Valentines Day. (A.K.A. Single's Awareness Day)
First of all, I'd like to note that this blog post is not, yes I said NOT going to be me, someone who is single, complaining about Valentine's Day. You can get enough of that on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or whatever social media site you choose to explore on said day.
So you should be smiling right now. :)
There we go! :)
Ok. So anyways. Second point. Single's Awareness Day (for those of you who still don't get this... it's also on the 14th... and no, it's not a real day, technically) and ironically, unfortunately, and hilariously (to me) the day comes out to an acronym of S.A.D.
-bahaha. funny.
3rd of all, being single REALLY isn't that bad. Yeah there are going to be boys who buy girls flowers, who give girls chocolate, and who take them out on dates, but guess what? Your day will come too.
Here are my 10 tips and positives about being single and enjoying your day on Valentine's Day:
1. There are also a lot of people, male and female who will have a terrible Valentine's Day even WHILE dating someone. When you're single, you don't get your hopes up only to be disappointed if everything doesn't go smoothly and perfectly.
2. It's a great day to hang out with your favorite friends who are also single, and spend some great time together.
-Who knows, maybe this will be the night you realize you have "the hots" for your best guy/girl friend who you'd just never thought of in that way before.
-Movie night with ice cream and Rom Coms? I don't care if you're a guy. Movies and food is always a good idea.
3. Hanging out with other people who are single on this day will make you realize you're totally not alone.
-There are almost 7 BILLION people on this Earth.
-You're not the only person who is single, and sorry but moping isn't going to make you any less-single. So be happy!
4. Dress up.
-If you're thinking about complaining about Valentine's Day, don't start off your day in sweatpants and a t-shirt. It will
A) Make you feel even worse about being single,
B) Make you feel like a slob, and
C) It's also most likely not going to make "the one" notice you if you're in a pile of mope and look like a hot mess.
*honest truth* *tough love* *sorryI'mnotsorry* :)
5. Stay positive.
-Wake up in the morning, and stare yourself down in the mirror while repeating "Goodmorning gorgeous/hot stuff/beautiful/winner" or something else that will make you feel good about yourself.
-The spoken word is way more powerful than most people think, and what you say is what you will believe.
-Repeat it for like 30 seconds and I guarantee it will lift your spirits! You'll start to believe it and be happier, even if it's the result of you literally laughing your head off at yourself because you think you look and sound ridiculous.
6. Workout.
-Working out makes endorphins that make you happy!
-Grab another single buddy and hit the gym or go for a nice walk outside!
-Working out is proven to make you feel better about yourself, put you in a better mood, and also makes you crave unhealthy food less!
7. Have a deep conversation with someone
-Of course don't force one, but don't be afraid to get to know someone's life a little more.
-Pouring into someone else's "bucket" can really minister to someone, especially when they might be feeling what you're feeling.
-Listening can sometimes be the best thing you can do for someone.
8. Say hi to someone new!
-I don't know about you, but my school has around 6,400 students, and I don't know over half of them. Partly, this is because I'm a freshman, but partly, it's because people of the opposite gender intimidate me a lot.
-Whenever I tell someone this they're usually shocked because "a beautiful 6 foot tall girl shouldn't be afraid of anyone", but there you have it world, boys terrify me sometimes. Yep, even me.
-Example: Today I wanted to ask someone in the caf a question that was completely random but that I legitimately wanted to know the answer to, and just because they were attractive, I couldn't even muster up the courage to say hi.
-DO IT. Think about if it happened to you, especially on Valentine's Day. No matter who it was, if someone was really nice to you and just smiled and said hi, you'd love it, and it'd make your day way better. Think about it.
9. Accomplish something you've been putting off.
-To take your mind off "the tragedy" of being single (which it's not) get the thing done that you've been telling yourself you're going to do for a while.
-Whether it's laundry, cleaning, or that awful paper, doing it will keep your mind on that and off whatever may be bothering you.
-Afterward, you'll feel totally great and accomplished!
10. Lastly, and most importantly, know that you're worth it.
(click here for an AMAZING video pertaining to this subject made by my friend Josh. He's an AMAZING 18 year old with a HUGE passion and love for people.)
-Everyone on this Earth is created with purpose, on purpose, for a purpose, and by everyone I mean you, reading this right now.
-Take this time to figure out what your goals, your dreams, your plans, and His plan may be for you.
-What is first in your life? Is your life being prioritized by things that actually matter?
-God's got HUGE plans for your life and has created you to be happy and have the joy that He's graciously given you to experience in every moment of your life!
-He created you to eventually find the perfect person for you, but until then why worry!
-You don't want to search and search only to get your heart broken multiple times by the wrong guy/girl do you? I certainly don't.
-Just know that just like YOU'VE been waiting YOUR WHOLE LIFE for Him/Her, THEY have been waiting for YOU. That blew my mind the first time I thought of that.
-So honor your future spouse by waiting patiently for them, because it will be totally worth it in the end.
Again, watch this video here, it'll be worth it.
Love,
Megan :)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Think on these things.
Proverbs 4:8 states that we should "think on things that are true, lovely, pure, honest, and of good report."
Today really challenged me regarding this verse.
You see, for years on end I've dealt with body image issues, having been involved in almost every industry possible that is all about how you present yourself, aka looks.
Pastor James at Bethel (click the word Bethel for the media/video download) today talked about resisting temptation, which ties into lots of things that aren't just sensually based. We can be addicted, and tempted by food as well, which is where I've struggled. Food addiction is as serious as any other kind of addiction, because it can have serious repercussions on your life if not dealt with in a healthy, proper way.
