by Melanie McKinley
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Beautifully written words that my heart needed to hear today. Thank you Melanie
5.8.2025 20:48Comment on Believing Lies by Tari
How many of us at one time or another believed a lie or lies we were told as truth? We believed it so much that we began to operate out of that falsehood as if it were the truth? Every decision we made, every compromise, every nuance of our lives were wrapped around and woven in and among this fabrication? It became the foundation upon which we built everything. We failed to measure just how much of an impact this lie had in our lives. Important decisions were weighed against it, what we could and could not do was judged by it, so much so that we became stuck. Stuck in the regimen of keeping up with the lie, making sure the narrative of our life fit the lie; not the other way around of trying to prove it wrong. Stuck so much that our lives look nothing like what God had intended because we were so busy living out the lie(s) we had bought as truth. We spent so much time measuring us against it that we somehow failed to examine the veracity of it. Was it true or was it not. And if not what was the truth and where do we find it?
Before we get to the part about where to find truth, let’s examine some of the lies we have believed; shall we? The lies take many forms. Some come from well meaning people, some from people who are broken and believing lies themselves, and some from situations we had no control over but created an environment to replicate lies.
Being called names; lazy, dumb, stupid, fat, ugly, or anything else you can think of that might create a wound in a persons heart the size of the grand canyon. How about you are too __________ fill in the blank with loud, pointed, direct, much to much take all in one setting, smart for your own good, etc. etc. It can even be some words dressed as “constructive criticism” You smile too much, you don’t smile enough. No one likes you, everyone said I should avoid you, You’re trying too hard, you’re not trying hard enough. Words spoken in haste, with out thought, spoken due to jealousy or poor self esteem and yes, even with malice (because some people are just plain mean) can become the lies we believe about ourselves. But what about those situations outside of our control?
Physical, sexual, spiritual, emotional; really abuse of any kind can leave an negative impression on a person. So much so they begin to believe the lie that whatever happened was deserved. That maybe something they did was the cause of the abuse, that perhaps they were never loveable or because of the abuse they can now no longer be loved. Too, Rejection and betrayal, by those we thought were friends or family, abandonment in critical moments or just abandonment altogether, as well as devastating loss of loved ones can also create environments within our hearts and minds where lies live and are replicated. In the midst of all of that the lies form and can become the foundation upon an entire life being built if our hearts and minds are not steadfastly clinging to truth. So what is this truth I am talking about? and where do we find it?
The truth we need in our lives to build on a firm foundation can only be found in the word of God. The bible. For any situation there is a solution, a parable, a story, a psalm or scripture we can use to combat the lie(s). David himself who was a man after God’s own heart – yet also was overlooked by his family, killed a giant, betrayed someone, was betrayed himself, lost his infant son, lost men in battle, became King and was terrorized by a king – wrote a large majority of the psalms. His story is laced with moments we can glean as a way forward with truth as our guide. And there are many more; Daniel, Bathsheba, Ester, Ruth, Moses, Aaron, the Israelites, Peter, Paul, and yes even Jesus just to name a few.
Why do you think lamentations was written? It was written as a way for the author or authors to express their deep sorrow at the destruction of Jerusalem and their attempt to understand and make sense of it; particularly their role and the role of God in its destruction due to their sin and rebellion. A sin and rebellion that defied God and broke their covenant with him. They bought a lie and lived that lie out. It was contrary to God’s word and his covenant with them. What’s interesting is midway through they come to realize the truth that God is just, faithful, he is the God of hope and restoration. He is filled with love for them and his compassion did not fail them. Truth. Did you get that? God’s truth dismantles the lie(s) by revealing the deception behind the lie(s) we have believed over our lives. His truth alone offers us a perspective rooted in God’s character and his promises.
So how do we get the truth settled into our hearts and minds if we have allowed a lie or lies to permeate our existence? First we must identify the lie(s) we have held as truth. Examine your story for flaws and negative chatter. Hold it up in prayer before God and ask him to illuminate anything he did not or would not say about you. In scripture Paul instructs us to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5.” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:21we are reminded to “test everything; hold fast what is good.”
Secondly we combat the lie with scripture found in the bible. For example if the lie is “I am not loved” the truth of what God says is “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you” (Jeremiah 31:3). If the lie is “I am not wanted” the truth is “For you created my inmost being; you knit me togetherin my mother’s womb. I praise youbecause I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you when I was madein the secret place,when I was woven togetherin the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordainedfor me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts,God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand” (Psalm 139:13-18).
