Encouraging & challenging people to be "rooted", "grounded" and "grow" and so bloom" where they are "planted" in their neighborhood, world and career...using their Passion"," Abilities"," Gifts", "Strengths" and prior "Experiences" God has gifted them with and thereby bringing glory and honor to the LORD. 1st Corinthians 10:31
Remembering Naomi Dassow and her life of faithful service
A brief reflection of Naomi and her early life
Naomi Koerwitz Dassow. A Journey of Faith and Dedication.
During the early to mid 70’s Naomi worked in Buckhorn, and Hazard Kentucky,
a region known for its rugged terrain and underserved population. She
joined forces with Lucile LeBeau at a rural health clinic. Armed with
her jeep, s he navigated the hollers, or narrow valleys, to make
mother-daughter visits. These visits were more than just routine
check-ups; they were lifelines for many families who had limited access
to medical care. Naomi’s dedication during these years was driven by her
Christian faith and values, which propelled her to serve in such a
challenging environment. Her work in Buckhorn laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors in Public Health or community healthcare. As a result, Naomi Koerwtiz Dassow made a lasting positive impact in Buckhorn, Hazard and Milwaukee.
Seeds were planted.
Naomi was encouraged by Urbana and The Frontier Nursing Service
in Kentucky, but it apparently wasn’t in the Lord’s will for her to
pursue midwifery with The Frontier Nursing Service. From 1975 to 1977,
Naomi Koerwitz RN worked in Buckhorn with Lucille LeBeau at a small
rural health clinic . Lucille LeBeau, was a midwife. Armed with her
jeep Naomi navigated the hollers, to make mother/baby visits. These
visits were more than just routine check-ups; they were lifelines for
many families who had limited access to medical care. Naomi’s dedication
during these years was driven by her Christian faith and values, which
propelled her to serve in such a challenging environment. Her work in
Buckhorn laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors in
public health.
Naomi’s time in Buckhorn was marked by
numerous heartwarming and challenging experiences. She often recounted
the stories of families who had never seen a healthcare provider before
her visits. Her presence brought not only medical care but also hope and
reassurance to the community.
The clinic ran out of funding and Naomi
was forced to make a difficult decision and despite her deep love for
the community she had come to serve, she reluctantly returned to
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she soon met and married Richard. All part
of God’s providence. She knew that her journey in
healthcare was far from over. The skills and experiences she gained in
Buckhorn would continue to guide her in her future roles.
Multiplying the seeds Naomi planted…
Naomi planted countless “seeds” during her short time in Buckhorn.
The impact of her work may not have been visible to her, but those
seeds sprouted and grew, creating a lasting legacy. She provided
essential healthcare, emotional support, and spiritual guidance,
touching the lives of many families. I remember what her highschool and
college friend Lauri wrote about their graduation: “In June of 1971 on our sunny windy graduation day, we stood together joyously on the campus lawn. As
our parents snapped pictures of us, we both knew we were taking
something “out into the world” with us that was far better than an
education!“ Furthermore, Naomi Koerwtiz Dassow continuously inspired others throughout her career. Naomi may never have seen the full harvest of the seeds she planted, but I believe heaven has kept a perfect record.
Spirit of Buckhorn
Back in Milwaukee, Naomi’s reputation as a
compassionate and dedicated healthcare provider preceded her. She
quickly found opportunities to continue her work, always carrying the spirit of Buckhorn with her.
Behind the Scenes:Interviewof Salvation Army Volunteer Chaplain Naomi
Richard & Naomi Dassow: “It was a
great experience to be serving as chaplains in a diverse multi ethnic
Christian group: Now 50 plus brothers and sisters representing over 44
different churches and 19 or more denominations. A diverse group,
culturally, socially, economically and geographically…just like Heaven
will be like and we can experience a little of it right here in
Milwaukee! What an opportunity to serve, using our spiritual gifts,
strengths, abilities, passion and are we are still learning.”
Our experience serving from 2015-2021. I
hesitated to write this article because…”Jesus must become more
important, while I become less important.” Contemporary English Version.
An article from The WarCry magazine.