You see, I work out 5-6 days a week and just by looking at me you would never in a million years think that I'd been going through this. I know this, and yet the problem has remained.
Food addiction happens when we put something above God and give IT first place in our lives.
-It's truly an amazing thing to realize when you lay it all out on the table, because I didn't see it for what it was for so long.
-In the Bible, it says that just ONE BIT of LIGHT outshines ALL darkness, and that darkness literally FLEES from anything that is light, aka anything of Satan FLEES from the things of God when we put them to use.
-Therefore, we are to use the Word of the Lord as our Ephesians 6 shield, sword, helmet, breastplate, belt, and shoes to equip us for the battle that Satan tries to bring upon us.
-God will NEVER allow us to be put in a situation we cannot handle. And we only get into these situations because there is nasty, icky, awful SIN in this world and Satan likes to torment those who seek Good.
So what I am learning, is 2 things:
1) I should consider myself BLESSED (which I should do besides just for this reason) because Satan has chosen ME to pick on so harshly, telling me I'm fat and ugly every morning I wake up from the MINUTE I OPEN MY EYES because that means that I am a THREAT to him. It means that I am pursuing RIGHTEOUSNESS with Jesus to find my ONE PATH that God had crafted for me since the beginning of time. I consider myself LUCKY because the Bible says that we are to REJOICE in our weakness because HE HAS MADE US STRONG! No ifs, no ands no buts, He HAS, it is DONE, and who are we to think that OUR situation is so unique, and so different that it's above what God can do?
- I certainly know that I've thought this! I've whined and complained and gone back and forth letting the little stupid devil in my mind to talk to me tryin' to undo what the Word says about me.
-This is why it is SO important that we STAY STEADFAST IN THE WORD OF GOD! Every. Single. Day.
-Because if we are not PROGRESSING, we are REGRESSING, and idk about you but I don't want satan to have any power over anything regarding me, which he only can if I let him.
-The Word is literally spiritual food to our spirits. When we build up our faith through reading the Word of the Almighty God, we are strengthening the walls of our mind to combat the WAR that goes on inside of us where Satan tries to tear us down.
-Ever heard "You're your own worst critic"? Well, that's because it's true. Satan tries to speak to YOU, in your OWN MIND, and ONLY YOU.
Encouragement:
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU!
-Philipians 4:13
ALL THINGS. Your situation is NOT exempt.
ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE YES AND AMEN!
-2 Cor 1:20
So don't fret, don't worry, and get PUMPED because He can do ALL things! Nothing that is a desire of your heart is too big! God wants to heal you! He's given His blessings to us we just have to receive and believe! With God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)
2) There is a way out. There really is.
What I've been doing is making sure that each and every day, I wake up, look myself in the mirror and say "Hello beautiful."
-Now, you may think this sounds awful crazy but it's speaking God's word over yourself without even knowing it.
-God created us in His OWN IMAGE AND OWN LIKENESS (Genesis 1:27). Do you really think God is ugly? NO! So neither are you. HE LIKES YOU! ^^
Also what I do is I stand and look myself directly in the eye and say "The joy of the Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation." Sometimes I say it over again until I start to believe it. Again this may sound crazy but when you speak LIFE over yourself like we're meant to do, your body aligns with what you tell it to! What a concept! (Just like the Bible says)
On the contrary, this is why your body reacts negatively as well.
Thoughts become words, which become actions. Everything is connected and if we don't take thoughts captive the SECOND they come into our mind, it gets harder and harder to shield them off. So build up your "shield of faith" (Ephesians 6) by pressing into the word, and speaking life over yourself straight looking into your own eyes until you really start to believe it. It may be hard to believe but it will work!
I even speak over my metabolism.
-I pray "Lord, thank You that I am going to portion control today. Food is NOT my god nor does it control my thoughts. I thank You Father that my metabolism for the rest of my days here on earth is working faster and faster each day, burning up everything that I eat and more. I do not fret or worry about food, nor does it consume my mind. I give my thoughts to You Jesus and think on things that are lovely, true, honest, pure, and of a good report!
Amen.
I hope this blesses y'all! I love how God can work in any arena in anyone's lives! Even food!
Megan :)
Today really challenged me regarding this verse.
You see, for years on end I've dealt with body image issues, having been involved in almost every industry possible that is all about how you present yourself, aka looks.
Pastor James at Bethel (click the word Bethel for the media/video download) today talked about resisting temptation, which ties into lots of things that aren't just sensually based. We can be addicted, and tempted by food as well, which is where I've struggled. Food addiction is as serious as any other kind of addiction, because it can have serious repercussions on your life if not dealt with in a healthy, proper way.
You see, I work out 5-6 days a week and just by looking at me you would never in a million years think that I'd been going through this. I know this, and yet the problem has remained.
Food addiction happens when we put something above God and give IT first place in our lives.
-It's truly an amazing thing to realize when you lay it all out on the table, because I didn't see it for what it was for so long.
-In the Bible, it says that just ONE BIT of LIGHT outshines ALL darkness, and that darkness literally FLEES from anything that is light, aka anything of Satan FLEES from the things of God when we put them to use.
-Therefore, we are to use the Word of the Lord as our Ephesians 6 shield, sword, helmet, breastplate, belt, and shoes to equip us for the battle that Satan tries to bring upon us.
