#WilcoWednesday Archives - Page 4 of 5

More Than Eeyore #WilcoWednesday

May 6, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Joining us today is my dear, wonderful, beautiful and encouraging friend Kristen. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And let’s respond to God’s call with a hearty “Wilco, Lord!”
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My mother use to lovingly call me Eeyore, as in Winnie the Pooh’s gloomy detachable-tailed donkey friend. A cautious optimist from childhood, I can worry with the best of them over things yet not happened.

Perhaps the most devastating aspect I carried with me to adulthood was not the outwardly visible worrying, but the warped perspective about my importance to God. Not that God didn’t love me, but how much love I felt I deserved in relation to how important I felt others should be loved and cared for by Him because I’ll be honest, I was born to an upper middle class American Christian family. I’m not impoverished, parent-less, abandoned, truly on the battlefields of faith, my life is not daily threatened by the bible sitting on my nightstand. So I struggled with obedience to God’s plan because I failed to see how I really played a part in God’s plan. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, anxiety, challenge, family, guest blog, infertility, perspective, PWOC

Beyond Colossians, Part 3 #WilcoWednesday

April 29, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very humble, wise woman, our Titus II advisor, Sharon Bridwell as she shares Part 3 of a great piece of Scripture. (To get caught up on her previous posts, check out Part 1 and Part 2.)
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“…Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” ~Colossians 1:11-14

In addition to living a life that pleases the Lord in our previous Wilco Wednesday on Colossians 1, Paul now prays in more specifics for the believers of the Church. He wants us to be strengthened or empowered according to God’s glorious might. I don’t know about you, but I sense the reality of God’s “miraculous power” energizing me fully as I see His creative works in me as well as all around me! And why is it essential that you and I have this kind of “holy” power? Verse 11 says, so we can face whatever comes our way with endurance and patience. It’s like getting a double whammy of grace to face those hard times! [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, Colossae, encouragement, Paul

Overlooked by God #WilcoWednesday

April 22, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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“You saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heard their cry by the Red sea.” ~Nehemiah 9:9

The poet Langston Hughes writes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” As my eyes, ears, and heart are open to people around me the sense that many feel overlooked by God comes through clearly. The affliction and struggles of this life lead some to conclude that God is not present or that He does not care. Even believers, besieged by trial and pain, may be tempted to believe that God does not see them or has overlooked them. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, marriage, military

Living with Intent #WilcoWednesday

April 15, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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“He who gathers crops in summer is prudent, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.”
~Proverbs 10:5

What would compel a farmer to “sleep” during harvest time? Given serious consideration, one may be able to discover a few reasons. Sickness, depression over a recent loss, commitment to an urgent need elsewhere, or inadequate help or resources.

These reasons are serious and heartrending and don’t seem to capture the Scripture’s assessment of the one who sleeps. The person who has not made provision for crops to be brought in can be characterized as foolish, unwise, a poor steward, excessively wasteful, even contemptuous in her own plenty. Looked at another way, that sleeper is unaware, uninvolved, detached from the important matters at hand, lacking in foresight, and simply inattentive. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, intentional, marriage, military

While We Wait #WilcoWednesday

April 8, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very Godly, loving woman, my friend Bobbie.
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Last week seemed bleak and hopeless in the lives of several women and marriages I care about. Another several women I know were dealing with life-altering or threatening health issues and others with the darkness of depression.

Hope is the lifeline for women in each of these situations, but in what is our hope placed? If we are hoping for a miraculous turn-around for our marriages, or a healing that confounds the doctors, or an enlightened truth that frees us from sad feelings and dark thoughts- for many that lifeline is tenuous and unstable. It cannot be depended on.

The hope that stabilizes and cements us is founded in the unchanging, all-powerful Maker of the universe and Lover of our souls.

He declares who He is, so that we can be calm in the middle of every storm. “The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 CEB

He declares who we are, so we can know where we stand despite the hardship or storm. “God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love.” Ephesians 1:5 CEB

He declares what is coming, so we don’t get stuck believing that life and death hinge on this moment in time. “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There is far more than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.” 2 Corinthians4:16-18, The Message

This week I visited with several of the ladies I referenced earlier, and I found some guarded optimism, a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, and even unbridled hope. God is at work in the lives of his children, but what do we do while we wait for the breakthrough? The answers are as varied as the obstacles we face, but we begin by redirecting our focus away from the problem and toward our loving Lord.

