Blog #4: Chapter 1 of Romans: Closing

Blog #4:


Chapter 1: Introductions--Cont. of:

CHAPTER INFORMATION:
BOOK TITLE: The Book of Romans: Truth From Fiction Series Book 1
DATE: 21 October 2009 Wednesday
TYPE OF STORY FOR THIS CHAPTER: Non-Fiction
IT IS A NEW OR ON-GOING STORYLINE?: On-going (#4)
GENRE: Non-Fiction
LAST TIME THIS STORYLINE WAS USED: 21 October 2009 in Blogs #3
(Blogs #1 and #2 were on 19 October 2009)

OPENING VERSE
John 15:1 from the NIV states,
"'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.'"

PERSPECTIVE
Enough of my extended bunny trail. What God told me on Thursday, 15 October 2009 changed my life entirely and that's not to mention how it changed my writing life as well. However, most importantly, what God told me gave me perspective. I not understand because of what God told me on 15 October why my writings hadn't been published yet. They needed the vision (i.e. goal, mission, objective) God gave me that night. I'll share more of this story with you later. thanks for listening as I wrap up this Introductory Chapter. Thank you for listening/reading to Blogs #1-3. I can't wait to continue this journey with you later. Until then, God bless you.

CLOSING OF CHAPTERS IN THIS BOOK
The close of each blog or book chapter will consist of either:
1. Reflective Questions
2. A Bible Study
3. A Contemplative Ponderance (My sense of humor coming out again. Please bear with me.)

Also, a Bible verse will close the day! Oops. I've forgotten to add a Bible verse to open each day as well. So, I'm going to go and add one to the beginning of this blog today. (Ugh! I can't believe I did that.)

TODAY'S CLOSING: REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
Today, we're closing with Reflective Questions to help you to:
1. Evaluate where you are today on your Christ-following walk,
2. Help you to remember where you've come from,
3. See/decide where you're headed,
4. Learn lessons from the daily blog reading.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO REMEMBER?
Please decide what platform you want to use to commensurate (complete or remember) the end of every blog. It needs to be how you answer questions, complete a Daily Review, and so on at the end of the reading every day. In other words, you need to keep a journal or you need to keep a workbook you create if you don't like to journal. They are really the same. However, semantics make all the difference as to whether you'll feel motivated ti keep one. Call it whichever you prefer: workbook or journal.

WHAT TYPE OF JOURNAL OR WORKBOOK DO YOU WANT TO KEEP?
There are two types of workbooks or journals: Paper or Digital.

THE PAPER TYPE
If you want to keep the paper type of journal or workbook, here are the types you may choose, but please note this is hardly an exhaustive list:
1. A blank or lined book or journal
2. A spiral notebook
3. A 3-ring binder with notebook paper
4. A Manila file folder and paper
5. Legal pads--small or large
6. Note cards and filing system
7. Anything else you can think of. Also, if you do come up with other other ideas, please add a comment at the bottom of this blog or email me at: stacyduplease@storiesbystacy.com

THE DIGITAL TYPE
If you want to keep s digital workbook or journal, here are a few types:
1. Word documents(s)
2. Email yourself daily
3. On your calendar/planner
4. An Internet journal
5. A blog (to share or keep private)
6. Anything else you can think of. Also, if you do come up with other other ideas, please add a comment at the bottom of this blog or email me at: stacyduplease@storiesbystacy.com

***Note: Just remember whichever format you choose to use, keep it forever and never throw it away. Here's why:
1. You'll want to re-read it later and evaluate where you've come on your journey.
2. You'll want to re-read it later in order to remember what God has done in your life.

Both reasons why are critical. If you want to grow as much as possible and draw as near top God as you are able, this will help you with that endeavor.

But for now, good luck. May the Lord guide you as you complete these reflective questions.

REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS FOR CHAPTER 1
Take out your workbook or journal and answer the following questions:
1. How deep is your faith? Is it shallow (meaning not very good), stagnate (meaning not moving; not warm), or is your faith deep today?Explain.
2. How do you want your faith to be and what does that look like? Describe it in at least 4 sentences. Preferably 8-12.
3. How close are you to God today? Explain.
4. How well do you believe God today? Explain.
5. How well do you know God today? Explain.
6. Do you seek God first in all you do today? Explain.
7. Are you living for heaven today or for man or the world? Explain.
8. Have you been in the Word today? Describe.
9. How's your prayer life today? What have you prayed today? What should you have prayed today, but haven't? Why?
10. How has God spoken to you over the last couple of months and about what? Have you responded?
11. How has God spoken to you over the last week and about what? Have you responded?
12. How has God spoken to you today and about what? Have you responded?
13. What have you said to God today?
14. What have you learned from today and not just from this blog or book?

CLOSING VERSE

John 15:2 of the NASB states,
"'Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He [a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.'"


By Stacy Duplease
of Stories by Stacy