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Striped Branches

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2009

A quote worth remembering, even though I don’t know who said it:
 “Boundaries give you freedom.”
How true is that to you?
Do you remember the account of Jacob when he went to Laban and basically said I’ve been working for you long enough, it’s time for me to take my family and go home?  Do you remember the wages Jacob requested?
Genesis 30: 32 Let me pass through all your flock today, removing from there all the speckled and spotted sheep, and all the brown ones among the lambs, and the spotted and speckled among the goats; and these shall be my wages.
Laban said okay and Jacob separated the flock that very day.
Do you remember what happened next?  I’ll tell you it has always been a puzzle to me, but Beth cleared that up for me today.   Here’s the text.
37 Now Jacob took for himself rods of green poplar and of the almond and chestnut trees, peeled white strips in them, and exposed the white which was in the rods.
38 And the rods which he had peeled, he set before the flocks in the gutters, in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink, so that they should conceive when they came to drink.
39 So the flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks brought forth streaked, speckled, and spotted.
I can remember thinking as a child, what’s this about?  What do branches in a watering trough have to do with the color of baby lambs and goats?  On page 143 of the Patriarch work book, Beth said this: “The interesting part of Jacob’s plan is in the atmosphere he created for producing “streaked or speckled or spotted” animals.  You didn’t miss the use of the striped branches, did you?  . . . Jacob didn’t learn this technique in zoology.  In fact, the chances of the sight of striped branches producing speckled animals were about as good as the mandrakes causing pregnancy.”  She went on to say:  “Jacob’s plan was to plainly set God up for success. To make it easier for Him. To increase His chances, we might say.” 
I wonder if ABBA smiled when he saw Jacob trying so hard to help Him bless him? I sure hope there is Heavenly Video when we get HOME; I’d love to SEE this scene. 
Okay. So the answer to my question – What do branches in a watering trough have to do with the color of baby lambs and goats? Nothing! Nothing mystical about it; nothing scientific about it, just Jacob ‘helping God’.  Beth finished the lesson this way on page 144: “God blessed the flocks of Jacob more than Laban because He was faithful to His promises.  At Bethel He told Jacob that He’d spread out his descendants “to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south.” And that He’d bless him and be with him wherever he went.  God also emphatically promised to bring Jacob back to the land. (Gen. 28:14-15).  The method God chose and revealed ingeniously to Jacob meant the bleating of spotted, speckled sheep and goats would follow Jacob and his family all the way home.  As for the branches?  Mere accessories.   Save your trees and bow down to a sovereign God.”
In Kathie Thompson paraphrase:  I think God just impressed upon Jacob to say give me the speckled and spotted ones because God knew that Laban knew there were not that many of them at the time, and that greedy Laban would easily agree. And when he did, God made sure there were plenty of them born and He would have done it even without the striped branches.  But the branches made Jacob feel better and I personally don’t think ABBA minded.  He knew Jacob’s stage of growth at the time.  And He knows our too.  You see ABBA hears me when I pray whether I voice it aloud, voice it silently or write it down; but you know when I am real serious about a matter, I write it.  I guess you could say I gather a few striped branches and put them in the watering trough.  Maybe someday I won’t feel the need to write out those serious request, but until then I think ABBA is still smiling. How about you?
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Young woman who teaches here in North Mobile County has been hospitalized with pneumonia; serious situation.  Lord, we are concerned about this young woman, she is loved by many, she is important to those little second graders who love her so much, please heal her; give her back health and life and return her to her classroom to teach and honor Your name we pray.
ABBA, thank You.  This blesses me.  I like it!  I am thinking You do too.  Thank You that You hear my voiced prayers and You hear my written ones too and You answer them all.  Thank You that as long as I think I need striped branches You will allow me to have them.  And thank You that You are growing me to not need them and for sure when I see You FACE to face, I won’t need them anymore.  Thank You. 
We are praying for Roy and Julee, You know the needs there.  They are great ones but You are able, more than able so we are praying that Roy and Julee will experience Your faithfulness to them.   We understand Sparky is in need again too and we’d like for You to rid his body of that E-coli and make him well again.  And there are other unspoken things that we bring for Your Tending To and we bring our IDOK Troops for safety and protection and for ministry; Lord Jesus, minister to their needs, especially their spiritual needs – encouragement and comfort and yes, for sure, for sure, conviction to make holy decisions and keep themselves unspotted by that hostile world in which they are living.  And please bring them home safe and sound at the appointed time.  And I pray for the political arena here in America.  You know I hate the corruption, I hate the greed, the lies, the deception, I hate the insatiable craving for power and domination that I see so clearly in prominent people and oh how I’d like to do something about it, so I am praying.  I know You are in control and I know You have and will continue to provide and bless and prosper us as we obey You;  especially in these evil times, I pray we will obey You and that we will give and give and give again of ourselves and our resources as You direct us.  I pray we will be wise and discerning, not be duped, and that the world will come to stand in amazement at what You do with servants who love You and trust You.  Thank You for being You and thank You for shaping us too.  Amen and amen in Jesus Name.
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Teacher hospitalized with pneumonia. Green Family. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina.  Robert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.
Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 55°F and partly cloudy in Kabul, AH (Airport) and the time is 8:13 AM AFT on November 3, 2009.
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Full Circles

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2009

I only heard a little bit of what she said but I LIKED it!  (I will paraphrase, ‘cause I’m not good at verbatim recall.) Joyce Meyer said if we do what the Bible says because we want to obey God and because we love Him, then when the reward for obedience is not quick in coming or does not come in the way we hoped, we will keep on keeping on because our true motive for obedience was not to get the desired results but was because we love Him.  In other words we were not obeying to get, we were obeying to GIVE, we were giving our love to Him for His loving us! John 14: 15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. That, my Treasured Ones, will PREACH!
She also talked about ‘full circle’ which reminded me of my biggest full circle.  I don’t know that I have shared my full circle with you.  Hmmm.  Maybe I will.  But first I MUST leave this writing right now and do my Patriarch study.  See you back here in a while.
I’m baaack, but it is no longer Friday, now it’s Saturday.
Before we get to Full Circle, let me tell you about The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry.  A WONDERFUL movie – if it is anywhere near you, invest and experience it!  Here’s a link to catch a preview:  http://www.sperrymovie.com/
Full circle.  Sometimes ‘do-over(s)’ with God bring us full circle.  My re-birth occurred November 18, 1975, right about 9:00 PM in the home of a man of God willing to invest some sweat as he ‘mid-wifed’ me into the Kingdom of God.  And where was my home on November 18, 1975?  You guessed it.  Satsuma, Alabama.   Between 1975 and 2005 … look at that!  5 and 5 . . . 30 years . . . and in 30 years a whole lot went on.  There was ten years of walking with the Lord; ten years of rebellion and ten years of intense recovery and then in 2005, He brought me back to Satsuma where my life in HIM began, FULL CIRCLE, to start a new life.  Full Circle Do-Over(s) are miracles! And God is Awesome to give them to us.  So if you have been foolish enough (like me) to need a complete ‘do-over’ and blessed enough (like me) to get one, whatever you do, don’t waste it! 
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Update: Jimmy’s mother, Imogene Kotis Green, went home to be with the Lord around 4:30 this afternoon (Sunday).  Arrangements are incomplete at this time.  Thank you for your love, concern and prayers for her and our family. Love, LaJuanna
ABBA, I am a grateful daughter.  Thank You.  I’m grateful for reprieves, grateful for full circles, do-over(s), good movies, family, friends, warm houses, internet technology, sermons that hit the spot , sweet conviction, grace to repent and that barely even begins the list. 
We pray for the Green Family, for them to know and experience Your comfort more than adequately in this time of grief.  Thank You for the years you gave them with Imogene and thank You for her testimony for Jesus.  Thank You for this ministry and for this time of prayer and we pray now for all the others named here.  We pray for peace and comfort, healing and recovery, discernment and wisdom, knowledge and determination, purpose and provisions; every need, LORD, of every one we pray will be realized today.  Please comfort and protect our IDOK Troops today in spirit, soul and body.  You know my heart for America; You know the ills and woes of this Nation and I pray, ABBA, for mercy.  I pray lives and hearts will be changed; I pray for protection for Your People; I pray for wisdom and for means to overcome and to even prosper through the foolish and evil plans of this present administration.  And I pray for a hopeful heart, peace of mind and eyes to see opportunities in this present darkness to shed the Light of Your Gospel.   Amen and amen in Jesus Name.
A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Green Family. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina.  Robert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.
Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 68°F and scattered clouds in Balad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 6:09 AM AST  on November 2, 2009. 
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EXCESS

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2009
We have a happening weekend coming up!  We get to set the clocks back this Sunday for an extra hour of sleep!  I’ve been looking forward to this since the Spring.  
Excess
I went to bed hearing that word and it is still with me this morning.  And my online dictionary defines it this way: 1.The state of exceeding what is normal or sufficient: 2. An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; 3. The amount or degree by which one quantity exceeds another: 4. Intemperance; overindulgence
Exceeding sufficient; beyond sufficient; overindulgence.  Any pictures forming for you?  Any pictures that evidence excess in America?  Please, please don’t anyone of you think I am picking on you on, ABBA knows that if I point a finger at you in this, I have three indicting me.  But you know what I think pictures excess in America more than anything that comes to mind right now?  Storage Buildings.  Have you noticed what a profitable business that is?  Those things have popped up all over the place!! And why is that so?  So we can store our EXCESS.  So far Jerry and I don’t have one but that’s only because so far the ceiling is still intact!  And that is truly a wonder with all the excess we have in the attic!!   And my point to this? I’m waiting to see.  I told you I went to bed with this word and got up with it.  ABBA may be talking to me and you all get to listen.  Big Smile, huh?
After my online dictionary I went to Bible Gateway dot com and keyed in excess in a few Translations and some verses appeared in both the Old and New Testament.  Did you immediately think of Ephesians 5: 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;? I did.
Wouldn’t it be great if we were as prone to excess in the Spirit as in ‘stuff’?  But you know that is not possible, don’t you?  It is not possible for us to be excessively filled with the Holy Spirit.  We can’t over do it with Him.  With ‘stuff’ we can and mostly likely we all have.  But with Him, The Holy Spirit of the Living God, we cannot give an excess of ourselves to Him!  But wouldn’t it be glorious if we tried?  Well, I guess that’s where this is going.  Excess, we Americas are good at it!  Now if we will just turn that propensity to Him instead of ‘stuff’.  Wow! I wonder what could He do with an ‘excess’ of us? 
Ephesians 3: 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Be forewarned, the more we give ourselves to God, the more the world will think this of us: I Peter 4:4They are astonished and think it very queer that you do not now run hand in hand with them in the same excesses of dissipation, and they abuse [you].
In summary, I am to choose my ‘excess’.  And I am certain it is a choice I must make moment by moment.  Sometimes my choice will not be the best, but with practice, I’ll get better.  So will you.
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
Imogene’s condition is about the same as it was yesterday.  She is semi-conscious, but cannot be fed unless she is totally conscious.  She’s had no nourishment since Sunday, but her Living Will states that she does not want a feeding tube.  It’s a sad situation and it is in the Lord’s hands.  We are hoping that she will get better so she can be fed, if this is God’s will.  Please continue to pray for her and Jim.  Love and thanks, La Juanna
Excess.  This is good I think, ABBA, and I think it is too big for me, too excessive.  Are You smiling with my little play on words?  Oh my You do love us excessively, otherwise You would have killed me already.  Thank You that You didn’t.  And this I know, I cannot possibly do this switching my ‘excesses’ without You, nor can I be good at it overnight.  But this I know, I have been excessive about ‘stuff’ far too long.  Help me be ‘excessive’ about You.  
