D I S C I P L E S H I P

The story of Martha and Mary every time I read it brings new meaning to their story for me. I read it and I relate to an older sister seeking to host and provide. I read it and I relate to a sister that hungers to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his teachings. For the first time though I read it the other evening and saw the importance that Jesus found in having women be a part of the discipleship team. 

Mary was not one of Jesus disciples no, but Jesus saw the importance to allow her to sit at his feet to hear his teachings knowing that she would walk away and share his good news. Many question whether Mary sat at his feet in defiance of her sister or whether it was because she truly yearned to hear Jesus and I personally believe it’s a little bit of both. I can fully admit there have been times I set out to do something with not necessarily the right heart but through that experience God pierced my heart giving me a bigger understanding than I started with. I think that’s exactly what we see when we turn to 

Luke 10:38-42

We as women are just as called as the men. Now don’t misinterpret what I’m saying here because I don’t believe this is the outline for saying women should be preachers and pastors but ladies we are just as called as the men are to sit, listen, and learn Gods word. Each and everyone of us were created for a certain purpose. There will always be someone prettier, smarter, and more Godly and that’s exactly how it should be. God created all of us with a different purpose which when understood properly gives us the tools to disciple each other and or communities better. 

I’ll never be the quiet reserved young lady. I’ll never have the sultry curls and thick eyelashes like I’ve always dreamed of. What I do have though is a confidence that the lord created me to lack those things because there are other things I would possess. I also know that he will place people in my life to fulfill the areas that I lack. Mary didn’t have the heart to busy her mind with things that didn’t matter. Martha had the earthly perspective while Mary was setting her eyes on the treasures above. Right there we see an opportunity for discipleship when Mary chooses to live differently and Martha questions it. So often we as women have the opportunity to make Mary decisions but our earthly perspectives get in the way. More times than not we will see women put others down rather than build them up for lack of their own confidence in knowing who they are through Christ. 

This weekend as we enter into Easter weekend I challenge you to seek that Mary heart as we start a new month. Seek to sit at the feet of Jesus more to hear what he has for your life. This post isn’t meant to be feminism of any kind it’s meant to encourage you to understand your true identity in Christ. It’s to understand the power we as women have in discipling those around us. Jesus wanted it for us just as much as we should want it for one another and we see this to be true in the story of Martha and Mary.  Seek to encourage the women on your life this month meeting and loving them where they are. Pray for the women in your life, lift them up in prayer that you all might seek to learn more about God and one another, that you all would learn to disciple one another and those in your community better in the coming months. 

Discipleship is powerful. Learn it and use it

God Bless, 

   Morgan K. Miller 

||Here and Now||

Remember my car wash moments I use to have.. those have turned into carport moments. I always feel like my neighbors have to think I’m the oddest individual who comes home from work or wherever and sits in her car listening to worship music, reading something, praying, or just simply jotting down ideas. It’s not normal but it works for me. Last night I sat in my car in a pool of tears shouting the lyrics of praise songs because y’all Jesus has been meeting me where I am so evidently lately that I cant shout the praise loud enough. It’s hasn’t been easy and if anything it has been humbling to say the least.

In the last 6 months I’ve started post and stopped post. I’ve jotted ideas but I haven’t followed through. The conviction of writing something that had purpose and wasn’t just to praise me and my work has laid heavy on my heart. Taking the time and effort to make sure what I shared was with the heart of good intent. Y’all this past month though has challenged, encouraged, and humbled me more than I could have ever expected for Morgan Kennedy Miller. I am stubborn, strong willed, and heavily opinionated at times. I’m also passionate about those I love more than I want to admit sometimes for the fear of rejection. But all those fears and doubts have collided  this month taking me out of my comfort zone. 

As a church we have been walking through a bible study about relational evangelism. Each week has had a different theme such as barriers and how to love lost better just to name a few. I’ve walked away each week more challenged than the last and convicted for sure. I was loving the lost but I wasn’t loving them enough to reach them. I was going through the motions but I wasn’t acting on the motions. I went to work everyday with the mindset of this isn’t what I’m doing for the rest of my life it’s just the paycheck I need to pay the bills and I was missing those around me everyday. It was in the moments of my pastor talking about work being our mission field just as much as a missions trip and a regular customer noticing I was missing my normal chipper attitude that I realized that my love for Jesus was evident even when people didn’t know that that’s where my happiness came from and that if I was going to be a true witness I had to change my attitude all the time. 

