Have you ever heard the song "We Have Overcome" by Israel Houghton?
Well, it's an incredible reminder of the VICTORY we are to walk in at all times!
Here's a link: "We Have Overcome" Israel Houghton
Not only is it catchy, but it underlines very important elements of our faith that we sometimes forget.
The first lyric "Thanks be to God who ALWAYS causes us to TRIUMPH in His name!!!"
- always. That's a bold statement. Always causes us to triumph?
Why, yes He does. Always.
The Bible never says we won't go through trials and tribulations, in fact it says we'll definitely face them when we're walking in righteousness with our Lord Jesus Christ.
But as the song says... we have OVERCOME!! HALLELUJAH!!!! By the POWER of Your Name!!! Jesus You're the One!!!
The One who made a WAY for us to TRIUMPH in His Name!!!
HERE is a great website with verses about trials and tribulations... but guess what! Jesus already fought EVERY battle we'll ever face, and if you notice in these verses... they always end with VICTORY, PEACE, LOVE, and HOPE! We don't have to worry no MATTER how big the mountain SEEMS! God is BIGGER than our problems! Our problems only seem bigger when we let them and don't take those thoughts captive and surrender the situation to the PEACEMAKER!
John 16:33 says it so well...
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-The world? That means the WHOLE world, and everyONE and everyTHING in it.
-Your problem is NO match for God.
But my most favorite part is honestly the WOAHHHHHH's that come in the bridge.
-There's something SO freeing about just screaming WOAHHH at the top of your lungs! God said lift a joyful noise up to Him!
-Even if you aren't the best singer, God wants us to sing our hearts out to Him and worship Him!!!
-When we sing something as simple as woah, at least for me, it allows me to link to God in a way where I don't have to worry about the words, and can just praise Him!!! And God definitely wants us to praise and edify His name!!! (Psalm 30:4)
On another note... I was meditating in Sparkling Gems, the devotional by Rick Renner this morning and flipped to November 29th. Even though today is definitely December 6th. Haha, I love when God leads me somewhere "random." In which the "randomness" has a totally exact purpose. Hehe ;)
It was talking all about how we should be ELATED for Jesus' return and again, the POWER that Jesus has over the enemy.
With the basis of 2 Thessalonians 2:8 which reads:
"And then shall that Wiked be revealed,
whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth,
and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."
This verse is SO powerful. Without just saying word for word what this incredibly revelatory 2 pages said, I will highlight a few of the words Pastor Rick highlights and shows us what mean in the GREEK (the original language which the new testament was written).
the word "consume" is anairo, which means to kill, to murder, to slay, to slaughter, to do away with, or to abolish.
-aka, when the Lord comes, He will obliterate the antichrist. He will wipe him out and permanently do way with him. AMEN!!! How's that for victory!?
-How will He consume? With the spirit of his mouth, which [spirit] is the Greek word pneuma, which means that even through Satan energizes the antichrist with all the power he posesses, this evil leader doesn't stand a chance in the Presence of Jesus.
-mouth in the Greek stomos, which describes (along with the word spirit) that the Lord will open his mouth and speak - and when He does, so much power will be released that it will permanently remove the antichrist from the world scene. Hallelujah!
Paul says this final encounter with the Lord will "destroy" this evil leader.
-Destroy in the Greek is the word katargeo, which means to bring to nothing, to reduce to waste, to render inactive; to abolish, to put out of commission.
Wow! That's powerful!
Lastly, Renner describes how although it's fantastic to hold true that this power is coming to conquer the devil, we also can latch on to this power of God NOW! When we serve Jesus Christ, we have JOINED the GREATEST CHAMPION in the universe. There is no power that can equal or surpass His power! We are joint heirs with Christ!!! Everything He possesses - including His power and His victory - becomes OURS!!!!! Woo!
Jesus has given us His Mighty Power to use in this life too!!!
So if some kind of evil is resisting us right now in some area of our life, we are to open our mouths and let the power of God be released to OBLITERATE that attack!
"Shock the devil with a sudden manifestation of God's power that permanently immobilizes him in every area of your life!" <-- What a great statement Pastor Renner! IMMOBILIZE! Great word.
So walk in VICTORY today because You have it as a child of God!!! :)
You can do ALL things through Christ, who STRENGTHENS you!!!
Merry Christmas and good luck on finals students!!!
Megs <3
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Lean on Me, when you're not strong...
I've always loved the song "Lean on Me," by Bill Withers heralding from way back in the late 1970s.
-But today, it gleaned a deeper meaning within me.
If you've been keeping up with me, you know that there's always literally approximately 9 million things going on in my life here at college, at one time.
But, then you also know that I've been making adjustments and lifestyle choices for the better so that as a result, life is easier, life is better.
Well.....
Today I decided to test my trust in God.
Notice how I said test MY trust in God, not test God.
"Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God."
-iDONTwannaANSWERforTHATthankYOUhaha :)
Anyways...
So I woke up around 10:30 am today, pleasantly greeted by the beautiful rays of sunshine coming through my window. It's such a joy to wake up to sunlight, when you want to, not when you have to! Therapeutic of sorts!
I immediately thought to myself: "Hey God! It's Saturday! Woah... I don't have anything planned til Footloose tonight! What's on my agenda?"
I began to think...
the list began...
Well. I need to eat breakfast.
-went to the fridge, ate a modge podge of things (in my head thinking break ahead... must clean out fridge and eat what's there!)
-breakfast/lunch/brunch/what?
--check.
Well, I should probably work out...
-how nice is it outside? It looks sunny.
-Should I run? Do insanity? Go to the gym and lift?
-oops. ended up doing none of these today. Oh well, I worked out 5 times this week already, one day skipping is fine.
Well, then I should prob go put real clothes on.
-didn't happen.
Well, what homework do I have?
-Music history paper and reading... check did that last night
-Math none, Theory IV none, Performed in Classical on Thursday so that'll be over break... Commercial done... Aural skills transcription... over break....
-HISTORY RESEARCH PAPER..... (begin weeping on the inside)
Woof. Don't want to do my paper.
Then... literally some how... I'm looking through my fridge and realize I have a crap ton of meat that has been frozen in there for the last month or so. (It's fine... not gross or spoiled or anything... not the point of this story) I think to myself again:
-(keep in mind people, you're getting the play by play of Megan's mind. This is monumental...)
-Wow, I really don't think I want this sitting in the freezer over Thanksgiving break. Much less Christmas. I better eat this.
-(Takes out of freezer and tries to cut off one patty's worth)
-fail, it's totally frozen.
-I better thaw this.
-So.... 30 minutes go by and the beef is thawed.
Then... I realize I have enough meat for literally 8 hungry people.
-well crap, I can't eat this much!
So, I call a few of my guy friends and tell them that I have delicious hamburgers cooking and that I can't eat it all.
The first males arrive 5 minutes later.
Now, I was extremely proud of myself because
1) I'd never cooked hamburgers in my life.
-Also, College apartments don't exactly come stocked with grills. Plus I eat more chicken and fish rather than steak. (I'm from a state where you know the cow's name that was shot... that's how you eat beef... there's no such thing as buying it from Wal-Mart. Gross)
2) Literally using a frying pan. Not a struggle, but it was annoying sopping up the grease every 2 minutes. New found appreciation for the George Foreman Grill. Thank you George.
3) I WANT THESE TO TASTE GOOD IF I'M GOING TO FEED THEM TO MALES WHO LOVE MEAT. And I love meat.
-What should I marinate this with? Do people do that or do they just cook it? Well... better wing it.
So... I throw 3 tbsp (or... more) of Grandma Foster's BBQ sauce in there, with lots of lemon pepper, garlic salt, all-encompassing no salt seasoning, minced garlic, and minced onion, and make me some patties.
THEY.WERE.SO.GOOD.
The burgers resulted in 5 people's happy stomach's, and 4 more people in love with GF's BBQ.
Visit their site at http://www.grandmafostersbbq.com/Home.html They're our really good family friends, all the proceeds go to a children's/teenage home to keep kids out of gangs, and it tastes SO GREAT!!!! It's won like a hundred awards, and you'll know why!
I was SO PROUD OF MYSELF. I should make it an official recipe and put it online sometime.
Yes? No? Thoughts?
Anyway... then a few of my friends stayed and we did laundry for like 2 more hours...
Moral of the story: It was 330 pm when they left and my paper was still... not started.
PROBLEM. Due Monday.
But... you know what? I actually rested for the first time in months.
The first Saturday where I didn't HAVE to be somewhere, or do something.
I spent valuable time with friends and still had a couple hours til Footloose.
so... as my friends left, I sat down and said to God:
"Dad, it's 4pm and I haven't started my paper. I know I've procrastinated and literally had so much time to complete this, but I thank You for the wonderful fellowship with friends today and I thank you that the burgers were good and blessed others! Let that seed of food grow and produce a harvest! And now, thank you Lord for quickening my mind and showing me exactly what to write in this paper. To You be the Glory Lord, I believe you're good and You can do ALL things through me! Thank You for stamina and energy and wisdom to complete this with joy and contentment! Also God... I have to shower and stuff before and be there really soon so... REALLY quicken my mind!"
at 4:57 pm I looked up from my laptop.
I had just been completely focused and typing for an hour. Sources flowed easily through my paper, every argument supported with factual evidence.
Click: "See Word Count"
Almost 900 words had been typed.
Then: took a shower.
It's now 5:45 and I have to be at the show at 7, and eat dinner.
Sat down at 6:15 to start writing, stopped at 6:45.
500 more words typed!
Thank you Lord!!!!! :)
Footloose was INCREDIBLE and I'm so so happy I went!
Got home, ate some snacks, and finished my paper in an HOUR! :)
1,764 words, and 7 pages later, and God is good!
Now tomorrow, despite church in the morning, a rehearsal from 12-3, pictures from 330-430, and sorority chapter at 7, I can rest and peacefully edit my paper and put in the footnotes, knowing that my God provided like he promises He always will do.
It's so cool to trust God and lean on Him.
We get to have fun with our friends, while trusting He can bring wisdom to us.
Disclaimer: I still shouldn't have procrastinated, and I'm not condoning it, but God is very very good, and is our Helper for a reason!
Be encouraged. You can do it because He can do it, and His strength lies WITHIN YOU!!!
Philipians 4:13
Megan. <3
-But today, it gleaned a deeper meaning within me.
If you've been keeping up with me, you know that there's always literally approximately 9 million things going on in my life here at college, at one time.
But, then you also know that I've been making adjustments and lifestyle choices for the better so that as a result, life is easier, life is better.
Well.....
Today I decided to test my trust in God.
Notice how I said test MY trust in God, not test God.
"Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God."
-iDONTwannaANSWERforTHATthankYOUhaha :)
Anyways...
So I woke up around 10:30 am today, pleasantly greeted by the beautiful rays of sunshine coming through my window. It's such a joy to wake up to sunlight, when you want to, not when you have to! Therapeutic of sorts!
I immediately thought to myself: "Hey God! It's Saturday! Woah... I don't have anything planned til Footloose tonight! What's on my agenda?"
I began to think...
the list began...
Well. I need to eat breakfast.
-went to the fridge, ate a modge podge of things (in my head thinking break ahead... must clean out fridge and eat what's there!)
-breakfast/lunch/brunch/what?
--check.
Well, I should probably work out...
-how nice is it outside? It looks sunny.
-Should I run? Do insanity? Go to the gym and lift?
-oops. ended up doing none of these today. Oh well, I worked out 5 times this week already, one day skipping is fine.
Well, then I should prob go put real clothes on.
-didn't happen.
Well, what homework do I have?