At Faith Vision Service, I write about faith, vision, calling, grief, service, and finishing well. My hope is to encourage others—especially those navigating change, loss, retirement, aging, or new purpose—to see that God is not finished with them.
Life may change, but our calling to love, serve, grow, and trust God continues.
Visit my blog for reflections, Scripture, personal stories, and encouragement for the journey:
When my beloved wife Naomi took her final
breath on earth, I found myself enveloped by a profound sense of peace
that surpassed understanding. While the pain of loss lingered, my heart
was assured that Naomi’s journey was not over but simply transformed. My
faith tells me that Naomi’s spirit was welcomed into heaven—her true
home—where love, joy, and eternal connection await.
Naomi’s First Experience: Face to Face
with Jesus Christ after being escorted into His presence by angels. I
can only imagine what that was like. Her love of Jesus and her life
lived for His glory, and then finally seeing Him face to face.
Naomi’s First Experience in Eternity
I can only imagine the awe and peace that
must have flooded Naomi’s soul as she took her first steps into the
realm where faith becomes sight. After her final breath Naomi was gently
escorted by angels into the very presence of Jesus Christ. It is a
moment beyond the grasp of earthly words: the Savior she loved so
deeply, whose life and teachings shaped her every day, now standing
before her, face to face.
Years of devotion, worship, and longing
culminated in this sacred encounter. Naomi’s heart, which had always
beat with love for her Lord, must have overflowed as she gazed into the
eyes of the One who gave His life for her. The joy of meeting Jesus,
unfiltered and unmediated, is the fulfillment of every hope, every
prayer, every act of trust she ever offered.
A Family Reunion Like No Other
But the wonders of heaven did not end
there. Soon, Naomi was reunited with her beloved mom and dad, her
sister, and her brother and my mother—the family who had gone before
her. And her Jewish grandmother who also came to believe in Jesus. Naomi
was born after her grandmother died…but that reunion must have been
something! The embrace of loved ones long missed, the laughter and the
tears of reunion, filled this new beginning with profound comfort and
joy. Their bonds, never broken by time or distance, were now restored in
a place where sorrow and separation are no more.
And then, I can only imagine, but
speculate…that all the patients that Naomi visited during her brief time
in Buckhorn Kentucky as a rural health nurse, driving her jeep up the
hollers visiting people she had never seen before. Greeting her. What a
reunion!
Fellowship with the Saints
And so began Naomi’s eternal
fellowship—not just with her own family, but with countless others she
had only known from the pages of her Bible. She met the heroes of the
faith, the witnesses who inspired her journey: Abraham, Moses, Mary,
Peter, and so many more. Together, they worshiped the Lamb, sharing
stories of grace, redemption, and God’s unending love.
In heaven, Naomi’s journey continues—her
worship deeper, her joy complete, her love fulfilled. Surrounded by the
great cloud of witnesses, she sings, rejoices, and lives forever in the
presence of the King she so cherished on earth. And she awaits her
bodily physical resurrection on the new earth.
What a reunion. What glory. What hope for
all who share Naomi’s faith and await the day when they, too, will see
Jesus face to face. And I, Richard, have to remember that I will see
Naomi again soon, our time apart is just a short temporary separation.
If
you have lost a spouse through death, you know grief changes
everything. And if you have not yet experienced that loss, most of us
will one day face it with someone we love. In those moments, what can we
truly rely on for hope? What does Scripture say about heaven, eternity,
and those who have gone before us?
These reflections are written from a
Christian perspective—centered on those who follow Jesus Christ and
understand salvation not as something earned by good works, but received
as a free gift of grace through faith in Him. That distinction matters,
because many people assume they are “Christian” by moral effort or
tradition without ever engaging the deeper question Scripture raises:
what does it mean to truly belong to Christ?
When grief becomes personal, questions
about heaven are no longer abstract. They are not merely theological
ideas to discuss, but deeply human longings that arise in the quiet
moments after loss. Because of that, it matters where we go for answers.
Our emotions are real, but not always reliable guides. Memories are
precious, but they cannot reveal eternity. So we turn to something
steadier—Scripture.
