Trey Morgan.net

Friday, February 29, 2008

My sister, Monalea, "tagged me" asking me to reveal 5 things about myself. Okay, I'll play along.

FIVE THINGS YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT ME:

About 12 years ago I ballooned to an unhealthy 255 lbs. I decided I didn't want to be the "biggest preacher" in the brotherhood, so I made a lifestyle change. I dropped 60 pounds and thankfully I haven't ever gone back to my "big" self.
I get teased for keeping my cars really, really clean. What can I say, I like clean cars. Besides, you know the saying, "Dirty car, dirty mind." Okay, maybe that's not a real saying.
The hardest thing I've ever done physically is run a marathon. I did the 26.2 miles in 1998. At mile 24 I got dehydrated and started throwing up and wanted to die. I kept thinking to myself, "Trey (that's what I call myself), if you just step out in front of that oncoming car, you can end it all and not hurt anymore." At mile 25, there were two men who were trying to encourage me by saying, "You can do this. Don't give up!" I think I threw up on their shoes, at least I hope so. At mile 26, I spotted my wife and kids at the finish line and finished strong. Although I'm glad now I did the marathon, and I still love doing half-marathons, I seriously doubt I'll ever do another full marathon.
When I was a kid I was force fed things like rice, veggies and stew. I vowed when I got older I'd never eat those things again. Now all three are some of my favorite foods.
Because I'm 6'4'' I have trouble finding clothes that fit. Most shirt's sleeves are too short and most pants are not long enough. It makes me feel sorry for Parker, my 16 year old, who's now pushing 6'6''.

I'll tag Wade, Stephanie, CDJ, and Amy.

Labels: Morgan Family

posted at 7:11 AM · 15 comments

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

SEXUAL NEEDS IN MARRIAGE

As she sat in my office she was clearly angry and she had a right to be. Her husband had crossed the line. She'd caught him "sneaking a lustful peek" at another woman and she didn't like it one bit. "What do I do?" she asked, "He's supposed to be a Christian husband." She put a put a big emphasis on the world "Christian" when she said it.

I agreed 100% with her that she had a right to be mad and that he didn't need to be looking at women that were not his wife, but then something else came out that I didn't expect. She made the comment that it had been months since they'd had any sexual activity together. I remember her giving me a weird look when I shockingly repeated the word "MONTHS?" She said, "Yes, lots of months."

To make a long story short, come to find out her husband might have been sneaking a peek (which was still wrong) because she wasn't interested in meeting any his sexual needs. She was making no effort to even sleep in the same room with him. I remember her saying, "I just have no desire to do that." She looked even more angry when I said, "Do you not understand? It's not all about you, and you are to blame just as much as he is for all this."

Listen, I do not in any circumstance approve of husbands looking at someone other than their wives, BUT understand this, if you and your spouse want to remain strong in the face of sexual temptation, cultivate a healthy and intimate sexual relationship together. Paul said it this way, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” (1 Corinthians 7.3-5).

I've been worrying about adding this part, but it needs to be said. Too many times I’ve listened to wives whine about their husband’s struggles with lust when all along it was the wife who was starving their husbands sexually. Don't starve your husbands and then berate them for their hunger. If you want to protect your husband, do what the Bible says – don’t deprive him, or you’ll make his struggle to be pure harder. You can do your part in keeping your husband from being vulnerable to sexual temptation.

Just like men need to eat to be strong physically, they also need sexual intimacy to be strong morally. I know this is an extremely touchy subject, but if the Bible talks about it maybe the church needs to also.

Labels: Marriage, Sexuality

posted at 9:01 AM · 32 comments

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A CORNUCOPIA OF THOUGHTS

FINGERNAILS: First let me say, yes, my fingernail polish has worn off and I no longer glow in the dark. But let me also say that there IS another basketball tournament in Childress this weekend, so who knows if my little friend will be there ... :)

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REFERRALS: I love looking at "referrals" on my sitemeter. Referrals are what people typed in to a search engine such as Google, Yahoo or MSN and were told to go to my blog to find what they were looking for. Some people search for crazy things. Just this week I've had some interesting referrals. Here are a few crazy things people typed this week and ended up on my site...

