Monthly Archives: November 2009

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TWISTED

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2009

I am drawing again this morning, from the well of others for our devotion, that is.
Yesterday morning was early to leave home, then home for a bit, and then gone again.
I’m not complaining, you understand; just explaining.
And this morning is early again as I am blessed to chaperon a field trip for a certain dark-haired 7-year-old beauty –  we are going to Fairhope for a play.

So from Breaking free Day By Day by Beth Moore, look with me at what she says for our devotion today:
“Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength.  Isaiah 40:31.

Sometimes I get tired of fighting the good fight, don’t you?  How can we muster the energy to hang in there and keep fighting for our liberty?  Even the youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.  So what’s a soul to do?

The Hebrew word for “trust” in the verse above means “to bind together (by twisting) . . . to be gathered together, to be joined.”  If we want to keep a renewed strength to face our daily challenges or to regain a strength that has faded, God’s Word tells us to draw so close to the presence of God that we’re practically twisted to Him!
Let’s look at the entire verse Beth cited:

Isaiah 40:31 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
31 but those who trust in the LORD
    will renew their strength;
    they will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary;
    they will walk and not faint.

Amen!  Would this devotion hang with you if I asked the question: does this mean it’s okay for us to be ‘twisted sisters’?
Not even funny, huh?  Be careful google-ing ‘twisted sister’ if you do.  :-)
As I post this it is 79°F and haze in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:27 PM AST on November 5, 2009.
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Messy and Lousy

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 IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2009
I am drawing on a little book entitled God Alone by Joanie Yoder for this morning’s devotion.  It may fit us well today.
In today’s society, two popular factors, the ‘feel-good factor’ and the ‘look-good factor’, are being confused with success.  Anyone not feeling or looking good is often regarded as mediocre-even a failure.
The church can easily fall into this trap, all in the name of longing to have a good testimony for the Lord.  A deeper look at Christ’s own testimony will set us straight.
In Mark 14:32-42, Jesus was nearing His atoning death at Calvary.  As Jesus fought and won the battle of the will, Luke said that ‘His sweat was like drops of blood’ (22-44).  In all this and the terrible agony of the crucifixion that followed, and Jesus neither felt good nor looked good.  Rather, He was good and did good by choosing His Father’s will and fulfilling it.  His anguished obedience was later followed by joyful resurrection.
Has your heavenly Father entrusted you with an agonizing situation in which it’s unrealistic to feel good or look good? Don’t despair!  He values what you are and what you do as you die to self and embrace His will.  Jesus knows that this often feels and looks messy.  The truth is, it honors God and eventually leads to victory and joy.  What greater testimony than this?  GOD BRINGS BEAUTY OUT OF UGLY SITUATIONS.
MARK 14:32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”  35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”  37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.  41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
She said it’s unrealistic for us think we must always look good and feel good. This is a good ‘word’ for us — it’s okay to look messy, and feel lousy as long as we keep on doing the right thing –  embracing the Will of our ABBA Father even in midst of messy and lousy.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Doug is in the hospital again; the cancer is back and has spread; prayers so needed.
ABBA, this is a good word today, cause I see some messy and lousy situations before us but in them we pray for strength to do good, to embrace Your will and keep on keeping on trusting You and praising You for You being You; for Your unfailing love and Your never turning from doing good for us and on our behalf.  May every soul written here embrace this Word today, even if they don’t read this particular page, may You, Holy Spirit, speak it in their hearts.   Please continue to watch over and protect our IDOK Troops today and please bring each of them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  And, ABBA, thank You for this ministry; I pray it will be all that You desire it to be.   I pray that each of us will be all that You desire us to be, especially when life is hard and messy; help us proclaim YOU ARE GOOD. Amen and amen in Jesus Name.
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. 
Teacher hospitalized with pneumonia. 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. 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. 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 76°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:13 PM AST on November 4, 2009. 
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Striped Branches

