life beyond the well…


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My Heart’s Cry

If you’ve followed this blog for any amount of time, you’ll know that it’s changed. It’s changed because I have changed.  And that’s okay.

This blog has always been about my thoughts and feelings; the things that I think are important.  And there was a time where I blogged for readers; seeking a huge following.  That doesn’t happen much anymore.  I’m actually surprised that people read what I write, especially as the focus of the blog has shifted to deal with me and how I reconcile, negotiate, and handle (or get handled) by my faith.  Yet, I post my blog in public forums (such as Facebook and Twitter) because I always desire to encourage people in the grace of the Lord.

I’ve recently given a lot of thought to “my mission statement” (posted just over to the right of this entry), which states:

“I want to help people live their best life. I am passionate about Jesus, serving others, education, and leadership development; and I desire to use those things to help people be who God has called them to be. I will live a life that will make God and my family proud.”

As I continue to think about that, the cry of my heart leads me to the song “The Greatness of You” by Don Moen (or Lakeview Worship).  The lyrics are EXACTLY nearly an exact interpretation of what I mean in my mission statement:

“I wanna sing of Your love/Wanna sing of Your mercy/I wanna tell the whole world/Of the greatness of You/So I’ll sing of Your love/And I’ll sing of Your mercy/And I’ll tell the whole world/Of the greatness of You/Jesus, we lift up Your name…”

THAT is what I want. And by doing so, I will be helping people to live their best life.  Could it be so simple?  Perhaps.  But with a heart surrendered to God, ordinary things can be used as an act of worship and praise.  So often we get caught up in the hype that we must do BIG things for God some of the time.  However, doing little things for God consistently; things like faithfully serving the poor and the widows, tithing to our local church, helping to lead children in the way of the Lord; can have a huge impact for the Kingdom, and can change lives, hearts, and minds.

Lord, help me be faithful in the little things so that You will know that You can trust me with the big things.  Show me how to merge my mission and my heart’s cry in a way that will give You glory.


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Two Things I Know for 2012…

2011 challenged and stretched me in many ways.  I’m thankful for the growth, challenges, and blessings that I experienced and I know that God has more to do.  As I leave 2011 and prepare for 2012, here are two things that I know:

The love that God has for us is so overwhelming and amazing, and I’m not sure that I can explain it all.  Just over the course of this year, I have witnessed God’s love, grace, and mercy in my life and the lives of others, and it is always so humbling and awesome.  Seriously, God; Who am I that you are mindful of me?

Knowing and understanding the power and magnitude of God’s love is one thing that I’m confident of for 2012.  The other thing that I’m confident of is my desire to be better; to have a better heart for God and for others.  Which brings me to this:

I’m believing and trusting God for this; knowing that He can do all things.

Here’s to a year of resting in His love and His power to change hearts, minds, and lives.  Wishing you God’s love, peace, joy, and blessings in 2012!