-God will NEVER allow us to be put in a situation we cannot handle. And we only get into these situations because there is nasty, icky, awful SIN in this world and Satan likes to torment those who seek Good.
So what I am learning, is 2 things:
1) I should consider myself BLESSED (which I should do besides just for this reason) because Satan has chosen ME to pick on so harshly, telling me I'm fat and ugly every morning I wake up from the MINUTE I OPEN MY EYES because that means that I am a THREAT to him. It means that I am pursuing RIGHTEOUSNESS with Jesus to find my ONE PATH that God had crafted for me since the beginning of time. I consider myself LUCKY because the Bible says that we are to REJOICE in our weakness because HE HAS MADE US STRONG! No ifs, no ands no buts, He HAS, it is DONE, and who are we to think that OUR situation is so unique, and so different that it's above what God can do?
- I certainly know that I've thought this! I've whined and complained and gone back and forth letting the little stupid devil in my mind to talk to me tryin' to undo what the Word says about me.
-This is why it is SO important that we STAY STEADFAST IN THE WORD OF GOD! Every. Single. Day.
-Because if we are not PROGRESSING, we are REGRESSING, and idk about you but I don't want satan to have any power over anything regarding me, which he only can if I let him.
-The Word is literally spiritual food to our spirits. When we build up our faith through reading the Word of the Almighty God, we are strengthening the walls of our mind to combat the WAR that goes on inside of us where Satan tries to tear us down.
-Ever heard "You're your own worst critic"? Well, that's because it's true. Satan tries to speak to YOU, in your OWN MIND, and ONLY YOU.
Encouragement:
YOU CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS YOU!
-Philipians 4:13
ALL THINGS. Your situation is NOT exempt.
ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD ARE YES AND AMEN!
-2 Cor 1:20
So don't fret, don't worry, and get PUMPED because He can do ALL things! Nothing that is a desire of your heart is too big! God wants to heal you! He's given His blessings to us we just have to receive and believe! With God all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26)
2) There is a way out. There really is.
What I've been doing is making sure that each and every day, I wake up, look myself in the mirror and say "Hello beautiful."
-Now, you may think this sounds awful crazy but it's speaking God's word over yourself without even knowing it.
-God created us in His OWN IMAGE AND OWN LIKENESS (Genesis 1:27). Do you really think God is ugly? NO! So neither are you. HE LIKES YOU! ^^
Also what I do is I stand and look myself directly in the eye and say "The joy of the Lord is my strength, my song, and my salvation." Sometimes I say it over again until I start to believe it. Again this may sound crazy but when you speak LIFE over yourself like we're meant to do, your body aligns with what you tell it to! What a concept! (Just like the Bible says)
On the contrary, this is why your body reacts negatively as well.
Thoughts become words, which become actions. Everything is connected and if we don't take thoughts captive the SECOND they come into our mind, it gets harder and harder to shield them off. So build up your "shield of faith" (Ephesians 6) by pressing into the word, and speaking life over yourself straight looking into your own eyes until you really start to believe it. It may be hard to believe but it will work!
I even speak over my metabolism.
-I pray "Lord, thank You that I am going to portion control today. Food is NOT my god nor does it control my thoughts. I thank You Father that my metabolism for the rest of my days here on earth is working faster and faster each day, burning up everything that I eat and more. I do not fret or worry about food, nor does it consume my mind. I give my thoughts to You Jesus and think on things that are lovely, true, honest, pure, and of a good report!
Amen.
I hope this blesses y'all! I love how God can work in any arena in anyone's lives! Even food!
Megan :)
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Typical Tuesday... ?
Typical Tuesday... is it?
Waking up past 8 was a gift,
no, "music major life" is not a myth.
Get some grub down in the caf,
at least they have omelets and cereal, that's... about that.
I cherish the time before my 10 am,
It's time with Jesus, in His Word, in His plans.
I start my day off right fill my tank for the day,
So nothin' outta ordinary will lead me astray.
Time for singing voices ringing all throughout Wilson,
pianos thumping, music bumping, no space so people chillin'.
I sing songs of praise to my God Most High,
Worshipin' in a space that can be so awry.
Moving on to homework I battle through the bore,
clearly not the subject that I adore.
But luckily then it's lunch, a time that's my fave,
though the caf utterly and completely failed me today.
Next up is class time in which I literally snoozed,
Confused as to why when my sleep was just renewed.
Then moved on to frisbee on this beautiful day,
realizing I fail at throwing in almost every single way.
Theory's after 4 and goes until it's night,
at least I understand it and my teacher's alright.
I can't wait to workout with my best friend again,
though this will probably fail because he's giant and Canadian.
Then it's onto Greek Sing dancing with my sisters,
but shh I can't tell you our theme, though there are spies with whispers.
Hopefully I don't have too much to do today,
All I know is that it's Tuesday and it's a beautiful day.
<3 Megan.
This is why I write songs, not poetry. hahaha.
Waking up past 8 was a gift,
no, "music major life" is not a myth.
Get some grub down in the caf,
at least they have omelets and cereal, that's... about that.
I cherish the time before my 10 am,
It's time with Jesus, in His Word, in His plans.
I start my day off right fill my tank for the day,
So nothin' outta ordinary will lead me astray.
Time for singing voices ringing all throughout Wilson,
pianos thumping, music bumping, no space so people chillin'.
I sing songs of praise to my God Most High,
Worshipin' in a space that can be so awry.
Moving on to homework I battle through the bore,
clearly not the subject that I adore.
