The Triumphal Entry of Jesus!

I just read this and I was so fired up and nearly in tears. I imagine someday people in this coffee shop where I have many quiet times are going to start thinking I am a bit crazy. As you read it, I highly recommend having this song play in the background

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjudEF7yobg


Mark 11:1-10

¹As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, ²saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. ³If anyone asks you, 'Why are you doing this?' tell him, 'The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.' "

⁴They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, ⁵some people standing there asked, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" ⁶They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. ⁷When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. ⁸Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. ⁹Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,
"Hosanna!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
¹⁰"Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"

The scene is so epic! The people believed Jesus was going to be like the kings of the world and come and reign over them, and they honored him as such. Little did they know, Jesus would do so much more than that! He was riding into the city in which he knew he would die, and there Jesus would conquer what they could not see, he would triumph over Satan!

HOSANNA!!
HOSANNA IN THE HIGHEST!!!

Powerful Prayer

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

-Ephesians 3:14-19

How often do you guys pray like this? Reading this recently certainly pricked my conscience and stirred in me a desire to ask God for greater things than I often do. This is my prayer for all of you.

Physical hunger can wait, I need Jesus

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance."

His disciples answered, "But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?"

-Mark 8:1-4

It's wise to make plans for certain journeys. If you are driving out to Provo to visit some friends (hint hint), be sure you have enough cash to pay for gas to get out here and for the return trip home. However, when following Jesus, you only need a one-way ticket, cause there is no return.

This group of people got up and went to Jesus and they were so far from home that they would not be able to make it back safely. Lets follow him like that. I want to be at a point in my relationship with him that I forget about the concerns of this world. I want to be overwhelmed with amazement at Jesus (Mark 7:37).

I have another neice on the way! Please pray for her! Pray that she will be born healthy and that someday God will save her. I am very thankful she will be born into a family that loves her very much already, but I want her to know that her Father loved her before anybody else even knew about her. Her name is Natalie Jane Maley.

Yesterday, Laura Coleman and I got to lead a woman to Christ on the UVU campus. It was pretty sweet. Please pray for her, Melanie, that it would be a true conversion and that satan would have no victory over her, but that God would stomp out any attempts he makes to bring her down.

Power

So, I'm sitting here watching what I believe is the most intense thunder storm I have ever seen in my life. It started at about 8:00, and it is 10:30 now. At first, I was simply loving it. It was an amazing sight: clouds lit up pink by the sunset, with lightning all over and sunlight still on the horizon. And the thunder sounded so amazing. But then it started getting closer, and more severe. And now I can honestly say I have never seen a storm like this. There is a severe thunderstorm warning, a flood warning, and a tornado warning all happening at the same time. It's honestly somewhat scary. But yet, it's so beautiful. I am enjoying watching it, despite my fear.

I think, in some ways, this storm is like God. I mean, it is beautiful and amazing, but it is also extremely dangerous. Sometimes I think I lose sight of a part of who God is. The Bible says that his voice is like thunder. Psalm 29:3 says, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters."

And with only his voice, he could make the thunder be still.

This storm is powerful, and dangerous, but it's beutiful because of that. Without the element of power and danger, it would be no more awesome than a pretty light show on my computer screen saver. I think that's similar to how God is. He is good and loving. But he is also awesome and powerful and dangerous. I find it very easy to look at God as the loving father figure or as my friend and savior. But I don't think I really understand what it is to fear God. I think that when I just look at his loving and nice side, I miss seeing the whole picture of God. Just like this storm wouldn't be as awsome if it wasn't dangerous, we miss part of the amazing picture of who God is when we only look at the "happy" side of him (or at any side without the others).

This makes me wonder... how much of God do I really understand and see? How much am I still missing? I mean, I know I don't understand a whole lot. But I live as though I understand him very well. I do things assuming I know what he wants and without asking. I get bored with reading his word because I already read it. I don't want to spend time with him, because I already did that, and he already told me what he wants to tell me. But I have to wonder: if I can so easily miss something as big as his power and danger, how much more am I missing?

psalm 10:17

i have been struggling lately. it's been hard to keep my spirits lifted, and encouraged, because i feel emotionally tired. i don't know what has caused this, but this week has just not been easy. i've longed to be in an easier place, such as home, and i've longed to be alone. i forgot that this summer wasn't supposed to be easy, and that i was going to be tested and challenged in many ways. it just seemed like this week, everything was going wrong. i wasn't getting a lot of hours at work, i was having a hard time being surrounded by so many people 24/7, my car has been broken, i'm broke, and my quiet times were dry.