Consider these:

If what I’m looking at or listening to terrifies me, I close my eyes and listen to the Father’s words: Beloved, Mighty Warrior, Daughter, Chosen One…

If my husband does not show me love the way I desire – I remember the first ring I wore. Christ is my husband. Rehearse his vows to me: I love you with an everlasting love. I will never forsake you…

Replay key victories in my life, the lives of those I know, or the lives of Bible figures. David slew Goliath. Five loaves and two fish fed 5,000… Declare victory again. Write it out.

Call on your solid, praying, faith-filled friends (one, two or 10). Ecc 4:12 and James 5:13-16

Put on the whole armor of God in the morning (Ephesians 6:10-18). Check it at noon. Look again at evening.

In this world God’s daughters will face many trials, but we don’t have to let the fight consume our lives. While we wait, we must live fully each day regardless of our circumstances. While we wait for God to move the mountain – we love, laugh, serve others, give, give more, and hope. This is what God wants: Completely surrender yourself into His capable, gentle care. You know who He is. You know who you are. You know what awaits you. Get Ready to Celebrate!

So friends… what are your thoughts? Join the conversation and leave a comment. http://wp.me/p2bz2E-1ye

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Writer, Editor, Consultant, and Conference Speaker, Bobbie Simpson is a seasoned high school English teacher, women’s Bible study teacher, parent of three adult children and grandparent of three.

Married 36 years to her husband Larry, a 27 year Air Force Officer , she credits the success of her marriage to the “cord of three, which is not easily broken.” Faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation that drives her passion for marriages that thrive, singleness with satisfaction, and parenting with purpose.

For the past seven years Bobbie has written and facilitated spouses’ and couples’ conferences for Spiritually Smart Family Conferences, a ministry that she and her husband founded under the auspices of Officer’s Christian Fellowship. Bobbie is ardent about the health and success of military marriages and homes.

Linking up today with my friend Kristin over at Three-word Wednesday and having a little Coffee for your Heart with Holley. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, marriage, military

Beyond Colossians, Part 2 #WilcoWednesday

April 1, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome a very humble, wise woman, our Titus II advisor, Sharon Bridwell as she shares Part 2 of a great piece of Scripture. (To get caught up on Part 1, click here.)
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“You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” ~Colossians 1:7-10

In Colossians 1:7-8, we find exciting truths about how we all need to share our faith in Christ and pray for each other. As Paul mentions the faithful work of Epaphras for the cause of Christ, I remember all those people who encouraged me to make Christ my Lord and Savior, which I did at 13. Yet, I didn’t fully understand Lordship until I was in college. Why the gap? Where was my pointed little head? Maybe I just didn’t understand my need to be daily in the Word, seeking discernment from the Holy Spirit.

By the time I was 18 or 19, something just clicked and I wanted all of God all the time, not just some of Him when it was convenient. Lots of people were praying for me back home in my little church, and I am so thankful for their faithfulness on my part. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, Colossae, encouragement, Paul

Don’t Settle #WilcoWednesday

March 18, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. And welcome this dynamic, authentic sister in the Lord, Karen as she shares her heart with us today.

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“Don’t settle.”

It’s something I’ve taught my children for years when talking about relationships. Know what you’re looking for in a mate: the moral character (integrity, humbleness, etc), the personality (one of my daughter’s requirements is funny and sarcastic, but not in a demeaning or hurtful way), how you’d spend your free time (hiking, shopping, sporting events, dancing), dream vacations – (mine are centered around water and my husband’s on mountains, a challenge to this day), how they treat their momma, etc. When we know what we’re looking for before we begin, we have a much smaller chance of ending up with the wrong person. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, Christ, focus, settle

The Right Path #WilcoWednesday

March 11, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Let’s welcome this strong, creative woman of God, Katharina as she shares her heart this week.
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I love trails. I just love being surrounded by God’s beautiful creation, no matter if I walk, hike, or run them. Last week, I went for a trail run and while I was running God reminded me how my life’s path is similar to a trail. When I am on the trail, I am only able to see the things that are a short distance in front of me. Before long, the path takes a turn and I lose sight of what comes next, like a steep incline or maybe a fallen tree.

Life is the same way. I think I am on the right path, I have it all figured out, I know where I am going and then the path takes an unexpected turn. I must be careful to keep my footing, so I do not stumble.

