IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009

It’s been a weekend filled with good things. And tonight was the topping on this hot fudge sundae weekend. We worshipped at North Mobile Baptist with Chynna and Vaughan, Blue Tree and NewSong. To say it was good is a mild description. NewSong closed out with their rendition of ‘Arise My Love’. Nobody does it better. Here’s a YouTube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMHyGh0RgCA&feature=related

The song asks the question: ’O Death where is your sting’? And the song answers it well. It answers it so well I rejoiced in it with tears of joy and claps of praise; but here’s the authority on it all; the question, the answer and our response. Particularly ponder verse 58 with me today.

I Corinthians 15 (New Living Translation)

51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed!

52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.

53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

Let me give you verse 58 from The Message Bible before we go to prayer.

58 With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for Him is a waste of time or effort.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

I have been asked to add a family in crises to our list; please as often as the Holy Spirit reminds you pray for Dana and Joey and Children.

Please add to the Prayer List Tracey Morello she is a nurse here at the facility barely 40 has breast cancer- biopsy positive—Tracey was to have 4 nodes removes and a mini mastectomy however during surgery the md’s removed 16 nodes instead of the 4—Tracey will be receiving Chemo and Radiation [35 treatments]—we both know that this will be a long and difficult regimen please and thank you

ABBA, this has been a delicious weekend; You have given so many good things, so many blessings. Thank You. Thank You for the ministries of Chynna and Vaughan, Blue Tree and NewSong and I pray for a hedge of protection for each of them that their testimonies remain faithful and their integrity for Your Name Sake not be tarnished. And I pray for all those who raised their hands tonight, acknowledging they needed You to save them. I thank You that every sincere heart who surrendered found You faithful and is now my brother or sister. I pray You will send alongside a more mature one in the faith that You can work through to disciple these. I pray that not one of them will ‘fall through the cracks’ of neglect or unconcern but that there will be someone there for every one of them. Particularly one young lady; I am delighted at her courage to not only raise her hand but get up from her seat and move to the front. Oh LORD I pray she will allow You to be so sweet to her. And now I am reminded of Dana and Joey and the Children, You know the need there and You know the solution. It’s a hopeless situation without You and I pray for doors of intervention to open for each one of them. And there are others, two other families that I am privy to, just as heart breaking, just as impossible without You, so we pray too for them, don’t let these dear souls ‘fall through the cracks’ of unconcern and neglect – rescue them, LORD, and if You can enlist us in these great works, sign us up; we’re here and by Your Grace, we’d be honored to serve. And that goes to for the others listed here, the sick, the worried, those facing surgery, those at crossroads, those awaiting a word from You as to what to say and what to do to help; all these and our IDOK Troops too, we pray for help and protection in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus. 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.

Henry P. Dana and Joey and Children. Tracey M. Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. 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)

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) 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 66°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:32 AM AST on October 5, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2009

Today is far spent and I have taken many steps today; even did some reading and Day 1 of Week 3, but nothing clicked for an IDOK Devotion – maybe because I did not sit still quiet long enough. SO may I give you a re-run? This one comes from June 18, 2007. It feels right for again today; I hope it is.

IDOK DEVOTION for Monday, June 18, 2007

I Want a Skateboard

Two things in particular my Pastor said yesterday that I want to share with you this morning. He gave me a definition for contentment and complacent that has stayed with me. He said I can know I am content when I am satisfied with what Father had given me. And he also said I can know I have become complacent when I am satisfied with what I am giving to Father. I am still pondering that and I invite you to do the same.

And the second thing I remember well my Pastor said is this: “I want my son to learn to walk before I put wheels under him.” The Pastor’s son is all boy. He’s one of those two year olds that can stretch a smile across your face and drop a giggle in your tummy as you watch his comings and goings – he is beautiful. And he wants a skateboard – the son, not the Pastor. Notwithstanding, little preacher boy is not getting a skateboard, his Father says. Now Pastor delights in giving his little one gifts. As Daddy, Pastor looks for ways to enrich his son but he knows that his son is far too young and miles and miles too inexperienced for a skateboard. So little preacher boy will have to wait for that skateboard.

About now are you thinking of another Father? I hope so. I hope you are envisioning your Heavenly Father looking at you with a broad smile as He watches your comings and goings. I hope you have a quiet assurance within that He is looking upon you with a deeper and wider and higher and greater and stronger love than Pastor can even begin to have for his little preacher boy. And I hope you know with all your mind and all your heart that if you don’t have that skateboard yet that you have prayed for over and over again, it just may be He is withholding it because He wants to ‘see you walk before He puts wheels under you’.

Psalm 84 (NIV): 10 Better is one day in your courts

Than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD bestows favor and honor;

No good thing does he withhold

From those whose walk is blameless.

12 O LORD Almighty,

Blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Betty’s fever was at 104 on Thursday morning, but amazingly when I talked to her she said she was fine. Betty was 6 in August. Today’s ultrasound showed nothing a CT Scan will be done tomorrow. Will let you know more as I do. Thank you for your prayers.

There is no doubt Father we are blessed when we trust in You. There is no doubt just one day in Your Presence, even without that ‘skateboard’ far exceeds thousands upon thousands of days any place else – any place other than in Your Presence is wicked and we want no part of it. Thank You. Thank You that You carefully watch over us and until we master ‘walking’ You will not endanger us by putting us on wheels. I ask You Holy Spirit to encourage and comfort Your People, our IDOKs with this Scripture and illustration today. I don’t know every need and every request of these but I know You do and I trust You to do what is perfect for each of them. I trust You to smile on them today, to watch their comings and goings and to care for them more deeply than any father or mother could for their beloved children. I trust You to heal the sick and bind up the wounded and mend and restore the brokenhearted and to feed and clothe us all according to our individual needs. Thank You for loving us. Thank You for loving these and caring for them. And thank You for our IDOK Troops. Thank You that You have watched over them and have protected them in mind and body and spirit and we ask You to continue that today and today we ask You again to bring them home to us safe and sound at the appointed time. Please revive America. 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.

Vicki and Bob. Brady and Chloe. Patti and family. Joyce, John & children. Sean. Susan R. Kay B. Louise. Sparky S. 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)

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) 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 64°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:57 AM AST on October 2, 2009.