Labels: General

Labels: Morgan Family

• "LORD, WE HOPE WE'VE DONE THIS IN A WORTHY AND PLEASING MANNER." I understand what's being prayed when we say this, and I'll be the first to say, "Let's do things respectful and right," but sometimes I think we think that God's going to strike us dead if our minds wonder during worship? Maybe we think God will bar-b-que us for forgetting the words to a song? Is God just looking for a chance to catch us doing something wrong? Have we beat people up with the story of Nadab and Abihu so much that we're living in constant fear of our Father? How sad! Why do we enter His throne room as frightened children with our head down, afraid to make eye contact? Is God not pleased to see & hear His children? Are we not to, "Approach the throne of grace with confidence?" Hebrews 4:16. WAKE UP people. He's your Father, and He loves you. He's not a task master with a whip looking to beat you!



• "THE LESSON OF THE HOUR WILL BE GIVEN BY TREY, OUR REGULAR PREACHER." Actually this phrase always makes me laugh. First, I've never preached for an hour in my life, but does this mean I can? Second, how do they know I'm regular? :)



• "THIS CONCLUDES THE LORD'S SUPPER AND NOW WE'LL HAVE THE CONTRIBUTION." Does it not count if we don't use that phrase between the communion and the contribution?



• "BAPTIZED BELIEVER." Okay, before I get in trouble I want you to understand that I understand what's being said here. I honestly do. But "baptized believer" is an unbiblical phrase. Jesus spoke of two groups of people, believers and non-believers. Nowhere in the Bible does it ever say anything about a special group called the "baptized believers." Am I saying baptism isn't essential, necessary or important? No way. I am saying that if we're going to follow the bible and do things biblical, then let's use biblical words and phrases correctly, too.



• "EPISTLE." Again, just like above, use biblical phrases. Biblically they are called letters not epistles. That word has to be so confusing to babes in Christ.



• "UM, YOU JUST TOLD A LIE IN CHURCH!" You're not supposed to lie anywhere, and it doesn't make it worse if you do it in the church building.



• "WE'RE GOING TO CHURCH." I've told you before, we don't "go to church", we "are the church." The church is wherever the people meet. It's not the building.



• "ARE YOU GOING TO EVER DO FULL-TIME WORK SOMEDAY?" The dreaded phrase heard often by youth ministers and associate ministers. What a slap in the face. "Full-time" work? What does that mean? Do they already not work full-time? They probably put in more hours than the minister every week, but for some reason many think that associate ministers or youth ministers are not in "full-time" ministry until they "move-up" to preaching. Does it make you more holy if you preach? Honestly, Paul said, "God gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11). Or if I can rephrase that, "God gave some to be ministers, some to be youth ministers, some to be associate ministers, some to be bible class teachers, etc." Don't belittle one of God's servants because he doesn't preach.

Okay, enough preaching today. Any phrases or words you're not crazy about?

Labels: Church

(Parker scores and is fouled)

(Taylor looking sad in the top picture with his wrecked pickup and happy in the bottom picture with his new car.)

All the car shopping has got me in the mood to trade cars, too. We've been driving the Beast (Ford Excursion) for about 3 years now. The boys named it the Beast years ago because the ad that used to run advertising it said, "Anything you can't drive over in this beast, you can hook a chain to and pull down." It's a great ride, but more vehicle than we need. We bought it to pull our camper trailer, but haven't pulled it as much as we thought. I also find it funny that the Excursion was recently named one of the top 50 worst environmental cars of all time. That kind of makes me want to keep it. I'd actually love to find a nice clean used Z-71 Suburban.

So, have any of your cars ever had names? (ie. the beast)

Labels: Morgan Family

Labels: Forgiveness, God

• John Wayne - 60's
• Alan Alda - 70's
• Sylvester Stallone - 80's
• Nicholas Cage - 90's

Labels: General

Labels: Christian Living, Death

• MY DREAM IS FOR UNITY. It's time that we grow up and stop fighting. If Jesus prayed for unity (John 17) among his followers, and Paul preached it (1 Corinthians 1), I think we should start doing it. We're all in this together and our goal is to take as many people with us to heaven as possible. When we fight, we're simply focused on the wrong thing.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE WOULD FOCUS ON PEOPLE. Church is and always has been about people, not about buildings, programs or mission statements. Let's put our focus back where it should be ... meeting people's needs. Stop building multi-million dollar buildings just because you feel the need to keep up with what other churches are doing. This is STUPID and unbiblical. (More on this later this week.)