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009

A quote worth remembering, even though I don’t know who said it:
 “Boundaries give you freedom.”
How true is that to you?
Do you remember the account of Jacob when he went to Laban and basically said I’ve been working for you long enough, it’s time for me to take my family and go home?  Do you remember the wages Jacob requested?
Genesis 30: 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.
Laban said okay and Jacob separated the flock that very day.
Do you remember what happened next?  I’ll tell you it has always been a puzzle to me, but Beth cleared that up for me today.   Here’s the text.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.
38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.
I can remember thinking as a child, what’s this about?  What do branches in a watering trough have to do with the color of baby lambs and goats?  On page 143 of the Patriarch work book, Beth said this: “The interesting part of Jacob’s plan is in the atmosphere he created for producing “streaked or speckled or spotted” animals.  You didn’t miss the use of the striped branches, did you?  . . . Jacob didn’t learn this technique in zoology.  In fact, the chances of the sight of striped branches producing speckled animals were about as good as the mandrakes causing pregnancy.”  She went on to say:  “Jacob’s plan was to plainly set God up for success. To make it easier for Him. To increase His chances, we might say.” 
I wonder if ABBA smiled when he saw Jacob trying so hard to help Him bless him? I sure hope there is Heavenly Video when we get HOME; I’d love to SEE this scene. 
Okay. So the answer to my question – What do branches in a watering trough have to do with the color of baby lambs and goats? Nothing! Nothing mystical about it; nothing scientific about it, just Jacob ‘helping God’.  Beth finished the lesson this way on page 144: “God blessed the flocks of Jacob more than Laban because He was faithful to His promises.  At Bethel He told Jacob that He’d spread out his descendants “to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.” And that He’d bless him and be with him wherever he went.  God also emphatically promised to bring Jacob back to the land. (Gen. 28:14-15).  The method God chose and revealed ingeniously to Jacob meant the bleating of spotted, speckled sheep and goats would follow Jacob and his family all the way home.  As for the branches?  Mere accessories.   Save your trees and bow down to a sovereign God.”
In Kathie Thompson paraphrase:  I think God just impressed upon Jacob to say give me the speckled and spotted ones because God knew that Laban knew there were not that many of them at the time, and that greedy Laban would easily agree. And when he did, God made sure there were plenty of them born and He would have done it even without the striped branches.  But the branches made Jacob feel better and I personally don’t think ABBA minded.  He knew Jacob’s stage of growth at the time.  And He knows our too.  You see ABBA hears me when I pray whether I voice it aloud, voice it silently or write it down; but you know when I am real serious about a matter, I write it.  I guess you could say I gather a few striped branches and put them in the watering trough.  Maybe someday I won’t feel the need to write out those serious request, but until then I think ABBA is still smiling. How about you?
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Young woman who teaches here in North Mobile County has been hospitalized with pneumonia; serious situation.  Lord, we are concerned about this young woman, she is loved by many, she is important to those little second graders who love her so much, please heal her; give her back health and life and return her to her classroom to teach and honor Your name we pray.
ABBA, thank You.  This blesses me.  I like it!  I am thinking You do too.  Thank You that You hear my voiced prayers and You hear my written ones too and You answer them all.  Thank You that as long as I think I need striped branches You will allow me to have them.  And thank You that You are growing me to not need them and for sure when I see You FACE to face, I won’t need them anymore.  Thank You. 
We are praying for Roy and Julee, You know the needs there.  They are great ones but You are able, more than able so we are praying that Roy and Julee will experience Your faithfulness to them.   We understand Sparky is in need again too and we’d like for You to rid his body of that E-coli and make him well again.  And there are other unspoken things that we bring for Your Tending To and we bring our IDOK Troops for safety and protection and for ministry; Lord Jesus, minister to their needs, especially their spiritual needs – encouragement and comfort and yes, for sure, for sure, conviction to make holy decisions and keep themselves unspotted by that hostile world in which they are living.  And please bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  And I pray for the political arena here in America.  You know I hate the corruption, I hate the greed, the lies, the deception, I hate the insatiable craving for power and domination that I see so clearly in prominent people and oh how I’d like to do something about it, so I am praying.  I know You are in control and I know You have and will continue to provide and bless and prosper us as we obey You;  especially in these evil times, I pray we will obey You and that we will give and give and give again of ourselves and our resources as You direct us.  I pray we will be wise and discerning, not be duped, and that the world will come to stand in amazement at what You do with servants who love You and trust You.  Thank You for being You and thank You for shaping us too.  Amen and amen in Jesus Name.
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. 
Teacher hospitalized with pneumonia. 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. 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. 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 partly cloudy in Kabul, AH (Airport) and the time is 8:13 AM AFT on November 3, 2009.
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Full Circles

