After the Wonderful Weekend I just Experienced At Disciple Now Listening to the Messages of Christian Chapman...I Wish I had time to post new updates! But unfortunately, I have a HUGE exam in 2 days...So I will be studying! Hopefully Later on this week I will have time to do a recap blog of the weekend. :)
I added A "Resources" Page to my blog in order to add a list of Websites to direct you to for more information and further understanding of Christianity and the Bible. I also added other links for your enjoyment (including the websites of my favorite singers, Authors, and radio stations :).
Enjoy :)
God Bless
Morgan
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Between Sundays
"Who you are as a man, as a player, isn't about what happens out there on game day. It's what you do between Sundays. That's what matters." (pg. 50)
I just finished one of the most amazing and inspirational books I have ever read. It's called "Between Sundays" and it is by christian author Karen Kingsbury.
The story is centered around two NFL quarterbacks, a foster child and his foster mother. The book gets into details about Foster children and the struggles they face as they grow up. And of course, the story goes deep into the heart of redemption and love and what it means to "talk to God." The story is an excellent example about how God works through the lives of everybody around you and always uses everything to His glory.
I just finished one of the most amazing and inspirational books I have ever read. It's called "Between Sundays" and it is by christian author Karen Kingsbury.
The story is centered around two NFL quarterbacks, a foster child and his foster mother. The book gets into details about Foster children and the struggles they face as they grow up. And of course, the story goes deep into the heart of redemption and love and what it means to "talk to God." The story is an excellent example about how God works through the lives of everybody around you and always uses everything to His glory.
READ this book...its AWESOME! Here is the website of Karen Kingsbury.
http://www.karenkingsbury.com
Eat, Pray, Love, and Read the Bible please!
So in case you didn't catch the reference in the title of my blog...I have a real problem with Elizabeth Gilbert's best selling book and movie, "Eat, pray, Love." If you read my post called "New Age Balonga" in January, you probably understand why.
I went and saw the movie with my sister and two of my closest friends. Throughout the movie, the four of us kept exchanging akward glances with one another. My friend, Tiffany, finally nudged my arm and whispered, "this is awful...what is this even talking about?" The four of us being devout Christians, I can understand the confusion.
Despite what the book reviews say...this story has no Christian influence whatsoever. The main theme...Just like she states in the movie is that "God dwells within us, you are the God of your own life." This irks me to no end. She completely rejects the Christian God. And for what? A hindu guru? At least our God is ALIVE. The Difference is huge. In the book and movie, (and in Hindu) you do not need to repent...you only need to realize. Realize what? Whatever it is your demons want you to realize i suppose.
I also have a problem with her theory of how to go about solving her problems. You can't just uproot and run away from everything that bugs you. You can't run from God, and you can't usually run completely away from people either. The only way to acheive "cleansing" from you sins, or "redemption" from your past, or "renewel" of your life is through the love of Jesus Christ. You will search and run for all of eternity unless you find the love of Christ. There is NO other way to recieve Salvation. Consequently, there is nothing else out there that completely fills your heart with love and desire either.
Another issue I have is her concept of the Holy Spirit. She talks about it as if you must perform rituals and excerices in order to come in contact with the Spirit. This is sad, real sad. The spirit dwells within Christians. According to the Bible, a Christian is consumed and filled by the Spirit. He is part of the Holy Trinity. It's complicated to understand, but the spirit is God and not God at the same time. What happens is when a Christian Dies, because they have "asked Jesus into thier heart," God sees the spirit within them and thier name is written in the book of life. We dont need yoga and extreme mediatation in order to have experiences with the Spirit and God. He is here with us 24/7, all we have to do is talk and listen. And trust me, he works in mysterious ways...and he WILL get your attention when needed. So pay close attention and listen carefully.
There are a million reasons why I could continue to harp on this...But I think i will stop here for now. Think on this though...Redemption is from God alone, it's free and he wants you to have it so much he sent his own son to DIE for you, You dont have to finish a list of qualifications, rituals, and sacrifices to have it, but you do have to ask for it.
