Today’s Devotional

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

Sienna's Posts, Soul-Searching Sundays

{Soul-Searching Sundays} God-focused life.

UYM

IMG_2863

Written By: Sienna Ducharme

I, like many of you, went back to school this month. More specifically, I started my first year of university. Not surprisingly, the looming deadline for this post (among many other looming deadlines) has had me thinking about time. Or lack thereof.

It is so easy to get wrapped up in school, work and all of our other responsibilities that we lose sight of what is really important. We plan for our futures years in advance, but what if Jesus came back tomorrow? Or in a couple hours? Would you be ready?

 “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14 

I know that I am guilty of getting so wrapped up in my plans that I neglect the now. While it is important to consider our futures, we can’t let all of our plans take away from what is happening today. Our priority needs to be on walking with Him, and all the other stuff will follow. I know this is easier said than done, but think about it; does anything else really matter in the long run? Leading a God-focused life is something that will truly give you peace, and walking with Him will give you strength through your busy days.  As it says in Proverbs 16:9,

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

So here is my advice to you: plan time for God. Even just downloading a daily bible verse app to read a verse each morning can be a small way to bring you closer to His word. I wish you strength through your busy days, but remember, the true strength will come from God!

Until next time,

~Sienna

Kerrington's Posts

{Happily Ever After…} Seasons.

UYM

Written By: Kerrington Sweeney

At the beginning of this summer, I was asked to come share at a church in Wheatley about my Women’s Ministry. The original plan was, that I was to share for about 15-20 minutes. In, out and done. I was so thrilled to have this opportunity to share briefly in a church congregation setting. The night before I was to share, I received a call from the associate pastor of that church. He explained to me, the head pastor and himself had been discussing and had decided that it would be such a wonderful idea, to have me share the whole length of a sermon rather than my 15-20 minute, 6 page memorized rendition. I was to preach.

The words that the associate pastor had said on the phone that night truly struck deep within me. He said:

“We feel that you are in a Season of readiness.”

It was then in that very moment, that God began to reveal to me, the message I was to share today. Seasons, is defined by the Webster’s Dictionary as: A time characterized by a particular circumstance or feature.

Our world frequently changes seasons. Seasons are so apart of our everyday lives. For example: Our weather is divided into seasons: Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall. Our calendar is divided into seasons BC and AD. Our time is divided into seasons, day light savings time, etc. The list could go on. Seasons can come yearly, monthly, bi-yearly, occasionally or sometimes just once. God created seasons for us to understand them and know about them fully. God has planned the seasons of our lives with infinite wisdom. He has ordained each one, knowing exactly what fruit is to be harvested during each time frame. Today, to start off…I am going to share about the Season of Life I am currently in and how I got here.

I joke with people all the time about, how I was homeschooled all my life, born into a passionately serving Christian family who loves God with everything, saved at a very young age, baptized and now walking into ministry…I didn’t really feel like I had a testimony to share. Because I never really had a “past” or any mishaps in my relationship with Christ. It was tough going into this, with that mindset, thinking I didn’t even have a beneficial testimony.

Until, I truly sat down at the writing board and God began to show me what I was to share. So share I must…Ever since I was a young girl, I have always loved the sight of relationships. I loved weddings, I loved everything about LOVE! I made it my ultimate life goal…to have the perfect dating relationship and Godly-marriage one day.

The pressure and high expectation of myself started as far back, as my junior kindergarten year. I was probably about 4 years old and for some odd reason…I couldn’t understand the difference between the numbers, 3 and 4. My Mom and My Grandma, always tell me this story. Poor Kerrington stressing out to the point of tears saying: “How am I going to plan my wedding, if I don’t know what’s 3 and what’s 4!?!” My Mom, would remind in those moments of my wedding-bliss stress, that I would have plenty of time to learn my numbers, and to plan my dream wedding.

I was a 6 year old, with two favorite movies at the time…father of the bride, and the wedding planner, watching them way to often and planning my dream wedding to a tee. From the wedding dress I was to wear, that I had concocted on some lined paper, with my gel pen collection, to the perfect, gorgeous wedding cake I had drawn in homeschool art class, to the simple wedding invitations (with a blank spot for the grooms name of course…) that I had created on a now monster-sized computer, in the program, paint. I was ready for this dream of a wedding. Just waiting for my Prince Charming of a groom to be dropped into my Life.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” ~Jeremiah 29:11

As I was getting older, and I began to have crush after crush through grade school and obviously nothing really became out of those crushes but, I wasn’t too sad about that though…because everyone knows, that you will always find your ‘one true love’ in your high school years. At least, that’s what I thought going into it…

In our home, my parents have made the very wise decision that, in order to be in a dating relationship we need to be 16 and older. Which is totally fair in my opinion and I look back at that now and think…Thank goodness, they had that rule in line because I was definitely not ready for the stresses and drama of a young teenage relationship.

I was now 14 years old and I had just been invited to my friends Hawaiian Style “Sweet 16.” I remember the day like it was just yesterday…it was a chilly April spring afternoon. This was my very first co ED party I was ever attending. I was so thrilled. Like I mentioned before, I was 14 years old and still in the process of ‘finding myself’ so to say. That evening before I was just about ready to leave for the party, my parents were in the process of ordering new cell phones. They were put on hold for what felt like forever (literally over 2 hours long…got to love customer service)

At this point the party had already began and I was getting very impatient to get going. I arrived only about 30 minutes late to the party but, still I was late!!! Upon my arrival, I walked in the back door of my friend’s house and was greeted by a staircase landing filled with dozens of shoes. I could hear the voices of tons of people partying and loud music playing from inside. My heart began to pound.

I am at a BIG party and it’s going to be a late Friday night…this is amazing! I thought. With great anticipation, I opened the door and the party was already in full swing. I had noticed vaguely that there was some guests I did not know at this party but, I didn’t really pay much attention to it. Like any other teenage-birthday party we all visited, played games and ate snacks. But then…it was cake time! I remember making my way to the dining room where cake was to be served. Between getting up from my chair in the living room to making my way the short distance to the dining room, my attention in an instant was caught by a very handsome young man whom I had never met before in my entire life. My Friend, the ‘Birthday Girl’ seen that I was intrigued. She quickly ran to my aid and introduced us. I was speechless. In that moment I could feel my tummy fluttering frantically with hundreds of butterflies. I mustered up all the courage within me to say “Hello!”

We chatted for quite some time that night and in amongst the crazy chaos and noise of the party for that 20 minutes or so it felt like it was just us there. No one else. Just him and I getting to know each other. The party went on and it was such a great night filled with so many memories. I remember leaving the party that night, with many hopes that one day I would see this young man again.

About a weeks’ time had passed and I had given up any hope of really ever seeing him again. Besides I didn’t even know if he was a Christian or anything like that. I let the ‘feelings’ I had go. It was now the next Friday and I was off to youth group. All of us youth were just casually relaxing and chatting in the lobby of our church that night waiting for worship to get started. My back was faced towards the door. I heard the door open behind me and for some reason I turned around and long behold… there He was.

As time went on, we both began to have a crush on each other for about a year and a half between seeing each other at youth on Friday Nights and now at Church on Sunday mornings. I was so excited to finally turn 16, so I could just date this guy. Then Life happened, and reality struck…

I knew without a doubt, deep down in my heart, that this was not the guy, God had chosen for me. Experiencing a heart-break for the first time was very difficult. I felt so empty…like I had nothing to offer. Like I wasn’t worth it. I came so close that time, to having that ultimate life goal fulfilled, with that perfect dating relationship and possibly filling that blank-space on my wedding invitations. But God had other plans for me. I moved on and began walking a different journey in my life.

Around that time, I joined a Book Study Club that my youth leaders, Mandy and Cindy, were hosting for the girls of our youth group…and it so happened to be, that the book we began studying was “When God writes your Love story.” Perfect timing, I know! I still remember the day that we ended our book study, and we had a time of reflection. It was then that, I rededicated this part of my life to God. May 30th, 2013…I gave my Love-story to the Lord once again.

In that special God ordained-moment, right in Mandy’s living room…sitting with 6 other single young ladies, who also were patiently waiting for their prince charming. We prayed together. We prayed that we would praise God in the good times and we’d praise Him in the tough times. We prayed that we would be patient for the right one to come into our lives and that we would trust God from that day forward with everything.

Over the past few years, I have witnessed the pure sight of excitement watching a lot of girls my age, begin sweet new relationships…

“When will my day ever come?!” Was the question, I so frequently asked of myself? I struggled deeply with thoughts of, Are my standards too high? Should I be working out? Should I lose weight? Should I try and become less of a “church girl”? Should I get a new wardrobe? Should I be changing the way I live my life?

….Why am I still single!?!

God really began speaking to me clearly in those moments of distraught. I thought back and I couldn’t even believe myself for thinking those things that I had been. I was willing and ready to lower my standards, and completely alter my close relationship with God. I was ready and prepared to start changing my body image. I was ready to change my life, in sheer hope of…”Maybe somebody will have me?”

I felt so ashamed of my past thought life and on the spot I felt summoned to ask for God’s forgiveness. To clear my ‘Life Slate’ of the filthy darkness that was covering it. In that season of my life, I truly learned many difficult lessons, on being genuinely happy for others. Even when they received something, I so desperately wanted, have waited for and have petitioned in prayer for. I was and am still very young but, the pressures of being single, in a relationship-obsessed world at times can overcome my heart.

The 4 out of 6 girls that had prayed for their Love-stories that day in our book club, are now dating some very incredible young men. I am still single and I can still get caught up questioning God. “Why aren’t I one of those happy blessed girls with a young man by my side?”

My yearning for a happily ever after, had begun getting in the way of living my life now, in the moment. I have felt inadequate that I truly didn’t have what it would take, to have the blessing of a relationship in my life.

About maybe 2 months ago, I was visiting some distant family members who I hadn’t seen in roughly 5-8 years. The very first question they asked me was: “So are you married yet???” My Grandma caught wind of the question that had just been asked of me, and she defensively replied with, “She’s only 17 years old…” That family member then proceeded to say, “Well isn’t she ready yet?!” It was in that moment…that I broke. In an instant, when those words were spoken, a gut-wrenching feeling came over me. I simply wanted to step back and weep. That pressure and high expectation was there, not only from myself, not only from the world…but now also from my own blood relatives.

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” ~Proverbs 14:30

The pressure and high expectation, only grows with time. Every girl’s night sleepover, birthday parties, church services, homeschool outings and more, basically whenever I have come in contact with any human being…the questions are asked of me:

 “Anyone special in your life?”

 “Do you have a significant other YET??”

 “You dating anyone?”

I felt like a complete failure, to be honest… The feelings of worthlessness and not measuring-up have crept into my weary heart. Envy had taken over my body.

I was raging inside, each time a friend began a new relationship, got engaged or even married… it had to come to a stop…but HOW?!?! I was knee-deep into a dark pit of wanting and “if onlys” being shoved down more and more each passing day. I just couldn’t keep my focus anymore, I felt like I had nothing. Before the Lord I came buried, broken and defeated and in that moment of desperation He vividly spoke these words of love over my Life…

 “Kerrington, your day will come. In this continued season of waiting, I want you to do nothing but, listen to me. Don’t ever change your standards or the way I have created you to be, just to get that significant other. I have created you unique on purpose the way you are, and I intend to keep you that way. You are my precious daughter, in whom I am well pleased…Continue on this journey with me as your guide and you will bear much fruit in the near future. Come my daughter, and follow me.” 

God created each of us, with one sole purpose of knowing Him and making Him known. I personally wouldn’t have been able to get through this without God as my ultimate guide. He was my comforter, when I had nowhere to go, He was my lead, when I felt lost and wandering, and He was my Love, when I felt all alone. He was my Heavenly Father then, and He still is today, and He will be forevermore.

Instead of dreading each new day, wondering if every young man I see is ‘the one’…I can start living right now and choose to see the beauty in each and every day. Knowing that during this time, this current Season of my life, God is shaping me into the woman, He is calling me to be.

My singleness, is God’s perfect place to thrive in. I am no longer caught up believing …that I need to wait for my “knight in shining armor” to truly start living my life. God has shattered my mindset with the knowledge that…I can know the Lord fully and serve Him wholly right here, right now, with or without a young man by my side.

So my Testimony is one of, God’s grace…Coming from a girl impatiently waiting to date just any guy, to a young woman waiting with purpose for her future Godly Husband. My desire for my life is to be a reminder to the world that singleness does not mean you are “stuck”. The purpose I believe in my Season of singleness is to take every day and to glorify Jesus in everything I do. It is an opportunity to let my life, be a true living sacrifice for Christ.

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, UYM

{Worth} The Dark Valley…

UYM
Written by: Kerrington Sweeney
Quite recently, I read a young girl’s status (whom I did not know) explaining her ‘self-cutting’ situation. She then went on to say that she was raised in a very poor, dark neighbourhood and had been raped more times than she could even remember. She was beaten, bruised, and scared. 
She felt unworthy to live.
 
 
Because of her horrific situation she was told by many doctors, that she would never be able to bear children in her future. 
 The pain and sorrow that was on display was so real…so crushing.
 This girl, 16 years of age in the Foster care system. Now just recently adopted into Canada, 
from a foreign country.
As I was reading this it hit my heart like a ton of bricks, 16 years old…same age as me. Tears are now flooding my eyes. As I looked at her life and 
then looked at my own. My heart began to truly ache. The things I daily complain about, are the things she would so long to have; Loving parents, siblings…
A happy family. 
 
Today, I am stepping back and being grateful for the many blessings I have. 
This letter is for you young girl who was so vulnerable and courageous to explain her situation, so that she could receive the support and encouragement she needed. She may never see this, but with the God I serve, all things are possible. 
 
Dear Young Girl,
 Whom is scared, beaten and bruised…
There is a God who see’s your pain and the hurts you hold on to.
He’s here to restore you and completely clean you free of the past. 
Psalm 51:7 says…
“Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” 
 
 He will wash you as white as snow. He is a healer who will heal all your wounds, he’s here for you in this low, dark valley…and he will be with you on the high glorious mountains of victory. He’s always with you. I am praying and thinking of you lots today. I don’t even know you, but my heart is hurting for you and is very excited for your soon coming victory! Though you may feel as if you will never see a ‘Victory’ in your life, because of your past…
Your victory declares The Lord is right around the corner!! God has BIG plans for your life! Keep your head up 🙂 
 
Until next time, 
 
~Kerrington 
Taylor's Posts, {Love}

{Love} God’s Version of Love Vs. Societies

UYM

Written By: Taylor Fast

Love taylor september

What is love? Everybody would answer that question differently. People give and receive love in different ways. Love can be as simple as reminding someone to put a seatbelt on and as complicated as wanting to marry someone because they “complete you.”

In society today we see so many people dating for a short time, having sex, breaking up, and moving on. For some reason though this is called love. They say I love you, they tell everyone they are in love and then it ends, just as quickly as it started. We see it in our friends, coworkers, and celebrities’ daily. Holy cow, if that is love I do not want any part in it!

I’d like to think that what my fiancé and I consider as love is much different from what is mentioned above. Love for me is unconditional. You do not leave each other because you aren’t willing to put the work in to figure stuff out. Love is about working together through all our flaws and all our successes. Love is having complete trust in the other person. Love is pure, with no judgments, and love has a willingness to grow and learn from each other. Love is passionate, remarkable, incredible, and long lasting. This love relationship with our partner can be a lot like a relationship we have with God, though we are called to love God more than anyone else. Imagine, the love He has for all of us- let’s try and match it!

What does God say about love?

“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

Wow, do I ever want my marriage and my relationship with God to mimic what God says love is. How much more beautiful and fulfilling does this kind of love sound?

I love that there is no mention of looks in these verses. Society now a days is all about looks, how sexualized a women is= how dateable she is. What an awful thing to be teaching our kids and youth. Most ads show women as sexual objects and teach us that love is about looks and when you are tired of the person it is time to move on. We need to truly learn what love is. Remember that the type of love you deserve to receive and give is found in 1 Corinthians 13, it’s not found in the latest dating advice column of a magazine.

Until Next Time,

~Taylor

Kerrington's Posts, {Life}

{Life} Revival.

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

water-bucket

One sunny summer family afternoon after church a certain sunday, was spent at the local “splash pad.” As my parents, my sister and I watched our littlest sister splash around and create memories that day. I could see an attraction many children we’re instantly drawn to out of all the water works at the pad.

This was…the BIG bucket. The center of attention.

The big bucket would begin slowly filling up and just as it was ready to tip out galloons of water, the kiddos would all run straight towards it…Watching their faces grow, waiting in great anticipation was quite the sight to see.

Few more minutes past by, and it was literally almost spilling over the edges…The kids eyes glued and securely focused on this bucket ready to soak them. As it was almost time to dump…Holy Spirit nudged me to take notice of the kiddos waiting… Some of them were up as close as they could get, hands stretched out as high as they possibly could…While others, were more timid and shy about this, they stood father back, hands to themselves. There was still great anticipation in their little eyes but, it was almost mixed with a bit of fear.

Readers, I use this illustration because of how real this in our churches today…The “Revival Bucket” filling up more and more getting ready to sweep through a nation. Some people, so ready to partake of this exciting process…right up at the front, hands stretched out high, faces locked in a position with the Heavenly Father. While others, yes still excited to be apart of the process but, they stand a little farther back, more kept to themselves.

How real this truly is. To be honest and quite frank with you, I am hot with a fear of what the future ‘church life’ will look like, when “revival” does hit. Will I be ready? What is this going to look like? These are the thoughts I sometimes pondered till the Lord brought me a brand new realization.

God reminded me, that He NEVER gives us anything we can’t handle. His grace and mercy is always there never ending. Revival is not something to be feared but, rather anticipated with great excitement. For in revival, signs, wonders, and miracles take place.

So today, dear readers, I challenge you…To no fear revival comings but, to rather embrace them with everything you’ve got.

Until next time,

~Kerrington

Kerrington's Posts, {Faith}

{Faith} Identity.

UYM

Written by: Kerrington Sweeney

Identity!

As I began preparing my post for today, I began to read many scripture verses, quotes, and definitions on Identity and what it truly meant. When I continued reading many different pieces of information it was interesting to see the many different views and opinions on the specific word, Identity.

A definition that truly stood out to me, was this…Identity- Who someone is. The name of a person. The qualities, beliefs; that make a particular person or group different from others.

In a moment to kick this post off, I am going to ask you a pretty serious question. Some of you may have an answer and some of you may not have the answer. By the end of tonight, I am praying with all my heart, that you are able to walk away with an answer to this question.

When I continued preparations for today’s post, I asked myself this certain question, and to be brutally honest…I didn’t even have the answers. So here comes the question…are you guys ready? In this bombarding world we live in…

What defines you? 

What makes you the way you are?

When this question arose in my heart, a bit of shame came over me, because I truly didn’t know what I really was defined by. What made me, me? What made me different from others, just as our definition said earlier? What were the qualities and beliefs that I was made of?

Now your Identity is something, not that you earn, it’s not something you are given, it’s not even something you can buy. Your identity is you. Yes, you! You carry your identity…In your very being. Today, we are going to talk about many different things that can change or affect your identity.

Just about over a year ago, I was at my church chatting with a bunch of friends before service one Sunday, discussing the different “groups” in High-schools. Me being homeschooled all my Life, I began to be a bit curious about what group I would have been a part of, if I had attended conventional School. Right there, in my church lobby a large debate was happening amongst my friends on what Group, I truly would have been a part of. As they described the many different types of people, I started to realize how very different each person’s group was.

There was the Jocks, the math geeks, the smokers, the popular girls, the chess club, the jokers, the goths, the rebels, the preps, the hippies, the models, the health nuts, the tomboys, the punks, the nerds, the flirts, and the cheerleaders. The list seriously could go on forever. How weird it felt, basically being on trial, debate on what group I should be a part of. How cool, is that though…That my friends, without me even stepping a foot into their high-school could easily define me and pre-determine my outcome just by my personality, my character and my Identity.

Here are 4 points, that I am going to give you today. I encourage you to write them down and meditate on the scriptures I share…

  1. Words– This a huge one for me, even personally. Your words. The way you even speak is a part of your Identity. People remember you, for the way that you speak. People remember you also, for the way that you swear. Swearing and using the Lord’s name in vain changes your very being. It changes the atmosphere you carry. Who here knows that you carry the very power to change atmospheres wherever you go? This can be a good thing or a very terrible thing. Watch your tongue.

Proverbs 21:23 “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.”

2. Relationships– Oh, so young and in Love! These are the words that come to mind when I think of relationships. Relationships have a HUGE and I mean huge role in our identities. I never personally, have been in an official dating relationship before, but I have had experiences with these types of things. Relationships, oh so wonderful, yet sometimes so very dangerous for some…When you are interested in a certain someone, you basically study them. Their likes, dislikes, hobbies, favorite foods, favorite color, favorite sports, etc. You study their identities. You study, what makes them, them. I have noticed over the years even friends of mine, change their very being for a guy. I’ve seen girls drop everything they are doing just to get the attention of one young man. Changing themselves to hopefully catch a guy’s attention. Altering their very identity to get this guy to just like them. Being true to yourself and knowing where your identity is truly founded and what defines you, before entering into the world of dating is a very wise decision. Live your life fully for Jesus Christ, before allowing that special someone to access into your heart.

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

3. Struggles– “Don’t let your struggle become your identity.” We all have struggles. You have struggles, I have struggles. We are Human. But the daily struggles you are facing, don’t ever define you. The sins you are or have been committing, don’t ever define you.

Depression doesn’t define you, worthlessness doesn’t define you, hopelessness isn’t your portion, sickness doesn’t define you, your friends don’t define you, clothes don’t define you, relationships don’t define you, Sin doesn’t define you, darkness doesn’t define you. The many labels people have spoken over you or about you don’t ever define you.

 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone, and the new is here.”

God has taken the sinful human nature we were born into and changed us forever. He took the sinful identity we were carrying and exchanged for an identity full of new life. The old is gone, washed away forever. He took all the tattered rags and made them like a Royal Robe. We are new creations in Jesus Christ. Yes, we still have struggles but, we can live knowing that anyone who is in Christ is made forever new.

4. Legacy– Legacy, this is a massive point. I am going to close with this category. I truly feel that your identity is very much attached with the legacy you receive from your parents, grand-parents, family, etc. These are people that have given you your unique DNA, your family is a part of your identity. Your opinions, your views on certain situations, your personality attributes, your fears, your hopes, and your style of living, of course is your own choice as a person but, the way you were/are being raised will in the long-run affect your identity.

Now it’s so awesome, when you are being raised in a Christian environment, with God-fearing parents…because this is a great attribute to your identity. Having Christ in your life at a young age and running hard after God’s heart is a major key but, many of us forget to count this as a blessing. Not everyone has the honor and privilege of being raised in a Christian Home. The Legacy that is being left and forever imprinted onto you is one that could alter your identity for the good or for the bad. Whether it be Christian beliefs or whether it be attributes of having good work ethics and being kind to others these are just some of the incredible things we can learn from our parents. In my life time, I have met a lot of Non-Christians, who at times are even kinder and nicer than people of the church.

Our parents have been placed into our lives to teach us many different things…to help us build our life-long character, to help us on our quest to find our true identities and what truly defines us.

Thinking towards the future, looking at the way you are being raised whether it be in a Christian home or in a non-Christian home…What legacy are you wanting to leave for your future kids? A choice even now today, can be made that can affect your future families for generations to come. You taking this simple step of faith in Jesus Christ and giving your life to Him, could alter the Identities of your future Grand-children.

There is absolutely no shame whatsoever in not having Jesus Christ as ruler of your Life. If you are reading this and you are living in a non-Christian Home but, want to take that step in Faith…I encourage you to take that step with us. Because remember you are not taking this step alone, we are here with you!

A simple choice is set before each of you. Some of you, it’s a choice to dedicate your Life to Jesus Christ for the very first time and others it’s a choice to re-dedicate your Life to Him. To reignite the passionate fire within you. Each of these choices are able to be made. Please, don’t leave this site, regretting you didn’t take this step in faith. God has HUGE incredible plans for each of you and He looks forward to calling each of you His Daughters.

Now sometimes, having an identity fully founded in Jesus Christ, you will be mocked and made fun of for your faith. We as Sons and Daughters are each called to live set-apart lives. Going against the crowds and trends of today’s culture and society.

In closing today, I would like to read a verse from…

 2 Corinthians 1:22 says “You are defined by God and God alone. He identifies you as His very own.”

 Now let me ask you that question once again…

“What defines you?”

Until Next Time,

~Kerrington

Guest-Writers

{Gratefulness Week} Lunchables and Cold French Toast.

