Category: Uncategorized

Guest-Writers, {Love}

{Love} The Magnet 

UYM

Love: ‘The Magnet.’ Written by: Tori Hazzard

Romans 12:9 says “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” 

In today’s time, we may find ourselves throwing around words we may not actually mean. Sometimes the words could be profanity, while other times the word may describe how you feel about someone.

The words “I hate you” may slip out at times, when you are angry with someone or when someone hurts you time and time again. I feel as if the most over used word in the english language is not “like”, but “love”.

I hear many people say to me “I love you”, but the amount of people that SAY they love me and the amount of people that truly SHOW me, that they love me aren’t the same.

Many people don’t truly understand what love is. Love is an action not just a word. Have you ever heard the old saying from your mom, “…actions speak louder than words?” When someone says they love you, you must also watch their actions to see if they line up.

The Bible says, in Romans, love must be sincere. You must truly mean you love someone, and you shouldn’t tell someone you “love them” just so you can have a relationship status.

Also, it says it must hate what is evil. So you need to distinguish who will hurt you and who means it. Lastly, the verse says “cling to what is good.” When I hear this verse I think of a magnet, it sticks to anything that it finds “good” (like a fridge), it doesn’t stick to anything it finds “bad.”
We need to be that magnet, clinging to what is good and falling away from the evil things, or bad things of this world. We especially want to be one of the magnets that takes more than a bump, to knock off. Show that you are ‘sticking’ by acting out, how you love someone and show them that you really are sincere.

Heavenly Father, I pray for bursts of actions towards who you love. I pray we will hate what is evil and repel against it, even if we think we are getting attention from someone. Please, help us to overcome the desperate things we will do to get a relationship status. Help us to be the magnet, that is stuck to your fridge and will attract others to you. Amen!

Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Choose JOY!

UYM

Life. Choose Joy

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

Unguarded– Speaking carelessly without thinking about what you are saying. Very direct and honest especially when you should be cautious. Not protected or watched over. Vulnerable to attack, unprotected. Free from guile or wariness. Direct, incautious. 

 
Proverbs 15:1 
“A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Ladies, we all have those days where we are stuck in a tangled web and we are caught off-guard in that one moment of attack. Someone can say something just slightly negative (Terribly rude in our minds) and our first instinct is to snap back at them. I like to think of this situation kinda like a snapping turtle.

Like the Zoo-keeper always says, before entering into the Snapping Turtles exhibit: “She doesn’t snap, unless provoked or caught off guard, but when she is… Then watch out!!! Cause here she goes!”

Those are the moments where the Devil plots out a away to catch you off-guard and provoke your spirit man. One second you will be all cool, calm, and collected. Then the next, the Devil’s got you cornered and you begin to reply in a not very graceful manner at all. 

We then begin to get sucked into this whirlpool of bitterness and un-forgiveness. As we are struggling to keep swimming against the current & are trying to choose Joy and see the positive in this negative situation, the devil just continues to keep pulling down on us, until our heads go under and we drown into an off-guarded moment. 

In these moments it’s very easy, (speaking even for myself) To say things we will later regret. When we show bitterness or  un-forgiveness towards someone, Our hearts then lose the special protection covering that God has placed over them and we then take every slight negative comment, as huge ones. Because our hearts are not being protected we instantly feel provoked, and feel the need, to reply in not-so-graceful manners to prove a point. 

~Colossians 4:6 says 
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, 
that ye may know how ye ought 
to answer every man.

That is probably the absolute hardest scripture right there to live by. 

Speaking in every situation with grace and a calm tone… Definitely something, we ALL need to be working on!  My mom always reminds my sisters and I of this, often daily: 

“Are my words bringing peace to this situation or are they just fuelling a fire of anger??” 

Before you speak it, take a look at what you are about to say and ask yourself this quick questions: “Is this glorifying to God?”,” Is his speaking with a tone of grace?” , “Is this bringing joy into that person’s life?” If none of the above apply…then don’t say it. (Plain and Simple.) 

