Since writing The Author on Friday, I have become aware that getting a copy of Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed, such as the one I have, may not be so easy for any of you who are interested.  The book has been updated and released under a new name: What Happens When Women Say YES to GOD.

I apologize for my untidiness and multiple posts.  Holy hugs, kat

IDOK Devotion for Monday, April 26, 2010

A friend gave me a book several years ago and I’ve picked it up several times but again and again, I’ve laid it down, unfinished.  A few days ago I picked it up again and placed it on the stack of other books on my night table.  Last night as I was climbing into bed I looked at the book thinking I would try again and like a flood light suddenly illuminates a dark night I noticed the author’s name.  I exclaimed to myself: ‘I know her! But I didn’t know I had two books written by her!’

So this time when I started to read it was a whole new book to me.  Why?  Because I know the author.  She’s my friend.  I know her face.  I know her voice.  And now when I read her words, I am connected. I ‘hear’ her saying the words as I read them.  I see her facial expressions as she speaks from the pages of the book.

And so I thought you know those folks who say the Bible is dry, non-interesting, boring, and hard to understand; just maybe that is because they don’t know the AUTHOR.  They don’t know His voice.  They have not traced His face. They have not seen His smile. They have not heard His laugh.  They don’t count Him as a Friend.

Yes, knowing the Author makes all the difference,  especially when we are reading The Creator of the Universe’s Love Letter to humankind.

Obviously, I am thrilled with the book I am reading.  And obviously, I am tickled pink to know the author.  I read her often.  Just about every day; either her Blog or one of the two books I now have that she has written.  (I suspect I’ll get more) And I dare not get too far from this train of thought before I make this observation: the more I read what she has written the more I know her heart.  Flood Light. Flood Light!! The more we read the Bible the more we know the heart of God!!

So as thrilled as I am about this recent revelation, I am most thrilled about something far, far, far more exciting and incredible.  The steps of a man are established by the LORD, and He delights in his way. Psalm 37:23. My steps are established by the LORD and I have NO doubt He delighted in my delight last night.  I know He did, we talked about it.  I laughed and I cried and I praised that my Father GOD orchestrated last night and He began to work on last night in 2004.  IS HE AWESOME OR WHAT?!!!!

Yes! Knowing the Author makes all the difference in the world and in the soul of one ‘little girl’ in Satsuma, Alabama.

Father GOD, You know my heart is full.  I do not have the words to say how Awesome You are and how I love You and yes, appreciate You.  That You would do what You do.  Your patience, Your timing, Your You-ness!  I am so glad, so glad to KNOW You. And I don’t know You enough yet but I will get to because You will see to it and I’m more and more inclined to go along peacefully with You these days.  I owe that to You too!  I love you, Abba!

And while we are talking, let me petition You for our IDOKs and our Readers, bless them and show up and show out big for them.

We pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety and well-being all weekend and into Monday when I meet with our IDOKs again.  Bless their weekends, our IDOK Troops, their families back home, and all those we love, dear and near to us.   Look out for those on our list and help them see You and hear You and know You.  We pray for a good report for Jenny, asking that a remedy be found for those migraine headaches. And for Brittany, comfort, and peace as she waits on doctors to give her the results of the biopsy.  And we’d so like that biopsy to say no cancer.  And Carolyn, renew her strength, complete her recovery.  And You know all the other names listed and You know what is best and it is for that we pray.  Amen and amen, LORD JESUS, in Your Name.

IDOK Devotion for Friday, April 23, 2010

Praise Reports, Prayer Requests and Updates:

I am borrowing from Beth (Moore) today.  I am 19 days into another of her 90 Day Journals that once one works it, it becomes yours.  This one is  John, 90 Days with the Beloved Disciple.  The Scripture passage is John 19:28-37.  It is the passage wherein the Holy Spirit with His Writing Instrument, John, records Jesus’ time on the cross.  Listen for a glimpse of John’s heart in verse 35: He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth. I see here a man who is saying, what I am recording here is so horrendous and so glorious that it will be hard for you to believe; but believe it! I  saw it with my own eyes and every word I have written is true!  I appreciate my brother John.  A humble, wonderful man he was/is.  Think about how unlike most of us he was.  This is what Beth said on page 91 of the aforestated book:

John remained nearby Jesus whether his leader was on the Mount of Transfiguration or in the deep of Gethsemane’s suffering.  John leaned affectionately upon Him during the Passover feast but also followed Him into the courts for the trials. John clung to Jesus when He raised the dead, and he clung to Jesus when He became the dead.

