confession and repentance; turning away from sin. God places His seed, Jesus–the Word of God, into the soil of our hearts and causes salvation to spring up and righteousness to bloom and grow. May our hearts be fertile ground and the seeds planted through daily devotions, weekly Bible studies, monthly programs, and PWOC conferences be brought to germination by the power of the Holy Spirit. God desires to create a woman full of the Holy Spirit; a beautiful flowering tree that appears on earth that offers up a sweet fragrance unto Him. His plan is for us to drop or sow seeds of His Word and bear fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:8). Are your branches bearing fruit? Abide in Him (John 15). Are you sowing seeds of righteousness and sharing the gospel? Hearts that are cultivated and watered with prayer and the Word of God will result in transformed lives and mature women in Christ. Allow the Son to shine upon you and bask in His presence in prayer. Sink your roots deep into His Word so that you may bloom and grow and flourish; even under adversity (winter).

Adversity creates an environment that can destroy a tree, such as a wind storm or freeze. Adversity can actually make you stronger if you remain firmly planted and rooted deep in Christ and trust Him to get you through the struggle. You will not be uprooted or die and can withstand the harsh winter months and burst forth with fruit in due season of time.

This morning as I drove my children to school, I noticed the Sakura trees that line the streets of my neighborhood are laden with flower buds. Yokota AB will soon be filled with shades of pink and white. I hope as we witness the cycle of the Sakura blossom or any other flowering tree or plant this spring; from the budding of the flower, to the blossom floating down to the ground, then see the development of the leaves as they grow and multiply into a mature tree, that it will remind us that is what God wants to do within our hearts.

I would also like to remind you that it was upon a tree that Jesus died and gave His life for you and me. Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow as you celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior. By the power of the Holy Spirit, may Jesus be resurrected in you!

Acts 13:29
When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

Acts 5:30
The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.

February 21-February 27

Prayer Points

Feb 192010

Dear God,

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

Journey of Transformation, Part 10

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

Feb 112010

Holding It Together

The kind ob/gyn managed to contact my friend and then invited me to sit down on the blue plastic chair placed against the wall behind her desk. I sat in that chair, rocking forward and back, arms wrapped around my midsection. The rocking was instinctive. I either was attempting to comfort my shattered soul; or I was subconsciously rocking the newborn I would never hold. Like Jackie Kennedy scrambling to collect a piece of John’s skull from the back of their open convertible the day he was assassinated, I was desperately grasping the womb that encased my dead baby.

I stared at the floor, expressionless; feeling battered and bruised on the inside. It was all emotion. The wailing episode had drained me. My brain became more and more disengaged as I slipped into autopilot. But this dark journey had just begun and I needed to stay present.

The doctor proceeded to call the Red Cross. It was their job to locate and notify Steve. Little did I know it would take extra effort and a lot of time for them to succeed. As the ob/gyn initiated her phone call, the male nurse who had shoved tissue into my hand earlier came to escort me to a different doctor. He led me out of the examining room to the right, down a corridor, through the halls. I was in a fog. Nothing seemed real. Everything was blurry. I put one foot in front of the other, staying directly behind him, keeping my head straight without turning to the right or the left.

As we walked down the center of the hallway, we cut a path requiring people to walk around us. Through my peripheral vision I caught glimpses of pregnant women passing me on both sides. Today that memory brings to mind God’s parting of the Red Sea. He cut a path through the water so the people could cross. In my case, I carried death down the corridor while life passed by me. It seemed cruel. If I could have mustered the strength, I might have screamed.

The date of this dreadful event was Friday, April 20, 2001. The new doctor explained that even though I hadn’t had any cramping or significant bleeding up to that point, it could happen over the weekend which would make this situation much worse. He encouraged me to schedule a D & C for later that afternoon. (Dilation and Curettage — A common procedure used to remove tissue that hasn’t been expelled on its own. It also stops bleeding and prevents infection.) Because the day was getting older and operating rooms were filling up, I had to decide quickly.

It was so abrupt. I had just arrived at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. to be examined; then one hour later learned I’d had a miscarriage; and then I was strongly encouraged to get rid of the contents of my womb. Just like that. Still, reason and wisdom took control over the grief and anger I felt brewing inside. I’ve always been practical; doing what makes the most sense. Even during the most unbearable loss of my life, I managed to pull myself out of autopilot and use my brain. Or was the Holy Spirit responsible for that? He had to be holding me together.

TO BE CONTINUED:

Women of PWOC, and other interested parties, stay connected for the rest of the story. It will continue as long as the Lord allows. If you’re a little lost, and would like to get caught up, feel free to read previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “Categories.” Until next time, may God bless you with peace and joy as you traverse your week.

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

Journey of Transformation, Part 7

Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies

Jan 212010

LifeHappensBanner

Confirmation and Concern

The first week of April 2001 Steve and I returned to Clarksville, Tennessee. Within days he headed west to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for the last phase of school. Although friends invited me to stay with them, I chose to stay home. Besides, I had news I wasn’t willing to share yet, and I needed time to myself.

I visited my primary care doctor to verify the pregnancy, and I clearly remember the moment he returned to the exam room with test results. He handed me the printout so I could see it for myself — “Positive for HCG” — the pregnancy hormone. This doctor, the same one who suggested my autoimmune symptoms were psychosomatic, now asked an important question: “Is this good news?” “Yes,” I replied, “but I don’t know what to think. What about the lupus?” He attempted to reassure me that many women with lupus deliver healthy babies and he added a sincere “I’m happy for you.”

