The Greatest Gift

As I sit here on Christmas Eve on my nice comfy couch in my warm living room with the floor covered in several recently unwrapped gifts, I can't help but think about all the people in the world today that will be spending Christmas day eating out of dumpsters in the frost and coolness of the night. Many will not have presents, no one to read them the Christmas story, and most will not have warm pj's to wear. When I think about it in this perspective, it makes all these gifts and things seem so frivolous.

I wonder how many know the story of Jesus and how his birth is really the greatest gift we could ever receive. Here's a challenge for you this Christmas season: If you find yourself out and about, find a way to bless someone. Whether it be a smile and a "Merry Christmas", helping someone put groceries in their car, blessing someone with a few dollars . . . the possibilities and the blessings that follow are endless.

God's given us the greatest gift of all time, Jesus Christ. It's time we share it with others who have yet to receive Him.

May you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

-Morgan    

"In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said" 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "

-Acts 20:35

Bible Verses on God's Love

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

1 John 4:9-12 

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us."

John 13:34-35

 ^"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

Romans 5:8

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Proverbs 8:17 

"I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me."

Deuteronomy 7:9

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;"

1 John 3:1

"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."

Source:

King James Version

Thanks to http://voices.yahoo.com/10-awesome-bible-verses-gods-love-5619992.html for the verse references. :-)

What is Love?

What is love? It's a small statement with a deep meaning. Miriam-Webster's Online Dictionary describes love as (my paraphrasing) a strong affection; an assurance of affection; devotion; unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another.

In a culture where love is selfishly thrown around only to get what one wants, we need to go back and re-discover real love...a true love that endures forever.

Last week, my family and I returned from a Be in Health conference in Georgia. Since returning home, I've pondered this 'what is love?' question. As humans, and more specifically as young people, we all have a desire to love and be loved. God created us for this. But today, love is not protected nor kept safe. It's no longer special and pure. Do you wonder why?  Because we've left our first Love. We've gone looking in all the wrong places and now we live in a country where marriages are falling apart, children are being aborted, hearts are being stolen and broken, and the list goes on. Many feel empty and no matter how hard they try, the feeling of being unloved is always there.

God's desire is that we not feel this way. If fact, He's crazily, head-over-heels in love with us. His love is so deep that He sent his one and only Son, Jesus Christ here to earth, to die on the cross for us (and our sins), so that we can enter into a love relationship and one day spend an eternity with Him. That's an example of true love. All we have to do is accept His proposal, turn from our selfish ways, and trust our lives completely to Him.

If people would start here (even before a commitment to an earthly marriage is made), we would begin to see a change in the culture's 'normal' cycle.

So now I write to all my fellow young adults out there. It's time for us to turn the tide. We need to find out who we are in Jesus Christ. It's only through Him that we will find true contentment and real love. If we are completely in love and content with Him then one day when God brings that special someone into yours and my life, no matter what trials may come in your relationship and marriage, you will look to Jesus for help, safety, and satisfaction (not in someone who's human like you and me, and cannot give you what God can).

Love is a snowball effect. Once Jesus is your first love, you will be able to love yourself (truly love yourself as He does) and then you will be able to genuinely love and care for others.

Being in love with Jesus is imperative within a marriage covenant as well . Before I ever marry my guy, the one God has planned for me, I want to be deeply in love with my heavenly Husband-to-be...because it's only then that I will be able to really and truly be capable of loving my earthly one. And, as much as I want my guy to be devoted and unselfishly loyal to me, I need to be preparing to be the same for him. And it all starts with Jesus--my first Love (Did you know He's jealous for me? He's jealous for you too). Another way to prepare myself is to start at home. If I don't learn how to be a devoted, unselfishly loyal, and loving daughter to my parents (specifically my dad), then I'm not prepared to be joined to another. :)

"So, what is love?"

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 

-1 Corinthians 13:4-7

May you be richly blessed and find true happiness and contentment in Him!

