Ouch.....

Here stands God on the day of creation. He looks at stars and He says “all you stars move yourself to this place and start in this order and move in a circle and move exactly as I tell you, until I give you another word. Planets-pick yourself up and whirl, make this formation at my command, until I give you another word. He looks at mountains and says “be lifted up” and they obey him. He tells valleys “be cast down” and they obey him. He looks at the sea and says “you will come this far”, and the sea obeys. Then, he looks at you and says “come” and you go “no! Does that bother anyone?

-Paul Washer

Getting Real Personal Real Fast.

You read that title and you're like "Woah now! Whatcha doing?!" We're gonna get real personal real fast. I want to say ahead of time, that I'm not boasting in the sense that I have something greater, I'm more going off the verse in 2 Corinthians where Paul says that he will boast in his weakness because then the power of Christ may rest on me (2 Cor. 12:9). To be honest, I almost didn't write this. During worship at house church tonight, I got the message from God to write this out, that it may encourage someone, but in my head, now 3 hours later, I start to doubt. I start to want to hide it back away in it's hole far away. I begin thinking that people will think I'm trying to get attention, trying to plaster my struggles all over the internet and thus the world. And I promise you that's not the case. If you know me well, you know I'm a very private person. I have a (bad) habit of hiding my struggles to where only me and God see them, and thus, the struggles don't get dealt with until months and even years afterward. So, basically, long story short, I pray that this post, finds itself, in the hands of those that need it, that need the encouragement.

Our world is very materialistic; we all know that. It's all about the bigger and better things. That new phone, that new house, that new job, that new purse, that new outfit, that new whatever. Bigger and Better. And out of that same mentality, the world views relationships. That girl must have the gorgeous, hot boyfriend. That guy must have that super attractive, hot girlfriend. And when you get tired of them, then we'll drop them, and we'll go get a new one. There's other fish in the sea right?! And if you don't have one at all, well then, somethings wrong with you...

I got that message all throughout high school. I love people's reaction when I say I've never dated anyone. Never dated anyone in high school, didn't go to my high school proms, haven't dated in college yet. And I used to get really frustrated, and to be honest, there are for sure still times of frustration. There are times when I look at God and say "WHY?! Why me? Why of all people, did you pick me?! You know I feel sometimes like an outcast right?! Like I'm that un-dateable girl that no one wants! Is this what you want for me?!" And His answer is always, "But I love you. And THAT should be enough." I especially went through the feelings of frustration in high school. I didn't understand. I was confused, frustrated, hurt, mad, exhausted from it, etc. I remember waiting nearing prom, hoping that maybe someone would ask Morgan, but it never happened. And this rooted itself into loneliness and then that branched off into decreased self-worth and self-image. I hated myself. I didn't like what I saw in the mirror. And I'm sure there are people reading this that knew me that would say, "But you didn't act like you didn't like yourself! You were very happy. I think you are mistaken." I'm not mistaken, refer back to paragraph uno. I was even more private then than I am now.

Yes, sitting here in my sophomore/junior year of college, I still sometimes feel those emotions. They still occasionally come, they were especially here back in August, when some pain from months prior finally hit home. But I've learned several things since those few years of high school. 1) I've learned that not having a boyfriend, does not label you as unwanted, unloved, or ugly. I realized later that God had placed a special protection over me. He knew what would result in my self-worth if I had a relationship that failed. I wasn't ready for that. I thought I was at the time, but I wasn't, my emotions and my self-worth were too fragile; my trust could be shattered too easily. And so, I've learned to view it through that lens. God has me saved for someone very special that will walk into my life at the time that God decrees. I can try to fight God on it, but it's not going to change anything really and isn't going to be beneficial. 2) I've learned that before God places that person into my life, my set goal, aside from striving for the Kingdom, should be to prepare myself for that person. To continue to dig into my relationship with God, to create roots so deep in Him, to continue to work through my struggles, so that when that person comes around, I'm not carrying 5 suitcases with me of past junk to weigh down our relationship. I know I need to work on some more patience, some strength, definitely some more trust. Recently, I've really been working on beauty. For one of the first times in a while, after I got ready this morning, I looked in the mirror and thought I was actually beautiful, and then when I got ready for bed, I still thought I was beautiful. That there is a big accomplishment in my life, and there is still more to come! 3) God is my lover. One of the biggest problems with being in society and the world, is that we want to put our relationship in front of or instead of our relationship with God. But that's wrong. We MUST put Him first ALWAYS. God will make sure that this handsome gentleman does not walk into my life until He is constantly first in my life, and quite honestly, I've asked Him to do that! He was already doing it, but since then, I have asked for that. God is my lover, my pursuer, and I must place Him where He belongs as the center of my life in all areas before someone else steps in.

