Marathons, Barrel Racing and Little League

The great commission tells us to go and make disciples of all nations. Most people just take this as a command to go tell everyone about Jesus: a command many take lightly. Personally I think it goes a whole lot deeper than telling a couple of people about Jesus.

A couple of months ago I was given the opportunity to disciple three amazing girls from UGBC’s youth program. I love spending my Mondays going through the Bible and talking with them, running with them, texting them, running sound with them, etc. Getting to know each one is great; all three girls are unique and special to me.

This is where the great commission gets personal. Disciple-making isn’t just about going and telling a couple of people about Jesus. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. True discipleship takes commitment and time.

If I throw a couple of months into developing a relationship with these girls and then drop it, I’ve done little. This is a lifetime commitment. I want each girl to succeed and follow the path God has designated for her. Whatever it takes, I’ve taken on this responsibility.

Discipleship doesn’t stop when someone accepts Jesus’ lordship. This is the beginning.  My walk should reflect the life of Christ. I want them to see what it truly means to follow Christ. Through building a relationship with them, I want them to have someone they can trust. I want them to have a model for how to live a Christian life.

By pouring my life into someone else, I hope I’m making a difference to last a lifetime. Every moment I spend with them is worthwhile.

I read someone’s status on facebook the other day where a man said he could have beat his best time on the Summer Swing 5K, but instead he chose to run with a 16-year-old who was new to running. This is what I’m talking about. Take the time to run with someone who is new to this faith.

Or ride horses. Or golf. Or hunt. Or shop.

Whatever it is y’all connect on, take the time to go out and spend some time together. Trust me it’s worth it. I love my runs around the high school with Amber. I can’t wait to take Kourtney horseback riding. And I get so excited to chill with Reba in the sound room.

When my little cousin has a ball game, I’m all for going and watching her hit runs left and right. I’m willing to support them in any sport or event they participate in. I’m actually excited about watching some volleyball this year.

This doesn’t stop with these three. There are so many in my life who I feel I make an impact on. I’m sure you do too. Whether you like it or not, someone’s watching you. People are looking up to you.

Overwhelming, huh?

I read an article the other about raising teenagers. In it said in other countries teenagers spend only about five hours with their peers and the rest of the time they spend with adults. Whereas in America, it is just the opposite. In this part of the article it encouraged parents to find role models for their teenagers. Personally I think anyone can benefit from spending time with someone a few years older.

I can’t tell you how much of an impact in my life those who have cared enough to take time with me have made. Much of my spiritual walk has been cultivated by the men and women who have taken me under my wing in one way or another. Although my parents and grandparents are my biggest examples, I couldn’t name all the women who have poured their lives into mine at some point or another. I look up to these women (and men) and know my life is different because of their influence and prayers.

My Sunday school is probably tired of hearing about it, but it’s important to me. If I can make the difference in the life of someone (like someone made in mine) then I’m all for it. This is my mission field.

So here’s your chance to try it. Some have been forced in the role of discipleship…using forced loosely. If you are a parent or parental figure then this is a mandatory action. It’s not something you can take lightly.

Even if you aren’t a parent, you don’t have to look far to find someone to take on. I’m sure you have brothers, sisters, cousins or even an entire youth group to try on. One guy mentioned the teenagers he works with. People are everywhere in need of a little attention to help them build a deeper relationship and understanding of Christ.

I’m sure you can think of someone in your life who looks up to you. How can you take a step to show them what it means to follow Christ?

Matthew 28:19-20  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Here’s to Homemade Biscuits

About a year ago I had this wild idea. I was going to learn to cook. This coming from the girl who used to run out of the kitchen the moment her mama pulled out a skillet. (I tell everyone she ran me out. Don’t listen to me; I lie.)

Earlier in my life I decided to learn to grill because I always enjoyed standing with my dad as he flipped burgers. I thought it would be fun to learn and learn I did. I think dad enjoyed me grilling more than he liked doing it himself.

