Monthly Archives: November 2009

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Probing and Prodding

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2009

We hope your ‘Thanksgiving Plates’ were filled with good things; my plate was different for more years than I can remember, but it was blessed.Yesterday morning our Sunday School teacher asked this question:  If you were allowed to keep only ONE book that you now own, which one would it be?  I knew immediately the right answer; so did everyone else at the table.
A Bible.
And it is true.  If all my books were to be taken from me, my Bible is the ONE I would want the most to keep.
But the teacher was not done with his probing.  If our Bibles are really the ONE book we would want, why do we not read it more? Then he said, and I am paraphrasing, ‘if the Bible is so important to us why is it when it comes time to read we just have to finish that Criminal Mind television program rather than reading it’?
He asked other questions along this same line but I’ll not go on; I got the message.

And then in the next hour, the Pastor asked a good question too?  “What brings (gives) you pleasure?” Of all the goings on in this life experience, what gives you and me pleasure?
|It’s a very good question and an honest answer will tell us much.

Sure hope Bible Reading is one of those things in this life that gives us pleasure.He also talked about the things money can’t buy: enjoyment in life, enjoyment in work, and a contented heart.  But you know what I know is true – if the Bible was truly our ONE book of most pleasure, we would read it and we would have ALL that money can’t buy.   Yes, yesterday was a day of probing and prodding.  What will today be?  A day of doing?  Only I can decide for myself and I will.  So will you.  

Gee! Wouldn’t you think I could come up with a gentler, kinder, lighter, and more pleasant message than this our first day back?  Trust me – the message is for me.   Here’s to having a lovingly productive and pleasant day whatever is on the agenda today.Matthew 6:33 

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  sourceYour message, Father, I heard and I understand it; now I pray Holy Spirit for help to practice it; for I know without Your empowerment and prodding I not only cannot do it I will not do it.   I am not even off to a good start last night but today is a new day.  Thank You.  You know the things on the agenda for us today; for every IDOK and for every Reader.  And to our natural minds with some of those things on our list it seems ‘crazy’ to say make it a lovingly productive and pleasant day, but, LORD, that is exactly what is needed for me and mine. And I am asking You to remind me moment by moment today; and not just me but any IDOK or Reader who will amen this right now.  And we pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and protection today. We pray that Your Word is or will become the most important Book to them. We pray for our list of names and situations, I am so glad You know the face and the heart and the need of each one, and more than that You love and care and are willing and able to take care of them, and because You are we bring them to You and rest them in Your Capable and Eternal Hands. Amen and Amen in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus.

As I post this it is 62°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:50 PM AST and on November 30, 2009.

1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Psalms

Thanksgiving Plates

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009

Psalm 30:3-5 (New King James Version)   source 
 3 O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
         You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.Amen and amen.  This is our greatest reason to give thanks.

 4 Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,

         And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.Yes!  Let us remember His grace and His abundantly lavish gifts to us.

 5 For His anger is but for a moment,

         His favor is for life;
         Weeping may endure for a night,And would not we be remiss if we did not contemplate that on this day before our National Day of celebrating that many, many have sadness and hurt and pain and loss on their ‘Thanksgiving plates’.  This is true for the saint and sinner alike.   But for the saint: 

         But joy comes in the morning.Yes! But for the saint, Joy Comes In The Morning!

So, if your ‘plate’ today and tomorrow is filled with more joy than grief, with more gain than loss, with more good than bad, God has been doubly good to you.  Rejoice!

There is more we could say about how this Thanksgiving Celebration began here in America.  We could talk about how far away from those roots we have come.  We could talk about the abominations that have flourished in this Country rather than Holiness since that first Thanksgiving; but lets don’t – not today.  Yet as you sit to eat tomorrow, hold hands around the table and give thanks that Jesus Christ the Righteous has looked upon You with GREAT FAVOR and you are saved and give thanks. Enjoy your family and friends, enjoy celebrating, and when you arise from the table determine in your heart that every day forward you will present yourself afresh and anew to allow ABBA to do something through you to re-establish holiness in America.

1 Chronicles 16: (New King James Version) source 
34 Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
      For His mercy endures forever.2 Chronicles 7: (New King James Version)  source

13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.

