Psalm » PWOC International Blog

JOY

Dec 232010

⁵ Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
who have set their hearts on pilgrimage.

(NASB says, “in whose heart are the highways to Zion)

⁶ As they pass through the Valley of Baca (weeping or sorrow),
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

⁷ They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV

In the midst of the joy of Christmas, we are sometimes very happy. Other times we are dealing with hard, painful things in our lives. This passage in Psalms brings us comfort and encouragement. It comes from knowing there is a highway in my heart that Jesus walks in on. He’s not just a sweet baby in the hay. He is also a road builder. He constructs a highway in my heart because He is always looking for ways to be closer to me. He is traveling toward me. He wants to be nearer. He walks the highway with me. He leads me along the road to deeper maturity. He sits and talks with me along the way. Being with Him is the best and deepest joy, fulfilling the profound needs of our hearts!

But sometimes our highway to Zion detours through the Valley of Baca (tears, weeping, and sorrow). How do I find joy on those days, when it’s my first Christmas without a loved one, or I can’t afford the gifts my heart wants to send, or I am aching over lost health, a wayward child, an angry spouse? I want to soak in His presence, but sometimes I just hurt. Where do I find joy then? What a beautiful picture God paints in verse 6. As I pass through (thank God I’m passing, not staying!!), my tears fill the valley of weeping. My tears and crying out to God begins to fill the valley until the water level rises to become a sweet spring that lifts me up. When we are in this valley, it seems there is no way out. But it is the place I depend on Him. I can’t float to the top of the water without surrender! Sweet trust brings deep joy!

My highway builder doesn’t just make a way for me to meet with Him. He doesn’t just lead me in the right way. He doesn’t only lift me up, using the very tears of my suffering as a way out. He even causes us to go from strength to strength until we appear before our Beautiful, Wonderful, Comforting God in Zion. The highway leads Home! Blessed Christmas.

The Air I Breathe

Testimonies

Jan 202010

Submitted by Mary Crow

I haven’t been writing much lately due to preparing for a PCS. Many of you have been through this before, and many of you have not. I have one ETS under my belt as well as many civilian moves, but no PCS to date. The interesting thing about this is that I am not worrying about anything. I owe it to Jesus, because there is no explanation for why I only ask for information instead of nagging until I’m blue in the face. I know that it will be difficult, but that is because I’m leaving my home. This home is my Christian birthplace. It is where my husband and I built our first home together. I started PWOC here for the first time. I started attending church for me, not because my parents were taking me or making me attend. I made dear friends. My husband deployed twice from here. I was baptized here. I found a place to call my church home and became a member for the first time by personal choice (husband led, of course!). I am such a different person. I wouldn’t even recognize me if I saw myself on the street!

All of these changes, and how has it happened? The answer is as simple as the air for each breath I take. Jesus. It was all because of Jesus. He guided me to my husband, held my hand through the rough patches, and molded me into the person I am now. I also know that this move is so that he can continue to shape me until he calls me home. Jesus is the reason that I have peace about this PCS, but it is more than that. Here, I have taken many bible studies. I have learned much, and the basics are the most important. Equally as important, however, are the names that I have learned. God’s names. I have much to learn, but the more that I learn, the more I know I need to learn. I now know that my prayers have more impact when praying for my sick Grandmother if I call upon Jehovah Rapha, The Lord our Healer. During a PCS, it’s nice to know that I can receive what I need from the Lord of Peace, YWHW-Shalom. Even if I don’t know all of the Hebrew names, I can call on him as I am in need (The Lord our Provider!). The Names of God are something that I plan on focusing more with my studies in the near future. For now, though, my focus is on boxes.

I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you. – Psalm 22:22

Identity Update – Still Missing

Real life stories

Oct 012009

For those of you who read my blog entry last Thursday, here’s an update on my missing military ID card:

Checked at the Air Force Academy Fitness Center front desk three times to see if any good-natured Samaritan, or kind and benevolent Colorado Springs resident, might have turned it in. No such good fortune. And no fortune cookie either.
The last time I checked at the Fitness Center front desk, a helpful young woman called the Security Forces desk to inquire whether anyone in a particularly good mood had turned in a Firtko, and they said, “No card with that name here.”
Each time I walked from my car, to the locker room, from the locker room, to my car, I checked the ground, the grass, the parking lot. Nothing with my face on it.
So, I officially no longer exist. I even got searched! Well, not me personally, but my car – a red 2007 Honda CR-V … oh, right, you don’t care about that.
When I had to enter Fort Carson the first time without my precious Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege card, the security dude who checked my adorable (NOT!) driver’s license was quite kind. You’d think I’d know these things … I had entered the lane where you go if you’re not official (even though the red, 2007 Honda CR-V has stickers, which makes it official) … have you ever had a car that was more official than you? Okay, sorry, digressing again.
So, back on point – I didn’t think I would be considered official because I didn’t have that priceless piece of laminated information extended from my sweet little paw. However, the kind security gentleman said to me, “You can go in the regular lane because your car has stickers. You don’t need to show your registration and insurance to get on post. Just show your driver’s license.” Duh. Yes, I felt like a dip wad. But, it just goes to show you that I RARELY lose anything, especially my entire LIFE all at one time. This was a newbie experience.
Even though I felt like a dip wad, I was totally relieved that I still counted. Or, at least my vehicle counted. I don’t count for much until I get new plastic.
Well, guess what! Just yesterday my U.S. Army – HOOHAH! – husband accompanied me to the DEERS office to get an identity replacement. Yeah, I know. Apparently Uncle Sam doesn’t acknowledge my existence unless I have a soldier with the same last name, wearing ACUs, standing right beside me, declaring that I do, in fact, exist and that we are married, and that I have a right to reclaim my lost identity. The only problem is that the DEERS office was closed from 11 a.m. until closing for an “organizational day.” You know what that really means, right? A bold-faced boondoggle!
So, here I am, on the ninth day without my personhood on a page and I’m trusting God. I trust Him to protect my identity; I’m grateful that He is in control of everything and has allowed this little challenge for a reason, although I might not ever know that reason; I’m glad that replacing a military ID card isn’t a big deal … unless the DEERS office is closed!!! Deep breath … I won’t lose my peace J; and, this is just another awesome reminder of my human imperfection and total dependence upon the One True God and Creator of the Universe.
Finally, no matter what happens in my life and yours, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised” (Psalm 113:3).

Who we are!

Leadership Wednesday, Who are we

Jul 152009

Welcome Beautiful Ladies, My name is Lucia Rossman and it is my blessing to serve you and to talk with you on this wonderful new blog! Go web team! We pray this new addition will bless you and connect you to what God is doing on a global scale within this ministry. I pray that this blog and the other amazing resources found on the website blesses and equips you. I pray that God’s presence is with you and that you permeate with the aroma of Christ in all you do. Praising God among the nations (Psalm 57:9-11), Lucia