-Music history paper and reading... check did that last night
-Math none, Theory IV none, Performed in Classical on Thursday so that'll be over break... Commercial done... Aural skills transcription... over break....
-HISTORY RESEARCH PAPER..... (begin weeping on the inside)
Woof. Don't want to do my paper.
Then... literally some how... I'm looking through my fridge and realize I have a crap ton of meat that has been frozen in there for the last month or so. (It's fine... not gross or spoiled or anything... not the point of this story) I think to myself again:
-(keep in mind people, you're getting the play by play of Megan's mind. This is monumental...)
-Wow, I really don't think I want this sitting in the freezer over Thanksgiving break. Much less Christmas. I better eat this.
-(Takes out of freezer and tries to cut off one patty's worth)
-fail, it's totally frozen.
-I better thaw this.
-So.... 30 minutes go by and the beef is thawed.
Then... I realize I have enough meat for literally 8 hungry people.
-well crap, I can't eat this much!
So, I call a few of my guy friends and tell them that I have delicious hamburgers cooking and that I can't eat it all.
The first males arrive 5 minutes later.
Now, I was extremely proud of myself because
1) I'd never cooked hamburgers in my life.
-Also, College apartments don't exactly come stocked with grills. Plus I eat more chicken and fish rather than steak. (I'm from a state where you know the cow's name that was shot... that's how you eat beef... there's no such thing as buying it from Wal-Mart. Gross)
2) Literally using a frying pan. Not a struggle, but it was annoying sopping up the grease every 2 minutes. New found appreciation for the George Foreman Grill. Thank you George.
3) I WANT THESE TO TASTE GOOD IF I'M GOING TO FEED THEM TO MALES WHO LOVE MEAT. And I love meat.
-What should I marinate this with? Do people do that or do they just cook it? Well... better wing it.
So... I throw 3 tbsp (or... more) of Grandma Foster's BBQ sauce in there, with lots of lemon pepper, garlic salt, all-encompassing no salt seasoning, minced garlic, and minced onion, and make me some patties.
THEY.WERE.SO.GOOD.
The burgers resulted in 5 people's happy stomach's, and 4 more people in love with GF's BBQ.
Visit their site at http://www.grandmafostersbbq.com/Home.html They're our really good family friends, all the proceeds go to a children's/teenage home to keep kids out of gangs, and it tastes SO GREAT!!!! It's won like a hundred awards, and you'll know why!
I was SO PROUD OF MYSELF. I should make it an official recipe and put it online sometime.
Yes? No? Thoughts?
Anyway... then a few of my friends stayed and we did laundry for like 2 more hours...
Moral of the story: It was 330 pm when they left and my paper was still... not started.
PROBLEM. Due Monday.
But... you know what? I actually rested for the first time in months.
The first Saturday where I didn't HAVE to be somewhere, or do something.
I spent valuable time with friends and still had a couple hours til Footloose.
so... as my friends left, I sat down and said to God:
"Dad, it's 4pm and I haven't started my paper. I know I've procrastinated and literally had so much time to complete this, but I thank You for the wonderful fellowship with friends today and I thank you that the burgers were good and blessed others! Let that seed of food grow and produce a harvest! And now, thank you Lord for quickening my mind and showing me exactly what to write in this paper. To You be the Glory Lord, I believe you're good and You can do ALL things through me! Thank You for stamina and energy and wisdom to complete this with joy and contentment! Also God... I have to shower and stuff before and be there really soon so... REALLY quicken my mind!"
at 4:57 pm I looked up from my laptop.
I had just been completely focused and typing for an hour. Sources flowed easily through my paper, every argument supported with factual evidence.
Click: "See Word Count"
Almost 900 words had been typed.
Then: took a shower.
It's now 5:45 and I have to be at the show at 7, and eat dinner.
Sat down at 6:15 to start writing, stopped at 6:45.
500 more words typed!
Thank you Lord!!!!! :)
Footloose was INCREDIBLE and I'm so so happy I went!
Got home, ate some snacks, and finished my paper in an HOUR! :)
1,764 words, and 7 pages later, and God is good!
Now tomorrow, despite church in the morning, a rehearsal from 12-3, pictures from 330-430, and sorority chapter at 7, I can rest and peacefully edit my paper and put in the footnotes, knowing that my God provided like he promises He always will do.
It's so cool to trust God and lean on Him.
We get to have fun with our friends, while trusting He can bring wisdom to us.
Disclaimer: I still shouldn't have procrastinated, and I'm not condoning it, but God is very very good, and is our Helper for a reason!
Be encouraged. You can do it because He can do it, and His strength lies WITHIN YOU!!!
Philipians 4:13
Megan. <3
Monday, November 12, 2012
Rainy Days equal... Joy?
Unless you're partial to living in Seattle or places like it... this post will absolutely resonate with you.
So in Nashville, it rains, a lot.
And with rain at least for me, it's extremely easy to become unmotivated and sad.
Something about cloudy days, cold, and moisture just don't resonate well with me, making me honestly in a blatantly negative mood. I've in the past blamed it on stress, hunger, or even "female problems," but all in all, being negative is never okay. It all boils down to letting my emotions control me and not controlling them.
The Bible says that we have been given the victory. POWER over EVERY force and the principalities of darkness. It tells us darkness FLEES from light. It tells us that light ALWAYS overpowers darkness.
And yet... we allow mere things of the 5 senses to inhibit us from walking fully joyous, peaceful, and victorious lives!
... What? Why!
We are all imperfect, and taught in society that it's ok to get to a point where you have to rant or cry your eyes out til you feel black and blue to feel better. Society tells us that gorging in a bucket of ice cream or punching someone in the face are the only ways to resolve the issue of inner sadness, but what does God have to say about this?
The Bible tells us that we have the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, (Love, Joy, Peace, discipline, Self-control... etc)
I would like to focus on self-control.
We have been GIVEN the power to control and be the victor over our emotions! The POWER to CONTROL... OURSELVES! This may seem trite and a minute thing to focus on, but how many times do we not take our thoughts captive (Like Romans 12:1-2 says to do) and then before we realize a negative emotional attack happening, we're in a world of emotional hurt and just wanna crawl back into bed and sob?
How do I know this? Because it literally happened to me yesterday, after church.
Saturday night I spent my evening with my best friend, gabbing about our plans to study abroad this upcoming May in Ireland. We fellowshipped immensely and for hours on end talked about the Lord and His calling on our individual lives. I went to bed so overjoyed!
Sunday morning, I woke up before my alarm and spent time in the word before I got ready to attend a new church that was recommended to me. I went to church, filled with more word and BAM! all of a sudden on my drive home Satan launches a HUGE emotional attack on me and it takes everything in my power not to start bawling my eyes out over... what. NOTHING!!!!!
So I began to use the power I knew was inside of me, the power that Jesus promises we have, the power to SPEAK over the situation and CHANGE what we can sense through the 5 physical senses. (Keep in mind the Bible says what we see and feel are carnal and changing, but the things of the spirit are steadfast and unchanging! (2 Corinthians 4:18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.)
So I began to speak, but after a minute or so, gave in.
I arrived back at my apartment and in a fit, secluded myself to my room.
I didn't feel better until I meditated on what the TRUTH was, while talking to my mother she spoke the word over me and told me what the Bible said.
Immediately, as if snapped out of a stupor, I was fully able to again take a situation, whether my workload, home sickness, and everything that was going on in perspective, and not in a fit of emotion that tried to tell me I had a million things to do IN THAT MOMENT and not later.
Hebrews 4 tells us that we are given the peaceable REST of God. He's always there to comfort us and guide us and that if we put him FIRST, (like for me... above school) God will always ALWAYS work everything out. So as I'm growing, I'm learning these things, and I cannot tell you how much it's made a difference.
I recommitted my time to putting God above school 4 weeks ago after fall break.
In that time span, I've had a huge test pushed back a week
A Paper pushed back 2 days.
A class cancelled
Another class cancelled twice.
God CANNOT fail, and when we ask in His name and BELIEVE He HAS to deliver.
We just don't give Him enough LITERAL "time of day" to learn to lean on and trust in Him! He has already said He has provided all of our needs unto His riches in glory!
Whether that means pushing back a test, helping pay for your car payment, or blessing someone else so He can bless you, it's all about putting God first so He can have the ability and allowance to operate fully in our lives!!!
So be happy!
God has provided SO much for us, and the devil blow by blow uses STUPID tactics (that are always the same) to trick our minds into thinking the 5 physical sense things we see, feel, touch, hear, or smell are forever set in stone. God can change anything. God can do anything. He IS our peace, IS our happiness, and through the fruit of self-control, we can control our emotions.
Megan <3
So in Nashville, it rains, a lot.
And with rain at least for me, it's extremely easy to become unmotivated and sad.
Something about cloudy days, cold, and moisture just don't resonate well with me, making me honestly in a blatantly negative mood. I've in the past blamed it on stress, hunger, or even "female problems," but all in all, being negative is never okay. It all boils down to letting my emotions control me and not controlling them.
The Bible says that we have been given the victory. POWER over EVERY force and the principalities of darkness. It tells us darkness FLEES from light. It tells us that light ALWAYS overpowers darkness.
And yet... we allow mere things of the 5 senses to inhibit us from walking fully joyous, peaceful, and victorious lives!
... What? Why!
We are all imperfect, and taught in society that it's ok to get to a point where you have to rant or cry your eyes out til you feel black and blue to feel better. Society tells us that gorging in a bucket of ice cream or punching someone in the face are the only ways to resolve the issue of inner sadness, but what does God have to say about this?
The Bible tells us that we have the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, (Love, Joy, Peace, discipline, Self-control... etc)
I would like to focus on self-control.
We have been GIVEN the power to control and be the victor over our emotions! The POWER to CONTROL... OURSELVES! This may seem trite and a minute thing to focus on, but how many times do we not take our thoughts captive (Like Romans 12:1-2 says to do) and then before we realize a negative emotional attack happening, we're in a world of emotional hurt and just wanna crawl back into bed and sob?
How do I know this? Because it literally happened to me yesterday, after church.
Saturday night I spent my evening with my best friend, gabbing about our plans to study abroad this upcoming May in Ireland. We fellowshipped immensely and for hours on end talked about the Lord and His calling on our individual lives. I went to bed so overjoyed!
Sunday morning, I woke up before my alarm and spent time in the word before I got ready to attend a new church that was recommended to me. I went to church, filled with more word and BAM! all of a sudden on my drive home Satan launches a HUGE emotional attack on me and it takes everything in my power not to start bawling my eyes out over... what. NOTHING!!!!!
So I began to use the power I knew was inside of me, the power that Jesus promises we have, the power to SPEAK over the situation and CHANGE what we can sense through the 5 physical senses. (Keep in mind the Bible says what we see and feel are carnal and changing, but the things of the spirit are steadfast and unchanging! (2 Corinthians 4:18: While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.)
So I began to speak, but after a minute or so, gave in.
I arrived back at my apartment and in a fit, secluded myself to my room.
I didn't feel better until I meditated on what the TRUTH was, while talking to my mother she spoke the word over me and told me what the Bible said.
Immediately, as if snapped out of a stupor, I was fully able to again take a situation, whether my workload, home sickness, and everything that was going on in perspective, and not in a fit of emotion that tried to tell me I had a million things to do IN THAT MOMENT and not later.
Hebrews 4 tells us that we are given the peaceable REST of God. He's always there to comfort us and guide us and that if we put him FIRST, (like for me... above school) God will always ALWAYS work everything out. So as I'm growing, I'm learning these things, and I cannot tell you how much it's made a difference.
I recommitted my time to putting God above school 4 weeks ago after fall break.
In that time span, I've had a huge test pushed back a week
A Paper pushed back 2 days.
