College

Hello!

So, I have officially started college! Wow, that's going to take some getting used to! A lot of things have happened in the 3 days I've been here. There have been awesome times and hard times. Such a drastic change in your life is such a crazy feeling, something that you really don't understand (and honestly, can't) until you have experienced it face-to-face. The feeling of being alone and yet over stimulated simultaneously is not describable. It's hard, but it's not impossible.  While I'm writing this, God is actively reminding me that He's with me. That He is protecting me. That He has me exactly where He wants me. In my earbuds I can hear Him reminding me that He's "my shelter through the storm" and "my peace when waves of trouble roll." He is my refuge. No matter how far I am from where I'm comfortable, He's still with me and He is still protecting me.

Now, let me tell you about my first weekend at college!

I got here Friday morning, and the emotions were hot. I was terrified that my roommates were not going to like me, or were not going to be as excited to be friends as I was. That first introduction period was awkward, as expected. It took awhile for us to really open up to each other. We attended the dedication chapel of our freshman class Friday evening. Friday night I got to be a part of my first TU tradition (Taylor is all about the crazy traditions. Google "TU Silent Night.") My floor and our Brother Floor went on an Awk-walk. An Awkward Walk. The name says it all. We walked in two lines, girls in one line, guys in the other. As we walked, we were given an action to do and a question to ask each other. After every question we switched partners and continued on with a new action and question. The actions were anywhere from holding hand and interlocking fingers, to walking with our foreheads put together. I think my favorite question would probably be "What famous person would you least want to be siamese twins with?". I of course said Ryan Lochte! My partner said Obama. ;) The Awk walk is a great way to meet new people and start to break away your shell a little! It was so fun.

Saturday we got to spend our last bit of time with our families before they had to leave. That time was great. They left after lunch, and then we spent time with our O Groups, or Orientation groups. We get to spend time every week for the first half of the semester with these groups to just talk about our transition and learn with each other about our God. I got randomly chosen, along with about 50 other students to take a test on student proficiency. It reminded me of the ACT. At least it was only 40 minutes in all and we got rewarded with candy! ;) Later Saturday we had a back-to-school party with the whole campus next to the lake. It was such a great way to meet new people and break a little bit more of our shell away. It was so fun, but so sweaty as it's been a steady 85 degrees with 90% humidity all weekend! Lot's of dancing, lots of talking, laughing and little worries!

Today is Sunday, and we had a back-to-school chapel for church this morning, we'll go to a local church from now on. We spent more time with our O groups and  we'll be going to Communion this evening.

So, as you can see, this weekend has been packed. I'm looking forward to starting classes on Tuesday, and I am loving all the craziness!

Love,
Megan

Hope

First off- ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
That is basically how my life has been recently. Stress and anxiety over school work was intense, I'm trying to figure out how to pay for college, and I have been battling a serious case of "senioritis." Saying good-bye to the life I've been so comfortable living is extremely hard. I've finished my competitive swim career (on a high note, I might add), 6 years of Bible Quizzing, and soon my 4-H career will be coming to a close. I just took midterms for my last semester of high school. I know that it's time, but I'm not ready to leave my comfort-zone quite yet. It terrifies me to think of living on my own.

We all feel afraid of the future at some time in our lives. Whether its moving out on your own or a sickness being battles, the future is scary. The one thing that can soothe me when I'm making myself crazy thing about what the future may or may not hold is the fact that I have a God. A God in heaven who is great! A God in heaven who is all-knowing! A God in heaven that cares! He cares about me. He cares about my future, He even has it completely planned out. No amount of worrying on my part will ever change the plans God has for me. In Jeremiah, God tells us that He has plans for our life that are for good. Did you get that?? GOOD! Everything that is going to happen in your future is for your good.

Remember this when life kicks you down; God loves you. He cares about you. Talk to Him. Pour your heart out to Him. He listens, and He wants you to know that His plans are not to harm you, but to give you a future and a hope.

Listen Up! ; Guilty

Hi all!
Just a precursor to this blog post; it is completely honest, my heart. This is a huge battle I am facing right now in my life, everyday. If you feel this way, always know that I am here, that you can email me anytime. Find my email address in my profile.

Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of screening God's Not Dead 2, which comes to theaters April 1. It is an amazing movie, with an even greater message. Watch the preview I've attached before you finish this post.

Alright, doesn't that just give you such an excitement? Now, think deep down, would you be able to stand your ground and stand up for Jesus? Would you give up the battle before it even begins? Are you afraid for people to know you are a Christian? Do you skip around your words so that no one will know you love God? 

These are questions that I, unfortunately, answered in a way that I know makes my God so, so sad. My God, who stood up for, and DIED for me. And I can't even tell friends that I listen to Christian music. Why? Am I ashamed? Absolutely not! Am I afraid they'll make fun of me? Why do we have so much trouble merely living our lives joyfully and without worry, just as God tells us to? Why do we have so mush trouble standing up for the God that created us, loved us, died for us? 

Newsboys wrote a song not too long ago called "Guilty", and I'd like you to listen to it now before continuing. 

When did it become breaking a rule
To say your name out loud in school
When your names the only one that sets us free
When did it become incorrect
To speak the truth about life and death
When your life gave us all eternity

Even if it gets me convicted
I'll be on my knees with my hands lifted

If serving you's against the law of man
If living out my faith in you is banned
Then I'll stand right before the jury

If saying I believe is out of line
If I'm judged cause I'm gonna give my life
To show the world the love that fills me
Then I want to be Guilty

I'll rise up and honor you
I'll testify to all the good you do
Cause your Grace and your Mercy have overtaken me

So even if it gets me convicted
I'll be on my knees with my hands lifted

Then I want to be Guilty by association
Guilty of being a voice proclaiming Your ways
Your truth
Your life
I'll pay the price to be your light

My prayer is that my brothers and sisters in Christ and I would be able to speak freely, that we can have the overwhelming excitement and pure joy that God brings to our lives all the time. That we can openly give an answer to where our joy comes from, where our hope is from. That our lives will reflect and shine the Light that gives us life.

I am Yours

I just finished reading an article that I needed to share.

http://www.collegeandseminary.com/college-life/9-sins-christian-college-students-are-ok-with/

I know, the title seems a bit strong, but hang with me. Click on the link and read the ENTIRE article, then come back and read this post.

I don't know about you, but I am feeling big-time conviction. Fear, worry,  apathy, even gluttony... all the sins named, things I would say are not problems I have, but as I read the author's words, I began to see those areas in my life and I never want to go back.

As I gazed over the next sin, each time my stomach dropped, not wanting to see my sins, to feel my disgrace. But, just as the conviction sets in, Jesus comes. I'm not perfect, but He is. He gives me new life. He cleans my sins. That doesn't mean I should continue to sin freely, though. It means I am forgiven. It means I am unconditionally loved. It means that I am His. 

My God hates sin, but loves me. Do you know what that means? It means that I am not my sins. I am not defined by the mistakes I make. I can be forgiven, and wiped clean. In fact, I have already been. God payed the price for my sin. Why did He do that? I'm such a horrible disgrace to Him and His kingdom. Why would He choose to save me? LOVE. He saved me. He saved you. Because He loves me. Because He loves you. Because HE IS LOVE.

God, you are my one and only. You are who I will live for. Not man. Not myself. Not fame. Not fortune. You. Only You. I AM YOURS.
Take me, Lord.

Listen Up! ; Matter

        This band has become one of my favorites because of their lyrics. The words are from the heart, and, through God, they speak to my heart every time I hear them. God speaks to us through so many different ways, and one of them is through music. 

       I've been feeling like God has been telling me that someone reading this post needs to hear this, and I did too, so here it goes- YOU MATTER.

      You matter to God. The One who created you, who unconditionally loves you, who treasures you and who can't wait to have you in His arms. He literally died so that you can live, now if that isn't true love, I don't know what is. Some days, you might feel like no one cares about you, are maybe that you are invisible to people. But that isn't the case! You are loved. You are cherished. You have a husband and he gave his life for you! He is waiting for you at this very moment, waiting for you to accept his proposal and become who he created you to be- His bride. 

       Just step back a moment and say this out loud- "The God of everything wants to marry me." doesn't that scream true love? Amazing love. Beautiful love. TRUE LOVE. 

It doesn't matter how many friends you have here on earth, because your best friend created you and loves you- YOU ARE HIS MASTERPIECE. You matter so, so much. 