If you are uncertain about where to start to find the truth or maybe you don’t have a hard copy of a bible you can download the You Version bible app at https://www.youversion.com/ to get you started. You can also find bible study tools online at: https://www.biblegateway.com/ https://biblehub.com/ https://www.bible.com/ https://www.blueletterbible.org/ ; just to name a few. Each of these websites are searchable, you can read the entire bible here or have it read to you. There are tools you can use to study with and find answers and commentary for tough questions. Just know its a place to start.
Lastly, Its also important to talk with (share) what is going on with a trusted Godly friend or pastor. Give them permission to speak into your life the truth. To cover you in prayer and to pray with you about your situation. Sometimes it is easier to spot the deception someone else believes than it is our own. God’s word says “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV and “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV. We were made to be in community with other people. Made to be there for each other; not just in good times but also in the more difficult phases of our lives. We are stronger together and better all the way around when we do life with each other.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
5.8.2025 14:55Believing Lies
Next in the line of things that can keep us stuck is…fear. Fear is something we all experience at one point or another. Fear is universal in that it crosses racial barriers, language limitations, as well as cultural and social rungs of the ladder. It does not discriminate. Fear can paralyze our decision making abilities, it can incapacitate us emotionally and can render us unable to move out from under our current situation and into the promises given by God.
Fear is a tool of the enemy of our souls meant to keep us in bondage to him and the lies he fills our heads with, that if given enough time we begin to believe in our hearts; and then those lies become the lens through which we view God and his promises. Instead of trusting God we live life out of our own strength and lose out on the power available to us to do immeasurably more than we are capable of doing on our own.
There are many types of fear. For example fear of failure, fear of success, fear of looking bad, fear of missing out, fear of not having enough, fear of rejection. Throughout the bible “fear not” and “do not fear” are written many times. Written so we can be assured of God’s sovereignty in any situation; his ability and desire to create an outcome that is good for us and brings him glory. He wants believers and non-believers alike to see his power displayed through us.
One of the greatest fears that keep us from experiencing God is the fear of trust. The “what if I trust him and he lets me down” idea is one born from being let down over and over by the ones that were suppose to love and protect us. Trusting in his goodness, his faithfulness, his love, his provision is daunting when in real time you’ve not had that experience with the people doing life with you. Getting to know someone, really know someone is the key to knowing if they can be trusted.
So how do you get to know God? It is really simple, read the bible. Not just parts of it. All of it. Yes it can feel intimidating but get a version you understand and feels natural to read. The word, his word – the bible is a complete picture of who God (Jesus & Holy Spirit) really are. Another way is to listen to other believers testimonies of God in their lives. This helps us see him in action; we can trust that if he will take care of them, he will us as well because his promises are for all who believe. Conversation is yet another way of getting to know someone over time. How we converse with God is through prayer. Prayer does not have to be lengthy or complicated. There is no formula, although the bible outlines some different kinds of prayer that is helpful for when you don’t know what or how to pray.
When we place our trust in him, open our hearts to him and believe in him inviting him to be our lord and Savior we gain so much. He says he will never leave us nor forsake us. Imagine. We have 24/7 access to someone who is all knowing, all powerful and present everywhere. He has our best interest in mind with every interaction, every situation we face and every obstacle we have to overcome. He loves us with a love that has no limitations. He knows us intimately because he formed us in our mother’s womb. He planned out every detail of our lives from the beginning to the end. He is sovereign and Holy, nothing is a surprise or to much for him; even our less than stellar decisions or the less than stellar decisions of others that may have hurt us deeply.
His heart is for us and if he is for us who then can be against us? In Isaiah the 43rd chapter he says we are the redeemed and that even when we go through trouble he is there. Over and over in his word it says to “take heart”, “Do not be afraid”, “fear not” attached to these are promises for every believer. Promises that he guarantees because he “is not a man that he should lie”. The bible is his word. It is him writing out his iron clad declaration of his unfailing love, his mercy, his grace, his provision for every situation, his protection, his sovereignty, his holiness, his faithfulness, his righteousness and so much more. Knowing this, we can live a life without fear because he can be trusted in all things and in everyway.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
22.7.2025 22:00FearHey, I don’t know why, but it’s not letting me login to comment on your post. I can login to WordPress just fine, but your site is telling me my password is wrong. 🤷🏻♀️ Too busy to figure it out right now, so wanted to just email you how much I loved this one. It’s very timely for me right now.