UYM

A week of gratefulness

Written By: Lizi Oates

I look at the clock. 11:45, finally lunchtime. My 10 year old brain is still humming as I put my books in my desk, fix a pleat in my uniform skirt and walk across the room in search of my backpack. My hook is on the far wall of our classroom, at the Christian private school I attend. The other students in my small grade 4/5 split class race to their hooks for their lunch pails. My eyes scan the wall;

Power Rangers, SpongeBob, and Arthur themed lunch packs hang on almost every hook. My eyes land on my all-to-familiar, faded, hand-me down backpack. I pull out a plastic grocery bag and quickly go back to my desk. As I look around at Lunchables, Twinkies and Dunkaroos, I brace myself for what I would find in my own lunch today. I quickly open the bag, unwrap a corner of my plastic wrapped lunch and sheepishly take a bite, trying to eat into the plastic bag. I try to avoid the all too familiar scenario of friends seeing my lunch, making a face and again asking, “uhh, what are you eating?”

You see, my immigrated Romanian parents felt it uncecessary to buy balony and cheese, but would send me and my other eight siblings to school with the same Romanian food we ate at home. That day mom made my lunch. I had watched her dip fresh bread in egg, season it and fry it to piping hot (Pita cu ou for any fellow Romanians out there); you might call it a version of french toast. Other days I would open that plastic Food Basics bag and find anything from cabbage rolls and sausage on a bun to boiled eggs with sour cream sauce.

I vividly remember my anxiety as I sat there eating my homemade, ethnic lunch everyday during elementary school. It was a constant reminder that no matter how funny or cool I had been with my friends that day, I came from a very different country, nationality and family.

What I didn’t know then was that my strong cultural heritage would become one of the greatest blessings in my life. The uniqueness of my Romanian family has become one of the things I am most proud of. Ironically, my four sisters and I have spent countless unforgettable hours in the kitchen with my dear mom, learning to make the same foods that I used to be so self conscious about.

My parents immigrated to Canada twenty years ago from a communist country clutching onto nothing but their children and faith in God. They brought with them a rich culture that has been instilled in my heart and will forever be one of my greatest blessings in life. I am eternally grateful for the privilege to be a part of such a rooted, Godly, rich family!

So this thanksgiving, while your family might be gathered around a table eating turkey, stuffing and ham, the twenty-person Muresan clan will be crowded around two tables packed with Chicken snitzel, cabbage rolls, garlic dip, boiled eggs and a massive display of homemade pastries. I am thankful for my heritage.

I am thankful for my family. I am thankful for the moments we spend together, and I wouldn’t trade them for all the Lunchables the world.

About Lizi Oates:

Lizi Oates

Lizi Oates is a twenty-five year old Preschool teacher who loves baking, singing and winter snow. She is married to Kyle and pregnant with their first baby! Jesus has changed her inside out and is continuing to amaze her everyday!

Guest-Writers, Krystyn's Posts

{Gratefulness Week} Allowing Gratefulness into your Life!

UYM

A week of gratefulness

Written By: Krystyn Slauenwhite

“The very fact that we are still breathing means we still have a purpose/mission in life, we aren’t finished.”

I could list off many things I’m truly thankful for in life. When it comes down to it, I’m thankful for my life in general. My life circles around God, family, friends, those who are closest to me; they are the ones who encourage me in life to not give up and keep going.
Life to me is something to be treasured. We were given this life “on purpose, for a purpose.” A lot of us can say we’ve been through hell and back but God looks at the fact that we didn’t give up.
There is nothing I’m more thankful for then having God in my life. He’s been my anchor, always present in time of need and best friend. I’m thankful for everything in my life because of Him. The more I rely on Him the more He pours into me and gives me all these reasons to be thankful.
I hope and pray that if you’re going through a tough spot right now and life doesn’t seem to be very fair right now, I pray you find hope. Just as much as God wants you to see your life as a celebration I pray it turns out that way and that you will be blessed in many areas of your life. Allow for gratefulness to come back into your life if it isn’t already there and I promise you will have a lot to be thankful for!
I want to leave you with this thought. Another realization I’ve come to is how much I forget to think about the things I’m thankful for. I believe it should be a daily thing. It’s so easy to forget with our day to day activities.
If you haven’t already, set a side a quiet time and allow your heart to search for things you’re thankful for 🙂

About Krystyn Slauenwhite:

Krystyn slauenwhite

Krystyn Slauenwhite works within her family business Sojourn Signs in Nova Scotia. Some of her passions include writing, working with kids, being with family and friends and traveling. She is continuing to seek God for direction in future areas of ministry.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’    ~Philippians 4:13