Life is unexpected. We can only see what is before us and it takes a steady foot to keep us going on an uneven path. How can we avoid tripping? As a trail runner, I have learned that I need to strengthen my core as well as leg muscles, especially my hips so I do not lose my balance easily on roots or stones.

In our spiritual walk, we need to strengthen our footing as well. We do this by strengthening our faith muscles and seeking God’s guidance/direction in every aspect of our lives. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 says “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When we are in distress and all these things have come upon us, in the latter days we will return to the LORD our God and listen to His voice. For the LORD our God is a compassionate God; He will not fail us nor destroy us nor forget the covenant with our fathers which He swore to them”.

How can we know that we are on the right path when we are not able to see the finish line ahead of us? Paul writes in his letter to the Church of Corinth:

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” ~1 Corinthians 9:24-27

In addition, we should “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV).

Paul states in the race of life we should discipline our bodies and be submissive to God’s word and His path for us, making our “fleshly desires” our slaves through discipline and self-control. Furthermore, when we are willing to listen to God’s word and obey His commandments, He will make sure that we stay on the right path He has chosen for us.

I encourage you to examine your path and answer one or more of the following questions in the comments below.

Are you walking on the path God has intended for you?
Are you walking in your own path or are you taking a detour through the woods?
What action plan can you develop to get back onto the path God has chosen for you?

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” ~Psalm 119:105

Katharina is a military spouse and a stay at home mom of a 7 year old and a 5 year old. She homeschools her two children and she is a life coach with www.well-springs-lifecoaching.com. She coaches women in life balance, relationships, health and fitness, and personal goal setting.

In addition, Katharina volunteers her time with www.VetREST.org, an organization that is passionate about helping Veterans and their families experience peace from the inner battle with PTS. Furthermore, Katharina is being trained in inner healing prayer with Aurora Worldwide. In her free time, Katharina loves to run, bike, hike, and swim (anything outdoors). She loves to read and spend time with her family.

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, encouragement, focus, God, path, running

Dear Dad #WilcoWednesday

March 4, 2015 by Sharita

Dear Dad,

I was at PWOC this morning; we were evacuated – calmly, quietly, quickly, asked to leave. We’d been evacuated for a possible gas leak months ago, but this was different. All was quiet, no sirens. Chaplains and CID descended amid the surprising quiet chaos of a hundred women, mostly mamas waiting for their children to also emerge from the building unharmed.

I knew before I was told; I knew in my gut someone was threatening to take their life. The day, in fact the past week, had seemed to have a shroud of darkness over it. Not literal darkness like Northwest winter is prone to, but spiritual darkness. Besides ruining two desserts I was going to bring that morning I, like so many of the fellow women, had had weeks that just didn’t seem to have gone at all right. Husbands deploying or already gone, kids sick or gone haywire, messing up things we can do with ease; it was in the air. [Read more…]

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Filed Under: Wilco Wednesday Tagged With: #WilcoWednesday, challenge, family, Father, guest blog, love, PWOC, redemption

Ask Me Anything #WilcoWednesday

February 25, 2015 by Sharita

Welcome to Wilco Wednesday! If you are a new around these parts, “Wilco” is Army-speak for “Will Comply.” Think of it as saying “Roger, God. Got it. Will do.” So that is what Wednesday here at 7 Days Time is all about– exploring his decrees and seeking guidance for what complying with Him looks like in everyday life. The best part? He loves us for who we are, not what we do. Remember: He doesn’t want perfection, just obedience. Share. Enjoy. Interact. Welcome today’s guest blogger, my dear friend and our courageous PWOC president, Carriann Lane.
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“Why can’t you just let it go?!”

I saw exasperation and frustration on her face. I knew she was ready to blow – her raised voice was a fair indication. I understood what her emotion was, I just didn’t understand why talking was so aggravating. I was about 11 years old, and I knew I should let it go …but, of course, I did not. An answer was not what my mouth got me that day, but I was learning something.

“Why can’t you just let it go?!”

I saw anger and irritation on his face. He was about to flip his lid, thanks to my questioning.

I asked: “Where did you hear that? Are you sure that’s true?”

He heard: “You are lying.” “That’s dumb. You’re dumb.” “I don’t respect you.”

I was about 20 years old, and I understood how he was feeling, but again, why he felt it was a mystery.

A new question replaced the others: “Why can’t I just let it go?” Why does getting it right matter so much to me?

This week, I found myself asking this again. [Read more…]

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