Lynn
3.6.2025 15:27Comment on Distraction by Ms. Lynn
In a previous post I wrote about ways we get stuck and decided to expound on a few of those over the next several posts. There was a previous post on (un)forgiveness and how we can get stuck if we don’t explore our feelings surrounding it and attempt to work through it. Today’s post is about all the things that can distract us. Or better yet maybe about distraction itself. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Have you ever heard that if the devil can’t get you to doubt God or quit, he will distract you until you wake up one day and realize just how complacent in your walk you have become? Not only have I heard that saying but at one time in my life I lived that out. Even as I type I have had numerous distractions coming at me. Seemed as if every time I carved out a few moments to think and type something came up, someone called, or I lost my self on a rabbit trail down the slippery slope of social media.
According to Wikipedia distraction come from both external sources, and internal sources. External distractions include things such as visual triggers, social interactions, music, texts and phone calls. There are also internal distractions such as hunger, fatigue, illness, worrying and daydreaming.
Let me say this…not all distractions are bad. In fact, some are things we quite enjoy most of the time; like hobbies, games, family time, books, your fav tv show, are just a few of those I can come up with right off the top of my head. What makes a distraction bad is when it interferes with what God is asking of you. Any of these things we can get so caught up in that we forgo the good thing God has for us.
There are things like, spending time reading his word – and getting to know him on a deeper level. Praying through a situation instead of googling it. Writing the next best seller or profound deep think novel meant to help the world see more of him. Learning a new skill so you are prepared for when he calls you to your next. Working through the deep hurt felt after betrayal instead of binge watching you next fav show. How about getting healthy so you can go the distance. Soaking in his presence. Searching his heart for your family, for the new thing, for vision, for direction – really anything. Serving at a local community place or in the church somewhere. Without thinking some of the best things can wind up on the back burner or pushed to the side or done just to check off a box so we can quickly return to the easier thing – distraction.
In a post on The Warriors Journey (https://thewarriorsjourney.org/) they write it like this, “Distractions can also affect our spiritual lives. Untold numbers of people, Christians included, go through life controlled by distractions—texts, emails, meetings, phone calls, errands, and surfing the internet. They bounce frantically from one activity to the next. Their goals and priorities take a backseat to an artificial tyranny of the urgent. Everything seems important. Ironically, they find enough time for distractions, but not enough time to restore their life’s equilibrium with a few minutes reading God’s Word and praying.”
Proverbs 4:23-27 says “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free from perversity, keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the left or the right, keep your feet from evil.”
In other words giving in to distraction(s) over and over allows room for the enemy of our souls to roam free and wreak havoc in our lives. If our hearts are not free and filled with the word of God we won’t be able to see others the way he does. We won’t be able to extend grace, forgive easily and love big the way he does. We will easily get lost and blame God when a disaster comes, or illness or something unexpected happens to someone we love. We won’t be able to see his hand extended for being blinded by the distractions we have allowed to take up space in our hearts and minds. We won’t be prepared to be the hands and feet nor the salt and light if we are constantly in undated and allow distractions to be our everyday thing.
Here is the thing. We have the ability to choose. We get to decide what enters, what stays, what goes. Simply put the difference between good distraction and bad is discipline. Developing the muscle of delayed gratification, waiting, completing a life giving task before a pleasure seeking one. The discipline we develop ensures we mature and grown in the right direction, in a way that benefits the kingdom and doesn’t destroy it. Developing discipline muscles ensures we don’t get stuck in distraction and miss out on the truly good things God has for each of us.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
2.6.2025 15:46Distraction
Recently I have had the supreme privilege of gathering with some amazing people. We meet up almost every week. We get a cup of coffee, tea or smoothie to sip on while we talk, laugh, pray, cry, contemplate and expound on what God is doing in each of our lives. Too, we encourage, sharpen and walk along side each other as we do life. It has been a beautiful reminder of what can happen when we lay aside our agendas, comparisons and preconceived ideas and just be together. This is community – relationship.