John was found nearby when human reasoning implied his faithful Leader’s mission had failed.  He could not have comprehended that the plan of the ages was going perfectly.  Yet he remained. He who looked upon a face that had shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2) was willing to look upon a face bloody and spit upon.  He stayed nearby during both Christ’s brightest and darkest hours.  The young disciple knew Jesus in the extremities.  John was willing to look when others would have covered their eyes, and he beheld Him.  How can we behold what we are unwilling to see?

We cannot claim to know anyone intimately whom we’ve not known in the intensity of both agony and elation.  Anyone with eyes willing to truly behold Jesus will at times be confused and shocked by what he sees.  You see, if we’re willing to be taken to the extremes of His glory where intimate knowledge is gained, we will undoubtedly see things of Him we cannot explain and that sometimes disturb.

Then comes the question: Will we walk away from Jesus when from human understanding He looks weak and defeated? Do you know what I mean by that question?

When based on earthly evidence, human reasoning is left to one of two harrowing conclusions: He is either mean or weak.  Think, beloved, about what I’m saying.  Will we cling when our human reasoning implies evil has defeated Him? Or that evil seems to be found in Him?  Will we stand by faith when human logic says to run? That’s what will make us different.

Now I ask you is that in our face sobering or what?  When a beautiful 19 year old is diagnosed with cancer — do we cling to Jesus or do we accuse Him?  When we lose our job and the money is running out and we have not found another job yet  — do we cling to Jesus or do we accuse Him? When we pray and we pray and we pray and we still see no change – do we still believe He is good or do we doubt His goodness?  When we are miserable in the position we have and nothing else is coming open, when we are underpaid and under appreciated, and that very very bright son is not shining so well, and the dog needs to go to the Vet, and the laundry is piled 3 feet high and while tending the bickering siblings we burned supper and Calgon is no where near to take us away — do we still KNOW in our heart of hearts that He is good and not being mean to us?

John did. And we can too — by His Spirit within us WE CAN TOO!

To review the list of names for prayer, please click here.

How do I even begin, LORD?  I so appreciate the love John had, has for You.  I so appreciate his courage; the way he stood there even when I know he had to be terrified – so afraid.  I am so glad he loved You so much.  I am so glad he was there with You, in Your  GOD-MAN humanness, he must have been a comfort, even an encouragement to You.  I’m not so faithful, I’m not so strong and yet I am sure You love me just as much.  How You do I don’t know, I just thank You that You do.  I thank You too for Beth.  I value, treasure even, the ministry You have given her and the faithfulness she demonstrates.  You know the hurtles in her path to the Simulcast on Saturday – overcome them all for her and in her. Holy Spirit, anoint her to speak boldly Your Word to us and tender our hearts to hear and receive and when we leave each gathering place, individually, seal Your individual message in each heart – change us for Your glory.  And LORD any woman who attends that is lost, still in her sins, still without saving faith, give it to her on Saturday and birth her into OUR FAMILY.  Give us new sisters this weekend.  That’s what it’s really all about isn’t it – rescuing souls one at a time.  And I want to be a part of that by prayer and by actually ‘mid-wife-ing’ some new babies into the family.  I pray for that honor and privilege, LORD.  You are the Sweetest Presence in all the Universe, LORD.  I love You.  And while we are talking, I want to mention some other matters too.  Like our IDOK Troops always.  We want so much for them to stay safe; not just in body but in spirit and emotions too.  We want them to come home safe and sound not just physically but emotionally and spiritually too.  And You are the only one that can make that happen and we pray they, each one of them will cooperate with You for this.  And we pray for the families left behind here; we want them to conduct themselves honorably and we want all their needs met too and we pray for that.   And I want to mention all the other people and situations on our long list.  I am grateful for this list; grateful to pray for them and I’d like to ask that You send us some more prayer warriors.  More sisters and brothers who know how to commune with You, who know how to pray and who live lives that You get to bless.  I want all of us to live those kinds of lives – lives that You get to bless.  It must be so fun for You when You get to do happy things for us.  I am sorry we don’t conduct ourselves so You can do it more often.  We want to and with Your help, we will.  Thank You, LORD.  And thank You for this devotion and this sweet time.  When it reaches the screens of our IDOKs and our Readers I pray they will experience Your glorious sweet Presence in just an abundant, astounding way.  Amen and Amen, ABBA, in JESUS Name.