Incorruptible Beauty

Stray Thoughts

2010-02-16T00:14:00.000-08:00

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness." 2 Peter 1:3

This has been my theme verse while here at Moody. God has provided. Not just food and books and clothes and a place to live, but love and patience and contentment where there wasn't any. And He has done it for His glory. I am learning so much. Every time someone asks me why I decided to come to Moody, I tell them that God literally put it in my lap, the Holy Spirit guided me through the application process, and God is keeping me here. And thank goodness! This semester is far surpassing last semester, and I can only imagine what the next 3 years will bring. I just pray that my head doesn't get bigger than my hands and feet.

I leave you with a picture. Oh the beauty of the Northwest.

My Winter Library

2010-01-31T23:37:00.000-08:00

I had a goal this winter break to read at least 5 books. Break is now over and I am in the middle of my 5th. I'm pretty proud of myself. The first one I read was a present from my sweet roommate. Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. Cheesetastic, I'm not going to lie. Maybe it would've been better if I was in a relationship, because it did have some good stuff. I'll probably re-read it in a couple of years if I ever get into a relationship. 2 stars.

The next one was Forgotten God by Francis Chan. Very good.

I loved his first one - Crazy Love, and so was excited to see he had another one. This is about the Holy Spirit, the "forgotten God". 4 1/2 stars.

Next was my personal favorite of the break. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller. So good. He wrote Blue Like Jazz a couple of years ago and apparently they are making a movie about it. This book was written while they were in the process of making the movie. Donald's life wasn't exciting enough to make the movie about, so they have to add a lot of things to the plot of the movie. This was a wake up call for him and he explains what he does to fix his boring life in this book. It's all about writing your story and after reading it, I wanted to conquer the world. What I like about Donald Miller is that he is a writer. This sounds silly you may think. What I mean is that Miller is not a Christian who decided he had something to say and wrote about it, like Francis Chan or Joshua Harris, who aren't bad writers, don't get me wrong. But Miller is an actual author. That is his profession. And he just happens to be a Christian too. Would recommend this to anyone. 5 stars.

Next was Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper. This one seemed oddly appropriate after Million Miles. There is so much good stuff in here that I don't really know how to summarize it. Basically, don't waste your life. Simple enough. Don't get caught up in the "American Dream", but don't quit your job just to be more 'godly' and join a ministry. Your job is your ministry. Good stuff. 4 1/2 stars.

And the one I am just getting into is in no way Christian or spiritual. Which I kind of like. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.

I'm only a couple of chapters in, but it has intrigued me so far. I haven't seen the movie, so I have no idea what happens, but everyone has told me that it is extremely sad. Oh great.

All of my reading from here on out will be my textbooks. Which is not a bad thing. I go to Bible School.

I amsterdam

2010-01-26T23:55:00.000-08:00

When asked what ministry I would do if no money was holding me back, I said I would love to run some sort of boarding house where people could come in and out and I could take care of them and it would be all about relationships. "Kind of like a hostel?" Yes, kind of like a hostel. I was then told about a hostel in Amsterdam that is operated by Christians. You can work at this hostel for one month to three months to even a year. The workers put in 5 or 6 hours at either the front desk or in the kitchen and then the rest of the day is open. Most people choose to stay at the hostel to talk to the guests lodging there, or take one to coffee, or perhaps travel on bike to the nearest city. I was hooked from the moment I heard about it. I didn't really know anything about Amsterdam so I've begun researching. Did you know that prostitution is legal in Amsterdam?

And that most "coffee" shops are actually places people exchange drugs? Maybe you've heard of the Red Light District in Amsterdam, but I never had. It is the place where all of the prostitutes live. And all of the tourists come to gawk. It is literally lit up with red lights at night. Women sit in the windows and wait for men to come into their room. 79% of the women in prostitution in Amsterdam are not there by choice. This is human sex trafficking. There is an organization called "The Scarlet Cord" that is working in the lives of these prostitutes. They walk on the streets and reach out to these women, girls, who are selling their bodies and show them the love of Christ. They have a mentoring program for when these girls do come out of prostitution, but have no where to go and no one to talk to. The mentors get them set up in a church community and take care of these broken women.

Lord willing, I want to be a part of showing these women the worth they have in Christ. Please pray for Amsterdam and the women in prostitution there. Pray that they will be rescued.

Back on Board

2010-01-26T23:51:00.000-08:00

I was one of those little girls who always wanted to keep a diary and got all the pretty ones and the matching pens and faithfully started writing in it. One week later and I was done with it. I guess the same goes for this little blog. Well, I'm here to tell you that I've been working on my faithfulness and perhaps this is a good thing for me to do - a test of self-discipline. So here goes.

