ENCOURAGEMENT in the Body of Christ

---> Being encouraged, believed in and Knowing that people want to see the BEST in my life has greatly impacted me.God has blessed me beyond measure with family and friends who come along the side of me and have encouraged and pushed me. I know my relationship with God would not be where its at without discipleship and encouragement/being believed in.


We are called to be the BODY of Christ. To walk together hand in hand. Lifting each other up. Encouraging, cheering and being real with each other. Moving forward- to win souls for the Kingdom of God.

But today satan has a different plan. If we aren't a body of Christ, we are just a body--> One person. and that's when its just about us- we get so wrapped up in our life. We don't have enough time for others and if we do we only want to spend our time with who we want to be with. We are selfish. ( and I'm guilty of this too)

We are all hurt, broken people. None of us have had the PERFECT life. We are all sinners saved by grace. and although our circumstances maybe different. We are not at all. 

I've messed up time after time and have experienced forgiveness and grace from both God and my leaders. and without it I wouldn't be in this spot.

So, when I look at others- God reminds me to look through eyes of grace.
Remembering I've been there and if I don't come along the side of them and encourage- I may never have another opportunity to run this race along the side of them.

The past month I've been on the road traveling with my Master's team. We've been to Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and of course Iowa-  and all the places we have been we've met people from so many cultures and living conditions and they are all at different places in their life.

I had to just take time to process it all- and to see the importance of life and how I was living.

I don't want to live to get the best material things or to have better fashion than the person next to me..

I don't want to be caught up on the latest gossip of my friends or the people in my church/town..You see- if we were a true encourager- we would STOP what is being talked about and go to that person and help them. (whenever there is drama among our friends, I don't care if  you are young, or old- it all has to with someone being hurt/brokenhearted /insecure) they NEED the LOVE OF JESUS- and you! The words you speak are life or death. Choose life. 

I don't want to see myself as better than anyone and look down upon the people God has called me to encourage and lift up-


I'm not called to one ministry. I'm not called to keep up with the latest trends, I'm not called to be about Brittany Bluhm.

 I'm called to show people Jesus. To encourage them. To walk beside them and hold them when the enemy attacks.




I believe with all my heart that if we would take the time to put aside these little things that build up walls between us we would see change in our world. If we could start looking through eyes of grace and coming down to the level of those who are hurting and help them find the HEALER- and walk with them as the BODY OF CHRIST-

we would be unstoppable for the kingdom of God.

So today I just want to encourage you to be the member of the Body of Christ who is going to move- be active. Think: who around you needs to be lifted up? Who is feeling shame and needs to know they are not being condemned- but can be forgiven. Who needs to know they are not alone on this journey?
Let's take back what the enemy is trying to steal and be THE BODY of CHRIST!

Encourage. Love. Bear each others burdens. and  Rejoice with one another.

What does GOD say about THIS issue or THAT issue?

My Favorite book: THE BIBLE! The Author: My God. My Creator. My Savior. My King!

It's sacred. It brings clarity to all situations. Any issue on life- there is wisdom. Every time I read it I feel like I'm reading it for the first time and falling in love with God all over again.

In this book we learn about Creation. How the earth, land, clouds and stars were created.  How man was created  and how you and I were formed in our mothers wombs. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

We see men and woman who feared God. They had an encounter with Him. Their lives were changed. They led by example and we get to learn from them!  


Then, we see men and woman who disobeyed God, turned their backs on Him and walked in evil and not in light and where the result of sin took them. 


We have the story of our Savior taking on the likeness of man and being born into this dark world and we see the perfect life He lived. We can learn about how He LOVED others and how He loves us. How He discipled twelve men and taught them His ways.

There is the story of His death ( He died to save us from our sins to have ETERNAL life with Him) and then we see His resurrection. (HE ROSE FROM THE DEAD!)  and then He sent the Holy spirit to be a Helper to us so we could know the TRUTH. So that He could convict the world of sin! He guides us into ALL truth.

The twelve men He discipled went on preaching and teaching the Gospel. the way of TRUTH.
and we get to see His commands, His Laws and His LOVE. and SO MUCH MORE!!


The Bible is TRUE.
The Bible is TRUTH.
The Bible is the WORD OF GOD.

