How To Stop Pouring Out Of An Empty Cup

There are many things in life I enjoy and one such thing is coffee.

I like some of the "foo foo drinks" too (as I call them) on occasion once in a while like an Aztec Mocha from my local Insomnia Coffee Shop or a plain mocha or something like a blended drink or cappuccino. However, what I enjoy the most is plain black coffee as well as cold brew and then iced coffee with a little French vanilla creamer in it. These are my go to drinks that I enjoy...nothing too fancy but really good! 

Now that I think about it, I may have become a bit of a coffee snob a times because I really enjoy coffee and I'm, shall we say, selective with what I drink because by all means "friends don't let friends drink bad coffee". But I digress. Lol. 

With my passion for coffee, I have several mugs I enjoy and like the one featured in the picture above, (which I picked up on a family vacation) it's made for a purpose...and it sits ready in my office for a good ol' cup of Joe.  While it can sit in a cupboard or sit on my office desk it's not really made to continually sit empty unless it's not going to be used. It's made to be filled with something either liquid goodness (coffee), tea or maybe to stuff pens and pencils in. I don't know but it's made, again, to be filled with something useful and good. 

Ok so you're probably thinking well...so what?! He likes coffee and this matters to me why? Well, I'm very glad you asked and hold on as there's something for you just around the rim of the coffee cup...or tea cup if that's your preference!

Please Join Me In Praying for The USA!

Love and God changing the dark hearts of mankind is the key. I saw this image today and with all that the US is facing, I wanted to share it and ask you to join me in praying!

So many deaths. :-( My heart is aching for the USA and specifically those directly impacted by the lives taken and those injured.

It saddens me that racism still exists and specifically it seems several deaths are the result of this. It also saddens me that several police officers have died this week...all the deaths for nothing. Enough already! 

I can't help but think that death for death doesn't make anything better in these cases an the problem in our country goes far deeper than the news outlets, politicians and others spin. 

God please move on the hearts of the people in our nation. Bring us wisdom, reconciliation, justice and somehow - peace. Help us to love others as You first loved us. Help us to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem! 

To my friends and family, no matter the craziness that is taking place in our country...please know that without a doubt, I care about you and you're loved by me. Life is too short and you and I may never have the opportunity to tell one another how much we care...so...this is my notice to you! My heart aches with you! Please join me in prayer and working to be a part of the solution not the problem. 

Love in Christ Always,

rlk

#praywithoutceasing #prayer #knowyourworth #hope #ashepherdsheart

Special Prayer Request

Dear Friends: 

While I can always use your ongoing general prayers for God's ministry through me to you and today I have a specific prayer request for you...

I’m continually led and seeking to create meaningful content that encourages, lifts-up and challenges people in their day-to-day faith and walk with God in and out of the 4 walls of the church meeting places. 

With this in mind, I’ve hit the limit regarding what I can produce beyond short 60 second or less clips, etc using my basic smart phone and I’d like to ask you to join me in prayer specifically for a way to acquire at least the follow three tools:

1.  A quality (Used/Refurb/New) DSLR Camera with mic input (and potentially with a flip out screen that can face forward for framing and monitoring during recording).  (Use: To create inspiring video and still image content for teaching and encouragement.) (Have some models/types in mind)

2.  A basic iDevice (Apple) or other tablet (Android 5.0 or above) for Interactive live Video for Facebook, possibly Periscope, etc. (Used/Refurb/New) (The Basic Smartphone I have cannot handle the apps) 

3.  A Zoom H4N Pro, or a Zoom H5 or H6 portable recording unit (Plus a memory card and other accessories). (Use: for podcasts, field recording and enhanced audio for video segments)

If you have any question regarding the future content I’m seeking to create, please let me know. 

Thank you for joining me in prayer for God’s provision!

In Christ,

rlk


P.S. Please pass this prayer request on as I'd appreciate prayer covering for this. 

