Monthly Archives: December 2007

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A Repeat of January 20, 2004

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2007

We lift our hands in the sanctuary;
We lift our hands to give You the glory;
We lift our hands to give You the praise and we will praise You for the rest of our days…
We will praise You for the rest of our days.
Yes, lets Praise Him for the rest of our days!!

If you have not read Psalm 74 and 75 today, I urge you to do that. Verse 1 of Psalm 74 begins with a cry of one who “feels” that God has abandoned him.
O God, why do you cast us off forever? Why does Your anger burn and smoke against the sheep of Your pasture?
Yes, sad but true sometimes God’s people (the sheep of His pasture) come to “feel” like He has forgotten them – maybe forever. NOT SO!! (you can change the way you “feel” if you change the way you think.)
And as you continue on in reading the 74th you will hear the “feelings” of this one who is depressed and beaten down but keep reading. In his depression, he begins to recount what God had already done — that is a very good practice, I highly recommend it; I think Father does too!
Then we get to verse 1 of the 75th and it reads:

We give praise and thanks to You, O God, we praise and give thanks; Your wondrous works declare that Your Name is near and they who invoke Your name rehearse Your wonders. When the proper time has come [for executing My judgments], I will judge uprightly [says the Lord]. When the earth totters, and all the inhabitants of it, it is I WHO will poise and keep steady its pillars. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Yes, pause and calmly think on that and you will begin to feel better.
Notice that when your world is shaking and it appears to you that it is about to crumble it is Father who says it is I WHO will poise and keep steady its pillars.
Even if you “feel” your world shaking .. Daddy God is keeping the pillars steady.
One more thing and I close (this comes from my Journey Magazine): Working through depression may be one of the hardest things a person will face. If you think you may be suffering from depression, get in touch with a good Christian counselor as soon as possible. If you know of someone in this situation, be faithful to lift him or her up in prayer. Seek the Lord and ask for His help. He’s waiting to make you whole. Amen.
Father, in this world I know depression abounds, You know I have been there, done that and nearly “bought the farm” but You My Father delivered me mightily… Thank You. And I pray for those who may now be suffering that they will see that You are their deliverer too and that they will seek those avenues of healing that You are opening for them; I pray they will have the WILL to be whole and will touch You for indeed You WILL make them whole. I ask Your blessings upon my people today, each and every one of them and not only upon those to whom this goes directly but to all those to whom it goes indirectly that You will step into their lives in such a way that they will be strengthened to believe that You are FOR them and not against them; that You really do love them, that You really can be trusted even when things don’t “feel” like it. Thank You Father, thank You for allowing me to work in Your Kingdom and thank You that You take what I offer and You do the work; You are so AWESOME and I love you and I desire to love you more today than I did yesterday for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
Father, thank You. You are still answering this prayer! And this morning in 2007 we have more requests.
Emma has a prayer request and it reads: My husband’s little 89 year old Aunt Mattie is very ill. She has been a heart patient for a while now and had a pace maker put in last year. She now is having choking spells which causes her to “panic” – thus, panic attacks. She ask that we pray for her and so I’m asking that you put her on the prayer request list.
 So Father, we bring Mattie and pray for Your intervention on her behalf and not just for Mattie but for these too. Thank You for Emma’s good news that Jonathan is home for Christmas and when he returns to service he will be only hours away and not thousands and thousands of miles. Thank You. And for our IDOK Troops who are so far from home today, protect them Lord from all harm; help them Holy Spirit trust You for peace and safety and security and yes even joy; keep them all safe and bring them home at the appointed time. Bring a successful end to this war, Peace to Israel, Repentance to America, the election of Your Choice for President, and we pray for George W as he continues these next several months, give him wisdom and protection. Thank You loving us and forgiving us; for providing for every need; help us raise our hands, our hearts and our voices to Praise You today.
The Peace of Israel Mattie. Mr. Smith. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Taylor. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. Wheeler Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. W.C. & Family . Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. 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 & Family.
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. Joshua M.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 47°F and clear in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 3:40 PM AST – on December 20, 2007

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Myself, Me & Him

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR Wednesday, December 19, 2007