But luckily then it's lunch, a time that's my fave,
though the caf utterly and completely failed me today.
Next up is class time in which I literally snoozed,
Confused as to why when my sleep was just renewed.
Then moved on to frisbee on this beautiful day,
realizing I fail at throwing in almost every single way.
Theory's after 4 and goes until it's night,
at least I understand it and my teacher's alright.
I can't wait to workout with my best friend again,
though this will probably fail because he's giant and Canadian.
Then it's onto Greek Sing dancing with my sisters,
but shh I can't tell you our theme, though there are spies with whispers.
Hopefully I don't have too much to do today,
All I know is that it's Tuesday and it's a beautiful day.
<3 Megan.
This is why I write songs, not poetry. hahaha.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Jan 22, 2012
January 22, 2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3nCXNqqYAQ&feature=g-upl&context=G2f10f84AUAAAAAAAAAA
9:15am woke up for church.
Dressed, Check.
Makeup, Check.
Hair, Check.
Make shake in the blender and run out the door, Check.
Late for leaving at the allotted 10am... Check.
10:15am Car doesn't work and is dead again, Check.
10:16am Drive Bevin's car, Check.
10:20am Go to church, Check.
10:35am arrive late as usual to church, Check.
We go through day by day... forming a checklist in our brains for even the most mundane of activities...
I realized today that I need to step back and let God in to every little part of my day.
For instance, I went through today without reading my Bible, and it's currently 8:42pm.
Yeah, I went to church and worship and the sermon absolutely rocked my world, but because I didn't have the word and time of meditation in it in my heart, that happiness and spiritual high slowly faded.
Then came 4 hours of homework and practicing which I felt good about because I got a lot accomplished, took a short 20 minute nap, and went to my sorority weekly meeting.
I have to admit I was very overcome with negative emotions tonight because UNITE @Bethel (my church) was tonight, and I couldn't go. (It only meets once a month, and it's my only outlet to get to know other college students from my church. I can NEVER go.)
Then a series of... not to sound cliché but "unfortunate events" happened. Which I will not post on the internet, but they slowly spiraled my mood down into the dumps. I know that if I had the Word of God in me today that I would have been able to find the positive spin on this.
-In the course of literally 1 hour I was overcome with sadness, stress, feeling rushed, confusion, and feeling totally overwhelmed with overcommitting my schedule and not having time to... breathe.
The Bible says that the Lord is our
Healer
Provider
Lover of our Soul
Protector
Guide
Savior
Friend
Awesome
Redeemer
King over All
So... why didn't I just look at any one of those things and feel better?
I hadn't meditated on the Word, so it wasn't the first thought that came to my mind. Literally. I chose to let my thoughts run rampant because I chose to be sad, angry, and hopeless.
But Jesus already died on the cross for my hope, for my stress, for my schedule, for my overcommitting self, for my tears, for my friends, for the people in my life who are hurting and I just want to hug them and help them without taking their burdens on myself.
He died for you, He died for me, He died for everyone even if you've never spent a day of your life with Him.
He'll never fail, He's always there, He'll always protect you, He'll never leave you, He'll be the sunshine on your rainy day, He'll be your arms when you're lonely, your Guide when you're feeling lost, your Savior when you feel like no one loves you and you don't know what the future holds.
And He's your friend. He's my friend.
We're never alone.
We aren't carnal beings, we're spiritual beings of Heaven, that Jesus, the perfect man paid for with the eternal price. He didn't HAVE to, you know. But He knows every thought you'll ever have, everything you'll ever do, and He's got a plan and purpose for your life.
We don't have to know HOW, because He's the God of the how.
We just have to pursue righteousness, flee from the devil, and trust.
Trust that He'll take our little hand as if we were 5 years old again... and lead us. Not into temptation. He'll deliver us. FROM the evil snares of the devil. Because He sits on the throne, in the Kingdom, where He holds All power, All Glory, and All Honor, Forever.
So this may have not been very poetic, but it was certainly on my heart.
God I don't know how you're gonna work out my life right now, but I CHOOSE with an outcry of faith that I KNOW You'll do it. Because to You, I'm worth it.
I love you Abba Daddy,
Megan.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3nCXNqqYAQ&feature=g-upl&context=G2f10f84AUAAAAAAAAAA
9:15am woke up for church.
Dressed, Check.
Makeup, Check.
Hair, Check.
Make shake in the blender and run out the door, Check.
Late for leaving at the allotted 10am... Check.
10:15am Car doesn't work and is dead again, Check.
10:16am Drive Bevin's car, Check.
10:20am Go to church, Check.
10:35am arrive late as usual to church, Check.
We go through day by day... forming a checklist in our brains for even the most mundane of activities...
I realized today that I need to step back and let God in to every little part of my day.
For instance, I went through today without reading my Bible, and it's currently 8:42pm.
Yeah, I went to church and worship and the sermon absolutely rocked my world, but because I didn't have the word and time of meditation in it in my heart, that happiness and spiritual high slowly faded.
Then came 4 hours of homework and practicing which I felt good about because I got a lot accomplished, took a short 20 minute nap, and went to my sorority weekly meeting.
I have to admit I was very overcome with negative emotions tonight because UNITE @Bethel (my church) was tonight, and I couldn't go. (It only meets once a month, and it's my only outlet to get to know other college students from my church. I can NEVER go.)
Then a series of... not to sound cliché but "unfortunate events" happened. Which I will not post on the internet, but they slowly spiraled my mood down into the dumps. I know that if I had the Word of God in me today that I would have been able to find the positive spin on this.
