People are taking this Duck Dynasty thing way too far...

          People are taking this Duck Dynasty thing way too far...   

          What Phil was trying to say was that sin is sin in God's eyes no matter how bad or good you think you are, we have all fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23) and must repent of our sins.  Nobody is "better" than anybody else and no sin is a "lesser" sin than anybody else's sin.  Paul tells us in his letter to Corinthians (6:9-11) that the sinful will not inherit the Kingdom of God and warns us to not be deceived.  He then gives us hope by saying "and that is what some of you were.  But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."  Paul's message is very clear and unfortunately in our modern world... it has been very watered down because we are not "comfortable" with it.  The Bible is very clear on what sin is and isn’t.  Fortunately for us... the Good News is that no sin is unforgivable and all sins have been paid for if we accept the gift God gave us by sending His son.   

          Claims that Phil was comparing homosexuals to terrorists are twisting his words around and taking it the wrong way.  TRUE, some of what he said was a little Goofy... and he's obviously not the best at phrasing and wording his thoughts... But after reading the actual interview from GQ, I honestly don't think he meant for anything he said to upset anybody.  The interview was a very informal (they were hunting in the woods....) setup with a halfway goofy guy himself.  He was asked about these things!  His message was sound... it was just worded in a way that was easily confusing for some people... 

          The Lesson to take from all this is still... be careful how you say things!  Yes, you have the RIGHT to say what you want... But at the same time saying too much or the wrong thing can destroy your Christian witness as well as hurt others view of Christianity.

          And this is my opinion on this whole debacle... All I can say now is that I am sending prayers out to the Robertson family and seriously praying for this country and the spiritual warfare that is surrounding us. 

The College Top Ten...

When I went to college... I was not prepared at all for what I was getting into.  I thought I was ready... But as it turns out... College is a whole different world than High School: a world that will completely change you and force you to grow up.  A world where you will start on a journey that will shape and define the rest of your life.  How you chose to spend your time in College WILL have a direct impact on your future, your career, and your family.  So without further to do... Here are the Top Ten things I have learned since going to College and wish I had understood Before my journey Started!        

1. Ask for Help... Seriously!  Ask Questions... as many as you need... ask them twice if you need to!  My biggest regret is that I didn't ask for help when I needed it.  But you are paying the University GOOD money for their time to Educate you and Serve you while you are there.  Most Professors will spend time with you making sure you understand when you express concerns OR send you somewhere that will help you if they cant.  Professors only help when asked though!  Forget those times in High School when a teacher noticed you struggling and came to YOU... College professors tend to have no qualms with failing those who don't seek advice.  So Don't be afraid to ask for help when needed... in fact... buddy up to your professors... make them LIKE you!  Also... Become friends with your Advisor.  If you get an Advisor that it is impossible to befriend request a new one.  They will be CRUCIAL to helping you graduate and helping you get into grad school/med school/ law school ect.     
2. Explore Your Options.  This one may overwhelm you and your parents a bit... BUT make sure you take the time you need to explore all the possibilities.  Look through the majors available at your college and the careers they are preparing for.  (Just don't take all four years to do this!) Don't just settle for anything.  College is meant to fine tune your education experience to prepare you for YOUR future. Which leads us to the next point...    
3. Discover What you are Passionate About.  You are going to have to be happy and passionate about what you want to do with your life...or your motivation will be...lacking.  I ran away from MY passion for three years thinking it wasn't what other people would think I should do.  In reality... You can't run away from what is written in your heart.  Chances are... If it's in your heart it may be the path God created for you.  Trust me... you will never be happy without Passion and a Purpose.        
4. Take advantage of every Opportunity.  Make sure to think about any and every opportunity you have before turning it down.  Tom Vilsack, United Sates Secretary of Agriculture, told us at National Conference in April that sometimes... An opportunity just appears... and if you take it... it might take you somewhere you never even dreamed of or thought possible.  There is no way to 100% plan out your future.  So don't be afraid to do something that's not in the plan... It might just make your plan... Better.      
5. Study, Study, Study...and Study some More!  I should probably practice what I preach.  I hate studying... I have a hard time focusing on one thing for too long.  But College, unfortunately, is a lot of information.  It really is important to review and rewrite your notes weeks and days before the Exam.  There is typically not much homework in College... which leaves you with more time to study for a test that counts twice (or sometimes three times) as much of your grade in comparison to High School grades.  Basically... you can't afford to make bad grades on college exams.  Which leads me to the next point...   
6. Don't Panic.  You probably will make a bad grade or have a bad experience every once in a while.  It happens.  Professors are all different, you might end up with one that just simply does not teach in a way that helps you learn.  And it's possible to end up with one that is just... well... crappy at teaching.  Some classes are just hard... no matter which way you approach them or how much you study.  When this happens.  DON'T PANIC.  Panicking only makes you sick and feel like a failure.  Just know that you will never be good at everything... unless you are a genius, you won't have an A+ in every class...AND a bad grade won't ruin your life unless you let it do so.   So take a deep breath, pick up the pieces, evaluate your situation and seek advice.      
7. Get Involved.  Don't let yourself be bored.  Homesickness will only happen when you are bored... You can only study so much... get out and do something.  There are millions of ways to get involved on a College Campus!  By getting involved you will be making new friends, building your resume', and making connections that can possibly help you in the future!  Friends and Club members are also a good way to find study companions.        
8. Be Prepared.  This is a no brainer... Be prepared for all of your classes, labs, student jobs, Club meetings, ect.  This will have an impact on your grades, your GPA, and your future careers.  If you need twenty calendars with test and meeting dates hanging up in your dorm to keep you strait... do it!     
9. Be Wise and Make Smart Decisions.  Other than Your RA telling you when you can and can;t have company and randomly checking your room for Alcohol (which you shouldn't ever have!) and Toasters (yep.. no toasters...they are a fire hazard!)... there is nobody telling you what to do and when to do it.  It's totally up to YOU now to make smart decisions.  Remember... Decisions you make now (even small ones like when you go to bed... what social events or parties you go to and which ones you stay the heck away from... when you get up... when you leave for class... when you shower...the way you dress...) all effect your future... and possibly your career.  Which leads to....      
10. Don't Forget Who You Really Are.  These next four years WILL change you.  But..Don't Let your college experience have a Negative impact on who you are, who your parents raised you to be, and who God wants you to be.  Keep this in your heart and everything else will start to fall into place.  

