Deuteronomy - Story Time with Moses

Right now I'm reading through the Bible in a year. I'm super pumped about youversion.com. It gives me a chronological plan and even sends me emails when I get behind in my readings (which obviously NEVER happens)

Well, I am actually quite behind right now. I would tell you that I'm just taking my time, but I feel like when you lie about something that has to do with the Bible that's like double wrong (I kid).

So right now I'm in Deuteronomy and it's all about the people of Israel traveling around in the wilderness, complaining, making this golden calf to worship (P.S. Seriously?!?!? A calf? At least make it something menacing of something.) Basically, the whole book is Moses story time-retelling of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. So imagine all the millions of the Israelites sitting around on beanbags, eating some popcorn and listening to how dumb they are and how great God is. Oh those fun Friday night retellings.... 

A lot of the book is about God helping them to conquer all these other lands and nations that want to wipe them off of the face of the earth [Also, side not here...if you're looking for some deep exigetical and theological blog, this is NOT it...in case you haven't figured that out]. This passage really really grabbed me:

And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and say to them, "Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory .

Deuteronomy 20:2-4

I am SOO thankful that I serve that same God who fights for ME and gives me the victory over my enemies. 

Right now, as Nate and I are raising support, this verse just sings to the yearnings of my heart. I am NOT saying that the people we meet with for support are our enemies =), but I am saying, that each day I know that God is fighting for me to raise this support and to get Nate and I to campus. I know that it's not on my own performance that the rest of our 35% is going to be raised, nor has it caused the first 65% to be raised..

And that is SO freeing.

Switching to the Dark Side =)

WELCOME!!!

I have loved my year of blogging and thought that it was time for a change from Wordpress. I wanted to make a blog more 'me' and thought Blogger gave me more of an opportunity to do that. This blog will hopefully showcase more vulnerability, more talk about beauty and just more awesomeness in general.

Here's my breakup letter with Wordpress if you need some material. It's pretty classic, if I do say so myself.

Dear Wordpress, 

No offense but I'm kind of over you....I think it's time we start seeing other people, and by we, I mean me.... It's not you, it's me.... I just need to find myself.....I'm really thinking of YOU here....For real, you deserve better than me. 

I'm heading to the green land of Blogger. It just gives me more options for my future. It listens to me =) 

Sincerely, Megan

In other news...Nate and I are SOOOO excited to be getting closer to Cleveland. We can feel our vision and burden for the students in Cleveland growing my the day, and are praying that the Lord's timing for us to work in the city is quickly approaching.

I think the Indians are excited we're coming too, 'cause they're playing AWESOME!

Office, Ohio State, and Scrabble...my life is RANDOM.

ORIGINALLY POSTED: April 20, 1011


Lately my blogging aspirations have been, well, uninspired. Serious kudos to those people who blog every day. Not me.


Here are some highlights of my life lately:

• We reached 65% of our support goal =) God has provided in such unbelievable ways and I'm SOOO pumped to see Him provide this last 35% and get us to campus.
• I was extremely disappointed with Will Ferrell's appearance on The Office. Seriously awful. The receptionist, Erin, was the funniest character in the whole episode. Here is one of her older clips that is my absolute favorite:

• I entered the pregnant woman jungle of Babies-R-Us to get a baby shower gift, had a mini panic attack in the diaper aisle, and felt judged by all the pregnant women in the store because I look like I could have just finished my sophomore year of high school. Hope to not go back into that madness for a LONG time!
• Toured Ohio State University with my good friends who are on staff with Crusade there. Wow. Mount's campus could practically fit into their workout center. Ridiculous. Here are my 3 favorite shots from the day:

• Biggest news of my random week. I FINALLY beat Nate in one of our favorite games, Fast Scrabble. I started playing this game with Nate's family when we started dating. If I scored in the positives, it was a good game. Nate's mom is a Fast Scrabble Ninja and usually, even he smokes me. But not this time. Not anymore. Here is my clincher puzzle, the one that won it all for me. VICTORY!!!!

Here's to more blogging inspiration in the coming weeks. CAN'T WAIT!

7:27 pm

ORIGINALLY POSTED: April 10, 2011

Great Gobs of Goose Grease

ORIGINALLY POSTED: April 3, 2010

We arrive at the farm, walk into Grandma and Grandpa's living room. Hugs for Grandma....