People
don’t always believe in scripture. And we can put our own
interpretation on scripture. We have to remember, we are not God.
Everything depends on the
Resurrection of Jesus. Once we believe that, then the Holy Spirit gives
us enlightenment and joy, peace and contentment. But that is for another
article!
Questions we can ask when we face grief
Does the Bible say people in heaven can see us
Can people in heaven pray for us
What happens after death
What is the Christian view of heaven
Is there hope after death
Do loved ones in heaven know what happens on earth
The grand reunion
Biblical hope in grief
What does the Bible say about heaven
Christian grief comfort
Eternal life in Christ
What Does Scripture Actually Say?
The Bible does not answer every question
we might have about heaven in detail. It does not fully describe
everything those who have died in Christ experience or know regarding
life on earth. But it does give us clear and steady truths: those who
belong to Jesus are alive with Him, death is not the end of personal
existence, and nothing—not even death—can separate God’s people from His
love.
As the apostle Paul writes in the book of Epistle to the Romans: 8:38-39
“Neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That does not answer every curiosity about
heaven, but it establishes something unshakable: those who are in
Christ are secure in Him—both now and forever.
It is also important to understand what
Scripture means when it speaks of belonging to Christ. It does not
define this identity as something earned through moral effort, religious
tradition, or good works. Instead, it describes receiving God’s grace
through faith in Jesus. This matters, because many people assume
Christianity is primarily about trying to live a good life. But at its
core, the Christian message is not human achievement—it is divine gift.
What Christians Have Thought About Heaven and Awareness
Christians who take Scripture seriously
have not all come to identical conclusions about what those in heaven
know or experience regarding life on earth. While there is strong
agreement on the core truths—that believers are alive with Christ and
secure in Him—there is more diversity when it comes to questions
Scripture does not explicitly answer.
Some, such as pastor and author Erwin W. Lutzer in One Minute After You Die,
emphasize careful restraint. He focuses on what Scripture clearly
teaches and avoids going beyond it. From this perspective, questions
about awareness of earthly events or involvement in them are left open.
Others, such as Randy Alcorn in Heaven,
explore those questions more fully. He carefully distinguishes between
what Scripture explicitly states and what it may suggest. He points to
passages such as Revelation’s descriptions of heavenly awareness as
possible indications that those in heaven may have some knowledge of
earthly events and may bring concerns before God, while still avoiding
absolute certainty.
Still others, like Jennifer Rothschild in When Faith Becomes Sight,
emphasize trust over speculation. Her focus is not on answering every
detail about heaven, but on resting in the character of God when we
cannot yet see clearly. Faith, in her writing, matters more than full
understanding.
And finally, authors like John Burke in Imagine Heaveninclude
near-death experience accounts as additional reflections on what heaven
may be like. These stories often describe peace, awareness, and
relational connection. While not a replacement for Scripture, they are
presented as possible supportive testimony that aligns with biblical
themes of life beyond death.
Taken together, these perspectives form
not a single answer, but a spectrum of Christian reflection—ranging from
strict caution, to theological exploration, to pastoral trust, to
experiential testimony.
So What Can We Hold Onto With Confidence?
After considering Scripture and these
reflections, we are still left with unanswered questions. The Bible does
not give a detailed description of everything those in heaven may know
or do regarding life on earth. But it does give something far more
important than complete information—it gives certainty about God
Himself.
Those who die in Christ are not lost,
forgotten, or disconnected from Him. They are alive in His presence,
held securely in His love, and fully known by Him.
That means the deepest comfort for
grieving hearts is not found in the details of what heaven is like, but
in the character of the One who holds both heaven and earth. Nothing can
separate those in Christ from His love—not even death itself.
So can those in heaven pray for us, or be
aware of us, or continue to care for us? Scripture does not give a
direct, definitive answer to every aspect of that question. It does,
however, give glimpses of a living, conscious, worshiping heaven, where
God’s people are present with Him and aligned with His purposes. Because
of that, some Christian thinkers see room for continued awareness and
concern, while others prefer to remain silent where Scripture is silent.
In the end, Christian hope is not built on
certainty about heavenly mechanics, but on certainty about Christ. If
we belong to Him, then those we have lost in Him are not beyond His
care—and neither are we.