"How to put someone to sleep." Here try these.

"My wife threw up. What do I do?" - Hey, be a man and go take care of her.

"Is Jim Neugent a Coach in Childress true or false?" - It's false, read this!

"10 Things that will make your wife happy REAL fast." - Dude, what did you do?

"A good birthday gift for Brian." - I'm not sure who Brian is, but the Brian I know could use a new razor!

"Preachers who spank." What? Sick people out there. Maybe they're talking about stepping-on-toes during the sermon.

"How long to fast from the King James Bible." - Oh how I laughed at this one. I'm sure what they meant was what does it say in the KJV about fasting, but I couldn't help think to myself ... "I'd fast a LONG time from the KJV." All you KJV lovers out there don't get mad. I'm only kidding.

"Top 10 heckling moments" - This would have to be one of them.

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PODCASTS: For those of you who are gluttons for punishment and follow my sermons on podcast, I've started a new series of lessons called, "7 Habits of Highly Effective Christians." The first week I preached on "Faith" and then last week it was on "Love." The first sermon on "It's All About Faith" had to be one of the most challenging sermons I've done in a long time. It challenged my faith for what I believe and for who I say I am. If you want, you can learn more here.

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I told you a while back that we were hunting a new ride. Well we sold The Beast and here's what we got. I'm not sure how easy it will be to keep the black color looking clean, but it's sure pretty when it is.

We always name our vehicles, but haven't come up with any names for this one ... any suggestions?

Labels: General

posted at 8:53 AM · 27 comments

Monday, February 25, 2008

WHAT MAKES A GOOD BLOG?

I read through a lot of blogs each week. Last night while catching up on some of my blog reading, I noticed I was picking out my favorite blogs to read. There have always been blogs I like and then there are blogs I really like. I don't know about you, but there are a few specific things that draw me into a good blog.

Here are four things I really like in a blog:

Present a relevant thought.

Challenge my thinking.

Make me laugh.

Definitely, keep it short.

So what about you:

What do you think makes a good blog?

Why do you read the blogs that you do?

Labels: Blogging

posted at 9:21 AM · 21 comments

Friday, February 22, 2008

GETTING MY NAILS PAINTED

I've got four boys so I've never experienced what it's like to have a little girl. I see them and think they are so precious and sweet. I've often pointed out little girls to Lea and said, "I want one of those." Her response is always the same, "You'll have a granddaughter someday."

My weakness for little girls is often evident by the amount of cookies and goodies I buy from them when they sell something for a school project. I just can't tell a little girl, "no." They're just too cute.

Last night I sat in the Childress High School gymnasium with my buddy Bill as we watched our boys play basketball. Things were fine until one of those cute little girls came walking up to me, batted her little eyes and said, "Trey, can I paint your fingernails?" The man deep within me wanted to say, "Are you kidding me? No, I'm a man," but she was just so cute. I looked around to see who was watching and said, "Sure sweetie, I'd love for you too."

She had finished the first hand with clear fingernail polish when my buddy Bill cut his eyes around at me and noticed what she was doing. "Not a word to ANYONE," I told him, "Understand?" He agreed as she finished up my second hand.

She then grabbed my right hand and blew on my fingernails and told me to blow on my left hand. There I was sitting in the gym, blowing my fingernails dry. She finished and thanked me. As she was leaving she said, "You'll like this color later." I wasn't sure what that meant.

Two seconds later my phone rang. It was in my pant's pocket. Bill asked as it continued to ring, "Aren't you going to answer that?" I explained to him, "Dude, she just did my nails. It'll mess them up!"

Last night as I climbed into my soft bed in my dark room, I noticed something. My fingernails were glowing. Yep, glowing. Every one of them. It was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. That must have been what she meant by, "You'll like this color later."

