IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2007
Well, FALL is really upon us – clocks have been rolled back!!! I did not ‘realize’ a real benefit from the roll back on Sunday morning – Sunday mornings are always steady. But Sunday night Jerry and I came home from church, resisted television, laid our heads on our pillows and caught some ZZZzzz.
And this morning the week day life begins again. I almost called it a routine but somehow routine sounds like something you don’t want to do and that’s not the case here. Especially after this weekend — today’s the day to RECEIVE this day and REJOICE.
I think it was yesterday morning I was sitting here in my office going over some of the conference messages and this thought came to rest with me. I am continually chiding myself that I do not DO enough for Father’s Kingdom and I am certain that is true BUT after the conference I am thinking the DOING is the wrong focus BEING is the proper focus. Just LET JESUS BE in me!! Just LET Him BE Himself in me!! Stop fretting over the doing and relax and abandon yourself (myself) to HIM. He NEVER pushes too hard and He is NEVER late. I think I could live a lot better with that than what I have been. How about you?
Colossians 1: 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Here’s a story (below) that I think you will enjoy. Some of you may have read it already — I know one of you has because One of you sent it to me.
ENJOY and BE today!
And this morning the week day life begins again. I almost called it a routine but somehow routine sounds like something you don’t want to do and that’s not the case here. Especially after this weekend — today’s the day to RECEIVE this day and REJOICE.
I think it was yesterday morning I was sitting here in my office going over some of the conference messages and this thought came to rest with me. I am continually chiding myself that I do not DO enough for Father’s Kingdom and I am certain that is true BUT after the conference I am thinking the DOING is the wrong focus BEING is the proper focus. Just LET JESUS BE in me!! Just LET Him BE Himself in me!! Stop fretting over the doing and relax and abandon yourself (myself) to HIM. He NEVER pushes too hard and He is NEVER late. I think I could live a lot better with that than what I have been. How about you?
Colossians 1: 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.
27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Here’s a story (below) that I think you will enjoy. Some of you may have read it already — I know one of you has because One of you sent it to me.
ENJOY and BE today!
Please add Leah as she recovers from her serious injuries from an automobile accident.
Father, there’s so much going on this morning. First we say thank You and we pray for strength to just relax and let You BE in us today. And we pray for Leah that You will mend her and restore her from the injuries sustained in the automobile collision and we pray that since You have allowed this collision that whatever purpose You have in it will not be hindered and Leah will be enabled to receive ALL the Blessings You have hidden for her in this pain. Bless her Holy Spirit and help her receive from You health and healing and strength and new vision for her future. And we are praying this morning too for W.C.and his Dad. You know the concerns and You know the needs of each and we are depending on Your Father to make Your glory known in these two and not just them but all the family. And Father we thank You this morning for our families. I thank You specifically today for my beloved Jerry, for our four daughters and sons in law and all 7 beautiful grandchildren. Lord, THANK YOU!
And as many many morning before we ask You to guard and protect our IDOK Troops wherever they are, keep them safe and sound in mind and body and spirit and at the appointed time please bring them home to us safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed.
And as I look over this list of names, there is so much – so many precious souls and so much hurt and yes rejoicing and gladness too. And the thank You that YOU ARE LORD over it all and we TRUST You.
And Father, I just cannot fail to pray for the upcoming holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas – Lord, I want to do, oops … I want to BE right where You want me and BEING who You are in me in these Holidays for Your Glory. Thank You for each and every IDOK and Father love on them for me today as only You can in Christ Jesus.
The Peace of Israel Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Brenda D. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’ s Mother. Janie B. W.C. The Ellis Family. Ed Litton and family. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. Kathy. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Rev and Mrs. Carpenter. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. George. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III. Joshua M.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Lee. Mack. The 226. Troy. Danny. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 82°F in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:10 PM AST – on November 5, 2007
His Ministry to You
Father, there’s so much going on this morning. First we say thank You and we pray for strength to just relax and let You BE in us today. And we pray for Leah that You will mend her and restore her from the injuries sustained in the automobile collision and we pray that since You have allowed this collision that whatever purpose You have in it will not be hindered and Leah will be enabled to receive ALL the Blessings You have hidden for her in this pain. Bless her Holy Spirit and help her receive from You health and healing and strength and new vision for her future. And we are praying this morning too for W.C.and his Dad. You know the concerns and You know the needs of each and we are depending on Your Father to make Your glory known in these two and not just them but all the family. And Father we thank You this morning for our families. I thank You specifically today for my beloved Jerry, for our four daughters and sons in law and all 7 beautiful grandchildren. Lord, THANK YOU!
And as many many morning before we ask You to guard and protect our IDOK Troops wherever they are, keep them safe and sound in mind and body and spirit and at the appointed time please bring them home to us safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed.
And as I look over this list of names, there is so much – so many precious souls and so much hurt and yes rejoicing and gladness too. And the thank You that YOU ARE LORD over it all and we TRUST You.
And Father, I just cannot fail to pray for the upcoming holidays – Thanksgiving and Christmas – Lord, I want to do, oops … I want to BE right where You want me and BEING who You are in me in these Holidays for Your Glory. Thank You for each and every IDOK and Father love on them for me today as only You can in Christ Jesus.
The Peace of Israel Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Brenda D. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’ s Mother. Janie B. W.C. The Ellis Family. Ed Litton and family. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. Kathy. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Katelyn. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Martha F and Bob. Rev and Mrs. Carpenter. Allyson and Glen and family and Kaitlyn. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa and Brad and family. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Jenny. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. George. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III. Joshua M.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Tim. Lee. Mack. The 226. Troy. Danny. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 82°F in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:10 PM AST – on November 5, 2007
His Ministry to You
MAGNOLIAS
By Edna Ellison
I spent the week before my daughter’s June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . . . So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he’d wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!
