IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009

(Warning, Today’s is a LONG one.)

Romans 12 NIV

5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

Let me tell you a short story and give you an application. Last week I determined I needed to snip the ends of my hair and so I did; however, my hair was not all I snipped. It did not seem significant at first, I wasn’t sure that I had actually nipped the skin of my hand between my middle finger and ring finger, but it turned out that I had. Still I thought it was not much and it would be fine. I expected little to no pain or discomfort. I was wrong! And as the area became red and sore with radiating pain, Scripture came to mind and this analogy. Lets say that little nick to my hand represents a sin and my hand represents the Body of Christ. I’ll say it again, initially I thought the cut was insignificant. I did not expect it to affect any other portion of my hand or fingers, it just did not seem serious enough to cause reaching discomfort or pain. Do you see where I am going with this? No member of the Body of Christ is so insignificant or so obscure that his or her sin will not affect, causing pain and discomfort to, other members of the Body. Even as I was surprised at the amount of and the length of time I had that radiating pain from that tiny nip, we may be surprised at the Bema (I Corinthians 3:12-15) just how much pain and grief our ‘little bitty’ sins did to the Body of Christ. And by the same token, those little bitty good things we do that we think benefits or influences No One, there at the Judgment Seat of Jesus we will find out just how much holy influence we had. Are you now encouraged to sin less and do as much good as you can even when you think no one is watching? Me too! And yes my hand is healing up nicely – only slight discomfort ever now and then now. Oh the Grace of God that heals the wounds of His Body!!

One more thing before we go to prayer. I have not asked Leslie but I am trusting she will not mind, I just want to share with you some of the report she gave to me from she and Tom’s mission trip a couple weeks ago. In it you will find things about which to pray and I hope it will encourage us to find missions of our own to embrace at whatever level and wherever ABBA directs and supplies. I am more and more thinking that hands on mission work and if not with our own hands but helping send other hands is a calling I want to more and more embrace. I am thinking just maybe ABBA is opening my heart to some things and I pray I will discern Him and follow Him whole heartedly.

We, and I mean we, are still on a high from the work we did for the Oneida Baptist Institute. Seeing the selflessness of the people who work there to help these students was wonderful. Could we do that, I think not. We are under his blood, yet, our skin and mind betray us. I’ve never worked harder and I’ve heard Tom tell lots of people about the school. Please pray for the school as they depend on gifts to feed them and provide scholarships for the children to attend. We felt that it was a strain to feed about 100 Alabamian. They do a great job. This is the largest group that comes and they save lots of work for this group. Tom, Ray Van Slykes, Gene and a man from Ohio floored a second story onto the existing storeroom and built lots of shelves to put their supplies. They keep a well stocked maintenance facility, including shop with every tool imaginable. The Campers on Mission worked on the facilities located on school grounds and homes gifted to them in other areas. They have over 600 acres in corn for their farm, pigs, goats & cows, and to sell. In another location they have been gifted 1800 acres of hillside timber which one fellow has been cutting for 20 years and is about 3/4 complete. This ruff cut lumber is what the men used in their building. They do not waste anything. The school has a wonderful computer room and students that have made it to famed colleges. These students backgrounds are local, foreign and troubled. The troubled sometimes have guardians instead of parents. I pray for those students. Sandra and I worked in the sewing room and helped make 640 bread covers, 29 sandbags for the drama department, and over 30 sets of 2 curtains for the girls dorm. Sandra was gifted by a friend two pickup loads of drapery material and we used everything she could put in her motor home and they purchased more. Women were pinning, ironing, etc. They would just hand me a piece and said seam it here. The machine that I was gifted worked 5-6 hrs. per day. We also on our off time used some of the material not suited for curtains to cut out crude stockings. These will go to south Texas and into Mexico for the children who live in garbage dumps, etc. They put a small toy and a few crayons in them. Pray for this ministry to receive the toys they need.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Some IDOKs are traveling this weekend and some even into next week; our prayers are appreciated.

Update on Roy: He is home for a time but the infection is stubborn, doctors are giving more antibiotics, waiting for a change to do more surgery. Please know that Roy and Julee need every prayer we can offer.

On a personal family note, Labs came back for Larry – cancer was contained and they got it ALL!! We are praising the LORD and just ecstatic about this news!! Thank you for praying for those unspoken(s)!

