I think I have only one verse of Scripture for us to ponder today. Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
The verse is recorded immediately following the time when Jesus was 12, when after searching for three (3) days Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. I enjoy thinking about Jesus in His Perfect Humanity. I enjoy using my holy imagination to envision Him as a baby, a toddler, a young man of 12, even a teenager. And when I read Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, that means to me that the Eternal God, knowing everything, lowered Himself to the state of a helpless baby who had to learn and grow. And He did that so I could identify with Him. He did it because He loved/loves you and me from eternity past, eternity present and eternity future. Now my mind cannot get itself around that but my spirit KNOWS it is true and my soul is so thrilled with it that big smiles and out loud giggles often erupt. I hope you will ponder not only that Jesus is perfect, holy God but He is and was living, learning, growing, laughing, crying, playing, working, perfect humanity too. He grew in wisdom and stature. One day some months after He was born in that stable in Bethlehem He let go of Mary’s hand and took His first step. In time, He learned to read, even as you and I did. He made his bed and learned to hammer and nail, Joseph was His teacher. Just imagine that. Can you imagine the delight He must have been to the two of them? Like Beth Moore says I surely hope ABBA made a heavenly video of all those years. I want to see it! I want to see my Lord and my Savior in all those little things He did just so I could identify with Him. Oh, what a Savior, fully God and fully human!
I could go on and on and I hope you will, pondering the many ways Jesus identified with you, and may you comprehend just a little bit more the depth, height and width of His love for you.
Doug is having surgery today (May 1), prayers for him and his sister, Claudia, are appreciated.
Prayer Report: Melinda thanks us for our prayers for Mike and Vickie and Vickie has an update for us: Thank you all for your concern, prayers, and messages. Mike is doing beautifully after his brain surgery! They will “map” the site of the surgery, and he should have the radiation in a week or so (it should be only one treatment).
He had visits from physical/occupational therapists and a nurse at home last week; they were all in agreement that he is doing too well for in-home therapy (HOORAY!), so he will start out-patient at Lodi later today. We can’t believe how well he is walking…won’t be surprised if he is upgraded from a walker to a cane!
The CT scans taken of his chest/abdomen/pelvis when he was hospitalized show a lot of tumor progress – the largest one in his liver has almost doubled in size, many others have grown, and new ones have appeared in other locations, especially lymph nodes throughout his body. The most likely treatment will be Temozolomide taken in capsule form, which he will receive at home. This decision must wait until a couple of weeks after the radiation treatment ends, so we do not have a timeline for this.
Mike is handling all of this fairly well, . . . . I will let you know more as things happen. Love, Vickie…and Mike
Oh ABBA, I really hope You have that heavenly video all ready for us. There are so many, many things I want You to show me when I get to Heaven with You. Lord Jesus, I would so love to see You there in the stable and the carpenter shop and the home You had with Mary and Joseph and Your brothers and sisters, all those years that You were learning and growing and doing the right thing. Oh Lord, You are the Awesome GodMan. Thank You. And speaking of doing the right thing, since You did the right thing in Your Humanity, You can surely teach me to do the right thing too. That is so beautiful and so encouraging. Thank You.
And ABBA thank You for what You have done for Mike. You have a good plan for him and we wait to see You work it out more and more. We pray for he and Vickie that their faith and strength increase and fail not. And we pray for Doug. We pray this surgery will be successful and his recovery will be soon coming. We pray for Claudia to be comforted and strengthened to encourage and bless Doug. And please give Larry safe passage here. Thank You that Drew is home from Iraq. And now that he is we pray he will soon find his niche and will serve You faithfully. We pray for all our IDOK Troops, for their safety in spirit, mind and body and that each will come home safe and sound at the appointed time. We pray for each one listed here, there are lots and lots of needs, more than we even know; but You know them and we believe You care, we believe You have a plan and we believe You are working that plan for each one them. Please don’t let them miss it. I am also renewing my prayer for the cleansing of Washington and all 50 States; for the Peace of Israel and the reviving of the Church and for the children, those hungry and those full; Thy will be done. Amen and amen.
A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joshua A. Irene C. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Cathie R’s Family. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Emily. Stellan. Chandler. Mrs. Walker. 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. 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. Melissa and daughters. 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.
ABBA, I am posting this here in prayer as a daily prayer and I am praying as pure in motive as I know how today, asking that You by whatever ways and means You choose, see to the removal from office of every elected Official in Washington and all 50 States that is not sensitive to and is not inclined to work to preserve Judaeo-Christian values and the Constitution of this Nation in its Original Intent. Lord, I am so sorry that many (and thank You not all) offices of this Nation are filled with corrupt, reprobate-minded people who have no regard for You or Your Word and if I have done anything that has contributed to the election of these people, please forgive me and stop me from any further actions that will damage and bring this Nation to complete ruin. I pray Holy Spirit that You will stir the hearts and prayers of enough people to bring this Nation to repentance and will clean and cleanse the offices and the Officials of this Nation. Father God, please have mercy on us. Lord Jesus, clean Washington even as You did the Temple if need be. Amen and amen.
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. Justin G. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Chad B (3/2009) Kyle N. (3/26). Jessica D. (4/09)
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)
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. (great news, not only is Adam at home he is getting married!!!) Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.
As I post this it is 72°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 7:26 AM AST on May 1, 2009.
We must continue to pray too for Joshua A. The update on him is rather lengthy to add to this already LONG edition. If you would like a copy of the update please let me know and I will email it to you.