Grandpa walks in and proceeds to change in the middle of the room. He drops his pants. We gasp and close our eyes. Thankfully, my Grandpa was wearing like 3 pairs of pants...just don't question it. Of course, there is nothing weird to him about changing in front of all of us. I mean, he still pinches my backside and says I'm "a good little boy".

This is life on the farm. Unpredictable. Crazy. Awesome.

When I was younger, these 70 acres held the most supreme adventures. Trees, barns, mud, vines, cows, AND a basketball hoop.

Heaven.

Now that I'm less apt to play in the mud and try to catch those tiny things swimming in the creek, I walk. I walk and I don't carry a watch, cellphone, anything. It's so wonderful to not be constrained by time. I think I've truly mastered the art of ambling. Walking with no destination or goal, no time limit or task to accomplish. Walking to just enjoy the beauty.

I love the farm. I tried to capture some of the beauty for you here. It's my first experimentation with this AWESOME camera my 'Florida Grandma' blessed me with for Christmas. Never thought I would own a camera this nice. I can't wait until I understand how to use it to be super awesome.

P.S. The title is one of my Grandpa's favorite sayings.

The Rivalry Continues

This is Dad's attempt at a 'tough face' - Don't judge him, he's a Pastor.

Let me preface by saying, "I'm not pregnant."

ORIGINALLY POSTED: March 16, 2010


It seems as if from Day #2 of being married every time I say,"Guess what?", my family replies with shrieking excitement, "YOU'RE PREGNANT!".


To which I reply back, "No, I picked a weggie without my hands today and I thought you would be proud."


Both sides of Nate and my family are definitely not pushing us to wait to have children =) It's not like they're pushing us to begin a family either, but our mommas are ready to spoil them some grandbabies. And of course, with both of them having such a quiet and meek personality, it's not like they voice their opinions LOUDLY and OFTEN or anything (insert sarcastic wink here).


Anyway...all this to say that the prompt that this bloggy thingy gave me to write about was, "Write a letter to your future grandchildren." Since I can't even imaging having grandchildren at this point in my life , I thought I would give this a stab to a future child.


I've never actually thought of what I would say to he/she/them so forgive me if this is a little jumbled:

Dear uh...YOU,

I cannot believe that you have made me a mother. I feel compelled to either get a mom haircut or learn to play the piano.

I have many unrealistic expectations for you: Speak several languages by 3rd grade, learn to play the harp so you can receive a fat scholarship to a top University (Thank you Kate & Evan Staggs for this inspiration), appreciate and dominate in several key sports, and be an avid chef as to limit the years I have to cook for our family. But, I kid.

There are so many things that I cannot wait to teach you; to show and model for you. I hope I can show you how to love life and love Jesus most of all. He will transform your life in ways that you can't even begin to imagine. When I think about my life even thus far, I can definitely say that the most fulfilling and wondrous experience for me has been walking in relationship with God. He cares for you so much more than I even have the capacity for. Don't waste years of your life trying to find a wholeness in your Spirit without Jesus. I've tried. I've failed.

I know that having your parents in ministry will not be easy for you. There will be days when you absolutely hate what we do, and will wish for us to have chosen a 9-5 desk job with no ties to peoples' hearts. I remember feeling the same way countless times growing up. I hope you can see in us the importance and joy found in investing in people. You will find that so much happiness comes in serving and loving others well. 

I want you to know, that you were made with immaculate care and thought. Your body, your talents, your personality, were all crafted by a loving Father. You are celebrated. You are enough exactly as you are. I will reaffirm your identity often, and be mindful to continually walk in the Spirit so I don't portray the opposite, in my view of myself, of what I say to you. 

You cannot possibly perform for my love. I have no expectations that you must live up to. 

I. AM. FOR. YOU. 

I will be the annoyingly enthusiastic mom for wherever you feel your passions lie. You may have to be patient with me if you choose to pursue anything but sports. I'm not really sure what's appropriate level of cheering for ballet performances, orchestra recitals, art shows etc. I'll try not to be loud and obnoxious, but I cannot make any promises. Just know that I love you...and I can park around the corner so no one knows you're associated with me. 

You will become my most important ministry. Walking through life with you will erupt in me a contentment of being exactly in the place you were created for. Honestly, I hope by the time you arrive, I am more mature and selfless than as I'm writing this. I'm sure you will bring out a nature in me that no one else can, and one that I have doubted exists in my character. 