On this particular day we were just chatting about everything and nothing in general. We landed on the topic of our personal styles of “Stuff” collecting. Some of us are all in and have kept items from eons ago, not out of fear but its just who we are. Some of us have purged and continue to purge on a pretty consistent basis. What was interesting to me as a person who heals and studies the inner workings of the heart and mind is that all throughout this conversation there was laughter and acknowledgement of where and who we are as people of God. How different but necessary each of us are to the kingdom and how our differences in this space are being celebrated not judged and condemned. There was also recognition that we need each other – those with the most stuff and those without.
The conversation turned deep as it often does to the matters of the heart. We shared stories of family struggles, overcoming obstacles as well as accomplishments we have managed to etch in this era of our lives. We talked about things that we walked through when we were young that we have had to work through as an adult and that because we chose God our lives look so much different than what satan had in store. Because we chose God our families will never have to overcome, fight or be exposed to the things we were. Because we chose God the legacy – the heritage of our families looks so vastly different.
We talked about the richness of what we have experienced having come along side each other in our newly formed community and that for some of us we have longed for this very thing for quite some time. One of the ladies that was there put is so succinctly when she said, “As women we need a safe place to fall”. I thought to myself that is so true. We need a place we can go when we know our hearts aren’t overflowing with Jesus and be comforted, encouraged and prayed with. We need a safe place to lean, land and get our arms raised to battle once again. We need a company of warriors ready to go to war with us for our inheritance. We need to know when we expose the most vulnerable parts of ourselves we are met with the love of Christ and that this very place is where healing happens.
After my beautiful friend prophetically spoke about safe places she read a poem written about friendship and flowers. The gist is that we are all different, yet together we make up a garden that to the Creator we serve is beautiful. When we all celebrate the uniqueness of each other, embrace the best qualities of ourselves and do our part in the garden we create a masterpiece that is breathtaking in the love and extravagance we have to pour out on others. So, lets ready our hearts and minds so that where ever we are there is community not competition. When we gather, wherever we gather let’s celebrate each other, encourage one another and go to war on the others behalf. Let’s do this together so we can be the safe place for someone to fall today.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
8.5.2025 16:43A Safe Place to Fall
In my last post I talked about being stuck and some of the reasons a person may stay that way. I had listed them out in the writing and afterwards got to thinking that maybe I needed to explore each one a little more to see what nuggets of truth God may want to reveal. So, each week I will take one of the “reasons” and write about it here; we will look at some of the ideas we hold, find some words of knowledge from other Christian authors along with scripture from the bible to see if we can understand a little bit better the relationship between each one and being stuck. Today we will explore unforgiveness.
When we experience circumstances that leave us reeling, come into contact with people who cause us a great amount of distress or pain or have feelings of anger or upset at ourselves for choices we made that placed us in difficult situations we can linger in unforgiveness. We feel stuck because we can’t seem to get past it. We are told by other well meaning individuals to “move on”, “let it go”, “forgive and forget”; and that all seems well and good, however; we all know that it is easier said than done. Peter asked Jesus: “How many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” Jesus replied: “Try seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:21-22). Author, theologian and Reverend, Karen Setheramand says this, “The truth about unforgiveness is that it tends to keep us chained to the very people we wish to be free from.” Marianne Williamson says: “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” In other words, unforgiveness ultimately damages us. It is better to live in a perpetual state of forgiveness (freedom) than be saddled with the burden of carrying the hurt imposed upon us by another.
Often we think our perceived size of the offense determines the level of our ability to forgive, let go and move on. It does not. What determines our ability to forgive, let go and move on is the condition of our heart as it relates to our creator. Being in tune with him allows us to see ourselves correctly and see others as he sees them. It doesn’t give them permission to continue to hurt you nor does it demand access after you have done the hard work of forgiveness but it does rightly see them in their own hurt state and places the need for revenge, retaliation or justice squarely in the hands of the one who can create lasting change in a person’s heart. God is a god of justice and we can trust that, he in his own time; will bring justice to those who have wronged us on our behalf.
It is hard work. The process of forgiveness. The choice to forgive is immediate. We have the free will to decide to forgive or not. The rest of it…the letting go, is a process. Sometimes it’s like peeling back layers of hurt, abuse, words spoken, actions, triggers and such to get to the heart of the issue. Sometimes it is like walking waist deep in the ocean; slow paced with small waves to deal with until the big breaker comes that tumbles you or knocks you backward a bit and then its pick yourself back up and start again with the forward motion. The decision comes first then the untangling of your mind, heart, will and emotions from their mess happens over time and with intention, so you can live free from offense.
