IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2009

Pencils, Pens and Concrete

August 15, 2006

Proverbs 16 is about the plans of man and it is good to make plans. Have you ever said ‘I’ll pencil that in’? And by that we mean I’ll think about it and unless something else comes up, I’ll plan to do that. However, if we ‘ink in’ an event on such and such a date that means we intend to be there and participate. According to Proverbs 16, ‘inking’ in our plans without checking with Father is not wise. 3 Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.

We should always take our plans, our imaginings to Him before we set them in ‘concrete’. And when all of Proverbs 16 is said and done I found this to be comforting … maybe you will too. 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord [even the events that seem accidental are really ordered by Him].

And as it was with Adam even before he set wrong plans in ‘concrete’, so it is with us, Father is not surprised, nor is He scratching His Head wondering how He will get us out of this ‘fine mess’ we have created. No, even before we cast the lot, even before we poured the concrete that lays the foundation for faulty framing, HE has a Plan and ALL who will believe and receive will succeed.

I Peter 1 (KJV):

9 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by Him do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

ABBA, I offer again a prayer prayed three years ago – You heard and You answered and yet today we can pray it fresh again. Today we have other names, and yet some may be the same. Father, thank You that it is set in concrete that if we will submit our plans to You, and will build only on the Foundation that You have laid, we will succeed. Thank You. And today we desire to build a day that will succeed … tell us Your Plan for this day and by Your Grace we will do it.

Again today we have our IDOK Troops on our hearts and we thank You for the things You have set in motion for them to benefit them, to keep them safe, to protect them and to make Yourself known to them in more depth than they now know. Again we ask You to bring them home to us safe and sound and more in love with You than when they deployed. And Father, there are young men and young women we know that have pain and they don’t function well and You know well what and who we mean and for them we ask that You take the instruments needed to cut away the rebellion, the hatred, the lies, and whatever else that is keeping these ones we love from becoming holy and godly in their day to day. And now we bring more names but these are more than names they are people we know, people we have never met but for them we intercede and we are grateful and praise You that we can for Jesus sake. Amen and amen. A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about. Dennis and Lisa. 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. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. 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. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. 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. Mollie B.

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.

ABBA, I am removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. 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.

As I post this it is 85°F and clear in Al Asad, IQ (Airport) and the time there 6:11 AM AST on August 5, 2009.

A Special Note of Interest: One of our IDOK Prayer Requests is for a lovely Christian woman who is battling stage 4 cancer in at least three places in her body; medical bills are many and increasing; her husband is seeking to sell their 5^th Wheel (camper) to address some of these expenses. If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing a camper, please let me know and I will send you a link to pictures of the camper. Thank you in advance.

Scripture passages retrieved from Biblegateway.com.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2009

Day 2 of Stay-Cation

Actually, as I type, day 1 is nearly complete and it has been a wonderful day! Hope you all enjoyed the pictures and following those projects, we went on to other things and then to the first Marvelous Monday in August at Satsuma First and it was just that – Marvelous! Supper with friends was a hoot; and now I am here, offering you an IDOK from August 22, 2006.

Pineapple Bowls and Driving Tips

Yesterday was Monday, all day long it was Monday. And so about 5:15 as I was in the midst of preparing supper, I opened the frig, and right there on the third shelf was a three-fourths empty bowl of pineapple with no lid, just plastic wrap and not the plastic wrap that seals either. A ‘quiet voice inside’ said: ‘the pineapple is now too old to enjoy and besides you don’t have a lid on it — take it out now before it spills’. Did I listen? NO! I closed the door and went on to other supper details which in moments brought me back to the frig. And you guessed it — Reaching in for something else, I bumped the pineapple bowl and sticky, sticky, pineapple juice made its way down the refrigerator shelf onto the floor, and chunks of pineapple dotted the rug. Yucky!

