Why Don't We Get Our Priorities Straight?

Apparently the big news on ESPN this morning has been Vince Young's low score on the first IQ test he was given at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. According to some reports, after a second assessment Young score significantly higher. As much as my two cents is worth, since when did we assess NFL players on IQ tests? And that's not even considering the reality that everyone can have a bad test at times. I'll say this, Vince Young has spent 3 years now at the University of Texas, ranked by the Princeton Review as one of the top 10 schools in America, and by one London company as the number six university in the world. Point being: Vince isn't a dummy. Considering the combine is supposed to judge a player's potential to succeed on the football field, and not in a nuclear physics lab, I agree with one ESPN analyst in saying, "at the end of the day, the only score most NFL teams will care about is 41-38." Hook 'Em Horns!

When Faith is Not Enough

Ralph Waldo Emerson once stated, "The faith that stands on authority is not faith." Since I finished my Comparative Religions class last semester, and I begin preparing for the coming semester of ministry at Grace Church and Lord providing on campus at COC, there seems to me to be a growing trend that has creeped even into the subconscious of mainstream Christianity. I call it a trend because it is something that I have only come to understand in the past year or so, yet I'm quite confident it has existed since the Protestant Reformation or longer. For simplicity sake, I like to call this false doctrine, "Peripheral Christianity." In Paul's letter to the Romans he begins by encouraging them, "I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world" (Romans 1:8). Paul also goes on to write, "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you-that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith" (Romans 1:11-12). Also in the second chapter of Ephesians we see that it is by God's grace through faith that we become children of God because of Christ's payment for our sin. It is indisputable that faith is not only critical, but undoubtedly required in the heart of a true believer. While this reality poses no threat to what we understand to be Biblical Christianity, for this truth is nothing new, I do believe there to be a misunderstanding in the minds of many professing Christians in the world today regarding the nature of this faith and the role it plays in life and salvation. During a heated debate between a large portion of the students in my Philosophy/Comparative Religions class last semester, one student emphatically proclaimed to me that I had "absolutely no authority to consider one person's faith over another," as she said, "faith is faith, it's all the same, right?" Though this statement may seem instantly outrageous to most of the people who are reading this now, I'm afraid this theology lingers both consciously and even more subconsciously in the hearts of MOST of the world. While at first glance this doctrine could appear as trademark postmodernism, it's actually worse than that. To most folks this pluralistic theology is not grounded in secular academia, but in the Bible. When one proclaims, "I have faith in Jesus," what is the focus of that statement? In elementary school we learned about subjects, verbs, and direct and indirect objects. When making this statement, ask yourself, "What exactly is the subject that I'm referring to?" Are we merely stating that we have faith? Or is it the focus of that faith that is important? When referring to salvation through faith in Jesus, it is not merely the faith itself we speak about but it is that which we have faith in that defines it. In the original statement, if we take away "faith," Jesus is still the same, yet if we remove Jesus we're merely left with an open-ended question. What exactly is your faith in? By answering this question we'll be able to understand more clearly what it is we believe, and on what foundation is planted the rest of our theology. The popular view today is to merely have faith, setting the focus in the peripheral subject of faith itself rather than the target of it. While Emerson's faith was obviously grounded in himself, as Christians our faith MUST be grounded in the gospel of Christ, found in the authoritative and inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Again, while this concept of directed faith might seem basic and even silly to most of us who read this, let's remember that many of the people we speak to every day might not be as theologically sound or spiritually mature as we THINK we are. Keeping that in mind, let's all "come boldly before the throne of grace" and aim ourselves constantly at the cross, as we know the cross was first aimed at us.



"Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace." - C.H. Spurgeon

P.S. If anyone is wondering why I didn't post about Resolved 06, there are two reasons. 1) I've been speechless since it started 2) Rick pretty much nailed it in last week's 'Mix' (see sidebar). Thanks always!

Simply Ridiculous

Kobe Bryant making history. Tonight against the Toronto Raptors Kobe Bryant put up 81, yes that's right, 81 points... BY HIMSELF. All I have to say is I'm glad it wasn't against the Rockets!

In-Vince-able!

Merry Christmas!

I love this tree every year... but every time I hear the Christmas story it makes me love Jesus more. Thankfully I don't believe this will ever stop! Merry Christmas, hope everyone had a great time worshipping our amazing Savior! Soli deo Gloria = )

Congrats Rudy!

