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The Supply Officer

Posted by Bettina Dowell on Wednesday, August 17th, 2011 in Faith | Comments (2)

“He that appoints what the voyage shall be will victual the ship accordingly.”

Matthew Henry

With a freshly minted MBA in hand, it was a logical choice for my husband to become a supply officer when he entered the Navy. After six months in Supply Corps School, we packed up for Jacksonville, Florida for our first sea duty. Rob became the assistant supply officer on a fast frigate. Even thought the eighties were a time of relative world peace, the ship still deployed extensively.

When it was time for a Mediterranean cruise, the supply officers and their department were responsible for lying in food, weapons, ship’s store items, cash and other necessities for extended time at sea. Not knowing exactly what their time before a port call might be, they had to assure the ship was prepared for a long journey. In addition, it was their job to “expect the unexpected,” not knowing what the needs of other departments might become once underway. So, we come to Matthew Henry’s quote about God victualling (to lie in food supplies) our ships.

I would like to think that I have planned well for my future journeys. However, the obvious truth is that I cannot, with any degree of accuracy, predict what will happen in the next five minutes – much less five days, weeks, months or years. Though my fortune telling skills are conspicuously absent, there is a God who knows and sees my voyage.

God is sovereignly aware of every circumstance I will encounter, every need I will have and every stormy or calm sea that lies ahead. He has also made sure, as my supply officer, that I will have everything I need for the journey.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by

Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

So how about you today? Where in your life are you struggling over the days that lie ahead? Trust can begin in a place where we acknowledge that God is sovereign. Know today that you have a supply officer who has seen the journey you must make and equipped you well for it.

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Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!

Posted by Beth on Friday, February 11th, 2011 in Books | Comments (2)

Set in Paris, France, the city of love, Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! definitely gets down to the heart of things. Written by Robin Jones Gunn, Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! is one in a series of novels for women that will take you on an adventure emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Follow the Father heart of God as you travel along with Lisa and Amy on their sisterchicks adventure through Paris.

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! follows friends Lisa and Amy from their first meeting at school through adulthood culminating in the adventure of a lifetime in the city of Paris, France. The main characters meet as young girls in the 3rd grade, while living in Memphis, Tennessee. Loyalty imbedded from the start, their childhood friendship blooms into something ever present in every woman’s heart, the need for that close bond with other women. Author Robin Jones Gunn unfolds their lives together in this captivating novel about friendship, adventure, men, shoes, chocolate, struggles, and most importantly God.

If you are a reader of Robin Jones Gunn, this book will be no disappointment. Each time I read one of these novels written by this woman, I think, “Can God be this good?” As you read the words she has so thoughtfully penned, the love of God washes over you like a spring rain and you feel clean again. I am always eager to read one of her books, devouring it in anticipation of what will happen next in the lives of the women, and sad when it is over because the adventure is finished…until the next one.

I highly recommend Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! I might say this every time I finish one of these novels, but I believe this one is my favorite. It awoke so many things inside me, including the desire to eat much chocolate! Never really having a desire to travel to Paris, I found myself wanting to go there and experience all the things these women got to experience on their adventure. Gunn definitely does her research and created a desire within me to know more about Parisians, the art, and good chocolate.

Given the opportunity within your schedule to have some much needed girl time, this book will provide so many things for your spirit, soul, and body. Grab some chocolate, put on a soft beret, find a comfy chair and prepare your heart for an encounter with the living God as you partake of Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!!!!

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Hardest Promise to Keep

Posted by Amber Parham on Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 in Daily Encouragements | Comments (2)

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” Jeremiah 31:3 ESV Read More→

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Come As You Are

Posted by Pattie on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 in Faith | Comments (2)

For two and a half years, I worked at a women’s fitness facility, and part of my job as a coach was to weigh and measure women–arms, waist, hips, legs, weight, fat percent with the little grippy machine thing. I learned very quickly that this was most women’s least favorite thing, but to be honest, I found it fascinating. So many shapes and sizes, so many different manifestations of God’s creation: woman. I learned to appreciate the differences that make us unique, both as a gender and as individuals.