A class cancelled
Another class cancelled twice.
God CANNOT fail, and when we ask in His name and BELIEVE He HAS to deliver.
We just don't give Him enough LITERAL "time of day" to learn to lean on and trust in Him! He has already said He has provided all of our needs unto His riches in glory!
Whether that means pushing back a test, helping pay for your car payment, or blessing someone else so He can bless you, it's all about putting God first so He can have the ability and allowance to operate fully in our lives!!!
So be happy!
God has provided SO much for us, and the devil blow by blow uses STUPID tactics (that are always the same) to trick our minds into thinking the 5 physical sense things we see, feel, touch, hear, or smell are forever set in stone. God can change anything. God can do anything. He IS our peace, IS our happiness, and through the fruit of self-control, we can control our emotions.
Megan <3
Monday, November 5, 2012
Identity
Something has been burning on my heart for the last week or so, and I can't wait to continue to grow in it and study it out. What is this concept? Identity.
Especially an issue I think for women, but important for everyone, this concept has been pulverized, manipulated, and contorted in our minds as Americans from the time we are little.
It could be from anything, whether the media, family members, teachers, or friends. Bottom line is, that society teaches us to be something we're not, to conform to this image of perfection that is both unattainable, and ridiculous.
Growing up, I've always been that "too tall, too skinny" girl that never quite fit in with the popular girls. I was made fun of and picked at for everything that made me unique, everything that could possibly make me different or a cut above anyone else. Girls are mean, and every girl knows that, whether it's turning all the other toddlers away from you or by stealing your candy in class. Whether shunning you or picking you last for kickball. Anything that makes someone unique, is considered wrong, and one must conform to the image of something that someone else has set to be what is right.
Media through advertisements, television shows, and movies tell women that they have to be 5 foot 10 and 120 pounds with some elements big and some small in just the right places. If we don't have this, then we should always be striving to attain this. And we wonder why so many girls have eating disorders and search for love in the wrong places, constantly looking for the fulfillment of self through pathways that only lead to more destruction, and further questions.
So now, I'll get off my soap box and elicit why exactly this is on my heart, and my point in all of this.
My point is that, once you find your identity, it's the most inspiring, incredible, love overflowing, grace abounding, peaceful, fulfilling, joy-filled life you could EVER IMAGINE!
Believe me, I've lived the alternative, and although I was never a "bad kid" I have definitely been through my fair share of hardships. I heard this amazing quote this weekend at my sorority's retreat out in the middle of nowhere that stated that you can't tell someone they aren't sad just because you think your situation is worse and you're even sadder, just like if someone is happy you don't say they aren't happy because you're happier.
That being said, I believe that true identity is only found in Jesus Christ, and knowing His love. I know I know, you've all heard that before and that may seem a little blunt, but I have LIVED what it's like to not put God first, lived what it's like to be a Christian but not WALK in His love. It's impossible to put into words how incredible it feels to truly know that no matter if any person picked me last for kickball, no matter if someone told me that I was the fattest, ugliest, too tall girl in the entire world, that through ONLY GODS LOVE I can be resilient, and tell myself and walk CONVINCED that I do NOT have to accept that as truth. I walk in the truth of the Word, that through meditating (fixing eyes on, basking in, reading) on the Word of God and letting it into my spirit and affect the way I live I have truly become POWERFUL and STRONG!
There are so many scriptures I've heard my entire life that talk about "How Great is Our God" (Chris Tomlin's song everyone's heard), but really... how many times do we make our PROBLEMS bigger than a guy who in the Bible it says has a thumbnail THE SIZE OF THE EARTH? Guys, there are 7 BILLION people on here... and we let the actions or words of one person affect us when we have an ARMY of angels, and the Almighty One WITH US who says He will NEVER leave us NOR forsake us!!! What? Seriously, it's so funny and a bit stupid when we put the two on a scale side by side.
Y'all, seriously I'm NOT perfect and literally in the last MONTH I've really grasped this, and it's only by meditating on God's love. It gets me so excited! Seriously! I KNOW WHO I AM. I am His, and He is mine. There has been SO much awful honestly just... CRAP that's happened this school year, whether it be having to constantly be around people who are just inherently NEGATIVE and SEARCHING and DON'T know their identity. I'm not gonna lie, it's been EXTREMELY challenging at times. But you know what's gotten me through? God's love, and learning that I HAVE the POWER to CHOOSE what affects me. I have the power through Jesus Christ to CHOOSE what I let bring me down, or I choose to have Joy and be content in all circumstances! (Phil 4:11-13)
But it's only because I know that my identity is in Him.
He forms my image of myself.
By the principles of His word, forms what I believe.
By His stripes, I am healed.
Because He SO Loved me, He laid down and GAVE His life for me. (John 3:16)
Because I am imperfect, God sent the perfect one to SAVE ME.
I'm not too skinny, too fat, too tall, too anything. I'm not perfect, and I definitely always have things to work on. But I hold on to His grace constantly working through me to change me from the inside out. I am a living, breathing example of His love which I try my best to outpour to others, because until I understand His love I literally cannot comprehend what it means to love others, creating a wall shutting others out. I thank Jesus that there's never going to be a day I improve, move forward, and deliberately increase in faith and depth of the knowledge of Jesus. To Him be the glory for all the elements of me that other people want to be like. Every smile, every good deed, every time I have the opportunity to minister based on a past awful or great experience. It's all Him.
Thank you Lord.
Megan. <3
Especially an issue I think for women, but important for everyone, this concept has been pulverized, manipulated, and contorted in our minds as Americans from the time we are little.
It could be from anything, whether the media, family members, teachers, or friends. Bottom line is, that society teaches us to be something we're not, to conform to this image of perfection that is both unattainable, and ridiculous.
Growing up, I've always been that "too tall, too skinny" girl that never quite fit in with the popular girls. I was made fun of and picked at for everything that made me unique, everything that could possibly make me different or a cut above anyone else. Girls are mean, and every girl knows that, whether it's turning all the other toddlers away from you or by stealing your candy in class. Whether shunning you or picking you last for kickball. Anything that makes someone unique, is considered wrong, and one must conform to the image of something that someone else has set to be what is right.
Media through advertisements, television shows, and movies tell women that they have to be 5 foot 10 and 120 pounds with some elements big and some small in just the right places. If we don't have this, then we should always be striving to attain this. And we wonder why so many girls have eating disorders and search for love in the wrong places, constantly looking for the fulfillment of self through pathways that only lead to more destruction, and further questions.
So now, I'll get off my soap box and elicit why exactly this is on my heart, and my point in all of this.
My point is that, once you find your identity, it's the most inspiring, incredible, love overflowing, grace abounding, peaceful, fulfilling, joy-filled life you could EVER IMAGINE!
Believe me, I've lived the alternative, and although I was never a "bad kid" I have definitely been through my fair share of hardships. I heard this amazing quote this weekend at my sorority's retreat out in the middle of nowhere that stated that you can't tell someone they aren't sad just because you think your situation is worse and you're even sadder, just like if someone is happy you don't say they aren't happy because you're happier.
That being said, I believe that true identity is only found in Jesus Christ, and knowing His love. I know I know, you've all heard that before and that may seem a little blunt, but I have LIVED what it's like to not put God first, lived what it's like to be a Christian but not WALK in His love. It's impossible to put into words how incredible it feels to truly know that no matter if any person picked me last for kickball, no matter if someone told me that I was the fattest, ugliest, too tall girl in the entire world, that through ONLY GODS LOVE I can be resilient, and tell myself and walk CONVINCED that I do NOT have to accept that as truth. I walk in the truth of the Word, that through meditating (fixing eyes on, basking in, reading) on the Word of God and letting it into my spirit and affect the way I live I have truly become POWERFUL and STRONG!
There are so many scriptures I've heard my entire life that talk about "How Great is Our God" (Chris Tomlin's song everyone's heard), but really... how many times do we make our PROBLEMS bigger than a guy who in the Bible it says has a thumbnail THE SIZE OF THE EARTH? Guys, there are 7 BILLION people on here... and we let the actions or words of one person affect us when we have an ARMY of angels, and the Almighty One WITH US who says He will NEVER leave us NOR forsake us!!! What? Seriously, it's so funny and a bit stupid when we put the two on a scale side by side.
Y'all, seriously I'm NOT perfect and literally in the last MONTH I've really grasped this, and it's only by meditating on God's love. It gets me so excited! Seriously! I KNOW WHO I AM. I am His, and He is mine. There has been SO much awful honestly just... CRAP that's happened this school year, whether it be having to constantly be around people who are just inherently NEGATIVE and SEARCHING and DON'T know their identity. I'm not gonna lie, it's been EXTREMELY challenging at times. But you know what's gotten me through? God's love, and learning that I HAVE the POWER to CHOOSE what affects me. I have the power through Jesus Christ to CHOOSE what I let bring me down, or I choose to have Joy and be content in all circumstances! (Phil 4:11-13)
But it's only because I know that my identity is in Him.
He forms my image of myself.
By the principles of His word, forms what I believe.
By His stripes, I am healed.
Because He SO Loved me, He laid down and GAVE His life for me. (John 3:16)
Because I am imperfect, God sent the perfect one to SAVE ME.
I'm not too skinny, too fat, too tall, too anything. I'm not perfect, and I definitely always have things to work on. But I hold on to His grace constantly working through me to change me from the inside out. I am a living, breathing example of His love which I try my best to outpour to others, because until I understand His love I literally cannot comprehend what it means to love others, creating a wall shutting others out. I thank Jesus that there's never going to be a day I improve, move forward, and deliberately increase in faith and depth of the knowledge of Jesus. To Him be the glory for all the elements of me that other people want to be like. Every smile, every good deed, every time I have the opportunity to minister based on a past awful or great experience. It's all Him.
Thank you Lord.
Megan. <3
Friday, October 19, 2012
Moving forward, new great things!!!
Here is a copy of an email I sent 3 wonderful girls today.
We decided last Wednesday that God was really calling us to come together to form a real Christian sisterhood.
We all go to the same church and stand for the same things, and all wanted and needed a close knit group of Godly girls to fellowship with!
So... bam! Friday bible-study came about. And woah did God blow the roof off!! :)
Here it is: filled with wonderful scripture and revelation of stuff that all 4 of us were going through! :)
October 19, 2012
Hey beautifuls!!!
SO, I just wanted to kinda recap all that we talked about today so we don't forget the important points!!! :)
We talked about kinda what we're each going through, and each helped give input as to how we CAN FIGHT BACK POWERFULLY with the Mighty Word of God!!! :)
We talked about how WORDS mean SO much more than we could ever imagine!
Life and death are in the power of our tongue! Prov 18:21
Whosoever keeps guard over his mouth keeps himself from troubles Proverbs 21:23
God SPOKE the earth into motion.
Whenever the devil tries to get into our HEAD by speaking to our MIND, WILL, or EMOTIONS, WE OURSELVES have to take those thoughts captive, no one else can do it for us!
How do we do that?
Well, in order to stop one thought, (thoughts turn into words which turn into actions) we have to START thinking of another one!!!
So! We speak out loud, literally, saying whatever you need to do to stop that thought.
It's okay to tell the devil NO! We are MORE than conquerors in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:37).
The devil ONLY has as much power as WE GIVE HIM. Remember! Thoughts fester if you don't stop them! Do you want them to become what you're speaking over yourself or what become your actions?
So SPEAK LIFE! Over your health, prosperity.
FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of things HOPED FOR, the things UN-seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
- we can't SEE our healing, but God said that he has already given us "all things that pertain to life and Godliness" (2 Peter 1:3) and that he has already sent Jesus who "bore ALL sickness, ALL Disease, EVERY curse of the law" (Deuteronomy 28).
