Bleeding Heart Conservative

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
Let me bleed on you a little bit today. As I have heard and watched presidential candidates, I have become more and more concerned and today I am seized with gut grief. So grieved that I have written a prayer. It’s a prayer voiced in desperation, frustration, even a deep sense of what can I do – I’m only one and one of little significance, at best, in the grand scheme of American outcry. I do not know the future of American…glad I don’t. More and more I am longing for the Day when Jesus will come and set up HIS Rule here; when He shall be King and the sin and corruption and blindness and foolishness will be silenced. Oh, what a day that will be – a thousand years of days!! But until then I must not loose hope, so I pray.
Revelation 20: 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
I have been ‘sitting’ on a letter I received a number of days ago via e-mail from a friend of a friend about six ‘generations’ removed. I do not personally know the author of this letter – I hope she will not mind an IDOK publishing of it. I think you need to know. And just this morning I received another article I think you need to read too; maybe that one I will share tomorrow.
Mon. Feb 11, 08
Dear Friends,
We are home. I am home with this flu that is going around. I had it before we left and got it again in Egypt. I have really been sick. Sure is a waste of time. Our trip was physically very hard. I lost 10 pounds and got sick. I am glad I went, but would not go back to Egypt. It is a dirty, ungodly country. The smog in Cairo Egypt was terrible. There are 17 million people in that city and they just throw their trash in the streets. The Nile River is polluted. I don’t know how such a people who built the pyramids regressed like they have. If the Arabs take over America, we will be a slum. And the noise pollution was terrible. They chant their Muslim prayers all day long. Our tour guide was a Christian, and he was a fine young man, but the Ungodliness of the population is everywhere. It was a real example of the difference of “light” vs “darkness.” Jesus is truly the Light!
Israel was clean and wonderful. We could eat the food and drink the water. They were kind and loved us. They may not believe in Jesus but you can tell that God is in that land. It snowed in Jerusalem while we were there and it was cold, but we still toured. The Sea of Galilee was stormy and we went out on a boat a short distance, but came back to shore. The Bible is absolutely true about the fact that you cannot be out on the Sea of Galilee in a boat without the danger of dying. We were amazed at the big waves and wind on that Sea or lake. The weather cleared in Israel at the end of the week and we went to the Temple Mount on a beautiful morning. We stood at the Golden Gate where Jesus will return. It is sealed because the Muslims are concerned He will return! They even have one of their graveyards outside the gate, thinking no King will come through a graveyard. But Jesus is coming! It shows the Muslim are concerned and may believe there is a possibility He will come. I stood and looked at that Gate, and was Very moved to think I was standing at the very place where Jesus will enter Jerusalem again!
We did go into Bethlehem. We had to let our Jewish guide out of the bus, and our Arab bus driver drove us through the security gate. That high wall that you have been hearing about on TV is there, dividing Palestine and Israel. We then got a Christian guide when we got into Bethlehem. I was there twice before, once in l980 and again in l999 and there is a stark difference in Bethlehem since the Arabs have taken it over. There were hardly any tourists. We ate in a cafe on the square where I ate before which was packed with tourists, but today it was vacant except for us. They have killed their tourist trade. The Christians in Bethlehem asked us to pray for them, because they had no income now. The Arab men on the manger square glared at us. We did not feel safe and clung together. There were beggar boys everywhere. They hate Americans and Israel!!!!
There is so much I could say about this trip. It has changed my life in some ways. I look at the lostness of the Arabs and the darkness. I look at Israel; that tiny country amidst such turmoil. If America does not continue to support, Israel I believe God will judge us severely as Americans. The Israeli soldiers were such fine young men and women. They are clean and disciplined and have great love for their land which is something that is missing in America among some of our youth. I rode back to Lubbock from Dallas on airline with an American Air Force career soldier. He said the Israeli pilots were the best in the world. They can fly planes like no one else!
Lastly, we were asked everywhere about the Presidential race in America. There was great interest. The Jews came up to us and asked us many questions. They said they do not want the Clintons again. They warned us that Obama is a Muslim, not a Christian. In Egypt, the Arabs said the same thing to us; they said Obama is Muslim and they are amazed that Americans would consider electing a Muslim President of America!!
I came home loving America even more! Our country is a “light on a hill.” Our streets are clean. There are no chants all day. People are kind and take their turn. People over there pushed into line and were rude. They have never heard of the Golden Rule. They will stomp all over you if they want to get in line. I can see now why Jesus’ words of loving your neighbor and doing unto others, what you would have them do unto you, were strange words to the lost. The Koreans were the worse about walking all over us or trying to. We take our Christian heritage for granted here in my opinion. We have sanctity of human life. In Egypt, the Arabs don’t have any hope so I can see why they would bomb people and commit suicide. They smoked cigarettes everywhere! I could not breathe in Egypt and I think that is why I came down with the flu again. The smog was so bad at the pyramids, I could tell I was getting sick. I would gag on the fumes.
We need to pray for America and this election every day.
God bless,