I have been stretched this month when it comes to comfort. I have to pep talk myself each morning and I have clung to my prayer life  (sometimes I’m not the best at that) to stay focused. I don’t want this to be something that challenges me for a month and then when it gets to difficult I walk away from it. I have learned to love those I work with that I everyday went in with the attitude of I wasn’t going to like them. I have learned to affirm and love others in ways I don’t feel comfortable but let’s be honest do we think everything Jesus encountered was comfortable? Sitting with the tax collectors, drinking water from the women at the well, healing the sick. Not one of those task sound easy nor do they sound comfortable yet Jesus did them with honor, grace, mercy, and most importantly love. We’ve been taught time and time again love God love People. If I was going to love God and love others because of Him I decided I had to make that truly evident in everything I did. 

It has not been easy and there have been times I have failed but I’m praying for continued strength, humility, and confidence to continue. My heart is so burdened for the lost because I am so stoked for the love of the Lord I have in my heart that I want to share that with everyone I know. To do so though I have to be different and I have to be different everyday because God made me different. He sent his one and only son so that you and I could be free y’all. If I don’t wake up every morning running after that promise and making much of his name than what have I done today? 

I’m thankful for the people I get to do life with. I’m thankful the Lord gave me the voice to share all of it with you all. This week I challenge you to dive into the gospels and prepare your hearts for Easter weekend. For those of you plugged in to church or not plugged in, this weekend I hope you find yourself seated in the pews of a church. Go with a heart opened and abandoned for Gods message and be amazed at what he can do for you. I don’t imagine that the Samaritan women would have ever expected for Jesus to meet her where she was and love her through it because I can tell you I never saw it coming for myself. Have faith 

Praying for you all as this week as it is just beginning. You are loved, you are important, and you are you! 

Love always, 

M.K.M

*note that I have linked links for my local church if you are in my neck of the woods along with a link to the gospels as well! 

| |Burden| |

What burdens your heart sweet friend? I think sometimes we get so caught up that burdens are these sad horrible things that consume us. As a Christian a burden is something I believe God places on our heart because we care about others. When we seek to love like Jesus loves we should feel the burdens that others face. We should be areas of comfort and compassion for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

What burdens you? 

Many things burden me day in and day out in my personal life. You know what burdens my heart more than I can express, The sweet teenage girls I spend countless hours each week doing life with. Their love and concern for one another, their family lives, their social lives, their hearts, and everything in between burdens my heart for them. I feel tears of joy when I hear them have gospel centered conversations, when I see them encourage and inspire one another, and when they love to love each other. When I stood where they stood I took all of that for granted. I took joy in things more worldly than Jesus and oh how I hope these girls understand the real true gift they have right in their hands. I want to hug them when someone hurts them and cheer them on through their victories. It's like God gave me 30 more little sisters on top of my already amazing little sister. I have the opportunity to pour into them what little wisdom I have from the path I've taken but most importantly they get to pour into my life making me a better person for it. 

My prayer is they never lose the hearts they have to love, to encourage, and to motivate. I pray they know their value not just in themselves but through Jesus Christ. These girls are precious gems Gods gonna do big things with and I pray they know that. I pray that when they seek a relationship they put God first and everything after that. I pray they look for a guy that values the same things. I pray that they chase their dreams and take God with them along the way. We only get one shot at this thing they call life and my prayer is these girls continue KILLING IT like they do. 

I'm so thankful to God and to our Youth Pastor that I get the opportunity to build relationships with these girls. It makes my heart smile and my soul happy to spend time with them and to hear their highs and their lows. Life is meant to be lived out loud and why not live it out loud sharing the good news? 

Friends what's burdening you? I would love to hear from you! I pray that the rest of this week is filled with a lot of love, a lot of laughter, and a lot of moments! 

