IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2009

One Thing Leads To Another —

Thought Trains

So come aboard this thought train with me. Today (at this writing it is Tuesday AM) a CD I ordered arrived (Imperials 1977 – 1988) and so I immediately opened and placed it in the CD player and kept on with my housekeeping pleasures as I listened. About the third song in, Russ was singing about looking inside and wanting to be changed and I identified readily with him. A particular line of the song caught my attention (paraphrased): the answer is not in you, no more looking inside, look at JESUS; and thus I boarded my thought train. If the answer is not in me and I well know it is not; still, don’t I need to look at me? Don’t I need to see and examine all the things at which I am failing? Why? So I can change them. RED LIGHT! Yeah, since when have I ever been able to change me? Has not God always been the One who does the changing of you? Well, yeah. So does this mean that I am wrong when I look at me and my failings? Yes. Yes?! Then how does this work? It works when I look at JESUS instead of me? Is that right? Then how will I see what’s wrong with me? That’s not my job? No? It’s YOUR job? I am to keep looking at You and wait for You to reveal to me where I failed; or where I will fail, if I keep on looking at me? I think I see. Looking at me is never a good idea unless I look at me from YOUR EYES, is that right, LORD? Wow! That will take some doing … Good thing You, LORD, are the One doing the doing!

Ok, IDOKs, did my Thought Train take you anywhere?

John 15:4-6 (New American Standard Bible)

4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

Apart from Him I can do nothing … Especially change ‘ME’.

You did it again ABBA. Follow the plan and You speak. I love this. I love YOU. We IDOKs love You. Thank You for music. Thank You for people You have called to sing Your Songs. Thank You that once Your Word is out there is keeps on keeping on, changing Your People from glory to glory. This is fun. Thank You. You are gonna take this thought train and use it, aren’t You? I would love that. Thank You that You take silly fun and make it holy and helpful. You are so AWESOME. And I know You are going to bless our IDOKs today. I ask You to give them wisdom, laughter, holy fun, and focus. The ability and the will to focus on You and abide in You just like You have recorded and ordered us in Your Word to do. In our humanity we don’t like orders. You know that, that’s what got us in this mess. But it is obeying Your Orders that gets us out of this mess. Help us love Your Orders; help us thrill to obey every one of them. And help us crave getting to know all Your Orders to us. I mean crave Your Word more than chocolate candy, or feel good movies, or baseball games, or surfing the web, or shopping for clothes or a new vehicle, or whatever we do that occupies us so often. And here I am looking a me and what I do. LORD, we are Yours and You are doing a great job with us. Thank You. And we pray for our IDOK Troops again, for their protection and safety in every foreign land and here at home. We pray for their families, for their peace of mind and provisions. We pray for Ruth’s continued recovery; that she will follow the doctors’ instructions and get stronger and stronger. Thank You for Cynthia and I ask You to bless her much for her faithfulness. And I pray for Doug and the surgery to come. We want it to go well and for him to have an excellent quality of life here. And we pray especially for infants and children, there are a few listed here with serious, life threatening or life altering conditions and we’d like to see them be well and whole and we know You are able and so we are bringing them to You for Your Touch and Blessings on them and their families. And there are hurting adults listed here with many needs, more needs than we can name or know; please make Yourself easy to see and sense in their here and now. And we pray for the peace of Israel, for the surrender and or defeat of all their enemies. And we pray for the repentance of America’s people and I am asking You for the purging of Washington and the States too. I am asking You to ‘get all up in our government business’, I’d like to see You walk the halls of Congress and the Senate and pour out conviction until there is weeping for the sins committed within those walls that once honored You. And if You can work through us in this, do it LORD. And in the meantime keep on directing our focus to You. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Rachel and family. Stellan. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy, Kevin and Girls. Joan. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Bay and family. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. 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.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

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. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009) Kyle N. (3/26)

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, specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Captain Tran Josh.

As I post this it is 54°F and mist in Kuwait, KW (Airport)& the time there is 5:59 AM AST on April 1, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2009

Today is Red Envelope day.

Psalm 139 Amplified Bible

13 For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].

16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.

17 How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

And every baby boy and every baby girl that has been murdered by abortion is with HIM but woe be unto those who sent (and do not repent) that Little One to HIM before the time!