 
So my thoughts:  The past couple days there has been so much going on in our society and so many arguments here and there. I see it on the TV and social media. Everyone has their opinion of what is right or what is wrong.

What does God say is right and what is wrong? It doesn't matter what our opinion is. 

Through all of this my heart is breaking because of how far away from the Word of God this Country has become and how HIS truth is not being taught or sought after.

I'm hearing/seeing "Christian" men and woman argue against/for something and their views are not even lining up with the word of God.

People claim to be Christians but look just like the world and are going against what the Bible says. 

In the Bible God gives us commands of how we are to live. What displeases Him and what pleases Him. it shows us what sin looks like.

So why are we teaming up with the world and saying it's okay to do THIS, or to do THAT?

We have become blinded and numb to the word of God.
We care more about being accepted and pleasing man more than pleasing GOD. 

I'm praying that we can turn our hearts back to God and back to His TRUTH.

We all are sinners and all need Jesus and I'm so thankful that God continues to work on us, and He forgives us of our sins but we must walk away from that sin and not continue to live in it.

I challenge you to get into the BIBLE. Seek TRUTH!







 

"If you love me keep my commandments."  John 14:15


 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. " John 14:23&24

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action). 2 Timothy 3:16

I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law. Psalm 119: 15
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 12:4

But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. James 1:22


I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart. Psalms 40:8




 

When you KNOW God- You don't stay the same.

Go to church.

Feel convicted.

Live off the sermon for the few days.

Go back to the same old life. 

This happens time after time. 

I lived my life like this for years and you know what?  I liked to feel convicted. That way I could feel like God was doing something in me. 

 I didn't know how to change or how to live a freed life and the bottom line... I was just too LAZY. 

I was raised in a christian home. Grew up in the church (3 days a week) Went to a private christian school. I could tell you every bible story, I could sing to you every bible club song. I didn't drink. I didn't cuss. I didn't smoke. I was a good girl. 

But yet I felt so empty.  

I tried to feel that void by whatever the world had to offer me and nothing changed. 

I think so many christians feel this way and don't really know how to change. 

They feel alone and think the rest of the church is judging them because they don't have the perfect christian life. 

well here is a secret... 

NO ONE has the perfect christian life. We are all sinners. We all need Jesus the same amount. But some people do whatever it takes to get to Jesus and lay aside laziness, and the lies satan throws at them. 

But others walk in apathy and go through the motions. 

Just showing up for church, singing some worship songs, listening to a sermon and then running to the alter isn't  going to be enough for you. 

We are broken people. We have hurts. We have pains that we have carried for years. and we think it's normal to walk a life in defeat. 

We go to church just to check it off our list. . . and we read the bible to comfort us because of the hard times we are going through and maybe throughout the week we will put a status on facebook about God and maybe we aren't doing anything "bad".

But thing you need to understand is His love! Because that's what changes us. 

He died on the cross because He LOVED us. So we could spend eternity with Him.  

Once you start to walk in His unfailing love and FALL IN LOVE with Jesus, you WON'T be able to stay the same. 

I think back to my life. I had such hurt and pain. I walked in insecurity and didn't feel worth anything. I was bound by lies and went through all the motions of the christian life. 

I took everything I was given for granted.

Yes, I had a good life. But a good life isn't enough and it won't satisfy you. 

but Jesus is enough. 

I just want to encourage you to do all you can to get to Him. It's a DAILY THING.

Set aside time for prayer EVERY DAY ( How awesome is it that we get to spend time with the Creator of the Universe?!?)  and we can KNOW HIM!!

Read your Bible! Fall in love with Him!! 

The more we learn about God and fall in love with Him, we understand who HE IS. Why HE created us and who we are in HIM. 

I'm free. I'm restored. I'm whole. I'm redeemed. I'm His. 

and no, I'm not perfect. But my Jesus is and I want to stay as close as I can to Him. 

I pray for each one of you that read this and that God really starts to stir in you a new desire, a new passion for Him. That you don't just go through the motions, but you FALL IN LOVE with Him. That you experience His unfailing love. and that you will be used of Him- to show OTHERS His LOVE! 