Xoxo, 

  M.K.M

P.S: I listened to this song as I wrote this post. If. You haven't listened to rend collective campfire I highly recommend it. Sometimes I think we get caught up in the gospel high that we forget the amazing sacrifice God mad for you and I! Here is a song that is a sweet reminder of His grace, mercy, and redemption! 

YOU BLED 

Rend Collective: Campfire 

You bled your heart out

Now I feel love beat in my chest

How wonderful

You gave your beauty

In exchange for my ugliness

How wonderful

You left your perfection

And embraced our rejection

How marvelous, how boundless

Is Your love, is Your love

How wonderful, sacrificial

Is Your love for me

You put on our chains

Sent us out through the open door

How wonderful

You took our sadness

Crowned us with joy and real peace

How wonderful

You left Your perfection

And fought for our redemption

Yes Jesus loves me

Yes Jesus loves me

How wonderful

Yes Jesus loves me

This is love

You gave Yourself

C O M F O R T

What comforts you? Is it some home cooked food? A cozy blanket? A conversation with your mom? Have you become complacent to your comfort? Have you allowed your comfort to intercede with the plan God has for you? 

Today I'm talking about comfort on a spiritual level and a personal one.  

Last night surrounded by kids that inspire me, challenge me, and encourage me it hit me like a ton of bricks. I sat and listened while they raised their hands and said their prayer request and struggles. So transparent, raw, and authentic yet I couldn't bring myself to put out loud into words my struggle. I couldn't verbalize with my struggle of complacency and comfort because that then made it real. It would then put it into perspective that I was digging my heels in against God when I need to be standing beside Him not resisting Him.

"For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them." Proverbs 1:32

 2 years ago God called me away from my plan and I went kicking and screaming. Scared of what was to come I moved home. Left my friends, work, and fun behind to follow where I felt God was wanting me. Lately though I've started to feel that I'm called for more but I'm not following because I like where I am. I like that my family is around the corner, I like my hometown spots, and I love my church family. I feel like God needed me to come home and hit the recharge button and now it's time to get back out there. I have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of God I shouldn't take that responsibility lightly and I surely shouldn't let it pass me by. 

This week as I've joined the youth in D.C. For missions work the burden has laid more on my heart that I'm not doing enough. I'm not pushing myself enough nor bringing myself outside of my comfort zone. When I don't I do an injustice to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ but more importantly to God. God gives us all the tools we need personally to further His kingdom and honestly here lately I don't feel I have fulfilled Him by using mine. 

Where my exact call is at this moment I couldn't tell you. What I can share though is that I know God wants more of me. He wants my full trust, He wants my uncomfortablity, He wants my heart. Prayer is my answer right now. Gods plan will be unveiled through my prayer life and obedience to Him.

I was listening to the new hillsong album this week and some lyrics just stood out, laid on my heart, and convicted me: 

If the stars were made to worship so will I

If the mountains bow in reverence so will I

If the oceans roar Your greatness so will I

For if everything exists to lift You high so will I

If the wind goes where You send it so will I

If the rocks cry out in silence so will I

If the sum of all our praises still falls shy

Then we’ll sing again a hundred billion times

God of salvation

You chased down my heart

Through all of my failure and pride

On a hill You created

The light of the world

Abandoned in darkness to die

And as You speak

A hundred billion failures disappear

Where You lost Your life so I could find it here

If You left the grave behind You so will I

I can see Your heart in everything You’ve done

Every part designed in a work of art called love

If You gladly chose surrender so will I

I can see Your heart

Eight billion different ways

Every precious one

A child You died to save

If You gave Your life to love them so will I

I haven't worshipped God the way I should. I haven't lifted His name high the way I can. It's been said a million times but He sent His one and only son to die. We have a hope and joy because of Him. My worship doesn't have to come on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Worship is in your car, your home, work, with friends, wherever the day takes you. So as this week grows closer to an end I'm calling myself out but I'm also challenging myself to listen to Gods call and desire for me. I ask for your prayers and wisdom as well. I thrive on conversation. I would love to hear your thoughts and even your struggles. You can call, text, or email me I would love to hear from you. 

Y'all God is good. He is so so good. 