• MY DREAM IS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MISSIONARIES. It would be SO awesome to use the Lord's money on missions throughout the world. I'd love to see that anyone who wanted to go and do mission work could financially. Instead missionaries want to go, but no one will send them.



• MY DREAM IS FOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH. It's not just about reaching the world, but also reaching the people across the street. It's about reaching the people you work with, play with and run with. Church is not just about what we do "in the building," but also what we do "outside the building." Every church should be outwardly focused to win their community for Christ. Just unlocking the doors and turning on the lights on Sundays and Wednesdays won't do it. We must go to the world and not just expect them to come to us.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE BECOME A CHURCH THAT TALKS ABOUT JESUS ALL THE TIME. He's our main focus. Our main focus isn't buildings, budgets or bottom lines, it's Jesus. We don't need gimmicks to draw people in, we have Jesus. He should be at the center of everything we do and teach.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE WILL FOCUS ON TEACHING AND TRAINING OUR CHILDREN AND YOUTH (THE FUTURE CHURCH). Children are the future. You cannot put too much emphasis on the youth and children. Our future looks bright when we invest time, money and effort into our youth. Teach them and train them to be a powerful and effective church.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE WOULD LOVE PEOPLE EVEN WHEN THEY HURT US. Too many people get their feelings hurt and quit church. I'll be the first to admit that it's always been a temptation in life and ministry to become bitter and angry at people who hurt you. But you never want to allow negative things to drive wedges in relationships that may last an eternity. Love people...Jesus did. It’s not easy, but we’re called to do this.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE WOULD BECOME A CHURCH THAT TALKS ABOUT REAL ISSUES. While it is important to study all things in the Bible, most people attending our churches do not care about the measurements of the Temple, but they do want to know how they can hold a marriage together, how they can keep from going under financially and how to raise good kids.



• MY DREAM IS THAT WE WOULD BECOME A CHURCH WHERE ALL PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME. I don't know how many times I've heard in the past, "The last place I wanted to bring my friend was to church, because I knew the preacher would say something to embarrass them or me." How sad. The church needs to be a safe environment where people know they can bring family or friends without them getting their "hides nailed to the wall."

I'd love to hear some things you dream of the church becoming...

Labels: Church

My sister, Melinda Morgan lives down the street from me. She was lying on her couch tonight (Saturday) watching a movie when she looked up and noticed the ceiling on fire. She called 911 and then called us. The family, 12 of us in all gathered across the street in the 30 degree weather and watched as the firemen worked at putting out the fire. 3 times the flames were brought under control; 3 times the fire leaped back into a blaze. It took the firemen over 3 hours to get it out. When they finally began to roll up their hoses, Melinda and several others went into the smoke ruined house to try and retrieve a few of her personals.

Melinda does not have insurance on her home. When she bought it 5 years back, the insurance company told her they could not insure it unless it had a new roof.

Although Melinda is with us tonight tired, confused and running on adrenalin, there are still many blessing in tonight. The fire started about 8:15 and Melinda was awake to see it. She is safe tucked in bed tonight. The fire department did an excellent job and worked hard. Our family pulled together and offered love and support to Melinda and each other. And most importantly, we rest assured in knowing that our Father in heaven was not sitting in heaven surprised about the turn of events.

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”

Please remember Melinda in your prayers as she will begin to dig through the debris in the next day or two. Please pray that we will keep our hearts and minds focused on God where it belongs and where all the answers lie.

