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IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 18, 2008


Our Daily Bread reads (in part) today: A little boy had just been tucked into bed by his mother, who was waiting to hear his prayers. But he had been naughty that day, and now it was bothering him. So he said, “Mama, I wish you’d go now and leave me alone. I want to pray by myself.” Sensing that something was wrong, she asked, “Bobby, is there anything you ought to tell me?” “No, Mommy,” he replied. “You would just scold me, but God will forgive me and forget about it.”
Is that great theology or what?! But isn’t it sad too? Sad, that we have experienced this from one another – the lack of forgiveness. I’m not fond of that old adage: ‘I forgive you but I’ll never forget’ because it is usually said in a tone that causes one to feel NOT forgiven. Neither do I accept another saying that folks have attributed to Father God that He obliterates my sins from His memory. I know, I know you may say what about Jeremiah 31: 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
May I point out that in this particular Scripture setting Father is talking to Israel about a FUTURE time. Frankly, it disturbs me to think of God as having memory loss. I don’t mind if He remembers my sin to help me and with crucial timing and in extravagant love reminds me for the purpose of keeping me from committing it again. I find great comfort in His ability to do that! (However, I don’t find great comfort in some brothers and sisters doing so!) I find great comfort and strength in the fact that while I may be reminded of my transgressions I am NEVER held accountable for them any more. Father does not hold them against me – JESUS PAID FOR THEM ALL!!
I really think Father has no difficulty here. Let me give you an experiential reason why I believe this: There are people in my life who have hurt me deeply but since forgiveness came even though what they did has not been obliterated from my memory, those memories do not cause hurt anymore, nor do those memories cause me to love them less, nor do those memories cause me to want anything but good and the best for them, nor do those memories keep me from acting in kindness and love on their behalf. And if God the Father can do this in me, chief of sinners, can You imagine what He is capable of doing?
No, I do not want Father to forget anything. I need Him to fully remember to keep me straight!! One last thought. If there are memories of sins, hurts and wrongs that are still causing you grief, still causing you pain, still keeping you from doing good for them … Maybe the answer is that you have not TRULY forgiven them. Father can enable you to do that – HE DOES IT ALL THE TIME!
I John 1: 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Father, I am glad You don’t forget, I am glad You remember to love me no matter what I have done. Thank You. And I am asking You to more and more teach me to do the same for others. And Lord Jesus thank You that You have paid for all ours sins forever and always. Thank You. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven. And this morning we pray for these whatever they need today we are depending upon You to supply. Thank You for those who were traveling are now home safely and for those still traveling we still ask for safety and holy fun. Thank You for the fun and laughter You have given this week. Thank You for glorious sunshine. Thank You for the heavens and earth – we see You in them and You are AWESOME! We pray for Richard and Emma, we pray for healing and recovery for Richard and peace for Emma. Lord, You know what each of these need and we entrust them to You. We are also entrusting our IDOK Troops to You for another day of protection and safety for minds, bodies and spirits. And we are continuing to trust You for a successful conclusion to this war and for conviction and grace and space to repent for America. We are continuing to look for Your intervention in this Presidential Election. We are continuing to pray for the Peace of Israel and the refreshing and reviving of Your Bride, Lord Jesus. Amen amen. W C and family. Richard and Emma and family. Oprah. Chris B. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Odessa H. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Tonya and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Kim T. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. J Lloyd and family. Janet and Steve. Cathy. Toy and family. Caleb and family. Bay and family. Jennifer B. John and Carolyn. Larry and Claudia and family. Taylor & family. Jeanette and Earl and family. Libby and family. Callie. Madie. Ruth. Cynthia. Martha F and Bob. Allyson and Glyn and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and family. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Chuck. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance and Baby. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
Unspoken Requests – situations so close you can only speak to Father about
Every IDOK and every IDOK son and daughter and grandchild.
Every IDOK Pastor and Family.
Every IDOK church.
The Peace of Israel
Revival in America.
IDOKs Military Families.
IDOKs Troops (foreign soil) – Ethan. Christopher. Raul. Robert. Billy. Josh. Buddy. Mark. Josh W. James. Bryan. Nick. Hawk. Brant W. Lyndon A. Christopher R. Travis N. Joshua M. Brent. Drew. Justin G.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Bay N.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside:
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light. Bradley T.
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi. Edward J.
Civilian in Country – Lee.
As I post this it is 79°F and Blowing Widespread Dust in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 4:16 PM AST – on April 18, 2008

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Strenth To Worship March 17, 2004 and Today!