As I began to write this post, I started to examine my own heart, God kind of gave me this little review film of the things that I have said verbally or even online to people in the past and I began to weep. I felt so ashamed, dirty even. In that moment of shame, Bitterness, and un-forgiveness…I kneeled before God at 1:54am and I rededicated my ‘mouth’ to the Lord.

With tears rolling down my cheeks I said: “God whatever flows from my mouth, let it be glorifying to your name & let it always be with Grace. God help me to always choose Joy even in the ‘unguarded’ moments and Thank you for always loving me, even with my many mistakes.” 

I don’t know about you, but Today I am choosing JOY!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Take that step. 

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney 

It was true faith that brought Isaac into Abraham’s arms. Faith, that kept Peter up when he walked upon the crashing waves. Faith, that helped Moses lead the Israelites across the Red Sea. Faith, that healed the blind man Calling out to Jesus. It was Faith that caused the walls of Jericho to tremble and fall. Faith, that got Joseph through many years of waiting, in the deep dark dungeon. It was Faith, that helped David through many years of hiding in the desert.

‘Faith’ is such a beautiful treasure. 

In Hebrews it is defined as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.

It’s having great confidence that God will come through for us even when nothing in our whole life gives us reason to prove that He will. 

It’s faith, that we will see a better tomorrow, in this fallen world. 

It’s believing that He will answer your many prayers for a sweet little baby, just like He did for Sarah and Abraham, even after years without any answer.

It’s believing that when you are stuck at a dead end in life, like Joseph and your dreams are not even close to being remotely fulfilled, that He will still find a way out for you and a place for you to begin your next season of life. It’s believing that when after years of struggling with your sickness and your pain like the blind man and the bleeding woman that with just a single touch from our mighty Heavenly Father, you will be instantly healed and completely whole again.

It’s believing that when you step off the rocky boat like Peter, out of your comfort zone onto the crashing waves and into the great unknown that He will be right there beside you, helping you take every single shaky step of the way. 

I have just recently really been learning and discovering that faith looks so different to everyone, and sometimes having faith requires taking action, and other times faith means standing still and waiting. 

I like to think of Faith as if, It’s like a motion door that won’t open, until you start moving. And in many cases I believe that is true.

Before Peter could walk onto the water, he first had to step out of the boat. A step in Faith. Before, the lady with the bleeding issue could be healed, she first had to reach out to Jesus. An act of Faith. Before the walls of Jericho fell, Joshua and his men marched around it for seven days. A sacrifice of Faith. 

In each one of these situations people have had to prove their faith by taking action, by being obedient to what God tells each of them to do, even if it meant being out of their comfort zones or doing something that made no sense. 

Though we may not march around Walmart until it’s walls come tumbling down, we still have tons of opportunities to test our faith and take action even in the culture we live in. Its the exact same for us…

We want great things to happen in our lives. We want to perform miracles in our everyday lives. We want incredible testimonies of how God is working in our lives. We want to fulfill these desires, the visions, the dreams God has truly planted deep in our hearts.But… We don’t even have the guts to take that one step of Faith.

Today, are you ready to take that step in faith?!

Yes…it’s scary! Going against the trend of this world, isn’t always easy. But together as a community of encouraging sisters I believe we each can take that step!

Dear Heavenly Father, Whatever it may be in their lives…A rut, a dead end, a season of waiting, a time of chaos. Lord, we ask that you would help us today to take a step of Faith and give every situation to you. Whatever it may be, big or small! We give it to you. We are taking a step for our future in Faith, knowing that you will protect each of us in a unique way and give us the true desires of our hearts. We pray this in your precious name, Jesus! Amen!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington 

Taylor's Posts, {Beauty}

{Beauty} Beauty does not have 1 Definition.