So if you ever have a symptom of illness, you have the legal right to say that you are HEALED and WHOLE in Jesus name!!! You have the power to believe the things unseen! That's faith!
This can apply also to prosperity, believing God for college tuition, grocery money, haha.. anything!
We limit ourselves to what we can believe and have faith for!!
We also talked about anxiety, and worry!
Matthew 6:25-32 BEAUTIFULLY states that we shouldn't worry or have any cares about today, tomorrow, or ever, because they have enough worries of their own!
We "shouldn't worry about what we eat, drink, or wear," because "isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (<-- woah, I'm convicted. I love food yuuummmm) (and clothes.)
BUT SEEK YE FIRST the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and ALL these things shall be added unto you!
YAY FOR GODLY THINGS!!! :)
Lastly, we talked about the walls that we put up sometimes, along with our identity.
Remember! If you were the only person EVER to exist, Jesus still would have had to die because he LOVES YOU THAT MUCH!
There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so if you ever feel condemned, afraid, scared, (or remember, John 10:10, anything that's stealing, killing, or destroying in your life) it's NOT FROM YO DADDY!!!
We choose life, joy, righteousness, self control, peace, and all the fruits of the spirit because God's given us those too! YAY! (Galations 5:22-23) So we have the right to claim these and speak these out over our lives! We tell our emotions how to act, they don't tell us!
Sometimes we build walls up because we're scared of the unknown.
the good news is, Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He knows our plans that He's specifically designed and crafted for us. They're plans NOT to harm us, but to give us a HOPE AND a FUTURE! Isn't that powerful? I know I'm holding on to that!
God is the God of the HOW. He'll figure out HOW it's gonna work out, what we're supposed to do, where we're supposed to go, and we can just rest in his beautiful peace and trust Him! Of course we do our part by going to school, getting a degree, writing hit songs, doing awesome radio tours (JORDAN) etc... but God does the heavy lifting... our burdens are on Him!!! :)
So whenever we feel uneasy about others opinions of us, it's so cool because... it doesn't matter.
We think it does, or we let those thoughts come about that ONE person that we've let bother us for what seems like forever... but guess what? That doesn't matter either.
Why? Because other people's thoughts toward you don't change God's thoughts toward you. Ever. At all.
He loves you, and wants to wrap you in His big ole' arms and comfort you until you're the most COMFY PERSON EVER. :D like this cute lil' kitty.
We also talked about pride, but it's so funny because people who talk about how they "have a pride issue" are generally way LESS prideful than they think they are. Because prideful puffed up people are too prideful to KNOW IT OR ADMIT IT!! hahaha, the devil is so stupid he tries to put that on us TELLING us we're prideful. Good thing you can crush him under your feet and tell him he's the dumbest, stupidest (is that a word) thing ever. You're victorious and humility is something God's given you, so name it claim it blab it grab it homegirl, it's yours!
Remember, in this world, there is sin, and this world functions under the laws of sin which produces death.
But as children of God, his laws SUPERSEDE and OUT-RULE the laws of sin and death, because the spirit of LIFE in Christ JEsus has made us FREE from the laws of sin and death, hallelujah!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
Meggie. :)
*(Pictures from google images, I am not claiming I took them, you are more than welcome to click on them and see the sites they come from!)
We decided last Wednesday that God was really calling us to come together to form a real Christian sisterhood.
We all go to the same church and stand for the same things, and all wanted and needed a close knit group of Godly girls to fellowship with!
So... bam! Friday bible-study came about. And woah did God blow the roof off!! :)
Here it is: filled with wonderful scripture and revelation of stuff that all 4 of us were going through! :)
October 19, 2012
Hey beautifuls!!!
SO, I just wanted to kinda recap all that we talked about today so we don't forget the important points!!! :)
We talked about kinda what we're each going through, and each helped give input as to how we CAN FIGHT BACK POWERFULLY with the Mighty Word of God!!! :)
We talked about how WORDS mean SO much more than we could ever imagine!
Life and death are in the power of our tongue! Prov 18:21
Whosoever keeps guard over his mouth keeps himself from troubles Proverbs 21:23
God SPOKE the earth into motion.
Whenever the devil tries to get into our HEAD by speaking to our MIND, WILL, or EMOTIONS, WE OURSELVES have to take those thoughts captive, no one else can do it for us!
How do we do that?
Well, in order to stop one thought, (thoughts turn into words which turn into actions) we have to START thinking of another one!!!
So! We speak out loud, literally, saying whatever you need to do to stop that thought.
It's okay to tell the devil NO! We are MORE than conquerors in Christ Jesus! (Romans 8:37).
The devil ONLY has as much power as WE GIVE HIM. Remember! Thoughts fester if you don't stop them! Do you want them to become what you're speaking over yourself or what become your actions?
So SPEAK LIFE! Over your health, prosperity.
FAITH is the SUBSTANCE of things HOPED FOR, the things UN-seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
- we can't SEE our healing, but God said that he has already given us "all things that pertain to life and Godliness" (2 Peter 1:3) and that he has already sent Jesus who "bore ALL sickness, ALL Disease, EVERY curse of the law" (Deuteronomy 28).
So if you ever have a symptom of illness, you have the legal right to say that you are HEALED and WHOLE in Jesus name!!! You have the power to believe the things unseen! That's faith!
This can apply also to prosperity, believing God for college tuition, grocery money, haha.. anything!
We limit ourselves to what we can believe and have faith for!!
We also talked about anxiety, and worry!
Matthew 6:25-32 BEAUTIFULLY states that we shouldn't worry or have any cares about today, tomorrow, or ever, because they have enough worries of their own!
We "shouldn't worry about what we eat, drink, or wear," because "isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (<-- woah, I'm convicted. I love food yuuummmm) (and clothes.)
BUT SEEK YE FIRST the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and ALL these things shall be added unto you!
YAY FOR GODLY THINGS!!! :)
Lastly, we talked about the walls that we put up sometimes, along with our identity.
Remember! If you were the only person EVER to exist, Jesus still would have had to die because he LOVES YOU THAT MUCH!
There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), so if you ever feel condemned, afraid, scared, (or remember, John 10:10, anything that's stealing, killing, or destroying in your life) it's NOT FROM YO DADDY!!!
We choose life, joy, righteousness, self control, peace, and all the fruits of the spirit because God's given us those too! YAY! (Galations 5:22-23) So we have the right to claim these and speak these out over our lives! We tell our emotions how to act, they don't tell us!
Sometimes we build walls up because we're scared of the unknown.
the good news is, Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that He knows our plans that He's specifically designed and crafted for us. They're plans NOT to harm us, but to give us a HOPE AND a FUTURE! Isn't that powerful? I know I'm holding on to that!
God is the God of the HOW. He'll figure out HOW it's gonna work out, what we're supposed to do, where we're supposed to go, and we can just rest in his beautiful peace and trust Him! Of course we do our part by going to school, getting a degree, writing hit songs, doing awesome radio tours (JORDAN) etc... but God does the heavy lifting... our burdens are on Him!!! :)
So whenever we feel uneasy about others opinions of us, it's so cool because... it doesn't matter.
We think it does, or we let those thoughts come about that ONE person that we've let bother us for what seems like forever... but guess what? That doesn't matter either.
Why? Because other people's thoughts toward you don't change God's thoughts toward you. Ever. At all.
He loves you, and wants to wrap you in His big ole' arms and comfort you until you're the most COMFY PERSON EVER. :D like this cute lil' kitty.
We also talked about pride, but it's so funny because people who talk about how they "have a pride issue" are generally way LESS prideful than they think they are. Because prideful puffed up people are too prideful to KNOW IT OR ADMIT IT!! hahaha, the devil is so stupid he tries to put that on us TELLING us we're prideful. Good thing you can crush him under your feet and tell him he's the dumbest, stupidest (is that a word) thing ever. You're victorious and humility is something God's given you, so name it claim it blab it grab it homegirl, it's yours!
Remember, in this world, there is sin, and this world functions under the laws of sin which produces death.
But as children of God, his laws SUPERSEDE and OUT-RULE the laws of sin and death, because the spirit of LIFE in Christ JEsus has made us FREE from the laws of sin and death, hallelujah!
GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME
Meggie. :)
*(Pictures from google images, I am not claiming I took them, you are more than welcome to click on them and see the sites they come from!)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Back on Track
This weekend I had the honor and privilege of going back home!
What a blessing it is to be in the most comfortable environment you know.
It had been a solid 10 weeks since I'd gotten to sleep in my own bed, and gaze upon the beautiful city of Omaha. It's so funny, so many students in high school are SO ready to "get out of Omaha" when they graduate, only to find that they didn't realize how incredibly blessed they were at home.
It's been a few weeks since I last posted, so I'll try and catch y'all up quickly!
1. I was so honored to have my family come here to visit me about 3 weeks ago for Belmont's Christian Showcase! Jay came too, which was also fun!
What a blessing it is to be in the most comfortable environment you know.
It had been a solid 10 weeks since I'd gotten to sleep in my own bed, and gaze upon the beautiful city of Omaha. It's so funny, so many students in high school are SO ready to "get out of Omaha" when they graduate, only to find that they didn't realize how incredibly blessed they were at home.
It's been a few weeks since I last posted, so I'll try and catch y'all up quickly!
1. I was so honored to have my family come here to visit me about 3 weeks ago for Belmont's Christian Showcase! Jay came too, which was also fun!
- -We had a blast despite them literally being here for less than 48 hours total, with a 13 hour drive here and back starting around 10am Friday and leaving Sunday after church!
- -I'm so thankful and grateful that my family and boyfriend love me that much to sacrifice a weekend, and a whole DAY in the car for me!
- -I really needed it, it was kinda during that "mid-semester slump" time where you just want to cry and talk to your mom all day. (Ok, that's a bit dramatic, but you can get the picture!)
2. 2 weeks later, Jay came for a solo visit, YAY!!!!! :)
- - I cannot even describe how much fun we had, and how much I missed him!
- - I won't be too sappy I promise, but seeing my family and him for a mere 24 hours, you see them but you don't really "see them" if that makes sense. It's a bit of a tease, so needless to say I was pumped.
- He arrived Thursday night and left Sunday after church and lunch and we did so many different things!
- Of course, me being the planner, had a bunch of fun things for us to do planned out like the day he booked his flight.
- We ended up going to a bunch of East-Nashville restaurants, including Silly Goose, and Jeni's Ice Cream, and some West Nashville favorites too, like Amerigo's. And of course, I took Jay to Pancake Pantry, a Nashville STAPLE. He loved all of them, and we had so much fun going all around the city! (One tank of gas later by the end of the weekend.)
- It was also a blessing having someone to go for walks with, as we did one of the days. Haha, we ended up counting Land Rovers... as I described to him how Nashville is a "big city" with lots of people with money but looks like home. We counted literally 20 in about 5 minutes.
- Jay also got to see Session perform, the singing group I'm in at school, which was an interesting experience! :)
3. Fall Break
- Now we arrive at pretty near the present. Last weekend was fall break, which was a 4 day weekend that was the first time I got to go HOME!!!!!!!!!!!
- Despite being only 5 days after Jay left Nashville, it was the longest 5 days of my life. AHHHHHHH teachers felt the need to have a million homework assignments, and midterms. YAY. Not.
- Fall break was wonderful, getting to see the lovely Newstrom's for the first time in 10 weeks!!!! I'm so blessed to be as close to them as anyone. They're as loud and weird as my family. Wow, that could be a whole blog post.
- I was also blessed to get to lead worship again!! wooooo! It's hard here where your gift seems to lie dormant just BUILDING UP inside of you ready to be let out!!! So worship was AWESOME Sunday at FFC! God is REALLY moving and working in our midst! SO EXCITED for what's to come!