That ‘Quiet Voice’ didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to (and besides He’s too much of a Gentleman to chide) — I was thinking plenty!
You may ask, why do you say He? You don’t really believe that ‘Quiet Voice’ was the Holy Spirit of God, do you?
Yes, I do.
I believe He loves me so much and that He is so much into walking this life with me that He sometimes even gives notice that bowls of pineapple are going to tip over.
But let’s move on with a more serious ‘Quiet Voice’ moment.
Our oldest red-haired daughter and our 4-year-old Princess were traveling I-65 yesterday and it was raining.
As Andria looked to her right she saw another vehicle right beside her and in that moment that same ‘Quiet Voice’ cautioned: ‘that vehicle is going to come over in your lane without looking’. I am relieved to tell you that Andria instantly reduced her speed and when the driver changed to Andria’s lane, without looking, Andria began praising aloud our Great and Awesome God. I am so glad she heeded that ‘Quiet Voice’. Because she did, she and our little Princess made it home safe and sound.

By now it is obvious why I am sharing these moments, isn’t it?
Yes, there is no doubt in my mind, that Quiet Voice is Our God. He speaks to us daily about little things and big things, and we do well when we listen. Now I would be the first to say that He does not always give pineapple bowl warnings and He may not always give driving directions on rainy days but whatever He speaks, if we will listen we just may avoid a little mess, or a big hurt and maybe even death.

John 14 (KJV): 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Obtained from Biblegateway.com

Father, three years ago I prayed: And as we think about our daily ins and outs, thank You that You do walk with us in the little and the big, the important and the mega important stuff, and thank You that You speak and we pray that You will tune our hearts to listening more and more and that we learn to be less and less disobedient to Your Voice. For our IDOK Family, we bring them now, each and every one and those still quiet on our hearts and we entrust all their needs to You for You to grant and lavish as You know is best for each individual.
It’s still a good prayer and we renew it today. Our IDOK Troops have increased in three years and You have been faithful day after day and year after year. Thank You. And we pray again today for their protection and safety in spirit, soul, and body; still asking that You bring them all home safe and sound and more in love with You when they arrive home than when they deployed. Thank You for this day that Jerry and I have enjoyed; guide us and help us make the most of these days for Your glory, our good and holy fun. And Father, help our IDOKs do the same. Amen and amen

As I post this it is 97°F and clear in Kuwait, KW (Airport), and the time there is 7:09 AM AST on August 4, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 3, 2009
This is an unusual week for me; Jerry is taking a stay home vacation this week and we have all kinds of plans that are not usually associated with vacation – taking care of home business that usually goes undone in work weeks and we may even throw in some fun stuff.
Today was Homecoming at Satsuma First and we enjoyed the day; there were no PM services so we grabbed a burger at Mcdonald’s and sat on the pier at Steele Creek to watch the sunset.
I’m liking this stay-at-home vacation already. On this ‘staycation,’ as my beloved has coined it, he and I have no intention of setting our quiet times aside but I think my ‘writing’ may be — well not much; we’ll see. And for today, Monday, I have pulled up an IDOK from 2006 to re-share with you today – for many of you, it will be new. Actually, when I read it, it felt new to me. I hope it will bless you as it has me.

From August 16, 2006

Little Ones and Bad Dreams

Well, it’s Wednesday and Little One is still with us … sleeping just a few feet across the room here. She called out early this morning — Jerry heard her cry and I quickly came to find her sitting up in bed saying she had had a bad dream. I noticed she was holding my fuzzy blanket that had been in the den when we retired for the evening. That told me her bad dream had sent her searching. She was quiet in her search, we did not hear her tiny steps up or down the hall. I snuggled in with her gently stroking her hair and she was soon fast asleep again.

You know what? We were once little girls (boys too) having bad dreams and we too went searching for comfort maybe for a while no family or friend heard our tiny steps, but God did. He was aware of every tear we cried, every wayward step we took, and at just the right time, when we were fully ready when we had cried out with a cry ready to be Comforted by HIM, He scooped us up, snuggled in with us and stroked our hearts with His Almighty Comfort.

Jerry and I heard our Little One’s cry and we were there to soothe away her fears — wonder if some of us may meet a ‘little one’ today living a bad dream, searching for comfort in all the wrong places? Maybe we can scoop them up and comfort them with the comfort wherein we have been comforted?

