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Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Son of Mary



Since December 1st, I have been reading a daily devotional on the Names of God by Marian Jordan, founder of Redeemed Girl Ministries. I love Marian and her heart and passion for God. She has written numerous books for girls and women, including my favorite, Radiant. It seems with every Christmas year, we get so wrapped up on everything that goes on with Christmas: shopping, gifts, decorations, traditions, parties, etc. that we forget the true meaning and miss the great encounters with God. The goal of the devotions are to help guide us to encounter Jesus Christ this Christmas. Today's devotion is wonderful about "The Son of Mary" and I wanted to share it with you. I will leave the link below where you can pick up and read the devotions daily so that you, too, can have an encounter with Christ this Christmas.


“Let it be done to me according to your word.”  These words were the simple response of a simple girl to do the will of her God—painting for us a portrait of complete surrender. Mary was just an ordinary young Jewish woman betrothed to a man named Joseph when the Angel Gabriel visited her with the surprising news that she would be the mother of the Savior of the World. (Luke 1:26-38) Centuries of anticipation. Hundreds of Prophecies. One girl. One message. One choice—her will or God’s will? The nation of Israel had waited for the promised Messiah, and shockingly, God reveals his redemptive plan to a teenage girl who will miraculously bare his Son. 

On one hand this news is thrilling, but on the other hand, the cost of surrender for Mary is extremely high. In Mary’s Jewish culture, a woman became engaged in a public ceremony that pledged her to her future husband. They remained betrothed for a period of time, sometimes a year, before married as husband and wife.  In those days, it was legal for any woman found pregnant out of wedlock to be stoned to death. Even if Joseph pardoned her, given the societal mores of the time, she fully expected that she would be disgraced, that her fiancĂ©e (who knew he wasn't the father) would abandon her, and that she probably would never marry. 

I just wonder…did Mary have a List?  (A set of goals for her life that she hoped to accomplish?) Of course she did.  What woman, engaged to be married, doesn’t have a list? I’m just guessing, but something tells me Mary’s may have gone a little something like this:

First: Joseph will ask my father for my hand in marriage and then he will propose. (Check. Check)
Second: Then we will be engaged! Oh- the-bliss. I will have so much work to do preparing for the big wedding. Find a dress. Pick my bridesmaids. Order the baklava cake. (Check, Check, Check!)
Third: Marriage! Joseph and I will officially become husband and wife!
Fourth:  Following a whirlwind honeymoon around the Sea of Galilee, we will settle down in a little bungalow in North Nazareth, surrounded by family and friends.
Fifth: Joseph will open a nice carpentry business while I create a warm and loving home for the family we plan to have one day. Our kids will play with the neighbors, we will host family reunions, and the big event of our lives will be the yearly pilgrimage to Jerusalem for Passover.

Such a nice plan, don’t ya think? Well…as we know, life didn’t go according to Mary’s plan. Somewhere between her second and third goals, Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel. Instead of her List, Mary would face the humiliation of a public scandal, she would watch in bewilderment as a chorus of angels and wise men worshiped at the birth of her son, she would flee with her husband and son to Egypt to escape a jealous King’s wrath, she would watch in wonder as the Incarnate One learned to crawl, walk, talk and read, and she would experience the excruciating pain of watching the son she loved dearly take up a cross and die for the sins of the world, including her own. 

We can try to imagine ourselves in Mary's dance shoes, but I don't expect we can ever truly grasp the gravity of her decision to exchange her list for God’s list.   Mary knew there would be challenges…big ones! But rather than focusing on the size of her problems, she chose to trust in the size of her God.  She focused on his purpose for her life rather than her own. Her humble reply said it all, "I am the Lord's servant, may it be to me as you have said." 

Mary danced.

