Uncategorized

Just Begin!

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2007

If you have not gone on line to see and hear Rick Burgess Memorial Message – you need to do that. It’s available at www.rickandbubba.com in three parts, each about 8 to 9 minutes.
This is another one of those mornings when I don’t know where to begin. You’re had those days too, haven’t you? What I can tell you from experience is Just Begin. Just pick up the first thing at hand and begin. I think that will work in just about any situation. If the house is a wreck and you are too, just pick up the first thing at hand and begin.
For me with this IDOK, it was a devotional book written by Beth Moore which directed me to Scripture. So we will start there — Scripture. I don’t think I am going to have a lot of commentary on these passages. I hope you like me will just read them and allow the Holy Spirit to warm you with His Presence in them.
2 Thessalonians 3:
3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
As you begin today or as you begin again today what you need to know is Your Lord is Faithful.
And as you begin again to think of that family member or friend about whom you are worried, you need to hear: we have confidence in the Lord concerning you. Read that again, we have confidence IN THE LORD. Whatever the situation, HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD and Just Begin.

My First-Born’s surgery went well. She’s home resting. Thank you for your prayers! To God be the glory!
Father, thank You for textbook perfect surgeries. Thank You for steady recoveries. And Father as friends have tests today, we pray for good reports, good results and for peace and as much comfort as possible. We continue to remember folks who are grieving, some grief we have not experienced, some we have, some we understand, some we don’t but You Lord know it all and we have confidence in You that You are there comforting and guiding in all these. Thank You Father. And we pray for our IDOK Troops, for their protection today in mind and body and spirit. We pray for the safe return of each. We pray those on R & R that You will build and grow their faith and peace while here for their return there. We pray that all our IDOK Troops will at the appointed time come home safe and sound and we pray for a successful conclusion to this war. We pray for the Peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America – one soul at a time – use us Lord in that – help us Your Church and particularly IDOKs to minister Your Gospel in such a way that unsaved people in our paths will hear and repent. We pray Your Choice for President will be elected this year. And Father above all revive Your Church for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. 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. Frankie 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. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
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.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 55°F and clear in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:42 PM AST – on January 25, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU
Uncategorized

Here’s to Wearing Away!

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008

Jane Howard said: More and more I realize that everybody, regardless of age, needs to be hugged and comforted in a brotherly or sisterly way now and then. Preferably now.