A Prayer For Dads - A Prayer for Fervent Prayer for and Never Giving Up on Your Kids - Thursday, June 30, 2016

To honor Dads during the Month of June, I'm posting prayers especially for Dads! I pray it ministers to you in a special way! Thank you for all you do! This is the finally prayer post for dads for this month.

Read and Pray Through: 1 Chronicles 29:19, Luke 15:11-32 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Heavenly Father,

I'm so thankful that You hear the prayers of Your children and we can approach You with confidence. 

You never promised that parenting would always be easy but it is definitely a special gift and responsibility that You've given me to be a dad. There are many who don't have this privilege so please help me never take this for granted.

As I read Your Word I see many prayers, the examples of those who prayed often (including Jesus) and it's by no coincidence that You instruct to to always pray...to pray unceasingly and there are certainly many things to pray for! 

I believe that I have an incredible urgent responsibility to fervently pray for my Children. 

Experiencing Peace Now and Later

Read, Study and Pray through: John 14:27

I wonder sometimes if we think of peace incompletely. 

It seems we only reserve it for sometimes as if we can only have or experience it on a very limited basis. 

Or, maybe that we'll only be able to experience the peace of Jesus when He returns...because He is the Prince of Peace. So, it's only for the future and not for now?

What if we didn't reserve wishes of peace for only when someone dies?  Don't get me wrong, it's important to pay our respects and wish someone the normal may you "Rest In Peace".  But, what if we can rest in peace each day as we lay down to rest? 

Is this possible or is it too weighty to consider? 

A Prayer For Dads - A Prayer for Leading, Teaching and Showing The Way - Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and Proverbs 22:6 - Wednesday, June 22, 2016

To honor Dads during the Month of June, I'm posting prayers especially for Dads! I pray it ministers to you in a special way! Thank you for all you do!

Read and Pray through: Deuteronomy 6:6-9 and Proverbs 22:6 

Heavenly Father,

I praise You and thank as You're my Father, my greatest example.

It's an amazing privilege to be a dad and I'm reminded that You've called me to lead the children that You've blessed me with. 

I need to actively lead and I confess that sometimes I'm not sure how best to do this!

The 3 Things Every Child Needs To Hear

Words of affirmation are essential to building a positive foundation for your children.

In a world that seeks to tear them down...we can be ones to seek to build them up speaking words of life to and over them!

As parents we sometimes focus only on they areas of shall we say..."Opportunity" or "Improvement" and little time is spent on all the great and amazing things you see in them and believe about them. They need to see and believe the same and more about themselves. 

Also, if you don't tell them...who will?! 

This might be a foreign concept to you because like many, you may not have received this as a child from your parents but regardless of this, you can turn the tide and forge a better way and path for your own children!

This is just one small list and a great beginning and I'm sure you can add to this list but start here...

3 Things Every Child Needs To Hear:

   1. I Love You!
   2. I'm Proud of You!
   3. You are Good at this_______!

This is a list is derived from an incredible men's video series I journeyed through quite a few years ago titled "The Quest for Authentic Manhood" by Robert Lewis and it's stuck with me since then and I've tried to regularly communicate this to my children over the years. 

Dads...you especially need to be the one who leads the charge to show and tell them how capable, talented, proud and loved they are because your words speak volumes to the heart, soul and mind of your children! Never underestimate the power of your words! 

Keep Living life on Purpose and make these affirmations and more a regular habit!

In Christ,

rlk

Share this with someone today: There are 3 Things every child needs to hear. Visit ashepherdsheart.org to find out more! #ashepherdsheart

A Prayer For Dads - A Prayer for Being an Example of How to Live a Good Life - 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 - Wednesday, June 15, 2016

To honor Dads during the Month of June, I'm posting prayers especially for Dads! I pray it ministers to you in a special way! Thank you for all you do! 

Read and Pray Through:2 Corinthians 3:2-3

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You and praise You again for being the perfect Father and example of how to be a Father. Thank You also for the real gift and honor it is to be a dad to the children You've given me to help guide down the right path.

Each day I realize more an more that my children are a reflection of me...like it or not.