Let me share a phrase (from Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord, compiled by Charles E. Hurlburt and T.C. Horton) that I read today – it seemed to be ‘highlighted’ by The Holy Spirit. The piece was written about Jesus, saying He is our Strong Rock, our Refuge, our Safe Retreat. And He is. We have experienced Him. And then this phrase, listen: “A strong, safe house, in which I am defended from myself, the world, and the devil.” He is the place, the Whom in which I am DEFENDED; but look at the number 1 person from whom He defends me — ME. I am pondering this one. I know it is true, I am my own worst enemy and I am pretty sure you are your own worst enemy too. BUT we have a CHAMPION. We have a DEFENDER and His Name is JESUS. So when Myself attacks ME, He defends Me. Is that incredible?!
So how does Myself attack Me. There may be a number of fronts of attack but they all begin in one place – the MIND. Myself begins her attack on Me in my thoughts. And what’s worse when those thoughts find voice – MY voice, others can be hurt too. And often the others hurting are those closest to Me – that spouse who grieves when Me talks so badly about his wife that he loves so much; or children who love their mother and they hear ME belittle her. Wonder what that generates in their thoughts? Does it begin to erode respect? Does it cause pity to grow? What?
So how does my Champion defend Me? The same way He resisted Satan.
Matthew 4:
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
So when the tempter speaks to us, be that tempter – Myself, the world or the devil – The Word of God is our defense.
John 1: 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
There is a passage of Scripture that addresses every battle and it is our job to look and find them, with the Holy Spirit guiding us, of course. In the meantime, while we learn, here is a nugget that will ‘defend’ and give victory in all situations: when Myself attacks Me or if Me is tempted to attack some one else.
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
The Word commands us to be kind to one another, don’t you think that includes ME (you)? Why do we say things about ourselves within the confines of our own thoughts that we would not say to someone else? How often do you look at your best friend and tell her she is fat, ugly and stupid? But Myself tells Me that, doesn’t she? Is it because we have believed the lie of the Evil One, that’s somehow humble means to belittle ourselves?
Lets give Jesus a wonderful gift this year; one He really wants – accept Him as our Defender of Myself and fight back with HIS WORD.
Now I am accountable to you for practicing this message and my beloved will be my witness – hmmm. How do I get myself into these ‘messes’ – opening my big mouth!!
Father, thank You for lessons we must have even when they are hard to admit and hard to heed – help us all practice today for Jesus sake. Thank You for the good work You are doing in each of these today.The Peace of Israel. Mr. Smith. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki, Sharron and other family members. Joseph Toomey and Family. Wheeler Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. W.C. & Family . Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. 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 & Family.
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. Joshua M.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
We pray for Grandchildren and Christmas Programs this morning that they will do their best and You will be glorified. We ask You for protection for our IDOK Troops today, to keep them from all harm in mind, body and spirit and we ask that they be comforted with Your Peace this Season and bring them home to us safe and sound at the appointed time and bring a successful conclusion to this war and Peace to Israel, and Repentance to America and the Election of Your Choice for President and Revive Your Church Oh Lord, especially help us repent and be filled with You Holy Spirit as our gift to You Lord Jesus. Amen and Amen.
As I post this it is 59°F and partly sunny in Baghdad, Iraq & the time there is 3:55 PM AST – on December 19, 2007

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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Making Allowance