Read this song, especially the chorus I made underlined.

 Lord, I pray that you show everyone reading this that you are everything we need, and more. That you are our ultimate true love. That you cherish us dearly, and that you can't wait for us to come running to you, arms open. 

Matter- for KING & COUNTRY

All of the dreams that haven't come true

And all of the hurt that happened to you

It matters, I hope you know it matters

You felt the pain of a bitter defeat

Where the weight of the grief is more bitter than sweet

It matters, I'm telling you it matters

[Chorus:]

To the one who spoke and set the sun ablaze

To the one who stopped the storm and walked the waves

To the one who took the tree so He could say

You matter, I hope you know you matter

I know it's not easy, not saying it's fair

But close as a prayer somebody cares

You're a treasure, don't you know you're treasured

So hold your head high, wait for the dawn

Keep hanging on, your sadness will turn into laughter

Watch it turn into laughter, yeah

[Chorus]

You matter, heaven knows you matter

Let the water spill from your eyes

Let it wash the wounds of those lies

Oh, let the water spill from your eyes

All that you are, all that you’ll be

Someone put the beat in your heart so that you’ll see

You matter

[Chorus]

You matter, heaven knows you matter

You matter, I hope you know you matter

You matter, heaven knows you matter

Listen Up! ; He Knows My Name

Recently, I've felt like I need to live up to be something great. Whatever I do, I want to do it so well, everyone recognizes my name and my accomplishments. We should strive to do our best, but God doesn't care if you are famous. God made you perfect and in His image. If you let Him, he will guide your life exactly the way He designed it. God loves you so much, and His plans are so much better than our dreams could ever be. Read these lyrics and tell me that it doesn't change your place of mind. It sure did change mine, and gave me a huge slap across the face today while I was moping that I haven't gotten a major part in a play for a while.

God is so good, and he gives me simple reminders of that every day through music.

Love,
Megan

He Knows My Name- Francessca Battesteli

Spent today in a conversation

In the mirror face to face with

somebody less than perfect

I wouldn't choose me first if

I was looking for a champion

In fact I'd understand if

You picked everyone before me

But that's just not my story

True to who You are

You saw my heart

and made

Something out of nothing

[Chorus:]

I don't need my name in lights

I'm famous in my Father's eyes

Make no mistake

He knows my name

I'm not living for applause

I'm already so adored

It's all His stage

He knows my name oh, oh,

He knows my name oh, oh

I'm not meant to just stay quiet

I'm meant to be a lion

I'll roar beyond a song

With every moment that I've got

True to who You are

You saw my heart

and made

Something out of nothing

[Chorus]

He calls me chosen, free forgiven, wanted, child of the King,

His forever, held in treasure...

I am loved

I don't need my name in lights...

I'm famous in my Father's eyes...

Celebrate the Savior

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

Through this past month our church has been working very diligently on a program for our community sharing the joy of Christ and his gift of salvation for us.
It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle of Christmas. Wrapping presents, shopping, or even working on a program, can all be distractions from the real meaning of Christmas.

Why do we celebrate Christmas. I'm sure most would probably answer "to spend time with family" or "give to those in need". While both of those are great things and wonderful bonuses to Christmas, its not the reason for the season. Christmas is celebrated because of our Savior- Jesus! God sent his ONLY son to earth, into the arms of one of the people who had disobeyed Him and deserved to get punished. But God didn't punish us, he saved us. He sent Jesus to be the only human to ever live a perfect life so that he could die, because sin could only be cleansed by the blood of a perfect sacrifice.

We tend to stay just at the birth of Christ this time of the year. Decorating with nativities and putting of programs of the birth of Jesus. While that was a very special night, the night when God became flesh and lived among us, that wasn't the only day of Jesus' life. He grew up. He live for 30 years and never once sinned. HE WAS PERFECT. He died for us, and defeated death for us! We can live because Christ died! This is the Reason for the Season!!!

While life is hectic and crazy, and your mind is racing a million miles a minute, stop and remember that our Savior isn't just a Christmas fable, He lived. He died. He rose again. HE SAVED YOUR LIFE!

Merry Christmas!
Love, Megan

PS- This Skitguys video is beautiful! Check it out.