I cannot wait to make a lifetime of memories with you. 

I already love you. 

Megan - a.k.a. The coolest future mom in North Lawrence, Ohio, [Population: 12]

What would you say to your future children? Or, if you know me, what would you say to mine? =) Leave me a comment, peeps!!

Confessions of a Blog-Stalker

ORIGINALLY POSTED: March 8, 2011

Hello, my name is Megan, and I'm a blog stalker."

"Hello, Megan."

Alright, let's get started.....

It's a problem, I know. I could spend hours a day reading blogs online. There are just so many GREAT bloggers out there [naturally, most of them are women =) ]. I love reading about other people's lives, especially those in ministry. I can relate to these women, gain wisdom from them, and of course, laugh at their lives without them knowing =) But, as much as I like these blogs, I've found that reading them has had a definite effect on my own blogging.

I have actually had a lot of fun blogging lateley about silly things; Smoker's lung & basketball, Bubble baths, my little sister etc. I've become more consistent, and I really enjoy the writing aspect of putting my thoughts down on, well, screen.

But, as much as I have enjoyed blogging, and blog stalking, I find myself trapped in this ever familiar struggle. Again.

Comparison.

I'm guilty of it so much more than I would like to admit. Fighting it takes a second-by-second focus. Thoughts run through my head about my ineptness or inadequacy compared to all these other women with unbelievable blogging talent. It stops me from writing about my heart, opinions, and passions. It stops me from writing seriously, because I only see myself falling short.

And don't let me fool you into thinking that this stops in the blog realm of my life. This ugliness of comparison has shown it's face in nearly every single area of my life:

Appearance. I believe the lie that other women are made so much more beautifully than myself. Comparing my body to other women I see is so second nature that I hardly recognize it anymore. My mind runs away with itself leaving me feeling ugly, ashamed of how I look.

Leadership. I don't see the abilities God has given me to size up with other women in ministry. Why would someone want to follow me? How on earth could I impact a girl's life for the gospel? I might as well refer her to someone else, for her own sake; so she can grow and get the best direction.

There are so many other realms of my life that I struggle comparing and measuring up to others. So often I think that if I tell anyone about this, I'll be looked at differently, judged, not trusted. So I hide. I hide in my struggle and keep my emotions in the dark, in the dark where the lies grow stronger.

A good friend reminded me recently that it's so hard to make progress or believe the truth over the lies when you aren't telling anyone about it. In all this, the Lord has been so gracious to me in putting women in my life who continue to speak truth to me, and remind me of who the Lord says I am. I am sooooooo thankful for these women, and continue to process with them and the Lord daily.

So here's to blogging, and blog stalking, and being content with yourself exactly how the Lord fashioned you before the beginning of the word.

Take a look at my James 5:16 hotties - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

Lindsey Rapp- Jesus is the only reason we're friends =)

Badger Women (Long Story)...Satan is a fiduciary!

Lord, I'm Sarcastically Thankful For...

ORIGINALLY POSTED: February 24, 2011


My sister.


Let's give a little background. My sisters and I are as opposite as, well, all the famous sisters I can think of are really similar. So let's say she's like one of the Olsen twins, whichever one is more stable, and I'm like either Venus or Serena Williams, minus the fashion sense and unbelievable calves. I've always been into sports and Hannah hates to sweat. Hannah will dress up every day if you let her, and I would rather wear sweatpants. Hannah played with dolls and I with dirt. I mean really, SO different.


I love my sister. And she has been by far the best thing about living at home. But, there are times when I definitely do not appreciate her. Like this past week when we were obliterated by that snow storm. Let me just take you on a tour of our night...

Winter decided to remind us all the reasons we don't like Ohio ALL in one night.

Mom & Dad got stuck on the Interstate and called to have US, key word meaning more than one person, shovel the driveway. I was doing my part, hence this lovely picture of my butt.

While Hannah was making snow angels.

But, like most instances in our entire lives, Hannah can smile and worm her way into your good graces in a matter of minutes.


After the driveway was done...

We played dress up in Dad's ridiculous hats...

And went on a walk with Mom, enjoying the snow and making fun of each other =)

Best friends on 3...Best friends.

I'm With You, Rihanna

ORIGINALLY POSTED: February 20, 2011

I love women. I love talking with them, listening to them, laughing, crying (not as often as you would imagine), everything. I think the way that we have been created, the intricacies of our desires and motivations, our yearnings and passions, is just, well, amazing.