-In the course of literally 1 hour I was overcome with sadness, stress, feeling rushed, confusion, and feeling totally overwhelmed with overcommitting my schedule and not having time to... breathe.
The Bible says that the Lord is our
Healer
Provider
Lover of our Soul
Protector
Guide
Savior
Friend
Awesome
Redeemer
King over All
So... why didn't I just look at any one of those things and feel better?
I hadn't meditated on the Word, so it wasn't the first thought that came to my mind. Literally. I chose to let my thoughts run rampant because I chose to be sad, angry, and hopeless.
But Jesus already died on the cross for my hope, for my stress, for my schedule, for my overcommitting self, for my tears, for my friends, for the people in my life who are hurting and I just want to hug them and help them without taking their burdens on myself.
He died for you, He died for me, He died for everyone even if you've never spent a day of your life with Him.
He'll never fail, He's always there, He'll always protect you, He'll never leave you, He'll be the sunshine on your rainy day, He'll be your arms when you're lonely, your Guide when you're feeling lost, your Savior when you feel like no one loves you and you don't know what the future holds.
And He's your friend. He's my friend.
We're never alone.
We aren't carnal beings, we're spiritual beings of Heaven, that Jesus, the perfect man paid for with the eternal price. He didn't HAVE to, you know. But He knows every thought you'll ever have, everything you'll ever do, and He's got a plan and purpose for your life.
We don't have to know HOW, because He's the God of the how.
We just have to pursue righteousness, flee from the devil, and trust.
Trust that He'll take our little hand as if we were 5 years old again... and lead us. Not into temptation. He'll deliver us. FROM the evil snares of the devil. Because He sits on the throne, in the Kingdom, where He holds All power, All Glory, and All Honor, Forever.
So this may have not been very poetic, but it was certainly on my heart.
God I don't know how you're gonna work out my life right now, but I CHOOSE with an outcry of faith that I KNOW You'll do it. Because to You, I'm worth it.
I love you Abba Daddy,
Megan.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Time to brag about Jesus number ..... infinity.
Helloooooooo Brag about Jesus time # ... infinity.
(Before I get started... check out my newest original song, "Overcome"!! You can hear the amazing story behind what God's doing through it at the bottom of this post! :) :) :) :) :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpT4JSPtB4)
So here's what happened in my life today.
1) I woke up, and the music buildings I found out were supposed to be closed. There's a monitor lady in there and she says we can't practice til 1pm when it technically opens. Kayleigh (my drummer) shows up and we try to brainstorm what we're gonna do since we have to practice at this time... (10:30am).
- By the time Aaron (piano player) shows up we take a leap of faith to walk by said lady's open door where she was sitting to get to the big enough practice rooms and... BAM. She's gone and the door is closed.
-answered prayer #1. We practiced.
2) We practiced.
On the FIRST run through God was so with all of us instrumentalists. Kyle (guitar), other Kyle (violin), Kayleigh (again, drums), Aaron (piano... which we found out later, after the fact he hadn't even LISTENED to the song, ever... he's just such a fantastic musician that he learned the song perfectly off just a chart!) and I. The first run through was better than I've ever had a first run through, and it was just... amazing. Ahhh! So good.
-It was the first time I'd had live musicians other than myself playing one of my songs. I felt like it was a glimpse of the future. Yae for Jesus working through me!
3) Got to spend some quality time with my girl Maci working out in the Heron Hallway!!!
-In the words of our RA, "You guys are lucky there aren't visitation hours this weekend, or them boys would be all up in this hallway staring!!!"
-Lunges people. And "Sexy squats" apparently.
4) I got a LOT of homework done. I was feeling REALLY bombarded with a bunch of stuff to do and such... and I buckled down and focused for a couple hours and made a serious dent. Not all, but a solid dent.
5) I checked on my youtube video I posted last night at circa like... 1am and GUESS WHAT? It had near 300 views already! (Around 3pm-ish)
-Then I checked around 10-ish... after the bball game (which we owned by like 50pts) and there was almost 400!
- Then I checked 1 HOUR LATER AND THERE WAS ALMOST 500 views!! In less than a DAY!
-GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!
such an amazing feeling.
6) I got SEVERAL text messages from friends saying how the song ministered to them and how they felt Jesus through it.
-I mean this in the most humble way possible. THIS IS ALL I WANT IN LIFE!
- Seriously, if I could have NOTHING ELSE, I'd pick being able to affect change in people and people's hearts to turn to Jesus, who is the Only One who can make them whole!
-Which brings me to this, if you're reading this and need encouragement, even if you don't feel like you know me... I'd love to talk to ANYONE, ANYTIME about the Lord! He's good to ALL and wants us ALL to live the best life we possibly can!!!
Here's the video again for anyone who hasn't seen it yet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpT4JSPtB4
Blessings!
<3 Megan :)
(Before I get started... check out my newest original song, "Overcome"!! You can hear the amazing story behind what God's doing through it at the bottom of this post! :) :) :) :) :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpT4JSPtB4)
So here's what happened in my life today.
1) I woke up, and the music buildings I found out were supposed to be closed. There's a monitor lady in there and she says we can't practice til 1pm when it technically opens. Kayleigh (my drummer) shows up and we try to brainstorm what we're gonna do since we have to practice at this time... (10:30am).
- By the time Aaron (piano player) shows up we take a leap of faith to walk by said lady's open door where she was sitting to get to the big enough practice rooms and... BAM. She's gone and the door is closed.