Father, You know the alarm, You know the gut grief that welled up in me when I saw that scene just now – that young man, a teenager – so taken in. I could it see on his face. Lord, forgive us as a Nation; have mercy on us; forgive us for being so blind and foolish; forgive us for forsaking the teaching of Your Word to our young. And I know as I record this prayer to You in print I am risking the disdain of some but I can only leave that to You. You know I want to tell somebody, anybody, everybody, but I cannot so I am asking You Father to wake up this Nation. Before it is too late show the true colors of all the Presidential Candidates. Wake up the People Lord. Open blinded eyes. Obama says he is no longer a Muslim; I do not for one moment believe he has forsaken the religion of his people. Father, I have seen first hand the radical transformation that happens to people who come from such darkness to the Light of Your Salvation. I don’t see that transformation in Obama – I see that he is still a Muslim; his words to the contrary are empty to me. Father, I am asking You to defeat this man from the Presidency of this Nation. I am asking You to defeat any and all candidates who are not Yours by Salvation in Jesus Christ alone. I pray Father that You will stir up Your Children and that You will bring Truth to the attention of every voter in America. Father, I am asking You to expose Your Enemies. Father, please forgive us; have mercy on us. Amen and amen. Renee’. The Barber Grandsons and others so ill. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

And Father in addition to the woes we feel for America we especially bring today our IDOK Troops and we pray for their protection in mind and body and spirit. Guard them Lord and encourage them; we are numb we hardly know what to ask – just love on them for us today. And the Peace of Israel is important to us, we love them Lord and we want for them what You want for them and we wait to see it come to be. We dare not forget these closer to home, You know each one listed above and we pray each will receive Your Best for them today. We commend this day to You Lord, whatever comes we confess You love us and we pray for strength to abide in Your Love.
As I post this it is 54°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:15 PM AST – on February 26, 2008

