Home Today

I was supposed to be in Virginia right now at my Holy Yoga retreat.  So, why am I not there?  Hurricane Sandy shut down Reagan airport when I was sitting on my plane this morning.  It's ok though, I don't have any control.  It's in God's hands.  I came back home and slept for a couple of hours.  I'm booked on the flight for tomorrow morning (if Reagan airport is open) and I will be joining my class a day late.  I'm just hoping to get my bag back today.  What?!?!  Yep, my bag went to Lansing, MI this morning.  They didn't get it off the plane in time.  I just smiled and filled out the report.  I'm glad a little part of me was able to head to DC this morning :).

When I sat down this morning to do my devotion from Jesus Calling this is what it said:

"LINGER IN MY PRESENCE A WHILE.  Rein in your impulses to plunge into the day's activites.  Beginning your day alone with Me is essential preparation for success.  A great athlete takes time to prepare himslef mentally for the feat ahead of him before he moves a muscle.  Similarly, your time of being still in My Presence equips you for the day ahead of you.  Only I know what will happen to you this day.  I have arranged the events you will encounter as you go along your way.  If you are not adequately equipped for the journey, you will grow weary and lose heart.  Relax with Me while I ready you for action."

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Hebrews 12:3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

What now?  I wait, I pray, I listen to what's in His will.  It might not be what I want it to be, but I know that whatever he has planned for me is better than I can imagine.

Today I'm praying for the storm to calm, for a good nights sleep tonight (I haven't slept well the past two nights because I'm so excited), that I get my bag back (they said I should be able to pick it up in the morning before I fly out), and that my cold and headache go away.

Blessings,

Megan

I know. . . or do I?

This morning at Myles' ECFE (Early Childhood and Family Education, for those non-Minnesotans) class we were talking about mirroring our kids emotions back to them.  I asked a question about Barrett always telling Myles what to do.  Our wonderful facilitator gave a good response.  She told me to say to Barrett "You feel you know what Myles needs to do and you want to tell him."  I've said it a couple of times to him today and he just agrees.

I wrote this on some post-it notes and placed them around the house because I won't remember the wording.  I was passing a note this afternoon looked at it and changed the words around a little bit.  I changed it to what I seem to be saying to God lately.

I feel I know what I need to do in life and I want to tell Him exactly what that is.

That stopped me in my tracks.  Deep down I know I don't know what I need in life, except Jesus.  I know I need Him.  So, if I know this why do I continue to try and control my life and everything around me?  

What if I change that wording again?  What would God say to me?

You feel you know what you need in life, but put your trust in Me and you will truly live.

Lord, please help me to hand my life over to You.  Today and every day.  I can't even imagine in my wildest dreams what You have in store for me if I would just let go and trust in You fully.  Thank you for everything You have granted me in this life.  You truly are an amazing and wonderful God.  Amen.

A Living Sacrifice

When I sat down this morning to read my Bible I was interrupted by my kids more times than I can count.  I know all the other moms out there can totally relate.  I was attempting to have some time with the Lord this morning (which I should have gotten up early to do) and my kids come in.  It always happens this way and it's ok.  It happens (life, that is) and I need to be able to roll with what's thrown my way and continue to keep my eyes on what's important... Jesus.

This is why I think the following verses are so amazing.  How is it that I read exactly what I needed to hear this morning.  It's a God thing, I couldn't do it if I tried :)

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

Why don't we give our lives (yes, I'm talking crazy busy lives full of interruptions) over to God and let Him transform them to what is in His will?  Offer up everything you do today as praise and worship to Him.  Yep, in my world I'm talking about worshiping Christ through changing poopy diapers, wiping snotty noses, keeping a calm voice, and letting my kids be kids who make messes.  I will worship Him by showing my kids His love by serving them today.  Some days are easier than others to do this.  

This isn't even half of the mess they've made this morning.

How are you going to praise and worship Him today?  

I think I'm going to go sit on the floor and play with Batman, tractors and lincoln logs :)

Blessings,

Megan

Sermon on the Mount

Recently, I (well, Beau and I) just finished reading a chapter of John every day (almost) for 21 days with our church.  It was a fun way to spend some time together and get in the Word.  So, when I came across this challenge from The Year of Less blog I was excited for the chance to do it again.