-answered prayer #1. We practiced.
2) We practiced.
On the FIRST run through God was so with all of us instrumentalists. Kyle (guitar), other Kyle (violin), Kayleigh (again, drums), Aaron (piano... which we found out later, after the fact he hadn't even LISTENED to the song, ever... he's just such a fantastic musician that he learned the song perfectly off just a chart!) and I. The first run through was better than I've ever had a first run through, and it was just... amazing. Ahhh! So good.
-It was the first time I'd had live musicians other than myself playing one of my songs. I felt like it was a glimpse of the future. Yae for Jesus working through me!
3) Got to spend some quality time with my girl Maci working out in the Heron Hallway!!!
-In the words of our RA, "You guys are lucky there aren't visitation hours this weekend, or them boys would be all up in this hallway staring!!!"
-Lunges people. And "Sexy squats" apparently.
4) I got a LOT of homework done. I was feeling REALLY bombarded with a bunch of stuff to do and such... and I buckled down and focused for a couple hours and made a serious dent. Not all, but a solid dent.
5) I checked on my youtube video I posted last night at circa like... 1am and GUESS WHAT? It had near 300 views already! (Around 3pm-ish)
-Then I checked around 10-ish... after the bball game (which we owned by like 50pts) and there was almost 400!
- Then I checked 1 HOUR LATER AND THERE WAS ALMOST 500 views!! In less than a DAY!
-GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!!
such an amazing feeling.
6) I got SEVERAL text messages from friends saying how the song ministered to them and how they felt Jesus through it.
-I mean this in the most humble way possible. THIS IS ALL I WANT IN LIFE!
- Seriously, if I could have NOTHING ELSE, I'd pick being able to affect change in people and people's hearts to turn to Jesus, who is the Only One who can make them whole!
-Which brings me to this, if you're reading this and need encouragement, even if you don't feel like you know me... I'd love to talk to ANYONE, ANYTIME about the Lord! He's good to ALL and wants us ALL to live the best life we possibly can!!!
Here's the video again for anyone who hasn't seen it yet!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRpT4JSPtB4
Blessings!
<3 Megan :)
Frustration with a class.
Haha. This is what I'm turning into my teacher for class.
I have an opinion. #sorryimnotsorry
:D Go Jesus. I will stick up for You.
I
am going to be completely honest here.
Reading the book “The Old Testament Story” doesn’t make me very
happy. I’m a Pastors kid, and I’ve grown
up with very strong views on most everything involving the Bible, Jesus, God…
religion in general. (I have personally
taken that upon myself to want to know more about the Bible… it wasn’t shoved
down my throat by any means.)
I
don’t like at ALL how the author writes the book (OTS) as if he’s speculative
to anything regarding Christianity (which yes, you warned us about) because as
I’m reading it I feel as if it’s bashing Christianity if anything. It’s almost as if they’re TRYING to make you
doubt that Christianity could be 100% true, which really makes me sad and a
little bit angry. I just don’t think someone
has the right to tell you that something didn’t concretely happen, if you
really believe that it did. I know there
may not be sound one-hundred-percent perfect evidence of each and everything
written down that happened, but hey, isn’t that where faith comes in?
I
have an interesting view when it comes to how, when, where, and by whom the Old
Testament was produced. I’ve been
reading the Bible every single day (to the best of my ability) since around 8th
grade, and I absolutely love it. I don’t
read it as a “religious act” to try and please God, but solely because I know
as a Christian the Word says for us to renew our minds continuously with the
Word (Hebrews 12:2) so that’s what I’m gonna do, or else God can’t get the
blessings to us! (Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God Romans
10:17… I could quote all day with scriptures to back that up… but that’s beside
the point of this paragraph.) So what does this have to do with who, when,
where, and how it was written? Well… my Bible at the beginning of each book tells
me who wrote it, approximately where and when it was written, and that’s
honestly sufficient for me. I think it’s
immature and unnecessary to get caught up in the minute details of pure OPINION
of who, what, where, when, how… and I’d rather spend time reading God’s Word
and with the Big Guy Upstairs who has so heavily transformed my life than argue
about when, where, or who wrote it.
Again I may sound narrow minded, but I’m just being completely
honest. I think too often in society
today people are SO wrapped up with “religion, religion, religion” and aren’t
concerned enough with the fact that God wants to help us in every arena of our
life and light our path that He has made just for us so we can prosper and be
the best “us” we can be! Instead of the
minute details that people have argued about for centuries, I’d like to go up
to them and ask them what God’s done in their life lately, and see if they’re
even doing something productive in their spiritual walk with Him. And I apologize if that sounds super pias or
judgmental. Not my intention. I just genuinely want what’s best for people
and it saddens me when I feel as though people are missing the POINT. I know what God has done in my life and
although I certainly don’t have the worst life, I know that there are
DEFINITELY things that I could NOT have overcome without Jesus. So the details
of who, where, when, and how the Old Testament was written are about as
important to me as is skydiving is to someone terrified of heights. Ok… that
was a bit extreme…
Bottom
line is, I believe the Bible is the Bible. I personally read the NKJV and if
you read NIV, cool at least you’re reading the Bible. My Bible may say Moses wrote Exodus, and
yours may say 15 different people wrote it.
At least that means you cared enough to open the greatest book of all
time, which is more than we can say for a lot of people.