To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.
After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the Podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before Midnight , I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any
Bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception – and Especially the flowers – would be remembered for years.
The big day arrived – the busiest day of my life – and while her Bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiancée Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them – all the Beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm During the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on That hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.
I panicked, knowing I didn’t have time to drive back to our hometown, Gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding.
Tim turned to me. “Edna, can you get more flowers? I’ll throw away These dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements.”
I mumbled, “Sure,” as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.
Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in The arched ceiling. “Lord,” I prayed, “please help me. I don’t know Anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers – In a hurry!” I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of White magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.
As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house . . . No dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . . . No shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, “I’d be happy to!”
He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, “Sir, you’ve made the mother of a bride happy today.”
“No, Ma’am,” he said. “You don’t understand what’s happening here.”
“What?” I asked.
“You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. “On Wednesday I buried her.” He looked away. “On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday – yesterday – my children left.
I nodded.
“This morning,” he continued, “I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried,
‘Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!’ I began to cry louder. ‘Nobody needs me!’ About that time, you knocked, and said, “Sir, I need you.”
I stood with my mouth open.
He asked, “Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room . . .”
I assured him I was no angel.
He smiled. “Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those
Magnolias?”
“No.”
“I decided I’m needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They’re all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches – all sorts of places. You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!”
I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy’s wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, “Forget it! It’s my only daughter’s wedding, for
goodness’ sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.”
But God found a way. Through dead flowers.
By Edna Ellison
I spent the week before my daughter’s June wedding running last-minute trips to the caterer, florist, tuxedo shop, and the church about forty miles away. As happy as I was that Patsy was marrying a good Christian young man, I felt laden with responsibilities as I watched my budget dwindle . . . So many details, so many bills, and so little time. My son Jack was away at college, but he said he would be there to walk his younger sister down the aisle, taking the place of his dad who had died a few years before. He teased Patsy, saying he’d wanted to give her away since she was about three years old!
To save money, I gathered blossoms from several friends who had large magnolia trees. Their luscious, creamy-white blooms and slick green leaves would make beautiful arrangements against the rich dark wood inside the church.
After the rehearsal dinner the night before the wedding, we banked the Podium area and choir loft with magnolias. As we left just before Midnight , I felt tired but satisfied this would be the best wedding any
Bride had ever had! The music, the ceremony, the reception – and Especially the flowers – would be remembered for years.
The big day arrived – the busiest day of my life – and while her Bridesmaids helped Patsy to dress, her fiancée Tim, walked with me to the sanctuary to do a final check. When we opened the door and felt a rush of hot air, I almost fainted; and then I saw them – all the Beautiful white flowers were black. Funeral black. An electrical storm During the night had knocked out the air conditioning system, and on That hot summer day, the flowers had wilted and died.
I panicked, knowing I didn’t have time to drive back to our hometown, Gather more flowers, and return in time for the wedding.
Tim turned to me. “Edna, can you get more flowers? I’ll throw away These dead ones and put fresh flowers in these arrangements.”
I mumbled, “Sure,” as he be-bopped down the hall to put on his cuff links.
Alone in the large sanctuary, I looked up at the dark wooden beams in The arched ceiling. “Lord,” I prayed, “please help me. I don’t know Anyone in this town. Help me find someone willing to give me flowers – In a hurry!” I scurried out praying for four things: the blessing of White magnolias, courage to find them in an unfamiliar yard, safety from any dog that may bite my leg, and a nice person who would not get out a shotgun when I asked to cut his tree to shreds.
As I left the church, I saw magnolia trees in the distance. I approached a house . . . No dog in sight. I knocked on the door and an older man answered. So far so good . . . No shotgun. When I stated my plea the man beamed, “I’d be happy to!”
He climbed a stepladder and cut large boughs and handed them down to me. Minutes later, as I lifted the last armload into my car trunk, I said, “Sir, you’ve made the mother of a bride happy today.”
“No, Ma’am,” he said. “You don’t understand what’s happening here.”
“What?” I asked.
“You see, my wife of sixty-seven years died on Monday. On Tuesday I received friends at the funeral home, and on Wednesday . . He paused. I saw tears welling up in his eyes. “On Wednesday I buried her.” He looked away. “On Thursday most of my out-of-town relatives went back home, and on Friday – yesterday – my children left.
I nodded.
“This morning,” he continued, “I was sitting in my den crying out loud. I miss her so much. For the last sixteen years, as her health got worse, she needed me. But now nobody needs me. This morning I cried,
‘Who needs an eighty-six-year-old wore-out man? Nobody!’ I began to cry louder. ‘Nobody needs me!’ About that time, you knocked, and said, “Sir, I need you.”
I stood with my mouth open.
He asked, “Are you an angel? The way the light shone around your head into my dark living room . . .”
I assured him I was no angel.
He smiled. “Do you know what I was thinking when I handed you those
Magnolias?”
“No.”
“I decided I’m needed. My flowers are needed. Why, I might have a flower ministry! I could give them to everyone! Some caskets at the funeral home have no flowers. People need flowers at times like that and I have lots of them. They’re all over the backyard! I can give them to hospitals, churches – all sorts of places. You know what I’m going to do? I’m going to serve the Lord until the day He calls me home!”
I drove back to the church, filled with wonder. On Patsy’s wedding day, if anyone had asked me to encourage someone who was hurting, I would have said, “Forget it! It’s my only daughter’s wedding, for
goodness’ sake! There is no way I can minister to anyone today.”
But God found a way. Through dead flowers.
“Life is not the way it’s supposed to be. It’s the way it is. The way
you cope with it is what makes the difference.”
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