Thursday, May 28, 2009

Amazing Graduate Update – Part 2

I heard from a young lady just today named Sarah. She gave me permission to share with you what she sent our way. You may remember back on Monday, May 18 that I posted a full story about Sarah. In case you didn’t see that blog, I’m going to re-post it here so you can scan it and refresh your memory about who she is. Then at the very bottom, I’m going share the note that I just got from her today with an amazing update and a very exciting announcement. So the new message is at the very bottom of today’s blog – I wanted you all to see the amazing door that God has opened for Sarah. It is so cool! Our biggest desire is for all the girls that leave Mercy to go out into the world, wherever God may lead them, and make a difference by touching the lives of other people. A huge door of opportunity has opened for Sarah, and I could not be more thrilled. I wanted to share it with you, so here it is…

BLOG ENTRY FROM MAY 18 –

I just received an update from yet another one of our amazing graduates. I never get tired of hearing how God heals broken hearts and gives beauty for ashes – He is truly a restorer! Not only has He restored Sarah, but He is using her in great ways to help others who are struggling with the same issues that she herself once struggled with. On top of that, she just graduated from college and plans to be married to an awesome guy in September. Check this out – it’s really cool!

To the Mercy Staff and Residents,

Hi, this is Sarah. I realized today that it has been nearly a year since I last wrote you an update. Life has been busy. Since graduating from Mercy on August 15th 2006, God has continued to give me the future I never thought was possible. I graduated from college with a degree in youth ministry this past May. Right away, I began working with at-risk junior high and high school girls as a dorm mom at a Christian boarding school.

This year has been so positive for me. Community and “adulthood” have stretched me. I was really lonely and overwhelmed when I transitioned from college to working in the dorm, but Christ met me here. I began to pray more than ever before because I realized how inadequate I am in myself. My top priorities in working in the dorm are that the girls would know Jesus intimately, see potential and value in their lives and futures, and heal the pains which brought many of them here. I can’t do any of these things, so I pray for them… and I pray for myself that the love of Christ would pour through me.

Besides growing much closer to Christ, one of the most rewarding things God has done for me in 2009 is that I have begun to see Him specifically using my pain and my testimony to reach the girls. Last night, I was sitting with a girl who has some hurt and oppression in her life. I was telling her again that I believe Christ wants to and is healing her. I showed her my journal from before I went to Mercy, showed her the desperate, tormented prayers for God to save me from the “hell” I was existing in. She said, “This is how I feel, I didn’t know that anybody else felt this way.” Then she asked me, “If I wanted to ask Jesus in my heart, could you show me how?” I could sense Him there with us as we asked Him to be Lord of our lives. She is still fighting the darkness. I am still praying for freedom and that she won’t give up.

This past Christmas, I got engaged to my high school sweetheart. This is another huge miracle for a girl who assumed she was too damaged to ever expect to find love. My fiancee is truly a man of God. He fights my battles with me. When I am tired and sick or when I have failed in some way; I find old thought patterns will surface, but Tim prays for me and my thinking clears. Then he tells me and whoever is around to hear, “I am marrying the most beautiful woman in the world. I love all that she is because God has designed her perfect for me.” He has shown me how God treats me gently and patiently. We believe that God is healing us and preparing us to be missionaries. Since Tim is still finishing his undergraduate work, I am moving back to McPherson Kansas in mid August and we will get married on Sept 12th.

I also have been working towards my Master’s Degree in Religion/Biblical Studies through Liberty University. I am on track to graduate again this summer, which I find serendipitous because then I will again have my time free to focus on being a good wife. I know it will be hard at first because as I tell Tim, “I’ve never done this before.” I am anxious to gain experience though. My wedding dress is a strapless, ribbon lace, a-line… simple but elegant… I am going to carry lilies because Tim and I love the passage in Song of Songs that says “like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.” I have reserved the church, but that is the extent of my wedding planning. I decided I was too busy with everything else to care anymore than that.