Falling in love with my Jesus,

Morgan


P.S. For more encouragement about God's love for you I highly recommend the book "Crazy Love", written by Francis Chan. It revolutionized my view on God's love for me. I'm not a big reading fan, but this book was hard to put down. His website is www.crazylovebook.com. (The other books and resources written by Francis are great too.)

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How He Loves Us

by David Crowder Band

Worship the King.
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." -Psalm 136:1

A Refiner and Purifier of Silver

I have this little story up in my bedroom on my mirror. It was given to me at a birthday party quite a while ago. I thought it was neat, stuck it in my mirror and there it has been for almost a year now. About a week ago I happened to start reading it while doing my hair. Instead of just briefly reading over it, this time I took time to read and then digest what it meant. Afterwards, I couldn't help but just sigh. This is what I had been struggling with for the past few months. God shows us things to encourage us at just at the right time doesn't he? :-)

I would like to share this little story with you. Be encouraged to not just read it to read it, but to understand it and "remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until he sees is image in you". God holding us in a hot spot, refining us, is not comfortable--it's oftentimes painful. But in the end, the result is beautiful. I want God to see his image in me...and it's then I will be able to be a light of the world--a city on a hill that cannot be hidden from shining His light (Matthew 5:14).

Malachi 3:3

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group as their next Bible Study. 

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time. 

The man answered that YES, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long int he flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?' He smiled at her and answered, 

'Oh, that's easy---When I see my image in it.'

When you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until he sees His image in you. 

Have a blessed week!

-Morgan

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Change Me

By: Ben and Crysty Fiorello

If you have a chance to look up the other songs by Ben and Crysty, I highly recommend their music. It's positive, encouraging, relaxing, and draws you closer to our Heavenly Father. :-)

  

19 Years and Counting

On October 16, 1993 my parents said, "I do". 

 

 

In February 1993, my dad was 23 and mom was 19. They met at my aunt's house, arranged by my aunt and my grandmother. Two weeks later they were engaged. My dad's proposal to my mom was romantically unique. He showed up at her job at the University of Kentucky Medical Center, where she was in charge of the General Surgery Clinic's medical records. He was cleverly dressed up as Prince Charming and was "delivered" by his brother in a washing machine box, which was wrapped up like a present.

 

With family, friends, co-workers, and the local news filming, my mom opened her abnormally large present and out came my dad. He recited a exquisitely written poem, and then dropped down on one knee and asked my mom, "Jennifer Dawn James, will you marry me?" Eight months later, at 24 and 20 respectively, they were married.

 

19 years and three children later, love is still in the air. :-) God brought them through many trials, and they have not only grown closer to each other over the years, but closer to Jesus.

 

I couldn't ask for better parents. They're not perfect, but are constantly striving towards becoming a mirrored image of Christ; and for this I am eternally grateful. From them I've learned that God can take a difficult and rough past, and bring you to a place of restoration and healing, if we are willing to study and respond to His Word.  

 

Happy Anniversary Dad and Mom. I love you both with all my heart. <3

 

 

With gratitude and thankfulness to God to be your daughter,

 

Morgan

 

 

 

The Sibling I Have Yet To Gain

This is a poem I wrote earlier this year. My parents found out a year or two ago that they are unable to medically have any more children. But we are believing by faith, that if it's God's will for us to have more children in our family, He will work a miracle. This poem was written to "the sibling I have yet to gain".

The Sibling I Have Yet To Gain

                 I think about you often, even though we’ve never met.

 

I don’t know your name, what you look like, not even your gender, shape, or size.

I think about all fun things we could do playing dolls, trucks and games. 

I think about the tears and the laughter we would share.

I would teach you what is right and correct you lovingly when you are wrong.

I would teach you how to braid your hair or how to throw a ball.

It’s weird, I’ve never met you, yet I already feel I have.

I long to look into your curious eyes, to tell you how precious you are in His eyes.