P.S.... Don't Forget to Have Fun and Enjoy the Moment! ;)       

The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel

I have been listening to this documentary (see link below) for the past hour and just couldn't get enough of it! Best hour and 10 minutes I have ever spent...

It's amazing really...when you stop to really think and really question what was going on in the first century... there is no way you can argue against the Case for Christ! In fact... Lee Strobel ends by saying "it was going to take much more faith to maintain my atheism than it was to become a follower of Jesus Christ" :)

I read the book "the Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel (which is what this documentary is based on) a couple years ago and HIGHLY recommend everybody to read it if you never have... My faith was strengthened so much by his testimony and research!

http://vimeo.com/17960119

Music Monday: Love Like Crazy

I get super irritated with music sometimes...its like its losing its deep and powerful meaning lately...and that's typically the kind of music i like...the songs that make you stop and think about the message!  Not the stupid "im gonna get drunk and take you for a ride in my Chevy" message...

Lee Brice's "Love like Crazy" in my opinion displays a great message of the rewards of a honest, hardworking, lifestyle full of faith and love.   

 

They called them crazy when they started out
Said seventeen's too young to know what love's about
They've been together fifty-eight years now
That’s crazy

He brought home sixty-seven bucks a week
Bought a little 2 bedroom house on Maple Street
Where she blessed him with six more mouths to feed
Now that’s crazy

Just ask him how he did it; he'll say pull up a seat
It'll only take a minute, to tell you everything
Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when he quit his job
They said them home computers, boy they'll never take off
Well he sold his one man shop to Microsoft
And they paid like crazy

Just ask him how he made it
He'll tell you faith and sweat
And the heart of a faithful woman,
Who never let him forget

Be a best friend, tell the truth, and overuse I Love You
Go to work, do your best, don't outsmart your common sense
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

Always treat your woman like a lady
Never get too old to call her baby
Never let your prayin' knees get lazy
And love like crazy

They called him crazy when they started out
They've been together fifty-eight years now

Aint that crazy?

 

 

 

This sweet song reminds me so much of my parents and grandparents...and hopefully what my children and grandchildren will think of me and how I lived MY life! 

 

God Bless

-Morgan!



Encouraging Wednesday: If You want the Rainbow...

...and honey...You're gonna have to put up with a little rain every now and then!  ;) 

I Seriously LOVE Dolly Parton...

Trendy Tuesday: Put a Scarf on it...

