Thursday, April 29, 2010

Susie.  She’s our dog.   A yellow lab.  She’s nearly 8 and weighs in at about 90 pounds.  So she is no small dog and she’s as strong as an ox … well, perhaps not, but you get my drift.  Susie has the run of the back yard within the boundaries of a fence.  It’s a nice fence.  Made of three boards spanning about 3 feet top to bottom with American Wire attached to the boards on Susie’s side which prevents her from utilizing the space between the boards to escape the confines of the backyard.  However,  the boards and the wire are not the only things impeding Susie from leaving the back yard.  Actually, I have no doubt that Susie could easily scale that fence.  And I am equally certain she would be thrilled to be on the other side.  I know this because she will knock down a small child or mid-size woman to get out the gate when it is opened.  For this reason I do not open the gate.  Okay. Okay. I’ll get to my point.  Why does Susie remain in the back yard barring someone leaving the gate open?  Clearly she has the body strength and height to come over that fence.  So what’s holding Susie back?  Here’s what I think.  Susie does not KNOW she can jump/climb over that fence.

I think we are like Susie sometimes.  God has given us gifts, talents, skills and His own dear Presence to empower us, yet we stay in our comfort zones. We stay within the boundaries erected around us.  Boundaries that when we walk up to them, clearly we have the strength in Christ to get over them.  But we don’t.  Why not?  Could it be lack of knowledge?  And why don’t we know?  Have we not read the Scriptures?  Do we not well know, can we not all quote Philippians 4:13?  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And what about Jeremiah 1:19″They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. [source]

Is there something that God has put in your heart to do?  Are there some boundaries drawn around your heart, your life that He wants you to scale, to get to the other side of and yet you have not?  Be encouraged.  KNOW — no, BELIEVE.  Believe He in you is enough to do the thing and do it!

ABBA, this is another one of those I want to post right now.   One of those that I think, this is good!  This will ‘preach’. This will resonant with some people.  It’ll light up in someone’s heart and they will be encouraged.   That’s what I think.  And that’s what I am praying for now; that when it reaches the screens of our IDOKs and Readers, they will hear from You.  That You, Holy Spirit, will leap this off the ‘page’ and will encourage someone to BELIEVE You and do great things in Your Name in this world.  Even me, DADDY GOD, even me.   I still don’t know why You let me do this but I am so glad You do.  Thank You.

. . .  So many, so many needs, so many problems; but You are able.  Thank You for taking care of all these.  And, LORD, we ask and we ask and I know that’s okay because You told us to ask and yet in this moment I am thinking wouldn’t it be good to just visit with You and love on You and praise and appreciate You.  Like Beth said this morning just fellowship with You. Meaning sometimes we just shut up and listen.  I really want to learn to do that.   So here I go petitioning again… teach us how.   And bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops and their families.   Love on our IDOKs and our Readers and best we know how we are listening in Jesus name.  Amen and amen.

IDOK Devotion for Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Praise Reports, Prayer Requests and Updates:

Jim and Marilyn Walley are asking that we pray for their friends of 45 years — Barbara and Eddie Horton.  Barbara has cancer.    To read more click here.

As I begin the day is far spent and frankly, I’m tired.  I left the house about 7:07 this morning and spent the day with 2nd graders.  I’m not complaining, you understand, just explaining.  Our 20 or so minute bus ride  from the school delivered us to Oak Hollow Farm.   The place is HUGE and we all had a BIG time — hay ride and all.  Naturally, I took my camera along and came home with more than a few pictures.  One of those pictures I am planning to share with you here.  I thought it was strange when I digitally captured it but somehow it seemed the thing to do … especially when Scripture came to mind.

There were times when Jesus instructed His disciples to rest; to relax – eat, rest and enjoy. Mark 6:(NASB) ³¹And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.)

Recreation.  A time of renewal.  A time to re-create as it were our souls.  Before today I would have called it ‘play time’.  But I’m rethinking that.

Here’s the picture. Call me weird …. I do.   When I saw the sign I thought of Scripture.  I could not remember the Scriptural Address but I knew there was something about rising up to play somewhere in Scripture.   And I knew it was not in a good context.  I thought it was about the time when Moses was on the mountain with God and the People were ‘playing’ at the foot of the mountain.   So, of course, I looked it up when I got home and I found ‘play’ mentioned only two times in the  KJV.

I think DADDY GOD is all for us having recreation but I think He hates ‘playing’.   Here’s why I say that: Exodus 32: (NASB)6So the next day they rose early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.  7Then the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.

And then again. I Corinthians 10: (NASB) 6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.  7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” You will want to read the verses surrounding these too.  See I Corinthians 10:1-14

So here’s the way I see it.  Rest, Relaxation, Fun and even Feasting are all part of God’s Plan for us.  But, ‘playing’ with God — that’s not advisable — we do it at our own risk.

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

ABBA, This one seems strange to me.  It seemed strange when I took the picture but yet it just seemed to be right.  And when that phrase from Your Word came to mind, I just knew there was something there from You.  I hope I have handled it well and I pray You will apply it as You will.  I don’t see our IDOKs as ‘playing games’ with You so I don’t know the ins and outs of this but here it is and I pray it will be helpful and useful.  I do know You gave us powerful words, stern, strong ones particularly in I Corinthians 10 and You expect us to live them.  And for one I want to do that, ABBA.  I do not want any game playing with You and I am inviting You to take me to the woodshed if I start in the game playing direction.

This request from Jim and Marilyn  — it’s a rare story I think.  For three families to stay close to You and to each other, that is oh so good.   And of this I am sure You love Barbara and Eddie and this cancer did not take You by surprise and You have a plan in this and it is for Your Plan I pray.   And I pray for discernment and comfort and courage for Barbara and Eddie and, ABBA, it would just tickle the socks off me if You will remove the cancer and heal Barbara — here on earth.   But LORD Jesus as You prayed so do I not my will but Your will be done.

And there are others – LaJuanna, Carolyn, Andrew, Jenny, Jason, and so many, many more — You know them.  Some of the names have been on the list for a long time now and some not so long but we pray for each one of them now.  You know their needs and You know that best way to help them, so thank You now for what You do for them.  And there are some other things on my heart and I’d say on the hearts of our IDOKs and Readers too, maybe even some stuff they have not shared with others.  Speak to us,  help us sort through the thoughts and concerns, throw away the junk and trust You will all that’s left.

We pray for our IDOK Troops, again asking You to protect them and keep them safe.  We pray for LeGrand, it’s a long road to rehab, I just ask that he do well  and You be glorified in him — Carrie and the Boys too.

I’m still thinking about Churches and struggles and schemes of  Satan and I pray his plans will be overthrown.  I pray churches will become Houses of Prayer.  And still I pray for this Nation.   I am glad to be living here; thank You.  I’m sorry for the evil going on here and I am asking You to have mercy and bless us and grace us with conviction and repentance.  I really want to see a revival here and I am praying for it, LORD.    You know I could go on and on with this  and I glad we do but for now give our IDOKs rest and peace in Jesus Name.  Amen and amen.

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

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

IDOK Devotion for Monday, April 26, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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