I’ve had a song playing today. Let me share it with you via YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ijXwHoKeAY&feature=related

Revelation 21:4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away. 5 And He Who is seated on the throne said, See! I make all things new. Also He said, Record this, for these sayings are faithful (accurate, incorruptible, and trustworthy) and true (genuine).

These are the words that stand out to me at this reading: and the former order of things have passed away. Hallelujah! Oh there will come a day when the ‘order of things’ we are now experiencing will be over!!

Ephesians 2

1 AND YOU [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins

2 In which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].

Yes, there will come a day when the prince of the power of the air will no longer ‘order’ anything! We wait for that day. Be encouraged, Dear One, that day will surely come. Hold fast, pray without ceasing and allow the Joy of the Lord to be your strength. Sweet blessings upon you today.

Psalm 145:

17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth.

ABBA, I think the morning is already fast and heavy for some of our IDOKs and so I pray for peace and strength and even patience or maybe it would be wisdom LORD. Wisdom to pick their ‘fights’ as they work with children and grandchildren and spouses to get the household fed and dressed and out the door to school and work. I just know Your Help is needed and I am praying for each of us to KNOW Your Help is as near as our breath. I pray for Kathy and her family as they wait upon You to come for her mother. And I ask You to make that transition as full of peace and blessings as possible. And as many mornings here, I am thinking of Bernie and Linda. You know the blessing, the encouragement and fellowship they have been to me and I pray for Your richest blessings to be upon them today. And there are others here who have encouraged and loved on me so well. I am grateful and I ask You to be doubly good to them. Each name here represents someone who needs You and someone who loves them enough to place their name here and so we ask You to honor our prayers for them because we offer them only in the name and merits and righteousness of Jesus, our Savior. For our IDOK Troops specifically we pray You will protect them in mind and body and spirit and that today their courage will not fail and that today they will honor You as they defend and protect. Give Israel every blessing You can today; give the American People grace and space to repent and for we Your Children I pray the filling of You, Holy Spirit, to all of us wherever in the world we are, especially Pastors, wives and families and Missionaries and their families; particularly Shay, provide and minister and just fill her with Your Joy today. Amen and amen.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.

Public and Private School Teachers.

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

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. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

The last verse of Psalm 17 is a choice made by David and by many others. We can make this choice a prayer and if we continue in it, He will answer!

15 As for me, I shall behold Your face in righteousness; I will be satisfied with Your likeness when I awake.

In the 17th Psalm, we believe the Penman to have been David and we believe him to have been crying out to Father God for protection. Maybe it was from Saul, maybe another. And you and I may have a Saul or two in our lives and we may be crying out even as David did here. Here David is speaking with Father and he is saying I have enemies. We know from other passages of Scripture that there was a time in David’s life that Saul hated David and wanted him dead and on more than one occasion attempted to kill David. And IF this is the enemy of whom David is speaking here, verse 3 is amazing.

3 You have tried my heart;
You have visited me by night;
You have tested me and You find nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

Looks to me like David had discussed at length this enemy with Father; they had discussed this hatred that one had for him. They had talked about in the ‘night’ when David was alone, and David knew he was innocent. David knew he had been faithful; that he had not rendered evil for evil NOT even with his mouth. David had not spoken evil of his enemy and moreover he had made the choice that he was not going to speak evil of this one that hated him. And because of these choices, because of his innocence, because he had not retaliated, David could say what he said in verse 5.

5 My steps have held fast to Your paths
My feet have not slipped.

How did David do this? How can we do this? Maybe it would be so of us if we were Satisfied with Jesus in every waking moment. And how would we be satisfied? Could it be the answer is in the FACE. I shall behold Your face in righteousness — beholding the FACE of Jesus. Seeing His Righteousness and that His Righteousness has been imputed to us and that being so, the penalty for ALL our sins have been paid. Surely we can forgive our enemies in the FACE of JESUS.

