Category: {Life}

Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} It’s Okay to Pass the Clipboard

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Have you ever felt shame in passing ‘the clipboard’?

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” -Galatians 6:9

There I was one Sunday morning, sitting in church when…the clipboard was being passed around for volunteers.  I dreaded the moments before it was passed to me.  I took it quickly into my hands and looked at list.  To be honest, in that moment I just wanted to cry.  A veil of guilt draped over my weary heart.

“If I don’t sign up, what will people think?”  This worry tossed around in my mind, as I tried to figure out a way to fit this event of volunteering into my already ridiculously jam-packed schedule.

Time after time, that dark veil of guilt had won.  For years upon years I would run myself dry, volunteering and serving in every area I possibly could handle.  I was coming into a season of absolute physical burn out.

All I could do was sit and cry.  It was then that I had the new realization that –It’s okay, to pass the clipboard.

No longer, was I going to allow guilt to rule over my life and my emotions.

No longer, was I going to be a slave to the pressures and expectations that I had firmly placed upon myself.

No longer, was I going to feel guilty when my name wasn’t signed up for every volunteer area in the church.

 

Sweet Sisters, are you drowning in church schedules like I once was?  Are you juggling your time, and compromising what truly matters?  Remember, even Jesus passed on things to make time for Himself and the Father.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Simon and his companions went to look for him,  and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.”  Mark 1:35-38

I encourage you today to just stop.  Look at the areas you love serving in and do just that and the next time the clipboards get passed to you…Pause.  Pray and if needed, never be ashamed or afraid to simply pass it along.  It’s okay!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Taylor's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Feeling Stuck

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Written By: Taylor Fast

A couple weeks ago I was talking, well I should really say complaining to my husband about feeling stuck.  I was explaining that I could not shake this feeling of wanting to do more then just going to school and completing my placement.  I was having such an urge to be finally done with school, that it was affecting how I was feeling in the morning.  My husband stopped me and said something that was simple, but such a good reminder.  He said “Maybe, this is where God wants you right now so that you will be ready soon for a new transition. Maybe this is a training ground, maybe you should keep your eyes opened for what God has planned for you.”

Wow! I had to stop and just think about that for a second. How right was he! I know that where I am now is where God wants me to be because He helped open the doors for me to get onto this path, how could I take that for granted?  My husband’s words were just what I need to hear, it was a reminder for me to slow down because God had me where He wanted me to be for that time.  I was so thankful for those words of encouragement that slowed down my moment of anxiety.

“You make known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”  Psalms 16:11

If you are feeling stuck with your life, reach out and pray to God.  Ask others for guidance as well that you trust, and keep your eyes open to where God might be leading you next.  God has an exciting and blessed plan for you.  Remember that where you are now, may be the training ground you need to have the skills, tools, and faith to get to where you are going next.

Stand strong in your faith and look out for opportunities in your life that God has specifically placed for YOU.

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

 

Joceline's Posts, {Life}

{Life} You Don’t Really Have To.

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney

I have had a shift in my mind some years ago.  I would often look with dread at the various chores I would have to do around the house as a wife, and homeschooling mom of three.  To be honest I would sometimes be very put off by some of the chores I was required to do.  Laundry would be one of them, as it is a perpetual job that literally is never done.  From picking up clothes on the floor; I would grumble that this was ridiculous and why couldn’t anybody just pick it up off the floor or better yet just put it in the hamper in the first place!  To when the dryer bell would go off and I was usually in the middle of yet another household responsibility that needed my attention, so I’d have to stop that to go fold another pile of laundry, because if left it would wrinkle and the clothes would look worse than the crumpled pile I had just washed!!!

I certainly needed an attitude adjustment when it came to this area of my life.

So I prayed…

Funny how God is even interested in laundry.

He spoke to me “You know, you don’t really have to do laundry.”  I was really thrilled that the Lord was agreeing with me and that He saw it my way.  Until He said clearly, “You get too.”  Wait am I hearing that correctly…I get too?!?  The Lord went on to reveal to me that, yes it was a privilege because I had been blessed with a beautiful family whom I had the honour to take care of.  From a hard working husband who comes home exhausted because he’s just put in, yet another twelve hour shift, or has just come back from a fire, where he was at all night and now was too depleted to even put his clothes in the hamper.  The only thing he had strength left to do was fall into bed for a few hours before he’d have to get up and do it again.  God clearly spoke that those many pairs of socks, pants and shirts that our girls go through every single day was a perfect reminder of my blessings.

So I changed my perspective about laundry and I even took it a step further… Pray while doing laundry.

While folding socks I pray that the Lord would guide their steps. Keeping them on the path toward His Glory.  Encompassing them in His protection.

While folding their pants, I pray that the Lord would protect their purity.  That He would keep them unto Himself.  That they would choose a lifestyle that is honouring to Him.

While folding their shirts I pray that the world’s dirt would not enter their hearts.  That they would hide God’s word so deep that nothing would taint it.  That the fiery darts that they would encounter would not penetrate them.

Colossians 3:23-

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord, rather than for people.”

What area of your life do you need a shift in?  Perhaps an attitude adjustment?  My suggestion is to pray, but be ready because our God is a God of clarity and He will tell you like it is!   Are you ready?

 

Until Next Time,
~Joceline

Melissa's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Born to Love

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Written By: Melissa Longval

And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully.  But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner.” Luke 19: 5-7

The story of Zacchaeus is familiar to us, but as I read it this past week, one line struck me anew.  “But when they saw it, they all complained…” What had they seen?  Who were “they”?  Where had they come from?

Reading the Word of God in context is vital to understanding the whole of the scripture I am studying.  So as I back up to chapter 18 in Luke, I discover much that opened my eyes to not only the “THEY” in this story, but also the “ME” in this story.

As is known, Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector, but the chief tax collector…head honcho.  Hated and despised; tax collectors were greatly distrusted and poorly regarded.  Because of dishonest dealings and deceitful practices, people did not associate with them.

So, back to my questions.

The “they” in the above scripture are referring to the people who had been walking with Jesus.  They had heard Jim preach, perform a miracle, and tell the rich young ruler that it was impossible for a rich man to get into heaven.  Ironically, Jesus also preached about the Pharisee and the tax collector.

 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other{Pharisee}, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18: 13-14

Even after witnessing all this, they complained when Jesus brought Zacchaeus into His fold.  I’m sure Zacchaeus could hear them complaining.  He knew, how they regarded him.  He wasn’t with anyone before he climbed up the tree.  Isolation is often the price for riches.

Zacchaeus joyfully received Jesus and declared before all, his true and honest intentions of restitution and repentance.  We know it is genuine, because Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19: 9-10.

Wait!  Did you catch that?  Jesus just accomplished the impossible!  Zacchaeus, a very rich man, just received salvation!  He was willing to do what the rich young ruler was not…follow Christ at all cost!

And yet, they complained!

How like me to disregard miracles that go against my preconceived notions and judgments!  I put more stock in my idea of a person than in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.  I allow what I think of a person to determine how I see their walk with the Lord.  Instead of rejoicing, I complain about their past sins, real or imagined.  I can get caught up in the crowd and allow their judgments to lead me.

As a mom, I struggle with this with my children and their friends.  I have this idea of what I want for my children.  I think we all do.  I have this picture of what is good and what is bad.  If someone doesn’t fit into my image of good, I really grapple with refusing the friendship and protecting my children.

That mentality can even infiltrate into the family.  If the family doesn’t fit my idea then I want to cut off the relationship.  We are called to be diligent and to be careful.  After all, bad company does corrupt good character as we read in 1 Corinthians 15:33.  But we are never called to quickly dismiss someone based solely on reputation.

As a Christian this should not be!

I know I need to protect and guide, but I also need to trust that the Lord is the better protector.  I am called to shine the light of Christ to the world around me.  How can I do that if I am proudly shutting out the very people Christ has brought to me to love and serve?

In the wise words of my 14 year old daughter, “If we don’t love them and show them the love of Christ, Mom, who will?”

So today, I choose to be brave.  I choose to lay down my complaints, judgments, and preconceived notions of people and trust the Lord to lead, guide, and protect me and my family.  May I joyfully receive that which He came to save…the lost, the unlovable, sinners.

Until Next Time
~ Melissa

Amie, {Life}

{Life} Not Today

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Written by: Amie Comber

Life.  Just that simple word makes me think of a million moments.  Moments like driving down a freshly paved road as the black pavement darkly contrasts against the stark yellow lines swerving back and forth into the horizon.  Or feeling the rough stones beneath my fingertips as I search for a handhold to climb one step higher to reach the top of the rock wall.  I think of hearing the splashes of millions of raindrops hitting the leaves on the row of bushes in my front yard, and taking warm and gooey chocolate chip cookies out of the oven.  Life.  My life is made up of so many moments.  From my very first breath in a foreign world, to this very moment as I try to vaguely grasp a few beautiful moments that make me think of my unique life.  Every moment has grown me in some way.

In this world that I woke up in many years ago, I have spent most of my beautiful moments smiling and laughing.  But I have also spent time fretting over fleeting problems, and battling many hard moments that make up the storms in our lives.  I’ve come to believe that every young lady has a list of specific lies.  They’re the lies that she will believe easily and they’re the most hurtful when they’re thrown at her heart.  Satan knows exactly what they are, and when she is at her weakest he whispers them into her ear over and over.  When I formulated this mental image of the enemy attacking me with a personal lie concocted just for me, it changed how I viewed my life.

Life.  My life is a battle.  It’s a spiritual battle between light and dark.  Every moment has choices, emotions, and either truth or a lie wrapped up into it.  God is a God of truth, love, and light, which means that Satan is the opposite with: lies, hate, and darkness.  God ALWAYS tells us the truth, and Satan will ALWAYS counter that truth with a lie.  When I feel a storm coming on, I realize that it’s not just simply a bad day, but I take a step back to evaluate what lies are behind the emotion or turmoil I feel like I’m facing.  When I find that lie behind a moment I shut it down.

Sweet girl, you do not have to be prey to falling and fleeting emotions.  You do not have to let the enemy knock you down time after time with a lie.  No.  Truth always wins.  Love always wins.  Light always shuts out the darkness.  The Holy Spirit living inside of you is stronger than any lie that could ever be thrown at you.  

That’s when I started saying two words.  

NOT TODAY.  

Sometimes I whisper it when I feel the tears about to spill over as I feel rejected, and sometimes I shout it and hear it echo off the empty walls as I battle the invisible words telling me “I’m not good enough,” that course through my mind.  Is a lie yelling at you?  Then SCREAM back the truth.  I promise you, the truth of God’s Word and God’s love will ALWAYS be stronger than that lie.  Do I have to feel alone?  NOT TODAY- because my God tells me He is always with me.  Do I have to feel like I’m not good enough?  NOT TODAY- He MADE me and cherishes me.  Those lies do not have to touch me today.  Repeat after me. “I AM LOVED. I AM HIS. NOT TODAY SATAN. NOT TODAY.”

Say that phrase as many times as you need to throughout your day.  You were given this beautiful day as a gift and you don’t need to let a lie steal precious moments away from you.  I have a challenge for you.  Right now, take out a whiteboard marker or a pen and paper and write in big bold letters, NOT TODAY.  Write it in a place where you can see it often.  I wrote mine on my bathroom mirror.  It’s the first thing I see in the morning as the sun reflects off of it, and it’s the last thing I see before I turn off my light.

Take everyday given to you, sweet girl, and live it to the fullest.  Every single day is filled with so many moments that are unique and should be treasured.  Remember your new phrase, and throw it back at the enemy when the lies creep in to take away what could be another beautiful moment.  NOT TODAY.  Today will be Yours, Lord.  Today will be beautiful.

Driving down the freshly paved road I whisper “not today” as I feel like fretting over the thought of not looking right for the people awaiting me at my destination.  Climbing one handhold at a time on the rock wall I think “not today” as the lie creeps in that I’m not strong enough to make it to the top.  As I walk out into a stormy day with the rain whipping my hair wildly about I answer the storm back, “NOT TODAY” as I feel the frustration about to creep in and sour my spirit.  Today is the Lord’s.  Live like it, sweet girl.