His Ministry to You

Two Words

IDOK DEVOTION FOR Monday, February 25, 2008

Another full weekend for The Thompsons – we are blessed. As I begin this IDOK I am fresh from viewing a movie with my beloved husband. For a secular movie it is excellent – a true story. I like true story movies that inspire and this one has – ‘Mr. Holland’s Opus’.
I am certain there are more spiritual parallels we could draw from the movie but I am only going to deal with one at this writing. In a particular scene in the movie Mr. Holland said to Mrs. Holland: ‘I love you’. And she replied with two of the most beautiful words in the world. I have heard those two words many times and have I said them myself many times following the same three words spoken by Mr. Holland in the movie.
For a few years now from time to time when I say ‘I love you’ to Jerry he responds not with ‘I love you too’ but with the same words as Mrs. Holland. And by now unless you watched the movie too you are wondering what two words and why are you making such a big deal of this? Because it is a big deal – the biggest of deals especially in the realm of our relationship with Father God. For you see when Jesus stretched out His Arms and allowed the nails of Calvary to be pounded into His GodMan Flesh, He was saying I Love You like no other. And if you and I would respond to Him the way Mrs. Holland did; the way Jerry does to me; the way I do to him, I think Father would think those are the most beautiful words He has ever heard. These two words in response to I love you mean trust, assurance, confidence, security; they mean I BELIEVE YOU and I ACCEPT YOU! What are those two words that mean so much? I KNOW!
You see when I say I love you to Jerry and he responds ‘I know’ that tells me he believes me; that tells me he has no worries that I will deliberately hurt him, he has no worries that I will abandon him; he has faith in me, he trusts me — He KNOWS I love him. Now transfer that to Our God. Can you fathom that He would like to hear those two little words from us? I KNOW. I KNOW You love me, I KNOW you have my best interest at Your heart; I KNOW You will never abandon me; I KNOW You will never harm me. Sure it’s easy for us to say I KNOW when all is going well but what about those times when things are not going so well? Does He still hear from us I KNOW?
Yes, I love it when Jerry says I KNOW. And I am just as confident he loves it when he hears I KNOW from me. But what I really want is for my Father God to hear this from me: I know Father. I know You love me even when the day is dark with trial and the night is long with waiting. I want to know You so well Father that You can hear me say I KNOW. I KNOW You love me!
John 16: 27 for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
Before we go to prayer I have some reports from Sister IDOKs:
From Janet: Wanda just called me with the news that Charles went home to be with his Lord and Savior. Bless his heart, he did just like Jennifer and outlived all medical expectations and fought a good fight, witnessing to the power of the Lord all the way. Renee’ is precious and has such strength and I’m sure had watched him suffer enough.
And regarding Janie B. : Janie had an appointment with her Doctor yesterday. She got a great report. All Of her marker’s(lab reports on cancer) are great, which means she is as close to Remission as you can get. They will give her one more round of chemo and then
Bring us back after a two week rest and do a one day high dose chemo before they Give her the first of two stem cell transplants. The PET scan and MRI showed all The hot spots (lesions) on her bones to be either gone or smaller which is great News. The largest one was under her brain in the skull and it is completely gone Which is great news since this is the lesion that was causing problems with her Eye sight. He says after the second stem cell transplant that she will stay in Remission for years. Praise the LORD.

From Helen: Update #1 LATEST UPDATE received at appx. 10 am, Friday, February 22nd, from Sharon Hahn:
He is in St. Francis Hospital in Topeka, KS. Doctor’s have ruled out viral meningitis. Spot on brain is either encephalitis or a tumor. He has Type A and B influenza. Neurologist has ordered additional MRI for today.
They have ‘called in’ 6 specialists to treat Jeremy. He is still on ventilator with 35% oxygen. His temp dropped during the night to 100.2 degrees—currently. Still sedated but responds to ‘voices of family members’ and has opened his eyes and acknowledged them. Continue to pray for a miracle! Update #2 I have just spoken to SHARON HAHN and the doctor’s have ruled out a brain tumor. They have agreed that Jeremy has encephalitis. They will be meeting shortly with the doctor’s to determine the course of treatment.

And we have a new request from Cathy: IDOKs, I have a dear, dear friend who has today made an extremely difficult decision….she has finally been able to begin the process of stopping her enabling of an alcoholic, verbally abusive son. She has refused to let him come home. He is an adult and has created a sad and difficult life for the entire family. Please pray for her and for him. She needs the strength to deal with this painful, but necessary decision. He needs to begin to look up as he has finally hit the bottom. Thank you for your prayers.
Father, I am still thinking as I did when these requests came in how unfathomable it is that You would entrust this IDOK ministry to us but You have. Thank You. And Lord we want to know You so well that we say I KNOW to You even when the fig tree does not blossom. We pray for Renee for her peace at this time; we pray for Cathy’s friend and son, only You can supply enough strength and wisdom at this time in their lives, only You can rescue this son and that is what we ask You to do. We are grateful that Jeremy does not have a brain tumor and we continue to pray that he will be healed and that Sharon will have a healthy baby. And we continue to bring these others too for all their needs. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

