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 Psalm 135 (The Message Bible): 13-18 God, Your name is eternal, God, You’ll never be out-of-date.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
I’m still studying with Beth and loving it! She asked me a question tonight: In one phrase, what do you think this verse is saying? And she was speaking of verse 2. I just threw in verse 1 for good measure. And verse 1 we clearly understand; if Father God did not ordained the ‘building’ of whatever we are fiddling with, our labor, time, and resources have been wasted. If what we love and expend much time and effort to protect is not something Father wants us to keep, we have wasted our time and energies. Okay we got that, right? But now on to verse 2. She said one phrase but you know me I had to be wordy! Not only wordy but here I was trying to be oh so ‘spiritual’ and so I said: “Anything I do in my own flesh is wasted and useless; Father has a plan to give to me.” Sounds good, doesn’t it? Listen to what Beth said next: “I don’t know what you wrote, but I’ll tell you something Psalm 127:2 keeps saying to me: Get some sleep!” She didn’t stop there. She went on to say: “Under divine inspiration the psalmist tells us that work done while we need to be sleeping is energy burned in vain. A body needs sleep. I almost heard an audible “Amen!” So, if you believe it so readily, why aren’t you getting it?” And to that I say … Why not, in deed! So, my sisters and brothers, I’m going to bed. I’ll finish this in the morning. Sweet Dreams to me and a bright, alert morning — I hope. Father, thank You for this day we are beginning. Thank You that You have already heard our prayers. Thank You that You are drawing us to love You and trust You this day. Thank You for all Your lessons of correction. Thank You for sleep. Thank You that You love us so much that You get ‘all up in our business’. Thank You Father and I invite You to ‘get all up in my business’, so much so that I have no business but You! This morning we are adding Glen to our list. Father I am not privy to his needs but You are and we entrust him to You. We entrust each of these to You today, afresh and renewed this morning, even as Your mercies are fresh to us today. Again, we pray for our IDOK Troops; we ask You to protect them today in mind, body and spirit. Please keep their families safe and protected too. And Father, we ask that not one of our IDOK Troops be lost – not in body or spirit but all would come home safely and more in love with You than when they deployed. We pray for the successful conclusion to this war; we pray for the Peace of Israel; we pray for the Repentance of America; we pray for the Election of Your Choice for President; and we pray for the revival of Your Church and Father Lord I especially pray for each and every IDOK that we will love You more than we love anything or anyone and I confess to You Holy Spirit I must have You make it so because I cannot do it. Again, thank You for today in Jesus Name. Amen and Amen. 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 59°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 3:18 PM AST – on February 6, 2008
By the time many of you read this Voting Day will have arrived (Tuesday). Of course, I cannot tell you for whom to vote but I hope to strongly urge you in a Godly direction. Let me tell you who I am not voting for and why:
Not for One who has demonstrated that his allegiance is NOT given to the United States of America; he has alined himself and ‘Breaks Bread’ with those who openly say their Allegiance is not America but Africa. Adding to that he came up fast from obscurity, that should trouble you! Not for One who says a woman has the rightto choose to kill her unborn baby. Not for ONE who has alined himself with a group of people who refuse to believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. Jesus is notA God, He is THE GOD, always has been, always will be! We CANNOT work our way to Heaven — the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to get to Heaven and the only way to miss Hell.
This narrows my choice considerably, doesn’t it? Decisions made in the Office of the President affect ME and I don’t want a man or a woman in that office who demonstrates a lack of allegiance to this Nation. I don’t want a man or woman in that office who is too cowardly or too immoral to know and profess that abortion murders babies! I don’t want a man or woman in that office who will not, at the very least, acknowledge that this Nation was founded upon the Principles and Values given to us by God Himself in His Word – The Holy Bible – and will do everything in his power to steer America back in that direction. Proverbs 14: 33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known. 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people. Tomorrow Lord willing I will endeavor to bring you a more ‘spiritual’ Word; no, I will endeavor to bring you a more ‘customary IDOK spiritual word’. Don’t let anyone lead you astray the greatest need in American Politics is JESUS CHRIST lived through His People! And Praise His Name, I AM one of His People!! And I vote! And my vote counts!!
And with all that said Sally sent me a link that I am passing on to you. Thank you, Sally!! An excellent performance of singing praises. This particular hymn has always brought tears to my eyes even when it wasn’t done as well as this. When you click the link below it opens up a new browser with a red background and a deep red square. Words come up explaining what it is about. After you read it you may have a short wait Before the music starts. It is well worth the wait I promise. Your speakers should be on but not Necessarily turned up too loud. This is absolutely fabulous. Sit back, relax, and be prepared to be blown away by a kids and high school choir and band. http://www.trdaniel.com/Battle%20Hymn/index.htm
Father, only You can give us miracles and Lord I am asking You for plenty of them for things close at home and things further away. We pray for Kaitlyn; this is a tough battle for her and her family and we pray for health and help for Kaitlyn and her family. We continue to pray for Bev and her family; for the Burgess Family, for many families listed here who are recently grieving and others who have come a long way in the process. Thank You for Your peace and comfort for each of them. Father, by the time IDOKs read this and lift up their own prayers to You it will be voting day for many States. It’s an important day in the life of America – Father, anoint Your Choice; have mercy on America. And not only voting day but Mardi Gras’ Fat Tuesday in a few places here along the Gulf Coast, Father forgive them. You know my prayer – Thy Will be done. Keep our IDOK Troops safe again today; please let no harm come to any of them, not in mind, body or spirit. Help them think of You, talk to You and meditate upon Your Word. And please bring each one of them home safe when their mission is complete where they are today. I pray we will get the jobs done there and they will come home soon. I pray for America that You will forgive Her, have mercy on Her and bring us to Repentance. I pray for Israel that She will come to Know Her Peace, Her Prince of Peace. I pray You will pour out Yourself upon Your Church and bring us to revival. And Father, whatever I have forgotten or overlooked that any one of these needs, I pray You will grant it and they will receive it for Jesus sake. Amen and Amen.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 37°F and clear in Al Taji, Iraq & the time there is 5:50 AM AST – on February 5, 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?