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2008

Issy has been keeping my beloved and me company this week; she’s five and we are much older and so I arrive this morning at 6:45 in need of a message; I am borrowing from March 17, 2004. It’s still good today. The Word is still full of power and our Precious Lord Jesus is still just as worthy of worship and praise.

I think it must be worship this morning.
As I was reading Journey the words spoke of worship and just at that moment I caught the words of the song playing on the radio and it was all about worship!
And the Journey reads: Every day we must lift our hearts in worship above the din of war, human tragedies and suffering. It is so easy to lose our perspective, to focus on the darkness in the world around us. But we can still be thankful for the beauty and goodness God has brought into our lives, for our friends and family, the food we eat and a world to enjoy. We can have peace in our hearts, knowing we are His children and God is in control.

And just before that in Our Daily Bread I was struck with this sentence: He asks us to commit our way to Him and accept the struggles He allows and the strength He provides. I love the way He does this!!! There are some key words in that sentence and it is packed with power. Yes, He allows STRUGGLES in our daily lives. Could it be that an ACT OF WORSHIP would be to ACCEPT those struggles? Could it be that another ACT OF WORSHIP would be to believe and receive the STRENGTH HE PROVIDES to us in those struggles He allows? Let’s look at the heart of one who did/does worship Father God.

2 Corinthians 12
8 Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
9 But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
10 So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [ in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength). source 

I love that passage! Let it pour over you and fill you up today. Do you see one more thing in that passage? Our brother the Apostle Paul who we, who I think, was/is a great man asked three times for a certain “struggle” to be removed — Father said No! And Paul still worshipped!! Reminds me of SOMEONE else — Paul had been learning from the example of Our Sweet Jesus in the Garden. Oh I think we can worship today!! I think our grateful hearts won’t let us do anything else!!

Father God, Lord God You are so awesome; thank You; thank You!!

Yes, Father, You are AWESOME and we thank You this morning that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever, worthy of our worship and praise. Thank You for this day, thank You that if we have struggles You have already given us strength and wisdom enough to come through them; thank You that if we have joys You are already laughing with us. Thank You for the privilege and the duty of prayer. 
For each in every situation. Thank You for what You have already done in their lives; for the progress, for the strength, for the restoring of health, for the traveling mercies, for the fun and laughter, for the help and encouragement in jobs well done, for being in control especially when it feels the opposite, thank You even more for faith to believe; thank You that houses sell in Your Time and Your Timing is perfect; thank You for medical intervention, thank You that You govern all things for Your Glory and our good; thank You that You are convincing our lost ones of their need of Your Salvation; thank You that every situation spoken or not You know and You are working all things well. And we pray for the Peace of Israel especially with the Passover Sabbath only days away. Again we pray that our Jewish Family will come to see You Lord Jesus as Messiah. Bless and keep safe our IDOK Troops today in mind and body and spirit; thank You that You govern this planet and we commit this war to You for a successful conclusion. We commit this Nation to You for correction and grace and space to repent; we pray for the Presidential Candidates that they will repent and we pray for the election of the one You have chosen for this Nation. And we pray for us – IDOKs and for Your Church around the World that You will revive us to Worship and live Your Gospel. Amen and amen.

As I post this it is 82°F and HEAVY in Balad, IQ & the time there is 3:30 PM AST – on April 17, 2008

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Allow me to give a postscript. Today is November 7, 2022. That five-year-old is now 20. She doesn’t spend the week with us any more; not because we wouldn’t all love it! But seasons have changed – life and work march on.
I no longer keep up with time and weather in Balad and those areas – our beloved Tim has been home now for many years. We are grateful.

This blog has changed some in presentation over the years. I am glad to still be here writing. I am surprised I still have something to say.
Happy Monday.

Love, Kathie 

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Crazy Little Chick

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2008

2 Corinthians 1: 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  source 

I am searching for words to describe the sense of promise that came to me when I read these two verses, especially WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES. I noticed the word ALL. We are comforted in ALL our troubles, not some or a few or most but ALL. In any trouble, in all trouble, it is my Father’s Will to comfort me. As I said I am without words to describe the sense of promise this gives me. So in those troubles wherein, I am without that sense of comfort, something must be amiss and I know it is not Father because here in His Word He promises to comfort me. As I ask myself what would keep us from receiving this promised comfort, another Scripture comes to mind. This is Jesus speaking of Jerusalem and the comfort He desired to be to Her.
Matthew 23: 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!  source 

At that time, Jerusalem was not comforted. Do you see why She was not comforted? Because she refused – She would not be comforted. She was like a crazy little chick standing in the rain with her beak turned up to the sky instead of fleeing to the shelter of her mother’s wings.
No little chicken with proper instinct would trade the comfort of her mother’s wings for cold rain. Maybe we could learn from a chick. Lets let not pride or any other sin keep us from the Comfort Father desires to give us in ALL our troubles.