We pray for Imogene this morning and trust in Your lavish and exceedingly abundant love for her and for Jim that You are doing good and being kind to them even in this very moment.  We pray for Your Will to be realized, received and appreciated in their hearts and in all the family.   We continued to remember the Overstreet Family, and Joni and Todd come specifically to mind this morning, comfort and guide them today I pray.  Roy and Julee too.  Robert and Kerry. Art and Sula.  The whole list.  Let not one be overlooked today and I know You will not.  Even when they feel overlooked, please remind them, that You see them and You care; more than just care You are active on their behalf.  Remind our IDOK Troops of this too; keep them safe and bring them home safe and sound I pray.  And we pray for grieving families; draw them to Yourself and comfort them I pray.  Protect Israel; forgive America and Fill Your Church to ‘Excess’ I pray in the Mighty and Holy Name of Jesus.  Amen and amen.
I am sending this without proofing, please forgive typos and the like.
 A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Imogene and Jim. Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina.  Robert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.
Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 77°F and mostly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 2:58 PM AST  on October 30, 2009.
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One of Two

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

Lets see here, it is nearly 2:00 PM on a Son Kissed Wednesday, how shall I begin Thursday’s IDOK?  I have a load of laundry going, the house is quiet, not only the house but it’s tranquil outside too; I’ve been home from Mobile less than an hour – that wasn’t on my list of to do today, but I made room for it and I am glad I did.  I will briefly tell you about it and hopefully a devotional thought will come.  My red-haired first born called this morning about 9:00 to say she was scheduled to visit a client in Mobile this morning and she thought she could be at a certain eatery on Dauphin Street by 11:15 and could I join her.  Since this is such a rare opportunity for her and me these days, I said yes. So I finished day 4 of the Patriarchs, did some personal grooming and made it there by 11:10 (She had already arrived and had our order at our table).  I still had Day 5 to do before the video session, so I took my Bible and workbook with me, just in case.  The soup was good and the fellowship was superb, and then all too soon, it was time for her to scurry back across the Bay.  I walked her to her vehicle, kissed her ‘see you later’ and with her encouragement retrieved my Bible and work book from the truck, went back inside, purchased a cup of coffee and a muffin top, found a secluded corner and began to ‘feast’, and the muffin wasn’t bad either.  As I studied, I made some extra notes on Day 5 that I think I shall share with you. 
At this juncture in the study we are at Genesis 27 – Jacob and Esau – the stealing of the Birth Order Blessing.  Beth says this chapter is filled with more drama than a soap opera and she’s right. The chapter contains Jacob and his mother scheming, plotting and conniving; Isaac being tired, blind and deceived and Esau being cheated, enraged and murderous (and this is a ‘Christian’ family!).  As I worked through the lesson and in the final paragraph read these words: “They are humans whose hearts resemble the heart of their spiritual father, Satan”; I came to this reckoning: (not a new one, just reiterated, for us to ponder deeper) it really is black and white here, one of two.  All peoples, every soul who breathes, is either a child of God by re-birth or still a child of Satan by natural birth.  (Praise God, babies and young ones are safe and protected until that age of jeopardy is reached.)  So, every living breathing walking around person above the age of accountability that you and I will see today is at that very moment either a child of God or a child of Satan. There is no grey here.  ALL are one or the other.  How unpopular is that to teach? How uncomfortable is that ponder?  So, should we ponder it?  Would it make a difference if we pondered it and prayed over it?  You know these are rhetorical questions, don’t you?  Yet, I hope we will not allow our flesh, the world and Satan to keep us from answering them within our own hearts.  May it be that we will not only be conscience of it but moved with compassion about it; and be ready and willing when our eyes meet theirs to be available to the Holy Spirit to plant a seed in any ‘heart garden’ that He tells us He has plowed and made ready for planting.
