Thank You God!!!

I am so blessed. I could never express enough gratitude for all that the Lord has blessed me with. I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I am thankful that He has brought people in my life who aren't afraid to be uncomfortable and dig deeper. That they have put themselves second to my needs and shown me what true love is. Thank you God! I am thankful for the wonderful jobs that I have and the nursing program I am in in school. I'm thankful for the mind that God has blessed me with and that I am able to excel in school and that it comes easy for me. I am thankful for my patients at work that have taught me what it means to humble yourself and care deeply about others. They have also taught me that LOVE doesn't have to be reciprocated... you should love with no expectations. I am thankful for material things to: the food I eat, the bed I sleep in, the car that gets me from A to B. I am thankful for my Monday night small group. They have become a family to me and have brought me closer to God each and every week. I am thankful for my church family and all the wonderful opportunities I've gotten to take from my church job. I'm thankful for the youth group and the challenge and joy that they've been to me. I'm thankful for the trials I've faced the past few months and the growth that has come from this season of life. I am thankful for the married couples in my life that have truly shown me what love between a man and a wife should be like. So many beautiful blessings in my life. I am simply thankful. THANK YOU GOD!!!!

A New Season

Be still and know that I am God. -Psalm 46:10

With all of the hustle and bustle of this time of year it seems to be even harder to sit back and LISTEN to what God is telling us. We've got TO DO lists that are a mile long and very limited time to get things done. But that doesn't mean that we aren't struggling with things on the inside. I know that things are going on my life that I'm looking for peace in... and really I could use a new start in some aspects of my life as well. But in order to find peace and a new beginning I have to remember to take time out from the hustle and bustle and to simply be still.

I'm ready for a new season in my life. I want a new season. I want to know what God has in store for me in my life and for this next season. But instead of "creating" my own season by making rash decisions based only on my own knowledge I should be praying about it. I need to be asking God to renew me, to speak to me, and to prepare my heart for the new things He has in store for me. I should be enjoying the anticipation of what God is doing in my life instead of mapping it all out on my own!

But this makes me address some questions: Where am I in my life? Am I at the center of God's will? Is my relationship with Him flourishing or is it stagnant? Am I longing for something new in my life? I think it's important that you realize where you are in your life and making sure that you have God's will in the center of your life. It's okay to long for something new. But lean on God for that. Express the desire to Him. Sit and be still and listen for His directions. And be assured that He WILL respond.

You don't have to wait until January first for him to respond either. He is the God of new things!! The Bible speaks of "new songs" quite a bit... check it out Psalm 40:3 and 98: 1 and Rev 5:9 and 14: 3. God is sooo interested in new songs!! Why? Because they arise out of new experiences, new ways in which He has revealed Himself to us (in our lives).

So when you are tired of the "same old song" that keeps playing on and on come to Him and ask for the new. Ask God what song is next and be sure that He will answer. :0)

"I'm Single" Part I

I don't want to settle and I don't want to see any of my friends to settle for anyone less than what God has planned for them. It's hard to do, you know? To sit around and wait for God to bring someone into your life isn't an easy feat when the world has programed us to believe satisfaction should be immediate.

I just had a conversation with a friend this morning about how she was ready to get married and start a family. She said that everyone around her was getting married and she really wanted that for herself. It's hard to wait patiently when everyone around you seems to be blissfully in love while they are picking out wedding dresses and baby names! Okay maybe not for the boys... but for us girls... we've been planning since we were old enough to watch Disney Princess movies!

But lately, I've been doing a lot of meditation on 1 Corinthians 7 and what it means to be in a "single" season of my life. Of course I long for a beautiful love story and to find my knight in shining armor! But this is a season of life that may be limited if marriage is God's will for me. There is no other time in my life that I will be able to focus all my time and energy on my relationship with Jesus Christ! This time in my life is so important! I'm learning how to trust God and to become a Christian woman! I'm in a season of life where I am capable of preparing for being a wife! And men... you too are in a stage where you can prepare to be an awesome husband even if you are single right now! We don't have to wait around until we meet "the one" to prepare. I mean do you really wait until the big day of a half marathon to prepare yourself? Of course not!

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

This time is perfect for learning to trust and rely on my Prince of Peace so that when I do find my knight in shining armor I don't have unrealistic expectations for him. I'm seeking what it means to be a Christian woman and what my role as a wife will entail one day. I'm seeking friendships with men and women alike for that purpose only... to be friends! I know that God has a plan for me and I'm confident that when he feels the time is right he will bring me someone better than I could have ever imagined!

Being single is an opportunity to discover who God has made us to be and what He has called us to in this life. - Eric and Leslie Ludy

I'm sure you have been in a relationship where you lost sight of who you were. Okay maybe that's just me but I know that when I go into a relationship and lose sight of myself it never works out. I need to know exactly who God created me to be and understand that I have a purpose as an individual. Also, that Jesus Christ is my priority and what a godly relationship entails. I'm thankful to God that He has taught me all of these things and I pray that he continues to speak to my heart about this!