Not Mine Anyway

2009-08-15T15:17:00.000-07:00

So many things have happened in the transition from Flagstaff to Spokane that I feel like I could write a novel. I will spare you all the details. But this one story MUST be written down. It is the story of Alexander.

I've written before how my car is the "Faith Machine"...about how much a silly little car has taught me about Christ. Well, I wasn't going to take it with me to Spokane, and so I needed to get rid of it. I tried to get my coworkers to buy it - only $300! But no one wanted him. I had heard that a Christian rescue mission for the homeless, Hope Cottage, accepted donations of any kind, including cars. So, I took Alexander down there the day before I left Flagstaff with the mindset of 'I just want to get rid of my car!' but also thinking what a great place to give it to. I go in and they say they can take it, but it has to go to a specific person and I can't give it to them just so they can sell it. Well, they knew exactly who would get this car - Scott. I didn't mind who it went to! But after I met Scott, I was SO grateful that it was he that got Alexander.

Scott got shingles a while ago and was forced to quit his job. He came to Flagstaff homeless, jobless, and $15,000 in debt. He found the rescue mission and they gladly took him in. Well, he was able to get a job at McDonald's and he saved every single penny he earned and payed off ALL of his debt. He went back to the mission and asked them to disciple him so he could work for them. I'm not sure if he was a Christian before, or if it happened when he was at the mission, but either way, his life now is dedicated to serving the Lord while working at the mission. He told me that he was thinking a couple weeks ago that it would be nice for him to have a car - and now he does!!! Oh, I get shivers when I tell that story. It is the perfect picture to illustrate that everything is God's and we are just stewards of it all. How amazing is it that that silly little car taught me so much, and now is a gift to a man who wholeheartedly deserves it? Lord, give Alexander a long, long life so that you may teach people about You through him.

Planet Earth

2009-07-08T12:09:00.000-07:00

John 17: 14-15, 18

"I have given them Your word and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one....As You sent me in the world, so I have sent them in the world."

What most people take out of these verses is that we are to be in this world, but not of it. The most important part being "not of it". Well, I was thinking about this verse and realizing the importance of Christ saying "I do not ask that You take them out of the world...(and)...so I have sent them in the world." I think it is a big tendency for Christians, myself included, to create their own world on this earth. We have Christian friends, we go to Christian events, we listen to Christian music, we read Christian books. I believe ALL of those things are wonderful, and I am not condemning it at all. But when that becomes your world, I think that is wrong. We need those things for sure to strengthen us to be in the world, but if we forget that second part, being in the world, then what is the point? Christ kept us here on earth for a reason. And I don't think that reason was purely for fellowship with believers.

Now go hit the clubs!

Kidding.

VBS

2009-07-01T13:22:00.000-07:00

Here's what went down.

Day 1-3: Meaghan is disappointed because only 30 kids showed up, none of which were neighborhood kids.

Day 4: Meaghan gets her act together and realizes God is able to do more than she can even think or imagine.

Day 4: One girl gives her life to Christ!!!!

Praise God. VBS was an amazing week. It was exhausting and I now have bronchitis, but it was amazing.

And my computer is smarter than me and I don't know where all the good pics of the kids are, so you're stuck with Karen & I - the leaders of VBS, still smiling!

Prayer Warriors Unite!

2009-06-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

VBS started today!!! My internship for the past month has been prepping for this week! I will tell you all about it at the end of the week, but I want to enlist you all to pray for everything involving VBS. We've been praying for 100 kids, and that didn't happen today, at least. We had about 30. And honestly, numbers don't matter. But what I ask that you pray for is for more of the neighborhood kids to come - most, if not all of the 30 we had today were church kids...which is awesome! But the point is to reach our community- and our community is pretty ghetto, and needs Jesus bad.

So please pray!! And of course, I will go into full detail about the week later, and maybe even have some pictures. (:

Picture Perfect

2009-06-17T13:22:00.001-07:00

"We are not meant to be seen as God's perfect, bright-shining examples, but to be seen as the everyday essence of ordinary life exhibiting the miracle of His grace." - Oswald Chambers

That may seem obvious to some people, but it definitely wasn't to me. As soon as I read that in My Utmost For His Highest, I felt like a burden was lifted off my shoulders. I've always struggled with trying to be perfect for people, because I felt like if ever I messed up, that would be a mark against God. And whenever I did mess up, that just got to me like no other. I hate when people are mad at me, or when people think badly of me, or are disappointed in me. And obviously, no one likes that, but that was my worst fear- ever. I know that I am representing Christ to all who are around me, and so I had to be a "perfect, bright-shining example." I don't like to show my weaknesses to anyone. Always be strong, Meaghan.