Who said you have to be dumb to play football? Mind you this is a student at arguably the biggest party school in the South, maybe the nation, and he's graduating with a 4.0 GPA. Great job Rudy for keeping your focus!

#5

Congratulations to the newest inductee into the Heisman fraternity, Reggie Bush! As most coaches affectionately (and some maybe not so affectionately) refer to "#5," Reggie truly deserves the Heisman trophy. I still believe Vince Young and Matt Leinart can both make a VERY strong case for the award, but clearly 784 qualified voters named Reggie Bush the best player in college football. And if he would stay at USC I'd be willing to bet he could join Archie Griffin in the exclusive two-timers' club. Though I'd like to see Vince and the Horns pull the upset on January 4th, it's going to be an absolute landmark day in the history of college football, regardless of who wins. No team has ever had two Heisman winners play on the same team in one game, and in my opinion that will probably never happen again. For those of you who aren't necessarily football fans, I recommend tuning in to ABC on January 4th, at least so you can tell your grandkids someday, "I watched Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush play against Vince Young for the BCS National Championship!" This match-up has to the potential to be one of the best games ever, and I'm getting the jitters just thinking about it! Seeing Traveller run out on the field and spike the sword in the endzone, Bevo standing on the sideline, the cannon and big bertha taking their turn through the tunnel... this game will be exciting to say the least, and if it's even half of what it's hyped up to be, it will be an instant classic. Thanks again for reading, I hope y'all have a great week!

Too Close to Call

Maybe it's just me, but considering that all votes are not due until tomorrow (Dec. 8) and this is considered one of the closest Heisman races in the history of NCAA Football, is it possible that Reebok got a little ahead of themselves here?

I love Reggie Bush, but if I had a vote I wouldn't blink before casting mine for 'Horns QB Vince Young who, don't get me started, would win the Heisman at Running Back OR Quarterback. Needless to say he's basically the best on his team at both. Thanks Reebok for continuing to be a premier capitalistic model of supply & demand, but I truly hope these shirts end up on a 50 cent sale rack in Somalia. You think they can say, "Fight On?!"

I Got Picked

my uncle tagged me, so here we go...

Seven things to do before I die (in no particular order):

1. Go to a BCS National Championship Game that LSU is playing in.
2. Climb Half-dome, again.
3. Sky dive
4. Go to the UK (play golf in Scotland)
5. Tee it up with Dr. MacArthur.
6. Go to Australia.
7. Cliff dive.

Seven things I cannot do:

1. Afford Master's College
2. Enjoy Asparagus
3. Turn down watching college football
4. Say anything nice about Auburn
5. See Arminianism as a valid position
6. Not want to live in Louisiana
7. Disagree with John MacArthur

Seven things that [will] attract me to my spouse:

1. Her amazing beauty in every way
2. Her resolve to be the most like Christ she can imagine
3. Her love for our family
4. Her desire for our growth for the supremecy of Christ
5. Her honesty of her own inability and dependence on the cross
6. Liking me, even when I'm absolutely unlikable
7. She will be from the South, what's not to like?

Seven things I say most often:

1. "haha, that's funny"
2. "wait"
3. "riiiiiiight"
4. "the reality remains the same..."
5. "Geaux Tigers!"
6. "you're kidding, right?"
7. "I'm sorry!"

Seven books (or series) I love:

1. Cross-Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney
2. Brainwashed: How Universities Indoctrinate America's Youth
3. Complete Works of Jonathan Edwards
4. Band of Brothers
5. Think Biblically!
6. The Pastor in Prayer (Spurgeon)
7. Why One Way? by John MacArthur

Seven movies I would watch over and over again:

1. The Bourne Series
2. Gladiator
3. Notting Hill
4. Luther
5. Entrapment
6. Batman Begins
7. Mission Impossible (the first one)

Seven people I want to join in, too:

1. Chris Tan
2. Joanne
3. Kelly Hermann
4. Andrew
5. Pastor Rick
6. Justin
7. Peter

Coming Soon!

About my trip to Tampa, FL for the 1st Annual Brandon Biblical Theology Conference... Coming Soon!

