Today’s Devotional

Melissa's Posts, {Love}

{Love} The Risk of Love

UYM

Written by Melissa Longval

India, you are a wild and contrasting country: ancient and modern, beautiful and dreadful, kind and indifferent, wealthy and poor.  I never imagined you would infect me like you have.  The smells, the culture, the people…India, you are an intoxicating mix of what makes life beautiful and what makes life hard, harsh, and cruel.  In an unfair twist, in my western I- know- better ignorance, I am slightly shocked by the impact you have had on me.

As I prepared to visit you, I prayed for the Lord’s strength and love to invade my soul.  Lord, fill me with Your passion and desire for this land 6,000 miles away.  That is a dangerous prayer.  Love is always dangerous…rarely safe.  I was not prepared for the invading, fierce army of love that the Lord bestowed upon me.  My heart will never be the same.

The danger comes not in the denial of the prayer, but in the very giving of my request…the imparting of the love desired.  I am reminded of the conversation between Susan and Mr. Beaver in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.

“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion.”

“Ooh” said Susan. “I’d thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion”…

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver …”Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you.”

You, precious India, were so ready to receive His love.  Hurting people needing to hear the good news graciously surrendered pain and fear.  Precious sons and daughters were welcomed home.  Orphans found homes and families.  I found you.

And that is the danger.  The needs of so many are crushing.  To have eyes to see and the love to feel left me feeling small, insignificant.  What could I do?  How could I ever make a difference in the midst of so many struggles?

So in my emptiness, as I searched the scriptures, I was reminded of the familiar story of Mary from Bethany and her anointing of Jesus in Mark 14.  The religious leaders were harshly rebuking her for wasting expensive perfume, for her act of worship.

“Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her?  She has done a beautiful thing to me.  The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want.  But you will not always have me.  She did what she could.  She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial.  Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” 6-8

The passage came alive to me and anointed my hurting heart.  She did what she could.  Jesus, those words spoke life into me and brought me back.  You saw me where I was and called my name.  You brought me to India.  You arranged each and every encounter and ordained all the words spoken.  Precious Saviour, thank you!

Oh, India!  You wrecked me!  In the best way possible, I am not who I was.  You have whetted my appetite to do what I can with what I have been given.  I can do what I can.  I have tasted and seen the goodness of God in action.  I love you, India…a gift of answered prayer.  I took a risk on loving you.  It was the best risk to take.  At all times, bet on love, because love wins.  Always!

Until next time,
Melissa Longval

 

Joceline's Posts, {Life}

{Life} You Don’t Really Have To.

UYM

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

Taylor's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Having Faith

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Written By: Taylor Fast

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

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

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

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

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

 

Until Next time,

~ Taylor

 

Amie, {Worth}

{Worth} Your Story

UYM

Written by: Amie Comber

How do you measure your worth?  Honestly now. Is it your jean size?  Is it your appearance?  Where you live?  What kind of car you drive?  How about what music you listen to?  Or how much you make at your job?  Is it how popular you are?  Or how many likes you get on your social media?

We live in a world of comparison.  It’s the world where a certain test score will either make you “smart” in the eyes of the world, or just an “average Jo.”  Your social status depends less on how genuine and kind you are as a person, but more what car you drive, what brand of watch is on your wrist, and what social media reach you have… I’ve seen it.  I think we live in a world where the colours and marketing on the outside of the books lining a bookshelf almost means more than the story hidden inside the covers.  Just today I told someone, “If someone can’t even create a good cover for a book, why would I read the story inside.”  I’m embarrassed that I have said that, and it’s wrong… but honestly, how many times have we thought that way?  Is that truly what gives the book worth?  If so, then my favourite Bible, the plain leather bound book with scratches on the cover from long travel, and tear stains along the pages from hard days, that book, it wouldn’t be worth much, which is not the case whatsoever.

