Hello everyone. I pray that this post finds you all doing well and of course, living life on purpose, the purpose that God predestined for you before the foundations of this earth.
Speaking of purpose, when LLOP blog was created, it was created with the intention of being a community blog. One where we all would share prayer requests, words of wisdoms, testimonies, revelation, questions and anything else that was on our hearts and minds. It was also a place where we would find common ground by meditating on memory scriptures together. It was never the intention for it to be "my" blog. With that said, I'm not sure if LLOP is accomplishing its mission so I'm sincerely considering deleting it or possibly letting it hang out there inactive.
I'll wait to hear from the LLOP fam before I make any decisions.
Much Love
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Memory Scripture 23
John 15: 7 & 16 (message bible)
If you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
If you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon.You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Week 1 Bible Study Notes
From time to time I plan to share some of my favorite nuggets from the Believing God online bible study.
Notes from week 1:
Believing God can really be work at times! When external evidences scream to the contrary, we have to exert volitional muscle. Deciding to believe God's Word over our circumstances can be a tremendous exercise of the will at times. I'll just go ahead and say it: the great adventure of faith is not for the languid, but if He can raise the dead, He can surely enliven the lazy! We have been called to a present-active-participle walk of faith, not a park 'n' ride.
***Although I started the bible study several weeks ago, i'm just now moving to week 2. I'm doing a little "caving" and therefore took a little more time than planned on week 1.
Notes from week 1:
Believing God can really be work at times! When external evidences scream to the contrary, we have to exert volitional muscle. Deciding to believe God's Word over our circumstances can be a tremendous exercise of the will at times. I'll just go ahead and say it: the great adventure of faith is not for the languid, but if He can raise the dead, He can surely enliven the lazy! We have been called to a present-active-participle walk of faith, not a park 'n' ride.
***Although I started the bible study several weeks ago, i'm just now moving to week 2. I'm doing a little "caving" and therefore took a little more time than planned on week 1.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Hmm....
I'm going to jump right in....
Dr: "hello, how are you?"
me: "doing well."
Dr: "what brings you by today, just an annual check-up?"
me: "yep, that's it, just an annual check-up."
***doc is now going through her list of who, what, when, where, why and how and then she gets to this question.
Dr: "do you have any children?"
me: "no."
Dr: "how old are you?"
me: "32"
Dr: "do you plan on having any?" with her eyebrows raised.
me: "yes"
Dr: "when?" still has those eyebrows raised.
me: "I have to get married first."
Dr: "uhm. are there any prospects?" yep, eyebrows still raised.
me: "no."
Dr: sighing with a look that seems to say 'hmm, i don't know about this.'
me: not appreciating the look or the apprehension but completely understanding that she's a student of science, i said to her "do you believe in God?"
Dr: "yes" while she chuckles like 'of course.'
me: "well pray for me."
Dr: she says "okay" still chuckling. then she says "if you don't have any kids within the next 2 - 3 years, I would suggest that you go to the fertility clinic (i'm getting blue in the face at this point) and freeze your eggs."
me: nothing. absolutely nothing. i said nothing at all. i just looked at her. i didn't know what to say. i actually think i went numb. i was so numb that i don't really recall the "exam" and most of you know how much i absolutely do not like that appointment.
okay, i think i'm still numb. as much as i don't want to think about it, the reality is i can't wait forever to have children. i know there are some modern day saras out there but that just isn't what i want or desire. aaahhh...still numb.
isn't this a good time for the online bible study we're doing, "Believing God." Beth Moore often talks about how we should get caught in the act of believing. if you haven't signed up, i highly recommend it. we're only on week 1 so there's still time to join in.
the end
~bdr
Dr: "hello, how are you?"
me: "doing well."
Dr: "what brings you by today, just an annual check-up?"
me: "yep, that's it, just an annual check-up."
***doc is now going through her list of who, what, when, where, why and how and then she gets to this question.
Dr: "do you have any children?"
me: "no."
Dr: "how old are you?"
me: "32"
Dr: "do you plan on having any?" with her eyebrows raised.
me: "yes"
Dr: "when?" still has those eyebrows raised.
me: "I have to get married first."
Dr: "uhm. are there any prospects?" yep, eyebrows still raised.
me: "no."
Dr: sighing with a look that seems to say 'hmm, i don't know about this.'
me: not appreciating the look or the apprehension but completely understanding that she's a student of science, i said to her "do you believe in God?"
Dr: "yes" while she chuckles like 'of course.'
me: "well pray for me."
Dr: she says "okay" still chuckling. then she says "if you don't have any kids within the next 2 - 3 years, I would suggest that you go to the fertility clinic (i'm getting blue in the face at this point) and freeze your eggs."
me: nothing. absolutely nothing. i said nothing at all. i just looked at her. i didn't know what to say. i actually think i went numb. i was so numb that i don't really recall the "exam" and most of you know how much i absolutely do not like that appointment.
okay, i think i'm still numb. as much as i don't want to think about it, the reality is i can't wait forever to have children. i know there are some modern day saras out there but that just isn't what i want or desire. aaahhh...still numb.
isn't this a good time for the online bible study we're doing, "Believing God." Beth Moore often talks about how we should get caught in the act of believing. if you haven't signed up, i highly recommend it. we're only on week 1 so there's still time to join in.
the end
~bdr
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Memory Scripture 22
Colossians 1:9b - 12
A sure fire way to having an effective prayer life, one where you know you're praying God's will, is to pray the scriptures. I'm a firm believer in praying the scriptures because His Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
NJK v9b - 12:
v9b - we...do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
v10 - that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
v11 - strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
v12 - giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
The scripture is re-written as a prayer below (taken from the message bible), feel free to fill in the blanks with your name or the names of others.
