Blessings in Abundance

I am blessed. I am blessed for so many reasons. I am blessed because I have life. I am blessed because I ate today. I am blessed because I have friends. I am blessed because I have family. I am blessed because I have clothes. I am blessed because I am sitting in a college dorm room right now (procrastinating I might add). I am BLESSED because right now, I have a copy of a Bible right next to me, in my native language, not a few pages because I had to share it, and on my shelves I have 4 more Bibles.

It is for these reasons that I am thankful. I am thankful that God has blessed me beyond measure. I am thankful that I have Christ. I am thankful that He has put me in a country where I have countless resources to further my knowledge (not satisfy) about Him and spread the gospel freely. I am thankful that I have the opportunities, though I don’t always take advantage of them. I am human, therefore I mess up. I mess up lots. I don’t pray when I should, I don’t read my Bible when I should, I don’t stand up for Christ when I should, and I definitely don’t always give thanks like I should.

In this season of Thanksgiving, I felt like I should remind myself about why I should be thankful. This is as much, if not more, for me as it is for you. I feel like I need to use this time to remind myself of my blessings. So here is a list of reasons why I am blessed, and it is certainly NOT exhaustive.

1. I am saved by the power of Christ Jesus. Yeah, it sounds good. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. “-1 Peter 1:3-5.

2. I have the ability to write this write now. I have a computer, I am literate, I live in America.

3. I have a family that is there for me. Both of my parents are actively involved in my life and for this I am grateful.

4. My friends are the most amazing people ever. Hands down, they are some of the most encouraging, honest, godliest people I know. For this reason I am blessed beyond measure. “We always thank God for all of you, remembering you constantly in our prayers.”-1 Thessalonians 1:2

5. I have a Bible. I cannot express to you how blessed I am to have the ability to read God’s Word whenever I need it, want it, or whenever He wants me to (this does not mean I do it though). When people are in other countries literally dying to get their hands on a book I have lying next to me at this very moment, I cannot help but feel blessed.

I feel the need to say that this list is not exhaustive. I have so many more blessings in my life such as my home church, the education I received and am receiving, clothes, literacy, food, cars, health, safety, and so much more. I encourage you to, over the next few days, write down a list of things you are thankful for. Write down things that are blessings, even if you don’t feel they are.

Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.-Ephesians 6:24

Meghan

LIFE

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content- whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.-Philippians 4:11b-13

As I’m sitting, sipping on coffee, listening to some music with the UT-Alabama game on in the background (Go Vols), I realized that I haven’t blogged in a month. It’s not that I haven’t had the time, I’ve just simply forgotten. I have had significant amounts of down time, surprisingly, but everything else in my life has been really crazy. So, I have decided to update you on my life. Read it, or not, it’s your decision.

First, God is good. Me, not so much. I cannot comprehend the faithfulness of my Father, even though mine is wavering. I have been blessed with great, God-fearing friends, understanding professors, and a great college. But I have found myself thinking about my “Jesus-quota.” One of the dangers I have found that I encounter by attending a Christian college is that you are more likely to get into mundane, or lukewarm, Christianity. Because I have a chapel requirement, everyone goes to church, and there are two big Christian organization services on Mondays and Wednesdays, it is so easy to get caught up in attending things and forget the relationship with Christ part. It’s still a daily struggle to keep Christ first.

Next, I have been home once since August 19^th. It is so weird not being home, but I feel like I have adjusted pretty well. I won’t be back home till Thanksgiving break, but I’m ok with that. College is amazing (the waking up and going to class part, not so much, but don’t worry, I haven’t skipped any classes yet), and God is good, so, though I miss home, it hasn’t been that hard of an adjustment to college life.

Have I mentioned God is good? Because He is.

That’s about it, though. I know it’s brief, but my life has pretty much been classes, homework, God, practicing, church stuff, and being attacked by squirrels. Oh, and football. Lots of football. And, for those that are wondering, I am not exaggerating about the squirrels on campus. They are ridiculous. And there is one that was making duck noises outside my window last week. Check out the video on facebook if you don’t believe me. Life is crazy, but God is good. I think that summarizes my college semester so far.

