LIFE IN BLOOM

Learning How to Flourish in God's Grace

Tag Archives: Religion


by 1 Comment

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.


by Leave a comment

Go With What YOU Know

So I wouldn’t normally advocate for “going with what you know”, mostly because I recognize that what we think we know can be flawed based on our perspective, our circumstances, our life history, and a zillion other things.

However, I’ve faced some challenges recently that have forced me to follow this “go with what you know” advice.  As I’ve begun to move forward, making and preparing for different changes in my life, I’ve faced resistance.  While this is to be expected, it’s forced me to also reexamine what I know- and HOW it is that I have this knowledge. 

The challenges that I’ve faced this year have forced me to plug in (even more) to God and to trust where He is guiding me and what He is telling me.  I’ve been forced to not only trust God, but to go with what I know He has told me, shown me, and promised me; moving confidently in that direction regardless of the dissatisfaction of others.

It’s not to say that the dissatisfaction of others is meaningless.  I strongly believe in seeking Godly counsel.  At the same time, there’s a point where relationships change because people change and are headed in different directions.  Sometimes as relationships change, we’re not able to provide people with the best advice for them because we’re examining them through a lens that is no longer applicable.  That said, I believe in taking advice from people who have been where I have been and who are where I desire to be.  Those are who I believe that I can trust to help be the bridge between my now and my future.  

But ultimately, despite who’s been providing me with Godly counsel, praying for me, praying with me, and supporting me; this has really been a time where I’ve had to rest in God and go with what I know through Him. 

Until next time- peace and blessings!