ABBA, what I can I say, I am again amazed at what You do in this ministry. Only self imposed blind ignorance would deny that You are God and You are Good. I pray to be more and more mindful that those ‘little’ sins that few or even no one, other than You and the Angels see, still affect me and in turn others in Your Body, LORD Jesus. I don’t want to forget this lesson and I want it to inspire all our IDOKs, including me, to be aware that nothing about what we think or do or say is insignificant to You. This is good; thank You. Please keep our IDOK Troops safe and protected again today and please at the appointed time bring them home safe and sound to their families. You know when I got the news regarding Roy and Julee, I just didn’t know what to say, I still don’t. There are those on our list that are suffering so much and to us it has gone on and on, it seems endless to us, and yet we know You are Good and we pray that every soul suffering here will KNOW Your Presence and find, even as crazy as it sounds, the suffering to be worth it just to have Your Manifested Nearness in this suffering. But still that being prayed, ABBA, we’d still like for You to heal them even this side of Heaven if You will. And as I think over it You have done some Awesome healings within this ministry – thank You for allowing us the privilege of being a part of it. Words fail to say how delighted I am with Larry’s report. Thank You. I ask You for traveling mercies and, Holy Spirit, would You make appointments along the way for our IDOK Travelers to be Your Touch to others along the way. I’d like that so much. I love You, ABBA, and LORD JESUS, I am so looking forward to seeing Your Face on that Day; Holy Spirit, help me do now what will keep me from being ashamed then. Amen and amen.

A Specific Unspoken.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.

W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina. Robert and Kerry L. Ken and Della. Art and Sula. Rudon. Kelly C. Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sparky. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. 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. 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. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H) 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

Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.

The Ministry of IDOK

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009) Bill H. (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H. 10/21/09.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

As I post this it is 68°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:31 AM AST on October 23, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2009

When FaceBook re-unites old friends it gives me a thrill, but when it gives a platform to reprobate minded, miss-guided, blind souls to flaunt their arrogant Scriptural ignorance, I get a little flustered. LORD forgive me! And LORD open our blinded eyes! Have you noticed that every unrepentant parading sinner can spew whatever they want and yet Christians are suppose to keep their rebuttals silent? Here’s the deal: if they were trapped in a burning house and I on the outside knew they were in there about to be burned to death and I stood outside watching their house burn down around them and I did NOTHING to even try to get them out, there would be such an outcry against me. But when I try to tell them that they are in danger of eternal fire and damnation if they do not repent and receive the forgiveness offered ONLY in Jesus Christ, they want me to shut up while they keep on speaking (shouting even), waving their banners and strutting their ungodly acts and beliefs. Why is that? Does hell have to open up so they can peer in to see the torment and feel the heat before they will see I care enough to warn them?

And then I sit back and say to myself why bother to write this, why bother to post it the web, who’s reading it anyway? So far, I figure I am only reaching like minded folks anyway. As far as I know, I don’t have any friends or readers who are homosexuals, lesbians, pedophiles, fornicators, or adulterers, and that’s just the sexual perversions; I have not even touched the other ‘Thou Shall Not(s)’. Gosh! For someone so sheltered how did I get this fired up? And should I be this sheltered? Maybe not.

New King James Version

Matthew 23:

32 Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt.

33 Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

34 Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city,

Isaiah 53:

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 8:10-12

10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

11 She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Matthew 7:

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Titus 3:

9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,

11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.

Each of these Scriptures are true; only the Holy Spirit of God can guide us, individually, through this ‘Search and Rescue’ Mission He has given us.

I don’t know if this is helpful to anyone today, I can only hope. This I know: I’m tired of wasting my time getting fired up about people who could not care less about truth, so I’m signing off on folks who have no interest in redemption; and with the LORD’s blessing, He will privilege me with befriending and helping seeking souls who know they need a friend and who are honestly seeking the TRUTH. Maybe this is all about if you are feeling the same way, encouraging you to do the same.