Labels: Morgan Family

Labels: Bible Study, God

Labels: Church, Morgan Family, Preaching

• Adolph Hitler
• Ivan the Terrible
• Mao Tse-tung
• Genghis Khan
• Ted Bundy
• John Wayne Gacy
• Jesus Christ

Jesus? Yes, how could he not be? Think about it for a second. Amazingly it was at the cross that Jesus absorbed upon himself, like a sponge, all the sins that had ever been committed. At the cross Jesus took on himself all the sins of the past, present and even future sins that were to be committed. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says that on the cross Jesus actually ..."became sin." He became sin on the cross. He became everything that was dark, everything that was ugly and everything that was evil. When Jesus became sin, he became the very thing he despised, and he became what he hated. It was at that point in history that Jesus became (I don't like to say it, and I don't even like to even type it) but Jesus became all that was evil.

Why would Jesus be willing to do this? Why would Jesus be willing to absorb all your sins and my sins there on the cross? The same verse that tells us that ... "He became sin," also tells us why he became sin ... "So that we might become the righteousness of God." Jesus became sin for us. He became what he hated for us. He became sin to make us right with God.

Does that just not ooze with amazing and incomprehensible love? Thank you Jesus!

So the next time you hear the question, "Who are some of the most evil people ever?" I'm not suggesting you holler out, "Jesus Christ," but I am suggesting you constantly remember exactly what he was willing to do for you.

Now, if you'd all join me, I'd like to lead us all in the greatest song ever written. Sing with me, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the bible tells me so..."

Labels: Cross, Jesus

Labels: Christian Living

Noah's Ark

Moses Parting the Red Sea

The Crucifixion

(I found pictures here)

Labels: General

(After I read these I went to my elders and thanked them for allowing me to be in Childress)

Labels: Ministry

As some may know, I celebrate my 42nd birthday today. Early this morning I received a really cool electronic card from John Dobbs, a Happy 50th wish from Brian (ha), a birthday prayer from Neva, and a funny video called Achmed the Dead Terrorist from my friend Kara.

All this got me to thinking (scary huh?). What are the worst birthday gifts you could ever give a man. Here are a few I came up with. I hope you'll help me complete the list.

1. THE MANGROOMER - There is only one way to remove your back hair without enlisting the help of another person. It is called the Mangroomer, a strange invention and horrible gift idea.
2. SCRAPBOOKING STUFF - Puh-lease
3. A PINK SWEATER - Or anything pink for that matter.
4. A CELINE DION GREATEST HITS CD - WHAT? You may think that Celine Dion was an angel sent by God to the earth to bless us with her voice, but her music is just not the kind you would find in a man’s iPod play list. (If you do find a Celine Dion song in your man's iPod, then you better start asking questions).
5. A JAR OF PICKLED BEETS - Got this one for my 40th (Thanks Carters)
6. A TALKING JESUS OR MOSES DOLL - Kind of freaks me out.

What would you add to the list?

Labels: General

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29

• That's stupid.
• You're an idiot.
• Don't be dumb.
• You never understand.
• You make no sense.
• Complaints
• Criticism
• Yelling
• Back-handed compliments
• Words spoken in anger

• I love you.
• I'm proud of you.
• I forgive you.
• Thank you.
• I appreciate you.
• You can do it.
• Don't give up.
• No matter what, I'm here for you.
• Did you have a good day?
• Good job.

Labels: Christian Living

• My kids went back to school this morning after a two week Christmas break. Getting them out of bed at 7 a.m. was not an easy task. I did go get donuts, a favorite of theirs from our local bakery, to help bribe them to get up. Hopefully it won't be long until they are back into a routine. Good thing the bible doesn't say, "Thou shalt not bribe your children."
  
  
• We've been having so many new families come to church with us over the past few months. I'm pumped about our growth and the growth of our "young families" group. One person that has been coming the past few weeks is a fellow blogger. I think she's a reader of this blog, so I just want to tell her, "We've been honored to have your family with us the past two weeks. Sorry one of your kids was sick yesterday and you weren't able to be there. We missed you. Hope you'll come when you can." :)
  
  
• I haven't posted any sermons on my podcast the past couple of weeks because I haven't preached any. Don't say it, I already know what you're thinking, "For a guy who works only one day a week you ought to be able to at least show up on the one day." Hush!
  
