I started at Isaiah 63:7 and read to 66:24 – I just couldn’t stop. And now that it is passed time to put words on this screen I wish I could put them all but we know I cannot. At least let me give you a link in case your Bible is not handy there with you and in case you will invest the time to read http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2063:7%20-%2066:24;&version=50; As you would expect I saw Israel in these chapters; Israel in Her sins and Father as He drew Her back to Himself and Israel in Her Future with Him – I love to read it and seeing it come to be, oh I want to see that! And as I read the cry of Isaiah as he pleaded with God to rend the Heavens and come down to them I thought of America. Oh that He would rend the Heavens and come to us that we would tremble again at His Presence. And then I read a few words that I had to underline. It’s verse 7 of chapter 64: And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; … . It’s the Who stirs himself up to take hold of You that I underlined. We know from the Gospels that we must be drawn by The Holy Spirit or we will never seek God but there comes a time when we as Children of the Most High, as we recognize the dryness of our souls are to stir up ourselves to get up out of our ‘lazy boy recliners’ and seek our God. We pray for America, we pray for Her repentance but are we, The Children of the Most High living here in America, ourselves stirred up? Do we tremble in awe and adoration at His Presence? And then next I underlined in chapter 66, verse 20 and in part it reads: as the children of Israel bring an offering in a CLEAN vessel into the house of the Lord. Bring and offering in a clean vessel – oh I love that! To be a clean vessel worthy to bring an offering to our Lord. Could there be anything more wonderful than that today? I am encouraging myself to stir up myself to seek to be a clean vessel worthy of bringing HIM an offering today. He loves us so much, if we only knew and could believe!! Chapter 66: 18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. It shall be that I will gather all nations and tongues; and they shall come and see My glory. 22 “ For as the new heavens and the new earth Which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the LORD, “ So shall your descendants and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass That from one New Moon to another, And from one Sabbath to another, All flesh shall come to worship before Me,” says the LORD. Father, Holy Spirit give us wills, give us desires to stir up ourselves to seek You. Give us hearts to pursue You. Give us eyes to see the Joy and Delight on Your Face that our pursuing You would bring to You. Give us that picture of You being Blessed by us stirring up ourselves to adore You and seek You with all our hearts. Lord, it is a beautiful picture but unless You help us Holy Spirit it will fade and we will forget so we pray for Your help. Lord, rend the Heavens and pour out a fresh anointing on us to seek You and cause us to tremble with Awe and Adoration as we see You. This is our prayer this morning and You know the rest, these listed here, our IDOK Troops too – in it all make Your Glory Known to us that we will worship You. Amen and Amen.W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about 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. IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Bay N. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Civilian in Country – Lee. As I post this it is 99°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:52 PM AST – on April 23, 2008
We are excited to announce Jennifer Rothschild’s appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America airs TODAY. Jennifer Rothschild segment to air on ABC’s Good Morning America Tuesday, April 22, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m 2. Can’t watch the show in the morning? Just set your TiVo or VCR to record between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. (your local time) orwatch it online. 3. After the show airs, will you leave a “comment” about the show at Good Morning America’s website. Athttp://abcnews.go.com/gmayou’ll see a link to the segment in Top Stories. At the bottom of the story you should see a place to leave comments. GMA loves to know what shows resonate with people.
