Monthly Archives: April 2008

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Aim High – Do Overs

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2008

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

Three of the Grandchildren accompanied me on a photo shoot Friday to beautiful Fairhope. When the excursion was planned I expected sunshine with white fluffy clouds but alas it was overcast; yet we still managed to get a few noteworthy pictures I think. Before the shoot, we lunched at a local drive-in and for a mid-afternoon treat we pampered ourselves with ice cream and yogurt and in between we played ball. Yep. Me too. I did some pitching and not much catching. It was while pitching this IDOK thought came. I noticed that my focus while pitching was of utmost importance. Even if I put all the power I had in the pitch, the ball was still a grounder if I aimed too low. And it would be at that point that Jeffrey in his sweet grace would yell out ‘do over’. It took much of the afternoon but I finally caught on — aim high as you bring your arm back (yes, I’m girl and with my limited strength I pitch underhanded), keep your eyes up and out there above the catching field as you complete your pitch. If I wanted to get the ball to my ‘young-uns’ out there in the ‘field’ I had to focus above and beyond them as I completed the pitch otherwise the ball would fall short of their catching field. In other words, I had to aim (focus my eyes) beyond my throwing abilities and even beyond my target to get the ball into their playing field.
I’m still pondering spiritual applications here but this I know so far, it’s our aim – our focus that determines how good is our pitch. If we look only at our situations, no matter how hard we try we can expect to pitch a ‘grounder’. If we look only at the needs around us and do not look up and beyond to our Father’s Resources to meet those needs, we can expect to throw a ‘do over’. And believe me I have thrown my share of ‘do overs’ not only on Friday’s playground but at this game we call Life.
It’s a GREAT thing that our God allows us ‘do overs’ again and again while we learn to look up and beyond not only our ‘playing field’ but also our own fears, doubts and limitations.
So whatever is on your ‘plate’ today, AIM HIGH and as you practice your aim if you happen to pitch a grounder, listen carefully and you will hear Your Father tenderly say in Great Grace ‘Do Over’ – ‘Try Again’.
Philippians 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Matthew 18 (The Message Bible): 12-14″Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn’t he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn’t want to lose even one of these simple believers. 15-17″If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love.
Oh Father, You are so AWESOME. I love You. Thank You for those whispers of Do Over – Try Again. Some of our IDOKs may need to be reminded today that You call out Your Grace to us and You allow us to try again when we have failed. Holy Spirit help us all to look at the ‘plates’ we have today and if needful to scrape something off and as we examine our plates to be sure to keep looking up and beyond ourselves to You for wisdom and strength enough to pitch well today and in pitching well or catching well be a blessing to not only to our brothers and sisters but to others who have not yet joined Your (our) Team. Father, thank You for Grandchildren and spiritual lessons; thank You for teaching us Life Lessons in play times. Thank You that You can take any time and make it a blessed learning and growing time if we will look and listen for You. Thank You. Help us do this today. And Father, we come now with these listed here and we pray for them that on whatever ‘playing field’ they are today that they will hear Your Sweet Grace coming and giving them strength and direction, wisdom and information and mercy, grace and peace in abundance. Thank You for our IDOK Troops thank You for the many, many days of safety and protection You have given them, continue on today we pray. You know all the things on our hearts this morning and to them all we surrender to Your Will for Jesus sake. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. 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. Chuck. 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 and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
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. Bay N.
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 – Lee.
As I post this it is 92°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:40 PM AST – on April 21, 2008

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Memory Loss

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2008


Our Daily Bread reads (in part) today: A little boy had just been tucked into bed by his mother, who was waiting to hear his prayers. But he had been naughty that day, and now it was bothering him. So he said, “Mama, I wish you’d go now and leave me alone. I want to pray by myself.” Sensing that something was wrong, she asked, “Bobby, is there anything you ought to tell me?” “No, Mommy,” he replied. “You would just scold me, but God will forgive me and forget about it.”
Is that great theology or what?! But isn’t it sad too? Sad, that we have experienced this from one another – the lack of forgiveness. I’m not fond of that old adage: ‘I forgive you but I’ll never forget’ because it is usually said in a tone that causes one to feel NOT forgiven. Neither do I accept another saying that folks have attributed to Father God that He obliterates my sins from His memory. I know, I know you may say what about Jeremiah 31: 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
May I point out that in this particular Scripture setting Father is talking to Israel about a FUTURE time. Frankly, it disturbs me to think of God as having memory loss. I don’t mind if He remembers my sin to help me and with crucial timing and in extravagant love reminds me for the purpose of keeping me from committing it again. I find great comfort in His ability to do that! (However, I don’t find great comfort in some brothers and sisters doing so!) I find great comfort and strength in the fact that while I may be reminded of my transgressions I am NEVER held accountable for them any more. Father does not hold them against me – JESUS PAID FOR THEM ALL!!
I really think Father has no difficulty here. Let me give you an experiential reason why I believe this: There are people in my life who have hurt me deeply but since forgiveness came even though what they did has not been obliterated from my memory, those memories do not cause hurt anymore, nor do those memories cause me to love them less, nor do those memories cause me to want anything but good and the best for them, nor do those memories keep me from acting in kindness and love on their behalf. And if God the Father can do this in me, chief of sinners, can You imagine what He is capable of doing?
No, I do not want Father to forget anything. I need Him to fully remember to keep me straight!! One last thought. If there are memories of sins, hurts and wrongs that are still causing you grief, still causing you pain, still keeping you from doing good for them … Maybe the answer is that you have not TRULY forgiven them. Father can enable you to do that – HE DOES IT ALL THE TIME!
I John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Father, I am glad You don’t forget, I am glad You remember to love me no matter what I have done. Thank You. And I am asking You to more and more teach me to do the same for others. And Lord Jesus thank You that You have paid for all ours sins forever and always. Thank You. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven. And this morning we pray for these whatever they need today we are depending upon You to supply. Thank You for those who were traveling are now home safely and for those still traveling we still ask for safety and holy fun. Thank You for the fun and laughter You have given this week. Thank You for glorious sunshine. Thank You for the heavens and earth – we see You in them and You are AWESOME! We pray for Richard and Emma, we pray for healing and recovery for Richard and peace for Emma. Lord, You know what each of these need and we entrust them to You. We are also entrusting our IDOK Troops to You for another day of protection and safety for minds, bodies and spirits. And we are continuing to trust You for a successful conclusion to this war and for conviction and grace and space to repent for America. We are continuing to look for Your intervention in this Presidential Election. We are continuing to pray for the Peace of Israel and the refreshing and reviving of Your Bride, Lord Jesus. Amen amen. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. 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. Chuck. 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 and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
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. Bay N.
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 – Lee.
As I post this it is 79°F and Blowing Widespread Dust in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:16 PM AST – on April 18, 2008