I have a lot more to say but I don't have the time today :) More coming later!

God's Blessings,
Meg!

Beautiful Christian Sister!

I found this beautiful essay by Maya Angelou... it seems more of a poem to me but I think it's fantabulous so of course I wanted to share!

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN SISTER
By Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.
'When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow! --Maya Angelou

The Crowd or The Cross

I haven't been real on top of my blogging but I think I am on my way to getting back on track! Last week at Render Pastor Jeremy shared this wonderful video with all of us. Check it out!! The message below is included in the video. It really made me think and it opened my eyes to the reason I can't find REAL joy in earthly things! Without The Cross I am nothing. I just can't care about the crowd any longer. This seems like a good place for new beginnings... here I go!

:)

The Crowd...or The Cross?

Two Voices Which is louder to you?

The crowd says follow us.
The Cross says follow ME.

The crowd says rely on yourself.
The Cross says rely on ME.

The crowd says earn your worth.
The Cross says I AM your worth.

The crowd says bear your burdens.
The Cross says nail them to ME.

The crowd says be happy.
The Cross says be HOLY.

The crowd says if it feels good, do it.
The Cross says for loves’ sake ENDURE it.

The crowd says honor yourself.
The Cross says HUMBLE yourself.

The crowd says do.
The Cross says DONE.

Too many times we get caught up in what the world tells us to do. We are constantly bombarded with words and images that drive us away from our eternal perspective. It's easy to ignore the soft whisper of Christ's words when the world is telling us to do what feels good or what feels right. The world tells us do, do, do. If the gospel of Jesus Christs were summed up to one word, it would be DONE. So what will it be The crowd...or The Cross?

Love ya'll!

Megan

Behind Closed Doors

This might sound a little strange but lately I've been comparing my life to a house. Let me explain! I have a lot going on in my life! I have different groups of friends, two jobs, schoos, family, church, boy/girl relationships, God, etc. SO MUCH to juggle and maintain! Well to me each of these aspects signifies a room in "my house."

I like to think of my main rooms of my house as the ones that I let God be apart of readily. For example, I'll put my family in the living room. I'll put church life/church family in the kitchen (we always have yummy food at church so this seems fitting), and then my jobs in the dining room. My group of friends that I like to consider my "God squad friends"... the ones I know are open about their faith in God, the ones that I spend time worshiping God with, and most of the activities we do are to glorify God, that part of my life can go in the family room. It's super easy letting God right in the front door and leading him myself to these rooms. I'm holding His hand practially dragging Him into each and everyone one of these "rooms".

But in other aspects of my life I've had more trouble opening the door for God. Let's talk about my school life which I'm going to put in the office. Offices are pretty mey and that's kind of how I feel about school. Nursing school is tough... there is so much going on when it comes to school: tests, homework, studying, practicing, stress, demonstrations, reading, instructors and classmates, clinicals, etc. It's a whirlwind. Everyone is focused on getting good grades, passing tets out demos, and clinical prep. It's easy to push God away. A negative attitude pops up, ungretfullness seeps in, talking bad about an instructor, etc. But lately I've been cleaning up my office. Clearing off a space on my desk for God to join my in my school day. Afterall most of my time is spent at school... I'd hate to live without God during school which seems to take up ALL of my time. In order to start cleaning and to open this door that is typically closed I've focused on being thankful for this wonderful mind that God blessed me with and the opportunity of being able to attend nursing shool. I've been praying for His help and guidance when I'm stressed. I've been trying to demonstrate love to others by helping them when I can. And the hardest part has been avoiding negativity when things get tough.

So then there is my social life. Oh boy have I been trying to keep this room blocked off from God. I didn't want Him to take any part of my weekend until Sunday morning came along. So what if I went out with my friends and had a few too many drinks, stayed out to late, and flirted with some "lucky" gent. I'm having fun... I'm not doing anything illegal! But recently I've realized that it alters my mood and the choices that I make. I'd come home and go strait to bed without praying. i'd feel less than perfect the next day. I'd feel bad about dancing with that boy I had no interest in. And I knew it was taking it's toll on my body... God's gift of a body. This is still a challenge for me. I'm trying to find other things to do on the weekend to have fun without jeapordizing my beliefs and doing things that I don't want to hide from God. This is the basement of my house... "Oh come on God, the basement is dark and cold and really you don't want to go down there."

My friends love to go out! They love boys, they love to party, and they love to gossip! Now don't get me wrong these ladies are AMAZING women! They are beautiful on the inside and out. They have gotten me through some very tough times and have huge hearts!! But I will be the first to admit that when we're all out together I'm right there with them buying a drink and sharing the latest piece of gossip I've acquired. Even the things I knew God was shaking His head at I continued to take part in! But slowly God had started to wedge open the door of the "attic". He started showing me that while I was out doing these things and calling myself a "Chritian" that I was shining a pretty poor late on others. I wasn't representing what Christian's stand for. And I have realized that this is not how I want my awesome God represented! He is more than enough for me... I don't need these worldly things... so why am I doing them???!?!? I don't want anyone to get the idea that I NEED this other stuff. God is more than enough for me!!

And then there is my room. The room that I've had five extra dead bolt locks on since I was fourteen. NO WAY DOES GOD NEED TO BE IN THIS ROOM! This is MY room to have any which way I like it. I made this room extra closed off. This is the room that holds my "romantic relationships." It is my room, my relationship, my way!!! Mine mine mine! I know what I want and what I need. I'll pick the right guy... well enventually. I mean sure it hasn't worked in the past. I've been broken hearted and had failed relationship after failed relationship but really I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING! Okay, so maybe not. Maybe I THINK I know what I want and need but really who knows me better than my Creator? He knows my deepest desires. He knows what make me tick and what makes me melt. Okay okay, maybe He MIGHT know a thing or two about love. He does love me more than anyone else ever could. Maybe I should start undoing the deadbolts and let Him in. He wants nothing more than for me to be happy. Hmm, that's eye opening. Let God in to the most private aspects of my life and give him full reign? Wonder what could happen?

I still try to close the door in God's face sometimes. And I realize after I have done so that my life isn't as good without Him there. I need Him to be in every single aspect of my life. He is all powerful and is capable of so many glorious things! He's protected and provided for me all along. I really do WANT Him with me all the time. I just have to leave the doors wide open. No more hiddng behind closed doors!

Reaching Out

Have you ever had a friend call/text/start any kind of conversation with you... and you could jut tell that something was wrong? Now, let's say you were super busy: a huge exam, work, a date, or some other plan was just the only thing you could focus on at that point... and you blew them off? You may have promised that you'd give them a call back later... but it slips your mind and then it isn't until 4 days later that you REMEMBER your promise. It's happened to me.



Or what about if you know someone is struggling with something. They just broke up with their boyfriend or girlfriend and are hurt by it. They are really stressed out by all that they are juggling. Or maybe they are struggling with their faith. But you don't feel "right" approaching them to lend a listening ear or a helping hand? You let a chance to care for that person slip right through your fingers because you are slightly uncomfortable. I know I've been guilty of this. It doesn't hurt to offer to listen... it might be exactly what the person needs.



It's all about REACHING OUT to other people. What do you do for your fellow brothers and sisters?





What if you and I went for a walk out in the rain and you turned to me and you said you’d like to share just a little of your pain? Well my brother I thought you’d never say I’ve been waiting forever for this day! What if you were to call me up and ask for a minute of my time ’and you cried and said you were different from the rest like it was some kind of crime. Well my sister I hoped that you might come and I promise that you are not the only one. Look me in the eye and tell me honestly what ever lies behind your broken heart is too complex for me. Come and talk to me if for only for a while I am reaching for you. What if you were to tell me you were through with the way that you live cause you take so much from an empty world outside you've got nothing left to give? Well my brother I’ve felt the same way too but someone changed me and He’s got his eye on you. What if you remembered who you were before people broke you down and you realized you were someones little girl? And He loves when you’re around. Well my sister, your dad has seen you hurt and He’s waiting for you with open arms. Nothing hurts Him more than seeing you in pain. Just to see you come so close to Him and turn and walk away. Hide yourself in Him, He will make you brand new. He is reaching out for you. Your God is reaching out for you. He's reaching out for you. -Brandon Heath "Reaching Out"

It seems like we are always so focused on ourselves. What we have to do, what we want, what benefits us. Don't get me wrong you need to take care of yourself but we need to be taking care of our brothers and sisters as well!

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. --1 John 3:17-18

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.-- Luke 10:27

But what if we could move the focus off ourselves and focus on other people. Do you think the world would change? If people started reaching out to others with a helping hand, a listening ear, or a warm hug... I think that there would be more smiles and less tears. It is our duty to help each other and to build each other up. It's a tough world... but we can fight the pain caused by the world's ways by sticking together and focusing on God's way.

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.-- 1Thessalonians 5:11

Even if you aren't a pro at Scripture and don't feel qualified to give spiritual guidance you are still qualified to be a friend and listen. To reach out and help those who are hurting in anyway that you ARE capable.

Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety."(Proverbs 11:14)

We work together to build each other up. We lay a foundation through Christ's love and from there we have all the tools to build relationships that God is joyful for! People fall but we can be there to pick them back up. We can build strength in each other. You never have to do it alone.

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (Proverbs 27:17)


What can you do for someone else today? It could be as little as opening a door for someone or as big as meeting up with someone you know could use some of your time. Let's start serving others, putting our own desires behind, and putting others before us! It might be a challenge but wait until you see the smile on their face and how amazing it is to glorify God through our loving actions :)