- I also got to lead worship with momma Swan at the A.M. Women's Bible Study Monday, and lead for the P.M. Ladies as well! Both were incredible, as always. I cannot even describe how much I'm blessed by these Godly women. It's like having 25 mothers! How incredible!!! :)
- Sadly, I had a TON of homework over break, (THANK YOU MUSIC HISTORY AHHHH :( ) so I didn't really FULLY get to relax, at all. But, I slept kind of more than usual... for maybe a day or two so I'm thankful for that!
- Lastly, seeing and spending time with my family is the greatest blessing I could ever, ever, did I say EVER ask for. I would not trade them for ANYTHING or ANYONE in the world.
- Whether it was running with my dad, reading my sisters mind (and visa versa), chatting with Mom, or telling Ian to stop cracking his ear, I love all the isms each of us have and how we all, despite our strong Swanson Type-A personalities, still love each other and get along so well. We are all growing and learning in our times apart, and it's so cool to see the power of "The Swanson 5" together each time we get to be one unit. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!
Finally.
Since being back from break, I am feeling more empowered than ever.
I realized that during the past 10 weeks I haven't spent AS much time with God as I should have, and I've neglected my spirit being fed in place of things like... MUSIC HISTORY HOMEWORK CONSTANTLY. But anyways, I've been really placing the MOST emphasis on God first, trusting that He'll amplify and lengthen my time when I'm bombarded with tests, projects, and homework, and it's been working!
I've heard all that before, but it's really clicking now, and I'm happier than ever.
It's not worth it to be stressed, lonely, or sad. So I'm choosing to be empowered by His grace to walk Holy (and wholly), before Him!!!!
THANK YOU JESUS!!!
Megan :)
10/18/12
p.s. I got my sorority Lil. SO EXCITED SHES PRECIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL AND YAY!
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Be built on the solid rock.
Hello readers!
So I started studying Matthew 7 this morning, and wow! What a packed chapter it is!
It begins with talking about not judging others, which we hear all the time; however what spoke to me was that it also talks about how we shouldn't judge at all. Mind blowing, right? (kidding)
Not judging at ALL, includes not judging OURSELVES.
-We can all just admit it, we're our own harshest critics.
-More than half the things we are criticized for in life, in fact, the vast majority I would venture to say, are only things we are being criticized for INSIDE OUR OWN HEADS.
The devil will try and get at us in our minds, it's truly a battlefield. And if we don't "take EVERY thought into captivity" (2 Cor 10:5) then they have the ability to start forming lies into our heads!
p.s. if you're struggling with this, there is an AMAZING book by Joyce Meyer that deals with this titled "The Battlefield of the Mind" <-- click there for the link.
(pic from h2osermonsource)
John 10:10 states that "The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you LIFE, and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY!" - said by Jesus.
Jesus wants us to walk like we're the greatest gift to God's earth. Now, I don't mean that you should go walking around telling people that, or acting prideful or egotistical, but you SHOULD wake up every morning thinking "wow, I'm HOT." No sarcasm there.
God wouldn't have created us if He didn't have a plan and purpose for our life, so who are we to judge His divine creation? Who are WE to deny the fact that He has given us unique gifts and elements of our personality that He DESIGNED to be the ways they are? What do we really even know? We go to school to learn things; certainly we don't already know everything, and that includes what to think about ourselves.
I am so lucky to live with an extremely encouraging roommate this year who builds me up and makes me feel so good about myself, it makes me want to encourage others. Take a leap of faith and encourage someone today, you'll be surprised how happy and beautiful it makes you feel to bless someone else! A genuine smile is one of my favorite things.
This leads into another section Matthew 7 discusses, about good and bad fruit.
(picture from blogelevationfit)
It is impossible for a bad tree to produce good fruit, and visa versa.
I have read this a thousand times, but it particularly stuck out to me recently because in my own life I have had recent conversations with people and have had to look at my own life in regards to who surrounds me.
I not only want to produce GOOD fruit (kindness, longsuffering, gentleness, self control, patience, love, joy, peace etc. "fruits of the spirit") but I also don't want to be surrounded by or associated with bad fruit.
I mean, we've all heard "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33) but have you ever really thought about it?
Now, I'm absolutely NOT saying that Christians shouldn't hang out with nonbelievers, or visa versa, but think about the people in your life. How do they make you feel when you're around them?
-Are you around more people that build you up or tear you down?
-Do you have to have a guard up when you're around your closest "friends", weary that you may say something bad and living in fear that at any moment they may lash out at you for no particular reason?
-- If so, you may want to reorganize the amount of time you spend with each close person in your life. It's okay to find new friends or make new ones.
--When those "bad fruit-filled people" realize that the people they're used to taking advantage of or just using as a wet blanket finally walk away from them or take a stand, they'll change their ways. Even if they don't, that's NOT your care to bare!.
And lastly, I read about the importance of being built on the solid Rock.
(picture from visualphotos.com)
-Jesus + the Word (which are synonymous (John 1:1)) is your SOLID ROCK, YOUR FOUNDATION.
-We have to be built up and constantly communing with Jesus so that when the storms of life come, the things that SHOULD be our foundation don't pass away.
I wrote this quote this morning:
"We must be SOLIDIFIED in the WORD of God so that when the waves come, we aren't washed away along with the things that we WANT to be immovable, and foundational in our lives."
(picture from Ewtnreligiouscatalogue)
Without us working out of the overflow of Christ, we will never have enough to glean from when those storms come. On the other hand, when we make a constant deposit into our spirits with the Word of God, we have that reserve to use when we need it and go through hardships. Or any time!!
So go read Matthew 7 with these things in mind, it'll make your day!
Love you all!
Megs. <3
So I started studying Matthew 7 this morning, and wow! What a packed chapter it is!
It begins with talking about not judging others, which we hear all the time; however what spoke to me was that it also talks about how we shouldn't judge at all. Mind blowing, right? (kidding)
Not judging at ALL, includes not judging OURSELVES.
-We can all just admit it, we're our own harshest critics.
-More than half the things we are criticized for in life, in fact, the vast majority I would venture to say, are only things we are being criticized for INSIDE OUR OWN HEADS.
The devil will try and get at us in our minds, it's truly a battlefield. And if we don't "take EVERY thought into captivity" (2 Cor 10:5) then they have the ability to start forming lies into our heads!
p.s. if you're struggling with this, there is an AMAZING book by Joyce Meyer that deals with this titled "The Battlefield of the Mind" <-- click there for the link.
(pic from h2osermonsource)
John 10:10 states that "The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give you LIFE, and LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY!" - said by Jesus.
Jesus wants us to walk like we're the greatest gift to God's earth. Now, I don't mean that you should go walking around telling people that, or acting prideful or egotistical, but you SHOULD wake up every morning thinking "wow, I'm HOT." No sarcasm there.
God wouldn't have created us if He didn't have a plan and purpose for our life, so who are we to judge His divine creation? Who are WE to deny the fact that He has given us unique gifts and elements of our personality that He DESIGNED to be the ways they are? What do we really even know? We go to school to learn things; certainly we don't already know everything, and that includes what to think about ourselves.
I am so lucky to live with an extremely encouraging roommate this year who builds me up and makes me feel so good about myself, it makes me want to encourage others. Take a leap of faith and encourage someone today, you'll be surprised how happy and beautiful it makes you feel to bless someone else! A genuine smile is one of my favorite things.
This leads into another section Matthew 7 discusses, about good and bad fruit.(picture from blogelevationfit)
It is impossible for a bad tree to produce good fruit, and visa versa.
I have read this a thousand times, but it particularly stuck out to me recently because in my own life I have had recent conversations with people and have had to look at my own life in regards to who surrounds me.
I not only want to produce GOOD fruit (kindness, longsuffering, gentleness, self control, patience, love, joy, peace etc. "fruits of the spirit") but I also don't want to be surrounded by or associated with bad fruit.
I mean, we've all heard "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33) but have you ever really thought about it?
Now, I'm absolutely NOT saying that Christians shouldn't hang out with nonbelievers, or visa versa, but think about the people in your life. How do they make you feel when you're around them?
-Are you around more people that build you up or tear you down?
-Do you have to have a guard up when you're around your closest "friends", weary that you may say something bad and living in fear that at any moment they may lash out at you for no particular reason?
-- If so, you may want to reorganize the amount of time you spend with each close person in your life. It's okay to find new friends or make new ones.
--When those "bad fruit-filled people" realize that the people they're used to taking advantage of or just using as a wet blanket finally walk away from them or take a stand, they'll change their ways. Even if they don't, that's NOT your care to bare!.
And lastly, I read about the importance of being built on the solid Rock.
-Jesus + the Word (which are synonymous (John 1:1)) is your SOLID ROCK, YOUR FOUNDATION.
-We have to be built up and constantly communing with Jesus so that when the storms of life come, the things that SHOULD be our foundation don't pass away.I wrote this quote this morning:
"We must be SOLIDIFIED in the WORD of God so that when the waves come, we aren't washed away along with the things that we WANT to be immovable, and foundational in our lives."
(picture from Ewtnreligiouscatalogue)
Without us working out of the overflow of Christ, we will never have enough to glean from when those storms come. On the other hand, when we make a constant deposit into our spirits with the Word of God, we have that reserve to use when we need it and go through hardships. Or any time!!
So go read Matthew 7 with these things in mind, it'll make your day!
Love you all!
Megs. <3
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Update upon popular demand.
So I have been so extremely blessed lately to find out that so many people are reading my blog! What a treat! Thank you!
I have always had a passion for writing and encouraging others through my experiences in life, so hey, if that can ever bless someone else, what better way to spread ministry?
Anyways, this blog post is going to be about a few exciting, and a few not-so-exciting updates in my life right now. Don't worry, I have a positive spin for all the not-so-exciting updates!
It's actually a blog (video log) to the women's groups at home who regularly check up on me and love on me and send me encouraging messages, emails, and text. I feel their prayers every day and I miss them all along with everyone else back home VERY MUCH!!!
So enjoy! If you have any further inquiries of what's going on here I'd love to answer you! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtA5S8ICMg
I have always had a passion for writing and encouraging others through my experiences in life, so hey, if that can ever bless someone else, what better way to spread ministry?
Anyways, this blog post is going to be about a few exciting, and a few not-so-exciting updates in my life right now. Don't worry, I have a positive spin for all the not-so-exciting updates!
It's actually a blog (video log) to the women's groups at home who regularly check up on me and love on me and send me encouraging messages, emails, and text. I feel their prayers every day and I miss them all along with everyone else back home VERY MUCH!!!
So enjoy! If you have any further inquiries of what's going on here I'd love to answer you! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYtA5S8ICMg
Love, <3
Megan
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
2 in one week. On a roll like a tumbleweed.
So I can't believe it's only Wednesday, and at the same time I just want this week to be over! So much is going on I literally need 4 of me to complete everything that needs to get done. And yet I'm blogging, haha. Oh well, it's a fantastic way to get emotion out! :)
On the bright side, Christian Showcase things are going swell, despite a few mishaps. Good thing I know how to trust in the Lord and lean NOT on my own understanding. Because a few things that have happened, well, let's just say in my own strength it's not possible.
On another bright note, today is my 2 month anniversary. Yes that's sappy and a bit lame, but I don't care, I'm blessed!
Schoolwork's favorite thing to do is pile up on me, it seems. *Random comment*
My day today:
Woke up at 7- did Insanity workout
8- showered
830 ate and made snacks for the day
9 class
10 went to Amy Grant congo- *Ask me about this, something really cool happened!!!!!*
11 another class
12 another class
1 another class
2 another class
3 finally done. Did homework. Cleaned.