People have told me before, 'you're only human, you can't be perfect all the time'. And I know that, but that didn't stop me from trying. Until now. I've never heard the flip side of it - the benefit of NOT being perfect. But oh, how obvious it is! Of course...we are to live as humans, always striving to be Christ-like, but showing how we can't do anything apart from God's grace. I think that is beautiful. We are weak! But praise Him for His grace - "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." -2Cor 12: 8.

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." v.10

Amen!

All I Need

2009-06-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

Water, please.

2009-06-02T22:40:00.000-07:00

A customer at work taught me something about God the other day. He is a regular, this customer, and he is not very thankful for what he gets. He always says, "hot water", and hands us either his tin mug or some top ramen for lunch. He's a friendly guy, but he never says thank you. I had started noticing this lack of thankfulness after a while, and just the other day it really bothered me for some reason! I almost didn't want to give him the hot water (which is free, by the way) because I knew he wouldn't say thank you. I mean, come on buddy, it's not like I don't have things to do for the thankful people. But then it hit me. Oh my goodness Meaghan. You do that to God every day. He has blessed you with so many things at no cost to you, and you don't say thank you every time! Geez. God has to put up with people like that every minute of every day. And here I am complaining about one guy for one shift at work.

So after that realization, I have been trying a lot harder to thank God every minute for everything I have. Because it all comes from him. Even the hot water.

Oh, good.

2009-05-22T16:38:00.000-07:00

When we were growing up, my mother didn't like us using the word 'awesome', unless we were talking about God. Well, just in the past couple of months, I've been thinking about this one word, kind of like awesome, and how it has totally been downplayed since the time of old. Good.

How often do you use that word? And what do you use it for? "Good grief" "How was your day?- Good.(When you don't want to talk about it)" "Good golly" Yah, it's totally not what it was when God used it first. He used the word 'good' to describe His creation! Now, I can't even think of enough words to describe the beauty of His creation! Because good just isn't enough anymore. So, I started looking up all the different times 'good' is used in the Bible. Here, listen:

"...and how good is a timely word!" Prov 15:23

"...and good news gives health to the bones." Prov 15:30

"He who finds a wife finds what is good..." Prov 18: 22

"Hold on to the good." 1 Thes 5:21

"For everything God created is good..." 1 Tim 4:4 (Could that not be more clear?!)

"In everything, set them an example by doing what is good..." Titus 2:7

Oh, man, there are so many more. So many that talk about the 'good news' i.e. the gospel! And how about in the gospels when Jesus says "No one is good except God alone." So guess what...God is described as good. But here's my favorite: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

Good is a good word.

These are just thoughts- I'm not trying to convict anyone here...because there's nothing to be convicted of! I am just loving the simplicity and the power of the word "good."

Good day!

Clay in Your Hands

2009-05-20T20:21:00.001-07:00

I am easily influenced. I have been realizing that it is in my power to make this a good or a bad thing. It should be a good thing- it means that I am moldable- which is good. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand..." (Jer 18:6) But, it means that I need to be super careful that I don't let other things besides my Maker mold me. I need to have my filter on at all times. I've been having some really interesting conversations at work, and I love it. And I want to know more about these things we are talking about; but I have to be careful. Because I am easily influenced. It shows me the importance of staying in the word every day. Of being surrounded by strong lovers of Christ. Of serving God's church. Of praying without ceasing. That is my foundation. That is what keeps my relationship with Him firm. That is where I want to be molded. Lord, I want to be clay in YOUR hands.

The Look

2009-05-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

I got it twice today. I can't really describe the look. I can't really describe the feeling I felt when I got the look. Pride, yes, yet a little bit of shame? No, not shame. Just wonder. What are they thinking? Why did they just give me that look, and what is going through their brain?

Up till now I have only told friends and family about my venture to Moody in August. And so far, I have had no "looks." That changed today. I feel like I've 'come out of the closet', because I told my manager at Barnes and Noble that I would be leaving at the end of the summer. Now I can speak freely about Moody to anyone who asks! But now, I have to get used to getting the look. I tell random customers who ask what I'm studying in school that I'll be going to a Bible College in the fall. They pause, probably from shock, give you the look, then say, "Well that's different!" I chuckle and say, "Yes, yes it is."

I'm thankful for these opportunities to step out in faith and be bold in sharing what I'm doing and why. That is the most important part- why. I wish I could sit with each person who asks for a good hour and tell them, but sadly there's not enough time in the day. I'll just have to live with the short 30 seconds and hope that it gets their brain and heart rumbling.

