IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2009

Benjamin Franklin is accredited with saying: ‘early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.’ And at my ‘sage age’ I think he is right which makes me all the more foolish for not heeding his advice.

Time is one of the things I have on my mind this morning. (A stitch in time, saves nine.) And my agenda for today is as I know set to include some hours at the hospital. My beloved’s mother is scheduled for surgery possibly as early as 1:30 this afternoon. She fell yesterday and broke her hip. Your prayers for her are much appreciated.

This must be a morning of sayings and I hope by the end of this something I have said will be helpful and encouraging. SO as I watched the tail lights of the Accord to the end of the street this morning, I thought: ‘I am so glad ‘Love is blind’. But you know what, love isn’t blind. They, whomever ‘they’ are that coined that phrase in my estimation are wrong. Neither is love deaf and dumb. LOVE just loves around stuff, over and through it. I’m so glad! Stuff like slouchy clothes, wet hair, no makeup and coffee breath. Yes, I am praising ABBA for Love that is not blind but loves anyway! I hope you have people in your life that love you warts and all. And if not, ABBA, bring a saint or two alongside these Dear Ones that will love them not blindly, but with full sight and a generous heart. And, LORD, thank You that You always love them, You always love us, warts and all. You are AWESOME! And, ABBA, while You are at it, make me one of those people that love other people warts and all.

1 Corinthians 13

1 IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).

3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.

4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

8 Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

9 For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).

10 But when the complete and perfect (total) comes, the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith–conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope–joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love–true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

No, a blind eye is not what it takes to love, it takes the eyes of Jesus and we have them, we only need to USE them. Sayings … We must be made up of more than sayings, doings are what count.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGr8as7pPBE&feature=related

ABBA, thank You. You make me smile. And people You have blessed me with make me smile too. Thank You. It came to me as I watched and listened that I can’t ask You just once to give me Your Eyes to see that I must ask You over and over and over, not that You are not willing but because if I don’t keep asking, I am not willing. Oh LORD make me willing to keep on asking until I am seeing with Your Eyes consistently.

And added to this I ask You for a successful and safe surgerical procedure for Mother this afternoon and we pray for a good and steady recovery. Thank You for Cynthia, bless her today too. And we renew our prayers for Christopher and his family, for Darlene and her Sister, for each one listed here, specifically our IDOK Troops for protection of mind, body and spirit; and for the Peace of Israel and we dare not forget to renew again and again our petition for the repentance of the American People and the Revival of the Body of Christ. Amen and amen. A 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. Trisha and Jayden. L. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. 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 66°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:44 PM AST on March 25, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2009

I am still off my beat, so allow me again just a quick word and a prayer with you.

Promises

Even consistently faithful humans can slip, over extend, fall and break promises; BUT not our God.

Isaiah 25.

A promise for the future:

8 He will swallow up death [in victory; He will abolish death forever]. And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the reproach of His people He will take away from off all the earth; for the Lord has spoken it.

9 It shall be said in that day, Behold our God upon Whom we have waited and hoped, that He might save us! This is the Lord, we have waited for Him; we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.

And a promise for today:

Isaiah 26.

3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.

4 So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

PRAYER REQUEST:Christopher H. A 5 year old son of a friend of an IDOK Sister Lisa, who may have Hodgkin’s. She (the Mother) is a nurse at Mobile Infirmary and was able to get extensive testing and biopsies done immediately Friday. They are waiting on the test results to come in this week. They are so upset and as a parent of a 5 year old, I cannot even begin to feel the pain that this family is going through. It would mean so much to me and their family for him/them to receive as many prayers they can.

Thank you for praying with me for a safe trip for my much loved William and Brenda. They arrived home safe, quite a bit tired but in good time and had some fun along the way.

In addition to Christopher we are adding Darlene’s Sister. Her medical condition is serious, even to the point of probable leg amputation.

Father, thank You for the opportunities of praise and ministry that are in this day for each of us. I pray we will seize them and use them up for Your Glory. I pray we will have eyes to see Your sovereign goodness displayed all around us. And when we see hurtful, unfair and unjust happenings, I pray we will remember Your Promises and by Your Grace and Strength choose to trust You and continue to love You. We pray for Christopher and we see this disease as hurtful and unfair and we pray that You will intervene and give this little one a miracle of healing and we pray for his family to see and know Your Presence in all this and as they wait for test results, help them keep their minds stayed on You for Your Perfect Peace. And then Darlene’s Sister, she has suffered much and more suffering according to medical reports is ahead of her and yet we know that You are able to reverse this and we would like to see You do that but even if You don’t we proclaim that You are Good and Your Promises are true. We pray for peace and comfort for Darlene, not only concerning her sister but Torkel and their children and grandchildren; all that concerns her we pray she will SEE Your Sovereign Goodness in the here and now and stand firmly on Your Promises. We pray this for us all, LORD, and each one listed here that we will see Your Sovereign Goodness and stand faithfully on Your Promises. Comfort and protect our IDOK Troops in mind, body and spirit and Troop Families waiting. Protect and defend Israel we pray and send conviction and grace and space for America to repent. You know our concerns regarding the President and his family and every man and woman on Capital Hill. We have to believe that some of them actually do KNOW You and for them, LORD, guard them and please, please don’t let them fall; snatch them from compromise and fill them with Your Spirit; for the others, LORD, we pray for HOLY GHOST conviction to fall upon them so strongly and heavily that even their sleep is troubled and their food is unsatisfying for as long as they refuse to repent and if not this, bring whatever means and actions You deem necessary to get their attention. ABBA, Your Word promises You will pour out Your Spirit upon Your Sons and Daughters in the Last Days, come and pour out on us we pray. Amen and amen. A 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. Trisha and Jayden. L. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. 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 72°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:23 PM AST on March 24, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2009

