Monthly Archives: February 2008

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An Invitation

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I designed a card some months ago entitled ‘An Invitation’. Today I read the Scripture Text for that card and I think I need to rename the card. Here’s the text.
Matthew 11:
27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
We are well familiar with verse 28 and we often quote it: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Beautiful verse! Beautiful, comforting TRUTH. Let that verse just settle in on you today, keep it close today.
But just for a moment lets look again at verse 27. All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son,
And if He had stopped there we would ALL be doomed!! But He went on and He said and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. The God of the Universe has Willed to extend THE INVITATION of a lifetime, THE INVITATION of eternity: COME. And there’s more. Read it again: and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Do you see how individual that is?! ONE. Individually, one on one He has revealed Himself to us.
Today, YOU have the personal Invitation of Jesus Christ, the Creator and King of the Universe to COME and REST with Him!!
That is more than AN Invitation that is THE INVITATION! You will NEVER receive a better one. You will NEVER receive a more important invitation. You will NEVER receive a more all inclusive one. COME to JESUS the CHRIST for WHATEVER you need — REST included!! Any RSVPs today?!
Father and Lord thank You for The Invitation to come to You. We acknowledge to You that Your Invitation to Come is the greatest of all invitations. And we acknowledge that we need to come to You; we need the Rest that only You can give; we need the personal relationship with You that You have offered us; we need a place to rest from the load of sin that ONLY You can give us. Thank You for revealing Yourself to us. Thank You for inviting us to Yourself. And with Your help today we come for rest from sin, from worry and fretting and troubled minds and illness and disease and over work and merciless schedules of our own making and grief and whatever else is represented in these we name here.
A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Anita. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. 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. 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. 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.
And we are not finished we add Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild. Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church. And more we pray for the Peace of Israel for Revival in America for IDOKs Military Families for 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. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R)
For IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III.
For IDOKs Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee. For all we pray for Your Rest today; for Your Revelation to each and every one of us for Your Own Name Sake Lord Jesus. Thank You Lord, we accept.

As I post this it is 65°F and light rain in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:24 PM AST – on February 13, 2008

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Happy?!

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IDOK DEVOTION for Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Psalm 128
A Song of Ascents.
1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,
Who walks in His ways.
I’ve been studying Psalm 128 with Beth (Moore) and I want to share verse 1 in particular with you. She asked us (those of us working our workbooks) to sum up what Psalm 128 means to us and as I was discussing that with Father, He gave me a beautiful summary. Here it is:
Trust And Obey Hymn
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Refrain
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blessed if we trust and obey.
Refrain
But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey.
Refrain
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Refrain
That’s it! Trust and Obey for there’s NO OTHER way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. Our Trust and Obedience MUST be ‘music’ to HIM!
Did you notice the all inclusiveness in verse 1? Father said EVERY ONE; not a selected few; not that one you admire so much because you think she has it all together; no EVERY ONE. Every One who will trust and obey Father is blessed. And yes another word for blessed is HAPPY. We Christians are big on the word JOY and we use it often; especially when we are not happy, we talk about we still have the JOY of the Lord. And that is true and glory be to His Name for it. BUT precious sisters and brothers, IT’S OKAY TO BE HAPPY!! That’s what Beth said. And I believe her.
So the next time someone says how are you; shake ’em up real good, tell them you are HAPPIER THAN YOU DESERVE. They may look at you strange and back away or they may say, really? Why? And you can say Happy is EVERY ONE who trusts the Lord and walks in His Ways and that includes ME! Hallelujah!!
Father, thank You that happiness originated with You; thank You that laughter comes from You. Thank You for all the holy emotions You have built into us; help us embrace them and give You glory with holy laughter. And Father, help us choose wisely in what we expose ourselves to so that our laughter will be holy and will be a blessing to You. And in those times when laughter does not come; but rather sadness, help us then to rely upon Your Strength because our JOY is in Your Strength. I don’t know Your plan for Emily and Jfer as to caregiver and working and all the family dynamics but I pray this morning that You will make Your Will known and bring alongside who You desire to minister to this family. And Father, I look over this list and there are babies and toddlers and children with medical problems and family and friends are sad about this and want so desperately to see these children not just survive but thrive. We want them well and it is hard for us to even imagine that would not be Your Plan too and yet we know that our wants and Your Will are not always the same at the same time. But this we do KNOW that You do all things well, all the time, every time, and so we come with our children and we pray You will touch them and heal them.
And we pray for those here who are struggling with not medical illness but spiritual illness and we pray that each will turn and receive Your Plan of Rescue for them. And if we can help in this rescue, please enlist us. And we pray for grieving families for whatever reason, that You will send alongside comforters and that You from within will be their Greatest Comfort and Unexplained Peace.
And for our IDOK Troops we pray for their protection today in mind and body and spirit. Watch over them carefully and bring them safely home we pray. We pray for a successful conclusion to this war and we thank You for the news we heard yesterday that progress is being made, thank You Lord; and we continue to pray for the Peace of Israel, for Repentance for America, for the Election of Your Choice for President, for the Revival of Your Church. And Father, I pray that each and every IDOK will KNOW today that she and he are loved – that You LOVE them Lord. Amen and amen.
A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Anita. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. 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. 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. 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. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R)
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: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 70°F and partly cloudy in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:36 PM AST – on February 12, 2008