By Our Love

2009-05-01T00:09:00.001-07:00

The song, "They will know we are Christians by our love" has been running through my head all day, and those are the only words from the song that I know, so literally those 9 words have been on repeat in my mind all day. And it's been awesome- there is a lot in those 9 words! It's based off of John 13:35~ By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. So it's legit, it's in the Bible. But I love it. It doesn't say others will know you are Mine if you have every verse in the Bible memorized, or if you have the 'correct' theology about certain doctrines, or if you have done 50 VBS's in your lifetime, or if you've never missed a day of church. No. It is merely love. Merely and magnificently love. Colossians 3:14 says ~ But above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Isn't that beautiful? Perfect harmony. Just imagine! If all loved like Christ loved, there would be perfect harmony. I know that is how heaven will be.

It doesn't say that loving comes easy as pie, though. Just look at us- who would want to love a bunch of lying, judging, murderous, covetous people? I know Christ would, and did, and does, and always will! Thank goodness we have a God who has shown us unconditional, perfect love so that we know what it feels like. I wish all could know this love! Too many people in the world don't know what it's like to be loved, really loved. And yes, sometimes those people are the hardest people to love. But that is when we totally abandon ourselves and ask Christ to consume us with His love, that it might overflow to others! I am learning more and more about this- and boy is it hard sometimes. But we can do all things through Christ!

My roommates and I went to a JJ Heller concert last night, and I was introduced to this song by her. I pray these words, Heavenly Father. Let only love remain.

Scenes of you come rushing through

You are breaking me down,

So break me into pieces

That will grow in the ground

I know that I deserve to die

For the murder in my heart

So be gentle with me Jesus

As you tear me apart.

Please kill the liar, kill the thief in me

You know that I am tired of their cruelty

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

You burn away the ropes that bind

And hold me to the earth

The fire only leaves behind whatever is of worth

I begin to see reality for the first time in my life

I know that I'm a shadow

But I'm dancing in your light.

Teach me to be humble

Call me from the grave

Show me how to walk with you upon the waves

Breathe into my spirit

Breathe into my veins

Until only love remains.

Only Love Remains

by JJ Heller

What You Will Get

2009-04-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is today's entry from My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers and I thought it was so good, I had to share it with you all.

{I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go. Jeremiah 45:5 }

'This is the firm and immovable secret of the Lord to those who trust Him- "I will give your life to you..."What more does a man want than his life? It is the essential thing. "...your life...as a prize..." means that wherever you may go, even if it is into hell, you will come out with your life and nothing can harm it. So many of us are caught up in exhibiting things for others to see, not showing off property and possessions, but our blessings. All these things that we so proudly show have to go. But there is something greater that can never go- the life that "is hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Are you prepared to let God take you into total oneness with Himself, paying no more attention to what you call the great things of life? Are you prepared to surrender totally and let go? The true test of abandonment or surrender is in refusing to say, "Well, what about this?" Beware of your own ideas and speculations. The moment you allow yourself to think, "What about this?" you show that you have not surrendered and that you do not really trust God. But once you do surrender, you will no longer think about what God is going to do. Abandonment means to refuse yourself the luxury of asking any questions. If you totally abandon yourself to God, He immediately says to you, I will give your life to you as a prize..."

The reason people are tired of life is that God has not given them anything- they have not been given their life "as a prize." The way to get out of that condition is to abandon yourself to God. And once you do get to the point of total surrender to Him, you will be the most surprised and delighted person on earth. God will have you absolutely, without any limitations, and He will have given you your life. If you are not there, it is either because of disobedience in your life or your refusal to be simple enough.'

Monday's Rehearsal

2009-04-12T19:24:00.000-07:00

I bet you all are sitting on pins and needles wondering how my Monday night rehearsal with the jazz group went. I know I would be. I actually still am. Because it didn't happen. Sad day, right?! I know, but, an even cooler thing happened. I got to be part of the Easter service Cardboard Testimonies at our church. (We rehearsed it Monday night.) Remember that post a while back of the video (2.18.2009)? Well, we did that and it was awesome. Awesome.

My testimony?

"Selfish Sideline Christian" -flip- "Surrendered all to live a life of ministry".