Right now I'm reading the book, Captivating, and it's teaching me a lot about really what it means to be a woman, how our souls were created and fun stuff like that. I definitely recommend the book.

And you know else I've been learning from? Rihanna. Believe it. Although, I'm not really taking cues from her fashion after seeing her snow-stripped dress thingy at the Grammy's. Not sure how she managed not to shift any key body parts throughout the whole process. Props for that, I guess. But, I think Rihanna's pretty accurately described the heart of women in her song Only Girl (In the World).

Want you to make me feel like I'm the only girl in the world. 

Like I'm the only one that you'll ever love. 

Like I'm the only one who knows your heart. 

Only girl in the world...

Each of us women have this innate desire to be loved; deeply, intimately, passionately and exclusively. We want to be completely known, to be kept safe and secure. We want someone to choose us, to want us, to desire us. I'm even married and I listen to this song and think 'Heck yeah, that's what I want!'.

And yet, here en lies the problem. So many women, and yes, probably Rihanna too, expect this ultimate love, acceptance and security to come from a man. Don't get me wrong, I love men too! Specifically one man =).

But I found out very quickly that even when being romanced by him in dating, engagement, and marriage, even when he pursues me, even when he lets me eats the last of the Cheddar and Sour Cream chips, he CANNOT fulfill this desire in my heart.

I'm so happy that the Lord exclusively pursues my heart, loves my soul specifically. I really hope these women, and even Rihanna, can recognize my Savior, the lover of their souls for the stud that he is. Being a Christian totally changed for me when I realized that God was inviting me into a deeper romance. My God has a passionate, fierce and romantic heart. My prayer is that you allow him to choose you, to pursue you. My prayer is that you realize his desire for you.

"He rescued me, because he delighted in me." Psalm 18:19

"You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes." SOS 4:9

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

Things a Bubble Bath WON'T Fix

ORIGINALLY POSTED: February 9, 2011

Nate and I started working out. That sentence should awe you so much that I could end my post right now. But, since I have NEVER been accused of being short-winded I'll continue. Basically,    My.    Body.    Hurts.

I am so sore it's ridiculous. And of course I'm obnoxious enough to whine and groan after every movement that makes me feel 90 years old. This, I'm ashamed to say, does not exclude the long process of trying to sit down on the toilet.

In order to ease my ailing muscles I had the brilliant idea of taking a bubble bath. It was exquisite. I could feel the soreness melting away. While I was sitting there, forgetting absolutely everything about reality, I thought to myself, "There is NOTHING a nice, long bubble bath can't fix."

But then, I got to thinking some more and that's not true. While a bubble bath can cure several ailments, there are some very specific things in my life that my bubble bath just cannot fix.

* My insane craving for Slim Jims.

* My desire to be a darker shade than our ceramic, white kitchen sink.

* My husband's propensity to 'dutch oven' me. P.S. Horrible Experience.

* My current housing situation; a basement where the window frosts on the inside and the pipe which we affectionately call the 'pee pipe' (for fear of what it might contain) runs right over our bed and often drips at night.

And lastly, the bath cannot cure the situation of having to get out of the tub. Heres to getting in shape.

So, let me know. What did I miss? What can a bubble bath not fix for you?

Smoker's Lung, Mount Alumni Game & Top 10 Reasons I Love THE Game of Basketball

ORIGINALLY POSTED: February 2, 2011

Let's get some things clear, while participating for the Mount Union Women's Basketball Team I did amass several coveted memberships and awards such as becoming a member of the
- 1,000 Points in Warm-ups Club,
- Loudest Bench in the Ohio Athletic Conference,
- Slowest runner of ANY sprint imaginable (you name it and I can finish last with a fantastically fashionable dive).

Well, I don't mean to brag but, I. Was. Awesome.

So naturally, the team would want me back to participate in the Alumni Game. A fake alumni such as myself is hard to get a hold of. Besides the game being an awesome opportunity for me to reunite with some serious ballers, feel like I've been smoking for 60 years because of how out of shape I've gotten, (seriously, I coughed for hours); it also served as a reminder of this love affair I've had with the game of basketball that started at the age of 4.