The LORD bless you

and protect you;

the LORD make His face shine

on you,

the LORD look with favor on you

and give peace.

-Numbers 6:24-26

Meghan

God Does What Google Can’t: Google + Can Help You Connect With Friends, but God Gives You Friends

I apologize for my blogging hiatus. It’s not that I haven’t had time to write, I just simply haven’t been inspired. So now, I’m sitting in the basement of my dorm, waiting on my laundry to be dry, and listening to Needtobreathe’s new album (as a point of personal privilege, if you haven’t gotten their album yet, do it! You will not regret it). I wish I had a large cup of coffee and a blanket, but since it feels like July in Alabama down here, I chose not to take that action.

This topic that I will be tackling today is something near and dear to my heart. I am not going to go through every extreme detail of my situation previous to gaining some of the best friends anyone could have, but if you go to my previous blog post entitled “My Story,” found here: http://meghanclayton.blogspot.com/2011/07/my-story.html, you can see my shortened, condensed version of the would be 20-page long story of how I was introduced to some amazing, Godly, people who changed my life forever.

I am, however, going to divulge the importance of friends found in the Bible. I’m not really going to focus on the aspect of God giving you friends, as I am sure each and every one of you has their own personal stories about this matter, and if you do not, trust me, it’s all in God’s timing (yeah I know that’s vague, but it is true. I’d love to talk to you about it over coffee if you are near to me, or maybe email or facebook if you are not).

God places certain people in our lives that compliment, encourage, and bring out the best in us. My best friend Jessica, whom I will refer to numerous times in this, is one of those people. God had PERFECT timing in bringing her into my life. It can be seen in the relationships between David and Jonathan, Naomi and Ruth, and numerous others in the Bible that God will place certain people in your life, or you in theirs, at the perfect time. So, today, I will write about what the Bible says about friendships.

“As the Father has loved Me, I also loved you. Remain in My love…This is My command: love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends, You are My friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you slaves anymore, because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends, because I have made know to you everything I have heard from My Father.”-John 15:9, 12-15

This passage describes Jesus’ relationship with his disciples. I think we have a lot to learn from

Jesus’ relationship with these people. Now, I am not saying that we are Jesus or our friend is Jesus, but the words “Love one another as I have loved you,” really give me an idea of how we should treat one another. We are to sacrifice ourselves in any relationship. I don’t take this passage necessarily to the extent of death, but rather to a self-sacrificing love. This is Jesus’ idea of friendship. He came here to serve (Mark 10:45), and that is how he treated his disciples. He served them, He mentored them, and He loved them. We aren’t given many details of the day-to-day life of Jesus, but we can learn from this passage how He sees friendship.

The one who walks with the wise

will become wise,

but a companion of fools

will suffer harm.

-Proverbs 13: 20

This passage, though I won’t linger on it for long, is one that I enjoy about friendship. It is more about us picking our friends and being wise when we do so. You may take it at face value, I don’t feel the need to elaborate on this one.

(I feel the need right now to inform you that one of the washers is having the largest hissy fit I have ever heard and I think it may either explode or take off flying. So if I die, that would be what happened)

Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them. –Luke 6:31

Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.- Romans 12:10

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, pun on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love- the perfect bond of unity.-Colossians 3:12-14

These passages are just some about how we should act towards others. The first one (Luke 6:31), in the passage, is dealing with enemies, but I believe it is just as applicable to your friends.

Proverbs tends to say lots about the importance of friendships. Here are a few of those:

Without guidance, people fall,

but with many counselors

there is deliverance.

-Proverbs 11:14

A friend loves at all times,

and a brother is born for

a difficult time.

-Proverbs 17:17

Listen to counsel

and receive instruction

so that you may be wise

in later life.