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

There has always been this quote that has stuck with me. I am unsure of who the author is, but I love the meaning behind the quote. “ We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are.” I am sure we could all interpret this quote in different ways, which is kind of the whole point of this quote. Everything we do and see and how we interpret our daily life is all impacted by how we were raised, our education, the activities we take part in, the friends around us, and the list can go on. Therefore, I can see a flower as beautiful and you could see it as a weed. So whenever we define things as good or bad, other people may look at them very differently.

Have you ever told someone they are beautiful and they look at you like you just said the most ridiculous thing possible? We are all so harsh to judge ourselves. Others can see us as beautiful, but we cannot even call ourselves pretty. There’s something very wrong with that. If I told you to think of a beautiful woman, what would she look like? Every one of you is going to have a different picture in your head of what this women looks like and what she does. I challenge you to think of yourself as that beautiful woman.

Society says you need to be thin, have perfectly luscious hair, be tanned, and showing as much skin as possible. I promise you, this is not the definition of beauty you need to become. You are all beautiful in very unique ways. Beauty cannot be defined by one definition, beauty is different for everyone- we all are beautiful.

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image…”

How can we call ourselves ugly when God made us to reflect Him? What an incredible verse for us to hold onto today. Remember how uniquely beautiful each of you are. Remember God has an incredible plan made specifically for you based on your skills and strengths He gave you. Find hope and truth in that. So do not alter yourself to fit the ideal beauty image society gives us. Stay true to who you are and love yourself.

Until next time,

~Taylor

Angela's Posts, UYM Runway

{UYM Runway} What are you wearing?

UYM

Written By: Angela Ridsdale

What are you wearing?

A thought crossed my mind this morning as I was sitting there. Modesty is not just about what you wear out of the house. Modesty isn’t just about how you dress in public but also how you are dressing when you are completely alone.

Consider yourself for a moment have you ever thought I’m not going anywhere or seeing anyone so I will just wear whatever I can find lying around? This may seem like a completely harmless concept. But now think about how many snap chat photos you sent around in that “just around the house outfit” or maybe the thoughts that may have crossed your mind when putting on that outfit.

 

Personally, I can say that I have worn some very short shorts around the house even shorter dresses. And I can even say that thoughts went through my mind saying wow you look pretty good. Your legs look pretty good maybe you should wear these shorts out of the house. I can tell you that these are not my own thoughts. The more I let these thoughts seep into my mind the more I feel like its o.k. to wear my around the house clothes out.

 

I’m encouraging you ladies to think this thought for a moment.

 

 

Uncategorized

{Happily Ever After…} The Boy I loved and never met…

UYM
The boy I loved and never met....

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

It was a chilly autumn weekend, where many students gathered together to enter into the presence of God and to learn more about His Word. That weekend, a year ago, I had no clue that this all would have taken place and that I would be sitting here writing this today, and that this was a part of God’s will for my life. That weekend, I didn’t officially ever meet him face to face but, I saw ‘him’ from afar…

Have you ever had one of those moments where you felt that God’s will was unknown in your life? God’s will sometimes is a scary unknown place with steps that will stretch you or shake you to your very core. God’s will definitely shapes you into the person He has called you to be. Recently, I had an “experience” with the unknown of God’s will. Oh, dear readers, let me introduce you to the boy I loved and never met…buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

How did I find myself having a crush on a boy whom I had never even met before, face to face? And No. I know exactly what you’re thinking…he wasn’t a pop boy singer from One Direction or a powerful hero in one of the newest action movies. Although, in my eyes he was my hero, my knight in shining armor, one of my very best-friends. My one true love. How did I find myself having a crush on a boy who at the time, lived in an entirely different province than me? How did I find myself awaiting ever so anxiously by my cell phone, for a text response back? How did I find myself depending all my emotions on him?

I still remember those 9 months of getting to know him through many late night texting conversations. I vividly remember lying in bed awake one night because I was just so happy. Why would I want to sleep when the reality of life was better than any of my dreams?

