Category: {Faith}

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} I ain’t no, “Little Leader.” 

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Have you ever been in a season of your life, where you ‘really’ felt like you were making a difference?  Where you felt like lives were being radically changed and impacted through your hard works?

Well, just a little while ago, I was journeying in a genuinely good season just like that.  It felt just right.  This passionate pursuit of God’s presence to actively flow in and through me became my new normal. I was ready for the next.  On the edge of my seat to see the Spirit move.  I was infatuated with the new positions of leadership I was placed in.  It was perfect in my eyes.

Not long after that season, a painful situation surfaced that wasn’t a very admirable or life giving part of my life.  Dishonouring words were spoken about me, by someone whom I trusted and admired greatly.  Subsequently, I was labelled in that moment just a “little leader.”

When I heard and witnessed those words for myself…my confidence came to a cease.  My feelings of making a real difference and a radical impact vanished, no where to be found.

I felt small.
Inadequate.
Incapable.
Unqualified.

A vault of anger and bitterness engulfed my tattered heart.  I wanted to shake and scream in resentment.  A time of processing my emotions began to take place.  I embarked upon a healing journey, in pursuits of peace and love for that person once again.

Sister, the next time you are abruptly labelled “little” like I was…I encourage you to grab a hold to these words:

“You were created to be fearless, by the fearless one.”

He has created YOU to boldly approach His throne and pursue His presence.  The giants, the never ending expectations, the oppressing constant pressures, the corrupted voices of the enemy, and the twisted words and labels are NOT your portion.  No longer, do you have to be enslaved.

2,000 years ago on the cross, Jesus said “…It is finished.” (John 19:30)

He conquered everything.  In that compelling moment in biblical history, the power that overmastered death and the grave, became your accessible power, to use with authentic balance and grace.

Fearless leader who may be hiding in the shadows of fear and regret, come forth.

Mighty Woman of God, YOU are enough.  Rest easy knowing that you are, in the hands of the fearless one and He is pleased.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Brave soul, rise up high out of the ashes.

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

Joceline's Posts, {Faith}

But God…

UYM

Written By: Joceline Sweeney

Every spring as the snow finally melts off and the fresh grass is awakened, I can be overcome with fear. The smell of the sweet crisp air blowing in from the open windows sadly stirs me. Why at such a time of newness and growth would fear and sorrow creep up on me?

Many years ago, as a growing family my husband and I were looking to purchase our first home. There were not very many on the real estate market and in our price range, so when we found one, we acted quickly. In a whirlwind of paper work, packing tissue and cardboard boxes our moving day arrived. It was the perfect time to take the next step together as a family, spring had sprung and it was going to be great. We busied ourselves unpacking and began to turn the house into our own home sweet home.  The first week was terrifically exhausting and wonderful, but as Friday rolled around it came to a sorrowful screeching halt.  Exactly One week after our moving day, my husband came home from work with some bad news. He had just received a lay-off notice from his job, not just him but hundreds of others workers as well. We both spiraled into fearfulness. How could this happen? What were we going to do? Were we going to lose the house we felt the Lord called us to buy? Why Lord? Why?

But God!

After those two words some of you probably expected to read that everything worked out for us and that my husband got called back to work right away and we were happy! No, it was a very difficult year for us. I shed more tears than I should have. Worried way more than I should have. In the midst of life’s storms it is really hard to see what’s going on. It is so easy to get caught up trying to figure it all out. I remember saying to God “whatever it is you are trying to teach me just hurry up and do it… I’m tired!” We had so little money that the first Christmas we had in our own home we now call “Our poor Christmas” It was a year of wandering sadness. Right down to the last week before no more money would be coming in, panic began to take over. Where would we live? How would I tell my daughters?  How would we survive? The circumstances were almost unbelievable!  Things that had never happened were happening. The office my husband was to write a new career test at, was on strike! I had never heard of them striking before! I went into our bedroom so my girls wouldn’t see me and I shouted to the Lord in sheer desperation and said “Is this what you wanted? I am complete broken and defeated? I have nothing left!!! “I cried until I could cry no more, when I finally picked myself up of the floor, I remembered feeling a strange sense of renewed hope.

 

But God… through His faithfulness carried us, He never abandoned us. We prayed harder than we ever had before and God faithfully answered. It wasn’t always what we were expecting but He never faltered. He was faithful. We never went without.