-Proverbs 19:20

A wise warrior is better

than a strong one,

and a man of knowledge

than one of strength;

-Proverbs 24:5

Iron sharpens iron,

and one man sharpens another.

-Proverbs 27:17

I think these verses describe accurately the extreme importance of friendships. And the great thing is, God gives them to us! Giving up relationships to God, in my life, is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I know, without a doubt in my mind, that every single person you come in contact with, is there for a reason. Our lives are shaped by the relationships in them. God is our greatest friend, and He will place people in your life that will pull you closer to Him.

And for Biblical reference, I encourage you to read these passages about friendship. David and Jonathan, seen specifically in 1 Samuel 18:1-4, and Ruth and Naomi, seen in Ruth 1:1-17, are two great examples.

Lastly, I will leave you with quotes by C.S. Lewis:

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.”

“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”

“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.-Ephesians 6:23-24

Meghan

Those Really Annoying Birds in the Morning: To the Glory of the Father

Give the LORD-

You heavenly beings-

Give the LORD the glory due His name;

Worship the LORD

In the splendor of His holiness.

In His temple all cry, “Glory!”

The LORD sat enthroned at the flood;

The LORD sits enthroned,

King forever.

The LORD gives

His people strength;

The LORD blesses His people with peace.

-Psalm 29:1-2;9b-11

I am working on the next part of my God does what Google can’t series, but be patient with me please. So, in the meantime, I am posting this.

The title of this post may have some people confused. I always wake up and hear the birds chirping. If you know me, you should know that I am possibly the most anti-morning person on the face of the earth. I can be pleasant, but it is because I have either one, gotten enough sleep, or two, I don’t have an exhausting schedule in front of me.

As you may have guessed, I am the person who wants to shoot the birds in the morning, not join in with them. Unless I have had the proper amount of sleep, birds that assemble around where I am should hide in their nests.

There is one thing, though, that the birds have right. They sing to glorify their creator. Even though it is, in my opinion, way too early to be perky, we should take a lesson from those really annoying birds. Shouldn’t we wake up and glorify God? Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying we should be Miss Morning Sally or Mr. Morning Sam, but we do need to remember, that even in our exhaustion, Christ should still be the focus of our lives.

I know I am being the BIGGEST hypocrite on the face of the earth right now. I tend to throw things and be cranky and irritable in the mornings, but I’m working on it.

So, in conclusion, try to be like the really annoying birds in the morning. Not waking people up, but glorifying God constantly.

May the peace of the Father be with you

Meghan

God Does What Google Can't: Intro

My lips will glorify You

because Your faithful love is better than life.

So I will praise You as long as I live;

at Your name, I will lift up my hands.

You satisfy me as with rich food;

my mouth will praise You with joyful lips.

-Psalm 63:3-5

I’m a fan of Google. I’d even say that I’m a Google Guru. Maybe not extreme Google Guru, but I do know most things, and use, that Google is capable of. I’d say, if you live in the 21^st century, own a computer, and are under the age of, let’s say, 35, you are a Google Guru. Google can do most everything.

However, there is one thing that Google can’t do. It can’t ever be God. Ever. Sometimes, we put things above God and trust Google for things we should trust God for (and other things too, Google will just be the subject of this).

I intend for this to be a series of blog posts (and who knows, maybe it will be a book someday) in which I will explore the vast greatness of God.

You must know before I partake in this adventure what the origin of the title of this blog series is called. I was in Lifeway, doing some shopping for some light reading (remember, light for me means under 10 books), when I remembered I wanted a book. I could not find the book (Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears; this is a must-read) and could not remember the authors. What did I do, you may ask? Well, I texted Google. For some strange reason Google did not turn up any results. I was quite frustrated because I really wanted the book, but I figured that God did not want me to have the book.

With my other books in hand, I began to trudge off to the counter. As God would have it, I looked at the shelves of Lifeway one last time, when a book popped out at me. You guessed it! It was Vintage Jesus. God let me focus in on one book. I have started this book and it is progressing slowly, but He has taught me SOOO much by me reading it.

