Monthly Archives: December 2009

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Endings That Bring Beginnings

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009

WOW Conference
January 29 and 30, 2010
Limited Seating – tickets on sale now. 
Email me for information as to speakers, time, location, and
Ticket purchases – Only $25.00 each.
 Ticket price includes Chick-fil-a sack lunch on Saturday.
 This is an Eastern Shore Women’s Ministry, Inc. Annual Event
Don’t miss it!
 Well, today is a milestone.  I finished Day 5 of Week 10 of The Patriarchs study; tonight will be our last video session.  Through the weeks of this journey I have shared a little here and there with you.  When I leave our group setting tonight I will have turned every page of the book of Genesis from Chapter 11 to the end in Chapter 50.  I already know it ends with Joseph gathered to his father, Israel (Jacob), and grand father, Isaac, and great-grandfather, Abraham.   What encouragement!  Brats can repent and finish well!!  I would say Joseph is the most talked about of Israel’s twelve sons, and the prophetic blessing given him by Jacob from Jacob’s death bed was ultimately fulfilled in his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.  But there was another son who for much of his life lived with little to nothing of integrity or noteworthiness until dawn broke over his dark clouded life as he began to own up to his sins, even standing in as surety for another.  His name? Judah.  Listen to the prophecy blessing that Jacob spoke over him.
Genesis 49: 8 “Judah, your brothers will praise you;
       your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
       your father’s sons will bow down to you.
 9 You are a lion’s cub, O Judah;
       you return from the prey, my son.
       Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
       like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?
 10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
       nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
       until he comes to whom it belongs
       and the obedience of the nations is his.
 11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
       his colt to the choicest branch;
       he will wash his garments in wine,
       his robes in the blood of grapes.
 12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
       his teeth whiter than milk.
What do you see in this passage?  Do you know this prophecy was fulfilled in part thousands of years after Judah was gathered to his father?   And that there is more to come?!
Revelation 5:5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”  
Look at that!  Of the tribe of Judah! And HE Is ABLE!
Revelation 19: 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
And on page 234 Beth said this: “Oh, to see Judah’s face when he watches every knee bow to King Jesus!  The blessed King of the blessed line!  No wonder Judah means praise!”
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Judah – REAL people in a REAL place waiting for us to join them – who knows, maybe we can stand close by and catch a glimpse of Judah as his ‘Son’ is crown KING OF KINGS and LORD of LORDS in the great City of Jerusalem.  But you know, we may miss it.  Because I think we will be so enthralled with JESUS we won’t have eyes for anyone or anything else.  Oh, my goodness, let us start to practice now.  And this Patriarch study has surely given me a good start!!  IF you have not taken this ten week Patriarch journey, you should! 
One last thing before we go to prayer.
My first note beyond the Introductory Session Listening Guide fill-ins was ‘Easy lives don’t make great stories’. 
Your life not easy?  Neither is mine.  Just maybe we will have a great story to tell too when we see Judah and the others.  My story began in 1975 when I breathed in Jesus.  And I hope there is much more to add to my story.  I hope the greatest part is yet to be written, even if that means some hard days are yet to come.  And I pray here and now, ABBA, that any hard days that come, may they not come because I have stood in arrogant, rebellious disobedience against You.  Amen and amen!
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Adding: Please add Kirk Madison to your troops on foreign soil. Thanks, Pat
ABBA, again I thank You for Your choice servant, Beth Moore.  But more than thanking You for her, I thank You Holy Spirit that YOU are my Teacher!   And I pray to be Your humble student and servant for as long as You give me breath here on this earth.  I pray I will go to my last breath loving You and praising You for Your Glorious Worth and Goodness.  I pray You will make me a humble servant to Your Body, Lord Jesus, and to any lost soul who is willing to listen to Your Glorious Gospel.   Holy Spirit pour out Yourself upon us, cleanse us, renew us and fill us up.  Clear away everything within us that would keep us from victorious, holy, righteous living.  Help us walk out our lives wise as serpents and harmless as doves.  Thank You for this day, thank You for letting me love You.  Thank You for our IDOKs.  Thank You for our Readers.  Thank You for these for whom we now prayer; love on them even as You have loved on us in these moments of study and prayer.  Heal their broken bodies and bind up and mend their broken souls; give them new hearts and right spirits within them.  Those wondering how some hard things staring them in the face will be overcome, give them faith and hope that You Lion of Judah, Lamb of God have over come and in You so will they.   Please protect our IDOK Troops again today.  Again today urge them to make You LORD of their lives; give them safe passage through this day  and all the way to home safe and sound with their families whenever that day is set to be.  We continue to give You praise for Israel and pray for their peace and to occupy fully the LAND You have promised them.  Subdue their enemies I pray.  And, ABBA, subdue and arrest the enemies of a free America too, especially those in the White House I pray.   Again, I pray cleanse and revive Your Church; empower and protect Your missionaries wherever they are; give them funds and provisions to complete their assignments.  And this all we ask because we can in Christ Jesus our Savior and our King. 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. 
La Juanna. 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. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. 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. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Suzi.  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. Kirk M. (added 12/10/09)
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 smoke mist in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:02 AM AST and on December 10, 2009.