And we continue to pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection of mind, body and spirit; for their safe arrivals home; for their encouragement and spirits to be lifted; for the successful conclusion of this war; for the Peace of Israel; for the Repentance of America; for the election of Your Choice for President and for the revival of Your Church, all in the Name of Jesus. Amen and amen.

A Hymn of Faith
Habakkuk 3: 17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.

As I post this it is 61°F with smoke/haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 8:25 AM AST- on February 25, 2008

His Ministry to You

Only Me, Only You; Together

IDOK DEVOTION for Friday, February 22, 2008

I am still in Ezra today. Read with me what Ezra did in Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.
Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Lord and I wondered how did he do that; how did he prepare his heart to seek the Lord. And I think I found my answer in verse 21 of chapter 6: 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.
Israel’s sins had placed Her in captivity; our sins place us in captivity too. So what did Israel do to seek the Lord? Individually and corporately they separated themselves from the filth of the nations.
Is there any filth going on in this nation from which we need to separate ourselves in order to seek The Lord?
Here’s a definition of filth taken from free dictionary. Com
A. Foul or dirty matter.
B. Disgusting garbage or refuse.
2. A dirty or corrupt condition; foulness.
3. Something, such as language or printed matter, considered obscene, prurient, or immoral
That’s a pretty good description but that doesn’t apply to any of us, does it?
We don’t speak foully, do we? And we don’t look at printed matter (or DVD or Video or Television) that is obscene or prurient or immoral, do we?
By who’s standard? By who’s standard do we judge filth? How do our movies measure up? To free dictionary.com we are all probably squeaky clean but by Father’s standard’s how are we? Is there any filth that IDOKs need to separate themselves from in order to go up to that next level with Him? I can only answer for me. You can only answer for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen and Amen.
Before we close today, lets go back to Ezra 6:21. There’s one more thing I need to show you. 21 Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the LORD God of Israel.
Not only did they separate themselves from the filth of the nations but those who did the separating did not separate alone; they separated TOGETHER. See it? Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together.
What a lesson there is in that!! If we are going to separate ourselves from the FILTH of this Nation, we need to determine this individually and then stick together. If you are not plugged in at a Sunday School Class, a Local Christian Church Body, a Bible Study group – get that way! Get that way and ‘break some bread’ together; Spiritual Bread in Bible Study and Physical Bread in fellowship. We need to SEPARATE (from filth and) EAT TOGETHER if we are going to move up to a higher level in Christ Jesus.
Father, I think this is pretty good and I like the way You put it together on this screen and now I am asking You to put it together in me; in us. As our people read this IDOK today, Holy Spirit jump those words of Scripture off the screen into each heart. Lord, open Your Word to us, speak to us; we cannot grow, we cannot live without Your Word. Help us separate ourselves from filth, from any and all appearance of evil and help us help each other.
This morning we are praying again for Jeremy for healing and life and for health for his wife and baby too; and for this Pastor’s widow and family, we again ask for all provisions of health and wealth, both spiritually and physically to be given them. And we pray for Josh and Emily and Jamie and Jimmy and all the family as they gather to mourn; comfort them and show Yourself to them. And we pray for the remainder of this list, we bring each face and each need – thank You for taking care of it all. We pray for our IDOK Troops for their protection in mind and body and spirit today; for their safe return home to family and friends; for a successful conclusion to this war; for the election of Your Choice for President; for the Peace of Israel; for the repentance of America and the revival of Your Church, all for Jesus Name Sake. Amen and amen.

Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. 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. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew.
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 59°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:28 PM AST – on February 22, 2008

His Ministry to You