Labels: Children

posted at 8:16 AM · 34 comments

Thursday, February 21, 2008

30 DAY SEX CHALLENGE?

Yesterday someone sent me this article. It's all about how a church in Tampa, the Relevant Church, has a minister who is doing a series on sex. While I applaud his bravery to tackle this taboo church subject, I was shocked to read that he is challenging his congregation to a 30 day "Sex Challenge." What is the sex challenge? That married attendees are encouraged to have sex every day for 30 days. Interesting!

All this got me to thinking ... what kind of response would your church have if your preacher announced this same challenge on Sunday from the pulpit?

Labels: Sexuality

posted at 8:20 AM · 30 comments

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

WHAT IS MARRIAGE?

A one minute video that'll leave you with a smile on your face!

Labels: Video

posted at 8:30 AM · 9 comments

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

In the past few years my sweet mother-in-law has suffered greatly with Alzheimer's disease. Over this time she has been cared for faithfully by my father-in-law. He is so dedicated in his love and ministry to her. When I read the following story it made me think of them.
It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have. "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

"Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres (1 Corinthians 13:7)"

Nearly every family in America has had someone that has been effected by Alzheimer's disease. It is been said that 4.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's.

Have you had someone in your family that has suffered with Alzheimer's?

Labels: General

posted at 8:33 AM · 17 comments

Monday, February 18, 2008

WHO WILL SPEAK AT MY FUNERAL?

Last Friday I drove 3 hours to attend a funeral. I'm usually not much for funerals, but this was the father of my friend Dee Green. The funeral was a typical funeral till the end. When the preacher was finally through preaching, Dee got up and spoke about his father. I was amazed at the strength it must have taken him to stand up at his own father's funeral and talk. Dee talked about his dad, the life he lived as a Christian father and what he meant to his family. He did a fantastic job honoring his father and his father's memory. I'm not sure I could have kept my composure, but Dee did very well.

As I sat there listening to Dee talk about his father with such pride and love, I was convicted. I was moved as I began to think to myself, "Am I living in such a way that my boys would be willing to speak with pride at my funeral about me?" I thought, "Can I make such a difference in my children's lives that they'd be willing to speak about me at my funeral?" It was right then that I bowed my head and asked the Lord to please give me wisdom to live a life that would make my children proud.

Labels: Children, Fathers, Parenting

posted at 8:12 AM · 19 comments

Sunday, February 17, 2008

HAPPY NASCAR SEASON

Today kicks off NASCAR season and the Daytona 500. Let's go racing boys ....

Happy NASCAR Season!

Labels: General

posted at 7:48 AM · 14 comments

Friday, February 15, 2008

OVER-PROTECTIVE PARENTING

I think it's important to be protective of your children. At the same time, I don't want to be too protective or over-protective.

Having four boys, it's been important to us to be protective without over doing it. I try to do things like monitor the television shows the boys watch. I want to know who they are running around with, and I think it's important to keep an eye on the movies they're seeing.

I especially want to be protective when it comes to girls in their lives. So when a girl showed up at my door not long ago, asking if one of my boys could come over to her house, I told her with a stern tone, "I'm sorry young lady, but I don't have 'that' type of boy. Now you can get right back on your tri-cycle and go right back to your house!" (smile)

TWO QUESTIONS:

How protective of your children are you these days?
What are some signs that you're being over-protective?

posted at 8:10 AM · 14 comments

Thursday, February 14, 2008

BUY HIM A MANLY VALENTINE GIFT

Your man doesn't want a teddy bear or a girly gift this Valentine's Day. Get him something manly!

Two good ones that I think they missed were "new tires smell" and "diesel." Those would be excellent manly smells. I loved the "grilling out." It's probably best for Lea that I haven't found a perfume for her called "grilling out." That'd be heavenly.

I hope you weren't offended by the crudeness of the video, but I like anything that's manly. Thanks to my good friend Matt for turning me on to this video.

So what are you getting your sweetie for Valentine's Day?

(If you're reading this through a blog reader or via email, you'll have to click here to see the video.)

Labels: General

posted at 8:02 AM · 11 comments

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

IF I KNEW JESUS WAS COMING BACK NEXT WEEK

IF I KNEW JESUS WAS COMING BACK NEXT WEEK I'D STOP ...