Continuing with the story, I checked out and began to make the lengthy trek home on the Beltline. When I was about halfway home, I had an epiphany. God does what Google can’t. Google must have had a flub in its system because I just texted the same thing and it worked. God works in mysterious ways. So, now I’m here, with the idea that God gave me to write about His glory in comparison to the incompetency of the world.

Maybe this will turn into one of my books. Maybe that’s not what God has planned. I have, however, felt the need to brag on my God lately, so He is giving me an outlet to do that. I hope to use other people’s stories and continue to brag on Him till the day I die, even if it is not in this blog. I have seven topic as of right now:

1. Give you wisdom

2. Google + can help you connect with friends, but God gives you friends

3. A future

4. Google can give you updates on bad news but God gives you hope

5. Jesus died for your sins, Google can’t forgive your sins

6. Google gives you facts about history, God creates history

7. God gives you freedom

There may or may not be more posts than this, but I felt like this would be a good start. These are also not in a certain order. This may turn into something other than what I have intended, but if it is what God has intended, that’s cool too. There may be unrelated posts in between. I make no promises when it comes to this series.

This is my last post before I leave for college (well, I’m 99.9% sure it is), so when I get back to you, I hope to have many awesome things to share about God and what He is doing. I may be in touch with some people about sharing stories about God’s glory in their lives, so be on the lookout!!

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.-1 Peter 5:14b

Meghan

Falling Off Like Leaves

My second favorite time of year (behind winter) is fall. I love the crisp air, the beautiful leaves, pumpkin cookies and coffees, and the boots and scarves I get to wear. One of my favorite parts is the leaves falling. Maybe this is a little weird, because they are dying, but they always remind me of my life.

This leads me to one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It comes off possibly the most “decorated” pages in my Bible. I have marked this page up and down with purple pen, written notes, smiley faces, exclamation points, and underlined so many things. First Peter 2:1-5 (though I may use some after that) is this awesome passage I am talking about.

So rid yourselves of all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisy envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the unadulterated spiritual mild, so that you may grow by it in your salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good. Coming to Him, a living stone-rejected by men but chosen and valuable to God- you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I absolutely love this passage. I don’t have any reason why, but it always sticks out to me and means something different to me each time I read it.

This book was written by Peter to fellow believers being persecuted in Asia Minor. In the opening of this letter he begins to say that you are set apart, given a living hope, then he begins to explain what we should do since we are set apart. I’d encourage you to read all of 1 Peter. It isn’t long at all. It is five chapters in all and you can read it in one sitting, five nights, or whatever you fancy.

The reason I told the background and summarized (very briefly) the first chapter is to let you know that what Peter says in 1:13-the end of the book isn’t optional. We, as Christians, are set apart and therefore are called to be different.

Because we have been born again, we desire to grow. All babies desire to grow. They desire milk and it is a natural instinct for them to do so. So by Peter saying here that we should desire the unadulterated (pure) spiritual milk, it isn’t anything strange. We have been born again and need nourishment (1 Corinthians 3:1-2).

Because of this we must get rid of all things wicked. If we are born again we must DESIRE the “spiritual milk” to grow in Christ because we have the experience that Christ is good. We are valuable to God and are set apart.

I really feel like that last paragraph doesn’t make sense, but it is SO important. I am all about some lists so I think I just might use one right now.

1. Become set apart (born again)

2. Desire the “basics” of Christianity*

3. Grow in our salvation

*by basics, I mean v. 1 of chapter 2. We must turn away from the world and desire to be in Christ & because we are in Christ we cannot be in the world (Romans 12:1-2)

So, back to the first paragraph of this blog. Though it may be weird that I like leaves dying, I think it really is an encouragement to me. Though Peter was talking to “baby” Christians, it speaks to me, a Christian of almost 11 years, just as much. We must die to ourselves to be born again. Though the leaves die in the fall and are dead all winter, they are born again! In spring the trees begin to produce leaves and fruit and flowers. I know this cycle repeats every year, and I feel that we have to that too. Because we are human, we mess up and need to start over sometimes. Not another “re-birth,” but more of a “refresher.” We get filled with the world and we need to take a few days, weeks, months, or even years to focus again on Christ. Peter is telling us here that we need to crave the basics. We need to get rid of all wickedness, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander, and just remember that God is good and focus on that.