This is never easy. Being a young woman and having no one, except for that guy that wants to share your umbrella because it's raining and he forgot his, show interest in you, is never easy. It goes against what society says we should have and it goes against our personal need for affection. We want people to want us, but we have to remember that God wants us more than anyone else, and we have to want Him more than anyone else. I don't have it all figured out, and I'll never have it all figured out. I just know that yeah, if you're going through the same thing, then you're not alone. I thought I was. I wasn't. Because even if by chance, no one else is around that has been through that, God is truly right next to me and He suffered it all. You're never alone. Never ever ever. And that's an amazing truth! And never settle for second rate. God wants the best for you, and if you settle for second rate, you won't be happy. I have my boundaries clearly set for when that relationship comes, and I will not negotiate them. They are what they are and they are there for a purpose. End of story. I'm preparing myself for the best Christian relationship possible, where God can look down and hopefully say, "Yeah, those are my kids. I set them up for each other, and they're doing a pretty good job and they're making me smile!" I want all that I do to glorify God including my relationships.

So, yeah, that's it. Live in truth. It's important!

A 180-degree Turn Around

Before you being reading, watch the above video because it's really kinda where we're about to go! 

You've watched the video now? Good! Fantastic! Lovely! Let's get started. 

I was shown this video about a year to a year and half ago. I really don't remember the exact date, but it came up as me and my dad were having a discussion on "proselytizing." For those of you that are thinking, "What the heck is proselytizing?!" It's basically telling people that there is a heaven and hell, and if you aren't a Christian, then you are going to hell. At the time, I was pretty adamantly against the idea proselytizing because I felt like it would just offend people and turn them away, and I really just left the topic alone until two nights ago.

Two nights ago, I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine through SWAT, and we had a whole discussion on opinions and when do you share opinions and when do you not, and I remember one of my replies said, "The question becomes is proselytizing ever the right approach?" and then my next reply said, "Playing devil's advocate, what kind of person then gets the fire and brimstone spiel, and which one gets the 'Jesus loves you and I'm not going to tell you about hell spiel'?"

The conversation really got me thinking, and then last night at house church,  God really opened my eyes to the concept. Now, however long since that initial conversation with my father, my opinion has completely changed. 

Here's the deal. First, let's think about Hell. Yes, my junior year of high school, I did a research paper on Hell when we studied Dante's inferno and dug into whether or not it was real and a whole bunch of opinions on the topic of Hell, but really none of that applies at all here. Hell- what is it? Well, it's the place where Satan dwells, a place of torment and misery, a place of eternal damnation, a place of well, hell.... But why is Hell hell? Why? Because the people are completely cut off from God. Can you imagine that? Being completely 100% cut off from God. Psalm 5:4-6 says, "You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors." or look at Psalm 28:4-5, "Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve. Since they show no regard for the works of the Lord and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again." And verses like that are all throughout the Psalms. Hell is hell because those who stand there can't see God, can't feel God, and I hate to say it but God does not love them anymore. Some people are going to get a little offended or uptight about that last statement, but it's true. Those in Hell are unloved by God. Go take a look at the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16! 

So, here we have Hell, being completely cut off from God. Take a couple of moments and seriously think about that concept of being 100% cut off from God. And then return to reading!