Years ago, the Lord brought to mind the image of a couple waltzing to symbolize how a relationship with him was meant to be experienced—not a religion of rigid rules, but a beautiful, fluid dance one where he leads and I follow.  His timing. His steps. His music. The dance of surrender—yielding, submitting, abandoning and relinquishing control. When dancing with Jesus, what we surrender is our will.  
Trusting God with her life, Mary said “yes” to his will. While Mary’s dance was a difficult one, requiring a level of surrender few of us can imagine, the outcome of her surrender was nothing less than magnificent—the salvation of the world. Surrender is a tough word, but it is essential to the Christian life, and absolutely vital for making any season of life beautiful. The attitude of surrender says, “you are God and I am not.” It declares, “I’m not in control here.” Surrender is choosing to let go and let God lead.
This Christmas season, I pray you dance the sweet dance of surrender. Two thousand years ago Jesus entered the world because a young woman named Mary said “yes” to God’s will. Her surrender changed the course of history. I pray that today, the world would once again experience Jesus as we surrender to His Spirit and allow Him to lead us step by step through life. 

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

“Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?"  Mark 6:2-5 

To read more devotions about the Names of Christ click the link below.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thankful Thursday


Thankful Thursday is today! Don't know about you, but it seems like each week is getting so busy with Christmas coming soon! Here is what I am thankful for today!

1. Christmas Music: I LOVE Christmas music and I start listening to it the moment it starts playing on the radio! It always makes the days brighter when it is playing in the background! Many of our Christian artists have new Christmas CD's out. You should check them out!


2. I am so thankful for the volunteers who lead, teach, and watch over my two little ones! They invest so much in their lives daily and it shows. Loved watching Campbell sing in the Preschool Choir on Sunday, even if she was turned around half the time! 

3. For my hubby! He is really bringing the Word at REVEAL on Wednesday nights. He is teaching on the true reason for the season, Jesus! You should come and have a listen!


4. Finally, I am thankful for great laughs watching Ducky Dynasty. Last night's Christmas Episode was priceless and loved how they ended it singing "Silent Night" as a family! 

So thankful for Christ this Christmas! Would love to hear from my girls and have you on the blog telling us what you are thankful for! Contact me!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world."



Thursday, November 29, 2012

Thankful Thursday


It's Thankful Thursday ladies! Hope you had a "thankful" Thanksgiving last week! I have many, many things I am thankful for this week!

1. I am so thankful for a Magical week at Disney over Thanksgiving! We surprised our kiddos with the trip and their reaction was priceless! Seeing Disney through our kids eyes was definitely a dream come true for me and there are so many memories that I can't even begin to tell. We are so blessed as a family to have had this opportunity to go!





2. I am also so thankful for the families and friends at Millbrook who love our family so much and make our family apart of theirs daily!

3. Even though my Tigers lost on Saturday to Carolina, I am thankful for Clemson! Go Tigers! 


4. Finally, I am so thankful for my salvation and relationship with the Lord. Without Him, I am nothing. I am so blessed by Him everyday with everything He has given me. I know that I know that I am saved! 

Take the time today to thank the Lord for the great things He has done in your life!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

P.S. Head on over to Heather's blog to see her Thankful Thursday today too!


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Thankful Thursday


Happy Thankful Thursday! I hope you take time to thank God. What a great message Stephen had last night about being thankful. I know personally I get so caught up in life and forget to say thank you to God! Today's Thankful Thursday is from Carla Jane Pax, one of our high school girls! She is thankful for...

1. Family


2. Christian Friends


3. Southern Cooking

4. Sports

5. Pinterest!

Thanks, Carla, for sharing what you are thankful for! 

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan



Tuesday, November 13, 2012

God's Word

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Monday, November 5, 2012

A Message from God's Word...

This is my prayer for YOU today.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen YOU with power through his Spirit in YOUR inner being, so that Christ may dwell in YOUR hearts through faith. And I pray that YOU, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that YOU may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within US, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

~Ephesians 3:14-21

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Thankful Thursday


It's Thursday, which means its time for Thankful Thursday! It is also the start of a new month, November. Seems that people are more thankful in this month because of Thanksgiving, etc. However, you should be thankful and express our thanks to God every day! We are such blessed people! Take time today and throughout the month to not only express to God, but to others as well, how much you are thankful for them!

This week I am thankful for:

1. All things fall!




We had a fall-filled week with picking pumpkins, Fall Festival, cooler weather, and getting to spend some time with grandparents! It is so much fun to see our kids faces when we are making memories!