i took a walk to the river one night after dinner, when my attitude was just terrible, and i tried to get right with God. it was hard to say much to Him, because it seemed like everybody was outside and things were distracting me. i couldn't even get alone with God when i wanted to get alone with God! anyways, i got to the river, and just started crying. i felt God in the midst of my loneliness, and chaotic life. it was like all this past week i couldn't breathe until i got to the river and was alone with God...He comforted me, He had His arms wrapped around me. it was an amazing feeling. i had no words, but it felt good. i didn't need words for my God. He just KNOWS how i'm feeling, and what i need to feel better...it's always HIM.

anyway, the week has still been a struggle for me, but i have been able to rest in His promises, and find my comfort in that. i have been called to a life where i will suffer. i have been called to a life where i am to die to myself. i have been called to serve others, and love others before myself. it's been a trial here--but i believe God is teaching me SO much about patience, and joy in Him.

i love the verse Psalm 10:17 that says: LORD, you know the hopes of the hopeless. Surely you will listen to their cries and comfort them.

He heard me, He hears me, and He will continue to do so. He comforts me. there is nobody else in this WORLD that i will ever want to carry me through my trials. He is perfection, and He is the perfect Lover. He is so good to me, and He loves me so much. i am so thankful that i can find rest and peace in Him, when everything seems chaotic. i love that i can keep pressing on despite my struggles or hurting heart, because i have a God who is ALWAYS with me, even when i forget it.

The Glimpse or Lack Thereof

Lately God has confronted me with how I think and worship in prayer and the Word.

Romans 15:30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

If the love of Jesus and the Spirit call us to prayer, why don't I pray more? So often I feel incapable of helping those around me, so why oh WHY don't I pray? If this is really true that we can join in the struggle through prayer, I think my conception of prayer needs to change.

Mark 2:2 So many gathered there that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and He preached the Word to them.

Jesus had the Word of God to give to the people. The people came desiring the Word and His teaching. The roof was even sacrificed to bring a man into Jesus healing presence. His ministry was certainly standing room only. We know that in John 15:3 that we are already clean because of the word He has spoken to us. Jesus was able to heal with a word and a touch. I feel like I don't understand how vastly important and powerful the Word of God is.

i want that life.

oh man. God is really working in my heart. i can feel it. it's AMAZING.

rick whitney spoke tonight for our infusion teaching. i really appreciate his heart. he gave some great pointers that are so simple, yet so easy to miss. a few that stood out to me are as follows:

maintain good habits, practice the basics. i have to be in the Word daily, and praying daily, and i have to surround myself in fellowship.

enjoy the journey. i want to start smiling deep down in my heart. my joy is from the Lord. i need to rejoice more. i want that more than anything.

pray on the way to every meeting. what an easy thing to do! i don't know why i didn't think of it. but, i want to have a heart that is aware of everything i'm walking into being for the Lord, and seeking God.

pray for the LOST, weekly, or daily! i want a heart for the lost. this is my family. this is some of my friends. this is VITAL. we are commanded to pray for the lost, i don't know why i forget it so easily! it's ridiculous!

has daily faith, hope and an expectation of GOOD. i like this one a lot :) i want this.

holds to the truth and does not waiver. things aren't going to be easy, but it's about persevering...knowing the end prize. i have already won in Christ.

not just a watcher. not being content as a spectator. WE ARE A BODY IN CHRIST. we need to use our gifts and talents and serve in love as Jesus did. it's beautiful when we can all come together and offer ourselves to make a functioning church. it's cool to think about.

cultivates faithfulness. wow.

DAILY STRONG IN THANKFULNESS. i need a more thankful heart. i have so much. i have my health, my youth, people who love me, my church, food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over my head, family, SALVATION...oh my--i could go on and on and on...and i hate that i take it for granted. if i walk away with anything i've learned over the summer, i want it to be that i've learned what it means to be thankful for all my God has given me...

and to end it, a quote rick shared with us from the nebraska cornhusker stadium by one of the football players...
"not the victory, but the action. not the goal, but the game. in the deed, the glory."

awesome.

The greater the risk, the greater the reward

"Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him"

-Matthew 25:28-29

In the parable of the talents, the master gave 3 of his servants some money before he left on a journey. One got 5 talents, one 2 and another just 1. The servants with 5 and 2 talents both doubled what their master gave them, but the one with one was too scared to do anything with it because he knew his master was a great man with a lot of power and he did not want to upset him.

Jesus wants us to take what he has given and to use it! Don't hold back, but in faith, invest. I think it relates well to the economy. Right now, the economic situation is stuck, because everybody has a lot of fear and they are not willing to do anything with their money, there is too much risk. However, although people aren't losing their money in this situation, they holding back the economy from getting started again. If nobody ever takes a risk (like making an investment in a coffee shop), the economy will continue on its current downward path. God gave you your life, invest it! When Jesus comes back, have something to give him! Show him what came of him trusting so much to you. If you do nothing with your life, he won't be too happy about it. He is a master that is of great power and is to be feared.