So I decided now would be a good time to learn. I knew little things like how to boil eggs, brown meat and make grilled cheese, but that was the extent of my cooking skills. My first experiment was spaghetti (my favorite) while house-sitting for my grandma. Although the noodles stuck together, it turned out pretty decent. When I moved out I began tackling this hardcore with a little assistance from a good friend of mine and my mama (who I called before to make sure she had her phone nearby.) This past week I made spaghetti again except this time out of a spaghetti squash and I threw ingredient together to come up with my own concoction. It was delicious!

Now why would I suddenly decide to take up cooking after years of running from an active kitchen? What enticed me to learn the basics of making a gourmet dinner?

The key to a man’s heart is his stomach. OK, so I didn’t learn how to cook to find a husband. God has a assured it’ll come in due time. I’m not worried about that.

No, I learned because one day I will be a wife, and when that day comes I want to be ready. I want my husband to be able to eat something and honestly say it was good.

In the age of feminists, this may not be popular thinking. Why prepare for marriage?

In society we prepare for everything else. To be a school teacher you have to go to college for four years. To become a nurse, it takes two. We spend 12+ years in school as kids to be educated and prepared for the real world. We prepare for SATs, for college, for a job, but no one prepares to be a wife.

Let’s face it: most of us will end up married one day. Maybe you aren’t planning on being a stay-at-home wife; I’m not. I do plan on working as long as I don’t have kids at home. Wifedom is something to prepare for. You can’t prepare for every detail of marriage, but little things like cooking are small steps.

I’m not talking of being a Stepford wife; you don’t have to be the cookie-cutter trophy wife. I just want to be able to please my husband.

I have a friend who is going all out in preparation. She does plan on being a stay-at-home wife, and she wants to do it right. Just listening to her describe the things she wants to do as a wife can make you smile as you see her excitement. Also, I enjoy the stories of her learning to tie a tie.

Back when I was a kid I read all the time. I remember reading books where girls would go away to finishing schools where they learned how to be a good wife and hostess. Back then I thought it was stupid. Now, though, it makes sense why these schools exist. These women are not stupid; they aren’t doormats. They are simply preparing for what they will one day do: be wives.

My prayer is I will one day be a Proverbs 31 woman. I believe learning to cook and anything else which will please my husband is important. Maybe this isn’t a popular idea, but hey, I’ve never really been interested in listening to everyone else.

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her: “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all.” Proverbs 31: 27-29

(I recommend reading the entirety of Proverbs 31 when you find the chance.)

You Won the Lottery!

One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

This past weekend God paved the way for me to attend one more women’s retreat. It occurred to me when I got home I’ve only been on one retreat without any problems hindering me getting there. This one may have been one of the most problematic. With my Uganda mission trip, I wasn’t going to be able to afford. God provided (Thank you to the vessel J) My granny went into Bethany House last week and I was nervous about leaving her. I went and came home to a much healthier granny who is now at home. I got a little stressed at work before leaving and then on the drive up I get a phone call and learn my youngest brother and sister were in a wreck. (They’re OK)

Needless to say I was exhausted when I pulled up at Camp ASCAA.

The camp was about being molded by the Potter, something I’ve been discovering since I graduated from college. After fully surrendering all my plans to God after a year of being hardheaded, I began searching for what He wants me to do.

About this time last year my granny was diagnosed with bone cancer in her back. At some point she was in the hospital and, as I was helping her, she said “You should’ve been a nurse.” I said no.

Someone had mentioned physical therapy. I said no. Someone else did. I said no. They were persistent. I looked into it. I decided this must be what God wants from me so I enrolled at South University and took three classes. Every Thursday night I took the hike down to Montgomery where I sat in an incredibly long Medical Terminology. The girl who once hated science loved every minute of it (well, until she looked at her watch and realized it was past 9 p.m.) At the end of the semester, I didn’t have the money for another quarter.

Once during this quarter I listened to a sermon where David Platt was talking to a missionary named Katie Davis. This was about a week before Pastor Vincent came to our church to talk about Uganda. Davis went to Uganda for a year-long mission trip after high school where she now still lives. I think she’s about 21 now. In her story she described some of the experiences she had and many of them involved nursing although she has no nursing experience.