- Morgan

No Place Like Home

I'm posting this VERY quickly as I'm about to board flight 206 to Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL, while currently I'm in the amazing city of Houston, TX. As many of you know this is where I'm from and lived until moving to SoCal 4 1/2 years ago. I just called my parents and we all agreed... though I love California, I love my church, my school, my friends, the weather, and so many other things, this place I'm in will never NOT be home. The clearest sign to what was in my heart occured when I walked out of the terminal and I saw a sign that read, "Welcome to Texas," followed by another that I don't think coincidentally read, "Welcome Home." Have a great day y'all! Colossians 3:1-2

Somebody Else's Turn, Finally!

Congratulations USC on the time that it was yours, but welcome to life as #2... hope it was fun while it lasted! Hook 'em Horns!

Armani vs. Gotti

This can hardly be considered a post, but as NBA Commissioner David Stern announced this week that the NBA will entertain the idea of a "business-casual" dresscode that all players, coaches, and owners will have to adhere to, I wanted to get y'alls thoughts on the issue. Though there are tons of supporters and critics of the proposed policy, reality is professional athletes are inevitably viewed as examples and placed as social role models for millions across the world. So tell me this... who would you rather your kids look up to?

Nirvana-Shmana

Considering how long it's been since I've posted, I'm not surprised if many of you think it's because I have nothing to write about! The reality is I've had about 10 million and 1 things that I could talk about, and thus couldn't write an entire post about one without rabbit-trailing off into the others. Maybe that's just an easy copout, but as I once again left my Philosophy 220: Intro to Comparative Religion class tonight, I couldn't help but share what has been on my heart and mind. Tonight was Buddhism lecture #2, and we didn't learn much more about the religion itself anymore than we did last week. Though I'm confident my professor would summarily drop me if he knew I was about to try to dump 6 1/2 hours of lecture into a brief nutshell, it seems to me that Buddhism can essentially be summed up this way: Life is a mass jumble of random action-reaction involving human beings obtaining either good or bad karma, ultimately with the goal of being knocked off the wheel of reincarnation which is to reach Pari-Nirvana. Although, because everything is in a perpetual state of change, nothing has essential identity, therefore nothing truly exists, only pain and suffering. Therefore, there really is no desk, there is no tree... there is no you, and there is no me. Inevitably, it begs the question... what's the point?! Towards the end of class my friends Matt, Anna, Tyler and myself enjoyed a conversation through a series of scribble notes, ultimately concluding this: for man to make an excuse NOT to worship the true and living God he must come up with an alternative. Because God is essentially Truth (John 1:1), for man to abandon God he must abandon Truth. I realized tonight that this incredibly simple reality shines a huge light on the nature of my pre-salvation wicked heart, in that though this truth is so clear and simple, we can't see it when we're DEAD in sin and natural rebellion against our Creator! (Eph. 2:1-3). It's absolutely staggering to me to face the fact as one who has been transformed through the work of my Savior at Calvary, and being sanctified by the Spirit working through the Word, that even heresy points my heart to the cross. As I said to my dad tonight, it's essentially irrelevant whether I hear a sermon affirming Biblical Truth, or a false prophet preaching error, God still grows my heart more in tune with His precious good news in the Scripture. I've said this before, but listening to these lectures on Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, and even Roman Catholicism and Islam, ALL remind me of a precious Master who grows me in God-exalting, Truth-based, Holiness-centered Theology that crushes hopeless and empty religious systems that all crash into the same dead end. Praise be to the Most High, all glory and majesty be unto His Name!

"For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God" (Romans 4:2).

Setting the Pace

"How do I decide who to marry? I sprint as hard as I can towards the cross of Christ and take a look to my right and to my left and see who's running beside me." - T. Nelson

Thanks Dad, for once I'm just going to let that one speak for itself.

1 Cor. 9:24-27

Porch Swings and Sunrises

Every once in a while when the library gets boring I take off down Valencia Blvd. for a grande lowfat toffee nut latte. Yes, I have become that L.A. guy who drinks lowfat (sometimes... non fat, shhhhh!). This morning was a little bit different as I sat there thinking about this past weekend and all that God used for His glory in my sanctification, and the communal fellowship our Bible Study enjoyed together around the Scripture. Just sitting there I started thinking about all of the things that I'm thankful for, and that's where this comes from...

A few things that I'm so very thankful for...

Starbucks, not just because I work there, but we do have really good coffee. I'm thankful for big green umbrellas, trash cans, and clouds that block the sun and sometimes drop water on my windshield. I love watching birds eat crumbs from a reduced fat cinnamon swirl coffee cake a lady enjoyed, reminding me of God's providence in my own life, and in those of the people that mean a lot to me (Phil. 4:19). I'm so very thankful for the guys and gals that remind me daily of the reason I'm here, inevitably pointing me back to the cross. I'm thankful for parents who care about me, even when I tell them they're wrong, they aren't. I'm thankful for Christ-centered girls that show me what I should be looking for in a wife, and in a way I'm thankful for superficial girls that show me what not to pay attention to. I'm thankful for rain. I'm continually indebted to men, both living and dead, who set the bar of holiness that truly examples a life lived "above reproach" (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:7). I'm thankful for the public community college that allows me to experience the secular world as a Christian student... and I'm thankful for the private Christian school that I'll soon attend that allows me to study the Scriptures for what my God has actually said. Music: piano and guitar, lyrics that point me to Christ. Songs that are made to please the Father and proclaim the good news, not merely stir up emotion and shallow affections. I love rain. I'm thankful for mountains, grass, and waterfalls, big rocks and sand. I love Pine trees, porches, porch swings, rocking chairs and sleeping bags. Big comfy couches and FIREPLACES! I love muffins in the morning and sandwiches for lunch. Two words: Dr. Pepper. I love cabins with wood floors and having absolutely no street lights - stars are awesome on Bible study retreats! I love good movies, blankets, and books. I usually get frustrated with computers, but I'm thankful for the technology that God has provided and can use for the further advancement of the gospel. I'm thankful for airplanes, airports, and luggage (even the people who lose mine, God loves them, I will too). I love tiny bottles of water and the itchy pillows in the pocket in front of you. I love snoring old men who lean their seat all the way back, I'll be there one day. I love internet telephone that lets me talk to friends on the other side of the world, for free. I love my dog, other people's cats, and funny little kids. I hate homework, but love turning it in. I'm thankful for cars, grandparents, and college football! Did I mention rain? Sweatshirts, flip flops, and sales at the GAP®. Old Navy® jeans and those cool track jackets that are warm and super comfy. I'm thankful for friends who care enough to study, and employee discounts. I like naps, but only when it's cold outside. Tin roofs are great, especially in the rain! I LOVE fishing and barbeque. Sausage is a gift of grace and bacon ain't far behind. I love all of these things, and they are all indisputably gracious gifts from a loving God... but the real gift is the joy we get in them, because they remind us of the Provider. I pray we always dwell on the things that are imperishable; they make us look differently at that which is passing away. Sola gratia! Jude 24, 25

The Art of Compromise

Talking to a dear friend attending grad school in Arizona, it's amazing to me how often I'm blinded by my own affections and tendency towards compromise. How about a proposition? Imagine, speaking hypothetically of course, that there's a girl who seems absolutely 'perfect.' She's gorgeous, hilarious, smart, and has a great personality. Would you ask her out? "Of course" you might respond. Why not right? "Oh, is she a Christian?" you might ask--as if assumed. Why is that assumed? And even if it could be, is "Christian" merely a label or an active pursuit? Let me pose the question this way: if someone gave you $1 million to invest anywhere you choose, would you just find the first company with a flashy logo and a catchy slogan? Or would you research that company, inquire about their short and long-term goals and ambitions to fulfill a specific core purpose? Wouldn't that core purpose, that unnegotiable value, be the most significant and crucial factor in your decision, or would it be merely a subtopic under a strategic heading? Am I talking about Christians dating non-Christians? No. I'm talking about Christians compromising on what we know to be indisputable Biblical values that we tend to compromise on for the sake of superficial affections--emotional whims and fancies. How easy is it for us to so quickly turn on what we know to be obvious and clear truth when the temptation to entertain a fleeting affection strolls by. The reality is God made each and every one of us with a conscience, and that is hopefully guided by the Word of God through the divine aid of the Holy Spirit working towards Holiness. But how commonly do we prostitute what we know to be right for that which is built in the sand? Emotions and affections, especially in regards to relationships, are a gift from a gracious and loving God. Yet they, if not appropriately examined through the lens of inerrant Scripture, can be deceiving to a mind and dangerous to a heart. Men, is the supreme attraction of your heart whatever seems to turns your head? Women, is "Mr. Right" the humble, spiritual leader in your Bible study, or the ear tickling facade that sits beside you in class?



Our tendency to compromise on the truth for the whims and desires of superficiality stretches far beyond dating and relationships, but I believe it to be one of the most deadly causes of misunderstanding and misguided expectations; leading ultimately to ungodly and unbiblical disasters. As my friend Vince said to me, "where there's fruit and evidence of an uncompromising pursuit of holiness for the sake of pure worship, there we find the true nature of a Christ-centered relationship." Thanks Vince for your uncompromising loyalty to the truth, and making sure I stay on it. Sola gracia! Phil. 1:9

45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. - Jonathan Edwards, Jan. 13, 1723

Night On the Town

My friend Peter has lived in California his entire life, but not once has he been to Hollywood. Crazy street performers, expensive side shows, even more expensive food, he's never had the privilege of enjoying any of these great 'once to say you've done it' experiences. So this afternoon Peter and I hop on the US101 and head down to the dirtiest city either side of Las Vegas... Hollywood, CA. As we're walking past the Kodak Theatre (home of the Oscar's) and approaching Mann's Chinese Theatre, this guy hands us two free tickets to be in the audience of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, filming at the famed El Capitan in 15 minutes. The show was a total blast (except for the 'musical' guest...aka 'the strip show') and absolutely hilarious. I know this is short, but the experience was too rare not to write about - 'specially for a coupla' country boys like us! The show airs tonight at midnight PST and 11PM central.

Y'all have an awesome night and rest of the week! Heb. 2:1-4

Table for Two

These are the lyrics to a song written years ago by Derek Webb, found on the Caedmon's Call Album Forty Acres. The song is called Table for Two, and if I could relate anymore to literally every word he's saying, it would be unbelievable. Maybe some of you can to!

Danny and I spent another late night over pancakes,
talking about soccer and how every man's just the same
And made speculation on the 'who's and the 'when's of our futures
And how everyone's lonely but still we just couldn't complain.

And how we just hate being alone
Could I have left my only chance
And now I'm just wasting my time, by looking around.

But you know I know better, I'm not gonna worry 'bout nothing
'Cause if the birds and the flowers survive then I'll make it okay
If given a chance and a rock see which one breaks a window
And see which one keeps me up all night and into the day

Because I'm so scared of being alone
That I forgot what house I live in
But it's not my job to wait by the phone
For her to call

Well this day's been crazy but everything's happened on schedule
From the rain and the cold to the drink that I spilled on my shirt
'Cause You knew how You'd save me before I fell dead in the garden
And You knew this day long before You made me out of dirt

And You know the plans You have for me
And You can't plan the ends and not plan the means
And so I suppose I just need some peace, just to get me to sleep.

I can't say it any better than that! DW wrote this expressing his tendency to be an 'overthinker,' specifically when it comes to relationships. And if that's not the story of my life I don't know what is, haha. Y'all have a blessed weekend and a great Lord's day! Psalm 84:10

Sovereign Grace

Walking into work last night, after spending a large majority of the day following the updated news accounts of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans, Gulport, and the rest of the Gulf Coast, I overheard a co-worker of mine say to another, "Man, this means we aren't goin' to Mardi Gras this year!" Taking a sip of coffee, I almost choked. The damage done to the residents of the southern Gulf coast visibly stretches far beyond the French Quarter. As the most recent estimates predict possibly 4 to 5 months before reconstruction can even begin, this is far too reminiscent of another catastrophic event that took place this month, 4 years ago. FOX News' Shepard Smith reported yesterday that even a brief survey of any given neighborhood in New Orleans resembles "a nuclear warzone without the radiation." Also stating that this is nothing short of a "third-world situation; people with little children, babies, sitting outside all day with nothing to drink, nothing to eat, and no idea where they're even supposed to go." Seeing the photos of this tragedy can quickly cause any of us to lose it emotionally, but let's pray that God in His grace would keep our focus in the right place, His grace, foremost exampled in His Son. As a lady standing in line at the Superdome boldly proclaimed on national television, "We're all praying for safety, but moreso I'm praying for repentance...that these people around me would see the love of Jesus and turn to Him for salvation from their sin." Amen! Keep preaching dear sister. As hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing to Baton Rouge, Houston, and everywhere in between, please let's continue to pray for our brothers and sisters who have been most effected by this tragedy, and may the Lord's Name be exalted more than ever, at a time when most appear to have nothing to smile about. Praise to our gracious and faithful Provider who isn't tied down by hunger, transportation, or even category 5 hurricanes. "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Ways to help: The American Red Cross is accepting donations 24/7. For other ways you can help log on to FOX News' Disaster Relief Information.

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all" (1 Chronicles 29:11).