********

So, back to our discussion, if I really care about you, then I'm not going to want you to go to Hell. Well, duh! But if I really care about you, then why am I not telling you about it? Why am I not explaining to you that the only way to eternal life and eternal dwelling with God is through Jesus Christ and His death on the cross and resurrection, and that to not accept that means eternal dwelling in Hell? 

I've really thought about that the last couple of days. I would say 99% of the time, we don't share the FULL truth because we are afraid of the social consequences. It might be awkward. It might cause them to not like me. It might cause some hostility. Whatever that consequence might be. And really, the real problem is that I really don't care about you. I care about my personal comfort, because if I really really cared about you, then I would be sharing the Full truth with you because I would deeply care about your eternal dwelling place. I would deeply care that you wouldn't be rejoicing in Heaven with me in front of the Almighty God! And what do we think the apostles were doing? I don't think they were preaching the "warm and fuzzies" gospel that is all full of love and soft teddy bears and blankets like a infant's nursery. The apostles were telling people that there was only one way to Heaven- go look at Peter's spill in Acts 4, "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is 'the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.' Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 

That concept blew me away. If I care about you, I would share the Full truth with you. End of story. We need to quit sugar-coating. We like this whole gospel of, "Jesus love you, and forgives you for your sins. Now, just accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, and that's it, that's all you have to do." We deny that Hell exists because we ignore the concept and the consequences that Hell brings. My conviction comes when I realize what Jesus did on that cross. He did not just forgive me of my sins. He took the punishment that was rightfully MINE, but even more than that, His grace and mercy and forgiveness is that He saved me from Hell. He saved me from eternal death and fire. Because of that we love Him (which we should love Him anyways, but we are corrupted humans...); We love him because of his saving grace and love. So, if I TRULY care about someone, I will place my personal comfort aside, and place someone else's eternal comfort in front of me. I will share with them that I love them SOOOOOOOOO much that I want them to receive eternal life, that I want them to be with me in Heaven, and that it pains me to no end to know that they will not be in the place of rejoicing. We need to value others as God values them, sharing with them the full truth and stop the constant sugar-coating. 

We are now wrapping up. "Morgan, you've seemed to be on a little bit of soap box." It's true. I have been so convicted over the last couple of days of the lousy job that I've been doing of caring about others. I have placed my personal comfort and desires above love others. I can't just show people the light of Jesus Christ through my actions and the occasional Christian Tshirt or cross necklace. I need to love them and invest in them, and ask questions, and really create relationships to where I know that I fully shared the truth with you. And part of it has been personal fear of the social consequences. But look at Luke 12:4-5, "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of he body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." or how about Ezekiel 3:18-19, it's always stopped me in my tracks, "When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sins; but you will have saved yourself."  Ouch. That one hurts. But there is no reason to be afraid- Ezekiel 2:6-7"And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to list, for they are a rebellious house." We have a strength unlike any human strength that comes from God, and we must go. We must use the example the apostles set for us, and share the Gospel with those that have not heard or have not accepted. We must care for others like God cares about them. 

And as an ending, I pray over each one of you Psalm 20, 

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 

May he send you help from the sanctuary 

and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices

and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious

and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord saves his annointed; 

he answers him from his holy heaven

with the saving power of his right hand. 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,

but we rise up and stand firm..."

Article!

HOLA!!! So, I am back from vacation, and unlike last year, I didn't write any sort of blog posts during vacation.... and honestly, I don't have much to say now... but I did come across this article through a friend on facebook and thought it was really good. So, enjoy.
http://redeemer.com/news_and_events/newsletter/?aid=363

"The Danger of a Single Story"

I went on TED because we had watched a part of a video in my Lifespan Development just to see what else is on there. To be honest, I went on there looking for something with a religious nature, instead of going to listen to a message from someone like Louie Giglio, Dr. Art Azurdia, etc. And I can't say that I found what I was looking for, but honestly, I didn't look very far. But instead, I found this video, and I really encourage you to watch. 

Not Understanding

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” –John 13:7 Jesus said these words to Peter right before He washed his feet, right before they enjoyed their last meal together, right before the anguish of Jesus would cause Him to sweat blood in the garden, right before Jesus would be arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified. And these words have been ringing in my ears for days. “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven!