Father, thank You. Thank You for David; thank You for the excellent choices he made and thank You that You were faithful to him even when his choices were unholy and ungodly. Thank You. And thank You that You are the same with us. Lord Jesus help us behold Your FACE today and help us be SATISFIED with You today. I bring all our IDOKs today and all whom IDOKs love and confess even now for each and every one of them that You will cause Your FACE to shine upon them as they turn their face to You and that all our needs and even our holy wants are given us this day for Your Sake Lord Jesus. Protect our IDOK Troops we pray. We pray they will know Your Peace today and will behold Your Face before them and that because of You they will perform their duties today with dignity and honor; that they will represent You well today in the things they say and do. Again we pray that You will protect them and keep them safe in mind, body and spirit. And we pray for America, for repentance for we the people, we pray for correction and for the arresting of evil in the conduct of our leaders too. We pray for the prosperity and peace of Israel, that it be so LORD as You will. We bring collectively this list of people with their needs and hurts and ills and diseases and we ask You to individually touch each life and cause Your FACE to come into focus for them. And we pray that each of them and each of us would be willing to look at Your Face today and be satisfied with You and Your Plan for us today. Amen and amen. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.

Public and Private School Teachers.

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

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. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

Hebrews 12: 1. . . Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

As I begin it is Sunday afternoon. The Kids have gone home, the dishes are done and the afternoon is about spent. A little after the Noon hour today, when Baby Girl and hubby and Little Girl with children and hubby arrived we spoke of Momma; Grandma and Memaw to them. We wrote notes or signed our names to a card, packed a little bag with mementos and attached it all to a cluster of balloons to release to the sky. It was a tangible way for us to release our grief and hold close precious memories. First the grand-babies released a single balloon each, two blues and one pink. So quickly the balloons floated higher and higher, so high that within moments we could see them no longer. And we released the cluster of balloons. Its lift was not so speedy. Rather slow and labored in fact. Slow enough for us to digitally capture a picture as it hovered above our open hands before slowly rising to the sky.

Later when the house grew quiet and I began to reflect upon the balloons, Hebrews 12:1 came to mind. The single balloons with no weight attached rose quickly, they all but soared to the sky. But the balloon cluster with the weight of sentiments attached struggled to make its way up. Lets read the Scripture again.

Hebrews 12: 1. . . Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Notice it says lay aside every weight. The weight we attached to the balloon cluster was not bad stuff. It was sweet and sentimental but it sure did slow down those balloons. So heavy was the weight of the attached sentiments that we wondered if maybe the balloons would come down rather than fly high. Could it be that we have sweet and sentimental weights attached to us? Sentimental weights that are slowing our progress in the Kingdom of our God? Only by the Holy Spirit within us can we know for sure. We need to listen and lay aside any weight He points out to us. And then the Text reads AND the sin which doth so easily beset us. Again, let us ask Him what sin or sins are holding us back from soaring? That is what He re-birthed us to do, you know? And when He turns on the spot light of conviction, let us confess and forsake that sin. And when we do we will rise and on the wings of the wind we will soar higher and higher in the Presence of our Savior.

Hebrews 12: 1 THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,

2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

An unfettered balloon for Jesus sake — what a thought! Lets ponder it. My love to you all.

Psalm 145:

17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works.

18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. 

Abba, thank You for a night of rest, for a morning dawn, for sweet memories and balloons that teach us lessons. I pray this morning for our IDOKs, for each of them to sense Your Presence this morning. For them to know Your Strength and Joy this morning. As they ready themselves for work and children and grandchildren for school, pack lunches and scoot out the door keep them safely in Your Care. Ride with them empowering them to live godly lives today. LORD keep us close, don’t let us get by with sin today; don’t let us be comfortable with our weights, help us give them up to You for Your glory and our own best testimony. And we are mindful of our list written here with many and varied conditions and challenges and we pray for each one, for You to intervene individually, for You to custom make each miracle needed in each life. For our IDOK Troops to be safe from all harm today, for them to be mindful of Your love for them, for them to be mindful that they are loved, for them to be mindful that You are holy and full of power to care for them in all circumstances and we pray they will be safe today in mind, body and spirit. We pray for Israel for protection, that enemies will not be victorious over them. We pray for You Holy Spirit to come in great power and conviction upon the American People, upon all peoples pouring out Your Spirit, giving repentance to the lost and visions and dreams to Your sons and daughters. Again, I pray for my IDOKs today, they have many burdens, LORD, and trying, full of hurt situations and I pray for relief and until relief comes strength to keep loving and keep trusting You. Amen and amen.

Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Joy and Evan. Gina. Francis T. Cathy T. Cathie R and family. Emily. Walt. Phillip. Margie and Craig. Sandra. Terry and family. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Carolyn. Mary. Mabel. Joan. David T’s Family. Kimberly. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Trisha. Patti’s Family. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Branson. The O’Brien family. Kim and her Fiancee. Jonathan. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Bernie and Linda. Darlene and Torkel. Edie G. Rachel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. Dylan. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn and Family. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. David & Allison. Jeanette and Earl and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Erin. Alan. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Lance. Candance and Family. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Andrew and Daughters. Lee. Sharron and family, Linda and family, Bev and Family, Mollie B. Friends at work.

Public and Private School Teachers.

Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.

Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church.

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. Drew. Justin G. Kyle N. Michael K. Sgt. Bozicevich. Bay N. T. Palin. John L. Richard M. Adam M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T.

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G.

Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08) http://www.strafford1st.com/page25/page26/page26.html

Military at home – Tim. Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Lyndon A. Jason G. Captain Tran Josh.

The Peace of Israel.

Revival in America.

As I post this it is 70°F and haze in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:40 PM AST on February 9, 2009.

Here’s a link if you would like to see pictures of the balloon release

http://picasaweb.google.com/PupandKat/BalloonReleaseMemorial2809?authkey=Zybyd20DvwY#

When I made up the bed today, I remembered Momma and how she thought it was such a ‘high up’ bed and she would giggle and grunt as she climbed up into it. For a moment, I thought to be sad and even cry again but then my thoughts turned to how much giggling she is doing in Heaven. That she is seeing and experiencing much much greater fun than anything here. And that comforts me.

So, the prayers of the Saints are working. I am beginning to think less of me and what I am missing and am choosing to praise and give thanks to our God for what Momma is enjoying and that on a day certain I will see the glories of Heaven with her. To HIM be the Glory!

I got a perspective on a familiar verse of Scripture today. I don’t think I will ‘evangelize’ it but it felt good for me. 

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. source 

That being the rule of ‘time’ for Heaven, if I were to live another 1,000 years in this frame of mine as is today, which we know I will not, that would only be as a day to my Mom that she has not seen me. That answers for me how it is that Moms and Dads, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren; any someone we love who has preceded us to Heaven is not sad that they are separated from us — it’s only a moment for them. This comforts me so much. Maybe it will some of you too.

I’ve been thinking of some other things too, not so much today because healing has begun. But anyway, I have this sense that even though I did not do everything right for my Momma; didn’t always choose the best words, didn’t call as often as I could have, didn’t do as much, looking back now, as would have been better, in all that I believe the Holy Spirit reminded me the Blood of Jesus has covered it all. His Blood has washed it away for me and most assuredly for Momma. She loved me here in spite of my imperfections and now surrounded and filled with the perfect love of Jesus, she is surely not worried about ‘coulda’, ‘shoulda’, ‘woulda’ and it is sin for me to do so in the here and now. The most appropriate avenue for me to take is to consider those left here with me and what I can do NOW for them. Momma would like that and it will certainly please my Jesus. These are my pondering(s). I hope they will bless you too.

Enjoy your weekend, love on your family and friends and Praise our Great God and Father in all things!

Psalm 145: 17 The Lord is [rigidly] righteous in all His ways and gracious and merciful in all His works. 18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. source

I have removed my Momma’s name from our list. She no longer needs our prayers, she is WHOLE now. Thank you for all the times you prayed for her. As soon as we all get home, for those of you who did not meet her here, I will be pleased to introduce you to her there.

ABBA, I think Heaven is so good that unbelievers here think we are nuts. So be it LORD. More and more I know Your Word is true and more and more I know that You have more for us there that we have the imagination to dream here. Thank You. Thank You that it is true and thank You that we believe. Oh, what a gift it is to believe. Thank You. Thank You. And, LORD, I haven’t found any Scripture that would support that You would tell Momma for me that I love her but somehow it comforted me when I asked You yesterday to do that for me. Thank You, LORD. And now that I am here with our IDOKs again, thank You for them. It is good to be back and I pray for them that You will bless them abundantly, give them every blessing possible. It’s good to again together bring our list here and our IDOK Troops, praying for their protection, for safety of mind, body and spirit; and for each on this list. LORD, You know what You want to do for each of them and we want You to. So be it LORD JESUS. We pray to be useful servants, building Your Kingdom and giving You Glory, wanting NONE for ourselves. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 41°F and Partly Cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 7:23 AM AST on February 6, 2009.