It’s late for early morning — I covet your prayers, my first born is having outpatient surgery this morning and momma is anxious. SO I have a good re-run for you this morning. I wrote this on October 24, 2003 – it’s still true this morning.
OH!! Do I have a Word this morning!! Remember yesterday we said we could pray that The Lord would wear down the resistance of our loved ones so they would believe and come to know and love Him? This morning very shortly after I woke up I began to think about the Scripture of Jesus washing the disciples feet (and that being because I needed my feet washed — that’s another story — maybe I will share one of these days) and I wish we had time this morning to look at the Passover Supper, the washing of the feet of the disciples but it is nearly 6:00 a.m. And there is not time to do it this morning. But know this: My Jesus — Your Jesus is the Passover Lamb and He was fully aware of that; says so in John 13:1. And when He took off His garments and took up the towel He was preaching without words. And He said so much!! I suspect He said much more than we have learned yet!!
But I have learned this; we regularly need our feet washed. Now, fact is we have been bathed and we are clean all over but walking here in the “dirt” of the earth we get a bit of that on us and we must humble ourselves and go to Jesus to get the dirt off that is clinging to our feet and He graciously does that… Been there, done that – recently.
But on to verse 19. Now, I am lifting a part of that verse out of context to some extent but I think is valid and solid; I think it is Scriptural Support for our praying that The Lord “wear down” the resistance to Him of our loved ones.
John 13: 19 I tell you this now before it occurs, so that when it does take place YOU MAY BE PERSUADED AND BELIEVE THAT I AM HE [Who I say I am-the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah].
We can pray that The Holy Spirit will tell them, will lead them, will move upon them, will put them in situations, will bring events, whatever it takes to PERSUADE them to believe, PERSUADE them to KNOW that Jesus IS HE; that He is THE CHRIST, THE ANOINTED ONE, THE MESSIAH. Works for me!! If persuading is anything it is “wearing away” resistance. Wouldn’t you agree? So you can be sure that I am praying based upon this very Word which Father began birthing in me when I read in my sister, Beth Moore’s, book, Feathers From My Nest, that we could pray for the “wearing down of their resistance”. Don’t you love it when Father confirms!!
Father God you are so Awesome, You are gracious and kind; You are so good to us. Thank you! Thank you. Thank you that you are wearing down the resistance of our loved ones and thank you that you are working in our lives. Thank you that You are continually washing our feet and keeping us clean. We admit we so need it; I do Lord. You know what a mess I am but thank you that You look at me and love me and You see what You are making of me and even now I am beautiful to You. But not just me Lord but all my sisters and brothers; we are lovely to You and now I pray that we will behold You and we will see more and more HOW LOVELY YOU ARE!! Lord, You are lovely and You are kind and good and gracious; You are so good to us. Persuade us today to do your will; persuade us today to open our hearts to people and to share with them; persuade us to be Reflectors and Dispensers today… Reflectors of You and Dispenses of your Love and just maybe you can use us in your project of wearing down the resistance of our loved ones. Thank you. Amen and amen.
And Father this morning more than four years later I say amen again. And this morning we pray for these that You wear down resistance to strongholds of unbelief in the lives of those who do not even know they are struggling with You. And then we pray that You build up those struggling against disease and illnesses; we pray for strength against those bad cells that have invaded the bodies of those we love; we pray for immune systems to strengthen and for cell functions to be restored. We pray for insulin production to be balanced. We pray for other body and mind chemicals to balance; for people to be made whole in mind, body and spirit. We pray for souls who are grieving that You will comfort and give renewed purpose and vision to them. And Father, I pray in particular for my own little girl that today’s surgery will be text book perfect and she will recover quickly and be on her way again even better than before to love You, serve You and to bless her family, friends and co-workers. We pray for our IDOK Troops today that You will protect them; that they will be safe from all harm of mind, body and spirit; that You will see to it that they all come home at the appointed time; give comfort and support to their families. And we pray for the successful conclusion to this war. We pray for the peace of Israel; for the repentance of America; for the election of Your Choice for President; for the revival of Your Church – all in the name of Jesus. Amen and amen.
Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. 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. Frankie 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. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
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.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Justin G.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 54°F and partly cloudy in Al Asad, Iraq & the time there is 4:07 PM AST – on January 24, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

Uncategorized

Some Really Good News!

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2008


I am hard on me, usually harder on me than others — most likely there is some subtle pride in that. I often scold me for my immaturity in the faith. I am wrong to do that. And if you are doing it, you are wrong too. I should celebrate more the progress that Father is making in me; so should you — He does! Listen to what Beth (Moore) has written in her Study entitled Stepping Up. She uses her beloved grandson, Jackson, as an example.
“I don’t sit over Jackson impatiently and wish he were suddenly grown. I celebrate every step he takes. Why do we think our Heavenly Father, who designed our bodies, souls, and spirits to operate just as they do, would be any different? No, God doesn’t enjoy a child’s stubborn unwillingness to grow up any more than I’d enjoy Jackson still crawling at six years of age. But I am convinced God thoroughly relishes every hint of maturity even if we feel as if we’re not making progress.”
She goes on to say: “As you study Scripture, God is accomplishing something in you. As long as you keep your heart exposed to it and don’t compartmentalize everything you’re learning in your head alone, you can’t help but make some level of progress as you give this kind of time to study. Just think what can happen when we become intentional about it!”
Did you hear what she said? God IS accomplishing something in you! God IS accomplishing something in me! Not maybe, or hope so, or will some day but IS. Today He IS accomplishing something in us.
I Chronicles 19: 13 Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
Isaiah 55: 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
As long as we continue to expose our eyes, our ears, our minds and our hearts to Scripture – a difference is being made in us! We have Father’s Word on it. That is GOOD NEWS, even though we have heard it before.
Father, when I open Your Word for more than just a quick read or a quick Word to write to our IDOKs, something warm and wonderful happens inside — why don’t I do it more? Please help me stop giving in to do other things that are not nearly as important or rewarding or pleasant and good. Help us taste Your Word and see that it is good, very good.
And now we are continuing in our prayers for these listed here. We pray for peace and comfort for those grieving and those undergoing serious medical treatments and not only for peace and comfort but healing of hearts and bodies.
We pray for our IDOK Troops for safety and protection in mind, body and spirit; for the Peace of Israel, for the Repentance of America, for the election of Your choice for president, for the revival of Your Church, for a Hunger for Your Word that compels us to eat of it daily and not sparingly but enough to get holy fat on it. Thank You Father for Jesus sake. Amen and amen.
Tonya and family. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. Anita. 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. Frankie 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. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
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.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Justin G.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.