My Dad actually wrote this and placed it as his status in late March, and I thought it was really good and true and well written. This is definitely worth your time.

Last week I had someone say to me that life would be easy if you knew when you were going to die. Because, then you could have time to repent of your sins, get your life in order, and you could go to heaven. The comment caused me to feel sad and pity for the person who said it. Your eternal future depends on your understand that God is the source of peace and the only hope for this life and the next. True repentance is based on a longing to be good because then you are like God and his goodness. It is not based on words that you say just before you die in order for God to love and accept you. God does love you. But no matter what words you say God will and can only accept you based on Jesus, the Christ, and his finished work on the cross. So, if you think somehow confessing your sins just before your last minute on earth means God now has to let you go to heaven misses the point. C.S.Lewis once said "we long for heaven because the good in us longs to be where God is. If you do not understand than God is good then heaven should hold no value for you."(that is a paraphrase) why would you want to go to a party where you have nothing in common with the other guest and do not really like any of them either? Heaven is not the future finish line. Heaven is where God is! When Jesus entered this world he brought with him a tiny glimpse of heaven. Therefore, going to heaven should mean you long for a greater portion of God and his goodness. God is not a fire insurance salesman. Therefore, longing to know when you would die to "get right with God" really misses the mark. Maybe that person should "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow they die".because, unless they understand that the things they want to. "Repent of" were not worth doing in the first place? Heaven can hold only more pain and misery for them. Jesus is the source of Peace in this life and the hope if heaven. And, that peace can only be felt when we love God and those around us more than ourselves. If we do that, heaven is not a future goal. It becomes a present reality. That small piece of Heaven finds us hear on earth and we ride that "peace" that it brings us past death into the next world where it manifest itself fully in the presents of our God. So, I only wonder about when I might die because I want to know how much more time I have to help those around me? Not to get right with God. Because, in the end that is the only proof you have that Christ has changed your heart and you are have true repentance and heaven is where you belong.

Don't Be the Sideline Sluggard :)

I’m walking among the thousands of people. Some trying to go here, other’s there, anywhere. I’m among the loosened crowd as we push through the plaza. And there it begins. The megaphone is up, the voice is loud. “Come to Jesus!  Come to God! You’re dying in your sin!” I turn my music up louder; I push on, ultimately placing it in the background noise. A handout is pushed in my face, “Come to the cross” it says. My frustration is building, I push on some more, until I’m no longer zig and zagging among people, back on my way.

A Post With No Real Value, Unless You're Me, Of Course

This is a story of adventure and the strange things that have been seen. Justin and I wanted to sign up for a lab practical review at Science Guyz in downtown Athens, so this afternoon, we made that trek. I hopped into his car, and there we went. We find a parking space nearby, and get out at walk into the Fred Building. Now, I am convinced that the Fred Building was probably one of the earlier building of downtown Athens, and was probably built in the 1930’s or 40’s (or at least it had that feel. Here is the feel of the building. The hallways are just enough for two people going opposite ways not to collide. There is some granite on the bottom half of the walls, old tile (based on design and color), and in the hallways of the fifth floor, the lights were ceiling fans. On the 3^rd floor, the walls are mainly wooden, with old block lettering on the windows of the offices. The whole building felt like we should be suddenly transported back in time, into the world of business in the 1930’s. I expected to see men wandering to and fro in their business suits and newspapers in hand. After going to the 5^th floor, and then the 3^rd floor, and then back to the 5^th floor, we were waiting on an elevator in order to go down the 1^st floor in order to walk back to his car. An elevator arrives, and we get on. The door almost shuts and then mysteriously opens; we make sure not to be in the way, it starts to close again, and then opens again. Then, it starts to close again and once more, when it’s almost closed, it opens again. We are then a little freaked out, and we decide that is not the elevator we need to be on, as soon as we get off, the door starts to close and completely closes and the elevator goes down. I think the elevator just might have been haunted :P We then wait for the other elevator to come. The elevator arrives, and no lie, out walks a guy in a powder blue suit with his dog (a smaller dog, not like a Great Dane), and another guy with whom he was having a conversation with also walks out and says, “So, you’re not rushing off to court, right?” It was an interesting sight. We hop on that elevator; finally get to the first floor, and into his car. We are driving back and no lie, in front of us is a hearse. If this was a legitimate fictional story, there would be a little of symbolism in each part of this story, a lot of metaphors for the doom to come, but this is a real story, with which I have witness. An interesting day it has been. 