More than once over the years I have heard my Girls say, “Momma do you have to analyze everything?” And I would respond, “Yes, that’s my job.” Today as I was listening to Christian Radio I heard: ‘when it comes to loving children, there are no boundaries”. And I said within the walls of my own mind, no I don’t think that is a proper statement. I think I would say,”When it comes to loving children there are no boundaries and without boundaries there is no real love.” Did I hear you say, ‘huh’? Without a doubt, we are to give our children boundless love. That is we are to love them without the boundary of conditions such as I will love you as long as you conduct yourself as I say or I will love you as long as you become what I want you to become. And yet when they do conduct themselves in ways that are contrary to the moral laws of God or the Laws of the Land, if we love them we will put up boundaries, firm boundaries, age applicable un-movable boundaries. I enjoyed sharing Jolly Ranchers, especially Sour Apple, with a certain ‘young man’ but when enough was enough, no amount of tears or wailing would avail for more candy. Boundless love, loves the wailing child and boundless love holds firm to the boundary of no more candy even with persistent crocodile tears. Now Jolly Ranchers and a crying young-un cannot be compared with a teenager demanding a 1:00 AM curfew but the answer is the same: I love you so much, Kid, the answer is NO, period, the end and that’s a firm boundary. Proverbs 13: 24 He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early. And when the child is grown and out of the house and you can no longer apply a curfew and other similar boundaries, we must continue to give them boundless love with age-applicable boundaries. And these boundaries may be even more painful for us to apply. Such as no, I will not give you the money; no, I will not co-sign; no, I will not bail you out this time; no, you cannot move back home; or yes, I am committing you to re-hab; and, of course, you and the grand-kids can stay till you can get back on your feet and yes, I do expect you to contribute to the mortgage payment; etc.etc. No children and no grandchildren? That does not let you off the hook – we owe our brothers and sisters in Christ boundless love, within the boundaries of love too. Galatians 6: 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Romans 13: 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. Matthew 18: 15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. There’s a world of people out there for us to give unconditional, boundless love to but unless we abide within God Designed Boundaries in the giving of that love, it’s not love after all. Thank you for your continued prayers for my Mom. We believe her hip is healing; she rarely needs pain mads now. As to her emotional health, she has good days and not so good days. I have not heard from Emma as to Richard’s condition but please keep on praying. Father, I am grateful this morning that You are You; I am grateful what You are doing with Mom and with others in our lives and I am grateful that You will continue to be You, doing all things in Righteousness and Love for us. Thank You that You love us with Boundless Love and with Boundaries of Love; help us be like You. We pray for Richard and Emma and the family this morning, we do not know the exact need of the day but You do and You know just how to supply those needs and we are grateful that You are doing so. And we pray for others listed here, for whatever is needed today and we thank You in advance for supplying those needs to each one of them. Thank You for the protection You have given our IDOK Troops and the protection and security You are giving them today. Thank You for the mercy You have lavished upon America and thank You for the Grace to repent that You are giving us daily. We pray too for the Presidential Candidates that they will repent and that You will inspire holiness in them and we ask that Your Choice for this Nation be elected in November. We pray for the Peace of Israel and the revival of Your Church. And I ask You to give strength and courage to each of our IDOKs today. And Lord, we need You to help us love You and our neighbors more and more. Amen and amen. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about 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. IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Bay N. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Civilian in Country – Lee. As I post this it is 97°F and haze in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:21 PM AST – on April 22, 2008
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3
Three of the Grandchildren accompanied me on a photo shoot Friday to beautiful Fairhope. When the excursion was planned I expected sunshine with white fluffy clouds but alas it was overcast; yet we still managed to get a few noteworthy pictures I think. Before the shoot, we lunched at a local drive-in and for a mid-afternoon treat we pampered ourselves with ice cream and yogurt and in between we played ball. Yep. Me too. I did some pitching and not much catching. It was while pitching this IDOK thought came. I noticed that my focus while pitching was of utmost importance. Even if I put all the power I had in the pitch, the ball was still a grounder if I aimed too low. And it would be at that point that Jeffrey in his sweet grace would yell out ‘do over’. It took much of the afternoon but I finally caught on — aim high as you bring your arm back (yes, I’m girl and with my limited strength I pitch underhanded), keep your eyes up and out there above the catching field as you complete your pitch. If I wanted to get the ball to my ‘young-uns’ out there in the ‘field’ I had to focus above and beyond them as I completed the pitch otherwise the ball would fall short of their catching field. In other words, I had to aim (focus my eyes) beyond my throwing abilities and even beyond my target to get the ball into their playing field. I’m still pondering spiritual applications here but this I know so far, it’s our aim – our focus that determines how good is our pitch. If we look only at our situations, no matter how hard we try we can expect to pitch a ‘grounder’. If we look only at the needs around us and do not look up and beyond to our Father’s Resources to meet those needs, we can expect to throw a ‘do over’. And believe me I have thrown my share of ‘do overs’ not only on Friday’s playground but at this game we call Life. It’s a GREAT thing that our God allows us ‘do overs’ again and again while we learn to look up and beyond not only our ‘playing field’ but also our own fears, doubts and limitations. So whatever is on your ‘plate’ today, AIM HIGH and as you practice your aim if you happen to pitch a grounder, listen carefully and you will hear Your Father tenderly say in Great Grace ‘Do Over’ – ‘Try Again’. Philippians 4: 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen. Matthew 18 (The Message Bible): 12-14″Look at it this way. If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders off, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine and go after the one? And if he finds it, doesn’t he make far more over it than over the ninety-nine who stay put? Your Father in heaven feels the same way. He doesn’t want to lose even one of these simple believers. 