For those still trying to figure out what this rootedandgrowing website is all about, I know this — it is not about me. But it is posted by me. So a little background: Long ago in a far away galaxy, I wore the hat of an art director, which is kind of like a movie director.

(They get the big picture vision of how they want the movie to turn out, then they “direct” everyone and everything to make their vision a reality.)

Directing people, otherwise known as bossiness, is second nature to me. Since my kids are grown, and no longer needing to be bossed around, now I like being in charge of things. This website is one of those things.

Some dear website “followers” have been around since the summer of 2013 when this space began to serve friends in our local Community Bible Study (CBS) and reinforce the content or text of our study. (I may leave little messages HERE for my McLean Women’s CBS Class from time to time, kind of as a public service to thank them for sticking with me, so check back often to see if there’s a cancellation or a reminder)

But one dark and stormy night, I received an ominous call. OK, not really. But I was asked to remove the association to CBS because CBS had its own fabulous website already.

What to do? Any good mom knows that after you birth your children, you don’t just abandon them. My training as a mom, and my background in bossiness kicked in and, with a tweak here and there, the website was REBORN! (It does bear a family resemblance to the old sight BUT the content is, well, a lot less restrained or responsible to reflect a certain point of view.)

This new baby needed a new name to get it off to a good start. I felt the new name should be an aspirational reflection of me, like who I want to be when I finally grow up. (otherwise I would have named it worstcasekathy.com or bossyburleson.com or something like that)

I had a few names in mind, trying to balance what is current with what is classic; a name that had a lot of options to express itself, like the name Elizabeth. (Liz, Lizzie, Liza, Beth, Betsy, Lizbeth for starters) 

Hmmmm. It seems we hear a lot about LOVE these days, and less and less about TRUTH. People in general and imperfect followers of Jesus in particular tend to favor one over the other — either we major on Truth/Justice and minor on Love/Mercy — OR we major on Love/Mercy and minor on Truth/Justice.

So how about a “combo?” (that’s what they always ask me at the drive through line. And this time, I think, “Yes, I WILL have a combo!) Truth and Love. Or should it be Love and Truth?

In my humble opinion, truth must come first. It’s foundational. Once we truly put our trust or faith in The Truth — Jesus — as revealed in the Gospels, we are then able to truly love, because the Lord of Love lives in us. We are born again. And then we are all just babies needing to grow up, learning and growing more balanced between truth and love. Thus the reborn website was christened Rooted In Truth, Growing In Love; it’s called rootedandgrowing.com for short. 

So here’s what you can expect: Creative director hat on, I scan the web, keeping an eagle eye out for folks who are trying, like me, to become less of their old selves and more of who they are in Christ. Some of their thoughts are written. Some are in song. Some are in film. (sometimes I write a piece, but that will be rare) Each written piece will be supplemented with a four-fold wrap up; Rooted in Truth Scriptures, Growing in Love Application, Watch and Listen. Take a little tour when you have a moment: Blog. Inspiration. Favorite Films. Recommended Links.

This post will now demonstrate the “four-fold wrap up,” that should be present in every *new* rootedandgrowing post — but not always in this order:

Listen: Let It Be Love – by Family Force and We Believe – by Newsboys

Rooted In Truth Scriptures: The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  John 14:6  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Growing In Love Application: Make a list of all your time and money commitments. Note where you fall short and commit anew to where and when you will love God by loving others. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25:35-40

Watch: God of Love: God of Judgement? (Start at 8 minute mark. It’s long but really good for anyone of any belief system who wants to understand this seemingly contradictory concept)

(Start at the 8 minute mark)

*Posts dated before July 2016 are from the old site, yet have been deemed to be full of truth and able to grow us more in love for God and others.

(To see another thing I like being in charge of, click here. And to see my work as an art director/graphic designer, click here.)