I walked through the hospital out to the parking lot, opened the door to our Plymouth Voyager minivan, climbed inside … and sat there. Bewildered, I prayed, “Lord, I’m happy but also concerned and confused. The timing is strange. This would be good news under better conditions, but I just don’t know what to think.”

At 35, with risk factors and a mysterious autoimmune disease, I was referred to an OB/GYN who specialized in high risk pregnancies. During the days leading up to my appointment, I read through my Merck manual to learn more about pregnancy risks in case something happened. At this point, Steve still didn’t know about the pregnancy. I wanted to tell him in person and expected the opportunity to arrive in subsequent weeks.

On Friday, April 13, 2001, I arrived at the OB/GYN’s office. I sat in the waiting room looking around at the other pregnant women, some with husbands by their side. I was the oldest in the room and felt conspicuously alone. This wasn’t the first time I was alone during a significant event nor would it be the last. So, I experienced the wonder of prenatal sonography by myself.

Floating around in amniotic fluid inside my womb was an active baby at 10.5 weeks. I could see the shape of the head, eye sockets, nose and mouth. The little arms were lifted up with hands together in a praying position. The heartbeat moved up and down gently. The legs and feet were clearly defined, kicking energetically as the baby rolled back and forth. I sensed he was a boy because he had a wide, strong back. Everything looked normal but his frantic kicking concerned me. The doctor said some babies are really active. But when he pointed out that the fetus had developed only to 9.5 weeks my heart sank. Showing no signs of concern, the doctor took a couple quick sonogram pictures and my appointment was over.

As I walked past the doctor’s desk toward the door, he spoke, “This is going to be a healthy pregnancy. Everything is going to be fine. It’s going to be good.” His tone was dull and his words were flat. It was as if he was trying to convince himself while mindlessly uttering false hope at me. I turned to look at him but he didn’t make eye contact. The incongruence of his words, tone of voice, and facial expression betrayed him and I wondered what he really thought. Still, I believed that if there was something I needed to know, he would have told me, and his words evaporated … until later.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES …

Welcome back to Life Happens – Jesus Answers in 2010. For those of you who are new to this column, I’m in the process of sharing my personal journey of transformation that has occurred over the last decade. You can get caught up from the beginning of the journey by accessing previous entries in Life Happens – Jesus Answers under “categories”.

Remember, in this new day of a new month in a new year and a new decade, God is doing a new thing, and He always has the best in mind for you no matter what your circumstances might be (Isaiah 43:18-19; Romans 8:28-30). People change and things change, but Our Lord is steadfast, faithful, and unchanging. As you walk with Him this year, rely on the truth of Scripture. Rely on His consistent love and grace. Rely on His strength and stability. But most of all rely on Him.

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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

Jesus Christ, Our One True Source

Life Happens Jesus Answers

Oct 082009

LifeHappensBanner

Life brings joys, pains, foibles and foul-ups on a daily basis. The good news is that Jesus responds when we cry out to Him, and His answers are always best. Our challenge lies in learning to trust and believe that His answers, and His timing, are indeed the very best.

When life throws us a crowbar and it hits us on the head, who do we typically turn to? Our initial inclination is to turn to a friend or family member, pastor or counselor. While these people can be wise advisors, turning to Jesus in prayer should always be our first step. Because He knows everything past, present, and future, and because He knows each of us intimately (Psalm 139:1-16), He knows which advisors are safe and which are not.

Consider this: The well-meaning individuals we listen to will offer advice and opinions through the filter of their life experiences, mindsets, personalities, preferences and spiritual maturity levels. They are not you, and they are not me. Only God, through His Holy Word, can shine the light of truth and clarity when we’re wading through muddy waters. He knows exactly what and who we need, and when we need them. Our initial inclination, then, should be to seek Him first (Matt. 6:31-34). He always has our best interest in mind even when we don’t see it that way. Remember the scope of His vision – He knows what’s ahead.

Here’s another consideration: Time and faith-building experiences prove that God is faithful, just, merciful, trustworthy, and gracious. We never have any reason to fret or fume, but it takes a while to get this truth through our thick human heads and vulnerable human hearts. Once it takes hold, we can walk in it confidently, and a new sense of deep, abiding peace holds us together.

So, when life hits you on the head with a crowbar, run to Jesus first as your One True Source. He’ll lead you on a challenging but worthwhile journey toward greater freedom, wholeness and peace.

LauraFirtko

“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

Over the years, in addition to regular soul-cleansing journaling, Laura Firtko has written for the Azusa Pacific University campus newspaper, The Clause; World Vision Public/Media Relations department; Focus on the Family Brio, Breakaway, Clubhouse and Youthwalk magazines; and the Fort Carson PWOC newsletter. She is a member of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild and occasionally pops her head into Springs Writers group meetings at Woodmen Valley Chapel.

Laura and her husband, Steve, are stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. They have two adorable beagle daughters, Aspen and Roxy, who love doggy walks and squeaky toys.

We are overjoyed to bring you this exciting new column. You may contact Laura Firtko, by clicking here

PWOC International Blog

From Death to Eternal Life

Developing Life Skills

This Bible

The Reality of Mommyhood

Spring to Life: Bloom and Grow

February 21-February 27

Journey of Transformation, Part 10

Holding It Together

Journey of Transformation, Part 7

Confirmation and Concern

Jesus Christ, Our One True Source

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