God Bless
Morgan
I went and saw the movie with my sister and two of my closest friends. Throughout the movie, the four of us kept exchanging akward glances with one another. My friend, Tiffany, finally nudged my arm and whispered, "this is awful...what is this even talking about?" The four of us being devout Christians, I can understand the confusion.
Despite what the book reviews say...this story has no Christian influence whatsoever. The main theme...Just like she states in the movie is that "God dwells within us, you are the God of your own life." This irks me to no end. She completely rejects the Christian God. And for what? A hindu guru? At least our God is ALIVE. The Difference is huge. In the book and movie, (and in Hindu) you do not need to repent...you only need to realize. Realize what? Whatever it is your demons want you to realize i suppose.
I also have a problem with her theory of how to go about solving her problems. You can't just uproot and run away from everything that bugs you. You can't run from God, and you can't usually run completely away from people either. The only way to acheive "cleansing" from you sins, or "redemption" from your past, or "renewel" of your life is through the love of Jesus Christ. You will search and run for all of eternity unless you find the love of Christ. There is NO other way to recieve Salvation. Consequently, there is nothing else out there that completely fills your heart with love and desire either.
Another issue I have is her concept of the Holy Spirit. She talks about it as if you must perform rituals and excerices in order to come in contact with the Spirit. This is sad, real sad. The spirit dwells within Christians. According to the Bible, a Christian is consumed and filled by the Spirit. He is part of the Holy Trinity. It's complicated to understand, but the spirit is God and not God at the same time. What happens is when a Christian Dies, because they have "asked Jesus into thier heart," God sees the spirit within them and thier name is written in the book of life. We dont need yoga and extreme mediatation in order to have experiences with the Spirit and God. He is here with us 24/7, all we have to do is talk and listen. And trust me, he works in mysterious ways...and he WILL get your attention when needed. So pay close attention and listen carefully.
There are a million reasons why I could continue to harp on this...But I think i will stop here for now. Think on this though...Redemption is from God alone, it's free and he wants you to have it so much he sent his own son to DIE for you, You dont have to finish a list of qualifications, rituals, and sacrifices to have it, but you do have to ask for it.
God Bless
Morgan
Monday, February 14, 2011
Got (too much) Religion?
The other Day I addressed the problem of hypocrites and "Sunday morning Christians." Today, I would like to talk about a different problem within the church. The over religious Christians.
Take a minute to Read Luke 11: 37-44
Throughout Jesus' Ministry, the pharisees continually give him a hard time for not following "their" rules. In this passage particularly in Luke, the pharisees are taken aback when Jesus does not wash his hands before he eats. (in know...this is something we do every day...but back in this time period it was literally a religious ritual). I am sure Jesus was taking the opportunity to teach them a lesson. "Foolish Ones!" he says, "Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you." (Vs. 40-41).
He goes on to call them Hypocrites and say "woe to you" multiple times. But the point he is trying to make is very clear. The pharisees are too religious. Are we, as church going Christians, sometime too religious also? Every now and then we need to stop and ask our selves these questions.
1.) Have we closed our eyes to the truth?
Take a minute to Read Luke 11: 37-44
Throughout Jesus' Ministry, the pharisees continually give him a hard time for not following "their" rules. In this passage particularly in Luke, the pharisees are taken aback when Jesus does not wash his hands before he eats. (in know...this is something we do every day...but back in this time period it was literally a religious ritual). I am sure Jesus was taking the opportunity to teach them a lesson. "Foolish Ones!" he says, "Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you." (Vs. 40-41).
He goes on to call them Hypocrites and say "woe to you" multiple times. But the point he is trying to make is very clear. The pharisees are too religious. Are we, as church going Christians, sometime too religious also? Every now and then we need to stop and ask our selves these questions.
1.) Have we closed our eyes to the truth?
