A Worldview Challenge from Charity

Hey guys! My friend Charity Anne from Footprints in the Sand is having a giveaway! But it's not just any giveaway: it comes with a challenge. On her worldview blog, Think Hard Think Well, she has challenged everybody to write an essay answering this question....

Do you believe it is right for Christians to break the law of the land under certain circumstances?


Go HERE to read the full instructions or if you have any questions about it for her. The giveaway is a surprise, and I'm sure it will be awesome!

An essay is really not as hard as it sounds. It's basically just three paragraphs with an introduction and concluding paragraph! You can do this! And it would be so worthwhile! I encourage you all to think about accepting this challenge. The deadline for the essay is November 2, 2010, so get going on it!

I Cannot Believe It!!!

I can remember the night when I asked my mom if I could start a blog. It was thrilling to think that I was going to have my very own sight where I could post anything I wanted! I had so many plans, ideas for making it unique and insightful. I created my blog so carefully...I wanted everything to be perfect! After much thought, I named my blog and posted the first post. Exactly one year ago, Blooming In Christ began.

Okay. Hold on while I let out some excitement.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOOMING IN CHRIST!!!  =)

I can't help but smile when I think about how God uses the simplest things to grow me, like my blog. I originally began it with the purpose of encouraging others in the Lord. But, of course, God has used it to grow me. I thought that it might be fun to take a look back where Blooming in Christ has been over this past year....



My "whys" of starting a blog. Ahhh, good memories.

I began my posting in October of 2009 with a study I had done on the roots of Halloween. I'll admit - it wasn't the lightest topic, but it was something I wanted to know because it is a controversial holiday among Christians. There were four posts in this series, and if you'd like to read them, go to the posts in the month of October in 2009.

Then there's November. Yes, each November another page of my life is turned. That year was a special time for me.

Oh yes. The waffle. I never will forget that one!

My life seems to be destined for embarrassing moments. This is proof.

God is so good. Whenever I begin to doubt His sovereignty, I can go back here, to a record of His amazing faithfulness!

Good times with family! That is definitely something I love to share on my blog! =) I love pictures too!

Wow. I started playing tennis last year. That seems ages ago! lol

How could I forget the disease? You know, Affluenza. That video was a huge eye-opener for me!


There's not a ton of posts. I'm not the expert in grammar. Humor is something I lack. Sometimes I get busy and don't post. My blog is not perfect, but it is a journey. God is the guide, I am His follower, and I will go wherever He leads. I pray that this blog will be a testimony to God's goodness and faithfulness as I record what He is doing and how He is growing me.

Blooming in Christ.



You know the feeling when...

...when you've completed something really challenging? Something that, at first, you weren't sure how you would complete it? Well, I have that feeling right now. I have just written an essay on a five-line poem!!! (It was "A Man Said to the Universe" by Stephan Crane.) The essay was supposed to be on the worldview of the poem/author. As you can guess, I had to focus on what the poem implied, rather than what it said ('cause it didn't say much). It felt so good to finish it, because I felt as though I had completed something of utmost substance! =D Satisfaction in work is a wonderful feeling.

I know how busy life can get with school and activities, but remember to keep persevering and doing your best in your work. God commands us to do everything for His glory--that includes our everyday responsibilities! =)

"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man. (Ephesians 6:5-7)

Doing hard things are hard, but in the end, it's so worth it! So keep pressing on, doing your work as for the Lord, even in your busy life! There is a special promise for those who do everything for the Lord, and it's found in the very next verse!

" knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free." (Ephesians 6:8)

Food for Thought: Water

Water from Cornerstone Church on Vimeo.

Americans consume an average of 70-100 gallons of water every day. The developing world consumes under 3 gallons a day, much of which contains infectious diseases. Do you take water for granted? I definitely do! Millions are dying because of the lack of water, or because of the contamination of it.

You can help change this. Each of these organizations were started by teens. I encourage you to visit their sites and encourage each one them who have chosen to take a stand and change the world. Leave them an uplifting comment and encourage them in the Lord! It is a huge responsibility to run a ministry such as these! Ask God how you can also help to make a change, whether it be praying, giving, or whatever. God will use you to make a difference if you let Him.

Wake Up Stand Up


Do: Living Water


Teens For Orphans International

When Life Is a Tragedy & Death Is Not

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." - Apostle Paul

Why are Paul's words such a radical statement? First of all, living for someone other than yourself is pretty much unheard of in this culture. Second, dying is something that we've been taught to dread.

Have you ever thought about why you value life so much? (And if you're living right now, there's a good chance that you value life.) One of my friends recently challenged me with that question. It really got me thinking: Why do I value life? What makes it so precious to me? Worldly pleasures? Human approval? Social status? Amusement? Or maybe I value life because I have a fear of the "unknown"?

Let's look for a minute at what Paul says about death. He considered it gain. In fact, he said that to depart and be with Christ is "far better"! Paul could sincerely say that because he didn't value his own life. He valued Christ. To live meant to live for Christ, to die meant to meet Him.

So let me ask you: What do you value? Be honest, for the answer will pretty much determine what you're living for. Personally, I have been asking God to show me the things that I value too dearly in this life, and I would challenge you to do the same. If everything you treasure is of this world, then dying can't be gain and living can't be Christ.

When life is lived for pleasure, comfort, and self, that life is a tragic one. Don't miss out on the privilege of living for Christ and magnifying Him. In the end, dying will be gain, not tragedy.