Summer Intern: Meredith Harper

Hey girls!  First off, let me say that I am ECSTATIC to get to be apart of Millbrook’s Student Ministry this summer.  I’m sure the boys are great, but y’all are the group that I am especially excited to get to know!  Because we’ll be spending a lot of time together, I wanted to tell you a little about myself. 

I grew up in North Augusta, SC and graduated from Midland Valley High School in 2009.  I actually just graduated from Clemson University on May 10, 2013 with a degree in Psychology.  Yay, GO TIGERS!!!  In September, I will be moving to Hereford, England.  I know most of you have never heard of it, but it is a little town on the English countryside, about two hours outside of London.  While there, I will be apart of a discipleship program, called the Leadership Academy, at Freedom Church.  I will be there for a year, and then I hope to come back to the U.S. to get my master’s degree in Christian Counseling.

Ok, enough of the boring background stuff!  I LOVE coffee…like I’m one of those people that has to have it every morning.  So, if anyone ever needs a buddy for Starbucks runs or hangouts at New Moon Café, I’m your girl!  I’m a dancer, and I’ve heard a few of you are, as well.  I’ve been dancing since I was four and even danced throughout college.  So, needless to say, I love a good dance party!  You’ll learn that I’m kind of a dork.  I like to read.  My favorite book of all time is “The Great Gatsby”.  I like to write.  Two of my best friends and I just started a blog (Coffee Table Trio).  Like most girls, I love to shop and just love clothes, in general.  Putting together new outfits is fun for me, whether they’re for me or someone else!  I love going on new adventures, travelling, and exploring (probably part of the reason I’m moving to a new country).

One thing you’ll learn about me is that I’m an open book, for the most part.  If you ever want to know anything about me, I’ll usually tell you.  I hope that over the summer, you’ll learn to trust me.  I’m a big sister, so I’m used to listening to all kinds of stories.  Throughout our time together, I pray that God will shine his light over this group and create a bond between all of us that can’t be broken.  I have faith that he is going to do something BIG in this group.  I don’t know what…I just have that feeling, ya know?  I may not know all of you yet, but I already know you’re all BEAUTIFUL, because our Father made you just the way he wanted you, and he makes all things beautiful.  Can’t wait to meet each of you!  We’re seriously going to have so much fun!

Love y’all tons,

Meredith Harper 

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Galatians 6:14           

Trust Issues

Funny, right? Can you ever really trust another person 100 percent? Think about some reasons it might be hard to trust someone..
1. They change
2. They break promises
3. They let you down
4. They talk about you behind your back
5. __________________

One of the definitions of trust is commit (someone or something) to the safekeeping of. It is really hard to trust someone because of so many reasons. But there is hope!

Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5:

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance."

Other translations of verse 3 say:
"But the Lord is faithful." (HCSB)
"But the Master never let us down." (The Message)
"But the Lord can be trusted." (Contemporary English Bible)

Did you catch that? God isn't like us. He doesn't just act faithful; He IS faithful. It is His character to keep His promises to a thousand generations and nothing will ever change that. Being trustworthy is not just what He does; it's who He is. He is faithful, even when...

*People let you down
*Life is hard
*You can't seem to trust anybody
*You are unfaithful

God is and always will be faithful! Have faith and trust in Him!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understand." ~Proverbs 3:5

Senior Girls Night 2013

We had a wonderful time honoring our senior girls at the "Just the Girls" night last Thursday. This is a very special group of women who I am going to miss like crazy next year! We enjoyed yummy food, talked about college life, how to decorate their dorm rooms, and ended with a challenge to be Radiant for Christ!

Will you join me and commit to praying for these girls as they begin their next step in the future?
Congrats Class of 2013! We love you!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" ~Jeremiah 29:11

Senior Spotlight~Summer Mundy

Our Senior Spotlight this month is...

Summer Mundy

Summer is a senior at South Aiken High School. Her life verse is Song of Songs 4:7, "You're altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."

1. What is one place in the world you would like to visit?
Africa! I have always wanted to go on a mission trip to Africa. I think it would be super cool!

2. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?
My favorite thing is being in Teacher Cadet. I absolutely adore the time that I get to spend with my second graders.

3. What advice would you give girls entering high school?
The friends you have now, probably won't be the friends you have when you graduate. Don't stress over friendships. God will take people out of your life but you will soon realize that something much better is on its way.

4. How has the Student Ministry impacted your life?
The Student Ministry has impacted my life greatly. It gives me something to look forward to during my week. I know that anyone in the Student Ministry would be there for me if I needed them and I am so thankful for that. #lovethisministry

5. Sweet tea or soda?
SWEET TEA! DUH!!!

Thank you, Summer, for letting us get to know a little about you! If you see Summer around town, make sure to stop and say Hello!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday girls! Hope your week back to school as been good! It's thankful Thursday time! Would love to hear what some of you are thankful for! This week I am thankful for:

1. Tball has begun! I love how much Cade loves playing sports! He did so good in his first game! GO GIANTS!

2. Being able to experience the Masters once again with this handsome man! Congrats to Adam Scott!

3. Modern Worship! It is so great to see new people each week in our new service! If you haven't tried it out, come worship with us this Sunday! 

Hope you have a Jesus filled day today! 

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." ~Psalm 34:1

Gold

Hey ladies! Hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! Make it through this week and you are on Spring Break! I know you are so ready for it!