Be blessed today and remember- You're loved!!! 

I did absolutely nothing and He chose me because of love.

I'm not going to promise to be consistant on here.We all know how many times I have apologized for blogging only twice a year.

But, I will blog when God lays something on my heart to share and I know that if God is involved it's what  someone needs to hear.

It makes me so happy to know that I serve a God who cares. Who is faithful and loving. Who has given me so many chances and has covered me with grace. Who keeps on pursuing after me and has CHOSEN me to be his daughter.

YES- He Chose me.

That just BLOWS my mind. ---> GOD CHOSE ME. He has captured my heart and brought me to the place where I get to LOVE him with ALL of my heart, soul and mind.

I get to move the heart of God with my praise, my love, and my adoration to Him. He delights in it.
and you know what!? I didn't have to do ONE THING to deserve this love.

I think about celebrities...and athletes who the world will OBSESS with. ( I've had my share of celebrity crushes...and athletes) But when we think about it.. HOW SILLY. They are people. They are NOT my GOD. Although, I could worship them like they are and yes, people do-  They want their autograph. They will do anything to get a chance to see them in person. and then the real crazies CRY when they get into the presence of them. . . . and what do those moments do?



Do they change our life? ( maybe if we are obsessed enough)
Are we made complete and found our hearts desire?
Have we found the thing that will sustain us?
Are we going to be able to change other peoples lives in the eternal perspective of things? 

No to all of the above.

But I worship and serve God- The King of Kings, The Creator of the Universe, My Saviour.... and with Him I see hope arise. I see lives that are broken- healed. I've experienced a love that NEVER fails. I'm made complete and whole. I'm changed forever.

 He CHOSE me and I'm forever Grateful!

Do our feelings dictate how we serve God?

Here I am jumping up and down screaming "YES! YES THEY DO! " okay, I'll calm down.....

So.....The dictionary tells me that

"Feeling" (adjective) is : sensitive; sentient.

readily affected by emotion; sympathetic: a feeling heart.

indicating or characterized by emotion: a feeling reply to the charge.

and

"Emotion" (noun)  is an affective state of consciousness in which joy, sorrow, fear, hate, or the like, is experienced, as distinguished from cognitive and volitional states of consciousness.

 If you know me.. you know I have A LOT of emotions. So, I suppose you can call me an "emotional girl". and NO... not EMO (beka;) and I know most girls hate being called emotional..but we have to just get over it. and be happy we feel everything:) :) *take note: Don't take things too personal or be overly sensitive..but be sensitive to peoples feelings..... and I will stop because this blog isn't focused to only emotional girls. Ha. okay!

But, when I'm happy I will laugh. When I'm overjoyed I will probably be creepily smiling in my own world. When I'm sad you will be able to see it in my eyes, and I most likely will cry. When I'm angry. I will punch the first person I see. Okay... Actually I've never really punched anyone. So, forget that- But, when I'm angry I will probably look angry and have an attitude problem. and my flesh...even though I have to pray against it daily and sometimes 72 times a day. It on occasion comes out. But by God's grace- I'm a work in progress!

Anyway- So, me being the emotional person that I am. It's easy to live my life on FEELINGS. and a lot of the time I do. When I wake up in the morning I have to tell myself not to live on feelings. and that usually gets me out of bed. Because otherwise, I would sleep until noon. and would NEVER work out. I would eat lots of carbs and go to dairy queen for a blizzard daily. and I would do whatever else MY FEELINGS wanted. Instead of doing what I knew I had to do or what was right to do.

A lot of the times, we let our FEELINGS dictate how we are going to serve God.

Our relationship with God is so much more than just a feeling. It's more than a hyped up worship service with lights flashing and every instrument going.  It's more than just attending a weekly church service. or conference,  It's more than just calling yourself a Christian.

It's surrendering yourself daily. 

---> I can go to an AMAZING church service. The presence of God is there and in that moment I know there is no place I want to be but right there. God always pours out his goodness on me and sometimes either shows me something in my life that needs to be changed, or something He wants of me. And every time, I'm ready to change. I no longer desire things of this world and all that matters to me in that moment is GOD. and I will serve Him no matter what.