530 went to Target
7 home
8 cooked dinner
Now more homework
Tomorrow I start Classical Voice lessons. Which means even MORE to do and memorize, but I'm excited about it regardless! My teacher is phenomenal.
If y'all could believe with me in prayer about this next... month really, it would be wonderful. I am believing God HARD for and confessing every single day my healing for this next month. I CANNOT and WILL NOT get sick. Too much is at stake. You see, sorority recruitment is this weekend, which means 6 hours STRAIGHT talking (really, shouting) one on one with hundreds of girls in a room full of 200 people. I CANNOT LOSE MY VOICE! So I'm pre-speaking life into the situation! It's going to be GREAT in Jesus name!!!!! :)
And then Sept 8 is Live auditions, and Sept 22 is the showcase. So... safe to say I gotsta be healthy! And I will be. But prayers, are appreciated.
Today, in "Jesus Calling" the devotion was all about resting in Jesus and allowing Him to work out our time and our schedule and ALL the things we have to do. When we give Him 1st place, our time expands and time seems to pass at the speed we need it to! I definitely received that today!!!!!
-They call it "waiting before working".
-Praise, Amen, Halleluyer, I needed to hear that!
We get so caught up in life, we forget to "be still and know HE is God!" Not us. We aren't in control.
We must give that control up.
Again, preaching to myself! Revelation of these simple things is so cool and life giving! Yay points for God, being right, like always. Flesh gets in the way so many times haha. Once we see it for what it is, it's pretty much the funniest thing ever. Casting down strongholds and things that try and have grips on us is fun too! Once you realize that one day we will look at the devil and say "WHAAAT!?! He's THAT SMALL!? And I let him bother me that much and mess with my mind and emotions!?" So get a head start, and CHOOSE to be joyful and positive all the time!!! :D
That's really all I have for tonight.
I'm random, I know.
But hopefully this still blesses you, whoever you are!
Megs. :)
On the bright side, Christian Showcase things are going swell, despite a few mishaps. Good thing I know how to trust in the Lord and lean NOT on my own understanding. Because a few things that have happened, well, let's just say in my own strength it's not possible.
On another bright note, today is my 2 month anniversary. Yes that's sappy and a bit lame, but I don't care, I'm blessed!
Schoolwork's favorite thing to do is pile up on me, it seems. *Random comment*
My day today:
Woke up at 7- did Insanity workout
8- showered
830 ate and made snacks for the day
9 class
10 went to Amy Grant congo- *Ask me about this, something really cool happened!!!!!*
11 another class
12 another class
1 another class
2 another class
3 finally done. Did homework. Cleaned.
530 went to Target
7 home
8 cooked dinner
Now more homework
Tomorrow I start Classical Voice lessons. Which means even MORE to do and memorize, but I'm excited about it regardless! My teacher is phenomenal.
If y'all could believe with me in prayer about this next... month really, it would be wonderful. I am believing God HARD for and confessing every single day my healing for this next month. I CANNOT and WILL NOT get sick. Too much is at stake. You see, sorority recruitment is this weekend, which means 6 hours STRAIGHT talking (really, shouting) one on one with hundreds of girls in a room full of 200 people. I CANNOT LOSE MY VOICE! So I'm pre-speaking life into the situation! It's going to be GREAT in Jesus name!!!!! :)
And then Sept 8 is Live auditions, and Sept 22 is the showcase. So... safe to say I gotsta be healthy! And I will be. But prayers, are appreciated.
-They call it "waiting before working".
-Praise, Amen, Halleluyer, I needed to hear that!
We get so caught up in life, we forget to "be still and know HE is God!" Not us. We aren't in control.
We must give that control up.
Again, preaching to myself! Revelation of these simple things is so cool and life giving! Yay points for God, being right, like always. Flesh gets in the way so many times haha. Once we see it for what it is, it's pretty much the funniest thing ever. Casting down strongholds and things that try and have grips on us is fun too! Once you realize that one day we will look at the devil and say "WHAAAT!?! He's THAT SMALL!? And I let him bother me that much and mess with my mind and emotions!?" So get a head start, and CHOOSE to be joyful and positive all the time!!! :D
That's really all I have for tonight.
I'm random, I know.
But hopefully this still blesses you, whoever you are!
Megs. :)
Saturday, August 25, 2012
How deep a deposit of love.
So I've officially been here 2 1/2 weeks now... and I've spent a lot of time observing.
I observed during TT week, I observed people in all of my classes, I observed conversations, I observed my teachers in their interactions with students and how they teach. Now, I don't say this to sound creepy or to give off the intent that I have been staring at people for the last entire 2 1/2 weeks, but what I'm saying is that I've tried to keep my eyes and ears open more, and my mouth closed.
What I saw, obviously, were some very different situations.
People's ticks, people's smiles, the way people touch their hair or face when they get nervous.
The way people shift their weight on each foot while telling a story.
The way a person may walk into a room full of people they know and not acknowledge anyone.
The dimple on someone's cheek when they smile.
A beauty mark on the side of one's face.
The way a teacher looks at you when you ask them a question they don't really know the answer to.
The look a teacher gets for a split second on their face when they're uncomfortable or thrown off guard.
All these observations, though one person might see as faults, help make up who a person is.
And... as I'm learning more and more each day, is that we should learn to love these "faults".
On another note...
God didn't create me to be anyone else but ME.
For example, I wasn't created to be...Jessica Biel. And no matter how gorgeous, talented, or famous she may be, I wasn't created to be her. Nor am I supposed to compare myself to her, or any other female on the planet. In any way.
why?... keep reading...
So as I've been looking and listening, this very principle has manifested itself in my life just in these last 2 1/2 weeks in a MASSIVE way.
Especially if you're a girl, speak this out loud.
God created me, (insert full name) to be me.
God DIDN'T create me to be (insert name of person you always compare yourself to).
If God wanted me to be (insert that person's name again), then I would have been created as them.
God never fails.
Therefore, I'm not a mistake.
I am perfect in His image JUST the was I was created.
Now, these are such simple statements, aren't they? Nothing you haven't heard before...
But these past few weeks, I don't know I guess they just finally CLICKED for me! And it's so extremely POWERFUL!
That means, that every single time I've compared myself to somebody else, I was putting my ways above Gods. I was saying that God, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, messed up creating me, and should have created me like someone else. That means, that I was putting my own abilities above His, and WASN'T submitting to His authority or His abilities. I wasn't trusting Him. I was walking in fear. I was ashamed. I was in doubt. I was LACKING joy. I felt worthless. I didn't feel worthy of love.
Because all I was doing was letting Satan tell me I was nothing.
Too this, too that.
Well, I'm here to tell whoever is reading this that YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH!
Because Jesus was, when He died on the cross for You. (INSERT YOUR NAME HERE)
And the cool thing is, is that it doesn't matter WHAT name you put in there, the law still applies.
There's no "if and only if" property like you're solving a proof, there's no "but I have zits all over my face" or "I need to lose 5, 10, 15, or 100 lbs."
If you didn't change a SINGLE thing about yourself, right now, it's impossible that God could love you any more, or any less.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 that we are to "come as we are, those who carry burdens, that we may enter into His REST".
That word can also mean peace.
A new school year has begun. Classes are stressful, time slips away faster than the 5 hours of sleep we get a night.
But Jesus has come, to give us the Mighty Hebrews 4 rest that He has PROMISED us. And still promises us. He cannot fail, and never will fail us because His love for us is EXPLODING all around us!!!
I think of the picture of me sitting in a dark room, and flipping on a light switch... you can't see what direction the light is coming from, because it is ALL around you, it surrounds every part of you and casts away any fear that came from sitting alone in the dark.
That's what Jesus wants to do in your life! He wants to wrap His Fatherly arms around YOU, and comfort and guide you through this upcoming year, and through the rest of your life! There is a reason His name means helper, friend, love of your life, Abba Daddy, Healer, Redeemer.
So that if at any moment you NEED Him, He can meet and WILL meet your every need.
How deep a deposit of love goes.
And God, loves you SO much.
It took me so long to realize, but now that I know that I KNOW that I KNOW He loves me; I can finally outpour that same magnitude of love upon others, and let others love me back.
I now don't throw compliments out of my head within a second after they're given, because Satan tells me I'm not deserving.
I now accept a hug from a friend instead of squirming and squeezing up because I think I don't deserve the love.
I now smile and say the simple words of "thank you" whole heartedly when someone compliments the anointing on my singing voice, because I can accept God working through me and I know that my thank you goes directly to Him who gave me a voice for Him.
I'm empowered, strengthened, and have a vision and dream for my life.
There is POWER in the name of Jesus. To break EVERY chain.
Let His LOVE abide in you, and do a mighty work. You can be made whole, and made NEW.
MJS.
I observed during TT week, I observed people in all of my classes, I observed conversations, I observed my teachers in their interactions with students and how they teach. Now, I don't say this to sound creepy or to give off the intent that I have been staring at people for the last entire 2 1/2 weeks, but what I'm saying is that I've tried to keep my eyes and ears open more, and my mouth closed.
What I saw, obviously, were some very different situations.
People's ticks, people's smiles, the way people touch their hair or face when they get nervous.
The way people shift their weight on each foot while telling a story.
The way a person may walk into a room full of people they know and not acknowledge anyone.
The dimple on someone's cheek when they smile.
A beauty mark on the side of one's face.
The way a teacher looks at you when you ask them a question they don't really know the answer to.
The look a teacher gets for a split second on their face when they're uncomfortable or thrown off guard.
All these observations, though one person might see as faults, help make up who a person is.
And... as I'm learning more and more each day, is that we should learn to love these "faults".
On another note...
God didn't create me to be anyone else but ME.
For example, I wasn't created to be...Jessica Biel. And no matter how gorgeous, talented, or famous she may be, I wasn't created to be her. Nor am I supposed to compare myself to her, or any other female on the planet. In any way.
why?... keep reading...
So as I've been looking and listening, this very principle has manifested itself in my life just in these last 2 1/2 weeks in a MASSIVE way.
Especially if you're a girl, speak this out loud.
God created me, (insert full name) to be me.
God DIDN'T create me to be (insert name of person you always compare yourself to).
If God wanted me to be (insert that person's name again), then I would have been created as them.
God never fails.
Therefore, I'm not a mistake.
I am perfect in His image JUST the was I was created.
Now, these are such simple statements, aren't they? Nothing you haven't heard before...
But these past few weeks, I don't know I guess they just finally CLICKED for me! And it's so extremely POWERFUL!
That means, that every single time I've compared myself to somebody else, I was putting my ways above Gods. I was saying that God, the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE, messed up creating me, and should have created me like someone else. That means, that I was putting my own abilities above His, and WASN'T submitting to His authority or His abilities. I wasn't trusting Him. I was walking in fear. I was ashamed. I was in doubt. I was LACKING joy. I felt worthless. I didn't feel worthy of love.
Because all I was doing was letting Satan tell me I was nothing.
Too this, too that.
Well, I'm here to tell whoever is reading this that YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH!
Because Jesus was, when He died on the cross for You. (INSERT YOUR NAME HERE)
And the cool thing is, is that it doesn't matter WHAT name you put in there, the law still applies.
There's no "if and only if" property like you're solving a proof, there's no "but I have zits all over my face" or "I need to lose 5, 10, 15, or 100 lbs."
If you didn't change a SINGLE thing about yourself, right now, it's impossible that God could love you any more, or any less.
Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 that we are to "come as we are, those who carry burdens, that we may enter into His REST".
That word can also mean peace.
A new school year has begun. Classes are stressful, time slips away faster than the 5 hours of sleep we get a night.