So
no, I don’t think there is much that is going to change my mind about how I
view the development of the Old Testament, although I am very interested so far
to read and learn about the “two views” of Genesis. I think it’s really interesting because I
definitely fit with one of the two, and that’s cool that people have recognized
that there very well are two ways to think about it. So maybe during the course of this class some
minute details could change about how I view the OT; (my eyes could be opened
in a way where I simply just had never heard of a certain explanation of
something,) but as far as my foundation and deepest beliefs, I don’t foresee
those changing.
-And that's what she wrote.
<3 Megan :)
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
A reflection.
So I could write right now about my break, about my first week back at college, but something has come up much more pressing. (I will write about that soon)
*Side Note* My first song of my album is PRODUCED AND READY TO GO!
Title: "You Are". Can be seen very roughly on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/meganswansonmusic
I need to brag about my God, hardcore right now.
(Happy Megan.)
As I grow up each and every day (or so it feels like in college) I feel as though a new opportunity arises where I could just crumble if I didn't have Jesus. I'm serious. I don't even care if that sounds cliché because it's 1000000% true.
For example. I've been trying to switch to a new voice teacher for a couple weeks now; been emailing my new and old one back and forth. You'd think it'd be simple and that people wouldn't take it personally or as seriously as the world ending, but here at school it's a really big deal. You must get 3 very important signatures, and in the process one of them must be your current teacher. So after a lot of awkward and uncomfortable conversations, I finally got all 3. BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!!!
Amongst literally praying every single step of the way, there seemed to be another complication. For instance, the teacher I wanted to switch to is an adjunct (part time teacher) so they can't override her capacity of students, even though she said she had room for me and had already given me a lesson time. So I casted that care on the Lord and spoke against it saying "devil, you have no authority to block me from getting the perfect teacher for me, I will be her student and this situation isn't too big for God, I trust in you Father that it's done in Jesus name and it's all worked out." You may think I'm crazy, but that's what the Word tells me to do so by golly I did it.
Problem two, the director of vocal activities doesn't have enough authority to override the situation either, so he had to get special permission from the DEAN of Music to help with this request.
So... although my flesh SUPER wanted to freak out, I prayed, thanking God that "He will give me the desires of my heart" (Psalm 37:4) as I delight myself in Him, so instead of worrying, (2 Tim 1:7) I chose to thank God that even that couldn't stop the situation, but rather that I WOULD study with the teacher I wanted.
Problem three. The director of vocal activities said that since the teacher I requested's was full, he would have to put me in a studio of someone who is full time, whom I know nothing about. (Which could turn out to be really awesome, it just wasn't what I was praying for...)
All of this spanned between 2 days. Mostly 1 day between 11am and 1pm.
Manyyyy hours later, (around 10pm now, going to check my email with Godly hope still hanging on,) I see I have an email from the teacher I requested, saying that by "fate", a student had JUST switched majors out of being a music major FROM HER STUDIO, opening up a spot for me!!!!!!!!!!!
- Fate? Nah. God's just good! :)
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! Even when, and ESPECIALLY WHEN we can't see the way out with the natural eye!
So that's the first thing I got to brag about. :D
2nd of all, I secured an accompanist today who is organized and I'm really excited about. This late in the running, it's a miracle he had spots open. Praise God!
Also. I thank God that He's given me strength to fast this week. I've walked in bondage to food for a really really long time, not even realizing that I was putting food around... 2nd in my life, and certainly not putting God 1st. I didn't realize how much I really idolized it, thinking about it all the time even though I was so afraid of gaining weight at the same time. It's funny how the devil tries to mess with you in that way, trying to create a vicious cycle of hate towards yourself in constant bondage to the one thing that makes you unhappy about yourself.
BUT... thanks to a solid 3 weeks at home where Pastor Tony just so "happened" to be speaking on the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) for 3 weeks straight, my faith was built up soooo much, and I just soaked up the time with my family, and church family. (Click here for some AWESOME teaching from him!!! Just click on the Sermons/Teaching tab! He's wonderful in every way.)
I felt myself being transformed and it was amazing! With more time in the Word than just a mere chapter a day, I find myself truly thinking on things of Christ from the minute I get up, and I realize now how deep of a hole I'd gotten into thinking of myself and what I looked like pretty much 24 hours a day.
So back to fasting... my church here in Nashville as a congregation are fasting this whole week (M-Fri) and I've never fasted before. So come Sunday night I prayed about what the Lord would have me fast, knowing well that a 5 day "water fast" was not the right fast for me, because I'd most likely do it for the wrong reasons; that being to lose weight. So I prayed and quickly God showed me!
So here's my plan for the week:
Monday (yesterday) was a Daniel Fast (all uncooked fruits and veggies) - harder than you'd think.
Tuesday (today)- Liquid Fast... only drankin liquids!
Wednesday (the peak for me of the fast) ALL WATER! - I will be STANDING SOO FIRM on Philippians 4:13 tomorrow (I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me) it's gonna be craaaazy.
Thursday- another liquid fast
Friday- Back to Daniel.
I'm excited for what the Lord will reveal to me as I spend time with Him and He gives me ears to hear!!!!! :) He's so good. He never fails. It's impossible for His promises to be No as long as it's in His will.
I'm pumped. and guess what? I just got done studying for like 3 hours of MUSIC HISTORY and I'm still this pumped about Jesus. That's the joy He brings!!!!! :)
Go God.
Goodnight.