The most beautiful moment though is when you feel the peace that only God can give. The moment you realize the process of forgiveness is complete. You don’t rage, hate or get angry anymore at the other(s) or yourself or your circumstance. You don’t spend an unhealthy amount of time wishing, plotting and planning their executions. Your heart and mind are at rest. You recognize the triggers, you remember sometimes the hurt imposed but it no longer consumes you. You are able to see it for what it is and keep moving forward. That moment is when you have placed your need for revenge, vindication, vengeance…whatever you want to call it squarely into the hands of the one who has the power to smite your enemies.
So how do you get there one might ask? How do you get to the place of handing over the need to retaliate, get even, make them pay? For us because we humans are so diverse there is no one size fits all when it come to the decisive moment ne the hard work of forgiveness. I can share some of the ways that have helped me and others; again it isn’t a formula it’s a process. There is no way around it you must go through it to get to the other side. Here are some ideas of ideas of things to assist you in peeling back the layers or helping you wade through that surf of hurt and anger when you feel stuck and unable to move forward.
This list is not exhaustive it’s just somewhere to start. I know that our human nature is to want to regain what we thought was lost when the offense happened. We want payback. However God’s word is clear when he says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”Romans 12:21. Forgiveness is good. It is necessary too if we want our hearts and minds free. Know this; In this process we are not alone. God will be there every step of the way and in exchange he promises us that, he will “clothe him that is mourning in Zion, he will give unto him beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; so that he might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he (the Lord) might be glorified.”Isaiah 61:3. HE will help us find hope or something positive in a situation that was previously difficult or tragic.Even after experiencing loss or hardship, something beautiful can emerge if we place it in his hands and trust him with the outcome.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
1.4.2025 21:27To forgive or not to forgive…that is the question.I felt this! Thank you for sharing! 💜 Joyce
5.3.2025 23:41Comment on Stuck by JMElwood
Have you ever been at a place and time in your life where everyday seemed to linger longer than the last? Tasks seemed to take forever or completing them feels as if you are wading through molasses? Nothing is moving. Nothing is changing. Nothing gives way to something better. Prayer, fasting and the discipline of bible reading feels like you are locked in a suffocating room with no air, no sunlight and no sound except your own breathing and heartbeat? If so, you just might be stuck.
The dictionary I found on the world wide web describes being stuck in this way. ”To be stuck is to be fixed in a particular position or unable to move or be moved. To remain in a static condition, fail to progress; to become fixed in one place as a result of an obstruction. You are unable to progress with a task or find an answer or solution to something.” Often this kind of stuck relies on our own human strength to navigate around said object, or pull ourselves up by our bootstraps to start again. The lack of progress is ours to own and therefore we must be the ones to fix it, change it, or find a solution to the problem itself.
The bible on the other hand describes it as a wilderness adventure. Complete with long winding roads that have many twists and turns, places of lack but where every need is met, deep dark valleys and yet the light shines sometimes so beautifully there, and yes sometimes just miles and miles of nothing except you and Jesus.
There are a lot of ways to be stuck. We can be stuck in a situation, a job, a relationship or a mindset. We can be stuck financially, emotionally, physically. Being stuck doesn’t equate to quitting or giving up. Just because you may be stuck does not mean you have to throw in the towel or that you have reached the end. Being stuck though; is sometimes a result of things we have allowed or entertained. Sometimes it is a result of situations or circumstances we find our selves in. While pondering this great debacle of being stuck several things come to mind, these are things that people experience during difficult moments that can lead to being stuck if not handled well. Also, these are things that we allow or dare I say choose that can keep us from moving forward. Some of these are:
Unforgiveness / anger – it can be at circumstances, self or others who have caused us distress or pain
Fear – of failing or succeeding at the very thing you hope for
Believing lies – lies the enemy feeds you can lead to unbelief or coax us into a lack of faith
Distraction – facebook, insta, tik tok, twitter (now x), and all the others out there
Apathy / Complacency – lack of enthusiasm or interest in outcome. No dog in this fight. No need to get involved
Laziness / Comfort – unwilling to work or use energy towards something / too comfortable / the way forward feels hard
Boredom – we are thrill junkies who are in it for the moment. We are not long haulers. Tedious tasks cause us to be bored and we lose interest quickly
Directionless – lack of vision for your future or no purpose currently and no knowledge of how to create a vision or move forward toward one
I have found in times like these there are two kinds of people. The ones with blinders and a sand box for safety; they don’t want to talk about it or feel it or know any of the details of it. That way they can function and move forward. Then there are the others. The ones who need to know the details. Insist that knowing it all will bring peace and closure and help arrange the troubled thoughts into some kind of order so it can be categorized and laid to rest. They go over and over it with a fine tooth comb looking for inconsistency and truth to be able to say it is finished. Either one, really neither one; is the wrong way or the right way. It just is. However; both of these types can become stuck.
