¡Me especializo en español! (I’m majoring in Spanish!)

Well, for those of you that don’t know, I am now double majoring in Church Music and Spanish. I was originally minoring in Spanish, but I couldn’t deal with the fact that next spring would be my last Spanish class ever. So, I decided that I would major in it! It will only be about an extra class every semester until I graduate, and I couldn’t be more excited. I love the Spanish language, culture, and history. That’s really my only news for now. I haven’t written anything else recently, but as soon as I do, I will post it here.

¡Adios!

Meghan

Why Do I Wait So Long to Write????

Well, here I am, approaching two months after my last blog post, and I can’t remember many details over the last several weeks. I can barely remember what I eat for breakfast on a day when I am not tired and have nothing to do, so this should be no surprise to me. But, for some reason, I always return to this place, waiting for something to come to my mind to write about. I will now pursue, as always, to inform you of what has occurred in my life, what God has been teaching me, and anything else that comes to mind.

Since my last post, I have successfully completed my first semester of college (yay!!!), almost completed my first Christmas break of college, gone to Passion Conference-and I am so blessed because of it-and done a whole lot of nothing. Christmas break has been more of relaxation than those in high school. In high school it was always consumed by writing Internal Assessments-something for IB for those that don’t know-and my Extended Essay. I always read books, which I have done this break, but this time for pleasure, and focused on the next semester of school. This time around, I am almost reluctant to see the break go. I absolutely love Carson-Newman, but I love my home too. Unfortunately, it has taken my nineteen years to figure that out. I knew Decatur was special, but I never knew how special until I left. Don’t get me wrong, Decatur can be the #2 most boring place on earth, right behind Jefferson City, but it is the people that make the place, not the other way around. My friends, even though most will go away to college, are still found here. But I know that it is not the time for me to be in Decatur. As mentioned several times at Passion, we have seasons in our lives:

“There is an occasion

for everything,

and a time for every activity

under heaven;”-Ecclesiastes 3:1

I will be at Carson-Newman on Wednesday because that is where God wants and needs me to be.

Trying not to repeat myself completely from the last post, I would like to reiterate how BLESSED I am. Really, I am. For some reason, God has been pounding that into my head over the last few months. Even though life has its trials and hardships, I am still blessed.

I’m trying not to ramble, but I have one more thing to share. This is also a slight confession on my part, but more of a revelation. God has given me a strange ability to explain things in a way that makes sense to people (I know I confuse people a lot, but when God illustrates something for me, I, fortunately, share it with clarity). Recently, especially after being at college, this “ability” has taken a hiatus. Until very recently has this remained. On the way back from Passion, I was told many things. One of which is that the body of Christ is a quilt. Just as one would not dismember a patch from a quilt, we don’t need to dismember the body of Christ. This can come in many forms. Whether critiquing worship services, college ministries, or people, when you tear apart a quilt, it no longer serves its purpose- to give warmth. Just as a quilt cannot work separately, the body of Christ cannot function dismembered. Fans of a sports team- I am taking no allegiances at this time- do not cheer against one member of the team during a big game, but rather build them up. How much more important is the goal of Christ than a sports event? Much, much more, I say.

So, I have one last thing to add. I’m asking you to pray for me. I’m asking for you to pray Ephesians 6:19-20. I have no specifics at the moment, and am not at liberty to say, but I figure that this passage will cover everything and more.

“Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.”-Ephesians 6:19-20

In Christ,

Meghan

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