Monthly Archives: November 2009

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Selah – Pause and Think About That

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Cardboard Testimonies.  Who would have thought walking onto a platform carrying a cardboard sign could move a soul so much!
http://woodmontbaptist.org/System/Media/Play.asp?id=32609&Key=lerwane5s21dkihxdr4
But you know it’s not the cardboard sign or even what it says, it’s knowing the God who made it so!! To Him be the glory! 
Psalm 77 NKJV
10 And I said, “This is my anguish;
         But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
 11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
         Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
 12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
         And talk of Your deeds.
 13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
         Who is so great a God as our God?
 14 You are the God who does wonders;
         You have declared Your strength among the peoples.
 15 You have with Your arm redeemed Your people,
         The sons of Jacob and Joseph.  Selah 
Yes, pause and think about this.
I am calling it a day, early, as 3:30 AM will not be long getting here.  I am blessed to be riding a bus with who knows how many 4th graders to Montgomery in the morning.  Prayers would be appreciated.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update on Roy from Julee: He is still in heart failure with lots of fluid retention, low and fluctuating blood pressure, very weak, intermittent nausea.  We pray the blood infusion will help him.  He is eating o.k.  but just can’t seem to regain any strength.  We do appreciate your prayers . . .   .  We know that prayer works, God is in control and still in the miracle healing business.  We give Him all the Glory!  May God bless you and your families.
ABBA,   thank You for miracles; some we call extraordinary and some we hardly even notice and yet we know the greatest of all miracles is the miracle of New Life, Eternal Life in the heart of sinners turned saints and ONLY YOU, LORD JESUS, can do that.  Thank You for doing it for us.   Thank You for the privilege to continue to pray for Roy and Julee, for comfort and peace and healing.  And we continue to pray the same for Doug and others listed here.    Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops; please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  And as our IDOKs lay down to rest tonight I pray for peaceful, restful and comforting sleep for them all.  I pray for each to awaken with You first on their minds, I pray for a Word for each of them from You suited just right for their day.  Thank You for each of them and I pray they all know they are so dearly loved and so highly prized by You.  Thank You for loving us; thank You for teaching us to love You; thank You for training us to obey and serve in Your Kingdom.  And again I come with Your Word and Your promise to circumcise our hearts that we will love You with all our hearts and souls.  And it is in Jesus Name I pray.  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. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  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. 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. 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. 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 56°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 5:16 AM AST on November 13, 2009.
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A Call to The OR

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

Let us revisit Wednesday’s text: Deuteronomy 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. This is continuing to speak to me.  Let us make this personal.  Lets write it and read it this way: And the LORD my God will circumcise my heart and the heart of my children, to love the LORD my God with all my heart and with all my soul, that I may live.  If I am not loving the LORD my God with all my heart and all my soul, I am not really living.  If my children (at the age of their accountability) have not come to love my LORD God with all their hearts and souls as THEIR LORD God, they are not really living.  Some well-known parents have said they do want to influence their children in matters of God, they want them to choose for themselves what they will believe.  I wonder if they allow the children to choose for themselves if they want to take a bath or not!  How STUPID have we become in this ‘enlightened’ age!
For me, I am taking this verse as a promise, and I urge you to do the same, if you have not already.  However, I am convinced it is only a promise to those who will cooperate with God, that includes you and me AND our descendants.  And our cooperation, I believe, begins with us taking this verse to our LORD God in prayer, praying it back to Him, saying to Him, ‘You said You would circumcise my heart and I am asking You to do it and I am here before You ready and willing to get up here on The Table and allow You to cut away my flesh’. 
And I am certain a one time prayer will not be sufficient; not because He forgets, but because WE DO.  We have a tendency to renege if we do not consistently remind ourselves of the objective.
So what with His Holy Scalpel will He be cutting away? And will it hurt?  Yes, I am certain it is going to hurt and some operations are going to hurt more than others, I think.  As to what He will cut, specifically it will be different for each of us; similar for sure; but different.  Initially, as I began to think along these lines I thought He would be examining and cutting away certain emotions and actions, but that’s not it.  All we have to do is give Him entry to our thoughts and allow Him to begin to cut away any thoughts that are contrary to His. And as our thoughts begin to line up with His thoughts, our emotions and our actions will follow.  Sounds simple, doesn’t it?  And it is simple, just not easy.  But if not before, as of today we have in writing that He WILL circumcise our hearts and the hearts of our children, if we will ask and keep on asking all the way HOME.
I want this because God wants this for me, but I confess that is not the only reason.  I want this because my children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (if I should have them) NEED for me to want this circumcision of my heart.
Perchance this devotion makes it to the screen of someone who feels he or she has lost their way and is not sure that God has anything more for you, please read these verses and allow Him to show you the way back.
4 Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the LORD your God will gather you and bring you back. 5 He will bring you to the land that belonged to your fathers, and you will take possession of it. He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. 6 The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
Even if you think you have gone so far you cannot come back, even from THERE — HE is calling you; He is ready to bring you back, back to the faith that you were taught as a child and He will prosper you. Come. Come, believe the Scripture.  Come take this WORD and come Home.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA,   You ARE SO AWESOME to give us this promise and I am taking You up on it here and now before these witnesses.  Do Your Thing, ABBA, on this flesh of mine and bring my heart and soul to be ‘head over heels’ in love with You!   And I pray our IDOKs will submit to the same; I dare say some have already and we are a work in progress, so keep us coming to You again and again with this verse of PROMISE until we see You, LORD, Face to face.   And, ABBA, for those in those distant lands, get Your Word to them and bring them home, I pray.  Send affirmation and confirmation that You are calling them and that You will keep Your promises to them. Urge them, Holy Spirit, to surrender to You.
We pray now for our  People listed here, You know them better than I do; You know what they need and I am asking You to make sure they get from You what they need and I pray that whomever You want to enlist to help will be of a mind and a will to be Your Touch to these.  I pray for America that You will forgive Her and turn Her back to You.  I pray for Israel to come to the Peace You have for them.  I pray Your missionaries in all the places around the world that You have sent them, to provide for them down to every tiny little detail and provision they need to help the hurting and to preach the Gospel to the Lost.  I pray for the children all around the world that are caught and trapped in poverty of Spirit and human suffering that You will get help and provisions and the Message of Your Gospel to them; move us as You will to get in this fight for the souls of children.   But not just children, men and women too, so lost in darkness.  Turn the light on for them, LORD, and let us be the bearer of Your Light to them for Your Very Name’s 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. 
Vanessa. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  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. 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. 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. 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 55°F and clear in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:59 AM AST on November 12, 2009.
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Two Statements – Much To Think About

