Monthly Archives: December 2007

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December 17, 2003

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2007

This morning, in my early thoughts, came the Scripture “I have been young now am old” and, of course, I did not know the reference for it but I found it.
Psalm 37:25: I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the [uncompromisingly] righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread.  source

But that is not all that is in Psalm 37.
Psalm 37 is one of my most favorite passages.
Psalm 37 begins with Fret not yourself and that is a very good place to start each morning to Fret not yourself even if we have been young and now am old.
So what is this talk about having been young and now am old?
It is a “back door” to tell you that I am 52 today and am tickled to say it.
I remember when I turned 40; I was very much out of fellowship with My Jesus at that time and turning 40 was not pretty… Talk about a brat! I was ONE!!
But those days are passed and praise be to My Jesus I am excited today!!
Taking a good look at myself, where I am, who I have in my life, and Jesus TOO!
I am blessed beyond measure!!
When I was a child having my birthday so close to Christmas was not the joy of my life but I have changed my mind… Sharing my birthday with Jesus …. Nothing could be better!
And to add to my delight, my Christmas tree is up, the lights are on and that little green box with the gold bow is sitting beneath the tree just waiting for my girls and me to place within it another prayer; another gift to Jesus this year.
Last year was Bethany’s first year placing a gift in the box. We talked about the box the other day and she is excited to “write” her gift this year.
FATHER IS SO GOOD!! Placing a gift box under my tree bearing the name of JESUS is a fairly new tradition in my family but it is one we treasure.
My appreciation for “Christmas traditions” that honor Jesus grows and grows as I see my girls embrace those traditions for their homes.
And you know what… It is never too late to start! I also have another tradition for my tree and I was particularly blessed this year when I saw my Baby Girl’s tree; because there it was right there on top just like on ‘Momma’s’ tree was THE DOVE.
Yes, the top of my tree holds a DOVE. Why?

And when Jesus was baptized, He went up at once out of the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he [John] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.   source 

The Dove atop my tree is there in honor and to say THANK YOU to the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD who imparts the LIVING CHRIST to my Christmas, to my home, to my life AND HE IS SO WELCOME.

So there you have some of my Christmas Traditions … Yes, sharing my birthday with Jesus is sweet indeed!
But back to Psalm 37.
If you have not read the entire chapter lately, today would be a good day. It contains comfort and strength and it is just a delight to read.
Particularly: Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.   source 
One point that struck me with that verse and I will close for today… Trust in the Lord and do good … Doing good alone is not enough… It is the trusting the Lord that makes the doing good count.
And now it’s 2007, The DOVE has a home atop the Thompson Christmas tree and the Green Box with the Gold Bow sits beneath, waiting.
The home place of Christmas celebrations has changed for me since 2003 but Jesus remains. Hallelujah!

Hebrews 13: 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.  (KJV)

He’s still trustworthy, still interceding for His Own, and still saving the lost who cry out to Him!!

As I post this it is 64°F and partly cloudy in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 4:46 PM AST – on December 17, 2007
HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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But As For You

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2007

Seems I am doing more re-runs here lately than first runs — bear with me one more time. This one comes from December 15, 2003.

