Dear PWOC Southeast Region Sisters in Christ,

Happy New Year 2012!

I love that a new year can be a time of new beginnings and I love that our God is a God of perpetual new beginnings! This is the message of Lamentations 3:23: God's mercies are new every morning. New Year's resolutions are all about new beginnings and they can provide just the motivation needed to accomplish an unreached goal. The vision for PWOCI communicated by our President Beth Mills, is that we would be women who foster an atmosphere of intimacy, simplicity and legacy. Last month I addressed the topic of legacy, and for this first month of the 2012 I would like to share a few thoughts on simplicity.

May I encourage you in this New Year to re-evaluate your commitments, activities and priorities in an effort to simplify your life? So often in our fast paced, fast food, quick response media connected culture we can find ourselves caught up in the busyness of life. I'm sure I am not the only one who finds it too easy to become overcommitted and distracted from being about my Father's business. Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of two sisters, Mary and Martha. Scripture describes Martha as someone who did a good thing by opening her home to Jesus (Luke 10:38). However, she was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made to welcome her guests. The other sister Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to His teaching. Martha became frustrated and complained to Jesus, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40). The Lord's response was to gently rebuke Martha when he said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42). You see Martha did good works but she missed connecting with the Master. She substituted good works for a relationship with Jesus.

At the beginning of this New Year, what commitments do you have that may be good but distract you from the intimacy with Christ that you so desperately need? God's call to be our best for Him often requires us to say no to some good works. Jesus told Martha one thing is needed: time with Him. If there are activities that distract from time with God then let 2012 be a time to lay those activities aside.

So sisters, this year in 2012 let's simplify life. Let's focus on the one thing that is needed most and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). I believe as we seek God first we will experience Him more deeply in our personal lives, in our homes, in our communities, and in our chapels and PWOC ministry! And, as we seek Him first, we will boldly and lovingly usher in our theme for this year, Your Kingdom Come!

In His service,
Stacie Dorris, Southeast Region President

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February 2012 Prayer Focus
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Regional Prayer Focus: Leadership Selection

Leadership Selection may seem like a daunting task at first glance. But, this is God's work and it is His board. The Bible tells us that we are His sheep and He is our Good Shepherd. God is sovereign and fully in control. 1 Samuel 16 gives us a glimpse into a Biblically famous Leadership Selection. Samuel is given the task to anoint the next king of Israel. At the mere sight of Eliab, the oldest of Jesse's sons, Samuel thinks, 'surely this is the Lord's anointed.' However, the Lord instructs Samuel to, "Look not on his countenance or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) Jesse at last calls for his youngest son David and God confirms to Samuel that he is indeed the Lord's chosen one. What if Samuel judged on image, qualifications, or any criteria other than the Lord's leading? May we follow the Holy Spirit's leading during this leadership selection process. May we not feel rushed or form opinions based upon outward appearances.

Prayer Verse for Leadership Selection:

We walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Two Monthly Highlighted Installations for Prayer:

Charleston Joint Base: They have requested prayer for Leadership Selection. Our verse we will be praying for Charleston is 2 Corinthians 1:24 which tells us that we are to desire to be 'helpers of your joy, for by faith we stand.' Let us pray that those ladies will be helpers of joy as they step out in faith to serve their local pwoc.

Shaw AFB: They too have requested prayer for Leadership Selection. They have specifically requested prayer that they would have a full executive board for their day pwoc group which just formed this year. The verse we are praying for Shaw is Phillipians 3:19. "But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

For prayer requests for our region, please contact the Southeast Regional Prayer Coordinator at SoutheastPrayer@pwoc.org.

Regional President

Regional VP/Conference Coordinator

Regional Administrative Coordinator

Regional Financial Liaison

Regional Leadership Coordinator

Regional Prayer Coordinator

Regional Training Coordinator