What's the challenge?

For the month of October you read Matthew 5-7 every day.  Yep, every day. As the notes in my bible say "The Sermon on the Mount is in effect Jesus' inaugural address; explaining what he expect of members of his kingdom."  Don't you want to dig deeper into that? 

(source)

This morning I listened to it on my phone with my bible app.  The app is free which is ALWAYS in my price range :).  I am able to look up so many different versions of the bible and it's always right at my fingertips.  I love it!  

So, are you going to take the challenge with me?  Let me know and maybe we can chat about it through the month of October.

Blessings,

Megan 

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's midnight.  I've been sitting here typing up the schedule/instructions/emergency contacts, etc for when I'm gone next month.  I leave for a week so I can finish my Holy Yoga Instructor training.  I can't believe that my Holy Yoga retreat is only four and a half weeks away.  

This makes me think back to nine months ago when I first felt I was being called to become an instructor.  I thought I was supposed to start my training in January.  That didn't happen.  It was just moving too fast.  Plus, it turns out if you wait and do things on God's timing everything works out better than you could ever imagine (i.e. scholarships, grants, peace, calm, spiritual growth).  I would have been done with training in May and teaching already, but that wasn't in His plan.  Looking back, I wouldn't have been ready either.  God still had a lot of work to do to prepare me.  I didn't start my training until July and I will be done in November.  So, it will be about 10 months from start (first thoughts) to finish (certification).  

I can't believe how much my life has changed in less than a year and it's all because of Him.  

So, what exactly have I learned in the last nine months?

Life is better when I completely rely on Him.

The Bible has the answer to any (yes, any) problem I may have.

Prayer is POWERFUL!

Listen for the whisper of God's voice.

I am never done, I will always have something new to learn.

Reading multiple versions of the Bible is an amazing way to understand God's word.

Accountability partners are awesome.

Prayer is life changing!

Sometimes you have to read out loud to get it.

If you're too comfortable, you're probably following your own plan... not His.

Holy Yoga is so not about the Yoga.  It's so all about JESUS!

That last one I already knew from the first time I set foot into a Holy Yoga class, but it's still so true and I continue to be reminded of it.  

Holy Yoga will be coming to Messiah UMC in November. I will keep you all posted and hope to see you in a class.  Just you, your mat and Jesus Christ!

I'm so excited to share Him with you!

Blessings,

Megan 

Skinny Jeans

I've been reading the blog posts (sent via email) from Lysa Terkeurst for the last 3 weeks about her book Made to Crave.  I'm an emotional eater and I've struggled with it for as long as I can remember.  Yesterday's email was titled The curse of the skinny jeans.  It was talking about how even if you get smaller you still can't be happy unless you stop defining yourself by circumstances (ie I'll be happy when...).  Let's stop letting our circumstances define us and let God define us.

Here's the list of bible verses that she provided that describe who God says I am.  I wanted to share them with you.  

I am (you are)...

The forgiven child of God.

Romans 3:24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

The set-free child of God.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

The accepted child of God.

1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours

The holy child of God.

1 Corinthians 1:20 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

The made-new child of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

The loved child of God.

Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

The close child of God.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The confident child of God.

Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

The victorious child of God.

Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Can you imagine the freedom we would feel if we actually clung on to this and fully believed it.  Maybe the "little stuff" wouldn't get to me so much (you know like being asked if I'm pregnant).

Hoping you find your worth in Him today!

Megan

When is it okay to ask. . .

In the past two weeks I've been asked if I'm pregnant two times!  Two times.  In the last 18 months I've been asked this a total of 4 times!  Does this happen to you?  I realize that I am about 15 pounds overweight and it tends to reside in my tummy.  I'm trying to lose the weight and then some, but it's not easy to do with two little kids and not a lot of extra time.  Excuses, excuses... I know.  

I'm sure I'm not the only one that this has happened to.  

So, when is it ok to ask a woman if she is pregnant?

(source)

NEVER!

If she is pregnant, she will tell you when she wants to tell you.  And, if she's not pregnant than you've saved yourself a lot of embarrassment.  Oh, and if you're the one who's being asked and you're not preggers (or if you are) just respond with a quick "ARE YOU?!?!"

Hope this brought you a good laugh!

Megan