X.O., 

M.K.M

Drop Your Burdens

Friends the idea of "wishing I knew then what I know now," lays heavy on my heart daily. I think that statement is what drew me to youth ministry. I often note that I wish I would have been as devoted to God and church then as I am now. I am inspired daily by the youngins in my life who wake up each day to seek and glorify God the way so many of them do.

Had I put in half the time and energy I do now Morgan Kennedy Millers life would look a lot different today. What's cool though is even when I didn't want God, God wanted me. He put me through seasons of doubt, frustration, and hurt to get to the season I stand in today. I had started this post and hit a road block diving into Gods word and seeking the words I prayed trying to make sure the words that came out were intentional and God inspired. It was this weekend though that really brought it home to me that I'm exactly where God wants me to be right now.

This past weekend I spent it with 180 of my brothers and sister in Christ ranging from all age groups we came together from Friday to Sunday worshiping God, listening to purposeful driven sermons, and having the opportunity to grow closer with God and with one another.

I was blessed the opportunity to serve and lead an awesome group of sixth and seventh grade girl. When I think back to my time in middle school I cringe at the thought of who I was. I was your typical snobby and privileged preteen girl. I was on the dance team I had my group of friends and I thought I was all that. I claimed to be a Christian yet I didn't make it a priority!

This weekend though as I lead bible studies and spent time with these middle school girls I was encouraged and motivated by them. Pre-teens themselves coming off of a very heavy week of school for one reason or another yet yearning to learn more about God. Listening to the pastors message this weekend about trials and taking those sermons and applying them to their lives. As adults many of us have a hard time doing just that some times. For the longest times I listened to sermons but fought with myself upset that I hadn't been devoted since day one. What I didn't know though was God loved me since day one devoted or not. He knew me and had His plan for me ever before I had a grasp of what I was doing.

These young girls gave me peace this weekend. I may not have done it right when I was their age but now I have the opportunity to pour into them and help in the process of discipling and equipping them for their journey. God gives us the right words, the right moments, and the right people just when we need them most. At times we get blinded from seeing what's coming but that's because we have to have faith in Gods promises. God tells us He will fight for us, protect us, and that He loves us. We must have faith in those promises. (Which faith is a whole other topic we can get into but not today!) I'm thankful for those girls and I'm thankful for the leadership of my church's youth group and that I'm given the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful group. I'm thankful that they entrust me with groups to lead and that they allot me the opportunities to grow the relationships with these young kids and not only pour into them but have them pour into me their knowledge and wisdom.

Exodus 14:14
••The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still ••

Sometimes when we close our mouths and listen instead of speak we have the ability to see Gods work. I still battle with many different insecurities about what I'm doing and where I'm at. This weekend though was an encouraging step in this seasons journey. I was able to end it with another car wash moment today and I'm challenging myself in this coming week:

// I'm challenging myself to listen more than I speak this week. I'm challenging myself to not need others validation in my life. I'm challenging myself to seek Gods faithfulness and understand that faith and action are what I need most right now. I'm challenging myself to make time for me this week. //

These car wash moments are really doing a work in me. As we enter this new week I challenge you to look at yourself and determine what can you start doing more of this week? We don't need to wait for then we need to start NOW. Stop carrying the burdens of the past and start working for today. I pray that you find that peace this week as in every week.

X.O,
  M.K.M

| Validation |

Friends,

STOP with the need to be validated by everything you do.

 I am as guilty as the rest of you.

As a generation we have become a group of people who need to hear that we are working as hard as we think we are. We need to be told that what outfit we are wearing is the perfect outfit. For what purpose? If we are a generation in Christ no human words of validation should be needed. Every morning we should feel validated when we wake and we wake in the presence of God's  love, grace, and mercy. 

Do you ever just stop and really take a moment to think about that? Last week as I had five minutes to myself in the car wash (let me tell you my truck and my soul really needed those five minutes) I sat and spent the time talking to God.

It hit me.

