Follower of Yeshua. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother. Some call me a teacher. Some say I'm a prayer warrior. A few accredit me with some writing skills. Me? I say I'm a work in slow progress, looking for perfection in eternity and until then having all the holy fun I know how.
Psalm 128 A Song of Ascents. 1 Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, Who walks in His ways. I’ve been studying Psalm 128 with Beth (Moore) and I want to share verse 1 in particular with you. She asked us (those of us working our workbooks) to sum up what Psalm 128 means to us and as I was discussing that with Father, He gave me a beautiful summary. Here it is: Trust And Obey Hymn When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Refrain Trust and obey, for there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide while we trust and obey. Refrain Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share, But our toil He doth richly repay; Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross, But is blessed if we trust and obey. Refrain But we never can prove the delights of His love Until all on the altar we lay; For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, Are for them who will trust and obey. Refrain Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet. Or we’ll walk by His side in the way. What He says we will do, where He sends we will go; Never fear, only trust and obey. Refrain That’s it! Trust and Obey for there’s NO OTHER way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey. Our Trust and Obedience MUST be ‘music’ to HIM! Did you notice the all inclusiveness in verse 1? Father said EVERY ONE; not a selected few; not that one you admire so much because you think she has it all together; no EVERY ONE. Every One who will trust and obey Father isblessed. And yes another word for blessed is HAPPY. We Christians are big on the word JOY and we use it often; especially when we are not happy, we talk about we still have the JOY of the Lord. And that is true and glory be to His Name for it. BUT precious sisters and brothers, IT’S OKAY TO BE HAPPY!! That’s what Beth said. And I believe her. So the next time someone says how are you; shake ’em up real good, tell them you are HAPPIER THAN YOU DESERVE. They may look at you strange and back away or they may say, really? Why? And you can say Happy is EVERY ONE who trusts the Lord and walks in His Ways and that includes ME! Hallelujah!!
Father, thank You that happiness originated with You; thank You that laughter comes from You. Thank You for all the holy emotions You have built into us; help us embrace them and give You glory with holy laughter. And Father, help us choose wisely in what we expose ourselves to so that our laughter will be holy and will be a blessing to You. And in those times when laughter does not come; but rather sadness, help us then to rely upon Your Strength because our JOY is in Your Strength. I don’t know Your plan for Emily and Jfer as to caregiver and working and all the family dynamics but I pray this morning that You will make Your Will known and bring alongside who You desire to minister to this family. And Father, I look over this list and there are babies and toddlers and children with medical problems and family and friends are sad about this and want so desperately to see these children not just survive but thrive. We want them well and it is hard for us to even imagine that would not be Your Plan too and yet we know that our wants and Your Will are not always the same at the same time. But this we do KNOW that You do all things well, all the time, every time, and so we come with our children and we pray You will touch them and heal them. And we pray for those here who are struggling with not medical illness but spiritual illness and we pray that each will turn and receive Your Plan of Rescue for them. And if we can help in this rescue, please enlist us. And we pray for grieving families for whatever reason, that You will send alongside comforters and that You from within will be their Greatest Comfort and Unexplained Peace. And for our IDOK Troops we pray for their protection today in mind and body and spirit. Watch over them carefully and bring them safely home we pray. We pray for a successful conclusion to this war and we thank You for the news we heard yesterday that progress is being made, thank You Lord; and we continue to pray for the Peace of Israel, for Repentance for America, for the Election of Your Choice for President, for the Revival of Your Church. And Father, I pray that each and every IDOK will KNOW today that she and he are loved – that You LOVE them Lord. Amen and amen. A Caregiver for Baby Emily while her Mom works. Anita. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. 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. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild. Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church. The Peace of Israel Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R) IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Edward J. Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 70°F and partly cloudy in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:36 PM AST – on February 12, 2008