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2007


My calendar verse for today (this being the 17th as I begin) reads this way:
Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 TLB
Initially, I asked myself what does it mean to make allowance? Is it to overlook? Pretend it does not matter? No, I don’t think so because it says making allowance for each other’s faults. That means this thing for which we are making allowance is real; it really is a not so good thing; he or she really has a flaw in judgment or conduct. Father, is not asking us to say it’s okay. He is not asking us to pretend it does not matter. He is saying we are to ‘make allowance’. And I ask again what does it mean to make allowance?
Lets try the New King James and see if we can gather more.
Ephesians 4:
1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Okay this making allowance has something to do with our calling and walking worthy of that calling and that’s a HUGE other lesson for further development – can’t chase that rabbit today. But it seems there are some spiritual gifts that enable us to make allowance – lowliness, gentleness, long-suffering. Does that mean if I am not making allowance that I am not walking worthy of my calling, that I am not walking in lowliness or gentleness and I am not long-suffering? Yes, I am afraid it does and I have just very recently been SO GUILTY!
What about that endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace? What does that have to do with making allowance? This is my experience: When I fail to make allowance for another’s faults; when I fail to demonstrate lowliness, gentleness and long-suffering even in the midst of my dissatisfaction with her flaws, my unity with the Spirit — MY PEACE with HIM is broken!! And all the time I spend with an attitude of dissatisfaction and/or even seasoning our conversations with subtle, harsh words, the unity of the Spirit is broken between she and I, in addition to my fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Can you think of anything worse? Talk about faults! Which do you think is the more loathsome — hers or mine?!
Bearing with one another in love. Here’s our key to making allowance: unconditional love. Love that says I will be kind to you even when I am dissatisfied with your conduct; love that says I will season my conversations with you with kindness even when I am so mad at you I want to scream at you, give you a piece of my mind, cut you down to size and shake some sense into you. I.e. How you feel when your kids fail to put away their clean clothes AND leave their soiled ones in the floor of the closet for the ‘ump-teenth’ time! Making allowance is love that finds a way to remain kind and teachable when nothing in your flesh wants to do it that way.
Lets face it – we are ALL flawed! And we ALL have more faults than we have even figured out yet. So lets refuse to compound our own faults by getting all worked up (a fit of our own) over the faults, short-comings, immaturity, stubbornness, short-sightedness, ignorance, blindness, willful disobedience, etc.etc.of someone we love — make allowance for Jesus sake – for the sake of your calling.
Thank you Prayer Report from Sharron to IDOKs: Also, please tell everyone who has been praying for Vikki and Jason that God does answer prayer. Jason is home and is healing very well and very fast. The skin on his face is all new and it is so beautiful!! Not one scar!! He goes to the opthamologist on Tuesday to make sure that his sight has not been affected. The skin graft on his chest and underarm is healing beautifully. He is staying at his mom’s for the time being. I am so grateful that God has used this situation to help my daughter and Jason see the true value in life. It is drawing them closer to Him and is helping my daughter to be more patient and focus on what is important in life. God never wastes anything, not one trial or tribulation goes without bringing good to us and glory to Him. Hallelujah!! Thank all of you for your prayers. God has heard everyone of them and has honored them with favorable results. Even in the midst of heartache and sorrow, He has brought forth great joy. To see His hand at work is so encouraging. I am grateful He chose to spare Jason’s life and am looking forward to seeing the great work He will do in Jason’s life and my daughters’. Pray on Sisters!!! Love, Sharron
And Mary Ann says: My biopsy is scheduled for this Friday, December 21. I have to be at the hospital at 7:00 am. We still believe that everything is okay, but it will be a huge relief to hear the doctors say they are 100% sure!
Father, we praise You for Your Mercy and Grace to Jason and Vikki and we thank Your for yet Your future plans for them. We praise You for the thus far good report for Mary Ann and we are trusting You for further good news for her. And Father, we have others heavily in our thoughts and we ask You for good reports for them too, for miracles Father. We are grieved at all the pain in the world, cancer and other fatal diseases, children who are ill and good people suffering so unfairly; we don’t understand all this and we pray to come through this stuff without the smell of smoke upon us. Forgive us our faults and help us forgive and love one another. Keep our IDOK Troops safe, protect them from physical, mental and spiritual harm; bring this war to a successful conclusion, bring Israel to Peace, America to Repentance, cause Your Choice for President to be elected and bring Revival to Your Church for Jesus sake. The Peace of Israel Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. A care-giver for Emily Grace. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki, Sharron and other family members. Joseph Toomey and Family. Wheeler Family. Mary Ann. Mr. Nash. DeLois. Terri. Leah O. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Janie B. W.C. & Family . Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Taylor & family. Anita. 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 & Family.
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. Joshua M.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Justin G. Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Drew. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 56°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:38 PM AST – on December 18, 2007
HIS MINISTRY TO YOU