- Just like the pharisees, sometimes we get caught up in our own world and our own rules. When this happens, we close our eyes to the Truth. The pharisees were content with their own religion the way it was...they didn't want Jesus stepping in and fixing their flaws. But with this attitude, they were blinded to the truth.
2.) Have we Changed the Rules?
- The pharisees had a HUGE problem with changing all the rules. God had given his people a list of commandments and rules to follow, But the pharisees had added many, many, many things to them. Like washing their hands as a ritual, for example.
- We need to be weary of confusing God's principles with our own preferences. For instance...is it really God's principles that we dress up for church, or is it our preference? Think about this...there are many underlined rules we follow within the church as if God had them written right into the Bible...
- We don't need to add so much extra baggage to our Faith that others feel they have to join a club and follow rules in order to become a Christian. This is a real problem...and this is why Jesus has a problem with the hypocrites and Religious.
- We need to be careful about Judging others based on our rules and preferences. We do not always know where that person has been and how far they have come. Next time you meet somebody at church dressed in holy pants and multiple tattoos...take time to think about how God may be working in their life. yeah...This convicted me too! ;)
3.) Are we craving Attention?
- It seems harsh to say this but it's something we need to be cautious of. The pharisees craved the attention they got from the public as religious men. Are we in the same boat here? I know I struggle with this from time to time.
- There is nothing wrong with being weary of your reputation as a christian. But is is for witnessing purposes? Or is it because the attention you might get from others who praise you for being a good Christian? Are you putting on a show for your neighbors, friends and parents? Or are you simply trying to please God in all that you do?
We need to constantly remember that "It's All About Him!" Jesus needs all the glory...not us! So in all that we do, his name should be lifted up. I would like to remind you about the difference between "Religious" and "Relationship." As Christians, we do not want to be religious...we want to have a relationship with God and Jesus Christ. When we are too religious, we are in danger or hindering that relationship.
Remember this Statement: "The Pharisees are proof that religious people will watch Jesus' every move and STILL miss who he really is."
Don't let yourself be blinded by the truth! And do not get carried away with rules that are not even biblical. If we are not careful, we can slowly become religious!
God Bless, Morgan
Friday, February 11, 2011
Nifty Things (Books :)
I havnt done one of these in a while :)
These are a list of some of my favorite books I have ever read. enjoy :)
These are a list of some of my favorite books I have ever read. enjoy :)
- The Killer Angels: By Michael Shaara (1974)
- God's and Generals: By Jeff Shaara (1998)
- James Herriot Books: All Things Great and Small (1972), All Things Bright and Beautiful (1974), All Things Wise and Wonderful (1977), The Lord God Made Them All (1981) By James Herriot
- The Scarlet Pimpernel: By Baroness Emmuska Orczy (Between 1904-1908-ish)
- Left Behind (Series of 11) By Jerry B Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
- Left Behind: The Kids (Series of 40) By Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye
- Island (Series of 3) By Gordan Korman (2002)
- Candle in The Darkness (Series: Refiner's Fire 1) By Lynn Austin (2002)
- Rekindled (Series: Fountain Creek Chronicles 1) By Tamera Alexandra (2006)
- A Lady of Secret Devotion (Series: Ladies of Liberty 3) By Tracie Peterson (2008)
- Where My Heart Belongs: By Tracie Peterson (2007)
- A Lady of Hidden Intent (Series: Ladies of Liberty 2) By Tracie Peterson (2008)
- Daniel's Story: By Carol Matas (1993)
- Fallen Angels: By Walter Dean Myers (1988)
- Diary of a Teenage Girl (Series) By Melody Carlson
- Tangerine: By Edward Bloor (2001)
- The Giver: Lois Lowry (1993)
- Skipping Christmas: By John Grisham (2001)
- Zach's Lie: By Roland Smith (2003)
- The She: Carol Plum-Ucci (2005)
- Hangman's Curse (Series: The Veritas Project 1) By Frank Peretti (2001)
- Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn (Series) By Stephanie Myer
- Dive (Series of 3) By Gordan Korman (2003)
- Island Of Blue Dolphins: By Scott O' Dell (1987)
- Hoot: By Carl Hiaasen (2002)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Christian Hypocrite...