Monday already? With only a few minutes of pacing the floor, William and Brenda arrived on time Friday and the days have gone by much, much too quickly. We have been so blessed with love and laughter, way too much good food and a little bit sleep here and there. I am blessed beyond my vocabulary.

Please allow me just a quick word this Monday from the concluding verse from Sunday School yesterday.

Isaiah 30:18 And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!

His matchless, unbroken companionship, that’s what we want today and that is what we can have. In deed were ARE a loved and favored people!

ABBA, it will take eternity to thank You for You being You to me. Thank You for these days with family and this morning as William and Brenda travel back I ask You to protect them giving mercy to arrive safely and along the way I pray for peace and comfort and laughter for them.

And this morning we pray too for Doug, asking for a safe procedure and for the best report following the procedure that can be given and we pray for comfort and peace of mind and heart as Claudia waits.

We specifically come with Chad B and his family this morning concerning his deployment. We ask for his safety and protection along with all our IDOK Troops and we pray for families for their peace of mind and hearts, always trusting Your Mercy and Grace and Loving-Kindness to each of us. And we petition You this morning on behalf of each of these listed here for Your very best for each of them and we trust You. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Trisha and Jayden. L. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa Hennis. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. 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 scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:03 PM AST on March 23, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2009

I have been attempting to put something on this screen for nearly an hour now. The computer system is painfully slow this morning which only adds to my frustration. My beloved will be saying any moment now, ‘I’m leaving’ — for the office, that is. Maybe on my way to the door or standing on the drive, a profound thought will come. The morning has been good even with its many distractions. William and Brenda are readying themselves in Tennessee. I just talked to them. Aren’t telephones and travel grand? This morning they are in Tennessee and LORD willing this afternoon they will be here with us. I can hardly wait! And I am nervous too. You know why? They don’t have a cell phone. She had one and didn’t like it. Boggles my mind! This morning’s reading of Psalm 20 speaks to me.

7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

But we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

It’s not a vehicle or a cell phone. It is the LORD our God who delivers us. Sometimes we trust the frailest, silliest things. Any body relating this morning? LORD deliver us from trusting anything but YOU.

Enjoy your Friday, enjoy the weekend. Love you all.

Praise Report: Kathie, I had sent you a prayer request for Linda W who was hit by a car while walking on Rangeline Rd and was thrown thru the windshield. Praise God today she is going home from the hospital. She is still in a wheelchair, has a rod in her leg, a brace on her neck and her arm in a cast but she’s being released. Our God is so gracious!

ABBA, You know the whirlwind of thoughts this morning, mine and no doubt others of our IDOKs. Calm our spirits, rest our minds and Holy Spirit move us to TRUST in You. Thank You for Linda’s recovery and we pray she continues to do well. We also pray for Mr. Matthews, don’t know just what he needs but we are entrusting him and his family for Your Will to be. Give peace and strength to Lana, her sisters and her mother. And I am thinking of Linda this morning; hold her close with peace and comfort and when it’s time please give her a vision and mission for these coming days. And Daphne and Frank cause it to be so that this weekend is better than they can imagine, show out for them I pray and that request that she specifically had, make it so LORD. And all the rest listed here we pray they will proclaim You faithful in all their needs and provisions today. And our IDOK Troops we pray for inner peace and safety in all they encounter today. We pray for the Peace of Israel, for the surrender or defeat of all their enemies. We pray for the people of America that You will pour out conviction and convince the lost of sin, righteousness, and judgment to come. We pray for the President, for he and his family for grace and space to repent. And thank You for the outcry of the people that had a curtailing affect upon him yesterday. Thank You for the encouragement that is to me and now I pray for more holy outcries to curtail him more and more from the evil he has said he will do. Strengthen us today in Your Word and deliver us from trusting in things or ourselves, cause us to REST our Trust in You alone, particularly for safe and fun travel for my dear William and Brenda. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Mr. Matthews. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Trisha and Jayden. L. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa Hennis. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. 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.

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 76.2°F and haze in Baghdad, BAGHDAD (PWS) & the time there is 4:11 PM AST on March 20, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2009

What if we read this passage seeing the enemies and adversaries the Psalmist is penning about as cancer or some other illness, or some fearful, hurtful circumstance you are living through right now.

ABBA, as our dear and precious IDOKs read this passage I ask You HOLY SPIRIT to make it come alive to them, to apply it richly to their circumstances, to the diseases and illnesses they or family members are experiencing now. Just open this passage I pray. Make it as liquid empowerment pouring over them, saturating every pore and soaking into bones and marrow, giving them strength and courage, joy and peace, a knowing more than before of the height, width and depth of Your Love for each of them and added to that even healing and restoration of minds, bodies and spirits. Holy Spirit, interpret this WORD to them this morning as only You can. Make it personal for each of them I pray.

Psalm 27 NASB

¹The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the defense of my life;

Whom shall I dread?

²When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,

My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.

³Though a host encamp against me,

My heart will not fear;

Though war arise against me,

In spite of this I shall be confident.

⁴One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,

To behold the beauty of the LORD

And to meditate in His temple. (wouldn’t doing this cause us to actually LIVE through it all?)

⁵For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;

In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;

He will lift me up on a rock. (look what happens when we believe, HE WILL. We can then say I WILL.)

⁶And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me,

And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.

⁷Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice,

And be gracious to me and answer me.

⁸When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You,

“Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.”

⁹Do not hide Your face from me,

Do not turn Your servant away in anger;

You have been my help;

Do not abandon me nor forsake me,

O God of my salvation! (and when you have been praising and doing well and you get hit again like a ton of bricks and your flesh does not understand and it screams He must be mad at me or He would not have let this happen, you will renew your minds-spirits again with His Word and you will rise to praise Him again.)

¹⁰For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

But the LORD will take me up.

¹¹Teach me Your way, O LORD,

And lead me in a level path

Because of my foes.

¹²Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,

For false witnesses have risen against me, (could this false witness be a test report? Read on!)

And such as breathe out violence.

¹³I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD

In the land of the living.

¹⁴Wait for the LORD;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the LORD.

Our IDOK Sister, Helen, requested that we pray for her for wisdom in an employment decision; a vote is to be cast tomorrow. It is a serious vote that will affect families and their livelihood.

And another request from our IDOK Sister, Jodi: Ashley runs the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Childrens Hospital here in Columbia. Her mother, Tammy B, found out she had a curable thyroid cancer and was receiving treatment. Yesterday she had a full body scan and they have found that it has spread everywhere. Ashley lives 2 hours from her parents and is having a terrible time with this (as expected). She told me yesterday that she doesn’t know how much longer she can live with all of the things going on in her life. If you could please add Tammy B and Family to the list. And a woman named Jackie K, she has lung cancer and it does not look good. She started chemo today and I just ask that you will add her to our prayer list. Thank you so much! Cancer is such a terrible thing and I feel like its affecting everyone around me.

I feel the same.

And I read this morning a late night email from our IDOK Sister Kathy: Kathie…just an update…Mother went to be with the Lord this morning. It has been a hard struggle for her and she is finally at Peace. I know she has been made perfect and is walking those streets of gold and praising God! Praise God! Thank you….Thank you for all your many prayers, support and kind words of encouragement! We want to continue to pray for Kathy and her family at this time.

We are waiting upon You ABBA and we are allowing our hearts to take on courage. Helen is concerned about this vote, how to vote and what is best. She wants Your Wisdom, she wants to know how to vote and so we are asking You to tell her how to vote tomorrow and we are asking You to cause others to vote that way too so that what is Your Will will be in this situation.

And we pray for Tammy and her family and Jackie, we pray these dear women and their families will be empowered to live this passage of Scripture, particularly in these ‘evil’ reports that have come to them. We know Satan means these reports for evil but You LORD mean them for GOOD and we wait to see Your Goodness this side of Heaven and even more there with You. We know You are comforting Kathy and her family as they attend to a memorial service and all that goes along with this time and we thank You. And we thank You for the practical helps of friends and neighbors to come along side them. And in particular we pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection today; we pray for Israel’s Peace and Protection and for the surrender or defeat of all their enemies and we pray for America. America deserves Your wrath and judgment but I am asking You ABBA for grace. I am asking You to pour out You, HOLY SPIRIT, upon the American People and bring repentance. I am asking You to raise up Your Church as an instrument of Holy Change in this Nation. I am asking You to search me and remove anything in me that is keeping me from affecting more and more people with Your Gospel.

I ask You for traveling mercies for my brother and my sister-in-law(love), get them here in peace and safety tomorrow. Thank You for this visit, my soul is dancing with joy at their coming.

And ABBA as I send this and post it I ask You to let now Your Word come back void but to do what You have sent it forth to accomplish. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Trisha and Jayden. L. Brian T. Ricky M. Chloe Melissa Hennis. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Family of Ann J. Moriah and her family. Natalie. Kathy and family. Tommy and Raye. Doug. Woman of Sadness. Frank. Jeanette. Mia and family. Joy and Evan. Gina. 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.

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 scattered clouds in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) & the time there is 3:57 PM AST on March 19, 2009.