I want you to think of yourself for a moment as a story.  You are a book lining one of God’s bookshelves.  Your story is being written even while you read this, the kind of day you had, the thoughts you harboured, and the people you reached all plays into one giant story.  There is hidden meaning between your lines, maybe a smudge or two here and there, but the book is beautiful and unique because God is writing it.  I think we should start measuring our worth based on the story in our hearts rather than what other people, or even we, think of our “covers.”  If we were to truly ask where worth comes from it would lead us back to the God who made the entire universe and said, “It is good.”  Since HE is the one giving worth, the main desire of our hearts should be to please and honour Him.  Sweet girl, let me tell you that He treasures you so much.  Do you want to hear God speak to you?  Open up His word and read it out loud.  Spend extra time in prayer today; even stay silent with your heart wide open to spend quality time with the God that gives you more worth than you can comprehend.

Take a moment and smile, precious girl.  You are loved, you are valuable, and you are MADE in the image of the Almighty God.  Your story is being handcrafted and made by the God that created love itself.  Let the worries of what others think of you wash right off.  When the colours fade on your front cover, wrinkles appear from all the laughter, and you can’t move around at the fast pace that you can now, at the end of the day, it won’t matter what anyone else thinks.  Your story is valuable and worth so much because of the God who is writing it.

When you see the other stories lining the shelf, don’t compare yours with them.  God doesn’t want to write a million copies of the same story.  He wants to write yours in a unique way, and He is the best Author I know.  Beautiful girl, your story is worth so much.  YOU are worth SO much because GOD made you.

Until next time,

~Amie

Talks With Teri, Teri's Posts

{Talks with Teri} Enjoy the Little Things

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enjoy-the-little-things.png

Written By: Teri Johnson

Is the everyday routine of life an adventure? …or is it boring and mundane?

Let’s unpack the word adventure quick:

ad-ven-ture [ad-ven-cher] -noun 1. an exciting or very unusual experience. 2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure. 3. risky or unexpected undertaking. 4. to take the chance of; dare

Life is an adventure.  It’s not all about exciting experiences and large undertakings.  It’s not all about endangerment, taking risks, or living extreme.

Adventure for me is in every day living.  Learning.  Growing.  Becoming.  It’s everyday walking hand in hand with God going and experiencing what He has in store for me.

Adventure is…

  • Obedience: leaning into the unknown; not avoidance.
  • Taking action: not inactivity or complacency.
  • Awareness: not passiveness.

My adventures are…

  • Marriage: growing with my husband.
  • Motherhood: learning from my boys as I parent.
  • Friendship: sharing compassion, encouragement, understanding
  • Working: unexpectedly discovering the depths of who I am

Through my eyes, everyday life is adventure.  I’m loving the ride, are YOU?  What do you think?  What does the word adventure mean to you?  Leave a comment below!

Until Next Time,

~Teri

Krista's Posts, Moments With Krista

{Moments with Krista} Learning To Leap

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Learning To Leap

Written By: Krista Dunbar

Leaping is not something that’s easily attainable for those of us that move out of fear, trepidation, or paralysis.  It’s hard to coax our bodies to move forward when our minds want to do anything and everything but just that.  It’s hard when the thing ahead of you is the unknown.  It’s hard when it’s something you’ve never experienced before or aren’t sure of the end result.  But that’s life.  That’s what it’s all about.  I’m learning slowly and surely with a patient and kind God that will gently and surely remind me that He will always go before me.  That if I make a wrong choice, He will correct my path every single time.  That if I’m too fearful to move, He will calm my anxieties with a silent but fulfilling peace.  And every single time, He proves that He is big enough.  He proves that He has a plan for everything (and our singular lives are no exception).  So here is my story of a big jump, rather than a leap for my husband and me.  It’s our story of trusting, wrestling, praying and fasting with a Creator whose timing is perfect.

When I was still single and engaged, I was doing my due diligence and continuing my job search for my first “big-girl” job.  I had just finished an internship in marketing and communications and wanted to take what I had learned, couple it with my passion, and be a freelance communication consultant for churches around my area.  Little did I know…I knew so little about church communications, but I had a passion and desire to use my love of writing to make the church more beautiful.  My friend and co-leader at my church had grown up at a church across town and told me that it couldn’t hurt to send an email to the pastor.  So…I did.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I knew that I needed a job, that I wanted to use my gifts in a church setting, and that I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by pressing “send”.  I typed out a professional, yet passionate email to the pastor sharing my heart and desires to help them if they needed it.