And for those walking through grief,
perhaps the most important truth is this: even when we cannot fully see
what heaven is like, we can trust the One who is already there.
You may have questions of your own not answered here…
After considering Scripture and the
different ways Christians have reflected on heaven, we are still left
with some unanswered questions. The Bible does not give us a detailed
description of everything those in heaven may know or do regarding life
on earth. But it does give us something far more important than complete
information—it gives us certainty about God Himself. Those who die in
Christ are not lost, forgotten, or disconnected from Him. They are alive
in His presence, held securely in His love, and fully known by Him.
My
conclusion reflects on the peaceful passing of Naomi, expressing my
deep faith and sense of comfort in her transition to heaven. It
highlights themes of hope, reunion, and assurance that Naomi’s spirit
now resides in a place of eternal love and joy, with the promise of
meeting Jesus Christ face to face.
Naomi’s Peaceful Transition
When my beloved wife Naomi took her final
breath on earth, I found myself enveloped by a profound sense of peace
that surpassed understanding. While the pain of loss lingered, my heart
was assured that Naomi’s journey was not over but simply transformed. My
faith tells me that Naomi’s spirit was welcomed into heaven—her true
home—where love, joy, and eternal connection await.
Naomi’s First Experience: Face to Face
with Jesus Christ after being escorted into His presence by angels. I
can only imagine what that was like. Her love of Jesus and her life
lived for His glory, and then finally seeing Him face to face.
Naomi’s First Experience in Eternity
I can only imagine the awe and peace that
must have flooded Naomi’s soul as she took her first steps into the
realm where faith becomes sight. After her final breath Naomi was gently
escorted by angels into the very presence of Jesus Christ. It is a
moment beyond the grasp of earthly words: the Savior she loved so
deeply, whose life and teachings shaped her every day, now standing
before her, face to face.
Years of devotion, worship, and longing
culminated in this sacred encounter. Naomi’s heart, which had always
beat with love for her Lord, must have overflowed as she gazed into the
eyes of the One who gave His life for her. The joy of meeting Jesus,
unfiltered and unmediated, is the fulfillment of every hope, every
prayer, every act of trust she ever offered.
A Family Reunion Like No Other
But the wonders of heaven did not end
there. Soon, Naomi was reunited with her beloved mom and dad, her
sister, and her brother and my mother—the family who had gone before
her. And her Jewish grandmother who also came to believe in Jesus. Naomi
was born after her grandmother died…but that reunion must have been
something! The embrace of loved ones long missed, the laughter and the
tears of reunion, filled this new beginning with profound comfort and
joy. Their bonds, never broken by time or distance, were now restored in
a place where sorrow and separation are no more.
And then, I can only imagine, but
speculate…that all the patients that Naomi visited during her brief time
in Buckhorn Kentucky as a rural health nurse, driving her jeep up the
hollers visiting people she had never seen before. Greeting her. What a
reunion!
Fellowship with the Saints
And so began Naomi’s eternal
fellowship—not just with her own family, but with countless others she
had only known from the pages of her Bible. She met the heroes of the
faith, the witnesses who inspired her journey: Abraham, Moses, Mary,
Peter, and so many more. Together, they worshiped the Lamb, sharing
stories of grace, redemption, and God’s unending love.
In heaven, Naomi’s journey continues—her
worship deeper, her joy complete, her love fulfilled. Surrounded by the
great cloud of witnesses, she sings, rejoices, and lives forever in the
presence of the King she so cherished on earth. And she awaits her
bodily physical resurrection on the new earth.
What a reunion. What glory. What hope for
all who share Naomi’s faith and await the day when they, too, will see
Jesus face to face. And I, Richard, have to remember that I will see
Naomi again soon, our time apart is just a short temporary separation.
Each person is a unique expression of
God’s loving design. While we may all feel alone or lonely at times, it
is important to remember the divine truths about our existence.
God Created You with Intention
You are not an accident! Isaiah 44:2 reminds us that God is our creator and cared for us even before we were born.
The Bible assures us, “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalm 138:8).