All that Jazz

2009-04-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

I miss singing so much. I miss Jazz Festival in Moscow. I miss Bella Ensemble. I really miss performing. I miss concerts. I don't want to do it for a living or anything, but I do miss it.
Well, get this- I found out that a guy I work with at Barnes and Noble is part of a Jazz combo, and so of course I asked him about it. I told him how awesome he was and how I wanted to come listen to him play, whenever that may be. Then me and my big mouth started telling him how much I loved jazz and about the Festival in Moscow and how I had competed in it since I was in 4th grade and just how much I miss it and how great it was that now I can go somewhere and listen to it! Well, apparently he thought it would be sweet if I would come and sing with them at their rehearsal. Yah, that's right...just come and jam with them. Oh my goodness! I told him that I wasn't really that good, that it was just for fun that I sang and that all I wanted to do was come to their shows and hear them play. But, oh no, you have to come sing with us. HOLY COW. These guys are legit! http://www.myspace.com/flagstaffjazz And I'm just little old me! And I am nervous as all get out. But, as excited as a little kid in a candy shop. So, I'll let you know how it goes...Monday night, 7 o'clock. Pray that I don't make a fool of myself. Oh dear.

ADD

2009-04-03T11:28:00.000-07:00

I promise I won't change my layout anymore. I'm sticking with this one.

For now.

Summership

2009-03-29T21:49:00.000-07:00

Something fell into my lap this last week.

I got an internship at my church for this summer.

In Flagstaff.

It will be the bomb.

And it was completely God's doing.

I had been praying for a while about what to do with my summer, and had already settled on living at home in Phoenix doing two part time jobs, when Pastor Paul called me and asked if I'd be interested in doing an internship at North Point this summer. No applications? No interviews? Um, heck yes!! (Although I would've been happy to apply for it) Well, the only problem was that I would have nowhere to stay. But he and his wife, Ronna, already knew that and offered me a room in their house. Amazing! But wait, there's more! They also had room for another in their house, and so my now-roommate, Lindsey, gets to live there too. Ah, God is good. So, I get to serve my awesome church - in the children's ministry for VBS, the administrative aspect, hopefully starting up some college stuff, and whatever else they have for me-, I get to live with my amazing friend at my gracious Pastor's house, and I also get to keep working at Barnes and Noble, which is a job I really enjoy. All the while being in beautiful Flagstaff.

This will be an awesome summer.

30 days

2009-03-27T16:01:00.000-07:00

So, it has been 30 days since I've been off facebook. And I don't want to go back. Seriously. I have email. And a phone. Why would I need facebook? Pictures, maybe.
Don't worry, I'm not getting rid of it. But I definitely won't be spending a lot of time on it.
I found this hilarious video- I don't know too much about Twitter, but I guess it's a lot like facebook. Enjoy.

Alexander, The Faith Machine

2009-03-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

I was driving in my car the other day and I had a song stuck in my head, so I started singing it, probably a little too loud and intense, and I thought to myself how much I missed my radio...because of times like that, when I make a fool of myself by singing to the music- in my head. (My radio/stereo broke a while ago- maybe Christmas break? I can't remember exactly) So I was feeling sad, but then I started thinking of what I've done instead of rocking out to my tunes.

Sometimes I do pop my ipod into my ears, but usually not because it's more work than is worth it. But most of the time I realized, I talk to God! Alot of the times, I'm praying that the "service engine soon" light will go away, or that the gas gauge would quite going down so fast, or the most recent one is that my brakes would just please work. Otherwise, I just get to talk to God about you guys and anything else.

Yes, he's quite a faith machine, I guess you could call him. Him being Alexander, my car.

So thank you God for taking my radio away from me so that we can have sweet time together. And thank you for Alexander. Please let his brakes work tomorrow when I go to work. Amen.

My shabang

2009-03-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

In Bible Study about a month ago, my prayer request was that God would give me a last 'shabang' here in Flagstaff before I headed to Moody. Yep, a shabang. Go ahead and laugh...the girls in my group did. I was just feeling useless and wondering what my purpose was in Flagstaff for a whole semester doing classes that I knew I wouldn't ever need and I really just wanted to start at Moody right then and there. So, being the dramatic impatient person that I am, I wanted to DO something- I wanted a shabang!

Well, I knew even before that night, that God puts us in times of waiting. And I've been in those times before (just look at my first post!) and that this was going to be one of those times. And oh how I was dreading it. Not that it was going to be horrible- because I love Flagstaff and I have the most amazing friends and the greatest church and I do like my job. But I needed a purpose.

Cue the shabang prayer request.