All those things ^ They are true. and you maybe thinking- That's an emotion or feeling you are going off of in that moment. But what I'm trying to get across is, that we cant take this emotion or feeling and just LIVE OFF OUR EXPERIENCE. Because we were created to SERVE God NOW...and in the moments of being in His presence, It encourages us to go after Him and to continue to walk in His fullness.

In our daily life it can get hard because sometimes we don't always feel God and maybe we are going through a dry season but those are the moments you really have to fight your feelings, and choose to serve God. To read the bible, and to pray. to SURRENDER. and to remain faithful. and the world will tell us otherwise because world doesn't understand. The world isn't cheering for us to live a Holy life, consecrated to God. Satan is in the world, distracting us, discouraging us and wanting to destroy our life so we can't tell the world about a loving God. and we forget about what God showed us or changed in us and it start's to be about how we feel again, and not about the truth. and I've been in this spot more times then I can count.


But when it's about God I find Joy. I find peace, I find contentment. The things of the world pass away. and my emotions aren't about me. It's about living my life completely for my HIM.  ---> Let me decrease so that HE may increase.

Serve Him because He is WORTHY. He LOVES us even though we fail daily. He died for us so that we can live with Him for eternity, He delights in us, He is always faithful. and I know, & have experienced that His plans are far greater than ANYTHING!

Be BLESSED TODAY!!










 

Children are a BLESSING- especially to this AUNTIE! :)

I realize I haven't blogged since September and you know what? I don't feel that bad because I have been very busy...Well,  for the most part and when I do have free time, I only want to sit and do nothing. but today I was inspired. As you see- I changed my little header to "Bluhm (bloom) where you're planted. "  because BLUHM is my last name and right now in this season of my life I know I'm to Bloom right where I am. In EVERY situation.

So that's my update on my blog! AND NOW- I want to talk to you about one of my most TREASURED titles. "Auntie Brit"

I'm an auntie to five beautiful children.

Yes, FIVE is correct. But this first happen when I was 13 years old. I became an aunt to twin boys-
                                        Elijah & Jonah.

                     Elijah (curly hair) and Jonah (straight hair) Age:4 here

AHH! They are so CUTE! :)

                                                             STUDS!

I was so happy because I always wanted a baby brother or sister and this was the closest thing I got :) I remember the first Christmas we had with them I told my parents to spend more money on them and less on me. To me I was no longer the "baby of the family." and I was SO EXCITED to be an auntie. They were PERFECT in every way and they stole my heart the moment I saw them. and continue to do so EVERYDAY. they make me so proud and are growing up to be such HANDSOME, SWEET, AMAZING little men.






             Jasmine Rose

                                             Jasmine: 2 years old here

She came 3 years later. She is her own kind. A little fireball, spunky, shy, crazy, funny, a jokester and much more. She always knows how to make me laugh, even if she is trying so hard not to make eye contact and hold back her smile as I yell across the school in front of her classmates " JASMINE, I LOVE YOU!!.. Love me for who I am!"  She is BEAUTIFUL. and full of life. I love her so:)

              Jasmine (6 years old now) and I

                                                        VIOLET JOY

My birthday sake! Let's take a walk down memory lane: August 31st- My mom came in the room at 3:30 AM and said  " I'm going to Jaime and Cristy's! Cristy is in Labor and its your birthday!"
I jumped out of bed and started getting ready at 4:00 A.M. because 1. its my birthday ( had to get a start on my day) and 2. I was going to have a NIECE BORN on my BIRTHDAY! ( and there would be photos)
I went over to be with my mom at the house ( because the 3 other kids were still sleeping)  and I woke them up singing happy birthday to myself.

We got ready and arrived to mason city by 6:30 AM.

Went to Perkins and had a birthday breakfast.

and Somewhere around 7 something my brother called and said VIOLET JOY had been born at 7:00AM.

Crazy part? I was born at 7:03AM! so we are 23 years and 3 min apart.

                                                                 Auntie Brit and Baby Vi

                                                              With MY FOUR!

                                  Jonah likes to call her CHUBS. AHH! she is PERFECT:)

               

       WE LOVE EACH OTHER!