But Jesus has come, to give us the Mighty Hebrews 4 rest that He has PROMISED us. And still promises us. He cannot fail, and never will fail us because His love for us is EXPLODING all around us!!!
I think of the picture of me sitting in a dark room, and flipping on a light switch... you can't see what direction the light is coming from, because it is ALL around you, it surrounds every part of you and casts away any fear that came from sitting alone in the dark.
That's what Jesus wants to do in your life! He wants to wrap His Fatherly arms around YOU, and comfort and guide you through this upcoming year, and through the rest of your life! There is a reason His name means helper, friend, love of your life, Abba Daddy, Healer, Redeemer.
So that if at any moment you NEED Him, He can meet and WILL meet your every need.
How deep a deposit of love goes.
And God, loves you SO much.
It took me so long to realize, but now that I know that I KNOW that I KNOW He loves me; I can finally outpour that same magnitude of love upon others, and let others love me back.
I now don't throw compliments out of my head within a second after they're given, because Satan tells me I'm not deserving.
I now accept a hug from a friend instead of squirming and squeezing up because I think I don't deserve the love.
I now smile and say the simple words of "thank you" whole heartedly when someone compliments the anointing on my singing voice, because I can accept God working through me and I know that my thank you goes directly to Him who gave me a voice for Him.
I'm empowered, strengthened, and have a vision and dream for my life.
There is POWER in the name of Jesus. To break EVERY chain.
Let His LOVE abide in you, and do a mighty work. You can be made whole, and made NEW.
MJS.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
New Year: New Perspective
(Above) 1) Belmont Bruin Mascot
2) View from my Apartment Complex! Downtown!
So this summer was nothing less than amazing.
A lot has changed in my life; you can probably see it manifested even on the outside.
God is so good, all the time, and although I've said it before, I really got revelation of this these past 3 months. God grew me up a lot, and led me into leadership roles I never would have thought I was ready for.
He grew me even more into a mature adult, and further away from acting like a teenager, even though I technically fall under that category.
I was introduced to many new situations, as well as people, that have changed my life forever. One group in particular, well, I guess two, were the 2 women's groups for my church I got the privilege and honor of leading worship for. What they may not know is that they are the first people I consistently ever led for, haha. That opened the door to leading worship for my College & Career group as well. All around about 70 people or so. A great start!
But what was really meaningful were the relationships that I acquired and built through these groups.
Through these 3 groups I got even closer with my 2 college group leaders, as well as every wonderful lady in the women's groups. They each helped teach me that I don't have to be perfect to impact others, and a strong leader doesn't always have to have it all together. It's okay to be vulnerable; in fact, that's what makes a good leader. People have to be able to relate.
The women especially were so gracious to open up their hearts, pasts, and lives to me, making me feel completely at home upon my first morning/night there.
And man, the level of thickness of the Holy Spirit grew, and grew, and did I say GREW, each and every week.
We saw people healed, changed, and forever delivered from SO many different kinds of bondage that "the stupid one" Satan tries to tie us up in knots with.
I cannot even begin to DESCRIBE how impacted I feel, how much I appreciate every word spoken over me, every prayer, and every smile given to me by these women.
I cannot even begin to describe the WISDOM that flows in that group.
And lastly, I cannot even begin to describe how much I miss them already, and it's been less than a week.
I know that God has me here for a season, and although I was NOT ready to come here, and moreso LEAVE home, it's already been night and day in comparison to last year.
I'm coming in with so much more confidence, faith, hope, love, and assurance that God's got my back.
I'm truly operating out of God's love, because I've learned His love in regards to me.
I'm confident, and self assured in the most humble way.
I'm ready to be a servant of the Kingdom.
I am working toward so many goals God has so wonderfully placed in my heart of hearts.
I am EXCITED and JOYFUL!
And that is something that the devil has NO right to take away, and never will.
Belmont 2012-13 school year, get at me, because I'm going through this year, and coming out on top.
Even through trials, I know that I was given the victory when Jesus Christ died on the cross for me at Calvary. I know He's seated at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven, smiling down on me because He loves me, and I can't wait to fulfill His plans He's specifically designed for me.
I can't wait to share what I learn with others, and use whatever God has done in my life to help even one person in need. Because Jesus didn't just die for me, but everyone, and people need to know that!
So anyways, it's good to write again, GREAT in fact.
I AM a new creation.
Goodnight. :)
Megs.
p.s. I've lost 9 pounds! I have been delivered from the bondage of over-eating. That mess has BECOME my message! :) Ask me how! :)
p.s.s. I have an amazing boyfriend as of this summer. He loves the Lord and is my best friend of 8 years. Yay God for being funny and bringing the right people in your life even when you're 13 hours away and least expect it. Haha. ;)
Saturday, May 5, 2012
It's been a while
Sorry it's been a while!!!
As I was meditating on the Lord this morning, I came across a verse I've read a thousand times but just "stuck out" to me today.
It's Luke 1:(76-)79.
NKJV:
76: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77: To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78: Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
79: To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.
verse 79 really stuck out to me for some reason today.
Just the fact that if we really truly realize that God, the Father of light is here to give us that light in whatever form we need, whether it be grace, healing, or help of any kind, He wants to give it to us. God never changes, and is capable of anything if we just believe in Him. He can get us out of any situation no matter what "darkness" we may find ourselves in, and He's always on our side.
And ultimately, with that light, we end up in peace.
Which in greek, (eirene) means:
"a state of rest, quietness, and calmness; absence of strife, tranquility, and generally denotes perfect well-being."
Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
As I was meditating on the Lord this morning, I came across a verse I've read a thousand times but just "stuck out" to me today.
It's Luke 1:(76-)79.
NKJV:
76: And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77: To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins,
78: Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
79: To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.
verse 79 really stuck out to me for some reason today.
Just the fact that if we really truly realize that God, the Father of light is here to give us that light in whatever form we need, whether it be grace, healing, or help of any kind, He wants to give it to us. God never changes, and is capable of anything if we just believe in Him. He can get us out of any situation no matter what "darkness" we may find ourselves in, and He's always on our side.
And ultimately, with that light, we end up in peace.
Which in greek, (eirene) means:
"a state of rest, quietness, and calmness; absence of strife, tranquility, and generally denotes perfect well-being."
Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Living in Jubilee
Living in Jubilee!!!
God wants us to be the happiest, overflowingly sufficient, blessed creatures.
This past week I went home for Spring break. It was such a needed time as I didn't really realize how homesick I was. You see, I'm the type of person who is literally used to 1,000 things going on all at once, that I don't realize my stress levels rising nearly ever, until I just burst out with emotion one day.
Sometimes, I've literally been sitting on my dorm floor crying, and ten minutes later actually realize what just made that happen.
In response to this, I would encourage EVERYONE, especially WOMEN, to read the book "Managing Your Emotions: Instead of Your Emotions Managing You" By Joyce Meyer.
It lays out so easily what seems like every situation we could possibly go through, she relates it to her personal experiences (a miracle in itself), and then shows us how the Bible can help us through those times, while minimizing the amount of emotional breakdowns of the future!
But anyway, my Pastor Tony Finley back home has been talking about 2 things for a while now.
On Sundays, He's been talking about "The Year of Jubilee", going at it with an Old Covenant (Testament) vs. New Covenant (Testament) viewpoint. It's been great! I'm learning that we are to walk in constant Jubilee, which doesn't just mean happiness, but means every good and perfect thing that the Lord has literally laid out for us!
The only thing we must do is be in a position of humility to receive all He has for us! By grace through faith!
On Wednesdays, He just finished up an 11 week series on "Renewing of the Mind".
Now, you may ask, what the heck does this mean?
Well, it means... being steadfast into the Word, and allowing it to transform you from the inside out; make you more like Jesus.
In John 1:1, the Bible says that "In the beginning was the word, and the Word became Flesh, and dwelt among us."
Jesus IS the Word! So literally, when we read and meditate upon scripture in our Bibles, it IS doing something to the inside of you!
I've always believed this, but since Spring break, I realized a few areas in my life where I really WASN'T surrendering to God.
This doesn't do anything BUT slow down God's plan for my life, and stop God from getting all He wants to bless me with! If I'm not in a position where I'm putting Him first, He can't firsthand get all the blessings to me!
Wow, that statement was just accidentally really good. Read that again, haha.
We must put Him FIRST. In kiddie terms... why?
It's like calling a friend over to "play" when we were younger... is it a lot easier to tell someone exactly what you want to do or to give them something if you talk to them directly? The answer is yes.
But if we don't put God first, talk to Him directly, open our ears ("incline your ears to His sayings"), then it's like going to a friend of a friend of a friend's mom and asking if their friend's friend's friend's child can play with you.
So do yourself a favor and get out of life ALL God has for you!!! :)
Ok... I have piano class... I'll talk more later!
Thanks for reading!
Megan :)
God wants us to be the happiest, overflowingly sufficient, blessed creatures.
This past week I went home for Spring break. It was such a needed time as I didn't really realize how homesick I was. You see, I'm the type of person who is literally used to 1,000 things going on all at once, that I don't realize my stress levels rising nearly ever, until I just burst out with emotion one day.
Sometimes, I've literally been sitting on my dorm floor crying, and ten minutes later actually realize what just made that happen.
In response to this, I would encourage EVERYONE, especially WOMEN, to read the book "Managing Your Emotions: Instead of Your Emotions Managing You" By Joyce Meyer.
It lays out so easily what seems like every situation we could possibly go through, she relates it to her personal experiences (a miracle in itself), and then shows us how the Bible can help us through those times, while minimizing the amount of emotional breakdowns of the future!
But anyway, my Pastor Tony Finley back home has been talking about 2 things for a while now.
On Sundays, He's been talking about "The Year of Jubilee", going at it with an Old Covenant (Testament) vs. New Covenant (Testament) viewpoint. It's been great! I'm learning that we are to walk in constant Jubilee, which doesn't just mean happiness, but means every good and perfect thing that the Lord has literally laid out for us!
The only thing we must do is be in a position of humility to receive all He has for us! By grace through faith!
On Wednesdays, He just finished up an 11 week series on "Renewing of the Mind".
Now, you may ask, what the heck does this mean?
Well, it means... being steadfast into the Word, and allowing it to transform you from the inside out; make you more like Jesus.
In John 1:1, the Bible says that "In the beginning was the word, and the Word became Flesh, and dwelt among us."
Jesus IS the Word! So literally, when we read and meditate upon scripture in our Bibles, it IS doing something to the inside of you!
I've always believed this, but since Spring break, I realized a few areas in my life where I really WASN'T surrendering to God.
This doesn't do anything BUT slow down God's plan for my life, and stop God from getting all He wants to bless me with! If I'm not in a position where I'm putting Him first, He can't firsthand get all the blessings to me!
Wow, that statement was just accidentally really good. Read that again, haha.
We must put Him FIRST. In kiddie terms... why?
It's like calling a friend over to "play" when we were younger... is it a lot easier to tell someone exactly what you want to do or to give them something if you talk to them directly? The answer is yes.
But if we don't put God first, talk to Him directly, open our ears ("incline your ears to His sayings"), then it's like going to a friend of a friend of a friend's mom and asking if their friend's friend's friend's child can play with you.
So do yourself a favor and get out of life ALL God has for you!!! :)
Ok... I have piano class... I'll talk more later!
Thanks for reading!
Megan :)
Monday, March 12, 2012
Romans is an amazing chapter of the Bible.
Ever in a funk? Start reading aloud Romans 12-14. You'll come out of it realllllly quickly.
This happened to me today. Its kinda overcast out, and as I was sitting in my room for a while I was suddenly a bit overcome with just the sheer number of things I realized I had coming up, and what I had to do.