Another thing about this all-women’s fitness club that I found interesting was the fact that many of the women came in to work out with no makeup and their hair hastily combed or pulled into a messy ponytail. And in my eyes, each one of those ladies was absolutely beautiful. Sure, sometimes there were blemishes, or uncolored grey roots peeking through, or tired eyes from too little sleep after staying up all night with sick children, but they were beautiful, just as they were.

One of my favorite scenes in Bridget Jones’s Diary is where Mark Darcy tells Bridget that he likes her just as she is. The entire book (and film) is full of Bridget’s self-condemnation: she weighs too much, she drinks too much, she smokes too many cigarettes, she doesn’t work hard enough at her job, etc. But in the end, the man whom she loves doesn’t seem to care anymore about her faults–he loves her just as she is.

God is like that. He sees us, He knows us, and He loves us just as we are. John 3:16 tells us how much:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Dear friend, you are “the world” to God. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for you. He knows you, and He loves you.

We at Wives of Faith welcome you, the military wife, just as you are. No facades or masks needed here. We are here for you, because we are in the trenches with you. We are you.

Connect with us in a way that makes you comfortable. We encourage your interaction on Facebook (www.facebook.com/wivesoffaith), or in our community (http://community.wivesoffaith.org), or even by leaving comments here on the blog entries that speak to you. But please, come as you are. Even if your hair is in a messy ponytail

Come as You Are is more than just a phrase on our blog header:
it is our theme for 2011.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Let Go And Worship!

Posted by Amber Parham on Monday, September 27th, 2010 in Faith | Comments (0)

This weekend, I was able to attend a simulcast of a ladies conference led by a well known speaker. During the opening worship session I could feel myself holding back. I thought, I just need to be able to let go! I could feel the invisible curtain separating me from the joy of being in the presence of the Holy Spirit. I just couldn’t figure out why.

With this month’s topic ‘Worship Lessens My Worries’ in my mind, I have been reading through Exodus, of Moses and the Hebrews as they camped near Mt. Sinai. God instructed the people through Moses to give all the precious metals, animal hides, yarn and linen that was needed to complete the Tabernacle. God also told Moses that certain skilled craftsmen were gifted to be able to complete each part (31:1-18). When everything was finished it was time to set up the Tabernacle. They were to set it up on the first day of the first month exactly a year after they had left Egypt. I had never really thought about how long it took them to build it. When we go camping we get our tent up and ready in a matter of minutes. The Israelites worked on their new place of worship for many months while they were leading everyday lives herding their flocks, tending their children and cooking meals.

Reviewing this account, I noticed two points: 1) It states that, throughout, that everything was done according to God’s direction and 2) The Israelites did not complain during the construction period. In fact, the craftsmen came to Moses and told him that they had more than enough goods to complete the Tabernacle (36:5). Verse 36:6 says that the people were “restrained from bringing more”. From that, we can infer that people were still willingly giving in obedience to Moses’ earlier instruction.

The dictionary defines worship as reverence offered to a divine being or a form of religious practice. However, the Bible teaches us that worship is expressing our love for God through our obedience and submission. When we have a heart of worship, we recognize God’s authority over us. We follow his instructions.

The Israelites were excited about their new gathering place. It united them as a people. It must have solidified the reality that God was fulfilling his promise to create a great nation. They gave precious jewels, gold and silver. They gave yarn spun from the hair and wool of their flocks. They gave their time and skill as craftsmen. They had to be restrained from giving more than was needed. Even though their worship place had not been completed, they were actively worshiping God by following his instructions and giving the best that they had. They didn’t hold anything back. And for those few months they were not afraid of what the future held.

Right before our lunch break Saturday, one of the the speakers at our conference asked if we knew why we were there. I was still asking myself, Why am I here? What am I meant to get from today? It wasn’t until the last afternoon break that the worship leader spoke. He told us to let go so that we can worship and serve God fully. There it was right in front of me. Instead of focusing on God’s greatness, I was too focused on keeping things going on by my own merits. I made a personal commitment (again) to submit to God’s authority, to really and truly let it all go. It’s taking time to squash the old habits. But He is continuing to bless us in ways that we never could have foreseen. And He continues to prove every day that he will provide everything, even the stuff that falls into the “wants” category.

“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:6 (NIV)