Psalm 91: 1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.  source

Day and Night and in every situation, He is our Shelter, Our Protection if we will abide under the shadow of HIS WINGS. Amen and Amen!

Father, thank You for this promise. Thank You that it is Your Will to comfort us in all our troubles. And when we are comforted Lord, help us comfort others for Your Name Sake. This is a sweet, sweet promise and I don’t want to forget that You have made it and I don’t want to run from Your Comfort and I pray that none of our IDOKs will refuse Your Comfort. And we come now with these listed here and we pray for their comfort; that nothing will hinder them from receiving Your Comfort designed just for them. Thank You, Father. And Lord we pray for our IDOK Troops to also be comforted today and protected today in mind and body and spirit. And we pray for a successful conclusion to this war; for the Peace of Israel and the repentance of America and the revival of Your Church. 

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The Guide

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008

Today’s thoughts may not be thoughts to which you all can relate and if not please forgive me.
I sometimes have to do trial and error with fitted sheets. Sometimes I pick the wrong corner of the sheet for the right corner of the mattress and when I do that, that sheet just will not fit that bed. And today I made a discovery; these particular sheets have obscure vertical stripes. I say discovered because I have known since purchase that the sheets were solid colored with a subtle stripe. But it was today that knowledge became useful. Let me tell you how. If I use the stripes as my guide, the corners take care of themselves. WOW! No more starting and stopping and turning — the sheets go on right the first time, every time. The right sheet corner for the right corner of the mattress is easy! And as soon as this GREAT REVELATION came to me, I thought ‘you, dummy why did you not notice that before’!
And then I thought IDOK – I can tell on myself and in the process just maybe make a spiritual application that will help us all!

Obviously, calling myself a dummy for my slow observation is not good. It would be far better for me to just be thankful for the ‘revelation’ and rejoice that every Monday morning hereafter I will not be delayed with sheet-to-mattress trial and error. I think this could be true in many other areas – berating ourselves is shall I say NEVER good. It is a waste of time and it profits us nothing. An attitude of gratitude is best even when we are slow to recognize the guidelines. Even when we are slow to pick up on something that in hindsight is now so obvious, just rejoice and move on.

I think I can safely say we all have a Bible or two in our homes and I think I can safely say that we have a general understanding of The Scriptures. But that general understanding of the ‘obscure stripes’ of the Text is not useful to us until we embrace those (obscure stripes) Scriptures as our Guide for the tasks we do every day. It is paying attention to what we already know sometimes that makes all the difference.
I could ask us today what in The Word of God do we already know that we are not allowing to be our GUIDE. I think if we are determined to obey we will be saying WOW! No more starting and stopping and turning with this task anymore – The Word Works!!

Psalm 77:6 I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.

Jude 1: 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 2: 14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.    source

Father God, we invite you Holy Spirit to make a diligent search of our hearts for the areas that we know and yet we are not observing, illuminate us Lord and give us wills and desires to obey You. Cause us to be willing to allow Your Word to be our Guide in all the tasks and goings on of life here. Thank You for the day that is before us. We continue to ask that You bless, keep safe, and inspire to witness those who are traveling this week. And yes those of us who are in our usual places, inspire us to witness too. We bring our prayer lists here and ask Your Best for each of them; give them strength of mind, body, and spirit. And we pray for our IDOK Troops today, for their safety, asking that You protect them from all harm, asking that You give encouragement to them today, encourage them that they are getting the job done and that they are appreciated; Lord, love on them for us today. And again we ask that You bring this war to a successful conclusion. We pray for the repentance of the Presidential Candidates and we pray for mercy and grace to repent for America too. We pray for Your Church that She will be revived and in practice become a ‘spotless’ Bride. Thank You for these we call IDOKs, bless them today with strength and peace and comfort and courage, wisdom, and discernment as well as daily bread. Thank You Father in Jesus name.

As I post this it is 98°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 3:18 PM AST – on April 15, 2008

Internet Daughters of the KING

THE WHITE STONE
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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?