So on a personal note, I’d like to say that God is good. This summer, I have been so blessed and deserve none of it. I have received encouragement, renewed relationships, let go of some, made friends, been renewed in the Spirit, and have had the ability to minister to people that I have been praying about for a long time.

I leave for college in 17 days and cannot wait to see where God will take me in this next chapter in my life. I hope to post a few more times before I leave, but I can’t guarantee anything. And when I start school, all bets are off. I do hope that I am able to continue, God willing, this blog and see where it takes me. Who knows, maybe I’ll start my book!

Peace to all of you who are in Christ. -2 Peter 5:14

-Meghan

Spiritual Worth

So, after that last post, I felt like having a lighter subject. Something fun to write, maybe even something cheerful! So, I am here to talk about spiritual worth. Now I intend for this to be a short post, but you know me, so it may end up taking on the looks of the last Harry Potter book (yes, I hope not too).

In this blog I will be using Matthew 10:26-31 (HCSB). This is Jesus speaking:

Therefore, don’t be afraid of them, since there is nothing covered that won’t be uncovered, and nothing hidden that won’t be made know. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light. What you hear in a whisper, proclaim on the housetops. Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s consent. But even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Don’t be afraid of therefore; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Woah, what a passage. Right before this passage, Jesus was predicting persecution. Matthew 10:19-20 says

But when they hand you over, don’t worry about how or what you should speak. For you will be given what to say at that hour, because you are not speaking, but the Spirit of your Father is speaking through you.

How encouraging is that? I mean, we get to have the Spirit, as believer, speaking through us saying the right things! I know for me that is SO encouraging. If you have ever had a conversation with me that has lasted more than… 2 seconds, you know that I can’t speak. Well, I’m not mute, but I have a problem getting the point across. I stumble, search for words, and say “um” a lot. But when I am filled with the Holy Spirit, boy do things happen. I am not the source of these things! I don’t want the credit for ANYTHING I say. NEVER!!! It is not me who is speaking, but rather the Spirit who says all things true.

That is who I am. I am not someone who stutters through life and can’t find the words to say. I am God’s child! I am filled with the Holy Spirit and have my worth in THAT. The Father, my Father, knows how many hairs I have on my head. He knows how many hairs I have EVER had on my head. The Father doesn’t let birds die without His consent! Jesus tells us here that we are worth more than the sparrows. What more does the Father have planned for His children if we mean more than birds that He controls?

Our worth is found in Christ. If there is any good in me, it is good that Christ is in me. I really hope that makes sense. The Holy Spirit that resides in me is the only good that shines from me. As evil beings, humans have no good. There is only one good: God. I don’t want to be compared to the only good. If the only good is God, then who am I to call myself a “good” person? I want the only good produced from my body to be from the goodness of my good God. (I really hope that made sense. If not, just ask).

My musical abilities, intelligence (though not lots), and analogies have no significance outside of the Father. These abilities mean nothing! I have NO worth outside of the Father. My value is found in my relationship with Christ.

So, that’s about it. Don’t take this for truth. Research and struggle with it on your own. I’d encourage you to read Romans or 1 Corinthians. This is Romans 8:1-11 (paraphrased)

Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. …For those whos lives are according to the flesh think about things of the flesh, BUT THOSE WHOSE LIVES ARE ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT, ABOUT THINGS OF THE SPIRIT. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace….You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit , since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to Him. Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus form the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.

Well, that is all for now.

