Monthly Archives: June 2009

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Your Turn to Write – Subtitled Peak of our Potential Prowess

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 2009

As I begin today, Monday, to write for Tuesday it is just minutes before 1:00 PM and I am feeling pretty good about today, so far. As you know I prayed on Saturday for a pure heart and I am still praying for that. I figure it will take some time for that to happen so I need to keep on asking. And today during my almost 3 mile walk I prayed (it’s the best way I know to pass the walk time). Have you noticed or is it just me, that ABBA seems to work in ‘themes’? And I think a theme with me today was healthy and holy as related to pure. As I was conversing with Him, I said, ‘Hmmm. Spirit, Soul and Body these are the ‘parts’ that make me, me. My spirit came from You so that means my spirit is already pure; it’s my soul and body that needs the work. And, of course, since I was at that moment primarily working on the body, hoping to make it ‘healthier’, I wondered out loud with Him if being healthy in soul and body had any affect on being holy and having a pure heart?

What do you think?

And what is an unhealthy soul, any way? What would an unhealthy soul look like?

And does an unhealthy body (due to abuse or neglect) have any bearing on our soul?

What do you think? No, I’m not kidding. What do you think? These are not rhetorical questions – I’d like to hear, ‘read’ your answers if you are comfortable giving them.

What about a life style we have come to call ‘burning the candle at both ends’, what affect does that have on us?

Should we be doing it?

Are we in the Will of God when we do it?

Can we stop ‘cold turkey’? Or is it a process that we should begin and keep working on?

Does God care about this sort of thing?

And if we are not diligently and consistently laying bare our thoughts and emotions and bodies before the Lord for His inspection, correction and training, can we have a pure heart? Can we?

And as I have been writing I thought what about, ‘all things in moderation’, is that Biblically based? Well, the word moderation showed up only one time in the KJV at Philippians 4:5. (Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.) So I continued with my online research and landed at an interesting site entitled Blue Letter Bible. It’s a site which lists familiar sayings that we have been told are in Scripture and maybe the concept is but the saying as we have heard it is not found there – all things in moderation is one of those sayings. If you like, take a look:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/sayings.cfm

I only read the all things in moderation entry, so I can’t vouch for the rest of them. Here’s a portion of it and I will close for today with it: But what about Scripture? Though there is no direct quotation matching the proverb, Paul does use a similar idea in his description of the successful athlete:

And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).

While Paul could be making reference to an Aristotalean sort of ethic of moderation here, it is more likely that the phrase translated here as “temperate in all things” should be better rendered as “wholly self-controlled” or “entirely self-disciplined.” Several alternative translations favour this reading of the text. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon notes that Paul is presenting the figure of an athlete who trains himself, taking charge of his body, abstaining from “unwholesome foods, wine, and sexual indulgence” that he might perform at the peak of his potential prowess.

So does doing our best under the direct supervision and training of the Holy Spirit, to consistently (not ‘perfectly’ but consistently) maintain healthy and holy thoughts and emotions (soul) and conduct (body) have any bearing on our purity of heart? And is having a pure heart what it takes for us as sons and daughters of The King to perform at the peak of our potential prowess? The peak of our potential prowess (definition of prowess: Superior skill or ability. Superior strength, courage, or daring, especially in battle) – wow! What would that look like in this time when The Lord is at hand if we lived it out from day to day in spirit, soul and body? I’d like to find out. You too?

ABBA, this is a lot for me to digest. I need Your help. And just maybe some of our IDOKs will too. So Holy Spirit we are dependent upon You just like we should be to know what is written here and how You want it applied to us individually and collectively. We want to be healthy and holy in soul and body even as is our spirit.

We continue to pray for Doug’s recovery and Claudia’s well being and in addition to them, every name written here and even those whose names are not written here on this computer page but are written on the walls of our hearts. We pray that each in their own and varied situations will prosper and be healthy and holy. We pray for our IDOK Soldiers to be protected and to come home safe and sound at the appointed time. We pray for the cleansing of America; for the infilling of the Holy Spirit in the local assemblies and I particularly pray for Tuesday night’s Bible Study at Bay Community that Your Presence will be thick upon us, so thick that we will be set free to worship and learn and obey. We pray You will be so Present with us that we will be set free from all the strongholds that bind us. Thank You for this ministry; make it what You will for Jesus Name sake. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. Donna P and her Dad. BETTY. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. David Y. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Stellan. Darlene’s Sister. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters. Mollie B.