At this moment it struck me: if I go into the mission field nursing would be useful.

I began considering it, asked one of my co-workers (found positive feedback) and then consulted my boss. I got an hour long lecture of why I shouldn’t go into nursing…medical field period. Everything he said was true. I decided to take his advice and continue focusing on PTA school.

I decided with taking this quarter I could spend a lot of time praying about what God wanted.

A month or so ago a missionary came and preached at our church. This guy is in veterinarian school, where he didn’t want to be, but God called him there. His entire message seemed directed at me. Didn’t want to go to vet school, but God said go. Hmmmm….

Then he said something that knocked the wind out of me.

RNs are so valuable in the mission field. They are even more valuable than what I do.

Hmph. So I start praying about it again. When I filled out my application for women’s retreat I put for them to be praying for clarity in my career path.

Right before I went, I started looking at nursing schools. I wasn’t 100 percent on board. It just never hurts to look.

OK, so I get to camp and in my first solo time…spending a little time at Jesus’s feet, I go and sit by a bench by the lake. I was going to walk to mine and Brooke’s spot from winter retreat, but stopped early because I found a bench and I was lazy.

I get done reading Galatians and I shut my Bible. Someone about falls down these rocks behind me and I turn around and it’s this 14-year-old girl who came with someone. (Named Sam…I always thought it’d be cool to be named Sam) We start talking and she starts talking about school. She wants to see if she start going to AU or Southern Union to begin on her RN.

Your what? Excuse me? (This was what I thought. Not what I said.)

I replied, “Well maybe we’ll be in some classes together.”

I can’t even get into camp good and God’s whacking me upside the head.

One other thing I wanted was a good scripture to prove this is what God wants. On the handout for the Ladies Retreat it was labeled It’s never too late to begin a new service for God. Seriously God.

Psalm 45:10-11 Listen O daughter, Consider and incline your ear; forget your own people also and your father’s house; So the King will greatly desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, worship Him.

(Now if anymore scriptures on the subject stick out to you, send em my way because I could start backtracking.)

Actually I did think about the backtracking and so did God, which is probably why He made me stand up and announce it in front of all the women on the retreat.

Honestly, I am starting to get a little excited about it. I have no idea what the future holds in store for me, but I know nursing is involved. Please be in prayer with me as I go forward with this. My stomach is in all sorts of knots. I feel like a little kid holding my daddy’s hand, having no clue where we’re going.

Now the real fun begins.

Everyday is a Beautiful Day

As the old song goes, “you’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” Lately these words have been ringing true as I’ve watched so many become victim to this brave new world.

No one stands up for anything anymore. I know, I know. There are protesters everywhere holding up their little signs whining about a plethora of topics. But really, how far does your little sign go? That and when I see these people protesting I can’t help but wonder what do they do for a living. As far as I can tell they get a lot of time off just to go protest. 

Look you have to do more than post a lengthy status on facebook, hold up a little sign in front of the White House or whine about the problems with America at lunch to actually make a stand for something. No one wants to do any more than they have to anymore.

Dad talks about when my grandfather was a state trooper. Back then when the administration was bad or someone was being mistreated then the entire post would band together and protect the individual. Nowadays when there’s a wrong done to a person, the individual is left standing alone while everyone else takes care of himself.

What’s happened to this country? This country that once prided itself in being the land of the brave has become the land of the fat, wealthy and cowardly. I know once this was a great nation, but as long as we’re stepping back and letting the whiners and lazy rule, then America is going to collapse.

I’m tired of watching great men and women go down for doing the right thing or because someone else is covering their own butt.

I’m tired of listening to people complain of all the problems in our government, health care, school systems, etc. while no one wants to do a thing about it.

I’m tired of watching lazy people drag down everyone else because they think they should be able to go to work and twiddle their thumbs and still bring home a paycheck.

I’m tired of loving a country no one else gives a crap about.