2. Our church and the outpouring of prayer.



These are names of people who have cancer or have had cancer. It was very emotional to see our members respond. But I love the visual of how our people made a commitment to give these people to Jesus through prayer.

3. Our Student Ministry

Our students are the best!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan



Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Broken Promises

What do these things have in common?



Answer: They are all easily broken.

Everyone is guilty of breaking promises. Often times, we have every intention of keeping the promise we made, but life happens. Read the verses below:

"Simon Peter asked him, 'Lord, where are you going?' Jesus replied, 'Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.' Peter asked, 'Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.' Then Jesus answered, 'Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!'" ~John 13:36-38

What was Peter's promise to Jesus?

Just a little background of these verses: The verses prior to this record Jesus' observance of the Lord's Supper. This was a very emotional meal with His disciples. After the meal, Peter emotionally promised Jesus that he would never betray Him. He also promised that he would follow Jesus anywhere, even to death.

Do you think Peter truly meant to keep that promise? Have you ever made a promise to God that you didn't keep? How did it make you feel when you realized you had failed to keep your promise?

It is very easy to make an emotional promise to God, then fail to live up to it-just like Peter! Take your commitments to God seriously, but when you fail, remember that God is a God of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. He doesn't write you off! You are still useful to His kingdom. Embrace His forgiveness and let Him use you.

Are you feeling the weight of a promise you made to God and didn't keep? Spend some time in prayer talking to God about that promise today. Ask for His forgiveness and for His strength to help you be faithful to Him in all things.

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

God's Handiwork

For the past 24 hours, I have been a little obsessed with something...


This cute little one right here! At the Greenville zoo, a new baby giraffe was born two nights ago. They have a live camera where you can watch the mama and her calf 24/7 in their barn and outside. It has been really cool to see this little one from actually being born, its first steps, and first time in daylight! I loved showing my kids last night this little one as it was walking around and interacting with its mama! And then I thought, how cool is God! He created everything, including these giraffes. How crazy it is to see just a few short hours after being born, the giraffe learning how to stand and walk on its wobbly legs. How it immediately knows it's mama and that she is it's protector. Isn't God amazing?!? Take time today just to observe God's handiwork around you. This time of year is especially exciting with the changing of the leaves, weather, etc. Thank God for creating you and this earth and of course this cute little giraffe! You are a miracle!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good." ~Genesis 1:25

PS: If you would like to see this baby in action, click on the link below!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Girlfriends Holiday Pinterest Party


Hey ladies! I am so excited about our next event in November. For many months, we have been trying to come up with the best way to bridge the gap between all the generations of women in our church. It is important, especially for you, that the older women of the church pour into your lives the wisdom that they have learned over the years. This new ministry is going to do just that! Girlfriends ministry is going to connect all of our middle and high school girls, college girls, and the women of the church together through fun fellowship events and other opportunities! We really just want to build relationships with all of our sisters in Christ! So anytime you see a Girlfriends event, YOU are invited!!!

Our first event is going to be on Thursday, November 8th starting at 7:00 in the ROCK! It is called a Holiday Pinterest Party. This basically means that we are going to be getting our "craft on" and make something super cute that has been found on Pinterest for the holidays! Now, if you are not crafty, no worries! The project we will be making is super easy and anybody can do it! The cost of the event is only $10.00 which helps cover the cost of the materials and our refreshments for the night! You do need to have a ticket to come. How do you get a ticket? Just come and find me either on Wednesday nights, Sundays, or in the office and I can give you one!

Start making plans now to come spend a night out with your girlfriends! And don't forget to invite others like your mom, sister, grandmother, best friend, etc! It is going to be such a fun night!

You can also order a girlfriends t-shirt that night as well for $10.00. They are white long sleeve shirts with the girlfriends logo on the front!

Let me know if you have any questions! I'm so excited for this night to spend with YOU!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." ~Titus 2:4-5

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thankful Thursday


It's Thankful Thursday on the blog today! We have so much to be thankful for in our lives! Here is what I am thankful for from this week..

