"The Danger of a Single Story"

I went on TED because we had watched a part of a video in my Lifespan Development just to see what else is on there. To be honest, I went on there looking for something with a religious nature, instead of going to listen to a message from someone like Louie Giglio, Dr. Art Azurdia, etc. And I can't say that I found what I was looking for, but honestly, I didn't look very far. But instead, I found this video, and I really encourage you to watch. 

Not Understanding

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” –John 13:7 Jesus said these words to Peter right before He washed his feet, right before they enjoyed their last meal together, right before the anguish of Jesus would cause Him to sweat blood in the garden, right before Jesus would be arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified. And these words have been ringing in my ears for days. “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven!

My Dad actually wrote this and placed it as his status in late March, and I thought it was really good and true and well written. This is definitely worth your time.

Last week I had someone say to me that life would be easy if you knew when you were going to die. Because, then you could have time to repent of your sins, get your life in order, and you could go to heaven. The comment caused me to feel sad and pity for the person who said it. Your eternal future depends on your understand that God is the source of peace and the only hope for this life and the next. True repentance is based on a longing to be good because then you are like God and his goodness. It is not based on words that you say just before you die in order for God to love and accept you. God does love you. But no matter what words you say God will and can only accept you based on Jesus, the Christ, and his finished work on the cross. So, if you think somehow confessing your sins just before your last minute on earth means God now has to let you go to heaven misses the point. C.S.Lewis once said "we long for heaven because the good in us longs to be where God is. If you do not understand than God is good then heaven should hold no value for you."(that is a paraphrase) why would you want to go to a party where you have nothing in common with the other guest and do not really like any of them either? Heaven is not the future finish line. Heaven is where God is! When Jesus entered this world he brought with him a tiny glimpse of heaven. Therefore, going to heaven should mean you long for a greater portion of God and his goodness. God is not a fire insurance salesman. Therefore, longing to know when you would die to "get right with God" really misses the mark. Maybe that person should "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow they die".because, unless they understand that the things they want to. "Repent of" were not worth doing in the first place? Heaven can hold only more pain and misery for them. Jesus is the source of Peace in this life and the hope if heaven. And, that peace can only be felt when we love God and those around us more than ourselves. If we do that, heaven is not a future goal. It becomes a present reality. That small piece of Heaven finds us hear on earth and we ride that "peace" that it brings us past death into the next world where it manifest itself fully in the presents of our God. So, I only wonder about when I might die because I want to know how much more time I have to help those around me? Not to get right with God. Because, in the end that is the only proof you have that Christ has changed your heart and you are have true repentance and heaven is where you belong.

Don't Be the Sideline Sluggard :)

I’m walking among the thousands of people. Some trying to go here, other’s there, anywhere. I’m among the loosened crowd as we push through the plaza. And there it begins. The megaphone is up, the voice is loud. “Come to Jesus!  Come to God! You’re dying in your sin!” I turn my music up louder; I push on, ultimately placing it in the background noise. A handout is pushed in my face, “Come to the cross” it says. My frustration is building, I push on some more, until I’m no longer zig and zagging among people, back on my way.

A Post With No Real Value, Unless You're Me, Of Course

This is a story of adventure and the strange things that have been seen. Justin and I wanted to sign up for a lab practical review at Science Guyz in downtown Athens, so this afternoon, we made that trek. I hopped into his car, and there we went. We find a parking space nearby, and get out at walk into the Fred Building. Now, I am convinced that the Fred Building was probably one of the earlier building of downtown Athens, and was probably built in the 1930’s or 40’s (or at least it had that feel. Here is the feel of the building. The hallways are just enough for two people going opposite ways not to collide. There is some granite on the bottom half of the walls, old tile (based on design and color), and in the hallways of the fifth floor, the lights were ceiling fans. On the 3^rd floor, the walls are mainly wooden, with old block lettering on the windows of the offices. The whole building felt like we should be suddenly transported back in time, into the world of business in the 1930’s. I expected to see men wandering to and fro in their business suits and newspapers in hand. After going to the 5^th floor, and then the 3^rd floor, and then back to the 5^th floor, we were waiting on an elevator in order to go down the 1^st floor in order to walk back to his car. An elevator arrives, and we get on. The door almost shuts and then mysteriously opens; we make sure not to be in the way, it starts to close again, and then opens again. Then, it starts to close again and once more, when it’s almost closed, it opens again. We are then a little freaked out, and we decide that is not the elevator we need to be on, as soon as we get off, the door starts to close and completely closes and the elevator goes down. I think the elevator just might have been haunted :P We then wait for the other elevator to come. The elevator arrives, and no lie, out walks a guy in a powder blue suit with his dog (a smaller dog, not like a Great Dane), and another guy with whom he was having a conversation with also walks out and says, “So, you’re not rushing off to court, right?” It was an interesting sight. We hop on that elevator; finally get to the first floor, and into his car. We are driving back and no lie, in front of us is a hearse. If this was a legitimate fictional story, there would be a little of symbolism in each part of this story, a lot of metaphors for the doom to come, but this is a real story, with which I have witness. An interesting day it has been. 

The Coolest Genealogy You Will Ever Read!!!

Just because I think this is the coolest thing ever... I heard this for the first time during a SWAT weekend last weekend, and I thought it was cool and jotted it down. Then, tonight, I did a little research of my own to make sure what I had was correct (remember the whole, "I can make you believe what I want you to believe"? I didn't want to believe something that wasn't true, no matter how trustworthy I believe the source to be...). So, go read Genesis 5. Before you say, "Morgan, are you sure that reference is correct? I just looked it up, its a genealogy...."Yes, I know it is a genealogy... that really makes you wanna go read it, huh?!  But, go read it... now, that you have done that, we shall begin. It's really cool- God laid out His plan for salvation before the prophets came along to prophesy the coming of Jesus and before Jesus, Himself, walked the planet. God had things under control, but He outlines His plan in Genesis 5. "But Morgan, it's a genealogy! Howcan that outline God's plan?" Watch and see! This is great and makes me really excited!!! So... to start, there is Adam, which means "man", Seth: appointed, Enosh: mortal, Kenan: lamenter, fixed, Mahalalel: praise of God, Jared: descent, Enoch: dedication, Methuselah: Man of a Javlin/ man with a mission, Lamech: for humiliation, Noah: rest.  Now, we can take these names and place them into a sentence (I color coded the meanings so that you can easily identify them :) aren't I so sweet :P )
Man was appointed to be mortal lamenting in a fixed place, but the praise of God descended and was dedicated a man with a mission for humiliation to bring rest. 
Isn't that just cool? God knew what He was doing from Day 1, and He still knows what He is doing today! He has an ultimate plan at work, and it's something we have to trust is for our good and the good of others! WOW!!!!