I am a girl, therefore I enjoy a nice new outfit and having a good reason to wear it! What girl doesn't want to look and feel beautiful. Boys let me just fill ya in, in case you just joined us from some foreign planet. There isn't a girl out there who doesn't want, no I am sorry, who doesn't NEED to know she is beautiful! Princess or tomboy, they need to know it, need to hear it. God has placed in our hearts the desire for beauty!
I do believe it is important to see yourself as beautiful on the outside, but I believe much of that beauty begins on the inside. Here is where I believe true beauty begins:
A beautiful mind: Set your mind on things above. Think on things that are pleasing to the Lord. Be positive. Take thoughts captive that are not glorifying to the Lord and don't allow them to take root.
Philippians 4:8-9
Beautiful eyes: 1. Be on guard about what you allow yourself to see. I think mostly of movies and television, media in general. This is a vital part of protecting and guarding your heart. 2. Keep your eyes on the skies. Seek the Lord in all you do. Allow Him to be your focus! 3. See people with the eyes of Christ. See not the outer appearance, but the heart.
Luke 11:34
Psalm 121:1
1 Samuel 16:7
Beautiful lips: Let no unwholesome speech come from your lips. Be an encourager. Be someone who uplifts others. Stand up for what is good and right and holy. And always be praising the Father. You can't help but speak about the things you love! Make a joyful noise to the Lord. The words that you speak are a reflection of your heart. (There are so many verses on this, but here are just a few.)
Psalm 34:1
Ephesians 4:29
Titus 3:2
Proverbs 15:1
Luke 6:45
Beautiful hands: Be a servant, a worker. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Maybe they are even a little rough and calloused from much toiling.
Matthew 25:34-40
Proverbs 31
Beautiful feet: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. GO! To the neighbor, to your co-worker, to your family member, to your friends, to the ends of the earth. Whoever God calls you to.
Isaiah 52:7
I will strive to not measure my beauty by the world's standards. I will take care of this body the Lord has blessed me with and present myself in a way that reflects that. I will measure beauty against God's Word and seek an inward beauty that radiates outwardly.
Ladies seek a beauty that reflects Christ, not the world. Guys seek a beautiful lady that reflects Christ, not the world. And with a quick reference to ole "Magic Mike", ladies, seek a man who reflects Christ and not the world.
Love you all,
Morgan
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
A place I love to be
To simply close my eyes and truly hear the words of a song, allowing my heart to rest in the arms of my Father is a place like none other.
If anyone knows me you know that:
1. I am terrible with words. If you only knew how nicely they are laid out in my head and the great intentions I have to communicate them, you would be amazed. Somehow there is a communication break down between my brain and my mouth and they come out all jumbled and confusing:) Oh well, people learn to figure out my special language and love me anyways. This weakness of mine is probably why I am so thankful for musicians who can so beautifully portray their words. I love how God uses these people's precious testimonies and words from the Lord put to music to speak to my heart and allow me, a mumbler and a stumbler, the incredible opportunity to offer up beautiful words of praise to my Father.
2. As far as being in the music scene, I am not. Meaning, I don't know who sings what, when, or where, or who they are for the most part. So I am always happy when someone introduces me to someone new or when I just happen upon someone great. So don't expect great things from me when you try to chat about the music world with me, but if you want to introduce me to a great song or someone great I am completely game!
All this to say I am completely in awe at how the Lord works through music. My heart is often times , broken and restored in a single song. My attention is many times brought back to the feet of Jesus through a simple verse. Eyes closed, laying aside the distractions of life, picturing my Father seated on His throne as we join in with all of creation and the Heavenly hosts to sing praise to the Lord, imagining this great filter that takes my humdrum voice and making it beautiful for God's holy ears:), and being brought low so God can be lifted up, there is simply no better place to be!
So I thought I would share a couple of songs that have blessed my heart today.
Morgan
If anyone knows me you know that:
1. I am terrible with words. If you only knew how nicely they are laid out in my head and the great intentions I have to communicate them, you would be amazed. Somehow there is a communication break down between my brain and my mouth and they come out all jumbled and confusing:) Oh well, people learn to figure out my special language and love me anyways. This weakness of mine is probably why I am so thankful for musicians who can so beautifully portray their words. I love how God uses these people's precious testimonies and words from the Lord put to music to speak to my heart and allow me, a mumbler and a stumbler, the incredible opportunity to offer up beautiful words of praise to my Father.
2. As far as being in the music scene, I am not. Meaning, I don't know who sings what, when, or where, or who they are for the most part. So I am always happy when someone introduces me to someone new or when I just happen upon someone great. So don't expect great things from me when you try to chat about the music world with me, but if you want to introduce me to a great song or someone great I am completely game!
All this to say I am completely in awe at how the Lord works through music. My heart is often times , broken and restored in a single song. My attention is many times brought back to the feet of Jesus through a simple verse. Eyes closed, laying aside the distractions of life, picturing my Father seated on His throne as we join in with all of creation and the Heavenly hosts to sing praise to the Lord, imagining this great filter that takes my humdrum voice and making it beautiful for God's holy ears:), and being brought low so God can be lifted up, there is simply no better place to be!
So I thought I would share a couple of songs that have blessed my heart today.
Beautiful by Phil Wickham
Oceans from the Rain by Ten Shekel Shirt
Love you all!Morgan
Friday, July 6, 2012
My sweet Savior.
I just want to start this morning by saying how amazed I am at my sweet God. Last night on my way to Bible study a familiar ache in my heart began to surface, so I just began to cry out to the Lord. Being the patient and compassionate God that He is, He just let me let it all out. As soon as Bible study began I was hit by just how much God knows the depths of my heart and how He hears the cries of my heart. The word of the evening ... contentment. Which was exactly where the ache in my heart was rooted, a lack of contentment. So I just sat and listened and let my Father break and heal and mold His daughter's heart.