Grace to you and peace from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.- 1 Corinthians 1:3

-Meghan

My Story

Well, I feel it is about time to give my testimony of what the Father has done in my life. Just a reminder, this blog is not to glorify myself but to glorify the Father and who He is and what He has done in my life. Most of my close friends have either heard my testimony or lived it with me. This is going to be the full version (somewhat) and if you make it to the end, you may or may not get a cookie.

I was born and started attending a Southern Baptist church. I have always been Southern Baptist at the same church since the date of my birth. I was saved in the fall of my third grade year and baptized shortly after. I went to the new believers Sunday School class and everything. I even have the certificate to prove it. I thought that was enough.

Fortunately, it’s not. Christianity, I have learned, is not about going to heaven. Yeah, heaven is going to be the best thing since sliced bread, but being where my Father is will be so much better than heaven. I would rather be with my Father than heaven without my Father.

Back to the story. Well, I went through the rest of elementary school and middle school and was very successful in avoiding the “bad stuff.” I wouldn’t say that I wasn’t a Christian or was a lukewarm Christian, just that I didn’t get it. When you are saved at a young age (and I don’t discourage being saved at a young age at all), you get that you will go to heaven and why Jesus came to die for you sins, but having a relationship with Him isn’t what you get. You pray for safety, the new toy for Christmas, and world peace, but you don’t really get the whole “relationship” concept.

Let’s fast forward to April 2009. I’m in the tenth grade, sitting on a Wednesday night in youth group hearing the gospel presented. I had heard it hundreds of times (or it seemed like it), but something about this time was different. It wasn’t the message being presented, the way it was presented, where it was, but God had a special tug being pulled on my heart. I decided that night, in silence that that was the point that I was going to change. I would read my Bible and give the “all-in” Christianity a try.

I began reading Nehemiah. It is a great story for someone who has just rededicated their life. It is about rebuilding, confession of sin, resettling, faithfulness, and dedication. Then I read Esther, 1 & 2 Samuel, and kept going. I just kept reading. Well, at that point it was summer.

Then I met Anna Ralston. She didn’t change my life, but God did through her. She showed me what the Father looks like. She showed me that you can be crazy about Jesus. She showed me that I can live a life that is Biblical in this society. I realized that we weren’t called to just call ourselves Christians. I realized that we were called to be followers of Christ. Calling yourself a Christian and being a follower of Christ are two totally different things. Radically different things.

I went to a little camp called Super Summer and experienced the Father. I learned about things that you don’t hear talked about in the church such as the Doctrine of the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, and the Trinity. I learned things that I thought only preachers needed to know.

Ok, so in short, that summer was a life changing experience. Then I went back to school. At first it went well, but then I got into a rut. A deep, muddy, ditch that I couldn’t get out of. I was developing a relationship with Christ and couldn’t understand why I felt so bad. I don’t think it was circumstances that I was in this rut, but rather the desire to go deeper and feeling so alone in that feeling. It got a little better as the semester went on, but not great.

The next semester I have named “the worst five months of my life.” Not trying to be dramatic, but it truly was. I was stuck in my life and had nowhere to go. Trying to get out of a rut isn’t easy, but God is faithful.

Through many prayers and great friends, God pulled me out of the situations I was drowning, so to speak, in. Some people may think that because you are a Christian you will have a great day, every day. Hate to say it, but life is hard. It isn’t easy. Being a Christian doesn’t exclude you from being in storms. But, Christianity does give you a way out of the storm.

VERY LONG story short, God plucked (pretty much) every bad influence, or thing that was tearing me down, out of my life. He placed a wonderful friend, Jessica Letson, in my life and blessed me with a great Sunday School teacher and mentor, Heather Anderson, and many others to help me through this difficult time. I am so thankful for them.

Ok, so back to the story. This past year I have named, “the most rewarding year in my life.” I was able to see some of the people I have known for my entire life grow massively in the Father after praying for them and sitting patiently in Sunday School and Bible studies waiting for them to “get it.” These girls, after “getting it” have been a TREMENDOUS blessing to my life. Thank you to Caroline, Meg, Jordan, and Tara for being there for me this year. I will really miss y’all.