Well, I have not truly known the meaning of waiting on the Lord until this semester. Yes, I've "waited", and I've learned about patience, but that is not really what waiting on the Lord is. Ah, I can honestly say that since that night at Bible study, the Spirit has been moving in my heart and it seems like every day I get closer and closer to Him. Today I was reflecting back to even just Christmas break, comparing it to now- and how awesome it has been to just be with God! I don't need a shabang...that will come with time. Right now is my time of refinement and renewal and strengthening and growing in Him- that is what waiting on the Lord is. If you are just stagnant with Him when you wait, then of course you're going to dread it! And that's what I've learned- it takes two to tango, even with God. It's been awesome waiting on Him, and I'm so thankful He hasn't given me a last shabang, because I would not have been able to learn what I have about His character and love. God knew better than I did (imagine that!) and He knew that I was not ready to go to Moody right when I wanted to, but that I needed some help! I feel so much more prepared than I was, but still know God has so much more for me in these next 4 months before I head up there.

So feel free and pray for your own shabang, you know you want to...but just be prepared for what God might have for you instead.

Let's go back to the donkeys...

2009-03-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

Crazy

2009-03-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have been challenged. Challenged to be crazy. To be obsessed. To give up myself. My comforts. My safety.

"Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me.

Lay any burden on me, only sustain me.

Sever any tie but the tie that binds me to Thyself." -David Livingstone

Francis Chan wrote a book called Crazy Love that I read in two very short days and I am still digesting it. One thing that is really knocking my socks off and totally changing the way I think is when he was describing how he sold his nice house to move into a smaller one so he could give more of his money. Along with this book, in my Bible study, we are learning how obedience is costly. Now, in most books or conversations I've had where people describe sacrifices people have made, the author usually says something along the lines of, "Now I don't write this to say you should go out and sell all of your possessions (or whatever they did), but merely to inspire you to be thankful for what you have."....or something like that. But Chan is not like that. He said that we should do something crazy like sell our house, or whatever God was telling us to do, so that we might serve Him better. We can't be lukewarm Christians (there is a whole chapter on 'the profile of the lukewarm Christian'), but we must take the Bible seriously when it tells us to give up everything in order to be His disciple!! (Luke 14:33) We've got to be crazy!

Sunny Days with a Hot Friend (:

2009-03-16T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful for the beautiful weather in Phoenix. I actually got semi-tan! But more importantly I'm so thankful that my friend Heather got to come down from Idaho to spend some much needed time together. We've been soaking up the sun, (bargain)shopping, eating like no other, and having the greatest of conversations and laughs two friends could share. Sadly, she has to go tomorrow...but thankfully I will only be an hour and a half from her for a whole year next year :D

Shortest Book Review of Your Life

2009-03-09T20:04:00.000-07:00

I finished the book. And it was fantastic. And I have passed it on already.

And basically, the book boils down to this: we must be more Christ-like and less us-centered. That's it. That is the solution to the image problem of Christians today. Easy, right? Ha ha, yep.

The End.

Don't take my showers!

2009-03-06T12:32:00.000-08:00

I was in the shower the other day, and I was thinking to myself that if ever God led me to be a missionary somewhere in a third world country, I would be all over it...except for the shower situation. Give me a concrete floor to sleep on, I'm fine. Give me rice and beans for every meal, I'm fine. Take away my tv, my facebook, even my ipod, I know I could survive. But take my shower, that's different. I cherish my shower time. Every morning. And sometimes at night. I like to be clean. I'm not a girly girl, I don't have to wear make up and curl my hair, but I do have to be clean. I can go camping for a week and not do showers though...so maybe I just have to think of being a missionary as a really long camping trip.

Morning Soap

2009-03-05T10:12:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite line of the book...so far. Quick info- "Outsiders" are non-Christians. Okay, go:

"Outsiders may not always come to the right conclusions about Christians, but many describe us perfectly. Moreover, even if they don't have it all correct, it is a sad fact that we do not give them sufficient evidence to the contrary."

Amen. Let's give 'em some contrary evidence, people!!!

So you may read this book and be thinking, I'm not like that, I don't do that. So, you may not be doing that, but are you doing the opposite of it? Are you doing anything? You are carrying the name of Christ in every one of your relationships. Every word, action, thought, and look represents Christ. Christ went out of His way to show His love for others. Are you? Am I? We have to give up ourselves in order to do that- something that is much easier said than done!

I Peter 4:11 says: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen." In context, that verse pertains to pastors and ministers, but we can apply that to our lives and know that God gave us the Spirit who can give us the words to speak whenever we need to represent Christ- which is always! And in ALL things we need to glorify God, not ourselves. So often we, as imperfect people, take Christ out of the center of the gospel and misrepresent the beauty of having a relationship with Christ to outsiders and how that is the most important thing. Thankfully, God is God, and we are not.

Okay, I'll step off my soapbox now.