What will you have?

Holy Holy Holy

The only characteristic about God that the bible talks about with a triple emphasis. Sometimes before Jesus speaks to people, he would preface his teachings with truly, truly (or amen, amen, or verily, verily), which indicated importance in a similar way that an exclamation mark does in our language today. But normally he only uses the double emphasis. When it comes to God's holiness, even the angels use a triple emphasis- holy, holy, holy!

God's holiness is reason for us to fear him. When Isaiah caught a glimpse of what it is like in God's presence (Isaiah 6), he cries out for his ruin! His impurity became evident in God's presence, as I'm sure the contrast is significant. When thinking of God's holiness, I am amazed, and sometimes I sort of run short on breath. It is reason enough for us to fall face down to worship him, the only response that might be somewhat reasonable enough, but God's holiness is so overwhelming that it still doesn't seem adequate enough.

I want to understand God's holiness more. I think it will change my life more as I understand this. I think it is so important that maybe the diagram should outline God's holiness before his love. I could probably study it forever and read all that people write, but no poetry, art or any human expression could adequately portray his holiness. I am terrified of coming into his presence, but forever grateful that I will. Understanding God's holiness makes the gift of his Son even more precious since it magnifies the place I will be brought into. I can't believe that I will get to be there with the Holy One!!!

Prayer request: I had a migraine that kind of took me out a couple nights ago. When I get migraines, it doesn't hurt too bad, but my vision gets messed up and all my thoughts become kind of garbled. My head still feels a little bit off. I'd really appreciate your prayers. God is good, I know He is refining me.

What can I be praying about for you?

Learning from Jesus

Hey guys, sorry to take so long to get on top of this. I feel like the summer is flying by already and it has been really encouraging to read about how God has been teaching and growing you.

Jesus has been hitting me hard with the words he spoke during the Sermon on the Mount, which I have been trying to memorize for what, the last 2 years? I am almost there now, and despite my lack of discipline and faithfulness, God has proved himself to be more than willing to instruct me as his son. I stand in awe of Jesus' wisdom, his revolutionary thinking, his ability to concisely deliver such a life changing message to such needy people as were found in his day as well as ours. His words are both simple and profound. He plainly explains how God values our hearts and minds just as much as our outward actions. He redefines the law, extending it to our hearts and minds, and urges us to go against the grain of our own nature and our society's culture by restraining our sinful desires and thoughts, loving our enemies, and praying for those who persecute us (or perhaps more applicably, just rub us the wrong way). He warns us not to take actions and make decisions with the intent of impressing or pleasing other people, but rather stresses the importance of honoring God in secret ways and seeking his reward alone. He tells us not to worry and draws a distinction between us and the world. He says that we are to be salt and light, given to preserving, improving, and illuminating the world around us with our good works and his message of purpose and salvation. He warns us to avoid being like the pagans, who run after base urges such as food, clothes, and the approval of others. He tells us not to be like them, because our Father know what we need before we even ask him. I deeply desire to grow in trusting God for all facets of my life and surrender to him all the worry and uncertainty that clouds my ability to understand what God wants me to do with my life and to humbly walk in his plan for me.

There are also a ton of practical applications to be drawn from Jesus' words, but I think I'll have to save those for another time - I feel like I could keep going on and on about how valuable Jesus' teachings here are and how much potential they have to affect my life, as well as all of yours. God bless you guys out in Provo, reading all your posts has reminded me to be in prayer for you. Jeff, if your reading this, don't get too cocky about the Lakers - I'm sure Kobe will put up less than 40 points some day...

jeremiah 29:11

i've realized lately that i have no idea what i want to do in this life. i am so inconsistent when thinking of my future plans, it's actually ridiculous. first i want to move to africa, then i want to stay in colorado, then i want to move to salt lake city, utah. i just can't seem to make up my mind about what i want to do in this life. and it can be so frustrating! i've been struggling with this, and after saturday night i decided i wanted to move to utah, (suddenly, of course, because that's my flesh) God spoke to me.

"megan, you don't need to make the plans. they will fall through anyways. I see the whole picture. I know where you'll be in twenty years from now. rest in that, follow Me, and all things will be given to you."

so today i decided to look more into the famous verse, jeremiah 29:11.