The Coolest Genealogy You Will Ever Read!!!

Just because I think this is the coolest thing ever... I heard this for the first time during a SWAT weekend last weekend, and I thought it was cool and jotted it down. Then, tonight, I did a little research of my own to make sure what I had was correct (remember the whole, "I can make you believe what I want you to believe"? I didn't want to believe something that wasn't true, no matter how trustworthy I believe the source to be...). So, go read Genesis 5. Before you say, "Morgan, are you sure that reference is correct? I just looked it up, its a genealogy...."Yes, I know it is a genealogy... that really makes you wanna go read it, huh?!  But, go read it... now, that you have done that, we shall begin. It's really cool- God laid out His plan for salvation before the prophets came along to prophesy the coming of Jesus and before Jesus, Himself, walked the planet. God had things under control, but He outlines His plan in Genesis 5. "But Morgan, it's a genealogy! Howcan that outline God's plan?" Watch and see! This is great and makes me really excited!!! So... to start, there is Adam, which means "man", Seth: appointed, Enosh: mortal, Kenan: lamenter, fixed, Mahalalel: praise of God, Jared: descent, Enoch: dedication, Methuselah: Man of a Javlin/ man with a mission, Lamech: for humiliation, Noah: rest.  Now, we can take these names and place them into a sentence (I color coded the meanings so that you can easily identify them :) aren't I so sweet :P )
Man was appointed to be mortal lamenting in a fixed place, but the praise of God descended and was dedicated a man with a mission for humiliation to bring rest. 
Isn't that just cool? God knew what He was doing from Day 1, and He still knows what He is doing today! He has an ultimate plan at work, and it's something we have to trust is for our good and the good of others! WOW!!!! 

"But God...." I said.

Don't you love that, "But God..."; it's something we all say at some point. It's something we say when we are doubting God and His Plan. During some quiet time Friday, I came across this concept (actually it was more of a big spiritual body slam), and I realized that deep in my heart, I was asking the same question, the same question as Gideon in Judges 6.

I Can Make You Believe What I Want You to Believe.

I can make you believe what I want you to believe.…

Yes, how is that for a blog post title? Did that one spark you interest?

But to some degree, it is definitely true. Wanna know how I know that? I did a little social experiment of my own- it didn’t start out as a social experiment; it started out as a joke, but ended up being a social experiment. Around 2 weeks ago, my friends Justin and Sydney and I were sitting at Subway enjoying dinner and conversation. At point in our time there, Sydney looks at me and Justin and says, “Hey, when you clasp your hands which thumb is on top?”

It has been fixed!

Just to let y'all know- An Old Story in a New Way has been fixed... The font was really hard to read before, and I couldn't figure out what was wrong with it until this afternoon. So, sorry if you tried to read it and it strained your eyes, but that has all been corrected :)

"Wow-za"

"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Acts 14:22

God's people have their trials. It was never designed by God, when he chose his people, that they should be an untried people. They were chosen in the furnace of affliction; they were never chosen to worldly peace and earthly joy. Freedom from sickness and the pains of mortality was never promised them; but when their Lord drew up the charter of privileges, he included chastisements amongst the things to which they should inevitably be heirs. Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestinated for us in Christ's last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: he has ordained their season and their place, their intensity and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the "Father of the faithful." Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King's vessels of honour are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God's children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have his presence and sympathy to cheer them, his grace to support them, and his example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach "the kingdom," it will more than make amends for the "much tribulation" through which they passed to enter it.