It’s about time people start taking action. Instead of standing by and thinking “oh, I’m glad it’s not me” realize this: it is you. Maybe it’s your co-worker or your friend or your brother who has come under fire so you think you’re safe. Let me tell you, no one is safe. As long as this country is ruled with issues such as “self-esteem,” “no child left behind,” “spread the wealth” “political incorrectness” then I think we’re all under the radar. This is a real call to action. I want you to stand up for what you believe in. Stand up for what this country was founded for.

Recently I read through Daniel. In chapter six is the famous story of Daniel in the lion’s den. It’s a remarkable story and as I read through it I couldn’t help, but compare it to today. Daniel (now an old man) finds favor in the king’s eye and all the other officials don’t like this. (Daniel 6:3-4)

What I like it verse 5. “Then these men said “we shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God. So they have the decree wrote, Daniel’s thrown in the lion’s den and you know the rest of the story. (Go re-read it whether you’ve read it lately or not)

Daniel didn’t make the decision to follow God the moment they wrote this decree as a “what then” in the king’s face. No. He made this decision years before we He decided to follow God. (Daniel 6:10)

This is what we should do. Our decision needs to be made now. I’ve made my decision. I will stand up for what’s right; I will follow Christ.

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house (which consists of me and a fish right now), we will serve the Lord.

 

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s to the day celebrated with green beer and lots of pinching. Somehow I think the point of this holiday has been missed. This beautiful day is in celebration of a man ran to Ireland with the gospel and turned the country upside down.

I told the tale of St. Patrick to my GAs Wednesday night. I don’t think many people share my enthusiam of this day. At least not in the way I do.

After teaching the lesson I couldn’t help thinking this holiday is way more than the amounts of green seen everywhere. (Yes, this is my favortite color so I do enjoy that)

Here’s the tale (Megan style) if you don’t know it: Saint Patrick first went to Ireland after being captured by Irish pirates when he was somewhere between 14-16. Mark Driscoll, one of my favorite preachers, is descended from Irish pirates. I wonder if there’s any relation. He turned to God in his captivity and eventually returned to England when he was 20. He went to the local seminary and became a preacher (OK, he was Catholic. They didn’t have seminary I don’t think so he went to school to be a bishop instead.) In a dream, he saw the Irish people calling out to him in song to return. So he packed his bags and headed back to Ireland, where he lived 40 years as a missionary converting the natives. Whole kingdoms turned their lives to Christ.

So where does green beer play in?

The true celebration of this holiday should be the missionary who spent 40 years spreading gospel in a country where he was once captive. I’m sure he would agree with Paul, who showed off his chains in Christ.

So grab a shamrock, head to the local pub and tell someone what they are really celebrating… Jesus Christ lives and this good news is enough to tell the whole world.

Praise Jesus!

Let the Rounds Begin

Everyone has a story. Your boss, that guy who laid your carpet last week, the weird kid dressed in all black listening to a blaring iPod and even the angry driver who nearly ran you off the road all have stories. And you know what? They are fascinating.

I love listening to people. The stories you hear when sitting with a bunch of folks is amazing. The other day while I sat around and listened to a group of nurses exchange tales of bizarre cases I couldn’t help think about this. Even the seemingly dullest person has a great story to tell if you would just stop and listen. When you sit around a group of people who have been around a little bit longer than adolescence you can hear so many great tales and learn so much.

I have a degree in journalism. God allowed me to get this degree even though I now know I was out of His wishes. In 7^th grade I decided I would go to college and major in journalism. That whole 10 year plan thing was all worked out and went with it, hoping my Lord was on board. After a stubborn year in my current job I finally realized He had different plans for me.

One question I heard often was why did I want to be a reporter? I could come up with some answers, but none of them really fit. It shouldn’t have been this hard to describe the why of my lifelong dream. In a practice interview in college I stumbled through some answer that didn’t make sense to either me or the interviewer. Now that I believe this path is over and done with I know why.

I love hearing people’s stories. I want these stories to be put on paper.

Not everyone’s stories consist of flowers and butterflies. Some stories are downright horrible. The more I learn about the people in my life, the more heartbroken I become knowing what they’ve been through. I am sickened with the world and with sin and my inability to do much about it.

