Mercy Girls

Mercy Graduate Shares Her Testimony

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Check out this video of Mercy Ministries graduate, Hannah Frendl, as she shares her testimony at a women's conference in Los Angeles about how Mercy Ministries made such an impact on her life.

Shortly after graduating from the St. Louis home, Hannah started her website, UnleashedBeauty.com; a Christian based online magazine for young girls. It is a place where girls can come and learn about fashion, beauty, and health, without the negative messages they get from other magazines, but it is also a place where they can learn about God, spiritual growth, the Bible, and each other. Great job Hannah!

Mercy Graduates Speak at Converge Conference!

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 17:38:00 +0000

Earlier this month, ID Ministries (Individually Designed Ministries) invited some of our Mercy graduates to be a part of the Converge conference for teenage girls in Oklahoma City, OK. Graduates Kim Brownie and Lindsay Whitehouse shared their testimonies and taught a 45 minute breakout session with graduates Erin Hindman and Kimmie Huxford entitled “The Perfect Father: Learn how to live like a child of God.” Here’s what Lindsay had to say about the event:

I am blown away by the response we received just by being Mercy graduates! Girls were coming up to us asking questions, thanking us for being there, and sharing their stories. There were also sponsors and moms asking us for advice as they wiped tears from their eyes. I could see that many of the young girls were struggling. Though they didn't voice their pain, I could see the sadness, anger, and lack of self-worth in their eyes. I prayed those young ladies left the conference weekend challenged, that they would realize how important it is to talk about what they're going through, and that they would know they are not alone. I know God moved in ways that I may never know, and I have no doubt those young ladies left with hope, and feeling God's unconditional love.

I am truly blessed to a part of Mercy Ministries! God is so great!

Way to go girls!

Kim, Erin (front) Kimmie, and Lindsay (back)

Mercy Graduate in Switzerland!

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 14:44:00 +0000

Bonjour from Lausanne!!

Hello, everyone! I hope this letter finds you all well! I have been at YWAM for one week now, and everything is going amazing! The city of Lausanne is absolutely beautiful! I can see the Swiss Alps from my bedroom window! The people here at YWAM are even more beautiful and amazing. I have felt at home in this community since I walked through the doors. Even though we all come from different parts of the world, we are one big family here at YWAM-Lausanne. My Discipleship Training School class has nineteen students representing ten different countries. The class operates in English and French (yes, everything gets translated), and then further translation takes place between the students as necessary. There are two French girls in my room who speak very little English (though they are improving each day!), and we have had a lot of laughs over the past week as we have tried to communicate how to live with one another in such tight quarters. It's amazing to realize that we all come from completely different cultures and backgrounds, but we all find meaning and identity with the same true God. I am extremely excited to see what God is going to do in and through each of us during our time here with YWAM!

I feel indescribably blessed to be here, and I am so grateful to you all for supporting me! I have never experienced God like I have in the past week. I have become like family with people with whom my only commonality is God. I feel like I am learning more about Him everyday as I discover more of His creativity and love through all of these people that are from such different backgrounds and cultures, all of which have their unique ways to worship and glorify God.

Love,

Justine

Me (Center) with some of my YWAM classmates on the streets of Lausanne

Graduate Kim Brownie at Catalyst 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Check out this amazing video of Mercy Ministries graduate Kim Brownie speaking at a luncheon for women in ministry at Catalyst 2010!

Mercy Graduate Goes to Uganda!

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:34:00 +0000

I just got home Sunday night from two weeks in Uganda! God is so faithful and I am in awe of the incredible work that He accomplished in me and through me on this trip. What I saw in Uganda was nothing short of a miracle. Women travelled for hours on buses to stay for a month in a common house in Nansanna, Uganda, which is just outside of Kampala. Classes were held daily to train these women in the Word of God. I saw the reality of James 2:5 - "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of this world be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?" The classes were incredible. We taught in English and every statement was then translated into 4 different languages. Many of these women do not read or write or have Bibles in their languages. They were hearing the stories for the first time.