How did I find myself thinking about him every waking moment of every single day for those magical months of my life? The hundreds of texts sent back and forth between us daily almost felt like he was always there with me. When I felt lonely, or out of place, or had literally no one to talk to, even in a crowd…he was there. He was just a tap of a button away. He was right at my fingertips.

How did I find myself letting just ‘words’ in texting conversations take control over my life? How did I find myself already being loyal to this young Christian boy behind that cell phone screen? Maybe it was in hopes that if I was being loyal to him, he would do the same for me. Maybe it’s because I thought my ‘Season of Waiting’ had come to an end and my ‘Happily Ever After’ had begun? When all of my girlfriends would show off pictures of their handsome ‘boys’ and share sweet stories about them, I began to jump in and share what I thought at the time, was the beginning of my beautifully God-written love story. I was thrilled beyond words to do so. I waited so long to be able to ‘show’ someone off in a sense.

How did I find myself in the early spring, sick in a hospital bed with texting him as my only form of comfort? Even just the texts from him saying “I am praying for you, you’ll get through this” became such a sense of protection for me. How did I find myself opening up the very depths of my heart and soul to a boy I had never even met? Sharing my thoughts on the future, my hopes, my passions, and my dreams. Maybe it’s because he gave me dozens of reasons to trust him.

How did I find myself slowly falling in love with this boy that I had never even met?

After about 8.5 months, “Boy” moved the great distance from the province he was living in, all the way to the province I was living in, for his pursuit of post-secondary education in my local city’s college. The time of waiting had now come to a conclusion and it was time for me to finally meet this sweet boy I knew so much about, face to face.

I dolled myself up to the very best of my ability. I felt like Esther for that 2 hours before meeting him; getting ready and preparing myself in every aspect to meet my ‘King.’ We packed up into my best-friend’s Jeep and set off across the county to a couple towns over where the event that we both were attending was. With my sister and her friend in tow in the backseat, we were all off to have an enjoyable night. I remember that car ride there like it was just yesterday. Butterflies and knots filled my anxious tummy, as we drove through the many beautiful county back roads.

We arrived to the event perfectly on time. Thankfully he wasn’t there yet, so I still had some time to prepare myself so to say. “Boy” arrived a little bit late to the event. This is where I thought, “I am going to be meeting the boy I am going to one day marry”. “This is a special day” I thought, “that will be forever etched into my happy memory bank for years to come”. My back was faced towards the parking lot. He got out of his car. I heard the car door shut. I looked at my best-friend who was facing the parking lot. With a quick glance of confirmation from her eyes to mine, that he had just exited his car; I turned around ever so slightly.

And then…

I saw him. (Insert many singing Angel’s voices) My heart skipped a few beats. There HE was. Not just words behind a cell phone screen. Not just photos on Instagram. He was real. He was literally 50 feet away from me and walking towards the crowd of people, I was standing in. With tear filled eyes, “He’s finally here” I thought. I had dreamed of these precious first moments of meeting him for months upon months, thinking of the many different ways our love story could unfold and begin to take place.

Very long sad story made short…

That night did not turn out anything like I had ever hoped for or dreamed of. That night, we avoided each other completely. We didn’t even acknowledge each other’s existence as human beings. I was terrified to make the ‘first move’ and he was just too shy to even say “Hello”. What I thought was turning into the beginning of my “Happily Ever After”, all came crashing down at my feet. I was shaken to my core.

Since that horrible night, we have never spoken again. And like the title of this post already revealed to you, dear readers. Yes! That’s right, you read that correctly. We never did actually meet face to face and I don’t think we ever will. After this situation had happened, I just couldn’t get rid of feelings of being buried in what felt like filthy baggage. I was trying to move on and live a full happy life but, I just couldn’t with this terribly broken heart. I couldn’t go on. I was clenching on to my hurts, my grudges and my past regrets, in fear of truly letting them go.