-Charles Spurgeon, in the book Morning and Evening

The Wizard of Oz, Indiana Jones, and Scooby Doo: It's a Visual Media Salad

Life is full of hidden journeys and adventures. It is true that I may never actually get to go on a splendid adventure down the yellow brick road to the see the great Wizard of Oz; I may never go on a hunt for the Holy Grail or get chased by a giant boulder. But I get the chance to go on adventures of my own. Sure, they may not be the fun hikes through my neighbor’s backyard and into the green belt located not far from our homes, where I would come home wet and muddy, but I get to go on journeys through life that teach me things that no one person could teach me because it is something that comes through experience.

Simplicity At It's Finest!

So, I know that I've never done this before, but I wanna give a shout out to a good friend of mine, Lizzie Andrews, and she has an awesome blog that you all should go and check out! Lizzie is an amazing writer and such a heart for our amazing Savior, Jesus Christ! So, go check it out at....http://simplicityatitsfinest.squarespace.com/
-Morgan

Quick Announcement that does not warrant a creative title because it is now past midnight.

This is just a quick announcement for anyone who is interested- a new story has been written and you can find it on the left hand side of your screen if you are interested in reading it. It's up to you (granted it's always up to- it's up to you to read this announcement!) So, if you wanna read it, much like the other story, it is a fictional, modern take on a Bible story. God picked the story this afternoon for me to write on (He brought me to the passage, and I said Okay, after flipping around a little more, unsure if this was the right passage He wanted me to come to.) But finally it is finished, and posted, and now, I am going to sleep because it is like 2 hours past my bedtime (I am so not a night owl). So, enjoy the story!

The Moments Before the Awkward Ostrich Made an Appearance.

So, despite the fact that I really need to get in bed so that I can be well-rested in the morning, I am going to write this blog post! I told myself that I had to learn all of the different types and classifications of joints and the parts to the synovial cavity before I could write this, and I did, so here we are. Here we go (because every blog post is a journey!)... 

Tonight, I went to Wesley, like usual. I am a big Wesley fan, and love going- I like going places where God shows up (and recently, that's been about everywhere haha). But, before it started, I was standing talking to a couple of friend's of mine while we saved our little row of seats for our group. Out of the corner of my eye, this girl caught my attention, and I noticed that she was crying. She was sitting in her seat alone crying, and I could tell that it didn't seem to be tears of joy either. She had a an expression on her face that show she was distressed in someway, but obviously, I didn't know the details.

Smaller than that Speck of Dust on Top of Your TV

Wow! I must say that God is good- God is really, really, really good. Actually, if I am quite honest, God is better than good; there is not a word in any human language that could accurately portray the goodness of God because that is simply how good He is. God is supreme, God is loving, God is just, God is forgiving and merciful, God is compassionate, God is righteous, God is ultimately perfection, God is omnipotent and omnipresent, God is, well, God. Since early (as in like 1am early) January 14^th, God has been doing some absolutely incredible things in my life. I know that date because a) I have calendar b) I know what clicked within me that early morning, but that is all much too long of a story for here and now. But God has continued to amaze me over and over and over and over- each day brings something new that He either wants to teach me or something that He does to show me His goodness and power. I am constantly reminded at how little I am and how BIG my God is.

I just finished up doing the curriculum for my next SWAT weekend, and I’m not totally sure what I thought the curriculum was going to be like. I think I honestly might have taken the mindset of, the students need this more than I do, which means I won’t put my whole heart and soul into it. But God took care of that attitude on the first page when I realized that actually this Bible study directly pertains to my life right now and that there were themes and information and such that I desperately needed in my own life.

I can say that I’m not sure that I have ever truly studied the book of Job. I have read through it at least once, and I think halfway maybe two or three times. The book of Job shows us God’s sovereignty and his justice. It shows that God is in control over all things all the time, period end of discussion. And as Job said in Job 42:2, “I know that you [God] can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”

            As I continue through life, I uncover more and more of the lies that have been planted by the enemy that I have believed. I remember last February; I uncovered the lie of “not being good enough.” And destroying that lie has brought immense freedom, but I will be honest that the lies are becoming harder and harder to directly point out. That may be because as you destroy lies, as long as you stay rooted in Jesus Christ and place your relationship with Him at the top of your priorities, the lies are destroyed and stay that way. But I also think, that the lies become harder to point out because the enemy then begins to disguise them and make them harder to see at first glance. Like the night that I realized that I had prayed for God to make my prayer ineffective in order to learn humility- that is a load of crap, and that is not a prayer that God would want me to pray, that is a prayer the enemy wants me to pray because the enemy wants me to be ineffective.