Have you listened to any good music lately? I am in love with the song featured on the blog today...Gold by Britt Nicole! Have you heard it yet? It is awesome! Britt drew inspiration from some of the deeply devoted fans she has had over the years. She has gotten tons of letters telling her, 'I'm struggling, I'm being bullied, I don't feel like I fit in...' To reach out to her followers-and send a potent yet joyful message of self-worth to her fans-Britt created the song "Gold," a slick and shimming self-empowerment anthem. The message of "Gold" is to remind us that no matter what we have been told you are worth so much more than the words of another. Once you know that, no one can ever steal your shine!  Britt says, "I'm putting out a message that everyone needs to hear, regardless of where they're coming from. It's about knowing that you're loved, that you're worth something. It's a message of hope!"

Wow! What a godly woman! I know we all face times in our lives that we struggle with self-worth, being bullied, not fitting in to a certain crowd, but know there is a God that created you and loves you for you! You are worth more than GOLD to Him!

Here are a few lines from the song:

You were walking on the moon, now you're feeling low
What they said wasn't true, you're beautiful
Stick and stones break your bones, I know what you're feeling
Words like those won't steal your glow, you're one in a million

This, this is for all the girls, boys all over the world
Whatever you've been told, you're worth more than gold
So hold your head up high, it's your time to shine
From the inside out it shows, you're worth more than gold

So don't let anybody tell you that you're not loved
And don't let anybody tell you that you're not enough
Yeah there are days when we all feel like we're messed up
But the truth is that we're all diamonds in the rough
So don't be ashamed to wear your crown
You're a king you're a queen inside and out
You glow like the moon, you shine like the stars
This is for you, wherever you are

I hope this song makes your day like it does mine! Download it and play it as a reminder that you are worth more than GOLD!

Click here to watch the music video!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"It is not fancey hair, gold jewerly, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you." ~1 Peter 3:3

Oh the Wondrous Cross

Hello girls! Easter is just a few short days away. I hope that you have had a chance to start thinking about why we celebrate Easter in the first place! It really has nothing to do with our Easter dresses (even though it is fun to get a new one), or the baskets filled with candy and other surprises, or even the fun Easter egg hunts, but it is all about the ONE who came to this Earth for one purpose only: to die a brutal death on a wooden cross to take away our sins so we can have a relationship with our Heavenly Father and one day spend eternity with Him. WOW!

Think about this quote:
"When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but lost. And pour contempt on all my pride." ~Isaac Watts

There is no power in the cross, but rather the One who died on it. There is no power in the empty tomb, but rather the one who got up and walked out of it. There is no real power in a person's life except the power of Christ within.

Take time to read John 20:1-18 about the Empty Tomb and Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene. Allow time to let it sink in...

Praise God the tomb is empty! Christ has risen from the dead! He is alive!

Here is a challenge for you this week:
Find three different crosses in three different places sometime before Easter Sunday. Snap a picture of them with your phone. Let the three crosses remind you that after three days in the grave, Jesus arose and defeated death. Once you find all three, share your photos on social media and tell the world that Jesus' is alive! You can also send the pictures to me and I will share them on the blog!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Finally the other disciple also went inside. He saw and believed." ~John 20:8

Senior Spotlight~Jennifer Moxley

Our Senior Spotlight for this month is...

Jennifer Moxley!

Jennifer is a senior at Aiken High School. Her favorite verse is Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens..."

1. What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to read.

2. Do you have a random hobby?
I'm not sure if this is random, but I do Sudoku puzzles.

3. If you could ask God one question, what would it be and why?
I would ask God what America would be like in 20 years to see if our country would improve.

4. What is your favorite thing about being a senior?
Having almost no homework!

5. Mountains or beach?
Mountains

Thank you, Jennifer, for letting us get to know a few things about you! If you see Jennifer around, stop and say hello!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

Thankful Thursday

Happy Thursday girls! I don't know about you, but this week sure feels like it is taking forever and day to go by. I'm thinking its the cold weather we are continuing to have! Have I mentioned I am ready for the warmth!!! Here are just a few things I am thankful for today...

1. These two crazy kids!

2. Celebrating another year older. Stephen and I were able to get away for the weekend for my birthday! It was so nice to relax and spend time just the two of us!

3. Finally, I am thankful for this lady and her sweet husband. Stephen and I have been blessed beyond words to work alongside this great couple who have supported us and the student ministry through many years. We are excited for their next chapter that God has planned for them, but our hearts will have a little piece missing here at Millbrook. 

Take time today to stop and thank God for the little blessings in your life. 

Loving Jesus together,

Morgan

"I always thank God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus." ~1 Corinthians 1:4

Heard it on the Radio

Hello girls! Hope you are having a fabulous week so far! Are you looking for some new songs to download on your phone or iPod that is encouraging and positive for you? Here are the Top 10 Christian Songs on the Radio this week brought to you by the Billboard Charts:

1. Whom Shall I Fear-Chris Tomlin (On that great new album Burning Lights!)

2. One Thing Remains-Passion Featuring Kristian Stanfill

3. Need You Now-Plumb

4. You Are I Am-Mercy Me

5. Redeemed-Big Daddy Weave

6. 10,000 Reasons-Matt Redman (Grammy award winning song!)

7. Your Love Never Fails-newsboys

8. I Need a Miracle-Third Day

9. Kings and Queens-Audio Adrenaline

10. Forgiveness-Matthew West

I love all of these great songs! Listen and add as many or as little as you like to your playlist! You won't regret it!

Loving Jesus together,
Morgan

"Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!" ~Psalm 150:6