LORD God, thank You for saving us, thank You for allowing us to live here in America; thank You for allowing us another day to do some good here in America and the world; Holy Spirit arise, stand up in us and shout praise and thanksgiving to You the GREAT and ONLY God, the God of Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, and me.  May it be, Father, that every IDOK will pray that ‘me’ personally and fill in his or her name with humble and holy pride that You the God of Abraham, Jacob, and Isaac is their God!  

We ask You again to protect our IDOK Troops and to remind them that we love them and that each one of them is a reason for us to give thanks.   Please keep them safe and sound and at the appointed time bring them all home to family and friends, more in love with You than when they deployed.  And, Father, we remember to our list of loved ones, thank You that not one of them is forgotten by You, not one of them is without Your love and grace and mercy in Christ Jesus.  Holy Spirit, move each one of us to do some good for someone today in Jesus Name and in His Power and Strength alone. Amen and Amen.

As I post this it is 70°F and Light Showers Rain in Kuwait, KW (Airport), and the time is 4:16 PM AST and on November 25, 2009.

Holy Hugs to you all and Father willing, ‘see’ you on Monday, November 30, 2009!  Be sweet, be good, be holy for JESUS SAKE!

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Countdown to Thanksgiving

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009

Day 1 of Thanksgiving Week and it has been a sweet, sweet day – my hubby is home with me!  My brother and sister-in-love were suppose to be here Tuesday afternoon but had to change plans as my brother (we think) caught a stomach virus and although he is much improved the long drive is not advisable at this time.  SO it’s a much quieter Thanksgiving than I expected.  I’ve had a few days to adjust to the disappointment; I’m not re-appointed yet but I am getting there.  I am looking forward to the community Thanksgiving meal at Satsuma First tomorrow night and Jerry is baking on Day 2 of this Thanksgiving Week.  WE HAVE SO MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!  Allow me to encourage you to spend some thought time listing your blessings.  Even though you have probably seen this YouTube and it was actually prepared for Christmas, lets try it on for Thanksgiving!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvOvTsZlmgE&NR=1
Indulge me a few more minutes and let me tell you of some things for which I am grateful. One; I can read! Two, I can see to read. And this is what I read on page 197 of the Patriarch work book.  “The Hebrews felt that the future was not whole without the past.  If we’re convinced God is sovereign, good, and purposeful, why would He allow or even ordain a season that has no value or contribution to our futures?  We certainly don’t want to march into our futures carrying the baggage of our pasts, but God forbid we’d walk away from our mistakes empty-handed.  What we need is a baggage exchange.  We need to drop off our destructive, heavy baggage at the foot of the cross then tarry there for healing until God loads us with treasures to carry into our futures.”
Treasures to carry into our futures!  Oh! I am so thankful for that; and I have a few treasures He has given me from the baggage of the past.  And I am thankful that these treasures are for each of us; they are ours for the receiving in Christ Jesus our Savior and Lord!
Jeremiah 29: 11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
Let us not allow this verse to become so familiar to us that we deny the power and the promise in it!
I am planning to meet with you again on Wednesday morning and then I will be taking a few days off from writing, BUT I will be here to receive your prayer requests and other correspondence you might want to send my way. 
Thank you for being on the other side of this screen!  Holy Hugs to you all!!
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update on Roy: Just got a message from Wanda.  Roy has taken a turn for the worse and they’re going to try to get him back to MDA tomorrow morning.  I got an e-mail from Julee earlier telling me that he is extremely weak, but they were trying to figure out when he can start therapy.  His blood pressure has dropped dangerously low and he has at least 20 lbs. of fluid.  Wanda said that his R.N. daughter listened to his chest and started crying because of what she heard with the fluid. Roy is critical. We must continue to pray for them. Love you, Janet 
Kathie, please add our good friend Ed Givhan to the already lengthy list. Five years ago he underwent brain cancer surgery and was doing well. It has returned with a vengeance and he is presently in a combined chemo and radiation treatment. Very ill and in need of much prayer. His wife is Joanne and a lot of us understand the role of “caregiver”, it is difficult. Praises, Sybil
Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me pray.  To give thanks and praise to You, ABBA, for You are good, You are sovereign and You are love and nothing that You allow is reason for us to doubt You or Your goodness, wisdom or love. And we pray for Roy, we do not come in doubt or lack of faith when we say that without Your touch of healing and restoration Roy’s time here on earth is limited.  We are not for a moment doubting that You can raise Roy up, that You can heal him with a word and he would be restored fully whole.  There is not a doubt in my mind that You can easily do that and, of course, we would be thrilled beyond words if You were to do that but if You don’t we pray to accept what You do in Your grace and goodness and all knowing wisdom and sovereignty for Roy right now.  We pray for peace for him and for Julee.  We pray for angels to come and minister; for Your manifested Presence to be so there that lives will be forever changed and enriched by Your Glory in Roy’s room even now.   And, ABBA, we pray for Ed. The frailty of human bodies is so evident in Ed too; lift him up to restoration if he yet has work to do in Your Kingdom and if he has finished the course You gave him, receive him with peace and in such a mighty way that Joanne and family can give You eternal praise.  And there are more, many more people on this list; some with concerns just as serious as Roy and Ed and some not; but I know a concern is a concern in that You care and You are here for us and with us and most blessedly in us.  Thank You, ABBA.   So I am asking You to comfort us, to console us, to give us grieving, living mercy and hope.  And ,ABBA, thank You that You are healing all our diseases, here and there we are healed in Jesus Name.  And before I close this edition, we pray for our IDOK Troops.  Please keep them safe and sound; please return them all safe and sound to their families at the appointed time. 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. 
Ed G. Tammy and family.  Ms. Page.  Donald N.  Vanessa. W.C. and family. Mary M.  Danny and Tina. 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. 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. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Susie.  Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. 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. 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.  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 45°F and Clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 8:48 AM AST and on November 24, 2009.
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Moving On

