IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2009

This is an adjustment! The house has been keeping us and today I must return to keeping house; my beloved (as I begin) is on his way to the office – staycation is over. Retirement is looking better all the time!

Psalm 23 (Amplified Bible)

A Psalm of David.

1THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack.

2He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

3He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.

4Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over.

6Surely or only goodness, mercy, and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.

This is the text from which my Pastor preached yesterday. He gave us word pictures and even though the psalm is so familiar, I listened with sweet tears as he told us about the oil on the head and the overflowing cup. Oh how great is our God, our Shepherd! Pastor told us about the ancient custom of the cup; that when your cup was empty it was time for you to leave the table. He said imagine being seated at the King’s table and your cup is nearly empty, just one more sip and you will have to leave, so you linger over that sip not wanting to take, not wanting to leave the table. And then an arm comes around you with the pitcher in hand to fill your cup but it’s not the arm of the waiter it’s the robe-clad arm of the King Himself and he pours into your cup and he keeps pouring till the cup overflows. Pastor said that robe-clad arm is the arm of our Shepherd-Savior-King pouring an everlasting cup for us. We never have to leave the Table of our Savior! And as the Pastor spoke, an additional picture formed for me and I thought of quiet times, times of study and devotion as the table and the cup when the fellowship is so sweet, sweeter and more delicious than the best wine (not that I drink wine, mind you) and as you drink and drink and talk and talk and listen and listen then you notice the cup is getting low signaling it’s time to go and you think no, no I don’t want this sweet time to end I want to keep sitting here leaning on Your Heart and then you realize your cup is full but it’s a TO GO CUP and He is inviting (commanding even that) you go and prepare a table in His Name to serve others, inviting them to come to HIS TABLE. Can you see it? Is that good or what!?

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

For those of you who may not have already heard, Mike passed away last night (Saturday) about 7:30. He was at home and surrounded by family. Arrangements will be finalized later today. Thank you all for the love and support you’ve shown us during the past couple of years; it did keep him going and gave us comfort. Bless you all, Vickie

ABBA, thank You for this beautiful, beautiful picture that speaks so clearly and so sweetly to me, I pray Holy Spirit You will anoint it and speak it into the hearts of our IDOKs as You will. I pray for Vickie and her family this morning as they grieve this temporary separation from Mike. Thank You for the sure knowing they have of seeing him again. Thank You for the sure knowing that he is more alive now than he has ever been and he shall now never die again; I pray You will comfort them with this and in the appropriate time give Vickie visions and dreams of her calling to serve You here until You call her to come there and join You and Mike there. And we pray You will give such other dreams and visions for each and every soul on our list today that we may serve You in our living or our dying. We pray peace and safety for our IDOK Troops and for Israel and for each one of us in and for Jesus Name sake. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Vickie and Family. Brittany M and family. Dennis and Lisa. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary.. 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. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd. 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.

Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry

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 removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Kyle N(3/09). 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 106°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time 4:33 PM AST on August 10, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2009

Blessings Upon You

Staycation is almost done and Monday everything will be back to normal … yeah, right! It have been an escape from the normal and has been refreshingly tiring.

This morning we have grand-babies arriving in just a few minutes, so I just saying hello and praying for you all to be blessed.

Psalm 128

1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD,

Who walks in His ways.

2 When you eat the labor of your hands,

You shall be happy, and it shall be well with you.

When we eat the labor of our hands – when we ‘mind’ what we do with the Mind of Christ all shall be well with us and we will be happy.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

My brother saw the oncologist today (Wednesday). He will have surgery on August 28th to remove lymph nodes. Please pray that no cancer cells will be found in the lymph nodes. If none are found, he will not need further treatment, but only have periodic check ups. Thank you so much, La Juanna

ABBA, You know I figure I am most needy for more training to ‘mind’ the labor of my hands with Your Mind. I suspect there are others who think that way too so I pray for us that we will submit to training for Jesus sake. I pray for our IDOK Troops for protection and safety today. I pray for Donald to have no cancer cells in his lymph nodes and for him to recovery well. We pray too for peace of mind and heart for him and his family as they wait in this time. We bring all these here below too for Your will to be done. Bless with every gift and provision for all who come to their screens to read and pray today. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Brittany M and family. Dennis and Lisa. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. 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.

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 removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Kyle N(3/09). 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 108°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time 3:23 PM AST on August 7, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2009

Staycation update: going well; having fun; realizing it will be over too soon. As to a re-share for today, this one seems good to me this morning. It is from October 24, 2005.