Megs. :)
p.s. LAURA "FOZZYBEAR" FOSTER (aka Best Friend In The Whole Wide World) is coming to NASHHHHHVILLLLEEE right before my spring break! Watch out world, we're being reunited in a whole new city! Love her!
*Side Note* My first song of my album is PRODUCED AND READY TO GO!
Title: "You Are". Can be seen very roughly on youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/meganswansonmusic
I need to brag about my God, hardcore right now.
(Happy Megan.)
Yeah... my hair is RED!!! (ish brownish) and I love it!
Also... I'm thinking of cutting it... which do you like?
No... I'm not showing you I can count to 4.
Also... don't forget to read ALL the way to the bottom. There's a surprise!!!
Now to da' deepah' stuff...
As I grow up each and every day (or so it feels like in college) I feel as though a new opportunity arises where I could just crumble if I didn't have Jesus. I'm serious. I don't even care if that sounds cliché because it's 1000000% true.
For example. I've been trying to switch to a new voice teacher for a couple weeks now; been emailing my new and old one back and forth. You'd think it'd be simple and that people wouldn't take it personally or as seriously as the world ending, but here at school it's a really big deal. You must get 3 very important signatures, and in the process one of them must be your current teacher. So after a lot of awkward and uncomfortable conversations, I finally got all 3. BUT WAIT... THERE'S MORE!!!
Amongst literally praying every single step of the way, there seemed to be another complication. For instance, the teacher I wanted to switch to is an adjunct (part time teacher) so they can't override her capacity of students, even though she said she had room for me and had already given me a lesson time. So I casted that care on the Lord and spoke against it saying "devil, you have no authority to block me from getting the perfect teacher for me, I will be her student and this situation isn't too big for God, I trust in you Father that it's done in Jesus name and it's all worked out." You may think I'm crazy, but that's what the Word tells me to do so by golly I did it.
Problem two, the director of vocal activities doesn't have enough authority to override the situation either, so he had to get special permission from the DEAN of Music to help with this request.
So... although my flesh SUPER wanted to freak out, I prayed, thanking God that "He will give me the desires of my heart" (Psalm 37:4) as I delight myself in Him, so instead of worrying, (2 Tim 1:7) I chose to thank God that even that couldn't stop the situation, but rather that I WOULD study with the teacher I wanted.
Problem three. The director of vocal activities said that since the teacher I requested's was full, he would have to put me in a studio of someone who is full time, whom I know nothing about. (Which could turn out to be really awesome, it just wasn't what I was praying for...)
All of this spanned between 2 days. Mostly 1 day between 11am and 1pm.
Manyyyy hours later, (around 10pm now, going to check my email with Godly hope still hanging on,) I see I have an email from the teacher I requested, saying that by "fate", a student had JUST switched majors out of being a music major FROM HER STUDIO, opening up a spot for me!!!!!!!!!!!
- Fate? Nah. God's just good! :)
NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! Even when, and ESPECIALLY WHEN we can't see the way out with the natural eye!
So that's the first thing I got to brag about. :D
2nd of all, I secured an accompanist today who is organized and I'm really excited about. This late in the running, it's a miracle he had spots open. Praise God!
Also. I thank God that He's given me strength to fast this week. I've walked in bondage to food for a really really long time, not even realizing that I was putting food around... 2nd in my life, and certainly not putting God 1st. I didn't realize how much I really idolized it, thinking about it all the time even though I was so afraid of gaining weight at the same time. It's funny how the devil tries to mess with you in that way, trying to create a vicious cycle of hate towards yourself in constant bondage to the one thing that makes you unhappy about yourself. 
BUT... thanks to a solid 3 weeks at home where Pastor Tony just so "happened" to be speaking on the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) for 3 weeks straight, my faith was built up soooo much, and I just soaked up the time with my family, and church family. (Click here for some AWESOME teaching from him!!! Just click on the Sermons/Teaching tab! He's wonderful in every way.)I felt myself being transformed and it was amazing! With more time in the Word than just a mere chapter a day, I find myself truly thinking on things of Christ from the minute I get up, and I realize now how deep of a hole I'd gotten into thinking of myself and what I looked like pretty much 24 hours a day.
So back to fasting... my church here in Nashville as a congregation are fasting this whole week (M-Fri) and I've never fasted before. So come Sunday night I prayed about what the Lord would have me fast, knowing well that a 5 day "water fast" was not the right fast for me, because I'd most likely do it for the wrong reasons; that being to lose weight. So I prayed and quickly God showed me!
So here's my plan for the week:
Monday (yesterday) was a Daniel Fast (all uncooked fruits and veggies) - harder than you'd think.
Tuesday (today)- Liquid Fast... only drankin liquids!
Wednesday (the peak for me of the fast) ALL WATER! - I will be STANDING SOO FIRM on Philippians 4:13 tomorrow (I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me) it's gonna be craaaazy.
Thursday- another liquid fast
Friday- Back to Daniel.
I'm excited for what the Lord will reveal to me as I spend time with Him and He gives me ears to hear!!!!! :) He's so good. He never fails. It's impossible for His promises to be No as long as it's in His will.
I'm pumped. and guess what? I just got done studying for like 3 hours of MUSIC HISTORY and I'm still this pumped about Jesus. That's the joy He brings!!!!! :)
Go God.
Goodnight.
Megs. :)
p.s. LAURA "FOZZYBEAR" FOSTER (aka Best Friend In The Whole Wide World) is coming to NASHHHHHVILLLLEEE right before my spring break! Watch out world, we're being reunited in a whole new city! Love her!
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