Until one day, God revealed to me once again, that I didn’t need to hold on to that filthy baggage anymore. It was not His portion or His plan for my life. So, I let it go, like a drop in a bucket. I surrendered myself silently to my Savior. I began surrounding myself with women of the faith, who encouraged me to walk through that difficult season with a genuine smile on my face. Women who equipped me with power to overcome those tests and trials of my faith, and to come out on the other side of this difficult season, running with strength and endurance into the next season God had ordained for my life’s journey. I was a free young woman, saved by grace and even more in love with her Savior than ever.

 

Ezekiel 36:26 says…”I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Now when the painful memories arise in my heart of that boy…I will simply always remember him as, the boy I loved and never met…and I am okay with that, because I can stand and live knowing that God the Creator of all the universe, has incredible plans for ME. And He does for you too! Trust Him! Live in line with His word and He will give you the desires of your heart. Bless you!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, UYM

{Worth} Fully Redeemed. 

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

Are you walking in your full redemption? Are you claiming this over your life on a daily basis? 

“In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” ~Ephesians 1:7 

The Battle you are fighting, it has already been won. The past struggles that are constantly haunting you, are taken forever. The prisoner within you, has been released. The shackles holding you back, have been opened. The stained and tattered cloak you have been carrying, it’s taken. The heavy chains constantly clenching you, they have been broke. The curses spoken over you, are no longer there. The dreadful feelings of complete failure, are replaced with a bright light of hope. 

Daughters, You are Loved. You are cherished. You are wanted. You are blessed. You are adopted. You are washed white as snow. You are worthy. You are ransomed. You are safe. You walk in purpose. You are not a mistake. You are treasured. You have a hope. You are a Daughter, held by the amazing creator of all things. You are indeed, redeemed. 

When Jesus, was so cruelly crucified on that cross, He thought of You! With every strike of that whip and the blood pouring down His face and brows, He thought of you. When that crown of thorns was violently smashed into His skull, He thought of you. As the Nails, pierced through His hands and feet, He thought of you. He thought of you through it all. He loved you, even in your darkest hour. Your most sinful nature, He loved you with an everlasting eternal love. He continues to Love on you, every single day of your Life. 

“I loved you, even at your darkest.” ~Romans 5:8 

Walking in full redemption, is a challenging task at times. Your redemption is a whole free gift, set in front of you. Always ready to be received or it can just sit there and look nice all your life. Redemption is Free. Jesus payed the eternal ultimate price. 

“…in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”    ~Colossians 1:14 


In the Death of Christ, I live. The light of the whole world, lives within you and I. Up from the dark grave, He rose again. He won the victory forever. No plan or curse set against us, could ever take us away from the Father’s eternal love. 

When you walk in your full redemption, You are given the authority, power, and favour to overcome anything! With God, all things are made possible 🙂 

Until Next Time, 

~Kerrington 

Marnie's Posts, {Love}

{Love} Love “Mom.”

UYM

WrittenBy: Marnie Pouget

As a second “mom” and mentor to many young men and women over the years, I often find myself faced with having to speak this message with as much compassion as I can. They can be hard words to hear, even harder to act on. They are difficult to speak but necessary.

Here is a letter similar to one that I wrote to one of my dear “kids”:

I love you and so, I am going to speak to you like I do my own kids.

Honey, he seems like a nice boy, and I am sure he must be or you wouldn’t like him however, he isn’t a Christian and you have no business being in a serious committed relationship with him.

God is clear when he tells us not to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) It is for our protection and quite frankly I see it as protection for the other person also.

At some point you are going to decide to either go further in this relationship or end it. The likelihood of you marrying someone you dated in your teens is slim however, let’s say that your relationship does last that long- you will be in the situation of marrying an unbeliever. You can talk to anyone who has been there or talk to a child of parents in that situation and they will tell you THAT life is more than difficult.

Suppose he does become a Christian – will it be for himself and because of the conviction of the  Holy Spirit or simply because he likes/loves you and wants to be with you? You won’t really know. Generally, the latter is the case. In fact I don’t know of any situation where the non-christian partner was led to Christ and continued to walk with the Lord even after the relationship ended. Unfortunately, I speak from lots of experience in this area.