My dad, the ultimate handy man, rigged together a basketball hoop from a tire, metal pole, some concrete, plywood and a rim. It started at probably 2 feet. As I got bigger and more awesome, the hoop raised. It sat on this concrete slab which was about 6 feet wide. When I was younger, it was my entire court. Big enough to play an entire fake game with at least 4 different countdown, last second, incredible shots. This concrete slab was where the game began to capture my heart.

As I got older, I played some frustrating games on some rough teams for some difficult coaches. Through 13 houses, several towns and 3 states, basketball was constant. It continued to lure me back. You know that look that a little girl can give you where you think to yourself 'How can I ever be mad at that face?' Well, I'm the frumpy mom, and the little girl, her name is Wilson. And although I could list maybe 100 reasons that I love this game I thought I would cut it down to 10 so you don't miss your late night television shows.


MY TOP 10

1. The feel of the ball in my hands: shear familiarity. Like two old friends who know everything about each other, I can feel where the ball is going to be so closely it's as if it were an extension of my hand.
2. The pursuit of an offensive rebound.
3. The intricacies and strategies of the game. Over or under the screen? Help or bluff? Zone or man? Curl or fade? Back cuts, high-lows and everything in between. AWESOME.
4. Outworking every single other player on the court.
5. The faded sense of reality you get when you're between the lines. Just like a bubble bath or massage, all I need to relax and unwind is the ball and a hoop.
6. My crossover. Probably the only time I feel like a real, live baller =)
7. Feeling of rightness after shooting a perfectly and fundamentally sound 3-pointer. As soon as it leaves your hand you can get that cocky half-smile on your face because you know that there's no way you can miss.
8. Satisfaction after finishing a sprint. Unless your coach is a dictator and makes you get right back on the line...cough cough, Caitlin Carroll.
9. Cheering from the bench. I think I had the best of both worlds playing in college. I got to make some awesome friends and have almost no pressure come game day. Cheering slash encouraging my teammates was an awesome experience and SUPER fun...hence, Loudest Bench in the OAC.
10. The childlike nature of the game. It allows me to be immature, stalking my coach around the floor, making dumb jokes that no one laughs at, squirting my teammates in the face with water, trying to laugh and joke without getting caught by the dictator.

Basketball allows me to be that little girl on that concrete slab in Kentucky whose only care to stay entranced by the game, and simultaneously avoid doing the dishes, for as long as possible.

Oh, and P.S., SHE is spectacular. 

#10: Crochet a Scarf

Bucket ORIGINALLY POSTED: January 30, 2011

Before I get into the 'meat' of this post I think it's very important to understand some key and probably peculiar things about me:

• I thought I was a boy until like, age 8, and was bitter about my discovery until at least age 10.
• My idea of a nutritionally-balanced meal is Hamburger Helper with a side of Spaghetti O's.
• I would wear sweatpants every single day of my life if stinkin' society would allow me.
• Pretty much the most domestic thing that I can be attributed with is folding clothes.

I hope these bullet points communicate the shear improbability of my succeeding in something as down-home, domestic and feminine as crocheting. You know the Old Spice commercial with the talking bear who wants to be like Ray Lewis? Yeah, that's probably more likely to happen.

Nate's great-grandmother, Nana, is 91 and basically entered the world with crocheting needles in her hand. She's INSANE! She took on the monumental task of teaching me this skill. And by teaching me, I mean talking to me as her little hands were moving practically faster than the speed of light. While, I definitely could not keep up, I started to pick it up little by little. Unfortunately, my first attempt at a scarf looked exactly like the sand glass that Jafar trapped Jasmine in at the end of Alladin; fat at  both ends and super-model skinny in the middle.

My second attempt was a slow but sure success and I gave it to my brother for Christmas. Mind you, by the time I completed this gem of a scarf, Nana had already crocheted 2 entire afghans...which means she's slowing down as she gets older.

Here are some pictures of my brother and his creative interpretations of ways to wear my scarf (Don't blame him, he's living in Canada).

'This is why we do what we do' - IndyCC

ORIGINALLY POSTED: January 1, 2011

The last day at IndyCC, New Years Eve. EPIC!