Never out of a Job

2009-03-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

~Matthew 9:37-38

Unchristian

2009-02-27T14:25:00.001-08:00

I mentioned the book Unchristian in my last post and I'm not finished reading it yet, but I just have to talk about it! It is so...I don't know what the word is for it...but I can't get through a paragraph without wanting to talk to someone about it. It makes me sad, angry, motivated, and thoughtful all at the same time. It's convicted me of things and I pretty much would recommend this book to any Christian I know. I'm not saying it's perfect, but it is definitely worth your time.
I guess I should tell you what it's about! It's written by David Kinnaman who is part of this organization called The Barna Group. They do research projects and David has done a three year research project on why non-believers (he calls them 'outsiders' in the book) hate Christians. He's boiled it down to six main themes based on the research: That we are 1) Hypocritical; 2) Too focused on getting converts; 3) Antihomosexual; 4) Sheltered; 5) Too political; and 6) Judgmental. I've just started the antihomosexual chapter. I feel like he does a really good job of not attacking either side- of just telling it like it is- 'this is what the outsiders think, and this is why'. There is also a section at the end of each chapter written by pastors that challenges us as to how to respond to that particular theme.

Anyway- really good book. If you want to know more, I would be thrilled to tell you more. And if you've read it, I would be even more thrilled to talk to you about it!

Facecrack

2009-02-25T10:11:00.000-08:00

I'm not Catholic. But I am giving up something for Lent this year. I gave up facebook today. For 40 days! It's very freeing, actually. Some say it's addicting. I think for me, it's more of a time-filler. So now I'm just going to find different things to fill up my time. Maybe I'll write on this blog more often...maybe I'll write you a letter! I'm reading a really good book right now- UnChristian. I'll write about it when I'm done. Anyway- there you go. My name is Meaghan and I've been facebook free for 12 hours.

Cardboard Testimony

2009-02-18T22:34:00.000-08:00

We watched this video at Bible Study tonight, and I wanted to share it with you all.

It was eye opening for me and the girls in my group. We talked about how important it is for us to remember that God is always at work in people's lives. And especially in the unlovable people's lives. The one that hit me was the cult member! I would love to hear his story!! Jesus is drawn to meth addicts and porn addicts, to bickering couples and thieves. These are the people in whose lives He is working. And that is where we need to be. Just look at these testimonies! Amazing. I hope to be handing out some cardboard soon.

I get by with a little help from my friends.

2009-02-12T15:01:00.001-08:00

When I left Flagstaff to go to Phoenix last Thursday, it was beautiful...60 degrees, sunny, no sign of bad weather. So of course, I wore my flip-flops down to Phoenix. Well, bad news. I came back to a Winter Wonderland - in my flip- flops. My car was completely covered in snow and totally blocked in thanks to the snow-plowmen. Thankfully, I have the best roommates in the entire world. One phone call and they came and dug my car out and wouldn't even let me help!! They are the greatest and I love them with all my heart. And yes, I still have all of my toes.

Never Been Unloved

2009-02-04T13:14:00.000-08:00

A great song. Yes, it's by Michael W. Smith. Don't shoot me (Jenny). At least it's not Steven Curtis Chapman. Love the lyrics. Had to share it with you all.

Never Been Unloved

I have been unfaithful. I have been unworthy. I have been unrighteous. And I have been unmerciful.

I have been unreachable. I have been unteachable. I have been unwilling. And I have been undesirable

Chorus: Sometimes, I have been unwise. I've been undone by what I'm unsure of. But because of you, and all that you went through, I know that I have never been unloved.

I have been unbroken. I have been unmended. I have been uneasy. And I have been unapproachable.

I've been unemotional. I've been unexceptional. I've been undecided. And I have been unqualified.

Chorus: Unaware, I have been unfair. I've been unfit for blessings from above. But even I can see the sacrifice you made for me. To show that I have never been unloved.

Big Man on Campus

2009-02-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure that Noah gets way less credit than he deserves. So here's a shout out to him. What an incredible man! God has just said "I am sorry that I have made both man and beast." That's gotta make someone feel good. But- "Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." Ah, a breath of fresh air! Now, look at his situation. He's living his life, going to work everyday with his buddies, comes home to a beautiful wife and his three sons. Then one day, God tells him to build an ark. An ark? I'm pretty sure if I were Noah, I'd be like, okay God, show me some thunderclouds then maybe I'll get my wood out. But no! Noah gets right on it and does it cubit for cubit! Now, can you imagine what an idiot he probably looks like to all of his neighbors and friends?! Building this ginormo ark for no apparent (to them) reason! I know I'd be laughing at him. Well, Noah works on his ark and I'm sure he has a tremendously humble attitude the whole time. Finally he finishes and it's time for the storm. So all the animals come, you know the story. Now, if I were Noah, I'd be pointing and laughing "Ha ha! Suckas! Told you!!!" Well, thank goodness I'm not Noah. I can't wait to meet him in heaven. But Lord, please give me the faith of Noah!

