Hebrews 12: 1. . . Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

As I begin it is Sunday afternoon. The Kids have gone home, the dishes are done and the afternoon is about spent. A little after the Noon hour today, when Baby Girl and hubby and Little Girl with children and hubby arrived we spoke of Momma; Grandma and Memaw to them. We wrote notes or signed our names to a card, packed a little bag with mementos and attached it all to a cluster of balloons to release to the sky. It was a tangible way for us to release our grief and hold close precious memories. First the grand-babies released a single balloon each, two blues and one pink. So quickly the balloons floated higher and higher, so high that within moments we could see them no longer. And we released the cluster of balloons. Its lift was not so speedy. Rather slow and labored in fact. Slow enough for us to digitally capture a picture as it hovered above our open hands before slowly rising to the sky.

Later when the house grew quiet and I began to reflect upon the balloons, Hebrews 12:1 came to mind. The single balloons with no weight attached rose quickly, they all but soared to the sky. But the balloon cluster with the weight of sentiments attached struggled to make its way up. Lets read the Scripture again.

Hebrews 12: 1. . . Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Notice it says lay aside every weight. The weight we attached to the balloon cluster was not bad stuff. It was sweet and sentimental but it sure did slow down those balloons. So heavy was the weight of the attached sentiments that we wondered if maybe the balloons would come down rather than fly high. Could it be that we have sweet and sentimental weights attached to us? Sentimental weights that are slowing our progress in the Kingdom of our God? Only by the Holy Spirit within us can we know for sure. We need to listen and lay aside any weight He points out to us. And then the Text reads AND the sin which doth so easily beset us. Again, let us ask Him what sin or sins are holding us back from soaring? That is what He re-birthed us to do, you know? And when He turns on the spot light of conviction, let us confess and forsake that sin. And when we do we will rise and on the wings of the wind we will soar higher and higher in the Presence of our Savior.

Hebrews 12: 1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

An unfettered balloon for Jesus sake — what a thought! Lets ponder it. My love to you all.

Psalm 145:

17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. 

Abba, thank You for a night of rest, for a morning dawn, for sweet memories and balloons that teach us lessons. I pray this morning for our IDOKs, for each of them to sense Your Presence this morning. For them to know Your Strength and Joy this morning. As they ready themselves for work and children and grandchildren for school, pack lunches and scoot out the door keep them safely in Your Care. Ride with them empowering them to live godly lives today. LORD keep us close, don’t let us get by with sin today; don’t let us be comfortable with our weights, help us give them up to You for Your glory and our own best testimony. And we are mindful of our list written here with many and varied conditions and challenges and we pray for each one, for You to intervene individually, for You to custom make each miracle needed in each life. For our IDOK Troops to be safe from all harm today, for them to be mindful of Your love for them, for them to be mindful that they are loved, for them to be mindful that You are holy and full of power to care for them in all circumstances and we pray they will be safe today in mind, body and spirit. We pray for Israel for protection, that enemies will not be victorious over them. We pray for You Holy Spirit to come in great power and conviction upon the American People, upon all peoples pouring out Your Spirit, giving repentance to the lost and visions and dreams to Your sons and daughters. Again, I pray for my IDOKs today, they have many burdens, LORD, and trying, full of hurt situations and I pray for relief and until relief comes strength to keep loving and keep trusting You. Amen and amen.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten 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. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.

Public and Private School Teachers.

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 70°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:40 PM AST on February 9, 2009.

Here’s a link if you would like to see pictures of the balloon release

http://picasaweb.google.com/PupandKat/BalloonReleaseMemorial2809?authkey=Zybyd20DvwY#

When I made up the bed today, I remembered Momma and how she thought it was such a ‘high up’ bed and she would giggle and grunt as she climbed up into it. For a moment, I thought to be sad and even cry again but then my thoughts turned to how much giggling she is doing in Heaven. That she is seeing and experiencing much much greater fun than anything here. And that comforts me.

So, the prayers of the Saints are working. I am beginning to think less of me and what I am missing and am choosing to praise and give thanks to our God for what Momma is enjoying and that on a day certain I will see the glories of Heaven with her. To HIM be the Glory!

I got a perspective on a familiar verse of Scripture today. I don’t think I will ‘evangelize’ it but it felt good for me. 

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. source 

That being the rule of ‘time’ for Heaven, if I were to live another 1,000 years in this frame of mine as is today, which we know I will not, that would only be as a day to my Mom that she has not seen me. That answers for me how it is that Moms and Dads, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren; any someone we love who has preceded us to Heaven is not sad that they are separated from us — it’s only a moment for them. This comforts me so much. Maybe it will some of you too.

I’ve been thinking of some other things too, not so much today because healing has begun. But anyway, I have this sense that even though I did not do everything right for my Momma; didn’t always choose the best words, didn’t call as often as I could have, didn’t do as much, looking back now, as would have been better, in all that I believe the Holy Spirit reminded me the Blood of Jesus has covered it all. His Blood has washed it away for me and most assuredly for Momma. She loved me here in spite of my imperfections and now surrounded and filled with the perfect love of Jesus, she is surely not worried about ‘coulda’, ‘shoulda’, ‘woulda’ and it is sin for me to do so in the here and now. The most appropriate avenue for me to take is to consider those left here with me and what I can do NOW for them. Momma would like that and it will certainly please my Jesus. These are my pondering(s). I hope they will bless you too.

Enjoy your weekend, love on your family and friends and Praise our Great God and Father in all things!

Psalm 145: 17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. source

I have removed my Momma’s name from our list. She no longer needs our prayers, she is WHOLE now. Thank you for all the times you prayed for her. As soon as we all get home, for those of you who did not meet her here, I will be pleased to introduce you to her there.

ABBA, I think Heaven is so good that unbelievers here think we are nuts. So be it LORD. More and more I know Your Word is true and more and more I know that You have more for us there that we have the imagination to dream here. Thank You. Thank You that it is true and thank You that we believe. Oh, what a gift it is to believe. Thank You. Thank You. And, LORD, I haven’t found any Scripture that would support that You would tell Momma for me that I love her but somehow it comforted me when I asked You yesterday to do that for me. Thank You, LORD. And now that I am here with our IDOKs again, thank You for them. It is good to be back and I pray for them that You will bless them abundantly, give them every blessing possible. It’s good to again together bring our list here and our IDOK Troops, praying for their protection, for safety of mind, body and spirit; and for each on this list. LORD, You know what You want to do for each of them and we want You to. So be it LORD JESUS. We pray to be useful servants, building Your Kingdom and giving You Glory, wanting NONE for ourselves. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 41°F and Partly Cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 7:23 AM AST on February 6, 2009.

Saying we are home, to Satsuma, that is. Only Heaven will reveal how sustaining your prayers for me have been and continue to be. The song says Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time. More than ever that is true for me. I am praying for the balance I must have so that I am not so heavenly minded that I am no earthly good. And that blessed balance will come in time. And LORD willing HE will give us an IDOK very soon. Until then thank you and I am so glad you are there. Pray for me that I grieve in holiness.

Momma’s service was just as it should have been. Macedonia Baptist Church was there in full; I think each member came either on Sunday evening or Monday morning. They loved her and she loved them. The Pastor talked about the last revival service she had been able to attend. At that service she stood and testified to our LORD’s goodness to her. The word is she did some Baptist ‘shoutin’. So I think Bro. James was right when he said he was not there on Monday to preach ‘Miss Madie’s’ funeral because she had preached it in life. Momma wasn’t perfect but she loved everybody and we all loved her. To God be the Glory!!

John 13: 35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

Kathie Whitestone Thompson