Students were challenged to think of an action that they wanted to give over to the Lord in the coming year; an area that they feel God has laid on their heart to move in. After a time of reflection, students were able to text their resolution and have it displayed on the screen. Here are just a few that I jotted down:

I resolve to:

...Get help in overcoming my addiction to pornography

...Share Christ with my fraternity brothers

...Go on a summer project

...Seek counseling

... Commit a year of my life to do short term missions

...Get out of the party scene and use my testimony to get others out

...Forgive someone who deeply hurt me

...Reach the ones I find hardest to love

...Play my sport for God and try to reach my teammates for Him

...Live so I don't need 4 more weeks (See Everything I am post below)

Seriously, I was BLOWN away by the responsiveness of our students. The texts just kept pouring in. Students were vulnerable and real. It was so obvious that these were things God had been pointing to all throughout the conference.

As we were watching these another staff member leaned over to me and whispered, "This is why we do what we do." I almost got tears in my eyes. He was absolutely right. What a privilege Nate & I have that we have been gifted and called to work with these amazing students!

As New Years quickly approached we continued to pray for our own hearts, our campuses, our churches, our leaders, and finally our country. Worship ensued; crazy, passionate, culminating worship. Then the countdown. Then the kiss from my husband =) It was an awesome night to end on.

Here's one of our favorite new songs from the week. I hope that this touches and echoes the desires of your hearts as it did for many students this week. Happy New Year!

105 People!!! INDY CC

ORIGINALLY POSTED: December 31, 2010

Still at IndyCC...still LOVING what the Lord is doing.

Yesterday was the Day of Outreach. The day that most students try to pretend they have the flu because they are scared to death to share their faith, many of them for the first time. Been there, faked a headache, my discipler, Lori Wagner said 'no'. So I went. I remember my palms being sweaty even though it was freezing outside. My heart racing and my prayer only being that no one would answer their door. Funny to see how God can change a person's perspective. Little secret, I still get nervous.

But even in their fear 1,700 students stepped out in faith and took Boxes of Love (a meal for 4 and some other basic items) into neighborhoods around Indy. The Lord already performed a miracle and took away the cold rain that hung over the city and replaced it with sunshine. (Tangent- LOVE how the Lord blesses us in the simple ways. We could have shared in the rain, but God gave us sunshine. What a delicate and personal love!).

So much prayer has gone into this day from the churches hosting our students to the staff praying that not only would we see people joining the kingdom of heaven, but also that this would be a day of growth for our students, a day that they wouldn't soon forget. God answered our prayers beyond what we could have even imagined! Throughout the day,  2605 spiritual conversations took place, the Gospel was presented 1209 times, 587 people were connected with local churches, and 105 people prayed to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!


Can you imagine the New Year's party going on in heaven right now?!?!?! 105 more people have joined the family of God, 105 more names have been written in the Book of Life. Jesus will one day stand before his father and CLAIM 105 lives to himself. 105 people. 105 hearts. Unbelievable.

Praising the Lord all day today for allowing me to be a part of soul-winning.

Everything I am- INDY CC

ORIGINALLY POSTED: December 30, 2010

We're in Indianapolis for Christmas Conference and it has already been unbelievable! I wanted to tell you about tonight's meeting....

The speaker, Kurt Heinold, took us through a narrative of a student’s life who experiences Jesus return. This student was a Christian and immediately went to heaven where he experienced the Bema, the Judgement seat of the lamb. The Bible describes this as a judgement not of sin, but of stewardship; how believers served Jesus with their life.

Kirk starts by describing in detail, heaven. Basically it came down to the fact that the student was in such awe that even a written narrative couldn't give what he was seeing justice. Even his finite words were so captivating. I can only imagine what the real thing is like.

After heaven’s description, Jesus appears to the gathered Christians and calls each one of them by name, reviewing their life and impact for him while on earth. Each life was different, some got commendation from Jesus ('Well done my good & faithful servant), some were embraced, each uniquely between them and their Savior. The student, Brian, then approaches Jesus and after  going through, scene by scene of his life with Jesus, he realized that there was so much more he could have done with the resources, talents and opportunities Jesus gave him. He begged Jesus to let him return to earth for just 4 weeks in order to make a greater impact for Him.  After reviewing his squandered life Jesus looked at him and said “You left your first love.” The student (Brian) was crushed. He knew that he had  spent his life mostly investing in things that don’t last in light of eternity. Those things were burnt up now and not much was laid up for him in heaven.

Then, Jesus spoke the most beautiful words “Brian, you left your first love, but your first love NEVER left you. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

What an amazing, unbelievable, and divine picture of grace. After the emotional narrative, we have done what is often expected and routine, we sang. Except with many of these 2,000 students, what was once singing was now worship. We raised our hands and worshipped as if we were standing in the throne room of heaven, singing to Jesus in the flesh. I saw students straining their hands higher and higher in the air as if to grasp as much of Jesus as possible. Instead of singing, students almost yelled the words of Hosanna In the Highest .