Big prayer requests for us at this time are: (1)That our relationship would honor God through our practice of intentional purity and sacrificial love. (2) That we would find jobs and an appartment in McPherson and have grace as we transition into a new stage of life. (3)That God would prepare us spiritually, emotionally, and financially to serve in international missions.

Know that I am praying for the work of Mercy. I am indebted to Nancy’s obedience to God’s call and every staff member who has sacrificed to show Christ to a broken girl like me. I really can’t thank you enough. Just know that I love my life and that Tim and I are committed to spreading the gospel. Know that the impact you made for Christ in my life is having an impact for Christ in the girls I work with. His kingdom is here and coming. His Word has been made flesh.

I love you each so much.

Together in Christ

Sarah

NEW MESSAGE JUST RECEIVED TODAY

Hey Nancy!

As you know, I am getting married this September to a man who loves God with his whole heart and moving into a new job which is what prompted me to write you this update in the first place. I wanted to let you know that I just was given the director of client services position for the pregnancy service center in Salina. I am really excited to be a part of this ministry... they are so focused on ministering to their clients and promoting the cause of life.

This life I have right now comes from complete dependence on Christ. He continues to give me grace. Thank you for Mercy and life. Please pray for me as I will have to face my fears even more in this new job position. I know Christ is faithful. I know He can work even through me... and I know I still need a healer. I need Him more.

Mercy is in my prayers and thoughts. Know that your ministry really is being multiplied throughout the world in the ministry of us "Mercy girls." I love you and am so grateful.

Together in Christ

Sarah

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Good News from the UK!

I just happened to be in the UK speaking at a wonderful conference when I received this awesome email from one of our UK grads who is celebrating her one year anniversary of graduating from Mercy Ministries in the UK! I thought I would share the joy with you…hope this is encouraging!
Well I am one week away from being a Mercy graduate for a whole year! I just wanted to give you an update of how things are going for me now, especially since it's hard to convey the true nature of it all in brief encounters when I've been to visit, or on the telephone.

I begin my degree in September and I'm very excited about it! Church is lovely, I certainly belong. I am blessed with so many great friends and I serve on the women's ministry team. I have recently been asked to lead a midweek youth connect group, which I am really looking forward to.

Before Mercy, I spent years telling lies and my deception had a lot of damaging and irreversible consequences. I had to stare them in the face whilst at Mercy which was awfully humbling and terribly difficult, but God has provided a way out and guilt and condemnation are not longer a daily weight upon my shoulders.

Not only has the relationship with my family been restored, but I now serve at church alongside some of the people I thought would never forgive or speak to me again. Never in a million years did I ever think God could do such a tremendous work of transformation - but I stand in awe of what He has done.

I will be eternally grateful to all of you who have stood with me on this journey. Thank you for picking me up and helping me to walk in the right direction again. Thank you for nudging me along with tough love even when I thought I couldn't bear it. Thank you for waiting patiently in the silence whilst I worked up the courage to be honest. Thank you for believing in me when all I saw was a failure. Thank you for drawing out my strengths and showing me that my life is worth something. But most of all, thank you for pointing me back to God. To Him be all the glory.

Love,
Emma
Congratulations to our UK staff and team on a job well done!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Does This Make Me a Grandmother?

On my birthday this year, I will turn 55, but honestly I still feel 25 on the inside. Does that count?? The truth is – I wish I still looked on the outside like I feel on the inside – ha!

I guess the reason I am going on and on about this is because I got quite a shock today when I looked at a baby picture that was sent to me recently of a 22 year old young woman named Benita, who is now happily married. Let me explain. You see, it was the year 1987 (four years after Mercy began), that I was in the labor and delivery room with one of our girls who came to Mercy Ministries to choose life for her child. This teenage unwed mother very courageously chose life for her child, but she also made the courageous choice to place her child with a wonderful Godly adoptive couple. As I mentioned, I actually had the privilege of being in the labor and delivery room with this young girl whose name is Rena. I will never forget this beautiful baby, whose name is Benita!