It's nothing I haven't ever heard before. God sent His one and only son to die. He sent him to die so that you and I could have the freedom we have today. Yet we need our friends and family to validate us. We need others so full of sin and so far from God at times to tell us that we are "#killingit," Y'all as a generation myself included it is time we wake up and start falling at the feet of God. It is time that we give it all completely to HIM.Our obedience to Him is something God finds precious and His answer to obedience isn't an overnight answer. It comes with strength and endurance to the obedience. I'm praying that 2017 holds a year of obedience for myself and for you. I'm praying for more of those five minute car wash moments. 

I hope that as you hit the mid-week hump you are finding something that recharges you, A verse that hits home and inspires you, most importantly I just hope you are diving into Gods word. 

Just remember you only need God to be "#Killingit"

X.O,

 M.K.M 

//Galatians 1:10

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.//

|| Hey y'all I would love to know your thoughts and opinions on today's post. Comment here, on Facebook, or Instagram. ||

Passion 2017

The start of a new year is the start of new hopes, new dreams, and new beginnings. This year I kicked off my new year with 60,000 other young adults and church leaders at Passion 2017. I walk away charged and encouraged for what 2017 and God has in store for me.

Over the past three days we listened to numerous speakers and worshiped with Crowder and Hillsong United to name a few. The most amazing part about it all though was the presence of the Holy Spirit there in the Georgia Dome and the work He was doing in that place.

We kicked the Conference off with hearing from Christine Caine. She reminded us that this relationship we have with Jesus Is a race we are gonna need endurance for. She spoke about focusing on the here and now instead of the then and there. To drop everything now and start exactly where we were. God will meet you where you are He is faithful in that. We finished the first evening with a crazy awesome performance from Crowder who tore the house down with surprise guest Carrie Underwood. On top of all the other greatness from night one each attendee for Passion 2017 the 20th anniversary of Passion received a special Dome Edition Jesus  Bible released this week!

Day two Dr. John Piper, Beth Moore, Jay and Katherine Wolf, and Francis Chan brought the word. Speaking on everything from defining the essence of sin, Gods thoughts are greater than our own and we are our own worst enemy when we allow ourselves to get in our heads, to it's a blessing to have the opportunity to suffer for and because of God. The evening ended with one of the most inspiring and moving messages I have ever heard from Pastor Louie Giglio.

Louie left us with some powerful stuff. Some of my favorite take aways from his sermon where, "stop trying to hang with the world and invite the world to come hang with you." Talking about inviting the world to come know Jesus with us. The one I would say that moved me the most was "you know love because of the circumstance."

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

The circumstance is that God sent His son for you and I. That's the greatest definition of love we will ever read about and know. The final take away from his sermon that really just stopped me in my place was "the innocent one became guilty so that the guilty could become innocent in him." Jesus took our shame and our wretchedness as His own. I am amazed every day of the things Jesus has done and will do. Night two ended with worship from Hillsong United and what a powerful performance they brought.



The third and final day ended with a great message from Pastor Levi Lusko from Fresh Life Church. I had three take aways from his sermon that I jotted down into my notes:

"You make fragrance by finding something precious and crushing it up. We need to ask God to crush us so that we can share the fragrance of Jesus."

-It's not enough to say that as a generation but as a church whole we need to ask God to crush us and use us for His glory. To use us to share the gospel and take His name to the ends of the earth.

"Ministry that is affective begins at home." Ministry begins in our hometowns and in our communities.

-We can't go tackle the big battles until we start with the people next door and across the street.

"We need to train for the trial we are not yet in."

- Seasons are changing constantly in our lives. We should always be preparing our hearts for the next step. Enjoy the moment that we are in but understand that in the blink of an eye the moment can change. We should not falter nor question God for it but prepare and praise Him through it.

These past three days have got me fired up for what is to come in this following year. I'm encouraged to know that I'm not alone in my walk either. Surrounded by 60 some thousand other followers makes it kind of hard to feel alone. Passion 2018 can't come fast enough. Until then though I'm challenging myself this year to be more intentional, to be plugged in, and to serve. In no particular order nor particular capacity I hope this year I live more for Jesus than I did last year and the year before. 2017 holds big things myself and you included need only be faithful to the Lord and know that through our obedience He will provide.

Here's to 2017 and making much of Jesus!