So as you can tell, Violet has captured my heart. and every time I see her. My heart gets happy and I can't help but kiss her a MILLION times. Her and I have a VERY special bond and it maybe because we have the same birthday or because we are both crazy:) She loves when I act all out of control. She sits there laughing and wants me to keep being crazy. I LOVE HER:) and I know we will be best buds!

                                                                      <3

          
       
        Judah Barton James

                                                    

He's just a little guy. So sweet. and CUTE! I will never forget the first time I saw him. (as I write this I start to cry) I got to be in the room as my sister gave birth to this little man. It was the most INTENSE, CRAZY, Life changing moments! I think I went through EVERY EMOTION in that delivery room and as soon as he came out,  I started SOBBING and ran over to the table to get a good look at him and as he laid there SCREAMING loudly, He looked at me. and again, I fell in love. HE IS A STUD! and even though he lives a state away. He knows his auntie LOVES him so MUCH! :)

                                             When we first met:)

                                                   Auntie and BABY JUDAH!

                                           Isn't he ADORABLE!??!?!?!? =)

                                              I LOVE BABY "BART" :)   



JUST SOME RANDOM PICTURES:

        So here they are: MY joys
                        

I thank God for these five and pray that they continue to grow up healthy and have a HEART FOR GOD! I also pray that I'm the BEST auntie to them and make sure they are always LOVED and spoiled:) But not the bratty spoiled of course!






SHOUT OUT TO my siblings that made this all possible: James&Cristy and Joel&Brook! :)


THE END!



















                                                 

Please Forgive me for my SLACKINGNESS

You see...Master's Commission started the beginning of this month so it has been NON-STOP busy moments!

Uh...Did you hear what I said? MASTER'S STARTED!

so- I will talk about Master's......

I'm expecting great things for this year! Relationships with God to go deeper, Restoration in our hearts and thoughts, Victories to be won, Strongholds to be broken and all together LIVES CHANGED for the kingdom of God. That we will take up the call and be a disciple.

                                                             Our TEAM:)







 This year we have 2 first year students and 2 second year students. and It's a BEAUTIFUL thing... I love the smallness and closeness of the group. I can already see God doing so much in each of their lives and it makes me SO HAPPY!!

UH HUH! That's me being excited & THIS IS DANAE my fellow second year"er".
She is always such an encouragement to me and it's been so awesome to see her grow the past year! I can't wait to see what is in store for her. I know it will be amazing. She is beautiful inside&out:)

  This is MISS REBECCA!..She is our young buck...our little grasshopper.  :)
 She brings a smile to my face and always is inspiring me to keep on telling jokes.(not always a good thing because my jokes can get me in trouble;) But I'm so blessed she is here and expecting God to do GREAT things in her life this year!! SHE IS WONDERFUL!!

  This is Mr. Jeremy Pietens. He is from Arkansas...so he has a PRETTY SWEET sounding acce--ACTUALLY... I would call it an accent..but he says we have the accent & talk funny...so its a lose-lose situation...Dontcha Know?! And dont be deceived by this picture.. He DIDN'T enjoy this Pig tie. Beka and I gave it to him because it made sense to us....PIG SOOOOOOOIE!?!?! I guess not.  Anyway- Its been awesome having him here. He is a good balance to our mix. And has such a servants heart! I'm also so EXCITED for all God is going to do in his life! Ohhh...and.. He is an awesome drummer! :O

 

As for me I'm LOVING every moment of it. I know that God has so much He is going to do in my life this year. Another year of cutting things from my life....Yep, there has already been times where it "stings"...But I know God is taking me through these moments and all I have to do is DEPEND on Him and HIS strength. He has never let me down. He is faithful. He is GOOD!





  And I'm sure you are wondering about our wonderful Directors!?

HERE THEY ARE... Such a good looking couple:) && I'm honored and blessed to have them as my spiritual leaders!! They are SO LOVING. ENCOURAGING. and AMAZING. :)  *shout out* Thanks for all you two do & for the Sacrifice you have given to follow the call of God upon your life!  you both are SO STRONG! Thanks for ALWAYS loving me! LOVE YOU!!!!!




Well that's all I have for now. But prayers are appreciated for our team:) GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Life is LOVELY in Iowa&&Master's Commission,
Brittany