Apparently January 12, 2004 I was having problems: computer connection and personality conflicts. But you know what; today, February 11, 2008, I can’t remember with whom or what was the problem. Father must have resolved it. To Him be the Glory!! Here’s the IDOK from 2004: Oh!! My! Did I miss you all yesterday!! But when you are not connected you are not connected!! When that modem goes down, one can wiggle wires, plug in, pull out, dance a jig, sing a song or stand on her head but with no connection there is no communication!! (there is a Bible lesson it that but this morning time is too short to develop it) The problem does not seem to be fully resolved… My computer problems that is …. But for the moment it seems to be working and I AM VERY GRATEFUL!!! However, I am in need of prayer… There are some people in my life who are giving me GREAT opportunity to grow in Christ-likeness… So far I am to the point that I would like to take a whip and do a little cleaning! But somehow I know that is not the proper position for me in this situation. My little promise calendar is right on point this morning (so glad my connector with God is never severed) But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. I Peter 1:15. And the Amplified reads just about the same… That verse does not need much amplifying – does it? But as the ONE Who called you is Holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. OUCH! And it gets more painful… For me. Oswald Chambers said: The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women; or they are making us more captious and fault-finding, more insistent upon our own way. At least one of you …. Who shall remain nameless … KNOWS “first ear-full” that yesterday afternoon I was very much INSISTING on doing this MY way. I STAND (sit) CORRECTED! Father, thank You that no problem ever keeps you from hearing me or loving me or being kind to me or having my best interest at Your Heart and the same is true for all my sisters and brothers. Thank You and Father You know all that is whirling around inside and all the concerns, thank You that they are already taken care of in You. I pray I will get with Your program and not my own. Bless my people today; give them peace and wisdom and strength for whatever comes for Jesus sake. Father, here we are four years since January 11, 2004 and You still have me connected with IDOK — how gracious You are!! Thank You. And the conflict of then is gone and forgotten. Thank You for that too. There’s a lesson in that. Apparently, at the time it was SO pressing upon me and now today I don’t even know what it was – Thank You. Problems come and problems go; some we remember, most we don’t but Lord You remain. Thank You Lord, Thank You. And today, Father, I pray for that IDOK who is struggling this morning with personality conflicts, computer irritations or lack of connections (especially Ms. Martha – get that fixed for her I pray) that You will minister Your Word in all our situations of today. We bring our list of names and we pray for each of these. We especially pray for Young Folks who are making decisions that look nothing like You Lord; that bear no resemblance to holiness and we pray for mercy and we ask You to rescue them from themselves. And we pray for a Young One who wants so much to do better but people and environment and legal systems are working against her. Father, please rescue her; move out of the way what is keeping her from the opportunity of the life she is hoping for. And we pray for our IDOK Troops this morning for their protection of mind, body and spirit; keep the safe and bring each of them home at the appointed time. We ask You to bring this war to a successful conclusion. We pray for the Election of Your Choice for President; we pray for the Peace of Israel; and we pray for the Repentance of America and the Revival of Your Church. And for each of these Lord Jesus we pray for Your Very Best for them today:Anita. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. 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. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild. Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church. The Peace of Israel Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R) IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Edward J. Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 75°F with blowing widespread dust, haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 3:51 PM AST – on February 11, 2008
A quote from Grace Stricker Dawson: The overflowing life does not just happen. It is only as our own deep thirst is quenched, only as we are filled ourselves, that we can be channels through which His overflow reaches other lives. Father, I wonder how many of us have a deep thirst for You. I wonder how deep is my thirst for You; this I know it’s not deep enough. And I am asking You to inspire and lead me to a deeper thirst and an insatiable hunger for Your Word. And not just me Lord but any IDOK who will say amen! Psalm 135 (The Message Bible): 13-18 God, Your name is eternal, God, You’ll never be out-of-date. God stands up for His people, God holds the hands of His people. The gods of the godless nations are mere trinkets, Made for quick sale in the markets: Chiseled mouths that can’t talk, Painted eyes that can’t see, Carved ears that can’t hear— Dead wood! Cold metal! Those who make and trust them Become like them.
This passage reminds me of something significant; we become like those with whom we spend our time. Be careful!
