17 Nov 2009 – The White Stone

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2009

You know what just occurred to me as I was exercising with Beverly?
She said JOY is Jesus, Others, and Yourself – we know that! But do we know there really IS a Y in joy?!
It is last BUT it is there!!
There is a time for us to think of ourselves! Joy does not mean that you are to never do something for YOU. It’s okay to think about YOU. Can you believe it?
It really is okay for you to think about YOU!! It’s okay to make plans for YOU to actually enjoy YOU. Joy, in its third analysis is about you doing something for yourself.
And, yes, of course, there is a prerequisite. As you consider a ‘me’ activity, can you answer this question in the affirmative?
Will this focusing on me enable and position me to honor and bless Jesus and others more than I would if I did not do this for myself?
Hmmm – something to ponder, isn’t it?

Mark 6: 30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
(obtained from Biblegateway.com)

This may be wild to our thinking but try it on for size.
If we listen carefully, we just might hear the LORD JESUS say to us: ‘Son, let’s go play a round of golf.’ or ‘Sweet Girl, let’s go shopping.’
Don’t play golf and you got all the clothes you need?
How about softball, tennis, basketball, jogging, gardening, fishing, boating, hiking, mountain climbing, an afternoon nap in a hammock, painting, taking in a museum or a clean, wholesome movie, reading a book just for the fun of it, skipping stones on the riverbank, a walk to the pier, a walk around town or your neighborhood, taking a photography class?
And the list could go on and on. The key is hearing HIM say LET US do ____________.
We’d be oh so foolish to say ‘no I don’t have time’ to such a glorious invitation. Wouldn’t we? JOY! There is room for YOU in the holy calling of JOY!!

As I post this it is 50°F and mostly cloudy in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:24 AM AST on November 18, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2009

I’m still off my beaten path this morning and I have my doubts that I am firing on all pistons (hmmm, that’s not much of an explanation; when am I ever firing on all pistons?) But ABBA always is.

I read Psalm 17, among other passages, and one verse in particular I read over and over, but before I leave you with that one let us consider a portion of David’s Prayer recorded for us to see the heart of David here.

6 I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;

Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.

7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,

O You who save those who trust in You

From those who rise up against them.

8 Keep me as the apple of Your eye;

Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,

9 From the wicked who oppress me,

From my deadly enemies who surround me.

10 They have closed up their fat hearts;

With their mouths they speak proudly.

11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;

They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,

12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,

And like a young lion lurking in secret places.

These should be comforting words to us whatever the source of opposition or pain. Our God is well aware of the ‘fat hearts’ around us; He is well aware that the guns have been aimed and Christians are in the ‘site’ of the ungodly BUT 14 . . . From men of the world who have their portion in this life,

Have their portion in this life; and then David said:

15 As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;

I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

As for me, I will. As for you, you will Choose to see that our God is righteous in ALL that He allows and in ALL that He does and the more like Him we yield ourselves to be the more satisfied we are in the here and now AND one day when we AWAKEN at HOME we will be like HIM!

Remember our promise: Deut 30:6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Amen and Amen

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Remember the Stowe/Thompson family today and the Kirk/McCrary/Biggs family today.

ABBA, I sense a rushing in me today and in this moment I am convinced this is no time to rush. And I would be surprised if I were Your only child sensing a fleshly rush at this moment. Some of our IDOKs are already busy at work and this mailing did not make it to their email boxes timely; You know I grieve over that; You know I have this sense of responsibility and accountability to them and I am grateful for it. Only You know where I’d be if You had not given me this ministry, this accountability with them. And this morning, here I sit ‘rushing’ to meet MY deadline; thank You for Your sweet forgiveness and loving kindness not so much because I am late but because I think MY deadline is so important. This is Your Ministry and Your Word is true so I am trusting that ALL things work together for good for we who love You and are called according to Your purposes.

Dear and loved people are preparing for memorial services today for Servants that have been enjoying Your Presence since Saturday like they never have before; help these families and friends hold on to that as we say goodbye for now. And we have others in need; Rudon and his family; may he and all who love him remember that You are righteous in ALL that You allow and You have an Eternal Purpose for the suffering we do in the here and now. Some Saints come HOME to You in our estimation by ‘easier’ means than others but Praise You we all do get HOME to You because of You, Lord Jesus. You alone get us HOME. Thank You. And I pray that while we are here we will yield to You so that our HOMEGOING is as sweet as it can possibly be. We are leaning on You for our today and our Eternity.

Please protect and keep safe our IDOK Troops today and please bring each one of them home to family and friends safe and sound we pray. And again as to every person listed here we pray for Your loving-kindness to be evident to them today. We pray for faith and strength to embrace Your Glory, Your Goodness today in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus Christ the Righteous. 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.

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 61°F and thunderstorms in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:24 PM AST on November 17, 2009.