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2009

As often, I am off schedule; that is I was days behind in my work book study for The Patriarchs (written by Beth Moore), so today I worked multiple days which means I have way more material that I want to share with you than I have room and yes, even time.  Golly! Will not it be great when we get HOME and time won’t matter any more?! YES!! Okay. Back on point.
Here’s a stand alone statement, I think.  Page 158 (of the aforementioned work book):  “Don’t stop working with God until Satan’s plan for your life or your family backfires in his ugly face.”  Now that idea – I LIKE!!
You do know that Satan has a plan for your life, don’t you?  You do know that he studies you and has a crafty and cunning agenda to bring your life to ruin don’t you?  Now, please understand I am not suggesting that you cower in fear or that you become so spooked that you see a demon behind every door and bush, but I am strongly advising that we take the matter of EVIL seriously.  It is not a joking matter, nor is it a figment of the imagination of some ancient theologian concocted to hold over the heads his parishioners to keep them in line.  As surely as Jesus is so is Satan.  As surely as there are angels, there are demons.  As surely as angels still minister to the saints, demons still lurk to destroy sinners and stymie, strangle and stagnant saints.  But, you know all that. I know all that.  But do I act like I know it? Not always.  Not often enough.
Here’s another one, found on page 161: “One of the most obscure traps the Devil sets for the deeply spiritual is to tempt us to love loving God more than we actually love God.”  Is this akin to the woman who marries the man thinking she is in love with him but all her friends know that she is just in love with being in love?  Can we even imagine the disappointments, the misunderstandings, and the intimacy that would be lacking in that marriage?  I don’t want that for my ‘marriage’ to the Lamb of God.  And only He can help me see when it is happening and correct it.  May He do that for any one of us today.
Deuteronomy 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.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA, Many hours have passed since the closing word of this message was written and a new day has dawned and I pray this message will ring in our hearts and do the work You have designed it to do.  I pray for Doug and Claudia this morning.  I thank You that he is home; tired but glad to be home.  You know my thoughts and my requests for him and Claudia – Your Will be done I pray.  And we pray for our IDOK Troops this morning, knowing that as we sit here and our day is beginning they are there and evening is fast approaching and we thank You for having kept them safe and we pray You shall keep them in perfect peace; we plead the Blood of our Savior over the doorposts of each of their lives that nothing may enter to harm them either spiritually, emotionally or physically.  I pray this too for each of our IDOKs and each one whose name is listed here in the Mighty and Holy Name of Yeshua.  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. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  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. 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. 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. 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)  
A parting word that came to me sometime in the early hours before dawn; it may not be only for me:  You are so focused on what is bad about you that you are missing what is Good in you – Jesus, the Hope of Glory.
As I post this it is 79°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:44 PM AST on November 11, 2009.