Your Body, Mind, and Gifts Are Carefully Designed
God chose every detail of your body—your race, skin color,
hair, features—and gifted you with natural talents and personality.
Psalm 139:15-16 celebrates this thoughtful craftsmanship.
Though much emphasis might be placed on spiritual gifts,
remember the beauty and intentionality in all the other aspects of your
being.
The creative process did not stop at childbirth; God has
been molding and shaping you over the years with meticulous care and
love.
Your Uniqueness is a Gift
He placed you in a unique family and gave you a one-of-a-kind personality.
God has provided you with unique abilities and woven a distinctive assortment of motivators into your life’s fabric.
He made you absolutely unique for a purpose, driven by His love—Ephesians 1:4 affirms His motive for creating you.
Your Role in God’s Creation
God designed the world’s environment for us to live in—James 1:18 highlights this intentionality.
Of all His creations, YOU are the most important. God made you for a reason, a purpose, as part of His divine plan.
Embracing Your Unique Journey
God’s design for you is precious, perfect, and tailored uniquely for you. He made you exactly how He wanted you to be.
Your parents, regardless of your childhood experiences,
were the ones He chose. Even if we had less-than-ideal childhoods, we
can work through struggles and learn to forgive.
Guess what? We all had less-than-ideal childhoods. Yet,
these experiences are part of the intricate story God is weaving for
each of us.
Conclusion
You are God’s special creation, designed
with love and purpose. Embrace your unique journey, knowing that you are
precious in His eyes and perfectly made to fulfill His divine plan.
Waiting on the Lord.
https://faithvisionservice.com/
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Proverbs 3:3-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
My motto or major scripture verse of the past few years.
“When the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen.” Isaiah 60:22
Before you leave!
A short message and prayer for our children and grandchildren! Yes, you can change the world for eternity! Someone before us did by praying for us!
We are who we are and where we are because of someone in the past who may have prayed for their offspring…children and grandchildren. ..and may still be praying for us wherever they are.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’ Numbers 6:24-26 NIV Let’s do the same!
Read a good book recently, Night Light by Terri Blackstock.
●A
short quote: "I realized, as all that was happening before my eyes,
that this was what I wanted to convey in this series. That each of us is
put in place for a particular time in particular circumstances and
prepared in a particular way, not knowing what God will need us for.
Some of us have experienced tragedies and crises with no answers from
God about why he would drag us through such pain, only to find that it
qualified us uniquely to do some mighty work of God when the time of
someone elses's crisis came. And that's how the body of Christ works."
Some reflections on my early life when my family grew about 2 acres of field grown pansies.
●Pansies are Bi Annuals, meaning they go through the winter
and come back to life the next spring. We also go through some trying
times..sooner or later.
The
beautiful field of flowering pansies in the fall and then again in the
spring were ready to be dug up and then were transplanted in other people's
gardens. God sometimes transplants us also...due to changing life
situations...marriage, career, death and other events.
●But WHY should we Bloom Where We Are Planted?
● As a believer in Jesus Christ and desiring to be a good
steward and a faithful "follower" of Jesus on our way to glory...we
can be a light for others to see the Truth.
●At the end of our lives, I would like to say or have said, "I have fought the good fight, I have fnished
the course, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7)
●"The Lord created each of us individually with different
Spiritual Gifts, Passions, Abilities, strengths and a unique personality with
different experiences. Helping each other put the pieces of the seeming
puzzle together so we each can be most effective in our families, church,
community and the world and finish our lives well and leave a legacy that gives
glory to the LORD so when we stand before Him one day, we will hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
●Isn't that what we would like to hear one day?
●"God has created each of us with a unique contribution
to make in our world and our times. No other person has our same abilities,
motivations, network of friends and relationships, perspectives, ideas, or
experiences. When we, like misplaced puzzle pieces, fail to show up, the
overall picture is diminished." Richard Stearns: President of
World Vision U.S. Quote from his book: The Hole in our Gospel
● We are Jesus's hands and feet in the world.
● "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians
2:10
●As
I was looking back at the pictures of the pansies...and thinking about
the phrase.."Bloom where you are planted"...I was thinking of all the
steps that went into producing these beautiful flowers...and how our
lives are like that.