I am so blessed and struggle with the fact that I can even say I am at times not content. How can I be discontented when God is clearly blessing me day after day!
So it all comes down to is God enough for me? I think I have taken this question lightly. "Of course He is enough." would be my typical response. But I am reminded of Job, and I am not sure that this is a question that can be taken so lightly. When ALL is stripped away and all you truly have is God, is He enough? Will I be truly satisfied in Him and Him alone, not wanting for anything?
So like I have said I am quite open and willing to share, so if you want to chat about any of this please feel free to, but for now I am going to let the beautiful words of God soothe an aching heart:)
Philippians 4:5-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Paul goes on to say in verse 11 "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God , to those who are called according to His purpose."
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Pslam 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in times of trouble."
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
These are just a few. I pray you are encouraged. Know that you are loved by an awesome and Holy God. If we surrender all we are to Him, He will be more than enough!
I am so blessed and struggle with the fact that I can even say I am at times not content. How can I be discontented when God is clearly blessing me day after day!
So it all comes down to is God enough for me? I think I have taken this question lightly. "Of course He is enough." would be my typical response. But I am reminded of Job, and I am not sure that this is a question that can be taken so lightly. When ALL is stripped away and all you truly have is God, is He enough? Will I be truly satisfied in Him and Him alone, not wanting for anything?
So like I have said I am quite open and willing to share, so if you want to chat about any of this please feel free to, but for now I am going to let the beautiful words of God soothe an aching heart:)
Philippians 4:5-7 "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let you requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Paul goes on to say in verse 11 "for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God , to those who are called according to His purpose."
Psalm 73:26 "My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Pslam 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in times of trouble."
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
These are just a few. I pray you are encouraged. Know that you are loved by an awesome and Holy God. If we surrender all we are to Him, He will be more than enough!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Sweet summertime:)
Hard to believe it but this summer is half way over!! It has not been the summer I imagined, but it has been great!. So far my summer has been filled with all kinds of sweetness.
*Cold sweet treats: watermelon, snowballs, Starbucks frappacinnos, and ice cream!
*Sweet relaxation: snuggling up to a good book and of course we all know this girl loves a good nap (every now and then):)
*Sweet, sweaty runs...ok not so sweet but great all the same!
*A little sweet shopping...with some great deals I might add!
But my favorite sweet of summer has been sweet time with friends and family! Like I said, it has not been the summer I imagined. I am not getting to hang out with some of the people I had hoped to yet, but I have had some of the sweetest times with unexpected friends and good ole family. Now I am a very simple girl so it doesn't take much to delight my heart! I hope you have experienced what I am about to tell you about because everyone needs these kinds of people.
What delights my heart most, refreshes and revives my heart is knowing that I have friends in my life that will always be near and dear to me. Those friends that when we sit down after months of not getting to hang out or chat we catch up on life, share what God is doing, voice our struggles freely knowing we will be praying for one another, laugh a lot, and just do the ordinary day to day things together simply enjoying one another's company. Sadly these times are often short and scattered but I am always thankful that they come at times when I need them most. My latest visit to Ruston and Shreveport was such a time. I was able to spend time with some amazing friends that God blessed me with over the years! I love seeing new friendships growing to this place as well as I am in a new season of life. So if ever you have some time I would love to sit down and catch up with you! New and old friends a like:) Just give me a call! I love to hear what God is doing in your life and what's new.
Family time has also been sweet. Lunches with my nanny and poppy. Trips to see my sister, bro-in-law and precious niece. Days hanging around with mom and dad. I have no idea where the Lord will take me in life, so I try to take advantage of the time the Lord has given me here at home with my family and strengthening those relationships.
So as for the rest of the summer, I hope to have a nice balance of working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year and more of these sweet times with friends and family... and a little relaxation:).
*Cold sweet treats: watermelon, snowballs, Starbucks frappacinnos, and ice cream!
*Sweet relaxation: snuggling up to a good book and of course we all know this girl loves a good nap (every now and then):)
*Sweet, sweaty runs...ok not so sweet but great all the same!
*A little sweet shopping...with some great deals I might add!
But my favorite sweet of summer has been sweet time with friends and family! Like I said, it has not been the summer I imagined. I am not getting to hang out with some of the people I had hoped to yet, but I have had some of the sweetest times with unexpected friends and good ole family. Now I am a very simple girl so it doesn't take much to delight my heart! I hope you have experienced what I am about to tell you about because everyone needs these kinds of people.
What delights my heart most, refreshes and revives my heart is knowing that I have friends in my life that will always be near and dear to me. Those friends that when we sit down after months of not getting to hang out or chat we catch up on life, share what God is doing, voice our struggles freely knowing we will be praying for one another, laugh a lot, and just do the ordinary day to day things together simply enjoying one another's company. Sadly these times are often short and scattered but I am always thankful that they come at times when I need them most. My latest visit to Ruston and Shreveport was such a time. I was able to spend time with some amazing friends that God blessed me with over the years! I love seeing new friendships growing to this place as well as I am in a new season of life. So if ever you have some time I would love to sit down and catch up with you! New and old friends a like:) Just give me a call! I love to hear what God is doing in your life and what's new.
Family time has also been sweet. Lunches with my nanny and poppy. Trips to see my sister, bro-in-law and precious niece. Days hanging around with mom and dad. I have no idea where the Lord will take me in life, so I try to take advantage of the time the Lord has given me here at home with my family and strengthening those relationships.
So as for the rest of the summer, I hope to have a nice balance of working hard to prepare for the upcoming school year and more of these sweet times with friends and family... and a little relaxation:).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)