As I post this it is 41°F light showers, rain mist in Balad, Iraq & the time there is 7:16 AM AST – on January 23, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

Uncategorized

HAPPY?

Leave a comment

IDOK DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8 NASB
I hope you won’t mind Beth is stopping by for a visit with us this morning from her book Breaking Free Day by Day.
How happy you are, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the Lord? Deuteronomy 33: 29
I fear we may have become so legalistic in many of our Christian circles that we’ve drooped the word happy from our “religious” vocabulary. But sometimes God just plain makes me HAPPY! Call me immature, but picture me smiling.
Sure, I know that people are starving on the other side of the world. I’m deeply concerned for hurting people, and I pray for other nations every single day. But I also enjoy a happy moment in Jesus when it comes. Happiness is inappropriate when it’s our goal, but not when it’s God’s momentary gift to us. Open it. Enjoy it. And remember it when times get tough.
I like that – a people saved by the Lord! Reason enough for us to be happy in the good times and reason enough to have JOY in the sad times.
Proverbs 17: 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
These, in part, are the words of a friend of Rick and Sherri Burgess: Please pray diligently and savor your moments with your family. We never know…Thanks for keeping this awesome family in your thoughts and prayers.
Father, it’s early but we are praying in advance for Sherri that as days go by You will convince her it is okay for her to have a merry heart once again – don’t let her spirit be so broken that her bones get dry. And help Rick to continue in Your Strength, don’t let his testimony fail. Thank You for friends, close enough to care for Rick and Sherri – may there be an abundance of them Lord, we pray.
As I look over this list, I am privy to lots of hurts, some physical, some emotional, some spiritual; some things we can help with – we can come along side and give some comfort as YOU guide us and we want to do that in accordance with Your will. Some things YOU ALONE can handle and we are trusting You to do those. I am thinking especially of Gina today – another hard blow for her; she has had so many; it does not seem right but I am refusing that and I pray You will enable her to refuse it too along with the rest of the family. I don’t know what You have in mind allowing this but we KNOW Your Goal is good and so we pray Your Will be done.
Thank You for Hawk and Lyndon’s time at home for some rest and relaxation and we pray it will be a time of blessing for them and their families. Help them include You in their celebrating. And we pray for our other IDOK Troops for safety and protection and uplifted spirits today. And we pray for a successful conclusion to this war; we pray for Peace for Israel; we pray America will stand by Israel; Lord, forgive leaders who are blind and help them see the truth contained in Your Word and have the courage to abide by what You have said; we pray for Repentance for America and for the successful election of Your Choice for President and Lord, revive us Your Church. Amen and amen. Rick Burgess and family. Lawson Family. Mrs. Dobbs. Charles and Renee’. Dall T. Dylan. Mark, Margie & Duncan. Marsha’s grand-baby. Kathy N. Kyle A. Jason, Vicki. Joseph Toomey and Family. DeLois. Terri. Patsy B. Kim T. Krystee. Rachel B. Kevin and the children. Lisa’s Mother. Katelyn (B). Janie B. Vickie. Lisa W. John Thomas. Cole. Anita. 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. Frankie 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. Tiffany & Makayla. Andrew.
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. Hawk is due home on the 25th for some R & R. Lyndon A is also home for some R & R.
IDOK Troops leaving shortly for foreign soil: Albert R III. Justin G.
Serving Stateside: Jonathan. Jasmine B. Tommy T. Shaun. Bay. Danny. Tim. Lee. George.
Injured and brought State side: Anthony. Hector
Injured Stateside: Edward J.
Hospitalized outside USA: Corpl. Light
Military at home adjusting – Mack. The 226. Troy. Brad. Tommy. Desi.
Civilian in Country – Mike. Lee.
As I post this it is 57°F with smoke and haze in Al Taji, IQ & the time there is 4:49 PM AST – on January 22, 2008

HIS MINISTRY TO YOU

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?