There are many problems within the Christian religion that keep us from being the Christians God Wants us to be. These issues are us (keep this in mind), not God and we need to fix them (or ask God to help us fix our hearts). The issues keep us from spreading God's word to others around us and is often the reason people never accept Christ! This is why we must address these problems.
The most obvious issue are Hypocrites within the church. I think everybody struggles with this from time to time. I will be honest and say that I do, weather I realize it or not. But when we realize it, are we fixing it, or are we continuing to be hypocrites? That's what makes the difference.
You know what I mean by hypocrite...It's what I like to call "The Sunday morning Christian." The people who go to church on Sunday, nod their head, say Amen, dress nice, bring their Bible, and then leave church and act like a totally different person. Sometimes, I am shocked to see facebook pictures or hear stories about people who look like avid church goers on Sunday morning becoming crazy drunk party people on Friday night.
Yes, everybody makes mistakes. But these kind of things can impact the world around us in a negative way. What we need to understand is, as Christians we are called to be a part in the Great Commission and continue to tell everybody the good news of Christ and God's love for us. It makes it so much harder for people to believe that there is a difference between a christian and a non-christian when people who say they are Christians on Sunday morning are not acting very christian-like through out the rest of the week.
I once heard a waiter say that the worst time of the week at the restaurant he worked in was Sunday afternoon when all the church-goers were stopping by for lunch on their way home. This is because they were apparently the rudest people of all. WHY is this?? I don't know about you, but it bothers me that Christians would be labeled this way! And rightly so...sometimes we ARE the rudest!
Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love), in one of his discussions on his Crazy Love book gave a great description for this kind of thing. He talked about being at a football game. He said to imagine the coach calls a time out and huddles his team together. He gives them this great pumped up pep talk. He goes on to give them strategies and plays to help them win the game. The players get into it! They nod and high-five and shout "yeah!" Then the whistle blows...the Coach sends them back to the feild...and...they all walk off as if the game was over and go home. The crowd looks puzzled. The other team stands confused. The coach is irritated because they were seconds away from a win.
That seems down right ridiculous doesn't it? No football team would ever do that! But, WE, as Christians, do just that EVERY Sunday morning! We come in to church (we are the team), get fired up, nod our heads, shout "amen!" and then leave Church and never do anything the preacher or God (the Coach) tells us we should be doing. By doing this, we let "the crowd" or in our case all the non-church goers down because we are not doing our part (as the team of God's Followers) to share the good news or demonstrate God's love in any way. Even though we shouldnt be worried about what others think about us every second of the day...we also need to be careful we are not sending out mixed signals about what it means to be a christian as well. Jesus never said "take up you cross and follow me...and I will make it easy and for you while I do all the hard work." It wont be easy.
So My question is, are we going to continue to praise God on Sundays and live in total and complete sin on all other days while failing to lead others to Christ? Or are we going to clean up our act and try our best to never again be called a "Sunday Morning Christian?" It is our choice...we can make a difference!
God Bless,
Morgan
The most obvious issue are Hypocrites within the church. I think everybody struggles with this from time to time. I will be honest and say that I do, weather I realize it or not. But when we realize it, are we fixing it, or are we continuing to be hypocrites? That's what makes the difference.
You know what I mean by hypocrite...It's what I like to call "The Sunday morning Christian." The people who go to church on Sunday, nod their head, say Amen, dress nice, bring their Bible, and then leave church and act like a totally different person. Sometimes, I am shocked to see facebook pictures or hear stories about people who look like avid church goers on Sunday morning becoming crazy drunk party people on Friday night.