He responded quickly that he would like to meet with me.  I was over the moon ecstatic.  The next week, I sat in the pastor’s office and shared my story and my heart with him.  He asked about my life.  At the time I was living with my roommate and her two kids as I would say (my mom and sisters) and was engaged to be married in a couple months to an incredible man who had a desire and calling to be a pastor and was currently working with a 20somethings church plant.

Little did I know that God was working in a BIG way in that meeting.

It went so well.  I expected to get a call the next week asking me to start as soon as possible.  That didn’t happen.  He did call though.  He called to ask for a joint interview with my fiancé and I.  We were so nervous and excited and felt that this was going to be it.  This would be the day that would give us a solid foundation for the start of our marriage journey together.

That didn’t happen.

While the interview went very well and lasted almost 5 hours (sitting, talking, and laughing in an Applebees)…we wouldn’t see an end to the tunnel for awhile.  For us-it was a perfect fit.  Chris would be able to do ministry and one that he is passionate about, and I would finally be able to use my skills to help the church.  But again, our timing isn’t God’s timing.

Chris found a job working as a contract painter with a local contractor.  This was a HUGE growing experience for him.  Not only that, he did janitorial work on the side for our church.  While he worked hard to make money for the wedding and our future, I was working hard at an oddity of jobs (substitute teaching, serving at a few restaurants, writing freelance assignments for a local newspaper, and building up my portfolio).  We both wanted to be settled in our fields desperately.

While we waited (impatiently) to hear back from the church, we continued growing in our relationship together, planned a wedding, and I started the process of saying goodbye to my grandma.  It was A LOT of stuff.  Good stuff and bad stuff.  I think God knew we wouldn’t have been able to take on this job if we had gotten it during all of this.  During this time, we continued to be faithful.  Then we tied the knot.  After the wedding, we continued to attend our church.  I had quit my jobs because we moved to the opposite side of town, and began searching heavily for options.  My grandma passed a month after the wedding, so it was a rough time of searching and asking God what the heck He wanted us to do.  My sweet grandma had offered up her home to us to live in while she was in hospice.  We took her up on it and lived there while my uncle and mom got it up on the market and ready to sell.

We started to give up on hope.  It had been seven months of waiting, not hearing anything but a “maybe” from the church.  We searched high and low for opportunities and wondered about moving across the country (if any time would be good, it would’ve been then).  We began praying, fasting, and reading as much Scripture as we could for direction.

I had given up on the idea of this job being attainable.  I started to get mad.  I wondered how a church could string along a couple of newlyweds with no money for an entire year.  I wondered why I would wait a whole year for a part-time job.  It was frustrating for Chris as he continued getting up everyday to go to a job that he felt he wasn’t good at and hated.  That first few months of marriage after the honeymoon was definitely trying for us.  We loved and hated it.  We loved that we were together finally, but hated that we were in a holding cell.  We made the decision to move.  Not one day later, we heard back from the church letting us know that we were one of three final candidates in the running.  I was still mad.  I was still ready to go and not look back.  But that was in my selfishness and desire for justice for the long waiting period we were experiencing.  I know now that my anger was misplaced and it was a way of disconnecting from my disappointment.  I also know that it had everything to do with the Lord’s timing.

After we went on another interview with the search team, we had GREAT feelings about the church and the people we would be ministering to if the job was ours.  The only problem was that it wasn’t a sure thing.  There were still two people in the running and my grandma’s house was just sold.  We had two weeks to find a place to live and a job to afford it.

I still thought Tennessee would be a great idea, although deep down we both knew it was time to make a decision and trust God in the whole process.  We would be moving without security, without a solid job, and without assurance that we would be able to pay for our rent every month.  But we decided to take the leap.  We moved closer to the church and prayed on our knees that God would provide.

To this day, I honestly have no idea how we paid the bills that first few months in the apartment.  We were still waiting to hear back about our jobs and found really creative ways to put food on the table and enjoy each other’s company.

The church hired us three months after we moved.  And God’s timing is perfect.  If it had been our plan, we wouldn’t have had to wait.  We wouldn’t have had to place our FULL trust in God.  We wouldn’t have learned the importance of taking a risk knowing that God would catch us…no matter the outcome.