But God’s plan is very different than mine. And although I want to meet you and hold you in my arms, I will wait for His perfect timing, to deliver you into our care.

So as I continue dreaming of meeting you face to face, you will, until that day, remain the sibling I have yet to gain.

 

Fish and Anticipation

The art of anticipating: to look forward to as certain: expect (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

My family and I went camping this past weekend. Upon arriving on Friday evening, we were delighted to discover that on our campsite (which was right next to the bay and connected to the ocean) was a miniature dock. It was refreshing to be able to sit and dip our feet in the cool water.

My grandfather, whom we call "Poppy," provided the lot for us as well as the camper.  It was heavenly compared to the tent camping we did when I was younger.  My dad says that you have never been a true camper until you have slept in a hot nylon tent on a plastic air mattress several nights in a row.  My dad is too funny. :-)

Anyway, back to my story. Poppy brought his fishing gear with him and my younger sister, Makaya, was more than enthusiastic to make good use of it. She planned to wake up bright and early the next morning to start her fishing adventure. Around 7:15am (since mom had her go back to sleep around 5:15am), she woke up ready to start fishing. There was one problem: it was raining outside. As the day progressed, the rain fell harder. Amazingly, being the wonderfully persistent girl my little sister is, fished all morning and periodically throughout the day, searching for her first fish.

Sunday morning came, the rain clouds dissipated and the beautiful sun shone brightly in the morning sky.  Upon finishing morning devotions together as a family, Makaya closed us in prayer saying, "Thank you God for this day and this devotion. Please help us have a great day, and please let me catch at least one fish, in Jesus' Name, Amen." We all smiled at her and thought (or at least I did) how cute and innocent her prayer was. Simple, honest, and to the point.

Everyone went about their business while mom and I sat on the couch in the camper (again, it's so nice to have air conditioning while camping). :-) and watched Makaya through the camper window. How cute she looked, standing on the dock, the hot dog-baited fishing pole in one hand and a fishing net in the other.

This picture of my sister made me think, "How many times do I want or "need" something from God?  How impatient do I become, complaining about how He's 'taking too long' to answer my questions and pleas?"  In reality, all I need to do is be persistent and anticipate, waiting for Him to show up and trust that He will answer me in His perfect timing. Just because I have my "line" or prayer "in", doesn't mean He's going to immediately answer.  It takes time, effort, and patience on my end. Even though fish weren't biting my sister's line, it doesn't mean there weren't any fish to catch.  Similarly, God may not be answering right away, but that does not mean He's not there.  On the contrary, He is!

So, approximately five minutes after contemplating these thoughts my mom and I hear Makaya gleefully screaming, "Daddy! Daddy! Come quickly!"  A nice-size fish was dangling from my sister's pole. Her face was priceless as she proudly showed off her first catch. After all of that waiting, her prayers were answered and her desire was fulfilled. It was an incredible moment, not just for her, but surprisingly to me as well--one that I will not easily forget.

By the end of the day, with some help from dad and Poppy, Makaya caught about 17 more fish. God blessed her efforts of wating patiently, and in the same way, does the same for us.

The Bible says in Matthew 18:3, "And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

God is always listening and ready to move in our life. We need to anticipate Him, faithfully praying, persistently waiting, and always trusting and having faith in Him. Blessings are always sure to follow if we will just wait and anticipate our Heavenly Father.


"Wait for the Lord; Be strong,and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." -Psalm 27:14


Be Blessed!


-Morgan

Forgiveness and Healing

What do you think when you hear the word forgiveness? Well, actually forgiveness (or to forgive) is an action, not a feeling. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes forgiving as: "willing or able to forgive". So many of us only forgive when it's convenient for us, or it didn't hurt us enough to hold bitterness against that person.