Message v9b, 11- 12
Father, I pray that You give ________ a wise mind and spirit attuned to Your will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which You work. I pray that ________ will have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting my/his/her/their teeth but the glory-strength that You give. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking You, our Father, who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that You have for us. (colossians 1:9b, 11-12)
A sure fire way to having an effective prayer life, one where you know you're praying God's will, is to pray the scriptures. I'm a firm believer in praying the scriptures because His Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).
NJK v9b - 12:
v9b - we...do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
v10 - that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
v11 - strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
v12 - giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
The scripture is re-written as a prayer below (taken from the message bible), feel free to fill in the blanks with your name or the names of others.
Message v9b, 11- 12
Father, I pray that You give ________ a wise mind and spirit attuned to Your will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which You work. I pray that ________ will have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting my/his/her/their teeth but the glory-strength that You give. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking You, our Father, who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that You have for us. (colossians 1:9b, 11-12)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Urgent prayer Request
Ladies, as some of you may know, this is my first year teaching. It is also the first time that I have worked outside my home full-time in MANY years. Well, I am soliciting your prayers. I must admit I feel sooooooooo overwhelmed by everything that is going on. I feel anxious all the time and I feel as if I am going to lose control. I am constantly on the verge of tears and I wonder if I have made a mistake. I would like you to pray that God would grant me peace in my mind, home, and on my job. That He would help me to stand and be a light for many there who do not know him as Lord and Savior. Pray for our children, and that God would touch the heart of their teachers, and anything else that you are led to pray for. I know that I can count on you all. I thank you in advance.
Be blessed!
Kenyatta
Be blessed!
Kenyatta
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Finding Order in a Busy Season
Can I just tell you all that i'm loving this virtual accountability. LOL. Let me encourage all of you to blog on LLOP as often as you like. It's like having an online journal, very cathartic;-).
Okay, back to the regularly scheduled program....
Finding order in a busy season. I'm beginning to think that there is no such thing as a busy season. What i've been defining as a busy season seems to just be life. If it's not this it's that and if it's not that then it's this - basically it's one thing or another. Perhaps I should replace the word "busy" with productive. Yeah, I like that better, productive. If we are in fact working while it's day as the bible admonishes us to, then we probably do feel "busy" most times. There's really no time for unplanned or extended idleness. I can testify how one day turns into 2, which turns into a week, which turns into a month. Ah ha! My thought pattern has been interrupted.....here's what came to mind:
While typing, I was suddenly reminded of our foremother in Proverbs 31, here is what we know about her from v.27, "She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness." Or the message bible says it like this "She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. " Okay, so how do we (or me if i'm alone in this) be busy and productive? How should I keep order in my life? I've been struggling to find a balance for several months (since the July 24th's "Reboot" post). Let's see, I may have a solution.
I'm an analytical person so by default I operate with the left side of my brain. In order to be optimally effective, I need order, to-do lists, calendars and other organizational tools. This works for me in my career and in my social life so I'm thinking it's high time I use these tools in my spiritual life as well. With our online bible study beginning, this is a good time for me to be more purposeful in my biblical study and quiet time - you know, doing it on purpose. Not fitting it in, not being neglectful, but truly on purpose and with focused intent I will continue studying to show myself approved and seeking Him so that he will tell me great and mighty things that I do not know (jeremiah 33:3). What I did last season is no longer effective so I need to try something different.
Here's my new regimen until further notice:
Morning - 15 Minutes of Fulfillment (title borrowed from a co-worker):
Okay, back to the regularly scheduled program....
Finding order in a busy season. I'm beginning to think that there is no such thing as a busy season. What i've been defining as a busy season seems to just be life. If it's not this it's that and if it's not that then it's this - basically it's one thing or another. Perhaps I should replace the word "busy" with productive. Yeah, I like that better, productive. If we are in fact working while it's day as the bible admonishes us to, then we probably do feel "busy" most times. There's really no time for unplanned or extended idleness. I can testify how one day turns into 2, which turns into a week, which turns into a month. Ah ha! My thought pattern has been interrupted.....here's what came to mind:
While typing, I was suddenly reminded of our foremother in Proverbs 31, here is what we know about her from v.27, "She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness." Or the message bible says it like this "She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive. " Okay, so how do we (or me if i'm alone in this) be busy and productive? How should I keep order in my life? I've been struggling to find a balance for several months (since the July 24th's "Reboot" post). Let's see, I may have a solution.
I'm an analytical person so by default I operate with the left side of my brain. In order to be optimally effective, I need order, to-do lists, calendars and other organizational tools. This works for me in my career and in my social life so I'm thinking it's high time I use these tools in my spiritual life as well. With our online bible study beginning, this is a good time for me to be more purposeful in my biblical study and quiet time - you know, doing it on purpose. Not fitting it in, not being neglectful, but truly on purpose and with focused intent I will continue studying to show myself approved and seeking Him so that he will tell me great and mighty things that I do not know (jeremiah 33:3). What I did last season is no longer effective so I need to try something different.
Here's my new regimen until further notice:
Morning - 15 Minutes of Fulfillment (title borrowed from a co-worker):
- Quiet Reflection
- Review & Recite Memory Scriptures
- Morning Prayer
- Spoken Affirmation
Evening - Hour of Power ("hour" here is not literal)
- Bible Study
- Meditation
- Prayer
- Spoken Affirmation
Any of you have a prescription that's working? Please do share.
~bdr
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