Yes, everybody makes mistakes. But these kind of things can impact the world around us in a negative way. What we need to understand is, as Christians we are called to be a part in the Great Commission and continue to tell everybody the good news of Christ and God's love for us. It makes it so much harder for people to believe that there is a difference between a christian and a non-christian when people who say they are Christians on Sunday morning are not acting very christian-like through out the rest of the week.
I once heard a waiter say that the worst time of the week at the restaurant he worked in was Sunday afternoon when all the church-goers were stopping by for lunch on their way home. This is because they were apparently the rudest people of all. WHY is this?? I don't know about you, but it bothers me that Christians would be labeled this way! And rightly so...sometimes we ARE the rudest!
Francis Chan (author of Crazy Love), in one of his discussions on his Crazy Love book gave a great description for this kind of thing. He talked about being at a football game. He said to imagine the coach calls a time out and huddles his team together. He gives them this great pumped up pep talk. He goes on to give them strategies and plays to help them win the game. The players get into it! They nod and high-five and shout "yeah!" Then the whistle blows...the Coach sends them back to the feild...and...they all walk off as if the game was over and go home. The crowd looks puzzled. The other team stands confused. The coach is irritated because they were seconds away from a win.
That seems down right ridiculous doesn't it? No football team would ever do that! But, WE, as Christians, do just that EVERY Sunday morning! We come in to church (we are the team), get fired up, nod our heads, shout "amen!" and then leave Church and never do anything the preacher or God (the Coach) tells us we should be doing. By doing this, we let "the crowd" or in our case all the non-church goers down because we are not doing our part (as the team of God's Followers) to share the good news or demonstrate God's love in any way. Even though we shouldnt be worried about what others think about us every second of the day...we also need to be careful we are not sending out mixed signals about what it means to be a christian as well. Jesus never said "take up you cross and follow me...and I will make it easy and for you while I do all the hard work." It wont be easy.
So My question is, are we going to continue to praise God on Sundays and live in total and complete sin on all other days while failing to lead others to Christ? Or are we going to clean up our act and try our best to never again be called a "Sunday Morning Christian?" It is our choice...we can make a difference!
God Bless,
Morgan
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
All I Ever Need Is Your Love
Tonight, My sister, Mom, Best friend and I all went to the Brandon Heath (He sings "Your Love" which is currently like #1 on the Christian radio stations) Concert in Knoxville, Tennessee. This was a free, promote K-Love and Air 1 (Christian Radio Stations), concert! It was all acoustic and he was FANTASTIC!!!
LOOK...i got His Autograph!
I recommend going to his concert when he goes on tour this fall! He is great and funny...and a very good singer!
I LOVE christian Music....AH! its awesome! :)
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
More Encouragement
I liked this verse!
Today's Verse
from the New Living Translation"This I declare about the LORD:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.…
If you make the LORD your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.…
The LORD says, 'I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.'"
Psalm 91:2, 9-10, 14-16
view in context
encouragement for today
The Lord alone wants to be our refuge. When trouble hits, where do you turn first? Is it to the Lord, in prayer? Or do you turn to other people? God often uses other people to help us, but our only true refuge is God. He promises to protect, to be with us, to make things right. Make the Lord your refuge, your shelter, the one you turn to first. Allow his peace to surround you; let his promise strengthen you. Trust him, for that is how we love him. The promise here is rescue for those who love and trust him.
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/encouragingwords/archives/01-18-2011.html
Daily Encouragement
Today's Verse
from the New Living Translation
"Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin."
Proverbs 21:4
view in context
encouragement for today
These are the characteristics of sin: "haughty eyes," i.e., a perspective that one is superior and does not need God. "A proud heart" is the attitude of "I can do it on my own, and what I have achieved, I have done on my own." "Evil actions" spring from these attitudes. There is no standard to bow to, so anything goes. The opposites would be humility, dependence on God, and right actions. Do a little checkup on your "eyes" and "heart" and confess any sin you find.
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions
http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/encouragingwords/archives/01-06-2011.html
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