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009

I only heard a little bit of what she said but I LIKED it!  (I will paraphrase, ‘cause I’m not good at verbatim recall.) Joyce Meyer said if we do what the Bible says because we want to obey God and because we love Him, then when the reward for obedience is not quick in coming or does not come in the way we hoped, we will keep on keeping on because our true motive for obedience was not to get the desired results but was because we love Him.  In other words we were not obeying to get, we were obeying to GIVE, we were giving our love to Him for His loving us! John 14: 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. That, my Treasured Ones, will PREACH!
She also talked about ‘full circle’ which reminded me of my biggest full circle.  I don’t know that I have shared my full circle with you.  Hmmm.  Maybe I will.  But first I MUST leave this writing right now and do my Patriarch study.  See you back here in a while.
I’m baaack, but it is no longer Friday, now it’s Saturday.
Before we get to Full Circle, let me tell you about The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.  A WONDERFUL movie – if it is anywhere near you, invest and experience it!  Here’s a link to catch a preview:  http://www.sperrymovie.com/
Full circle.  Sometimes ‘do-over(s)’ with God bring us full circle.  My re-birth occurred November 18, 1975, right about 9:00 PM in the home of a man of God willing to invest some sweat as he ‘mid-wifed’ me into the Kingdom of God.  And where was my home on November 18, 1975?  You guessed it.  Satsuma, Alabama.   Between 1975 and 2005 … look at that!  5 and 5 . . . 30 years . . . and in 30 years a whole lot went on.  There was ten years of walking with the Lord; ten years of rebellion and ten years of intense recovery and then in 2005, He brought me back to Satsuma where my life in HIM began, FULL CIRCLE, to start a new life.  Full Circle Do-Over(s) are miracles! And God is Awesome to give them to us.  So if you have been foolish enough (like me) to need a complete ‘do-over’ and blessed enough (like me) to get one, whatever you do, don’t waste it! 
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update: Jimmy’s mother, Imogene Kotis Green, went home to be with the Lord around 4:30 this afternoon (Sunday).  Arrangements are incomplete at this time.  Thank you for your love, concern and prayers for her and our family. Love, LaJuanna
ABBA, I am a grateful daughter.  Thank You.  I’m grateful for reprieves, grateful for full circles, do-over(s), good movies, family, friends, warm houses, internet technology, sermons that hit the spot , sweet conviction, grace to repent and that barely even begins the list. 
We pray for the Green Family, for them to know and experience Your comfort more than adequately in this time of grief.  Thank You for the years you gave them with Imogene and thank You for her testimony for Jesus.  Thank You for this ministry and for this time of prayer and we pray now for all the others named here.  We pray for peace and comfort, healing and recovery, discernment and wisdom, knowledge and determination, purpose and provisions; every need, LORD, of every one we pray will be realized today.  Please comfort and protect our IDOK Troops today in spirit, soul and body.  You know my heart for America; You know the ills and woes of this Nation and I pray, ABBA, for mercy.  I pray lives and hearts will be changed; I pray for protection for Your People; I pray for wisdom and for means to overcome and to even prosper through the foolish and evil plans of this present administration.  And I pray for a hopeful heart, peace of mind and eyes to see opportunities in this present darkness to shed the Light of Your Gospel.   Amen and amen in Jesus Name.
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. 
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. 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. 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 scattered clouds in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:09 AM AST  on November 2, 2009.