1. I am so thankful that my husband is finally feeling better. He has been sick all week with Vertigo and hasn't had much energy. He is not 100% yet, but he is getting there!


2. Think Pink Night tonight. What a great way to show God's love to our cancer patients by blessing them!

3. Free to Worship. I love hearing my kids sing praises to Jesus in the car. Melts my heart!



What are you thankful for today? Make sure to take a moment and thank Him who deserves all praise!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever." ~Psalm 136:1


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Senior Spotlight~Allee Clifton

Our Senior Spotlight for this month is...


Allee Clifton

Allee is a senior at Aiken High School. Her life verse is 1 Timothy 4:12, "Do not let others look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity."

1. What is your favorite song right now?
I have a few! "A Drop in the Ocean" by Ron Pope, "I Won't Give Up" by Jason Mraz, and "He Said" by Group 1 Crew.

2. What one place in the world would you like to visit and why?
I want to go to Sydney, Australia and go to a worship service at Hillsong because their concerts are so amazing and I want to see what their home church is like.

3. What advice would you give to younger girls who are seeking to grow in Christ?
You need to get into a daily devotional. Sometimes they have the perfect Biblical example or encouragement that you need.

4. How has the Student Ministry impacted your life?
I have found some of my best friends through the Student Ministry. They've shown me what true friendship is. I also have gotten to go on some of the most life-changing trips ever thanks to the Student Ministry. Being with the youth group is definitely one of my favorite places to be!

5. Salty or sweet?
Both! McDonald's fries dipped in a McFlurry is one of the yummiest things ever! Try it!

Thank you, Allee, for letting us know just a little something about you! If you see Allee around church, make sure to introduce yourself! 

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

PS. Don't forget about our "Think Pink" night TOMORROW! It's going to be a great night with the girls! 

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Waiting Game



What is the longest amount of time you ever waited to get something? What was it? For me, I can think of a few. It seemed like I had to wait months for getting that acceptance letter to Clemson or waiting 11 months to say "I do" to the love of my life and even waiting nine long months twice for Cade and Campbell!

Think about how you feel when you're waiting for something you really want. What's your waiting style?
*I wait patiently for things.
*It's not my favorite thing ever, but it's ok.
*I hate waiting! I'm so impatient!

Read Genesis 15:1-6.
God had promised Abram that he would be the father of a great nation, and Abram and his wife were still childless years later. If it was me in this situation, my faith and patience would start to slide away  on waiting for so long. But God assured him once again. When God makes a promise, He keeps it-but He doesn't always let us in on the timing of His fulfillment. When we're waiting for God to act, we must actively choose to trust Him and His purposes. God doesn't work according to our time frame.

In what areas of your life have you been waiting for God to act for a long time? What steps will you take this week to entrust those areas to Him again? Express to God that you trust His timing in those areas!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Look up at the sky and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." ~Genesis 15:5

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Living Water


Water is vital to your body. It makes up 93 percent of your blood, 73 percent of your muscle mass, and even your body fat is 10 percent water. Water is necessary for:

*Regulating body temperature
*Protecting organs and body tissues
*Digestion
*Transporting nutrients to cells
*Helping to dissolve nutrients
*Lubricating joints

You are probably thinking right now, "Why is Morgan giving us a science lesson on water?" Stay with me!!

Jesus answered her (Samaritan Woman at the well), "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." ~John 4:10-15

Life can leave us feeling all dried up. We get drained, worn out, tired, and frustrated. We chase a satisfaction we can't seem to find. And like the Samaritan woman, we have to keep going back to the well because our thirst never seems to go away. Think about these questions...

*What was Jesus referring to when He talked about living water?
*What physical solutions do you sometimes turn to when you really have a spiritual thirst to quench?
*What did Jesus promise to those who choose to drink the living water?