Now fast forward 22 years later…this baby that I watched come into the world is now 22 years old and happily married. She still has a heart connection with Mercy, which I am totally glad about. But the shock that I am referring to is that she sent me a picture of her first born child named Rebekah Erin. As I was taken in by how beautiful the baby is, all of a sudden it dawned in on me that this makes me a grandmother!! I didn’t know that people who felt 25 years old on the inside could be grandmothers!! Now I am trying to adjust to the fact that I am not really as young as I feel!

The truth is that this picture represents to me the faithfulness of God in honoring the choice that Rena made so long ago to bring her beautiful daughter into the world. That daughter has grown up to be a beautiful Godly woman who is happily married and now she has brought another beautiful child into the world. In Deuteronomy 30:19, God says that He sets before us life and death and He tells us to choose life that you and your seed may life. Rena chose life, and now her and her seed are living on as a powerful testimony. To all of our Mercy supporters who are reading this, you need to know that your giving is impacting generations to come.

Probably the best person to sum up the joy of this is Benita’s adoptive mom. Let me share with you a portion of the letter that she recently sent to me…

“It is so hard to believe that Benita is now grown, by the grace of God, to be such a wonderful daughter, wife, and now mother. We are incredibly blessed to be grandparents! It is simply amazing how proud we are of Benita and Jeremy. They have already shown that they are going to be wonderful parents. Benita is so caring and loving to Rebekah, and Jeremy is already so protective. We just wanted to let you know what a special part you had in yet another life. We know she will come to know Jesus at an early age and be a blessing, just like Benita has been. Blessings to you and we are so happy to share our newest addition with you!!”


Have a great Memorial Day Weekend! As we enjoy our holiday on Monday, let us remember that so many young men and women have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy. Take time to meditate on that thought and be thankful for those who serve in our armed forces.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Pictures from My Week…

Today I thought I would do something a little different than I normally do and post a photo gallery from my week so far. I have spent time in both the Monroe, Louisiana and St. Louis, Missouri homes this week and just wanted you to see some of the pictures from my time with the girls and staff. Hope you enjoy…







Monday, May 18, 2009

Amazing Graduate Update!!

I just received an update from yet another one of our amazing graduates. I never get tired of hearing how God heals broken hearts and gives beauty for ashes – He is truly a restorer! Not only has He restored Sarah, but He is using her in great ways to help others who are struggling with the same issues that she herself once struggled with. On top of that, she just graduated from college and plans to be married to an awesome guy in September. Check this out – it’s really cool!

To the Mercy Staff and Residents,

Hi, this is Sarah. I realized today that it has been nearly a year since I last wrote you an update. Life has been busy. Since graduating from Mercy on August 15th 2006, God has continued to give me the future I never thought was possible. I graduated from college with a degree in youth ministry this past May. Right away, I began working with at-risk junior high and high school girls as a dorm mom at a Christian boarding school.

This year has been so positive for me. Community and “adulthood” have stretched me. I was really lonely and overwhelmed when I transitioned from college to working in the dorm, but Christ met me here. I began to pray more than ever before because I realized how inadequate I am in myself. My top priorities in working in the dorm are that the girls would know Jesus intimately, see potential and value in their lives and futures, and heal the pains which brought many of them here. I can’t do any of these things, so I pray for them… and I pray for myself that the love of Christ would pour through me.

Besides growing much closer to Christ, one of the most rewarding things God has done for me in 2009 is that I have begun to see Him specifically using my pain and my testimony to reach the girls. Last night, I was sitting with a girl who has some hurt and oppression in her life. I was telling her again that I believe Christ wants to and is healing her. I showed her my journal from before I went to Mercy, showed her the desperate, tormented prayers for God to save me from the “hell” I was existing in. She said, “This is how I feel, I didn’t know that anybody else felt this way.” Then she asked me, “If I wanted to ask Jesus in my heart, could you show me how?” I could sense Him there with us as we asked Him to be Lord of our lives. She is still fighting the darkness. I am still praying for freedom and that she won’t give up.

This past Christmas, I got engaged to my high school sweetheart. This is another huge miracle for a girl who assumed she was too damaged to ever expect to find love. My fiancee is truly a man of God. He fights my battles with me. When I am tired and sick or when I have failed in some way; I find old thought patterns will surface, but Tim prays for me and my thinking clears. Then he tells me and whoever is around to hear, “I am marrying the most beautiful woman in the world. I love all that she is because God has designed her perfect for me.” He has shown me how God treats me gently and patiently. We believe that God is healing us and preparing us to be missionaries. Since Tim is still finishing his undergraduate work, I am moving back to McPherson Kansas in mid August and we will get married on Sept 12th.

I also have been working towards my Master’s Degree in Religion/Biblical Studies through Liberty University. I am on track to graduate again this summer, which I find serendipitous because then I will again have my time free to focus on being a good wife. I know it will be hard at first because as I tell Tim, “I’ve never done this before.” I am anxious to gain experience though. My wedding dress is a strapless, ribbon lace, a-line… simple but elegant… I am going to carry lilies because Tim and I love the passage in Song of Songs that says “like a lily among thorns is my darling among the maidens.” I have reserved the church, but that is the extent of my wedding planning. I decided I was too busy with everything else to care anymore than that.

Big prayer requests for us at this time are: (1)That our relationship would honor God through our practice of intentional purity and sacrificial love. (2) That we would find jobs and an appartment in McPherson and have grace as we transition into a new stage of life. (3)That God would prepare us spiritually, emotionally, and financially to serve in international missions.

Know that I am praying for the work of Mercy. I am indebted to Nancy’s obedience to God’s call and every staff member who has sacrificed to show Christ to a broken girl like me. I really can’t thank you enough. Just know that I love my life and that Tim and I are committed to spreading the gospel. Know that the impact you made for Christ in my life is having an impact for Christ in the girls I work with. His kingdom is here and coming. His Word has been made flesh.

I love you each so much.

Together in Christ

Sarah

Friday, May 15, 2009

St. Louis Residents Guests of Senator Kyle McCarter

I am always in awe of the wonderful and diverse people that God connects us with! Senator Kyle McCarter and his wife, Victoria, are great friends of Mercy Ministries, and also very involved in volunteer work with our girls. Not only do they attend almost every graduation, but Senator McCarter and Victoria also serve as Co-Chairmen of the Community Board for Mercy Ministries in St. Louis. Senator McCarter invited the Mercy residents and staff to be his special guests at the Illinois State Capitol and were announced on the Senate floor. Senator McCarter’s wife, Victoria, went along as well. It was so cool to have them send pictures from this event as well as to hear in their own words what this meant to them. Here’s what Victoria had to say in an email I received from her.
Nancy,

I wanted to share a few photos with you from the Mercy girl's trip to Springfield. We took the girls to the governor's mansion, then to the Capitol where the girls were announced on the Senate floor and Kyle spoke about Mercy and their success rate. Next, the girls watched the Senate while it was in session and took a guided tour of the capitol.

Afterward, Kyle spoke with the girls about not limiting what God can do in their lives. Finally, our Senate minority leader, Christine Rodogno, met the girls on the steps of the capitol and spoke to them with a similar message. We were absolutely blessed with beautiful weather and the day going off without a hitch - a rarity at the capitol! Kyle and I are so excited about having the opportunity to do this for the girls, and we will continue to promote the work of Mercy in the state of Illinois!

Much love to you, Nancy! We are truly grateful for your friendship and for the work Jesus is doing in the lives of the Mercy girls. Being with the girls is always the highlight of our week!

--Victoria

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Graduate Celebrates New Beginnings

I just got a really cool thank you note in the mail from a Mercy graduate named Chelsea, along with a wedding picture of Chelsea and her husband, Matthew. We celebrate with them and we send congratulations to Chelsea and Matthew. For all of our supporters, I want you to hear in Chelsea’s own words the help that you have made possible…

Nancy,

Wow, where do I even start? I cannot put into words what a blessing Mercy was and is to me. I am such a different person and though all of the credit goes to God and His grace, I know He used Mercy to do it. I really don’t think I would be here today without Mercy. I know that God used Mercy to show me that I have a purpose and that I am so loved – thank you! You and your work in founding Mercy has given me true joy and happiness. I love the life God has blessed me with. I am now happily married and I couldn’t ask for anything more. Thank you for being such a blessing! I have no doubt God will use Mercy to bring more girls to the freedom I now have.

With love and in Him,

Chelsea


We wish both Chelsea and every former Mercy resident the very, very best!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Back in Action

I decided after a couple of weeks that it was time for me to talk to you guys again. Hope your two weeks have been as good as mine have been! I had a very relaxing beach vacation at Seaside, Florida. I got to spend some quality time with great friends, and really have time to unwind. The weather was perfect, and it was great to be able to slow down and actually be able to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.

On Thursday, March 7th, I flew to Vancouver, Canada to speak at the LifeWomen Conference with Helen Burns, Natalie Grant, and Charlotte Scanlon-Gambill.

We had a great time together, and we were able to share publicly pictures of the new home that is opening there.

In addition to showing pictures of the Vancouver home, I also got to introduce to everyone the person who will be our leader in Canada, Nicola Bartel. I was also joined at the conference by our International Director of Programs, Margaret Troquille. We are so grateful to have these two quality women in leadership roles.

One of the highlights of the conference in Vancouver for me was that there were seven former Mercy residents there. We weren’t able to get everyone together all at the same time, but we did manage to gather five of them for a picture after I spoke on Friday night.

On Saturday, May 9th it was onto Virginia Beach to be with Pastors Steve and Sharon Kelly of Wave Church to speak in two services on Mother’s Day. I spoke Sunday morning at their South Beach location, and then Sunday night at their main service in the original location.

It was so great to see their new building and to witness all the growth and expansion that has taken place since my last visit there. I can’t even begin to say what a great job Pastors Steve and Sharon have done to impact their city and beyond. There is truly a great work going on that is impacting all generations. There are so many ministry outreaches and classes that I could not even begin to name them all. I have so much respect for Steve and Sharon, and it was my joy to have the opportunity to have great fellowship with them. We got to have a great meal together after last night’s service at an awesome seafood restaurant. This is a picture we took right after we enjoyed that meal together.

Special thanks to Wave Church and their staff for an awesome time! I feel so blessed to be connected to such quality people. The best is yet to come!!!

Friday, May 8, 2009

A Heart of Compassion by Charlotte Scanlon-Gambill

Today I am in Vancouver, Canada speaking at Life Women’s Conference. Last night, we heard from Natalie Grant and Helen Burns, and it was awesome! This morning we will be hearing first thing from Charlotte Scanlon-Gambill from the UK, who is a well-known author and speaker at conferences around the world. But in my world, Charlotte is a very dear friend and sister – one of my God chick friends. I asked her if she would be willing to do a guest blog because I want you to hear from some of the wonderful people in our extended Mercy family who are doing great things, and Charlotte is one of those people. Hope you enjoy!

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to get comfortable, to develop a routine in life? It happens slowly, but gradually over time I have watched many people who were once radical and passionate to make a difference grow less enthusiastic and start to be less available to the call of God.

One of the main ways we can avoid this happening, I have found, is by keeping a constant commitment to keep stepping out of ‘my’ shoes and into the shoes of 'others.' Jesus never came to preach at people, but to reach people - people from all different backgrounds and life experiences. He didn't wear the shoes of judgement, conformity or religion. He committed to step into the shoes of the broken, lonely and hurting people. He would walk with Zachaeus and cry with Mary, He would touch the leper and include the prostitute. He had compassion on them all and empathy for their situation because He approached them as one who was willing to walk in their shoes, talk their language, feel their pain, and from that position bring healing and liberty.

God is looking for us, His people, to do the same - not to get so comfy in our church shoes or busy with our own world that we never step out to embrace a different life. Years ago when I met Nancy Alcorn, I met a modern day example of this discipline. Her heart for the hurting, lost, abused and broken women she met was not one of pity or sadness, but empathy and compassion.

Mercy Ministries is an organization that steps into others’ shoes and from that place, rebuilds girls lives. So learn more about the work of Mercy, partner with their amazing women and be committed afresh to step into someone else’s shoes.

Love ya lots!
Charl


To read more from Charlotte, get a copy of her latest book In Her Shoes! To learn more about Charlotte, visit her website at http://www.alm.org.uk/leadership/charlotte_gambill/.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Moved By Mercy

Hi! I’m Linda, Executive Director of Mercy Ministries of America. I’ve been serving at Mercy for over three years and have been blessed every day to be a part of seeing God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power impact young women from all over the country.

Before joining the Mercy Ministries team, I worked in the corporate world for 15 years at Wells Fargo Insurance where I built a business line in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was an amazing experience to create a new business line under the umbrella of such a strong corporation. We went from initially processing 1,500 orders per month to building an automated process for managing over 200,000 orders a mon
th and tracking more than 2 million records. It was exciting and very fast paced. I was fortunate to have amazing men and women mentor and challenge me in all aspects of business and have been able to bring those experiences, skills, and knowledge to Mercy.

Prior to 2002, I did not know anything about Mercy Ministries. I literally found it on the Internet; the story is truly a testimony of how God works! So here’s the quick version…if you follow football, you may remember that a few years back, a particular Minnesota Vikings player found himself in hot water after pushing a traffic officer with the front of his SUV. Yes, you read that correctly - a human being was literally pushed in the street by the football player driving the SUV. It was BIG news at the time, and as my family was watching this appalling situation on the evening news, my impressionable young son thought it was funny. I literally looked over to my husband, who just happens to be a college football coach, and told him I would be shopping for a new NFL team to support. It wasn’t the type of behavior we wanted our kids to look up to.

So, the next day, I shopped NFL.com for teams that had quality coaching staffs with accountability and integrity as key components of their programs. We decided on the Titans because my husband and I both grew up in Southern California like Coach Fisher, and my father-in-law had grown up in Nashville, TN. It looked like a good fit for our family.

Of course, we couldn’t really watch many Titans games from Minnesota, so I started tracking the team online and sharing updates with the kids. In reading about the teams’ activities and what the coaches supported, I ran across an article about Mercy Ministries, which I quickly dismissed. God had a different plan because the name and article kept coming to my mind. One day, I sat down and checked out the web site and I literally logged off within seconds of reading what the ministry was about, basically because it hit too close to my own life experiences.

Eventually a few days later, I opened up the web site and read all about the amazing work of the ministry. I literally wept as I read testimonies posted online and learned more about how God was transforming lives at Mercy Ministries. I immediately shared the ministry with my husband, David. We made a contribution to the ministry, and I sent a letter to Nancy Alcorn asking if there was a way to volunteer from afar to support the ministry. Mind you, I didn’t think I’d hear back because I had quickly figured out that Nancy was very busy. To my amazement, I had a voice mail message from Nancy’s office a few weeks later asking if I would be open to meeting Nancy briefly when she was in Minnesota at, of all places, my own home church for a Girls of Grace conference! We met and connected quickly sharing how the ministry was growing and brainstormed ways I could help.

I began volunteering along with another volunteer, Christy Singleton, who is now our Executive Director of Development, and helped research grant information and other data to support Christy’s fundraising efforts for Mercy. It was great fun to help from a distance and know that I was making a small contribution toward helping transform the lives of young women. As time passed, I was able to share my business knowledge with other Mercy staff and help them as they began developing growth strategies.

In January of 2006, I was asked if I would be interested in working for Mercy Ministries in Tennessee. In the natural, I had absolutely no desire to move my kids, ages 10 and 13, from their schools and friends, but once again God had a different plan. I shared this news with my husband and he felt immediate confirmation that we were being called to leave our comfort zone and serve. I went through the interview process and began serving God’s mission at Mercy Ministries in March of 2006. As God always does, He had worked out every detail of my family’s transition, including providing a wonderful church, a coaching opportunity for my husband with Vanderbilt University, and great friends with whom we now “do life.”

Day to day at Mercy, I work closely with our staff and Board of Directors to ensure our team is focused on the initiatives and strategies that best serve our mission and the young women seeking for their lives to be transformed and hope to be restored. Practically speaking, this involves overseeing our accounting, human resources and IT team initiatives, as well as management oversight of our development and program leadership. Each day, I am focused on ensuring we are good stewards of the resources that our generous contributors send to Mercy and that our efforts are aligned with our mission and core values. In addition, I focus on the growth and development of our staff – a wonderful team who is very committed to serving God’s mission at Mercy Ministries. I also work on our growth initiatives and this year, my number one priority is coordinating the numerous aspects of opening our Lincoln, California home so we can welcome 40 additional young women to Mercy Ministries and continue to see God’s unconditional love and forgiveness transform lives.

It’s simply amazing to see how God has moved in my own life through the obedience of answering His call to serve at Mercy.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Are you Worn Out? By Holly Wagner

It is my joy to introduce to you one of my dearest friends in the whole wide world, Holly Wagner. She and her husband, Philip, are the pastors of Oasis Christian Center in Los Angeles, CA. The church is truly awesome. I’ve asked Holly to share with you today…

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.
Matthew 11:28-30, THE MESSAGE

Sometimes I feel as if I should join the circus. No, I can’t tame elephants (although I can have a conversation with a teenage boy, so that’s pretty close!!) and no, I can’t contort my body to fit in a shoebox . . . but I am a champion plate spinner! I have so many plates spinning that I amaze myself. Can you relate? Probably. I have the woman plate going, the wife plate going, the mom plate going, the pastor plate going, the author plate going, the speaker plate going, and the friend plate going.

There are moments when I just feel a little worn out. Sometimes that realization hits me while standing in the shower (the only place I can find solitude some days!). Recently, I had to speak at a women’s retreat, which means a weekend full of messages . . . in another state. I also had a book to finish, my kid’s basketball games to attend, GodChicks® Conference planning meetings, three Sunday services to get ready for, an annoying legal battle, a household to run, and I am sure my husband would like to eat and have sex somewhere in between. And, did I mention this was all during daily radiation treatments?? That’s a lot of plates!

I have learned that the only way to negotiate all the plates that God has given me is to get great at walking with Jesus. When I spend my time with Him, everything else gets put in perspective. Instead of panicking at all that I need to accomplish today, I really am peaceful. In fact, many times I have gotten up from chatting with God and discovered the answers on how to fit all the pieces of my day together. By giving God that time, He has seemingly given me more.

Religion can be exhausting. There is no way that you and I can keep all the rules. And the enemy, like the Pharisees of the New Testament, wants us to feel guilty for not doing everything right. Jesus knew this, so He said that if we are burned out on religion, we just have to get away with Him. Only with Him can we learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

Rest in Him, my friend. Keep company with Him and you will live lighter than you ever have.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Overcoming Disappointment

I am excited to have the opportunity to share with you on Nancy Alcorn’s blog. I feel so privileged to work at this wonderful ministry! My name is Cissy and I am the Executive Director of Programs for Mercy Ministries of America. I came to work with Mercy Ministries in 2002 as a Masters level counselor. My prior experience ranged from addictions counseling, family counseling, liaison work with the TN Department of Human Services and an addictions agency, and counseling on a college campus. While I was working on my graduate degree, I was a Resident Hall Director for a 360+ occupancy dormitory at Arkansas State University.

I give oversight to the Program Directors in each of the Mercy Ministries homes in America, the Director of Intake and Adoptions, and the Director of Transitional Care. I am honored to be involved in the entire process - from a young woman applying to the program, coming into the program, all that is involved in the counseling process, and her transition out of the program. I absolutely love empowering people to maximize their potential and to fulfill the call God has placed on their lives. Cultivating an atmosphere for the young women who apply and go through the program to experience God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, and life-transforming power is what I strive to see evident in our homes and programs.


In my experience of being a counselor and working in ministry, I have seen a common theme in why people experience struggles in life. Most every person, including myself, has experienced disappointments. Disappointment can come in many forms. Some of these disappointments could be from unmet expectations, loss, heartbreak, rejection, abuse, regret, failure, delay, and the list goes on and on.

Many respond to disappointment by putting up walls and refusing to allow for intimacy to occur for fear of being hurt or disappointed again, while others fall into distrust, anger, bitterness, hopelessness, self harm, addictions, doubt, and losing faith in all that is good. These responses lead to disorders of the soul, which only can be healed through the One who made us, God. Satan wants us all to turn from God when we are disappointed because he does not want us to be restored and made whole. If anyone understands loss, it is God. God is rejected and often ignored, yet He remains hopeful!

No one is immune to disappointment. Sin is in the world and the nature of man is to go towards it. You are not alone if you have experienced disappointment and have reacted in a negative way. The positive side of disappointment is that it is a great opportunity to see where you are. Awareness can be a wonderful thing, but we must not merely sit in awareness like a comfy chair. We do not need to relax in awareness, but rather let it inspire us to action - to make change. It is crucial to shift your focus from the disappointment and the awareness to focusing on God. When the focus gets off of the situation and onto the Answer, your view and response will change.

Here are some practical steps to take when dealing with disappointment:

1) Immediately go to God to resolve the hurt. However you feel about God settle that you need to get this resolved.

2) Wrestle it out with God until a resolve is found. Pour out your hurt before God whether through journaling your feelings, praying (or simply talking to God), crying, or even yelling. God can handle your emotions, so share your hurt with Him and allow Him to help you through it.

3) Forgive the one(s) who hurt you. Say, “I choose to forgive _________. I choose to let it go.” This is not always easy, but forgiveness opens the door for God to heal you. Forgiveness does not make what the person did to you right, but it does free you up to be healed.

4) Own your part in the hurt. Take ownership for your actions and ask God to forgive you. There is always something we can learn about ourselves related to our response to hurt and disappointment.

5) Get your focus on Jesus and be grateful for what you have in your life. A lot of times we stay hurt because we choose not recognize what we have to be grateful for. Gratefulness takes you beyond being healed to being whole. Being whole encourages generosity towards others.

6) Release all of the hurt to God and then let it go. It may be easier said than done, but God desires for us to grieve loss quicker than we are prone to do. He wants us living an abundant joy-filled life and not sitting in pain. For me, the quicker I can get past a hurt, the better.

I pray for all who are reading this blog who have dealt with disappointment with others, with yourself or even with God that you would be able to release it, forgive, let it go and rise up! Choose joy, choose abundant life; get to enjoying your life!!! I challenge you if you are experiencing disappointment, get with God tonight. Don't delay! Work it out. Tear down the walls that are up, deal with the hurt and get it settled. Forgive, cry, pray and get past it today! There is no reason you have to stay in disappointment. Address it and then move past it. If your own choices were part of the disappointment, repent, get with God and work it out. He is faithful to meet you there!