            Tonight, I realized that I believed the false notion that for God to act in specific situations in my life, that there were things I needed to learn and be better at before He would show up. See, at first glance, that sounds all good right- that God would reveal Himself and do BIG things after I learn a lesson He wants me to learn (kind of like a reward for doing something good)- except that I believed that everything in the situation depended on me and what I did, and possibly even what other people do, and that is where the lie is. I thought, “Well, God isn’t acting in the situation because I still haven’t learned something. God isn’t acting because I haven’t prayed enough or spent enough time in the Bible or cried out to Him enough or poured myself at His feet enough.” But, let’s be quite honest, when God wants to act in a situation, He will act, as it says up above, nothing can thwart God’s plan! God has a plan in store for specific situations in our lives, and nothing will mess those plans up. Maybe it is a part of His plan that there is a something I need to learn first, but over all, God will act when God wants to act, not because of what I do or don’t do. I do not control God, and I will never control God because I am not God and I am not bigger than God. Compared to God I am smaller than that speck of dust on top of your TV. God is God and God will be God, and He is in control of all things. So, don’t live life with the belief that it all depends on you because in actuality, nothing depends on you- it all depends on God! Without God, I wouldn’t have salvation; without God, I would have nothing; Without God, I am nothing. 

The death angel, a messed up sandwich, and would could have been a very dark house.

I got this from my dear friend, Cheryl Krichbaum's facebook post, and thought it was really really good and worth sharing on here! Enjoy!!!

Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure

Me: Promise You won't get mad ...
God: I promise

Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do u mean?

Me: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes

Me: My car took forever to start
God: Okay

Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
God: Huummm

Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
God: All right

Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just wanted to watch my new tv & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?
God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that

Me (humbled): OH
GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)
God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.

Me (embarrassed):Okay
God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): I see God
God: Oh and that tv, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: I'm Sorry God
God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad.

Me: I will trust You.
God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.
God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

Prayer is not for chickens, it's for people.

The following is a evening devotional from Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon. As I mentioned to my 7th grade girls on the DNOW that I just staffed (they actually called it Freedom Weekend, which is one of the those themes that constantly keeps popping up in my life right now), prayer is a powerful tool, and we often underestimate the power of prayer. But God calls us to pray BIG, and pray BIG in His name, and He wants to do big things in each of our lives. He wants to surprise us with amazing things beyond our understanding- so it's like in the movie Polar Express, you just have to BELIEVE! Prayer is not for chickens, it's for the bold, it's for the world changers, it's for the weak and humble, prayer is for everyone, a dialogue of conversation between us and God. So, after you read this devotional, maybe go spend some time in prayer, time entering into the throne room of heaven. Begin your prayer with Adoration of our living God, and then maybe move on into a time of thanksgiving before you begin to truly pour out everything that is on your heart. And then do simply that. Pour everything out from deep within you and lay it simply at the feet of Jesus, the great King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Everlasting, the Alpha and Omega, but most of all, our Savior and Lover.  Love all y'all (but let's be honest, God loves you a whole lot more :) )

"But I give myself unto prayer."