God also blessed me with a great friend base through IB. Though I know too much about these people, I am truly blessed and I don’t deserve it. Thanks to Mindy, Miracle, Connor, Jalen, John, Allysa, and Christian for not letting me go insane. It is going to be such a shock not having y’all in my classes next year. It will definitely be a new experience having different people in each of my classes.

Now, I am not saying these things to brag about what God has done in my life. I am saying these things as a sinner who does not deserve the blessings of her Father. Only by grace am I saved, which I don’t deserve, and only by grace am I blessed.

This past year I have experienced God in so many ways. The devil has tried to take away my happiness (such as step and the flu during D-NOW and fifteen billion papers due on the same day), but the Father provides me with joy.

Though I have had weeks where I have had less than 15 hours of sleep and am running on an unhealthy amount of caffeine, I am so blessed because I am alive and have great friends and a great support system. I am also really blessed to have a heavenly Father who knows all and will hold my hand through the good and the bad.

The Father has also provided me with a great college that I will be attending and has blessed me with a way to pay for it. He has blessed me with a great roommate, Kristyn, who has a heart for God. I can’t wait to see what else He has in store for me as I go to Carson-Newman and serve him there.

Ok, if you made it to the end, congrats, go get yourself a cookie. (I never said you would get the cookie from me) Thank you to everyone who has blessed me. I would really like to write more, but then you would deserve an entire box of cookies, and that might make you sick. So, for your health, I will end now. I hope to write more about my life and what the Father has blessed His undeserving child with, but for now, this is it.

The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.-2 Corinthians 13:13

Meghan

Unity in the Body

A month or so back, I began to wonder what life would be like if we greeted and closed conversations how Paul started and ended every one of his letters. As Christians, don’t we have a responsibility to encourage, pray for, and build up the body of Christ in a healthy way?

Yes, I understand that there are many different ways to do this. But when I start a conversation with “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 1:2), I have a really hard time not to encourage and help the body of Christ.

As someone who has a hard time looking at people the way Christ sees them, it is really hard to begin a conversation, letter, or other various forms of communication with that line or one like it. If I spent even half of the time in my life loving the body of Christ as I do attempting to tear it down, I cannot imagine the way Abba would bless that.

Another way that I look at it is we are tearing down His Son. Woah… the body of Christ. (1 Cor. 12:27). When we do not exemplify the body of Christ described in 1 Corinthians 12, we ARE tearing down what Abba, Father has established.

Hold the phone. Did I just say that we are tearing down the body of Christ? Uh, yeah, I did. From my scriptural research and what I have found, that is exactly what I am saying.

We must build up the body of Christ, not tear it down. Judgment from someone other than God, malice against other believers, and lack of encouragement and accountability is tearing down the body of Christ. As believers we MUST spread the gospel as a WHOLE and nothing but. We MUST be unified in our differences.

Now, when I hear or read something like this, I try to find loop holes. Well, let’s define unity via Google.

u·ni·ty

noun /ˈyo͞onətē/  unities, plural 1. The state of being united or joined as a whole, esp. in a political context § - European unity § - economic unity 2. Harmony or agreement between people or groups § - their leaders called for unity between opposing factions 3. The state of forming a complete and pleasing whole, esp. in an artistic context § - the repeated phrase gives the piece unity and cohesion 4. A thing forming a complex whole § - they speak of the three parts as a unity 5. In Aristotle's Poetics, each of the three dramatic principles requiring limitation of the supposed time of a drama to that occupied in acting it or to a single day (unity of time), use of one scene throughout (unity of place), and concentration on the development of a single plot (unity of action) 6. The number one

Ok, so I really like the second and fourth definitions. As the body of Christ, we must be in harmony and form a whole. Woah, I don’t do that. Rarely ever and almost never do I do that.