Until next time,
~ Amie  

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

Welcome, NEW Team Member! 

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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.

  

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

Welcome, NEW Team Member! 

UYM

Good Morning Y’all! 

We are excited here at UYM to be annoucning a brand NEW Team Member! Krista will be writing at least 3-4 times a month and we can’t wait to hear what she has to share! Please give her a very warm welcome! 

Krista, welcome to the UYM family! 💙

  

Krista Dunbar is loved by God, set free from her failures through Jesus Christ, and is living out her purpose through writing, encouraging, and loving others. She believes the best way to lead is by being open, honest, and authentic. She’s the wife and helper to her Young Adult Pastor husband, Chris. They love doing ministry together, serving side by side in conversation, missional living, and doing CrossFit. Krista loves sharing stories of God’s purpose through others’ over at Woven & Threaded. She also just launched her own communications consulting business and is learning how to be an entrepreneur.

Amie, Cheyenne's Posts, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Lanissa's Posts, Melissa's Posts, OBS, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

UYM turns 8 Months! 

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Today is the day!! We turn 8 months!!! Wow! What a journey it has been, walking in full-time ministry with The UYM Team! We are so amazed by how faithful God has been to our ministry. The thousands of lives that have been changed, touched and restored…brings tears to our eyes.

Thank YOU dear friends and family, for your support and encouragement! Uniquely Yours Ministries, wouldn’t be the same without you ❤️ We love y’all and we can’t wait to see what God has in store in the future! Happy 8 months!!!! 

Much love! Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Guest-Writers, Kerrington's Posts, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}, {Worth}

{VIDEO Blog} Our Journey.

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Hello UYM Friends,

We are SO excited to share with you, this incredible video blog! (Thank you shout-out to Joshua Chaulk, our super talented video productions manager)

Join Our President and Founder, Kerrington Sweeney, as she shares from her heart about the journey and inception of Uniquely Yours Ministries! Bless you! Happy Tuesday y’all💙

Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team 

Taylor's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Lifeline

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god_is_faithful

Written By: Taylor Fast

Life has a way of not going as planned, have you ever noticed that?  My husband and I recently went on our honeymoon to Jamaica.  We had a pretty incredible time as I got to scratch quite a few things off my bucket list of ‘Travel To-Do’s’, but we experienced quite the scare when we were there!

For a couple days while we were in Jamaica, I got extremely sick; I experienced shaking, vomiting, fever, and dizziness.  I was terrified to now be treated with a medical system from a different country and had no idea what was wrong.  I also felt awful for my husband, who had to stand by my side through the nights when I could hardly stand myself.  It ended up after IV’s and countless needles that I experienced heat stroke and also got myself a lovely bacterium from something I ingested!  After I was treated, I felt a million times better, but there is no way I could have managed without my husband.

This man was my advocate, he cared for me, and he did not take out any anger on me from him not being able to do some activities we had planned because of my illnesses.  Do I still feel awful about it?  Actually, yes!  I still get that nasty pit-in-the-gut feeling that I ruined a part of what is suppose to be a magical experience, but my husband never once blamed me, which I think is pretty awesome.

This life experience taught me quite a bit though.  God was faithful to me and I was able to get back to normal pretty quickly.  I had to put my trust in Him, and He followed through.  I was terrified being in a doctor’s office in a country I did not know, but God was faithful in my life.  I know there will be many more circumstances where my husband and I will be tested throughout life, but this causes us to grow as Christians.  It is so important to continually grow in God, so when the storms of life come, it is time to grasp tightly to the word of God and have faith.  He will provide.

Though that week was not exactly as I had planned, God showed His goodness, and thanks to a quick recovery my husband and I have some pretty awesome memories from our week in Jamaica, and a few funny ones.  (You should have seen my sunburn- word to the wise, where a hat always if you go there).

For those of you, who may be struggling due to an unforeseen or even scary life circumstance, hold on to the promises of God today.  The storm will cease and you will come out stronger then before.

“Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to Him “You are my defender and protector. You are my God; in you I trust. “ Psalm 91:1-2

Until Next Time,
~Taylor