Just for the comfort of it read this: You may know the story, of how Joseph’s brothers were a ‘bad dream’ to him, they sent him on a journey into ‘dreams’ but Father God had a plan and He Comforted Joseph and read what Joseph did — Genesis 50 (KJV):

20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

Life brings bad dreams to all of us BUT GOD has a plan — to save much people alive. Our bad dreams and discomforts and hard struggles and hand-to-hand combat with the enemy of our souls, IF we will seek our COMFORT from ALL these things in God our Father, He WILL allow us to be His Instruments to save much people alive. That is so GOOD!!

And one more passage, this one surely fits us all whether we are NOW in need of comfort or have been comforted — 2 Corinthians 1 (Amplified Bible):

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),

4 Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

5 For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us.
Obtained from Biblegateway.com

Father, these passages of Scripture are so full, so full of Your Heart for us, You have said so much more in these verses than I have even thought to elaborate upon so I am asking You Holy Spirit as our IDOKs read Your Word that You will turn LIGHTS on for them and they will see YOU and see and hear Your MESSAGE to them today and that they will gain strength and courage and they will feel and know You have spoken to them today. Thank You, Father. And as many mornings before we have our IDOK Troops on our hearts and their families, those wives and sons and daughters and moms and dads left here on these shores have needs too for comfort and strength and maybe wives and children need grass cut or a power bill paid so we are asking that we Your people be sensitive to You and if You speak we will move to be Your Instrument of Provision. And for our Troops, we ask as we ask each day that You Protect them, keep them safe, and bring them home to us more in love with You than when they deployed. And not just our Troops but others we are bringing to Your Throne. These too have needs. Some are yet in rebellion against You and we ask for Your Mercy and Grace and Space for them to repent. Holy Spirit we ask You to woo them to repentance, however, You see fit. And for others we desire to see them healed and restored and still, others need jobs and we ask You to put them in the right place at the right time to get those jobs, then some just need to have holy fun today and we ask that to be so and some need all kinds of wisdom and helps today and Father, no doubt there are many needs I have not touched but we know You will and we thank You in Jesus Name.
And Father to this today nearly three years since these words were prayed, I can only add Amen and amen. The list has changed some since then, some have experienced healing and restoration and some are now with You, and no doubt You have done many, many wonderful things that we have already forgotten what they were. Today we say thank You. I ask that You bless this re-sharing today to make it fresh and new to encourage and empower our IDOKs to greater service in Your Name. We love You, Lord. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 81°F and haze in Balad, IQ (Airport), and the time there is 5:49 AM AST on August 3, 2009.

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009

Another something from Breaking Free, Day by Day (Author, Beth Moore), page 221: “If you bask in knowing God and dare to believe Him—whether or not you are even aware of the effectiveness of your testimony—I promise you that someone has seen truth through your witness. It is our reason for being here: to show forth the truth and glory of God.”

And upon typing that for you to read, a verse of Scripture comes to mind: John 8:32. And you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free.

Isn’t that a grand calling? What did Beth say — That if we are basking in knowing God and dare to believe Him, someone has seen truth in us. And what did Jesus say — That the Truth will set us free. Again, I say what a grand calling! Can you imagine it? God has called you and He has called me to co-labor with Him in setting people free! Whom did He work with to bring you your first freedom – freedom from the penalty of sin? Who was it that worked with the Holy Spirit to introduce you to Jesus? If that someone is still living here on planet earth, have you thanked them lately? Maybe you should. And wouldn’t it be great to have someone else feel that way about you – to know that you were a co-laborer (a mid-wife) with God to birth someone into His Kingdom?

Now before we get too far from the initial statement, I want us to look at the word BASK because I think that word is so very descriptive of what our lives must be like in order for Truth to be revealed to others through us. Here’s the definition as found at free dictionary dot com. Write this definition on the walls of your mind and see what comes of it.

1. To expose oneself to pleasant warmth.

2. To take great pleasure or satisfaction:

1. to lie in or be exposed (to pleasant warmth or sunshine)

2. to enjoy (approval or favourable conditions)

On the walls of my mind I see that taking great pleasure and satisfaction in God would without a doubt send forth the testimony of truth to people that I may not even notice are watching. I like that.