If we became what is described as the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians, lots of crazy awesome stuff would happen for the glory of the LORD.

So, when was the last time you (and this is directed to myself as well) began a conversation or ended a conversation with a fellow believer with “may the grace of the Father be with you?” Well, I know that was, uh, almost never for me. I attempt to write it in emails, facebook messages, encouragement cards, and recently, blog posts, but honestly, I think I have done it once in an actual conversation.

So my challenge to you (and myself) is to in the next few days start or end a conversation with a fellow believer with Romans 16:24, 1 Corinthians 1:3, or even Ephesians 6:23-24. I guarantee it will be REALLY hard to not build up the body of Christ when you do it. If you have any other suggestions, facebook me, mention it on twitter (@meghanc1229), send me a carrier pigeon, owl, or a various other form of communication such as smoke signals or Morse code. (With the last two, I probably won’t be able to understand it, but that is up to you) Oh, you can talk to me in person too. I love talking about my Abba with other believers!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.-Philippians 4:23

Meghan

Spiritual Salads

As my first blog post, I feel like I need to explain my attempt here. I will post semi-regularly (hopefully) on my life, the analogies that I hear and think of, my feelings about Jesus, and really anything I feel like. I am no Biblical scholar, but have a love for the Word and my LORD. What I write here is from my study of the Word and don’t take it for yourself. Actually, I encourage you to research it on your own. Don’t take my word for it, but rather wrestle with my words and read the Bible for yourself. Send me a Facebook message if you wish and maybe you will be able to shed some light on the situation. Most importantly, my words are not the Bible. This is just from one girl who is passionately in love with her Creator and wishes to share with the world. I hope to share more about myself and what Abba, Father has done in my life. God Bless and enjoy!

Though my absolute hatred for salads might make this post seem a tiny bit odd, it will (hopefully) make sense in the end.

What are most salads made of? Lettuce, spinach, arugula, or various other types of greenery. Our basic foundation of any salad (yes, I am excluding fruit salad) is lettuce or greens. Every Christian should have the same foundation in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:16-17; 1 Cor. 12) yet be different.

While our spiritual gifts, struggles, and sins give us our diversity in Christ (as the body of Christ), we still, as the Body of Christ, are unified in this.

Something I struggle with personally is desiring to be like others in the faith. I desire to be like “so and so” with an ability to do “this or that.” Until recently, I used to think that striving after other’s abilities was ok.

We are each made distinctly different for one single purpose: to glorify Christ and expand His Kingdom. When we do not follow and cultivate our own attributes that God has gifted us with, we are defying God’s purpose for our lives. We have to be satisfied with ourselves and the gifts God has given to us in order to advance the Kingdom. If we are striving to be someone else, no matter how closely that person follows God, we are not following Abba, Father, and therefore will be striving after something other than what our main purpose is. “You can be passionately wrong.”

Personally, after taking a spiritual gifts test this past week, I discovered that my lowest score was mercy. I scored a 12/25. Now, it isn’t super-duper low or anything, but I almost felt as though if I am desiring to follow the Father, I should be more merciful, like He has been in my life. But what I didn’t focus on was my main score. Administration scored 23/25. God has blessed me with the ability to plan and organize and make things happen. If I am so busy focusing on the lack of tomatoes, if you will, in my life, I am not focusing on the boldness of the carrots.

Yes, my “spiritual salad” doesn’t have a lot of tomatoes, but my salad does have carrots. Now, what we have to do is take the prominent spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit provides us with and use them for the Kingdom.

Because I have bookoodles of carrots and not a lot of tomatoes does not mean that God cannot use me. As Christians, we are founded upon the lettuce and the Spirit adds carrots, tomatoes, fruit, croutons, nuts, and various other salad paraphernalia.

So, the entire point of this is to use your gifts and even struggles to glorify God and expand the Kingdom. Use your particular “spiritual salad” to the glory of God.

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who have undying love for our LORD Jesus Christ.-Ephesians 6:23-24

Meghan