His timing is perfect.  You have to trust and take the leap.  He will always catch you.  This story is still crazy to me.  It’s been more than two years that we’ve been worshipping and working at the church.  And I praise God for His timing, and the opportunity He has given us through His story and through the faithfulness of the leaders and elders of our church home.  He is good.

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Krista

Joceline's Posts, {Worth}

{Worth} What Do I Have to Give?

UYM

Written By:  Joceline Sweeney

As this Valentine’s has come and gone, my mind was again transported to my grade two class Valentine’s Day party.  I have loved holiday theme things for a very long time and being this young was no exception.  I was so excited to hand out my beautiful valentine’s cards, one to each of my classmates, written to them personally by name, by me.

The time for the exchange had finally come, as we all jumped to rush around and begin filling each other’s desks with lovely red and pink papers some with dinosaurs on them, others with Holly Hobbie, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed one of the other girls in class begin to hand hers out.  Only she didn’t just have Valentine’s cards, she had a beautiful red foil wrapped chocolate heart attached to each one of her Valentine’s.  I suddenly felt the excitement of handing mine out completely fizzle, no longer did mine feel special, and they now felt small, inadequate…unworthy.  Mine didn’t have a beautiful red shiny delicious chocolate attached, it was just a simple piece of paper.  Before I had seen hers mine seemed enough, but not after.

Almost every Valentine’s after that I asked my mom if I too could attach a red foiled wrapped chocolate heart to each one of my Valentine’s.  Somehow I thought that this would make mine just as special as hers.

How often do we feel that way in “real “life?  We can get so caught up at looking at what we have to offer, we compare ourselves to others, we can often feel so small, inadequate, unworthy?

When we look at what we have to offer up for the Kingdom of God, and we look around at those making a big impact but we only have a small circle of friends we influence.

How often we can feel “What do I have to give?”

Today look at your hands, your life, your talents and at what God has placed in them for you to give, even if it’s as simple as a smile to a stranger.

If that’s what God has called you to give,  then give it well.

 

Until Next Time,

~Joceline

 

 

 

Amie, {Beauty}

{Beauty} The Little Flower

UYM

Written by: Amie Comber

“Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.” –James Thurber

There’s a clearing in a small wood that has a rocky patch on the ground.  The sunlight streams through the trees and iridescent light touches the floor at geometric angles.  It’s the kind of place where no plants grow, and yet in the middle of that small patch of rocky earth, there is a single delicate flower bursting from the ground.  It was so beautiful, yet so simple.  It’s hidden from everyday hustle and bustle, but those who are lucky enough to find it see the beauty that it has to offer.

It may be a strange comparison, but I would like to be beautiful like this flower.  It doesn’t beg for attention, yet it shines with all of its might.  A flower doesn’t boast of strength, yet anyone that took a moment to see it would realize the strength it took for it to grow in the place it had, and with the adversity surrounding it.  It isn’t there for the accolades of others, it is purely there because some Gardner had faith in it and lovingly tended to it as it grew.  This flower turns its face towards the source of light and takes small steps of growth everyday.

I want to turn my face towards the source of my life and live my life for HIS glory and not for the world around me.  My goal is that when someone sees me, they see HIS love through me.  When they hear my voice talking, they hear HIS truth pouring through the words I’m stringing together.  When someone sees a storm that crashes in on my life, they see joy shine the brightest on a dark night.  I want to take small steps to grow everyday.  I want small goals to bloom a little more, to take another step at deepening my relationship with my Saviour, and to beat the adversity that surrounds me and threatens to thwart my growth.

Sweet girl, know that you were planted where you were for a reason.  Your beauty shines because of the ONE shining through you.  Turn your face and heart towards the One who tends to your heart.  Keep growing a little every single day, and shine with all of your might not because of anyone else, but because of the honest beauty inside your soul.  It’s pleasing to the Gardener when we bloom to our fullest potential.

I like to think that the ones to search for something beautiful will find it.  The flower wasn’t asking for attention, I was just looking for something beautiful that special day.  Do you see the beauty around you?  It’s there… sometimes you just have to take the time to look.

Until next time,

~Amie

Melissa's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Born to Love

UYM

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