Now when this time of year rolls around and the spring newness surrounds me, I choose not to fear but to instead remember God’s faithfulness. Allowing the sweet spring breeze to wash over me, not with sadness but with a heart full of hope and gratefulness.

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Running From “IT”

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Have you ever been in a place…where you were running from something?  Something you wanted to escape from?  Something that needed to be dealt with?  Something that was painful and would be awful to bring back up?

We all have those moments of running.

Recently, I had an experience just like this.  I kept myself crazy busy, so that I could continue running from this painful situation in my life.

Of course, running from our mistakes, regrets and mistakes is what we could say “the easy way out.”  But in the long run, its not.  Running only makes the process of dealing and solving the problems that may have occurred, dreadfully longer;  and they don’t have to be.

God reminds us in the Bible, in 1 Peter 5:7

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

It’s in those moments, where I don’t even know where to turn, that I lean in close on that verse.  It’s those moments where I press in, just to hear His tender whisper of love.

Wherever you are, whatever you are running from.  Sister, sit down.  Take a moment and ask God to allow His peace and presence to rain in your life.  Because like that verse reminds us, that we are to cast all our fears, anxiety and worries upon the Lord.  He is our fortress.  He is a mighty God, who does BIG things.  He loves unconditionally.

Remember, whatever you are running from is never bigger than our God.

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Melissa's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} That Your Faith May Not Fail

UYM

Written by Melissa Longval

Why is it that we dismiss the small things of life sometimes?  I almost missed this one…this small request by my tiny daughter…

After having spent the night at Grammy and Papa’s, as I was driving home with Emeria and Austin, Emeria couldn’t stop talking about all the fun things they had done with their grandparents.  At the top of the list were the homemade juice pops that she and Grammy made.  “And Mommy, we put the juice in the holder and Grammy put it in the freezer and then I had to wait a LONG time.  But then, Mommy, the popsicles were frozen!  They were so yummy, Mommy.  Can we buy those popsicle makers?”

Such a cute conversation, right?  Such an easy question, right?  Who wouldn’t just run down to Walmart and buy the Popsicle moulds for their sweet little girl?  This mom right here.  I couldn’t.  Unless Walmart had changed their exchange policy and traded goods for looks or jokes, any purchase was out of the question.  

Times were hard.  Seemingly impossible really.  As a tired, spent mom, this simple request broke my heart.  How could I say no?

“Well, Emeria, let’s ask Jesus for the popsicle makers.”  I said this, really…honestly, just to get her to stop talking…so I wouldn’t feel so guilty.  Perhaps even to pass responsibility to Jesus.  It was a low point for me.

As usual, Emeria prayed, without hesitation, with her innocent faith totally believing that the Lord of heaven would somehow deliver her very special popsicle makers.

Life goes on.  Cooking, changing diapers, doing laundry…distractions come.  Needs are met.  Motions are made.  When life is hard, we can lose hope.  I can so often look to my circumstances to define how God loves me.  If life is easy, He must love me a lot today.  But my life wasn’t easy, so maybe He didn’t love me much today…

Do you ever feel like that?  That the Lord who is supposed to love you isn’t doing a very good job?  That perhaps He sees the needs of others, but not yours?  That your cries are just bouncing off an empty sky returning to mock you?

Oh sweet friend, I have been there, but please listen…

He sees YOU.  He hears YOU.  He LOVES YOU!

Our faith is precious to Him.  Jesus will go to great lengths to grow our faith.  Faith is so important to Him.  It is often in the small things, where great faith is grown.  Like in a little girl’s desire for popsicles.

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7

A few days after Emeria asked Jesus to get her the moulds, we went to our weekly Bible study.  To be honest, neither of us had talked about the moulds and I had forgotten about them.  Catch this!  Just because we forget, doesn’t mean that He does.  Increasing our faith, He is always at work.

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. – Luke 22:32

“Hey Melissa,” said my beautiful, Holy Spirit led friend Linda.  

“I was cleaning out my cupboards this weekend and I found two sets of these popsicle moulds and I feel like the Lord wants you to have them,” she claimed as she handed me a bag full of pieces and parts of popsicle molds.

I sat on the couch with my mouth hanging open, stunned.

The Lord saw me.  The Lord heard my sweet daughter’s prayer offered in faith with confidence that He would answer her.  The Lord showed His love to us both through the willing obedience of a faithful friend.