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Four Years Later – Who Remembers?

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IDOK DEVOTION for Monday, February 11, 2008

Apparently January 12, 2004 I was having problems: computer connection and personality conflicts. But you know what; today, February 11, 2008, I can’t remember with whom or what was the problem. Father must have resolved it. To Him be the Glory!! Here’s the IDOK from 2004:
Oh!! My! Did I miss you all yesterday!! But when you are not connected you are not connected!! When that modem goes down, one can wiggle wires, plug in, pull out, dance a jig, sing a song or stand on her head but with no connection there is no communication!! (there is a Bible lesson it that but this morning time is too short to develop it) The problem does not seem to be fully resolved… My computer problems that is …. But for the moment it seems to be working and I AM VERY GRATEFUL!!!
However, I am in need of prayer… There are some people in my life who are giving me GREAT opportunity to grow in Christ-likeness… So far I am to the point that I would like to take a whip and do a little cleaning! But somehow I know that is not the proper position for me in this situation.
My little promise calendar is right on point this morning (so glad my connector with God is never severed)
But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. I Peter 1:15.
And the Amplified reads just about the same… That verse does not need much amplifying – does it?
But as the ONE Who called you is Holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.
OUCH! And it gets more painful… For me.
Oswald Chambers said: The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women; or they are making us more captious and fault-finding, more insistent upon our own way.
At least one of you …. Who shall remain nameless … KNOWS “first ear-full” that yesterday afternoon I was very much INSISTING on doing this MY way. I STAND (sit) CORRECTED!
Father, thank You that no problem ever keeps you from hearing me or loving me or being kind to me or having my best interest at Your Heart and the same is true for all my sisters and brothers. Thank You and Father You know all that is whirling around inside and all the concerns, thank You that they are already taken care of in You. I pray I will get with Your program and not my own. Bless my people today; give them peace and wisdom and strength for whatever comes for Jesus sake.
Father, here we are four years since January 11, 2004 and You still have me connected with IDOK — how gracious You are!! Thank You. And the conflict of then is gone and forgotten. Thank You for that too. There’s a lesson in that. Apparently, at the time it was SO pressing upon me and now today I don’t even know what it was – Thank You. Problems come and problems go; some we remember, most we don’t but Lord You remain. Thank You Lord, Thank You. And today, Father, I pray for that IDOK who is struggling this morning with personality conflicts, computer irritations or lack of connections (especially Ms. Martha – get that fixed for her I pray) that You will minister Your Word in all our situations of today. We bring our list of names and we pray for each of these. We especially pray for Young Folks who are making decisions that look nothing like You Lord; that bear no resemblance to holiness and we pray for mercy and we ask You to rescue them from themselves. And we pray for a Young One who wants so much to do better but people and environment and legal systems are working against her. Father, please rescue her; move out of the way what is keeping her from the opportunity of the life she is hoping for. And we pray for our IDOK Troops this morning for their protection of mind, body and spirit; keep the safe and bring each of them home at the appointed time. We ask You to bring this war to a successful conclusion. We pray for the Election of Your Choice for President; we pray for the Peace of Israel; and we pray for the Repentance of America and the Revival of Your Church. And for each of these Lord Jesus we pray for Your Very Best for them today: Anita. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. 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. 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. 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. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R)
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: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 75°F with blowing widespread dust, haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 3:51 PM AST – on February 11, 2008

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