In this wilderness adventure there will be places where you back track or go back over familiar ground in an attempt to get to the “promised land” aka the next new thing and find yourself back where you started. Breakthrough becomes your mantra and if not careful we can prolong the “adventure” by grumbling and complaining about the length of time or lack of movement in any direction. Here every insecurity, every idea, every belief, every motive of your heart that does not line up with scripture will be exposed and tested. You will be asked to make decisions that feel contrary to human nature, to what you want, with the promise that on the other side is something better; something you may of never chosen but is ultimately the best for you. This adventure is the only place where you will never walk without guidance, without support, without help to navigate the length and breadth of this place called the wilderness. Here in this place there is provision, a light for the path forward, helping hands in the form of friends, songs of sorrow, songs of joy, scripture that resonates, scripture that heals, scripture that changes the very marrow of your being. I don’t know about you but I would rather be on an adventure with God where I can safely process my life issues, navigate what got me stuck, while being divinely taken care of rather than being stuck with the world with only my own strength and knowledge to get me out.
IF we submit to the process during this journey in the wilderness; which can be uncomfortable and painful, AND embrace what God is attempting to accomplish in and through us (growth, healing, redemption, restoration) we will find ourselves on the other side and moving into the promise God has for us. However, if we grumble and complain, wallow around in our own stuff, or try to forgo the process altogether we may find ourselves wandering longer or going around and around the same bush until we surrender and allow the work of the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts; remove the junk we have accumulated and make us into a greater likeness of Jesus.
Copyright©2025 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
5.3.2025 23:19Stuck
Sometimes what we go through is just too hard for words. Sometimes the thing we experience makes no sense to our human mind. Sometimes the depth and breadth of it is just something we cannot wrap our heart around or rationalize enough to be at ease with it at all. What classifys as “too hard for words”? How about betrayal. A terminal illness? Loss of a close friend or loved one. Starting over after losing everything or the abrupt ending of something important. A crippling accident. Hitting a plateau in your otherwise joyous journey. What about physical abuse, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse. Watching someone you love fade away. This list isn’t exhaustive it’s just meant as a means to explore what others may have experienced. What we may have experienced but cannot name yet deemed “too hard for words”.
In my younger days I didn’t trust easily. I use to say that if I could not use my 5 senses to experience it it must not be true and cannot be trusted. I was very logical. Very practical. My skepticism and distrust born out of circumstances beyond my control. Maybe that is you too. I know those early experiences shaped me and my perception of the world around me. It shaped my relationship with people and my relationship or lack there of with God. It fueled a lack of true faith in a loving God because I could not fathom how he could allow something so difficult and yet call himself love.
The disbelief I felt though, was because I had not taken time to know him; really know him for myself. I had for far too long relied upon a sermon here, a verse or two there, and a bible story with a song thrown in for good measure to be the sum total of my Christian experience. I say it was because I was not raised in church. I attended with friends and occasionally family in my formative years. The truth is that while I gave my life to Christ at the age of 15; I did not fully comprehend the enormity of the decision. Nor was I prepared to live that out.
In spite of my meager growth and offering to him as a baby Christian, what I found is that even in those “too hard for word” moments he was there. He was there in a friends gentle hug, a neighbors caring words, a communities rally and help. He was there with a song on the radio, a poem or story that fit at that time for how I was feeling, a sermon that answered my one of many questions. He was there in the beautiful sunrise and sunset of each day, the roaring waves of the ocean as they beat against the shore, He was there in the gentle rain as it landed on my skin mixing with the tears and the grief and the anger. He was there in the silence of the fallen snow at midnight, the laughter of kids as they played on the playground reminding me its okay to laugh even in this, he was there even as I railed against him for what I thought he had done. He was there.