 

 

When I am not super in love with the neckline or the way a dress or blouse fits...I add a scarf.  This isn't always the best option of course...(especially if its hot...) but on a cool or rainy day it's definitely a cheap option to make a dress you aren't thrilled with a little more exciting.  As you can see in the picture...I also added a belt. :)

 

God Bless

-Morgan

FRIIDAAAYYY!

Hello Peeps...

It's Officially almost the weekend! Here is what is on MY agenda for the weekend...

~ Relax
~ Rent A Movie
~ Sleep IN
~ Go Tanning and Swimming

Sounds lazy right? lol...after the weeks I have had it's time to have a lazy day or two!  No harm in catching some relaxation every now and then! 

P.S...the picture on the left looks like a Musical scene! :D

This Week I had the opportunity to Work with 4-H Academic Conference.  I got to sit by the Pool, drive the State van and attend the banquet. 

In other news...I feel like a teeny bopper watching "Pretty Little Liars" this week...But dang it was a good episode.  I also Liked the Premiere of "Twisted" and this weeks "Client List"(I promise its not as bad as it sounds...or I wouldnt watch it)

In The Music world...Nathan Sykes made a comeback and is finally signing again with The Wanted after his surgery!  AND Big Time Rush released their new album! 

Yes...this has been a good week. 

God Bless
-Morgan :)

Encouraging Wendesday: Living Life and Flying High

I Actually took this picture on the plane on the way to Denver in January!  I love flying...I was scared of it for a long time...but once I did it...I loved it! 

Encouraging Wednesday: Pslam 37:4

Trendy Tuesday: Black & Pink!

My Favorite Outfit in the Past week...

This dress is awesome...it has a lace top and buttons!  It is also short in the front and Long in the back!

The Dress came from Ross...The Belt is from Target...the necklace I got at cheap touristy store in Gatlinburg last summer!  The Boots are very old...and the cardigan is something I stole from my sister's closet :)

God Bless!
-Morgan :)

Music Monday: The Wanted

For some reason...my sister has become super obsessed with the British band...The WANTED and her obsession may or may not be becoming a bit...contagious!  They are just too perfect for jamming out in the car and all their songs are catchy.  (Also...their accents are cool...)

If you have no idea who The Wanted is... You probably have heard their song "Glad You Came."

My favorite songs are...
* Chasing the Sun
* Lightning
* I Found You
* Warzone
* Lose My Mind

...But they have quite a few...go Check them out!  (Also...you can see them every Sunday Night on E Television at 10:00 on their new show.. "The Wanted Life")

-Morgan :)

Encouraging Wednesday: Whatever You Resolve To Be

 

 

 

The great Civil War Hero, Stonewall Jackson, once said "You may be whatever you resolve to be."  Don't be afraid to dream big, set high goals and take advantage of opportunities thrown at you.  The 4-H Motto is "to make the Best Better."  But improvement and results cannot be achieved without the decision to not only dream big...but move forward and accomplish those goals!  Those who make the decision to put their dreams into action will be the ones who accomplish great things!  Your time is now...what you resolve to do with it is up to YOU!.         

My Elephant Ride

 

In honor of Mother's Day...I wanted to share this!  My mom and I at the Zoo when I was 2 and a half (ish)!  My dad went to the Bathroom...and my mom put me on an elephant!  Apparently I really wanted to ride it!  My dad was not at all happy when he returned to see me on an elephant!  Oh well...even today he admits it's kind of funny!  It did make a great picture!  ha ha!  

I love editing pictures...

Its an addiction...

Snowy Mountains!

I absolutely love seeing the snow on the smokey mountains! :) i also love pretty East Tennessee sunsets!

A Submissive Wife

A Submissive Wife isn't simply just a quiet, uneducated woman with no opinions and no desire to look good for her man! (And yes... We should have a desire to please that one man with our outside beauty... They are designed to be attracted to our appearance) A submissive woman is a girl who lives life according ti God's purpose and his will. She strives to keep her lifestyle in a way that honors Him! She will be full of inner beauty because she gives her whole heart to the Lord and His love shines through her! She is respectful and has a great attitude towards her Husband! She builds him up and caters to his needs the way he also should be catering to hers! She should never be afraid of her husband and never be afraid to do the right or honorable thing! =}.
Wow... I have a huge role to fill someday :)
1 Peter 3 :)

I'm BACK!!

After being gone for OVER a year...I am finally going to attempt to return to the world of Blogging! :)