As we close the book on another fantastic Bloom {in}courage Book Club, we’d like to take a moment to thank each of you for joining us. Your thoughtful comments, kindness to one another, and eager willingness to embrace what the Lord has for you has been blessing to the entire Bloom team. We’re grateful.
Before we say good-bye ’til fall, let’s take a look back over the past several weeks —
Thanks to everyone who shared the above images across their social networks (and I threw in a few from the day all the videos were filmed).
We’re also grateful to Jen Sparks (@So__Jen), Lori Harris (@loribrownharris) and Lyli Dunbar (@3dlessons4life) for leading out in conversation in our Facebook Group and elsewhere across the internets. And we were doubly blessed with Monica Sharman’s (@MonicaSharman) participation! You might recall her introduction to Pursue the Intentional Life. Before we began with Jean’s wise words, we were treated to hers.
Please share YOUR posts!
Many of you stepped into a place of vulnerability during this study. The comments you’ve shared have been heart-felt. Because of that we’d like to provide you opportunity to share more of your thoughts by joining our community link-up below.
Are there practices of Jean’s you plan to emulate? Have you sensed the Lord’s leading to specific areas of intentionality? Did a particular chapter scream louder than the others? Were you affirmed and encouraged by the changes you’ve already made? Have you written a book review? As long as your post is related to our study, you’re invited to link it anytime over the next week. Don’t have a blog? Please share your thoughts in comments.
We’ll be back in the fall with a wonderful new selection. When you sign up for #inbooks emails and like the Bloom Facebook Page, you’ll be among the first to know when we’re ready to announce the title. Please note: The Facebook Group created for this study will no longer be adding new members; it was created specifically for our reading community for the spring/summer session of Bloom.
If you loved this book as much as we have and plan on gifting it to family and friends, now is the perfect time to pick up a few copies. Through July 18 use the code #THANKS25 and you’ll receive 25% off your order at DaySpring!!
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Thank you ladies, this was my first time doing a Bloom study, or any kind of online book club. I had a wonderful time chatting with everyone, praying with everyone. Way to take back the internet!
Sarah,
Know one thing that was fun to me? Anticipating your comments as the first ones each morning :). Thank you for your consistency.
Sarah,
So true about the internet. There are so many downsides to the internet but this was one way we can use it to share the Kingdom of Christ!
Thank you so much for introducing me to this book! This was my first time as well.
Wendy,
Yes!! I think you can tell it was our pleasure to make your acquaintance. 🙂
Thank you so much for all your time and these heartwarming discussions. Jean and you all are so wise, and I”ve benefitted greatly. Jean’s books are the kind that become good friends. I have every one, and each is worth its weight in gold. thank you!!!!!
Lynn,
You have a special library then, because several are out of print. What a lovely characterization of Jean’s books: friends. I tend to agree :).
Thanks so much, Robin. And btw, I love your last name…and I’ll bet you do–dance! =]
I found your book club too late to be part of it but God knew I needed to read this book so he directed me here last week. After watching the videos I ordered the book on kindle. How many, many times my eyes welled with tears as I read. This book impacted me so deeply. I could not put it down and finished it in a day. Thank you for sharing it here and thank you, Jean, for writing it. I’ll be purchasing the “real” book with covers and pages because I know this is one I want to have handy. God bless all of you.
Praising the Lord for how HE guided me in finding the (in)courage and the BLOOM Book Club! It was a much needed refreshment for my soul. I still have a few more chapters to read but I have lots to chew on. Love the videos and the facebook comments, well….some really were more like chats! Each one of us could chose to participate, to share, to laugh or cry, to encourage and to support all within the bonds of Christ’s family.
I have been the church sec’y secretary at my church for the last 13 years and am looking forward to taking a month off. Blessed to be able to take a month long sabbatical. I know “Purse the Intentional Life” will be one of my companions!
Thank you to Robin, and the many others for the time, the love and leading the way for showing us how each one of us can be a part of the larger body of Christ! As Jean Fleming puts it “may be a hair follicle or a bit of dandruff” pg 126 – “my contribution is important. So is yours.” Hope to “see” you in the Fall!
Great collage! I especially like that boy. First he reads it upside-down, then he turns it right side up and kisses it.
The summer of ’14 will go down in my history book as the summer where I made some new friends, was introduced to a new author, and got my self back into the garden. The LORD had answered my prayer for community back in April with the (in)rl conference. When I noticed on the (in)courage website there were small community groups and a book club, I could not wait to hop on board. After reading Jean’s book and viewing her on the couch these past weeks, I feel like we are now close friends. I hope she will see the ‘Thank You’ graphic I made for her.
What a wonderful adventure this has been! The LORD has taught me so much. I am so glad I finally caved in to the ‘social media’ pressure. I am looking forward to keeping in touch over the summer with my new friends. Thank you for your friendship <3
Thank you for the emails for this book study. I especially enjoyed the collage. The videos for the chapters were so very helpful and nourishing. I look forward to the Fall offering. Have a lovely Summer enjoying all the Giver’s delights.
I hesitated about joining this study because I am 59 years old and originally perceived the book to be geared more for the young mom/wife. However, at the 11th hour, a comment was made about it also being for us mid-lifers (ugh). The caption: What kind of old women will be captivated and captured me. I scrambled for a book on day one and miraculoulsy found one at a local bookstore in time for the study. I have NOT been disappointed!! I have learned so much.
–“Soon it will be too late to invest in eternity”. WOW. What a challenge, what urgency. CONVICTED!
–“LORD, please don’t leave me to myself” has become my mantra!
–But, OH, the chapter on Blessed Imagination. AMAZING!
How to read scripture: with a spiritually disciplined imagination, because God is invisible and we fix our eyes on what is unseen.
Also, The Holy Spirit, through the incarnation of scriptural content, uses imagination to make the written word flesh.
–Finally, my father, recently diagnosed and fearful regarding his new diagnosis of Alzhiemers, was challenged about the 4th quarter of the game (chap 30) In many sports, the game is won or lost in the final quarter. This is when the final scores that matter happen. He was encouraged
Thank you for impacting my eternity, encouraging my walk, challenging me to be intentional about what kind of old lady will I be. You are a sincerely sweet and special group of ladies. THANK YOU!!!
I’m right there with you linda! Thank you for your great words….. GOD bless you!
Great book, brilliant online study. Thank you to everyone involved. Just got to listen to God now how to number my days. Blessings and love to all xxx
I had a really hard time keeping up. 3 kids, fill time job and I was not up to speed to participate in the discussions. Maybe seems silly, I know some people finished fast, but I needed a slower pace! I’m still reading a little here and there. Thank you for introducing me to this book! It’s really amazing!
I have NEVER enjoyed a book club–real or virtual–as much as this one. Friendships were formed, I learned from Jean and from all who participated. Thank you everyone! I’ll look forward to the fall.
Thanks so much. This particular book was SO for me. I’ll be sixty in August and to be intentional about how I pursue the rest of my life and how GOD wants to use me is wonderful. Thank you girls for the great discussions and comments and to Jean Fleming who frames her words in pictures for all of us “visual learners”. You are all a blessing! Looking forward to the next book!!!
Ack, missed the link up 🙁 Thank you ladies for all your insight, I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely a deep read. Looking forward to the next Bloom study 🙂