Evil may be in this world until he returns. Too, we are subject to its damage same as anyone else; I am thankful that I have never had to go through it alone. Yes I had friends and family. Yes I had my own self to rely upon but there is something to be said about knowing there is hope you can cling to outside of circumstances that you cannot easily get through on your own. When I had no words to describe the depth of, lack of, or breadth of feelings I was feeling; the anguish my soul was experiencing or the deluge of darkness and depravity my spirit beheld; he did. He was there the whole time. My lack of faith in him and what he meant to me did not deter him from being near. He says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” Deuteronomy 31:8. I can attest that his word is the truth and the promise he makes here is real. He has been with me in every circumstance.
I am also thankful that he was patient and kind, especially to this very skeptical girl as she slowly but surely found her footing in him. He was gentle and loving as I questioned, scoffed, and whittled my way through disbelief to true faith. He showered me with ways to see him physically, emotionally and relationally. Through every “too hard for words” moment he was there. I know that I know that I know now, even when those tough times happen that we can’t seem to get a handle on we have someone we can turn to to help us with the answer. He says in his word found in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughtsare not your thoughts,neither are your ways my ways, declares theLord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your waysand my thoughts than your thoughts.” It is comforting to know that when we don’t readily have the answer God does. We don’t have to try to figure it all out. We can rest knowing he is there, he is for us and will bring good from every situation that was deemed bad.
Copyright©2024 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
31.10.2024 17:09Too Hard for Words
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24
Words. Big Words. Small words.
Buzz words. Branding words. Building words.
All words, can fall. Fall like rain. Like bricks. Like Snow.
Some fall up. Some fall down. Some can even drown.
They fall on deaf ears. They fall on hearts of stone.
They can fall on cold shoulders. But they still fall.
Words can fall softly or they can fall hard.
They can smack, slam, and slap.
They can whack, thump and tap.
But the words I like best are the ones that kindly fall.
Those words melt, settle and wrap.
They melt cold hearts.
They settle on you like a warm blanket.
They wrap around you like a warm hug.
All words fall. Some with great bruising and damage. Some with the power to heal.
Copyright©2024 Melanie McKinley (The Salty Pen & Press). All Rights Reserved
17.1.2024 02:52Falling Words
WE are the church. A living breathing organism. This place we go to gather together is just the building. A place WE THE CHURCH go to get filled up, discipled, trained and equipped to BE THE CHURCH. We can build up or tear down with the words we say and the actions we choose. We can peak curiosity about Jesus or snuff out any hope there is a God by how we treat others who are searching or who are maybe even in the middle of becoming His.
We can repel even the hardiest of souls if the only thing we are about is the 4 walls and the branding of the building and its people. Who knows who in the ministry world or who was raised in church or who never attended should not define who can minister and who cannot. Christ didn’t ask credentials of those he surrounded himself with; he was concerned with their hearts. It should not be about jockeying for position or title within the ranks of the Christ lead kingdom. Even He said who ever is first shall be last and whoever is last shall be first. Meekness, humility, surrender within the kingdom is the currency HE uses to promote. We say the world is only about itself; well for far too long so has the business of the Church been only about itself.
God has been speaking this message loudly to anyone who will listen. I for one have heard and understood the implications of what we the church have done. How very little we and our families will be prepared for what is to come. It’s time to take our families back to the wonder and awe of HIS holiness and sovereignty. To repent of the idol we have made of the building and its people. Repent of making servants into celebrities and sanctuaries into auditoriums. We have spent far too long turning alters into stages where those charged with worship of our king were given accolades for the gift HE gave. We have wasted precious time applauding pastors who are busy spreading a feel good message they crafted instead of the gospel of Jesus imparted by HIM to them because they have spent time in preparation with him. Instead, we go about patting them on the back for the “great word” instead of insisting they bring “THE WORD”. The only word that unshackles feet, untangles minds, and breaks the chains of bondage.
Its time to turn our wicked hearts back to him in humble adoration. Bow our stiff necks and bend our knees in prayer until we see his kingdom represented in ourselves once again. Let us be the BEST representation of Jesus. All the good things he is…giver of love, bringer of hope, healer of the sick, deliverer of souls. Lets share our joy as we share about him, create a space of peace for people to experience Him; his healing, his salvation, his redemption and restoration, and most of all let us be patient in all situations and with all people, everywhere.