I helped direct a play about the life of Moses. The kids in the orphanage served as the plagues...jumping like frogs and flies. It was hilarious to watch. I didn't know until after the performance that some of the women are from tribes that have a lot of tension between them. You would never have guessed, watching them interact and carry on - even though they couldn't speak one another's language. It taught me never to think something like a play is a small thing - there can be kingdom victories happening that you don't even realize!

These women have next to nothing, but they have a hunger for truth, a love for their Redeemer and a joy and excitement in their worship that is rare. Unashamed love - that was one of the things that struck me most on this trip. They express love without many of the foolish inhibitions that we have here in the states. They are less self-occupied.

God used the trip to wake me up and motivate me. He spoke to my heart about the importance of true intimacy Him. His presence is the prize - it is all we follow after. I definitely left a portion of my heart in Uganda & can't wait to return!

Thank you again, Mercy Ministries and Nancy for helping make this trip possible! God bless you!!

Emily

Speak Mercy!

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:00:00 +0000

This past weekend I got to do something life changing! I got to share a little part of what the Lord has done in my life through Mercy Ministries at a Mercy fundraising brunch in Annapolis, MD. It was incredible!

God made divine connections before Nancy or any of the Mercy graduates got up to speak! At my table, I met a beautiful girl by the name of Brooke. She and her mother asked where I was from and when I told her I was from Pennsylvania, she wanted to know how I heard about a brunch that was happening all the way in Annapolis, MD! I told her I was a Mercy graduate and that’s when the questions started flying. This beautiful girl has struggled with a major life controlling issue similar to the one the Lord freed me of 2 1/2 years ago when I walked through the doors at Mercy. It was such a blessing to be sitting next to Brooke and her mom and hear how our Heavenly Father is working in her life!

Also, while giving my testimony, I noticed a woman crying. Afterwards, she and her husband came over to me, thanked me for sharing and the woman told me she could relate to my story…it was amazing!

I got to meet lots of wonderful people, answer questions, and help make a difference! I have been so blessed by this experience and am so thankful for those who support Mercy Ministries, because without them, who knows where I would be today!

Kaitlen, Krista, Nancy, Michaela, and Me!

To all of you Mercy graduates out there…use your voice to Speak Mercy! Look for opportunities to share what God has done in your life through Mercy Ministries. Share your story at your church, in your community or even with your next door neighbors—you will be so blessed in the process!

If you want more information about opportunities to share your story on behalf of Mercy through the Mercy Ministries Ambassador Program, please email Nandi Pryce: npryce@mercyministries.com.

Unleashed Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 15:21:00 +0000

Just over two years ago I flew into St. Louis, Missouri on my way to Mercy Ministries. I had been sexually and physically abused and after years of struggling with an eating disorder, self-harm, alcohol abuse, depression, and promiscuity, I felt hopeless. I didn't see much for my future and didn't think there would ever be a day I wouldn't feel I had to numb my pain. I had been to counselor after counselor and put on all kinds of prescriptions but nothing seemed to help me.

Once I arrived at Mercy, I experienced God's love and grace like never before. Satan's lies were replaced with God’s truth. I got back my joy and passion to live. When I looked into my future all I saw was hope and good!

When I got home, my boyfriend proposed to me and shortly after we got married. We met and served together at Saddleback Church. I then started UnleashedBeauty.com; a Christian based online magazine for young girls. It is a place where girls can come and learn about fashion, beauty, and health, without the negative messages they get from other magazines. It is a place where they can also learn about God, spiritual growth, the Bible, and each other. One of my goals is to use the site to introduce other girls and possible donors to Mercy Ministries. I thank God for using Mercy to bring about miraculous healing in my life and enable me to help other hurting girls. I am so excited to see where God leads me next!

Jeremiah 29:11

Love you all!
Hannah

And then I went to camp...

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Hey Mercy sisters!

It's hard to believe how fast time has gone by. God has been so good to me since I graduated from the Nashville home three years ago, and so much has changed.

I went to Mercy broken and hurting, unsure of what would happen with the rest of my life. God set me free while I was there, and has continued to be faithful. He continues to change me and it's an ongoing process.

Towards the end of my time at Mercy, I remember my counselor assigning me a couple of books on dating and relationships. I told her I had no interest in reading them, because I never intended to date. Ever. I was only 17 at the time, had never once had a boyfriend and wouldn't even consider it a possibility. Even after graduating from Mercy, I continued to think that I would remain single for the rest of my life. I wanted to do something great with my life, but I had no interest in sharing it with a man.

And then I went to camp.

After graduating from high school, I spent the summer working as an overnight camp counselor. It was at camp that I met Jonathan. We spent the summer getting to know each other and my aversion to having a boyfriend began to change. At the end of the summer we started dating. It's been a couple years since then, and I'm delighted to tell you that we recently got married, on July 10. God has truly blessed me with an amazing husband, and I'm so grateful that His plans are far better than my own.

I just wanted to encourage all of my fellow Mercy sisters across the world... God has amazing plans for each of you, and He can take you down an amazing path that you never thought possible!

Love always,
Carly

[Jeremiah 29:11]

His Hands and Feet

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 21:38:00 +0000

Hey Mercy graduates! I hope everyone is having a great summer and getting to enjoy some of the beautiful sunshine! I heard that a lot of Mercy graduates have been going on mission trips this summer. Isn’t it such a privilege to be God’s hands and feet throughout the world?! I recently got back from a mission trip to Kisumu, Kenya and wanted to share with you a little bit about my experience!

Our team went door-to-door witnessing to people in the slums of Kisumu. It was amazing that everyone we came into contact with wanted to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior! They were so open to hearing the Gospel and were overjoyed by the good news found in Christ! One of my favorite memories from the trip was the day when we went to visit the widows in the community. We learned that when a husband dies, the widow and children are kicked out of the family. As we visited these women, our goal was to encourage them in their faith and to lift their spirits, but needless to say we were blessed in return! Here is one quick story…the second house we walked into was a tiny home that had a curtain for a door. As we sat down, she said to us "let us pray" and prayed over us. After she prayed, we tried to spend a few minutes encouraging her not to lose her faith in the bad times, but she interrupted us and said, "I would like to sing you a song that I hope will encourage you and bless you. I sing it all the time when I am lonely and every night to my children before they go to bed." Then, out of her mouth flowed a beautiful song! She sang about eternity and that soon there will be no more heartache. To see this woman’s faith and trust in God was absolutely breathtaking! And to think we were coming to the slums to bless her! God is so good!

I hope that reading this has blessed you and motivated you to be His hands and feet to the ends of the earth…or just around your neighborhood! If you went on a mission trip this summer, please leave a comment and share your favorite memory from it or something that God taught you.

Love you all! God bless!

Devin

God's Healing Hand

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:17:00 +0000

For over eleven years, I battled with an addiction that nearly ended my life. I was hospitalized numerous times due to malnourishment and medical complications. I was not expected to live and was clumped into the percentage of people who would not survive. Through God’s mercy and the compassion that I received while I was in the program at Mercy, my life and health have been completely restored!

I just recently completed a school Psychology internship at the very same hospital that told me that I wouldn’t survive! To get to the unit that was working at in the hospital, I had to walk through some of the same hallways that I used to walk when I was in the midst of my addiction. So many of the people that I saw felt hopeless and were desperate for someone to listen to their problems. The pain, fear, and confusion that they felt could easily be seen through their eyes. For me, this hospital represents a place where I had once felt hopeless and hurt. When I was there, I was at the bottom of a pit and ready to give up on life. It was amazing this past month to be able to walk back through those doors, completely free in Christ and able to help others!

Also, through this internship I was able to see God’s provision in an awesome way! Prior to the internship, my bills were paid for in advance…God literally took care of every detail. God’s healing hand is so real and powerful. He is the only way to find true restoration and lasting joy!
Looking back over this past month, I can see God’s hand and His perfect timing. His love is truly the only way to find freedom! He has set us free so that we can lead others to the cross. Take a look at Psalm 103:1-5, it will encourage your heart!

Love,
Kristen

Love Me

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 13:59:00 +0000

JJ Heller has an amazing song entitled, "Love Me." I listen to it often and it always seems to bring me to a place of reflection. I find myself reflecting on all the times that I've cried, "Who will love me for me?” Toward the end of this song, it talks about a man crying out to God about his past, and God replies, "...listen, I will love you for you, not for what you have done or what you will become..."

How many times have we cried out to God as we starve for a love that we can't seem to find? We search in our materialistic wants, maybe a significant other, or even in our job—all to find this love. I know that I’ve done all of these things…but once I finally opened my heart and surrendered myself to the call that God had placed on my life, that was when God’s unconditional love was able to invade my space and heal my old wounds.

Nothing can take the place of the love that God so freely expresses through the breath that He chose to give us and the life that He chose us to live. Do you want an everlasting love? Then grasp the love in the arms of your Heavenly Father…I guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

Click here to listen to this JJ Heller song entitled, “Love Me.”--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG7SPCVkKyY

- Lindsay

Rose-Colored Glasses

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:16:00 +0000

This past Sunday, I sat across from a beautiful high school girl from the youth group I work with at church. We talked for a good two hours after finishing lunch, and just like it often does, this feeling of joy and immense thankfulness rose up inside of me. As I was sharing with her the mental shift in perspective that had come with the transformation God brought to my life, I explained it as if I had gotten laser eye surgery. Sounds weird, but it’s like getting permanent rose-colored glasses. Life is not perfect, and I do without a doubt have my hard moments, but I can now see blessings all around me that I couldn’t before God transformed my life!

I have been blessed with the opportunity to go back to college (finally, with some direction! ☺), and I just finished my first semester at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ.

I have been blessed to work in high school ministry… something I’ve wanted to do for years!
I have the best job I could imagine having right now! I nanny for a baby boy about 3 times a week, and have built a great relationship with him and his parents. He honestly has not been the easiest baby, but I don’t know that I’d change the past 6 months with him!

I have many relationships of all types. There are so many places where God is allowing me to influence others…It’s amazing to watch Him work!

I don’t share all of those areas where I feel blessed to brag in any way. I just didn’t always see the good that was there before. I DO want to share it with you as a reminder that God has got our backs. He not only provides, but exceeds in our areas of need! Look for the blessings and positives in life. It WILL change you… AND who doesn’t look good in rose-colored glasses?!

Much love in Christ,

Meagan

A Little Love Goes A Long Way

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:33:00 +0000

Over the last 6 months, I’ve had to ask myself, what do I consider to be great? I’ve personally had opportunities to speak on stages, in different states, as well as minister in other nations. But, I’ve also been in seasons where I am just living what seems like a “regular” life. I get up, go to school, work part time, and play college soccer. And for some, that can seem so mundane or meaningless--maybe like they aren’t doing great enough things for the Lord. But think about this…if Jesus lives inside of us, then it isn’t the event that determines our greatness, but it is us that create beauty and greatness in everything we do and everywhere we go. The reality and simplicity of our Christian walk lies in the secret that we simply must live “loved”. We are here to be loved deeply by God and in all our excitement and overflow, this love leaks onto everyone we meet. The lifestyle of love really became evident over the last 6 months of my life.

I’m in one of those seasons where I’m in school, working, and playing college soccer. This past August the door opened for me to begin playing college soccer again after a long break. This was a new team of girls, coming out of the East Side of San Jose, CA. The East Side here is known to hold the majority of crime, gangs, and disadvantaged youth in our city. On my team, every girl has a story, many of whom have stories like us Mercy girls. God showed me that despite my own thoughts on what was good enough for God, this new team would be my new “mission field.” It didn’t take any big speeches, but it was simply me just being me, and loving them everyday—on and off the field.

I’ve learned that it is love that is great and creates value in everything we do. My team is just one example of little acts of love going a long way. Remember that “great” isn’t defined by the magnitude of the event, but greatness lies in you, making your life and everything in it stunningly beautiful! God Bless!

- Britney

I am Who God Says I am

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:48:00 +0000

I am not the shy little girl sitting in the corner with no one to play with.
I am bold in Christ, and I have what everyone else wants.

I am not the fat, ugly girl that I once saw in the mirror.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made, beautiful on the inside and out.

I am not the unloved child waiting in the crib to be fed and paid attention to.
I am loved and lovable, and God is always paying attention to my needs.

I am not the second unwanted twin sister.
I am wanted. God knew me before I was even conceived in my mother’s womb. He knew my name and had a plan for me.

I am not the lost girl without a purpose.
I am found in Christ. I have hope for my future and an unbreakable joy to live my life for God.

I am not the girl who has to be perfect at everything.
I am a woman who can accept her mistakes because I am perfected through the image of Christ.

I am not the girl who can not trust anybody.
I trust my God and can rest in Him. He protects me and heals me from anything man does that may hurt me.

-Elise

Salt of the World

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:02:00 +0000

I was thinking about how it says in the Gospels that we are the salt of this world. Salt can represent many things, but the Lord brought to my mind that salt is used to heal open wounds. This speaks volumes to me because believers are created to be a light in this dark world. We are called to be vessels that the Lord uses to heal people emotionally and physically. It is important to remember that as the salt of the earth, we are called to bring healing through our very lives. We as Mercy girls, who have experienced transformation and freedom, have an obligation to share what God has done in us, and believe Him for the healing of others.

-Caitlin

Looking Through a Mirror

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:03:00 +0000

She stands in front of the mirror and picks out everything she is dissatisfied with.
Nothing can make her love herself for who she is.
She is unhappy with who God created her to be.
She wants to change the way she appears to others.
She wants to see a different girl when she looks into that mirror.

Night after night she begins to slowly pray to a God she is so unsure about.
She gets no answer and slowly begins to fade away and back down.
Where does she turn now? The road has ended, and there is nowhere to turn.
She feels as if her heart has been ripped out from within her soul.
She cries out to God.
She gets an answer from a small quiet voice.
This voice is not like any voice she has ever heard.
It is a voice that speaks only encouragement and beauty.
She isn't a mistake.
She isn't someone who is disgusting.
She is someone beautiful.

She begins to let the sunshine come inside and heal the scars that are within.
She begins to grow her wings for the journey that waits.
When she looks into the mirror she just doesn't see a body, she sees hope and joy.
She has a life that is worth living.
She still has her days when she looks into that same mirror and is not satisfied.
She begins to remember the words once spoken to her.
“I have created you uniquely beautiful!
Your beauty will forever keep blooming.”
She now understands her worth is defined through her Heavenly Father alone.

-Gina

A Heart of Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:19:00 +0000

A story of forgiveness and beauty, my life is a testimony of the undying love of my God. So, why do I stumble? Why do I question my place in His heart? Did not You say "I am My lover’s and He is mine,” - a love so undying I can’t fathom it, a heart so large and mysterious that I must seek and discover it.

My broken heart and shattered dreams He turned into something beautiful - a life with meaning. How many times have I cried out “Father, not my will but Yours. I want to be a walking testimony, completely sold out to You, Lord.” The problem is, I don’t realize the sacrifices and hardships that must accompany these cries. In Him alone I am alive, so for Him I shall live. Firmly yet gently He guides me in the way that I am supposed to go. Uncertainty clouds my vision, leaving me with a feeling of despair and longing, the longing to turn and run back invades my soul until His voice so assuring whispers to my soul. “Have I not created you for greatness? Have I not made you a new creature in Me?” Once again He captivates my heart, sweeping me off my feet!

-Cristal

My Soul Clings to Him

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 20:48:00 +0000

“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

This Psalm captured me last night. I went to sleep meditating on the fact that my soul will be satisfied and that my soul clings to my God. I don’t even care if I have the richest of foods, but just that my soul is satisfied is enough. God adds all the extra greatness just because He loves me. I don’t need it, but He wants to give it.

I sing of His praise because of His love not His gifts. I sing His praise forever because He alone (exclusively) is my satisfaction. He is the One I cling to everyday. I had a great conversation with a friend last night about being human. We discussed some of the desires that we have as humans for relationship and family and whatever else we yearn for. Then I came home to read about how He alone satisfies my soul.

I am dependent on Him and only Him. No one else can satisfy my heart and when I cry out to Him, He hears me and calms me. He knows all that I need. He is my everything. He is my forever. Sure, I can love others because He loves them and His love runs through my veins, but my heart, the center of who I am and all that I can be, belongs to Him. There is no other person or thing that can take His place in my core being. My heart yearns for His.

My dearest Father in Heaven,

I want to lift up my friends reading this entry to You today. Some may know exactly what I’m talking about and others may have no idea it’s possible to know You this way. I ask that You would show them what You’re capable of. I know that You can show them exactly what it means to long for You. I pray healing over the broken areas of their life. Your love for them is overwhelming and when they open themselves up to You – raw, bare and real – they will feel Your love working to bring them back to complete wholeness in you. You alone can make them more than conquerors and You have the ability to help them soar with the eagles! You alone are our Rock. You alone are our Salvation!

In Your loving Son’s Wonderful Name! Amen

-Tamara

Mystery

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:05:00 +0000

What a wonderful thing to wake up to - a mystery of You; waiting on the curtain to rise to see what lies behind.

Even in the mystery of You, there is beauty. I see it in the sunset. I see it in the moon rise. I see it every time I look into a child’s eyes.

I see Your power. I see it alive in my own life. I see it in the people that surround me. Although I may never understand all Your ways, I know Your ways are higher than mine, greater than mine, better than mine.

I don’t want to miss out. I don’t want to leave Your side. I have realized how vital You are to me.

You are the One who breathes life into me and tells my heart to beat. Where Your heart is, there my heart will also be, awaiting another mystery of You to be revealed.

-Lauren

I wanted to share this poem with you.

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:10:00 +0000

Choices are often difficult, but we're not alone! Even if there are only a few people around me, I am not alone and I do not battle alone. Praise God! Thank you my KING! Thank you for taking my disordered world and bringing restoration. Thank you Mercy for helping to bring a transformation to my INSIDE and OUT!

You Lord are my King
You took my world, You changed it around
You brought me to a place of Mercy
Here You nurtured me
You breathed life into my dark world

I was born for a purpose,
A purpose that became twisted and lost
I was born, started living and walked myself into death
Standing face-to-face with death,
Fear surrounded, and I gasped for air

You took my limp and frail spirit and body
You took my warped mind
Through your daughters You showed me your love
As I drew closer, I knew Your love for me
My broken was repaired, my lost was found

I rise in the morning
A choice set before me,
Like every other day in my life before it
Defaults come, they can be over-ridden
I rise and listen to my love, my Lord of all

It is not meant to be easy
But a new order has come to pass
This battle I find myself in is called life
Thank you Lord that in You
It is abundant and grace-empowered!

-Sally

Who ever told you you weren't beautiful?

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:54:00 +0000

"Who ever told you you weren't beautiful??"

God's been asking me this, and although I've read and heard the truth in God's Word, only now is it really starting to sink in. My life is a work in progress. Lord, take my ordinary traits and use them to do extraordinary things!

And, beautiful women, "Whoever told you that you weren't beautiful?" What joy you bring to the face of God! He is enthralled with your beauty. Imagine how happy He is when we are truly okay with ourselves, thinking, "Hey, I'm not bad, I actually really like that girl in the mirror. She's pretty cool!" How long will you let the expectations and pressures of others tear you downand distract you from being all you can be - the woman God created you to be? Claim this truth for your own life today. Let’s see where it takes us!

-Ashleigh

Tree of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:50:00 +0000

I have quite the fascination with trees. I always loved climbing trees, but I hated climbing down. Recently, I had a vision of myself climbing up a tree that reached the sky. I could not see the top, and I delighted in the fact that my playful journey seemed to have no end. I sensed the Lord saying, "This journey with Me is delightful and does not end." There is no end to His love and wisdom! And thank You Lord that Your mercy is unending! Best of all, with God there is no need to climb back down into my past or live the way I used to live.

I want to share a lesson God taught me recently. He just happened to use a tree to get the point across. As I ran along the river one day, I noticed the river was so still that it perfectly mirrored the flourishing trees along its bank. In peace and stillness, there was a reflection. This scene showed me that I can be a tree of life with good fruit and leaves for healing because I am a reflection of the One who is the Tree of Life. Stillness does not mean being stagnant or lazy. It means we desire the better thing - to seek the personal presence of God. We do not strive and worry and wonder about things that are beyond our control. As we are still in His presence, if it is time to move, the Holy Spirit will move us. The Holy Spirit stirs us in the way we should go. If we are not quiet and still, how will we hear the words that give us life?

Needless to say, this lesson convicted me to repent of the many times I restlessly went my own way whether in thought or deed. I am so thankful that I have more peace in my life than ever before, and I am learning to be led by the Holy Spirit. I am also thankful God gives us grace as we learn to respond to Him. I pray for this to be true in each of our lives.

-Sonya

The Master's Hands

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:12:00 +0000

The Master's hands -
What hands are they
That guide me through
Each night and day?

Hands that held me
Before my birth
Molded and fashioned in His design
Created for life on this earth.

Before I ever came to be,
Each moment of my life He planned.
Even my name
Is written there upon His hand.

Work-worn hands
That crafted wood,
Yet every tear
He understood.

Calloused, rough -
What hands are they?
“Tis the Master's”
Is what they say.

Never knew
A touch more tender,
One that knew
Of Heaven's splendor.

Hands that raise
The dead to life,
Frees the captives
Conquers strife.

Bleeding hands
Nailed to the tree,
Hanging there,
It was for me.

Hands that reach down
Near to us,
He is the One
Whom we can trust.

Hands that hold us
Lest we fall,
He's the best friend
Of all.

None can snatch us
From His hand,
For on His promises
We can stand.

He the potter
We the clay.
Oh let Him mold me
Day by day.

-Audrey

Lord, will you be mine?

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:34:00 +0000

I crave you all the time.
You take my pain away.
Nothing else matters when I’m with You.
No matter how much of You I have, I always want more.
My worries simply fade in Your presence.
I constantly think of You. You are my everything!
You’re undeniably the best thing that has ever happened to me.
It doesn't matter what time of day it is, I need You.
You will never fail me.
The sound of Your voice is soothing and gives me comfort like never before.
You amaze me more and more each day.
If I were the last person on earth and could choose one thing, it would be You.
Your hand is always there to lift me up.
Your sense of humor makes me smile.
You are the only one that has filled me eyes with tears of joy.
You help me grow and You build my character.
You give me strength when I am weak.
You listen patiently even when I’m angry.
You continued to love me when I rejected You.
I pushed You away, but You still took care of me.
I'm here and I'm not going anywhere.
You are beautiful oh Lord and I can't live without you!!
Will you be mine, and mine forever?

-Lisa

Victory Always Comes

noreply@blogger.com (Mercy Ministries of America) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:16:00 +0000

In the silence where I cannot find the words to say
I’ll wait quietly before the Lord, for my victory comes from Him.
In the struggle, when I’m on the brink of giving up
I’ll wait quietly before the Lord, for He alone is my rock and salvation;
My fortress where I will never be shaken.
I’ll drop my arms and get down on my knees, surrendering
Because I am not strong enough to fight this battle on my own.
There are thousands on my left; thousands on my right. I’m surrounded.
But the presence of the Lord defends and protects me.
His jealous flame burning for me will destroy my enemies.

I waited and He came through.
The Lord of heaven’s armies have come to my rescue.
He didn’t leave me to die,
But He came so that I might have life.
And I’m alive - more alive than I have ever been.
It’s in that moment of surrender where He met me.
He sent a hailstorm to knock down the lies and a flood to sweep away deception.
It’s in that moment of surrender where He consumed me with His Truth.
He dried my tears with the joyful song He wrote on my heart;
The song I can’t stop singing. The song everyone longs to hear.
The greatest love song - His love song to His bride.

-Lauren