●Was looking for some spiritual principles or analogies.
●As there are different varieties and colors of pansies, so too is the human race.
●Some varieties of pansies only had a few
flowers on the plant and other varieties had a mass of flowers..it made
me think of how we can go through life with only a few other close
friends and we can also have many more friends to encourage us.
● The pansies were seeded for a
purpose...to bring joy to the people who bought them. Just like our
father "plants" us for a purpose...
●
Pansies are Bi Annuals, meaning they go through the winter and come back
to life the next spring. We also go through some trying times..sooner
or later.
●The
beautiful field of flowering pansies in the fall and then again in the
spring were ready to be dug up and then were transplanted in other
people's gardens. God sometimes transplants us also...due to changing
life situations...marriage, career, death and other events.
●God, the master gardener created each of us unique...plants us here
for a short time...for a specific purpose...and cares for us. "Lord,
open our eyes and heart". "Come Holy Spirit, Come, you are welcome
here"
●Many other analogies can be drawn. Would love to see your comments!
●A few pictures of field grown pansies...from our farm many years ago.
●The individual beautiful pansy plants grew well in the field where
they were planted for the allotted time they were there. They were
seeded in the field for a purpose...The next year they were
individually dug up, put in containers and sold to people who then
transplanted them to their gardens to be viewed.
Copied from my Storyworth story!
Thinking more of the “Transplanting” process: It doesn’t happen instantly, but progress’s over time. When
the pansies were dug, boxed and delivered to the Sentry and Kohl’s
warehouses…Took a day’s time. Then they were in the warehouse or on the
dock for a day or two. If outside on the dock in the sun for a period of
time, stress on the plants. Then they were delivered to the stores, up
to 200 miles away in some cases…again over a period of time. Then
unloaded at the store. Hopefully, there was someone there to water them
and keep them alive and looking good until someone purchased them. The
beautiful pansy plants didn’t go instantly from our field into someones
garden immediately and keep looking great. A lot of stress. So too with
our changing events in our lives, be it a job change, starting college,
starting a new business, a new exciting volunteer opportunity or
challenging interpersonal relations. Sometimes or even all the time, we
don’t realize what others are or may be going through until or unless we
also experience a change in our lives. We need personal “self care”.
And to continue to “Bloom” where the LORD has planted us, and not fade,
die in spirit or become discouraged…until the transplanting process is
completed and we continue to grow and “bloom” as we did before the
transplanting process started. We need to stay close to the LORD and
have friends and family that encourage us. Then when the transplanting
process is completed, if it ever is, we will again bloom more beautiful
than we did before. Just like the pansies in the field. They were not
designed to be grown in a controlled environment free of stress, but to
be grown and bloom beautifully in someone’s garden!
Encouraging
& challenging people to be “rooted”, “grounded” and “grow” and so
bloom” where they are “planted” in their neighborhood, world and
career…using their Passion”,” Abilities”,” Gifts”, “Strengths” and prior
“Experiences” God has gifted them with and thereby bringing glory and
honor to the LORD. 1st Corinthians 10:31
Grates of 5 -2 quart baskets of pansy plants. 6 plants to a quart basket.
We could not supply enough to Sentry Food stores at the time and a
neighbor got into the business and packaged the same with lessor quality
product and also sold to Sentry. I put labels on our crates so the
individual stores could ask for our pansies!
Interested in making a difference or change in the lives of people
in your city...Milwaukee...or any city or town in the country?
What is Neighborhood Transformation?
Neighborhood Transformation is a strategy that helps
churches minister in a wholistic manner to people in urban poor
neighborhoods. It empowers people to take responsibility for their own
lives. It helps neighbors to help their neighbors and moves them from
welfare and relief to empowerment. It focuses on assets found in the
neighborhood, which fosters local ownership instead of being based on
problems that they expect outsiders to fix for them.
But another option is to start right now...right where you are...and
you don't have to wait for your church to get on board...you can start
alone and or with a friend!