Exercising
Taking a vitamin.
Watching what I eat.
Being critical.
Complaining

IF I KNEW JESUS WAS COMING BACK NEXT WEEK I'D ...

Spend every minute I could with my wife and boys.
I'd visit as many friends and family and I could to make sure they were ready.
I'd eat all the things I love to eat, but don't. Krispy Kreme donuts, whole milk, chicken fried steak and two desserts with every meal.
I'd pray more.
I'd hug more.
I'd complain less.
I'd get my priorities right.

So why aren't I doing these things now?

Labels: Heaven

posted at 11:13 AM · 6 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

GOD RETURNS IN ONE WEEK

We don't know when the Lord will return, but we are told to be ready when He does (Luke 12:40).

If you somehow knew that God was coming back one week from today, and the world as we know it would end ... how would that change how you're living right now?

What are 3 things you'd do?

And is there anything you'd quit doing?

This is something I've been thinking about. And, I'll give you my 3 tomorrow.

Labels: Heaven

posted at 9:06 AM · 12 comments

Monday, February 11, 2008

TEARS

What does a 7 year-old boy think of his mom and dad separating? I just can't get over Danny Sims post today. It ripped my heart from my chest.

Please take a minute and read Danny's post today by clicking here: A Heart-Breaking Line!

Labels: Children, Parenting

posted at 7:34 AM · 5 comments

Friday, February 08, 2008

WOMEN AND COMMUNICATION

Labels: Cartoon

posted at 8:40 AM · 13 comments

Thursday, February 07, 2008

HOW IMPORTANT ARE DADS?

Fathers can abandon their children in two ways. First, abandonment can take place when a father physically leaves his children and has little or no contact with them. And second, abandonment can take place by fathers when they are physically still close to their children, but they don't give their children any time or attention.

Dad, do you know how important you are? Do you know what kind of role you play in the future of your children? Take a look at these jaw dropping statistics that were just released by the new US Department of Justice special report on dads...

85% of all children that exhibit behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes.

75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes.

70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes.

85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in fatherless homes.

80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from fatherless homes.

90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.

These statistics translate to mean that children from a fatherless home are:

20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders

9 times more likely to drop out of high school

10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances

9 times more likely to end up in state operated institutions

20 times more likely to end up in prison

10 times more likely to commit rape

AND 32 times more likely to run away from home

Hey dad ... I have two words for you today, "Be there!" You play a powerful role in your child's life. Don't just produce a child, be a dad.

I'd be curious to know, just how important was the role your father played in your life while you were a child...?

Labels: Dads, Parenting

posted at 8:12 AM · 21 comments

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

MANLY HAIRSPRAY

A conversation between a father and his 18 year old son about being a man. This took place at Wal-Mart yesterday while Taylor and I were buying some groceries...

Taylor: "Dad, I need a can of hairspray."

Dad: "Hairspray!?"

Taylor: "Yeah, Dad, when my hair is this long it needs a little hairspray to stay looking nice!"

Dad: "Well alright, let's see what we can find."

Standing there looking at a million different kinds of hairspray, all of them were really girly looking.

Taylor: "Don't they make any manly hairspray?"

We look at each other immediately, knowing what the other is already thinking...

Taylor: "Manly hairspray is an oxymoron isn't it?"

Dad: "Yep, son, there's no such thing in this world as manly hairspray."

We stand there for a minute looking at the vast choices of hairspray. I finally spot one, then reach over and grab a .97 cent pink can of hairspray and put it in the basket.

Taylor: "Dad, did you have to pick out the pink one!?"

Dad: "Taylor, let me explain. It's the cheapest and it's the kind your mother buys for me.

Taylor: "Ooh!"

(Lesson to be learned by my son: Sometimes when manliness can't be found in a situation, it can always be found in being cheap. Bonus lesson: If anyone asks about the can pink hairspray in your basket ... you can always tell them it's for your mother/wife.)

Labels: Morgan Family, Parenting

posted at 7:45 AM · 24 comments

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

DO'S AND DONT'S IN DISCIPLINING CHILDREN

One of the big stories lately has been the new "no spanking laws" that are trying to be passed. Recently someone asked what I thought about disciplining children. I am no expert, but I know the Bible is full of verses about disciplining children. Here are a few things I think are important...

DO understand that there is a HUGE difference between discipline and abuse (Proverbs 19:18). These two things are light-years apart. The Bible talks about discipline as correcting. Physical and verbal abuse to a child is detestable and would fall under catergories like hatred and anger. But clearly understand that God telling us, "Discipline your children, for in that there is hope," has nothing to do with abuse but correction.

DO discipline for willful defiance and not for natural childishness. Believe it or not children will behave like children. Your kids are going to do things like forget to do their chores, leave their clothes on the floor and even spill their milk. They do this because they are kids and you should leave room for them to be children. Use discipline for willful defiance, rebellion and disobedience, but always err on the side of grace with childishness.

DON'T wait to late to start discipline (Proverbs 13:24). Discipline should start early in life. Studies show that children have formed most of their values, ethics and morals by the time they are about 6 years old. So don't wait till they're grown to start discipline.

DO understand there is a perfect place for corporal punishment (Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:13-14). The perfect place for corporal punishment is that well padded place God created on which we sit. And sometimes with very small children possibly the back of their hand will work. Never anywhere else. Ever.

DO have a balance between corporal punishment and verbal correction (Proverbs 3:11-12). Use corporal punishment for more serious offenses and use verbal correction when possible. Also, understand you probably don't need to be spanking your 16 year old son who is 6'4''. Instead use other forms of discipline such as grounding, withholding privileges or taking away his pickup keys ;)

DON'T be inconsistent. Don't discipline your children for something one time and not the next (or visa versa). That makes it very confusing for children exactly where the boundaries are.

NEVER discipline out of anger (Ephesians 6:4). If you are angry wait till you've cooled off to discipline. Disciplining because you are angry at your child is not a good reason to discipline.

DO explain to your child why they are being disciplined (Ephesians 6:4). Your child won't know how to correct the problem if you don't tell them what they did wrong. After disciplining them, talk to them, hold them and stay with them.

AGAIN, ALWAYS ERR ON THE SIDE OF GRACE.

What are some words of wisdom would you give to parents on "how to" or "how not" to discipline children?

Labels: Children, Parenting

posted at 9:42 AM · 12 comments

Monday, February 04, 2008

MONDAY MORNING REFLECTIONS

I haven't felt like blogging or doing much else all weekend. Most of all, I hate not getting to preach. I missed preaching yesterday for the first time in a long time due to being sick. I appreciate having Nate, our youth minister, who does a fantastic job filling in. Hey, do you think they'll allow me an extra long sermon next Sunday to make up for missing this week?

Nothing makes you get out of bed faster than the sound of a child, who's in bed next to you, making an I'm-about-to-throw-up gagging noise. Last night I went from a dead-to-the-world sleep to standing wide awake in the middle of the room in a half a millisecond at that horrible sound. Poor Cooper wound up being sick most the night. I think they need to make an alarm clock that makes the sound of a kid about to be sick. When it goes off you'd be out of bed in a flash. Now that'd get up you up and going.

I can't get over what an amazing Super Bowl it was yesterday. I was just hoping for a good game and not a blowout, but to get a Giant last second win? Wow, what a dream come true not having to hear about the "perfect" Patriots. Nearly everyone I know was pulling for the Giants. Not sure if they were Giant fans or just people not wanting the Patriots to go 19-0. Who would have ever thought the Giants could beat the unbeatable Patriots? (Brian did pick the Giants). This Super Bowl may go down as the biggest upset in history. It was definitely one of my favorites.

As for the half-time show? It was kind of bland and forgettable. I couldn't help but look at Tom Petty and think, "Please, no wardrobe malfunction!"

It took till the 3rd quarter of the Super Bowl to finally get a commercial that I thought was hilarious. I laughed and laughed when I saw it, then I rewound it and laughed at it again. My favorite? See it here.