Oh, and I'm naming my first son Noah.

Just the beginning

2009-01-28T13:45:00.000-08:00

It came. It came!! The letter from Moody. I've been accepted to Moody Bible Institute! (The crowd goes wild!)

BUT-

"Because of space limitations, we are unable to offer you acceptance to the BA degree program in Chicago; however, I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted for our BS in Biblical Studies program."

So, I will be attending Moody in Spokane, Washington in the fall, Lord willing.

Yahooo!!!!

God's Glasses

2009-01-27T14:28:00.001-08:00

The Church's Ladies' Bible study, NDOW, that I go to is doing the study "Experiencing God" this semester. We are only one week into it and I am already seeing God in my life differently than I have before. Just earlier last week, I had kind of been freaking out about money. Money is one of the only things that I really stress out about. Like, I lose sleep and eat everything in sight when I stress about money. Well this was a great time to see God working in my life. I love looking at things from God's perspective. Instead of looking at things through the world's glasses, put on God's glasses. It's a much better view.

So, the story- I was at work in the cafe, and these two high school boys come up to the counter. One of them is flipping a Jones' soda bottle that he's grabbed from the beverage case. They're sooooo cool, I think to myself (boy how I regret that thought)...and he plops it on the counter. I ring him up for the soda and tell the boys to have a nice night. Well, he then asks if we are allowed to take tips. Yes, we are! So he pulls out this wad of cash and slams it on my side of the counter then walks away. I yell Thank you! as a huge grin comes across my face. A four dollar tip for a two dollar soda!! Silly boys. Now normally I would start making fun of the boy and brag about this tip that I just got, but I can't. I can't because I put on God's glasses. That was obviously God showing me that He is going to provide the money I need this month.

But the story doesn't end there.

A girl at work got sick. Normally I would complain. But it was God saying, Meaghan, here's 5 more hours. I took her shift.

On that shift, the same boy comes in. Now, I am not going to take advantage of him at all, I'm going to treat him like any customer. So I take his order, take his friends order, etc. No tip. That's okay! Well, ten minutes goes by, and he comes up to the counter. Uh-oh. We forgot his brother's drink. I make it quickly and then bring him a cookie on the house. Another twenty minutes go by, and he comes up to me and puts a 5 on the counter! Here's a tip, he says. I say no way, but he's walked away already!

Okay God. You are way too cool.

Plan B & B

2009-01-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

Jenny and I went for a walk on Saturday downtown and discovered my future. Well...that happens quite a bit, actually, I'm not going to lie. We have a list in our apartment of things that I'm going to do in the future. But that's beside the point. We were walking by these adorable houses that actually reminded me a lot of Moscow when we came up to this fabulous Bed and Breakfast. It was perfect. Mine will be a little bigger, but oh, isn't it the cutest thing? The red brick on the outside and there is a long driveway to a house in the back where I imagined the cute little old lady who owns it lives. I tried to get some good pictures, but I remember from living in Moscow how weird it was looking out your window to see people taking pictures of your house, so I tried to be subtle. Well, my future plan is to own one of these. To have my own bed and breakfast. And I even have a name for it - Plan B & B.

False Alarm

2009-01-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

I've always loved a man with a sense of humor. God has such a great one. I got to the mailbox today, and there it was - a letter from Moody! It was beautiful. I practically sprinted from the mailboxes back to my apartment. I said a quick prayer, asking God to prepare my heart, then ripped it up. My heart was pounding and my hands were shaking and I was just hoping beyond all hope that this moment wouldn't end in tears. The letter started out "Dear Friend." Dear Friend? Really? You'd think they'd know my name by now after the four essays I'd written. Oh well, keep reading. Dear friend, Thank you so much for your interest in Moody... I get half way down the page and no congratulations yet...flip the page over...my heart is starting to sink... I keep reading...what is this letter? Oh. There it is- "Tuition is free here at Moody, please send us a check." Oh my goodness! Relief hits, and I begin to laugh. God does have a sense of humor. And the waiting begins again.

Waiting

2009-01-14T12:20:00.000-08:00

I check the mailbox everyday. It's probably become an addiction. But it still hasn't come- the letter from Moody. Yep, that's right. I've applied to Moody Bible Institute. It's been a long process, but it is definitely the right decision for me so far. But I think this has been the hardest part- the waiting. Thankfully God's timing is perfect, and I have that to keep me sane. This is just an opportunity for me to work on my patience, right? Now excuse me while I go distract myself.