Category: Joceline’s Posts

Joceline's Posts, Uncategorized, {Life}

{Life} Real Life. 

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney

Since January of 2009, I have taken one picture a day, totalling 2,555 photos on record, give or take a few for leap years!  That’s seven years of intentional photographs.  This may not be a lot compared to some, but this is different and you’ll see why.  This isn’t an original idea of mine; when I heard about it, I jumped in with both feet and haven’t stopped since.  I never realized that this would actually be perspective changing and truly something my heart had been missing.

Many families, mine included, have album after album of photos documenting the amazing things we have done so far in our lifetimes.  Wonderful vacations, extravagant parties, plays our kids and families have been in, the list of highlights could go on, but I didn’t even realize until I started these special albums that my heart had been longing for something more… real.  I would often tell my girls about our early days of married life and memories only I could describe with words as, unfortunately, many pictures had not been taken.  There are some shots of events that may have happened in our first home but none focusing on the details that made it our home.  Silly as this may sound, I wished I had gotten a photo of our first set of drinking glasses as they were something I had registered for and loved.  They were the prettiest glasses I had ever seen and it brought me such joy to place them on our little table, in our first home together as Mr. & Mrs.  The details, the ins and outs, are what I wished I had more memory of.

As we now look back through these intentional albums, they are of every season that our family has walked through thus far, since 2009.  Some of them are of joyful, abundant times, and some are so difficult they can still bring us to tears.

From a picture of the news cast that announced the company my husband works for had gone bankrupt…to a picture months later of his lunch box, because he was called back to work.

From a picture of beautiful flowers my husband had given me for a special occasion… to a picture of flowers at my grandmother’s funeral.

From a picture of my daughter Kerrington at her first speaking engagement… to a picture of her so sick yet again in the emergency room with no answers.

From a picture of my husband in his new uniform as a fire captain…to a picture of him wearing that same uniform to bury a “brother” of his.

Ecclesiastes 3:3-8

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Although we do enjoy the many, many albums of just the highlights, our favourites to look through are the real, sometimes raw, albums of our lives in every season.  These are the ones that remind us of God’s faithfulness day after day, season after season, year after year.

Perhaps you too need to start “taking a picture a day” of the details in your life, just as I did.  Noticing God’s faithfulness in the everyday, in every season and for the many years to come.

Until Next Time,
~Joceline

 

Joceline's Posts, Uncategorized, {Faith}

{Faith} One Small Step. 

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney

Dedicated To: Evelyne Brochu

Do you ever struggle with purpose? Does my life really matter? What difference am I really making in this world? Do my daily decision make any impact on my future? My destiny? What about my children’s destiny or even possibly my grandchildren’s destiny? Surely what I do today won’t affect anyone that far into the future. Choices I make now? Today? Really?

I’m here to share with you a little story.

A revelation was made on this very subject this week in my living room. My mom was simply pondering about her input into my daughters’ lives, what had she done to contribute to whom they had become? Had any of the life choices she made, had an impact on her children’s destinies or even her grandchildren’s’ destinies?
One small step was really all it was.
One small step…Out the front door to go to a Bible study, when a friend invited her, when she could of stayed home to catch up on things, she was a busy mom of three.

One small step…Picking up and reading her Bible and realizing she was a sinner, stealing time away from her pile of chores.

One small step…Kneeling to pray and confessing her sins and becoming one of God’s children, where she could have reasoned and said “we’ll I’m a mom I’m really not that bad!”

One small step…Taking her family to church, showing them how to become part of God’s family, adding to her already large work load, preparing three children to head out the door early Sunday morning when it was probably her only day to “sleep in.”
With one small step My Mom changed the entire course of our family’s destiny. Our entire family found Jesus because of her and her willingness to seek and find. To take one small step. I can say she is the reason I still have my dad around. She prayed us all into the kingdom.
Because of her small step…I am saved, and a part of God’s family. I have a home in eternity. Because of her small step I grew up in church my whole life, being protected from many mistakes that could have drastically changed my life.

Because of her small step I had the privilege of going to a Christian school, where I eventually met my Godly husband, (we celebrate 20 years this coming December!) My Christian education rooted me daily into God’s word and from that was born my passion to homeschool our three girls. Because of her small step we have raised our girls in the church and protected them from life altering decisions.

Because of her small step her granddaughter, my daughter is the founder of this website, which daily brings you encouragement, strong conviction and powerful messages.

One small step…You have purpose. Your life really matters. You are making a difference in this world. Your daily decision will affect your future, your destiny and that of your children and grandchildren. One small step will affect those in your future. The choices you make now, today, forever, all begin with one small step.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed…” ~Proverbs 31:28

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

Joceline's Posts, Uncategorized, UYM

{Worth} Celebrate.

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Written By: Joceline Sweeney
I am on the worship team at my church. Oh, how I love to sing and worship, but there is a particular singer, I want to tell you about and if she reads this post she will know I am talking about her.

“Am I worried about that?”….NO! Because everything I am telling you, I have told her.

She truly has an amazing voice. Clear, strong and beautiful. Angelic. When she sings it is absolutely mesmerizing. You can’t help, but feel completely surrounded by the presence of God. The anointing that falls when she sings is heavenly. All I can do, is just breathe it in.

This would be the perfect place for Satan, if I allowed him to come in and trip me up. Because remember, I too am on the worship team. I could allow thoughts of ungratefulness for my voice to creep in, feelings of inadequacy to fill my heart or jealousy and envy to rot my bones. Instead, I choose to celebrate the talent that God gave her and receive from it. 
 
My soul is refreshed when she sings, my heart is encouraged. If I allowed Satan to have his way, I would miss out on the gifts that God has for me through her singing. God is using her talent to benefit me! Are there any areas in your life that Satan wants to stir up within you? Don’t give him the chance!

Maybe your place is to celebrate with a friend who just received something you’ve been praying for.

Maybe your place is to celebrate for the lady whose blog just received more hits than yours.

Maybe your place is to celebrate for the coworker who seems to be getting all the attention for her accomplishments.

Maybe your place is to celebrate for the girl who seems to always know the answers in Bible Study. 

When we celebrate for others it doesn’t take away from our talents and what God has blessed us with.

The talents that others have, if you take the time to see, can be a tremendous blessing to you.

Let the time you celebrate with a friend who’s received something you so desperately want, be an encouragement to continue to pray as hard as she did.

Let the time you celebrate someone else’s blog that is also reaching others for Jesus, be an answer to prayer, of lives changed and transformed for His glory.

Let the time you celebrate your coworker be a blessing to others around of Jesus’ genuine love.

Let the time you celebrate the girl who knows it all in Bible Study, be challenge to you to dive into your Bible and fill your heart with the knowledge of God.

Anytime Satan comes to try and bring you down into the pit of jealousy or envy, stop. Because, the talents that others have, are truly a gift to you from God; you just have to take the time to learn from them and Celebrate!

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

Joceline's Posts, {Life}

{Life} One small step.

UYM

Written By: Joceline Sweeney

Dedicated To: Evelyne Brochu

Do you ever struggle with purpose? Does my life really matter? What difference am I really making in this world? Do my daily decision make any impact on my future? My destiny? What about my children’s destiny or even possibly my grandchildren’s destiny? Surely what I do today won’t affect anyone that far into the future. Choices I make now? Today? Really?

I’m here to share with you a little story.

A revelation was made on this very subject this week in my living room. My mom was simply pondering about her input into my daughters’ lives, what had she done to contribute to whom they had become? Had any of the life choices she made, had an impact on her children’s destinies or even her grandchildren’s’ destinies?

One small step was really all it was.

One small step…Out the front door to go to a Bible study, when a friend invited her, when she could of stayed home to catch up on things, she was a busy mom of three.

One small step…Picking up and reading her Bible and realizing she was a sinner, stealing time away from her pile of chores.

One small step…Kneeling to pray and confessing her sins and becoming one of God’s children, where she could have reasoned and said “we’ll I’m a mom I’m really not that bad!”

One small step…Taking her family to church, showing them how to become part of God’s family, adding to her already large work load, preparing three children to head out the door early Sunday morning when it was probably her only day to “sleep in.”

With one small step My Mom changed the entire course of our family’s destiny. Our entire family found Jesus because of her and her willingness to seek and find. To take one small step. I can say she is the reason I still have my dad around. She prayed us all into the kingdom.

Because of her small step…I am saved, and a part of God’s family. I have a home in eternity. Because of her small step I grew up in church my whole life, being protected from many mistakes that could have drastically changed my life.

Because of her small step I had the privilege of going to a Christian school, where I eventually met my Godly husband, (we celebrate 20 years this coming December!) My Christian education rooted me daily into God’s word and from that was born my passion to homeschool our three girls. Because of her small step we have raised our girls in the church and protected them from life altering decisions.

Because of her small step her granddaughter, my daughter is the founder of this website, which daily brings you encouragement, strong conviction and powerful messages.

One small step…You have purpose. Your life really matters. You are making a difference in this world. Your daily decision will affect your future, your destiny and that of your children and grandchildren. One small step will affect those in your future. The choices you make now, today, forever, all begin with one small step.

“Her children rise up and call her blessed…” ~Proverbs 31:28

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

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{Special Video} The UYM Project.

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The UYM project image

We are so thrilled to share this sweet video put together by a precious friend, Lauren Rivest for our ministry. Thank you Lauren, for assisting us in the creation of this beautiful master piece.

Another HUGE Thank you, to the hundreds of readers in whom were also so highly involved in the creation of this video. UYM wouldn’t be where it is today without you all!

             Special UYM Project video.

Joceline's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Magic Number.

UYM

Written By: Joceline Sweeney

It seems like there are a lot of things in life that can only be done when you reach a certain age, a magic number sort to speak, often set by our parents, schools or government.

When you are younger you look forward to the day you when you are finally old enough to wear make-up, finally old enough to have your first sleep over, and finally old enough to go the mall without your mom.

When you become a teenager you are finally old enough to go to high school, possibly during those teen years depending on your parent’s rules, permission is finally granted for you to start dating.

As soon as you turn sixteen you can finally start out on the “getting your license journey.” When you turn eighteen you are finally allowed to have say in how your country is run. So many things in our lives always seem like we have to wait for, for that distant day in the future, for a magic number to be reached, finally.

How many of you feel limited because of your age? I’m here to tell you today there is something so wonderful you can do, you don’t have to wait for that distant day in the future, it doesn’t have to be a magic number, or a finally old enough achievement!

Today, right now at this very moment in every situation you are in…You can be an example to everyone around you, younger and older! God is no respecter of age! He has on more than one occasion used the youngest and least likely to lead others.

You can be an example with your life, in how you trust in God to lead you and direct your future.

You can be an example with the way you speak, the way you show love and kindness to those around you, not getting caught up in the latest gossip, but speaking truth and love.

You can be an example of how a godly girl acts around boys, being treated with respect, as you are a daughter of the most-high God. Not lowering your standards just to fit it.

You can be an example of a girl who saves her purity for the man God has handpicked for her. You can have that beautiful love story of dedication and sacrifice.

You can be an example of how to pray for others, right in your youth group or even at your school. You can be the light. You can be filled with grace and wisdom, even at a young age.

One of my absolute favorite verses growing up was 1 Timothy 4:12,

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, your faith, and in purity.”

How awesome is that? You don’t have to wait for a distant day, a magic number and a finally, to be a part of the kingdom of God. Not even just a part, but an example, a leader. God has called each of us no matter our age to be world changers, so don’t wait for a distant day, a magic number or a finally.

Today, right now at this very moment in every situation you are in…be the woman God has called you to be!

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

Amy's Posts, Angela's Posts, Crystal's Posts, Guest-Writers, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Krystyn's Posts, Luisa's Posts, Marnie's Posts, Rachel's Posts, Sienna's Posts, Taylor's Posts, UYM, UYM Bible Study, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

{UYM Bible Study} Registeration!!!

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BIBLE STUDY UYM

Coming September 2015…With Guest-Writer Crystal Cyr, we will be on a journey together, discussing in depth, the book of Ephesians. In the form of an online Bible Study! This is our very first UYM online Bible Study. We hope you will join us, early every Saturday Morning, as we learn to constantly cling to the powerful words, of Our Heavenly Father.

Registration begins TODAY!

To Join us, click this link to the: UYM Bible Study Facebook Group.

In this online group, we will have discussion topics and also have time for prayer requests. If you have any questions…please message us here:

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 Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Life in the Spirit, Marnie's Posts, Rachel's Posts, Sienna's Posts, Soul-Searching Sundays, UYM, Video Blogs, {Beauty}, {Faith}, {Life}, {Love}

{BIG REVEAL} UYM Promo Video!

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UYM Promo video posting
Click Image to watch video!

God has been doing so much in and through Uniquely Yours Ministries…

It has been incredible to simply step back and see all that God is doing in the lives of our readership! The devoted women of faith committed to encourage on our team are truly amazing! This video project has been a joyful, stressful, yet such a rewarding experience that we have all been SO blessed to be apart of. We so look forward to continue writing and by God’s grace, touching more lives than ever before! We know that this Women’s Ministry is NOT at all about us or our team but, rather that when friends read our posts, they are instantly pointed up to Jesus! Because that, is the true purpose and meaning behind our ministry. To be able to see, women of all ages, backgrounds, and faiths, rise up and be everything God has truly called each of them to be. Blessings to you all!

Until Next Time,

~The UYM Team

Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts, Life in the Spirit, Marnie's Posts, Rachel's Posts, Sienna's Posts, Soul-Searching Sundays

{BIG REVEAL} Friday!!! 

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{BIG REVEAL} Coming this Friday at 10am EST! Mark your calendars, because you don’t want to miss this very special tribute! The UYM team, along with our incredibly talented in-house Director of Videography, Joshua Chaulk are very thrilled to share this wonderful project with you!!!  #SHINEproject 💛

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Guest-Writers, Joceline's Posts, Kerrington's Posts

{Sisters Week!} “Sweeney Girls.”

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IMG_2870

What a lovely pleasure it is, to be able to co-write alongside both of my Wonderful younger sisters.

Sisters week sweeney girls pictureLet me introduce ourselves… I’m Kerrington… The 17 year old, tea-drinkin’, jewelry wearing, crazy lover of Jesus and of course…writing! I’m a true born Red-head, (or “ginger” you could say…ha-ha!) Yes! Not even an ounce of hair die, on this chicka. 😉

Ireland, our younger sister is…The 15 year old, desk-building, measuring-tape and baseball-cap wearing, super sporty, outdoorsy blonde.
And last… but definitely not the least! Our youngest sister, Jillianne. The 11 year old…fire-cracker, swimmer, fashion diva, whom also is a true born red-head.
As you can already see, we are really nothing at all alike. Unique. Is the word I like to use, so often.

We all have grown up together in a solid Christian Home and have been Home-schooled since day one. So not only are these two beauties my sweet sisters, they are also my fellow classmates. Our parents have taught each of us, even at a young age to serve God with everything we have. No matter what we do, big or small… To do it unto the Lord. This is always, something that has stuck with me.

As the years go on, I now stop and reflect on the past memories from our child-hood and see, how much our parents poured into of each us, so uniquely to our young developing characters. My parents have come to the true realization, that each child is different. But it’s a beautiful difference…
I always remember growing up, not feeling like I had to be like my parents, or even be like my sister(s) to be loved. They treated each of us with a tender love but, it was unique for our character and for our own love languages. 
  They never told us, to be more like the other. They let us develop our own likes and interests according to our God-ordained destinies. I truly believe that’s what has continued to shape each of us, into the Unique-Godly young women that we are becoming today.
 Although, we each are so very different, and some of us have talents that the others may not have…we still always have one thing in common. And that is to serve God with everything we have. Big or small. As I think towards the future of our sister-hood, I am sadden at the thought of one of us “sisters” Leaving the family ‘nest.’ Luckily, that day has not yet come in our family and we still have plenty of time to cherish these precious moments we share together, as Sisters.
As I continued to prepare for this Sister’s post… A thought, I never had really thought before, struck me. And it broke my heart into many pieces.
“Do I truly show Christ’s love towards my sisters’?” And as I thought about it for a bit, My heart started to ache even more. Because I knew deep down, that I had failed in this area many times. Yes, failed.
We are all human, and yes, we all make mistakes but, that’s how the Lord daily challenges us, to change our ways for the better. A feeling of guilt…followed by a step, towards the restoration process of a loving sister-relationship, Is an incredible thing, I am happy to be a part of.
Today, No matter how hard it is… I chose to Love my sisters, just as Christ loves us. With an everlasting unconditional Love. A love that is patient, and kind. A love, that is not proud or self-seeking. A love, that is not easily angered, Or one that keeps record of wrong doings. A love that does not delight in the evil but, Rejoices together in the truth. A love that always trusts, and always has a hope. A love, that always perseveres.  A love, that lasts a life time.
Until Next Time,
~Kerrington