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Surprises

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009

WOW Conference
January 29 and 30, 2010
Limited Seating – tickets on sale now. 
Email me for information and tickets – $25.00.
 This is an Eastern Shore Women’s Ministry, Inc. Annual Event
Don’t miss it!
I think it was about September of this year that I decided I wanted certain kitchen items, if we could afford them.  So I gathered information and discovered that to purchase these coveted items would require a loan for an amount that would buy a better than a clunker automobile.  And with that revelation I determined a reasonable facsimile was the way to go.  And so we looked and we shopped and we waited and we shopped and then finally in mid to late October we made a purchase.  I was in love!  And so very satisfied with my facsimile; and then it happened!  On a certain Saturday an unbelievable gift was offered.  You guessed it!  Those very items!  Not new, of course, but nonetheless with some cleaning and scouring and proper care will last long enough for granddaughters to use them some day!   I tell you now, you cannot convince me other wise: my ABBA is AWESOME.  And He loves me and pays attention to every thought that goes through my little pointed head!  In the words of my dearly loved Beth Moore: Why are You so nice to me?!  It must be love! Gracious, woefully undeserved love; but I accept!
A new set of Salad Master cook-ware would not have required ‘elbow grease’ before cooking up a pot turnip greens (also a gift from a precious sister-friend) but a new set could never compare to these!  You know what I mean?  Invest a little time thinking about the ‘Surprises’ that have come your way this year.  I suspect you will be saying to ABBA too: “Why are You so nice to me?!”  And you will come to my same conclusion.  It must be love; gracious, woefully undeserved love!
Matthew 7: NKJV
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Updates:
ABBA, all of a sudden I am without words, how do I begin?  This piece was so fun to write and I hope our IDOKs will enjoy it and I hope it will cause them to think about how good You are to them too.  I hope it will lead them to praise You for the surprises You have given them.  I pray each of us will be so very aware of You and Your goodness to us.  I pray we will be so aware that You are DADDY to us.    And like always we are asking You to protect and keep safe our IDOK Troops.  Thank You so much for allowing us the wonderful privilege of praying each day for them.  Thank You for allowing us the wonderful privilege of praying for each one listed here.  We want Your best for each of them.  We want them to experience You and Your Goodness.  And, ABBA, I want peace for Israel. I want to see Israel blessed and see them safe and secure in the land that You promised them through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Thank You so much for this study of the Patriarchs that we are about to finish.  Thank You for revealing such great studies in Your Word to Beth and for her obedience to write them down for us.  I pray for her, whatever she needs, ABBA, please make sure she gets it.  It’s been a good day; thank You.  I pray now for rest and peace for all our IDOKs and our Readers.  Wake us up ready to worship You at just the time You want to meet with us individually and collectively.  We want to love You more and more ABBA.  We want to be just ‘crazy’ about You.  We want to be so heavenly minded that we are way over the top in doing earthly good in Jesus name.  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. 
La Juanna. 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. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. 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. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Suzi.  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 partly cloudy in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 7:27 AM AST and on December 9, 2009.

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Haste

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009

WOW Conference
January 29 and 30, 2010
Limited Seating – tickets on sale now. 
Email me for information and tickets – $25.00.
 This is an Eastern Shore Women’s Ministry, Inc. Annual Event
Don’t miss it!
 This time I was so glad I was not hasty.  Taking a drawstring pair of pants out of the dryer I saw only one drawstring and I was sorely tempted to grab that thing and yank.  My mind was already envisioning getting a safety pin to fish that thing back around the waist.  And that thought did not make me happy.  Can you tell? A split second before grasping the end of the drawstring I saw tucked right there at the mouth of the other side’s drawstring opening the other end of the string!  I was SO delighted!  I fished it out and came straight here to write you a note.  Sometimes haste is good like in Luke 2:16.  Luke 2: 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.
And you know what, that may be the only time haste is a good thing — when we are running to Jesus.  Otherwise, we might wanna wait a little bit to see what He has to say about it before we do it.   However, least I give fuel to certain beloved IDOKs who have a propensity to procrastinate, once ABBA says this is a good thing to do, then do it timely!  Love ya’ll.  Pace yourselves; and I’ll do the same.  :~)
Romans 8:1 (New King James Version)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
P.S. Let me paraphrase a great statement I heard today by Sara Hickey (don’t know her married name): we must not use the excuse of our personalities (for bad behavior); our personalities are not a problem to Jesus; it’s all about us making better choices. 
Wow, is that to the point or what?!
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update: We don’t have a grade, of course; but our oldest red-haired daughter was great giving her Capstone.  I confess I could be prejudice but I do believe she is of professor caliber.
ABBA, I am so glad You are You; so grateful for the way You operate; Holy Spirit thank You so much for playing Romans 8:1 right away for me when I woke up this morning.  You are so very good!  Thank You for lessons in simple everyday things and thank You for those times I do not act hasty and at the same time help me to be quick or so very quick to run to You.  Thank You for this new day that is on its way to us.  Holy Spirit thank You for bringing Roy and Julee to mind; the last word I had he was ‘closer to Heaven and earth’ which tells me he could already be with You and if that be so and whenever it is so, comfort Julee and the family.  Thank You for Roy, do Your loving thing, Lord, I pray.  We continue to pray for Suzi, for Your will to be accomplished in her, spiritually and physically. We pray too for the other listed here, even if we do not call each one or each circumstance individually by name, we trust You to know our hearts and theirs and to minister to each perfectly.  We pray for our IDOK Troops that You will again today keep them safe in spirit, soul and body.  We pray for Israel’s peace and safety.  We pray for America’s repentance.  We pray for the President and his Administration; Abba, You know my heart; keep me straight for Jesus sake.  I did not want him to be president but I trust You; I don’t want his health care bill to pass, but I trust You.  I don’t want him to sign away the sovereignty of America, but I trust You.  I know You birthed America and I know You love us, I pray for mercy, for grace and space to repent.  As we post this edition, bless each IDOK and Reader, give us all courage and grace to act timely, not hastily and run quickly to You. 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. 
La Juanna. 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. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. 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. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Suzi.  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 59°F and Light Showers Rain Mist in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 3:25 PM AST and on December 8, 2009.