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. And Lord some weeks later since this prayer began we have word from one of those Alabama officials that he wants our prayers, that he is mindful of You, that he does love You and obviously he is well acquainted with Your Word. And ABBA I am so delighted and grateful for this man and for others like him, so for each of them (and You know who they are, Lord) we pray that You will anoint and empower them to stand firm and holy in these places of service You have given them and Lord please bring others alongside to stand with them and help them. And as he suggested move us to be involved in the political process with more than just our prayers according to the individual will You have for each of us. Again, Lord, thank You for this news, thank You for what You are doing. 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. 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) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

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

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 90°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 5:31 AM AST on June 9, 2009.

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Glistening Place

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2009

It has been a pleasant weekend; quick too. Saturday morning was a study and journaling morning and one of the things for which I prayed was a pure heart. A heart that does not crave accomplishments for the purpose of making me feel good about myself but rather for DADDY GOD’S glory. And making this request led me to my online Greek Lexicon to investigate the word PURE. And in part, it means clean, clear, free from corrupt desires, free from sin and guilt, free from every admixture of what is false; sincere, genuine, blameless, innocent, unstained with the guilt of anything.

I am convinced that in ‘position’ this is true of me (and you too). IN CHRIST, we are blameless and innocent because Jesus took our sins and gave us His Righteousness, but in ‘practice’ I have much practicing to do – hence my prayer.

And so continuing on with my study, I looked at various passages wherein the Greek word for PURE was used and I saw that in the Book of Revelation in a few verses PURE, CLEAN and CLEAR were used interchangeably. The following is a cut and paste from http://www.biblestudytools.com/ (with text boxes removed and fonts changed)

Greek Word: Kaqarovß

Transliterated Word: katharos

Book to Display: Revelation

Verse Count: 6

Re 15:6

And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.

Re 19:8

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Re 19:14

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Re 21:18

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Re 21:21

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

Re 22:1

And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

And reading this on Saturday morning I found myself rejoicing (and I still am) when as best I could I visualized the Heavenly City to which you and I are going. From these passages I envision the street and the walls of the New Jerusalem are CLEAR. This must be so beautiful that even the Hope Diamond in comparison would be grotesque. And then imagine (as best you can) the brilliant glory of Jesus coming from the Throne and passing through those clear walls and floor (street). Mark 9: 2 Six days after this, Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves. And He was transfigured before them and became resplendent with divine brightness. 3 And His garments became glistening, intensely white, as no fuller (cloth dresser, launderer) on earth could bleach them.

It is any wonder when this New Jerusalem comes to hover above the renewed earth, that there will be no need for the sun we now have? Revelation 21: 23 And the city has no need of the sun nor of the moon to give light to it, for the splendor and radiance (glory) of God illuminate it, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations shall walk by its light and the rulers and leaders of the earth shall bring into it their glory.

Lets go back and read the meaning of PURE again: clean, clear, free from corrupt desires, free from sin and guilt, free from every admixture of what is false; sincere, genuine, blameless, innocent, unstained with the guilt of anything.

When we get HOME; there in that Glistening Place there will not be a stain, a trace, NOTHING, not one thing that is false, insincere, guilty, dirty, corrupt, evil — all of that, every last smidgen of it will be GONE FOREVER!! Halleluiah! Even So, Come, Lord Jesus!

Yes, ABBA, in the here and now I pray for a pure heart and in the here and now I thank You for the Glistening Place You have prepared for us. Do what You will with this revelation You have given us. Transform us into people with pure hearts with only one desire and that is to please You.

Keep us thinking and meditating on these passages of Your Word until we are able to live them.

Again we are praying for Doug, asking that You restore him to health and I pray for Claudia; this is tough on her; but You are faithful and You are able and I am counting on You for her. And we are praying for Caleb and his family. You know the need there and I am trusting You with it. I am trusting You with every soul listed here. I know You will not fail them in any way. I know You will not fail any of us; not our IDOK Soldiers, nor their families, none of us, Lord. You are faithful. Thank You for this ministry. Thank You for each IDOK and I pray each of them will sense You today with them, in them and FOR them. Our minds cannot imagine this Place You are bringing us to and the Place You have already taken many that we love so much but we are sure You Alone are worth it all. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. Donna P and her Dad. BETTY. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. David Y. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Stellan. Darlene’s Sister. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters. Mollie B.