The final quote in Our Daily Bread’s March 31 devotional reads like this: When we know that God’s Hand is in everything, we can leave everything in God’s Hand.

So why don’t we? What is the pivot on which the truth of this statement turns? It is KNOW, isn’t it? My online dictionary reads that KNOW means: To regard as true beyond doubt. And doubt? Well, that means:

1. To be undecided or skeptical about.

2. To tend to disbelieve; distrust.

3. To regard as unlikely.

4. To suspect; fear.

And we would not say with our words that we are undecided about everything being in God’s Hands, being controlled by Him.

And we would not say with our words that we have a tendency to disbelieve Him.

And we would not say with our words that it is unlikely that He is in control of all things.

And we would not say with our words that we suspect that He doesn’t have it all together.

Not with our words. No, I would not let those words escape my mouth and neither would you. But my actions have surely said it! ABBA forgive us and help us in our unbelief! And He is helping us. Day by day He is teaching us to believe! HOW AWESOME HE IS!!!

Philippians 1:6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

And among other things I believe that ‘good work’ is our faith and trust and love for HIM.

LORD FATHER, calm me before You this morning. I have hurriedly placed words on this screen and now I feel the pressure of time to send and the pending matters of the day are pressing in; quiet my soul O LORD. And quiet the souls of our IDOKs. I am surely not the only daughter or son who feels these pressings. Quiet us O LORD before You, trusting and resting that You control all things and that You will complete the job You have begun in us. And today we pray that enough Red Envelopes will flood the White House to get the attention of the Obama Administration. We pray for each woman who has murdered her child that You will pursue her with mercy and grace and we pray her heart will be tendered and convinced that You love her and You desire to make her whole. Thank You for all the people out there working day after day to put an end to the legalized murder of babies and we pray the murders will be stayed.

And we pray this morning for Jack as he recovers and Martha as she attends, strengthen them both in mind, body and spirit. The list is long and as I have looked over the names I am grateful that You do more than just look over a name. You, LORD, look into hearts and situations and You work miracles. Thank You for every miracle You will do today for these listed here. I am so relieved that when we don’t know what to pray that does not hinder You. You know what is needed and You do what is right and best. We pray specifically for protection and safety for our IDOK Troops, for the peace of Israel, for grace and space for the people of America to repent and for Your Church to be revived. And as I send this devotion, take it and make it a word of hope and encouragement and blessing to each reader and even though it feels so untimely to me, make it timely, I pray. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Rachel and family. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy, Kevin and Girls. Joan. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Bay and family. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. 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.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

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. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009) Kyle N. (3/26)

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, specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Captain Tran Josh.

As I post this it is 77°F and scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:53 PM AST on March 31, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2009

As I was intensely occupied with the inside shower curtain for the umpteenth time in a futile attempt to unfold the curtain, it having stuck to itself at the last ring on both ends from the top of the curtain all the way to the hem, a brilliant thought flooded the cells of my mind: Some Things are not worth the fight! The curtain is plenty wide enough to span from one end of the tub wall to the other end of the tub wall even with both ends of the curtain folded back against itself. Why get worked up over it? Why, indeed! Give that energy to weightier matters.

What’s going on in your life that has you so worked up? In the scheme of eternity is it worth the fight? No? Then let it go and move on. Stretch out that shower curtain from the middle to the ends and get on with splashing and administering THE WATER of THE WORD to people and situations that really matter.

Psalm 131

1 LORD, MY heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty; neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me.

2 Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me [ceased from fretting].

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.

What do you think it means when the Psalmist says neither do I exercise myself in matters too great or in things too wonderful for me? Could he be saying he has learned to no longer ‘fight’ with certain things? Things like folded over shower curtains? Or things about which he knows (in truth) he is lacking information and skill to properly handle or execute? He says surely I have calmed and quieted my soul. Does he mean, he has made a fast and firm decision to let alone what he either cannot do or what would be an unwise use of time and resources and is now resting and trusting his God Who loves him? Can we do this today?

Father, thank You for another morning to meet with You and work with You here on the planet. We confess we are strangers and foreigners in this land and we desire to be HOME with You but while we are here we want to worship and fellowship and be useful in rescuing folks who are yet on the road to hell. We need Your help day by day to get better at refusing to fight with those matters that You have not given us individually and collectively to fight against. We need Your help to embrace and work with You in those matters that You have privileged us to encounter and assist in and through.

Thank You for Mother’s so much improved status. We are grateful and even amazed. Thank You. And now as she as requested, we pray for her continued recovery of mind, body and spirit. We thank You too that Darlene’s Sister’s surgery went better than expected and now we ask You for more. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to embrace losing my leg. So I pray for Leona that she will hear Your Voice and hear all the wonderful things You have to say to her in this time. Thank You for the excellent report concerning Alex and we pray for his continued improvement. We pray for Trisha and Jayden to continue to do well too, ward off infections LORD in each of these we pray. And Linda, I know she is strong but she is human too and I am asking You to undergird her and bring alongside her at just the right moment every tangible support she needs in these days and weeks ahead. Comfort the children and grandchildren too. And we bring the remainder of this list, each one for Your blessings and interventions as needed. We pray too for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection in mind, body and spirit. We pray for the peace of Israel and that the Bride of Christ be revived. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Rachel and family. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson) Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy, Kevin and Girls. 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. 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. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B. Kyle N. (3/26)

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.

And specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 74°F and heavy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 4:16 PM AST on March 30, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2009

I missed my Esther study Wednesday night at church as I was at the hospital so I downloaded it from LifeWay and watched it here at home via the Internet. Can I tell you that our God has given us a choice servant in that woman! Session 6 is so huge I am wondering how I can get my words around even a piece of it to share with you.

So let me try with Beth’s Scenario #7: It’s tough being a woman who feels responsible for the “how”. Beth asked if any of us had a few men in our lives that we felt responsible for? Do we?

Do we ever FEEL responsible to figure out HOW to do a thing? Do we ever have it rolling around over and over in our minds, HOW is this ever going to work out? I think we do. And I think we can learn a lesson from Esther.

I think Esther’s ‘this’ was replying to the king. He had asked her what she wanted him to do for her and she had said tomorrow she would tell him. So her ‘this’ I think may have been forming words to ask the king to save her people. I can imagine that Esther may have had some difficulty sleeping that night. But, if you have followed the story you know that while Esther was sleeping her GOD, our GOD, was handling her ‘this’ and ‘how’ very well. ABBA had called her to obey in ‘this’ and she did, so HE took care of the HOW. Is that good news to you? Is it good news that we women (you men too) have been called to be obedient, we have not been called to figure out “how” that dreaded situation is going to work out; how this ______________________ (you fill in the blank) is going to work out. For every THIS in your life with a HOW, be obedient in all the surrounding actions and HE, Esther’s God and our God, will work the HOW.

Beth ended the session by saying: “When you put your head on the pillow at night, you never know what God may do before morning.” And she was referencing there not only the information that the king received while Esther was sleeping (however fitfully) but more importantly that while Mary and the others slept God raised Jesus from the dead. So the God who raised Jesus from the dead can surely take care of any HOW that we may be losing sleep over.

Esther 6:

1 On that night the king could not sleep; and he ordered that the book of memorable deeds, the chronicles, be brought, and they were read before the king.

2 And it was found written there how Mordecai had told of Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s attendants who guarded the door, who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.

3 And the king said, What honor or distinction has been given Mordecai for this? Then the king’s servants who ministered to him said, Nothing has been done for him.

4 The king said, Who is in the court? Now Haman had just come into the outer court of the king’s palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him.

And the rest of the story is Mordecai is honored, a way is made for the Jews, and Haman is hanged on the gallows he intended for Mordecai.

Did God take care of Esther’s ‘how’ or what?!!

So tonight, lay your head on your pillow and sleep, ABBA has your ‘this’ and your ‘how’ covered.

OH Father, thank You for Esther, thank You for recording this book for us. Thank You for Beth Moore and what You give her to give to us. Thank You that any ‘THIS’ we have You know ‘HOW’ to handle it and not only do You know how but You are ready, willing and able to resolve it. I am asking You now to apply this lesson to us individually as You will.

We bring our list again, particularly Rachel and her family; You know all about it and we pray You will bring a revelation to her that You care and You want to help her and her family. I pray they will seek You with all their hearts. I pray for Claudia and Doug, only You can handle this how and we ask You to do that. I pray for Mollie B and all the family, a lot of things there to be talked over and acted upon and I pray that Your Will be done in all of it, especially with her health issues. We pray for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection in mind, body and spirit. And again today we pray for the peace of Israel, the repentance of the people of America and for fresh wind and fire for Your Church. I specifically ask You to love on our IDOKs today, don’t let any one of them miss hearing Your Voice today. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Rachel and family. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson) Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy, Kevin and Girls. 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. 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. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B. Kyle N. (3/26)

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.

And specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 48°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 6:37 AM AST on March 27, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2009

As I sit to type it is Wednesday and I am fresh from watching Beth – Wednesday’s with Beth on Life Today. And this she said to me and I pass along to you: I have an extraordinary gift from God. Say it aloud. No, not just in your mind. Open your mouth and say it: I have an extraordinary gift from God. Did you hear yourself? Do you believe it?

I Peter 4:

10 As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor].

Then she said: Fan the flame, get out there and make your God famous in your sphere of influence.

I would like that. But am I willing to do it?

Am I willing in humble pride to say: ‘I am gifted’ and then self-less-ly use my gift for the good of those in my sphere of influence? That is what it will take for you and me to make God famous in our sphere of influence. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] Amen and amen – cause it to be so.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

And now as I sit to finish it is Thursday morning. We spent several hours at the hospital on Wednesday. The surgery was quick and successful we believe; but that is not all the story. Some time after the surgery her (Jerry’s Mother) lung collapsed but the doctor said that is resolving and he feels good about that particular issue. But he is concerned about other conditions. She remains in recovery as there were no ICU units available yesterday. And this morning she has been responsive to yes and no questions by the Nurses, so we are charting some improvement. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue.

ABBA, I am tired and I think only You can refresh me. And I think I am not the only one feeling this way this morning now that it is Thursday; now that Wednesday is passed with its good and its not so good – we begin again and we are grateful to begin again with You. Grateful to again come in prayer and it is so good to know I am not coming alone but all our IDOKs come too. And together we ask You to apply Your Word to us. To reveal to us the GIFTS You have given each of us to be used, not hidden, not put away in secret but brought out in the open to be admired and received individually and then given back to Your Hands to administer through us to others so that You will be exalted, not us. And we come this morning to ask for help. To ask You boldly and without reservation to help these listed here and in particular I am asking You to give recovery to Ruth, Jerry’s Mother. You know my thoughts concerning her and the things I’d like for her and I pray You will give her those opportunities. It was good to see WC and Betty yesterday, thank You for their faithfulness and I ask You to particularly bless them today, You know their needs, far better than I. And as I have looked over the list, it’s long, LORD, lots and lots of situations, stuff we are not privy to but You are and so whatever You desire for these that is what we pray will be and we pray when it requires cooperation from them with You that they will know it and do it. And in particular as every day we pray for our IDOK Troops, asking You to protect them today, to remind them they are loved and appreciated and that YOU are their first line of defense, praying they will lean on You and be hidden in You today. And we are mindful of our duty to pray for the President and his family, for those that make up his administration. LORD, You know I don’t agree with them, don’t like what they do, how they think, or what they are insisting to do, but I know You love them, You die for them, You desire to forgive them and bless them; You are so AWESOME. So we pray whatever You will to do to demonstrate to them Who You are and what You desire, do it, LORD. And Holy Spirit, we pray You will enable them to cooperate and in spite of sins, evil and foolish actions, we pray You will have mercy on America and give grace and space for repentance. And ABBA we pray for mercy for us too the Body of Christ, we are to blame for much of the evil because we kept quiet. Forgive us, help us really, really repent so we will no longer be part of the problem but will become co-workers with You again. ABBA, we do love You, help us love You more, love You enough to make You famous. Amen and amen.

SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Christopher H and his family. Darlene’s Sister. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson) Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Amy, Kevin and Girls. 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. 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. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B. Kyle N. (3/26)

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.

And specifically those emotional/spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 71°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:51 PM AST on March 26, 2009.