If you would have asked me over a year ago (or even as recently as a month ago) what forgiveness meant to me I would have probably said, "Forgiveness? Oh, yeah, I forgive people. When they say 'I'm sorry' I forgive". But do I really? I mean honestly and truly? We say we "forgive" the offender, but why do we still harbor stuff against them?  It eventually comes back to the surface. Unforgiveness gives lead way for bitterness to enter into our lives, and from there retaliation, and so forth.

Here's an example: Your brother/sister does something that hurts or offends you. He/she apologizes and you say "I forgive you". Later that day (after dwelling on the fact that you still can't believe he/she had the nerve to do that certain thing), that same person accidentally bumps into you and you drop your books on the floor. Instead of saying, "No problem" or "That's okay", you say (because you've been thinking about the other offense) "What's your deal?!" or "Watch where you're going!" or simply shout their name in an angry tone. Too many times I have been guilty of these very things. It's much easier to push things under the rug, than to deal with them quickly. Life gets busy and you never get the chance to mend the relationship.  Before you know it, what was a "little" thing, festers into a major break out, all because you weren't willing to let go and forgive.

On many occasions forgiveness, whether you're on the giving or receiving end, won't be easy. Remember, it's not a feeling, it's a choice. Matthew says, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

So, therein lies the challenge for all of us. Who might you be holding unforgiveness and bitterness toward? Don't just say, "Oh, yes, I've forgiven everyone," rather, check your heart and ask God to show you who and what you may be harboring against someone (e.g., a parent, teacher, sibling, or maybe even a friend). Once you are walking in agreement with the spirit of unforgiveness, you are walking in agreement with the principality of bitterness as well.  And his goal is to ruin your life and as many of your relationships as possible.  Know your enemy!

Remember, mending broken relationships is not going to happen overnight--it takes time and effort on your part. Stay alert, though.  After you clean all the dirt from under your life's rug, the enemy will stop at nothing to try and get you back into your life. "...'I [the enemy] will return to the house I left'..." (Matt. 12:43-45; James 4:7-8).

Be encouraged... "For what is impossible (or seems impossible) with men is possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

May you be blessed and know that God will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). Search for Him, and you will find him (Deu. 4:29; Jer. 29:13).  You won't have to look far, and most likely you'll discover that He's been by your side the whole time, waiting for you to choose.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Morgan


"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 1:6)

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This is another one of my life songs right now. It's called "Forgiveness" and is written and sung by Matthew West. When I feel the unforgivness trying to creep back up in my thoughts, I pray, renew my mind, and listen to this song (surprisingly enough, I'll go up in my room on many occasions and this song is playing on the radio...thank you Jesus! His timing is so perfect.). Listen to the words and allow them to speak into your life.

The Theme Song for this blog

I want to start out this blog by saying, God is so awesome! Despite our sins and failings, He is merciful and His grace is sufficient for all. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." -Psalm 19:14

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" (Matthew 7:13-14).

             Whenever I read this verse, I can't help but yearn to be one that walks the road that leads to life, and enter through the narrow gate. As Christians, this walk can be difficult; even treacherous at at times. But then the Holy Spirit  is quick to remind us of the end result: eternal fellowship with Him. If we will press on, and continue to run this race; God is faithful and will see us through. If we are diligent in following His commands and are constantly growing in our relationship with Him, we will one day get to hear those glorious words spoken to us from Jesus, "Well done, good and faithful servant". :-)              

This song by Moriah Peters is one of my life songs right now. I want to be a risk taker; leaving the things of this world behind me and only following after the One who really matters. When everything is said and done, it's not going to matter if I had the latest fashions in my closet, if I had the newest Apple product, had lots of friends, was "popular", well liked, or even if I did "good things".... God wants a heart that's willing to give up all of that stuff up (of which has no eternal value anyway); actively pursuing and growing in a relationship with Him...no matter what trials may come, no matter the persecutions you may encounter for being "different"(Matt. 5:10; James 1:2-3).

Stand firm, endure to the end...Jesus is waiting for you. Great will be your reward in Heaven.

Be encouraged!

-Morgan