Oh Lord, I needed this!  More than I ever realized, did I need this miracle to penetrate the increasing hopelessness that a hard life can sometimes produce.  Jesus knew that it was always about more than juice pops.  That is was always about increasing my faith and the faith of my family.

Be on the lookout for chances for your faith to increase.  Never dismiss even the smallest opportunities for Jesus to grow your faith.  Expect it!  Expect to meet Him today in the ordinary and see where He takes you.

“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:25-26

Until next time,

Melissa Longval

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} We Are the Kingdom | The Calm Embrace. 

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

All of my life I have been striving for something more.  Always more than what I am blessed and privileged to have.

More popularity.

More social contact.

More friends.

More fulfillment.

More money.

More freedom.

More likes on Facebook.

More happiness.

More time.

More education.

More readership.

More hits on the blog.

More everything.

There has always been a MORE.  I can now share with you dear readers that growing up, I was hardly ever satisfied with what I had.  Until, one night I went to serve with some friends at the local soup kitchen and this is where God spoke directly to my ungratefully, ugly heart.
These people, you see…they absolutely broke me.  Seeing wee little babes to 65 year old men line up for dinner.  Tears filled my eyes.  They had nothing.  They were right off the city streets, borderline begging for a hot meal to quench their hunger.  And then, there I was.  Selfish, always wanting more, ungratefully ugly-hearted me.

Ouch.  I know…

My ugly heart had a lot of breakthrough that evening, as I served up hot mashed-potatoes to a starving group of at least 100 people or more.  God used those moments in amongst my servant-hood to teach me a valuable life lesson.

It was near the end of the night and we were all packing up getting ready to head home…when I had saw a young woman, in her 20s, in a red hoody exit the building.  We got into our cars and I thought really nothing of her.

We started to drive away and as we drove past a park bench a couple roads over from the soup kitchen, there she was setting up a bed for the night.  With only that red hoody and ratty old blanket for warmth.

It was right then and there, that I had one of those profound God-ordained moments.  I calmly embraced my life, just the way it is with utter gratefulness, I bowed before the Lord for all that I had been blessed and privileged with.

So does that mean that I don’t ‘want’ anything anymore?  Pish Posh, No!  I’m human.  I still have selfish desires just like you and the postman.  But if you’re like I was, in never being satisfied with what you have, I pray that this post came as a reminder to you, and prompted you, to stop and take a look at your heart.  I pray that you are able to experience your true calm embrace, just like I did.  Bless you.

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Amie, {Faith}

{Faith} Penny for a Prayer

UYM

Written by: Amie Comber

Have you ever found a penny on the ground?  What was your first thought when you picked up that shiny, or dingy little cent?  I always thought of good or bad luck based on which way that coin was facing, until someone taught me something that changed the way I forever saw a simple penny.

Many years ago I was involved in karate, you know, the really cool activity where you wear white baggy clothes and break boards with your feet?  Yes, that one.  The most amazing karate instructor in the world taught me.  His mission was to teach karate and God’s truths at the same time.  When I walked into class one day, he looked at me and asked if I had seen them.  Confused at what I had missed, he pointed to the doorway where he had scattered pennies on the floor.  I had completely walked over them.  At the start of this class he asked us what we thought of when we saw a penny on the ground.  Echoing the culture around me, I told him that it was a fun way to think of good and bad luck.  He smiled and crouched to the floor and told me that when we see a penny on the ground, it’s a reminder to pray for someone.  He explained further that he viewed a penny as a little gift from God.  When God gave him a penny, he was reminded to send up prayers for those that he would be around and pass by that day.

I now keep a penny in the pocket of every pair of jeans I own. I have faith that God has this day ahead of me already planned out.  I trust that the people I pass by and encounter are the ones that were meant to be there.  This simple penny has been a conversation starter around many a coffee table since the time that my karate instructor introduced this to me.  Right now is a good time to pray.  I guarantee you someone needs it.  At this moment, close your eyes and ask whom God would want you to pray for.  I think you’ll be surprised how easily someone will come to your heart and mind.  Pray for them.  God remembers every conversation you have with Him.  I like to imagine prayers as past coffee dates He’s had with me.

As simple of a reminder as a penny is, it has truly helped me to keep prayer at the forefront of my mind.  Culture has faith, whether big amounts or small, in their fate of luck for that day when they find a penny on the ground.  How much more faith can we have, in the God of the Universe, that He will listen to you when you pray?  Not only listen to you, but also respond to the unique circumstances that your life is in.  Let me remind you, sweet girl, that He always loves, is always there, and is always trustworthy.

Isn’t it amazing that our God is so personal in His communication with us?  He loves you uniquely and has a relationship with you unlike anyone else.  He knows your good days and your bad ones.  So the next time you see a penny, heads or tails, know that God loves you, and loves to hear from His children.

Until next time,

Amie Comber

 

Taylor's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Having Faith

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

As I have spoke on many times before, I believe that this stage in my life is bringing lots of change, and therefore I have been challenged more then ever to put my faith in God!  As I am transitioning to apply for jobs and day dreaming about what it will be like to no longer be in graduate school, I cannot help but wonder where God is leading me on this path.  Applying for jobs gets me so excited as I read about what the job entails and what I could possibly be doing for a living.  The other part of me is terrified to get my hopes up on a job that wont end up being mine.

Where is your faith?!  I have to remind myself of this all the time.  When I speak with my husband or my parents about this, there seems to be a theme that comes from all of them.  God has provided for me this far and He won’t stop now.

“The Testing of your faith produces perseverance.” James 1:3

When I look back on the different circumstances that God has brought me through, I can see where my faith has been challenged and how it has blessed me.  All of the circumstances I was in, God was there with a plan in mind that was right for me.  So I take those moments in my life and use them to remind myself for the next challenges I face.  God is good, and His plan for me is better than whatever I have in mind, so I must stay faithful, as God is always faithful to me.

Whether you are waiting on an answer about jobs like I am, maybe a new house, moving, a new relationship, having children, maybe letting go of something or someone negative in your life, or starting something new to impact your career or education- have faith!  God has a plan for you, and though it may seem at times things are not going your way- stay strong.  Look back to other examples in your life where things weren’t going right; how did you get through them?  How did God provide for you?  Where are you now that is different from where you were then?  When you answer these questions, let that be reassurance that God will get you through whatever is coming your way next.  Have faith; persevere.

 

Until Next time,

~ Taylor

 

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} When I didn’t Get the Job…

UYM
Written By: Kerrington Sweeney
My very first interview.  What I thought would have been my very first ‘real’ job.  I was beyond thrilled to accomplish this goal within the ending of the teenage years of my life.
I went into the job interview that one summer mid-June day, thinking that I’d be walking out of that place with great-confidence.  A guaranteed job and my new work schedule in hand.
Well let me tell you dear readers, if you were like I once was and you think that getting a job is super easy-peasy, I am sorry to say that you’re wrong.  Let me be completely vulnerable with you for a minute…Getting a job is difficult.  It’s hard.  It’s emotional.  And sometimes it just plain, old, hurts.  Like a lot.
I walked into that interview.  Excited.  Passionate and ready for all that God would have me to accomplish in that place.
Right before they came to get me from the lobby to begin the interview,
I went to ladies restroom where I began to pray the hardest I have ever prayed.  I prayed for peace.  I prayed for confidence in a humble manor.  I prayed that THIS would be my job.
I left that interview.  Yes, feeling confident in myself.  Feeling that maybe I would have this summer ‘dream job.’  I felt great about the interview, it went well and I felt that I had conducted myself professionally, especially for my age.  Obviously, they couldn’t tell me on the spot, if I had the job, but it felt like I ‘had it in the bag’ so to say. “I prayed that I would get this job, God won’t let me down on this one.”  At least, that’s what I thought…
About a weeks time had past, after that nerve wracking interview day.  My phone lit up…I was receiving a phone call from the Pastor who was hiring.  I remember feeling overwhelmed with mixed emotions, when swiping the green ‘answer’ button on my iPhone that day and then hearing the words “I am sorry to say, but we can’t hire you…”
*insert big GULP*
In those ridiculously low moments…Satan came with all his power, in hopes to tear me down and rip me to absolute shreds.  This situation was one, I was not at all prepared for.  My confidence was gone.  My heart ached.  I felt like a complete failure.  Like, as if someone just came and engraved failure on top of my name for LIFE.  I felt unworthy.
After I attempted to keep it all together on the phone, I ran to my bedroom, shut my door and collapsed on to my bed.  Right then and there, I began to have one of those good old-fashioned crying sessions.  I wept like I have never wept before.
My Mom came into my bedroom…and of course, my mom being my mom, had a profound statement for this situation and it changed my life in that moment, she said: “Just because you didn’t get that job, doesn’t mean that you’re not good enough.  Doesn’t mean that you will never get a good job, like this one.  God has plans for you.  Trust Him.  Wait patiently honey.”
I cling to those insightful words daily, as I walk through situations where my patience and grace are truly tested to their full capacities.
This experience in my life was where I wondered and questioned, “What in the great world, is the Lord trying to teach me through this awful and tough situation?”
Sisters, I have experienced one too many of those ‘situations’ in my life time, but I am reminded that these are situations, that I can now look back on and reflect.  I am able to see how God has taught me some very valuable life lessons through these tough seasons.
Let’s pray together, sisters.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank you for this experience in my life.  Although, it may have been quite painful at the time, I praise you for this opportunity to learn yet another life-lesson.  I thank you for the words that you uncovered within my heart to share with these readers and I ask that YOU would be with them today.  Be with them in the moments where they just feel like they are at the end of their rope.  I pray this all in Your precious Holy Name, Jesus! Amen!!!
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington
Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Blessings Beyond. 

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
~Romans 12:2  “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” 

…Do you ever feel that God just sometimes passes over you in blessings?!  Do you sometimes get feelings of neglect and envy, when others receive blessings and you don’t?

Not long ago, I was experiencing these painful feelings on a whole new level.  As I watched tons of people on my left and on my right…(literally, we were all sitting in a church pew.)  Each of them were receiving high-substantial financial blessings.  I watched people, literally cut in front of me (in the pew) to begin blessing the people around me.  Not a one came to me.  I felt so unworthy of this “blessing.”  I felt over-looked, past over and yes, even neglected.  I felt like I wasn’t worthy enough to be sewn into.  Like I had no purpose or any future prosperity.

This was most definitely NOT how God wanted me, as a Daughter of the Almighty King, to be feeling and yet I still was feeling it anyways.  I’m human.  I feel pain at times.

Now of course, me not receiving a financial blessing that day, wasn’t at all because God was punishing me horribly or He was terribly disappointed in me.  In fact, in that very powerful moment, I truly believe with my whole heart…that God actually was giving me a different type of gift.

It was the gift of learning a very profound important life-lesson.  In those moments, a total revamp of my realization on blessings was birthed directly into my heart.

~Ezekiel 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Walking away from this situation with a forever changed mindset.  It’s not always a pain-free process when a change of our heart happens but, it’s worth it.  It’s normal for us to feel pain and sometimes even have anger about these types of situations involving change…because we feel like we don’t truly need this change to take place in our lives.  These are the same feelings, I experienced that day.

~Hebrews 12:11 “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

Now, I must mention one more thing before closing…the really only unfortunate part of being blessed with one of these important life lesson-learning experiences…it isn’t really a tangible gift.  It’s not something you can hold in front of you, or eat, or wrap-up all pretty in paper, with a cute red bow.  This is something you can’t even purchase with all the money in the entire universe.

These profound God-ordained, life lesson moments are what will change your life forever and will continue the amazing process of shaping you and cultivating you into the very person, that God has truly called you ultimately to be.

~Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Never feel neglected or passed over.  God may just be blessing you with an important life-lesson.  Sometimes, you can’t really see it’s ‘fruit’ before going through a little bit of a process of pain and then after awhile you come into a brand new realization.

Ultimately, you will always walk away from situations, such as this, either radically changed or with an important deep thought to continue to ponder about changing your life-style of living.  Never forget, God doesn’t just “pass over” His children; He blesses us beyond our own understanding.

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

{Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

Welcome, NEW Team Member! 

UYM

Good Morning Y’all! 

We are always growing and changing through ministry. With that being said, we are beyond excited here at UYM to be annoucning a brand NEW Team Member! Lorey is now, the head of our graphic designing! Please give her a very warm welcome! 

Lorey, welcome to the UYM family! 💙

  

Lorey Lyons is a 20-something, faith-filled princess who is loving her very blessed life as a Mother and Wife! She is a full time student, homeschooler, graphic designer, and Blogger. She and her beautiful family reside in the State of Oklahoma, while her husband attends Rhema Bible Training College. She has a hunger for spiritual growth and a heart for her sisters in Christ, feeling abundantly blessed to have been called to minister to them. 

You can find her most days with her feet tucked under her, a bible to her left and a toddler to her right, sitting at her laptop creating both beautiful images and encouraging words to bring joy, adventure, and peace to the world around her.