You may already be heavily involved in your own ministry and may not
be able to take on a new ministry...but remember that Neighborhood
Transformation is a template of hundreds of elements that a person does
dependent on what they are already doing in a neighborhood.
Check out the links below to see what small elements you can add to
your current ministry...and then see how combining God's word and His
example of showing love to all people...and then helping them engage in
this ministry can lead to the extension of God's Kingdom! Talk about
multiplication!
Search the list below and pick out your top 3 most fun activities you and another person can do together!
Collaborative for Neighborhood Transformation helps people
in the neighborhood transform their lives and communities from the
inside out, resulting in:
People knowing, loving, caring and serving their neighbors
People taking responsibility and working to change their reality
A reduction in disease, crime, drug abuse, and alcohol addiction
People knowing Christ with healthy, growing churches
Improved employment and living conditions
Hope, health, and enthusiasm toward neighborhood life
Programs for poverty alleviation are good...but "without heart change,
money, healthcare, housing, and education do not meet our world's
deepest needs." "Apart from Christ, we might simply introduce the
problems of prosperity while we solve the problems of poverty. - Peter Greer
"The church should be the most creative entity in the world."
By "Church" I mean the people of God, not the physical building or institution.
You as an individual can use your creativity to bring glory and honor to the LORD!
A great book. Probably out of print. Copyright 1982 by Ralph Mattson and Arthur Miller It's all about Passion!
We often hear the words, luck, fate, and providence. Theologian Dr. R.C. Sproul. "God's sovereign providence stands over
and above our actions. He works out His will through the actions of
human wills, without violating the freedom of those human wills."
You found this page...by luck, fate or providence...? Your answer to this question will probably determine if you are going
to continue reading this post to the end and take some action Are you actively looking for a job? What follows can also be used as a guide to finding a great volunteer opportunity.
The book, Finding A Job You Can Love explores the SIMA process:
SIMA System for Identifying Motivated Abilities but I also see other process's as 1. Strengthfinder 2.0 2. S.H.A.P.E Strengths, Heart or Passion, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. 3. Spiritual Gifts Assessments
Over the course of time...past 20 plus years...working with people
looking for a job...meeting with individuals as a group and also one on
one, I have proposed the following process in some way, shape or form:
These are my ideas...NOT from the book.
This is WHAT I would do IF I were looking for a job. I never got a job with a resume.
AND your probably wondering if anyone got a job following my advice. Don't really know...My good friend Wayne said once. "You can teach a
person what to do but you can't make them DO what is in their best
interest to do". That's a paraphrase of his comment after my voicing
disappointment that with all the help & advice I have given many
people especially about updating their Linkedin profile, few people
follow through.
You don't get a job because of your Linkedin Profile. It's just a
tool to connect with the right people who can help you. AND to see who
the people are that are doing the job you might love to do...but only better!
So, here are my 10 steps to Finding a Job You Can Love! 1. Identify your passion. What are you interested in...What makes you get up in the morning? 2. What company or non profit would you ideally love to work with...NOT for. There IS a difference. 3. Explore their website. What is their mission and vision? 4. Connect with people working for that organization. It's really not hard to do. 5. Take your new "connections" out for coffee...Again not hard to do. Use your creativity. 6. What are the challenges that organization is facing...short term and long term. 7. After taking the Strengthfinders. 2.0 Assessement...you now know
or have a clue to your "Strenghts' and HOW to use them! So you are now
going to use your "Strengths"to solve their most pressing challenge! 8 Remember, You are unique! There is no one else like you. 9. Forget about the "job description" IF you are pursuing a job with
an opening... Positions that are advertised are probably already taken.
Why compete...It's a losing game. So don't spend alot of time with that goal of submitting applications to job openings. You can do that, but...
10. So you are now going to use your "Strengths"to solve their most pressing challenge! AND You are going to create your own "position".
On
our journey with Jesus!
"The trail is long, and we won't arrive at our destination in this
life. Still, we're on the journey with Jesus for the greatest thrill of
our lives." Zig Ziglar
Ok, if you have reached this far in my blog post...do you think it's luck, fate or providence?
What are you now going to do?
Here are a few of my prior blog posts that can help you in the process:
