Category: Uncategorized

Guest-Writers, Taylor's Posts

{Marriage Week} Devoted and Devotionals.

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Written By: Taylor Fast

2016 is already bringing in so many changes for my husband and I.  I am in my last semester of graduate school and therefore my hours are extremely tied up with schoolwork and my placement requirements at the hospital.  I love the work I am doing, but coming home late and having little time to spend with my husband is an area that I wish could change.

My husband has always been so supportive of my dreams to become a social worker, and I am 3 months away from completing that dream, but the time in between is busy, stressful, and expensive!

I attempt to cherish anytime I have to just relax with him and talk about other things beside school and work.  I need this time to de-stress and I am so thankful for every chance I have to do so.  For Christmas, we were given a Couples Devotional Bible from my grandparents, and it has made our quality de-stress time even more valuable.  The opportunity for my husband and I to share our ideas and read the Bible together is something that allows us to grow together and with God.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-11)

I give my husband a lot of credit for working around my busy schedule and supporting me.  I am so thankful that we have these times together so I can continue to show love to my husband and allow for God to strengthen our marriage.

I encourage everyone who has a spouse or a serious relationship to look into doing devotionals together, this can be a great opportunity for growth in God and help give you a better understanding of your significant other.

Until Next Time,
~Taylor

 

About Taylor: 

Taylor Fast is in school to get her Master’s of Social Work, graduating in April 2016 as well hoping to work within the field of addictions. She cannot wait to begin working in the Social Work field and see how God will use this passion to help her lead others to Him and help empower those around. She loves being involved in her home church, which includes participating on the worship team, helping with the young adults group, and going on missions trips whenever they are offered. She is married to her Best-Friend Darrin. She is loving the new adventure of marriage with her wonderful husband by her side that God handpicked.

Guest-Writers

{Marriage Week} My Favourite Place in the World. 

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Written By: Tracey Pierce

“Where is your favourite place in the world?”  Those were the words that came across the airwaves to me and it took not a second for my mind to find the answer.  My most favourite place in all the world is not anywhere that you will find on a map or globe but it is a place that is stamped indelibly on my heart.  It is the most comforting, welcoming, secure place on the planet and it is mine alone.  That place is under the arm (preferably, the right arm!) of my husband, Tim.  Nowhere else can make me feel more relaxed, loved, or “at home”.  It is – he is – my safe place.

And, you know, it has always been that way.  From the time that we began dating (many, many…many years ago!), Tim has always been my ‘safe place’.  His kindness, gentleness, and patience have been a haven for my soul.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about who I was for him.  From its roots in deep-seated insecurity, woundedness, and pain, I often spewed out anger at Tim.  All of the ‘ugly’ inside of me found, in Tim, a sanctuary – a place to vent, to release some of the pent-up pressure without fear of rejection or reciprocated anger.

As I think back now on those many years that Tim exemplified Jesus to me – taking what he did not deserve and loving me in return – I shake my head in wonder.  I wonder how he endured, how he remained faithful, and how he ever continued to love me.  Now, I do realize that things were not always bad all of the time, but when a husband finds himself dreading going home from work each day because he is not sure what kind of mood he will find his wife in, something has to change.

And I did desire change; I truly did.  I was not happy with who I often was for Tim.  But, no matter how much I tried, how many anger workbooks I bought, or how many anger management seminars I attended, nothing seemed to change – at least, not for very long.  I could not, in my own efforts, overcome my anger issues.

Stormie Omartian, in her book The Power of a Praying Wife (which I highly recommend to every wife regardless of the status of your marriage – struggling, ‘so-so’, or strong), says, “One of the greatest gifts you can give your husband is your own wholeness.” Books and seminars can help but only Jehovah-rapha, the Lord that heals, could bring the wholeness, healing, and restoration that I needed deep within.

That healing journey has been long but truly miraculous.  It began the day I spoke aloud to the Lord the words that verbalized forgiveness for those things that had been done or not done, said or not said that had caused me such pain.

But now, my reward for doing that hard thing is great.  My Tim would tell you himself that, as spoken of in Proverbs 31, he has found a virtuous wife whose worth is far above rubies; that his heart safely trusts me; so he will have no lack of gain; that now I do him good and not evil all the days of my life.  These days we both have a safe place that is our most favourite place in all the world. Thank You, God.

About Tracey: 

  

Tracey Pierce is a blessed-beyond-measure daughter of the King who resides in Kingston, Ontario, with her “safe place” and husband, Tim, and their three amazing teenagers. Tracey’s desire and calling are to encourage and assist women of God to become all that their Father has created them to be.
 

Guest-Writers

{Marriage Week} Drawing a Line in the Sand.

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nagging
Written by Melissa Longval

As my husband, Keith, and I came back to the Lord after the birth of our daughter, our walks were very much our own: our own pace, our own style, and our own story.  As is pretty typical, I seemed to run ahead, probably because I was so desperate and in need of some serious sanity as I suffered from postpartum depression.

Keith was slower; carrying the burden of providing for his expanding family, the stresses of life weighed him down.  As much as I was growing in the Lord, I did little to lift the burden off of my husband.   I was consumed with little people, little (or rather large) messes, and all things baby.  Plus, I was up and down and very unstable at the time, so Keith never knew what he was coming home to: a crying mess, a raging lunatic, or a cold stare.

God had given me a passion for His word.  I loved it.  I devoured it.  I couldn’t get enough of it.  Slowly over time, I changed.  Along with medicine, God’s word revealed some deep issues I had to deal with and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I did.

Keith continued to work.  And I started to become a bit impatient with my husband and his lack of spiritual growth.  And…the nagging started.  I mean, it had always been there.  The sarcastic comments, the digs, the words that cut and hurt, but nagging became my language.

Nag…nag…nag!!!

As I buried my nose in the Word and self-righteously lifted my husband in prayer, I came across a verse that hit me hard.

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. Proverbs 21: 19

Oh….boy…ouch!  Here I was thinking so highly of myself and proudly lifting my husband in prayer, so the Lord could change him, while I was the one who needed changing.  It is in this place that I drew my line in the sand.  I would not nag my husband anymore.

With God’s grace and His Word, I stepped out in faith to watch what God could do when I got out of the way!  Because, honestly, that is what nagging is; it is a wall that kept my husband from hearing the Lord.  All he could hear were my awful words, voice, and tone.

After time, Keith changed. “You’re praying for me, aren’t you,” he asked.

Ummm, yes…of course.

That is what I had started to do…every time I wanted to nag, I prayed.  It worked!  God honoured my faith and reliance on Him.  When we lift those we love in humble prayer, God works mightily!

So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:11-12

By replacing nagging with prayer, my trust in God’s power and faithfulness grew.  Free from nagging and quarreling, Keith was able to experience the Lord’s work in him, and he was able to respond and grow.  Keith’s trust in God grew as he saw changes in himself.

Do you struggle with nagging?  Maybe it isn’t your husband you nag, but your children.  Let go of the temptation to nag.  Trust the Lord to change your loved ones and yourself!

Until next time,
~Melissa

About Melissa: 

Melissa Longval is a mom of two teenagers and wife to an amazing man, Keith for 22 years. She loves the ocean, reading, and talking long with friends over coffee and pastries. She has a passion to reach the hurting, the broken, and lost with saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Encouraging women with the hope she has found through her journey of post-partum depression, financial difficulty, and well, life is her mission. She has started writing her experiences in the hopes that what she has learned will bless, teach, and inspire others. “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.” Psalm 107:2-3 Melissa has learned that through life, God is always good, always kind, and always speaking. Her prayer is that you will know that too.

Melissa's Posts, Uncategorized, worth

{Worth} Worth in the Rubble Part 1

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Written By: Melissa Longval

Worthy

Of all the amazing things that happened to the Israelites during their advancement into the Promised Land, it is in the woman, Rahab, that I see the greatest miracle.  This woman, known for her profession and reputation, saved not only the lives of the two Hebrew spies, but she also saved her entire family from the advancing army of God’s people.

Joshua, Moses’ successor, had sent out two spies to view the lay of the land.  Joshua understood the importance of a good report, so these spies must have been trustworthy with strong integrity.  As they made their way into the walled city of Jericho, they stopped at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

Ugh…imagine if your mistakes, bad choices, or faults determined your worth.  Oh yeah, for most of us, they do.  Rahab, the prostitute.  Hmmm…what would I be? Melissa, the liar.  Or perhaps, Melissa, the two-faced.  What about you?

Do you let these labels determine your worth?  I would love to say that I do NOT, but that would be a lie.  How often do these labels try to reclaim me when I am weak, lonely or stressed?  I know I am not alone.  So many people that I love and treasure have such a hard time remembering their worth.

Perhaps this is why I love the story of Rahab.  She determined to save herself and her family.  As the rest of Jericho cowered with their hearts melting in fear, this woman understood the One whom she should fear – the Lord God of Israel!

And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath. Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that, as I have dealt kindly with you, you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a sure sign that you will save alive my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death. Joshua 2: 11-13

This woman did not let her occupation, reputation, or situation deter her from her purpose.  I certainly don’t know the details of her life, but I imagine labels stuck to her as they do to us today.  Rahab recognized the One true God and determined to meet Him.  Her pagan culture had failed in the presence of Yahweh and His people.  This gentile woman recognized the source of true power and might; the One in whose image she and her family were made, and bargained for their lives.

Sweet friends, do you recognize the source of your worth?  Do you understand where true power and your identity are found?

Join me next time as we dig deeper into this beautiful story of redemption, salvation, and worth.

Until next time,
~Melissa

Amie, Uncategorized, {Love}

{Love} Love’s meaning in Hebrew

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love in hebrew

Written By: Amie Comber

In our world, we throw around the word “love” as if it means to “like something.”  I can love my taco, love my coffee, while also loving my friends and my family.  We say “love” to the girl we have just met, and to the Grandfather that is taking his last breaths.  Love ranges from loving an outfit, to loving our Heavenly Father.  I wanted to take a minute to look at the word “love” a little closer.

The Hebrew language is unlike our own in a million ways.  This past year I have had the unique opportunity to study some of it and have loved seeing the ancient writing grace my pages.  In our alphabet, the letter “A” simply means a sound.  But in the Hebrew alphabet, each letter is almost like a character in a story.  A capital letter carries with it a deeper meaning, and the lower case letter also has another story that goes along with the shape/ picture the letter creates.

When looking at the word “love”, it translates to “Ahava” in the Hebrew language.  When written in Hebrew, it looks like this אהבה (and is read right to left).  The sequence of the letters has the root meaning of “to give,” and the first letter (an aleph) modifies “to give” to be “I give.”  So, in the Hebrew language “love” means, “I give.”

If we apply that deeper meaning from the Hebrew language to the way we use the word love today, I believe that changes it quite a bit.  Loving my family and friends means that I’m giving something to them.  I’m not “loving” the girl I just met because I’m not giving anything to her (except maybe an overused phrase).  The next time you find yourself saying, “I love” today, think of placing the words “I give” into that same phrase and see if it changes anything or enhances it more.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV)

God loved the world… and He GAVE.  God is love.  God also demonstrates His love for us through giving His Son, giving us eternal life, and giving us forgiveness.  Take a moment today and think how you can give love to someone else.

How will you love someone today?

Until next time,
~Amie

Kerrington's Posts, Uncategorized, {Life}

{Life} When the going, gets tough…

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Have you ever experienced a moment in your life where you wonder, “What in the great world, is the Lord trying to teach me through this awful and tough situation?”

  

Well ladies, I am here to share with you that 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.

Isaiah 55:8-9 says…
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

As I read and re-read this Scripture, I was left baffled every time.  My thoughts nor my ways are not like the Lord’s?  Well, that does make sense because I am a sinner saved by grace.  But then I read the line “…my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

This gave me such an incredible amount of reassurance within my heart.  God is higher than every thought, situation, season or battle that I am walking through.  God has higher thoughts than I do.  He has a plan for those moments where I question, “What in the world am I supposed to be learning through this God??”  He is in the Heavens which is higher than the Earth, and through these times I question Him, truly He is to be praised.  He is to be bowed down to because I can’t see the life-lesson He’s teaching me, but He has wonderful plans.

Ladies, let’s pray:

Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for today and for You uncovering this message from underneath some ‘stuff’ in my heart.  I ask that these words would be sealed within the lives of these readers; that they would be able to understand that You are a BIG God and You’re higher than any season, situation, circumstance, or battle that they are facing.  I pray that through these scriptures and encouragement, they would be reminded that YOU have unique plans for each and every one of them specifically.  We pray this in Your precious and holy name, Jesus. Amen!

Until Next Time,
~Kerrington

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

Taylor's Posts, Uncategorized, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Taking Care of Yourself

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Taylor BeautyWritten By: Taylor Fast

Have you ever been asked if you’re tired…cause you look tired?  I hate when I am asked that question.  Usually once finals for school roll around, I get asked that question a lot.  Though, this question reminds me that I need to take care of myself.

There is a lot that we can get caught up with in our daily lives.  Our society is one that is built on getting things accomplished as quickly as we can.  So where does that leave room for taking care of ourselves?  We have a duty to take care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Spiritually, we need to make sure we take time out of our day to spend time with God.  We all have some time in our day that we can save for Him, whether this is during a lunch break, in the morning, or before you head to bed.  This time with God is important as you can recharge your batteries in a way!  Spending time with God allows you to think about His word and apply it to your own life.  It allows you time to reflect and come to God with the concerns of the day.  This time is necessary for your spiritual health, and your walk with God.

“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

When I think of some beautiful women that I look up to, I can see in their lives that they take time for themselves.  Their beauty radiates because they love themselves for who they are and they respect their bodies.  I challenge everyone reading this, to take a well needed break today.  Even if it’s just for a few minutes, spend this time being mindful of the life you have.  Let your body relax, and give thanks to God, who cares for you and loves you always, just as you should care for and love yourself.  This well needed me time is an act of love towards yourself, and nothing is more beautiful than that!

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

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

The Brutally Honest Christmas Card.

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Written By: Kerrington Sweeney 
This has been one of the hardest years of my life. I am still on a road of recovery from it. This past year:

In the early spring of this year, I was physically attacked by an unknown sickness. I was emotionally drained and spiritually on a desperate searching quest. In search for something to quench my never-ending thirst of strength in my physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. Resulting in, me spending a few horrific nights in the Emergency Room…waiting hours and hours in search of answers. That season was absolutely lifeless. No growth took place, rather the roots of a health filled life-style, were ripped out from underneath me. 

I felt weary, defeated, and ragged. My soul was in pieces, scattered around, limp with no life left within me. Failure. Defeated. Worthless. These were the words so often spoken in my mind, on a vicious cycle that seemed to never end. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of mystical voices. I was numb to the Lord’s presence. I had no emotional balance. I was knee-deep in a place of utter chaos and complete confusion. A season of wandering, searching, and questioning. A choice was placed in front of me. Would I begin to take up the quest in hope of finding my authentic purpose once again, or would I continue to lay limp, life-less in a state of exhaustion?

My weary soul felt no reason to pray. No reason to read my Bible and not even an ounce of reason to attend a church service. I was tired. Weak. Ready to, in all honesty, give up. “What was the point anymore?”, I thought. This soul was mine. I, Kerrington, had to take ownership of it. No longer was I being a slave to the fears, raging inside of me. This was not my portion and I knew that I knew, something had to give. 
It was the year full of hardship. Harsh words, temptations, and faithless defeat. Anxiety, unsettledness, sleepless nights, and never-ending tears. Oh, and change. Lots of it.

The year of goodbye to the old and hello to the new. A year of questioning what truly defined me. The year crammed with medical tests and procedures. Ugly moments and real jealousy. It was the year, I truly fell in love and then, got my heart recklessly broken. The year of frequently changing seasons. The year of learning to love and somewhat trust once again. Full of high mountain tops and low valleys of deep feelings and insecure emotions. The year of pursuing, a true balance for my life. 

It was a year of realignment and of a complete shift that took place. A brand new purpose and an intimate calling was being birthed directly into my weary heart, into my very spirit. I would either embrace it with open arms, wholly surrendered or I would resist it, and be shaken to the very core of my being and be tested on my every move. God was calling my heart deeper through this year and I honestly was struggling to trust Him through it all.  

But then friends, Jesus. He came…like a winter snow. He was quiet, soft and slow. Falling from the sky to the earth below. 
I think at times I often forget, especially in the fast-paced culture we abide in, that God is a personal God. We forget that He deserves our undivided attention first and foremost. We just need to Stop. Seek. Pray. Reach and Regenerate. Because, He’s there. 

He’s there in those moments when you could just break down and cry. He’s there celebrating with you in your greatest achievements. He’s there in the stormy crashing waves of life, and He’s there in those moments of sweet peace and stillness. He’s with you in hardship and in worship. In agony and in freedom. He’s always there. 

Dear Readers, Friends and Family, 

Whatever your year may have looked like…just know and believe that God has a purpose for it. The seasons, the circumstances and the situations you walked through have a greater purpose than you can even possibly begin to understand. Whether it was a battle year or a victory year, He was there. The battles you may be fighting or have fought, the hurts you are clenching on to, the bitterness that is building up within you, the struggles that are constantly bombarding your mind…Give them up. 

Hand the keys over to God, let Him begin to lock those things out of your life. Let Him cleanse your weary heart. I know for a fact that He has prosperous plans for you. Hopefully this post has shown you that, I don’t have it all together. I live a real life, just like you. I am fighting battles, and am always learning to give more to God. I am just like you, walking on a journey to a Heavenly Place, our eternal home. I pray with all of my heart, that this vulnerably written post, has empowered you this Christmas Season. 

God bless you and Merry Christmas!

Until Next Time…

President & Founder,

~Kerrington Sweeney