LORD, You were a friend to sinners; and You told us to not cast our pearls before swine; and You told us to avoid foolish disputes and contentions; so if there are some sinners out there who are willing to admit they need a friend to help get them out of a burning house, open my eyes to who they are and position me to help them. And as to the others, I pray Holy Spirit, somehow You can position them that they will someday hear someone before it is too late. Amen and amen.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

ABBA, it has been a day and You well know it; some of it I did well and some of it, well, You know that too; but this I know all things work together for my good because You have called me and I do love You and You love me more. So do what You will with this and with me and with this Ministry. I pray for our IDOKs today, You are Awesome to let me be a part of their lives and You are Awesome to let me say or write even one word. Thank You. I pray for them all to sense Your Presence and Your unfailing, unfathomable love for them. I pray for our IDOK Troops that You will again today protect them and keep them safe for anything and every one that would cause them harm. I pray each of them will come home safe and sound to their families. And I pray for every person listed here today, there are many, there are faces I do not know and needs I cannot even image but that does not stop me from praying and asking You to meet their needs and to make them well and whole in spirit, soul and body. And just because You tell me to I pray for President Obama that You will have mercy and that You will somehow convince him that he has sinned against You, his family, this Country and even the World and I pray for space and grace for him to repent. And, ABBA, I ask You for conviction and commitment for myself to do what I have said this very day. I pray to be a friend to people seeking the truth. And I pray if I cannot help someone, that I at least will not harm them. Amen and amen.

A Specific Unspoken.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.

Mary M. Danny and Tina. Robert and Kerry L. Ken and Della. Art and Sula. Rudon. Kelly C. Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sparky. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. 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. 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. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H) 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

Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.

The Ministry of IDOK

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009) Bill H. (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H. 10/21/09.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. 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. Richard M. Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

As I post this it is 48°F and haze in Kabul, AH (Airport) and the time is 7:43AM AFT on October 22, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2009

Repeating and Sleeping

I need this repeat! And even if you don’t, I hope it will comfort you today.

January 18, 2006

I overslept and so here I am with a blank screen and with minutes ticking away, wondering what to say. Life is like that too often isn’t it? We make plans and plans fail and we wonder what now. You know what? He is our “what now”? And our “who” and our “when” and our “where”.

Psalm 121: 1 I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]–From whence shall my help come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield].

6 The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life.

8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

Read it again, don’t miss one promise! As soon as we WILL and we lift our eyes, we lift our failed plans, our rushed schedules, our disappointments and our wonder what am I going to do, to HIM, He HELPS. He who made Heaven and Earth can surely plan and shape and mold and uphold my little life (and yours). He who steadies the world can surely keep me from falling into ruin and despair. Even when I oversleep — He never does! He surely keeps ‘our goings’, ‘our doings’, ‘our plans’, ‘our failures’, all our ‘what nows‘, and our ‘who will help me now’ and our ‘when is this going to pass’ and ‘where will I ever find the time’ and ‘where did I put that’, all that and more, He will KEEP us in and through. All we have to do is WILL to LOOK TO HIM FOR OUR HELP! How AWESOME He is; there is NONE to be compared to HIM.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Update From Melinda: I was in Rutledge yesterday and a sign said “Welcome home, Matthew Pelc. Thank you!” He is evidently home recuperating. Thank you, Jesus! We have a church member who is training in Las Vegas now, for deployment to Afghanistan in February; his name is Joey Hyde.

We have a Sister who is troubled – pray for Mary.

Father, thank You. Thank You that there is NONE compared to You and You never sleep and You are never surprised and You never fail and You hold us up and You protect us and You guide us and You keep us now and forevermore. Thank You. Today our list is different from when this message first came and yet some are still in need like Roy and Julee and others are now with You and they are surely well and happy now. Thank You. We would not leave any names out, so we bring the whole of the list to You for help and comfort and healings. And I am comforted that You have not forgotten and that You Holy Spirit KNOWS who needs prayer today and You will get someone to do it. Thank You. And when You privilege me to pray for someone during this day ahead, please don’t let me fail to do. I don’t want to miss the blessing of being a partner in that ones life with You. Oh, Father God, You are so AWESOME; thank You for letting me be your little girl. And thank You for IDOK and I thank You for Your favor upon each of us for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.

A Specific Unspoken.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true.

Mary M. Danny and Tina. Robert and Kerry L. Ken and Della. Art and Sula. Rudon. Kelly C. Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sparky. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Rusty & Romney. Johnny McK and family. Katie H. Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. McCarver Family. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. 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. 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. 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. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H) 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

Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.

The Ministry of IDOK

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

IDOKs Military Families.

IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Brant W. Christopher R. Joshua M. Brent. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009) Bill H. (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H. 10/21/09.

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

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) Matt P. (added 9/24/09)

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

As I post this it is 96°F and scattered clouds in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:33 PM AST on October 21, 2009.