"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."

how beautiful and comforting that really is, though. that is so amazing to me, because i realize i don't even know WHAT i want! but God DOES, and i should surrender it all to Him, and let Him lead me. He will bring me good things, He DOES bring me good things. His thoughts are all working towards the expected end, which he will give in due time. i have to remember (and i don't know why i struggle with this) that God never stops thinking of me. He's my DAD! i just want to rest in this promise, and never try to lead on my own again. God is all-knowing and all-loving towards me. i am so thankful that He has planned out my future, and He will speak to me as to where i should (or shouldn't) go, and who i will (or wont) marry, and where i will (or wont)work. i have such selfish motives all the time and that is why i can never seem to make up my mind. this verse means a lot to me because of that reason. my future is in God's hands, and that means that i have such great things laid ahead of me if i continue to walk in His will. so, that's what i'm thinking.

thank you, Jesus, for seeing the whole picture.
YOUR will be done, not mine.

What is worth your soul?

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Matthew 16:24-26


To follow Jesus, you forsake your own identity and with tremendous joy, put on Christ. Nobody will ever find life without this first change in what makes up and characterizes who that person is. The phrase "get a life" has a different meaning for us as Christians. The phrase should be prefaced with "follow Jesus" or "Take up your cross".

Jesus is the only place where we will find life because it is the only place we will find value for our soul. Giving your soul to anything but Jesus is a foolish thing to do. Using physical imagery (I may be approaching blasphemy as the worth of Jesus is much greater than the idea of any worldly wealth), it's like trading Mercedes for a cheap cup of coffee. It's not a fair trade. A car is worth a lot and it can take you places. A top of the line car demonstrates some sort of success and significance. A cup of coffee (to some) may taste pleasant and it gives a good feeling, but in five minutes the cup goes cold and 20 min later the rush of caffeine wears off and causes a crash. After you consume it, there is nothing left to show, and you traded something of great value for something that left you with nothing.

Nothing is worth the exchange of a human soul. If God was willing to send His own Son and buy our souls with His blood, we can see the value and significance of our souls. Giving your soul to something of the world (money, work, houses, cars, fame, power, land, kingdoms), is trading something of great worth for a cup of coffee, and Satan wins another sucker.

Matthew 12:34
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?
For out of the over flow of the heart the mouth speaks.

Hearts are funny, treacherous things. God has confronted me with the fruit in my life. The idols, the desires, the fears all bear bad fruit. God is such a loving gardener that He refuses to leave my heart untended. He confronts me and blesses me with mercy far beyond what I deserve. Praise Him, PRAISE Him, PRAISE HIM!

I read this in a Hymnal. It's the words of Howard Thurman.

Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.

Here is the citadel of all my desiring,

where my hopes are born
and all the deep resolutions of my spirit take wings.
In this center, my fears are nourished,
and all my hates are nurtured.
Here my loves are cherished,
and all the deep hungers of my spirit are honored
without quivering and without shock.
In my heart, above all else,
let love and integrity envelop me
until my love is perfected and the last vestige
of my desiring is no longer in conflict with thy Spirit.
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
Amen.

Tears for Provo

I'm sitting in a coffee shop that is next to our apartment (Praise Him that one of only two coffee shops for the whole city is set up just 2 blocks from us) and God struck me with great sorrow for the city. I was reading Matthew 12:20-24, where Jesus talks about how it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sodom than these cities that he himself walked through and did many miracles in. I was nearly moved to tears as I thought about this city we have been in for only 9 days now. I thought of the many faces I have met here, awesome friendships that have started, and the lies that people have bought and are clinging on to as we share the truth with them. Many of our new friends are part of the LDS church. They are familiar with what the New Testament says, and how we are saved by grace, but then there is always something more to them that is required, actions they must do to be counted "worthy". False teachings and promises with no evidence or truth behind them enslave these people, even while they have the teachings of Jesus in their hands! What a stronghold satan has here. I hate him. I will fight against him, and though I am not strong enough on my own, I have God inside me who really is strong enough and will be the victor.

you should see the scenery here. it's absolutely stunning. the provo mountains are just RIGHT THERE, like you could walk to them. they're amazing, so big. they display such mighty works of the Hands who made them. i am in awe. everyday i look at them, and i smile because my Father made those.

God is so good. He gives us so much.

Psalm 24: 1 The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains, The world, and those who dwell in it.

It is all God's! He made it all! He is so magnificent, and good, and beautiful. He didn't have to give us the green grass, or the warmth of sunshine, or the fluffy white clouds...but He knew that we'd delight in those things. His heart WANTS us to enjoy His creation. i think that's so incredibly beautiful to think about. maybe because i'm in a new display of scenery, or maybe because i'm in an awesome group of fellowship, but i feel my heart drawing more towards God. i see Him in nature. i see Him working in my life.

God answered prayer with jobs out here...and He's still continuing to do so for more people. it just makes me feel silly when i think that it could've happened on my own. it's ALL GOD. i hate when i lose sight of that, or fear to trust Him. we are free to trust Him, and He always provides. :) i love that i can remember that and hold Him to it for the rest of my life.

Praise You Lord for You are Good...Your faithful Love endures forever.