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they set it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
I for one want to remain salty and light filled so that I may bring glory to Him. I want to radiate his goodness, mercy, peace, grace, love…all the things he is. Will I always get it right? No, and when I fall I hope there will be other faith filled believers there to pick me up, dust me off and set me back on the path of righteousness. Pointing out the author and perfecter of my faith when I cannot see and steering me back to the word and His truth to guide my path and keep me from stumbling.
Copyright©2023 Melanie McKinley. All Rights Reserved
6.1.2024 00:57The Church
Big fat haybales all in a roll, laying in the green pasture. I see a tractor at the ready to finish baling what is left of the hay that has been left to dry in the hot summer sun. This, outside the window of my husbands vehicle as we go barreling down the interstate on our way to church this morning. I remarked how in genius that the farmers made use of the strip of green in between their pasture and the road way to garner more hay. Ah the in between – I think I will save that for another post on another day.
I love this time of year. Mid summer. Right now everything is green, it is hotter than blazes. The Cicadas are singing their mating song, tree frogs are warbling, birds are chirping and bees are a buzzing. There I sat daydreaming as we moved towards our destination, I began to ponder the loveliness of the bales rolled tight and setting pretty; as I did God whispered to my heart that this is what seasons sometimes looks like. Now bear with me, I am by no means a farmer; this girl owns approximately 2 wild acres but something about what He said made sense in a way I had never thought about before.
So I asked someone who does farm and here is what they said. There are many steps necessary for a grain of seed to bud and grow tall enough for it to be used for hay for one season. You have to prepare the soil by tilling, fertilizing and planting the crop. Then you water some, and pray a lot as it rains that it does not over saturate the seedling and cause it to rot. Once the hay has grown tall enough to cut and bale you again pray more that there will be rain free days so the cut hay can be dried and ready to bale.
What I found most interesting is the process used in preparation for the hay to be bound together into bales; After the hay has been cut it is formed or raked into rows and left to dry out, after a few days or week the hay is raked again turning it over. This assures the product will dry out thoroughly and any pests or vermin making a home have a chance to vamoose before being rolled up and netted into the big beautiful bales thereby readying it to be used in the winter months as food for livestock.
I imagined that process to be much like our lives going through a moment of conflict or trouble. Here we are growing along when all of a sudden we are knocked down, turned over and over until we are dried out and all the pests and vermin have left us. Only then are we ready to be used for kingdom purposes. Only then is our faith tested and a deeper level of trust established in the one necessary to move us to the next thing. Cut too soon we will be stubble unable to withstand the raking and baling process. Cut too late and we become wilted and perhaps molded from our excess. Just right and we become something useful, necessary even to another for life, health and growth.
13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. Matthew 5:13 NLT
33Ihavetoldyouallthissothatyoumayhavepeaceinme.Hereonearthyouwillhavemanytrialsand sorrows.Buttakeheart,becauseIhaveovercometheworld.” John 16:33 NLT
Copyright©2023 Melanie McKinley. All Rights Reserved
30.8.2023 15:56HaybalesLove this one, sister!
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29.3.2023 23:20Comment on The Sum Total of Who We Are by Ms. LynnThis is so deep and hope-filled. Beautiful reminder.
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1.10.2021 07:50Comment on The Light in the Darkness by Cindy MosleyI love this! So accurate and encouraging. Thank you for this!
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19.9.2021 02:14Comment on Somewhere in Between by Cindy MosleyOh my friend!! I cry tears as I read this. I will forever love and cherish you!! Can’t wait to see you this weekend!! ❤️❤️❤️
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23.6.2021 19:10Comment on Friendship by CarlaIn reply to Janetta Kotaki.
Janetta, I am so glad you enjoyed my posts. There are so many wonderful blogs, websites and forums available. Here are a couple to explore. Cindymosley.com; Loop for women.com, Proverbs31.org. I hope this gets you started on a glorius journey! Stay tuned as I will be posted newer content soon!
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6.4.2021 17:42Comment on A Love that Never Fails by Meet The McKinleysHey there! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same topics? Thanks for your time!
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23.3.2021 05:34Comment on A Love that Never Fails by Janetta Kotaki