So I started reading Romans 12, "The faith chapter" of the Bible, though there are many.
Here are some amazing verses that really resonated with me. :)
Of course, to begin,
Romans 12:2 (definitely in my top 5 favorite verses in the Bible)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (continually) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
^ Simple, but profound!
Romans 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...
Romans 12:14-18
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do NOT set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay NO ONE evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 13: 13-14
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put ON the Lord Jesus Christ, (the Word of God) and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
I'll go into more detail about this later, just had to post this! :)
Megan
This happened to me today. Its kinda overcast out, and as I was sitting in my room for a while I was suddenly a bit overcome with just the sheer number of things I realized I had coming up, and what I had to do.
So I started reading Romans 12, "The faith chapter" of the Bible, though there are many.
Here are some amazing verses that really resonated with me. :)
Of course, to begin,
Romans 12:2 (definitely in my top 5 favorite verses in the Bible)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (continually) by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
^ Simple, but profound!
Romans 12:10-12
10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer...
Romans 12:14-18
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another.
Do NOT set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay NO ONE evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Romans 13: 13-14
13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
14 But put ON the Lord Jesus Christ, (the Word of God) and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
I'll go into more detail about this later, just had to post this! :)
Megan
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
February 22, 2012
Well today's date has a bunch of 2's in it, that's kinda cool. :D 2/22/12.
-So I woke up today, feeling tired. Had an Aural Skills 3 hearing at 8:30am, and wasn't too thrilled considering I... didn't study at all.
-I prayed that God would work through me and bring back all the stuff we'd practiced in class, looked at my notes a bit, asked my professor a couple questions, and knocked it out. I think I deserve an A, but we'll see! :)
-9am: Usually I have a class called "The Music of Literature". Honestly... we've done little but analyze poetry, but that's fine with me because it's super easy and I love poetry! (*Cough*, it's like song lyrics...)
-anyway, so I went to "class" and... all the lights were off with no one inside. *Doh!* forgot there wasn't class today. But instead of moping about anything, I turned a smile on, rejoicing that I had just gained an hour of "do whatever I wanted time!"
-9:15am: I proceeded to the Beaman (Athletic Center where a lot of people workout, study, get food, etc.) after grabbing and cramming into my backpack what seemed like my entire dorm.
-Bulging backpack on back, with the added bonus of my classic "Megan breakfast shake", Bible, other Bible, and devotional, I slightly resembled a small camel.
-Ok I'm exaggerating, but truthfully a 3rd arm would have been useful.
-9:30am I park it in the Beaman. Now, one must understand, the Beaman is kind of the half way point where people go when you WANT to get stuff done, but aren't committed enough to going to the Library where you can't talk and REALLY have to buckle down. This is exactly the mood I was in. :D
Ding, yae.
-So I spread out my smörgasbord of stuff out onto my table and begin to ponder what I'm actually planning on getting done, and who I'm probably going to see strollin' through as I naturally people watch whoever goes by. (Hey, I'm tall, it's what we do)
-I decide, after checking and responding to all necessary emails, that I'm going to take this precious extra time to devote to the best thing I could, JESUS. And lemme tell youuuu. That was a great decision!
-It's so funny when I sit down to have real Jesus time, I love to go all out. So I'm sitting there, reading my devotional which I had already read once earlier, writing notes like a madwoman because like every line is speaking to me (we all have those days, everything is profound... haha, the greatest!) WHILE listening to a sermon my pastor gave a few weeks back.
-So A) My spirit is like WOW slurp slurp slurp while B) I'm trying to write down what's resonating in my heart from 1) My devotional and 2) the sermon. I end up having to turn the sermon off til I get through the devotional haha. Then continue to write my notes from the sermon.
-If there ever was a hashtag for christiangirlproblemsthataren'treallyproblems... it'd be that. bahaha.
So THAT all happened before 10am.
Then... at 10am, I started highlighting away at my old testament homework, after... ok I lied like 10:20am... I was distracted by facebook for a bit, but in my defense I was coordinating accompanists for my voice seminar next week, which I'm pumped about. (Be prepared for a video coming next week!) (Here is the link to the song I'm doin)
-It's hard not to get frustrated with Belmont's religion curriculum, and I honestly could never major in it here. Not to bash it, but I just can't stand how each book, and version of the Bible they make us read comes from and is taught from what they call a "purely academic standpoint", with no "religion" in it.
Now... let's think about that statement.
You're teaching the Bible... with no "religious" anything in it? That's... IMPOSSIBLE. And so... backwards! Haha. What's the point of teaching it then?!
-I totally understand not everyone's a Christian and of course I accept that but... if I weren't a Christian and I was going to THIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL taking one of their Bible classes, it wouldn't make me want to be a Christian at ALL with how they teach it!
-I think they should definitely be able to have a Christian "spin" if you will on the subject matter taught. -It does NOT mean shoving it down ANYONES throats, but there's a balance between teaching it still as fact, and forcing it on someone!!
-It's so sad! I know I'm not the only one who thinks this.
Ok. Done with that rant.
Then I had class at 11, lunch at 12, class at 1, 2, and from 3-5. Then I had dinner with a bunch of the best friends who always make my day, went back to my dorm and have no idea what happened but I killed 30 min.
Then 6:30 came and it was time for INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL! Woooo!
Representing my sorority, AST, we prepared for the "Game of the Week" verse our "rivals" (kinda... we still love them) Phi Mu.
-We ended up winning 46-5, I scored prob... 20-25 points? Idk it doesn't matter, what matters is we played AMAZINGLY as a team, as sisters, and really bonded together for NEVER having practiced... EVER. haha.
-I think EVERYONE on the team scored too, and often which is amazing! Lexie and Lara KILLED it on the rebounds and layups, Taylor thank GOD served as our ball handler which we so LACKED last time we played (it was awful with just us big folk, haha). Monica played AMAZING Defense as did Jaime, and Jaime got some great shots up too. And of COURSE, Emily (Mom) played great D too, hustled her butt off, and her new shoes (which are FANTASTIC and blue) brought us good luck.
-It was really great for the seniors to experience such victory for their last ever Greek to Greek intramural game! I seriously was so proud to lead a team of girls like this even if it was just intramurals.
-God is good! And now we have braggin rights for the next year, hehe. :D
In closing... haha wow I feel like I just typed a sermon/long speech... thanks for reading if you made it to here, haha!
Romans 8:1 (also through vs 8) Really spoke to me today.
-There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
I've been solidly holding fast to the Lord and He always rewards!
Thanks for reading!!!
Megs. :)
-So I woke up today, feeling tired. Had an Aural Skills 3 hearing at 8:30am, and wasn't too thrilled considering I... didn't study at all.
-I prayed that God would work through me and bring back all the stuff we'd practiced in class, looked at my notes a bit, asked my professor a couple questions, and knocked it out. I think I deserve an A, but we'll see! :)
-9am: Usually I have a class called "The Music of Literature". Honestly... we've done little but analyze poetry, but that's fine with me because it's super easy and I love poetry! (*Cough*, it's like song lyrics...)
-anyway, so I went to "class" and... all the lights were off with no one inside. *Doh!* forgot there wasn't class today. But instead of moping about anything, I turned a smile on, rejoicing that I had just gained an hour of "do whatever I wanted time!"
-9:15am: I proceeded to the Beaman (Athletic Center where a lot of people workout, study, get food, etc.) after grabbing and cramming into my backpack what seemed like my entire dorm.
-Bulging backpack on back, with the added bonus of my classic "Megan breakfast shake", Bible, other Bible, and devotional, I slightly resembled a small camel.
-Ok I'm exaggerating, but truthfully a 3rd arm would have been useful.
-9:30am I park it in the Beaman. Now, one must understand, the Beaman is kind of the half way point where people go when you WANT to get stuff done, but aren't committed enough to going to the Library where you can't talk and REALLY have to buckle down. This is exactly the mood I was in. :D
Ding, yae.
-So I spread out my smörgasbord of stuff out onto my table and begin to ponder what I'm actually planning on getting done, and who I'm probably going to see strollin' through as I naturally people watch whoever goes by. (Hey, I'm tall, it's what we do)
-I decide, after checking and responding to all necessary emails, that I'm going to take this precious extra time to devote to the best thing I could, JESUS. And lemme tell youuuu. That was a great decision!
-It's so funny when I sit down to have real Jesus time, I love to go all out. So I'm sitting there, reading my devotional which I had already read once earlier, writing notes like a madwoman because like every line is speaking to me (we all have those days, everything is profound... haha, the greatest!) WHILE listening to a sermon my pastor gave a few weeks back.
-So A) My spirit is like WOW slurp slurp slurp while B) I'm trying to write down what's resonating in my heart from 1) My devotional and 2) the sermon. I end up having to turn the sermon off til I get through the devotional haha. Then continue to write my notes from the sermon.
-If there ever was a hashtag for christiangirlproblemsthataren'treallyproblems... it'd be that. bahaha.
So THAT all happened before 10am.
Then... at 10am, I started highlighting away at my old testament homework, after... ok I lied like 10:20am... I was distracted by facebook for a bit, but in my defense I was coordinating accompanists for my voice seminar next week, which I'm pumped about. (Be prepared for a video coming next week!) (Here is the link to the song I'm doin)
-It's hard not to get frustrated with Belmont's religion curriculum, and I honestly could never major in it here. Not to bash it, but I just can't stand how each book, and version of the Bible they make us read comes from and is taught from what they call a "purely academic standpoint", with no "religion" in it.
Now... let's think about that statement.
You're teaching the Bible... with no "religious" anything in it? That's... IMPOSSIBLE. And so... backwards! Haha. What's the point of teaching it then?!
-I totally understand not everyone's a Christian and of course I accept that but... if I weren't a Christian and I was going to THIS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL taking one of their Bible classes, it wouldn't make me want to be a Christian at ALL with how they teach it!
-I think they should definitely be able to have a Christian "spin" if you will on the subject matter taught. -It does NOT mean shoving it down ANYONES throats, but there's a balance between teaching it still as fact, and forcing it on someone!!
-It's so sad! I know I'm not the only one who thinks this.
Ok. Done with that rant.
Then I had class at 11, lunch at 12, class at 1, 2, and from 3-5. Then I had dinner with a bunch of the best friends who always make my day, went back to my dorm and have no idea what happened but I killed 30 min.
Then 6:30 came and it was time for INTRAMURAL BASKETBALL! Woooo!
Representing my sorority, AST, we prepared for the "Game of the Week" verse our "rivals" (kinda... we still love them) Phi Mu.
-We ended up winning 46-5, I scored prob... 20-25 points? Idk it doesn't matter, what matters is we played AMAZINGLY as a team, as sisters, and really bonded together for NEVER having practiced... EVER. haha.
-I think EVERYONE on the team scored too, and often which is amazing! Lexie and Lara KILLED it on the rebounds and layups, Taylor thank GOD served as our ball handler which we so LACKED last time we played (it was awful with just us big folk, haha). Monica played AMAZING Defense as did Jaime, and Jaime got some great shots up too. And of COURSE, Emily (Mom) played great D too, hustled her butt off, and her new shoes (which are FANTASTIC and blue) brought us good luck.
-It was really great for the seniors to experience such victory for their last ever Greek to Greek intramural game! I seriously was so proud to lead a team of girls like this even if it was just intramurals.
-God is good! And now we have braggin rights for the next year, hehe. :D
In closing... haha wow I feel like I just typed a sermon/long speech... thanks for reading if you made it to here, haha!
Romans 8:1 (also through vs 8) Really spoke to me today.
-There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
I've been solidly holding fast to the Lord and He always rewards!
Thanks for reading!!!
Megs. :)
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