  
• Yes, I'll confess right now, I did watch American Gladiators last night. Wow, I feel better already.
  
  
• Interesting story, "Church Bases Year End Bonuses on Number of Souls Won." I don't think the story is real, but I did get a good laugh out of it. It was almost as warped as, "Trick Sinners Prayer Saving People by the Millions."
  
  
• I was talking to my friend Bill this week. He told me that he never forgets to take his seizure medicine twice a day. Two pills in the morning and one in the evening has been his regular routine for years. He never goes anywhere without his pills and knows where they are at all times. His life may very well depend on them. Why can't we do this with reading our Bibles? I'd like to be so dependant upon God's word that I would never forget to read from it daily. I want to be so dependant upon God's word that I'd realize that my life is dependant upon it. Reading our Bible daily is one of the most common New Year's Resolutions we make. Why do we give up on it so quickly?
  
  
• Fellow blogger John Dobbs has started something really neat called, "Sunday Reports." He's encouraging everyone to stop by tell something good that happened at church on Sunday. Check it out it's a great idea.
  
  
• Finally, last night while snuggling on his bed with Cooper, my 6 year old, the conversation went something like this... "Dad, I don't want to go to school tomorrow." My reply was, "Cooper if you don't shut your eyes and your mouth you'll never go to sleep." Cooper stated for about the fourth time, "Dad, I really don't want to go to school tomorrow." Trying to be a good dad I said, "Coop, would you like me to pray about this with you?" His reply, "No, Dad." My reply, "Cooper, it'll probably make you feel better about going to school if you will let me say a prayer about it." Cooper replies, "No, Dad. And by the way, your breath stinks." He then proceeds to rollover and goes right to sleep. :)

Labels: General

Labels: God

TEN THINGS I ENJOYED DOING THIS CHRISTMAS (just for Brian)

1. Seeing my mom and dad.
2. Playing card games.
3. Relaxing.
4. Turning off my cell phone.
5. NOT eating fruitcake.
6. Watching my boys open their presents.
7. Playing in the snow.
8. Hanging out in the mountains with 3 families from church.
9. Learning to play Wii golf and Wii bowling.
10. Blowing twenty bucks on a plastic sled and then having my friend Tommy pull me behind the car. Thirty minutes later the sled was torn to pieces.

Here's a little slide show of our Christmas fun.

Ten may be a little much, so what are three things you enjoyed about your Christmas holiday?

Labels: Christmas, Morgan Family, Video

(Our Hideout)

Glad to be back after about an eight day break. The Morgan family spent Christmas in the snowy mountains away from phones, responsibility and the fast paced life I'm used too. We spent an entire week doing nothing but drinking cocoa, playing games and eating (and I feel no guilt). It was great to just relax. I'll tell you more about it tomorrow, but here are a couple of things I learned on my break.

1. It's important for me to slow down for the purpose of reflection. Busyness is often my arch enemy. The older I get the more I realize that busyness often stunts my spiritual growth. As I've said before, if Satan can't make you sin, I think he'll be content with keeping you really busy. This past week I spent some time doing what others would call "wasting some time." It has been a great reminder that I don't always have to run, go, buy, help, serve, sign up ... sometimes I just need to rest.



2. I also needed to slow down for the purpose of enjoyment. I believe there is room in my theology for enjoying things that are fun. Part of the value of "slowing down" is rediscovering what leisure is all about (1 Timothy 6:17). Simply put, I needed to play and have some fun. I need to enjoy my wife, my children, my friends and the things God has blessed me with. I was reminded this week that I'm a very rich man. Rich with blessings.

I believe it was Oran Crain who wrote: "Slow me down, Lord. Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; That there is more to life than increasing it's speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew great and strong because it grew slowly and well."

Two questions I've hunted answers for...

• Does God takes delight in seeing His children operating on the ragged edge?



• Or can we learn something from Jesus who often snuck off to be alone on regular occasions (Mark 6:31-32)?

Labels: Spiritual Growth