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. And Lord some weeks later since this prayer began we have word from one of those Alabama officials that he wants our prayers, that he is mindful of You, that he does love You and obviously he is well acquainted with Your Word. And ABBA I am so delighted and grateful for this man and for others like him, so for each of them (and You know who they are, Lord) we pray that You will anoint and empower them to stand firm and holy in these places of service You have given them and Lord please bring others alongside to stand with them and help them. And as he suggested move us to be involved in the political process with more than just our prayers according to the individual will You have for each of us. Again, Lord, thank You for this news, thank You for what You are doing. 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. 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) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

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

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 75°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 7:13 AM AST on June 8, 2009.

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And We’ll All Stay Free

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2009

At one of the exhibits yesterday in the Naval Museum in Pensacola, Florida, the words of a song seized my attention: “Praise The Lord, and pass the ammunition and we’ll all stay free.” I think those last five words are new to me. I’ve heard folks since childhood say ‘Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition’ but I don’t recall ‘and we’ll all stay free’.

I’m still pondering this and I am pondering more than I will express to you here today. For today, here at IDOK, just let me say, you and I, individually, will stay FREE today, in whatever ‘fox hole’ or ‘pleasant meadow’ we are today if we Praise the Lord and, when the enemy comes, and he will, have loaded and will discharge at him and his temptation, our holy ammunition. And you know The Word of God is our holy ammunition. I’ve already had to do that this morning and our Lovely, Holy, Precious Jesus successfully waged war with the enemy just this way.

Matthew 4

1 THEN JESUS was led (guided) by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness (desert) to be tempted (tested and tried) by the devil.

2 And He went without food for forty days and forty nights, and later He was hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God’s Son, command these stones to be made [loaves of] bread.

4 But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and placed Him on a turret (pinnacle, gable) of the temple sanctuary.

6 And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

7Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, [f]test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.

8 Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them.

9 And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.

10 Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.

11 Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.

‘Praise The Lord, pass the ammunition and we’ll all stay free’. Amen and Amen. And as I am about to close this I am reminded it does say PASS the Ammunition. That’s means share it, feed it, to one another. Lets do it!

REPORTS

Doug continues to improve but we are continuing to pray.

DADDY GOD, thank You for Doug’s continued improvement and for Claudia’s continued support and strength as she attends him. Thank You for yesterday’s lessons, help us apply them today. Thank You for the people that have praised You and loved You and have stood tall and strong in the foxholes, both literally and spiritually. Help us to not dishonor them by sitting down now on the job. Help us not dishonor YOU by slinking away in so called tolerance. You know my heart here and I pray You will keep it safe and holy, my conduct too. Thank You for our IDOK Troops, keep them safe and woo them to holy conduct more and more consistently I pray and us too here at home. I pray for all our IDOKs that You will encourage them today to praise You and Pass Your Word on to others today, both brothers and sisters and those yet in the ‘foxholes’ of sin without You as Savior. Revive us Lord to be Soldiers of the Cross. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. Donna P and her Dad. BETTY. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. David Y. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Stellan. Darlene’s Sister. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters. Mollie B.

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. And Lord some weeks later since this prayer began we have word from one of those Alabama officials that he wants our prayers, that he is mindful of You, that he does love You and obviously he is well acquainted with Your Word. And ABBA I am so delighted and grateful for this man and for others like him, so for each of them (and You know who they are, Lord) we pray that You will anoint and empower them to stand firm and holy in these places of service You have given them and Lord please bring others alongside to stand with them and help them. And as he suggested move us to be involved in the political process with more than just our prayers according to the individual will You have for each of us. Again, Lord, thank You for this news, thank You for what You are doing. 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. 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) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

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

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)

Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew.

As I post this it is 109°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time there is 3:23 PM AST on June 5, 2009. Oh Father, especially in this heat refresh and keep safe our IDOK Troops. Thank You Lord.