It's Been Awhile

Without a shadow of doubt God is prompting me to again reengage writing on this goofy blog page known as "Big Daddy's Blurbs". My absence is no longer acceptable in the eyes of my Heavenly Father. Too often have I tried to "ignore" or "go ahead" of God and His Divine Will in my life. When I do, I find myself in difficult situations that my "selfish flesh" had truly placed first in front of God. I believe this is why He has convicted me at my heart's core to again write. I MUST continue to deny my selfish/sinful nature. And in doing so, in writing, I must share my convictions and words with whoever reads this blog. I want to be like Paul and David! Men who were after a Heart like The Lord God! I have prayed like David. I have both pleaded and prayed to also have a heart like The Father and His Son. He answered. This is His answer to me....

"If you my son Jeff desire a heart like Me, your Heavenly Father God, then you must Love ALL of My People as you Jeff, love your own children. You are a man who loves My Truest Blessings! Now Jeff, GO! GO! Treat EVERYONE as He and She are Hand Chosen by Me and Blessed like your own off-spring. Learn to Love My People as I have Loved you Jeff! GO!"


This is what The King of kings spoke to me as well. "Use your God Given Talents to bring forth My Coming Kingdom!'' "As you Jeff express and model mature love to your brothers and sisters in Me, I will pour My Spirit out with Power on to him and her who believes!"


As I close tonight, understand we serve a Great and Wonderful Lord God! And He wants to show Himself to ALL of those people who will call upon His Name! For He wants ALL of His People to again STAND!!! and bring Glory and Godly Honor back to Him and ALL of His Creation!

May God powerfully enhance the spirit and gifts in you (and each one of us) that WILL bring Praise of Glory to God The Father! Amen.

Kingdom Thoughts

Over the coarse of a lifetime, do we really grasp the idea of life and of time? What about the concept of life or time with or without a "being" greater than ourselves or God? Is time really moving forward as we all may think OR is it that eternity is bursting into the present? Can I (we) have the faith......to live life like there will be no tomorrow?!

These are questions that I find myself pondering this evening. I am just going to lay this out there. The Kingdom, His Kingdom, His Eternal Kingdom is rapidly approaching. Things are in motion that can NOT be undone or stopped. A line is being drawn. We as His People NEED to prepare!

At my core being, I believe His Coming will be sooner than later. Life as we all know it is about to change. When this change occurs, we as His Body, the REAL purpose of the church MUST mirror the "blueprint" given to us from His Word. The ground work that is written in The Book of Acts describes how the "first" church looked like and how the church operated. We as the "last" church must again rise and become "The Way" once again.

The Kingdom of The King Jesus is in each one of us and therefore up to us, His People, who must bring it! Pray for it! Pray for His Kingdom to Come NOW!!! Ask for a new perspective. A view point that allows the sight of His Miraculous Work and Wonders. The closer His Eternal Kingdom approaches us, the more we WILL see His Glory revealed in and through us, His People. Wow! What a honor and privilege!


-Awaiting His Glorious Return

True Blessings

What really does a "blessing" from God look like? When people say, "God bless you" or "bless you" or even "blessings", what are people truly asking of God to do to another person? Are blessings even relevant to the person on the receiving end when giving?

I say "blessings" from the Living God are the simplest and most beautiful things that (we), because of the complexity of our culture, is missed. Like said about beauty, "its (beauty) is all in the eye of the beholder" and so are blessings. Paul's account of his conversion on the road to Damascus describes another way of seeing blessings. When the "scales" fell off his eyes he too looked upon the world with "eyes like Jesus". When that happened to Paul and believe it or not but can still happen to some of us today, blessings, true blessings directly come from The King of Kings are abundant!

Nine beautiful and talented children. A wife who gave birth to nine children AND I still find beautiful and physically attractive. A house that is a home. Many men in whom I trust. A pastor and friend who I know without a shadow of doubt, has my back. There is a ministry about to explode from somewhere inside my family! We all in the Morgan family are excited to serve Jesus in ANY WAY He would have us! I have a job. My son Caleb can throw a baseball over 80 mph at the age of a young 15. Jalissa was on the All-State "One Act" team with "Orphan Train". This is just a hand-full of blessings He has bestowed upon me.

See to me, true blessings are the simplest everyday things that most people take for granted. I too used to take everything for granted. Guilty. About a year ago, The Lord "peeled" the ''scales" off my eyes and I do see all of life MUCH different than I had before! Oh my! I thank God for this new ability to see His People and to see His Blessings in the lives of His People.

Here is the REAL beauty...........He, The Lord God Almighty, wants you and I to go make His Blessings real to our brothers and sisters in Christ! We who take the time to TRULY say to someone, "God Bless you brother", He, Jesus Himself through the Holy Spirit WILL touch the receiver in a way! When we "GIVE" away blessings in action is when we REALLY and TRULY become the blessed ones!

Go bless someone! If He is prompting you to say a blessing or words of encouragement to a fellow, Go do it! And in doing so, I pray He pours out His Blessings on YOU!

God Bless!

Short and Sweet

What a ride the last 7 days has been. How can one express feelings or emotions that soar so far in often opposite directions. One thing that remains clear on this bucking roller-coaster ride is that there is A Living and Loving God in Jesus Christ.

Most now know that a week ago today I took Caleb, Cole, Jaden Joy and Johnny (my 3 year old) to do some things for my dad (Lee Johnson) down at his home. He lives about an hour Southeast of Pella. We tried to call him a few times along the way down to his place. My son Caleb was sitting in the front seat with me as we got his voice mail every time we called. I could tell my son too was "filling in the dots" to what may be coming. As we pulled on to his yard, Caleb and I spoke without even speaking. Caleb stayed in the car with his brothers and sister as I went in dad's house to confirm what my I fearfully wondered over the last 15 minutes.

Dad had passed into The Presence of his Father sitting in his "easy chair" sometime over night or early morning. Caleb being the young man he is came into the house a few minutes later. My son and I shared something at that moment. I am sure many people would see that time Boo and I shared to be "gross" or "not normal". Caleb and I however grew from it. We learned we have NO fear of death. My dad believed Jesus Christ was and is The Lord He claimed to be. Both Caleb and I, through The Holy Spirit grew in our own spiritual walk last Sunday. My son is a better man for it, as am I.

I would love to describe in detail how I truly believe that dad's death was all part of the "big picture" of life. Already in dad's passing I find my own family drawing closer to Him. I learned that the relationship between a dad and a son is special. I believe I fell more in love with my own sons in the passing of dad. I believe I was to find dad in his chair. It was supposed to be me who he last had conversation with. Even in our ugly history, that bond, that....whatever it is......well, I get now. As a dad and a son, I understand finally.

Lisa and I were able to attend a conference this weekend. Wonderful!!! This "Wholeness in Christ" conference was perfectly orchestrated by The One Living Lord God! Seriously. I don't know how to begin to verbalize or find words to describe some of the REAL miracles that I personal witnessed. Lives changed. Mine included. With dad's passing earlier in the week and just a week full of doing the "unusual" my heart was ready for some serious reflection and more importantly some time with Jesus. Again, His timing was Perfect.

As I close this short/brief "blog" I want to thank everyone who prayed for me and my family this week. Never once did I ever feel alone. Brothers and sisters in Him surrounded me and the family this week and THAT meant a lot!

Blessings,

Tag, You Are It!

What a day The Lord has made! I should/need to rejoice in this day and glad in it! Deep in me do I truly praise God for this day.

My day started brisk and wonderful meeting with a group of young men studying God's Word. The day ended as beautiful as it began as I was honored in taking my 3 beautiful daughters to a "father-daughter" dance. We danced and then dined in fellowship and prayer with amazing company. My dearest friend was there tonight and that really was a blessing from God in my view of life! What a day, filled with sunshine and seeing the Holy Spirit work in people. What a day!

I share this "brief" of my day only to promote inspiration to anyone who may read my rare writings. When I remember or chose to put others before me, or maybe be better said "love outward" is when I truly feel blessed. Selfishness is often my "blocker" of being blessed. I look inward instead of loving/looking outwards. Inspiration follows for me. I find inspired when I attempt to encourage my fellow man and I get a positive reaction. "when blessings from God come to us, we MUST turn right around and give them away" This concept works for me. It follows the premise of "a cup running over". I get that! Praise God for His blessings on my life!

As I close I ask for prayer. Life is about to become very fast paced for me and my family. Please pray that time for relationships still happen in our family life. And for grace in each other when that time is lost. Also, pray for me to be "in-tune" well enough to follow God's leading in my life. I have been overwhelmed (in a GOOD way) with so much positive feedback when I describe to people my vision for a public ministry. I say this only because my pattern in life typically would be me trying to lead God instead of me following His. So as we press forward with ministry, please pray that I keep a Godly perspective doing His work.

May God Bless you and may you pass that blessing onto your fellow friend.

Awaiting His Glorious Return!

It Starts With Us Men

This mission-vision that I have been called to see become a reality is SIMPLY using The Words of Jesus from The Book of Matthew. 22: 34-40 and 28: 19-20 Again, keeping it simple, this is what I see unfolding for me..... To go reach the people who do not "yet" know Christ by using love AND to go strengthen His believers who already know Him using love, all done here in my very own community. The key word is Love in both missions. By building relationships with His people and equipping each group with encouragement (love in action) we WILL change this community and therefore the culture we live in.

Because I know I can NOT do this alone, I am going to address in detail the second mission first. "To strengthen His believers who already know Him". In order to be effective in a ministry like this it is clear to me that we need each other. Like The Word of God describes about The Body of Christ, we as parts of that body need to learn how to work together in unison and community.

What God has really laid on my heart is this..... the change and unifying in The Body of Christ WILL have to start with men. Like what the Promise Keepers movement of years past attempted MUST again come alive in the local community! Men must first realize we NEED each other. There is not a single man who has it all together. Each and all of us struggle with something, and therefore each one of us needs love, prayer and encouragement from another. We need to know we are NOT alone in our journey.

My prayer and vision is for men in the local church body, (in his own church home) coming together and sharing/caring in each others personal struggles. Learning how carry each other in love and encouragement. Because I know men and know that getting started is the hardest, this is where I can/will help. My "calling" is helping in starting these kind of groups. Each church body will have different dynamics and core beliefs, I understand. However, men at the core are the same. We are all sinful by nature. We ALL NEED Jesus and each other! We just need encouragement in finding our individual calling and heart's desire with help from The Holy Spirit and our brothers.

As I begin to lay out the "mission plan" in the next article or "blog" it's important to emphasize simply this: Men, we NEED Jesus! We NEED to be in community and accountability with our brothers in Him!

This is just the start to something MUCH bigger to come! Again I ask for those who read this to pray for me and my family. Pray that I can communicate in the way He would like me to and also pray that His Will in me is done and not my own selfish ambitions.

Questions to Answer - Part 1

What will it look like to be a full time missionary in a community that is full of "churched" people? How will local churches take to the idea of a man who's heart is to strengthen their own body of believers? Will pride be a factor when I ask, "what is your body of men doing to grow spiritually? Are men of this community really ready to humble themselves? Will the dads really take the time to bring their son(s) or daughter(s) to a public arena for prayer and worship? What about the tradition or heritage of their faith? Can the local body of ALL churches truly come together and unify under His banner? Will denomination stand prideful in the way? And last, the REAL personal questions for me to address. Am I worthy to be the motion in The Body? Can I put away my own pride? Can I overcome my fear/pride to ask my brothers for monetary resources?

All of these questions (and MANY more) have been eating away at me and in some ways keeping me from going through with what The Holy Spirit has called me to do. Due to fear and denial, I wanted to answer to the negative side of each one. Again I wanted to "hide" His calling in my life and to continue to ignore The Holy Spirit prompting me to "follow through". These questions still pose serious prayer and finally today I CAN and WILL accept the answers with Hope and Grace.

Many things have fallen into place in order for this ministry to happen. I have no doubt of the Hand of God working and moving ahead of me. As I listen and observe the people who I believe to have Godly Wisdom, not just worldly wisdom, my encouragement grows! The Lord Jesus' own ministry didn't make sense to the culture of His time. His apostles too went against the grain and lived on the edge while living deeply in Faith. The Bible is real to me and so are the men in It who made a difference! I was reminded several time over the last three days of this....Anyone who was anyone in The Word of God did NOT follow the normal way of life. Faith. Faith in Him. Not faith in self or the flesh. I know by my own life experience, I will fail. But even when I took my eyes off of Him, He, The Lord Jesus NEVER took His eyes off of me. In fact, He poured His Grace on to me and my loved ones when I could or would not be looking for it.

Because it is late on a Wednesday night and my body is tired, I will have to finish this article another time. But again I ask anyone and everyone to please pray for me as I will pray for anyone who asks me to in return. Together, we CAN change this culture with His Great and Loving Grace!

Awaiting His Glorious Return,

Time to Roll

The time has come for me to officially put into action this burning desire and vision that I pray in The Name of Jesus is from Him. As I explain this, my prayer will be that God gives me words to describe this action and to have courage to back it.

For sometime now I have been "called" into ministry. In fact going back 15 years ago, I then too felt this same calling. Lisa and I was much younger and if my memory serves me right she was pregnant with our son Caleb. At the time my "calling" was to be a pastor or so I thought. The logical thing at the time, or least by what the world around me was saying "go to college and then on to seminary then you can fulfill that calling". There was no doubt this "call" was from Him but yet there was hesitation on my behalf..... maybe fear....I did not know BUT I cowardly ignored His call. It wasn't until much later in life when I heard a man who claimed to have the gift of prophesy say to me (by the way, this man pegged me out of a group and called me up first), he said "You disqualified yourself from your calling didn't you?" He went on to say, "God still desires you serving Him." He was right on of course, but I honestly again chose to ignore even that and went on to open a restaurant instead.

Long story short, I chose to ignore my Lord's call because of my own unforgiven sins. Sins that Jesus covered on my behalf by His blood, but sins I could/would not forgive myself of. I thought I had to be a "perfect Christian" first. What pride and arrogance! My selfishness and really disbelief in Jesus Christ (when it's boiled down) separated me from my savior! Fooling only myself and sadly, those closest to me, my family.

Here's the irony of it all. Even in my state of self doubt and not having the ability to forgive myself, This Almighty God still blessed me! He sent nine, nine souls from heaven for me and my lovely bride to parent and care for. Jesus also blessed me personally with a most beautiful woman in Lisa. She is so diligent as a wife but also as a mother. I don't say it enough, but she is the best. If anyone really knew our life story, one would find that it was truly God who put us together. He took two broken pieces of life and made whole a family. I do NOT deserve Lisa or any of my offspring, BUT by His Mercy and Grace......here we are!

With all that said, here we go. The calling He has put in my heart is so real that I can no longer ignore it. All I can think about is serving Jesus by being in relation with my brother and sister in Christ. I know what I am about to embark on defies today's culture of Christian believers. My call is to be a missionary right here in my community serving His people.

Please pray for me! Pray that God Himself puts His words into my mouth as I describe to friends and family this call. Pray also for understanding in faith.

Blessings! Look for the second part of this soon!

Awaiting His Glorious Return,

Just Do It

The Nike corporation uses the phrase "Just Do It" to market their athletic products around the globe. I love that phrase! As a coach of many sports, I too use that catchy three word phrase quit often. Often I add "don't think so much, JUST GO DO IT". Like what Nike is trying to accomplish, it's a motivator to encourage someone or a body of people to perform their best. (and to buy shoes)

What I have written about lately and STILL what I feel the Holy Spirit is inspiring me to do is encourage my fellow brother and sister. Encouragement is a simple way we as Christians can take the offense in spiritual warfare. Everyone needs to be encouraged. Philippians 2: 1-4 is a perfect example of this. In fact, if anyone is not sure where to spend time in The Word of God, please consider spending time in the book of Philippians. Paul's letter is a breath of fresh air for anyone who needs inspired in Christ.

The root word of "encouragement'' is obviously the word courage. Courage is a moral and spiritual action that defies fear. So to encourage a brother or sister would mean that one (the encourager) would aid another in courage to help that person defeat their fear. Often fear is the motivator or enabler of a self defeat. Like I have written prior, we can't truly love others if we don't know how to love ourselves. So, when we encourage others, it just makes sense that we promote love. Love, love is, well I will refer to Paul's letter of Corinthians chapter 13. Paul can better describe what love is and can do.

I encourage you brothers to use your words, gestures and even physical touch to promote brotherly love. Keep it simple. Smile to someone. Give a "high five". Tell a brother/sister that he/she is worthy in God's eye. Then if the opportunity arises in that gesture, speak to them deeper. Talk to their hearts. Listening often is the best way to show encouragement. Find what "trips their trigger" and build upon it. Most importantly, take the time for your brother/sister so he/she feels love.

My pastor posed a question awhile back and asked this. "Do you feel loved?" and "does it matter?" For some reason that struck me at the heart. You would think having a lovely wife, 9 children and working in a Christian environment I should feel loved. Honestly, there were many times I do/did not. Now that I have recognized that, it's much easier to say yes to that question. However, when I really feel loved is when I am demonstrating love to others. Encouragement goes both ways for me personally. When I give myself to my brother and see him lifted up from that.....that's when I feel encouraged.

In closing, please JUST DO IT! Go lift up someone you know needs it. Find the courage that our Lord Jesus gives freely and spread it. I promise, because God's Word is true, if we encourage one another, He, The King of kings and Lord of lords will fill you with His Holy Spirit.

Lord Jesus, fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we ALL can go give it away in the form of real encouragement!

Now, Just Go Do It!!!

Loving Life

There is so many thoughts that run through my mind that I struggle writing them. Often these thoughts and ideas carry a lot of passion therefore hindering my ability to effectively communicate. Because I love writing, this is most frustrating. When I attempt to "hone" in on what I feel The Holy Spirit is leading me to create in words, my personal ambitions often gets in the way. I start to jump ahead of myself. Sometimes words don't even seem to be adequate to what I want to convey. Still, with God's grace, I will attempt to press forward.

From kissing on my four month old son to watching my beautiful sixteen year old daughter dress up in a fancy formal dress, I LOVE being a dad! My "green eyed monster" Johnson David, a three year old with a IQ off the chart has discovered that when I rub/kiss his face ever so gently, he gets sleepy. We did that tonight. What a incredible boy and more so what a Awesome Father God who allows me this privilege. God Himself only knows how much He has blessed me with. Thank you Jesus!

The fact is, He, The Lord King Jesus has not only blessed me with such a wife and children but He has given me a heart for Himself. In that, He has given me "gifts" and abilities to use for His Glory. What He is teaching me as of late is "self forgiveness" and how to REALLY love my fellow man(kind). Encourage. Encourage and more encouragement is needed in the world culture today. God has opened my eyes to see that need in everyday life. The world is so full of fear that His people disguise themselves in a "fake" idea that everyone is OK. Now is the time to defeat fear with Godly encouragement. What can you do today to make a brother or a sister feel better in His love? Have the courage to encourage!

More to come!

Awaiting to see His Return

Monday

Most of the time, the day Monday gets a very bad rap. Mondays are typically the start of the work week for most people and therefore creates anxiety in some. I can usually blame any day for having a "bad day" but poor Mondays get the most. However, today, today was NOT one of those "typical" Mondays. Today I am very thankful to our Lord Jesus for the new mercies and shades of grace He freely gives!

As the day comes to an end and I ponder back upon it, the Work of The Holy Spirit was obvious! This day was filled with God's intervention creating encouragement for many and inspiration in others. When you/I are part of His Body that is in motion, seeing His glory is much easier. For me to be really encouraged means I have to work hard at seeing it. Most of the time my eyes are not focused enough on my brothers and sisters in Christ to see and listen for His Inspiration. I am just learning how much joy I get when I see God's people unifying and celebrating His blessings.

Lord Jesus, Thank you so much for this day You blessed me with! I pray that words of encouragement spreads among Your People. Keep me and my brothers actively seeking You by encouraging each other! May we ALL be vessels of Your Word. Lord Jesus, I pray for the courage needed in each man or woman who calls on You for these words! May Your Name be Glorified for it! -Amen

Awaiting Your Glorious Return!

February

The month of February is typically a month I could easily skip. Winter lingers as snow continues to fall on the already ice packed landscape. March is 28 days away and therefore the first day of Spring is 49 days yet to come. Since I can not control time or skip the "frosty frozen February" I better make the best of the time I do have.

One thing I am going to commit to over the month of February is to write more. Looking back over my "Big Daddy's Blog" there has not been a entry since last year. That's pretty sad really. One of the most healthiest things I ever did was create this blog site. For me, it's a way to journal or vent and also allowing other people to look into my often closed personal thoughts. So, better get of my duff and get started...