Psalm 113

<sup>LOVE this Psalm from the message version::

1-3</sup> Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God!
Just to speak his name is praise!
Just to remember God is a blessing—
now and tomorrow and always.
From east to west, from dawn to dusk,
keep lifting all your praises to God!

^4-9 God is higher than anything and anyone,
outshining everything you can see in the skies.
Who can compare with God, our God,
so majestically enthroned,
Surveying his magnificent
heavens and earth?
He picks up the poor from out of the dirt,
rescues the wretched who've been thrown out with the trash,
Seats them among the honored guests,
a place of honor among the brightest and best.
He gives childless couples a family,
gives them joy as the parents of children.
Hallelujah!

::meg

This I Believe :: Podcast

I had an assignment for my English class... to create a podcast about "this i believe." What a way to share my faith!!!!! i had fun doing it...even though i waited until the night before. and it's now 3am. :) My professor doesn't know what's coming. I love that :) Visit my page and Listen Below...

Tragedy and Jesus... and Me

Last week one of my friends went through a tragedy...something that makes the worries of the economy seem frivolous; issues of political debate, wasteful; daily inconveniences, trivial. I sat with this friend and held her hand, and listened.
For a while time almost stood still. Faith and hope felt compressed- composure hanging on by a thread; and I had no words. It was amazing to me that I had no words. I could re assure her how much God loves her and that He has a purpose and a plan for her life and everything we go through- and I did! Except that seemed exhausted; she knows God.
I couldn't tell her why it happened or what life will be like after. In a time like that, you forget about "humor" to cover up insecurities. You experience raw vulnerability.
You don't ask empty questions like "How's your day?" or "Whatcha doin later?" or expect it in return.
I think God just wanted to be with her in that moment; much like i was, holding her hand.

Love has many expressions, some of which just don't need words. But the beauty is, God's expression of love, His word, never returns void, deprived, destitute, lacking or unoccupied. Which means there's always something there...even when situation rips everything else away.
God has been speaking to me ever since that day about the importance and emphasis and definition we place on loving others. I think we itemize our love and categorize it's effect. We place OUR words in Love's mouth when it's actions actually speak so much louder. Love never goes away, just like God's word.

Have you ever stopped to think; when DID we forget about loving people? Not focusing on what they're dealing with but what they're going through.

Psalm 14:4
"Don't they know anything, all these impostors? Don't they know they can't get away with this-treating people like a fast-food meal over which they're too busy to pray?"

When did we become an impostor of love? imposing our angle on love into others lives?

vs 7: "Is there anyone around to save Israel? Yes. God is around; God turns life around. Turned-around Jacob skips rope, turned around Israel sings laughter."

Jesus turns life around. He is our Father, he's our friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is our Savior, our hiding place. He's our shield and our protector. He is strong when we are weak.

This is for someone right now. God loves you. His love never leaves you or fails you. There IS life after tragedy, there IS hope after hurt. There IS peace despite pain.

::meg

Blogging? What's Blogging??

? Oh right, that thing I do to keep no one, and every one up to date on my life and my random theological thoughts.

Yes, I've been MIA: so to give no one, and every one a quick update on my life- I've decided to post some pics.

So since my last post, I turned 21:

and you would think i had a pic of that. but i don't


Had my knees drained!
Before picture:









NO need for an after picture of my whiteness. Just PRAISE Jesus they are back to almost better than normal :)

I got a puppy!!!













His name is Jazz, He's great, I think I'll keep him. and yes...he is tiny...i realize this :)



This is Jazz and Grizz, they have matching sweaters.








more from me to come!











::meg

{a few of my favorite things}

With the new year, and spring on it's way... and my birthday on tuesday... (*hint hint*) :) I am SOO in the "(re)-decorating my room" mood... so here are a few of my favorite things

LOoove this headboard and Cherry Blossom Wall decor from Urban::
















I want this rug! (also from Urban)














and this chandelier! (i have a cute little corner that really needs this)









THIS spindle lamp base:










Oooh to dream the dream of decorating. Happy Friday!

::meg

Faith&Grace

I've been thinking a lot lately about faith.

not just a cute little quaint and saint-ish Christianized "faith" but deep, real, passionate FAITH that moves mountains and changes circumstance. The difference to me is the value I place on the reality of Faith and the connection I have begun to make (or modify) with the concept of Grace.

I haven't just been thinking about faith- i've really been challenged in actually walking in faith. Here I realize that I need grace AND faith. It's a place where "putting feet to my faith" and "walking in grace" meet and it's not just about asking for faith, or asking for grace.

I'm convinced that all too often we associate grace as something we decide we need in a circumstance hoping it will "get better" and we associate faith as hope that it WILL "get better." I think we have it all backwards or at least far too compartmentalized!

Today, i need grace to stand in faith; and I most certainly need faith to walk in grace.
Today, i can't just think about faith and grace, but i have to live faith and grace.

My challenge today is to meditate on my use of faith IN grace. I don't just have faith that my circumstance will get better, I walk by grace in faith that it's already taken care of!

Best of all, everything is so that God can show his glory. I'm so comforted by that. God never fails!

Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father (John 14:13)


::meg

Oh the joys

of working at the church. we get some wonderful donations sometimes... like... this! I thought i would share the joy ;)
[that is me trying to do the same face, i know, i'm ridiculous]
HAPPY FRIDAY! Have a good weekend everyone!

::meg