Psalm 116 (The Message Bible): 1-6 I love God because He listened to me, listened as I begged for mercy. He listened so intently As I laid out my case before Him. Death stared me in the face, Hell was hard on my heels. Up against it, I didn’t know which way to turn; Then I called out to God for help: “Please, God!” I cried out. “Save my life!” God is gracious—it is He who makes things right, Our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; When I was at the end of my rope, He saved me. Father, thank You for directing us to these passages of Your Word today. I believe they are just what we need today. I am trusting You to take Your Word and plant it in our hearts to give us the courage today to make hard choices; to give us the courage to cry out to You today for mercy, for forgiveness, for wisdom, for strength, for peace, for comfort, for deliverance from those sins that so easily beset us. We pray this for us and for these:Kearney Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. 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. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild. Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church. And we pray for the Peace of Israel, we pray for Her protection, for America to stand with Her, for leaders to acknowledge Her and uphold her. We pray for Revival for America; we pray for the Election of Your Choice for President; we pray for our IDOK Troops, those on foreign soil, those in hospitals, those serving at home that You will protect them from harm in all ways – mind, body and spirit. We pray for provisions and protect for their families too. Help our IDOK Troops judge wisely whom they trust; help them walk circumspectly with people and fields. Give them messages of hope today, let them know they are appreciated and loved. Thank You Father. The Peace of Israel Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R) IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Edward J. Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee. As I post this it is 64°F and haze in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:16 PM AST – on February 8, 2008
I have a low setting book shelf to the left of my computer desk and a few days ago I was attempting to return a book to this low rise shelf without getting out of my chair. Naturally this placed me at not only an awkward angle but also an improper height for the task. In addition to nearly falling out of my chair I knocked over several of the other books as I wrestled with the one I was replacing. About that time I thought dummy, why didn’t you just get up out of your chair, squat down and approach the bookshelf head on. Do you sense a spiritual application coming on here? I do. How often do we ‘create’ more work for ourselves and disrupt other matters in the name of expediency? Rather than taking the easy way out in controversial situations, why don’t we move up, squat down and meet that thing head on? I think one reason is we don’t want to leave our ‘comfortable chair’. Another reason could be we want to get menial and/or unpleasant tasks done quickly with as little effort as possible. Lets face it, we don’t like to be uncomfortable and we don’t like to be bothered with matters of non-interest to us. And at least one of us has a deep reluctance for head on, face to face, eye to eye confrontation. Such requires me to move up in my thinking (that is think with the Mind of Christ) squat down (that is humble myself – accept that His Way is Right) and meet that thing head on with assurance that He in due time will reward my actions. My goal was to put the book away with as little effort as possible in the least amount of time. I failed. I failed because easy way outs and short cuts almost always lead to time consuming detours and back tracking. When will we ever learn to just do it right the first time? To stand up when the need is presented, kneel before our Father, reach out our hand to His and face these issues with humility and trust? Trust that He in us and through us will expediently get that book back on the shelf? Can we, will we commit ourselves to no short cuts, leaving our comfort zones and humbling ourselves to whatever holy level it takes to get the job done? Isaiah 50: 4 “ The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. 5 The Lord GOD has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. 2 Timothy 4: 1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. Galatians 6: 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lost heart. We have added the Kearney Family this morning as they are grieving the physical death of a Dad. And we have added Kathy S. She has a life threatening medical condition. Father, thank You for allowing us the privilege of prayer; thank You that You hear and You answer. Thank You Lord Jesus for giving us Your Righteousness. And we pray this morning for the Kearney Family, we pray for peace and consolation for them; we pray they will receive Your Strength. For Kathy S we hardly know how to pray. As we think about her condition, what she and her family must be experiencing, such fear and dread and uncertainty and yet certain that unless treatment is found she will die such a painful death – Father, have mercy on her and her family. For Your Glory intervene and show Yourself Mighty on her behalf. And for these others we continue to intercede for Your Glory and their good. And we continue to pray for our IDOK Troops, for their safety and protection in mind and body and spirit and for their safe return to family and friends. And Father, others are coming to mind; others with addictive practices that can only be broken, they can only be set free if they will admit they have sinned and be willing to turn away from those sins and embrace You and we pray they will. Holy Spirit pursue them like the Hounds of Heaven and if we can help move us Lord. We pray for the Election of Your Choice for President; we pray for Repentance for America; for the Peace of Israel, for a successful conclusion to the war and for the awakening and revival of Your Church. And Lord, for each and every IDOK I pray we will embrace Your Strength to move up, kneel down and face today head on in Your Name. Amen and Amen.Kearney Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Kaitlyn T and Family. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Frankie and girls. 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. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild. Every IDOK Pastor and Family. Every IDOK church. The Peace of Israel Revival in America. IDOKs Military Families. IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G. (Hawk and Lyndon A – home for R&R) IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Edward J. Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 63°F and smoke in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 4:01 PM AST – on February 7, 2008
We are glad you are here; stay a while, look around, and be encouraged. We estimate there to be over 3,000 posts here at The White Stone Blog. Please know my hope is ALWAYS to help and NEVER harm. I have voiced many opinions and thoughts here since 2007 and by now I MAY NOT EVEN AGREE with all of them and some of my grammar and punctuation likely needs editing. But this is changeless: JESUS is our ONLY Savior and Hope. Do you KNOW Him?