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

I am wondering where to begin tonight.  It’s 9:24 PM and this day as we might say is ‘far spent’.  We are about out of minutes for Sunday, November 22, 2009 and when this day passes we will not see it again.  What is done is done and it cannot be undone.  We can learn and move on.  Praise God we can learn and move on!! Anything less will make us miserable.  So if today (yesterday, most likely by the time you read this) there have been happenings or words that you would like to snatch back, grieve not too long; lay them to rest in the capable arms of Jesus and move on to a new day.  Move on with a fresh load of mercy.  Move on with a clean heart before Him. Move on with new courage to make amends if that is His instruction.  Move on with fresh knowledge.  Move on knowing His grace is sufficient even for this.
Lamentations 3: (New King James Version)
22 Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed,
      Because His compassions fail not.
       23 They are new every morning;
      Great is Your faithfulness.
       24 “ The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
      “ Therefore I hope in Him!”
John 16: (Amplified Bible)
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
2 Corinthians 12: (New King James Version)
8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Deuteronomy 31: (New American Standard Bible)
 6″Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
I learned tonight of a young woman named Tammy whose Mother passed away Wednesday; Tammy is presently in Tennessee laying to rest the body of her beloved mother; she needs our prayers.  And another named Mrs. Page, a woman of strength, a woman loved and in need of our prayers.  She is undergoing surgery this Monday morning for removal of cancer cells.
ABBA, thank You that we can move on from disappointments; thank You that we can be forgiven and move on from our sins, to practice holiness.  Thank You that we can learn and obtain mercy and courage to go again and not just on the same plane but step up and up and up from glory to glory in You.  Thank You. We join together now to pray for Tammy and her family as they grieve.  We pray their mourning will be seasoned with sweet memories and even holy laughter as they give You praise for the years with her.  We pray for Mrs. Page and this surgery that it will be textbook perfect; we pray for her recovery; we pray for her to overcome this cancer and live to give You glory and praise. We pray for Vanessa, for treatments to be affective and for her to be made whole.  We continue to pray for Claudia and all that she has put her hands to do since Doug’s passing from here to there and ask that You give her strength and comfort.  And not just these only but each one listed here, we pray You will take special interest in them and they will know in their heart of hearts that You are for them and not against them.  We pray for our IDOK Troops for their protection and safety in spirit, soul and body and for safe returns home for each of them.  Thank You for houses of worship we have attended today and thank You for meeting us there.  Thank You for meeting with us here too and I pray for each of our IDOKs that You will rest and refresh them; infuse them with courage and grace and hope and more love for You and Your Word than they have known before.  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. 
Tammy and family.  Ms. Page.  Donald N.  Vanessa. W.C. and family. Mary M.  Danny and Tina. 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. 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. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Susie.  Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. 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. 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.  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 Mist in Al Taqaddum, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:54 AM AST and on November 23, 2009.