If we are enjoying God every day, I am certain His Truth is being revealed to people we interact with whether that interaction is a lot or a little.

Don’t you think if we KNOW that we have the approval and favor of God, it will be evident to others in our faces, our mouths, our hands and our feet? Won’t we wear a steady smile? Won’t the words we speak be Christ-like? Won’t our hands and feet be consistently about ‘doing good’? I think so too and I like this and I want this and the GREAT news is I can have it and so can you. Did I see a smile? Lets do some basking today.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

From Martha: Please pray for our son, Jack, who is wheelchair bound. He has a pressure sore and they can be deadly. He has been in bed for 2 1/2 weeks and it has gotten some better but now he has another infection and his body is struggling to catch up. He still does his work at home on the laptop but needs to get this resolved. I know our God loves him and has brought him through many trials. God has given him a sweet wife and two precious adopted children. You have prayed for Micah their son before. Please lift him up and his wife who takes care of him. Pray for peace and healing. Thank you so much. In Christ’s holy name.

ABBA, I like this and I pray You will be able to use it to encourage our IDOKs and any other readers we are privileged to serve. I think basking in You is a process, right? Something we must be willing to allow You to develop in us, I think and I pray we will. It has been a long day and I am tired but I pray that even when I am tired, even when my sisters and brothers are tired that we will choose to take our pleasure in You and be satisfied in You. Thank You for the people that have stepped life’s path with us today and we pray we have been a blessing to them. And now we pray for Jack, his wife and children, bringing his mother’s requests just as she has asked, for peace and healing. We pray to for fresh and acute situations and long standing ones, for resolutions, for healings, directions and provisions as You see fit for each of these listed here. We pray for Israel for peace and prosperity and for our IDOK Troops to be safe and protected and to return home safe and sound. And I am personally asking You to defeat this present health care Bill and every other Bill that exalts man’s knowledge and will above Yours, ABBA. Please expose the secret things on Capital Hill that are detrimental to our spiritual and physical health and well being. And please protect and lift up those Senators and Representatives who have had the faith and courage to refuse to compromise Your Word. And for those who have so cheaply sold their souls, I pray if there is a spark of hope for redemption remaining in their hearts that You will send a laborer to them to share Your Gospel with them and I pray Holy Spirit they will allow You to give them the gift of repentance and faith. Speak love and wisdom to all our IDOKs as they pray here. Amen and amen.

A SPECIFIC UNSPOKEN. Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about.

Jack. Melanie and Jay M. Susanne M. Alice T. Elaine W. Joni and Todd. Roy and Julee. Glenn R and his family. Holly. Donald 2. Ed G. Debra B. Jon E. Katie B. Brian. Donald 1. Loyce McM. Marzelle. KC. Neolle T. Mary F. MH and J. Caleb and his family – Rob, Vaughn, Whitaker and Donoghue. Dora. Mattie. Jarrod. BETTY. Billie Joyce and family. Stack Family. 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. Mike and Vickie. Natalie. Jacqueline and Sons (River and Jackson). Sandra. Dot B. Julia O. Ann C. Stan and Jowanna and Family Mary. Shay and Emma’s Kids (orphanage in Zambia) Ministry. Susan D. Melissa and daughters. Jason A and his mother. Wayne B. Melinda H. Brennan and his family. Joshua. Mabel’s Aunt Lou. Heather and Brandon. Darlene and Torkel. W C and family. Maggie and Family. DeLois. Katelyn (B) J Lloyd and family. 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. Mollie B.

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.

ABBA, I am removing this ‘posting’ for the Cleansing of America and leaving it with You.

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. Richard M. Bobby G. (added 12/16/08) Tommy T. Kyle N(3/09). Jessica D. (4/09) Sgt. Vince Barrientos (5/2009)

IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Brandon B.

Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Shaun. Bay. Danny. 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.

As I post this it is 81°F and clear in Al Taji, IQ (Airport) and the time there 6:07AM AST on July 31, 2009.