Psalm 109:4

Lying tongues were busy against the reputation of David, but he did not defend himself; he moved the case into a higher court, and pleaded before the great King himself. Prayer is the safest method of replying to words of hatred. The Psalmist prayed in no cold-hearted manner, he gave himself to the exercise--threw his whole soul and heart into it--straining every sinew and muscle, as Jacob did when wrestling with the angel. Thus, and thus only, shall any of us speed at the throne of grace. As a shadow has no power because there is no substance in it, even so that supplication, in which a man's proper self is not thoroughly present in agonizing earnestness and vehement desire, is utterly ineffectual, for it lacks that which would give it force. "Fervent prayer," says an old divine, "like a cannon planted at the gates of heaven, makes them fly open." The common fault with the most of us is our readiness to yield to distractions. Our thoughts go roving hither and thither, and we make little progress towards our desired end. Like quicksilver our mind will not hold together, but rolls off this way and that. How great an evil this is! It injures us, and what is worse, it insults our God. What should we think of a petitioner, if, while having an audience with a prince, he should be playing with a feather or catching a fly?

Continuance and perseverance are intended in the expression of our text. David did not cry once, and then relapse into silence; his holy clamour was continued till it brought down the blessing. Prayer must not be our chance work, but our daily business, our habit and vocation. As artists give themselves to their models, and poets to their classical pursuits, so must we addict ourselves to prayer. We must be immersed in prayer as in our element, and so pray without ceasing. Lord, teach us so to pray that we may be more and more prevalent in supplication.

A Little Black Dot Among a Whole Bunch of White Ones

I'm hoping to find the words for this post as I type it because I am still speechless, but probably not for the reason that you think. I went to Passion 2012 this week, and it was amazing! 44,000 people coming together to praise the name of Jesus Christ- that is amazing, incredible, inspiring. To hear all of the voice singing praise to King of Kings, there is nothing like it. I got a lot out of the conference, learned a lot, sang a lot (my voice still isn't completely back yet haha), had a lot of time with the group I was with, talked a lot, drank a lot of coffee, etc. But much like the last time I went somewhere for a conference, I've been able to feel God more now that I'm back home- and it's weird because for most people, it's the other way around (but when am I known to do normal things the normal way around? haha). And I think one of the points God has made to me both this time and the last time I was at a conference, is that I don't need a conference for a spiritual high, I don't need a conference for Him to consume me with all that He is. If I allow Him to come and do His work, then He will. Last night though, for me, was absolutely incredible, and it was spent just me and God.
I was laying in my bed watching NCIS (haha what else would I be watching :P), and right as the episode I was watching started, I could feel God calling. "Morgan, turn off the TV and come to me." I had planned on doing some Jesus time when the episode ended, so I didn't rush to jump in. I laid there a little bit longer, and could still feel his calling. I decided that the episode wasn't in fact one of my favorites, so I turned the tv off, and basically for 10-15min I did everything to avoid God, and I really don't know why. I got on facebook, I got here on my blog, I read another friend's blog post from a few days earlier, I checked my email. And finally, I gave in, and spent some time with God. I opened my Bible a read a little, and I had Awakening and Like an Avalanche playing in the background, and suddenly, I found myself soooooooo consumed with God. Consumed with His Love like I've never been before. I found myself sitting on bed with no words. There are no words to tell God how amazing and incredible He is because even those words can't portray it all. And tears began to stream down my face. I wasn't sad, I wasn't angry, I was simply so joyful to sit in His presence and be Consumed with Him. I spent more time in the Word, and in speechless prayer. And what I found God saying was "I Love You." "I Chose You."
I found myself spot of realizing that nothing compares to God's love. Yeah, I knew that, but to truly experience it, was incredible. The picture God gave me was this, if I were to take pen, and in the air of my room place a dot anywhere, just one single dot, that would represent the love anyone on this planet will ever have for me. And then, if I completely filled the rest of the room with white dots, that is a representation of how much bigger God's love for me is that anyone's love here. God's love is all of the white dots, His Love is HUGE! and everyone's liking of me is that one little black one. In a conversation back in October, I was talking to someone about relationships and such, and I said that one of the reasons I wasn't in a relationship was because I knew that there were things in my life that needed to be fixed before I could take that next step. And I realized last night that this was one of those things. I have never felt and been consumed with God's love, and thus, if I had already been dating someone, I could very easily make them more of a priority than God because their love would be more tangible. God's love is tangible in a way, especially when you are so consumed with it's beauty that nothing else exists.
God's love is like an avalanche, it's like a massive fire, it's indescribable.