Scaling Mountains

How many times have we talked about Father’s delays in answering our prayers? How many times have we talked about His Eleventh Hour Interventions – even that He does not show up with relief until 11:59? Doesn’t sound too loving does it? No, not Him — us! Not so loving of us to visualize and articulate Him as One Who Delays. And you say, Well, doesn’t He tarry at times? And Yes He does; sometimes He tarries LONG!!! He is soooo longsuffering with our sins and holding off on the woodshed, giving us plenty of time to repent. But on with what brought me to this place this morning; Psalm 138:

3 In the day when I called, You answered me; and You strengthened me with strength (might and inflexibility to temptation) in my inner self.

So even if Father “waits” for that which we have asked, in that nanosecond that we call He answers with STRENGTH. So what if that mountain is still standing awhile longer? Could it be we NEED the THRILL of climbing it MORE than the instant gratification of seeing Him lift it immediately out of the way? And why does HE do it this way? I think because of verses from Ps. 57: 8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, endure forever–forsake not the works of Your own hands. AND 2I will cry to God Most High, Who performs on my behalf and rewards me [Who brings to pass His purposes for me and surely completes them]! And in 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.

Yes, Father answers immediately with strength and if need be to perfect us continued strength until 11:59 when we have scaled that mountain that we thought He just had to remove immediately. Imagine those first few moments at the top — the accomplishment, the sheer delight of it, the rest, and the SIGHTS — look around, oh what you can see from that height!

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Brittany M. in the hospital this morning, needing our prayers.

ABBA, words fail me to describe what can be seen and felt from the mountain top in those first moments so I ask You Holy Spirit to take our beloved IDOKs there — give them a glimpse of what You have for them, for us if we will just believe and trust You to be GOD for us and in us and through us. Thank You. And Father, Brittany and WC and others come to mind today with health situations and we trust You with this. And Father as best we can at where we are today in our climbing we TRUST You to provide EVERY need and give every good and perfect gift to us that is necessary to mature us. Protect and keep safe our IDOK Troops and thank You for IDOK, for each and every one, bless them for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Dennis and Lisa. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. 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.

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 removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Kyle N(3/09). 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 113°F and Blowing Widespread Dust Haze Al Taji, IQ (Airport) and the time 3:59 PM AST on August 6, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009

Pencils, Pens and Concrete

August 15, 2006

Proverbs 16 is about the plans of man and it is good to make plans. Have you ever said ‘I’ll pencil that in’? And by that we mean I’ll think about it and unless something else comes up, I’ll plan to do that. However, if we ‘ink in’ an event on such and such a date that means we intend to be there and participate. According to Proverbs 16, ‘inking’ in our plans without checking with Father is not wise. 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

We should always take our plans, our imaginings to Him before we set them in ‘concrete’. And when all of Proverbs 16 is said and done I found this to be comforting … maybe you will too. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him].

And as it was with Adam even before he set wrong plans in ‘concrete’, so it is with us, Father is not surprised, nor is He scratching His Head wondering how He will get us out of this ‘fine mess’ we have created. No, even before we cast the lot, even before we poured the concrete that lays the foundation for faulty framing, HE has a Plan and ALL who will believe and receive will succeed.

I Peter 1 (KJV):

9 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

ABBA, I offer again a prayer prayed three years ago – You heard and You answered and yet today we can pray it fresh again. Today we have other names, and yet some may be the same. Father, thank You that it is set in concrete that if we will submit our plans to You, and will build only on the Foundation that You have laid, we will succeed. Thank You. And today we desire to build a day that will succeed … tell us Your Plan for this day and by Your Grace we will do it.

Again today we have our IDOK Troops on our hearts and we thank You for the things You have set in motion for them to benefit them, to keep them safe, to protect them and to make Yourself known to them in more depth than they now know. Again we ask You to bring them home to us safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed. And Father, there are young men and young women we know that have pain and they don’t function well and You know well what and who we mean and for them we ask that You take the instruments needed to cut away the rebellion, the hatred, the lies, and whatever else that is keeping these ones we love from becoming holy and godly in their day to day. And now we bring more names but these are more than names they are people we know, people we have never met but for them we intercede and we are grateful and praise You that we can for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Dennis and Lisa. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. 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.

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 removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Kyle N(3/09). 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 85°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time there 6:11 AM AST on August 5, 2009.

A Special Note of Interest: One of our IDOK Prayer Requests is for a lovely Christian woman who is battling stage 4 cancer in at least three places in her body; medical bills are many and increasing; her husband is seeking to sell their 5^th Wheel (camper) to address some of these expenses. If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing a camper, please let me know and I will send you a link to pictures of the camper. Thank you in advance.

Scripture passages retrieved from Biblegateway.com.