So, let’s say you do break up – what will be the picture of Christ and Christians that he has? Most likely it will be that Christians are hypocrites and Christ is not about love because the person he loved left him because of God and His rules. You run the risk of turning him away from ever loving God or accepting His son’s death and the salvation He so freely offers..

Dearest, the reality is that God loves him a bazillion times more than you do and He desperately wants to pursue him and win his heart but you are, quite frankly, standing in the way. If you truly love him, I am guessing you want more than anything his salvation. Don’t rob him of this!!! Preach Christ to him through your actions and words. Don’t allow yourself to go further in this relationship and distract him from the Lord.

When you first became friends, I was quite excited that he could meet other Christians who could love him as a friend and speak truth to him through their testimonies and their lives. I was so excited to see how God was going to move through this friendship. I would still love to see Him move in this boy’s life but fear that He is being stifled because of your relationship.

Please listen to my words and consider them prayerfully.

I love you so much and don’t want to ever see you hurt. Just considering it tears me up inside.

Love “mom”

Until Next Time,

~Marnie

Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Bitterness. 

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney


Grudges, hurts, past relationships, un-forgiveness, and rude words maybe currently filling up your ‘spiritual life back-pack.’

This maybe even starting to be putting a strain on your relationship with God, with your family and even your friends…

It says in Proverbs 10:12-13,

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offences. On the lips of Him who has understanding wisdom is to be found but, a rod is for the back of him who lacks common sense.”

Bitterness, rips all wisdom from underneath you. Bitterness, starts to ‘eat’ away at your life…one grudge at a time. The Lord today is challenging us to forgive and let go of all the bitterness and leave it at the foot of the cross.

We are to Love everyone (even our enemies) with an everlasting supply of unconditional love. Just like Christ loves us. We are to be wise in all situations where the feelings of bitterness may arise.

I leave you with a quote to ponder…

“The one who is wise seeks the good of others even hen she is the offended party.” -Author Unknown

So ladies, I can talk to you about letting go and moving on all day long…but if won’t even make a slight difference. You are in control of you. I challenge you, leave it all at the foot of the cross and begin to learn, to love with an everlasting supply of Christ’s Love!

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Taylor's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Having Faith in all Circumstances.

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

This past year was a very exciting year for me, and it continues to be! At the beginning of last year I was planning my wedding and saving every penny I could. It was brought up to me around this time that my church was going on a mission’s trip to Honduras. I have known for years now that I have been called to short-term missions and it broke my heart to think I would not be able to go this year, due to my lack of money. You see, there were other concerns that needed to be taken care of, my fiancé and I were looking at houses, wedding expenses, and all those other lovely bills that come along with this new transition. It was pretty obvious to me that I would have to miss out on this mission’s trip, but I decided to pray about it anyways. I prayed that at least God would give me peace about not being able to attend this year.

James 1:6 “But when he/she asks, they must believe and not doubt, because those who doubt are like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

The trip was still frequently on my mind, but I stayed consistent with my prayers of God giving me peace with the situation. Not soon after I got a phone call from one of the most beautiful couples I know, my grandparents. They called and told me they felt it on their hearts to help pay for me to go to Honduras. I immediately burst into tears! How could I ever thank them for something like this? Through my faith and prayer, I was blessed in an incredible way, which allowed me to bless others in Honduras. My experience in Honduras was life altering and I am so glad it was apart of God’s plan to allow me to go on the mission’s trip.

When we have faith in God we have the opportunity to bless others and/or be the one who receives the blessing. For those of you who are wondering why a certain situation is not necessarily going your way. Have faith, God has a better plan than you could ever imagine! Even if you cannot see the path right now, pray, read your Bible, and seek support from positive influences around you. Walk by faith, not by sight.

Until Next Time,

~Taylor