It was probably off key, maybe some of the words weren’t correct, but it was honest. It was beautiful.

There was one girl in particular, Li, an exchange student from China. She came with my alma mater, Mount Union. During this worship time I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She is not a believer, but the pure joy and near surprise in her expression was so innocent, as through her broken English she sang these songs. I saw something so real in her that I know, I am extremely confident that she WILLcome to know Jesus very very soon. Then, when the day comes that I am standing in heaven with all the believers in the history of the world, when the bride of Christ finally comes together and is able to meet our groom. Li will be there. I am as sure of that as anything in the world.

When that day does come, what will I present to Jesus? Will my Savior be able to walk through my life with me and be pleased at how I used my resources, talents and opportunities? Will he be proud of how I acted in the ‘good works he prepared beforehand for me [you] to walk in’ (Eph. 2:10)? Will the Alpha and Omega, King of Kings and Lord of Lords be able to look into my eyes, which he himself crafted, and say, “Megan, daughter, well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into the glory that I have prepared for you.”? Or will I ask for 4 more weeks?

My prayer today is this:

Everything I am for YOUR Kingdom's cause.

When you find yourself looking into Jesus eyes, what will he be able say to you?

#42: Attend a Professional Sports Game

ORIGINALLY POSTED: September 19, 2010

Nate and I were super fortunate to go on a double date with his parents this past week to the Tampa Bay Rays vs. New York Yankees game.


Some background...the Rays are in a tight race with the Yankees for 1st place in the American League East. The three game series began on Monday night with a win for the Rays in extra innings, by the slim margin of 1-0 putting Tampa Bay 1/2 a game ahead in the AL East standings. Tuesday night the Yankees went ahead by 6 runs in what looked to be a blowout, but the Rays battled back to tie the game and send it into extras; only to have their comeback fall short on a heartbreaking walk off home run by Yankee catcher Jorge Posada in the 10th inning.

Both games setting the stage for the 3rd and last game of the series on Wednesday night... and boy was it a game. 29,733 crazy, screaming fans in attendance....Papa Johns pizza and Checker's fries.... the series and possible homefield advantage come the postseason in October partially at stake....seriously, even if the game were a blowout (on the part of the Rays of course) it was destined to be a night of greatness.
So the stage is set (pizza, fries and screaming etc.) and who shows up as the lead in the saga, the star of the drama-filled last game of the series?

Dan Johnson.

Who?

The Designated Hitter for the Rays that doesn't even start regularly. This is definitely not the player that the kids seek out and scream for his autograph, or recognize him awkwardly at McDonald's, take a picture with him and then have the go-down-in-history most awesome show and tell EVER at their elementary school. I mean, I didn't see anyone walk into the stadium with a jersey that read 'Johnson' on the back. although, after Dan's 2 home runs and all 4 of the team's RBI's on Wednesday night, I'm sure plenty people were walking out of the stadium looking for one!

The game was back and forth all night long. The Yanks took the early lead in the 1st inning 1-0, and then up comes Dan Johnson with a 2-run homer. The Yankees responded with a 2-run home run of their own after Derek Jeter faked getting hit by a pitch to get to 1st base. Then Johnson came back and sealed the deal with a 2-run home run putting the Rays up by what would be the final score of 4-3.

The atmosphere was crazy electric between fake fans there rooting for the Yankees and the awesome fans there rooting for Tampa Bay. Rays fans not only wanted to win, we wanted the Yankees to lose, and badly. It's amazing to me how so much camaraderie can form in just 2 hours between complete strangers whose only thing in common is the team name on their T-shirt. I mean high-fiving, even hugging between people who would normally not even associate with each other. And then, even more amazing is how quickly that camaraderie turns to fierce competitiveness just seconds later when people get in their cars and try to get out of the parking lot!

All in all it was an awesome night filled with good company and a great win! Here are some pictures for your enjoyment...

Alli's favorite Evan Longoria posing for the camera =)

We're so happy the Rays are winning!!

Ben Zobrist is the bomb & he loves Jesus =)

Fun double date! P.S. Look how awesome Mom and I are in our matching Rays shirts. No big deal.