When we offer God the little that we have, He always gives us much, much more than we had before. With Jesus, we are always "trading up." We have nothing to fear from giving Him all we have. Not only can He satisfy our deepest needs, but He also wants to give us more than we could possibly imagine.
Today, focus on a spiritual thirst you have been trying to quench with physical remedies like food, relationships, anger, addictions. Ask God to quench that thirst so you can experience Him fully!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

A Girl Answering the Call

Have you ever asked God, "What am I supposed to be doing?" or "What is my purpose?" or "Really, God? You want me to go where?"
As Christians, we struggle every day in searching for what God wants us to do with our lives. I want to share a story of a hometown girl who answered God's call for her life and is now serving him overseas in Belize through Water Missions. Click the link below to read her story and then come back to the blog!

Melanie Dowdy


Melanie, is the granddaughter of Nancy Dowdy, Pastor Eddie's secretary here at the church. What a testimony she has! Because she said "yes" to God's call, He has put her in the place He designed just for her. God chooses and uses ordinary people like you and me!

Is God trying to tell you something? Are you listening? Are you willing to say "YES!"? It may not be to travel overseas or actually go on a mission trip, but you are in a mission field right now in your schools and the people you come in contact with. You can share the love of Christ anytime and anywhere. You just have to be willing to answer the call!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

For more information about Water Missions, go to WaterMissionsBelize


Let's keep Melanie in our prayers, Girls!

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Girls' "Think Pink" Night

Hello ladies! Yesterday, marked the start of October and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Last year, we had a great night making journals and bags for our area cancer patients. I have gotten so much feedback from women who we impacted that we are going to do this again! Thursday, October 18 from 7-9 at the ROCK we will be having a "Think Pink" night. We will have some yummy snacks and decorating journals again. Please bring $2.00 with you to help cover the cost of materials as well as supplies for our bags:

Travel size Kleenex, Hand sanitizer, lotion
Medicated Lip Balm
Pens

Don't forget to wear pink as well! This will be a fun night to just hang out with the girls and serve the people in our community. Let's shine the love of Jesus and give these women HOPE!

Sign up today!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Thankful Thursday


Happy Thursday, Girls! So glad tomorrow is Friday. Don't know about you, but it's been a long week! Our Thankful Thursday today comes from one of our 6th grade girls, Lydia Terlizzi. She goes to South Aiken Baptist Christian School. She is thankful for...

1. Freedom to Worship God

2. Being able to attend a Christian School

3. Her friends

4. Her family

5. the ROCK and church!

Thank you, Lydia, for sharing with us today!

One thing I am thankful for this week is SYATP! What a great turn out we had and I was so proud to see some of our girls leading their schools prayer time!





Thankful for all of my girls!

Loving Jesus together, 
Morgan

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Stick Together


Finding Nemo is one of my favorite Disney Movies. Remember the scene where the fish "swim down" to get out of the net? Well, that really happened.

A school of herring caught in a trawler's net refused to give up without a fight-and sank a 10 meter boat. The trawler called "Steinholm" was fishing off Norway's northern coast when the six member crew made a huge catch of fish. When they tried to haul in the net, the entire school of herring swam for the bottom of the sea, capsizing the ship. "I have been fishing since I was 14 and I have never seen anything like it," said skipper Geir Nikolaisen. The crew members tried cutting the net loose, but were forced to abandon the ship, which sank in ten minutes.

Colossians 1: 10-14 says,
"Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

Satan has a plan to trap every Christian in sin. Using our weak spots and fatal flaws, he wants to make us ineffective in doing God's work. One of the best ways to protect ourselves against his attacks is to stick together. Joining with other Christians in your church and school is vital to "being strengthened with all power...so that you may have great endurance..." One or two herrings could never have sunk that boat. You, too, can achieve what seems impossible when you meet regularly with Christian friends to pray, talk about what God is doing in your life, and be accountable to each other as you confront your weaknesses.

Tomorrow is a big day at your schools to "stick together" and protect each other from Satan's evil plan. Please plan on attending and participating in See You at the Pole. More to come about that tomorrow...

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thankful Thursday


Today's Thankful Thursday comes from Cortney Norris. She is our new Modern Worship Leader and College Director at Millbrook. If you haven't had a chance to meet Cortney, PLEASE do!! She is one awesome girl and on fire for the Lord! Here is what she is thankful for today...


1. Salvation


2. Family


3. Friends


4. Music


5. Moe's

Hope you are thanking God today for His blessings in your life!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan