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Time and Water

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 2008

I suppose you can tell I am spending a little time outside this week. You may recognize the object in the picture above as a piece of reinforced concrete that is customarily strategically placed on the ground to disburse the rain as it comes gushing off the roof of your house. Generally we think of concrete as some pretty tough stuff. We use in all sorts of construction projects: highways, bridges, foundations for homes, office buildings, etc.etc. Like I said, pretty tough stuff. But our pictured concrete was no match for two something(s) as simple as — you guessed it: time and water. And naturally, or is that super-naturally, when I studied our object today The Holy Spirit, I believe, gave me a spiritual analogy.
It has long been established in our Christian teaching that WATER is often used to symbolize The Word of God;
Ephesians 5:
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
And the heart of un-regenerated man as STONE (or maybe ‘concrete’).
Ezekiel 36:
25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.
26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
And what I am saying to you today with my picture of broken concrete is that with Time and The WATER, the Holy Spirit of God can wear down the resistance of even the stoney-ist heart. Don’t give up on those for whom you are praying — and that includes you and those stubborn issues you are worried about.
Father, You are so good to us it is indescribable. Thank You; thank You for wearing down our resistance; thank You for replacing our hearts of stone with hearts of flesh. Thank You Holy Spirit for continuing to convict us until the stone was washed away and we believed. And we pray now for those in our lives who have not yet believed, continue to wear away the stoney heart. And we pray that we will be faithful to be instruments in Your Hands to channel the Water of Your Word in proper directions and proportions. This is a noble and great ministry to which You have called us and we pray we will be faithful — wear down any resistance that we have. Thank You Lord. We continue to pray for friends we love so much, asking for encouragement, strength, peace and healing. We pray for our IDOK Troops as we sit here Stateside and they are there in places we do not see or understand, we pray for Your Manifested Presence with them; love on them and protect them we pray. We ask too that You bring this war to a successful conclusion. We pray for the Peace of Israel; for the repentance of America; for the election of Your Choice for President; for the reviving of Your Church and for each of these to know Your Will and be willing to do it for Jesus sake.
Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. 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 Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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 – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 55°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 7:26 AM AST – on March 20, 2008
His Ministry to You
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Stump Determination

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2008

Is one picture worth a thousand words? I hope so. Jerry is planning another building project and a few small trees were impeding so he retrieved his chain saw and the trees came down. That was a few weeks ago. Yesterday I photographed this picture. When I saw the new growth coming from the old stump, I thought, Oh Lord I wish I were as determined to grow as that stump is!
If I were so determined to grow in Christian Faith, can you imagine how much more spiritually mature I would be today!!
We can learn a lot from a STUMP. Even cut down to the ground with a chain saw, in just a few weeks LIFE is visible again. Do you feel like something has cut you to the ground? Take heart even a STUMP is determined enough to rise again …. You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!!
Romans 8: 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Father, thank You for life from a stump. Thank You You have not given up on us and we will yet be who You have designed and created us to be; thank You Father. And this morning in particular we pray for special friends who need encouragement, who need Your healing touch upon them and I am asking You Father to do it today please. Thank You that Brittany has returned home and I pray for her that she will truly be FOUND and new life will begin in her. Help her family nurture her in holiness. Thank You that Gracey is feeling better. I pray for rest and restoration for Mindy too. We pray for Jon David that he will continue to improve. And we pray for Emma that You will cause this tube surgery to be textbook perfect. And Father, we pray for our hearts, that You Holy Spirit will begin even today to turn our thoughts and our spirits to worship and that we will begin even today to look forward to Sunday Morning. Do a work in the heart of every IDOK and cause us each to worship You in deeper intimacy than we have at any previous Easter Celebration. Lord Jesus Thank You for saving us. Thank You for what You are doing for our IDOK Troops today; thank You for keeping them safe in mind and body and spirit. Thank You for the coming Peace of Israel; thank You for caring for this Nation and we pray for the election of Your choice for President; and we again ask You for grace to repent for America and that You will fill Your Church with Yourself for Jesus sake. And for these listed here – Lord just Your Best for each is all we ask. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. 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 Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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 – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 82°F and clear in Balad, IQ & the time there is 4:08 PM AST – on March 19, 2008
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A Truck Load of Promises

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 2008

And the line was: “when the devil comes at you with a truck load of promises, it’s a lot harder to say no than you think.”
And this is where it began. Genesis 3: 1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden;
3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’”
4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Virtually every temptation we face is the same. Each in some form or fashion questions the Integrity and the Goodness of God.
God didn’t really mean that, did He?
It’s not going to hurt just this once, it won’t kill you.
And the clincher: God is not really good, He does not really love you, if He did He would not be holding out on you with this! He’s just a mean, ole bully!
What was the last temptation you fell for? Was it oh, it’s not that bad – it’s only 5 miles over the speed limit – besides God wouldn’t want me to be late for Church?
Our opening line says: ” when the devil comes at you with a truck load of promises, it’s a lot harder to say no than you think.” And that is surely so UNLESS we have made up our minds BEFORE the offer is made. When we arm ourselves with the Word of God and make the firm decision to Believe in all situations and circumstances that our Father is GOOD, that He is in love with Us and He makes NO Mistakes,THEN saying NO to any of the Evil One’s ‘promises’ (lies) will be so much easier!
Matthew 6: 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Yes He IS the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever and we can say NO.
Matthew 26: 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
I Corinthians 10: 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Whatever ‘truck load of goods’ comes rolling up to your door today – you can say NO – YOU have that POWER and that RIGHT in Christ Jesus your Savior, Lord and Coming King!
A Praise (update on Jeremy): I have another update on Jeremy! I just learned that he was sitting up, walking and talking last week! He still had the trach in but was able to speak. They sent him home and he’ll have some at home care to help him finish recovery. How amazing is that! Only a few weeks ago he wasn’t even expected to make it and now he’s almost completely healed! I’m no sure yet if there are some tests or anything he’ll have to take medicine wise, but he’s recovering wonderfully! Praise God!
And another request:Angie R: John’s 14 yr old niece has run away again for the 5th time. (Long Story) She has loving parents who love her so much. She left Saturday morning and when they got up she was gone. She took some clothes and snacks with her. And they have heard NOTHING from her. They have the Sheriff’s Dept on the look as well. Pray that GOD has his hand upon her at this time and she will call her parents to come and get here wherever she is. They are worried and concerned for her safety and whereabouts. Her name is Brittany and she’s 14 yrs old. Pray that she’s near by and she’s not hurt and that she doesn’t get in the car with a stranger. Thanks. Angie
Father, thank You that in Jesus we can say NO; help us choose before the time. Thank You for this report. Thank You for Jeremy’s healing and restoration. And now we pray for Brittany; You know where she is Lord, You know how she got there and why she is there and we pray that You will bring her to a place of safety both physically and spiritually and in the meantime we pray for her parents that they will find comfort and peace in You.
We pray for our IDOK Troops for their safety in mind and body and spirit; for their safe returns home; for provision and peace for their families; for the Peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America; for the Election of Your Choice for President of this Nation; for Your Church to be revived and for these listed here today to be healed and made well for Jesus sake. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. 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 Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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 – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 50°F and partly cloudy in Balad, IQ & the time there is 7:41 AM AST – on March 18, 2008
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PERILOUSLY POOR!

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IDOK DEVOTION FOR MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2008
Almost took the day off …. But I’m here!! Sorry to be late.. Please forgive!!
I warn you though, no proof – reading.
Luke 18: 23 But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
In this passage the rich young ruler had come to Jesus asking what he could do to inherit eternal life. He called Jesus good. Jesus told him no one was good except God. That should have given the young man a clue but I think it did not. Jesus was telling him I am God. But surely the young man missed it. Jesus recalled the Ten Commandments to him – The Law – something with which the young man was familiar. Still he missed the point or did he? So Jesus said sell all you have and come follow me. And what does the verse say? The rich young ruler became very sorrowful. The Greek transliterated word is perilupos. And it means overcome with sorrow so much as to cause one’s death. Can you imagine this? To trade eternal life for money!! Neither could Jesus. Look at the following verses.
24 And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!
Did you see that? JESUS became very sorrowful! Do you see how it grieved our Lord that this man said NO to His offer of Eternal Life to him? Same Greek word! Looks like maybe our English word ‘peril’ is akin to this Greek word. The rich young ruler kept all his earthly goods that day and became PERILOUSLY POOR!
And Our Lord went beyond PERIL on his behalf and yours and mine!
Our Lord wanted to give this man Eternal Life but he was not willing to let go of this world’s goods in order to receive Eternal Life. He traded what was not his anyway for what could have been his for eternity. How stupid it that? But yet it is still being done today. And you know? Sometimes I think you and I make choices just as stupid. When we say no to the Holy Spirit who is offering us power to resist and instead we say yes to that sin that continues to easily beset us. But lets move on.
And He said to His disciples:
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
27 But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter said, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
29 So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God,
30 who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Salvation to rich young rulers IS POSSIBLE with God. Take heart for those ‘rich young rulers’ you are continuing to pray for – his or her salvation IS POSSIBLE with God.
And for us? Take heart! Whatever you give up (especially something you dearly love) for Jesus sake, He said, He PROMISED: shall receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life!
Lets not be PERILOUSLY POOR. Lets not hang on to stuff that we can exchange for GREAT REWARD even in the here and now!
Father, take this message and plant it deep within me and within each IDOK. Let us not be perilously poor in these days when You have so much to give us. Help us cooperate with You. And Father for these listed here, thank You for the great gifts You have for each of them, pour them out Lord, pour them out we pray.
Bring our IDOK Troops home safe and until You do keep them from peril today in mind, body and spirit. Bring this war to a successful conclusion; bring America to repentance, bring Israel to Peace and Your Church to restoration and revival for Jesus sake. Maggie and Family. Josh. Donnie S. Smith and family. Barber Grandsons. Renee’. Cathy’s friend and son. Jeremy H. Pastor’s Widow and four children. Martin Family. Odessa H. Margie & Duncan. Kearley Family. Kathy S. Glen Beck. Bev and family. Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Dall T. Dylan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. 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 Glen and family. Brittney and Kersten and family. Sharron and girls. Sheila and Andy. Carrie and Rachel and Jacob and family. Billy and Gina and boys. Lance and family. Grace and family. Tressa. Brad, Lindsay, Karah and Haley. Cindy K and family. Chuck. Jessie L. Windy and Jared and families. Helen and Dan and family. Jen and Larry and family. Chad and Brittany and family. Mollie and family. Julia. Bobbie. Tj. Zack. Phillip. Jessica. Larry. Kayla. Trey. Jacob. Ashely. Lance. Candance. Laura and family. John and Sandy. Bill and Judy. Adam & Family. Andrew. Cindy, Sharron and Tonya’s houses to sell.
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 – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 70°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, IQ & the time there is 5:12 PM AST – on March 17, 2008

THOSE OF YOU IN THE SATSUMA AREA: WHITESTONE PHOTOGRAPHY ART greeting cards can be found in TWO Satsuma Stores!!! McConaghy Drugs and Sap’s (Framing)!! To GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!!

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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?