Still I want to listen.

The funny thing is God can use these stories for His glory. Everything that has happened to you can be turned around for good.

A couple of years ago a friend did a project where he wanted everyone’s salvation story. I wrote it out (it was long) and gave it to him, but didn’t allow him to use it. I didn’t feel comfortable throwing the whole thing out into the public, possibly disregarding other people’s rights to their own stories.

I did get chunk of my story down on paper and it felt good to have the thing written. I may need to do some tweaking, but for the most part it’s my story. I know my story can be used for God’s glory. My experiences with my parent’s divorce, my temper problem, my disobedience in career path, my single life and so many other things can be used to minister to those experiencing similar things. I can’t even understand the depth of how much God can use it.

So, my friend, I ask you to do the same. Write down your story. Put the story of your life until now on paper. Look at where you’ve been and where God has brought you. If you want, feel free to share it with me. I understand 100 percent if you don’t want to. I just want to hear.

Even without sharing, write down your story for your own purpose and begin praying, asking God to use you and your story. You will not be disappointed.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay

to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, not from us.

2 Corinthians 4:7

 

What’s Love Got To Do With It

Love.

I did my last blog on this subject, but I want to write about it a little differently. This has absolutely nothing to do with Valentine’s…that was last week. I want to discuss love of God.

I have written on several topics in my blog such as missions, reading your bible, prayer, etc. In each blog I explain my struggles, my passions and also try to convince readers of why it’s important.

The other day I was thinking about it. I love reading my Bible. Even now I’m typing with my camouflage Bible on the arm of the chair open to 1 Samuel 13. It’s rare when I will miss reading even a tiny portion from this book. I’ve been reading it since I was little. I love it.

This goes for several of my other passions I do so well. I love to go to church and spend time with my church family. I love serving the community. I love working hard at whatever I’m doing. I love serving God.

Now I do have my struggles. Sitting still and praying is incredibly difficult. For one thing, I’m not longwinded. I have a friend who will tell me she spent an hour praying over a subject. I think to myself “um, I prayed about five minutes, moved to the next subject and then prayed when it surfaced throughout the day.” I can’t sit still and pray.

I really wish I could. I can’t even go for walks and pray. My mind drifts. I have too much on my mind. My goal is to learn to pray consistently and personally, on my knees. (Now I’m going to add, I have rationalized it and thought, well, I don’t talk much anyway so maybe I shouldn’t be hard on myself.)

The Bible says to pray continuously…and this I think I have down if by praying continuously means praying whenever someone pops in your head. At the same time, we follow Christ. Christ went off by Himself and spent time praying and speaking with God. This is an example I should follow too.

Today I found an article on prayer. Several statements in the article stood out, but one stopped me in my tracks. It said something to the drift of you will pray because you love to pray.

My thoughts on the subject seemed to join together in this moment. Not only for my difficulty in talking to God for more than five minutes at a time. But for the reason so many people struggle with different areas. Maybe people who don’t do whatever isn’t because of whatever rationalization they can come up with. (My normal, everyday quietness) Maybe the read hindrance is a lack of love.

Do I not pray because I don’t love prayer? Do I not pray because I don’t love talking to God?

I’d like to say maybe I just don’t like sitting still, but that doesn’t count. I can sit on my front porch a half-hour in the morning and read my Bible. I spend I don’t know how much time in the sound room at church (granted, I do pace a lot up there.)

The issue comes when I know my biggest problem with sitting still (or walking) and praying is a wandering mind.

So help me out. Pray for me to learn to pray like Jesus prayed. Pray for me to learn to love prayer.

Now that I’ve confronted this I want to point out something: you struggle with something to. We all do. All this little basics of our walk with Christ. What is it?

This is a time for you to evaluate where you are in your love affair with your Savior. Trust me, if something popped in your head, it may be it. Don’t rationalize it away with excuses or whatever.

Pray for God to help you love whatever it is and also for you to love Him more.

Selah