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Strenth To Worship March 17, 2004 and Today!

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

Issy has been keeping my beloved and me company this week; she’s five and we are much older and so I arrive this morning at 6:45 in need of a message; I am borrowing from March 17, 2004. It’s still good today. The Word is still full of power and our Precious Lord Jesus is still just as worthy of worship and praise.

I think it must be worship this morning.
As I was reading Journey the words spoke of worship and just at that moment I caught the words of the song playing on the radio and it was all about worship!
And the Journey reads: Every day we must lift our hearts in worship above the din of war, human tragedies and suffering. It is so easy to lose our perspective, to focus on the darkness in the world around us. But we can still be thankful for the beauty and goodness God has brought into our lives, for our friends and family, the food we eat and a world to enjoy. We can have peace in our hearts, knowing we are His children and God is in control.

And just before that in Our Daily Bread I was struck with this sentence: He asks us to commit our way to Him and accept the struggles He allows and the strength He provides. I love the way He does this!!! There are some key words in that sentence and it is packed with power. Yes, He allows STRUGGLES in our daily lives. Could it be that an ACT OF WORSHIP would be to ACCEPT those struggles? Could it be that another ACT OF WORSHIP would be to believe and receive the STRENGTH HE PROVIDES to us in those struggles He allows? Let’s look at the heart of one who did/does worship Father God.

2 Corinthians 12
8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [ in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). source 

I love that passage! Let it pour over you and fill you up today. Do you see one more thing in that passage? Our brother the Apostle Paul who we, who I think, was/is a great man asked three times for a certain “struggle” to be removed — Father said No! And Paul still worshipped!! Reminds me of SOMEONE else — Paul had been learning from the example of Our Sweet Jesus in the Garden. Oh I think we can worship today!! I think our grateful hearts won’t let us do anything else!!

Father God, Lord God You are so awesome; thank You; thank You!!

Yes, Father, You are AWESOME and we thank You this morning that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, worthy of our worship and praise. Thank You for this day, thank You that if we have struggles You have already given us strength and wisdom enough to come through them; thank You that if we have joys You are already laughing with us. Thank You for the privilege and the duty of prayer. 
For each in every situation. Thank You for what You have already done in their lives; for the progress, for the strength, for the restoring of health, for the traveling mercies, for the fun and laughter, for the help and encouragement in jobs well done, for being in control especially when it feels the opposite, thank You even more for faith to believe; thank You that houses sell in Your Time and Your Timing is perfect; thank You for medical intervention, thank You that You govern all things for Your Glory and our good; thank You that You are convincing our lost ones of their need of Your Salvation; thank You that every situation spoken or not You know and You are working all things well. And we pray for the Peace of Israel especially with the Passover Sabbath only days away. Again we pray that our Jewish Family will come to see You Lord Jesus as Messiah. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops today in mind and body and spirit; thank You that You govern this planet and we commit this war to You for a successful conclusion. We commit this Nation to You for correction and grace and space to repent; we pray for the Presidential Candidates that they will repent and we pray for the election of the one You have chosen for this Nation. And we pray for us – IDOKs and for Your Church around the World that You will revive us to Worship and live Your Gospel. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 82°F and HEAVY in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:30 PM AST – on April 17, 2008

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Allow me to give a postscript. Today is November 7, 2022. That five-year-old is now 20. She doesn’t spend the week with us any more; not because we wouldn’t all love it! But seasons have changed – life and work march on.
I no longer keep up with time and weather in Balad and those areas – our beloved Tim has been home now for many years. We are grateful.

This blog has changed some in presentation over the years. I am glad to still be here writing. I am surprised I still have something to say.
Happy Monday.

Love, Kathie