John 8: 37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.
38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with[l] your father.”
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
41 You do the deeds of your father.”
Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
ABBA, You know I am still tendered at Leah Ann’s transitioning even though I did not have the privilege of meeting her here and so we continue to pray for her family for their peace and that they will experience You completely and perfectly able to comfort them.   I am thankful for this day; for every person and good thing that has greeted me; I am thankful for Your encouragement to me, for Your Word and for the Plans You have for this ministry, for every IDOK, and for me as Your servant.  You know my desires and I pray more and more that Your desires will be my desires.  I think maybe our IDOKs might be praying that too.   Please again comfort and protect our IDOK Troops, I pray they will be particularly mindful of You when they are confronted with evil and that they will be reminded by You, Holy Spirit, to draw upon Your Strength and Wisdom.  I pray that each of them will come home safe and sound at the appointed time.  Again, I pray for Israel to be at peace in the land that You have given them. I pray for the descendants of Ishmael to surrender their hatred and be healed.  I pray for America that the voices of those who have a moral sense of right and wrong based upon Your Word will become stronger and stronger and will negate and silence the voices of those in Washington and other places who are evil and bent on doing the work of their father. I pray for holy boldness, LORD.  It’s easy to be bold sitting here at this screen that obscures all the faces out there that oppose You.  If You will, I pray to be even more effective here at this screen and out there, face to face, with those whose ‘heart gardens’ You have plowed and made ready for seed.  I do not wish to be offensive, nor argumentative, nor to debate for the sake of debating; rather I pray that I will be discerning and only ‘retreat’ when silence or diplomacy paves the way to try again; and this I ask in Jesus’ Name as I think that is what You did, LORD, as You minister as the God-Man.   Amen and amen. 
 A Specific Unspoken.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.
Children and/or Grandchildren about whom Moms (& Dads) are concerned that their salvation profession may not be true. 
Overstreet Family.  W.C. and family. Mary M. Danny and Tina.  Robert and Kerry L.  Ken and Della.  Art and Sula.  Rudon.  Kelly C. Henry P.  Dana and Joey and Children.  Tracey M. Vicki and Bob.  Brady and Chloe.  Patti and family.  Joyce, John & children.  Sparky.  Sean.  Susan R.  Kay B.  Rusty & Romney.  Johnny McK and family.  Katie H.  Amber Johns. Joe-Ann. Vickie and Family. Dennis and Lisa J. Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W and Family. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. DeLois. Mollie B. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Brenda and her family. Joshua A. Kim T and her parents. Martha McC. Tamra and Family. Rachel and family. Joe and Rose. Darlene’s Sister, Leona. Tammy B and Family. Jackie K. Brian T. Ricky M. Linda and Family. Joe. Michael H. Linda W. Debbie W. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel.. Maggie and Family. Katelyn (H). J Lloyd. Janet and Steve. Bay and family. Bill and Judy. Doug. Larry and Claudia and family. Callie. Ruth. Cynthia. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Chuck. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Mollie and family. Andrew and Daughters.
Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry
Ryan, Sarah, Josh & Caleb Bedenkop – missionaries in Arizona.
The Ministry of IDOK
The Peace of Israel.
Revival in America.
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. Justin G. Michael K. Bay N. T. Palin. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)  Bill H.  (added 9/24/09) Brandon B.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Joey H.   10/21/09.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Lee. George. Travis N. Hawk. Justin G. Tommy W.
Injured: Lukas S. (11/30/08)
Military at home, specifically those emotional-spirit wounds that only God and Time can heal – Adam M. Captain Tran. Josh. John L. Drew. Richard M. Matt P.  (added 9/24/09)  
As I post this it is 66°F and mostly cloudy in Baghdad, IQ (Airport) and the time is 4:59 AM AST on October 29, 2009.