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.

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. ;)

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.

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 :)

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

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. :)

The Truth about Valentine's Day... in my opinion.

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 :)