Found some beautiful words this morning: But as for you. Those in particular come from II Timothy 3:14. What strikes me as beautiful about them is that Father would say them to me “But as for you” and to me it means no matter what else others do or even whatever else He may say to others He has a “But as for you” for me. He particularly knows my name, where I live, the very number of hairs on my head (Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave (consent) and notice. BUT EVEN THE VERY HAIRS OF YOUR HEAD ARE ALL NUMBERED. FEAR NOT, THEN, you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31) … He knows me and He has a plan for me (For I KNOW the thoughts and plans that I HAVE for you, SAYS THE LORD, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome Jeremiah 29:11) – “But as for you” I really like that! It tells me I am special to Him. BUT you know what SO ARE YOU! He has a “But as for you” for you this morning too!
This same thought “But as for you” can be seen again in John 21:22: Jesus said to him, If I want him to stay (survive, live) till I come, what is that to you? [What concern is it of yours?] YOU FOLLOW ME!
See what I mean? We are all individuals to Father. We are not all lumped together; just a mass of faces and cries coming up from us to His ears. When you cry out to Him today; wherever you go; whatever comes your way today — Father has a “But as for you” for you. He has a God-made solution for your every problem; your every care; your every situation. “But as for you” — can you tell I really like that?!
So what does the rest of the verses in II Timothy 3: 15-17 say?: But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], and how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the Sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His Power, Wisdom, and Goodness.]. Every Scripture is God breathed (given by His inspiration and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteous (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
But as for me, by God’s grace, I shall continue.
Father, what can I say this morning – it’s four years later and You still have a ‘But As For You’ for me; for all of us. Help us embrace Your ‘But As For You’ for each of us individually, especially now. Again we come with these – each of them and Lord You know with some of them I have forgotten, forgotten exactly what it was and time may have changed some of their needs but this I know my frailties are not Yours. You have not forgotten and time has not changed Your love or concern or will or desire to bless and heal and provide and help and deliver each of these and so this morning anew and afresh we pray for each one – Thy Will Be Done Lord. And for our IDOK Troops we pray today for Protection of mind and body and spirit; we pray for Christmas Love and Warmth to come and begin to settle in on them even in hostile places. Guard their hearts and minds from discouragement and help them believe Truth, guard their steps and their words to one another and Lord bring each of them home safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed. And Father we pray for a successful conclusion to this war and for the Peace of Israel and for the Repentance of America and for the Election of Your Choice for President for this Nation and Lord Revive Your Church – revive ME Lord and help me correct now, not later for Your Name Sake. Amen and Amen.
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 72°F and sunny in Baghdad, Iraq & the time there is 4:45 PM AST – on December 14, 2007
HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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Heat

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2007

Today’s IDOK is not an original from me but something that arrived in yesterday’s email. I think you will be blessed and encouraged, especially if you are experiencing some ‘heat’ at this time.

Malachi 3:3 says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered What this Statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women Offered To find out the process of refining Silver and get back to the group at Their Next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to Watch Him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her Interest Beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the Fire and Let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold The Silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to Burn away All the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot Spot Then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner And Purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in Front Of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the Silver, But he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the Fire. If The silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be Destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do You know when the silver is fully refined?”
He smiled at her and answered, “Oh that’s easy – when I see my image In it.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God Has His Eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Malachi 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness.
And for what is the purifying process? That we may offer to our Lord an offering in righteousness. What a GIFT for us to GIVE to our Savior this Christmas!! Let us hold steady, neither fuss and complain, nor try to circumvent the ‘firing process’ but wait so He can see Himself in us!!

I shall not give you the details but I heard via email from Lee today. He is one of our Civilians working in Iraq (his name appears on our prayer list daily). Lee has witnessed a tragic death and he has asked us to pray for the family, for himself and his team.
We have also added Charles and Renee’ – Charles is valiantly battling cancer.
And we have added Dall T. – his beloved wife physically died this week.
Father, only You know the depth of grief this family is experiencing and only You have the comfort needed and Holy Spirit only You can administer this comfort to this family and more than that only You can convince and ready them to receive Your Comfort and Consolation — somehow Lord help this family. And as Lee remembers this vivid scene again and again, help him come to peace and Your Mind about it and not only Lee but all who witnessed it. Father, use this tragedy for Your Glory and for the eternal saving of souls.
We pray for Charles; of course we ask You to heal him, to remove the cancer and give him re-new life here and we pray for strength and peace and hope and comfort for Renee’. And we pray for Dall as he grieves, for his comfort and peace and that You fill the void as only You can and as he so desperately needs. We pray that too for Kathy, especially these next several weeks as she begins the grieving process. And we pray for others on this list who are facing first and even second Christmases without spouses they love. Lord, comfort and bless as only You can.
And we pray this morning for the remainder of this list, for each and every soul – help each one turn their eyes upon You and know they are loved no matter how hot the ‘heat’ at this time. Help us all surrender to the purifying fire and this Christmas give You the gift You deserve – our unwavering love, trust, obedience, and worship.
We ask You to protect our IDOK Troops today; keep them safe in mind, body and spirit and bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time. We pray for a successful conclusion to this war; for the Peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America; the election of Your Choice for President and for the Revival of Your Church. Amen and amen. The Peace of Israel 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, 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 70°F and clear in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 4:52 PM AST – on December 13, 2007


HIS MINISTRY TO YOU