40YearWanderer ~ Heather Mertens

Life, Love, Joy. ~ Found!

[40yearwanderer]

Why Jesus? ~ When Pain Heals {My Goodbye}

   It is a pain that both hurts and heals.I was just thinking… with my heart and my head about… that day. Praying. He reminded me. Then He asked me. Asked me to tell.

It hurts me deep, like a cut straight through, like a squeezing vice on my heart, like my spirit is crushed – to think about what Jesus went through. For me. For you. The pain I feel thinking about it brings my heart to tremble and…

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[40yearwanderer]

When a Choice Becomes a Death Sentence 

What else can be called right that is wrong? 

I’m so sick and disgusted! FALSE? People are ACTUALLY claiming the PP videos are false? Then why did the Prrsident of PP step all over herself to explain why her doctors in those videos said what they said and make excuses for it all?

Besides, killing unborn babies is horribly evil!! Does it not surprise us that PP would then try to make more money…

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[40yearwanderer]

The Casual Love of Serious Christians

   Where I’ve walked has not always been easy. Things I’ve see. Things I’ve done. Things done to me. It certainly has proven that not all who speak of loving each other really mean it… for their actions speak louder than the words they proclaim. I’ve witnessed it by watching and first hand. 

So I’m just more cautious and careful about who I connect with on any sort of basis. I decided it was time…

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[40yearwanderer]

The Shocking Reality of Misquoting the Bible {Especially About Sexual Sin}

I am shocked at those who claim to read their Bible that are taking to social media and the web to say that the Bible and God support homosexuality, fornication, or any other kind of sexual sin including sex outside of marriage. The jaw dropping kind of shocked. 

However, my shock is not the “shocking reality” to which I refer in the title to this article. Keep reading for that.

Now keep in mind…

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[40yearwanderer]

Your Voice is for Truth {To Speak Or Not To Speak... That Is the Question}

Your Voice is for Truth {To Speak Or Not To Speak… That Is the Question}

If we don’t voice our beliefs and stand up for what we believe in, then we must ask ourselves where our loyalty lies.

God uses voices. He doesn’t need them. He chooses to use them.

I’m not referring to the times when we know to hold back with someone as He leads. His timing is far better than ours. We must walk and talk with care and forethought around those who are impressionable or…

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[40yearwanderer]

Trend-Following-Christianity Dampens the Light

I used to follow some trends. Some fun ones like home decorating trends. Maybe some fashion trends too. But I also followed some not so good ones. God opened my eyes though. I saw how very important it was to be true to who He made me… to be more like Jesus. 

The more I see “trends” going around among Christ Followers – in their everyday living out life and their vernacular – the more concerned I…

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[40yearwanderer]

Disingenuous {What It REALLY Means and Why It Hurts People}

We are called to live a genuine, sincere life. When we turn to making excuses then people around us get hurt. It’s easy to let emotion cloud our best judgment in a situation, but God’s people are called to be sincere and genuine.

We are not supposed to make decisions that lend themselves to the opportunity to then make excuses. When we commit we should keep our commitment or at least fully…

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[40yearwanderer]

A Response: Because I am Asked About Things In the Media Spotlight All the Time and I'm Ok With That

A Response: Because I am Asked About Things In the Media Spotlight All the Time and I’m Ok With That

Dear You, Yes you who want to play judge and jury without all the facts in every case you hear about. I think everyone should take a breath and think HARD about this question that apparently too few are asking:

Would you INSIST your child be jailed if he or she came to you in confession of a sin as Josh Duggar did?

Would you not forgive as God asks?

Are all your sins not equal as his in the eyes…

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[40yearwanderer]

My New Age Wandering {Manna: What Is it?}

My New Age Wandering {Manna: What Is it?} http://wp.me/s16SOh-manna

You’ve probably heard God provides. His provision is a massive part of Who God is… from life to eternity He provides for His people.

You’ve probably heard about manna. The bread-like substance that God provided to His people as they wandered.

But do you know what the word “manna” translates to literally? I laughed out loud when I heard this the first time.

“What is it?”

That’s what it means.…

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[40yearwanderer]

The Distortion of Truth To an Accepting Culture

The Distortion of Truth To an Accepting Culture

I found myself in a state of shock for an instant, but then remembered quickly that nothing should surprise me anymore. Even logic has found itself thrown out the window. This culture we live in around the globe has become so illogical, uncaring, and hideously distorted all while claiming the exact opposite … in the name of peace and tolerance.

So what began as shock, but within seconds turned…

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[40yearwanderer]

My Daughter: Why She Makes Every Day Mother's Day

My Daughter: Why She Makes Every Day Mother’s Day

Through the last 20 years I have been complimented, hearing comments like: “Such a kind, considerate, compassionate young lady you have there”! I noticed the natural inner-magnet my daughter possessed when she was only a few months old. I quickly saw the innate ability God had put in her to capture the attention of even people simply passing her in the stroller. I was in awe! They would make it a…

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[40yearwanderer]

My Daughter: Why She Makes Every Day Mother's Day

My Daughter: Why She Makes Every Day Mother’s Day

Through the last 17 years I have been complimented, hearing comments like: “Such a kind, considerate, compassionate young lady you have there”! I noticed the natural inner-magnet my daughter possessed when she was only a few months old. I quickly saw the innate ability God had put in her to capture the attention of even people simply passing her in the stroller. I was in awe! They would make it a…

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[40yearwanderer]

{What If} Our "Too Much" Became Just Right?

{What If} Our “Too Much” Became Just Right?

How much is too much? How far is too far? How little is too little? How trustworthy is our word?

I literally can not count the amount of posts I have read, messages I have received, articles I have read, etc from people who have constant comments and complaints and excuses about having too much to do in life, too many commitments, and not enough time and energy. When we make commitments we…

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[40yearwanderer]

Love Vs. love: Love Died

Love Vs. love: Love Died

Love versus love.

Notice I capitalized that first one? That is because I see a complete difference in Love and love. By difference, I mean that I believe there are many kinds of love but only one of them is the truest. The Source.

Loving someone who loves you back is easy. I use that word ‘easy’ very lightly, because loving someone takes work and effort. There is no doubt that we all work at our…

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[40yearwanderer]

Dear You: God Chose You Anyway

Dear You: God Chose You Anyway

Dear You,

Yes… You.

Everything you do in seeking God is working out as Good because He set forth a plan – a specific plan – for your life even before your birth. He did it knowing you’d hesitate, knowing you’d doubt, knowing you’d backslide, knowing you’d come back to Him… He did it knowing whether you’d choose Him too.

You hesitate for what? Jesus never hesitated. He loved. Pure love. Everything…

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[40yearwanderer]

Just As He Said {Why I Keep Hope}

Just As He Said {Why I Keep Hope}

He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay. – Matthew 28:6

May this Easter you feel His love stronger than ever.

Live Blessed and Loved, Heather

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[40yearwanderer]

The Edge of Everything: The One Thing That Brought Me To My Knees {NO ONE KNEW}

The Edge of Everything: The One Thing That Brought Me To My Knees {NO ONE KNEW}

I was standing on the curb that day. The sun was shining. Laughter and voices filled the air. High school was out for the day, and I was standing somewhere in middle space – half way between “here” and the outer extremes. I was standing on the curb, but in my mind, I was actually teetering on that curb that bright sun shiny day ready to fall with the slightest whisper. NO ONE KNEW.

And the…

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