15-17″If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you’ve made a friend. If he won’t listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won’t listen, tell the church. If he won’t listen to the church, you’ll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God’s forgiving love. Oh Father, You are so AWESOME. I love You. Thank You for those whispers of Do Over – Try Again. Some of our IDOKs may need to be reminded today that You call out Your Grace to us and You allow us to try again when we have failed. Holy Spirit help us all to look at the ‘plates’ we have today and if needful to scrape something off and as we examine our plates to be sure to keep looking up and beyond ourselves to You for wisdom and strength enough to pitch well today and in pitching well or catching well be a blessing to not only to our brothers and sisters but to others who have not yet joined Your (our) Team. Father, thank You for Grandchildren and spiritual lessons; thank You for teaching us Life Lessons in play times. Thank You that You can take any time and make it a blessed learning and growing time if we will look and listen for You. Thank You. Help us do this today. And Father, we come now with these listed here and we pray for them that on whatever ‘playing field’ they are today that they will hear Your Sweet Grace coming and giving them strength and direction, wisdom and information and mercy, grace and peace in abundance. Thank You for our IDOK Troops thank You for the many, many days of safety and protection You have given them, continue on today we pray. You know all the things on our hearts this morning and to them all we surrender to Your Will for Jesus sake.W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about 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. IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Bay N. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Civilian in Country – Lee. As I post this it is 92°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:40 PM AST – on April 21, 2008
Our Daily Bread reads (in part) today: A little boy had just been tucked into bed by his mother, who was waiting to hear his prayers. But he had been naughty that day, and now it was bothering him. So he said, “Mama, I wish you’d go now and leave me alone. I want to pray by myself.” Sensing that something was wrong, she asked, “Bobby, is there anything you ought to tell me?” “No, Mommy,” he replied. “You would just scold me, but God will forgive me and forget about it.” Is that great theology or what?! But isn’t it sad too? Sad, that we have experienced this from one another – the lack of forgiveness. I’m not fond of that old adage: ‘I forgive you but I’ll never forget’ because it is usually said in a tone that causes one to feel NOT forgiven. Neither do I accept another saying that folks have attributed to Father God that He obliterates my sins from His memory. I know, I know you may say what about Jeremiah 31: 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. May I point out that in this particular Scripture setting Father is talking to Israel about a FUTURE time. Frankly, it disturbs me to think of God as having memory loss. I don’t mind if He remembers my sin to help me and with crucial timing and in extravagant love reminds me for the purpose of keeping me from committing it again. I find great comfort in His ability to do that! (However, I don’t find great comfort in some brothers and sisters doing so!) I find great comfort and strength in the fact that while I may be reminded of my transgressions I am NEVER held accountable for them any more. Father does not hold them against me – JESUS PAID FOR THEM ALL!! I really think Father has no difficulty here. Let me give you an experiential reason why I believe this: There are people in my life who have hurt me deeply but since forgiveness came even though what they did has not been obliterated from my memory, those memories do not cause hurt anymore, nor do those memories cause me to love them less, nor do those memories cause me to want anything but good and the best for them, nor do those memories keep me from acting in kindness and love on their behalf. And if God the Father can do this in me, chief of sinners, can You imagine what He is capable of doing? No, I do not want Father to forget anything. I need Him to fully remember to keep me straight!! One last thought. If there are memories of sins, hurts and wrongs that are still causing you grief, still causing you pain, still keeping you from doing good for them … Maybe the answer is that you have not TRULY forgiven them. Father can enable you to do that – HE DOES IT ALL THE TIME! I John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Father, I am glad You don’t forget, I am glad You remember to love me no matter what I have done. Thank You. And I am asking You to more and more teach me to do the same for others. And Lord Jesus thank You that You have paid for all ours sins forever and always. Thank You. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven. And this morning we pray for these whatever they need today we are depending upon You to supply. Thank You for those who were traveling are now home safely and for those still traveling we still ask for safety and holy fun. Thank You for the fun and laughter You have given this week. Thank You for glorious sunshine. Thank You for the heavens and earth – we see You in them and You are AWESOME! We pray for Richard and Emma, we pray for healing and recovery for Richard and peace for Emma. Lord, You know what each of these need and we entrust them to You. We are also entrusting our IDOK Troops to You for another day of protection and safety for minds, bodies and spirits. And we are continuing to trust You for a successful conclusion to this war and for conviction and grace and space to repent for America. We are continuing to look for Your intervention in this Presidential Election. We are continuing to pray for the Peace of Israel and the refreshing and reviving of Your Bride, Lord Jesus. Amen amen.W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. 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 Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron 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. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about 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. IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Bay N. Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George. Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector Injured Stateside: Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T. Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J. Civilian in Country – Lee. As I post this it is 79°F and Blowing Widespread Dust in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:16 PM AST – on April 18, 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?
